bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ultrasonication‐Induced Modification of Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles onto a 3D Porous Poly(lactic acid) Scaffold with Improved Mechanical Properties and Biocompatibility
Authors: Si Junhui , Lin Jixin , Su Chen , Yu Shengrui , Cui Zhixiang , Wang Qianting , Chen Wenzhe , Turng Lih‐Sheng 
Published: April 2019

AbstractA 3D porous poly(lactic acid) (PLA) scaffold with high porosity and well‐connected pores is fabricated using a vacuum‐assisted solvent casting technique. Its surface is modified with hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles using ultrasonication to prepare an HA‐modified PLA/HA scaffold. For reference, an HA‐blended (b‐PLA‐HA) scaffold is fabricated via the solution blending method. The morphology, porosity, hydrophilicity, swelling ratio, mechanical properties, and cell viability of the PLA, b‐PLA‐HA, and PLA/HA scaffolds are systematically studied. The results show that HA nanoparticles are successfully introduced onto the surface of the PLA/HA scaffold, and strong interactions occur between the HA nanoparticles and the PLA matrix. The PLA/HA scaffold still has a high porosity of more than 85% after ultrasonication. The hydrophilicity and mechanical properties of the PLA/HA scaffold are significantly higher than those of the PLA and b‐PLA‐HA scaffolds. Compared with the PLA and b‐PLA‐HA scaffolds, the attachment and growth of mouse embryonic osteoblasts cells (MC3T3‐E1) cultured on the PLA/HA scaffold significantly improve, due to most HA nanoparticles on the surface, resulting in a good and direct interaction between the cells and the scaffold. Therefore, the PLA/HA scaffold possesses great potential to be used as a tissue engineering scaffold.
Combining multiband slice selection with consistent k‐t‐space EPSI for accelerated spectral imaging
Authors: Schmidt Rita , Seginer Amir , Tal Assaf 
Published: April 2019

PurposeTo design and implement a multislice MRSI method for fast spectroscopic imaging, using a modified version of echo planar spectroscopic imaging (EPSI) that offers higher spectral width and/or shorter scan time.MethodsEcho planar spectroscopic imaging suffers from inconsistencies between readout lines acquired with gradients of opposite signs, which has typically been addressed by reconstructing the “positive” and “negative” data sets separately and averaging the two. Nevertheless, consistency between the readout lines of each phase encode can be achieved by interposing the EPSI readouts with alternating “blipped” phase‐encode gradients. This method exchanges inconsistencies along the temporal dimension with inconsistencies along the phase‐encode dimension, which are straightforward to correct, as is conventionally done in various EPI reconstruction schemes. Such consistent k‐t‐space EPSI doubles the spectral width in comparison to EPSI, or, in an alternative realization, yields the same spectral width as EPSI, but at half the acquisition time. In this work, multiband CAIPIRINHA (controlled aliasing in parallel imaging results in higher acceleration) slice selection was integrated with consistent k‐t‐space EPSI to further accelerate the measurement 2‐fold.ResultsThe feasibility of a consistent k‐t‐space EPSI was demonstrated in both phantoms and in vivo brain imaging at 3 T, and four pulse scheme variants were evaluated. It was demonstrated to be useful in optimizing the spectral width and scan acceleration, both of which are limiting factors in vivo. Dual‐band implementation was shown to shorten the duration of the scan 4‐fold.ConclusionThe consistent k‐t‐space EPSI can be used to accelerate MRSI or, alternatively, double its spectral width. Adding dual‐band CAIPIRINHA further accelerates the acquisition by a factor of 2.
Perspectives on preventing musculoskeletal injuries in nurses: A qualitative study
Authors: Richardson Amy , Gurung Gagan , Derrett Sarah , Harcombe Helen 
Published: April 2019

AbstractAims and objectivesTo explore the perspectives of nursing and physiotherapy academics regarding techniques designed to prevent musculoskeletal pain and injury in nurses.BackgroundHigh rates of musculoskeletal injuries are evident in nurses, yet there is an absence of research identifying effective interventions to address this problem. Exploring the perspectives of individuals with specialist knowledge in the area could help identify barriers to musculoskeletal injury prevention, and innovative strategies to investigate in future studies.DesignCross‐sectional qualitative descriptive study.MethodsBetween October–December 2017, group and individual face‐to‐face semi‐structured interviews were used to collect data. All interviews were audio‐recorded. A thematic analysis was performed, with two researchers coding audio files using NVivo software. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research Checklist was consulted to ensure complete reporting of all methods and findings.ResultsNursing and physiotherapy academics (N = 10) were aware of a range of techniques to prevent musculoskeletal injuries in nurses, including education, equipment, health and safety policy and multi‐disciplinary collaboration. However, several barriers to using these techniques were identified, including age, knowledge and availability of equipment, personal and contextual factors, staffing and time pressures. Several strategies were recommended for further investigation and implementation in clinical practice, such as the sharing of personal experiences, orthopaedic assessments and changes to workplaces that foster a culture of safety.ConclusionsFurther research is required to reduce musculoskeletal pain and injury among nurses. This research should account for the barriers to current prevention strategies and consider investigating novel interventions.Relevance to clinical practiceThese findings highlight strategies for preventing musculoskeletal injuries among nurses that are likely to be most effective in clinical practice.
Paranoia and risk of personality disorder in the general population
Authors: Muñoz‐Negro José E. , Prudent Cécile , Gutiérrez Blanca , Cervilla Jorge A. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractBackgroundWe hypothesized that paranoia is associated with personality disorder (PD) in the general population.MethodThis was a population‐based cross‐sectional survey carried out in Andalusia (Spain) using a representative sample of 4 507 participants. Paranoia was measured using the Green Paranoid Thought Scale, and risk of having a PD was screened using the Standardized Assessment of Personality Abbreviated Scale whilst borderline personality disorder (BPD) was measured with the CEPER‐III Exploratory Interview of Personality disorder. Adjusted Pearsons' correlations between paranoia and PD or BPD were calculated.ResultsParanoia was associated with the risk of having PD and, more robustly, with BPD. Both associations held true for both personality outcomes (PD and BPD) when tested for two Green Paranoid Thought Scale paranoia subtypes (persecutory and reference) after accounting for the effects of age, sex and child abuse.ConclusionsParanoia seems to either augment the risk for, or be part of, PD/BPD. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fetal echocardiographic assessment of cardiovascular impact of prolonged support on EXTrauterine Environment for Neonatal Development (EXTEND) system
Authors: Ozawa K. , Davey M. G. , Tian Z. , Hornick M. A. , Mejaddam A. Y. , McGovern P. E. , Flake A. W. , Rychik J. 
Published: April 2019

ABSTRACTObjectiveEXTrauterine Environment for Neonatal Development (EXTEND) is a system to support ongoing fetal growth and organ development in an extrauterine environment, utilizing a pumpless low‐resistance oxygenator circuit. The aim of this study was to evaluate hemodynamics and cardiac function in fetal sheep sustained on the EXTEND system.MethodsThis was a prospective study of fetal sheep supported for a minimum of 3 weeks on EXTEND. Hemodynamic parameters were assessed weekly and included heart rate, mean arterial pressure (MAP), Doppler‐echocardiography‐derived cardiac output (CO), pulsatility indices (PIs) of the fetal middle cerebral artery (MCA), umbilical artery (UA) and ductus venosus and cardiac function, as assessed by speckle‐tracking‐derived global longitudinal strain and strain rate in the right (RV) and left (LV) ventricles. Parameters were compared at 0 days and 1, 2 and 3 weeks following placement on EXTEND.ResultsOf 10 fetal sheep enrolled, seven survived for 3 weeks and were included in the analysis. Median gestational age at cannulation was 107 (range, 95–109) days. Heart rate decreased and MAP increased significantly, but within acceptable ranges, during the study period. The quantities and relative ratios of right and left CO remained stable within the anticipated physiological range throughout the study period. Vascular tracings and PIs appeared to be similar to those seen normally in the natural in‐utero state, with MCA‐PI being higher than UA‐PI. UA tracings demonstrated maintained abundant diastolic flow despite the absence of placental circulation. In both the RV and LV, strain decreased significantly at 1 and 2 weeks relative to baseline but returned to baseline values by week 3.ConclusionsThe EXTEND mechanical support system replicates natural physiology and creates a stable and sustainable cardiovascular construct that supports growth over a 3‐week period. However, there is a period of depressed contractility within the first week with subsequent improvement by week 3. This may reflect a period of physiological accommodation that warrants further investigation. This study lays the foundation for further exploration as the EXTEND system moves towards human application. © 2019 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Ayn Rand’s Objectivist Ethics Applied to Video Game Business
Authors: Harviainen J. Tuomas , Paavilainen Janne , Koskinen Elina 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThis article analyzes the business ethics of digital games, using Ayn Rand’s philosophy of Objectivism. It identifies different types of monetization options as virtuous or nonvirtuous, based on Rand’s views on rational self-interest. It divides the options into ethical Mover and unethical Looter designs, presents those logics in relation to an illustrative case example, Zynga, and then discusses a view on the role of players in relation to game monetization designs. Through our analysis of monetization options in the context of Objectivist ethics, the article contributes to discussions on game revenue ethics. It also expands the still understudied area of applying Rand’s ethics to business, in the context of a new sector, game development, and business. This research enables ethicists to apply a wider-than-before perspective on virtue ethics to online business, and helps game developers act in a virtuous manner, which provides them with a long-term business advantage.
Religion and behavioral procrastination: Mediating effects of locus of control and content of prayer
Authors: Zarzycka Beata , Liszewski Tomasz , Marzel Marek 
Published: April 2019

AbstractReligion is a significant predictor of self-regulatory processes. Procrastination has been described as the very essence of self-regulatory failure. In this study, we examined the relationship between religiousness and procrastination, with locus of control and styles of prayer playing mediating roles. These relationships were tested using data from 196 students. We applied the Centrality of Religiosity Scale, Levenson’s Locus of Control Scale, the God Control Scale, the Content of Prayer Scale, and the Behavioral Procrastination Scale. The results showed that: God control fully mediates the effects of ideology and intellect on procrastination; internal control fully mediates the effect of public prayer and religious experience on procrastination; and passive style of prayer was a mediator in the relationship between centrality of religion and procrastination. Our findings suggest that religious people may give up internal control, believing that their matters are in God’s hands. Being subject to God’s power provides them with a replacement form of control, which reduces problems of self-regulation.
ECONOMIC SCENARIO GENERATOR AND PARAMETER UNCERTAINTY: A BAYESIAN APPROACH
Authors: Bégin Jean-François 
Published: April 2019

AbstractIn this article, we study parameter uncertainty and its actuarial implications in the context of economic scenario generators. To account for this additional source of uncertainty in a consistent manner, we cast Wilkie’s four-factor framework into a Bayesian model. The posterior distribution of the model parameters is estimated using Markov chain Monte Carlo methods and is used to perform Bayesian predictions on the future values of the inflation rate, the dividend yield, the dividend index return and the long-term interest rate. According to the US data, parameter uncertainty has a significant impact on the dispersion of the four economic variables of Wilkie’s framework. The impact of such parameter uncertainty is then assessed for a portfolio of annuities: the right tail of the loss distribution is significantly heavier when parameters are assumed random and when this uncertainty is estimated in a consistent manner. The risk measures on the loss variable computed with parameter uncertainty are at least 12% larger than their deterministic counterparts.
MHD Buoyancy Flow of Nanofluids over an Inclined Plate Immersed in Uniform Porous Medium in the Presence of Solar Radiation
Authors: Rashed Z. Z. , Ahmed S. E. , Sheremet M. A. 
Published: April 2019

ABSTRACTFree convective flow and heat transfer of nanofluid close to the inclined plate immersed in the porous medium under the effects of uniform magnetic field and solar radiation has been studied. Boundary-layer approach, Boussinesq approximation and two-phase nanofluid model have been used for a formulation of the governing equations taking into account convective-radiative heat exchange with an environment. The local similarity method has been adopted for the analysis of the considered phenomenon. The obtained equations have been solved numerically using MATLAB software. The effects of control characteristics on profiles of velocity, temperature and nanoparticles volume fraction as well as Nusselt number have been studied in detail.
A New Exact Analysis for Anisotropic Conductive Heat Transfer in Truncated Composite Spherical Shells
Authors: Norouzi M. , Rahmani H. , Birjandi A. K 
Published: April 2019

ABSTRACTIn the present paper, a general analytical solution is proposed for anisotropic heat conduction through truncated composite spherical shells. The solution is so important in designing the spherical vessels which are usually used to store the CNG, LNG, LPG and other petroleum condensates. Herein, it is supposed that the fiber angle of composite laminate is in range of zero to 90 degrees. Heat convection with ambient flow, an external heat radiation, and a possible internal heat generation are modeled within the heat transfer equation. The exact solution is derived using the complex finite Fourier transform method. The particular solution of transferred equation is found based on the Green’s function and Sturm-Liouville theories. Finally, an inverse integral transformation is applied to form the final analytical solution in physical space. Defining four materials differing in the value of conductivity coefficient in fiber direction, the effects of used composite material and fiber angle on temperature distribution of the spherical shell are investigated in detail.
Influence of Induced Magnetic Field and Radiation on Free Convective Jeffrey Fluid Flow between two Parallel Porous Plates with Soret and Dufour Effects
Authors: Ojjela Odelu , Raju Adigoppula , Naresh Kumar N. 
Published: April 2019

ABSTRACTThe present article deals with the influence of the induced magnetic field on an unsteady two dimensional incompressible free convective chemically reacting slip flow of Jeffrey fluid between two parallel plates under the influence of the thermal radiation, Soret and Dufour. It is assumed that the flow is generated due to periodic suction/injection and the non-uniform temperature and concentrations are varying periodically with time at the plates. The governing partial differential equations are reduced into nonlinear ordinary differential equations by using similarity transformations and solved by shooting method along with Rung-Kutta 4th order scheme. The results are analyzed for various flows, heat and mass transfer characteristics with respect to various prominent parameters such as the ratio of relaxation to retardation times, Deborah number, magnetic Reynold’s number, Strommer’s number, radiation parameter, chemical reaction parameter, Soret and Dufour numbers in details through graphs and tables. It is observed that the temperature of the fluid is enhanced with Soret and Dufour whereas the concentration is decreased. Also the mass transfer rate of the fluid is enhanced with Strommer’s number, whereas the heat transfer rate decreases with increasing of the Jeffery fluid parameter. The present results have good agreement with published work for Newtonian case.
Tremor Estimation and Removal in Robot-Assisted Surgery Using Lie Groups and EKF
Authors: Rana Rohit , Gaur Prerna , Agarwal Vijyant , Parthasarathy Harish 
Published: April 2019

SummaryThis paper aims at estimating the tremor torque using extended Kalman filter (EKF) applied to a two-link 3-DOF robot with nonlinear dynamics modelled using Lie-group and Lie-algebra theory. Later, it is generalised to d number of links with (d + 1) -DOF. The configuration of each link at any time is described by its rotation relative to the preceding link. Using this formulation, an elegant formula for the kinetic energy of the (d + 1) -DOF system is obtained as a quadratic form in the angular velocities with coefficients being highly nonlinear trigonometric functions of the angles. Properties of the Lie algebra generators and the Lie adjoint map are used to arrive at this expression. Further, the gravitational potential energy and the torque potential energy are expressed as nonlinear trigonometrical functions of the angles using properties of the SO(3) group. The input torque comprises a nonrandom intentional torque component and a highly nonlinear tremor torque component. The tremor torque is modelled as a stochastic differential equation (sde) satisfying Ornstein–Uhlenbeck (OU) process with diffusion and damping coefficients. Further, the tremor is treated as the disturbance. The Euler–Lagrange equations for the angles are derived. These form a system of sdes, and the EKF is used to get a more accurate disturbance estimate than that provided by the usual disturbance observer. The EKF is based on noisy angle measurements and yields as a bonus the angle and angular velocity estimates on a real-time basis. The parameters in the OU process model of the tremor torque, and parameters of the Fourier components of the intentional torque have also been estimated.
Interactions among Locus of Control, Environmental Attitudes and Pro-Environmental Behaviour in China
Authors: Giefer Madeline M , Peterson M Nils , Chen Xiaodong 
Published: April 2019

SummaryPromoting environmentally conscious behaviour requires an understanding of the complex cognitive mechanisms by which people decide to act environmentally. Research suggests that locus of control (LOC), or the extent to which a person feels his or her own actions can produce broader change, is an important predictor of environmental behaviour; however, little is known about how LOC interacts with other cognitive motivators. This study uses a nationwide survey from China to test whether LOC moderates the effect of environmental attitudes on behaviour. Respondents with external LOC (i.e., those who believe personal actions cannot produce change) reported lower pro-environmental behaviour than those with internal LOC (i.e., those who believe personal actions can produce change). In addition, the influence of environmental attitudes on pro-environmental behaviour was stronger among respondents with external LOC than those with internal LOC. These results support efforts to promote conservation in China by promoting internal LOC and add a novel suggestion that attitude-based messaging is more efficacious among audiences with external LOC.
Development and Implementation of a Disaster Medicine Certificate Series (DMCS) for Medical Students
Authors: Kommor Madison B. , Hodge Bethany , Ciottone Gregory 
Published: April 2019

Introduction:The recent increase in natural disasters and mass shootings highlights the need for medical providers to be prepared to provide care in extreme environments. However, while physicians of all specialties may respond in emergencies, disaster medicine training is minimal or absent from most medical school curricula in the United States. A voluntary Disaster Medicine Certificate Series (DMCS) was piloted to fill this gap in undergraduate medical education.Report:Beginning in August of 2017, second- and third-year medical students voluntarily enrolled in DMCS. Students earned points toward the certificate through participation in activities and membership in community organizations in a flexible format that caters to variable schedules and interests. Topics covered included active shooter training, decontamination procedures, mass-casualty triage, Incident Command System (ICS) training, and more. At the conclusion of the pilot year, demographic information was collected and a survey was conducted to evaluate student opinions regarding the program.Results:Sixty-eight second- and third-year medical students participated in the pilot year, with five multi-hour skills trainings and five didactic lectures made available to students. Forty-eight of those 68 enrolled in DMCS completed the retrospective survey. Student responses indicated that community partners serve as effective means for providing lectures (overall mean rating 4.50/5.0) and skills sessions (rating 4.58/5.0), and that the program created avenues for real-world disaster response in their local communities (rating 4.40/5.0).Conclusions:The DMCS voluntary certificate series model served as an innovative method for providing disaster medicine education to medical students.Kommor MB, Hodge B, Ciottone G. Development and implementation of a Disaster Medicine Certificate Series (DMCS) for medical students.Prehosp Disaster Med. 2019;34(2):197–202