bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Virtual Motion Camouflage Based Visual Servo Control of a Leaf Picking Mechanism
Authors: Defterli Sinem Gozde , Xu Yunjun 
Published: November 2018

For a lately constructed disease detection field robot, the segregation of unhealthy leaves from strawberry plants is a major task. In field operations, the picking mechanism is actuated via three previously derived inverse kinematic algorithms and their performances are compared. Due to the high risk of rapid and unexpected deviation from the target position under field circumstances, some compensation is considered necessary. For this purpose, an image-based visual servoing method via the camera-in-hand configuration is activated when the end-effector is nearby to the target leaf subsequent to performing the inverse kinematics algorithms.
In this study, a bio-inspired trajectory optimization method is proposed for visual servoing and the method is constructed based on a prey-predator relationship observed in nature (“motion camouflage”). In this biological phenomenon, the predator constructs its path in a certain subspace while catching the prey. The proposed algorithm is tested both in simulations and in hardware experiments.
Realizing Trajectory-Based Combustion Control in a Hydraulic Free Piston Engine via a Fast-Response Digital Valve
Authors: Zhang Chen , Sun Zongxuan 
Published: November 2018

Previously, the authors have proposed the concept of piston trajectory-based combustion control enabled by a free piston engine (FPE) and shown its advantages on both thermal efficiency and emissions performance. The main idea of this control method is to design and implement an optimal piston trajectory into FPE and optimizes the combustion performance accordingly. To realize the combustion control in practice, it is obvious that the design of the optimal trajectory should consider the dynamic behaviors of the FPE’s actuation systems as well as variable load dynamics and fuels’ chemical kinetics.
In this paper, a comprehensive model describing the operation of a hydraulic FPE fueled by diesel under HCCI combustion mode is developed. Such a high fidelity model includes four parts, i.e. the piston dynamics, the hydraulic dynamics, the thermodynamics and the fuel’s chemical kinetics. Extensive simulation results are produced, showing that by varying the switching strategy of a fast-response digital valve, the hydraulic FPE can operate at different working loads in a stable manner. Additionally, analysis has been conducted to quantify the thermal efficiency as well as the frictional loss and throttling loss of the FPE. At last, a feedback control is developed to generate optimal switching strategies for the digital valve aimed to achieve the HCCI combustion phasing control. The resulted switching strategy of the digital valve not only increases the thermal efficiency by 0.76%, but also reduces frictional loss by 9.8%, throttling loss by 6.5% as well as NOx emission by 85.6%, which clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of the trajectory-based combustion control.
Advances in optimizing the prescription of antibiotics in outpatient settings
Authors: King Laura M , Fleming-Dutra Katherine E , Hicks Lauri A 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe inappropriate use of antibiotics can increase the likelihood of antibiotic resistance and adverse events. In the United States, nearly a third of antibiotic prescriptions in outpatient settings are unnecessary, and the selection of antibiotics and duration of treatment are also often inappropriate. Evidence shows that antibiotic prescribing is influenced by psychosocial factors, including lack of accountability, perceived patient expectations, clinician workload, and habit. A varied and growing body of evidence, including meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials, has evaluated interventions to optimize the use of antibiotics. Interventions informed by behavioral science—such as communication skills training, audit and feedback with peer comparison, public commitment posters, and accountable justification—have been associated with improved antibiotic prescribing. In addition, delayed prescribing, active monitoring, and the use of diagnostics are guideline recommended practices that improve antibiotic use for some conditions. In 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the Core Elements of Outpatient Antibiotic Stewardship, which provides a framework for implementing these interventions in outpatient settings. This review summarizes the varied evidence on drivers of inappropriate prescription of antibiotics in outpatient settings and potential interventions to improve their use in such settings.
How well do national and local policies in England relevant to maternal and child health meet the international standard for non-communicable disease prevention? A policy analysis
Authors: Penn-Newman Daniel , Shaw Sarah , Congalton Donna , Strommer Sofia , Morris Taylor , Lawrence Wendy , Chase Debbie , Cooper Cyrus , Barker Mary , Baird Janis , Inskip Hazel , Vogel Christina 
Published: November 2018

Objectives(1) To identify national policies for England and local policies for Southampton City that are relevant to maternal and child health. (2) To quantify the extent to which these policies meet the international standards for nutrition and physical activity initiatives set out in the WHO Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (WHO Action Plan).DesignThe policy appraisal process involved three steps: (1) identifying policy documents relevant to maternal and infant health, (2) developing a policy appraisal framework from the WHO Action Plan, and (3) analysing the policies using the framework.SettingEngland and Southampton City.Participants57 national and 10 local policies.ResultsAcross both national and local policies, priority areas supporting public health processes, such as evidence-based practice, were adopted more frequently than the action-oriented areas targeting maternal and child dietary and physical activity behaviours. However, the policy option managing conflicts of interest was rarely considered in the national policies (12%), particularly in white papers or evidence-based guidelines. For the action-oriented priority areas, maternal health policy options were more frequently considered than those related to child health or strengthening health systems. Complementary feeding guidance (9%) and workforce training in empowerment skills (14%) were the least frequent action-oriented policy options adopted among the national policies. The maternal nutrition-focused and workforce development policy options were least frequent among local policies adopted in 10% or fewer. Macroenvironmental policy options tended to have a lower priority than organisational or individual options among national policies (p=0.1) but had higher priority among local policies (p=0.02).ConclusionsFurther action is needed to manage conflicts of interest and adopt policy options that promote a system-wide approach to address non-communicable diseases caused by poor diet and physical inactivity.
Stopping 5-aminosalicylates in patients with ulcerative colitis starting biologic therapy does not increase the risk of adverse clinical outcomes: analysis of two nationwide population-based cohorts
Authors: Ungaro Ryan C , Limketkai Berkeley N , Jensen Camilla Bjørn , Allin Kristine Højgaard , Agrawal Manasi , Ullman Thomas , Colombel Jean-Frederic , Jess Tine 
Published: November 2018

ObjectiveThe benefit of continuing 5-aminosalicylate (5-ASA) in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) who initiate anti-tumour necrosis factor-alpha (anti-TNF) biologics is unknown. We aimed to compare clinical outcomes in patients with UC already on 5-ASA who started anti-TNF and then either stopped or continued 5-ASA.DesignOur primary outcome was any adverse clinical event defined as a composite of new corticosteroid use, UC-related hospitalisation or surgery. We used two national databases: the United States (US) Truven MarketScan health claims database and the Danish health registers. Patients with UC who started anti-TNF after having been on oral 5-ASA for at least 90 days were included. Patients were classified as stopping 5-ASA if therapy was discontinued within 90 days of starting anti-TNF. We performed multivariable Cox regression models controlling for demographics, clinical factors and healthcare utilisation. Adjusted HRs (aHR) with 95% CI are reported comparing stopping 5-ASA with continuing 5-ASA.ResultsA total of 3589 patients with UC were included (2890 US and 699 Denmark). Stopping 5-ASA after initiating anti-TNF was not associated with an increased risk of adverse clinical events in the U.S. cohort (aHR 1.04; 95% CI 0.90 to 1.21, p=0.57) nor in the Danish cohort (aHR 1.09; 95% CI 0.80 to 1.49, p=0.60). Results were similar in sensitivity analyses investigating concomitant immunomodulator use and duration of 5-ASA treatment before initiating anti-TNF.ConclusionIn two national databases, stopping 5-ASA in patients with UC starting anti-TNF therapy did not increase the risk of adverse clinical events. These results should be validated in a prospective clinical trial.
Sub-wavelength focusing based on all-dielectric polarization-independent metalens
Authors: Zhao Wei , Li Xingyi , Li Siqi , Ge Zhiqiang , Liu Mulong , Li Zhongyu , Du Shujian 
Published: November 2018

We have proposed an all-dielectric polarization-independent metalens, which can be used for sub-wavelength focusing. The phase discontinuity of transmission light is produced by varying the diameter of the nanopillar. In this way, the incident light can be focused into sub-wavelength spot. Besides, finite-difference time-domain results show that near diffraction limit focusing is realized for the wavelength from 580 nm to 750 nm, which means the proposed metalens possesses a broad operation bandwidth. This all-dielectric metalens features polarization independent and broad bandwidth, and thus promises great potential for the applications of nanolithography, dense storage and biophotonics.
Providing mental health peer support 2: Relationships with empowerment, hope, recovery, quality of life and internalised stigma
Authors: Burke Eilish M , Pyle Melissa , Machin Karen , Morrison Anthony P 
Published: November 2018

Objective: Qualitative research has identified personal costs and benefits for peer supporters associated with their role; however, quantitative evidence is sparse. This study used quantitative methods to explore relationships in experiences of providing peer support with constructs of empowerment, hope, recovery, quality of life and internalised stigma. Differences were examined for those in statutory versus non-statutory services; who had themselves received peer support versus those who had not and who identified having had negative experiences in clinical teams versus those without such experiences. Methods: A cross-sectional online and postal survey was undertaken in tandem with a linked consensus study. In all, 147 peer supporters were recruited from a variety of organisations across the United Kingdom. Validated questionnaires were used to examine constructs. Instruments created for the study measured peer support experiences, and personal costs and benefits involved. Correlations were calculated and results informed further regression analysis. Chi-square tests and independent samples t-tests tested group differences. Results: Peer supporters indicated they experienced almost twice as many role-related personal benefits than personal costs. Benefits included improvements to mental health and well-being, reduced use of services, increased social functioning and development of skills. Total number of personal costs experienced was significantly negatively related to peer supporters’ empowerment and quality of life. There were no significant differences between the groups examined. Conclusions and Implications for Practice: An accumulation of personal costs may result in reduced quality of life; however, costs can be minimised by organisations. Limitations of the research are discussed and recommendations for future research are made including the need for longitudinal research.
Do you let me symptomatize? The potential role of cultural values in cross-national variability of mental disorders’ prevalence
Authors: Kapitány-Fövény Máté , Richman Mara J , Demetrovics Zsolt , Sulyok Mihály 
Published: November 2018

Background: Mental disorders may show inherent cross-national variability in their prevalence. A considerable number of meta-analyses attribute this heterogeneity to the methodological diversity in published epidemiological studies. Cultural values are characteristically not assessed in meta-regression models as potential covariates. Aim: Our aim was to conduct a meta-regression analysis to explore to what extent certain cultural values and immigration rates (as indicator of cultural diversity) might be associated with the cross-national heterogeneity of prevalence rates. Method: To minimize methodological differences that may exert a confounding effect, prevalence rates were obtained from the World Health Organization’s (WHO) World Mental Health Survey Initiative. Cultural indices (overall emancipative values; overall secular values) were collected from the World Value Survey, while immigration rates were registered by utilizing the data of the United Nations’ World Population Policies 2005 report. Results: Meta-regression analysis indicated that overall emancipative values (i.e. promoting self-expression, non-violent protest) showed significant connection with lifetime and last year prevalence of any mood disorders ( Z = 4.71, p = .001; Z = 2.35, p = .02) and any internalizing disorders (a merged category that combined mood and anxiety disorders; Z = 2.82, p = .004; Z = 2.34, p = .02). Overall secular values (i.e. rejecting authority and obedience) were negatively associated with last year prevalence of depression ( Z = −2.75, p = .06). Multistep regression analysis indicated that immigration rate moderated the connection between cultural values and mental disorders. Countries with higher immigration rates showed higher emancipative and secular values. Conclusion: Our findings might function as potential foundation for formulating hypotheses regarding the cultural context’s influence on the population’s mental health.
Performance on a Single-Legged Drop-Jump Landing Test Is Related to Increased Risk of Lateral Ankle Sprains Among Male Elite Soccer Players: A 3-Year Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Fransz Duncan P. , Huurnink Arnold , Kingma Idsart , de Boode Vosse A. , Heyligers Ide C. , van Dieën Jaap H. 
Published: November 2018

Background: Soccer has a high injury rate, with lateral ankle sprains being a common injury. Therefore, an approach to prevent or at least reduce the occurrence is warranted. Injury prevention can be improved by identifying specific risk factors and individuals at risk. Purpose: To assess drop-jump landing performance as a potential predictor of lateral ankle sprain within 3-year follow-up. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Single-legged drop-jump landing tests were performed by 190 elite soccer players. Based on ground-reaction forces, 6 outcome measures were calculated that aim to reflect the impact and stabilization phase. Lateral ankle sprains were registered during up to 3 years of follow-up. Following a z score correction for age, a multivariate regression analysis was performed. Results: During follow-up, 45 players (23.7%) suffered a primary lateral ankle sprain. Of those, 34 were regarded as severe (absence >7 days). Performance was related to increased risk of ankle sprain ( P = .005 for all sprains and P = .001 for severe sprains). Low mediolateral stability for the first 0.4 seconds after landing (a larger value indicates more force exerted in the mediolateral direction, resulting in rapid lateral stabilization) and high horizontal ground-reaction force between 3.0 and 5.0 seconds (a smaller value indicates less sway in the stabilization phase) were identified as risk factors. A player that scored 2 SD below average for both risk factors had a 4.4-times-higher chance of sustaining an ankle sprain than a player who scored average. Conclusion: The current study showed that following a single-legged drop-jump landing, mediolateral force over 0 to 0.4 seconds and/or mean resultant horizontal ground-reaction force over 3 to 5 seconds has predictive value with regard to the occurrence of an ankle sprain among male elite soccer players within 3 years.
Capital accumulation and work in China’s internet content industry: Struggling in the bubble
Authors: Xia Bingqing 
Published: November 2018

AbstractSince 2015, Baidu, Alibaba, and Tencent (the so-called BAT) have constructed an empire in the Chinese Internet content industry via mergers and acquisitions. However, little is known about how professional Internet workers are experiencing this process of accumulation and consolidation. This article focuses on how social relations are reconfigured and subsumed in the capital accumulation process in the realm of the Internet content industry, using the Chinese case. It argues that fresh graduates are subsumed into the accumulation process as immaterial resources in the circulation of capital. It also offers a general critique of the capital accumulation process, as it shifts risks and costs of failure on to independent start-ups entering the industry.
Clinical features of cats with aqueous tear deficiency: a retrospective case series of 10 patients (17 eyes)
Authors: Uhl Lisa K , Saito Akihiko , Iwashita Hiroko , Maggs David J , Mochel Jonathan P , Sebbag Lionel 
Published: November 2018

Objectives The aim of this study was to describe the clinical findings, diagnostic test results and response to therapy of cats with Schirmer tear test 1 (STT-1) values below the reference interval. Methods The medical records of three institutions were searched for cats with ocular surface disease and STT-1 values <9 mm/min, confirmed at two or more separate visits. Results Ten cats (17 eyes) were included. The mean ± SD (range) age and STT-1 values in affected eye(s) were 6.1 ± 5.7 (0.2–16) years and 2.4 ± 3.1 (0–8) mm/min, respectively. Concurrent ocular surface disease was bilateral in 5/10 cats. Clinical signs included conjunctivitis (14/17 eyes), corneal ulceration (6/17 eyes), non-ulcerative keratitis (4/17 eyes), symblepharon (4/17 eyes), eosinophilic keratitis (3/17 eyes), corneal sequestrum (3/17 eyes), corneal fibrosis (2/17 eyes) and meibomitis (2/17 eyes). Management included: topically applied lacrimomimetics, antiviral drugs, corticosteroids or immunomodulatory drugs; orally administered famciclovir; or surgical procedures, in various combinations. Response to therapy (defined as an increase in STT-1 value of ⩾5 mm/min) was transient (seen at a single reassessment) in 65% of eyes and sustained (seen at ⩾2 consecutive reassessments) in 18% of eyes. Conclusions and relevance Clinical features seen in cats with low STT-1 values are described, although the association between aqueous deficiency and the reported ocular changes is unknown at this time. We encourage clinicians to assess the tear film in cats with ocular surface disease, and initiate therapy with lacrimomimetics if STT-1 values are repeatedly below normal. Such information will further define aqueous tear deficiency in cats, providing a better understanding of disease prevalence, pathogenesis and treatment.
The serum albumin threshold for increased perioperative complications after total hip arthroplasty is 3.0 g/dL
Authors: Nelson Charles L , Kamath Atul F , Elkassabany Nabil M , Guo Zhenggang , Liu Jiabin 
Published: November 2018

Introduction: Low serum albumin is associated with higher perioperative complications following total hip arthroplasty (THA). The distinct threshold for a significant rise in perioperative complications has not been defined for THA. The purpose of this study was to define the threshold at which perioperative complications rise after THA. Methods: We analysed the American College of Surgeons NSQIP database from 2006 to 2013. Our study cohort included unilateral primary THA with reported preoperative albumin levels. Patients were stratified by albumin level. We analysed mortality and 6 composite complication variables (any complication, any complication without transfusion, wound infection, systemic infection, cardiac/pulmonary complications, and any major complication). All data analysis was executed in STATA statistical software. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to adjust for odds ratios. Results: The final cohort included 24,586 patients who were stratified based upon serum albumin levels. Odds ratios after multivariable regression adjustment for age, gender, race, body mass index, ASA classification, and Charlson Comorbidity Index indicated a trend to elevated odds of complication for all composite complications (3 of which were statistically significant) when serum albumin level was <3.0 g/dL. Conclusion: Low serum albumin is associated with increased perioperative complications following THA. The threshold associated with an increase in major perioperative complications appears to be an albumin level of <3.0 g/dL. With attempts to correct modifiable risk factors prior to surgery, the threshold value at which perioperative complications increase is important to define.
Functional outcome of total hip arthroplasty after a previous hip arthroscopy: a retrospective comparative cohort study
Authors: Jain Mikhil V , Rajpura Asim , Kumar Venkatesan Sampath , Shaw Debbie , Najjar Majeed Al , Kalsi Navjit K , Hakimi Mounir , Selvaratnam Veenesh , Jackson Richard , Board Tim N 
Published: November 2018

Background: Despite patients demonstrating significant short-term clinical improvement from a hip arthroscopy (HA), a number of patients progress to significant osteoarthritis of the hip requiring total hip arthroplasty (THA). This study aims to evaluate if there is any difference in the functional outcome of patients undergoing THA after a previous hip arthroscopy compared to patients undergoing THA for primary osteoarthritis of the hip. Methods: Between 2010 and 2013, in a group of 414 patients who underwent hip arthroscopy, we identified 18 patients who underwent a subsequent uncemented THA. These formed the study group. During the same period, 625 patients underwent an uncemented THA performed for primary OA, of which 63 patients were matched to the study group for age, follow-up and implants used. These formed the control group. Pre-op and post-op Oxford Hip Scores (OHS) were recorded for all patients. Results: A mean follow-up of 26.5 and 26.3 months was observed in the study and control groups respectively. The median (interquartile ranges) preoperative OHS were 14 (8.25, 17.0) and 18.5 (13.25, 24.75) in the 2 groups. Corresponding postoperative scores were 40 (31.25, 45) and 46 (43, 48). Median difference between the preoperative and postoperative OHS was 27 (19, 31) and 25 (18.25, 31). Adjusting for the pre-treatment scores, the postoperative scores in the study arm were significantly lower than for the control arm with an estimate (SE) of −0.464 ( p = 0.012). Post-hoc power analysis showed that the study was sufficiently powered to detect a meaningful difference in scores. Conclusion: Total hip arthroplasty after hip arthroscopy leads to satisfactory functional outcomes. However, the functional outcome in this group is significantly worse than in a matched cohort of patients undergoing THA for osteoarthritis. There was no difference in the rate of complications between the 2 groups.