bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A randomized, triple‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial, evaluating the sesamin supplement effects on proteolytic enzymes, inflammatory markers, and clinical indices in women with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Helli Bizhan , Shahi Majid Mohammad , Mowla Karim , Jalali Mohammad Taha , Haghighian Hossein Khadem 
Published: July 2019

Inflammation is one of the main characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis. Based on the antiinflammatory properties of sesame, this study was conducted to evaluate the sesamin supplement effects on serum levels of some proteolytic enzymes, inflammatory biomarkers, and clinical indices in women with rheumatoid arthritis. In this randomized, triple‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial, 44 patients were randomly divided in intervention and control groups. Patients received 200‐mg/day sesamin supplement or placebo in the intervention and control group for 6 weeks. Serum levels of proteolytic enzymes (hyaluronidase, aggrecanase, and matrix metalloproteinases‐3) and inflammatory biomarkers (hs‐CRP, IL‐1β, IL‐6, TNF‐α, and cyclooxygenase‐2) were measured with enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay method at the beginning and end of the study. After intervention, serum levels of hyaluronidase and matrix metalloproteinases‐3 decreased significantly in sesamin group. Also, serum levels of hs‐CRP, TNF‐α, and cyclooxygenase‐2 in intervention group were significantly decreased in intervention group compared with placebo group. Sesamin supplementation also caused a significant reduction in the number of tender joints and severity of pain in these patients. According to the results, it seems that the sesamin by reducing inflammatory mediators can relieve clinical symptoms and pathological changes that caused by inflammatory impairment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Verification of numerical creep and shrinkage models in an arch bridge analysis
Authors: Kolínský Vojtěch , Vítek Jan L. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe highway arch bridge at Oparno in the Czech Republic is composed of the two independent almost identical structures; each of them carries one direction of the traffic. Each structure has a fixed end arch with the span of 135 m. The rise of the arch is 30 m. The bridge deck has a double T cross section and it is longitudinally prestressed. The arch was cast by cantilever method using temporary pylons with temporary stays. The arch is made of reinforced concrete and it is subjected preferably to compression. Therefore, it represents a suitable structure for comparison of strains and deflections obtained by measurements on the site and those obtained by a numerical analysis using different prediction models which may be applied in design calculations. The arch was equipped by vibrating wire strain gauges and the strains were recorded during the construction process and later during the early service life of the bridge. Additionally, the deflections of cantilevers during construction were also recorded. The measured values were used for adjustment of the form traveler and finally for evaluation of the prediction models. The bridge was built in the period 2008–2010. It was open to traffic significantly later (at the end of 2016) because the highway could not be finished earlier due to different nontechnical reasons.
Effects of hybrid steel fiber reinforced composites on structural performance of segmental linings subjected to TBM jacks
Authors: Jamshidi Avanaki Mohammad 
Published: July 2019

AbstractIn recent years, incorporating fibers as the main reinforcement in segmental lined tunnels has gained significant interest. Damage to segmental linings due to the thrust force of TBM jacks is one of the main problems that arises in the assembly phase, reducing serviceability and durability of tunnels. The aim of this paper is to experimentally and numerically investigate the effects of fiber size, content, and hybridization on the performance of steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) tunnel segments under TBM jack forces compared to conventionally reinforced concrete (RC) segments. In this regard, different scenarios of segment support conditions and eccentricity of the applied TBM jack loads are investigated in a particular real tunnel. The results showed that under various configurations of segment support and load eccentricity, SFRC composites show better performance over RC in both SLS and ULS conditions under TBM jack loads in terms of cracking strength and damage propagation.
On dynamic pull‐in instability of electrostatically actuated multilayer nanoresonators: A semi‐analytical solution
Authors: Taati Ehsan 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBased on the nonlocal Euler–Bernoulli beam theory, a theoretical approach is developed to investigate the effects of small scale and intermolecular force on the dynamic pull‐in behavior of electrostatically actuated nanoresonators. To this purpose, nanoresonators are modeled as multilayer beams with rectangular cross‐sections and fixed‐fixed and fixed‐free end conditions which are embedded in an elastic medium containing Winkler and Pasternak elastic foundations. Also, the effects of nonlocal parameter, fringing field due to the finite width of beams, Casimir or van der Waals intermolecular forces, nonlinear term induced by mid‐plane stretching and Winkler and Pasternak elastic foundations are considered in the mathematical modeling of pull‐in behavior. Finally, a hybrid semi‐analytical method is proposed to solve the nonlinear partial differential equation in two steps using the separation of variable technique. First, the Galerkin method is used to reduce a nonlinear ordinary differential equation with respect to time variable. Next, the parameter expansion method is applied to solve ensuing equation and obtain the time history response of transverse deflection. As case studies, the numerical results including curves of voltage‐normalized frequency, time history of normalized maximum deflection and phase portrait of two six‐layer cantilever and fully fixed beams are presented and discussed in detail. Findings indicate that the effect of small scale on the pull‐in voltages is more significant for both boundary conditions, in comparison with the intermolecular force. Also, it is seen that the pull‐in voltages of cantilever beams become larger by considering the nonlocal effect, contrary to the case of fully fixed beams.
The effect of early broad-spectrum versus delayed narrow-spectrum antibiotic therapy on the primary cure rate of acute infection after osteosynthesis
Authors: Hellebrekers Pien , Verhofstad Michiel H. J. , Leenen Luke P. H. , Varol Hilal , van Lieshout Esther M. M. , Hietbrink Falco 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Purpose
Infection near metal implants is a problem that presents challenging treatment dilemmas for physicians. The aim of this study was to analyse the efficacy of two treatment protocols for acute fracture-related infections.

Methods
Seventy-one patients in two level-1 trauma centres in the Netherlands were retrospectively included in this study. These trauma centres had different standardised protocols for acute infection after osteosynthesis: 39 patients were selected from protocol A and 32 from protocol B. Both protocols involve immediate surgical debridement and soft tissue coverage, but differ in antibiotic approach: (A) immediate empirical combination antibiotic therapy with rifampicin, or (B) postponed (1–5 days) targeted antibiotic therapy. The primary outcome of these protocols was success, defined as a fracture healing in the absence of infection. The secondary outcome was antibiotic resistance patterns. Logistic regression was conducted on patients and treatment-related factors in association with primary success.

Results
Primary success was achieved in 72% of protocol A patients, in 47% of those in protocol B (P = 0.033), and with prolongation of treatment success was achieved in 90% and 78% of patients, respectively. Protocol A exhibited a better primary success rate (adjusted OR 3.45, CI 1.13–10.52) when adjusted for age and soft tissue injury. There was no significant difference in antibiotic resistance between the two protocols.

Conclusion
Both protocols yielded high overall success rates. Immediate empirical antibiotics can be used safely without additional bacterial resistance and may contribute to increased success rates.
Reviewing the Role of Instagram in Education: Can a Photo Sharing Application Deliver Benefits to Medical and Dental Anatomy Education?
Authors: Douglas Naomi Katherine May , Scholz Max , Myers Matthew Alex , Rae Shivani Margaret , Elmansouri Ahmad , Hall Samuel , Border Scott 
Published: July 2019

AbstractInstagram is an increasingly popular social media site tailored towards sharing photos and videos. An audit investigating current Instagram accounts focusing on anatomy education found a variety of successful teaching styles, including clinical images, descriptive videos, multiple-choice questions, and cartoons. Utilising Instagram for educational purposes, benefits such as ease of use, hashtags, and its effectiveness in conveying visual topics should be weighed against limitations such as passive learning and the requirement of committed staff to oversee its use.
Flexible Tactile Electronic Skin Sensor with 3D Force Detection Based on Porous CNTs/PDMS Nanocomposites
Authors: Sun Xuguang , Sun Jianhai , Li Tong , Zheng Shuaikang , Wang Chunkai , Tan Wenshuo , Zhang Jingong , Liu Chang , Ma Tianjun , Qi Zhimei , Liu Chunxiu , Xue Ning 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Flexible tactile sensors have broad applications in human physiological monitoring, robotic operation and human–machine interaction. However, the research of wearable and flexible tactile sensors with high sensitivity, wide sensing range and ability to detect three-dimensional (3D) force is still very challenging. Herein, a flexible tactile electronic skin sensor based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs)/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) nanocomposites is presented for 3D contact force detection. The 3D forces were acquired from combination of four specially designed cells in a sensing element. Contributed from the double-sided rough porous structure and specific surface morphology of nanocomposites, the piezoresistive sensor possesses high sensitivity of 12.1 kPa−1 within the range of 600 Pa and 0.68 kPa−1 in the regime exceeding 1 kPa for normal pressure, as well as 59.9 N−1 in the scope of < 0.05 N and > 2.3 N−1 in the region of < 0.6 N for tangential force with ultra-low response time of 3.1 ms. In addition, multi-functional detection in human body monitoring was employed with single sensing cell and the sensor array was integrated into a robotic arm for objects grasping control, indicating the capacities in intelligent robot applications.
The Effectiveness of 3-D Computed Tomography in the Evaluation of Penile Deformities in Patients With Peyronie's Disease: A Pilot Study
Authors: Özmez Abdulkadir , Ortac Mazhar , Cevik Gokhan , Akdere Hakan , Bakır Barış , Kadıoğlu Ateş 
Published: July 2019

Abstract

Background
Anatomic and functional evaluation of the penis before treatment is very important in the choice of treatment in patients with Peyronie’s disease (PD).

Aim
To compare 3 different methods for the evaluation of the penile deformity, including auto-photography, combined intracavernous injection stimulation test (CIS), and 3-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) during artificial penile erection in patients with PD.

Methods
Pretreatment penile deformities of patients with PD were compared with those detected with auto-photography, using goniometer after intracavernosal vasoactive agent, and 3D CT correlations among these 3 methods were investigated.

Main Outcome Measures
Assessments of penile curvature with auto-photography, CIS, and 3D CT.

Results
The mean age of 36 patients who were included in the study was 58 ± 8.25 (36–72) years, and the mean time since the onset of the disease was 25 ± 24 months (2–144). Degrees of penile curvatures measured using auto-photography, CIS, and CT were determined as 24° (0°–80°), 40° (0°–90°), and 34° (0°–80°), respectively. When general correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the penile curvatures of all patients using 3 methods, a moderate correlation between auto-photography and both CIS (r = 0.72, P &lt; .001) and 3D CT (r = 0.56, P &lt; .001) was detected, whereas a strong correlation was noticed between CIS and 3D CT (r = 0.78, P &lt; .001). When the correlation analysis between patients with and without ED was examined, a statistically significant decrease in the strength of correlation between CIS and auto-photography in patients with ED (0.629 vs 0.925, P &lt; .05), however, was detected without any statistically significant difference in patients without ED (0.694 vs 0.813, P &gt; .05).

Conclusion
The superiority of 3D CT over auto-photography and its strong correlation with CIS in most parameters have been demonstrated. However, it was found that CT did not give more information than the evaluation with CIS. Current limitations and cost increases limit the use of 3D CT in the assessment of PD.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Pediatric Migraine
Authors: Webb Megan E. , Amoozegar Farnaz , Harris Ashley D. 
Published: July 2019

ABSTRACT:This literature review provides an overview of the research using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in pediatric migraine and compares findings with the adult migraine literature. A literature search using PubMed was conducted using all relevant sources up to February 2019. Using MRI methods to categorize and explain pediatric migraine in comparison with adult migraine is important, in order to recognize and appreciate the differences between the two entities, both clinically and physiologically. We aim to demonstrate the differences and similarities between pediatric and adult migraine using data from white matter and gray matter structural studies, cerebral perfusion, metabolites, and functional MRI (fMRI) studies, including task-based and resting-state blood oxygen level-dependent studies. By doing this we identify areas that need further research, as well as possible areas where intervention could alter outcomes.
A PATCHWORK QUILT SEWN FROM BROWNIAN FABRIC: REGULARITY OF POLYMER WEIGHT PROFILES IN BROWNIAN LAST PASSAGE PERCOLATION
Authors: HAMMOND ALAN 
Published: July 2019

In last passage percolation models lying in the Kardar–Parisi–Zhang (KPZ) universality class, the energy of long energy-maximizing paths may be studied as a function of the paths’ pair of endpoint locations. Scaled coordinates may be introduced, so that these maximizing paths, or polymers, now cross unit distances with unit-order fluctuations, and have scaled energy, or weight, of unit order. In this article, we consider Brownian last passage percolation in these scaled coordinates. In the narrow wedge case, when one endpoint of such polymers is fixed, say at

$(0,0)\in \mathbb{R}^{2}$

, and the other is varied horizontally, over

$(z,1)$

,

$z\in \mathbb{R}$

, the polymer weight profile as a function of

$z\in \mathbb{R}$

is locally Brownian; indeed, by Hammond [‘Brownian regularity for the Airy line ensemble, and multi-polymer watermelons in Brownian last passage percolation’, Preprint (2016), arXiv:1609.02971, Theorem 2.11 and Proposition 2.5], the law of the profile is known to enjoy a very strong comparison to Brownian bridge on a given compact interval, with a Radon–Nikodym derivative in every

$L^{p}$

space for

$p\in (1,\infty )$

, uniformly in the scaling parameter, provided that an affine adjustment is made to the weight profile before the comparison is made. In this article, we generalize this narrow wedge case and study polymer weight profiles begun from a very general initial condition. We prove that the profiles on a compact interval resemble Brownian bridge in a uniform sense: splitting the compact interval into a random but controlled number of patches, the profile in each patch after affine adjustment has a Radon–Nikodym derivative that lies in every

$L^{p}$

space for

$p\in (1,3)$

. This result is proved by harnessing an understanding of the uniform coalescence structure in the field of polymers developed in Hammond [‘Exponents governing the rarity of disjoint polymers in Brownian last passage percolation’, Preprint (2017a), arXiv:1709.04110] using techniques from Hammond (2016) and [‘Modulus of continuity of polymer weight profiles in Brownian last passage percolation’, Preprint (2017b), arXiv:1709.04115].
Psychological distress and C-reactive protein in a South African national survey
Authors: Sewpaul Ronel , Naudé Petrus J.W. , Stein Dan J. , Labadarios Demetre 
Published: July 2019

AbstractObjective:To examine the association of psychological distress with serum C-reactive protein (CRP) in a South African cohort.Methods:Data were analysed on individuals aged ≥15 years from the South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES) of 2012. Psychological distress was evaluated using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale. Linear regression models assessed the association of psychological distress with serum CRP, adjusting for possible confounding factors.Results:The analytic sample comprised n = 3944 individuals (mean age = 40 and sex = 36% males). Psychological distress was significantly associated with increased serum CRP levels (B = 0.31 and p = 0.001). This association was no longer significant after adjusting for demographic variables, lifestyle factors, cardiac disease, diabetes, hypertension, trauma and anti-inflammatory medication use (B = 0.15 and p = 0.062).Conclusion:Psychological distress was associated with elevated levels of CRP among South African adults. However, the association was confounded by a range of factors, with demographic variables (age, sex and population group) having the largest confounding effect. These findings indicate that CRP is not a useful biomarker of psychological distress, and that additional work is needed on the underlying psychobiology of psychological distress.
Conspiracy theorizing as political practice in Guinea
Authors: Fioratta Susanna 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThis article examines conspiracy theory as an integral part of political practice. In 2010, following a tumultuous year that included a military takeover and a junta-led massacre of civilians, the Republic of Guinea held what was widely considered to be the country's first democratic presidential election since independence in 1958. During this time, many Guineans regularly exchanged information about secret intrigues at the highest levels of politics. These popular reports of powerful figures conspiring to fix the election influenced people's talk and actions, contributing to an environment in which abstract suspicions crystallized in real, and sometimes violent, events. These events in turn heightened suspicions of high-level conspiracy and, among people who identified as ethnic Fulɓe, reinforced the widespread conviction that they were being targeted. Focusing ethnographically on two episodes in which theories of conspiracy influenced how Guineans perceived and shaped the course of the 2010 elections, this article explores conspiracy theorizing as an emergent mode of politics that may have profound effects.
Changes in breast milk lutein concentrations and their associations with dietary lutein intake: a 12-week prospective analytical study
Authors: Zhang Yaqin , Yang Jiao , Huang Ninghua , Xiao Linyan , Lin Hong , Luo Jiayou , Zhang Zhaofeng , Zou Zhiyong 
Published: July 2019

AbstractWe aimed to investigate the trends of breast milk lutein concentrations at different times and their relationship with dietary lutein intake during the 12 weeks after delivery. Breast milk samples were collected from thirty-seven mothers at 4, 8 and 12 weeks postpartum. A HPLC detection method was used to measure breast milk lutein concentrations. Dietary intake was assessed using an FFQ, and then dietary lutein intake was calculated. The correlations between dietary lutein intake and breast milk lutein concentrations during lactation were investigated by Pearson’s correlation coefficient. General linear regression models were used to evaluate the optimal regression equation. The mean values of dietary lutein intake at 4, 8 and 12 weeks postpartum were 5·22 (sd 3·60), 7·28 (sd 4·30) and 7·33 (sd 4·24) mg/d, respectively. The mean values of breast milk lutein concentrations at 4, 8 and 12 weeks postpartum were as follows: 46·41 (sd 41·36), 57·96 (sd 40·00) and 62·33 (sd 30·10) μg/l, respectively. Breast milk lutein concentrations were positively associated with dietary lutein intake at 4 weeks postpartum (r 0·527, P < 0·05), which was consistent with the positive correlations observed at 8 and 12 weeks postpartum (r 0·444, P < 0·05; r 0·468, P < 0·05) by the sensitivity analysis. Increased dietary lutein intake can increase the concentration of lutein in the breast milk, and women are recommended to increase their dietary intake of green leafy vegetables and fruits that are rich in lutein during the pregnancy and postpartum periods.
Zircon U–Pb ages and Hf isotope compositions of the Neoproterozoic magmatic rocks in the Helan Mountains, North China
Authors: Yang Jie , Zhu Qiang , Zeng Zuoxun , Wan Le 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe periodic dispersal and assembly of continental fragments has been an inherent feature of the continental crust. Based on the discovery of large-scale supercontinent cycle and the theory of plate tectonics, several supercontinents have been identified, such as Columbia/Nuna, Rodinia, Gondwana and Pangaea. Neoproterozoic magmatic events related to the break-up of Rodinia are globally well preserved. Although Neoproterozoic magmatic events were very weak in the North China Craton (NCC), they are crucial in reconstructing the geometries of the NCC and could facilitate the completion of the Neoproterozoic configuration of the supercontinent. In this study, c. 853–835 Ma magmatic rocks are identified in the western margin of the NCC. Precise zircon U–Pb age determination yields 206Pb/238U average ages of 835.5 ± 5.3 Ma (HL-39) and 853.7 ± 4.5 Ma (HL-30). In situ zircon Hf isotope compositions of the samples reveal that their parental magma was formed by the reworking of ancient crust evolved from Mesoproterozoic mantle. In summary, the discovery of Neoproterozoic magmatic rocks in the western margin of the NCC, and reported synchronous rocks in other parts of the NCC indicate that the NCC might be conjoined with the supercontinent Rodinia during the Neoproterozoic. This discovery is of significant help in unravelling the early Neoproterozoic history of the NCC and the evolution of the supercontinent Rodinia.
The establishment and functioning of the PRIMORE (European PRImary care MultiprOfessional REsearcher network) Project
Authors: Jacobsen Frode F. , Akman Mehmet , Aarendonk Diederik 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
There is a need for multiprofessional comprehensive studies to better understand the relationship between design and provision of primary care and long-term care and health outcomes. The PRIMORE (PRImary care MultiprOfessional REsearcher network) project aims at bringing together researchers with different backgrounds and from a wide range of professional groups within the fields of primary care research and long-term care research to develop and share knowledge for the benefit of research on municipal health and care services, and eventually, the quality of municipal health and care in Europe. Main activities of the project will be network development, capacity building, providing a platform where multiprofessional primary care research activities can take place and publishing position papers.