Setting Of Use Research Articles

Parametric Study of 3D Additive Printing Parameters Using Conductive Filaments on Microwave Topologies

This paper presents a parametric study of classical additive 3D-printing settings for use on conductive filaments in applications for high-frequency topologies. First, a wideband characterization was conducted, printing a microstrip transmission line using a conductive filament with variations of typical 3D-printing settings, such as layer height, infill percentage, and infill pattern. The measurement results show a dependence on the high-frequency transmission parameters with respect to the infill percentage and the infill pattern. Finally, two antennas were 3D-printed using conductive material, a microstrip patch, and a low-weight pyramidal horn antenna. The results for the patch agree with the losses found on the line measurements, while the low-weight pyramidal horn exhibits no major differences compared with its equivalent antenna, made using perfect conductors.

Technical Note: A method for quality assurance of landmark sets for use in evaluation of deformable image registration accuracy of lung parenchyma.

To develop a quality control method to improve the accuracy of corresponding landmark sets used for deformable image registration (DIR) evaluation in the lung parenchyma. An iterative workflow was developed as a method for quality assurance of landmark sets. Starting with the initial landmark set for a given image pair, a landmark-based deformation was applied to one of the images. A difference image and a color overlay were generated using the deformed image and the other image of the pair. Inspection of these generated images at locations of landmarks allowed for the identification of misplaced landmarks. The observer responsible for creating the initial landmark set was tasked with review and revision of points flagged by the quality assurance procedure. Using the updated landmark sets, the process was repeated until all points were acceptable to the reviewer. Eighteen landmark sets, containing a mean (SD) of 170 (31) landmarks, were created using CT images from non-small cell lung cancer patients exhibiting large geometric changes and atelectasis resolution, making landmark specification challenging. Following the quality assurance procedure, the final landmark sets contained a mean (SD) of 165 (25) landmarks, as points too difficult to match were removed and points were added to regions deficient in landmarks. For landmark sets in which changes were made, maximum and mean differences in landmark positions before and after quality assurance ranged between 8.7-81.5mm and 0.3-9.6mm, respectively. An effective method for improving the accuracy of landmark correspondence was presented. This quality assurance approach enables more accurate evaluation of DIR for lung parenchyma in clinical image pairs in the absence of a ground truth deformation and may be applicable to other feature-rich anatomical sites.

Genetic diversity of kiwifruit (Actinidia spp.), including Korean native A. arguta, using single nucleotide polymorphisms derived from genotyping-by-sequencing

Genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) was used to investigate the genetic diversity and population structure of kiwifruits (Actinidia spp.). Using single nucleotide polymorphisms detected by GBS, phylogenetic tree and population structure were constructed for 89 kiwifruit accessions including Korean native A. arguta. The kiwifruit accessions were clearly divided into two groups in the phylogenetic tree. These groups were characterized by the presence or absence of hairs on pericarp. In the population structure analysis, the peak of delta K was detected at K = 5, suggesting that the 89 kiwifruit accessions were divided into five clusters. Each cluster represented A. chinensis, A. deliciosa, A. eriantha with wild accessions, female A. arguta, and male A. arguta. The result of the population structure supported the genetic background of each accession. We also performed genetic diversity analysis of A. arguta accessions. Consequently, A. arguta accessions were characterized by sex and 13 A. arguta accessions, occupying 33.3% of the total collection, were selected as a core set for use as germplasm to develop disease and cold stress resistant cultivars in future kiwifruit breeding programs. These results suggest that GBS approach is suitable for genetic diversity analysis of kiwifruits. Moreover, our results could be applied in kiwifruit breeding program to develop disease and cold stress resistant cultivars using Korean native A. arguta. Particularly, the developed Korean native A. arguta core set will be used as breeding materials for crop improvement strategies.

Integral Cross Sections for Electron–Magnesium Scattering Over a Broad Energy Range (0–5000 eV)

We report the results from the application of our optical potential and relativistic optical potential (ROP) methods to electron–magnesium scattering. The energy range of this study was 0–5000 eV, with the results for the integral elastic cross sections, summed discrete electronic-state excitation integral cross sections, momentum transfer cross sections, and total ionisation cross sections being reported. Where possible, we compare the present results to the available experimental data and to the earlier results from close coupling and R-matrix type computations. Typically, a quite fair level of accord is found between our ROP calculations and the earlier theoretical and experimental cross sections. Additionally, from the assembled database, we provide for the modeling community some recommended cross section sets for use in their simulations, in which magnesium is a constituent. Electron transport coefficients are subsequently calculated for reduced electric fields ranging from 0.1 to 1000 Td using a multi-term solution of Boltzmann’s equation. Substantial differences in the transport coefficients between the ROP calculations and the recommended cross sections are observed over the range of fields considered, clearly illustrating the importance of the veracity of the database in the simulations.

Malo znan dvozborski ciklus himnusov iz ok. 1600

An early-seventeenth-century choirbook originating from Graz surviving in Ljubljana (SI-Lnr, MS 343) contains alongside other compositions thirty-one hymns by Francesco Stivori uniquely known from this source. Stivori’s hymns form a cycle for the entire liturgical year. They follow a long tradition of polyphonic settings based on plainsong melodies, although they are set for a larger performing group than usual – eight voices distributed in two choirs. Polyphonic hymn settings in use earlier at the Graz court were not liturgically obsolete. It seems, therefore, that Stivori composed his own cycle to cater for the personal aesthetic needs of Archduke Ferdinand, who greatly favoured polychoral music.

Measuring outcomes following tibial fracture

AimThe aim of this study was to determine how outcome is measured following adult tibial fracture in the modern era of functional outcome measurement and patient reported outcomes. MethodsA systematic review of publications since 2009 was performed, looking specifically at acute, adult tibial shaft fractures. Ovid Medline, Embase, PubMed and PsycINFO databases were searched for relevant titles which were then screened by two authors with adjudication where necessary by a third. Relevant articles were reviewed in full and data was extracted concerning the study participants, study design and any measures that were used to quantify the results following fracture. The results were collated and patient reported outcome measures were assessed using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) standards. ResultsA total of 943 titles and articles were reviewed, with 117 included for full analysis. A wide range of clinical and radiological “outcomes” were described, along with named clinician- and patient-reported outcome measures. There was considerable heterogeneity and lack of detail in the description of the simplest outcomes, such as union, infection or reoperation. Reported clinician and patient reported outcome measures are variably used. None of the identified patient reported outcome measures have been validated for use following tibial fracture. ConclusionWe recommend definition of a core outcome set for use following tibial fracture. This will standardise outcome reporting following these injuries. Furthermore, there is need for a validated patient reported outcome measure to better assess patient important outcomes in this patient group.

Evaluating interventions for informed consent for surgery (ICONS): Protocol for the development of a core outcome set

BackgroundThe concept of informed consent is fundamental to medical practice. Shortcomings in the process can lead to patient complaints, litigation, unmet expectations and poor outcomes. Consent research has focused on developing tools to improve patient recall and understanding. However, the definitions, methods of measurement and timing of measurement vary widely across the studies that have been done. Although a Cochrane review has reported that many of these interventions appear to work, the high level of heterogeneity in outcome reporting prevents the identification of those interventions that work best and why they do so. It is also not clear which outcomes are most important to each party involved in the consent process and why.Methods/designThis project will develop a core outcome set for assessing the effects of interventions aimed at improving informed consent for surgery and other invasive procedures for adult patients with the capacity to consent for themselves. We will conduct a systematic review of the qualitative and quantitative literature to identify outcomes used to date in consent research and map these into domains. A series of semi-structured key stakeholder interviews will also be used to identify relevant outcomes. These processes will produce a list of potential outcomes for assessing the effects of interventions to improve consent, which will be refined through an international Delphi survey and consensus webinars involving key stakeholders to produce the core outcome set.DiscussionThe ICONS study aims to develop a core outcome set for use in trials and reviews of interventions designed to improve the informed consent process for surgery and other invasive procedures. Our aim is that this core outcome set will reduce the level of selection and reporting bias in consent research and help clinicians to compare tools to improve consent.

Lidar temperature series in the middle atmosphere as a reference data set – Part 1: Improved retrievals and a 20-year cross-validation of two co-located French lidars

Abstract. The objective of this paper and its companion (Wing et al., 2018) is to show that ground-based lidar temperatures are a stable, accurate, and precise data set for use in validating satellite temperatures at high vertical resolution. Long-term lidar observations of the middle atmosphere have been conducted at the Observatoire de Haute-Provence (OHP), located in southern France (43.93∘ N, 5.71∘ E), since 1978. Making use of 20 years of high-quality co-located lidar measurements, we have shown that lidar temperatures calculated using the Rayleigh technique at 532 nm are statistically identical to lidar temperatures calculated from the non-absorbing 355 nm channel of a differential absorption lidar (DIAL) system. This result is of interest to members of the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC) ozone lidar community seeking to produce validated temperature products. Additionally, we have addressed previously published concerns of lidar–satellite relative warm bias in comparisons of upper-mesospheric and lower-thermospheric (UMLT) temperature profiles. We detail a data treatment algorithm which minimizes known errors due to data selection procedures, a priori choices, and initialization parameters inherent in the lidar retrieval. Our algorithm results in a median cooling of the lidar-calculated absolute temperature profile by 20 K at 90 km altitude with respect to the standard OHP NDACC lidar temperature algorithm. The confidence engendered by the long-term cross-validation of two independent lidars and the improved lidar temperature data set is exploited in Wing et al. (2018) for use in multi-year satellite validations.

Development of a Core Outcome Set for studies evaluating the effects of anaesthesia on perioperative morbidity and mortality following hip fracture surgery

BackgroundPerioperative studies of patients following hip fracture have large heterogeneity within their reported outcomes. This study aimed to develop a core outcome set for use in perioperative studies comparing the types of anaesthesia for hip fracture surgery. MethodsThe consensus process consisted of a systematic review of the literature, three rounds of a Delphi survey, two consensus webinars, and face-to-face patient meetings. ResultsThe Delphi participants represented nine stakeholder groups. The numbers of participants completing Rounds 1–3 were 242, 186, and 169, respectively. Seventeen outcomes that met the predefined consensus criteria were considered at two consensus meetings. A final set of 10 core outcomes was agreed: mortality, time from injury to surgery, acute coronary syndrome, hypotension, acute kidney injury, delirium, pneumonia, orthogeriatric input, being out of bed at day 1, and pain. ConclusionsWe generated a consensus-based set of core outcomes recommended for use in all perioperative trials evaluating the effects of anaesthesia for hip fracture surgery. An important next step is developing consensus-based consistency on how they should be measured. Clinical trial registrationhttp://www.comet-initiative.org/studies/details/757.

Pembrolizumab for the treatment of patients with recurrent locally advanced or metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer: an evidence-based review of place in therapy.

Gastric and esopahgeal cancers account for the six most common causes of cancer death worldwide. Locally advanced resectable cancers have a 5-year life expectancy of 30%. Despite use of chemotherapy, median overall survival for stage IV cancer rarely exceeds 1 year. A subset of gastric cancers such as microsatellite-instable tumor and Epstein–Barr virus-positive tumors have a rich immune infiltrate that makes them more responsive to immune-directed therapies. Tumors can evade T-cell-mediated “immune surveillance” by activating the programmed cell death receptor 1 (PD-1)/programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) pathway. Targeting PD-1 and thus de-engaging them from its ligands can help restore immunogenicity. Pembrolizumab is the first immunotherapy to be approved by US FDA for PD-L1 expressing gastric and gastroesopahgeal junction (GEJ) cancers after they have progressed on at least two prior lines of treatment. While PD-L1 positivity does not define tumor’s responsiveness to pembrolizumab, PD-L1-positive tumors have better overall response rates. The treatment is usually well tolerated and has a favorable adverse events profile. The exact setting for use of pembrolizumab remains to be determined. Pembrolizumab failed to improve overall survival when administered as second-line treatment for advanced, metastatic gastric and GEJ cancers. There are several ongoing studies with various combinations and different settings not only with pembrolizumab but also with other checkpoint inhibitors.

Development and Implementation of a Diabetic Ketoacidosis Protocol for Adults With Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes at a Tertiary Care Multicampus Hospital.

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Using standardized protocols for DKA management improves outcomes and is recommended in Diabetes Canada's clinical practice guidelines. Audits of DKA care at our institution revealed inconsistent management. We developed, piloted and evaluated a standardized DKA protocol adapted into preprinted order sets for use in the emergency department and the acute monitoring area. The protocol was developed by an expert committee on the basis of Diabetes Canada's clinical practice guidelines, a literature review and an environmental survey. A before-and-after analysis was used. Uptake of the DKA protocol and clinical outcomes were monitored through statistical process control. Patients admitted postprotocol (n=55, mean age 37.9 years [SD 17.5 years], 62% male, 85% type 1 diabetes) were compared to those admitted preprotocol (n=55, mean age 43.3 years [SD 17.5 years], 53% male, 67.2% type 1 diabetes). Postimplementation, 87% of patients were managed according to the protocol. Postprotocol ordering of appropriate laboratory investigations increased, appropriate intravenous (IV) fluid resuscitation improved, continuation of IV insulin until anion gap closure increased, mean time to anion gap closure decreased and mean length of stay was reduced. Of those surveyed, 85% of nurses and 74% of physicians felt that the protocol improved patient care, and 75% of patients rated their DKA management as being satisfactory. Successful implementation of a standardized preprinted protocol for DKA management significantly improved best practices for DKA management and was valued by treating clinicians.

Towards a system-wide implementation of the ICF clincial data-collection tool: The Flemish-Dutch consensus result of developing simple, intuitive descriptions of the generic and rehabilitation core-set

The ICF is considered as a tool to enhance the quality of rehabilitation delivery. Though it's use can be further enhanced by developing tools that are feasible in practice, not increasing the administrative burden, but adhere to the quality-standards. As part of the international study, this project aimed to develop simple and intuitive descriptions of the ICF Generic and Rehabilitation set for use in The Netherlands and Belgium. A two-stage consensus process was conducted with experts from the Netherlands and the Dutch speaking part of Belgium. Firstly, the English simple and intuitive descriptions of each ICF category were translated into Dutch by 4 rehabilitation and ICF experts. Secondly a consensus conference comprised three voting rounds and three working groups. Participants first voted on whether they agreed with the initially translated descriptions; a consensus of 75% was aimed for (Vote A). Descriptions that were considered ambiguous were divided among the three groups who were asked to propose alternative descriptions for the allocated categories. Subsequently, the alternatives were voted in a plenary session aiming for 75% consensus (Vote B). When categories were still considered ambiguous, every group was asked to develop alternative descriptions for all categories. Participants then voted in plenum which of the three proposed descriptions they preferred (Vote C). Twenty-Four clinicians, comprising PRM-physicians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, nurses, speech/language therapists and psychologists (from various regions in Flanders and The Netherlands experienced in acute, post-acute and/or community rehabilitation) participated in the consensus process in Breda in September 2017. One ICF category achieved consensus in vote A, sixteen ICF categories were accepted in vote B. Thirteen descriptions were decided in the third round. This translation process leaded to a Flemish-Dutch version of the simple intuitive descriptions and is now ready for implementation in rehabilitation practice.

Engendering healthy masculinities to prevent sexual violence: Rationale for and design of the Manhood 2.0 trial

Violence against women and girls is an important global health concern. Numerous health organizations highlight engaging men and boys in preventing violence against women as a potentially impactful public health prevention strategy. Adapted from an international setting for use in the US, “Manhood 2.0” is a “gender transformative” program that involves challenging harmful gender and sexuality norms that foster violence against women while promoting bystander intervention (i.e., giving boys skills to interrupt abusive behaviors they witness among peers) to reduce the perpetration of sexual violence (SV) and adolescent relationship abuse (ARA). Manhood 2.0 is being rigorously evaluated in a community-based cluster-randomized trial in 21 lower resource Pittsburgh neighborhoods with 866 adolescent males ages 13–19. The comparison intervention is a job readiness training program which focuses on the skills needed to prepare youth for entering the workforce, including goal setting, accountability, resume building, and interview preparation. This study will provide urgently needed information about the effectiveness of a gender transformative program, which combines healthy sexuality education, gender norms change, and bystander skills to interrupt peers' disrespectful and harmful behaviors to reduce SV/ARA perpetration among adolescent males. In this manuscript, we outline the rationale for and evaluation design of Manhood 2.0.Clinical Trials #: NCT02427061

A new tube set for use with an automated compounder

A new tube set for use with an automated compounder

Patient and therapist experiences of using affordable feedback-based technology in rehabilitation: a qualitative study nested in a randomized controlled trial

Objective: To explore how technologies are used and experienced in rehabilitation. Design: A qualitative study using a grounded theory approach within a randomized controlled trial investigating the effectiveness of tailored, affordable technologies to improve mobility and physical activity. Settings: Aged care and neurological rehabilitation wards with community follow-up. Participants: Twenty patients undergoing rehabilitation and randomized to the experimental arm of a trial (mean age 64 years (SD 23)) were recruited for interviews, plus 11 physiotherapists involved in technology prescription as part of the trial. Method: Two interviews per patient (one in hospital, one post-discharge) and four focus groups with physiotherapists were conducted. Transcribed data were coded and synthesized. Memo-writing and constant comparison methods guided data analysis. Results: A process of patient engagement with technology involving two stages: (1) initial patient engagement and (2) maintaining patient engagement was identified. Therapists used a series of steps and strategies to gain and maintain patient engagement. A positive first experience and continued input into patient programmes was needed. The level of patient engagement was not consistent across the duration of the trial, increasing or decreasing due to changes in the technologies prescribed or setting of use. Two conditions were key to optimizing patient engagement: sufficient support and perceived benefit from using technology. Conclusions: Patients can engage with technology during rehabilitation when prescription is tailored by a therapist. Perceiving benefit from using technology, in addition to receiving the right support to enable use appears to influence the level of patient engagement.

Assembling Typical Meteorological Year Data Sets for Building Energy Performance Using Reanalysis and Satellite-Based Data

We present a method to generate Typical Meteorological Year (TMY) data sets for use in calculations of the energy performance of buildings, based on satellite derived solar radiation data and other meteorological parameters obtained from reanalysis products. The great advantage of this method is the availability of data over large geographical regions, giving global coverage for the reanalysis and continental-scale coverage for the solar radiation data, making it possible to generate TMY data for nearly any location, independent of the availability of meteorological measurement stations in the area. The TMY data generated with this method have been validated against 487 meteorological stations in Europe, by calculating heating and cooling degree days, and by running building energy performance simulations using EnergyPlus. Results show that the generated data sets using a long time series perform better than the TMY data generated from station measurements for building heating calculations and nearly as well for cooling calculations, with relative standard deviations remaining below 6% for heating calculations. TMY data constructed using the proposed method yield somewhat larger deviations compared to TMY data constructed from station data. We outline a number of possibilities for further improvement using data sets that will become available in the near future.

Outcome Reporting in Randomized Trials for Shoulder Disorders: Literature Review to Inform the Development of a Core Outcome Set.

To explore the outcome domains and measurement instruments reported across randomized trials of any interventions for various shoulder disorders. We searched for shoulder trials included in Cochrane reviews published up to Issue 10, 2015, or indexed in PubMed between 2006 and 2015. Trials were eligible for inclusion if they focused on any intervention for rotator cuff disease, adhesive capsulitis, shoulder instability, glenohumeral or acromioclavicular osteoarthritis, shoulder dislocation, proximal humeral or humeral head fractures, or unspecified shoulder pain. Two authors independently selected trials for inclusion and extracted information on the domains and measurement instruments reported, with consensus discussion among all authors where required. We included 409 trials, published between 1954 and 2015. Across the trials, we identified 319 different instruments that were classified into 32 domains. Most trials reported a measure of pain (90%), range of motion (78%), and physical function (71%). The recording of adverse events was reported in only 31% of the trials. Muscle strength was reported in 44% of the trials and imaging outcomes in 21%. Other patient-reported outcome measures, such as global assessment of treatment success, health-related quality of life, work ability, and psychological functioning, were each reported in ≤15% of the trials. Most of the domains were reported at similar frequencies across different shoulder disorders. The domains and measurement instruments reported were widely diverse. Our results provide a foundation for the development of a core outcome set for use in future trials across all shoulder disorders.

Short-term Low-Dose mTORC1 Inhibition in Aged Rats Counter-Regulates Age-Related Gene Changes and Blocks Age-Related Kidney Pathology.

Rapalogs, inhibitors of mTORC1 (mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1), increase life span and delay age-related phenotypes in many species. However, the molecular mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. We determined gene expression changes comparing 6- and 24-month-old rats in the kidney, liver, and skeletal muscle, and asked which of these changes were counter-regulated by a clinically-translatable (short-term and low-concentration) treatment, with a rapalog (RAD001). Surprisingly, RAD001 had a more pronounced effect on the kidney under this regimen in comparison to the liver or skeletal muscle. Histologic evaluation of kidneys revealed that the severity of chronic progressive nephropathy lesions was lower in kidneys from 24-month-old rats treated with RAD001 compared with vehicle. In addition to other gene expression changes, c-Myc, which has been shown to regulate aging, was induced by aging in the kidney and counter-regulated by RAD001. RAD001 caused a decrease in c-Myc protein, which could be rescued by a proteasome inhibitor. These findings point to settings for use of mTORC1 inhibitors to treat age-related disorders, and highlight c-Myc regulation as one of the potential mechanisms by which mTORC1 inhibition is perturbing age-related phenotypes.

Formulas for the Universal Prayer in the Typical Editions of the Post-Conciliar Missal

The study presents the results of research on changes in the formulas for the universal prayer in the subsequent typical editions of the Missal. The universal prayer is the climax of the liturgy in which the universal priesthood of the faithful is fulfilled. The Council postulated its restoration according to the ancient practice. Concilium ad Exsequendam Constitutionem de Sacra Liturgia published (before the first typical edition of the Missal) a basic document De oratione communi seu fidelium . The formulas for the universal prayer were given in it. They form the basis on which the national bishops’ conferences should publish their own formulas in the national language. Out of 54 models of the universal prayer given in De oratione , 11 were added in an appendix to the post-conciliar Missal. This confirms the concept that they are only examples, not a set for use in the liturgy.

Gaussian basis sets for use in correlated molecular calculations. XI. Pseudopotential-based and all-electron relativistic basis sets for alkali metal (K-Fr) and alkaline earth (Ca-Ra) elements.

New correlation consistent basis sets based on pseudopotential (PP) Hamiltonians have been developed from double- to quintuple-zeta quality for the late alkali (K-Fr) and alkaline earth (Ca-Ra) metals. These are accompanied by new all-electron basis sets of double- to quadruple-zeta quality that have been contracted for use with both Douglas-Kroll-Hess (DKH) and eXact 2-Component (X2C) scalar relativistic Hamiltonians. Sets for valence correlation (ms), cc-pVnZ-PP and cc-pVnZ-(DK,DK3/X2C), in addition to outer-core correlation [valence + (m-1)sp], cc-p(w)CVnZ-PP and cc-pwCVnZ-(DK,DK3/X2C), are reported. The -PP sets have been developed for use with small-core PPs [I. S. Lim et al., J. Chem. Phys. 122, 104103 (2005) and I. S. Lim et al., J. Chem. Phys. 124, 034107 (2006)], while the all-electron sets utilized second-order DKH Hamiltonians for 4s and 5s elements and third-order DKH for 6s and 7s. The accuracy of the basis sets is assessed through benchmark calculations at the coupled-cluster level of theory for both atomic and molecular properties. Not surprisingly, it is found that outer-core correlation is vital for accurate calculation of the thermodynamic and spectroscopic properties of diatomic molecules containing these elements.