bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nexus of institutional pressures, environmentally friendly business strategies, and environmental performance
Authors: Majid Abdul , Yasir Muhammad , Yasir Muhammad , Javed Asad
Published: August 2019

Institutional pressures (IP) have a strong effect on organizational strategies and decision making. IP in terms of coercive, mimetic, and normative forces have a direct effect on organizations to develop environmentally friendly business strategies (EFBS) and improve environmental performance (EP). The aim of this study is to examine the effect of IP on EP. Moreover, the mediating role of EFBS in the relationship between IP and EP has also been tested. Results reveal that IP significantly and positively affect EFBS. Moreover, the relationship between EFBS and EP is also significantly positive. However, the direct relationship between IP and EP is weak. The results of the study also confirm that EFBS mediate the relationship between IP and EP. These findings suggest that managers should develop green strategies for the improvement of environmental performance. This study not only offers the empirical evidence to validate the findings of past researchers but also provides insight how IP flourish the mechanism of environmentally friendly business strategies. Furthermore, this study highlighted some interesting facts that should be meaningful options for managers to enhance the environmental performance.
Lossless Compression of Cytometric Data
Authors: Bras Anne E. , van der Velden Vincent H. J.
Published: August 2019

Nowadays, most cytometrists apply lossless compression by storing their FCS files in ZIP archives. Unfortunately, ZIP only achieves modest space savings in cytometric data, due to DEFLATE being used as the underlying lossless compression algorithm (LCA). Presumably, other modern LCA can outperform DEFLATE, especially in terms of space savings. Twenty‐one codecs (programs implementing LCA) were evaluated in 167,131 publicly available FCS files. Within floating‐point data, as produced by modern instruments, most favorable compression ratios (CRs) were achieved by ZPAQ (median 0.469), BCM (median 0.523), and LZMA (median 0.545). In comparison, the DEFLATE‐based codecs only achieved median CR of 0.728 under the most optimal conditions. By default, ZIP offers nine compression level (CL) settings, where lower ZIP‐CL optimizes for time efficiency, while higher ZIP‐CL optimizes for space efficiency. Interestingly, the third ZIP‐CL already resulted in near optimal CR in 90% of the files with floating‐point data, as produced by digital cytometers. LZMA is well established, widely supported, and actively maintained (in sharp contrast to ZPAQ and BCM) and therefore arguably the most attractive alternative for ZIP. Within floating‐point data, by shifting from ZIP (under optimal conditions) to LZMA (at default settings), the median CR can be improved by 25%. Based on our results, cytometrists can benefit from state‐of‐the‐art compression by choosing the appropriate codec for their situation. Our results are likely to speed‐up the adaptation of modern codecs, as CR around 0.5 were beyond all expectations, and such space savings will benefit the field of cytometry. © 2019 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Pulsed resource availability changes dietary niche breadth and partitioning between generalist rodent consumers
Authors: Stephens Ryan B. , Hobbie Erik A. , Lee Thomas D. , Rowe Rebecca J.
Published: August 2019

Identifying the mechanisms that structure niche breadth and overlap between species is important for determining how species interact and assessing their functional role in an ecosystem. Without manipulative experiments, assessing the role of foraging ecology and interspecific competition in structuring diet is challenging. Systems with regular pulses of resources act as a natural experiment to investigate the factors that influence the dietary niches of consumers. We used natural pulses of mast‐fruiting of American beech (Fagus grandifolia) to test whether optimal foraging or competition structure the dietary niche breadth and overlap between two congener rodent species (Peromyscus leucopus and P. maniculatus), both of which are generalist consumers. We reconstructed diets seasonally over a 2‐year period using stable isotope analysis (δ13C, δ15N) of hair and of potential dietary items and measured niche dynamics using standard ellipse area calculated within a Bayesian framework. Changes in niche breadth were generally consistent with predictions of optimal foraging theory, with both species consuming more beechnuts (a high‐quality food resource) and having a narrower niche breadth during masting seasons compared to nonmasting seasons when dietary niches expanded and more fungi (a low‐quality food source) were consumed. In contrast, changes in dietary niche overlap were consistent with competition theory, with higher diet overlap during masting seasons than during nonmasting seasons. Overall, dietary niche dynamics were closely tied to beech masting, underscoring that food availability influences competition. Diet plasticity and niche partitioning between the two Peromyscus species may reflect differences in foraging strategies, thereby reducing competition when food availability is low. Such dietary shifts may have important implications for changes in ecosystem function, including the dispersal of fungal spores.
A highly sensitive MEMS silicon‐hair device reproducing the function of hair follicle
Authors: Hamamoto Koki , Terao Kyohei , Shimokawa Fusao , Takao Hidekuni
Published: August 2019

This paper reports a highly sensitive MEMS silicon‐hair device with novel functions of hair follicle. Human hairy skin has peculiar receptor called hair follicle. Therefore, a highly sensitive sensor reproducing the function of hair follicle is demanded in order to quantify peculiar sense in hairy skin such as wind, static electricity, and perception of the liquid surface. The developed device in this study has fine silicon‐hair with 10 µm width and 5 mm length. Moreover, it detects two‐axis force and one‐axis moment applied to silicon‐hair by piezoresistors. The MEMS silicon‐hair device has realized resolutions of 5 µN axial force, 1 µN shear force, and 3nN·m moment. Also, the device in this study precisely acquired surface tension close to the physical property of water and ethanol water solution. In addition, the MEMS silicon‐hair device was successful in detecting 0.1 µN electrostatic attraction. Resolutions of shear force and moment have been improved by 10‐fold using the resonance‐drive of silicon‐hair.
Actor relations in climate policymaking: Governing decarbonisation in a corporatist green state
Authors: Kronsell Annica , Khan Jamil , Hildingsson Roger
Published: August 2019

This article focuses on the role of actor relations in advancing climate policymaking and argues that attempts to understand decisions to decarbonise in a green state should explore the institutional conditions for policymaking. The article explores the climate policy model in Sweden in terms of the societal actors included in the policy process, the nature of this inclusion, and its relevance for the prospects of decarbonisation. It uses three perspectives in the analysis: corporatism, sustainable transition studies, and ecological democracy. The findings largely support existing research that states characterised by corporatist policymaking are suited for environmental governance and for climate policymaking. However, as a model of governance of actor relations, the Swedish climate policymaking model has both its merits and demerits. Although it has potential to reach decarbonisation objectives, it does this in the context of including mainly established economic interests, that is, incumbents. This stands in contrast with what is argued in sustainable transition studies that incumbents obstruct change, in the Swedish case they are viewed as potential change agents. Finally, although the character of the actor relations is deliberative, it is a top–down exclusive kind of deliberation that remains far from ideals of ecological democracy.
Bystander Ethics and Good Samaritanism: A Paradox for Learning Health Organizations
Authors: Sabin James E. , Cocoros Noelle M. , Garcia Crystal J. , Goldsack Jennifer C. , Haynes Kevin , Lin Nancy D. , McCall Debbe , Nair Vinit , Pokorney Sean D. , McMahill‐Walraven Cheryl N. , Granger Christopher B. , Platt Richard
Published: August 2019

In 2012, a U.S. Institute of Medicine report called for a different approach to health care: “Left unchanged, health care will continue to underperform; cause unnecessary harm; and strain national, state, and family budgets.” The answer, they suggested, would be a “continuously learning” health system. Ethicists and researchers urged the creation of “learning health organizations” that would integrate knowledge from patient‐care data to continuously improve the quality of care. Our experience with an ongoing research study on atrial fibrillation—a trial known as IMPACT‐AFib—gave us some insight into one of the challenges that will have to be dealt with in creating these organizations. Although the proposed educational intervention study placed no restrictions on what providers and health plans could do, the oversight team argued that the ethical principle of beneficence did not allow the researchers to be “bystanders” in relation to a control group receiving suboptimal care. In response, the researchers designed a “workaround” that allowed the project to go forward. We believe the experience suggests that what we call “bystander ethics” will create challenges for the kinds of quality improvement research that LHOs are designed to do.
The Haves, the Have‐nots, and the Will‐nots
Authors: Mehlman Maxwell J.
Published: August 2019

What if science enabled us to live an extended lifespan? Well, not us, but people in the future, and perhaps not everybody in the future, at least not at first. Should we allow and encourage science to develop this capability, or should we try to prevent or inhibit it? John Davis's book New Methuselahs: The Ethics of Life Extension is a thorough exploration of these questions. He presents the arguments for and against developing this capacity, and he considers three perspectives: those of individuals who will be able to extend their lives (the Haves), individuals who will not because they can't afford to (the Have‐nots), and individuals who will not extend their lives because they are opposed to doing so (the Will‐nots). Davis is a philosopher, and the bulk of this book is for the cognoscenti.
The Harms of a Penal Colony
Authors: Strong Justin
Published: August 2019

More than just a jail, Rikers has become a site of shifting discourse on punishment and justice in the United States. In the book Life and Death in Rikers Island, Homer Venters argues that the systematic failures of jails to provide appropriate safety and care constitute human rights violations and public health risks. The former chief medical officer and commissioner of correctional health services for the NYC Health and Hospitals system, Venters offers critical insight on the Rikers jail system. “Because jails are chaotic and concealed from outside view,” he asserts, “we only become aware of them when very bad outcomes occur, such as deaths.” Life and Death's success lies in how it blends Venters's experiences on the ground as a health care professional with the empirical data he's been able to collect and analyze over the tenure of his career. According to Venters, all suicides, homicides, and accidental deaths in jail are jail attributable, as they reflect system‐wide failures in safety.
Incentivizing organ donation through a nonmonetary posthumous award
Authors: Bedendo Mascia , Siming Linus
Published: August 2019

Since 2013, The Order of St John Award for Organ Donation has been offered to the families of deceased solid organ donors in the United Kingdom to honor the donors and inspire others to donate. We evaluate the effects of this award using a difference‐in‐differences approach that builds on the fact that solid organ donors are eligible for the award, whereas cornea‐only donors are not. We find that the introduction of the award led to an increase in the number of deceased solid organ donors.
Magnetohydrodynamic bio‐nanoconvective Naiver slip flow of micropolar fluid in a stretchable horizontal channel
Authors: Zohra Fatema T. , Uddin Mohammed J. , Ismail Ahamd I. M.
Published: August 2019

The purpose of this paper is to formulate and analyze a nano‐bio transport model for magnetohydrodynamic convective flow, heat, and mass diffusion of micropolar fluid containing gyrotactic microorganisms through a horizontal channel. Both the walls are considered to be stretched, and the Navier slip boundary condition is taken into account. The governing bio‐nano transport partial differential equations are rendered to ordinary differential equations using similarity variables. The resulting normalized self‐similar boundary value problem is solved computationally with the Matlab bvp4c function. The effect of the controlling parameters on the nondimensional velocity, temperature, nanoparticle concentration, and motile microorganism density functions, and their gradients at the wall are visualized graphically and in a tabular form and expounded at length. Validation with a previous simpler model is included. All physical quantities, except the local Nusselt number, increases with an increase in the velocity slip and magnetic parameters. The present problem finds applications in industries related to pharmaceutical, nanofluidic devices, microbial enhanced oil recovery, modeling oil, and gas‐bearing sedimentary basins.
Improved exposure of bioactive peptides to the outermost surface of the polylactic acid nanofiber scaffold
Authors: Hsu Yu‐I , Yamaoka Tetsuji
Published: August 2019

We recently reported a novel method to modify the polylactic acid (PLLA) nanofiber scaffold with IKVAV peptide/oligo (d‐lactic acid) (ODLA) heteroconjugates. However, a part of the IKVAV sequence was not exposed to the outermost surface and therefore, cell adhesion was not optimized. In this study, we evaluated two strategies to improve the exposing efficiency of IKVAV. One strategy introduced a hydrophilic diethylene glycol (diEG) segment between IKVAV and ODLA. In the second method, these modified nanofibers were heated to a given temperature and cooled to room temperature in water. The IKVAV peptides at the outermost surface were quantified by the fluorescein isothiocyanate staining method. After being heated above the PLLA glass transition temperature, the exposing efficiency of the IKVAV sequence on the PLLA/ODLA–diEG–IKVAV nanofiber was three times higher than that on the PLLA/ODLA–IKVAV unheated nanofiber. Moreover, nearly 100% of the PC‐12 cells seeded onto the PLLA/ODLA–diEG–IKVAV nanofiber and were well distributed, while only 50% of the PC‐12 cells seeded onto the PLLA and PLLA/ODLA–IKVAV nanofibers. These strategies markedly enhanced the exposing efficiency of the bioactive peptides; therefore, their use can be applicable to other nanofiber scaffolds.
Diagnostic performance of multiparametric MRI in the evaluation of treatment response in glioma patients at 3T
Authors: Liu Jie , Li Cong , Chen Yinsheng , Lv Xiaofei , Lv Yanchun , Zhou Jian , Xi Shaoyan , Dou Weiqiang , Qian Long , Zheng Hairong , Wu Yin , Chen Zhongping
Published: August 2019

Background

MRI is one of the most important techniques to assess the treatment response of gliomas. However, differentiating tumor recurrence (TuR) from treatment effects (TrE) remains challenging.

Purpose

To compare the diagnostic performance of MR diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI), arterial spin labeling (ASL), proton MR spectroscopy (MRS), and amide proton transfer (APT) imaging in differentiating between TuR and TrE in posttreatment glioma patients.

Study Type

Prospective.

Population

Thirty patients with suspected tumor progression.

Field Strength/Sequence

DWI, ASL, proton MRS, and APT imaging were performed at 3T MR.

Assessment

MR indices, including ADC, relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF), ratios of Cho/Cr, Cho/NAA, and NAA/Cr and APT‐weighted (APTw) effect were obtained from DWI, ASL, proton MRS, and APT imaging, respectively. Indices were measured in the contralateral normal‐appearing white matter and lesions defined on the Gd‐enhanced T1w image. TuR or TrE was either determined histologically or clinically from longitudinal MRI follow‐up for at least 6 months.

Statistical Tests

The diagnostic performance of the indices was evaluated using Student's t‐test, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Results

Among the 30 patients, 16 were diagnosed as having TuR and the rest having TrE. The recurrent tumors showed a significantly higher APTw effect (1.56 ± 1.14%) and rCBF (1.44 ± 0.61) compared with lesions representing treatment effects (–0.44 ± 1.34% and 0.72 ± 0.25, respectively, with P < 0.001). The areas under the curve (AUCs) were 0.87 and 0.90 for APTw and rCBF, respectively, in differentiating between TuR and TrE. Combining APTw and rCBF achieved a higher AUC of 0.93. MRS index ratios of Cho/Cr (P = 0.25), Cho/NAA (P = 0.16), and NAA/Cr (P = 0.86) and ADC (P = 0.37) showed no significant differences between TuR and TrE lesions, with AUCs lower than 0.70.

Data Conclusion

Compared with DWI and MRS, ASL and APT imaging techniques showed better diagnostic capability in distinguishing TuR from TrE.

Level of Evidence: 1

Technical Efficacy: Stage 4

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;51:1154–1161.
Multifunctional Cationic PeptoStars as siRNA Carrier: Influence of Architecture and Histidine Modification on Knockdown Potential
Authors: Holm Regina , Schwiertz David , Weber Benjamin , Schultze Jennifer , Kuhn Jasmin , Koynov Kaloian , Lächelt Ulrich , Barz Matthias
Published: August 2019

RNA interference provides enormous potential for the treatment of several diseases, including cancer. Nevertheless, successful therapies based on siRNA require overcoming various challenges, such as poor pharmacokinetic characteristics of the small RNA molecule and inefficient cytosolic accumulation. In this respect, the development of functional siRNA carrier systems is a major task in biomedical research. To provide such a desired system, the synthesis of 3‐arm and 6‐arm PeptoStars is aimed for. The different branched polypept(o)idic architectures share a stealth‐like polysarcosine corona for efficient shielding and a multifunctional polylysine core, which can be independently varied in size and functionality for siRNA complexation‐, transport and intra cellular release. The special feature of star‐like polypept(o)ides is in their uniform small size (<20 nm) and a core–shell structure, which implies a high stability and stealth‐like properties and thus, they may combine long circulation times and a deep penetration of cancerous tissue. Initial toxicity and complement studies demonstrate well tolerated cationic PeptoStars with high complexation capability toward siRNA (N/P ratio up to 3:1), which can lead to potent RNAi for optimized systems. Here, the synthetic development of 3‐arm and 6‐arm polypept(o)idic star polymers, their modification with endosomolytic moieties, and first in vitro insights on RNA interference are reported on.
miR‐1249‐3p accelerates the malignancy phenotype of hepatocellular carcinoma by directly targeting HNRNPK
Authors: Shu Hongchun , Hu Jia , Deng Huiqiu
Published: August 2019

Background

microRNAs (miRNAs) have been implicated to play crucial roles in carcinogenesis. miR‐1249‐3p was reported to be abnormally expressed in multiple human cancers. However, its biological role and the associated underlying mechanisms in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain largely unknown.

Methods

miR‐1249‐3p expression level in HCC cell lines and normal cell line was measured by quantitative real‐time PCR. Role of miR‐1249‐3p on HCC cell proliferation, colony formation, and invasion was examined by cell counting kit‐8 assay, colony formation assay, and transwell invasion assay, respectively. Luciferase activity reporter assay and western blot were performed to validate whether heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (HNRNPK) was a direct target of miR‐1249‐3p. Effect of miR‐1249‐3p on overall survival of HCC patients was analyzed at KM Plotter website.

Results

We found miR‐1249‐3p expression level was increased, while HNRNPK expression level was decreased in HCC cell lines compared with normal cell line. Knockdown miR‐1249‐3p expression inhibits HCC cell proliferation, colony formation, and cell invasion through regulating HNRNPK in vitro. We also showed high miR‐1249‐3p expression was a predictor for poor overall survival of HCC patients.

Conclusions

These findings about miR‐1249‐3p/HNRNPK pair provide a novel therapeutic method for HCC patients.
Somatic mosaicism of androgen receptor gene in an androgen insensitivity syndrome patient conceived through assisted reproduction technique
Authors: Wang Hao , Zhu Hui , Wang Nan , Cheng Tong , Han Bing , Zhao Shuangxia , Song Huaidong , Cheng Kaixiang , Liu Yang , Qiao Jie
Published: August 2019

Background

Mutations of human androgen receptor (AR) gene are responsible for androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS). Variable phenotypes and androgen receptor binding activity have permitted the classification of AIS into complete (CAIS), partial (PAIS), and minimal or mild (MAIS) forms. Somatic mosaicism in AIS is a rare condition which happened when de novo mutations occur after the zygotic stage.

Methods

Clinical evaluation, hormone measurements, and molecular analysis were performed to diagnose the patient in the study.

Results

A 46, XY girl who conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF), presented with partial virilization of external genitalia, was found to have the p.C620R in heterozygosity. The variant p.C620R of AR has been previously reported in a patient with completely feminized external genitalia, which was inherited from the heterozygote carrier mother. Mutation analysis of the mother of our patient revealed that the variant was de novo and presented as a somatic mosaicism which indicated an insufficient amount of wild‐type AR in our patient.

Conclusion

This is the first case that AIS was caused by de novo mutation of AR in a 46, XY Disorder of Sexual Development (DSD) patient by the assisted reproduction technique (ART). The phenotype of partial virilization could be explained by AR mutation in somatic mosaicism.
Novel crosslinked AB‐type polyphenylquinoxaline membranes for high‐temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells
Authors: Tu Chia‐Hui , Hsu Steve Lien‐Chung , Bulycheva Elena , Belomoina Natalya
Published: August 2019

AB‐type polyphenylquinoxaline (ABPPQ) membranes exhibit great mechanical properties and thermal properties for high‐temperature proton exchange membranes (PEMs). However, they dissolve in high‐concentration phosphoric acid (PA) during acid doping. In order to improve the PA resistant of ABPPQ, crosslinked ABPPQ membranes were prepared using sulfuric acid. The crosslinked ABPPQ membranes showed high PA resistance. The acid content of PA‐doped membranes decreased slightly with crosslinking, but the crosslinked polyphenylquinoxaline (CPPQ)‐20 membrane could reach 2.5 × 10−2S/cm proton conductivity at 160°C. Membrane electrode assemblies were fabricated with an active area of 4 cm2and Pt loading of 1 mg/cm2. A startup and shutdown test (operated at 150°C with 0.2 A/cm2for 12 h and then 12 h off at room temperature) and a 30‐day long‐term durability test (150°C with 0.2 A/cm2) were conducted. In the startup and shutdown test, the crosslinked membranes showed a low open‐circuit voltage decay rate of 0.15 mV/h. In the 30‐day long‐term durability test, the voltage decay rate was 0.039 mV/h. In both tests, the crosslinked membranes showed a stable performance. Therefore, the crosslinked ABPPQ membranes can be regarded as a novel material for high‐temperature PEM fuel cells. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:2169–2173, 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers
A single‐session acceptance and commitment therapy intervention among women undergoing surgery for breast cancer: A randomized pilot trial to reduce persistent postsurgical pain
Authors: Hadlandsmyth Katherine , Dindo Lilian N. , Wajid Roohina , Sugg Sonia L. , Zimmerman M. Bridget , Rakel Barbara A.
Published: August 2019

Objective

Oncologic breast surgeries carry a risk for persistent postsurgical pain. This study was a randomized pilot and feasibility study of a single‐session Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention compared with treatment as usual among women undergoing surgery for breast cancer or ductal carcinoma in situ.

Methods

Participants were recruited via letter of invitation and follow‐up phone call from a single site in the United States from 2015 to 2017. Participants were at risk for persistent postsurgical pain, based on young age (<50), a preexisting chronic pain condition, or elevated anxiety, depression, or pain catastrophizing.

Results

The 54 participants were female with a mean age of 52.91 years (SD=11.80). At 3‐month postsurgery, 11% of the sample reported moderate‐severe pain (>3 on a 0‐10 numeric rating scale) in the operative breast or with arm movement. Written qualitative responses indicated that the majority of participants who received the intervention understood the concepts presented and reported continued practice of exercises learned in the session. The between group effect sizes for moderate‐severe pain and elevated anxiety at 3‐month post‐surgery were small (Phi=0.08 and 0.16, respectively). The between group effect sizes for depression, pain acceptance, and pain catastrophizing at 3‐month postsurgery were minimal.

Conclusions

This study found small positive effects on postsurgical pain and anxiety for a single‐session ACT intervention among women with breast cancer. This study supports the use of ACT with this population.
Drug‐Conjugation Induced Self‐Assembly of Feather Keratin‐Based Prodrug for Tumor Intracellular Reduction Triggered Drug Delivery
Authors: Zhang Huifang , Liu Peng
Published: August 2019

As a kind of natural protein, keratin is widely investigated in the biomedical field. Here, for the first time, a keratin‐based prodrug (PK‐SS‐D) is designed for tumor intracellular reduction triggered drug delivery, by conjugating doxorubicin (DOX) onto poly(ethylene glycol) modified keratin (PEGylated keratin, PK) with a bioreducible disulfide linkage. The protein‐drug conjugate prodrug, with a drug content of 20%, can self‐assemble into micelles with a mean hydrodynamic diameter of 175 nm and a narrow distribution. The in vitro controlled release profiles reveal the reduction triggered thiolated DOX (DOX‐SH) release behavior of the PK‐SS‐D micelles, with a cumulative drug release up to 52% within 10 d in the simulated tumor microenvironment in a sustained releasing mode, and a low drug leakage of 17% in the simulated normal physiological medium. The enhanced tumor growth inhibition of the proposed PK‐SS‐D prodrug micelles is revealed by the methyl tetrazolium (MTT) assays, although the released DOX‐SH prodrug possesses a lower tumor growth inhibition than DOX.
Investigation on the Scaling Performances of Carbon‐Doped Ge2Sb2Te5 Thin Films for Phase Change Random Access Memory in a 40 nm Process
Authors: Yan Shuai , Cai Daolin , Xue Yuan , Chen Yifeng , Liu Yuanguang , Wu Lei , Song Zhitang
Published: August 2019

Herein, the amorphous and crystalline characteristics at different thicknesses for carbon‐doped Ge2Sb2Te5 (CGST) thin films are systematically investigated. Switching current and grain size of the cubic (face‐centered cubic [FCC]) phase both reduce in thinner films, and the 35 nm‐thick CGST‐based chips can even switch in just 30 ns. Interestingly, high data retention (118 °C) is also maintained in 35 nm‐thick CGST‐based chips, better than the case in Ge2Sb2Te5‐based chips (85 °C). The endurance ability of more than 107 cycles with a resistance ratio of one order of magnitude demonstrates that the 35 nm‐thick CGST‐based chip is a potential candidate for the application of phase change random access memory.
Riparian vegetation restoration: Does social perception reflect ecological value?
Authors: Arsénio Pedro , Rodríguez‐González Patricia María , Bernez Ivan , S. Dias Filipe , Bugalho Miguel N. , Dufour Simon
Published: August 2019

Social‐ecological contexts are key to the success of ecological restoration projects. The ecological quality of restoration efforts, however, may not be fully evident to stakeholders, particularly if the desired aesthetic experience is not delivered. Aesthetically pleasing landscapes are more highly appreciated and tend to be better protected than less appealing landscapes, regardless of their ecological value. Positive public perception of restoration actions may therefore facilitate stakeholder involvement and catalyse recognition of ecological improvement. Here we aim to contrast aesthetical perception and ecological condition in headwater river reaches restored through passive ecological restoration in study areas in Portugal (Alentejo) and France (Normandy). We recorded structural and functional indicators of riparian vegetation to monitor the ecological condition of study sites along a passive restoration trajectory. Aesthetical perception indicators were assessed through stakeholder inquiries developed under a semantic differential approach. We analysed perception responses to changes in the riparian ecosystems resulting from passive ecological restoration across different geographical contexts and social groups. The analysed social groups comprised stakeholders (environmental managers and landowners) and university students (landscape architecture and geography students). Results indicate that (a) visual preferences often do not reflect changes in ecological condition, (b) perception of the restoration process is strongly context dependent, and (c) experience and cultural background affect perception of ecological condition across the different social groups analysed. Clear identification of relevant stakeholder groups (those interested in or directly affected by restoration), effective communication, and stakeholder engagement are therefore essential for assuring the success of river restoration projects.
The effect of a single, brief practice of progressive muscle relaxation after exposure to an acute stressor on subsequent energy intake
Authors: Masih Tasmiah , Dimmock James A. , Guelfi Kym J.
Published: August 2019

Background

Given previous research suggests an association between stress and the intake of energy‐dense foods, this study investigated whether poststressor relaxation practice can attenuate stress‐induced eating.

Methods

Twenty‐five men and women were exposed to four conditions on separate days: an acute laboratory stressor (S), acute stressor followed by 20 min of relaxation (SR) in the form of Abbreviated Progressive Muscle Relaxation (APMR), relaxation alone (R), and a control condition (C). Physiological and psychological responses to stress and relaxation were assessed, in addition to the subsequent energy intake of high‐energy snacks.

Results

Salivary cortisol, blood pressure, heart rate, and perceived stress were transiently elevated postlaboratory stressor (S and SR compared with R and C; p < .05). Meanwhile, perceived relaxation was acutely enhanced after APMR alone (R) compared with S, SR, and C (p < .05) and in SR (immediately after the APMR) compared with S (p < .05). No difference in mean energy intake was observed between conditions (p > .05). Likewise, no differences in perceived appetite or the levels of ghrelin, leptin, and insulin were found between conditions (p > .05).

Conclusions

Much variation exists in stress‐induced dietary responses, and APMR either postacute stressor or in isolation does not appear to consistently alter the intake of commonly eaten snacks.
What if I had not fallen from grace? Psychological distress and the gap between factual and counterfactual subjective social status
Authors: Euteneuer Frank , Schaefer Sarina J. , Neubert Marie , Rief Winfried , Suessenbach Philipp
Published: August 2019

The aim of this work was to test the hypothesis that the discrepancy between factual and counterfactual subjective social status (DCS) relates to psychological distress beyond the effect of current (i.e., factual) subjective and objective social status. Participants were 124 single mothers (Study 1) and 310 persons who have become unemployed (Study 2). In both samples, higher DCS was related to more severe symptoms of stress and depression beyond the effect of current subjective and objective social status. Upward counterfactual thinking might be an additional psychological factor in the relationship between social inequality and health in socially deprived individuals.
Analysis of long‐term loading characterization for stress‐cycle fatigue design
Authors: Teixeira Rui , Nogal Maria , O'Connor Alan
Published: August 2019

The present paper discusses the application of stress‐cycle (SN) fatigue design procedures for offshore wind turbines, applied to the tower and substructure, and emphasizing the long‐term loading characterization. Three main methodologies are compared to assess SN fatigue long‐term design, direct scale‐up of loads and cycles to the design lifetime, probability fit for the loading distribution, and truncation and fit of the tail region. Different characteristic SN slopes are researched. The comprehensive comparison developed shows that limited interest exists in increasing the complexity of the loading assessment for SN fatigue design. In particular, the notion of representative sample has key influence on the fatigue calculations. Probability analysis techniques are not an adequate substitute of a representative sample. If definition of a representative sample for design is unpractical due to its large cost, direct scale‐up of cycles from a time t to a larger time T can be applied with uncertainty assessment. Bootstrapping of load ranges is implemented to tackle the limitations imposed by approaching a design time much larger than the evaluated time. It takes advantage of the fact that SN fatigue design is a statistical problem of mean value. Bootstrapping proved to be an efficient estimator of uncertainty with relatively constant confidence bounds, of particular interest to perform SN fatigue design with small samples. New insights on its application for fatigue design are presented. Due to its simple application and nonparametric character, it can be applied in combination with other techniques, such as extrapolation of loads and cycles.
On the global well‐posedness for the 2D incompressible Keller‐Segel‐Navier‐Stokes equations
Authors: Zhang Qian , Zhang Yehua
Published: August 2019

The Keller‐Segel‐Navier‐Stokes system
is considered in . It is proved that we obtain the existence and uniqueness of weak solutions for the two dimensional incompressible Keller‐Segel‐Navier‐Stokes equations for a large class of initial data by using Fourier localization technique.
Developing a taxonomy to characterise trusted adult support in the lives of adolescents
Authors: Pringle Jan , McAteer John , Whitehead Ross , Scott Eileen , Milne Dona , Jepson Ruth
Published: August 2019

Introduction

A systematic review of trusted adult interventions for adolescents revealed that there was no common terminology, agreed explicit definition, or detail, regarding the personal qualities, functions and roles fulfilled by trusted adults that was used consistently across the papers. To provide clarity, we therefore aimed to produce a taxonomy of trusted adult input, using evidence drawn from our review.

Methods

Data from the review findings were used to compile the taxonomy, moving from the general to the more specific, in a four stage process. This involved: (1) compilation of elements described in individual papers, (2) grouping of elements derived from stage 1 into categories, (3) examination of context and nature of the relationship, (4) development of a categorisation of trusted adult input.

Findings

The resulting taxonomy encapsulates core essential qualities provided by people acting in trusted adult or mentoring roles, and gives details relating to what a young person might expect from individuals they put their trust in. The taxonomy consists of six categories relating to: delivery context, roles of trusted adults, nature of support, personal qualities, actions/functions, and impact.

Conclusions

The taxonomy describes key elements that define the trusted adult role, and has the potential to inform the development of policies and guidelines relating to support provision. It may be used as a framework for the reporting of trusted adult interventions within research, and act as a helpful guide if a young person is in doubt about the behaviour or qualities displayed by an adult in their environment.
An Evaluation of a Clinical Care Pathway for the Management of Men With Nonorganic Erectile Dysfunction
Authors: Jenkins Lawrence C. , Hall Matthew , Deveci Serkan , Guhring Patricia , Parker Marilyn , Nelson Christian J. , Mulhall John P.
Published: August 2019

Introduction

There exists little literature on the outcomes of the medical management of men with erectile dysfunction (ED) with no overt organic etiology.

Aim

This study was conducted to assess the outcomes of men with nonorganic ED treated medically.

Methods

All patients had normal hormone profiles and vascular assessment. All were given a trial of a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE5i). If no improvement was experienced, intracavernosal injection (ICI) therapy was administered. All patients were encouraged to seek a consultation with a mental health professional.

Main Outcome Measure

Patient demographics, medical comorbidities, hormone and hemodynamics assessments, and change in International Index of Erectile Function scores of patients were recorded.

Results

116 men with a mean age or 38 ± 19 (range 16−57) years were studied. 21% had mild ED, 47% had moderate ED, and 32% had severe ED. 21% had seen a psychiatrist. 81% of patients responded to PDE5i with a penetration hardness erection on follow-up (mean duration of 7 ± 3 months postcommencement of PDE5i). However, only 68% of these were capable of a consistently good response. The mean Erectile Function domain score on PDE5i for the entire group improved from 18 ± 11 to 22 ± 6 (P = .01), and for PDE5i responders it was 27 ± 4 (P < .001). 28% of men (22 PDE5i failures and 10 with a mixed response to PDE5i) attempted ICI, all obtaining consistently functional erections. At a mean time point of 11 ± 5 months, 83% of those responding to PDE5i had ceased using PDE5i due to a lack of need. 11% of those using ICI continued to use them 6 months after starting ICI; the remainder had been transitioned back to PDE5i. Of the 29 patients in the latter subgroup, 66% were no longer using PDE5i consistently due to a lack of need.

Clinical Implications

Not all men with nonorganic ED respond to PDE5i initially and many of those who respond do so only intermittently; such patients are potentially curable, using erectogenic pharmacotherapy for erectile confidence restoration, most men are capable of being weaned from drug therapy.

Strengths & Limitations

The strengths of the study are the large number of patients and the use of serial validated instruments to assess erectile function outcomes. As a weakness, despite normal hormone and vascular assessments, the diagnosis of nonorganic ED is still a presumptive one.

Conclusion

Medical management of nonorganic ED utilizing the process of care model results in cure in a large proportion of such patients. The transient use of ICI in some patients permits successful PDE5i rechallenge.
Evaluation of pain management in medical transfer of trauma patients by air
Authors: Miles Isabelle H. , MacDonald Russell D. , Moore Sean W. , Ducharme James , Vaillancourt Christian
Published: August 2019

Objectives

With regionalized trauma care, medical transport times can be prolonged, requiring paramedics to manage patient care and symptoms. Our objective was to evaluate pain management during air transport of trauma patients.

Methods

We conducted a 12-month review of electronic paramedic records from a provincial critical care transport agency. Patients were included if they were ≥18 years old and underwent air transport to a trauma centre, and excluded if they were Glasgow Coma Scale score <14, intubated, or accompanied by a physician or nurse. Demographics, injury description, and transportation parameters were recorded. Outcomes included pain assessment via 11-point numerical rating scale, patterns of analgesia administration, and analgesia-related adverse events. Results were reported as mean ± standard deviation, [range], (percentage).

Results

We included 372 patients: 47.0 years old; 262 males; 361 blunt injuries. Transport duration was 82.4 ± 46.3 minutes. In 232 (62.4%) patients who received analgesia, baseline numerical rating scale was 5.9 ± 2.5. Fentanyl was most commonly administered at 44.3 [25–60] mcg. Numerical rating scale after first analgesia dose decreased by 1.1 [-2–7]. Thereafter, 171 (73.7%) patients received 2.4 [1-18] additional doses. While 44 (23.4%) patients had no change in numerical rating scale after first analgesia dose, subsequent doses resulted in no change in numerical rating scale in over 65% of patients. There were 43 adverse events recorded, with nausea the most commonly reported (39.5%).

Conclusions

Initial and subsequent dose(s) of analgesic had minimal effect on pain as assessed via numerical rating scale, likely due in part to inadequate dosing. Future research is required to determine and address the barriers to proper analgesia.
Establishing and evaluating a Balint group for fourth-year medical students at an Irish University
Authors: McManus Sorcha , Killeen David , Hartnett Yvonne , Fitzgerald Gearoid , Murphy Kieran C.
Published: August 2019

Objective

The study was designed to establish and evaluate the impact of a 6-week Balint group on empathy and resilience in fourth-year medical students during their psychiatry rotation.

Methodology

This prospective study used the Jefferson Scale of Empathy – Student Version and the Brief Resilience Scale before and after 6-week Balint groups. Participating students also completed a qualitative assessment of their experience.

Results

Students who participated were enthusiastic regarding the value of Balint groups in promoting self-reflection and gaining insight into self- and patient-care dynamics. There was a significant difference in empathy scores pre- and post-Balint intervention. There was no significant difference in resilience scores.

Conclusion

The establishment of a 6-week Balint group for fourth-year medical students was successful in increasing empathy. Students reported a positive view of Balint and its beneficial role in this study group.
A 16,000-yr-long sedimentary sequence from Lakes Peters and Schrader (Neruokpuk Lakes), northeastern Brooks Range, Alaska
Authors: Benson Christopher W. , Kaufman Darrell S. , McKay Nicholas P. , Schiefer Erik , Fortin David
Published: August 2019

Sediments that accumulate in high-latitude lakes serve as valuable environmental archives of changing conditions in a region currently undergoing rapid change. A previously unexplored sedimentary sequence reaching back 16,000 years from Lakes Peters and Schrader (Neruokpuk Lakes) in the northeastern Brooks Range (69°N), Alaska, shows distinct changes in accumulation rates and biophysical properties including bulk density (BD), organic matter (OM) content, and grain-size distribution at five widely distributed core sites. The oldest sediments contain little OM and accumulated rapidly as glaciers retreated around 15 ka. OM peaked between 12 and 10 ka along with Northern Hemisphere summer insolation. BD increased and OM decreased until around 5 ka, possibly reflecting a decrease in river-transported terrestrial OM. From 5–2 ka, OM consistently increased, suggesting a rise in river discharge, or a rise in summer temperatures, which led to higher productivity, or both. After 2 ka, sediments increased in BD and decreased in OM, suggesting glacier growth. Evidence for glacier expansion late during the Little Ice Age is weak, but increased sedimentation rates may reflect glacier retreat during the last century. This study provides a framework for future paleoenvironmental research of a rare archive in a relatively pristine Arctic setting.
Proxy-based 300-year High Arctic climate warming record from Svalbard
Authors: Luoto Tomi P. , Ojala Antti E. K. , Zajaczkowski Marek
Published: August 2019

We used fossil Chironomidae assemblages and the transfer function approach to reconstruct summer air temperatures over the past 300 years from a High Arctic lake in Hornsund, Svalbard. Our aims were to compare reconstructed summer temperatures with observed (last 100 years) seasonal temperatures, to determine a potential climate warming break point in the temperature series and to assess the significance and rate of the climate warming trend at the study site. The reconstructed temperatures were consistent with a previous proxy record from Svalbard and showed good correlation with the meteorological observations from Bjørnøya and Longyearbyen. From the current palaeoclimate record, we found a significant climate warming threshold in the 1930s, after which the temperatures rapidly increased. We also found that the climate warming trend was strong and statistically significant. Compared with the reconstructed Little Ice Age temperatures in late eighteenth century cooling culmination, the present day summer temperatures are >4°C higher and the temperature increase since the 1930s has been 0.5°C per decade. These results highlight the exceptionally rapid recent warming of southern Svalbard and add invaluable information on the seasonality of High Arctic climate change and Arctic amplification.
Why You'll Regret Not Reading This Paper
Authors: Schroeder Mark
Published: August 2019

In this paper, I explore the role for anticipated regret in major life decision-making, focusing on how it is employed by realistic decision-makers in a variety of realistic cases. I argue that the most obvious answers to how regret might matter in decision do not make these cases intelligible, but that we can make them intelligible through consideration of the significance of narrative in our own self-understanding.
Whole farm safety net programs: an emerging US farm policy evolution?
Authors: Zulauf Carl
Published: August 2019

The 2018 farm bill is the latest in a history that dates to 1933. Commodity assistance is the only program in all farm bills, but with evolutionary changes. Current farm commodity programs largely make payments to farms, a stark contrast to the 1930s when they limited supply, put a floor under market price, and dampened price increases via public stocks. Crop insurance, which began as an experimental pilot program in 1938, now has its own farm bill title. Almost all commodity and insurance programs have provided assistance based on a calculation specific to an individual commodity's price and/or yield. However, an evolutionary change to whole farm commodity programs may be in its infant stages. They provide assistance for variation in a farm's aggregate revenue across multiple crops. Whole farm experiments currently exist in both the commodity and crop insurance titles. Analysis of a whole farm commodity program finds that its payments differ by year from actual payments made by current commodity programs and are smaller in total.
Der dermatologische Rundherd, nicht immer Tinea corporis
Authors: Arnold Andreas W.
Published: August 2019

Zusammenfassung. Im Allgemeinen wird in der Dermatologie unter einem Rundherd eine oft erythematöse, runde oder ovale Macula verstanden. Diese ist meist solitär, wird aber auch für multiple Rundherde bzw. Exantheme benutzt. Manchmal handelt es sich bei einem Rundherd auch um eine Plaque, also eine erhabene, grössere Fläche. Im vorliegenden Artikel wurden pigmentierte oder hypopigmentierte Maculae sowie knotige Tumore nicht eingeschlossen. Der isolierte Rundherd stellt, mehr noch wie multiple Rundherde, oft eine diagnostische Herausforderung dar und verlangt Kenntnisse der Klinik, Anamnese und Diagnostik.