bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epidemiological and Economic Evaluation of a Pilot Prostate Cancer Screening Program
Authors: Smailova Dariga S. , Fabbro Elisa , Ibrayev Serik E. , Brusati Luca , Semenova Yuliya M. , Samarova Umutzhan S. , Rakhimzhanova Farida S. , Zhussupov Sabit M. , Khismetova Zaituna A. , Hosseini Hengameh
Published: January 2020

Background. Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer, and the sixth most common killer among men worldwide (Aubry et al., 2013). This research was motivated by the fact that PCa screening continues to be a controversial topic in the Kazakh medical community. This study aimed at description of how newly diagnosed PCa patients are managed in Pavlodar region of the Kazakhstan Republic and at presentation of a budget impact analysis (BIA) for PCa screening program. Also, we aimed to provide a comparative analysis of pricing system on medical services applied in both private and public healthcare sectors of the Kazakhstan Republic. Methods. New cases of PCa have been retrospectively analyzed for the period from January 2013 to December 2017 based on the information obtained from information system “Policlinic” maintained by the Pavlodar regional branch of the Republican Center for Electronic Health and from Cancer Registry of Pavlodar Regional Oncology Center. All data were analyzed with the help of SPSS 20.0 software. Results. The mean age of PCa patients was 68.34 years (SD = 8.559). The government of Kazakhstan invested 20,437,000 KZT (Kazakhstani tenge) in 2017 equivalently 61,188 USD—to fund a pilot study for examination of 9638 men. From 2013 to 2017, out of 49,334 men residing in Pavlodar region of Kazakhstan 1,248 men were diagnosed with prostate diseases, including 130 PCa cases. The PCa detection rate was equal to two cases per month. Only 22.8% of all PCa cases identified in the region within specified time period were revealed as a result of the government-funded PCa screening program. The average prostate cancer detection rate among the target group of Pavlodar region within the period of 5 years was equal to 0.23%. Conclusion. Based on the fact that the PCa screening program failed to enable adequate detection of new PCa cases, we would not recommend to continue this type of screening unless it is undergone careful revision and replanning.
Promoting Participation in Daily Activities Through Reablement: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Magne Trine A. , Vik Kjersti
Published: January 2020

A well-known prediction is that the growing elderly population will place a strain on our healthcare systems. At the same time, healthcare is becoming increasingly patient-centered and individualized, with the patient becoming an active participant rather than a mere object of healthcare. The need for change may be met by using a reablement service, utilizing the rehabilitation mindset through home-based services. Rehabilitation and reablement aim to provide opportunities for individuals to participate to a maximum of their potential. This study is part of a larger research project exploring different aspects of reablement in municipalities. It aims to describe how older adults engage in daily activities within the context of reablement and to explore participation in daily activities. A qualitative design was chosen, and the study is explorative in nature due to limited research on participants’ experience with reablement. Ten older adults age 70 to 94 years old were recruited and interviewed. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using systematic text condensation (STC) strategies. This study provides insights on how older adults experience participation in daily activities and important aspects for performing these activities and living independently as long as possible. Based on the older adults’ experiences, three main themes were identified when receiving reablement. First, what to achieve with reablement and feeling a sense of security to participate in daily activities. Second, how to carry out wanted activities using different skills and last, how the social network is important for enabling active living. This calls for healthcare workers to address and facilitate these in reablement. Our findings show the importance of collaborating with the social network and strengthening participation in daily activities to establish and develop existing reablement services.
Intraluminal Duplication of the Terminal Ileum with Ectopic Gastric Mucosa in an Infant: A Rare Cause of Intussusception
Authors: Paradiso Filomena Valentina , Merli Laura , Silvaroli Sara , Fiorentino Vincenzo , Ricci Riccardo , Nanni Lorenzo
Published: January 2020

Enteric duplication cysts are rare malformations mostly diagnosed before the age of two, with varied clinical presentations. Ectopic gastrointestinal epithelium can be present, and management involves surgical resection. A three-month-old girl presented with rectal bleeding due to an ileocolic intussusception. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a target sign in the right upper part of the abdomen. At hydrostatic contrast enema, an incomplete reduction of the intussusception was obtained: only a trickle of contrast material entered the terminal ileum. An exploratory laparotomy ensued with manual reduction of the intussusception. At the end of the maneuver, a soft intraluminal mass was palpated within the ileocecal valve. Thus, an ileocecal resection was performed. At histology, an intraluminal enteric duplication cyst was documented, containing ectopic gastric mucosa. Secondary intussusception should be suspected even in infants in case of abnormal findings at hydrostatic contrast enema. Intraluminal enteric duplication cysts may be a rare cause of intussusception.
ZIF-67/g-C3N4-Modified Electrode for Simultaneous Voltammetric Determination of Uric Acid and Acetaminophen with Cetyltrimethylammonium Bromide as Discriminating Agent
Authors: Ngo Huynh Truong , Hoa Le Thi , Khanh Nguyen Tan , Hoa Tran Thi Bich , Toan Tran Thanh Tam , Mau Tran Xuan , Phong Nguyen Hai , Thang Ho Sy , Khieu Dinh Quang
Published: January 2020

In the present paper, the ZIF-67/g-C3N4 composite was synthesized and utilized as a modifier for a glassy carbon electrode for the simultaneous voltammetric determination of uric acid (URA) and acetaminophen (ACE) with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as a discriminating agent. The composite was characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms. The obtained ZIF-67/g-C3N4 composite exhibits good textural properties (specific surface area: 75 m2·g−1) and is stable in water with a pH range of 3 to 10. The ZIF-67/g-C3N4-modified electrode combined with CTAB as a discriminating agent possesses excellent catalytic electrochemistry towards URA and ACE with well-defined electrochemical responses. The electrochemical kinetics study is also addressed. The linear relation of the oxidation peak current of URA and ACE and the concentration ranging from 0.2 μM to 6.5 μM provide a detection limit of 0.052 μM for URA and 0.053 μM for ACE. The proposed method is well-suited to simultaneously analyze URA and ACE in human urine with comparable results with HPLC.
Why the Increasing Trend of Summer Rainfall over North China Has Halted since the Mid-1990s
Authors: Liu Haiwen , Miao Jiarui , Wu Kaijun , Du Mengxing , Zhu Yuxiang , Hou Shaoyu
Published: January 2020

Previous studies indicate that the summer (July-August) rainfall over North China has decreased since the mid-1970s due to the weakening of East Asian summer monsoon (EASM). However, this study firstly discovers the new evidences that the summer rainfall over North China had a significant increasing tendency during 1979–1996; since 1997, this increasing tendency has halted while more summer droughts occurred over North China. One important cause for the halted increasing tendency over North China is the interdecadal decrease of the westerly water vapor transport during 1997–2016 in addition to the weakened EASM. The decrease of the westerly water vapor transport during 1997–2016 was due to the interdecadal warming over Lake Baikal. The interdecadal warming in the upper troposphere at 200 hPa forced the weakening of the upper-level zonal winds since 1997, which resulted in the anomalous descending flow over the north side of North China and the halted precipitation trend in North China.
False Alarm Reduction in Self-Care by Personalized Automatic Detection of ECG Electrode Cable Interchanges
Authors: Fayn Jocelyne , Rubel Paul
Published: January 2020

Introduction. False alarm reduction is an important challenge in self-care, whereas one of the most important false alarm causes in the cardiology domain is electrodes misplacements in ECG recordings, the main investigations to perform for early and pervasive detection of cardiovascular diseases. In this context, we present and assess a new method for electrode reversals identification for Mason-Likar based 3D ECG recording systems which are especially convenient to use in self-care and allow to achieve, as previously reported, high computerized ischemia detection accuracy. Methods. We mathematically simulate the effect of the six pairwise reversals of the LA, RA, LL, and C2 electrodes on the three ECG leads I, II, and V2. Our approach then consists in performing serial comparisons of the newly recorded 3D ECG and of the six derived ECGs simulating an electrode reversal with a standard, 12-lead reference ECG by means of the CAVIAR software. We further use a scoring method to compare these analysis results and then apply a decision tree model to extract the most relevant measurements in a learning set of 121 patients recorded in ICU. Results. The comparison of the seven sets of serial analysis results from the learning set resulted in the determination of a composite criteria involving four measurements of spatial orientation changes of QRS and T and providing a reversal identification accuracy of 100%. Almost the same results, with 99.99% of sensitivity and 100% of specificity, were obtained in two test sets from 90 patients, composed of 2098 and 2036 representative ECG beats respectively recorded during PTCA balloon inflation, a procedure which mimics ischemia, and before PTCA for control. Conclusion. Personalized automatic detection of ECG electrode cable interchanges can reach almost the maximal accuracy of 100% in self-care, and can be performed in almost real time.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma Risk Steadily Persists over Time Despite Long-Term Antiviral Therapy for Hepatitis B: A Multicenter Study
Authors: Kim Seung Up , Seo Yeon Seok , Lee Han Ah , Kim Mi Na , Lee Eun Ju , Shin Hye Jung , Lee Yu Rim , Lee Hye Won , Park Jun Yong , Kim Do Young , Ahn Sang Hoon , Han Kwang-Hyub , Um Soon Ho , Tak Won Young , Kweon Young Oh , Kim Beom Kyung , Park Soo Young
Published: January 2020

Background:

Long-term antiviral therapy (AVT) for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) reduces the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We assessed the temporal trends in the incidence of HCC over time during long-term AVT among Asian patients with CHB.

Methods:

Patients with CHB receiving entecavir/tenofovir (ETV/TDF) as a first-line antiviral were recruited from four academic hospitals in the Republic of Korea. We compared the incidence of HCC during and after the first 5 years of ETV/TDF treatment.

Results:

Among 3,156 patients, the median age was 49.6 years and males predominated (62.4%). During the follow-up, 9.0% developed HCC. The annual incidence of HCC per 100 person-years during the first 5 years (n = 1,671) and after the first 5 years (n = 1,485) was statistically similar (1.93% vs. 2.27%, P = 0.347). When the study population was stratified according to HCC prediction model, that is, modified PAGE-B score, the annual incidence of HCC was 0.11% versus 0.39% in the low-risk group (<8 points), 1.26% versus 1.82% in the intermediate-risk group (9–12 points), and 4.63% versus 5.24% in the high-risk group (≥13 points; all P > 0.05). A Poisson regression analysis indicated that the duration of AVT did not significantly affect the overall trend of the incidence of HCC (adjusted annual incidence rate ratio = 0.85; 95% confidence interval, 0.66–1.11; P = 0.232).

Conclusions:

Despite long-term AVT, the risk of HCC steadily persists over time among patients with CHB in the Republic of Korea, in whom HBV genotype C2 predominates.

Impact:

Careful HCC surveillance is still essential.
Local Intracerebral Immunomodulation Using Interleukin-Expressing Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Glioblastoma
Authors: Mohme Malte , Maire Cecile L. , Geumann Ulf , Schliffke Simon , Dührsen Lasse , Fita Krystian , Akyüz Nuray , Binder Mascha , Westphal Manfred , Guenther Christine , Lamszus Katrin , Hermann Felix G. , Schmidt Nils Ole
Published: January 2020

Purpose:

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) show an inherent brain tumor tropism that can be exploited for targeted delivery of therapeutic genes to invasive glioma. We assessed whether a motile MSC-based local immunomodulation is able to overcome the immunosuppressive glioblastoma microenvironment and to induce an antitumor immune response.

Experimental Design:

We genetically modified MSCs to coexpress high levels of IL12 and IL7 (MSCIL7/12, Apceth-301). Therapeutic efficacy was assessed in two immunocompetent orthotopic C57BL/6 glioma models using GL261 and CT2A. Immunomodulatory effects were assessed by multicolor flow cytometry to profile immune activation and exhaustion of tumor-infiltrating immune cells. Diversity of the tumor-specific immune response as analyzed using T-cell receptor sequencing.

Results:

Intratumoral administration of MSCIL7/12 induced significant tumor growth inhibition and remission of established intracranial tumors, as demonstrated by MR imaging. Notably, up to 50% of treated mice survived long-term. Rechallenging of survivors confirmed long-lasting tumor immunity. Local treatment with MSCIL7/12 was well tolerated and led to a significant inversion of the CD4+/CD8+ T-cell ratio with an intricate, predominantly CD8+ effector T-cell–mediated antitumor response. T-cell receptor sequencing demonstrated an increased diversity of TILs in MSCIL7/12-treated mice, indicating a broader tumor-specific immune response with subsequent oligoclonal specification during generation of long-term immunity.

Conclusions:

Local MSC-based immunomodulation is able to efficiently alter the immunosuppressive microenvironment in glioblastoma. The long-lasting therapeutic effects warrant a rapid clinical translation of this concept and have led to planning of a phase I/II study of apceth-301 in recurrent glioblastoma.
BRAF and DIS3 Mutations Associate with Adverse Outcome in a Long-term Follow-up of Patients with Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Boyle Eileen M. , Ashby Cody , Tytarenko Ruslana G. , Deshpande Shayu , Wang Hongwei , Wang Yan , Rosenthal Adam , Sawyer Jeffrey , Tian Erming , Flynt Erin , Hoering Antje , Johnson Sarah K. , Rutherford Michael W. , Wardell Christopher P. , Bauer Michael A. , Dumontet Charles , Facon Thierry , Thanendrarajan Sharmilan , Schinke Carolina D. , Zangari Maurizio , van Rhee Frits , Barlogie Bart , Cairns David , Jackson Graham , Thakurta Anjan , Davies Faith E. , Morgan Gareth J. , Walker Brian A.
Published: January 2020

Purpose:

Copy-number changes and translocations have been studied extensively in many datasets with long-term follow-up. The impact of mutations remains debated given the short time to follow-up of most datasets.

Experimental Design:

We performed targeted panel sequencing covering 125 myeloma-specific genes and the loci involved in translocations in 223 newly diagnosed myeloma samples recruited into one of the total therapy trials.

Results:

As expected, the most commonly mutated genes were NRAS, KRAS, and BRAF, making up 44% of patients. Double-Hit and BRAF and DIS3 mutations had an impact on outcome alongside classical risk factors in the context of an intensive treatment approach. We were able to identify both V600E and non-V600E BRAF mutations, 58% of which were predicted to be hypoactive or kinase dead. Interestingly, 44% of the hypoactive/kinase dead BRAF-mutated patients showed co-occurring alterations in KRAS, NRAS, or activating BRAF mutations, suggesting that they play a role in the oncogenesis of multiple myeloma by facilitating MAPK activation and may lead to chemoresistance.

Conclusions:

Overall, these data highlight the importance of mutational screening to better understand newly diagnosed multiple myeloma and may lead to patient-specific mutation-driven treatment approaches.
Knowledge of Potential Harms and Benefits of Tamoxifen among Women Considering Breast Cancer Preventive Therapy
Authors: Thorneloe Rachael Jane , Hall Louise Hazel , Walter Fiona Mary , Side Lucy , Lloyd Kelly Elizabeth , Smith Samuel George
Published: January 2020

Tamoxifen reduces breast cancer incidence in women at increased risk, but may cause side effects. We examined women's knowledge of tamoxifen's potential harms and benefits, and the extent to which knowledge reflects subjective judgments of awareness and decision quality. After a hospital appointment, 408 (55.7%) women at increased risk of breast cancer completed a survey assessing objective knowledge about the potential benefit (risk reduction) and harms (endometrial cancer, thromboembolic events, and menopausal side effects) of tamoxifen, and subjective tamoxifen knowledge and decisional quality. Two hundred fifty-eight (63.2%) completed a 3-month follow-up survey. Sixteen percent (15.7%) of participants recognized the potential benefit and three major harms of using tamoxifen. These women were more likely to have degree-level education [vs. below degree level; OR, 2.24; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.11–4.55] and good numeracy (vs. poor numeracy; OR, 5.91; 95% CI, 1.33–26.19). Tamoxifen uptake was higher in women who recognized all harms and benefits (vs. not recognizing; OR, 2.47; 95% CI, 0.94–6.54). Sixty-six percent (65.8%) of tamoxifen users were unaware of its potential benefit and harms. Most (87.1%) women reported feeling informed about tamoxifen, and subjective decisional quality was high [Mean (SD), 17.03 (1.87), out of 18]. Knowledge regarding the potential harms and benefit of tamoxifen is low in women considering prevention therapy, and they may need additional support to make informed decisions about tamoxifen preventive therapy.
Impedance in the Diagnosis of Lead Malfunction
Authors: Swerdlow Charles D. , Koneru Jayanthi N. , Gunderson Bruce , Kroll Mark W. , Ploux Sylvain , Ellenbogen Kenneth A.
Published: January 2020

Impedance is the ratio of voltage to current in an electrical circuit. Cardiovascular implantable electronic devices measure impedance to assess the structural integrity electrical performance of leads, typically using subthreshold pulses. We review determinants of impedance, how it is measured, variation in clinically measured pacing and high-voltage impedance and impedance trends as a diagnostic for lead failure and lead-device connection problems. We consider the differential diagnosis of abnormal impedance and the approach to the challenging problem of a single, abnormal impedance measurement. Present impedance provides a specific but insensitive diagnostic. For pacing circuits, we review the complementary roles of impedance and more sensitive oversensing diagnostics. Shock circuits lack a sensitive diagnostic. This deficiency is particularly important for insulation breaches, which may go undetected and present with short circuits during therapeutic shocks. We consider new methods for measuring impedance that may increase sensitivity for insulation breaches.
Unique microRNA Signals in Plasma Exosomes from Pregnancies Complicated by Preeclampsia
Authors: Li Hui , Ouyang Yingshi , Sadovsky Elena , Parks W. Tony , Chu Tianjiao , Sadovsky Yoel
Published: January 2020

Although preeclampsia is a common and serious complication of pregnancy, insight into its pathobiology and diagnosis is lacking. Circulating plasma exosomes, which contain RNA and other molecules and have recently become accessible for diagnostics, may be informative in this regard. We tested the hypothesis that preeclampsia may affect the miRNA cargo within circulating maternal blood exosomes. We collected plasma from 60 pregnant women at term, including 20 women with pregnancy complicated by preeclampsia, and 20 women with fetal growth restriction and 20 with healthy pregnancy, serving as controls. We isolated exosomes from the maternal plasma by continuous density gradient ultracentrifugation. Our main outcome variable was exosomal miRNA cargo, analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction-based TaqMan advanced miRNA assay in a card format and the expression of differentially expressed exosomal miRNA in whole plasma from the same participants. We found that 7 miRNA species were differentially expressed in exosomes from women with preeclampsia and those from controls. In contrast, there was no significant difference in exosomal miRNA expression between women with fetal growth restriction and controls. The results were not affected by fetal sex. Only one of the preeclampsia-related, differentially expressed exosomal miRNAs was significantly different in whole plasma miRNA analysis. We concluded that unlike whole plasma miRNA, exosomes extracted from the plasma of women with preeclampsia exhibit a unique miRNA profile, suggesting that plasma exosomal miRNA could provide insight into the pathophysiology of preeclampsia, and may play a role in disease diagnostics.
Somatic
CACNA1H
Mutation As a Cause of Aldosterone-Producing Adenoma
Authors: Nanba Kazutaka , Blinder Amy R. , Rege Juilee , Hattangady Namita G. , Else Tobias , Liu Chia-Jen , Tomlins Scott A. , Vats Pankaj , Kumar-Sinha Chandan , Giordano Thomas J. , Rainey William E.
Published: January 2020

Driver somatic mutations for aldosterone excess have been found in ≈90% of aldosterone-producing adenomas (APAs) using an aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2)-guided sequencing approach. In the present study, we identified a novel somatic
CACNA1H
mutation (c.T4289C, p.I1430T) in an APA without any currently known aldosterone-driver mutations using CYP11B2 immunohistochemistry-guided whole exome sequencing. The
CACNA1H
gene encodes a voltage-dependent T-type calcium channel alpha-1H subunit. Germline variants in this gene are known as a cause of familial hyperaldosteronism IV. Targeted next-generation sequencing detected identical
CACNA1H
variants in 2 additional APAs in a cohort of the University of Michigan, resulting in a prevalence of 4% (3/75) in APAs. We tested the functional effect of the variant on adrenal cell aldosterone production and
CYP11B2
mRNA expression using the human adrenocortical HAC15 cell line with a doxycycline-inducible
CACNA1H

I1430T

mutation. Doxycycline treatment increased
CYP11B2
mRNA levels as well as aldosterone production, supporting a pathological role of the
CACNA1H
p.I1430T mutation on the development of primary aldosteronism. In conclusion, somatic
CACNA1H
mutation is a genetic cause of APAs. Although the prevalence of this mutation is low, this study will provide better understanding of molecular mechanism of inappropriate aldosterone production in APAs.
Dendrobium moiorum (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae), a new species of Dendrobium section Diplocaulobium from West Papua, Indonesia

Authors: SAPUTRA REZA , NAIVE MARK ARCEBAL K. , WANMA JIMMY FRANS , SCHUITEMAN ANDRÉ
Published: January 2020

Dendrobium moiorum Saputra, Schuit., Wanma & Naive (Orchidaceae; Epidendroideae; Dendrobieae), a new endemic species from West Papua, Indonesia, is described and illustrated. The new species resembles Dendrobium isthmiferum and the diagnostic differences are discussed. Information on distribution, ecology, phenology and conservation status are provided.
Dropsonde Observations of the Ageostrophy within the Pre-Cold-Frontal Low-Level Jet Associated with Atmospheric Rivers
Authors: Demirdjian Reuben , Norris Joel R. , Martin Andrew , Ralph F. Martin
Published: January 2020

The pre-cold-frontal low-level jet (LLJ) is an important contributor for water vapor transport within atmospheric rivers, though its dynamics are not completely understood. The present study investigates the LLJ using dropsonde observations from 24 cross-atmospheric river transects taken during the CalWater-2014, 2015 and the AR-Recon 2016, 2018 field campaigns. It is found that the LLJ, located at ~1-km elevation ahead of the cold front, has an average maximum wind speed of 30 m s−1 and is strongly supergeostrophic with an average ageostrophic component of 6 m s−1. The alongfront ageostrophy occurs within the atmospheric layer (750–1250 m) known to strongly control orographic precipitation associated with atmospheric rivers. The ERA5 reanalysis product is used to both validate the observed geostrophic winds and investigate the supergeostrophic jet dynamics. The comparison demonstrates that there is no systematic bias in the observed geostrophic wind but that the ERA5 LLJ total wind field is generally biased low by an amount consistent with the observed ageostrophy. One of the few cases in which the ERA5 produces an ageostrophic LLJ occurs on 13 February 2016, which is used to investigate the dynamical processes responsible for the ageostrophy. This analysis demonstrates that the isallobaric (pressure tendency) term serves to accelerate the ageostrophic jet, and the Coriolis torque and advective tendency terms serve to propagate the jet normal to the LLJ. Therefore, if a model is to accurately represent the LLJ, it must adequately resolve processes contributing toward the pressure tendencies along the cold front.
Classifying Convective Storms Using Machine Learning
Authors: Jergensen G. Eli , McGovern Amy , Lagerquist Ryan , Smith Travis
Published: January 2020

We demonstrate that machine learning (ML) can skillfully classify thunderstorms into three categories: supercell, part of a quasi-linear convective system, or disorganized. These classifications are based on radar data and environmental information obtained through a proximity sounding. We compare the performance of five ML algorithms: logistic regression with the elastic-net penalty, random forests, gradient-boosted forests, and support-vector machines with both a linear and nonlinear kernel. The gradient-boosted forest performs best, with an accuracy of 0.77 ± 0.02 and a Peirce score of 0.58 ± 0.04. The linear support-vector machine performs second best, with values of 0.70 ± 0.02 and 0.55 ± 0.05, respectively. We use two interpretation methods, permutation importance and sequential forward selection, to determine the most important predictors for the ML models. We also use partial-dependence plots to determine how these predictors influence the outcome. A main conclusion is that shape predictors, based on the outline of the storm, appear to be highly important across ML models. The training data, a storm-centered radar scan and modeled proximity sounding, are similar to real-time data. Thus, the models could be used operationally to aid human decision-making by reducing the cognitive load involved in manual storm-mode identification. Also, they could be run on historical data to perform climatological analyses, which could be valuable to both the research and operational communities.
A Tournament Theory of Pork Barrel Politics: The Case of Japan
Authors: Catalinac Amy , Bueno de Mesquita Bruce , Smith Alastair
Published: January 2020

How do politicians motivate voters to turn out and support them? We posit that incumbents construct tournaments between groups and distribute rewards to groups based on the levels of electoral support provided. We test our propositions in Japan, where incumbents can discern relative levels of support provided by municipalities in their districts and influence spending in ways that reward certain municipalities over others. Using new data on approximately 3,300+ Japanese municipalities in 1980 to 2000, we show that when municipalities are ranked according to their levels of support for Liberal Democratic Party winners in their district, those at higher ranks get larger rewards, the difference in size of the reward increases at higher ranks, and those in districts where municipalities vary more in size also receive larger rewards. Our findings support the theory and help explain other features of Japanese politics, including why pork tends to flow to relatively unsupportive districts.
Fabrication and experimental analysis of multiple-winding transformers for multiphase supply
Authors: Jyothi B , Pandian A , Bhavana P
Published: January 2020

This paper aims to fabricate multiple-winding transformers for polyphase supply that means more than the classical three-phase supply. Usually, transformers do not change the phase, that is, from single phase to three phase or vice versa, but according to the required power applications, transformer windings are connected in such a way to get the desired phase supply. Transformers are connected to implement three or more phases, which are generally referred as polyphase or multiphase transformers. In order to obtain three-phase transformers from one single unit with respect to the required phase supply of the transformer for the same kVA rating, the circuit becomes less expensive, smaller, and much lighter than when it is obtained from three single-phase individual transformers. In this work, the proposed multiphase supply is preferred as five, obtained from three individual transformers instead of five single-phase transformers. By properly connecting the secondary windings of the three multiwinding single-phase transformers, the required power output is obtained. Different multiple-winding transformer topologies are discussed and elaborated through both simulation and experimental analysis with the fabricated proposed five-phase multiple-winding transformer.
Functional Analysis of PTH1R Variants Found in Primary Failure of Eruption
Authors: Izumida E. , Suzawa T. , Miyamoto Y. , Yamada A. , Otsu M. , Saito T. , Yamaguchi T. , Nishimura K. , Ohtaka M. , Nakanishi M. , Yoshimura K. , Sasa K. , Takimoto R. , Uyama R. , Shirota T. , Maki K. , Kamijo R.
Published: January 2020

Although many variants of the parathyroid hormone 1 receptor (PTH1R) gene are known to be associated with primary failure of eruption (PFE), the mechanisms underlying the link remains poorly understood. We here performed functional analyses of PTH1R variants reported in PFE patients—namely, 356C>T (P119L), 395C>T (P132L), 439C>T (R147C), and 1148G>A (R383Q)—using HeLa cells with a lentiviral vector-mediated genetic modification. Two particular variants, P119L and P132L, had severe reduction in a level of N-linked glycosylation when compared with wild-type PTH1R, whereas the other 2 showed modest alteration. PTH1R having P119L or P132L showed marked decrease in the affinity to PTH1-34, which likely led to severely impaired cAMP accumulation upon stimulation in cells expressing these mutants, highlighting the importance of these 2 amino acid residues for ligand-mediated proper functioning of PTH1R. To further gain insights into PTH1R functions, we established the induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines from a patient with PFE and the heterozygous P132L mutation. When differentiated into osteoblastic-lineage cells, PFE-iPSCs showed no abnormality in mineralization. The mRNA expression of RUNX2, SP7, and BGLAP, the osteoblastic differentiation-related genes, and that of PTH1R were augmented in both PFE-iPSC-derived cells and control iPSC-derived cells in the presence of bone morphogenetic protein 2. Also, active vitamin D3 induced the expression of RANKL, a major key factor for osteoclastogenesis, equally in osteoblastic cells derived from control and PFE-iPSCs. In sharp contrast, exposure to PTH1-34 resulted in no induction of RANKL mRNA expression in the cells expressing P132L variant PTH1R, consistent with the idea that a type of heterozygous PTH1R gene mutation would spoil PTH-dependent response in osteoblasts. Collectively, this study demonstrates a link between PFE-associated genetic alteration and causative functional impairment of PTH1R, as well as a utility of iPSC-based disease modeling for future elucidation of pathogenesis in genetic disorders, including PFE.
“Rumor, Vicious Innuendo, and False Reports”: Policing Black Soldiers in Wartime Staten Island
Authors: Brooks Emily
Published: January 2020

On Staten Island in the spring of 1945, a small group of white politicians, business owners, and residents began complaining about a “crime wave” that they attributed to black soldiers stationed at the Fox Hills Army facility. Most of these complaints stemmed from vague references to rumors of crimes rather than actual incidents. Black journalists and members of the NAACP refuted these accusations and argued that the real issue was discrimination against the soldiers and racism on the part of white Staten Islanders. These accusations launched a months-long debate about racism, crime, and policing on Staten Island during the war. Ultimately, the mayor and military authorities responded by intensifying policing and surveillance of the soldiers. This article uses the conflicts around policing in wartime Staten Island as a lens to consider the impact of the war on black New Yorkers and black soldiers stationed in New York City.
Prediction of high-quality coalbed methane reservoirs based on the fuzzy gray model: An investigation into coal seam No. 8 in Gujiao, Xishan, North China
Authors: Bo Huang , Yong Qin , Zhang Wanhong , Zheng Qiming , Shi Songlin , Wang Gang
Published: January 2020

Coalbed methane (CBM) resources are abundant in the Gujiao block, Xishan coalfield, China. However, few studies have been conducted on the coalbed methane geology of the Gujiao block. In the present study, based on logging responses and numerical simulations, the coal structures of coal seam No. 8 of this block were identified, and the mechanical properties of the coal and its roof/floor were calculated. The geological factors influencing the coalbed methane reservoir were quantitatively characterized according to the fuzzy gray model. High-quality coalbed methane reservoirs in the No. 8 coal were predicted and classified using the model, and some suggestions on rational exploitation were determined. Reservoirs of the No. 8 coal are dominated by the III-type, followed by the II- and IV-types. The III-type reservoirs are the most common, and primarily developed at the Xiqu, Zhenchengdi, Malan, and Tunlan coal mines in the north of the studied area. The III-type reservoirs represent low coalbed methane contents, high thickness proportions of granulated-mylonitized coal, and low burial depths. The II-type reservoirs are primarily developed close to the axis of the Malan syncline and in the south and northwest of the studied area, and have low permeability, less significant differences between the mechanical properties of coals and their roofs and floors, and low reservoir pressure gradients. The IV-type reservoirs have a scattered development, dominance of granulated-mylonitized coal, and low permeability, indicating low potential to improve reservoir permeability. Targeted exploitation technology and drainage systems corresponding to the different types of coal reservoirs should be proposed to improve coalbed methane production.
The pious dissidence in Turkey: Contesting religious neoliberal governmentality under the AKP
Authors: Korkut Umut , Sarfati Yusuf
Published: January 2020

Turkey under the AKP governments constitutes an exemplary case for understanding how centralized religion, authoritarianism, and economic logic of neoliberalism interrelate. AKP uses state-guided religion to legitimize its neoliberal economic policies and create docile, economized citizens. This article specifically focuses on how pious Muslims resist AKP’s religious neoliberalism by focusing on actions and deliberations of Labor and Justice Platform members. Our discussion, which consists of face-to-face interviews with the members of this social movement, delineates the group’s justice-oriented, egalitarian, and pluralist orientation of Islam and depicts their dialogues with power – embodied in AKP’s domination of Islamic discourse in Turkey. We discuss how group members reinterpret religious concepts such as kader (fate), kısmet (destiny), and sabır (patience) that the AKP uses as micro-discursive mechanisms to create economically compliant citizens. We also discuss the specific frames of resistance they develop in order to break out from the resilience and adaptation that AKP has embedded in its narratives of economy and work. These frames include a sharp criticism of market Islam, a challenge to political Islam and dissent against state Islam. Theoretically, the article refers to neoliberal governmentality and explores its contestation – an understudied concept in Foucauldian studies.
Predicting L2 reading proficiency with modalities of vocabulary knowledge: A bootstrapping approach
Authors: McLean Stuart , Stewart Jeffrey , Batty Aaron Olaf
Published: January 2020

Vocabulary’s relationship to reading proficiency is frequently cited as a justification for the assessment of L2 written receptive vocabulary knowledge. However, to date, there has been relatively little research regarding which modalities of vocabulary knowledge have the strongest correlations to reading proficiency, and observed differences have often been statistically non-significant. The present research employs a bootstrapping approach to reach a clearer understanding of relationships between various modalities of vocabulary knowledge to reading proficiency. Test-takers ( N = 103) answered 1000 vocabulary test items spanning the third 1000 most frequent English words in the New General Service List corpus (Browne, Culligan, & Phillips, 2013). Items were answered under four modalities: Yes/No checklists, form recall, meaning recall, and meaning recognition. These pools of test items were then sampled with replacement to create 1000 simulated tests ranging in length from five to 200 items and the results were correlated to the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC®) Reading scores. For all examined test lengths, meaning-recall vocabulary tests had the highest average correlations to reading proficiency, followed by form-recall vocabulary tests. The results indicated that tests of vocabulary recall are stronger predictors of reading proficiency than tests of vocabulary recognition, despite the theoretically closer relationship of vocabulary recognition to reading.
Do experience and text quality matter for raters’ decision-making behaviors?
Authors: Şahan Özgür , Razı Salim
Published: January 2020

This study examines the decision-making behaviors of raters with varying levels of experience while assessing EFL essays of distinct qualities. The data were collected from 28 raters with varying levels of rating experience and working at the English language departments of different universities in Turkey. Using a 10-point analytic rubric, each rater voice-recorded their thoughts through think-aloud protocols (TAPs) while scoring 16 essays of distinct text qualities and provided brief score explanations. Data collected from TAPs were analyzed by using a coding scheme adapted from Cumming, Kantor, and Powers (2002). The results revealed that text quality has a larger effect than rating experience on raters’ decision-making behaviors. In addition, raters prioritized aspects of style, grammar, and mechanics when rating low-quality essays, but emphasized rhetoric and their general impressions of the text for high-quality essays. Furthermore, low-experienced raters differed more in their behaviors while assessing scripts of distinct qualities than did the medium- and high-experienced groups. The findings suggest that raters’ scoring behaviors might evolve with practice, resulting in less variation in their decisions. As such, this research provides implications for developing strategy-based rater training programs, which might help to increase consistency across raters of different experience levels.
Batch Informed Trees (BIT*): Informed asymptotically optimal anytime search
Authors: Gammell Jonathan D , Barfoot Timothy D , Srinivasa Siddhartha S
Published: January 2020

Path planning in robotics often requires finding high-quality solutions to continuously valued and/or high-dimensional problems. These problems are challenging and most planning algorithms instead solve simplified approximations. Popular approximations include graphs and random samples, as used by informed graph-based searches and anytime sampling-based planners, respectively.

Informed graph-based searches, such as A*, traditionally use heuristics to search a priori graphs in order of potential solution quality. This makes their search efficient, but leaves their performance dependent on the chosen approximation. If the resolution of the chosen approximation is too low, then they may not find a (suitable) solution, but if it is too high, then they may take a prohibitively long time to do so.

Anytime sampling-based planners, such as RRT*, traditionally use random sampling to approximate the problem domain incrementally. This allows them to increase resolution until a suitable solution is found, but makes their search dependent on the order of approximation. Arbitrary sequences of random samples approximate the problem domain in every direction simultaneously, but may be prohibitively inefficient at containing a solution.

This article unifies and extends these two approaches to develop Batch Informed Trees (BIT*), an informed, anytime sampling-based planner. BIT* solves continuous path planning problems efficiently by using sampling and heuristics to alternately approximate and search the problem domain. Its search is ordered by potential solution quality, as in A*, and its approximation improves indefinitely with additional computational time, as in RRT*. It is shown analytically to be almost-surely asymptotically optimal and experimentally to outperform existing sampling-based planners, especially on high-dimensional planning problems.
Output wind power curve optimization based on design wind speed concept
Authors: Khelifi Cherif , Ferroudji Fateh
Published: January 2020

The output wind power curve versus wind speed is the most important characterization parameter of wind turbines. It allows quantifying and analyzing the design performances of wind turbines, monitoring its database, and controlling the operation modes and manufacturing products. Wind power curve can be used to select the proper rotor size to estimate the potential of wind energy at candidate wind sites and to assess the control device of the operating conditions. Developing model strategies for wind farms has the basic objectives such as the optimization of wind power produced and the minimization of dynamic loads to provide the best quality of output wind power at reasonable cost. Optimal design of wind turbines requires maximum-closing to the cubical output wind power curve despite technical and economic considerations. This study aims to determine the design wind speed of a wind turbine based on modeling-optimization of the output wind power curve under certain working conditions. The procedure is applied to a unit wind turbine in Gamesa wind farm (G52/850, 10.2 MW, http://www.thewindpower.net ) connected to an electrical grid located in south-west Algeria and extrapolated for other windy sites in Algeria. From simulation results, the design wind speed to inlet wind speed ratio [Formula: see text] increased from 0.35 to 7.68 once [Formula: see text] increased from 0.001 to 2.9999. Consequently, the output wind power predicted an increase of about 17.7% and an annual specific wind energy factor of about 2.55%–4% than nominal value given by the manufacturer, reducing the unit average cost of the electricity, generated by wind farms, by about 18.75%.
Short-term focused group-analytic psychotherapy (SFGAP): An integrative approach to change based on research
Authors: Lorentzen Steinar
Published: January 2020

Group-Analytic Psychotherapy (Group Analysis; GA) is probably the most commonly used psychodynamic group therapy in Europe. It is mainly based on clinical experience, but the research evidence is increasing. This article describes how results from a Randomized Clinical Trial (RCT) comparing the outcomes of short- (20 sessions; six months) and long-term (80 sessions; two years) group-analytic, manualized therapies, are integrated with the short-term therapy used in this RCT, resulting in a new brand of therapy, Short-Term Focused Group-Analytic Psychotherapy (SFGAP). The selection of suitable patients is based on an evaluation of level of personality organization and the establishment of a circumscribed treatment focus for each patient, based on his/her patterns of interpersonal problems and main complaints. The article describes how patients are evaluated and prepared, how a treatment culture is developed, phases in the group process and implications for therapist interventions. The article is illustrated with a case history and group material.
Characteristics of Invasive Breast Cancer Detected by Digital Breast Tomosynthesis on Screening and Diagnostic Mammograms
Authors: Baydoun Serine E. , Yang Limin , Xiong Jinhu , Fajardo Laurie L.
Published: January 2020

Objective:

To determine whether there is added benefit for 3D mammography in the context of screening and diagnostic imaging, particularly relating to known prognostic characteristics, including histopathology, receptor status, and axillary lymph node involvement.

Methods:

An institutional review board–approved retrospective review was performed of our mammography and pathology databases from October 2012 to May 2015 to identify biopsy-proven invasive breast carcinoma detected on screening and diagnostic mammograms by 2D plus 3D (2D + 3D) imaging. Percentages of cancer detection by 2D and 3D were compared. Correlation with histopathology and lymph node status was analyzed.

Results:

Of 53 cancers diagnosed on 12 543 screening mammograms, 36 (67.9%) were better visualized on 3D (not visualized, equivocal, or only seen in retrospect on 2D). Of the 62 cancers diagnosed on 4090 diagnostic mammograms, 24 (38.7%) cancers were better detected on 3D. A statistically significant greater number of cancers were better detected on 3D in the screening compared to the diagnostic mammograms (67.9% vs 38.7%, P < .05). A significantly higher frequency of less aggressive tumors (grade I and grade II, positive estrogen/progesterone receptor, Her2 negative) was detected by 3D, with higher significance in the screening population. Additionally, there was a higher frequency of positive axillary lymph nodes in cancers detected by 3D in the screening group.

Conclusion:

Three-dimension increases invasive breast cancer detection, particularly pathologically less aggressive tumors, in both screening and diagnostic mammograms with more benefit for the screening population. Three-dimensional mammography detected more breast cancer associated with metastatic axillary lymph nodes in the screening population.