bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimation and testing for panel data partially linear single-index models with errors correlated in space and time
Authors: Zhao Jian-Qiang , Zhao Yan-Yong , Lin Jin-Guan , Miao Zhang-Xiao , Khaled Waled
Published: September 2019

We consider a panel data partially linear single-index models (PDPLSIM) with errors correlated in space and time. A serially correlated error structure is adopted for the correlation in time. We propose using a semiparametric minimum average variance estimation (SMAVE) to obtain estimators for both the parameters and unknown link function. We not only establish an asymptotically normal distribution for the estimators of the parameters in the single index and the linear component of the model, but also obtain an asymptotically normal distribution for the nonparametric local linear estimator of the unknown link function. Then, a fitting of spatial and time-wise correlation structures is investigated. Based on the estimators, we propose a generalized F-type test method to deal with testing problems of index parameters of PDPLSIM with errors correlated in space and time. It is shown that under the null hypothesis, the proposed test statistic follows asymptotically a [Formula: see text]-distribution with the scale constant and degrees of freedom being independent of nuisance parameters or functions. Simulated studies and real data examples have been used to illustrate our proposed methodology.
Blind Joint 2-D DOA/Symbols Estimation for 3-D Millimeter Wave Massive MIMO Communication Systems
Authors: Buiquang Chung , Ye Zhongfu
Published: September 2019

By using a large number of antenna (sensor) elements at the receivers, massive multi-input multi-output (MIMO) offers many benefits for 5G communication systems, such as a huge spectral efficiency gain, significant reduction of latency, and robustness to interference. However, to get these benefits of massive MIMO, accuracy of the channel state information obtained at the transmitter is required. This article proposes a approach for blind joint channel/symbols estimation in 3-D millimeter wave massive MIMO systems based on tensor factorization. More specifically, we suggest a direction-of-arrival (DOA)-based channel estimation method, which provides the best performance in terms of error bound for channel estimation. We show that the massive MIMO signals can be expressed as a third-order (3-D) tensor model, where the matrices of channel (2-D DOA) and symbols can be viewed as two independent factor matrices. Such a hybrid tensorial modeling enables a blind joint estimation of 2-D DOA/symbols. To learn the tensor model, we develop two least squares--based algorithms. The first one is delta bilinear alternating least squares (DBALS) algorithm that exploits the increment values between two iterations of the factor matrices to provide the initializations for such matrices. This avoids the slow convergence caused by random initializations for factor matrices found in the traditional least squares algorithms. The other one is Vandermonde constrained DBALS that takes into account the potential Vandermonde nature structure of the DOA matrix in the DBALS algorithm. This provides the estimation for the DOA matrix and gives a better uniqueness results for the use of tensor model. The performance of the proposed approach is illustrated by means of simulation results, and a comparison is made with the recent approaches. Besides a blind joint 2-D DOA/symbols estimation, our approach offers a better performance due to avoiding the random initializations and taking in the Vandermonde structure of DOA matrix.
Broadcast Scheduling in Battery-Free Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Zhu Tongxin , Li Jianzhong , Gao Hong , Li Yingshu
Published: September 2019

Battery-Free Wireless Sensor Networks (BF-WSNs) are newly emerging Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) to break through the energy limitations of traditional WSNs. In BF-WSNs, the broadcast scheduling problem is more challenging than that in traditional WSNs. This article investigates the broadcast scheduling problem in BF-WSNs with the purpose of minimizing broadcast latency. The Minimum-Latency Broadcast Scheduling problem in BF-WSNs (MLBS-BF) is formally defined and its NP-hardness is proved. Three approximation algorithms for solving the MLBS-BF problem are proposed. The broadcast latency of the broadcast schedules produced by the proposed algorithms is analyzed. The correctness and approximation ratio of the proposed algorithms are also proved. Finally, extensive simulations are conducted to evaluate the performances of the proposed algorithms. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithms have high performance.
Estimating Mental Health Conditions of Patients with Opioid Use Disorder
Authors: Minnerly Christopher , Bressler Steven L. , Shokry Ibrahim M. , Tao Rui
Published: September 2019

Objectives. Noninvasive estimation of cortical activity aberrance may be a challenge but gives valuable clues of mental health in patients. The goal of the present study was to characterize specificity of electroencephalogram (EEG) electrodes used to assess spectral powers associated with mental health conditions of patients with opioid use disorder. Methods. This retrospective study included 16 patients who had been diagnosed with opioid use disorder in comparison with 16 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. EEG electrodes were placed in the frontal (FP1, FP2, F3, F4, F7, F8, and Fz), central (C3, C4, and Cz), temporal (T3, T4, T5, and T6), parietal (P3, P4, and Pz), and occipital scalp (O1 and O2). Spectral powers of δ, θ, α, β, and γ oscillations were determined, and their distribution was topographically mapped with those electrodes on the scalp. Results. Compared to healthy controls, the spectral powers at low frequencies (<8 Hz; δ and θ) were increased in most electrodes across the scalp, while powers at the high frequencies (>12 Hz; β and γ) were selectively increased only at electrodes located in the frontal and central scalp. Among 19 electrodes, F3, F4, Fz, and Cz were highly specific in detecting increases in δ, θ, β, and γ powers of patients with opioid use disorders. Conclusion. Results of the present study demonstrate that spectral powers are topographically distributed across the scalp, which can be quantitatively characterized. Electrodes located at F3, F4, Fz, and Cz could be specifically utilized to assess mental health in patients with opioid use disorders. Mechanisms responsible for neuroplasticity involving cortical pyramidal neurons and μ-opioid receptor regulations are discussed within the context of changes in EEG microstates.
Differential Cumulative Risk of Genetic Polymorphisms in Familial and Nonfamilial Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Suo Chen , Qing Tao , Liu Zhenqiu , Yang Xiaorong , Yuan Ziyu , Yang Ya-Jun , Fan Min , Zhang Tiejun , Lu Ming , Jin Li , Chen Xingdong , Ye Weimin
Published: September 2019

Background:

To explore the relationship between family history of esophageal cancer, SNPs, and the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), we performed a population-based case–control study and developed a genetic family history–related risk (GFR) score and non–family history-related risk (GnFR) score to quantify the cumulative number of risk genotypes carried by each individual.

Methods:

We used data of 700 patients with nonfamilial ESCC, 341 patients with familial ESCC, 1,445 controls without a family history of esophageal cancer, and 319 controls with a family history. We genotyped 87 genetic variants associated with the risk for ESCC, and constructed GFR and GnFR scores for cases and controls.

Results:

Our results show that ESCC risk increased with higher GFR score (Ptrend = 0.0096). Among the familial subgroup, we observed a nearly 7-fold [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.92–24.77] higher risk of ESCC in the highest GFR score group. The corresponding estimate was only 2-fold (95% CI, 1.41–3.93) higher risk of ESCC, in the stratum without a reported family history of esophageal cancer. Certain cell signaling pathways and immune-related pathways were enriched, specifically in familial ESCC. Results from a reconstructed cohort analysis demonstrated that cumulative risk to get esophageal cancer by age 75 years was 13.3%, 10.2%, 8.2%, and 5.1%, respectively, in four subgroups as defined by first-degree relatives of cases or controls with high or low genetic risk score. In particular, the cohort of relatives of ESCC cases with low genetic risk score exhibit a higher cumulative risk than the cohort of relatives of controls with high genetic risk score. It demonstrates that environmental factors play a major role in esophageal cancer.

Conclusions:

Further studies are warranted to dissect the mechanisms of shared environmental and genetic susceptibility affecting the risk of getting ESCC.

Impact:

Our study highlights that the need of preventive strategies to screen certain genetic polymorphisms, especially in individuals whose relatives had ESCC.
Leveraging Human Genetics to Estimate Clinical Risk Reductions Achievable by Inhibiting Factor XI
Authors: Georgi Benjamin , Mielke Johanna , Chaffin Mark , Khera Amit V. , Gelis Lian , Mundl Hardi , van Giezen J.J.J. , Ellinor Patrick , Kathiresan Sekar , Ziegelbauer Karl , Freitag Daniel F.
Published: September 2019

Background and Purpose—

Coagulation factor XI (FXI) is a novel target for antithrombotic therapy addressed by various therapeutic modalities currently in clinical development. The expected magnitude of thrombotic event reduction mediated by targeting FXI is unclear.

Methods—

We analyzed the association of 2 common genetic variants, which alter levels of FXI, with a range of human phenotypes. We combined variants into a genetic score standardized to a 30% increase in relative activated partial thromboplastin time, equivalent to what can be achieved with pharmacological FXI reduction. Using data from 371 695 participants in the United Kingdom Biobank and 2 large-scale genome-wide association studies, we examined the effect of this FXI score on thrombotic and bleeding end points.

Results—

Genetic disposition to lower FXI levels was associated with reduced risks of venous thrombosis (odds ratio, 95% CI;Pvalue; odds ratio=0.1, 0.07–0.14;P=3×10−43) and ischemic stroke (odds ratio=0.47, 0.36–0.61;P=2×10−8) but not with major bleeding (odds ratio=0.7, 0.45–1.04;P=0.0739). The observed relative risk reductions were consistent within a range of subgroups that were at high risk for thrombosis. Consistently, we observed higher absolute risk reductions conferred by genetically lower FXI levels in high-risk subgroups, such as patients with atrial fibrillation.

Conclusions—

Human genetic data suggest that pharmacological inhibition of FXI may achieve considerable reductions in ischemic stroke risk without clear evidence for an associated risk of major bleeding. The quantitative framework developed can be used to support the estimation of achievable risk reductions with pharmacological modulation of FXI.
Automated Measurement of Cerebral Atrophy and Outcome in Endovascular Thrombectomy
Authors: Diprose William K. , Diprose James P. , Wang Michael T.M. , Tarr Gregory P. , McFetridge Andrew , Barber P. Alan
Published: September 2019

Background and Purpose—

Methods of identifying ischemic stroke patients with a greater probability of poor outcome following endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) might improve shared treatment decision-making between patients, families, and physicians. We used an objective, automated method to measure cerebral atrophy and investigated whether this was associated with outcome in EVT patients.

Methods—

Consecutive EVT patients from a single-center registry were studied. CT brain scans were segmented with a combination of a validated U-Net and Hounsfield unit thresholding. Intracranial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volume was used as a marker of cerebral atrophy and calculated as a proportion of total intracranial volume. The primary outcome was functional independence, defined as a 3-month modified Rankin Scale score of 0 to 2.

Results—

Three-hundred sixty EVT patients were included. Functional independence was achieved in 204 (56.7%) patients. The mean±SD CSF volume was 9.0±4.7% of total intracranial volume. Multivariable regression demonstrated that increasing CSF volume was associated with reduced functional independence (OR=0.65 per 5% increase in CSF volume; 95% CI, 0.48–0.89;
P
=0.007) and higher 3-month modified Rankin Scale scores (common OR, 1.59 per 5% increase in CSF volume; 95% CI, 1.05–2.41;
P
=0.03).

Conclusions—

Cerebral atrophy determined by automated measurement of intracranial CSF volume is associated with functional outcome in patients undergoing EVT. If validated in future studies, this simple, objective, and automated imaging marker could potentially be incorporated into decision-support tools to improve shared treatment decision-making.
The Rapid Emergence of Auditory Object Representations in Cortex Reflect Central Acoustic Attributes
Authors: Ogg Mattson , Carlson Thomas A. , Slevc L. Robert
Published: September 2019

Human listeners are bombarded by acoustic information that the brain rapidly organizes into coherent percepts of objects and events in the environment, which aids speech and music perception. The efficiency of auditory object recognition belies the critical constraint that acoustic stimuli necessarily require time to unfold. Using magnetoencephalography, we studied the time course of the neural processes that transform dynamic acoustic information into auditory object representations. Participants listened to a diverse set of 36 tokens comprising everyday sounds from a typical human environment. Multivariate pattern analysis was used to decode the sound tokens from the magnetoencephalographic recordings. We show that sound tokens can be decoded from brain activity beginning 90 msec after stimulus onset with peak decoding performance occurring at 155 msec poststimulus onset. Decoding performance was primarily driven by differences between category representations (e.g., environmental vs. instrument sounds), although within-category decoding was better than chance. Representational similarity analysis revealed that these emerging neural representations were related to harmonic and spectrotemporal differences among the stimuli, which correspond to canonical acoustic features processed by the auditory pathway. Our findings begin to link the processing of physical sound properties with the perception of auditory objects and events in cortex.
(Dis)Counting Languages
Authors: Parvulescu Anca , Boatcă Manuela
Published: September 2019

The essay analyzes the interglottism at work in Liviu Rebreanu’s novel Ion (1920) against the polyglottism theorized and performed editorially by the first Comparative Literature journal (ACLU), which it positions against the background of post-1867 Austro-Hungarian imperial policies for the use of languages.
Description of a new Central African earthworm, Petroscolex centenarius gen. et sp. nov. (Crassiclitellata, Eudrilidae), celebrating the 100th birthday of Pietro Omodeo
Authors: CSUZDI CSABA , ROTA EMILIA , SZEDERJESI TÍMEA , SHERLOCK EMMA , BROWN GEORGE G. , CHANG CHIH-HAN , COSIN DARIO DIAZ , FRAGOSO CARLOS , JAMIESON BARRIE G.M. , HONG YONG , JAMES SAMUEL W. , PAOLETTI MAURIZIO G. , PAVLÍCEK TOMÁS , PLISKO DANUTA , POP VICTOR V. , SHEN HUEI-PING
Published: September 2019

Prof. Pietro Omodeo (University of Siena, Italy), the world-renowned earthworm taxonomist and evolutionary biologist, was born in Cefalù, Sicily, Italy on the 27th September, 1919. He celebrates his 100th birthday in 2019 and members of the international community of earthworm taxonomists salute him with Petroscolex centenarius gen. et sp. nov., a new megadrile taxon discovered in 1991 by him but which has not been formally described until now. The many important contributions of Omodeo to oligochaetological research are briefly mentioned.
Understanding Reservoir Operating Rules in the Transboundary Nile River Basin Using Macroscale Hydrologic Modeling with Satellite Measurements
Authors: Eldardiry Hisham , Hossain Faisal
Published: September 2019

Challenges to manage and secure a sustainable water supply are expected to become more acute in Egypt as the lowermost riparian country of the Nile basin with the construction of new transboundary water infrastructures in Ethiopia and Sudan. To understand the impact of such transboundary water projects on Egypt, it is first necessary to develop a modeling tool that can simulate potential flow and reservoir scenarios inside Egypt without requiring in situ hydrologic or transboundary dam data that are typically unavailable. This study presents the water management value of a modeling framework to predict the current and future reservoir operating rules in the lower Nile basin using satellite Earth observations and hydrologic models. The platform comprises the Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) hydrologic model driven by high spatial and temporal resolution of satellite observations. Reservoir storage change is estimated using altimeter and visible imagery of lake area for Lake Nasser and then applied to infer reservoir operation for High Aswan Dam (HAD). The modeling framework based on satellite observations yielded a simulated streamflow at the outlet for Blue Nile basin (BNB) with a Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency of 0.68 with a correlation and RMSE of 0.94 and 1095 m3 s−1, respectively. Storage and outflow discharge of HAD were estimated for the period of 1998–2002 within 1.4% accuracy (0.076 km3 month−1) when compared with published reports. Because BNB controls the lion’s share of the variability to HAD inflow inside Egypt, the proposed modeling framework is appropriate for policy-makers to understand the implications of transboundary projects on the future water security of Egypt.
Shadow of the Prince: Parent-incumbents’ Coercive Control over Child-successors in Family Organizations
Authors: Huang Xu , Chen Louis , Xu Erica , Lu Feifei , Tam Ka-Chai
Published: September 2019

During family firm succession, parent-incumbents are often caught up in a paradox of both empowering and dominating their child-successors. To understand this recurring phenomenon, we draw from socioemotional wealth literature and a philosophical account of the power-transfer paradox in ancient patriarchal monarchies to hypothesize that parent-incumbents tend to exert generational coercive control when their child-successors are seen as very unwilling and incapable or very willing and capable of taking over patriarchal family organizations. We test our hypotheses in three studies. In Study 1, we coded data from succession cases in Chinese patriarchal monarchies (403 BC to 959 AD) and found support for the predicted non-linear effects of successor-princes’ willingness (63 cases) and capability (80 cases) on their father-kings’ coercive control (persecuting or murdering the princes). In Study 2, based on survey data from parent–child dyads of 157 family firms in Taiwan and mainland China, again, we found U-shaped effects of child-successors’ willingness and capability on parent-incumbents’ coercive control (restraining successors’ power). Moreover, parent-incumbents’ highly narcissistic personality attenuated these U-shaped relationships because they tend to devalue their child-successors’ willingness and capability. In Study 3, we conducted a survey of 103 parent–child dyads in family firms in mainland China and found a U-shaped relationship between capability and coercive control only when incumbents’ roles in the family and at work were highly intertwined.
Understanding the Australian Aboriginal experience of collective, historical and intergenerational trauma
Authors: Menzies Karen
Published: September 2019

This article provides a summary of the evolving definition of trauma, including different forms of trauma and its impact on the health, behaviours and well-being of individuals and communities. Specifically, it discusses collective, historical and intergenerational trauma and the value of these concepts in understanding the health and social challenges we see within colonized Indigenous communities, particularly within Australian Aboriginal communities. The article argues that the current approach to addressing challenges within Australian Indigenous communities will have limited impact unless accompanied by a significant focus on understanding and addressing the level of trauma that permeates these communities. Programmes and initiatives that focus on reducing the rates of certain variables, such as rates of infant mortality, rates of incarceration or rates of school completion, are very important but are only treating symptoms unless the underlying trauma is addressed. Due to the ongoing devastation caused by many years of forced child removal, this is especially important for health, legal and welfare practitioners within the child protection system and the social work field if we are to break the cycles of family and cultural disruption.
Sympathy Toward a Company Facing Disaster: Examining the Interaction Effect Between Internal Attribution and Role Similarity
Authors: Chi Shu-Cheng Steve , Friedman Raymond A. , Chen Shu-Chen , Tsai Ming-Jie , Yuan Mei-Ling
Published: September 2019

In this article, we propose that bystanders who make a higher (as compared with lower) level of internal attributions for a disaster at another company (i.e., when they blame company management more for the disaster) become less likely to sympathize with that company’s management and also less likely to use voice to try to improve their own organization. We propose that this relationship is particularly true for bystanders whose work roles are highly similar to those of employees who experienced the disaster firsthand. We collected samples from companies in industries that experienced two real-world crises: (a) travel agencies in Taiwan responding to a landslide that killed a group of tourists being served by another travel agency and (b) supervisor/subordinates from a Taiwanese power company responding to the Fukushima nuclear disaster. The results support our hypotheses.
Social Distance Between Prisoners and Prison Staff
Authors: Meško Gorazd , Hacin Rok
Published: September 2019

This article focuses on social distance and explores possible differences between factors that influence social distance in a variety of prison environments. Results from multiple regression analyses show that the perception of procedural justice and legitimacy of prison staff, the presence of violent subculture, and age are the best predictors of social distance. These findings highlight the unstable nature of social distance. Moreover, the presence of social distance varies over time and across different prison settings. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Numerical study on the impact response of aircraft fuselage structures subjected to large-size tire fragment
Authors: Jia Senqing , Wang Fusheng , Yu Lingjun , Wei Zheng , Xu Bin
Published: September 2019

By applying finite element software ANSYS/LS-DYNA, finite element models of front bulkhead and main cabin are established, which aims to assess the dynamic response of fuselage structures impacted by tire fragment under bursting mode. Besides, dynamic characteristics of the two fuselage structures impacted by tire fragment are simulated and critical damage velocities of each working condition are obtained. The results show that composite front bulkhead cannot bear the impact load of front tire fragment at the velocity of 100 m/s, but aluminum alloy front bulkhead can. Main cabin with two properties both can bear the impact loads of front and main tire fragments. When impacted by front tire fragment, critical damage velocity of front bulkhead is approximately half of that of main cabin, while critical damage velocity of aluminum alloy fuselage is larger than that of composite fuselage. However, when impacted by main tire fragment, critical damage velocity of aluminum alloy main cabin is less than that of composite main cabin. Furthermore, maximum contact pressure of composite fuselage is 3–3.3 times than that of aluminum alloy fuselage. The difference in concave deformation is not significant when impacted by front tire fragment, but the difference is great when impacted by main tire fragment.
Numerical and experimental studies on a novel magneto-rheological fluid brake based on fluid–solid coupling
Authors: Li Shujun , Meng Wenjun , Wang Yao
Published: September 2019

The previous work of the authors indicated that the fluid–solid coupling effect of the magneto-rheological fluid and the brake disc is a necessary focus during braking process. In this study, a novel design of magneto-rheological fluid brake was proposed and studied theoretically and numerically, aiming to solve the prominent problem of heat dissipation, especially in the case of single emergency braking. First, based on the modified Bingham model, a parameter defined as the apparent equivalent viscosity was utilized to represent the relationship of magnetic field, flow field, and temperature field. The braking torque and the formula for calculating the impact factor of fluid–solid coupling employed for characterizing the associations among the thermal field and the stress field were established based on fluid–solid coupling. With a detailed explanation of simulation method, the distribution disciplinarian’s numerical simulation of each field was analyzed using COMSOL software. To validate the accuracy of the established model on the designed magneto-rheological fluid brake, the prototype was also manufactured, and results achieved experimentally which were measured on inertia test system of brake, for braking torque, motion parameters, and surface temperature in braking process, were compared with simulations. Simulation results manifested that the designed magneto-rheological fluid brake’s magnetic circuit structure is feasible based on magnetic induction intensity distribution. Finally, it has been shown that the simulations appear to be basically consistent with the experimental results, and the heat dissipation of the designed magneto-rheological fluid brake is partially improved. These results might contribute to the structure design, optimization, and improvement of magneto-rheological fluid products, extending the previous work on fluid–solid coupling analyses.
Book review: Sujit Kumar Chattopadhya, Gender Socialization and the Making of Gender in the Indian Context
Authors: Sastry Amrita
Published: September 2019

Sujit Kumar Chattopadhya, Gender Socialization and the Making of Gender in the Indian Context. New Delhi: SAGE Publications, 2018, pp. 274, ₹895, ISBN 978-93-866-0256-5 (Hardcover).
Individual Components of Three Inequality Measures for Analyzing Shapes of Inequality
Authors: Liao Tim Futing
Published: September 2019

In common sociological research, income inequality is measured only at the aggregate level. The main purpose of this article is to demonstrate that there is more than meets the eye when inequality is indicated by a single measure. In this article, I introduce an alternative method that evaluates individuals’ contributions to inequality as well as the between-group and within-group components of these individual contributions. I first highlight three common inequality measures, the Gini index and two generalized entropy measures—Theil’s T and Theil’s L indices—by presenting their individual components as a method for evaluating inequality. Five artificial data examples illustrate the use of these individual components first. An empirical analysis of the 2007 and 2017 Current Population Survey data then focuses on the differences in inequality revealed by such individual inequality components between the 2007 and 2017. The individual-level inequality measures can reveal patterns of inequality concealed by single measures at the aggregate level. In particular, the Gini individual measures differentiate cases better than the generalized entropy measures and tend to have smaller standard errors in a regression analysis.
Responsibility for Migrants: From Hospitality to Solidarity
Authors: Chamberlain James A.
Published: September 2019

Critics of exclusionary borders might be tempted to appeal for more hospitality, but this essay argues that such an approach is misguided and develops an alternative framework called solidarity borders. The ongoing legacies of imperialism, the functioning of global capitalism, and insights from democratic theory show that we need to problematize two key presuppositions of hospitality: a clear distinction between hosts and guests, and the exclusive right of the former to impose conditions. Moreover, Jacques Derrida provides limited guidance as to how to enact necessarily conditional hospitality in the most just manner. By contrast, Iris Marion Young’s social connection model highlights the shared responsibility that actors bear to reduce structural injustice. Drawing out the implications of Young’s work for migration and borders, I argue that solidarity borders would build upon, expand, and modify the existing refugee regime.
Development of a hybrid multi-layer control architecture for a cooperative team of N − homogeneous robots
Authors: ElAshry Abdelrahman F , Ramadan Mohamed M , ElAlaily Ziad A , Zaied Mahmoud M , Elias Catherine M , Shehata Omar M , Morgan Elsayed I
Published: September 2019

This paper proposes a hybrid centralized control architecture for formation control of N-homogeneous mobile robots. The addressed problem is maintaining an equilateral triangular formation using three mobile robots while moving towards a desired target avoiding any collision. The proposed architecture is divided into four main subsystems; a main path-planner, a nonlinear Lyapunov-based controller, a Secure Shell (SSH) communication module and an image processing algorithm. The main path-planner subsystem itself is subdivided into three algorithms; brain-like algorithm, sub-path-planner and an information center algorithm. The brain-like algorithm is responsible for all the decision making. On the other hand, the sub-path-planner works on translating the decisions of the brain into more precise decisions to the individual robots. Meanwhile, the information center acts as the memory for the brain to access saved information previously shared between the robots. It is shown that the control algorithm allows any initial allocation of the three robots to converge to a triangle formation in an optimal manner while avoiding collisions. Finally, the potential use of this formation as a platform acting as an autonomous mobile helipad is introduced as a practical application for the proposed architecture.
Postoperative Bioresorbable Chitosan-Based Dressing for Endoscopic Middle Meatal Dacryocystorhinostomy With Balloon Dilation
Authors: Winebrake James P. , Mahrous Abdallah , Kacker Ashutosh , Tabaee Abtin , Levinger Joshua I. , Pearlman Aaron N. , Stewart Michael G. , Lelli Gary J.
Published: September 2019

Purpose:

To evaluate the improvement in epiphora and need for surgical revision in patients with acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction following balloon-assisted, middle meatal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy with chitosan-based dressing versus bioresorbable polyurethane packing versus no packing.

Patients and Methods:

This was a retrospective study of consecutive adult patients seen from 2015 to 2018 with follow-up evaluation of epiphora at least 3 months after balloon-assisted, middle meatal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy. Patients with a history of prior punctoplasty, septoplasty, sinus surgery, or dacryocystorhinostomy of any kind were excluded. Those meeting criteria were stratified by postoperative hemostatic intervention: no packing, bioresorbable packing, and chitosan-based dressing (groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively). Procedural outcomes were graded as successes or failures based on subjective report and anatomical findings at most recent visit within an 18-month postoperative window. Instances of recommendation for revision surgery were also recorded.

Results:

Forty-three cases (36 patients) met the abovementioned criteria. Groups 1, 2, and 3 comprised 12, 17, and 14 cases each, respectively. Average patient age was 55.3 years old, and average duration of follow-up was 6.7 months. Significant variation in outcomes was detected across the 3 groups ( P = .0495), particularly between groups 1 and 3 ( P = .033). Use of chitosan-based dressing trended toward reduced rates of recommendation for surgical revision ( P = .203, P = .113).

Conclusions:

Use of chitosan-based dressing after endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy was associated with improved subjective and anatomical outcomes. It may also contribute to less frequent need for revision surgery. Further study in a larger prospective trial is recommended.
Investigation of Astaxanthin Effect on Cisplatin Ototoxicity in Rats by Using Otoacoustic Emission, Total Antioxidant Capacity, and Histopathological Methods
Authors: Kınal M. Emrah , Tatlıpınar Arzu , Uzun Selami , Keskin Serhan , Tekdemir Emrah , Özbeyli Dilek , Akakın Dilek
Published: September 2019

Background:

Cisplatin-induced ototoxicity is related to oxidative stress. Astaxanthin is one of the most powerful antioxidants in nature.

Aims/objectives:

To investigate the protective effect of astaxanthin on cisplatin-induced ototoxicity.

Materials and Methods:

Thirty-five Sprague Dawley female rats were divided into 5 groups: control, cisplatin, and cisplatin with 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg astaxanthin groups. Cisplatin group received a single intraperitoneal injection of 14 mg/kg cisplatin. While saline was administered in the control group, in the other 3 groups, 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg daily doses of astaxanthin were administered through orogastric cannula before administration of cisplatin. Baseline and 10th day otoacoustic emission tests were administered. An intracardiac blood sample was taken to measure total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and the cochleas of the animals were investigated histopathologically.

Results:

Hearing level of astaxanthin 40 mg/kg + cisplatin group was higher at 24 kHz and 32 kHz frequencies compared to the cisplatin group. The TAC value of the cisplatin group was lower than both the control and astaxanthin + cisplatin groups ( P < .05). On histopathological examination, the other groups were deformed compared to the control group, but no statistically significant difference was observed between the astaxanthin + cisplatin and cisplatin groups.

Conclusions and significance:

Astaxanthin showed protective effect at high frequencies when it was administered at high dose. Thus, astaxanthin may have protective effect against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity.
Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis of the Skull
Authors: Ong Adrian A. , Rosi-Schumacher Mattie , Pizzuto Michael
Published: September 2019

This is a case of a pediatric male who presented with a postauricular mass and pain. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging suggested a diagnosis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis. Characteristic imaging findings and initial workup for Langerhans cell histiocytosis are described.
A Case Study Evaluation of the Implementation of Twice-Exceptional Professional Development in Colorado
Authors: Lee Chin-Wen , Ritchotte Jennifer A.
Published: September 2019

According to the 2014–2015 State of the States in Gifted Education, Colorado is the only state in the United States where a series of on-site, customized twice-exceptional professional development (2E PD) opportunities have been implemented. The purpose of this case study evaluation was to understand the implementation of 2E PD during 2014–2016 in a school district in Colorado. Seven training participants and four administrators who were involved in the training were purposefully selected. Data sources consisted of interviews, documentation, and archival records. Eight major themes emerged: (a) increased knowledge and skills, (b) evolved attitudes, (c) recurring challenges, (d) utilizing a team approach, (e) improved performance, (f) difficulty in measuring impact, (g) improved school culture, and (h) planning for the future. In addition to a discussion of themes, implications for improving educator and student outcomes and for creating organizational support and changes are presented.
Parents’ Expectations of Familial Elder Care under the Neoliberal Hong Kong Society
Authors: Leung Vivian W. Y. , Lam Ching Man , Liang Yan
Published: September 2019

Previous studies have examined the shifts in traditional familial values among Chinese populations. It was argued that the values have diminished or eroded due to Westernization and modernization. Instead of the collectivist-individualist divide, this study aims to understand the role of neoliberal discourse in Hong Kong Chinese parents’ beliefs in familial values and elder care. Using data from 120 in-depth individual interviews with parents of different generations, this study found four themes: (1) the notion of self-reliance; (2) the intertwinement of neoliberal ideas and filial values; (3) redefinition of filial behaviors; and (4) commodification of care. Results suggest that the changes in parents’ filial beliefs have shifted senior care responsibilities from families to individuals and the private market. It creates a disjuncture between care arrangement and governmental welfare; more comprehensive pension and senior care services are thus needed to respond to societal changes.
Comparison of Gene Expression Responses in the Small Intestine of Mice Following Exposure to 3 Carcinogens Using the S1500+ Gene Set Informs a Potential Common Adverse Outcome Pathway
Authors: Chappell Grace A. , Rager Julia E. , Wolf Jeffrey , Babic Milos , LeBlanc Kyle J. , Ring Caroline L. , Harris Mark A. , Thompson Chad M.
Published: September 2019

Carcinogenesis of the small intestine is rare in humans and rodents. Oral exposure to hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) and the fungicides captan and folpet induce intestinal carcinogenesis in mice. Previously ( Toxicol Pathol. 330:48-52), we showed that B6C3F1 mice exposed to carcinogenic concentrations of Cr(VI), captan, or folpet for 28 days exhibited similar histopathological responses including villus enterocyte cytotoxicity and regenerative crypt epithelial hyperplasia. Herein, we analyze transcriptomic responses from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded duodenal sections from the aforementioned study. TempO-Seq technology and the S1500+ gene set were used to analyze transcription responses. Transcriptional responses were similar between all 3 agents; gene-level comparison identified 126/546 (23%) differentially expressed genes altered in the same direction, with a total of 25 upregulated pathways. These changes were related to cellular metabolism, stress, inflammatory/immune cell response, and cell proliferation, including upregulation in hypoxia inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) and activator protein 1 (AP1) signaling pathways, which have also been shown to be related to intestinal injury and angiogenesis/carcinogenesis. The similar molecular-, cellular-, and tissue-level changes induced by these 3 carcinogens can be informative for the development of an adverse outcome pathway for intestinal cancer.
Microbial flocculant produced by a novel Paenibacillus sp., strain A9, using food processing wastewater to replace fermentation medium and its application for the removal of Pb(II) from aqueous solution
Authors: Jiang Binhui , Fu Lili , Cao Wan , Zhang Bo , Li Fengda , Liu Yana
Published: September 2019

Due to high production costs, the popularization and application of microbial flocculants in the field of water treatment have been limited. In this study, the capture of lead ions by the fermentation broth of a novel Paenibacillus sp. strain A9 and cultured with food wastewater was further investigated. The results revealed that the production of MBFA9 could be increased significantly by adding a small amount of carbon and nitrogen to food wastewater. Under the best experimental conditions (pH 8.5, culture temperature 30°C, 150 r/min), adding 1% (m/v) carbon and 0.1% (m/v) nitrogen to 1% (v/v) wastewater resulted in a yield of MBFA9 of 6.29 g/l. At a temperature of 30°C, pH of 5, contact time of 35 min, and FBA9 dosage of 5%, the removal rate and removal capacity of Pb(II) reached the highest values of 95.1% and 317 mg/g, respectively. Field emission scanning electron microscopy analysis indicated that bacterial cells, metabolite small molecule acids, and MBFA9 in FBA9 all contributed to the removal of Pb(II). Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry analysis indicated that functional groups such as –OH, –COOH, –CO, and –NH2 existed in MBFA9 and on the cell surface. Various mechanisms involved in Pb(II) removal can occur simultaneously, including cell surface adsorption, microcrystallization, and biological flocculation.
Moving beyond financial remittances: The evolution of diaspora policy in post-conflict economies
Authors: Williams Nick
Published: September 2019

This article examines the role of institutional change in engaging the diaspora to invest in their home country. The article draws on in-depth interviews with key stakeholders in Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo and Montenegro, all post-conflict economies which have experienced significant outward migration. This article shows that despite the importance attached to the diaspora in policy discourse, they are an under-utilised resource in economic and social development. While diaspora entrepreneurs have a strong emotional connection to their home country, they have faced numerous barriers upon returning due to unstable institutional environments. Many provide financial remittances but can remain isolated from entrepreneurial activity, and social remittances are limited due to the skills gained while in the host country. Institutional improvements are required if they are to be assimilated into the economy. The article concludes by providing a number of implications for institutional theory and policy.
Acupuncture and related interventions for carpal tunnel syndrome: systematic review
Authors: Wu Irene XY , Lam Victor CK , Ho Robin ST , Cheung William KW , Sit Regina WS , Chou Li-Wei , Zhang Yan , Leung Ting-Hung , Chung Vincent CH
Published: September 2019

Objective:

To synthesize evidence on the effectiveness of acupuncture and related therapies for primary carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) by conducting a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Data Sources:

Nine databases were searched for potential RCTs from their inception till July 2019.

Review Methods:

RCTs which reported at least one of the three outcomes were included: symptom severity, functional status and pain. Included RCTs were appraised using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool.

Results:

A total of 10 RCTs (728 participants) were included. Majority were at high risk of bias for blinding of participants, personnel and outcome assessors. When compared to conventional medications, manual acupuncture showed significant superior effect in reducing symptom than ibuprofen (mean difference (MD) on Symptom Severity Scale (SSS)) = –5.80, 95% confidence interval (CI): −7.95 to −3.65) and prednisolone (MD = −6.50, 95% CI: −10.1, −2.86). Electroacupuncture plus splinting was more effective in reducing symptom severity than splinting alone (SSS score: MD = −0.20, 95% CI: −0.36 to −0.03). Manual acupuncture showed significantly superior effect than ibuprofen in improving functional status (Functional Status Scale (FSS): MD = −1.84, 95% CI: −2.66 to −1.02). The combination of electroacupuncture and splinting showed more improvement in functional status compared to splinting alone (FSS: MD = −6.22, 95%CI: −10.7 to −1.71). Triple treatment of acupuncture, magnetic spectrum heat lamp and splinting showed stronger pain relief than splinting alone.

Conclusion:

For both symptom relief and function improvement, manual acupuncture is superior to ibuprofen while electroacupuncture plus splinting outperforms splinting alone. Limited evidence showed electroacupuncture’s potential role in pain reduction.
Social cognition impairments in long-term opiate users in treatment
Authors: Terrett Gill , Mercuri Kimberly , Pizarro-Campagna Elizabeth , Hugrass Laila , Curran H Valerie , Henry Julie D , Rendell Peter G
Published: September 2019

Background:

Long-term opiate users experience pervasive social difficulties, but there has been surprisingly limited research focused on social-cognitive functioning in this population.

Aim:

The aim of this study was to investigate whether three important aspects of social cognition (facial emotion recognition, theory of mind (ToM) and rapid facial mimicry) differ between long-term opiate users and healthy controls.

Methods:

The participants were 25 long-term opiate users who were enrolled in opiate substitution programmes, and 25 healthy controls. Facial emotion recognition accuracy was indexed by responses to 60 photographs of faces depicting the six basic emotions (happiness, sadness, anger, fear, surprise and disgust). ToM was assessed using the Reading the Mind in the Eyes task, which requires participants to infer mental states of others from partial facial cues. Rapid facial mimicry was assessed by recording activity in the zygomaticus major and corrugator supercilii muscle regions while participants passively viewed images of happy and angry facial expressions.

Results:

Relative to the control group, the opiate user group exhibited deficits in both facial emotion recognition and ToM. Moreover, only control participants exhibited typical rapid facial mimicry responses to happy facial expressions.

Conclusions:

These data indicate that long-term opiate users exhibit abnormalities in three distinct areas of social-cognitive processing, pointing to the need for additional work to establish how social-cognitive functioning relates to functional outcomes in this group. Such work may ultimately inform the development of interventions aimed at improving treatment outcomes for long-term opiate users.
Primary Care Providers’ Preferences and Concerns Regarding Specific Visual Displays for Returning Hemoglobin A1c Test Results to Patients
Authors: Zikmund-Fisher Brian J. , Solomon Jacob B. , Scherer Aaron M. , Exe Nicole L. , Tarini Beth A. , Fagerlin Angela , Witteman Holly O.
Published: September 2019

Purpose. Patient portals of electronic health record systems currently present patients with tables of laboratory test results, but visual displays can increase patient understanding and sensitivity to result variations. We sought to assess physician preferences and concerns about visual display designs as potential motivators or barriers to their implementation. Methods. In an online survey, 327 primary care physicians (>50% patient care time) recruited through the online e-community/survey research firm SERMO compared hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test results presented in table format to various visual displays (number line formats) previously tested in public samples. Half of participants also compared additional visual formats displaying target goal ranges. Outcome measures included preferred display format and whether any displays were unacceptable, would change physician workload, or would induce liability concerns. Results. Most (85%–89%) respondents preferred visual displays over tables for result communications both to patients tested for diagnosis purposes and to diagnosed patients, with a design with color-coded categories most preferred. However, for each format (including tables), 11% to 23% rated them as unacceptable. Most respondents also preferred adding goal range information (in addition to standard ranges) for diagnosed patients. While most physicians anticipated no workload changes, 19% to 32% anticipated increased physician workload while 9% to 28% anticipated decreased workload. Between 32% and 40% had at least some liability concerns. Conclusions. Most primary care physicians prefer visual displays of HbA1c test results over table formats when communicating results to patients. However, workload and liability concerns from a minority of physicians represent a barrier for adoption of such designs in clinical settings.