bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Probe‐based confocal laser endomicroscopy for diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in vivo
Authors: Wu Lingjie , Yu Huiqian , Zhou Ren , Luo Jiqin , Zhao Jieli , Li Yimeng , Wang Kang , Wang Yunfeng , Li Huawei
Published: August 2018

Objectives/Hypothesis

Probe‐based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) is a novel technique allowing real‐time evaluation of the histological features of tissues in vivo at the cellular level. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using pCLE in the diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Study Design

Feasibility study.

Methods

In this study, the pCLE images of the lesions, as well as the surrounding or contralateral normal mucosa of the lesions, were acquired in vivo from each patient after intravenous injecting of 2.5 mL fluorescein. Biopsy specimens were collected at the imaged sites followed by a histopathological diagnosis by the pathologists, which was used as the gold standard. The pCLE images were compared to histopathological diagnosis of visualized sites by using sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), and positive predictive value (PPV).

Results

Diagnoses based on pCLE images correlated well with the gold standard diagnoses based on tissue histology. The overall sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV for diagnosis of carcinoma versus nondysplasia were 93.8% (67.7%‐99.7%), 90.5% (68.2%‐98.3%), 88.2% (62.3%‐97.9%), and 95.0% (73.1%‐99.7%), respectively, and the four indices for pCLE diagnosis of dysplasia versus nondysplasia were 60.0% (17.0%‐92.7%), 80.9% (57.4%‐93.7%), 42.9% (11.8%‐79.8%), and 89.5% (65.5%‐98.2%), respectively. The overall sensitivity for diagnosis of carcinoma versus dysplasia was 93.8% (67.7%‐99.7%), specificity was 40% (7.3%‐83.0%), PPV was 83.3% (57.7%‐95.6%), and the NPV was 66.7% (12.5%‐98.2%).

Conclusions

CLE is a suitable and valid method for otolaryngologists to diagnose of NPC in vivo.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 129:897–902, 2019
Long‐term analysis of transorally resected p16 + Oropharynx cancer: Outcomes and prognostic factors
Authors: Sinha Parul , Haughey Bruce H. , Kallogjeri Dorina , Jackson Ryan S.
Published: August 2018

Objective

We observed high survival in a previous report of a p16‐positive, oropharyngeal carcinoma (OPC) cohort treated primarily with transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) ± adjuvant therapy and followed for ≥ 12 months. To address long‐term outcomes of primary transoral surgery for this unique disease, we present an updated analysis of our cohort with extended follow‐up.

Methods

A prospectively assembled TLM cohort of 171 OPC patients was analyzed for disease‐free, disease‐specific, and overall survival (disease‐free survival [DFS], disease‐specific survival [DSS], overall survival [OS]) and functional outcomes, with a minimum follow‐up of 60 months or to death.

Results

Median follow‐up was 103 (60–201) months. Five‐year DFS, DSS, and OS estimates were 85% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 80%–91%), 93% (95% CI: 89%–97%), and 90% (95% CI: 86%–95%). Recurrence occurred in 20 (12%; 7 locoregional, 13 distant); median time to recurrence was 18.8 months; and 90% occurred within 48 months. Age, smoking, American Joint Committee on Cancer 8th edition clinical tumor‐category, pathologic tumor (pT)‐category, pathologic tumor‐node‐metastasis (pTNM), and any adjuvant were significantly associated with disease‐free survival in multivariable analyses, whereas pT‐category, pN‐category, TNM grouping, and angioinvasion were associated with DSS. A second primary developed in six (3.5%) patients. Indications for gastrostomy were recurrence/second primary (11), postadjuvant esophageal stenosis (6), comorbidities (3), and osteo/chondroradionecrosis (3); only seven (4%) had a gastrostomy tube in the absence of these factors, all of whom received adjuvant therapy. Two had a tracheostomy tube [chondoradionecrosis (1), recurrence (1)].

Conclusion

High 5‐year survival and locoregional control were observed, with recurrence occurring more commonly as distant metastasis. The observed time to recurrence suggests posttreatment oncologic surveillance for at least 48 months. Identified prognosticators will inform adjuvant treatment considerations, trial planning, and patient counseling for long‐term outcomes. Laryngoscope, 2018

Level of Evidence

2b Laryngoscope, 129:1141–1149, 2019
Sarcomatoid Carcinoma in the Parotid Gland: A Review of 30 Years of Experience
Authors: Niu Xingyu
Published: August 2018

Objective

The goal of this study was to analyze the results of clinical treatment of sarcomatoid carcinoma in the parotid gland by reviewing 30 years of experience.

Methods

Thirty‐five patients were enrolled in this study. The Kaplan‐Meier methods were used to calculate the recurrence‐free survival (RFS) and disease‐specific survival (DSS) rates. The Cox model was used to determine the independent risk factor.

Results

Mean age at presentation was 57.8 years, and most of the patients were staged as tumor (T)3 or T4. Perineural invasion was noted in 15 (42.9%) patients. Fifteen (42.9%) patients received neck dissection due to clinically suspicious nodes. Of those, three patients had pathologically positive nodes. Recurrence was noted in 14 patients; the most common pattern of treatment failure was local recurrence, and only 40% of the patients could receive salvaged surgical treatment. Disease‐specific death was noted in 10 patients. The 5‐year RFS and DSS rates were 67.3% and 65.7%, respectively. In a multivariate analysis, only the factor of perineural invasion was independently correlated with death.

Conclusion

Parotid sarcomatoid carcinoma carries a poor prognosis, and perineural invasion was the most important predictive factor.

Level of Evidence

2b Laryngoscope, 129:1137–1140, 2019
A novel approach to skull‐base and orbital osteotomies through virtual planning and navigation
Authors: Franz Leonardo , Isola Miriam , Bagatto Daniele , Tuniz Francesco , Robiony Massimo
Published: August 2018

Objective

Computer‐assisted planning of osteotomy lines, coupled with navigation‐guided performance of planned osteotomies, is a highly innovative approach to skull‐base and orbital surgery.

The aim of this pilot study is to provide an assessment of the accuracy of this novel approach in guiding the correct positioning of osteotomy lines in frontal, temporal, and orbital regions, defining the agreement between the spatial position of the planned and performed osteotomies.

Methods

Fifteen patients with orbital, frontal sinus, and lateral skull‐base diseases underwent virtual surgical planning. Osteotomies to access the orbit, frontal sinus, and lateral skull base were planned on computer tomography‐based three‐dimensional models. The planned osteotomies were reproduced on the operating field using a navigation system. The positions of the performed and planned osteotomies were compared. The results were described as the mean positional difference between planned and performed osteotomies and as Lin's concordance coefficient, and Bland‐Altman limits of agreement were also defined.

Results

The overall mean difference was 0.719 mm (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.472 to 0.965 mm). Overall, Lin's concordance coefficient was 0.997 (95% CI: 0.996 to 0.998), and overall Bland‐Altman limits of agreement ranged from −1.407 to 2.844 mm.

The smallest mean difference (0.587 mm, 95% CI: 0.244 to 0.931 mm) was calculated in the orbit group, whereas the highest mean difference (0.904 mm, 95% CI: 0.428 to 1.379 mm) was described in the lateral skull‐base group.

Conclusion

This study's results support the use of this novel planning and navigation protocol for guiding osteotomy in anterior and lateral skull‐base surgery, providing a clinical validation of this technique.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 00:1–9, 2018 Laryngoscope, 129:823–831, 2019
Transporting the Optical Chirality through the Dynamical Barriers in Optical Microcavities
Authors: Liu Shuai , Wiersig Jan , Sun Wenzhao , Fan Yubin , Ge Li , Yang Jinkyu , Xiao Shumin , Song Qinghai , Cao Hui
Published: August 2018

In mixed phase space structures, the stable islands and chaotic sea are separated by dynamical barriers. Considering the small tunneling rate, intuitively, the properties of long‐lived resonances within stable islands are supposed to be less affected by the perturbations in chaotic sea. Here, the modifications on the chaotic sea which can be transported through dynamical barriers and strongly affect long‐lived resonances within stable islands are experimentally demonstrated. In waveguide‐connected quadruple microdisks (WCQMs), the finite orbital angular momentum and the propagation directions of long‐lived resonances within stable islands could be changed and controlled by the waveguides connecting to the chaotic sea. The numerical calculations and the corresponding 4 × 4 non‐Hermitian Hamiltonian theoretical model match the experimental results well and demonstrate the essential roles of asymmetrical scattering in the chaotic sea and chaotic‐to‐regular tunneling. This research will be interesting for fundamental studies on quantum chaos and practical applications in optical sensing.
Accelerating chemical exchange saturation transfer MRI with parallel blind compressed sensing
Authors: She Huajun , Greer Joshua S. , Zhang Shu , Li Bian , Keupp Jochen , Madhuranthakam Ananth J. , Dimitrov Ivan E. , Lenkinski Robert E. , Vinogradov Elena
Published: August 2018

Purpose

Chemical exchange saturation transfer is a novel and promising MRI contrast method, but it can be time‐consuming. Common parallel imaging methods, like SENSE, can lead to reduced quality of CEST. Here, parallel blind compressed sensing (PBCS), combining blind compressed sensing (BCS) and parallel imaging, is evaluated for the acceleration of CEST in brain and breast.

Methods

The CEST data were collected in phantoms, brain (N = 3), and breast (N = 2). Retrospective Cartesian undersampling was implemented and the reconstruction results of PBCS‐CEST were compared with BCS‐CEST and k‐t sparse‐SENSE CEST. The normalized RMSE and the high‐frequency error norm were used for quantitative comparison.

Results

In phantom and in vivo brain experiments, the acceleration factor of R = 10 (24 k‐space lines) was achieved and in breast R = 5 (30 k‐space lines), without compromising the quality of the PBCS‐reconstructed magnetization transfer rate asymmetry maps and Z‐spectra. Parallel BCS provides better reconstruction quality when compared with BCS, k‐t sparse‐SENSE, and SENSE methods using the same number of samples. Parallel BCS overperforms BCS, indicating that the inclusion of coil sensitivity improves the reconstruction of the CEST data.

Conclusion

The PBCS method accelerates CEST without compromising its quality. Compressed sensing in combination with parallel imaging can provide a valuable alternative to parallel imaging alone for accelerating CEST experiments.
Effect of organoclay and preparation method on properties of antimicrobial cellulose acetate films
Authors: Rodríguez Francisco J. , Abarca Romina L. , Bruna Julio E. , Moya Paula E. , Galotto María J. , Guarda Abel , Padula Marisa
Published: August 2018

The aim of the present study was oriented to evaluate the effect of a commercial organoclay and the technique of preparation on the physical and antimicrobial properties of active eco‐friendly nanocomposites films. To this antimicrobial nanocomposite films were fabricated from cellulose acetate (CA) powder, triethyl citrate (TEC) plasticizer, a commercial organoclay Cloisite30B (C30B), and cinnamaldehyde (Ci) as active agent. All nanocomposites showed the intercalation of the polysaccharide inside the organoclay structure, however, the level of the intercalation and the quality of the clay dispersion were dependent on the method selected to prepare them (solution‐casting or extrusion). In addition, nanocomposites obtained by extrusion evidenced a better dispersion of organoclay. Important changes on the color properties of films were evidenced, which was associated to the thermal degradation of the quaternary ammonium surfactant of the Cloisite30B. On the other hand, organoclay was unable to reduce the cinnamaldehyde loss during the extrusion and storage, nevertheless, a slight effect of the Cloisite30B on the cinnamaldehyde release to a food simulant was observed to nanocomposites prepared by extrusion. Finally, despite cinnamaldehyde loss was observed over time, the content of residual active compound into the films was able to impart antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli for 14 weeks. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:2311–2319, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Cytosolic expression, solution structures, and molecular dynamics simulation of genetically encodable disulfide‐rich de novo designed peptides
Authors: Buchko Garry W. , Pulavarti Surya V.S.R.K. , Ovchinnikov Victor , Shaw Elizabeth A. , Rettie Stephen A. , Myler Peter J. , Karplus Martin , Szyperski Thomas , Baker David , Bahl Christopher D.
Published: August 2018

Disulfide‐rich peptides represent an important protein family with broad pharmacological potential. Recent advances in computational methods have made it possible to design new peptides which adopt a stable conformation de novo. Here, we describe a system to produce disulfide‐rich de novo peptides using Escherichia coli as the expression host. The advantage of this system is that it enables production of uniformly 13C‐ and 15N‐labeled peptides for solution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies. This expression system was used to isotopically label two previously reported de novo designed peptides, and to determine their solution structures using NMR. The ensemble of NMR structures calculated for both peptides agreed well with the design models, further confirming the accuracy of the design protocol. Collection of NMR data on the peptides under reducing conditions revealed a dependency on disulfide bonds to maintain stability. Furthermore, we performed long‐time molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with tempering to assess the stability of two families of de novo designed peptides. Initial designs which exhibited a stable structure during simulations were more likely to adopt a stable structure in vitro, but attempts to utilize this method to redesign unstable peptides to fold into a stable state were unsuccessful. Further work is therefore needed to assess the utility of MD simulation techniques for de novo protein design.
Efficient and wash‐free labeling of membrane proteins using engineered Npu DnaE split‐inteins
Authors: Lee Euiyeon , Min Kyoungmi , Chang Young‐Tae , Kwon Youngeun
Published: August 2018

An efficient and wash‐free method to conjugate a fluorescent tag to a target membrane protein is developed, using engineered Npu DnaE split‐inteins. This approach allowed fast labeling while avoiding the strenuous synthesis of a long polypeptide. Two different modes of labeling, namely specific binding and covalent conjugation, are observed. The covalent labeling was monitored within 5 min, without background staining.
Transition Metal‐Doped Amorphous Oxide Semiconductor Thin‐Film Phosphor, Chromium‐Doped Amorphous Gallium Oxide
Authors: Ide Keisuke , Futakado Yuki , Watanabe Naoto , Kim Junghwan , Katase Takayoshi , Hiramatsu Hidenori , Hosono Hideo , Kamiya Toshio
Published: August 2018

Transition metal (TM)‐doped amorphous gallium oxide (a‐GO:TMx) is studied as an inorganic thin‐film phosphor. Cr is selected as an emission center based on preliminary screening. The most intense red photoluminescence (PL) with a broad emission band of 620–800 nm from the a‐GO:Crx films deposited at room temperature is attained by optimizing the Cr concentration (x = 0.001) and the oxygen partial pressure (PO2 = 10 Pa) during the film growth. Post‐deposition thermal annealing at 400 °C in O2, which is lower than the crystallization temperature, improves internal quantum efficiency (IQE) of PL to 0.3%. Crystallized films by 800 °C annealing further improves the IQE to 20%. The improvement of PL by crystallization is commonly observed for conventional inorganic phosphors, but opposite to that of previously reported rare‐earth (RE)‐doped a‐GO:REx thin‐film phosphors. It is explained by different solubility of Cr and RE in the β‐Ga2O3 host.
The Study on Degradation and Separation of RhB Under UV Light by Magnetically ZnO/Fe2O3 Nanoparticles
Authors: Yang Yuzhe , Li Xuefei , Zhao Rui , Yang Jinghai , Sun Qianyu , Chen Xi , Wu Xingtong
Published: August 2018

Different percentages of Fe2O3 are composited with ZnO via a chemical precipitation method which is shown to be more efficient and convenient than other methods. The obtained products are analyzed by using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV–vis diffuse reflection spectra (DRS), photoluminescence (PL), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Rhodamine B (RhB) dye is used as a simulated pollutant to cause degradation under UV light. Degradation efficiency is used to evaluate the photocatalytic activity of the composite catalysts. Compared with other samples, the results indicate that 7 wt.% ZnO/Fe2O3 composite shows the highest photocatalytic activity for RhB dye. Furthermore, the particles reduce secondary pollution and prolong the service life of the photocatalyst. The addition of a magnetic carrier allows the composite catalyst to be better separated from the reflection media.
The ECMWF ensemble prediction system: Looking back (more than) 25 years and projecting forward 25 years
Authors: Palmer Tim
Published: August 2018

This paper has been written to mark 25 years of operational medium‐range ensemble forecasting. The origins of the ECMWF Ensemble Prediction System are outlined, including the development of the precursor real‐time Met Office monthly ensemble forecast system. In particular, the reasons for the development of singular vectors and stochastic physics – particular features of the ECMWF Ensemble Prediction System ‐ are discussed. The author speculates about the development and use of ensemble prediction in the next 25 years.
A game theory approach for cooperative control to improve data quality and false data detection in WSN
Authors: Casado‐Vara Roberto , Prieto‐Castrillo Francisco , Corchado Juan M.
Published: August 2018

New solutions are required for the management of heterogeneous distributed sensor networks in order to address the problem of data quality and false data detection in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). In this paper, we present a nonlinear cooperative control algorithm based on game theory. Here, a new model is proposed for the automatic processing and management of information in heterogeneous distributed WSNs. We apply our algorithm to a case study with the aim of improving the quality of temperature data collected from indoor surfaces by a WSN. Unlike the classic unsupervised methods, in the proposed algorithm, it is not necessary to define the number of clusters beforehand. Once the game reaches the game equilibrium, the resulting number of clusters can be used as input for the unsupervised classification analysis. Anomalous temperature values are corrected according to their neighborhood, without modifying the temperature clusters.
Small Molecule‐Based Fluorescent Organic Nanoassemblies with Strong Hydrogen Bonding Networks for Fine Tuning and Monitoring Drug Delivery in Cancer Cells
Authors: Boucard Joanna , Linot Camille , Blondy Thibaut , Nedellec Steven , Hulin Philippe , Blanquart Christophe , Lartigue Lénaïc , Ishow Eléna
Published: August 2018

Bright supramolecular fluorescent organic nanoassemblies (FONs), based on strongly polar red‐emissive benzothiadiazole fluorophores containing acidic units, are fabricated to serve as theranostic tools with large colloidal stability in the absence of a polymer or surfactant. High architectural cohesion is ensured by the multiple hydrogen‐bonding networks, reinforced by the dipolar and hydrophobic interactions developed between the dyes. Such interactions are harnessed to ensure high payload encapsulation and efficient trapping of hydrophobic and hydrogen‐bonding drugs like doxorubicin, as shown by steady state and time‐resolved measurements. Fine tuning of the drug release in cancer cells is achieved by adjusting the structure and combination of the fluorophore acidic units. Notably delayed drug delivery is observed by confocal microscopy compared to the entrance of hydrosoluble doxorubicin, demonstrating the absence of undesirable burst release outside the cells by using FONs. Since FON‐constituting fluorophores exhibit a large emission shift from red to green when dissociating in contact with the lipid cellular content, drug delivery could advantageously be followed by dual‐color spectral detection, independently of the drug staining potentiality.
Tris(8‐hydroxyquinoline)aluminum(III)‐Cored Molecular Cathode Interlayer: Improving Electron Mobility and Photovoltaic Efficiency of Polymer Solar Cells
Authors: Li Zuojia , Xu Xiaopeng , Zhang Guangjun , Deng Min , Li Ying , Peng Qiang
Published: August 2018

Tris(8‐hydroxyquinoline)aluminum(III) (Alq3)‐cored small molecular electrolytes, Alq3‐F1, Alq3‐F2, and Alq3‐F3, armed with ammonium functionalized fluorene units have been successfully designed and synthesized as efficient cathode interlayers (CILs) for high‐performance fullerene and non‐fullerene polymer solar cells (F‐PSCs and NF‐PSCs). The repeating number effect of the polar group‐grafted fluorene arms is also investigated in detail on the cathode interfacial modification and the final photovoltaic performance. Increasing the amount of ammonium functionalized fluorene units will efficiently improve the interfacial dipole moment and result in lowering the work function (WF) of the Al cathode. On the other hand, the proportion of Alq3 segment will decrease with increasing the repeating number of the polar group‐grafted fluorene arms, which deduce the electron mobility of the target molecules. Alq3‐F2 shows a good balance between the above two factors, whose devices exhibit the highest power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 10.15% in F‐PSCs and 13.75% in NF‐PSCs. Importantly, these CIL molecules have the excellent thickness‐insensitive property enabled by the high electron mobility of the Alq3 core. The PCEs of the PSCs incorporating the Alq3‐containing CILs can retain about 70–80% even with a large thickness up to 50 nm.
The Effect of Aging Temperature on Microstructure and Tensile Properties of a Novel Designed Fe–12Mn–3Ni Maraging‐TRIP Steel
Authors: Behravan Abolfazl , Zarei‐Hanzaki Abbas , Fatemi Seyed Mahmood , De Abreu Hamilton Ferreira Gomes , Masoumi Mohammad
Published: August 2018

In current work, the effect of different aging treatments on microstructure and tensile behavior of a novel designed maraging‐TRIP steel containing 12 wt% Mn is studied. Three distinct phases including thermally ϵ‐martensite, α′‐martensite, and reversed austenite are developed through aging. Thermally HCP‐ϵ lath martensite is nucleated at prior austenite grain and developed inside the grains during aging. However, increasing the aging temperatures led to disappearing the prior austenite grain boundaries due to reverse austenite transformation. A significant increasing in tensile strength and ductility is found in samples aged at 450 and 550 °C. Finally, the grain orientations studies show a good agreement with Kurdyumov–Sachs (K–S) orientation relationship between distinct phases developed in aged sample at 450 °C.
Assessing the Quality of Life of Patients with Breast Cancer Treated in a Tertiary Hospital in a Resource‐Poor Country
Authors: Okoli Chinedu , Anyanwu S. N. C. , Ochomma Amobi O. , Emegoakor Chiemelu D. , Chianakwana Gabriel U. , Nzeako Henry , Ihekwoaba Eric
Published: August 2018

Background

Very few studies have assessed the quality of life (QoL) of patients living with breast cancer in a resource‐poor setting like Nigeria. The aim of our study was to comprehensively examine the measures of QoL in breast cancer patients using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy‐Breast (FACT‐B) version 4 in order to deepen the literature on QoL among breast cancer patients to include non‐Western/northern patient populations.

Patients and methods

Purposive sampling of stable patients who attended general surgery clinics with histopathologically diagnosed breast cancer was done. Eligible patients were assessed using five domains of the FACT‐B questionnaire including: the breast cancer‐specific symptoms (BCS), emotional well‐being (EWB), functional well‐being (FWB), physical well‐being (PWB), and social & family well‐being (SWB). The questionnaire was administered in a face‐to‐face interview by trained research assistants. In addition, the five domains were compared among three different age categories, pre‐menopausal and post‐menopausal, and patients who have had surgery and chemotherapy alone. The SPSS (IBM Corp. Released in 2011. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 20.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.) and the Microsoft Excel (11. Corporation Microsoft, Redmond, WA, USA) were used for statistical analysis. Statistical significance was inferred when p <0.05.

Results

Among the 60 enrolled participants, total score of the five domains (n = 144) was 74.59 ± 17.72, FACT‐G score (n = 108) was 53.49 ± 12.56, Trial outcome index (n = 112) was 49.20 ± 13.13, PWB (n = 28) was 10.95 ± 6.37, SWB (n = 28) was 18.41 ± 6.48, EWB (n = 24) was 6.98 ± 4.15, FWB (n = 28) was 17.15 ± 7.12, and the BCS (n = 36) was 21.10 ± 8.93. EWB was significantly less in post‐mastectomy patients on adjuvant chemotherapy (p = 0.031) and pre‐menopausal women (p = 0.041) as well as in patients less than 40 years when compared with patients more 50 years (p = 0.049).

Conclusions

Breast cancer patients in resource‐poor countries have a profoundly impaired quality of life. This study showed significantly lower emotional well‐being domain scores in post‐mastectomy patients on adjuvant chemotherapy, pre‐menopausal women having breast cancer and in younger female patients. There is need to address this anomaly.
Partial least squares structural equation modeling-based discrete choice modeling: an illustration in modeling retailer choice
Authors: Hair Joseph F. , Ringle Christian M. , Gudergan Siegfried P. , Fischer Andreas , Nitzl Christian , Menictas Con
Published: August 2018

Commonly used discrete choice model analyses (e.g., probit, logit and multinomial logit models) draw on the estimation of importance weights that apply to different attribute levels. But directly estimating the importance weights of the attribute as a whole, rather than of distinct attribute levels, is challenging. This article substantiates the usefulness of partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) for the analysis of stated preference data generated through choice experiments in discrete choice modeling. This ability of PLS-SEM to directly estimate the importance weights for attributes as a whole, rather than for the attribute’s levels, and to compute determinant respondent-specific latent variable scores applicable to attributes, can more effectively model and distinguish between rational (i.e., optimizing) decisions and pragmatic (i.e., heuristic) ones, when parameter estimations for attributes as a whole are crucial to understanding choice decisions.
NGF, TrkA‐P and neuroprotection after a hypoxic event in the developing central nervous system
Authors: Bogetti María Eugenia , Pozo Devoto Victorio M. , Rapacioli Melina , Flores Vladimir , Fiszer de Plazas Sara
Published: August 2018

A decrease in the concentration of oxygen in the blood and tissues (hypoxia) produces important, sometimes irreversible, damages in the central nervous system (CNS) both during development and also postnatally. The present work aims at analyzing the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) and p75 and the activation of TrkA in response to an acute normobaric hypoxic event and to evaluate the possible protective role of exogenous NGF. The developing chick optic tectum (OT), a recognized model of corticogenesis, was used as experimental system by means of in vivo and in vitro studies.

Based on identification of the period of highest sensitivity of developmental programmed cell death (ED15) we show that hypoxia has a mild but reproducible effect that consist of a temporal increase of cell death 6 h after the end of a hypoxic treatment. Cell death was preceded by a significant early increase in the expression of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) and its membrane receptor p75. In addition, we found a biphasic response of TrkA activation: a decrease during hypoxia followed by an increase −4 h later‐ that temporally coincide with the interval of NGF overexpression. To test the NGF ‐ NGF receptors role in hypoxic cell death, we quantified, in primary neuronal cultures derived from ED15 OT, the levels of TrkA activation after an acute hypoxic treatment. A significant decline in the level of TrkA activation was observed during hypoxia followed, 24 h later, by significant cell death. Interestingly, this cell death can be reverted if TrkA inactivation during hypoxia is suppressed by the addition of NGF.

Our results suggest that TrkA activation may play an important role in the survival of OT neurons subjected to acute hypoxia. The role of TrkA in neuronal survival after injury may be advantageously used for the generation of neuroprotective strategies to improve prenatal insult outcomes.
Finite element method for the static and dynamic analysis of FRP guyed tower
Authors: Alshurafa Sami , Alhayek Hanan , Polyzois Dimos
Published: August 2018

A research study has been carried out to provide design guidelines for glass-fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) guyed tower. Both material testing and theoretical analysis are involved. The tower examined in this study has 81 m in height with a uniform equilateral triangle cross section having sides of 450 mm. The tower supported by seven sets of guy wires oriented at 120°, each set consisting of three guy wires. The tower was assumed to be supported at the base by means of a pinned connection to provide full moment release. The tower was analyzed using the finite element ANSYS software and was designed to satisfy both the ultimate and the serviceability limit state requirements of the CSA-S37-01 Standard. The guyed tower was analyzed in static to evaluate the tower strength failure using several advanced failure theories. Modal analysis and full dynamic analysis using CSA-37-01 Standard were extensively performed to evaluate the vibration performance and to obtain an accurate dynamic response of the full-scale tower. The paper presents the results obtained from material testing and from a finite element, ANSYS models developed for the static and dynamic analysis of the multi-cells 81 m lightweight-guyed towers.

Highlights The research = involved the analysis and the design of FRP guyed tower composed of individual cells fabricated from fiberglass matting bonded together to form an equilateral triangle. The layout, the dimensions of the tower and the thickness of the cell walls were determined from a finite element analysis. Fifteen coupons were fabricated and tested based on ASTM standards to evaluate the mechanical properties of the GFRP material. Several non-linear finite element models were developed to meet both the manufacturing constraints and strength requirements. Several non-linear finite element models were carried out for the static and dynamic analysis of an 81 m tower.
Mapping the Power Struggles of the National Green Tribunal of India: The Rise and Fall?
Authors: GILL Gitanjali Nain
Published: August 2018

This article documents the life-cycle of the National Green Tribunal of India (NGT). The NGT is officially described as a “specialised body equipped with necessary expertise to handle environmental disputes involving multi-disciplinary issues”—a forum offering greater plurality for environmental justice. Its international and national recognition promotes it as an exemplar for developing nations. The change management theory underpinning the paper is drawn from the work of Kurt Lewin and Edgar Schein, thereby allowing the analysis of competing internal and external forces affecting the NGT. There is a transmigration of theory and its application from one discipline to another social science: business psychology and management to law. The article identifies and addresses the crisis, and analyses the reasons and actions of the principal actors or forces interested in supporting the NGT and, on the other hand, those who are concerned, challenged, and affected by its growth, activities, and popularity.
Gender-Based Risk and Protective Factors for Psychological Distress in the Midterm Recovery Period Following the Great East Japan Earthquake
Authors: Ishiguro Aya , Inoue Machiko , Fisher Jane , Inoue Mariko , Matsumoto Shoko , Yamaoka Kazue
Published: August 2018

Objectives

Women and men might experience psychological distress differently during a disaster. This study investigated gender differences in the factors associated with psychological distress among working-age people 1 to 2 years after the Great East Japan Earthquake.

Methods

A cross-sectional household survey of victims who remained living in their homes was conducted between May and December 2012 in Ishinomaki City, Japan. Psychological distress was defined as a Kessler Psychological Distress Scale ≥5, and gender differences were examined using a logistic regression analysis.

Results

Data were obtained from 2593 individuals, and 1537 participants were included in the analyses. Psychological distress was observed in 28.0% of the participants. Living in a household without a salaried income and a low frequency of leaving the house were associated with psychological distress among women. Young age, lack of occupation and no informational support were associated with psychological distress among men. Income change due to the disaster and health complaints were associated with psychological distress in both genders.

Conclusions

For women, stable household income and frequently leaving the house can be protective factors. For men, intervention focusing on young people, occupational support, and informational support may be useful. Income change after the disaster and health complaints may be risk factors in both genders. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2019;13:487-496)
Mental health capacity building in refugee primary health care settings in Sub-Saharan Africa: impact, challenges and gaps
Authors: Echeverri C. , Le Roy J. , Worku B. , Ventevogel P.
Published: August 2018

Background.

In 2015, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees started a process of mental health capacity building in refugee primary health care settings in seven countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, ultimately aiming to decrease the treatment gap of mental, neurological and substance use (MNS) conditions in these operations. In 2015 and 2016, a specialized non-governmental organization, the War Trauma Foundation, trained 619 staff with the mental health gap action programme (mhGAP) Humanitarian Intervention Guide (HIG), a tool designed to guide clinical decision making in humanitarian settings.

Methods.

This paper describes the results of a process evaluation of a real-life implementation project by an external consultant, one and a half years after starting the programme.

Results.

The mhGAP-HIG capacity building efforts had various effects contributing to the integration of mental health in refugee primary health care. Facility-and community-based staff reported strengthened capacities to deliver mental health and psychosocial support interventions as well as changes in their attitude towards people suffering from MNS conditions. Service delivery and collaboration amongst different intervention levels improved. The scarcity of specialized staff in these settings was a major barrier, hindering the setting-up of supervision mechanisms.

Conclusion.

Mental health training of non-specialized staff in complex humanitarian settings is feasible and can lead to increased competency of providers. However, capacity building is a ‘process’ and not an ‘event’ and mhGAP trainings are only one element in a spectrum of activities aimed at integrating mental health into general health care. Regular supervision and continuing on-the-job training are in fact critical to ensure sustainability.
Study on Flexibility of Intracranial Vascular Stents Based on the Finite Element Method
Authors: Liu L. , Jiang H. , Dong Y. , Quan L. , Tong Y.
Published: August 2018

Flexibility is a particularly important biomechanical property for intracranial vascular stents. To study the flexibility of stent, the following work was carried out by using the finite element method: Four mechanical models were adopted to simulate the bending deformation of stents, and comparative studies were conducted about the distinction between cantilever beam and simply supported beam, as well as the distinction between moment-loading method and displacement-loading method. A complete process as implanting a stent including compressing, expanding and bending was also simulated, for analyzing the effects of compressing and expanding deformation on stent flexibility. At the same time, the effects of the arrangement and the number of bridges on stent flexibility were researched. The results show that: 1. A same flexibility index was obtained from cantilever beam model and simply supported beam model; displacement-loading method is better than moment-loading for simulating the bending deformation of stents. 2. The flexibility of stent with compressing and expanding deformation is lower than that in the initial form. 3. Crossly arranging the neighboring bridges in axial direction, can effectively improve the stent flexibility and reduce the flexibility difference in various bending directions; the bridge number, has proportional non-linear correlation with the stent rigidity as well as the maximum moment required for bending the stent.
Equivalent and Simplification of Nickel-Based Superalloy Plates with Close-Packed Film Cooling Holes
Authors: Zhang Y. M. , Wen Z. X. , Pei H. Q. , Gan W. Y. , Yue Z. F.
Published: August 2018

The mechanical properties of thin-walled plate with close-packed film cooling holes are studied based on the equivalent solid material concept. The equivalent principals of the method of equivalent strain energy, homogenization theory and uniform static deformation are considered. A simplification method of square penetration pattern for pitch and diagonal direction loading is presented. The goodness of fit is calculated to determine the optimal method. The tensile deformation, bending deflection, rotation displacement and maximum Mises equivalent stress of simplification plate models are in good agreement with plate models with close-packed film cooling holes. For square penetration pattern for pitch direction loading, the equivalent errors of Mises equivalent stress are all less than 10% when the ligament efficiency is more than 0.6.
Indigenous entrepreneurial orientation: A Māori perspective
Authors: Mrabure Ruth Hephzibah Omonigho , Ruwhiu Diane , Gray Brendan
Published: August 2018

Despite growing interest in Indigenous entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial orientation, few studies bridge these two domains empirically. We address this gap by developing a model for exploring entrepreneurial orientation in Indigenous communities. We assess the possible dimensions of Indigenous entrepreneurship orientation in a qualitative study of Māori business owners in New Zealand. The findings suggest that Indigenous worldview and entrepreneurial ecosystem influences the entrepreneurial orientation of participants, leading to a continuum of Indigenous entrepreneurial orientation. The results have important implications for Indigenous entrepreneurship policy, practice and theory.
Success factors of Māori entrepreneurs: A regional perspective
Authors: Ruwhiu Diane , Amoamo Maria , Ruckstuhl Katharina , Kapa Janine , Eketone Anaru
Published: August 2018

This paper reports on an exploratory study into critical success factors as they are perceived by Māori small- to medium-sized enterprise (SME) owners in the Otago/Southland regions of New Zealand. We draw on interview responses from 11 Māori business owners and four representatives of SME support services. The aim of this study is to explore Māori SME characteristics in terms of the critical success factors that help or hinder the achievement of their business aspirations. The findings indicate three main thematic concerns: Māori SME owners’ perception of being Māori impacts on how they position themselves as a business; the regional business environment has particular features that impact in a particular way on Māori SMEs; and, notions of business strategy are culturally nuanced. We propose that a culturally constituted regional business support system will better enable Māori SMEs to achieve their aspirations.
Ideological Scaling of Social Media Users: A Dynamic Lexicon Approach
Authors: Temporão Mickael , Vande Kerckhove Corentin , van der Linden Clifton , Dufresne Yannick , Hendrickx Julien M.
Published: August 2018

Words matter in politics. The rhetoric that political elites employ structures civic discourse. The emergence of social media platforms as a medium of politics has enabled ordinary citizens to express their ideological inclinations by adopting the lexicon of political elites. This avails to researchers a rich new source of data in the study of political ideology. However, existing ideological text-scaling methods fail to produce meaningful inferences when applied to the short, informal style of textual content that is characteristic of social media platforms such as Twitter. This paper introduces the first viable approach to the estimation of individual-level ideological positions derived from social media content. This method allows us to position social media users—be they political elites, parties, or citizens—along a shared ideological dimension. We validate the proposed method by demonstrating correlation with existing measures of ideology across various political contexts and multiple languages. We further demonstrate the ability of ideological estimates to capture derivative signal by predicting out-of-sample, individual-level voting intentions. We posit that social media data can, when properly modeled, better capture derivative signal than discrete scales used in more traditional survey instruments.
SPICA—A Large Cryogenic Infrared Space Telescope: Unveiling the Obscured Universe
Authors: Roelfsema P. R. , Shibai H. , Armus L. , Arrazola D. , Audard M. , Audley M. D. , Bradford C.M. , Charles I. , Dieleman P. , Doi Y. , Duband L. , Eggens M. , Evers J. , Funaki I. , Gao J. R. , Giard M. , di Giorgio A. , Fernández L. M. González , Griffin M. , Helmich F. P. , Hijmering R. , Huisman R. , Ishihara D. , Isobe N. , Jackson B. , Jacobs H. , Jellema W. , Kamp I. , Kaneda H. , Kawada M. , Kemper F. , Kerschbaum F. , Khosropanah P. , Kohno K. , Kooijman P. P. , Krause O. , van der Kuur J. , Kwon J. , Laauwen W. M. , de Lange G. , Larsson B. , van Loon D. , Madden S. C. , Matsuhara H. , Najarro F. , Nakagawa T. , Naylor D. , Ogawa H. , Onaka T. , Oyabu S. , Poglitsch A. , Reveret V. , Rodriguez L. , Spinoglio L. , Sakon I. , Sato Y. , Shinozaki K. , Shipman R. , Sugita H. , Suzuki T. , van der Tak F. F. S. , Redondo J. Torres , Wada T. , Wang S. Y. , Wafelbakker C. K. , van Weers H. , Withington S. , Vandenbussche B. , Yamada T. , Yamamura I.
Published: August 2018

Measurements in the infrared wavelength domain allow direct assessment of the physical state and energy balance of cool matter in space, enabling the detailed study of the processes that govern the formation and evolution of stars and planetary systems in galaxies over cosmic time. Previous infrared missions revealed a great deal about the obscured Universe, but were hampered by limited sensitivity.

SPICA takes the next step in infrared observational capability by combining a large 2.5-meter diameter telescope, cooled to below 8 K, with instruments employing ultra-sensitive detectors. A combination of passive cooling and mechanical coolers will be used to cool both the telescope and the instruments. With mechanical coolers the mission lifetime is not limited by the supply of cryogen. With the combination of low telescope background and instruments with state-of-the-art detectors SPICA provides a huge advance on the capabilities of previous missions.

SPICA instruments offer spectral resolving power ranging from R ~50 through 11 000 in the 17–230 μm domain and R ~28.000 spectroscopy between 12 and 18 μm. SPICA will provide efficient 30–37 μm broad band mapping, and small field spectroscopic and polarimetric imaging at 100, 200 and 350 μm. SPICA will provide infrared spectroscopy with an unprecedented sensitivity of ~5 × 10−20 W m−2 (5σ/1 h)—over two orders of magnitude improvement over what earlier missions. This exceptional performance leap, will open entirely new domains in infrared astronomy; galaxy evolution and metal production over cosmic time, dust formation and evolution from very early epochs onwards, the formation history of planetary systems.
ON MINIMAL SETS OF -MATRICES WHOSE PAIRWISE PRODUCTS FORM A BASIS FOR
Authors: LONGSTAFF W. E.
Published: August 2018

Three families of examples are given of sets of $(0,1)$-matrices whose pairwise products form a basis for the
underlying full matrix algebra. In the first two families, the elements have
rank at most two and some of the products can have multiple entries. In the
third example, the matrices have equal rank $\!\sqrt{n}$ and all of the pairwise products are single-entried $(0,1)$-matrices.
PROJECTIVE CHARACTERS WITH PRIME POWER DEGREES
Authors: LIU YANG
Published: August 2018

We consider the relationship between structural information of a finite group $G$ and $\text{cd}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}}(G)$, the set of all irreducible projective character degrees of $G$ with factor set $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}$. We show that for nontrivial $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}$, if all numbers in $\text{cd}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}}(G)$ are prime powers, then $G$ is solvable. Our result is proved by classical character theory using the bijection between irreducible projective representations and irreducible constituents of induced representations in its representation group.
LEFT SYMMETRIC POINTS FOR BIRKHOFF ORTHOGONALITY IN THE PREDUALS
OF VON NEUMANN ALGEBRAS
Authors: KOMURO NAOTO , SAITO KICHI-SUKE , TANAKA RYOTARO
Published: August 2018

In this paper, we give a complete description of left symmetric points for
Birkhoff orthogonality in the preduals of von Neumann algebras. As a
consequence, except for $\mathbb{C}$, $\ell _{\infty }^{2}$ and $M_{2}(\mathbb{C})$, there are no von Neumann algebras whose preduals have
nonzero left symmetric points for Birkhoff orthogonality.
THE RECIPROCITY LAW FOR THE TWISTED SECOND MOMENT OF DIRICHLET -FUNCTIONS OVER RATIONAL FUNCTION FIELDS
Authors: DJANKOVIĆ GORAN
Published: August 2018

We prove the reciprocity law for the twisted second moments of Dirichlet $L$-functions over rational function fields, corresponding to
two irreducible polynomials. This formula is the analogue of the formulas
for Dirichlet $L$-functions over $\mathbb{Q}$ obtained by Conrey [‘The mean-square of Dirichlet $L$-functions’, arXiv:0708.2699 [math.NT] (2007)] and Young [‘The reciprocity law
for the twisted second moment of Dirichlet $L$-functions’, Forum Math.
23(6) (2011), 1323–1337].