bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Autonomic dysfunction in genetic forms of synucleinopathies
Authors: Chelban Viorica , Vichayanrat Ekawat , Schottlaende Lucia , Iodice Valeria , Houlden Henry
Published: March 2018

The discovery of genetic links between alpha‐synuclein and PD has opened unprecedented opportunities for research into a new group of diseases, now collectively known as synucleinopathies. Autonomic dysfunction, including cardiac sympathetic denervation, has been reported in familial forms of synucleinopathies that have Lewy bodies at the core of their pathogenesis. SNCA mutations and multiplications, LRRK2 disease with Lewy bodies as well as other common, sporadic forms of idiopathic PD, MSA, pure autonomic failure, and dementia with Lewy bodies have all been associated with dysautonomia. By contrast, in familial cases of parkinsonism without Lewy bodies, such as in PARK2, the autonomic profile remains normal throughout the course of the disease. The degeneration of the central and peripheral autonomic systems in genetic as well as sporadic forms of neurodegenerative synucleinopathies correlates with the accumulation of alpha‐synuclein immunoreactive‐containing inclusions. Given that dysautonomia has a significant impact on the quality of life of sufferers and autonomic symptoms are generally treatable, a prompt diagnostic testing and treatment should be provided. Moreover, new evidence suggests that autonomic dysfunction can be used as an outcome prediction factor in some forms of synucleinopathies or premotor diagnostic markers that could be used in the future to define further research avenues. In this review, we describe the autonomic dysfunction of genetic synucleinopathies in comparison to the dysautonomia of sporadic forms of alpha‐synuclein accumulation and provide the reader with an up‐to‐date overview of the current understanding in this fast‐growing field. © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Pedunculopontine Nucleus Cholinergic Deficiency in Cervical Dystonia
Authors: Mente Karin , Edwards Nancy A. , Urbano Demelio , Ray‐Chaudhury Abhik , Iacono Diego , Alho Ana Tereza Di Lorenzo , Alho Eduardo Joaquim Lopes , Amaro Edson , Horovitz Silvina G. , Hallett Mark
Published: March 2018

Background

The etiology of cervical dystonia is unknown. Cholinergic abnormalities have been identified in dystonia animal models and human imaging studies. Some animal models have cholinergic neuronal loss in the striatum and increased acetylcholinesterase activity in the pedunculopontine nucleus.

Objectives

The objective of this study was to determine the presence of cholinergic abnormalities in the putamen and pedunculopontine nucleus in cervical dystonia human brain donors.

Methods

Formalin‐fixed brain tissues were obtained from 8 cervical dystonia and 7 age‐matched control brains (controls). Pedunculopontine nucleus was available in only 6 cervical dystonia and 5 controls. Neurodegeneration was evaluated pathologically in the putamen, pedunculopontine nucleus, and other regions. Cholinergic neurons were detected using choline acetyltransferase immunohistochemistry in the putamen and pedunculopontine nucleus. Putaminal cholinergic neurons were quantified. A total of 6 cervical dystonia patients and 6 age‐matched healthy controls underwent diffusion tensor imaging to determine if there were white matter microstructural abnormalities around the pedunculopontine nucleus.

Results

Decreased or absent choline acetyltransferase staining was identified in all 6 pedunculopontine nucleus samples in cervical dystonia. In contrast, strong choline acetyltransferase staining was present in 4 of 5 pedunculopontine nucleus controls. There were no differences in pedunculopontine nucleus diffusion tensor imaging between cervical dystonia and healthy controls. There was no difference in numbers of putaminal cholinergic neurons between cervical dystonia and controls.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that pedunculopontine nucleus choline acetyltransferase deficiency represents a functional cholinergic deficit in cervical dystonia. Structural lesions and confounding neurodegenerative processes were excluded by absence of neuronal loss, gliosis, diffusion tensor imaging abnormalities, and beta‐amyloid, tau, and alpha‐synuclein pathologies. © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Predicting a successful outcome in sacral neuromodulation testing: Are urodynamic parameters prognostic?
Authors: Nobrega Richard P. , Solomon Eskinder , Jenks Julie , Greenwell Tamsin , Ockrim Jeremy
Published: March 2018

Aims

To assess whether the urodynamic parameters of mean voided volume, peak detrusor overactivity (DO) pressure, bladder compliance, capacity, and volume at first detrusor overactivity during filling cystometry can predict a successful outcome at first stage tined lead placement (FSTLP).

Methods

Ninty‐nine consecutive patients with urodynamically proven idiopathic detrusor overactivity (IDO) refractory to medical treatment and opting for Sacral Nerve Stimulation (SNS), were assessed pre and post FSTLP. Data from 3‐day frequency‐volume charts, and patient reported (subjective) outcomes were used to assess success or failure after FSTLP. Success was defined as improvement in symptoms >50%. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to ascertain whether key parameters at filling cystometrogram were predictors for success prior to FSTLP.

Results

Binary logistic regression analysis did not demonstrate any significant relationship between the five parameters at urodynamics and outcome at FSTLP (B < 0.01, P > 0.16) for all parameters.

Conclusions

The results from this prospective analysis on patients with IDO refractive to medical therapy referred for SNS would suggest that aside from proving DO at urodynamics as a pre‐requisite for intervention as per NICE and EAU guidelines, no parameter is predictive for a successful outcome at FSTLP.
Developments of the method of difference potentials for linear elastic fracture mechanics problems
Authors: Woodward W. H. , Utyuzhnikov S. , Massin P.
Published: March 2018

Recently, the method of difference potentials has been extended to linear elastic fracture mechanics. The solution was calculated on a grid boundary belonging to the domain of an auxiliary problem, which must be solved multiple times. Singular enrichment functions, such as those used within the extended finite element method, were introduced to improve the approximation near the crack tip leading to near‐optimal convergence rates. Now, the method is further developed by significantly reducing the computation time. This is achieved via the implementation of a system of basis functions introduced along the physical boundary of the problem. The basis functions form an approximation of the trace of the solution at the physical boundary. This method has been proven efficient for the solution of problems on regular (Lipschitz) domains. By introducing the singularity into the finite element space, the approximation of the crack can be realised by regular functions. Near‐optimal convergence rates are then achieved for the enriched formulation. A solution algorithm using the fast Fourier transform is provided with the aim of further increasing the efficiency of the method.
Human capital inflow in nonprofits: Entry‐level employees’ sector shift
Authors: Suh Jiwon
Published: March 2018

Although recruitment and retention of qualified employees are some of the biggest challenges in the nonprofit sector, nonprofit organizations must maintain human capital inflow due to its significant impacts on organizational success. Through person‐organization value fit, this paper explores the factors that influence labor shifts from the public or for‐profit sector into the nonprofit sector in the South Korean context. Specifically, the effects on the likelihood of employees switching to the nonprofit sector from the perspective of eight job satisfaction measures and three education–job match measures are investigated. Two groups of employees (those whose career started in the for‐profit sector and those starting in the public sector) are compared. Results indicate that there is substantial variation between the two groups. In particular, intrinsic job satisfaction has completely different effects on those working in the for‐profit sector than on those working in the public sector regarding their likelihood of having experienced an intersectoral shift into nonprofits. The more public employees are satisfied with intrinsic job rewards, especially job reputation, the more likely they are to move to nonprofits. These results suggest that when employees in the public sector are satisfied with intrinsic rewards they tend to pursue greater intrinsic satisfaction in the nonprofit sector. This paper also reports that education–job match is only significant for those whose first job was in the for‐profit sector.
A posteriori error estimates for discontinuous Galerkin method to the elasticity problem
Authors: Luong Thi Hong Cam , Daveau Christian
Published: March 2018

This work concerns with the discontinuous Galerkin (DG) method for the time‐dependent linear elasticity problem. We derive the a posteriori error bounds for semidiscrete and fully discrete problems, by making use of the stationary elasticity reconstruction technique which allows to estimate the error for time‐dependent problem through the error estimation of the associated stationary elasticity problem. For fully discrete scheme, we make use of the backward‐Euler scheme and an appropriate space‐time reconstruction. The technique here can be applicable for a variety of DG methods as well.
Proteomic Analysis Reveals a Strong Association of β‐Catenin With Cadherin Adherens Junctions in Resting Human Platelets
Authors: Maguire Patricia B , Donlon Tim , Parsons Martin , Wynne Kieran , Dillon Eugene , Ní Áinle Fionnuala , Szklanna Paulina B
Published: March 2018

It was previously demonstrated that the WNT/β‐catenin pathway is present and active in platelets and established that the canonical WNT ligand, WNT‐3a, suppresses platelet adhesion and activation. In nucleated cells, β‐catenin, the key downstream effector of this pathway, is a dual function protein, regulating the coordination of gene transcription and cell–cell adhesion. The specific role of β‐catenin in the anucleate platelet however remains elusive. Here, a label‐free quantitative proteomic analysis of β‐catenin immunoprecipitates from human platelets is performed and nine co‐immunoprecipitating proteins are identified. Three of the co‐immunoprecipitating proteins (α‐catenin‐1, cadherin‐6, and β‐catenin‐interacting protein 1) are common to both resting and activated conditions. Bioinformatics analysis of proteomics data reveal a strong association of the dataset with both cadherin adherens junctions and regulators of WNT signaling. It is then verified that platelet β‐catenin and cadherin‐6 interact and that this interaction is regulated by the activation state of the platelet. Taken together, this proteomics study suggests a novel role for β‐catenin in human platelets where it interacts with platelet cadherins and associated junctional proteins.
Beyond using composite measures to analyze the effect of unmet supportive care needs on caregivers' anxiety and depression
Authors: Lambert Sylvie D. , Hulbert‐Williams Nicholas , Belzile Eric , Ciampi Antonio , Girgis Afaf
Published: March 2018

Objective

Caregiver research has relied on composite measures (eg, count) of unmet supportive care needs to determine relationships with anxiety and depression. Such composite measures assume that all unmet needs have a similar impact on outcomes. The purpose of this study is to identify individual unmet needs most associated with caregivers' anxiety and depression.

Methods

Two hundred nineteen caregivers completed the 44‐item Supportive Care Needs Survey and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (minimal clinically important difference = 1.5) at 6 to 8 months and 1, 2, 3.5, and 5 years following the patients' cancer diagnosis. The list of needs was reduced using partial least square regression, and those with a variance importance in projection >1 were analyzed using Bayesian model averaging.

Results

Across time, 8 items remained in the top 10 based on prevalence and were labelled “core.” Three additional ones were labelled “frequent,” as they remained in the top 10 from 1 year onwards. Bayesian model averaging identified a maximum of 3 significant unmet needs per time point—all leading to a difference greater than the minimal clinically important difference. For depression, none of the core unmet needs were significant, rather significance was noted for frequent needs and needs that were not prevalent. For anxiety, 3/8 core and 3/3 frequent unmet needs were significant.

Conclusions

Those unmet needs that are most prevalent are not necessarily the most significant ones, and findings provide an evidence‐based framework to guide the development of caregiver interventions. A broader contribution is proposing a different approach to identify significant unmet needs.
Psychometric testing of the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory‐caregiver Chinese version in cancer family caregivers in Taiwan
Authors: Lin Ching‐Rong , Chen Shu‐Ching , Simard Sébastien , Chang Joseph Tung‐Chien , Lai Yeur‐Hur
Published: March 2018

Objective

The purposes of this study were to develop a Chinese version of the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory‐caregiver (FCRI‐c Chinese) and assess the psychometrics of this test in the family caregivers (FCs) of Taiwanese patients with head and neck cancer.

Methods

An instrument testing study was conducted at a major medical center in Taiwan. Head and neck cancer patients and their major FCs were recruited as dyads from the radiation outpatient department. The FCRI‐c Chinese was tested for internal consistency reliability, test‐retest reliability, and construct validity (including theoretically supported correlation, discriminant validity, and factor structure).

Results

We recruited 300 patient‐caregiver dyads. The test had good internal consistency (Cronbach α = .94) and a 2‐week test‐retest reliability of .88. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated an acceptable fit of the model to the data. The construct validity was also satisfactory, as indicated by the significant positive correlations of the test with depression and anxiety in FCs, and the significant negative correlation of the test with patients' quality of life. A significantly higher test score was present in FCs caring for patients with metastasis and patients who completed treatment a long time ago.

Conclusions

The FCRI‐c Chinese is a valid instrument for examination of the fear of cancer recurrence in the FCs of patients with head and neck cancer. Clinicians can use this multidimensional instrument to assess important clinical care issues and improve the quality of care provided by FCs.
Reduced vitamin D receptor (VDR) expression and plasma vitamin D levels are associated with aging‐related prostate lesions
Authors: Campolina‐Silva Gabriel H. , Maria Bruna T. , Mahecha Germán A.B. , Oliveira Cleida A.
Published: March 2018

Background

Protective roles have been proposed for vitamin D in prostate cancer, which has the advanced age as the major risk factor. However, little is known about the expression of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) in the aging prostate and its association with the development of epithelial lesions that affect tissue homeostasis and may precede prostate tumors.

Methods

VDR expression in the prostatic complex of young adults to senile Wistar rats, a natural model to study age‐related prostatic disorders, was evaluated by immunohistochemical, Western blotting, and image‐assisted analyzes. Results were correlated with the plasma levels of vitamin D and testosterone, the occurrence of punctual histopathological changes in the aging prostate, and the expression of retinoid X receptors (RXR).

Results

VDR was widely distributed in the prostatic complex at all ages analyzed, with the highest immunoexpression found in basal epithelial cells. As the animals aged, VDR levels increased, except in punctual areas with intraepithelial proliferation, metaplasia, or proliferative inflammatory atrophy, which had reduced expression of this receptor concomitantly with increased cell proliferation. Interestingly, RXR expression in the aging prostate was similar to that found for its partner VDR, indicating that components of the VDR/RXR complex required for vitamin D signaling are affected in aging‐related prostatic lesions. Moreover, plasma vitamin D levels declined at the same ages when prostatic alterations appeared. Although circulating levels of testosterone also decreased with aging, the changes observed in the components of the vitamin D system were not correlated with androgens.

Conclusions

Our data indicate that the aging prostate suffers from an imbalance on the intricate mechanism of tissue regulation by the vitamin D responsive system. We argue that the status of VDR expression might be determinant for the development of histopathological alterations in the aging prostate, which include premalignant lesions.
Temperature Dependence of Low‐Energy Electron Beam Irradiation Effect on Optical Properties of MQW InGaN/GaN Structures
Authors: Yakimov Eugene B. , Polyakov Alexander Y. , Vergeles Pavel S.
Published: March 2018

The low‐energy electron beam irradiation (LEEBI) effect at 80 K on the optical properties of InGaN/GaN multiple quantum well structures has been studied. It is shown that the new emission band formed under LEEBI is related to quantum wells. At 80 K the total intensity of new and initial emission bands does not change under LEEBI. The intensity of the 3.3 eV line is shown to increase due to LEEBI. The results obtained are explained assuming a modification of properties of small local regions, which strongly localize the excess carriers.
Casticin alleviates lipopolysaccharide‐induced inflammatory responses and expression of mucus and extracellular matrix in human airway epithelial cells through Nrf2/Keap1 and NF‐κB pathways
Authors: Wang Jiusheng
Published: March 2018

Asthma is one of the most common chronic inflammatory diseases of childhood, characterized by airway inflammation, mucus hypersecretion, and accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins. Casticin is an active compound that possesses broad biological activities including anti‐inflammatory effect. However, the effect of casticin on asthma remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect and mechanism of casticin on inflammatory responses and expression of mucus and extracellular matrix in human airway epithelial cells. The results showed that lipopolysaccharide induced the mRNA and protein levels of IL‐6, IL‐8, MUC5AC, collagen type I, and fibronectin in 16‐HBE cells, whereas casticin treatment significantly inhibited the induction of lipopolysaccharide. Casticin induced Nrf2/Keap1 and inhibited nuclear factor κB pathways in 16‐HBE cells. Knockdown of Nrf2 attenuated the effect of casticin on production of IL‐6 and IL‐8, expression of MUC5AC, collagen type I, and fibronectin in 16‐HBE cells. In conclusion, the results indicated that casticin might be a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of asthma.
Early experience with totally robotic esophagectomy for malignancy. Surgical and oncological outcomes
Authors: Guerra Francesco , Vegni Alessandra , Gia Elena , Amore Bonapasta Stefano , Di Marino Michele , Annecchiarico Mario , Coratti Andrea
Published: March 2018

Background

Over recent decades, minimally invasive esophagectomy has gained popularity and is increasingly performed worldwide. The aim of this work was to investigate the perioperative, clinicopathologic, and oncological outcomes of robot‐assisted esophagectomy on a consecutive series of totally robotic procedures.

Methods

All patients received either an Ivor Lewis or a McKeown procedure according to tumor location. Perioperative, clinicopathologic and oncological outcomes were examined.

Results

A total of 38 patients underwent robot‐assisted esophagectomy procedures. All underwent surgery for primary esophageal neoplasms. Neoadjuvant therapy was given to 22 patients. R0 resections were achieved in all patients and no conversion to open surgery occurred. Overall morbidity and mortality were 42% and 10%, respectively. The 1 year disease free survival was 78.9%, whereas the 1 year overall survival was 84.2%.

Conclusions

Robotic surgery can be employed to treat esophageal malignancy competently. Robotic esophagectomy satisfies all features of pathologic appropriateness and offers the expected oncological results.
Some methods for heterogeneous treatment effect estimation in high dimensions
Authors: Powers Scott , Qian Junyang , Jung Kenneth , Schuler Alejandro , Shah Nigam H. , Hastie Trevor , Tibshirani Robert
Published: March 2018

When devising a course of treatment for a patient, doctors often have little quantitative evidence on which to base their decisions, beyond their medical education and published clinical trials. Stanford Health Care alone has millions of electronic medical records that are only just recently being leveraged to inform better treatment recommendations. These data present a unique challenge because they are high dimensional and observational. Our goal is to make personalized treatment recommendations based on the outcomes for past patients similar to a new patient. We propose and analyze 3 methods for estimating heterogeneous treatment effects using observational data. Our methods perform well in simulations using a wide variety of treatment effect functions, and we present results of applying the 2 most promising methods to data from The SPRINT Data Analysis Challenge, from a large randomized trial of a treatment for high blood pressure.
Facile Electrodeposition of Hierarchical Co‐Gd2O3 Nanocomposites for Highly Selective and Sensitive Electrochemical Sensing of L–Cysteine
Authors: Premlatha Subramanian , Selvarani Karunagaran , Ramesh Bapu Giri Nagasamy Kuppusamy
Published: March 2018

Metal/metaloxide based composite materials have wide spread applications in electrochemical sensors and fuel cell applications. Hence, the present work is directed towards the fabrication of cost effective and highly sensitive electrode material for cysteine sensing. In this work, Co‐Gd2O3 nanocomposite is prepared by a simple electrodeposition route and used as electrochemical sensor material. The prepared nanocomposite materials are characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X‐ray Diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), Energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), and X‐ray Photo electron spectroscopy (XPS). SEM images exhibited as hierarchical nanoflakes with open porous structure. EDX analysis showed the presence of cobalt and gadolinium. The reflections at 2θ=330 and 35.70 corresponds to the cubic structured Gd2O3 nanoparticles validated the formation of nanocomposite. Electrooxidation of L‐cysteine on Co and Co‐Gd2O3 was carried out using cyclic voltammetry technique. Upon addition of certain concentration of cysteine, the anodic peak current get increased with the simultaneous decline in the cathodic peak currents displayed the excellent electrocatalytic activity of Co‐Gd2O3 nanocomposite. The chronoamperometric experiments were performed to derive the analytical parameters like sensitivity, limit of detection and linear range. The reproducibility, stability and real sample analysis was studied using chronoamperometry.
Competition–cooperation interplay during multifirm technology coordination: The effect of firm heterogeneity on conflict and consensus in a technology standards organization
Authors: Ranganathan Ram , Ghosh Anindya , Rosenkopf Lori
Published: March 2018

Research Summary: We examine how competitive tensions and cooperative motivations together shape firms’ interactions and group‐level outcomes during technology coordination activities in multifirm settings. Analyzing the communication and voting behavior of 115 firms across three subcommittees of a computing industry technology standards‐setting organization over 14 years, we find that existing product‐market positions influence how firms with highly overlapped technological resources differ in their interactions: when their product‐markets are more competitive, they exhibit greater support for the emerging standard, as evidenced by positivity and certainty of interaction tone; but when they possess a broader array of complementary products, support is tempered. At the subcommittee level, after accounting for aggregate competitive tensions in prior interactions, heterogeneity in both firms’ relational influence as well as their prior multiparty experience improve consensus.

Managerial Summary: In innovation ecosystems, competing firms are often obligated to collaborate with each other in large multifirm forums to develop the technical standards that enable interoperability between their products. We show how the networks of technical and commercial relationships between firms shape such standards activities in two steps. First, firms who share many common technology interests with others communicate their support for new standards more vigorously when they participate in more competitive product‐markets, but less vigorously when they possess more complementary products. Second, communities find broader support for standards when there is greater imbalance across both firms’ prior collaborative experiences as well as their pattern of relationships. We demonstrate these results in a study of 115 firms participating in computer peripherals standards development over 14 years.
A practical guide for making theory contributions in strategic management
Authors: Makadok Richard , Burton Richard , Barney Jay
Published: March 2018

Rather than introducing radical new “grand theory” paradigms, most theory contributions in strategic management extend, clarify, or apply received theories in new and interesting ways. Here we offer a guide on how to make these kinds of contributions to theory. Theory usually begins with a research question, which can come from the phenomenon of interest, variations/limitations of existing theory, or intellectual creativity. Along with the question, there are a number of more craftsmanship‐level aspects of a theory where contributions can be made: the mode of theorizing, the level of analysis, an understanding of the underlying phenomenon, causal mechanisms, constructs and variables, and boundary conditions. These aspects of the theory lead to a set of outcomes in the form of explanations, predictions, or prescriptions. The articles in this special issue are interpreted through our framework as illustrations of this approach to making theory contributions.
Leveraging who you know by what you know: Specialization and returns to relational capital
Authors: Byun Heejung , Frake Justin , Agarwal Rajshree
Published: March 2018

Research Summary:This paper investigates the interaction effects of specialization and relational capital on performance. We distinguish between upstream and downstream relational capital and theorize that higher levels of specialization will buffer against decreases in upstream relational capital, because of deeper domain expertise and stronger downstream relational capital. Conversely, higher levels of generalization permit greater gains from increases in upstream relational capital, due to leverage across a more diversified downstream portfolio of activities. We test and find support for these hypotheses in the context of the US lobbying industry. Our study contributes to the strategic human capital literature by isolating the dimension of specialization and relational capital embodied within individuals and providing performance implications of the interactions.

Managerial Summary:Both “what you know” and “whom you know” impacts performance. Generalists and specialists are different on the “what you know” dimension. On the “who you know” dimension, we distinguish between upstream (supplier) and downstream (client) relationships. We show that specialists are buffered by deeper downstream relations from performance declines when their powerful upstream connections lose power. Generalists benefit from broader networks when their upstream connections gain power. Thus, when the value of their relationships change, specialists and generalists should each assess when they can reap performance benefits, and when they need to bolster against adversities. For firms, our study suggests hiring the right mix of specialists and generalists is important to reduce risks from relational losses while enjoying the performance benefits from relational gains.
Model‐based design of IoT systems with the BIP component framework
Authors: Lekidis Alexios , Stachtiari Emmanouela , Katsaros Panagiotis , Bozga Marius , Georgiadis Christos K.
Published: March 2018

The design of software for networked systems with nodes running an Internet of things operating system faces important challenges due to the heterogeneity of interacting things and the constraints stemming from the often limited amount of available resources. In this context, it is hard to build confidence that a design solution fulfills the application's requirements. This paper introduces a design flow for web service applications of the representational state transfer style that is based on a formal modeling language, the behaviour, interaction, priority (BIP) component framework. The proposed flow applies the principles of separation of concerns in a component‐based design process that supports the modular design and reuse of model artifacts. The BIP tools for state‐space exploration allow verifying qualitative properties for service responsiveness, ie, the timely handling of events. Moreover, essential quantitative properties are validated through statistical model checking of a stochastic BIP model. All properties are preserved in actual implementation by ensuring that the deployed code is consistent with the validated model. We illustrate the design of a representational state transfer sense‐compute‐control application for a Wireless Personal Area Network architecture with nodes running the Contiki operating system. The results validate qualitative and quantitative properties for the system and include the study of error behaviours.
UV complete me: positivity bounds for particles with spin
Authors: de Rham Claudia , Melville Scott , Tolley Andrew J. , Zhou Shuang-Yong
Published: March 2018

Abstract

For a low energy effective theory to admit a standard local, unitary, analytic and Lorentz-invariant UV completion, its scattering amplitudes must satisfy certain inequalities. While these bounds are known in the forward limit for real polarizations, any extension beyond this for particles with nonzero spin is subtle due to their non-trivial crossing relations. Using the transversity formalism (i.e. spin projections orthogonal to the scattering plane), in which the crossing relations become diagonal, these inequalities can be derived for 2-to-2 scattering between any pair of massive particles, for a complete set of polarizations at and away from the forward scattering limit. This provides a set of powerful criteria which can be used to restrict the parameter space of any effective field theory, often considerably more so than its forward limit subset alone.
Some exact solutions for maximally symmetric topological defects in Anti de Sitter space
Authors: Alvarez Orlando , Haddad Matthew
Published: March 2018

Abstract

We obtain exact analytical solutions for a class of SO(l) Higgs field theories in a non-dynamic backgroundn-dimensional anti de Sitter space. These finite transverse energy solutions are maximally symmetricp-dimensional topological defects wheren= (p+ 1) +l. The radius of curvature of anti de Sitter space provides an extra length scale that allows us to study the equations of motion in a limit where the masses of the Higgs field and the massive vector bosons are both vanishing. We call this the double BPS limit. In anti de Sitter space, the equations of motion depend on bothpandl. The exact analytical solutions are expressed in terms of standard special functions. The known exact analytical solutions are for kink-like defects (p= 0,1,2, . . .;l= 1), vortex-like defects (p= 1,2,3;l= 2), and the ’t Hooft-Polyakov monopole (p= 0;l= 3). A bonus is that the double BPS limit automatically gives a maximally symmetric classical glueball type solution. In certain cases where we did not find an analytic solution, we present numerical solutions to the equations of motion. The asymptotically exponentially increasing volume with distance of anti de Sitter space imposes different constraints than those found in the study of defects in Minkowski space.
Single-scale renormalisation group improvement of multi-scale effective potentials
Authors: Chataignier Leonardo , Prokopec Tomislav , Schmidt Michael G. , Świeżewska Bogumiła
Published: March 2018

Abstract

We present a new method for renormalisation group improvement of the effective potential of a quantum field theory with an arbitrary number of scalar fields. The method amounts to solving the renormalisation group equation for the effective potential with the boundary conditions chosen on the hypersurface where quantum corrections vanish. This hypersurface is defined through a suitable choice of a field-dependent value for the renormalisation scale. The method can be applied to any order in perturbation theory and it is a generalisation of the standard procedure valid for the one-field case. In our method, however, the choice of the renormalisation scale does not eliminate individual logarithmic terms but rather the entire loop corrections to the effective potential. It allows us to evaluate the improved effective potential for arbitrary values of the scalar fields using the tree-level potential with running coupling constants as long as they remain perturbative. This opens the possibility of studying various applications which require an analysis of multi-field effective potentials across different energy scales. In particular, the issue of stability of the scalar potential can be easily studied beyond tree level.
Partitioning of Calcium Between Liquid Silver and Liquid Iron
Authors: Berg Martin , Lee Jaewoo , Sichen Du
Published: March 2018

The partitioning of calcium between liquid silver and liquid iron at 1823 K and 1873 K (1550 °C and 1600 °C) was studied experimentally using a closed molybdenum container. The calcium potential in the container was controlled by the composition of the alloys in equilibrium. The results agreed well with previous experimental measurements and indicated that the effect of temperature was not very pronounced in the temperature range studied.
Is 60 the New 50? Examining Changes in Biological Age Over the Past Two Decades
Authors: Levine Morgan E. , Crimmins Eileen M.
Published: March 2018

Increasing life expectancy has been interpreted as improving health of a population. However, mortality is not always a reliable proxy for the pace of aging and could instead reflect achievement in keeping ailing people alive. Using data from NHANES III (1988–1994) and NHANES IV (2007–2010), we examined how biological age, relative to chronological age, changed in the United States between 1988 and 2010, while estimating the contribution of changes in modifiable health behaviors. Results suggest that biological age is lower for more recent periods; however, the degree of improvement varied across age and sex groups. Overall, older adults experienced the greatest improvement or decreases in biological age. Males, especially those in the youngest and oldest groups, experienced greater declines in biological age than females. These differences were partially explained by age- and sex-specific changes in behaviors, such as smoking, obesity, and medication use. Slowing the pace of aging, along with increasing life expectancy, has important social and economic implications; thus, identifying modifiable risk factors that contribute to cohort differences in health and aging is essential.
IGF‐1 defends against chronic‐stress induced depression in rat models of chronic unpredictable mild stress through the PI3K/Akt/FoxO3a pathway
Authors: Kuang Wei‐Hong , Dong Zai‐Quan , Tian Lian‐Tian , Li Jin
Published: March 2018

This study aims to investigate the role of IGF‐1 in chronic‐stress induced depression through the PI3K/Akt/FoxO3a pathway. A rat model of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) was established. In total, 48 rats were randomized into control (normal rats), CUMS (CUMS modeled rats) and CUMS + IGF‐1 (injection of IGF‐1 before CUMS modeling) groups. Body weight, horizontal (number of horizontal crossing) and vertical activity (rearing times), and sucrose consumption were identified one day before and after the open‐field test. The mRNA and protein expression of PI3K, Akt, FoxO3a and Bim in the hippocampus was measured by RT‐qPCR and Western blotting, respectively. Compared with the control group, a lower body weight, a decreased number of horizontal crossings, reduced rearing times and lower sucrose consumption were observed in the CUMS and CUMS + IGF‐1 groups after the test. However, a higher body weight, number of horizontal crossings, rearing times and sucrose consumption were found in the CUMS + IGF‐1 group than those in the CUMS group. Compared with the control group, mRNA and protein expression of PI3K, Akt and FoxO3a was decreased, and Bim mRNA and protein expression was increased in the CUMS + IGF‐1 and CUMS groups. Meanwhile, in comparison to the CUMS group, mRNA and protein expression of PI3K, Akt and FoxO3a was elevated, and Bim mRNA and protein expression was reduced in the CUMS + IGF‐1 group. The results suggested that IGF‐1 exerted an antidepressant‐like effect on chronic‐stress induced depression through the PI3K/Akt/FoxO3a pathway.
Cochlear implant histopathology
Authors: Linthicum Fred H. , Doherty Joni K. , Lopez Ivan A. , Ishiyama Akira
Published: March 2018

The microscopic examination of fifty‐five serially sectioned implanted temporal bones has provided insight into what is being stimulated; and the changes that are the result of the insertion and presence of the implant. The ganglion cell bodies (neurons) are structures being stimulated (two laboratories have reported an inverse relationship of the number of neurons and performance). Insertion through the round window, verses a cochleostomy, produces the least fibrosis and new bone. Fibrosis and new bone do not affect the implant function unless they form in the scala vestibuli in the region of the ductus reuniens, and, block it; and produce cochlear hydrops resulting in a delayed low tone loss of hearing in hybrid implants. Animal models cannot be applied to humans because of the difference in size and myelination of the neurons.
Coal-to-chemicals plant in China uses AquaEZ wastewater recycling and ZLD system
Authors: Atkinson Simon
Published: March 2018

In order to reduce its carbon and water footprint, and to ensure statutory compliance, China's Shenhua Coal Oil Chemical Co Ltd has constructed a system to recycle water from wastewater generated by its coal-to-chemicals (CTX) plant. To eliminate wastewater discharge, the petrochemicals company selected US Aquatech International to design, engineer and supply the wastewater recycling and zero liquid discharge (ZLD) system, and to supervise installation and commissioning.
Exploring the Hidden Costs of Human–Wildlife Conflict in Northern Kenya
Authors: Bond Jennifer , Mkutu Kennedy
Published: March 2018

Human–wildlife conflict (HWC) is often considered in terms of how the impact on humans can be mitigated, but in the context of the larger goal of meeting conservation goals. This article explores the hidden costs of HWC on human well-being in northern Kenya through a qualitative case study of Laikipia County. Drawing on narratives of wildlife as destructive, wildlife as inherently more important or valuable than humans, and wildlife preservation as a pathway for capturing resources, it explores the impacts of HWC on human well-being, situating the study within the HWC, political ecology, and human security literature.
THE IMPACT OF EDUCATION ON WOMEN'S PREFERENCES FOR GENDER EQUALITY: EVIDENCE FROM SIERRA LEONE
Authors: Cannonier Colin , Mocan Naci
Published: March 2018

We use data from Sierra Leone where a substantial education program provided increased access to education for primary-school age children but did not benefit children who were older. We exploit the variation in access to the program generated by date of birth and the variation in resources between various districts of the country. We find that an increase in schooling, triggered by the program, has an impact on women's attitudes toward matters that impact women's health and on attitudes regarding violence against women. An increase in education reduces the number of desired children by women and increases their propensity to use modern contraception and to be tested for AIDS. While education makes women more intolerant of practices that conflict with their well-being, increased education has no impact on men's attitudes toward women's well-being. Thus, it is unclear whether the change in attitudes would translate into behavioral changes. Consistent with this finding, education (on this margin) has no impact on women's propensity to get married, their age at first marriage or age at first birth.
Police Shootings and Race in the United States: Why the Perpetrator Predation Perspective Is Essential to I-O Psychology's Role in Ending This Crisis
Authors: Bergman Mindy E.
Published: March 2018

As I write this essay in mid-September 2017, the news is reporting yet another tragic police shooting that led to the death of a US resident. This time, it was a deaf, nonverbal, Hispanic man in Oklahoma City, Magdiel Sanchez, who happened to be carrying a pipe that he used to fend off stray dogs when he went for walks at night (NewsOK, 2017). To the members of Mr. Sanchez's family and community, his name is the most important part of the previous sentence, but the most terrifying part for the rest of us is the first two words: this time.
Open Science Is Robust Science
Authors: McAbee Samuel T. , Grubbs Joshua B. , Zickar Michael J.
Published: March 2018

Grand et al. (2018) provide a critical treatment of the need for industrial and organizational (I-O) psychologists to take active steps to ensure that ours is a robust and reliable science of organizations, the spirit of which the present authors wholeheartedly agree. One path toward ensuring that I-O psychology is rightly recognized as a robust science is by embracing the principles of Open Science. We argue that the move toward Open Science is beneficial for all six of the defining principles outlined by Grand et al. Open Science increases transparency, facilitates replication, and contributes to the accumulation and integration of research by increasing accessibility. Each of these factors helps to foster systematic, rigorous scientific practices, which, in turn, can lead to greater insights and understanding of organizational phenomenon through deductive, inductive, and abductive approaches to theory generation and refinement, ensuring that our field remains relevant for the foreseeable future. In this commentary, we highlight several initiatives that already exist to promote Open Science and explore others only alluded to by Grand et al.
In vitro inhibition studies of natural resin acids to Clostridium perfringens, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli O149
Authors: Roy Krisna , Lyhs Ulrike , Vuorenmaa Juhani , Pedersen Karl
Published: March 2018

The following experiment evaluated the inhibitory activity of a resin acids-based product (RAP) to bacterial pathogens. Clostridium perfringens isolated from chickens, turkeys and pigs, Staphylococcus aureus from chickens, pigs and cattle, and Escherichia coli O149 isolated from pigs were tested. Two different methods were used, a broth dilution method (BDM) using 0.01%, 0.1% and 0.5% resin acid, and an agar diffusion method (ADM) using 0.01%, 0.1%, 0.5%, 1% and 5% resin acid. For the BDM, C. perfringens was inhibited completely at all concentrations. S. aureus was inhibited completely at 0.5%, but only slightly at 0.1% and not at all at 0.01%. The E. coli strains showed no or little inhibition at 0.5%. For the ADM, narrow inhibition zones evolved around the concentration of 0.5% (8–10 mm), 1% (8.0–12.0 mm), and 5% (9.0–19.5 mm) on the C. perfringens strains, while the inhibition zones for S. aureus were smaller and E. coli developed no inhibition zones. Overall, the RAP inhibited C. perfringens at all concentrations of the product, S. aureus at 0.1%, 0.5%, 1% and 5% concentrations, and E. coli O149 only at 0.5% concentrations, although some strain variation was recorded.
Predictive control of spiral vortex breakdown
Authors: Pasche S. , Gallaire F. , Avellan F.
Published: March 2018

The predictive control of the self-sustained single spiral vortex breakdown mode is addressed in the three-dimensional flow geometry of Ruithet al.(2003) for a constant swirl number$S=1.095$. Based on adjoint optimization algorithms, two different control strategies have been designed. First, a quadratic objective function minimizing the radial velocity intensity, taking advantage of the physical mechanism underpinning spiral vortex breakdown. The second strategy focuses on the hydrodynamic instability properties using as objective function the growth rate of the most unstable global eigenmode. These minimization algorithms seek for an optimal volume force in an axisymmetric domain avoiding therefore expensive three-dimensional computations. In addition to considering eigenvalues around the base flow, we also investigate the stability around the mean flow and we find that it correctly predicts the frequency of the self-sustained single spiral vortex breakdown mode for Reynolds numbers up to$Re=500$. Close to the instability threshold, at a Reynolds value of$Re=180$, all these control strategies successfully quench the spiral vortex breakdown. The related volume force is found identical for the base and mean flow eigenvalue control even if the uncontrolled growth rates differ significantly. The control of the least unstable eigenvalue of the mean flow is not only found optimal at$Re=180$, it also stabilizes the flow at a Reynolds value as large as$Re=300$, which opens promising extensions to industrial applications.
Similarity of wake meandering for different wind turbine designs for different scales
Authors: Foti Daniel , Yang Xiaolei , Sotiropoulos Fotis
Published: March 2018

The wake meandering characteristics of four different wind turbine designs with diameters ranging from a few centimetres (wind tunnel scale) to a hundred metres (utility scale) are investigated using large-eddy simulation with the turbine blades and nacelle parametrised using a new actuator surface model. Different velocity fields and meandering behaviours are observed at near-wake locations. At far-wake locations, on the other hand, the mean velocity deficit profiles begin to collapse when scaled by the centreline velocity deficit based on the incoming wind speed at turbine hub height, suggesting far-wake similarity across scales. The turbine-added turbulence kinetic energy profiles are shown to also nearly collapse with each other in the far wake when normalised using a velocity scale defined by the thrust on the turbine rotor. Moreover, we show that at far-wake locations, the simulated flow fields for all four turbine designs exhibit similar wake meandering characteristics in terms of (1) a Strouhal number independent of rotor designs of different sizes and (2) the distributions of wake meandering wavelengths and amplitudes when normalised by the rotor diameter and a length scale defined by the turbine thrust respectively.