bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of anamnestic symptoms and clinical signs of temporomandibular disorders in adolescents—Results of the epidemiologic LIFE Child Study
Authors: Rauch Angelika , Schierz Oliver , Körner Antje , Kiess Wieland , Hirsch Christian
Published: December 2019

Background

Prevalence values for symptoms and signs of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in adolescents vary within the literature due to differences in set‐ups of examination protocols.

Objectives

The objective was to present prevalence values for symptoms and signs of TMD in German adolescents that were observed within a standardised examination. Prevalence values comparing gender or pubertal status should be investigated.

Methods

A cross‐sectional sample of the LIFE Child Study aged 10 to 18 was examined. A questionnaire gathering anamnestic symptoms of TMD was completed, and an examination according to the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) was performed by trained dentists. Pubertal status according to Tanner stages was documented. Descriptive statistics, Mann‐Whitney U and Wilcoxon signed‐rank tests were performed.

Results

A total of 1.116 participants (mean age 12.9 years, 51.4% female) were consecutively recruited. Most prevalent anamnestic symptoms were headaches (55.7%) and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) sounds (17.6%). The major clinical sign was TMJ sounds (31.9%). Both the examination of muscles or TMJs showed that pain to palpation was statistically significantly higher than familiar pain (P < .001). Gender comparisons revealed higher prevalence values and an increase in TMD symptoms and signs during pubertal development in females.

Conclusion

The prevalence of self‐reported headaches, as well as anamnestic and clinical TMJ sounds, was high in German adolescents. Prevalence values for pain to palpation and familiar pain obtained relevant differences. Considering the DC/TMD, females are more affected by TMD signs and symptoms that increase during pubertal development, than male adolescents.
Relevance and actionable mutational spectrum in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Jayaprakash Chinchu , Varghese Vinay Koshy , Jayaram Pradyumna , Chakrabarty Sanjiban , Kudva Adarsh , Ray Satadru , Satyamoorthy Kapaettu
Published: December 2019

Background

Screening for lesions in the oral cavity is critical for early diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Targeted next generation sequencing‐based (NGS) mutation analysis of cancer driver genes becomes a reality for personalized medicine and cancer therapeutics.

Materials and methods

In the present study, we have performed a targeted NGS‐based mutation analysis of 50 known oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in clinically diagnosed potentially malignant lesions and tissues of OSCC. NGS‐based analysis of DNA obtained from biopsies of histopathologically confirmed cases of potentially malignant lesions and OSCC specimens were performed using Ion AmpliSeq™ Cancer Hotspot Panel V2 using the Ion Proton™ Sequencer System, followed by data analysis using Ion Reporter™ and Torrent Suite™ software.

Results

NGS analysis indicated a total of 69 mutations present in 25 genes in potentially malignant lesions and OSCC specimens. We identified recurrent mutations in known OSCC driver genes ATM (11%), TP53 (55%), HRAS (16%), SMAD4 (13%), PIK3CA (16%), and ERBB4 (11%) in potentially malignant lesions and OSCC specimens. Driver mutation analysis identified recurrent TP53 and HRAS driver mutations in our OSCC specimens.

Conclusion

Data generated from our study may enable an application of targeted NGS analysis of driver mutations for better therapeutic choice and improved outcomes for OSCC subjects when combined with clinical diagnosis.
Test–Retest Reliability for Physical Function Measures in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Hadjiioannou Ioulia , Wong Katy , Lindup Herolin , Mayes Juliet , Castle Ellen , Greenwood Sharlene
Published: December 2019

Background

It is important to determine relative and absolute reliability values in outcome measures that are used in clinical practice so as to discriminate between true changes following exercise interventions for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Objective

The study aimed to assess test–retest reliability of the incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT), sit‐to‐stand transfers in 60 seconds (STS‐60), timed up and go (TUAG), Duke's activity status index (DASI) and hospital anxiety and depression scale (HAD) in patients with CKD.

Study Design

This study was a pragmatic non‐randomised controlled trial.

Methods

Forty people attended two study visits within a 16‐day window involving the ISWT, STS‐60, TUAG, DASI and HAD tests. Relative reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and absolute reliability using the standard error of measurement (SEM) and minimal detectable change (MDC).

Results

Good test–retest reliability was found for the entire sample size across all outcome measures, with TUAG having the highest (ICC = 0.96) and HAD the lowest (ICC = 0.71). The MDC scores at 90% confidence interval (CI) were: 79.6 m for the ISWT, 2.9 seconds for the TUAG, 7.0 repetitions for the STS‐60, 8.4 for the DASI, 3.8 for the anxiety HAD subscale and 4.4 for the depression HAD subscale.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated good test–retest reliability for all outcome measures across the CKD trajectory but caution needs to be taken when interpreting the findings for each CKD sub‐group separately. The MDC scores at 90% CI can support therapists in determining a true improvement in CKD patients' physical or mental performance.
Significant changes in caecal microbial composition and metabolites of weaned piglets after protein restriction and succedent realimentation
Authors: Tian Shiyi , Shi Qing , Zhu Yizhi , Yang Huairong , Wang Jing , Zhu Weiyun
Published: December 2019

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of protein restriction and subsequent realimentation on caecal barrier function, caecal microbial composition and metabolites in weaned piglets. Thirty‐six 28‐day‐old weaned piglets were randomly assigned to a control group and a treatment group. The piglets were fed diets containing 18.83% (normal) or 13.05% (low) of crude protein from the 1st to 14th day, after which all piglets were fed diets containing 18.83% of crude protein from the 15th to 28th day. The results showed that protein restriction increased caecal bacterial diversity and richness as well as the abundance of Ruminococcus 2, Faecalibacterium and Lachnospiraceae_uncultured, but reduced the abundance and the gene copies of Lactobacillus in the treatment group compared with the control group on day 14. Protein restriction also decreased the concentrations of isovaleric acid and total branched‐chain fatty acids. During the succedent protein realimentation stage, the abundance of Ruminococcaceae UCG‐014 and the concentrations of lactic acid, acetic acid, butyric acid and total short‐chain fatty acids were increased in the treatment group on day 28. Furthermore, the ammonia concentration was reduced, while the gene mRNA levels of caecal barrier function were increased in the treatment group both on days 14 and 28. In conclusion, dietary protein restriction and realimentation could change caecal microbial composition and metabolites, and eventually influence caecal barrier function. The present study may provide a new insight into protein restriction and realimentation in weaned piglets.
Predictors of Adherence to Self‐Care in Rural Patients With Heart Failure
Authors: Biddle Martha J. , Moser Debra K. , Pelter Michele M. , Robinson Susan , Dracup Kathleen
Published: December 2019

Background

The common reality of not following a recommended course of treatment is a major cause of poor health outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF). The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of adherence to HF self‐care recommendations in rural HF patients who received an intervention to promote symptom management and self‐care.

Methods

Data from 349 rural HF patients (42% female, 90% Caucasian) randomized to the intervention arms of the study were used. Adherence was measured using the European Heart Failure Self‐Care Scale questionnaire, a brief measure that asks patients to report their adherence to a variety of recommended HF symptom management behaviors (ie, daily weight monitoring, when to call the physician, medications, diet, and exercise). The following predictors were tested: age, gender, marital status, education level, depression score (measured using PHQ‐9), anxiety score (measured with the Brief Symptom Inventory), and level of perceived control (measured using Control Attitudes Scale‐R). Multivariate linear regression was used to test the model.

Results

The model to predict adherence was significant (P < .0001). Of the covariates tested in the regression model, being a male (P = .009), having less anxiety (P = .018), not being depressed (P = .017), and having higher perceived control (P = .003) were predictors of improved self‐care score at 3 months.

Conclusion

Adherence is a multifaceted and a challenging behavior based on the assumption that the patient agrees with self‐care recommendations. These data suggest interventions designed to promote adherence behaviors should include an assessment of gender, anxiety, depression, and perceived control for optimal outcomes.
Modeling bivariate long‐range dependence with general phase
Authors: Kechagias Stefanos , Pipiras Vladas
Published: December 2019

Bivariate time series models are considered that are suitable for estimation, that have interpretable parameters and that can capture the general semi‐parametric formulation of bivariate long‐range dependence, including a general phase. The models also allow for short‐range dependence and fractional cointegration. A simulation study to test the performance of a conditional maximum likelihood estimation method is carried out, under the proposed models. Finally, an application is presented to the U.S. inflation rates in goods and services where models not allowing for general phase suffer from misspecification.
Students with LD at Postsecondary: Supporting Success and the Role of Student Characteristics and Integration
Authors: Goegan Lauren D. , Daniels Lia M.
Published: December 2019

Students with learning disabilities (LD) are attending postsecondary education more than ever, but are also less likely to complete their education compared to non‐LD peers. Using the Inputs–Environment–Outcomes model of Astin, we examined students with LD and non‐LD peers during their first year of postsecondary studies. Using structural equation modeling, we found that for all students, perceived academic ability had a positive direct effect on outcomes, whereas drive to achieve had only an indirect effect. Academic integration was important for grade point average and satisfaction. Social integration was important for the acquisition of knowledge and skills and satisfaction, and these connections were stronger for students with LD. Our discussion highlights potential supports for students with LD.
Ancient DNA suggests modern wolves trace their origin to a Late Pleistocene expansion from Beringia
Authors: Loog Liisa , Thalmann Olaf , Sinding Mikkel‐Holger S. , Schuenemann Verena J. , Perri Angela , Germonpré Mietje , Bocherens Herve , Witt Kelsey E. , Samaniego Castruita Jose A. , Velasco Marcela S. , Lundstrøm Inge K. C. , Wales Nathan , Sonet Gontran , Frantz Laurent , Schroeder Hannes , Budd Jane , Jimenez Elodie‐Laure , Fedorov Sergey , Gasparyan Boris , Kandel Andrew W. , Lázničková‐Galetová Martina , Napierala Hannes , Uerpmann Hans‐Peter , Nikolskiy Pavel A. , Pavlova Elena Y. , Pitulko Vladimir V. , Herzig Karl‐Heinz , Malhi Ripan S. , Willerslev Eske , Hansen Anders J. , Dobney Keith , Gilbert M. Thomas P. , Krause Johannes , Larson Greger , Eriksson Anders , Manica Andrea
Published: December 2019

Grey wolves (Canis lupus) are one of the few large terrestrial carnivores that have maintained a wide geographical distribution across the Northern Hemisphere throughout the Pleistocene and Holocene. Recent genetic studies have suggested that, despite this continuous presence, major demographic changes occurred in wolf populations between the Late Pleistocene and early Holocene, and that extant wolves trace their ancestry to a single Late Pleistocene population. Both the geographical origin of this ancestral population and how it became widespread remain unknown. Here, we used a spatially and temporally explicit modelling framework to analyse a data set of 90 modern and 45 ancient mitochondrial wolf genomes from across the Northern Hemisphere, spanning the last 50,000 years. Our results suggest that contemporary wolf populations trace their ancestry to an expansion from Beringia at the end of the Last Glacial Maximum, and that this process was most likely driven by Late Pleistocene ecological fluctuations that occurred across the Northern Hemisphere. This study provides direct ancient genetic evidence that long‐range migration has played an important role in the population history of a large carnivore, and provides insight into how wolves survived the wave of megafaunal extinctions at the end of the last glaciation. Moreover, because Late Pleistocene grey wolves were the likely source from which all modern dogs trace their origins, the demographic history described in this study has fundamental implications for understanding the geographical origin of the dog.
Telomere length is repeatable, shortens with age and reproductive success, and predicts remaining lifespan in a long‐lived seabird
Authors: Bichet Coraline , Bouwhuis Sandra , Bauch Christina , Verhulst Simon , Becker Peter H. , Vedder Oscar
Published: December 2019

Telomeres are protective caps at the end of chromosomes, and their length is positively correlated with individual health and lifespan across taxa. Longitudinal studies have provided mixed results regarding the within‐individual repeatability of telomere length. While some studies suggest telomere length to be highly dynamic and sensitive to resource‐demanding or stressful conditions, others suggest that between‐individual differences are mostly present from birth and relatively little affected by the later environment. This dichotomy could arise from differences between species, but also from methodological issues. In our study, we used the highly reliable Terminal Restriction Fragment analysis method to measure telomeres over a 10‐year period in adults of a long‐lived seabird, the common tern (Sterna hirundo). Telomeres shortened with age within individuals. The individual repeatability of age‐dependent telomere length was high (>0.53), and independent of the measurement interval (i.e., one vs. six years). A small (R2 = .01), but significant part of the between‐individual variation in telomere length was, however, explained by the number of fledglings produced in the previous year, while reproduction in years prior to the previous year had no effect. We confirmed that age‐dependent telomere length predicted an individual's remaining lifespan. Overall, our study suggests that the majority of between‐individual variation in adult telomere length is consistent across adult life, and that a smaller part of the variation can be explained by dynamic factors, such as reproduction.
Altered ethanolamine plasmalogen and phosphatidylethanolamine levels in blood plasma of patients with bipolar disorder
Authors: Ogawa Shintaro , Hattori Kotaro , Ota Miho , Hidese Shinsuke , Miyakawa Tomoko , Matsumura Ryo , Yokota Yuuki , Ishida Ikki , Matsuo Junko , Yoshida Sumiko , Yamazaki Yasuyo , Goodenowe Dayan , Kunugi Hiroshi
Published: December 2019

Aim

Ethanolamine‐containing phospholipids are synthesized in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria. ER stress and mitochondrial dysfunction have been implicated in bipolar disorder (BP). In this study, we aimed to examine the relationship of ethanolamine plasmalogen (PLE) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PTE) levels in blood plasma with BP.

Methods

Plasma PLE and PTE levels were compared between 34 patients with BP (DSM‐IV) and 38 healthy control participants matched for age, sex, and ethnicity (Japanese). Furthermore, the relationships of plasma PLE and PTE levels with clinical variables were explored.

Results

Plasma PLE levels were significantly lower in patients with BP than in healthy controls (P = 0.0033). In subgroup analyses, plasma PLE levels were significantly lower in patients with BP type I (BP I) than in healthy controls (P = 0.0047); furthermore, plasma PTE levels were significantly lower in patients with BP I than in controls (P = 0.016) and patients with BP type II (BP II) (P = 0.010). Receiver‐operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that the discriminatory power of plasma PTE levels for distinguishing between BP I and II was fair (area under the curve = 0.78; P = 0.0095). There were no significant correlations of plasma PLE or PTE levels with depression or manic symptoms in patients.

Conclusions

Plasma PLE and PTE levels were associated with BP I, but not with BP II. Moreover, plasma PTE levels differed between patients with BP I and II. Our findings highlight the importance of ethanolamine phospholipids in the pathophysiology of BP, especially BP I.
Dermoscopic findings of a congenital smooth muscle hamartoma in an infant
Authors: Chauhan Payal , Bhardwaj Nancy , Jindal Rashmi , Shirazi Nadia
Published: December 2019

Cutaneous smooth muscle hamartoma is an uncommon, benign tumor developing in the dermis as a result of disorganized hyperproliferation of arrector pili muscle fibers. We present a 1‐month‐old infant with a congenital smooth muscle hamartoma together with the dermoscopic findings of the case. Dermoscopy can be a helpful non‐invasive tool in diagnosing congenital smooth muscle hamartoma due to its distinct findings that help to differentiate it from close mimickers like solitary mastocytoma.
Growth stunting in single ventricle patients after heart transplantation
Authors: Power Alyssa , Schultz Lisa , Dennis Katelin , Rizzuto Sandra , Hollander Amanda M. , Rosenthal David N. , Almond Christopher S. , Hollander Seth A.
Published: December 2019

Background

Malnutrition is common among children with single ventricle (SV) congenital heart disease (CHD). The impact of heart transplantation (HT) on nutritional status in SV patients is understudied. Our aim was to evaluate anthropometric changes in SV patients after HT, compared with those transplanted for cardiomyopathy (CM).

Methods

We performed a single‐center retrospective chart review of SV and CM patients < 18 years who underwent HT from January 01, 2010 to December 05, 2017. Wasting and stunting were defined as z‐scores for weight‐for‐age or height‐for‐age ≤‐2, respectively. Changes in these indices between HT and 3 years post‐HT were analyzed.

Results

Of 86 eligible patients, 28 (33%) had SV CHD and 58 (67%) had CM. Data were available at 3 years post‐HT for 57 patients. At transplant, wasting was equally present in SV versus CM patients (7/28, 25% vs. 9/58, 16%, P = .22), which remained true at 3 years post‐HT (2/16, 13% vs. 3/41, 7%, P = .61). At transplant, stunting was more common in SV than CM patients (17/28, 61% vs. 8/58, 14%, P < .001). At 3 years post‐HT, 6 of 16 (38%) SV patients and 3 of 41 (7%) CM patients remained stunted (P = .01). Among all patients, wasting decreased from transplant to end‐point (19% vs. 9%, P = .05), but stunting did not (29% vs. 16%, P = .2), such that wasting and stunting were associated at transplant (P < .001) but not at end‐point (P = .17).

Conclusions

Longitudinal growth remains impaired for several years after HT in SV patients, even when weight gain is achieved, suggesting that some factors contributing to growth impairment persist despite resolution of SV physiology.
Blockchain for Supply Chain Traceability: Business Requirements and Critical Success Factors
Authors: Hastig Gabriella M. , Sodhi ManMohan S.
Published: December 2019

We seek to guide operations management (OM) research on the implementation of supply chain traceability systems by identifying business requirements and the factors critical to successful implementation. We first motivate the need for implementing traceability systems in two very different industries—cobalt mining and pharmaceuticals—and present business requirements and critical success factors for implementation. Next, we describe how we carried out thematic analysis of practitioner and scholarly articles on implementing blockchain for supply chain traceability. Finally, we present our results pertaining to the needs of different stakeholders such as suppliers, consumers, and regulators. The business requirements for traceability systems are curbing illegal practices; improving sustainability performance; increasing operational efficiency; enhancing supply‐chain coordination; and sensing market trends. Critical success factors for implementation are companies’ capabilities; collaboration; technology maturity; supply chain practices; leadership; and governance of the traceability efforts. These findings provide a nascent measurement model for empirical work and a foundation for descriptive and normative research on blockchain applications for supply chain traceability.
The use of carotenoid pigments as food additives for aquatic organisms and their functional roles
Authors: Pereira da Costa Daniel , Campos Miranda-Filho Kleber
Published: December 2019

Aquatic organisms have various pigments contained in their body and may be an important characteristic for the consumer choice. Carotenoids are the main group of pigments present in aquatic organisms and play an important role not only in colouring but also in the growth, reproduction and maintenance of these animals. As aquatic animals do not have the ability to synthesize carotenoids, they must be ingested in the food, and in some cases, they are converted into forms that are possible to store or use in the animal metabolism. In this work, information was collected about the colour characteristics of aquatic organisms and their influence on aquaculture. Various dietary ingredients, such as vegetables and microorganisms, may be potential sources of pigments for aquaculture species, reducing production costs and dependence on synthetic sources of carotenoids. Some species with aquaculture potential may be better studied in terms of the ability to use carotenoid pigments and their function in the body.
Current approaches in decoding the molecular mechanisms of long‐term stress in adult farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)
Authors: Hoem Kine Samset , Tveten Ann‐Kristin
Published: December 2019

Aquaculture sustainability and profit is highly dependent on good welfare for farmed fish including the economically important species Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Welfare is closely linked to stress, as prolonged stressful farming conditions can translate into reduced performance and health. Understanding how Atlantic salmon responds to aquaculture‐related stressors has for the past years been a key focus area of research. Present review evaluates the current state of the art by assessing a defined panel of 13 recent articles on the topic. Particular attention is paid to methodological approaches and challenges in investigating chronic stress effects. Stress experiments are performed in profoundly different ways based on scientific interest, and applied stressors range from environmental challenges, for example water quality, to management‐related practices and dietary stress. We show that majority of studies are limited to analysis at the transcriptional level. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT‐qPCR) is the dominating technology, followed by microarray assays. Post‐translational studies are rare, and correlations between changes in transcript expressions and protein levels are generally not explored. We encourage future research to address this knowledge gap, as insight on proteome status may unravel more long‐standing physiological mechanisms towards stress, for example tertiary effects, that can only be postulated by transcriptional analyses. Attention should also be paid to regulatory mechanisms operating on pre‐ and post‐translational levels, for example microRNAs, which may be affected by environmental challenges and play roles in modifying stress responses.
Corticosteroid use is not associated with improved outcomes in acute exacerbation of IPF
Authors: Farrand Erica , Vittinghoff Eric , Ley Brett , Butte Atul J. , Collard Harold R.
Published: December 2019

Background and objective

AE‐IPF has profound prognostic implications, preceding approximately half of all IPF‐related deaths. Despite this clinical significance, there are limited data to guide management decisions. Corticosteroids remain the mainstay of treatment despite a lack of strong supporting evidence and mounting concern that they may be harmful. We assessed the impact of corticosteroid therapy on in‐hospital mortality in AE‐IPF patients.

Methods

AE‐IPF subjects were retrospectively identified in the UCSF medical centre's electronic health records from 1 January 2010 to 1 August 2018 using a code‐based algorithm followed by case validation. The relationship between corticosteroid treatment and in‐hospital mortality was assessed using a Cox model and a propensity score to control for confounding by indication. Secondary outcomes included hospital readmissions and overall survival.

Results

In total, 82 AE‐IPF subjects were identified, of whom 37 patients (45%) received corticosteroids. AE‐IPF subjects treated with corticosteroids were more likely to require ICU level care and mechanical ventilation. There was no statistically significant association between corticosteroid treatment and in‐hospital mortality (propensity score weighted, adjusted HR: 1.31; 95% CI: 0.26–6.55; P = 0.74). Overall survival was reduced in AE‐IPF subjects receiving corticosteroids (HR: 6.17; 95% CI: 1.35–28.14; P = 0.019).

Conclusion

Our study found no evidence that corticosteroid use improves outcomes in IPF patients admitted to the hospital with acute exacerbation. Furthermore, corticosteroid use may contribute to reduced overall survival following an exacerbation. Observational cohort studies using larger real‐world cohorts can more definitively assess the relationship between corticosteroid treatment and short‐term outcomes in AE‐IPF.
Making Sense of Sensitivity: Extending Omitted Variable Bias
Authors: Cinelli Carlos , Hazlett Chad
Published: December 2019

We extend the omitted variable bias framework with a suite of tools for sensitivity analysis in regression models that does not require assumptions on the functional form of the treatment assignment mechanism nor on the distribution of the unobserved confounders, naturally handles multiple confounders, possibly acting non-linearly, exploits expert knowledge to bound sensitivity parameters and can be easily computed by using only standard regression results. In particular, we introduce two novel sensitivity measures suited for routine reporting. The robustness value describes the minimum strength of association that unobserved confounding would need to have, both with the treatment and with the outcome, to change the research conclusions. The partial R2 of the treatment with the outcome shows how strongly confounders explaining all the residual outcome variation would have to be associated with the treatment to eliminate the estimated effect. Next, we offer graphical tools for elaborating on problematic confounders, examining the sensitivity of point estimates and t-values, as well as ‘extreme scenarios’. Finally, we describe problems with a common ‘benchmarking’ practice and introduce a novel procedure to bound the strength of confounders formally on the basis of a comparison with observed covariates. We apply these methods to a running example that estimates the effect of exposure to violence on attitudes toward peace.
The Analysis of Transformations for Profit-and-Loss Data
Authors: Atkinson Anthony C. , Riani Marco , Corbellini Aldo
Published: December 2019

We analyse data on the performance of investment funds, 99 out of 309 of which report a loss, and on the profitability of 1405 firms, 407 of which report losses. The problem in both cases is to use regression to predict performance from sets of explanatory variables. In one case, it is clear from scatter plots of the data that the negative responses have a lower variance than the positive responses and a different relationship with the explanatory variables. Because the data include negative responses, the Box–Cox transformation cannot be used. We develop a robust version of an extension to the Yeo–Johnson transformation which allows different transformations for positive and negative responses. Tests and graphical methods from our robust analysis enable the detection of outliers, the assessment of values of the two transformation parameters and the building of simple regression models. Performance comparisons are made with non-parametric transformations.
Pain and Play: Building Coalitions toward Decolonizing Philosophy
Authors: Sealey Kris F.
Published: December 2019

In what follows I offer three theoretical frameworks out of which we might think through coalition building for the sake of decolonization. My claim is that, through these three frameworks, we can be attentive to the ways we, ourselves are shaped by coloniality as we collectively work to resist it. The first framework is Maria Lugones's account of playful world‐travel. The second concerns the practice of unsuturing, developed George Yancy. And the third is Édouard Glissant's notion of opacity (as that conception pertains to his account of errantry). In bringing these together, I foreground opacity as the cornerstone of an encounter between self and Other, as that encounter figures both in Lugones's account of world traveling, and in Glissant's account of errantry. I use George Yancy's conception of unsuturing to show that it is more productive to think of world‐travel's play as coupled with unsuturing's pain, rather than to think of these comportments as either mutually exclusive or diametrically opposed. Lugones, Glissant, and Yancy show that, out of this pain‐play comportment, our collective commitments to decolonization might result in more effective coalitions against the workings of colonial power, so as to gesture toward the possibility of alternative (decolonial) worlds.
Subsidizing power
Authors: Klomp Jeroen
Published: December 2019

This study explores whether the amount of fossil fuel subsidies paid by the government is subject to an election cycle. Theoretically, it is not a priori directly clear whether the provision of fossil fuel subsidies should go up or down when elections are upcoming. On the one hand, governments may reap electoral benefits from offering additional support in an election year since voters generally prefer candidates from whom they expect to receive greater material well‐being by reducing the prices of basic goods. On the other hand, if the number of recipients is only small or when they are politically not well organized, reducing fossil fuel subsidies to finance a tax cut or an increase in other public spending areas that benefit and attract more voters might be a more successful re‐election strategy. My main empirical findings clearly show a U‐shaped election effect. It turns out that election cycles encourage fossil fuel support only in countries that have either a large or small fossil fuel demand. In these countries, governments are more inclined to provide additional fossil fuel support in an election year. In turn, I do not find any significant evidence for the notion that upcoming elections create a window of opportunity to reduce fossil fuel subsidies. Finally, the significant election effects are in particular visible during presidential elections.
Multifarious person perception: How social perceivers manage the complexity of intersectional targets
Authors: Petsko Christopher D. , Bodenhausen Galen V.
Published: December 2019

Stereotyping plays an important role in how we perceive the members of social groups. Yet stereotyping is complicated by the fact that every individual simultaneously belongs to multiple social groups. For example, the stereotypes that are called to mind about a Black individual can vary depending on that person's age, gender, and sexual orientation. This phenomenon—termed intersectional stereotyping—has recently inspired a variety of intriguing research findings. But these research findings pose challenges for prevalent theories of stereotyping. These prevalent theories tend to argue either that (a) perceivers inevitably attend to certain social identities (e.g., gender) when stereotyping intersectional targets, or that (b) perceivers inevitably attend to all detectable social identities at once. In contrast to these perspectives, we argue that perceivers generally attend to just one social identity (or one intersection of identities) at a time when stereotyping intersectional targets, as a function of the social context. For example, gay Black men can be alternately stereotyped as gay people, as Black people, as men, or as gay Black men specifically. The approach described here can account for a diverse array of findings emerging from research on intersectional stereotyping. Moreover, by specifying the factors that render particular identities salient in the minds of social perceivers, this approach offers clear and falsifiable predictions regarding the situated stereotyping of multifaceted individuals.
Using content‐based image retrieval of dermoscopic images for interpretation and education: A pilot study
Authors: Sadeghi Mahya , Chilana Parmit , Yap Jordan , Tschandl Philipp , Atkins M. Stella
Published: December 2019

Background

Dermoscopic content‐based image retrieval (CBIR) systems provide a set of visually similar dermoscopic (magnified and illuminated) skin images with a pathology‐confirmed diagnosis for a given dermoscopic query image of a skin lesion. Although recent advances in machine learning have spurred novel CBIR algorithms, we have few insights into how end users interact with CBIRs and to what extent CBIRs can be useful for education and image interpretation.

Materials and Methods

We developed an interactive user interface for a CBIR system with dermoscopic images as a decision support tool and investigated users' interactions and decisions with the system. We performed a pilot experiment with 14 non‐medically trained users for a given set of annotated dermoscopic images.

Results

Our pilot showed that the number of correct classifications and users' confidence levels significantly increased with the CBIR interface compared with a non‐CBIR interface, although the timing also increased significantly. The users found the CBIR interface of high educational value, engaging and easy to use.

Conclusion

Overall, users became more accurate, found the CBIR approach provided a useful decision aid, and had educational value for learning about skin conditions.
Infection by Strongyloides stercoralis in immigrants with Chagas disease: evaluation of eosinophilia as screening method in primary care
Authors: Dopico E. , Rando‐Matos Y. , Solsona L. , Almeda J. , Santos F. L. N. , Vinuesa T.
Published: December 2019

Objectives

To evaluate co‐infection of Strongyloides stercoralis and Trypanosoma cruzi and to assess eosinophilia as a screening test for the detection of S. stercoralis infection in patients with Chagas disease (CD).

Methods

A retrospective diagnostic validation study was performed on serum samples from primary care patients diagnosed with CD in the southern Barcelona metropolitan area. All samples with eosinophilia (n = 87) and a random sample of non‐eosinophilic sera (n = 180) were selected. Diagnosis of CD was based on positive serology by means of two tests: ORTHO® T. cruzi ELISA test, and BIO‐FLASH® Chagas or Bioelisa CHAGAS. SCIMEDX ELISA STRONGY‐96 was used to diagnose strongyloidiasis.

Results

Strongyloides stercoralis serology was positive in 15% of patients of whom 95% showed eosinophilia, vs. 21% of those with negative serology (P < 0.001), with differences in the mean eosinophil count (0.49 vs. 0.27 × 109/l). Only 1.1% of patients with CD but without eosinophilia presented positive serology for S. stercoralis, whereas 44% of patients with CD and eosinophilia did (P < 0.001). Sensitivity and specificity values for eosinophilia were thus 95% and 79%, respectively. PPV was 42.5% and NPV, 98.9%.

Conclusions

The prevalence of co‐infection by T. cruzi and S. stercoralis is not negligible and has probably been underestimated for years in many areas, due to frequently subclinical infections. Therefore, serology seems mandatory for these patients and the use of eosinophilia as initial screening could facilitate the task, decreasing the number of analyses to be performed.
El concepto de patrimonio a partir de la historiografía santandereana, Colombia
Authors: Acevedo Tarazona Álvaro
Published: December 2019

La historiografía permite conocer el trasegar del concepto de patrimonio así como su transformación en el tiempo. A partir de tres casos historiográficos, el artículo concatena la labor desarrollada por el académico Horacio Rodríguez Plata, las nuevas perspectivas de estudio realizadas en la Escuela de Historia de la Universidad Industrial de Santander (UIS) y el aporte otorgado por el historiador Armando Martínez Garnica, quien establece que el concepto de santandereanidad y las fases productivas en el departamento de Santander, Colombia, han sido los antecedentes del actual auge turístico en la región de la provincia del Socorro. El reconocernos como miembros de una sociedad y partícipes en la recuperación de su memoria y tradiciones nos lleva a hacer un análisis reflexivo para conocer los orígenes de la transformación del patrimonio a partir de un objeto de memoria hasta convertirse en atractivo turístico en el departamento de Santander. Este análisis reflexivo propuesto permite evidenciar los cambios ocurridos en el imaginario colectivo y en la espacialidad constituida por el paisaje y la geografía como constructos de los que el hombre forma parte y los cuales conserva, transforma o altera de acuerdo con su percepción de la realidad. La recuperación del patrimonio debe llevar al hombre a recordar las glorias de los tiempos pasados, preservar ese patrimonio en el presente y consolidar su recuerdo en el futuro.
A Predictive Dispatching Rule Assisted by Multi-Layer Perceptron for Scheduling Wafer Fabrication Lines
Authors: Yu Qingyun , Yang Haolin , Lin Kuo-Yi , Li Li
Published: December 2019

Reentrant flow plays an important role for the allocation of limited resources in semiconductor manufacturing. In particular, over- or under-loading of workstations may deteriorate performances of the whole production line. Therefore, load balancing is usually accomplished with dispatching rules to balance the workload to enhance production performance. Focus on the realistic needs, a novel prediction-based dynamic scheduling method with a multi-layer perceptron (MLP) is proposed for load balancing. This study proposed MLP based on the simulation dataset of empirical industrial fabrication facilities as the prediction model. The prediction outputs incorporated into the dynamic dispatching rule (DDR) for optimal load balancing based on the queue length at each workstation, named as a dynamic scheduling method considering load balancing (DSMLB). Based on the validation, DSMLB compared with the state-of-the-art dispatching rules shows that DSMLB has improved the daily movement, equipment utilization (EU), throughput rate, and cycle time (CT).
Gas–Solid Interfacial Heat Transfer Characteristics of Uncoated and Coated Metal Foams for Both Laminar and Turbulent Flow Regimes
Authors: Wenping Peng , Min Xu , Xiulan Huai
Published: December 2019

Metal foams have been widely used in many fields requiring excellent heat and mass transfer performance such as heat exchangers and catalytic reactors. However, the movements of gas–solid interfacial heat transfer characteristic curve with the structural parameters of foams for uncoated metal foams and the washcoat thickness for coated metal foams are not explained in depth. In this work, gas–solid interfacial heat transfer characteristics of metal foams without and with a washcoat were studied in detail in both laminar and turbulent flows using the body-centered-cubic (BCC) unit cell model by the method of computational fluid dynamics, considering that the structural parameters of uncoated/coated foams could be accurately controlled in the numerical method. The movements of gas–solid interfacial heat transfer characteristic curve with the structural parameters of foams and the washcoat thickness were successfully verified and explained using the numerical data in both laminar and turbulent flows. The results show that the porosity not the pore/cell diameter is the reason of the moving of gas–solid interfacial heat transfer characteristic curve for uncoated/coated foams. In laminar flow, the porosity influences interfacial heat transfer characteristic curve through the effective thermal conduction of fluid phase; and in turbulent flow, interfacial heat transfer characteristic curve is affected by porosity through the inertial effect of flow. A new correlation of gas–solid interfacial heat transfer coefficient for uncoated/coated metal foams suitable for both laminar and turbulent flows was proposed by taking into consideration this phenomenon.
Boltzmann–Curtiss Description for Flows Under Translational Nonequilibrium
Authors: Ahmed Mohamed M. , Cheikh Mohamad I. , Chen James
Published: December 2019

Continuum-based theories, such as Navier–Stokes (NS) equations, have been considered inappropriate for flows under nonequilibrium conditions. In part, it is due to the lack of rotational degrees-of-freedom in the Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution. The Boltzmann–Curtiss formulation describes gases allowing both rotational and translational degrees-of-freedom and forms morphing continuum theory (MCT). The first-order solution to Boltzmann–Curtiss equation yields a stress tensor that contains a coupling coefficient that is dependent on the particles number density, the temperature, and the total relaxation time. A new bulk viscosity model derived from the Boltzmann–Curtiss distribution is employed for shock structure and temperature profile under translational and rotational nonequilibrium. Numerical simulations of argon and nitrogen shock profiles are performed in the Mach number range of 1.2–9. The current study, when comparing with experimental measurements and direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method, shows a significant improvement in the density profile, normal stresses, and shock thickness at nonequilibrium conditions than NS equations. The results indicate that equations derived from the Boltzmann–Curtiss distribution are valid for a wide range of nonequilibrium conditions than those from the Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution.
Slurry Erosion Performance of Ni + B4C Microwave Composite Clads
Authors: Minhaj M. , Singh Bhupinder , Zafar Sunny
Published: December 2019

A composite clad of Ni-based alloy and B4C was developed on austenitic steel substrate through microwave hybrid heating. The B4C was added with Ni-based alloy powder in various weight proportions (0%, 5%, 10%, and 20%). The clads were investigated for the microstructural details, nanohardness and slurry erosion performance. Silt collected from river Uhl was used as the erodent for the slurry erosion test. Slurry erosion performance of the clads was evaluated at an impact angle of 90 deg and jet velocity of 40 m/s. Microstructural characterization confirms the uniform distribution of hard (boride and carbide) phases in the Ni-based matrix of the microwave composite clads. The presence of hard phases in the Ni-based matrix enhanced the slurry erosion resistance performance.
Temperature-dependence of Cl2/Ar ICP-RIE of polar, semipolar, and nonpolar GaN and AlN following BCl3/Ar breakthrough plasma
Authors: Shah Amit P. , Azizur Rahman A , Bhattacharya Arnab
Published: December 2019

The authors report a comprehensive investigation of temperature-dependence of inductively coupled plasma reactive ion etching (ICP-RIE) of polar (0001), semipolar (11−22), and nonpolar (11−20) GaN and AlN, in the temperature range of 22–205 °C. The main objective is to study the effect of ICP etching near and beyond the boiling point of the volatile etch end-products: GaCl3 (201 °C) for GaN and AlCl3 (180 °C) for AlN. High-temperature ICP-RIE is beneficial in quicker removal of surface oxides and may permit the use of a single-step Cl2/Ar ICP-RIE for etching all orientations of GaN and AlN. However, the best results are still obtained with a combination of BCl3-plasma based surface oxide removal pretreatment and Cl2/Ar ICP-RIE etching, which provides a constant etch rate with a smooth surface morphology irrespective of the etching temperature.
Thermal atomic layer deposition of ruthenium metal thin films using nonoxidative coreactants
Authors: Cwik Stefan , Woods Keenan N. , Saly Mark J. , Knisley Thomas J. , Winter Charles H.
Published: December 2019

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) of ruthenium metal films is presented using (η4-2,3-dimethylbutadiene)(tricarbonyl)ruthenium [Ru(DMBD)(CO)3] with the coreactants 1,1-dimethylhydrazine, hydrazine, or tert-butylamine. The dependence of growth rate on precursor pulse lengths at 200 °C showed a saturative, self-limited behavior at ≥3.0 s for Ru(DMBD)(CO)3 and ≥0.1 s for 1,1-dimethylhydrazine. An ALD window was observed from 200 to 210 °C, with a growth rate of 0.42 Å/cycle. Films grown at 200 °C showed rms surface roughnesses of <1 nm. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of a 42 nm thick film grown at 200 °C revealed 90.6% ruthenium, 7.0% nitrogen, and 2.0% oxygen. Ruthenium films were deposited on patterned substrates with TiN surfaces using various treatments at 200 °C with 250 cycles. 42 nm thick ruthenium films grown at 200 °C were subjected to annealing studies under hydrogen and ammonia atmospheres at 400 °C, followed by rapid thermal annealing at 600 °C. These annealing procedures led to higher purity, more crystalline, and lower resistivity ruthenium films. The coreactants hydrazine and tert-butylamine were evaluated in ruthenium ALD trials using Ru(DMBD)(CO)3. Hydrazine gave a growth rate of 0.42 Å/cycle within a 200–205 °C ALD window, whereas tert-butylamine gave a growth rate of 0.25 Å/cycle at 200 °C.
Method for correcting peak overlaps in quantitative Auger electron spectroscopy of Cr-containing oxides
Authors: Burrell Michael C.
Published: December 2019

This paper provides a new method for improving the quantitative accuracy of Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) when measuring the surface composition of mixed metal corrosion oxides that contain chromium (Cr). Without this correction, the Cr Auger peak intensity (in the conventional first derivative display mode) is attenuated by its overlap with the oxygen (O) Auger line, leading to significant relative errors (∼30%–70% too low) in the Cr content. A peak fitting method was used to derive basis spectra in the direct mode display (before differentiation) and simulate a wide range of O to Cr ratios. A mathematical function was derived to define a Cr intensity correction factor, as a function of the O/Cr ratio. This method can be conveniently applied to data sets containing many spectra, such as depth profiles. Once corrected, the composition depth profiles obtained by AES are consistent with x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy profiles obtained from similar areas. The approach presented can also be used to generate correction factors for overlapping peaks in the Auger spectra of other material systems.