bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trauma-Induced Long-Term Alterations of Human T Cells and Monocytes—Results of an Explorative, Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Ruhrmann Sophie , Schneck Emmanuel , Markmann Melanie , Zink Jan , Zajonz Thomas Simon , Arens Christoph , Uhle Florian , Sander Michael , Koch Christian
Published: April 2019

Background:

Major trauma leads to complex immune reactions, known to result in a transient immunodeficiency. The long-term consequences of severe trauma on immune function and regulation as well as its clinical impact remain unclear.

Methods:

Six months (ranging from −12 to +5 days) after a major trauma event, 12 former trauma patients (Injury Severity Score ≥ 16) and 12 healthy volunteers were enrolled. The current clinical status and infection history since discharge were assessed by a standardized questionnaire. Immune cell subsets (cluster of differentiation (CD)4+, CD8+, CD14+), cell surface receptor expression (programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), B- and T-lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA), cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4, toll-like receptor (TLR)-2, -4, and -5, Dectin-1, programmed death ligand 1 (PD-1L)), and human leucocyte antigen D-related receptor (HLA-DR)-expression were quantified by flow cytometry. Cytokine secretion (IL-2, -4, -6, -10, and 17A, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interferon (IFN)-γ) was assessed after stimulation of whole blood with LPS-, α-CD3/28, or zymosan.

Results:

Analysis of surface receptors on T cells revealed a significant elevation of PD-1 expression on CD4+ T cells, whereas BTLA expression on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was significantly suppressed in the trauma cohort. Monocytes showed a significantly reduced expression of TLR-2 and -4 as well as a reduced proportion of TLR-4 monocytes. HLA-DR receptor density revealed no significant changes between both cohorts. LPS-induced IL-6 and TNF-α secretion showed non-significant trends toward reduced values. No differences regarding clinical apparent infections could be detected.

Conclusions:

Six months following major trauma, changes of cell surface receptors on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells as well as on CD14+ monocytes were present, hinting toward an immunosuppressive phenotype. Following major trauma, although IL-6 and TNF-α release after stimulation were reduced, they did not reach statistical significance. Overall, further studies are necessary to evaluate the clinical implications of these findings.

Trial registration:

DRKS00009876, Internet Portal of the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS), registration date 11.08.2016, https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00009876.
Bariatric Surgery is Associated With Reduced Risk of Breast Cancer in Both Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Feigelson Heather Spencer , Caan Bette , Weinmann Sheila , Leonard Anthony C. , Powers J. David , Yenumula Panduranga R. , Arterburn David E. , Koebnick Corinna , Altaye Mekibib , Schauer Daniel P.
Published: April 2019

Objective:

This retrospective cohort study examined whether bariatric surgery is associated with reduced risk of breast cancer among pre- and postmenopausal women.

Background:

Obesity is associated with increased risk of breast cancer, but the impact of weight loss on breast cancer risk has been difficult to quantify.

Methods:

The cohort included obese (body mass index ≥35 kg/m2) patients enrolled in an integrated health care delivery system between 2005 and 2012 (with follow-up through 2014). Female bariatric surgery patients (N = 17,998) were matched on body mass index, age, study site, and comorbidity index to 53,889 women with no bariatric surgery. Kaplan–Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine incident breast cancer up to 10 years after bariatric surgery. Pre- and postmenopausal women were examined separately, and further classified by estrogen receptor (ER) status.

Results:

The analysis included 301 premenopausal and 399 postmenopausal breast cancer cases. In multivariable adjusted models, bariatric surgery was associated with a reduced risk of both premenopausal (HR = 0.72, 95% CI, 0.54–0.94) and postmenopausal (HR = 0.55, 95% CI, 0.42–0.72) breast cancer. Among premenopausal women, the effect of bariatric surgery was more pronounced among ER-negative cases (HR = 0.36, 95% CI, 0.16–0.79). Among postmenopausal women, the effect was more pronounced in ER-positive cases (HR = 0.52, 95% CI, 0.39–0.70).

Conclusions:

Bariatric surgery was associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer among severely obese women. These findings have significant public health relevance because the prevalence of obesity continues to rise, and few modifiable breast cancer risk factors have been identified, especially for premenopausal women.
Ankle2, A Target of Zika Virus, Controls Asymmetric Cell Division of Neuroblasts and Uncovers a Novel Microcephaly Pathway
Authors: Link N. , Chung H. , Jolly A. , Withers M. , Tepe B. , Arenkiel B.R. , Shah P.S. , Krogan N.J. , Aydin H. , Geckinli B.B. , Tos T. , Isikay S. , Tuysuz B. , Mochida G.H. , Thomas A.X. , Clark R.D. , Mirzaa G.M. , Lupski J.R. , Bellen H.J.
Published: April 2019

Neuroblasts in flies divide asymmetrically by establishing polarity, distributing cell fate determinants asymmetrically, and positioning their spindle for cell division. The apical complex contains aPKC, Bazooka (Par3), and Par6, and its activity depends on L(2)gl. We show that Ankle2 interacts with L(2)gl and affects aPKC. Reducing Ankle2 levels disrupts ER and nuclear envelope morphology, releasing the kinase Ballchen/VRK1 into the cytosol. These defects are associated with reduced phosphorylation of aPKC, disruption of Par complex localization, and spindle alignment defects. Importantly, removal of one copy ofballchen/VRK1orl(2)glsuppresses the loss ofAnkle2and restores viability and brain size. The Zika virus NS4A protein interacts withDrosophilaAnkle2 and VRK1 in dividing neuroblasts. Human mutational studies implicate this neural cell division pathway in microcephaly and motor neuron disease. In summary, NS4A, ANKLE2, VRK1 and LLGL1 define a novel pathway that impinges on asymmetric determinants of neural stem cell division.
A revised model for promoter competition based on multi-way chromatin interactions
Authors: Oudelaar A. Marieke , Harrold Caroline L. , Hanssen Lars L. P. , Telenius Jelena M. , Higgs Douglas R. , Hughes Jim R.
Published: April 2019

Specific communication between gene promoters and enhancers is critical for accurate regulation of gene expression. However, it remains unclear how specific interactions between multiple regulatory elements and genes contained within a single chromatin domain are coordinated. Recent technological advances allow for the investigation of multi-way chromatin interactions at single alleles in individual nuclei. This can provide insights into how multiple regulatory elements cooperate or compete for transcriptional activation. We have used these techniques in a mouse model in which the α-globin domain is extended to include several additional genes. This allows us to determine how the interactions of the α-globin super-enhancer are distributed between multiple promoters in a single domain. Our data show that gene promoters do not form mutually exclusive interactions with the super-enhancer, but all interact simultaneously in a single complex. These finding show that promoters within the same domain do not structurally compete for interactions with enhancers, but form a regulatory hub structure, consistent with the recent model of transcriptional activation in phase-separated nuclear condensates.
Characterising the vocal repertoire of the Indian wolf (Canis lupus pallipes)
Authors: Sadhukhan Sougata , Hennelly Lauren , Habib Bilal
Published: April 2019

Vocal communication in social animals plays a crucial role in mate choice, maintaining social structure, and foraging strategy. The Indian grey wolf, among the less studied subspecies, is a social carnivore that lives in groups called packs and has many types of vocal communication. In this study, we characterise harmonic vocalisation types in the Indian wolf using howl survey responses and opportunistic recordings from captive and nine packs (each pack contains 2-9 individuals) of free-ranging Indian wolves. Using principal component analysis, hierarchical clustering, and discriminant function analysis, we found four vocal types using 270 recorded vocalisations (Average Silhouette width Si = 0.598) which include howls and howl-bark (N=238), whimper (N=2), social squeak (N=28), and whine (N=2). Although having a smaller body size, Indian wolf howls have an average mean fundamental frequency of 0.422KHz (±0.126), which is similar to other Holarctic clade subspecies. The whimper showed the highest frequency modulation (37.296±4.601 KHz) and the highest mean fundamental frequency (1.708±0.524 KHz) compared to other call types. Less information is available on the third vocalisation type, i.e. ‘Social squeak’ or ‘talking’ (Mean fundamental frequency =0.461±0.083 KHz), which is highly variable (coefficient of frequency variation = 18.778±3.587 KHz). Our study’s characterisation of the Indian wolf’s harmonic vocal repertoire provides a first step in understanding the function and contextual use of vocalisations in this social mammal.
Coupling Metastasis to pH-Sensing GPR68 Using a Novel Small Molecule Inhibitor
Authors: Williams Charles H. , Neitzel Leif R. , Karki Pratap , Keyser Brittany D. , Thayer Timothy E. , Wells Quinn S. , Perry James A , Birukova Anna A. , Birukov Konstantin G. , Hong Charles C.
Published: April 2019

An acidic milieu is a hallmark of the glycolytic metabolism that occurs in cancerous cells. The acidic environment is known to promote cancer progression, but the underlying signaling and cell biological underpinnings of these phenomena are not well understood. Here, we describe ogremorphin, a first-in-class small-molecule inhibitor of GPR68, an extracellular proton-sensing and mechanosensing G protein–coupled receptor. Ogremorphin was discovered in a chemical genetic zebrafish screen for its ability to perturb neural crest development, which shares basic cell behaviors of migration and invasion with cancer metastasis. Ogremorphin also inhibited migration and invasive behavior of neural crest–derived human melanoma cellsin vitro. Furthermore, in phenome-wide association studies (PheWAS), we identified an aberrantly activated variant of GPR68, which is associated with cancer metastasisin vivoand promotes invasive phenotypes of cancer cellsin vitro. Thus, extracellular proton-sensing GPR68 signaling promotes cell migration and invasion during embryonic development and may do likewise in cancer progression.
Dissecting the cellular specificity of smoking effects and reconstructing lineages in the human airway epithelium
Authors: Goldfarbmuren Katherine C. , Jackson Nathan D. , Sajuthi Satria P. , Dyjack Nathan , Li Katie S. , Rios Cydney L. , Plender Elizabeth G. , Montgomery Michael T. , Everman Jamie L. , Vladar Eszter K. , Seibold Max A.
Published: April 2019

Cigarette smoke first interacts with the lung through the cellularly diverse airway epithelium and goes on to drive development of most chronic lung diseases. Here, through single cell RNA-sequencing analysis of the tracheal epithelium from smokers and nonsmokers, we generated a comprehensive atlas of epithelial cell types and states, connected these into lineages, and defined cell-specific responses to smoking. Our analysis inferred multi-state lineages that develop into surface mucus secretory and ciliated cells and contrasted these to the unique lineage and specialization of submucosal gland (SMG) cells. Our analysis also suggests a lineage relationship between tuft, pulmonary neuroendocrine, and the newly discovered CFTR-rich ionocyte cells. Our smoking analysis found that all cell types, including protected stem and SMG populations, are affected by smoking, through both pan-epithelial smoking response networks and hundreds of cell type-specific response genes, redefining the penetrance and cellular specificity of smoking effects on the human airway epithelium.
Segregated neural explants exhibit co-oriented, asymmetric, neurite outgrowth
Authors: Pettigrew David B. , Dobson Curtis B. , Isaacson Lori G. , Leuthardt Eric , Lilley Heather , Suidan Georgette , Crutcher Keith A.
Published: April 2019

Explants of embryonic chick sympathetic and sensory ganglia were found to exhibit asymmetric radial outgrowth of neurites under standard culture conditions with or without exogenous Nerve Growth Factor [NGF]. Opposing sides of an explant exhibited: a] differences in neurite length and, b] differences in terminal morphology. Strikingly, this asymmetry exhibited co-orientation among segregated, neighboring explants. The underlying mechanism[s] of the asymmetry and its co-orientation have not been discovered but appears to depend on cell clustering because dissociated sympathetic neurons do not exhibit co-orientation whereas re-aggregated clusters of cells do. This emergent behavior may be similar to the community effect described in other cell types. If a similar phenomenon exists in the embryo, or in maturity, it may contribute to the establishment of proper orientation of neurite outgrowth during development and/or injury-induced neuronal plasticity.
Non-edge-triggered inversion from Ga polarity to N polarity of c-GaN domains on an SiO2 mask during epitaxial lateral overgrowth
Authors: Lee Hyunkyu , Jang Dongsoo , Kim Donghoi , Kim Chinkyo
Published: April 2019

It was previously reported that N-polar c-GaN domains nucleated in window openings on c-plane sapphire were inverted to Ga-polar domains at the edge of an SiO2 mask during epitaxial lateral overgrowth, but it was asserted that polarity inversion of N-polar GaN domains could not occur beyond the edge of the SiO2 mask. However, that assertion was demonstrated only in the case of a-facet-exposed GaN. It is reported here that polarity inversion from Ga polarity to N polarity of m-facet-exposed c-GaN domains occurred during epitaxial lateral overgrowth on the flat region beyond the edge of a circular-patterned SiO2 mask. An increased flow rate of NH3 during the epitaxial lateral overgrowth is thought to induce this type of non-edge-triggered polarity inversion. Further investigation reveals that non-edge-triggered polarity inversion is also possible when the a facet is exposed at the lateral growth front of Ga-polar GaN domains.
The crystal structures and Hirshfeld surface analysis of N′,N′′′-((1E,1′E)-{[methylenebis(oxy)]bis(6-bromo-3,1-phenylene)}bis(methanylylidene))bis(isonicotinohydrazide) dihydrate and N′,N′′′-((1E,1′E)-{[butane-1,4-diylbis(oxy)]bis(2,1-phenylene)}bis(methanylylidene))bis(isonicotinohydrazide) [+ solvent]
Authors: Syed Abuthahir S. , NizamMohideen M. , Viswanathan V. , Abiraman Tamilselvan , Balasubramanian Sengottuvelan
Published: April 2019

The title compounds, C27H20Br2N6O4·2H2O, (I), and C30H28N6O4·[+ solvent], (II), both crystallize with one half-molecule in the asymmetric unit. The whole molecule of (I) is generated by twofold rotation symmetry, with the twofold rotation axis bisecting the C atom of the –O—CH2—O– bridge. This results in a folded or U-shaped conformation of the molecule. The whole molecule of (II) is generated by inversion symmetry, with the central CH2—CH2 bond of the –O—(CH2)4—O– bridge being located about a center of inversion. This results in a step-like conformation of the molecule. The central C(=O)N—N=C regions of the isonicotinohydrazide moieties in both compounds are planar and the configuration about the imine C=N bonds is E. In compound (I), the benzene and pyridine rings are inclined to each other by 37.60 (6)°. The two symmetry-related pyridine rings are inclined to each other by 74.24 (6)°, and the two symmetry-related benzene rings by 7.69 (6)°. In compound (II), the benzene and pyridine rings are inclined to each other by 25.56 (11)°. The symmetry-related pyridine rings are parallel, as are the two symmetry-related benzene rings. In the crystal of (I), a pair of water molecules link the organic molecules via Owater—H...O and Owater—H...N hydrogen bonds, forming chains along [001], and enclosing an R
4
2(8) and two R
1
2(5) ring motifs. The chains are linked by N—H...Npyridine hydrogen bonds, forming a supramolecular framework. There are also a number of C—H...O hydrogen bonds, and C—H...π and offset π–π interactions [interplanar distance = 3.294 (1) Å] present reinforcing the framework. In the crystal of (II), molecules are linked by N—H...Npyridine hydrogen bonds, forming a supramolecular framework. Here too there are also a number of C—H...O hydrogen bonds present, and a C—H...π interaction, reinforcing the framework. For compound (II), a region of disordered electron density was corrected for using the SQUEEZE [Spek (2015). Acta Cryst. C71, 9–18] routine in PLATON. Their formula mass and unit-cell characteristics were not taken into account during refinement.
Hoarding of international reserves: It's a neighbourly day in Asia
Authors: Cheung Yin‐Wong , Qian Xingwang , Remolona Eli
Published: April 2019

To explain why Asian countries seem to have been hoarding international reserves, especially since the 1997 crisis, we consider various regional neighbourhood effects. One such effect is that of “catching up with the Joneses”. We revisit that effect by analysing several refinements of it. We also consider the fear of the kind of contagion that the crisis‐hit countries saw in 1997. Finally, we look at the possibility of a regional financial cycle, in which the conditions that led to the crisis might have been correlated across countries. We find that refining the Joneses effect to take account of trade links strengthens its power to explain the build‐up of reserves. We also observe that a country that finds itself more vulnerable than its regional neighbours would tend to accumulate more reserves. Finally, we find that a common regional factor related to current‐account balances spurs further reserve accumulation. Contrary to previous analyses, our results suggest that only a couple of Asian countries have been holding excessive reserves. Some were actually holding less reserves than would be optimal in the presence of neighbourhood effects.
Growing Regions through Smart Specialisation: A Methodology for Modelling the Economic Impact of a Food Processing Hub in Australia
Authors: Esposto Alexis Sergio , Abbott Malcolm , Juliano Pablo
Published: April 2019

The purpose of this paper is to examine the positive impact that the creation of food processing hubs can have on “smart specialisation” on the economic development of regional Australia. The analysis looks at two existing developments in Australia, as well as providing an economic evaluation of another “regional hub” that is currently being proposed. Our paper provides an economic impact analysis of the proposed establishment of a food processing hub in Victoria. It presents an analysis on its impact both at a regional level (Gippsland), and more widely across Australia.
Biological Anthropology in 2018: Grounded in Theory, Questioning Contexts, Embracing Innovation
Authors: Martin Melanie Ann
Published: April 2019

Biological anthropology in 2018 encapsulated what past scholars envisioned for its future: a multidisciplinary approach to understanding human and nonhuman primate evolution and diversity using the most innovative techniques and rigorous standards available. This year also built on a tradition of introspection about what biological anthropology encompasses and by whom and how it is conducted. This review highlights research and movements in the field that reflect both of these pursuits. Studies drew on evolutionary theory to generate novel insights into human and nonhuman primate biology, behavior, and organization. Studies on hominin evolution and human biology have upended previous understandings by revealing more dynamic and context‐dependent processes in our ancestry and phenotypic expressions. Across subdisciplines, biological anthropologists have advanced the use of new technologies and analytical techniques and begun to promote open, transparent, and reproducible science among a more diverse community of researchers. [year in review, evolutionary anthropology, context and variation, emerging technologies, transparent methods, researcher diversity]
Estimating the demand for settlement balances in the Canadian Large Value Transfer System: How much is too much?
Authors: Zhang Nellie (Yinan)
Published: April 2019

This paper applies a static model of an interest rate corridor to the Canadian data and estimates the aggregate demand for central bank settlement balances in the Large Value Transfer System (LVTS). The analysis takes into account the downward divergence of the overnight interest rate from the target rate, which has been persistent since 2005. The results suggest that a target of $3,000,000,000 for LVTS settlement balances does not seem excessive during the time period when Canadian monetary policy was operating at the effective lower bound (ELB). In addition, the estimation shows that the point elasticity of overnight interest rate is around 0.17 in the ELB framework.
Macroeconomic impacts of remittances in Bangladesh: The role of reverse flows
Authors: Das Anupam , Chowdhury Murshed
Published: April 2019

Das and Serieux (2010; 2015) and Serieux (2011) used the term “reverse flows” to define the part of external resources that is not domestically absorbed; instead used to finance debt obligations, capital flight, and accumulate reserves. While there is a vast literature on the growth and development impact of remittances in developing countries, the existing empirical literature has mostly ignored the potential diversion of remittances to reverse flows. This paper bridges the gap in the literature by estimating the reverse flows in the case of Bangladesh, which is one of the top remittance recipient countries in the world. The data set runs from 1976 to 2015. Econometric results obtained by employing the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) approach show that almost 13–14% of remittances (as the ratio of gross domestic product, GDP) are diverted to finance reverse flows. In other words, the effects of remittances (as the ratio of GDP) on consumption and investment rates are no more than 86–87%. Therefore, the underlying assumption made in the existing literature that all remittances are used to increase consumption and/or investment overstates the impact of this external resource flow in Bangladesh. Findings from this study have important policy implications not only for Bangladesh but for other remittance recipient developing countries. Our findings will help the government to design policies to ensure the optimum allocation of remittances in the domestic economy.
Beyond checkboxes: A qualitative assessment of physicians' experiences providing care in a patient‐centred medical home
Authors: Sklar Marisa , Seijo Chariz , Goldman Roberta E. , Eaton Charles B.
Published: April 2019

Rationale, aims, and objectives

The patient‐centred medical home (PCMH) is an innovative approach to health care reform. Despite a well‐established process for recognizing PCMH practices, fidelity to, and/or adaptation of, the PCMH model can limit health care and population health improvements. This study explored the connection between fidelity/adaptation to the PCMH model with implementation successes and challenges through the experiences of family and internal medicine PCMH physicians.

Methods

Interviews were conducted at two academic PCMH clinics with faculty and resident physicians. Data were transcribed and coded on the basis of an a priori code list. Together, the authors reviewed text and furthered the analysis process to reach final interpretation of the data.

Results

Ten faculty and nine resident physicians from the Family Care Centre (FCC; n = 11) and the Internal Medicine Clinic (IMC; n = 8) were interviewed. Both FCC and IMC physicians spoke positively about their clinic's adherence to the PCMH model of enhanced access to care, coordinated/integrated care, and improvements in quality and safety through data collection and documentation. However, physicians highlighted inadequate staffing and clinic hours. FCC physicians also discussed the challenge of providing high‐quality care amidst differences in coverage between payers.

Conclusion

There remains significant variability in PCMH characteristics across the United States and Canada. This qualitative analysis uncovered factors contributing to fidelity/adaptation to the PCMH model in two academic PCMH clinics. For the PCMH to achieve the Triple Aim promise of improved patient health and experience at a reduced cost, policy must support fidelity to core elements of the PCMH.
Analysis of antibiotic residues in raw and commercial milk in Punjab, India vis‐à‐vis human health risk assessment
Authors: Moudgil Pallavi , Bedi Jasbir S. , Aulakh Rabinder S. , Gill Jatinder P. S.
Published: April 2019

The present study quantitatively analyzed the occurrence of antibiotic residues in 524 milk samples (492 raw milk samples from dairy farms and 32 commercial milk samples) from Punjab, India using high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Tetracyclines, sulphonamides, fluoroquinolones (commonly used in veterinary practice in Punjab), and chloramphenicol (banned in food animals in India) were targeted and analyzed using multiresidue HPLC method. Out of 492 dairy farms milk samples, 78 (16%) were found to be positive for antibiotic residues with 20 (4%) exceeded the maximum residue limits (MRLs). Among 32 commercial milk samples, 4 (12.5%) were positive for antibiotic residues with one (3.1%) sample violated the MRL. Assessment of human health risks revealed that the current levels of antibiotic residues in milk pose no significant toxicological effects on the health of consumers. However, the results highlighted an immediate need of effective strategies for prevention of nonprudent use of antibiotics in veterinary practice for safeguarding consumer's health.
What Is the Expected Return on a Stock?
Authors: MARTIN IAN W. R. , WAGNER CHRISTIAN
Published: April 2019

We derive a formula for the expected return on a stock in terms of the risk‐neutral variance of the market and the stock's excess risk‐neutral variance relative to that of the average stock. These quantities can be computed from index and stock option prices; the formula has no free parameters. The theory performs well empirically both in and out of sample. Our results suggest that there is considerably more variation in expected returns, over time and across stocks, than has previously been acknowledged.
Difficulty differentiating a case of posterior cortical atrophy from a psychogenic disturbance of vision
Authors: Kirino Eiji
Published: April 2019

Differentiating posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) from other diseases can be difficult and time‐consuming, and there is a particularly high possibility of misdiagnosis when psychiatrists diagnose complaints related to visual perception. Here, a case of PCA involving prominent visual perceptual disorders is reported; PCA was difficult to distinguish from psychogenic disturbance of vision in this case. For a year, a 59‐year‐old woman had had visual perceptual disorders, including a distorted view and prosopagnosia. She underwent examinations at multiple clinical departments at several medical institutions before receiving a definitive diagnosis of PCA. This PCA diagnosis was based on clinical symptoms, including Gerstmann syndrome, Bálint's syndrome, and transcortical sensory aphasia, and hypoperfusion in the occipital lobe observed on single‐photon emission computed tomography. This case was initially misdiagnosed as a psychogenic disease partly because characteristic clinical manifestations of PCA include visual agnosia with a disjunctive component. This patient displayed a disordered perception of stationary objects but an intact perception of moving objects. For example, she had to grope her way through a room at home, but she could visit a familiar hair salon on foot without hindrance. Behaviours like claiming to be blind while inexplicably moving without colliding with surrounding objects may lead to the misdiagnosis of PCA as a psychogenic or dissociative disorder involving histrionic or neurologically irrational symptoms with an expectation of sympathy or personal gain. It is critical to make every effort to exclude organic diseases, even in cases provisionally diagnosed as psychogenic disease. Despite its low prevalence, PCA should be considered a syndrome caused by Alzheimer's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, or other dementias.
Using Games to Understand Physics Concepts
Authors: Olmstead Matt
Published: April 2019

Throughout students’ careers in physics, there are some topics that they learn multiple times and in multiple ways, and other topics that are briefly, if at all, discussed. I wanted to have the students think about all of the different physics topics they had learned in, most likely, a new way. Games have been used as a way to learn new physics ideas, as a way to examine the scientific process, and for other educational endeavors. I wanted to use a game to think about many physics topics from a different perspective. I modified a board game to enable students to have a competitive atmosphere in which they would be physically drawing and guessing physics ideas. In the game, every player is simultaneously drawing a specific item from a selection of items and also guessing what the other players are drawing. After each round, we would discuss their pictures, misconceptions, misremembered subjects, and other aspects of the drawings. While this game was first used in a senior seminar course, it can easily be modified to other courses and has since been used during a three-week high school outreach course.
Special Relativity at Low Relative Velocities
Authors: Ackerson Bruce J.
Published: April 2019

Electromagnetic induction, represented by either Faraday’s law or the Lorentz force law, produces many paradoxes requiring careful examination and application of these laws. The paradoxical example of induction, presented herein, arose in a class and is resolved within the framework of special relativity.
Heat- and melt-fluxed melting of lower continental crust: Insights from two types of subduction-related granitoids in northeastern China and the implications for crustal reworking and growth
Authors: Ma Xing-Hua , Qiao Shi-Lei , Xiang Peng , Grebennikov Andrei V. , Zhou Renjie
Published: April 2019

Convergent plate boundaries are the primary location for the formation of continental crust by the intrusion of arc batholiths that contain essentially mantle-derived magmas. This paper presents two types of arc granitoids (enclave-free monzogranites and enclave-bearing granodiorites) in northeastern (NE) China to understand crustal evolution and growth in the eastern Asian continental margin. The monzogranites (189 Ma) show characteristics typical of upper continental crust, with high SiO2 contents and enrichment of K, Rb, and Pb. These monzogranites have low ISr (87Sr/86Sr) ratios (0.70378–0.70413) and positive εNd (t) (+2.2 to +2.3) and εHf (t) (+7.3 to +10.2) values. These features, combined with high zircon saturation temperatures (TZr > 800 °C), suggest that the monzogranites were generated by the heat-fluxed melting of juvenile lower crust. In contrast, the granodiorites (171 Ma) contain abundant coeval mafic enclaves and show relatively low silica contents, low TZr (748–799 °C), and particularly wide variation in εHf (t) (−3.5 to +5.6), implying a hybrid origin involving both mantle- and crust-derived components. Isotopic modeling indicates that mantle material accounts for around 60%–70% of the hybrid magmas by volume. The granodiorites have adakite-like signatures (e.g., Sr/Y > 21 and [La/Yb]N > 15), which may have been primarily caused by a process of magma mixing and hornblende-dominated fractional fractionation, rather than through melting of a subducting slab or thickened lower crust. The two distinct granitoids (monzogranites and granodiorites) represent continental crustal reworking and growth, respectively, related to the subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Plate beneath the eastern Asian continental margin during the Jurassic.
Strength envelope of granular soil stabilized by multi-axial geogrid in large triaxial tests
Authors: Lees A.S. , Clausen J.
Published: April 2019

Conventional methods of characterizing the mechanical properties of soil and geogrid separately are not suited to multi-axial stabilizing geogrid that depends critically on the interaction between soil particles and geogrid. This has been overcome by testing the soil and geogrid product together as one composite material in large specimen triaxial compression tests and fitting a nonlinear failure envelope to the peak failure states. As such, the performance of stabilizing, multi-axial geogrid can be characterized in a measurable way. The failure envelope was adopted in a linear elastic – perfectly plastic constitutive model and implemented into finite element analysis, incorporating a linear variation of enhanced strength with distance from the geogrid plane. This was shown to produce reasonably accurate simulations of triaxial compression tests of both stabilized and nonstabilized specimens at all the confining stresses tested with one set of input parameters for the failure envelope and its variation with distance from the geogrid plane.
Landscape- and site-level responses of woody structure and ground flora to repeated prescribed fire in the Missouri Ozarks
Authors: Maginel Calvin J. , Knapp Benjamin O. , Kabrick John M. , Muzika Rose-Marie
Published: April 2019

Landscape-scale prescribed burning may be appealing for natural community restoration due to operational efficiency and possible heterogeneity in fire effects across broad spatial scales. We monitored plant community responses for >15 years with variable prescribed fire frequencies applied across a Missouri Ozarks landscape stratified into distinct ecological site types. Through the study period, burning had no effect on the overstory tree density or basal area. Midstory stem densities decreased rapidly in periodically burned units and more gradually with annual fire. Burning increased total ground flora cover and the cover of forbs, grasses, and legumes. The effect of burning on species richness differed among site types, with increased species richness through time on exposed slopes. There was no effect of prescribed burning on species richness on two of three protected slope site types, and annual burning decreased species richness in upland waterways. Among the site types, the upland waterways had the most species associated with pre-burn communities. We conclude that (i) burning consistently increased cover of ground layer vegetation across the landscape, while decreasing the midstory stem densities, and (ii) site type moderated ground flora richness response, with more pronounced effects of prescribed burning on exposed sites than on protected sites.
Optimal forest management under financial risk aversion with discounted Markov decision process models
Authors: Zhou Mo , Buongiorno Joseph
Published: April 2019

The common assumption of risk neutrality in forest decision making is generally inadequate because the stakeholders tend to be averse to fluctuations in the return criteria. In Markov decision processes (MDPs) of forest management, risk aversion and standard mean-variance analysis can be readily dealt with if the criteria are undiscounted expected values. However, with discounted criteria such as the fundamental net present value of financial returns, the classic mean-variance optimization is numerically intractable. In lieu of this, this paper (i) presents a linear-programming method to calculate the variance of discounted criteria conditional on any specific policy and (ii) adopts, as an alternative to the variance measure of risk, the “discount normalized variance” (DNV), an economically meaningful criterion consistent with income-smoothing behavior. The DNV is then used in procedures analogous to mean-variance analysis and certainty-equivalent optimization tractable by quadratic programming. The methods are applied to the management of uneven-aged, mixed-species forests in the southern United States. The results document the trade-off between the expected net present value and risk of financial returns, as well as the consequences for selected ecological criteria.
Comments on the multi-spin solution to the Yang–Baxter equation and basic hypergeometric sum/integral identity
Authors: Gahramanov Ilmar , Jafarzade Shahriyar
Published: April 2019

We present a multi-spin solution to the Yang–Baxter equation (YBE). The solution corresponds to the integrable lattice spin model of statistical mechanics with positive Boltzmann weights and parametrized in terms of the basic hypergeometric functions. We obtain this solution from a nontrivial basic hypergeometric sum-integral identity which originates from the equality of supersymmetric indices for certain three-dimensional [Formula: see text] = 2 Seiberg dual theories.
Exposing dark sector with futureZ-factories
Authors: Liu Jia , Wang Lian-Tao , Wang Xiao-Ping , Xue Wei
Published: April 2019

We investigate the prospects of searching dark sector models via exotic [Formula: see text]-boson decay at future [Formula: see text] colliders with Giga [Formula: see text] and Tera [Formula: see text] options. Four general categories of dark sector models: Higgs portal dark matter, vector portal dark matter, inelastic dark matter and axion-like particles, are considered. Focusing on channels motivated by the dark sector models, we carry out a model independent study of the sensitivities of [Formula: see text]-factories in probing exotic decays. The limits on branching ratios of the exotic [Formula: see text] decay are typically [Formula: see text] for the Giga [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] for the Tera [Formula: see text], and they are compared with the projection for the high luminosity LHC. We demonstrate that future [Formula: see text]-factories can provide its unique and leading sensitivity, and highlight the complementarity with other experiments, including the indirect and direct dark matter search limits, and the existing collider limits. Future [Formula: see text] factories will play a leading role to uncover the hidden sector of the universe in the future.
Interplay between collider searches for vector-like quarks and dark matter searches in composite Higgs models
Authors: Chala Mikael , Gröber Ramona , Spannowsky Michael
Published: April 2019

We review the interplay between collider searches for vector-like quarks and dark matter direct detection experiments in composite Higgs models. With focus on a future 100 TeV collider, we also extend previous analyses to improve the reach for heavy quarks in the low mass region.
Novel wide dynamic range current mirror
Authors: Sujito  , Tran Huu-Duy , Wei You-Cyuan , Wang Hung-Yu
Published: April 2019

A novel cascode current mirror for low-voltage application with larger input dynamic range is presented. The proposed mirror circuit combines the advantages of wide input swing, wide output swing and large output resistance capability. It is suitable for low-voltage and low-power application. Simulation results show that the circuit work properly for the input current ranges of 10 [Formula: see text]A to 1 mA and bandwidth is 5.02 GHz for 1 mA DC component.
A study on the field emission properties of Bi2Se3nanostructures prepared by laser ablation
Authors: Ohsumi Yu , Koinkar Pankaj , Furube Akihiro , Lin Keh Moh , Kondawar Subhash , More Mahendra A.
Published: April 2019

One of the effective methods known as pulse laser ablation in liquid (PLAL), in which a solid target material is immersed in an organic solvent and laser beam is irradiated through liquid on a target material, is a direct method used to generate nanoparticles in liquid medium. The present work is focused on the preparation of bismuth selenide (Bi2Se3) nanoparticles using PLAL to study their field emission characteristics. The PLAL was performed under nanosecond (ns) laser with different ablation time of 120 min and 240 min. The field emission characteristics were measured in the planer “diode” configuration in all metal ultra-high vacuum (UHV) chamber. The prepared Bi2Se3nanoparticles were analyzed with different characterization techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and UV-visible spectroscopy in order to study the surface morphology and structural information. The generation of Bi2Se3nanoparticles is found after PLAL, which clearly suggests that bulk Bi2Se3microsheet is transformed into Bi2Se3nanoparticles. The X-ray spectra and UV spectra show the formation of nanoparticles upon laser ablation. The improvement in the field emission properties is found for laser-ablated Bi2Se3nanoparticles. The field emission characteristics lead to increase in current density, which can be ascribed to the reduction in size of Bi2Se3nanoparticles due to laser ablation. The prepared Bi2Se3nanoparticles could be considered for novel applications in optoelectronics devices.
Putting gravity to work: Imaging of exoplanets with the solar gravitational lens
Authors: Turyshev Slava G. , Shao Michael , Toth Viktor T.
Published: April 2019

The remarkable optical properties of the solar gravitational lens (SGL) include major brightness amplification ([Formula: see text] on the optical axis, at a wavelength of [Formula: see text]m) and extreme angular resolution ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]arcsec). A deep space mission equipped with a modest telescope and coronagraph, traveling to the focal area of the SGL that begins at [Formula: see text] astronomical units (AU) from the Sun, offers an opportunity for direct megapixel imaging and high-resolution spectroscopy of a habitable Earth-like exoplanet. We present a basic overview of this intriguing opportunity.
Design and implementation of low-power CMOS biosignal amplifier for active electrode in biomedical application using subthreshold biasing strategy
Authors: Kalpana G. , Krishnamoorthy Raja , Kalaivaani P. T.
Published: April 2019

Active Electrodes (AEs) are electrodes which have integrated bio-amplifier circuitry and are known to be less susceptible to motion artifacts and environmental interference. In this work, a low-power and high-input impedance amplifier for active electrode application is implemented based on subthreshold biasing strategies. In this proposed Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) device was versatile and numerical to achieve a high degree of programmability. It could be adapted to any other external part of one cochlear prosthesis, the sound analyzer that could be driven by a Digital Signal Processor (DSP). This research work also discusses the measurement of the electrode-skin impedance mismatch between two electrodes while concurrently measuring a bioelectrical signal without degradation of the performance of the amplifier, the efficient, noise-optimized analysis of bioelectrical signals utilizing two-wired active buffer electrodes. The reduction of power-line interference when using amplifying electrodes employing autonomous adaption of the gain of the subsequent differential amplification. The amplifier’s features include offset compensation, Common Mode Rejection Ratio (CMRR) improvement in software and a bandwidth extending down to DC. The proposed active electrode amplifier is designed using 90 nm CMOS technology. Simulation results exhibit up to the change in noise immunity and lessening in power utilization contrasted with the traditional bio-amplifier design at a similar delay.
Synthesis of dipyroromethanes in water and investigation of electronic and steric effects in efficiency of olefin epoxidation by sodium periodate catalyzed by manganese tetraaryl andtransdisubstituted porphyrin complexes
Authors: Bagherzadeh Mojtaba , Jonaghani Mohammad Adineh , Amini Mojtaba , Mortazavi-Manesh Anahita
Published: April 2019

Condensation of pyrrole with various aldehydes in the presence of BF3•etherate as an acid catalyst in water provides good yield of some dipyrromethanes. Prolongation of the reaction time with aldehydes substituted by electron-donating (mesityl) or electron-withdrawing (2,6-dichlorophenyl) groups on the ortho positions of the phenyl did not lead to decomposition or scrambling. Manganese trans disubstituted porphyrin complexes which derive from various dipyrromethanes and manganese tetraaryl porphyrin complexes including various substituents with different steric and electronic properties show good catalytic activity in epoxidation of alkenes by NaIO4in the presence of imidazole (ImH). The study of steric and electronic effects of the catalysts on the epoxidation of olefins shows that Mn-porphyrin complexes with more bulky and electron-releasing groups on meso phenyls could increase the epoxidation yield of most alkenes.
FOSTERING EMPLOYEES’ INNOVATIVE WORK BEHAVIOUR IN HEALTHCARE ORGANISATIONS
Authors: CARLUCCI DANIELA , MURA MATTEO , SCHIUMA GIOVANNI
Published: April 2019

Healthcare workers’ innovative work behaviour plays a key role in generating innovation. To date determinants of innovative work behaviour are not completely detected and there is a call for additional empirical evidence on organizational-level factors influencing individual’s innovation.

This study empirically explores the relationships between organizational climate, organisation’s openness to innovation, and innovative work behaviour in the context of a public sector healthcare organization.

A survey has been conducted on employees of a large Italian public sector hospital. Data collected on 560 professionals have been analyzed through Structural Equation Modelling technique.

The results show that organisational climate affects employees’ innovative work behavior both directly and indirectly through organisation’s openness to innovation. Specifically our findings highlight that organization’s openness to innovation partially mediates the relationship between organizational climate and employees’ innovative work behavior.

The results should lead managers to consider the importance of organizational climate and openness to innovation as effective levers to pull in order to improve employees’ innovative work behavior.
COMPARING SERVICE, PRODUCT, AND PROCESS INNOVATIONS: INSIGHTS FROM THE INTERNAL SUPPLY CHAIN NETWORK OF A EUROPEAN STEEL MANUFACTURING FIRM
Authors: YAZDANPARAST ATEFEH , MANUJ ILA , PLASCH MICHAEL , GERSCHBERGER MARKUS , FREUDENTHALER DANIELA
Published: April 2019

A case research approach is employed for investigating and comparing managerial perceptions of the three types of innovation (service, product, and process innovations) within the context of cross-functional network of a European steel manufacturing firm. The insights result in the development of a typology of innovation projects based on origin, context, scope, benefits, and degree of complexity. The findings embedded in Resource Based View and Service Dominant Logic, reveal divergent aspects of the three types of innovation such as disparate reasons for undertaking each type of innovation and distinct internal and external success factors, as well as convergent aspects of the innovation types such as similar challenges. This research explores the three types of innovation in a single firm in a single study and provides a middle ground for the two extant schools of thought (one viewing product, service, and process innovations as entirely different processes and the other viewing all three as essentially same processes).