bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integration of the Opportunity‐Ability‐Motivation behavior change framework into a coaching‐based WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist program in India
Authors: Hirschhorn Lisa R. , Krasne Margaret , Maisonneuve Jenny , Kara Nabihah , Kalita Tapan , Henrich Natalie , Rana Darpan , Maji Pinki , Delaney Megan M. , Firestone Rebecca , Sharma Narender , Kumar Vishwajeet , Gawande Atul A. , Semrau Katherine E.A.
Published: June 2018

Objective

To evaluate whether integration of the Opportunity‐Ability‐Motivation plus Supplies (OAMS) framework into coaching improved the delivery of essential birth practices in a low‐resource setting.

Methods

This prospective mixed‐methods study used routine coaching visit data obtained from the first eight intervention facilities of the BetterBirth trial in Uttar Pradesh, India, between December 19, 2014, and October 21, 2015. The 8‐month intervention was peer coaching that integrated the OAMS framework to support uptake of the WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist. Descriptive statistics were used to measure nonadherence to essential birth practices. The frequency and accuracy of coaches’ coding of barriers and the appropriateness of chosen resolution strategies to measure feasibility, acceptability, and fidelity of using OAMS, were assessed.

Results

Coaches observed 666 deliveries, including 12 602 practices. Overall, essential practice nonadherence decreased from 15.6% (262/1675 practices observed) to 4.5% (4/88 practices) (P<0.001). Of the 1048 barriers identified, opportunity (556 [53.1%]) and motivation (287 [27.4%]) were the most frequently reported categories; the frequency of both decreased over time (P=0.003 and P<0.001, respectively). The coaches appropriately categorized 930 (99.8%) of 932 barriers and provided an appropriate strategy for 800 (85.8%). The commonest reason for unaddressed barriers was lack of coaching opportunities.

Conclusion

Successful integration of OAMS framework into delivery attendant coaching enabled coaches to rapidly diagnose barriers to practice adherence and develop responsive strategies.

ClinicalTrials.gov

NCT2148952 (WHO Universal Trial Number: U11111‐1315‐647).
An atypical case of atypical pneumonia
Authors: Ota Koshi , Iida Ryo , Ota Kanna , Sakaue Masahide , Taniguchi Kohei , Tomioka Masao , Nitta Masahiko , Takasu Akira
Published: June 2018

Atypical pneumonia has been thought to account for 7%‐20% of community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP). The treatment for the pathogens that cause atypical pneumonia is different from that of other bacterial pneumonia. Therefore, identification of the causative pathogen in a primary care situation is crucial for adequate treatment of CAP. Mycoplasma infection is prevalent in the general population, but Mycoplasma pneumoniae with extrapulmonary symptoms is relatively rare. Herein, we report a case of CAP because of M. pneumoniae that presented with a wide variety of extrapulmonary diseases. Delayed administration of appropriate antibiotics may contribute to development of extrapulmonary manifestations.
Development of monomorphic ventricular tachycardia in a patient with fever‐induced Brugada syndrome
Authors: Sato Yuriko , Aizawa Yoshiyasu , Fujisawa Taishi , Ito Shogo , Katano Kousuke , Fuse Nozomi , Miyabe Akira , Osada Kimihiro , Ishihara Ryuuma , Tosaka Atushi , Tamamura Toshitake , Mizumura Taisuke , Sugimura Youichi , Nakajima Kazuaki , Katsumata Yoshinori , Nishiyama Takahiko , Kimura Takehiro , Furukawa Yoshiko , Takatsuki Seiji , Kosaki Kenjiro , Fukuda Keiichi
Published: June 2018

A 50‐year‐old woman visited the emergency department with a high fever due to pneumonia. Incessant monomorphic ventricular tachycardia occurred and was terminated by intravenous lidocaine. Her ECG during sinus rhythm demonstrated ST segment elevation suggestive of Brugada syndrome (BS). An intensive examination could not detect any structural disease, and typical coved‐type ST elevation was unmasked by a pilsicainide injection leading to a diagnosis of BS. An ICD was implanted for secondary prevention of ventricular arrhythmia. The patient has been free from any recurrences of arrhythmia for 3 years.
The Individual Career Counseling Needs and Experiences of Female Survivors of Partner Violence
Authors: Chronister Krista M. , Luginbuhl Paula , Ngo Christine , Downey‐McCarthy Rosemarie , Wang Jenny , Barr Leah , Aranda Christina , Harley Eliza
Published: June 2018

The impact of partner violence on women's employment and career development is profound. Career counselors may contribute substantially to these women's rehabilitation. This study examined employment and career counseling needs, barriers experienced, and counseling satisfaction of female survivors of partner violence (N = 71). The women participated in community‐ and research‐based individual career counseling services designed to promote their short‐ and long‐term career development. The authors conducted correlational, t‐test, and logistic regression analyses and found that barriers differed by race/ethnicity, age, number of children, and career service needs. Results provide important information about survivors' career counseling service access and needs.
The radiative transfer equation with a nonhomogeneous reflectivity boundary condition coupled with the heat conduction equation
Authors: Paquet Luc , Nabolsi Hawraa
Published: June 2018

In this paper, we make a rigorous mathematical analysis of the radiative heating of a semitransparent body made of a glass by a black radiative source surrounding it. This requires the study of the coupling between quasi‐steady radiative‐transfer boundary value problems with nonhomogeneous reflectivity boundary conditions (one for each wavelength band in the semitransparent electromagnetic spectrum of the glass) and a nonlinear heat‐conduction evolution equation with a nonlinear Robin boundary condition, which takes into account those wavelengths for which the glass behaves like an opaque body. We prove existence and uniqueness of the solution and give also uniform bounds on the solution, ie, on the absolute temperature distribution inside the body and on the radiative intensities.
On the impact of ICRU report 90 recommendations on kQ factors for high‐energy photon beams
Authors: Mainegra‐Hing Ernesto , Muir Bryan R.
Published: June 2018

Purpose

To assess the impact of the ICRU report 90 recommendations on the beam‐quality conversion factor, kQ, used for clinical reference dosimetry of megavoltage linac photon beams.

Methods

The absorbed dose to water and the absorbed dose to the air in ionization chambers representative of those typically used for linac photon reference dosimetry are calculated at the reference depth in a water phantom using Monte Carlo simulations. Depth‐dose calculations in water are also performed to investigate changes in beam quality specifiers. The calculations are performed in a cobalt‐60 beam and MV photon beams with nominal energy between 6 MV and 25 MV using the EGSnrc simulation toolkit. Inputs to the calculations use stopping‐power data for graphite and water from the original ICRU‐37 report and the new proposed values from the recently published ICRU‐90 report. Calculated kQ factors are compared using the two different recommendations for key dosimetry data and measured kQ factors.

Results

Less than about 0.1% effects from ICRU‐90 recommendations on the beam quality specifiers, the photon component of the percentage depth‐dose at 10 cm, %dd(10)x, and the tissue‐phantom ratio at 20 cm and 10 cm, TPR, are observed. Although using different recommendations for key dosimetric data impact water‐to‐air stopping‐power ratios and ion chamber perturbation corrections by up to 0.54% and 0.40%, respectively, we observe little difference (≤0.14%) in calculated kQ factors. This is contradictory to the predictions in ICRU‐90 that suggest differences up to 0.5% in high‐energy photon beams. A slightly better agreement with experimental values is obtained when using ICRU‐90 recommendations.

Conclusion

Users of the addendum to the TG‐51 protocol for reference dosimetry of high‐energy photon beams, which recommends Monte Carlo calculated kQ factors, can rest assured that the recommendations of ICRU report 90 on basic data have little impact on this central dosimetric parameter.
A multiobjective Bayesian networks approach for joint prediction of tumor local control and radiation pneumonitis in nonsmall‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) for response‐adapted radiotherapy
Authors: Luo Yi , McShan Daniel L. , Matuszak Martha M. , Ray Dipankar , Lawrence Theodore S. , Jolly Shruti , Kong Feng‐Ming , Ten Haken Randall K. , El Naqa Issam
Published: June 2018

Purpose

Individualization of therapeutic outcomes in NSCLC radiotherapy is likely to be compromised by the lack of proper balance of biophysical factors affecting both tumor local control (LC) and side effects such as radiation pneumonitis (RP), which are likely to be intertwined. Here, we compare the performance of separate and joint outcomes predictions for response‐adapted personalized treatment planning.

Methods

A total of 118 NSCLC patients treated on prospective protocols with 32 cases of local progression and 20 cases of RP grade 2 or higher (RP2) were studied. Sixty‐eight patients with 297 features before and during radiotherapy were used for discovery and 50 patients were reserved for independent testing. A multiobjective Bayesian network (MO‐BN) approach was developed to identify important features for joint LC/RP2 prediction using extended Markov blankets as inputs to develop a BN predictive structure. Cross‐validation (CV) was used to guide the MO‐BN structure learning. Area under the free‐response receiver operating characteristic (AU‐FROC) curve was used to evaluate joint prediction performance.

Results

Important features including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), micro RNAs, pretreatment cytokines, pretreatment PET radiomics together with lung and tumor gEUDs were selected and their biophysical inter‐relationships with radiation outcomes (LC and RP2) were identified in a pretreatment MO‐BN. The joint LC/RP2 prediction yielded an AU‐FROC of 0.80 (95% CI: 0.70–0.86) upon internal CV. This improved to 0.85 (0.75–0.91) with additional two SNPs, changes in one cytokine and two radiomics PET image features through the course of radiotherapy in a during‐treatment MO‐BN. This MO‐BN model outperformed combined single‐objective Bayesian networks (SO‐BNs) during‐treatment [0.78 (0.67–0.84)]. AU‐FROC values in the evaluation of the MO‐BN and individual SO‐BNs on the testing dataset were 0.77 and 0.68 for pretreatment, and 0.79 and 0.71 for during‐treatment, respectively.

Conclusions

MO‐BNs can reveal possible biophysical cross‐talks between competing radiotherapy clinical endpoints. The prediction is improved by providing additional during‐treatment information. The developed MO‐BNs can be an important component of decision support systems for personalized response‐adapted radiotherapy.
An eco‐friendly water‐soluble fluorene‐based polyelectrolyte as interfacial layer for efficient inverted polymer solar cells
Authors: Li Jianfeng , Lv Jie , Peng Yichun , Cao Xiaodong , Tong Junfeng , Xia Yangjun
Published: May 2018

A conjugated polyelectrolyte poly(9,9‐bis(3′‐[(N,N‐dimethyl)‐N‐ethylammonium]‐propyl)‐2,7‐fluorene dibromide) (PFBr) with the feature of environmental friendliness and cheapness was successfully used in polymer solar cells (PSCs) as the cathode interfacial layer (CIL). And we successfully demonstrate that the PFBr can build interfacial dipoles at the CIL/cathode interfaces, leading to reduce cathode work functions and improve open‐circuit voltages, which decrease interfacial energy loss at the cathode. It not only improves the electron transfer efficiency but also inhibits the charge carrier recombination at the contact interface. Impedance spectra revealed that the optimal device with the smallest charge transport time constant of 2.83 microseconds was achieved under the concentration of 2 mg mL−1 of PFBr, which suggests efficient electron transport on the interface between the organic active layer and the indium tin oxide cathode. Moreover, as a consequence, the power conversion efficiency of the PSCs increases to 3.83% (with PFBr as CIL) from 1.89% (without any CIL), based on the poly(3‐hexylthiophene) and [6,6]‐phenyl C61‐butyric acid methyl ester bulk heterojunction active layer. Therefore, our observation can demonstrate PFBr is a prospective candidate as CIL for constructing low‐cost, large‐area, and flexible PSCs.
One‐component photoinitiator based on benzophenone and sesamol
Authors: Wang Jing , Yang Jinliang , Atif Muhammad , Bongiovanni Roberta , Li Gang , Xue Zhongmin , Yang Xiaoping
Published: May 2018

A new benzodioxole derivative, 4‐(1,3‐benzodioxol‐5‐yloxy) benzophenone (BPBDO), based on benzophenone and sesamol was precisely synthesized, and it can be used as a 1‐component type II photoinitiator. Elementary analysis, atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance, and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance studies revealed that the molecular structure of BPBDO consisted of both benzophenone (BP) and benzodioxole (BDO) structures. The laser flash photolysis experiments and electron spin resonance test indicated that the process of radicals generated from BPBDO after irradiation was similar to 3 processes of ethyl 4‐dimethylaminobenzoate and BP. The kinetics of photopolymerization of the photoinitiator was also studied by real‐time infrared spectroscopy. The oxygen content, light intensity, and viscosity of the monomer affected the decomposition (Rd) and polymerization rate, and the final double bond conversion was also studied. All the results suggest that BPBDO is a 1‐component photoinitiator that is an efficient photoinitiator for free radical polymerization. In contrast to typical dual‐component photoinitiators, eg, BP/ethyl 4‐dimethylaminobenzoate or BP/BDO, BPBDO does not require an additional amine coinitiator for the initiation and is applicable in nonamine resin systems.
Association between dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors and urinary tract infection in elderly patients: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Imatoh Takuya , Nishi Takumi , Yasui Midori , Maeda Toshiki , Sai Kimie , Saito Yoshiro , Une Hiroshi , Babazono Akira
Published: May 2018

Purpose

Dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP‐4) inhibitors are a new class of antidiabetic drugs. Although they have been reported to increase the risk of infection, the findings are controversial. Given that urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in the elderly, we conducted a retrospective cohort study by using health care insurance claims data, to elucidate the association between the DPP‐4 inhibitors and the incidence of UTI in latter‐stage elderly patients.

Methods

We analyzed 25,111 Japanese patients aged 75 years and older between the fiscal years 2011 and 2016. Patients using DPP‐4 inhibitors and sulfonylureas (SUs) were matched at a 1:1 ratio using propensity scoring. The Incidence rate ratio (IRR) of UTI was compared between users of SUs and users of DPP‐4 inhibitors by Poisson regression. Moreover, subgroup analyses stratified by sex were conducted to evaluate whether the combination of prostatic hyperplasia and DPP‐4 inhibitors is associated with the incidence of UTI in male patients.

Results

The use of DPP‐4 inhibitors was associated with an increased risk of UTI (adjusted IRR 1.23, 95% CI [1.04‐1.45]). After propensity score matching, the association remained significant (adjusted IRR 1.28, 95% CI [1.05‐1.56]). Moreover, elderly male patients with prostatic hyperplasia who received DPP‐4 inhibitors had a higher risk of UTI than SU users without prostatic hyperplasia (Matched: crude IRR 2.90, 95% CI [1.78‐4.71]; adjusted IRR 2.32, 95% CI [1.40‐3.84]).

Conclusions

The long‐term use of DPP‐4 inhibitors by elderly patients, particularly male patients with prostatic hyperplasia, may increase the risk of UTI.
Envisioning a meaningful future and academic engagement: The role of parenting practices and school‐based relationships
Authors: Hill Nancy E. , Liang Belle , Price Maggi , Polk Whitney , Perella John , Savitz‐Romer Mandy
Published: June 2018

In contrast to the focus on short‐term, extrinsic goals in our society (e.g., wealth, prestige), positive youth development scholars have highlighted the need for parents and schools to help youths cultivate and plan for long‐term, intrinsic, and meaningful goals (i.e., envisioning a meaningful future), arguing that envisioning a meaningful future is potentially inspiring and associated with better outcomes for youths. Envisioning a meaningful future includes being future‐oriented and planful and having a sense of purpose, a life focus that provides deep meaning to life and contributes to the good of society. This study used structural equation modeling to examine the direct and indirect effects of parental and school relationships on envisioning a meaningful future and academic engagement in a diverse sample of adolescents (n = 624). Parental and school‐based relationships were positively associated with academic engagement, and this association was partially mediated by envisioning a meaningful future. Analyses revealed the importance of parental and school relationships in engaging youths in developing a vision for a meaningful future toward the goal of academic engagement. Variations between African‐Americans and Whites, and across grade and parental education levels are discussed.
The Blast Parameters Spanning the Fireball from Large Hemispherical Detonations of C‐4
Authors: Rae Philip J. , McAfee John M.
Published: June 2018

Large (∼45.4 kg) hemispheres of C‐4, detonated on the ground, were instrumented to measure blast parameters at scaled distances between 0.53 to 1.78 m kg−1/3. The results from free‐field and reflected pressure gauge measurements made inside and just outside the maximum extent of the fireball are presented. They show that the predictions from a particular table for scaled TNT charges are broadly consistent with the time‐of‐arrival, initial peak pressure, positive duration and positive impulse measurements. However, this agreement is poorer through the location of the primary and secondary (delayed) fireball (0.71–1.48 m kg−1/3), but better closer in and further away. Additionally, for individual detonations with closely located gauges, significant variations between peak pressures and times‐of‐arrival are measured. This suggests a strong effect from the interface instabilities present in the near‐field.
Sustained influence of infections on prostate‐specific antigen concentration: An analysis of changes over 10 years of follow‐up
Authors: Langston Marvin E. , Pakpahan Ratna , Nevin Remington L. , De Marzo Angelo M. , Elliott Debra J. , Gaydos Charlotte A. , Isaacs William B. , Nelson William G. , Sokoll Lori J. , Zenilman Jonathan M. , Platz Elizabeth A. , Sutcliffe Siobhan
Published: May 2018

Background

To extend our previous observation of a short‐term rise in prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) concentration, a marker of prostate inflammation and cell damage, during and immediately following sexually transmitted and systemic infections, we examined the longer‐term influence of these infections, both individually and cumulatively, on PSA over a mean of 10 years of follow‐up in young active duty U.S. servicemen.

Methods

We measured PSA in serum specimens collected in 1995‐7 (baseline) and 2004‐6 (follow‐up) from 265 men diagnosed with chlamydia (CT), 72 with gonorrhea (GC), 37 with non‐chlamydial, non‐gonococcal urethritis (NCNGU), 58 with infectious mononucleosis (IM), 91 with other systemic or non‐genitourinary infections such as varicella; and 125‐258 men with no infectious disease diagnoses in their medical record during follow‐up (controls). We examined the influence of these infections on PSA change between baseline and follow‐up.

Results

The proportion of men with any increase in PSA (>0 ng/mL) over the 10‐year average follow‐up was significantly higher in men with histories of sexually transmitted infections (CT, GC, and NCNGU; 67.7% vs 60.8%, P = 0.043), systemic infections (66.7% vs 54.4%, P = 0.047), or any infections (all cases combined; 68.5% vs 54.4%, P = 0.003) in their military medical record compared to controls.

Conclusions

While PSA has been previously shown to rise during acute infection, these findings demonstrate that PSA remains elevated over a longer period. Additionally, the overall infection burden, rather than solely genitourinary‐specific infection burden, contributed to these long‐term changes, possibly implying a role for the cumulative burden of infections in prostate cancer risk.
No effect of thymosin beta‐4 on the expression of the transcription factor Islet‐1 in the adult murine heart
Authors: Weinberger Florian , Nicol Philipp , Starbatty Jutta , Stubbendorff Mandy , Becher Peter M. , Schrepfer Sonja , Eschenhagen Thomas
Published: June 2018

The transcription factor Islet‐1 marks a progenitor cell population of the second heart field during cardiogenesis. In the adult heart Islet‐1 expression is limited to the sinoatrial node, the ventricular outflow tract, and parasympathetic ganglia. The regenerative effect in the injured mouse ventricle of thymosin beta‐4 (TB4), a 43‐aminoacid peptide, was associated with increased Islet‐1 immunostaining, suggesting the induction of an Islet‐1‐positive progenitor state by TB4. Here we aimed to reassess this effect in a genetic model. Mice from the reporter mouse line Isl1‐nLacZ were primed with TB4 and subsequently underwent myocardial infarction. Islet‐1 expression was assessed 2, 7, and 14 days after infarction. We detected only a single Islet‐1+ cell in 8 TB4 treated and infarcted hearts which located outside of the sinoatrial node, the outflow tract or cardiac ganglia (in ~2500 sections). Two cells were identified in 5 control infarcted hearts. TB4 did not induce LacZ positivity in ventricular explants cultures of Isl1‐nLacZ mice nor did it affect the density of LacZ+ cells in explant cultures of nLacZ+ regions of the heart. In summary, we found no evidence that TB4 reactivates Islet‐1 expression in adult mouse ventricle.
Confronting herbicide resistance with cooperative management
Authors: Evans Jeffrey A , Williams Alwyn , Hager Aaron G , Mirsky Steven B , Tranel Patrick J , Davis Adam S
Published: June 2018

BACKGROUND

Resistance of pathogens and pests to antibiotics and pesticides worldwide is rapidly reaching critical levels. The common‐pool‐resource nature of this problem (i.e. whereby the susceptibility to treatment of target organisms is a shared resource) has been largely overlooked. Using herbicide‐resistant weeds as a model system, we developed a discrete‐time landscape‐scale simulation to investigate how aggregating herbicide management strategies at different spatial scales from individual farms to larger cooperative structures affects the evolution of glyphosate resistance in common waterhemp (Amaranthus tuberculatus).

RESULTS

Our findings indicate that high‐efficacy herbicide management strategies practiced at the farm scale are insufficient to slow resistance evolution in A. tuberculatus. When best practices were aggregated at large spatial scales, resistance evolution was hindered; conversely, when poor management practices were aggregated, resistance was exacerbated. Tank mixture‐based strategies were more effective than rotation‐based strategies in most circumstances, while applying glyphosate alone resulted in the poorest outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings highlight the importance of landscape‐scale cooperative management for confronting common‐pool‐resource resistance problems in weeds and other analogous systems. © 2018 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Marketing to Generation Z
Authors: Van den Bergh Joeri , Pallini Katia
Published: May 2018

We interviewed 26 senior marketing executives to hear how Gen Z is changing their businesses and marketing strategies today.
Preparation of Ag nanoparticles‐Decorated Polydopamine‐Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites at a Gas‐Liquid Interface for the Eletrochemical Sensing of H2O2
Authors: Zhang Xinjin , Sheng Qinglin , Zheng Jianbin
Published: June 2018

A nanocomposites of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs)‐polydopamine (PDA)‐reduced graphene oxide (rGO) were synthesized at a gas/liquid interface. The gas/liquid interface will be appeared when the volatilized methyl aldehyde gas dissolved in to the solution and the Ag NPs will be formed by using CH2O as the reductant. Then, the nanocomposites were modified on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) to construct a hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) sensor. The morphology and composition of the nanocomposites were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The electrochemical investigation of the sensor reveals that it showed excellent catalytic property towards H2O2. The responses have a wide concentration range linear of 0.03‐16 mM and 16–60 mM, the corresponding sensitivity of 28.1 μA mM−1 cm−2, 40.27 μA mM−1 cm−2, and a detection limit of 10 μM at a signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) of 3. Furthermore, the sensor also exhibited good anti‐interference, long‐term stability and repeatability for H2O2 sensing. The present work offered a general platform for the synthesis of uniform distribution metal nanoparticles that might be extended to other fields.
Advanced Transmission Electron Microscopy for Electrode and Solid‐Electrolyte Materials in Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Liu Xiaozhi , Gu Lin
Published: June 2018

Understanding the reaction processes of electrode and electrolyte materials is important for achieving high‐performance lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). Currently, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) can readily characterize the structural and chemical features of these materials from the micrometer scale to the atomic scale. In situ (S)TEM can further monitor their non‐ or quasi‐equilibrated states in real time. Here, the recent progress in unraveling the crystal and electronic structures of the electrode and solid‐electrolyte materials using ex situ and in situ (S)TEM is reviewed. Three fundamental functions, including imaging, diffraction, and spectroscopy, are jointly used to decipher the configuration of the defects and ordering, the variations near the surfaces and across the interfaces, and the evolution of the coexisting phases. Novel and deep insights are proposed for the material growth, reaction, and capacity fading mechanisms. Advanced (S)TEM studies for LIB materials pose numerous challenges and perspectives, including the development and application of local diffraction analysis, large‐scale phase mapping techniques, 3D reconstruction, and cryoelectron microscopy, which are further discussed.
Efficient refined rotating‐angle softened truss model procedure to analyze reinforced concrete membrane elements
Authors: Bernardo Luís Filipe Almeida , Cerquido Bernardo Miguel Dias , de Barros Silva Jordlly Reydson , Horowitz Bernardo
Published: June 2018

This article presents refinements of the rotating‐angle softened truss model (RA‐STM) to analyze reinforced concrete (RC) membrane elements. To refine the model, an efficient solution procedure to solve the nonlinear problem and a set of appropriate average stress–strain relationships for concrete and steel bars, to account for the softening and stiffening effects, are used. These refinements allow the theoretical model to predict well the behavior of RC membrane elements under shear, namely the ultimate state, including the post‐peak behavior. The results obtained from the refined model are compared with experimental results found in the literature, where good agreement is observed.
Improved background subtraction method for detecting moving objects based on GMM
Authors: Lu Xiaofeng , Xu Caidi , Wang Lei , Teng Lin
Published: May 2018

The background subtraction (BS) method is one of the most commonly used components in the detection of moving objects in computer vision systems, in which moving objects in image sequences are detected by comparing the background model with the current frame. Traditional moving object detection algorithms have some problems, such as changes in dynamic background, background variation due to changes of illumination, and being more sensitive to noise and shadows. In this study, an improved BS method based on the Gaussian mixture model (GMM) is proposed for the challenge in object detection. Not only is the influence of changes of illumination, and noise and shadows reduced, but the dynamic changes of natural scenes can also be tackled by using this method. The contribution lies in the following aspects: (i) a Gaussian background modeling method with less running time is proposed in the background modeling stage. The background is reconstructed based on GMM of the mean images of image blocks, aiming to simplify the calculations so as to improve the speed of the corresponding operations. (ii) In the foreground detection stage, a wavelet‐based, denoising method with the semisoft threshold function is applied to denoise the object images of the foreground. (iii) In the background maintenance stage, an adaptive background maintenance algorithm is proposed to dynamically update the background. Experimental results show that the computational complexity is reduced, while the adaptability and performance are improved by using this method. It outperforms the traditional methods in terms of both efficiency and robustness. © 2018 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Comparison of nondestructive testing techniques for the inspection of wind turbine blades' spar caps
Authors: Martin Robert W. , Sabato Alessandro , Schoenberg Andrew , Giles Robert H. , Niezrecki Christopher
Published: May 2018

To increase the energy conversion efficiency and power production, the size of wind turbine blades has continued to grow larger. As such, the need to identify defects and monitor the structural health becomes more critical to maintain reliability and prevent costly catastrophic failures. Larger blades are subject to an increased likelihood of operational damage and manufacturing defects. Usually, glass‐reinforced spar caps are inspected with the assistance of strong flashlights, while nondestructive testing (NDT) inspections are performed only on carbon‐reinforced blades which are not translucent. These operations provide qualitative information only. Therefore, there is a growing need for inspection techniques that can provide quantitative information for assessing the structural health of the blades. In recent years, different NDT techniques capable of accurately delivering surface and internal data have been developed. Nondestructive testing systems should be able to quickly and efficiently scan large areas, to be economically beneficial to the wind turbine manufacturing industry. Within this paper, 3 different NDT techniques for the inspection of manufactured wind turbine blades' spar caps are compared: terahertz inverse synthetic aperture radar, infrared thermography, and X‐ray imaging. Each is investigated to evaluate their ability to detect the presence of defects of concern that are created during the blade manufacturing process. Through a set of experimental tests, the advantages, challenges, and drawbacks of each used technique are evaluated and compared in the context of the needs of the wind turbine industry. This research provides the foundation of empirical comparisons that can lead to the development of more accurate NDT resulting in the construction of more reliable and less‐expensive wind turbine blades.
Beyond the “at risk mental state” concept: transitioning to transdiagnostic psychiatry
Authors: McGorry Patrick D. , Hartmann Jessica A. , Spooner Rachael , Nelson Barnaby
Published: May 2018

The “at risk mental state” for psychosis approach has been a catalytic, highly productive research paradigm over the last 25 years. In this paper we review that paradigm and summarize its key lessons, which include the valence of this phenotype for future psychosis outcomes, but also for comorbid, persistent or incident non‐psychotic disorders; and the evidence that onset of psychotic disorder can at least be delayed in ultra high risk (UHR) patients, and that some full‐threshold psychotic disorder may emerge from risk states not captured by UHR criteria. The paradigm has also illuminated risk factors and mechanisms involved in psychosis onset. However, findings from this and related paradigms indicate the need to develop new identification and diagnostic strategies. These findings include the high prevalence and impact of mental disorders in young people, the limitations of current diagnostic systems and risk identification approaches, the diffuse and unstable symptom patterns in early stages, and their pluripotent, transdiagnostic trajectories. The approach we have recently adopted has been guided by the clinical staging model and adapts the original “at risk mental state” approach to encompass a broader range of inputs and output target syndromes. This approach is supported by a number of novel modelling and prediction strategies that acknowledge and reflect the dynamic nature of psychopathology, such as dynamical systems theory, network theory, and joint modelling. Importantly, a broader transdiagnostic approach and enhancing specific prediction (profiling or increasing precision) can be achieved concurrently. A holistic strategy can be developed that applies these new prediction approaches, as well as machine learning and iterative probabilistic multimodal models, to a blend of subjective psychological data, physical disturbances (e.g., EEG measures) and biomarkers (e.g., neuroinflammation, neural network abnormalities) acquired through fine‐grained sequential or longitudinal assessments. This strategy could ultimately enhance our understanding and ability to predict the onset, early course and evolution of mental ill health, further opening pathways for preventive interventions.
What is the risk‐benefit ratio of long‐term antipsychotic treatment in people with schizophrenia?
Authors: Correll Christoph U. , Rubio Jose M. , Kane John M.
Published: May 2018

The long‐term benefit‐to‐risk ratio of sustained antipsychotic treatment for schizophrenia has recently been questioned. In this paper, we critically examine the literature on the long‐term efficacy and effectiveness of this treatment. We also review the evidence on the undesired effects, the impact on physical morbidity and mortality, as well as the neurobiological correlates of chronic exposure to antipsychotics. Finally, we summarize factors that affect the risk‐benefit ratio. There is consistent evidence supporting the efficacy of antipsychotics in the short term and mid term following stabilization of acute psychotic symptoms. There is insufficient evidence supporting the notion that this effect changes in the long term. Most, but not all, of the long‐term cohort studies find a decrease in efficacy during chronic treatment with antipsychotics. However, these results are inconclusive, given the extensive risk of bias, including increasing non‐adherence. On the other hand, long‐term studies based on national registries, which have lower risk of bias, find an advantage in terms of effectiveness during sustained antipsychotic treatment. Sustained antipsychotic treatment has been also consistently associated with lower mortality in people with schizophrenia compared to no antipsychotic treatment. Nevertheless, chronic antipsychotic use is associated with metabolic disturbance and tardive dyskinesia. The latter is the clearest undesired clinical consequence of brain functioning as a potential result of chronic antipsychotic exposure, likely from dopaminergic hypersensitivity, without otherwise clear evidence of other irreversible neurobiological changes. Adjunctive psychosocial interventions seem critical for achieving recovery. However, overall, the current literature does not support the safe reduction of antipsychotic dosages by 50% or more in stabilized individuals receiving adjunctive psychosocial interventions. In conclusion, the critical appraisal of the literature indicates that, although chronic antipsychotic use can be associated with undesirable neurologic and metabolic side effects, the evidence supporting its long‐term efficacy and effectiveness, including impact on life expectancy, outweighs the evidence against this practice, overall indicating a favorable benefit‐to‐risk ratio. However, the finding that a minority of individuals diagnosed initially with schizophrenia appear to be relapse free for long periods, despite absence of sustained antipsychotic treatment, calls for further research on patient‐level predictors of positive outcomes in people with an initial psychotic presentation.
Deepening Attention to Social Location in Building Leader and Leadership Efficacy
Authors: Turman Natasha T. , Garcia Kristina C. Alcozer , Howes Shannon
Published: June 2018

Leadership efficacy is a powerful determinant of leadership capacity and enactment. However, little attention is paid to how social location shapes its development. This chapter provides pathways for cultivating youth leadership efficacy that are attentive to social location.
β‐[SbI2][AlI4] – A Second Polymorph of Diiodidoantimony‐Tetraiodido Aluminate with a Polymeric Structure
Authors: Eich Andreas , Bredow Thomas , Beck Johannes
Published: June 2018

The reaction of antimony triiodide and aluminum triiodide at 160 °C yields orange crystals of β‐[SbI2][AlI4] (1) via gas phase deposition. This second polymorph of [SbI2][AlI4] crystallizes monoclinic in space group P21/n and is built of [SbI2]+ and [AlI4]– ions connected via long Sb–I bonds. Sb is coordinated in form of a distorted square pyramid. These SbI5 polyhedra are connected alternately by edges and corners by almost regular tetrahedral tetraiodido aluminate units to undulated [SbI2AlI4]n chains. This stands in contrast to the molecular structure of the α polymorph consisting of molecular, tetranuclear units ([SbI2][AlI4])2. The Raman vibrational spectra were calculated at density‐functional (DFT) level and compared to the experimental spectrum. Additionally, the normal modes were analysed.
Internal supersymmetry and small-field Goldstini
Authors: Roest Diederik , Werkman Pelle , Yamada Yusuke
Published: May 2018

Abstract

The dynamics of the Goldstino mode of spontaneously broken supersymmetry is universal, being fully determined by the non-linearly realized symmetry. We investigate the small-field limit of this theory. This model non-linearly realizes an alternative supersymmetry algebra with vanishing anti-commutators between the fermionic generators, much like an internal supersymmetry. This Goldstino theory is akin to the Galilean scalar field theory that arises as the small-field limit of Dirac-Born-Infeld theory and non-linearly realizes the Galilean symmetry. Indeed, the small-field Goldstino is the partner of a complex Galilean scalar field under conventional supersymmetry. We close with the generalization to extended internal supersymmetry and a discussion of its higher-dimensional origin.
Higher-order condensate corrections to ϒ masses, leptonic decay rates and sum rules
Authors: Rauh T.
Published: May 2018

Abstract

With the recent completion of NNNLO results, the perturbative description of the ϒ system has reached a very high level of sophistication. We consider the non-perturbative corrections as an expansion in terms of local condensates, following the approach pioneered by Voloshin and Leutwyler. The leading order corrections up to dimension eight and the potential NLO corrections at dimension four are computed and given in analytical form. We then study the convergence of the expansion for the masses, the leptonic decay rates and the non-relativistic moments of the ϒ system. We demonstrate that the condensate corrections to the ϒ(1S) mass exhibit a region with good convergence, which allows us to extract

$$ {\overline{m}}_b\left({\overline{m}}_b\right)=4214\pm 37\ {\left(\mathrm{pert}.\right)}_{-22}^{+20}\left(\mathrm{n}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{n}-\mathrm{pert}.\right) $$

m
¯

b

m
¯

b

=
4214
±
37

pert
.

−
22

+
20

n
o
n
−
pert
.

MeV, and show that non-perturbative contributions to the moments with n ≈ 10 are negligible.
Peritoneal metastasis as a predictive factor for nab-paclitaxel in patients with pretreated advanced gastric cancer: an exploratory analysis of the phase III ABSOLUTE trial
Authors: Takashima Atsuo , Shitara Kohei , Fujitani Kazumasa , Koeda Keisuke , Hara Hiroki , Nakayama Norisuke , Hironaka Shuichi , Nishikawa Kazuhiro , Kimura Yutaka , Amagai Kenji , Fujii Hirofumi , Muro Kei , Esaki Taito , Choda Yasuhiro , Takano Toshimi , Chin Keisho , Sato Atsushi , Goto Masahiro , Fukushima Norimasa , Hara Takuo , Machida Nozomu , Ohta Manabu , Boku Narikazu , Shimura Masashi , Morita Satoshi , Koizumi Wasaburo
Published: May 2018

Background

In the ABSOLUTE trial, weekly nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (w-nab-PTX) showed non-inferiority to weekly solvent-based paclitaxel (w-sb-PTX) for overall survival (OS). Thus, w-nab-PTX might be an option for second-line chemotherapy in advanced gastric cancer (AGC). However, predictive factors for efficacies of these agents have not been evaluated.

Methods

Patients previously enrolled in the ABSOLUTE trial were divided into apparent peritoneal metastasis group (PM group) and no apparent peritoneal metastasis group (no PM group) based on baseline imaging evaluated by RECIST ver. 1.1 criteria and amount of ascites. OS, progression-free survival, and overall response rate were compared between two arms in each group.

Results

This study included 240 and 243 patients in the w-nab-PTX and w-sb-PTX arms, respectively. In the PM group, the w-nab-PTX arm (n = 88) had longer OS than the w-sb-PTX arm (n = 103), and median survival time (MST) of 9.9 and 8.7 months [hazard ratio (HR) 0.63; 95% CI 0.45–0.88; P = 0.0060], respectively. In the no PM group, the w-nab-PTX arm (n = 140) had shorter OS than the w-sb-PTX arm (n = 152), and MST of 11.6 and 15.7 months (HR 1.40; 95% CI 1.06–1.86; P = 0.0180), respectively. After adjusting for prognostic factors, the HR for OS in the w-nab-PTX arm versus the w-sb-PTX arm was 0.59 (95% CI 0.42–0.83; P = 0.0023; PM group) and 1.34 (95% CI 1.01–1.78; P = 0.0414; no PM group), with significant interaction between treatment efficacy and presence of peritoneal metastasis (P = 0.0003).

Conclusions

The presence of apparent peritoneal metastasis might be a predictive factor for selecting w-nab-PTX for pretreated AGC patients.

Trial registration number

JapicCTI-132059.
The Role of Oxidized Carbides on Thermal-Mechanical Performance of Polycrystalline Superalloys
Authors: Kontis Paraskevas , Li Zhuangming , Segersäll Mikael , Moverare Johan J. , Reed Roger C. , Raabe Dierk , Gault Baptiste
Published: May 2018

Oxidized MC carbides which act as main crack initiation sites in a polycrystalline superalloy under thermal-mechanical fatigue (TMF) conditions at 850 °C were studied. Microstructural observations in the TMF tested specimens were compared to findings from bulk samples exposed isothermally in air at 850 °C for 30 hours in the absence of any external applied load. Carbides were found to oxidize rapidly after exposure at 850 °C for 30 hours resulting in surface eruptions corresponding to oxidation products, from where micro-cracks initiated. Plastic deformation due to volume expansion of the often porous oxidized carbides led to high dislocation densities in the adjacent matrix as revealed by controlled electron channeling contrast imaging. The high dislocation density facilitated the dissolution kinetics of γ′ precipitates by segregation and diffusion of chromium and cobalt along the dislocations via pipe diffusion, resulting in the formation of soft recrystallized grains. Atom probe tomography revealed substantial compositional differences between the recrystallized grains and the adjacent undeformed γ matrix. Similar observations were made for the TMF tested alloy. Our observations provide new insights into the true detrimental role of oxidized MC carbides on the crack initiation performance of polycrystalline superalloys under TMF.
Predictive language processing revealing usage-based variation
Authors: VERHAGEN VÉRONIQUE , MOS MARIA , BACKUS AD , SCHILPEROORD JOOST
Published: June 2018

abstract

While theories on predictive processing posit that predictions are based on one’s prior experiences, experimental work has effectively ignored the fact that people differ from each other in their linguistic experiences and, consequently, in the predictions they generate. We examine usage-based variation by means of three groups of participants (recruiters, job-seekers, and people not (yet) looking for a job), two stimuli sets (word sequences characteristic of either job ads or news reports), and two experiments (a Completion task and a Voice Onset Time task). We show that differences in experiences with a particular register result in different expectations regarding word sequences characteristic of that register, thus pointing to differences in mental representations of language. Subsequently, we investigate to what extent different operationalizations of word predictability are accurate predictors of voice onset times. A measure of a participant’s own expectations proves to be a significant predictor of processing speed over and above word predictability measures based on amalgamated data. These findings point to actual individual differences and highlight the merits of going beyond amalgamated data. We thus demonstrate that is it feasible to empirically assess the variation implied in usage-based theories, and we advocate exploiting this opportunity.
Jennifer Harrison, 'Shackled: Female Convicts at Moreton Bay 1826–1839', Melbourne: Anchor Books, 2016, 27 pp., ISBN 9 7809 9246 7159, A$34.95
Authors: Leppard-Quinn Chris
Published: June 2018

Jennifer Harrison, Shackled: Female Convicts at Moreton Bay 1826–1839, Melbourne: Anchor Books, 2016, 27 pp., ISBN 9 7809 9246 7159, A$34.95
Veronica Dawson, 'Chinchilla's Communal Settlers', Brisbane: Boolarong Press, 2014, 400 pp., ISBN 9 7819 2504 6984, A$34.99
Authors: Butterworth Lee
Published: June 2018

Veronica Dawson, Chinchilla’s Communal Settlers, Brisbane: Boolarong Press, 2014, 400 pp., ISBN 9 7819 2504 6984, A$34.99
Rod Fisher, 'Bygone Brisbane: Its History, Your Heritage', Brisbane: Boolarong Press, 2016, 410 pp. ISBN 9 7819 2523 6828, A$39.99
Authors: Mason Robert
Published: June 2018

Rod Fisher, Bygone Brisbane: Its History, Your Heritage, Brisbane: Boolarong Press, 2016, 410 pp. ISBN 9 7819 2523 6828, A$39.99
On the bus
Authors: Akers Trenton
Published: June 2018

Election campaigns see a travelling press pack assembled to follow the party leader for the duration of the campaign, often to mystery locations. This ensures the press pack is conveniently ushered around to many picture opportunities where politicians can be observed in an organised and risk-free environment. Over time, reporting on major political events such as elections has changed as political parties stack their communications teams with professional ‘spinners’. This article looks at the campaigns of Labor, the LNP, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation and The Greens during the lead-up to the 2017 Queensland election, as well as assessing the impact of social media on the campaign.