bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A pitfall in diagnosing fetal abdominal lymphangioma: A report of two cases
Authors: Niwa Yuri , Imai Kenji , Kotani Tomomi , Nakano Tomoko , Ushida Takafumi , Moriyama Yoshinori , Kikkawa Fumitaka
Published: July 2019

Typical ultrasound findings of fetal abdominal lymphangioma include thick‐walled, multiseptated anechoic masses. Although a majority of cases can be suspected promptly by ultrasound examination, the two cases presented herein did not meet the standard criteria and were misleading. Both cases involved unilocular cysts without clear septations, but in retrospect were atypical findings of fetal abdominal lymphangioma. A few reports of misleading cases have been described previously; however, the precise characteristics have not been reported in detail. Therefore, in this case report, we focused predominantly upon the difficulties encountered in the prenatal diagnosis of abdominal lymphangioma based on ultrasound morphology alone.
Observational study on the incidence of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis in patients with renal impairment following gadoterate meglumine administration: the NSsaFe study.
Authors: McWilliams Richard G. , Frabizzio Jennifer V. , De Backer Adelard I. , Grinberg Anna , Maes Bart D. , Zobel Bruno Beomonte , Gottschalk Andreas
Published: July 2019

Background

Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) is a rare life‐threatening condition strongly associated with the administration of gadolinium‐based contrast agents in patients with severe or endstage renal impairment.

Purpose

To prospectively determine the incidence of NSF in patients with renal impairment after administration of gadoterate meglumine.

Study Type

Prospective.

Population

In all, 540 patients with moderate, severe, or endstage renal impairment, scheduled to undergo a routine contrast‐enhanced MRI with gadoterate meglumine. Mean age was 69.7 ± 12.7 years (range: 21–95) with 58.4% of males.

Field Strength/Sequence

1.5T or 3.0T, sequence according to each site practice.

Assessment

Medical history, indication(s) for current MRI and adverse events were recorded for each patient. Patients were followed up over 2 years after administration with three visits separated by at least 3 months to detect any signs/symptoms suggestive of NSF.

Statistical Tests

Descriptive.

Results

Renal impairment was graded as moderate for 69.4% of patients, severe for 16.0% and endstage for 12.1%; 2.6% had undergone a kidney transplant. Estimated glomerular filtration rate ranged from 4 to 59 mL/min/1.73 m2 except one value of 74 mL/min/1.73 m2 in a patient with kidney transplant. Central nervous system exploration was the main MRI indication (34.7%) and mean dose injected was 0.22 ± 0.09 mL/kg. Overall, 446 patients (82.6%) attended at least one follow‐up visit and completed the NSF questionnaire and 329 (60.9%) attended the 2‐year visit. No suspicion of NSF was reported in all 446 patients, including 119 patients with severe or endstage renal impairment. No deaths and no adverse events were reported during the MRI examination and the usual period of follow‐up after gadoterate meglumine administration.

Data Conclusion

No cases of NSF were observed in the 446 patients with moderate to endstage renal impairment followed up over a maximum of 2 years after injection of gadoterate meglumine.

Level of Evidence: 2

Technical Efficacy Stage: 4

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;51:607–614.
Intranasal bevacizumab injections improve quality of life in HHT patients
Authors: Steineger Johan , Geirdal Amy Østerhus , Osnes Terje , Heimdal Ketil Riddervold , Dheyauldeen Sinan
Published: July 2019

Background

Epistaxis is the most common symptom in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), with the greatest negative impact on quality of life (QoL). Repeated intranasal submucosal bevacizumab injections (RISBI) is a relatively new treatment option for moderate or severe grades of epistaxis in HHT. However, the effect of RISBI on QoL is not fully evaluated.

Study Design

Prospective, non‐comparative study.

Materials and Methods

Patients treated by RISBI for HHT‐associated epistaxis between June 2011 and August 2013 were prospectively invited to the present study. The end of follow‐up was October 2013. The patients were requested to answer QoL questionnaires before the first treatment, and 6‐8 weeks after the last treatment. Three levels of QoL were assessed: Overall QoL using Cantril's Self‐Anchoring Ladder; Health‐related QoL using Short Form 36 (SF‐36), and Disease‐specific QoL. Psychological distress was measured with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS).

Results

Thirty‐three patients were treated with RISBI during the period referred to above. Twenty‐three patients completed the QoL questionnaires. The average number of treatments per patient was 2.15 ± 1.3 (Range: 1–5). The mean overall QoL improved from 6.47 ± 1.9 to 7.26 ± 1.6 (P < .05). Several dimensions measured by SF‐36 were significantly improved with a medium to strong effect size. HADS demonstrated a significant decrease in psychological distress after the last treatment.

Conclusion

HHT patients treated by RISBI improved in several aspects of quality of life, and psychological distress decreased. RISBI was an effective treatment option for moderate and severe grades of HHT‐associated epistaxis.

Level of Evidence

4 (case series).

Laryngoscope, 130:E284–E288, 2020
Identifying terraces in the hilly and gully regions of the Loess Plateau in China
Authors: Sun Wenyi , Zhang Yongqiang , Mu Xingmin , Li Jiuyi , Gao Peng , Zhao Guangju , Dang Tianmin , Chiew Francis
Published: July 2019

Terrace identification is the basis for understanding quantity, quality, and land covers of terraces and their effects on agriculture production and various surface processes, for example, hydrological and ecological processes. However, there are some drawbacks and limitations in the automatic extraction of terraces, such as difficulty of outlining the overall boundary for individual terrace and the limitation of applying methods and parameters. In this study, we used machine learning methods on the basis of Geographic Object‐Based Image Analysis using K‐nearest neighbours and spectral angle mapper algorithms to extract terraces in the hilly and gully regions on the Loess Plateau, China. This study relied on medium‐resolution image Landsat‐8 combined with Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer Global Digital Elevation Model to extract the overall boundary of terraces and relies on high‐resolution images GaoFen‐1 to extract the terraced edges of terraces. It used the methods of principal component analysis and Laplacian convolution filter to enhance and extract terraced edges inside of the boundary of terraces. Our estimates are with overall accuracy of 62.2% in K‐nearest neighbours and 74.8% in spectral angle mapper methods, indicating the advantages of the proposed method despite the use of much lower resolution data than previous studies that used both high‐resolution terrain and remote sensing imageries data. This study highlights the importance of using appropriate methods plus reasonable spatial resolution of remote sensing data for outlining the overall boundary of terraces in the hilly and gully regions.
Percutaneous Laser Ablation of Hepatic Tumors Located in the Portacaval Space: Preliminary Results
Authors: Chai Weilu , Zhao Qiyu , Kong Dexing , Jiang Tian'an
Published: July 2019

Background and Objectives

Limited data have been used to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of percutaneous laser ablation (PLA) (a modality that has been proven to be a safe method for tumors in high‐risk locations) for hepatic tumors in the space between the portal vein and inferior vena cava (IVC). The goal of this study was to investigate the characteristics and therapeutic effectiveness of ultrasound‐guided PLA of hepatic tumors in the portacaval space.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

Ten patients, who had hepatic tumors in the portacaval space (defined as tumors located in the space formed by the hepatic portal vein and IVC less than 5 mm from the margins of both vessels), receiving ultrasound‐guided PLA between January 2016 and June 2017 were analyzed. Tumors in the type I portacaval space were enclosed on three sides of major vessels, and tumors in the type II portacaval space were enclosed on two sides of major vessels. The technical success, treatment response, complete tumor ablation (CTA), local tumor progression (LTP), and distant tumor recurrence (DTR) were assessed and recorded at the follow‐up.

Results

The mean tumor diameter was 1.8 ± 0.4 cm. Technical success and initial CTA were achieved in all 10 patients without major complications. The 6‐month and 12‐month LTP rates were 0% and 10%, respectively. The DTR rate was 20% at both the 6‐ and 12‐month follow‐ups.

Conclusions

The preliminary results showed that ultrasound‐guided PLA was feasible and safe for tumors in the portacaval space, and further studies on larger populations with a longer follow‐up are needed to delineate the use of PLA and evaluate its therapeutic efficacy. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Enhanced Mechanical Properties of PET‐Based Thermoplastic Elastomers: Brittle–Ductile Transition via Micro Cross‐linking Technology
Authors: Yuan Ruchao , Fan Shuo , Sun Yanlu , Wu Dequn , Wang Xueli , Yu Jianyong , Li Faxue
Published: July 2019

A novel micro cross‐linking technology is proposed to enhance the mechanical properties of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)‐based thermoplasctic elastomers (TPEEs) whose molecular weights are difficultly increased via traditional synthetic technologies. It is found that the brittle fractures of TPEEs, usually observed in polymers with low molecular weights, can be converted into ductile form with the introduction of a certain fraction of 1,2,3,4‐butane tetracarboxylic acid as a cross‐linking agent. Unlike the traditional cross‐linking technologies, which usually cause the elastomers to suffer the deficiencies of extremely high stiffness, inherent weakness, and the inability to be efficiently reused, TPEEs still maintain their elastomeric characteristics well with the incorporation of micro cross‐linking structure and are endowed with a well‐defined microphase‐separated structure, excellent tensile properties, and the abilities to be melt‐processed and reused. This work offers a new guideline to improve the mechanical properties for polymers with relatively low molecular weights.
Intersection of the p63 and NF‐κB pathways in epithelial homeostasis and disease
Authors: King Kathryn E. , George Andrea L. , Sakakibara Nozomi , Mahmood Kanwal , Moses Michael A. , Weinberg Wendy C.
Published: July 2019

Overexpression of ΔNp63α, a member of the p53/p63/p73 family of transcription factors, is a molecular attribute of human squamous cancers of the head and neck, lung and skin. The TP63 gene plays important roles in epidermal morphogenesis and homeostasis, regulating diverse biological processes including epidermal fate decisions and keratinocyte proliferation and survival. When overexpressed experimentally in primary mouse keratinocytes, ΔNp63α maintains a basal cell phenotype including the loss of normal calcium‐mediated growth arrest, at least in part through the activation and enhanced nuclear accumulation of the c‐rel subunit of NF‐κB (Nuclear Factor‐kappa B). Initially identified for its role in the immune system and hematopoietic cancers, c‐Rel has increasingly been associated with solid tumors and other pathologies. ΔNp63α and c‐Rel have been shown to be associated in the nuclei of ΔNp63α overexpressing human squamous carcinoma cells. Together, these transcription factors cooperate in the transcription of genes regulating intrinsic keratinocyte functions, as well as the elaboration of factors that influence the tumor microenvironment (TME). This review provides an overview of the roles of ΔNp63α and c‐Rel in normal epidermal homeostasis and elaborates on how these pathways may intersect in pathological conditions such as cancer and the associated TME.
Persistent storage symptoms after TURP can be predicted with a nomogram derived from the ice water test
Authors: Reitz André , Hüsch Tanja , Haferkamp Axel
Published: July 2019

Purpose

To predict the persistence of storage symptoms after transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) using a nomogram derived from the ice water test (IWT).

Methods

The IWTs of 73 men with lower urinary tract symptoms and prostatic bladder outlet obstruction were retrospectively analyzed. The strength of the detrusor contraction was approximated by using the detrusor gradient of Δpdet/Δt at maximum detrusor pressure and the area under the curve. The parameters were utilized in a nomogram, which facilitated a severity categorization from 1 to 10. Patients with a positive IWT in the categories 1 to 2 were assigned to group A, categories 3 to 4 to group B and categories 5 and higher to group C. After TURP, patients with persisting storage symptoms were offered a botulinum toxin injection.

Results

There were 32 patients (44%) with negative and 41 patients (56%) with positive IWTs. Patients with negative IWTs were classified in category 1. Regarding patients with positive IWTs, 14 (34%) were correlated to group A, 14 (34%) to group B, and 13 (32%) to group C. The necessity of a subsequent botulinum toxin injection correlated significantly with a higher nomogram category (P < .001) as well as higher severity categorization (P < .001). In multivariate analysis, the nomogram category was an independent predictor for botulinum toxin injection (P = .002, OR, 6.9, CI, 2.0‐23.9).

Conclusion

The quantification of the detrusor contraction during the IWT allowed stratification of patients in risk categories for persistent storage symptoms after TURP and the potential need for later botulinum toxin injections.
Use of complement monoclonal antibody eculizumab in Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli associated hemolytic uremic syndrome: A review of current evidence
Authors: Mahat Upendra , Matar Raed Bou , Rotz Seth J.
Published: July 2019

Complement activation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. Eculizumab is a monoclonal antibody that blocks complement activity and has been approved for use in the treatment of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Less well appreciated is the role of complement in Shiga toxin‐induced HUS (Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli [STEC]‐HUS). To a limited extent, eculizumab has been used off label in patients with severe STEC‐HUS with neurological involvement. Through a systematic search of available databases, we identified 16 reports describing the use of eculizumab in STEC‐HUS (eight case reports/series, seven retrospective studies, and one prospective cohort study). All studies described its use in severe STEC‐HUS with neurological or multiorgan dysfunction; none were randomized or blinded. Four studies used the control groups. Although the overall quality of evidence is low, some published studies showed positive clinical improvement after treatment with eculizumab in severe STEC‐HUS with progressive neurological involvement.
Mass Spectrometric Analysis Identifies AIMP1 and LTA4H as FSCN1‐Binding Proteins in Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Gao Wei , An Changming , Xue Xuting , Zheng Xiwang , Niu Min , Zhang Yuliang , Liu Hongliang , Zhang Chunming , Lu Yan , Cui Jiajia , Zhao Qinli , Wen Shuxin , Thorne Rick F. , Zhang Xudong , Wu Yongyan , Wang Binquan
Published: July 2019

Dysregulation of fascin actin‐bundling protein 1 (FSCN1) enhances cell proliferation, invasion, and motility in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), while the mechanism remains unclear. Here, co‐immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry is utilized to identify potential FSCN1‐binding proteins. Functional annotation of FSCN1‐binding proteins are performed by Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis. Furthermore, the protein–protein interaction network of FSNC1‐binding proteins is constructed and the interactions between FSCN1 and novel identified interacting proteins AIMP1 and LTA4H are validated. Moreover, the expression and functional role of AIMP1 and LTA4H in LSCC are investigated. A total of 123 proteins are identified as potential FSCN1‐binding proteins, and functional annotation shows that FSCN1‐binding proteins are significantly enriched in carcinogenic processes, such as filopodium assembly‐regulation and GTPase activity. Co‐IP/western blotting and immunofluorescence confirm that AIMP1 and LTA4H bind and colocalize with FSCN1. Furthermore, both AIMP1 and LTA4H are upregulated in LSCC tissues, and knockdown of AIMP1 or LTA4H inhibits LSCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Collectively, the identification of FSCN1‐binding partners enhances understanding of the mechanism of FSCN1‐mediated malignant phenotypes, and these findings indicate that FSCN1 binds to AIMP1 and LTA4H might promote the progression of LSCC.
Conditioned food aversion in domestic dogs induced by thiram
Authors: Tobajas Jorge , Gómez‐Ramírez Pilar , Ferreras Pablo , García‐Fernández Antonio Juan , Mateo Rafael
Published: July 2019

BACKGROUND

The conflict between predators and humans for resources such as game species or livestock is an ancient issue, and it is especially sharp in the case of medium‐large wild canids. In order to manage this conflict, lethal control methods are often used, which can sometimes be illegal, such as poisoning. As an alternative, conditioned food aversion (CFA) is a non‐lethal method to reduce predation in which animals learn to avoid a given food due to the adverse effects caused by the ingestion of an undetectable chemical compound added to this food. The present study aimed to test thiram as a CFA agent in penned dogs as a first approach to use this substance for reducing the predation conflict associated with wild canids.

RESULTS

Thiram, with or without an additional odor cue, produced CFA in penned dogs for more than 2 months. Moreover, thiram seemed to be undetectable and safe after the third ingestion of a 40–60 mg kg−1 dose. Desirable adverse effects, such as vomits, appeared around 1 h after exposure. These characteristics make thiram optimal for its use in predation reduction through CFA. However, individual variability could prevent CFA acquisition by some animals.

CONCLUSIONS

Thiram has the potential to be used as a CFA agent in wildlife management and conservation to reduce predation by wild canids. Since thiram produced CFA without the problems of detectability and toxicity caused by other substances, it may be an alternative to lethal control methods used to reduce predation on game, livestock and endangered species. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Influence of Undoped‐AlGaN Final Barrier of MQWs on the Performance of Lateral‐Type UVB LEDs
Authors: Ajmal Khan Muhammad , Matsuura Eriko , Kashima Yukio , Hirayama Hideki
Published: July 2019

Aluminium gallium nitride (AlGaN)‐based ultraviolet‐B light‐emitting diodes (UVB LEDs) are expected to offer smart size, wider choice of UVB light emission in the wavelengths range of 280 nm > λ > 320 nm, and low cost as well as low power consumption compared with other UV light sources including toxic mercury UV‐lamps. The hole‐tunneling from p‐AlGaN side of UVB LED into the multi‐quantum‐wells (MQWs) is strongly dependent on the thickness (TFB) and Al‐contents of undoped (ud)‐AlGaN final barrier (FB). Herein, the photoluminescence (PL) efficiency from MQWs of the UVB LED devices is investigated and compared with the electroluminescence (EL) spectra as a function of TFB. Subsequently, the dependence of PL efficiency, external quantum efficiency (EQE), and light output power on the TFB of UVB LEDs is attempted, using the same growth condition for all samples except variation in TFB. When TFB is set to 6–7 nm, improvements in the EQE and light output power, respectively, from 4.3% and 7 mW to the high values of 5.6% and 17 mW in emission band of 295–300 nm under continuous‐wave (cw) at room temperature (RT) are achieved.
Efficient dynamical downscaling of general circulation models using continuous data assimilation
Authors: Desamsetti Srinivas , Dasari Hari Prasad , Langodan Sabique , Titi Edriss S. , Knio Omar , Hoteit Ibrahim
Published: July 2019

Continuous data assimilation (CDA) is successfully implemented for the first time for efficient dynamical downscaling of a global atmospheric reanalysis. A comparison of the performance of CDA with the standard grid and spectral nudging techniques for representing long‐ and short‐scale features in the downscaled fields using the Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) model is further presented and analysed. The WRF model is configured at 0.25° × 0.25° horizontal resolution and is driven by 2.5° × 2.5° initial and boundary conditions from NCEP/NCAR reanalysis fields. Downscaling experiments are performed over a one‐month period in January 2016. The similarity metric is used to evaluate the performance of the downscaling methods for large (2,000 km) and small (300 km) scales. Similarity results are compared for the outputs of the WRF model with different downscaling techniques, NCEP/NCAR reanalysis, and NCEP Final Analysis (FNL, available at 0.25° × 0.25° horizontal resolution). Both spectral nudging and CDA describe better the small‐scale features compared to grid nudging. The choice of the wave number is critical in spectral nudging; increasing the number of retained frequencies generally produced better small‐scale features, but only up to a certain threshold after which its solution gradually became closer to grid nudging. CDA maintains the balance of the large‐ and small‐scale features similar to that of the best simulation achieved by the best spectral nudging configuration, without the need of a spectral decomposition. The different downscaled atmospheric variables, including rainfall distribution, with CDA is most consistent with the observations. The Brier skill score values further indicate that the added value of CDA is distributed over the entire model domain. The overall results clearly suggest that CDA provides an efficient new approach for dynamical downscaling by maintaining better balance between the global model and the downscaled fields.
Optimal design of a simple step‐stress accelerated life test under progressive type I censoring with nonuniform durations for exponential lifetimes
Authors: Han David
Published: July 2019

Thanks to continuously advancing technology and manufacturing processes, the products and devices are becoming highly reliable. However, performing the life tests of these products at normal operating conditions becomes extremely difficult, if not impossible, due to their long life spans. This can result in missed opportunities to introduce the products to the market in a timely manner and eventually loss of the market share. This problem is solved by accelerated life tests where the test units are subjected to higher stress levels than the normal usage level so that information on the lifetime parameters can be obtained more quickly. The lifetime at the design condition is then estimated through extrapolation using a regression model. In this work, the design optimization of a simple step‐stress accelerated life test under progressive type I censoring is studied with nonuniform step durations for assessing the reliability characteristics of a solar lighting device. Allowing the intermediate censoring to take place at the stress change time point, the nature of the optimal stress duration is demonstrated under various design criteria including D‐optimality, C‐optimality, A‐optimality, and E‐optimality. The existence of these optimal designs is investigated in detail for exponential lifetimes with a single stress variable, and the effect of the intermediate censoring proportion is assessed on the design efficiency.
Construction of a Polarization Multiphoton Controlled One‐Photon Unitary Gate Assisted by the Spatial and Temporal Degrees of Freedom
Authors: Xiu Xiao‐Ming , Geng Xue , Wang Sen‐Lin , Cui Cen , Li Qing‐Yang , Ji Yan‐Qiang , Dong Li
Published: July 2019

In order to fulfill quantum information processing tasks such as quantum computation and scalable quantum networks, quantum logic gates are indispensable parts. A multiqubit logic gate can efficiently reduce the cost of physical resources and complicated operations that are necessary in the combination of fewer‐qubit (e.g., two‐qubit) logic gates to fulfill the same tasks. However, the construction of multiphoton quantum logic gates is a large challenge. Assisted by spatial and temporal degrees of freedom, a polarization multiphoton controlled one‐photon unitary gate is proposed, which can be realized with three processes including the control‐path process based on weak cross‐Kerr nonlinearities, the unitary transformation process, and the output process. In the control‐path process, the control‐path modules are applied, where the entanglement between polarization, spatial and temporal degrees of freedom is generated by beam splitters, time delayers, and nonlinear interaction in cross‐Kerr media. The scheme presented here, assisted by spatial and temporal degrees of freedom reduces the experimental complexity of the schemes assisted by only spatial degree of freedom. Moreover, it will also be a useful reference in optimally constructing multiqubit quantum logic gates with other multiple degrees of freedom in many physical systems.
Distributed robust stabilization of networked multiagent systems with strict negative imaginary uncertainties
Authors: Skeik Ola , Lanzon Alexander
Published: July 2019

This paper deals with the distributed robust stabilization problem for networked multiagent systems with strict negative imaginary (SNI) uncertainties. Communication among agents in the network is modelled by an undirected graph with at least one self‐loop. A protocol based on relative state measurements of neighbouring agents and absolute state measurements of a subset of agents is considered. This paper shows how to design the protocol parameters such that the uncertain closed‐loop networked multiagent system is robustly stable against any SNI uncertainty within a certain set for various different network topologies. Tools from negative imaginary (NI) theory are used as an aid to simplify the problem and synthesise the protocol parameters. We show that a state, input, and output transformation preserves the NI property of the network. Consequently, a necessary and sufficient condition for the transfer function matrix of the nominal closed‐loop networked system to be NI and satisfy a DC gain condition is that multiple reduced‐order equivalent systems be NI and satisfy a DC gain condition simultaneously. Based on the reduced‐order systems, we derive sufficient conditions in an LMI framework which ensure the existence of a protocol satisfying the desired objectives. A numerical example is given to confirm the effectivenesses of the proposed results.
Sustainable development: Does improvement in education and health of women improve female labour force participation rate?
Authors: Osundina Olawumi Abeni
Published: July 2019

The sustainable development goals are a call to action to protect the planet and guarantee peace and prosperity for all people. Since inception, the sustainable development goals have brought about general improvements in the quality of life of females, especially in the aspects of health and education. The question however is whether these improvements also create more employment opportunities for females or not. This study attempts to provide empirical answers to this question by revisiting the determinants of labour force participation rate. The objective of the study is to investigate the impact of improvement in health and education on employment opportunities for females in Nigeria over the period 1990–2016, using up‐to‐date econometric techniques. Empirical revelations show positive and significant relationships between health status of females in Nigeria and their labour participation rate and also between the level of education of females in Nigeria and their labour participation rate. These outcomes resonate with existing literature. Thus, this study concludes that females with higher education and appreciable health statuses have better chances of participating in the labour force. Therefore, stakeholders and policymakers in Nigeria are encouraged to deliberately align with the sustainable development goals.
Alleviating sparsity by specificity‐aware ontology‐based clustering for improving web service recommendation
Authors: Rupasingha Rupasingha A. H. M. , Paik Incheon
Published: July 2019

The rapid development of the Internet in recent years has led to a vast increase in the numbers of Web services, which challenge users' capability to find their favorite services quickly and accurately. There is thus an urgent demand for service recommendations that help discover applicable services. Although the collaborative filtering technique is one of the most successful recommendation system technologies, it suffers from data sparsity and cold‐start problems, which in turn lead to inaccurate results. In this article, we deal with these issues by applying a novel ontology‐based clustering approach that uses domain specificity and service similarity for ontology generation. This clustering approach can easily and effectively increase the data density of the user‐service dataset by assuming blank user preferences according to the history of user‐favored domain(s). Then, user ratings are predicted by calculating the trust value between users. The experimental results indicate that the proposed approach can effectively alleviate the data sparsity and cold‐start problems with lower prediction error with the best recommendation performance, and our method performed better than baseline approaches in terms of accuracy and novelty. © 2019 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Impact of gestational low protein diet and postnatal bisphenol A exposure on chemically induced mammary carcinogenesis in female offspring rats
Authors: Varuzza Muriele B. , Zapaterini Joyce R. , Colombelli Ketlin T. , Barquilha Caroline N. , Justulin Luis A. , Muñoz‐de‐Toro Monica , Kass Laura , Barbisan Luis F.
Published: July 2019

This study evaluated the effect of gestational low protein diet (LPD) and/or postnatal bisphenol A (BPA) exposure on mammary gland development and carcinogenesis in female offspring. Pregnant Sprague‐Dawley rats were fed a normal protein diet (NPD, 17% protein) or LPD (6% protein). At weaning, female offspring were distributed in four groups (NPD, LPD, NPD + BPA, and LPD + BPA) and received vehicle or BPA in drinking water (0.1%), during postnatal day (PND) 21 to 51. On PND 51, some female offspring were euthanized or received a single dose of 7,12‐dimethylbenzoanthracene (DMBA, 30 mg/kg, i.g.) and were euthanized on PND 250. On PND 51, neither gestational LPD nor postnatal BPA exposure, individually or in combination, significantly altered the development of mammary gland tree, mean number of terminal structures or estrogen receptor beta (ER‐β), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) or caspase‐3 protein expression in the mammary tissue. A significant reduction in mammary epithelial area (%) was observed in both LPD groups and a significant increase in ER‐α protein expression was detected only in LPD group. In LPD + BPA group was observed a significant increase in both fat pad area (%) and in mean number of mammary epithelial cells positive for progesterone receptor (PR). On PND 250, the groups that received BPA presented lower latency and higher tumor incidence and tumor multiplicity and LPD + BPA group more aggressive tumors. These findings suggest that postnatal BPA exposure associated with gestational LPD is able to induce morphological changes in the mammary gland and increase susceptibility to mammary carcinogenesis.
Mind the “Happiness” Gap: The Relationship Between Cohabitation, Marriage, and Subjective Well-being in the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, and Norway
Authors: Perelli-Harris Brienna , Hoherz Stefanie , Lappegård Trude , Evans Ann
Published: July 2019

Many studies have found that married people have higher subjective well-being than those who are not married. Yet the increase in cohabitation raises questions as to whether only marriage has beneficial effects. In this study, we examine differences in subjective well-being between cohabiting and married men and women in midlife, comparing the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, and Norway. We apply propensity score–weighted regression analyses to examine selection processes into marriage and differential treatment bias. We find no differences between cohabitation and marriage for men in the United Kingdom and Norway, and women in Germany. However, we do find significant differences for men in Australia and women in Norway. The differences disappear after we control for selection in Australia, but they unexpectedly persist for Norwegian women, disappearing only when we account for relationship satisfaction. For German men and British and Australian women, those with a lower propensity to marry would benefit from marriage. Controls eliminate differences for German men, although not for U.K. women, but relationship satisfaction reduces differences. Overall, our study indicates that especially after selection and relationship satisfaction are taken into account, differences between marriage and cohabitation disappear in all countries. Marriage does not lead to higher subjective well-being; instead, cohabitation is a symptom of economic and emotional strain.
Surfactant-Modified Clay Sorbents for the Removal of p-nitrophenol
Authors: Ozola Ruta , Krauklis Andrejs , Burlakovs Juris , Klavins Maris , Vincevica-Gaile Zane , Hogland William
Published: July 2019

Organic pollutants are widespread and a known problem for the environment. p-nitrophenol (PNP) is one such pollutant found in effluents from various industries involved with pesticides, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, plastic, paper, and other materials. The objective of this research was to prepare and test organically modified clays using four different surfactants and to evaluate the removal efficiency of PNP from aqueous solutions. Organically modified clays have attracted great interest due to their wide applications in industry and environmental protection as sorbents for organic pollutants. Two natural smectite-dominated clay types from outcrops in Latvia and Lithuania as well as industrially manufactured montmorillonite (Mt) clay were modified using different nonionic (4-methylmorpholine N-oxide (NMO) and dimethyldodecylamine N-oxide (DDAO)) and cationic (benzyltrimethyl ammonium chloride (BTMAC) and dodecyltrimethyl ammonium chloride (DTAC)) surfactants. Modified clay materials were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller method (BET) for surface area analysis. Sorption of PNP was investigated under various conditions, e.g. surfactant loading, initial PNP concentration, contact time, and pH. The novelty of the present study was to prepare innovative organo-sorbents based on manufactured as well as natural clay samples using cationic surfactants and nonconventional nonionic surfactants as modifiers. The sorption data combined with FTIR and XRD supplementary results suggests that nonionic organo-clay (Mt-DDAO_2) is the most effective sorbent and may serve as a low-toxicity immobilizer of pollutants such as phenols.
Using Magnetic Resonance Perfusion to Stratify Overall Survival in Treated High-Grade Gliomas
Authors: Fong Crystal , Parpia Sameer , Yemen Brian , Tsai Scott , Greenspoon Jeffrey
Published: July 2019

Background:

MR perfusion imaging is a relatively new technique that may aid in identifying recurrent tumor (RT) in those with radically treated high-grade gliomas (HGG). We aim to assess the relationship between dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced MR perfusion (DSC-MRP) and overall survival to establish a baseline for future research and to determine the utility of DSC-MRP as a clinical decision-making and prognostic tool.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective cohort study. Adults with pathologically confirmed HGG at the Juravinski Cancer Centre, Ontario between January 2011 and April 2014 with at least one post-treatment DSC-MRP were included. DSC-MRP was interpreted as positive or negative for tumor recurrence by experienced radiologists. The primary outcome was overall survival.

Results:

Sixty-one patients were enrolled. Median survival for patients with a positive DSC-MRP scan was 4.5 months compared with 10.2 months for those with a negative DSC-MRP scan (hazard ratio [unadjusted] = 2.51; 95% confidence interval = 1.10–5.67; p-value = 0.03). Multivariable modeling (adjusted) that included all pre-selected variables showed similar results.

Conclusion:

Survival time in patients with HGG is generally low, and almost all patients will demonstrate RT. Our data suggest a positive DSC-MRP correlates with lower overall survival and may signify the presence of highly active RT. These results generate a hypothesis that there may be a prognostic role for the use of serial DSC-MRP for tumor surveillance. More importantly, this biomarker may aid in decision making for treatment plans and palliation.
The Challenge of Affordable Housing in Disasters: Western Iran Earthquake in 2017
Authors: Heidari Mohammad , Eskandary Neda , Miresmaeeli Seyedeh Samaneh
Published: July 2019

In November 2017, a disruptive earthquake occurred in Western Iran. After the major earthquake in Kermanshah, most affordable buildings such as a hospital in Islamabad and a dozen schools were destroyed. According to experts, a dangerous location (construction on the fault), poor quality of concrete, inappropriate connection of the facade to the structure, the use of undesirable construction materials, and low quality of non-structural components are considered as the main reasons for these damages. Regarding the role of government in the developing countries, construction policies should be modified and new policies should be implemented to enhance the structural and non-structural resilience in the buildings.
CEO ethical leadership and corporate social responsibility: Examining the mediating role of organizational ethical culture and intellectual capital
Authors: Ullah Irfan , Hameed Raja Mazhar , Kayani Nida Zahid , Fazal Yasir
Published: July 2019

Recent studies have increasingly suggested leadership as a major antecedent to corporate social responsibility (CSR), empirical studies, which investigated the influence of various leadership aspects such as style and ethics on CSR and unraveled the mechanism through which leadership exerts its impact on CSR were restricted. Thus, the purpose of this research was to study the relationship between CEO ethical leadership and CSR by focusing on the mediating role of ethical culture and the intellectual capital facets (human capital and social capital) of the organization. Data for current research were collected through personally administered questionnaire through survey. Based on a sample of 250 respondents, the current study instituted that CEO ethical leadership positively affected CSR. Intellectual capital facets (human and social) and organizational ethical culture were observed to have a mediating effect on CEO ethical leadership and CSR relationship. Practical implications of the results are also given in the current study. Moreover, study limitations and directions for future study have also been presented.
Age and growth of the little Indian squid, Loliolus hardwickei (Gray, 1849) in the Arabian Sea
Authors: Sajikumar Kurichithara Kunjumony , Sasikumar Geetha , Mohan Gishnu , Kripa Vasant , Alloycious Puthenpurackal Simon , Mohamed Kolliyil Sunil
Published: July 2019

Age and growth of the little Indian squid Loliolus hardwickei (Gray, 1849) were studied using samples collected in the coastal waters of Arabian Sea. Statolith increment counts demonstrated that L. hardwickei has a fast growth rate (dorsal mantle length: 0.31–0.73 mm day−1 in females and 0.27–0.56 mm day−1 in males) and a short lifespan of less than 6 months. Females are the larger sex and their daily growth rates were higher than in males. The oldest male and female were 110 and 130 days old; the youngest mature female and male were 62 and 52 days old respectively. The oviducal fecundity ranged from 104–480 eggs, mean = 360 eggs (14–23 eggs g−1 body weight).
Do bilingual children lag behind? A study of morphological encoding using ERPs
Authors: CLAHSEN Harald , JESSEN Anna
Published: July 2019

The current study investigates how bilingual children encode and produce morphologically complex words. We employed a silent-production-plus-delayed-vocalization paradigm in which event-related brain potentials (ERPs) were recorded during silent encoding of inflected words which were subsequently cued to be overtly produced. The bilingual children's spoken responses and their ERPs were compared to previous datasets from monolingual children on the same task. We found an enhanced negativity for regular relative to irregular forms during silent production in both bilingual children's languages, replicating the ERP effect previously obtained from monolingual children. Nevertheless, the bilingual children produced more morphological errors (viz. over-regularizations) than monolingual children. We conclude that mechanisms of morphological encoding (as measured by ERPs) are parallel for bilingual and monolingual children, and that the increased over-regularization rates are due to their reduced exposure to each of the two languages (relative to monolingual children).
Acknowledgment Deeds (iqrārs) in Early New Persian from the Area of Bāmiyān (395–430ah/1005–1039ce)
Authors: HAIM OFIR
Published: July 2019

The article provides an edition and translation of eight early Islamic acknowledgment(iqrār)deeds written in Early New Persian, which are preserved in the National Library of Israel. The acknowledgment deeds are part of a rich trove of manuscripts known as the “Afghan Genizah”, reportedly found in the area of Bāmiyān in central Afghanistan. Dated between the years 395–430/1005–1039, the eight discussed acknowledgment deeds are probably the earliest extant legal documents written in New Persian. This implies that Islamic legal documents were drawn up in New Persian in the area of Bāmiyān—and perhaps in other eastern Iranian territories—as early as the beginning of the 5th/11thcentury. Furthermore, a thorough examination of the formulaic structure of these acknowledgment deeds reveals their reliance on Arabic legal formulae, which may reflect an early stage of legal writing in New Persian.
Development and Validation of a Measure of Emotional Distress in Survivors of Group Psychological Abuse
Authors: Saldaña Omar , Antelo Emma , Almendros Carmen , Rodríguez-Carballeira Álvaro
Published: July 2019

In the context of the negative consequences of psychological abuse, a scale was developed to specifically assess the emotional disturbances in individuals who had experienced abusive behaviors over a period of time within a cultic group. The Emotional Distress Scale in Survivors of Abusive Groups (EDS-SAG) was administered, along with other relevant measures of group psychological abuse and psychopathological symptoms, to 706 Spanish-speaking former members of different groups, distributed into two samples according to whether they had experienced group psychological abuse (n = 413) or not (n = 293). Analyses supported a unidimensional structure of the 18 items on the EDS-SAG, explaining 50.7% of the total variance. This factorial solution was found to be stable when the sample of victims was split by sex and by the age of involvement in the group. Results also showed adequate reliability of the scores and significant associations between the scores on the EDS-SAG and the scores on measures of group psychological abuse (PAEGS: .86, p < .001) and psychopathological symptoms (BSI: .30, p < .001; PTCI: .46, p < .001). The results obtained reveal that this new scale is a suitable tool for measuring emotional distress in Spanish-speaking survivors of abusive groups. In the research field, it would be possible to evaluate the antecedents of emotional distress or their protective factors. In applied contexts, it would be possible to rigorously evaluate the emotional difficulties of abuse victims, allowing a better diagnosis and therapeutic approach. All of this will contribute to the assessment and understanding of the long-term consequences of group psychological abuse.
Recurrent Snowmelt Pattern Synthesis Using Principal Component Analysis of Multiyear Remotely Sensed Snow Cover
Authors: Woodruff Craig D. , Qualls Russell J.
Published: July 2019

Snow acts as a vital source of water especially in areas where streamflow relies on snowmelt. The spatiotemporal pattern of snow cover has tremendous value for snowmelt modeling. Instantaneous snow extent can be observed by remote sensing. Cloud cover often interferes. Many complex methods exist to resolve this but often have requirements which delay the availability of the data and prohibit its use for real‐time modeling. In this research, we propose a new method for spatially modeling snow cover throughout the melting season. The method ingests multiple years of MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer snow cover data and combines it using principal component analysis to produce a spatial melt pattern model. Development and application of this model relies on the interannual recurrence of the seasonal melting pattern. This recurrence has long been accepted as fact but to our knowledge has not been utilized in remote sensing of snow. We develop and test the model in a large watershed in Wyoming using 17 years of remotely sensed snow cover images. When applied to images from 2 years that were not used in its development, the model represents snow‐covered area with accuracy of 84.9–97.5% at varied snow‐covered areas. The model also effectively removes cloud cover if any portion of the interface between land and snow is visible in a cloudy image. This new principal component analysis method for modeling the interannually recurring spatial melt pattern exclusively from remotely sensed images possesses its own intrinsic merit, in addition to those associated with its applications.
A History of the Nonlinear Geophysics Section of the American Geophysical Union
Authors: Barton Christopher C. , Rundle John B. , Turcotte Donald L.
Published: July 2019

The Nonlinear Geophysics Technical Committee was formed in 1998 by a small group of AGU members to meet a growing interest in the analysis, modeling, and prediction of nonlinear behavior in geophysical processes. This paper provides a history as a technical committee evolved into a focus group, and into a section, including officers, awards, prizes, named lectures, standing committees, and books written or edited by members on the subject of nonlinear geophysical patterns and processes.
Forgotten Legacies: Understanding Human Influences on Rivers
Authors: Wohl Ellen
Published: July 2019

Logging, urbanization, and dam building are a few ways people have significantly altered natural river ecosystems. Understanding that influence is a grand challenge of our time.