bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comments on the dilemma in the May issue: Managing a high publicity crowdfunded shelter puppy with head trauma
Authors: McCulloch Steven
Published: May 2019

In the dilemma discussed in the May issue of In Practice, Wesley Cheung and Anne Fawcett described a scenario where you are a veterinarian working in an animal shelter. An eight‐week‐old puppy was recently brought in after a table collapsed on its head and the owners could not afford treatment. You believe that the prognosis for the dog to return to a normal state is poor; however, you discuss the options with the shelter manager who decides to refer the puppy to an emergency hospital. The shelter begins crowdfunding on social media to support the hospital expenses, and they find someone who is willing to adopt the puppy in the hope that it is discharged in the future. After several weeks of hospitalisation, it is clear that the puppy will never fully recover and will require intensive home care. (IP, May 2019, vol 41, pp 182‐183). What do you do?
Body mass index and treatment response to subcutaneous abatacept in patients with psoriatic arthritis: apost hocanalysis of a phase III trial
Authors: McInnes Iain B , Ferraccioli Gianfranco , D'Agostino Maria-Antonietta , Le Bars Manuela , Banerjee Subhashis , Ahmad Harris A , Elbez Yedid , Mease Philip J
Published: May 2019

Objective

Thispost hocanalysis of the phase III Active PSoriaTic Arthritis RAndomizEd TriAl (ASTRAEA) evaluated the effect of baseline body mass index (BMI) on subsequent response to subcutaneous (SC) abatacept in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Methods

In ASTRAEA, patients with active PsA were randomised (1:1) to receive blinded weekly SC abatacept 125 mg or placebo for 24 weeks. Treatment response at week 24 was assessed by the proportions of patients achieving American College of Rheumatology 20% improvement response, Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28 (C reactive protein (CRP))) ≤3.6 and <2.6, Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index reduction from baseline ≥0.35 and radiographic non-progression (defined as change from baseline ≤0 in PsA-modified total Sharp/van der Heijde score). Responses were stratified by baseline BMI (underweight/normal, <25 kg/m2; overweight, 25–30 kg/m2; obese, >30 kg/m2) and compared in univariate and multivariate models.

Results

Of 212/213 and 210/211 patients with baseline BMI data in the abatacept and placebo groups, respectively, 15% and 19% were underweight/normal, 36% and 27% were overweight, and 49% and 54% were obese. After adjusting for baseline characteristics, there were no significant differences for any outcome measure at week 24 with abatacept in the overweight or obese versus underweight/normal subgroup. In the placebo group, patients in the obese versus underweight/normal subgroup were significantly less likely to achieve DAS28 (CRP) <2.6 at week 24 (OR 0.26; 95% CI 0.08 to 0.87; p=0.03).

Conclusion

BMI does not impact clinical or radiographic response to SC abatacept in patients with PsA.

Trial registration number

NCT01860976.
Oxides: An answer to the qubit problem?
Authors: Dey Amit , Yarlagadda Sudhakar
Published: May 2019

Low-dimensional complex oxides offer new opportunities for small-scale electronic devices where diverse spin, charge and orbital correlations can be suitably adapted by manipulating many-body interactions, geometries, disorder, fields, strain, etc. Therefore, oxides may be viewed as one of the promising candidates for replacing semiconductors in future devices. Maintaining coherence and control in a qubit is an important necessity for quantum computation. In this review, we discuss an example of oxide devices: decoherence-free oxide-based qubits. We present recent progress in demonstrating that long coherence times can be achieved at easily accessible temperatures in charge qubits of oxide double quantum dots. For treating strong coupling to the environment, we describe a nonperturbative approach that is useful for oxides. We illustrate ways to enhance the coherence times: increasing the electron–phonon coupling, detuning the dots to a fraction of the optical phonon energy, decreasing the temperature or reducing the adiabaticity.
Comparative study between exponential Boltzmann and Lambert Boltzmann distributions for heat capacity calculation
Authors: Belgacem Chokri Hadj
Published: May 2019

The Stirling’s estimation to [Formula: see text](N!) is typically introduced to students as a step in the derivation of the statistical expression for the heat capacity. However, naïve application of this estimation leads to wrong conclusions. In this paper, firstly, the heat capacity of some semiconductor compounds was calculated using exponential Boltzmann distribution and compared with experimental data. It has shown a disagreement between experimental results and those calculated. Secondly, by applying the more exact Stirling formula, an analytical formulation of Boltzmann statistics using Lambert W function is shown to be a very good model and proves an excellent agreement between calculated and experimental data for heat capacity over the entire temperature range.
Effect of strained barrier on valley polarization in magnetic-modulated graphene
Authors: Lu Jian-Duo , Zhao Meng
Published: May 2019

In this paper, we investigate the valley-dependent electron transport in graphene modulated by a strained barrier which can induce a large valley polarization in this structure. Our results show that the valley polarization can be easily controlled by changing the strength, the position and/or the width of the strained barrier. This remarkable feature could be used in the fabrication of valleytronic devices based on graphene controlled by the strained barrier.
Dynamics of quantum correlations for three-qubit states in a noisy environment
Authors: Liu Tian-Wen , He Zhi-Yuan , Hou Xi-Wen
Published: May 2019

Girolami and coworkers have proposed measures of quantum correlations and weaving [Girolami et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 119, 140505 (2017)]. This work derives the analytic time-evolution of such measures and weaving for two kinds of initial states in three qubits under an amplitude-damping and a dephasing noisy environment. It is shown that the 2-partite correlation is forever frozen, which is dependent on an initial state and the property of noise.
Lump-type solution, rogue wave, fusion and fission phenomena for the (2+1)-dimensional Caudrey–Dodd–Gibbon–Kotera–Sawada equation
Authors: Fang Tao , Gao Chun-Na , Wang Hui , Wang Yun-Hu
Published: May 2019

By means of the Hirota bilinear method, lump-type solution and two types of interaction solutions of the (2+1)-dimensional Caudrey–Dodd–Gibbon–Kotera–Sawada equation are obtained, respectively. Lump-type solution is constructed by assuming f in the corresponding bilinear equation as a ternary quadratic polynomial function. It is interesting that the rogue wave is aroused by the interaction between one-lump soliton and a pair of stripe solitons, and the fusion and fission phenomena are also found in the interaction between lump solitons and one-stripe soliton. The corresponding phenomena are vividly demonstrated by the graphs.
An Integrated CRO and FLANN Based Classifier for a Non-Imputed and Inconsistent Dataset
Authors: Dash Ch. Sanjeev Kumar , Behera Ajit Kumar , Nayak Sarat Chandra , Dehuri Satchidananda , Cho Sung-Bae
Published: May 2019

This paper presents an integrated approach by considering chemical reaction optimization (CRO) and functional link artificial neural networks (FLANNs) for building a classifier from the dataset with missing value, inconsistent records, and noisy instances. Here, imputation is carried out based on the known value of two nearest neighbors to address dataset plagued with missing values. The probabilistic approach is used to remove the inconsistency from either of the datasets like original or imputed. The resulting dataset is then given as an input to boosted instance selection approach for selection of relevant instances to reduce the size of the dataset without loss of generality and compromising classification accuracy. Finally, the transformed dataset (i.e., from non-imputed and inconsistent dataset to imputed and consistent dataset) is used for developing a classifier based on CRO trained FLANN. The method is evaluated extensively through a few bench-mark datasets obtained from University of California, Irvine (UCI) repository. The experimental results confirm that our preprocessing tasks along with integrated approach can be a promising alternative tool for mitigating missing value, inconsistent records, and noisy instances.
A novel non-invasive retentive approach of an interim auricular prosthesis: A case report
Authors: Abdullah Abdullah Kamel , Ali Amro Mohammed Moness , Elsawy Amal Mohammed
Published: May 2019

Auricular reconstruction is a challenging issue. It can either be performed surgically or by the use of prosthesis. Definitive auricular prosthesis can be retained by craniofacial implants. Temporary (interim) prosthesis can be retained using adhesives, engaging anatomical undercuts and using mechanical means of retention-like spectacles. This case report proposes a new mechanical means of retention for a temporary auricular prosthesis, which can be suitable for non-eyeglass wearing females or for female patients who refuse to wear eyeglass for retaining their prosthesis.
A Novel FPGA Implementation of a Time-to-Digital Converter Supporting Run-Time Estimation and Compensation
Authors: Dinh Van Luan , Nguyen Xuan Truong , Lee Hyuk-Jae
Published: May 2019

Time-to-digital converters (TDCs) are widely used in applications that require the measurement of the time interval between events. In previous designs using a feedback loop and an extended delay line, process-voltage-temperature (PVT) variation often decreases the accuracy of measurements. To overcome the loss of accuracy caused by PVT variation, this study proposes a novel design of a synthesizable TDC that employs run-time estimation and compensation of PVT variation. A delay line consisting of a series of buffers is used to detect the period of a ring oscillator designed to measure the time interval between two events. By comparing the detected period and the system clock, the variation of the oscillation period is compensated at run-time. The proposed TDC is successfully implemented by using a low-cost Xilinx Spartan-6 LX9 FPGA with a 50-MHz oscillator. Experimental results show that the proposed TDC is robust to PVT variation with a resolution of 19.1 ps. In comparison with previous design, the proposed TDC achieves about five times better tradeoff in the area, resolution, and frequency of the reference clock.
Sparse FGLM using the block Wiedemann algorithm
Authors: Hyun Seung Gyu , Neiger Vincent , Rahkooy Hamid , Schost Éric
Published: May 2019

Overview.
Computing the Gröbner basis of an ideal with respect to a term ordering is an essential step in solving systems of polynomials; in what follows, we restrict our attention to systems with finitely many solutions. Certain term orderings, such as the degree reverse lexicographical ordering (
degrevlex
), make the computation of the Gröbner basis faster, while other orderings, such as the lexicographical ordering (
lex
), make it easier to find the coordinates of the solutions. Thus, one typically first computes a Gröbner basis for the degrevlex ordering, and then converts it to either a lex Gröbner basis or a related representation, such as Rouillier's Rational Univariate Representation [8].
On computing residue integrals for a class of nonlinear transcendental systems
Authors: Kytmanov A. A. , Kytmanov A. M. , Myshkina E. K.
Published: May 2019

A method of computing residue integrals with integration over certain cycles for systems of transcendental equations is presented. Such integrals are connected to the power sums of roots for a certain system of equations. The described approach can be used for developing methods for the elimination of unknowns from transcendental systems.
Computing noncommutative Hilbert series
Authors: La Scala Roberto , Tiwari Sharwan K.
Published: May 2019

We propose methods for computing the Hilbert series of multigraded right modules over the free associative algebra. In particular, we compute such series for noncommutative multigraded algebras. Using results from the theory of regular languages, we provide conditions when the methods are effective and hence the Hilbert series have a rational sum. Efficient variants of the methods are also developed for the truncations of infinite-dimensional algebras which provide approximations of possibly irrational Hilbert series. Moreover, we provide a characterization of the finite-dimensional algebras in terms of the nilpotency of a key matrix involved in the computations. Finally, we present a well-tested and complete implementation for the computation of graded and multigraded Hilbert series which has been developed in the kernel of the computer algebra system Singular (for the details, see preprint[1]).
Symbolic computation with monotone operators
Authors: Lauster Florian , Luke D. Russell , Tam Matthew K.
Published: May 2019

The
Fenchel conjugate
,
f
*
, and the
subdifferential
, ∂
f
, of a function
f
are two objects of fundamental importance in convex analysis. For this reason, software libraries or packages which have the ability to compute and manipulate such objects easily are a valuable edition to the convex analyst's toolkit. Moreover, such tools have potential pedagogical uses if one believes, as we do, that nonsmooth analysis could and should be a part of the traditional "calculus" cannon taught to high school and beginning Bachelor's level students.
Multigenerational Regulation of the Caenorhabditis elegans Chromatin Landscape by Germline Small RNAs
Authors: Weiser Natasha E. , Kim John K.
Published: May 2019

In animals, small noncoding RNAs that are expressed in the germline and transmitted to progeny control gene expression to promote fertility. Germline-expressed small RNAs, including endogenous small interfering RNAs (endo-siRNAs) and Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), drive the repression of deleterious transcripts such as transposons, repetitive elements, and pseudogenes. Recent studies have highlighted an important role for small RNAs in transgenerational epigenetic inheritance via regulation of heritable chromatin marks; therefore, small RNAs are thought to convey an epigenetic memory of genomic self and nonself elements. Small RNA pathways are highly conserved in metazoans and have been best described for the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. In this review, we describe the biogenesis, regulation, and function of C. elegans endo-siRNAs and piRNAs, along with recent insights into how these distinct pathways are integrated to collectively regulate germline gene expression, transgenerational epigenetic inheritance, and ultimately, animal fertility.
Macroeconomics and the Law
Authors: Listokin Yair , Murphy Daniel
Published: May 2019

This article surveys recent work on the role of law in determining economic aggregates such as gross domestic product, unemployment, inflation, and productivity growth. We provide a brief overview of macroeconomics and discuss how legal interventions and institutional arrangements such as monetary, fiscal policy, financial regulation, and other legal changes can stabilize business cycles. Finally, we discuss the role of the law in promoting economic growth.
Copper Transport and Disease: What Can We Learn from Organoids?
Authors: Pierson Hannah , Yang Haojun , Lutsenko Svetlana
Published: May 2019

Many metals have biological functions and play important roles in human health. Copper (Cu) is an essential metal that supports normal cellular physiology. Significant research efforts have focused on identifying the molecules and pathways involved in dietary Cu uptake in the digestive tract. The lack of an adequate in vitro model for assessing Cu transport processes in the gut has led to contradictory data and gaps in our understanding of the mechanisms involved in dietary Cu acquisition. The recent development of organoid technology has provided a tractable model system for assessing the detailed mechanistic processes involved in Cu utilization and transport in the context of nutrition. Enteroid (intestinal epithelial organoid)-based studies have identified new links between intestinal Cu metabolism and dietary fat processing. Evidence for a metabolic coupling between the dietary uptake of Cu and uptake of fat (which were previously thought to be independent) is a new and exciting finding that highlights the utility of these three-dimensional primary culture systems. This review has three goals: ( a) to critically discuss the roles of key Cu transport enzymes in dietary Cu uptake; ( b) to assess the use, utility, and limitations of organoid technology in research into nutritional Cu transport and Cu-based diseases; and ( c) to highlight emerging connections between nutritional Cu homeostasis and fat metabolism.
Genome Editing, Gene Drives, and Synthetic Biology: Will They Contribute to Disease-Resistant Crops, and Who Will Benefit?
Authors: Pixley Kevin V. , Falck-Zepeda Jose B. , Giller Ken E. , Glenna Leland L. , Gould Fred , Mallory-Smith Carol A. , Stelly David M. , Stewart C. Neal
Published: May 2019

Genetically engineered crops have been grown for more than 20 years, resulting in widespread albeit variable benefits for farmers and consumers. We review current, likely, and potential genetic engineering (GE) applications for the development of disease-resistant crop cultivars. Gene editing, gene drives, and synthetic biology offer novel opportunities to control viral, bacterial, and fungal pathogens, parasitic weeds, and insect vectors of plant pathogens. We conclude that there will be no shortage of GE applications to tackle disease resistance and other farmer and consumer priorities for agricultural crops. Beyond reviewing scientific prospects for genetically engineered crops, we address the social institutional forces that are commonly overlooked by biological scientists. Intellectual property regimes, technology regulatory frameworks, the balance of funding between public- and private-sector research, and advocacy by concerned civil society groups interact to define who uses which GE technologies, on which crops, and for the benefit of whom. Ensuring equitable access to the benefits of genetically engineered crops requires affirmative policies, targeted investments, and excellent science.
Toward Open-Ended Fraternal Transitions in Individuality
Authors: Moreno Matthew Andres , Ofria Charles
Published: May 2019

The emergence of new replicating entities from the union of simpler entities characterizes some of the most profound events in natural evolutionary history. Such transitions in individuality are essential to the evolution of the most complex forms of life. Thus, understanding these transitions is critical to building artificial systems capable of open-ended evolution. Alas, these transitions are challenging to induce or detect, even with computational organisms. Here, we introduce the DISHTINY (Distributed Hierarchical Transitions in Individuality) platform, which provides simple cell-like organisms with the ability and incentive to unite into new individuals in a manner that can continue to scale to subsequent transitions. The system is designed to encourage these transitions so that they can be studied: Organisms that coordinate spatiotemporally can maximize the rate of resource harvest, which is closely linked to their reproductive ability. We demonstrate the hierarchical emergence of multiple levels of individuality among simple cell-like organisms that evolve parameters for manually designed strategies. During evolution, we observe reproductive division of labor and close cooperation among cells, including resource-sharing, aggregation of resource endowments for propagules, and emergence of an apoptosis response to somatic mutation. Many replicate populations evolved to direct their resources toward low-level groups (behaving like multicellular individuals), and many others evolved to direct their resources toward high-level groups (acting as larger-scale multicellular individuals).
O-Tū-Kapua (What Clouds See): A Mixed Reality Exploration of Atmospheric Science
Authors: Coulson Guy , Jowsey Susan , Williams Marcus , Olivares Gustavo
Published: May 2019

The authors’ project O-Tū-Kapua (what clouds see) explored concepts related to air quality by creating a mixed reality, art/science, educationally focused exhibition for children, mixing participatory art, scientific concepts and technology. The young are directly affected by the social and environmental impacts of the changing world climate, making their voices particularly important in determining ongoing dialogue about Earth's atmosphere. Through a nexus of the handmade, education, augmented technology, installation and aural soundscapes, O-Tū-Kapua engaged over 1,000 children. The project also combined real-time air quality and weather data, superimposing it as a virtual data layer on top of hand-drawn images of native flora and fauna. The magnitude of the data determined the visual and aural form of the virtual experience, creating environmentally responsive representations that enabled participants to readily see and interpret how the atmosphere was affecting the native forest in their neighborhood.
Portable Projections: Analyzing Cocreated Site-Specific Video Walks
Authors: von Jungenfeld Rocio
Published: May 2019

The author discusses key findings of a series of video walks developed as part of her practice-based PhD research (2011–2014). Four video walks were produced for handheld projectors and tested in four different public spaces. The first video walks ( The Surface Inside, 2011; I-Walk, 2012) were guided, and only one handheld projector was available. The latter ( Walk-itch, 2013; (wh)ere land, 2014) were created for multiple handheld projectors, offering participants a cocreative role. Onsite observations revealed a shift in participant engagement between earlier and later video walks. A threefold method for analyzing audiovisual documentation also emerged during the research.
Alternaria caricicola, a new species of Alternaria in the section Nimbya from Iran
Authors: AHMADPOUR ABDOLLAH
Published: May 2019

Alternaria section Nimbya, currently contains six species which are pathogens of members of the Juncaceae and Cyperaceae plant families. The prominent morphological character in the members of this section is internal compartmentation of conidia into conspicuous angular lumina interconnected by narrow channels through the transverse distosepta and fewer transverse eusepta. In the study on fungi from culm lesions of Carex sp. (Cyperaceae) from West Azarbaijan province, Iran, four isolates with typical characteristics of Alternaria were isolated and studied taxonomically. Based on combination of morphological characters and molecular phylogeny based on ITS–rDNA and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) gene sequences, the isolates represent a new undescribed species of Alternaria in the section Nimbya, which is described here as Alternaria caricicola sp. nov. The new species is characterized by straight to slightly curved obclavate conidia with 6–14 transverse distosepta, 1–4 darkened eusepta, and an unbranched, tapering apical beak. A detailed description and illustrations are provided and compared with similar taxa in the section Nimbya.
A new, overlooked species of Aiphanes (Arecaceae) from Santander, Colombia
Authors: BERNAL RODRIGO , CASTAÑO FELIPE , SANÍN MARÍA JOSÉ
Published: May 2019

The new species Aiphanes suaita, from the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia, is described and illustrated. Previous specimens of this species had been mistaken for Aiphanes simplex, but a molecular phylogeny revealed that it is actually more closely related to Aiphanes leiostachys, from the Central Cordillera, prompting a reexamination of the specimens. The new species differs in its solitary stem, lack of yellowish spines, pinnae strongly plicate along secondary veins, spicate inflorescences, staminate flowers with the axis perpendicular to the spike axis, and triad bracts short, with smooth margin. Based on IUCN criteria, it is categorized as Endangered.
First record of Miltogramminae from New Caledonia: a new species of Protomiltogramma (Diptera: Sarcophagidae)
Authors: JOHNSTON NIKOLAS P. , WALLMAN JAMES F. , PAPE THOMAS
Published: May 2019

New Caledonia is described as one of Earth’s key biodiversity hotspots, with high species endemism, particularly for plants and vertebrate animals (Myers et al. 2000; Kier et al. 2009). The distinct biodiversity of this country has been attributed to the Gondwanan origins of the New Caledonian archipelago, its relative isolation from neighbouring countries (such as Australia) and the stability of its climate. These factors are suggested to have led to the accumulation of many Gondwanan species, with few instances of extinction, which has allowed for marked species diversification (Espeland & Murienne 2011).
Note on the genus Lecanophryella (Ciliophora: Suctorea) with description of a new species from west coast of India
Authors: CHATTERJEE TAPAS , DOVGAL IGOR , NANAJKAR MANDAR , BOGATI KALISA
Published: May 2019

The article presents a review of the literature on known representatives of the genus Lecanophryella containing general characteristics of the members of this genus, information on morphology and data on distribution. Diagnostic characters of L. satyanandani is emended based on material collected from a new locality. A new species, Lecanophryella indica as epibiont on the body surface of cyclopoid copepod from the Zuari estuary, west coast of India is also described.
Perinatal anxiety and depression: Awareness and attitudes in Australia
Authors: Smith Terri , Gemmill Alan W , Milgrom Jeannette
Published: May 2019

Background:

Better community mental health literacy is associated with positive help-seeking behaviours and reduced stigma. There are relatively few published surveys of perinatal mental health literacy.

Aims:

To provide a profile of current awareness, knowledge and attitudes in relation to the mental health of women and men in the perinatal period.

Method:

A cross-sectional online survey ( n = 1,201) of adults (⩾ 18 years) in each state and territory of Australia was conducted in early 2016. Survey questions were based on a previous 2009 survey, with the addition of several novel items designed to assess knowledge around both perinatal anxiety and men’s perinatal mental health.

Results:

Depression (including postnatal depression) was the most frequently cited general health problem for women in the first postnatal year (52% of spontaneous first responses). Over 70% of adults believed that postnatal depression requires specialised treatment and checks for depressive symptoms should occur routinely in pregnancy and the first postnatal year. Women identified postnatal depression at a higher rate than men. Most commonly, postnatal depression was perceived as having a biological rather than psychosocial etiology (34.5%). Men and women differed in their knowledge about the symptoms of postnatal depression with more women correctly identifying core depressive symptoms. The specific term ‘perinatal depression’ was not well recognised. Although not well recognised as a general health issue, when prompted, 39% of respondents were aware of anxiety as a specific perinatal mental health issue. Most adult Australians (60%) were unaware that perinatal depression and anxiety could be experienced by men.

Conclusion:

Awareness of postnatal depression appeared high. However, areas including anxiety, antenatal mental health, and men’s mental health were less well-understood. There remains considerable scope, and a need for, continued awareness-raising around anxiety, mental health in pregnancy and men’s mental health.
Against a Bitter Pill: The Role of Interest Groups in Armed Forces Reform in Russia
Authors: Shamiev Kirill
Published: May 2019

From 2007 to 2012, Russian armed forces faced unprecedented changes that affected their structural, economic, social, and ideological elements. However, not all aims were fulfilled, and some changes were rolled back, despite the political and financial support from Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev for the defense minister Anatoly Serdyukov. Using the data from 11 interviews with former high-ranking military officers, scholars, and insider press workers, the research shows that the unsustainability of the reform was caused by the radicality of changes, the interest groups influence, and the technocratic policymaking in nondemocratic Russia. In addition, the research demonstrates the strategies the reformers used in order to overcome the resistance from mobilized interest groups. They had not succeeded, that ultimately led to the resignation of the defense minister, which stopped further radical changes in the contemporary Russian armed forces.
Statistical Software Use in Canadian University Courses: Current Trends and Future Directions
Authors: Davidson Heather , Jabbari Yasaman , Patton Heather , O’Hagan Fergal , Peters Kevin , Cribbie Robert
Published: May 2019

Two controversial topics related to the teaching of statistics to psychology students are (a) when to introduce statistical software and (b) which statistical software package to use. The current research looked at the use of statistical software in statistics classes from every university with a psychology program in Canada. Researchers collected data from 321 statistics courses offered to psychology students at 65 Canadian universities and coded the type of statistical software used (if any) in each course. Results show that slightly more than half of all universities introduce software at the introductory level. Point-and-click software is most popular, particularly SPSS. There is a considerable amount of variability in when and which software is introduced to students. Departments can use these data to inform their own practices.
Effect of acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene terpolymer on the foaming behavior of polypropylene
Authors: Tan Xiao-Tian , Zhou Ying-Guo , Zhou Jing-Jing , Dong Bin-Bin , Liu Chun-Tai , Xu Bai-Ping
Published: May 2019

To improve the cellular foam structure of common polypropylene (PP), acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene terpolymer (ABS) and compatibilizer were used to blend with PP, and the foaming behavior of PP/ABS blends was investigated. The solid and foamed samples of the PP/ABS blend with different component were first fabricated by melt extrusion followed by conventional injection molding with or without a blowing agent. The mechanical properties, thermal features, and rheological characterizations of these samples were studied using the tensile test, dynamic mechanical analyzer, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and torque rheometry. The results suggest that ABS is a suitable candidate to improve the foamability of PP. The effect of ABS and compatibilizer on the foamability of PP can be attributed to three possible mechanisms, that is, the weak interaction between phases that facilitates cell nucleation, the improved gas-melt viscosity that prevents the escape of gas, and the influence of crystallization behavior that helps to form a fine foaming structure.
Evaluation of Healing Rates and Safety With a Bioinductive Collagen Patch for Large and Massive Rotator Cuff Tears: 2-Year Safety and Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Thon Stephen G. , O’Malley Larry , O’Brien Michael J. , Savoie Felix H.
Published: May 2019

Background:

Failure of repair of large and massive rotator cuff tears is a challenging problem within orthopaedics. Poor tendon tissue and vascularity are known causes for failure of rotator cuff repairs.

Purpose:

To assess the safety, outcomes, and healing rates when large and massive rotator cuff repairs are augmented with a bioinductive collagen scaffold patch in a proof-of-principle design.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

Twenty-three patients undergoing repair of full-thickness large (2-tendon) or massive (3-tendon) rotator cuff tears augmented with a bioinductive collagen patch were enrolled in a prospective single-arm proof-of-principle study. No partial repairs were performed, and a complete rotator cuff repair was successfully achieved in each case. Sixteen patients underwent revision rotator cuff repairs versus 7 primary repairs. Safety was determined by any implant-related adverse event. A single magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan was utilized to confirm tendon healing and thickness at a minimum of 6 months postoperatively. Postoperative ultrasound (US) was used in office by the treating surgeon to assess tendon thickness at 3-, 6-, 12-, and 24-month intervals. American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) scores were collected at final follow-up.

Results:

Overall, a 96% (22 of 23) healing rate was confirmed on US and MRI. However, incidence of treatment clinical failure was 9% (2 of 23), as 1 patient’s tendon healed but eventually underwent additional surgery. There were no adverse events attributed to the implant reported. Final US rotator cuff thickness was 7.28 ± 0.85 mm (mean ± SD), and final MRI rotator cuff thickness was 5.13 ± 1.06 mm. The mean ASES score at final follow-up was 82.87 ± 16.68 (range, 53.33-100).

Conclusion:

No complications attributed to the implant were reported, and new tendon formation was apparent on US and MRI, with relatively high healing rates at 2-year follow-up. Arthroscopic application of this bioinductive collagen scaffold when combined with rotator cuff repair is a safe and effective treatment for healing of large and massive rotator cuff repairs.
Parabolized stability analysis of chemically reacting boundary-layer flows in equilibrium conditions
Authors: Zanus Ludovico , Miró Fernando Miró , Pinna Fabio
Published: May 2019

Stability of self-similar hypersonic flows over a flat plate in local thermodynamic equilibrium is studied by means of linear parabolized stability equations. A spectral collocation numerical method together with a finite-difference-based marching scheme are used to solve the equations, while the gas mixture and transport properties are computed with a table look-up procedure. High-temperature effects are found to destabilize the second-Mack-mode regardless of the adiabatic/isothermal wall condition considered. On the other hand, nonlocal effects show a Mach-dependence influence: stabilizing at lower Mach, while destabilizing at higher ones. Strong oscillations in the growth rate of perturbations in local thermodynamic equilibrium are found to be caused by damped supersonic modes.
Evolving a Model of Sustainable Leadership: An Ex-post Facto Research
Authors: Sharma Radha R.
Published: May 2019

The cascading effects of globalization, changing business environment, economic uncertainties, technological advancements, heightened stress levels and increasing incidence of behavioural deviance have changed the workplace requiring sustainable leadership. Although there is plethora of literature on leadership, there is dearth of scholarly work on sustainable leadership as the subject is still evolving. This aroused academic curiosity and provided impetus to me to undertake this study to explore the ideology of the leaders in political and organizational contexts and study their attributes in the backdrop of extant literature on spiritual leadership and humanistic management to find answer to the question ‘does spirituo-humanistic ideology lead to sustainable leadership?’ The present research seeks to (a) study the link between secular spirituality and leadership, (b) examine attributes and behaviour of leaders of long standing in political and business contexts and (c) evolve a model of sustainable leadership for organizations with an operational definition. For a long-time spirituality and leadership were considered apart: one, a realm of intangible ideas and emotions; the other, a practical area of scientific inquiry, however, the article embraces a holistic view of secular spiritual leadership. It adopts anti-positivism paradigm (theory) focusing on qualitative analysis (Cohen et al., Research Methods in Education [5th ed.], London: Routledge Falmer, 2000). As research on sustainable leadership requires studying leadership behaviour over a period, the study adopted ex-post facto research for conducting two case studies of leaders in political and business contexts from India who provided leadership in their respective spheres for decades. Finally, the study contributes a spirituo-humanistic model of sustainable leadership for organizations.
Towards a social theory of fear: A phenomenology of negative integration
Authors: Sik Domonkos
Published: May 2019

Despite its undisputed importance, fear is yet to become a distinct research area for social theory. However, without a clear conceptualization of fear, the explanation of significant phenomena, such as the risk-related anxiety or the conflict of the global and the local, remains incomplete. This article aims at reintroducing fear at the fundamental level of social integration. First, the social contract theories of Hobbes and Rousseau are reinterpreted in order to identify a negative (based on fear) and a positive (based on hope) motivational basis of self-limiting one’s freedom of pursuing individual goals. These motivations for cooperation are the prerequisite of any society, as their absence results in disintegration. While social contract theories analyse them in detail, social theories forget about this level and focus on the mechanisms of action coordination. From the perspective of the two types of motivation for cooperation, two modalities of integration mechanisms identified by classical (Weber, Durkheim, Habermas) and late modern (Beck, Castells) social theories are elaborated. Based on such a model, the contemporary expansion of fear is explained as a consequence of the upset balance of the two modalities, leading to the predominance of negative integration.
Assessment of driving fitness among patients with alcohol-related visits to two hospitals in eastern Finland
Authors: Kalsi Juhani , Tervo Markku , Tervo Timo
Published: May 2019

Objective:

The aim of the present study was twofold. The first aim was to explore how frequently physicians evaluate driving fitness when a patient has a serious alcohol problem, which is accomplished by examining differences in physicians’ compliance with their intervention/notification obligation among different alcohol-related ICD-10 diagnoses. The second aim was to explore how many heavy alcohol users have a valid driving license.

Methods:

Data from all patients with an alcohol-related ICD-10 diagnosis code as a cause of a hospital visit were collected during a three-month period from Kuopio University Hospital and North Karelia Central Hospital.

Results:

Eighty-one percent (81%) of patients with alcohol-related ICD-10 diagnoses were heavy alcohol users and had alcohol withdrawal syndrome, alcohol-related organ disease or multidrug abuse combined with alcohol abuse. The driving fitness of these patients was significantly reduced, and the health requirements of the driving license were not met. Physicians evaluated driving fitness for only 20% of alcohol-related hospital visits/hospitalisations. Moreover, fitness to drive was evaluated in only 24% of cases of a patient with a major alcohol problem and a valid driving license. Driving fitness was most frequently evaluated in cases with alcohol-related convulsions (74%). In total, 80% of patients with a major alcohol problem had a valid driving license even though the requirements of driving fitness were not met.

Conclusions:

The obligation to evaluate the driving fitness of heavy alcohol users is often neglected, except in cases of alcohol-abuse-related convulsions. Physicians should play a greater role in monitoring road safety, or sanctions should be set for failures to obey the obligations. The driving fitness of a patient hospitalised due to alcohol use should be assessed more regularly. Cognition problems related to alcohol-related liver disease/alcohol-related dementia are probably often overlooked. Alcohol-abuse-related conditions are poorly recognised and remain unreported to the authorities.
Local implementation of accountability instruments in the French-speaking community of Belgium
Authors: Barbana Samir , Dumay Xavier , Dupriez Vincent
Published: May 2019

This article aims to understand how new accountability instruments in the context of the French-speaking Belgian educational system are appropriated by schools. After having characterised the specific nature of those instruments in the context of a traditionally highly decentralised system involved in a significant process of centralisation, we identify their effects through the case study of three schools. Using a new institutionalist lens, the analyses show that these instruments refer, in the French-speaking Belgian context, to a specific demand from the political environment of schools: developing and framing a common educational landscape, rather than to a logic of teacher evaluation. The data also indicate a reaffirmation, against this specific political demand, of three traditional ways of functioning tied up to the requests made by local educational communities. Thus, the analyses show a conflict between inherited institutions highly embedded in local contexts and the political signal associated with the new accountability instruments aiming to institutionalise common norms at the system level.
Galenic dural arteriovenous fistula in neurofibromatosis type 1 treated with Onyx
Authors: Han Zongli , Du Yanli , Qi Hui
Published: May 2019

Galenic dural arteriovenous fistula (GDAVF) represents a unique, hard-to-treat subgroup of tentorial dural arteriovenous fistulae. Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) has been infrequently associated with different cerebrovascular conditions that may lead to either ischemic or haemorrhagic stroke. Intracranial GDAVF has not been described in NF1 patients. We present an unusual case of GDAVF in a 37-year-old man with NF1. The fistula drained directly to the vein of Galen through multiple feeders. Complete occlusion of the fistula was achieved through trans-arterial embolisation with Onyx (ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer) in a single treatment session. Deep venous drainage remained intact, and the patient recovered well. To our knowledge, this is the first report on complete closure of GDAVF with NF1 using trans-arterial embolisation. The preservation of functioning of the straight sinus may have contributed to the success of treatment.
Free flight wind tunnel test similarity law derivation for light store separation from aircraft
Authors: Xue Fei , Qin Han , Wang Yuchao , Jiang Zenghui , Jin Xin , Bai Peng
Published: May 2019

Based on the linear displacement motion similarity and angular displacement motion similarity, the similarity law for free flight test of light store separation from aircraft is deduced. The problem that the ideal test model is too light to be processed and the free flight separation test in wind tunnel is harder to achieve due to the model scaling is solved. The new similarity law was simplified reasonably, and the relationship equation between separation velocity and model mass was obtained. The wind-loaded state is simulated by computational fluid dynamics, and the real separation data of aircraft, the separation data of previous test methods, and the simulation data of different mass and different separation velocity trajectories of this similarity law are obtained. The improved effect of the new similarity law is verified by data comparison. The results show that by properly increasing the mass of wind tunnel test model, the difficulty of wind tunnel test can be greatly reduced while the separation trajectory is similar, and the angular displacement error can be guaranteed to be within acceptable range. In order to ensure better consistency between flight and free flight wind tunnel test, it solves the problem that similarity law can only be designed but cannot be realized.
Liraglutide improves the beta-cell function without increasing insulin secretion during a mixed meal in patients, who exhibit well-controlled type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease
Authors: Anholm Christian , Kumarathurai Preman , Jürs Anders , Pedersen Lene Rørholm , Nielsen Olav Wendelboe , Kristiansen Ole Peter , Fenger Mogens , Holst Jens Juul , Madsbad Sten , Sajadieh Ahmad , Haugaard Steen Bendix
Published: May 2019

Background

Hyperinsulinemia aggravates insulin resistance and cardio-vascular disease. How the insulinotropic glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist liraglutide in a physiologic post-prandial setting may act on pancreatic alpha and beta-cell function in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is less clear.

Methods

Insulin resistant patients with established CAD and newly diagnosed well-controlled T2DM were recruited to a placebo-controlled, cross-over trial with two treatment periods of 12 weeks and a 2 weeks wash-out period before and in-between. Treatment was liraglutide or placebo titrated from 0.6 mg q.d. to 1.8 mg q.d. within 4 weeks and metformin titrated from 500 mg b.i.d to 1000 mg b.i.d. within 4 weeks. Before and after intervention in both 12 weeks periods insulin, C-peptide, glucose, and glucagon were measured during a meal test. Beta-cell function derived from the oral glucose tolerance setting was calculated as changes in insulin secretion per unit changes in glucose concentration (Btotal) and whole-body insulin resistance using ISIcomposite.

Results

Liraglutide increased the disposition index [Btotal × ISIcomposite, by 40% (n = 24, p < 0.001)] compared to placebo. Post-prandial insulin and glucose was reduced by metformin in combination with liraglutide and differed, but not significantly different from placebo, moreover, glucagon concentration was unaffected. Additionally, insulin clearance tended to increase during liraglutide therapy (n = 26, p = 0.06).

Conclusions

The insulinotropic drug liraglutide may without increasing the insulin concentration reduce postprandial glucose but not glucagon excursions and improve beta-cell function in newly diagnosed and well-controlled T2DM.

Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov ID: NCT01595789
Annual Meeting Update
Authors: Woller Kevin
Published: May 2019

Only three months remain until the SEG International Exposition and 89th Annual Meeting, taking place 15–20 September in San Antonio, Texas. Annual Meeting Steering Committee Chair Glenn Winters and I are striving to make this meeting more participatory for all attendees and for all levels of experience and expertise. The committee has shortened the oral presentations by a half day. There will be no oral presentations Thursday morning, which will allow postconvention workshops to start earlier and make the schedule more efficient.
Introduction to this special section: Near-surface geophysics
Authors: Mangel Adam , Sloan Steve
Published: May 2019

The near surface of the earth, a.k.a. the critical zone (National Research Council, 2001), is defined as the outer 50–100 m of the planet, which contains biota, bedrock, soil, water, and gasses. As humans, we rely on this layer for many functions including storage of water resources, housing of our infrastructure, storage of our wastes, and cultivation of our food sources. Several natural ecosystems are also dependent on this layer of our planet, which in turn provide us with ecosystem services. The historic and lasting importance of this layer to our environment emphasizes the value in understanding major environmental fluxes, impact of human activities, and the interface between the natural world and our infrastructure. Application of geophysical methods in this field has increased steadily over the past 15 years and continues to grow, especially as the human impact on the globe continues to increase.