bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spiking Elementary Motion Detector in Neuromorphic Systems
Authors: Milde M. B. , Bertrand O. J. N. , Ramachandran H. , Egelhaaf M. , Chicca E.
Published: July 2018

Apparent motion of the surroundings on an agent's retina can be used to navigate through cluttered environments, avoid collisions with obstacles, or track targets of interest. The pattern of apparent motion of objects, (i.e., the optic flow), contains spatial information about the surrounding environment. For a small, fast-moving agent, as used in search and rescue missions, it is crucial to estimate the distance to close-by objects to avoid collisions quickly. This estimation cannot be done by conventional methods, such as frame-based optic flow estimation, given the size, power, and latency constraints of the necessary hardware. A practical alternative makes use of event-based vision sensors. Contrary to the frame-based approach, they produce so-called events only when there are changes in the visual scene.

We propose a novel asynchronous circuit, the spiking elementary motion detector (sEMD), composed of a single silicon neuron and synapse, to detect elementary motion from an event-based vision sensor. The sEMD encodes the time an object's image needs to travel across the retina into a burst of spikes. The number of spikes within the burst is proportional to the speed of events across the retina. A fast but imprecise estimate of the time-to-travel can already be obtained from the first two spikes of a burst and refined by subsequent interspike intervals. The latter encoding scheme is possible due to an adaptive nonlinear synaptic efficacy scaling.

We show that the sEMD can be used to compute a collision avoidance direction in the context of robotic navigation in a cluttered outdoor environment and compared the collision avoidance direction to a frame-based algorithm. The proposed computational principle constitutes a generic spiking temporal correlation detector that can be applied to other sensory modalities (e.g., sound localization), and it provides a novel perspective to gating information in spiking neural networks.
CosMIC: A Consistent Metric for Spike Inference from Calcium
Imaging
Authors: Reynolds Stephanie , Abrahamsson Therese , Sjöström Per Jesper , Schultz Simon R. , Dragotti Pier Luigi
Published: July 2018

In recent years, the development of algorithms to detect neuronal spiking activity from two-photon calcium imaging data has received much attention, yet few researchers have examined the metrics used to assess the similarity of detected spike trains with the ground truth. We highlight the limitations of the two most commonly used metrics, the spike train correlation and success rate, and propose an alternative, which we refer to as CosMIC. Rather than operating on the true and estimated spike trains directly, the proposed metric assesses the similarity of the pulse trains obtained from convolution of the spike trains with a smoothing pulse. The pulse width, which is derived from the statistics of the imaging data, reflects the temporal tolerance of the metric. The final metric score is the size of the commonalities of the pulse trains as a fraction of their average size. Viewed through the lens of set theory, CosMIC resembles a continuous Sørensen-Dice coefficient—an index commonly used to assess the similarity of discrete, presence/absence data. We demonstrate the ability of the proposed metric to discriminate the precision and recall of spike train estimates. Unlike the spike train correlation, which appears to reward overestimation, the proposed metric score is maximized when the correct number of spikes have been detected. Furthermore, we show that CosMIC is more sensitive to the temporal precision of estimates than the success rate.
Adaptive Learning Algorithm Convergence in Passive and Reactive Environments
Authors: Golden Richard M.
Published: July 2018

Although the number of artificial neural network and machine learning architectures is growing at an exponential pace, more attention needs to be paid to theoretical guarantees of asymptotic convergence for novel, nonlinear, high-dimensional adaptive learning algorithms. When properly understood, such guarantees can guide the algorithm development and evaluation process and provide theoretical validation for a particular algorithm design. For many decades, the machine learning community has widely recognized the importance of stochastic approximation theory as a powerful tool for identifying explicit convergence conditions for adaptive learning machines. However, the verification of such conditions is challenging for multidisciplinary researchers not working in the area of stochastic approximation theory. For this reason, this letter presents a new stochastic approximation theorem for both passive and reactive learning environments with assumptions that are easily verifiable. The theorem is widely applicable to the analysis and design of important machine learning algorithms including deep learning algorithms with multiple strict local minimizers, Monte Carlo expectation-maximization algorithms, contrastive divergence learning in Markov fields, and policy gradient reinforcement learning.
First record of trichomycetes associated with aquatic insects from Colombian Moorland and Andean forests
Authors: BARÓN DANIEL E. , VALLE LAIA GUÀRDIA
Published: July 2018

This paper discusses new findings relating to the first known diversity of trichomycete gut symbionts from Colombia. All species were associated with aquatic insects in the orders Diptera and Ephemeroptera collected from various localities in the tropical Eastern Ridge of Santander. Among the reported taxa, we describe two new species, Gauthieromyces colombiensis (Harpellales), phenotypically similar to the European G. microsporus, and Paramoebidium santanderensis (Amoebidiales) characterized by retaining the cystospore attached to the growing thallus after germination. Both taxa were found in the hindgut of mayfly nymphs. We also provide 17 new geographic records of trichomycetes for Colombia. Taxonomic and biogeographic implications of these records are discussed.
The identity of Stranvaesia microphylla (Rosaceae, Maleae) from Vietnam
Authors: WANG LONG-YUAN , FENG HUI-ZHE , GUO WEI , FAN QIANG , CHEN SU-FANG , LIAO WEN-BO
Published: July 2018

Critical examination of herbarium specimens (including type materials) has shown that Stranvaesia microphylla described from Vietnam is conspecific with Photinia davidiana var. undulata (≡Stranvaesia davidiana var. undulata), which is widely distributed in China. Therefore, S. microphylla is reduced as a synonymy of P. davidiana var. undulata. Additionally, one new combination has been proposed and one lectotype has been designated here.
A new species of Macrolobium (Fabaceae, Detarioideae) endemic on a Tepui of the Guyana Shield in Brazil
Authors: FARROÑAY FRANCISCO , ADRIANZÉN MARISABEL U. , PERDIZ RICARDO DE OLIVEIRA , VICENTINI ALBERTO
Published: July 2018

Macrolobium aracaense (Fabaceae), a new endemic treelet species from Brazil, is here described and illustrated. Morphologically it is similar to M. longipes: both are treelets, the leaflets have the same shape and are covered by papillary epidermis on the abaxial surface, and the sepals apex are minutely ciliate. Macrolobium aracaense occurs in sympatry with M. discolor var. discolor and M. gracile var. confertum in Serra do Aracá State Park, Amazonas, Brazil, and these four species can be easily differentiated by morphological characters, and their similarities and differences are here discussed.
New genus, species, redescription, and new rank in Cerambycinae (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae)
Authors: VLASAK JOSEF , SANTOS-SILVA ANTONIO
Published: July 2018

Two new species of Cerambycidae are described from Costa Rica: Cosmisoma luteoviridis sp. nov. (Rhopalophorini) and Katerinaella costaricensis gen. nov. and sp. nov. (Rhinotragini). Trachyderes (Dendrobias) Dupont, 1834 is restored to genus level. Male specimens of Dendrobias steinhauseni (Hüdepohl, 1987) from Nicaragua and Costa Rica are described and illustrated. The relationship of D. steinhauseni with other Dendrobias species is discussed.
ABSTRACT
Authors: Levinson D. H. , Lawrimore J. H.
Published: July 2018

The combined land and ocean surface temperature in 2007 fell within the 10 highest on record, while the average land temperature was the warmest since global records began in 1880. In the low to midtroposphere, the annual global mean temperature was among the five warmest since reliable global records began in 1958, but still cooler than the record warmest year of 1998. For the fourth consecutive year, the annual precipitation averaged over global land surfaces was above the long-term mean, although the anomaly was significantly less than in 2006 when the annual value was the eighth wettest since 1901.

The globally averaged concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) continued to increase in 2007, having risen to 382.7 ppm at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii. The average rate of rise of CO2 has been 1.6 ppm yr−1 since 1980; however, since 2000 this has increased to 1.9 ppm yr−1. In addition, both methane (CH4) and carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations were also higher in 2007.

Over the oceans, global SST during 2007 showed significant departures from the 1971–2000 climatology. Annual average upper-ocean heat content anomalies declined between 2006 and 2007 in the eastern equatorial Pacific and increased in off-equatorial bands in that ocean basin. These changes were consistent with the transition from an El Niño in 2006 to a La Niña in 2007. The global mean sea level anomaly (SLA) in 2007 was I.I mm higher than in 2006, which is about one standard deviation below what would be expected from the 15-yr trend value of 3.4 mm yr−1.

In the tropics, the Atlantic hurricane season was near normal in 2007, although slightly more active than in 2006. In the north and south Indian Ocean Basins, both the seasonal totals and intensity of tropical cyclones (TC) were significantly above average, and included two Saffir-Simpson category 5 TCs in the north Indian Ocean and a world record rainfall amount of 5510 mm over a 3–8-day period on the island of Reunion in the south Indian Ocean.

In the polar regions 2007 was the warmest on record for the Arctic, and continued a general, Arctic-wide warming trend that began in the mid-1960s. An unusually strong high pressure region in the Beaufort Sea during summer contributed to a record minimum Arctic sea ice cover in September. Measurements of the mass balance of glaciers and ice caps indicate that in most of the world, glaciers are shrinking in mass. The Greenland ice sheet experienced records in both the duration and extent of the summer surface melt. From the continental scale, as a whole the Antarctic was warmer than average in 2007, although the Antarctic Peninsula was considerably cooler than average. The size of the ozone hole was below the record levels of 2006, and near the average of the past 15 yr, due to warmer springtime temperatures in the Antarctic stratosphere.
Agile Development in Meteorological R&D: Achieving a Minimum Viable Product in a Scrum Work Setting
Authors: Som de Cerff Wim , van de Vegte John , Boers Reinout , Brandsma Theo , de Haij Marijn , van Moosel Wim , Noteboom Jan Willem , Pagani Giuliano Andrea , van der Schrier Gerard
Published: July 2018

In the Agile Way of Working (AoW), a group of developers jointly work to efficiently realize a project. Here we report on the application of AoW in meteorological research and development (R&D) outside of the software engineering environment. Three projects were formulated, derived from the observations strategy (2015) of the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI). An initial phase of preparation consisted of breaking down the workload into tasks to be accomplished by individual project members and achievable in two one-week sprints. Sprints consisted of daily stand-ups, where accomplishments, work intentions, and obstacles were discussed, followed by project work in a joint working environment. The three projects identified were 1) flying a drone to detect boundary layer evolution, 2) monitoring the quality of the precipitation measurement system, and 3) realizing a platform for merging third-party data with meteorological observations. The preparation phase proved to be vitally important to each of the projects. The roles of the product owner and Scrum master in streamlining and guiding these projects were essential to the success of the sprint weeks, but the joint group settings worked well for only two of the three projects. While team members were positive about their experience with the AoW, the challenge remains to fuse the traditional individual work practice of researchers with that of software engineers, who are experienced in working in a group setting.
Religion as a Social Control: A Longitudinal Study of Religious Involvement and Substance Use
Authors: Guo Siying , Metcalfe Christi
Published: July 2018

The study examines the longitudinal relationship between religious involvement and substance use within emerging adulthood, accounting for changes in religious involvement over time and exploring variations across age, sex, race/ethnicity, and substance (i.e., alcohol, marijuana, and hard drugs). To this end, random effects models are used focusing on 11 waves of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, 1997. The findings demonstrate that increases in religious attendance are associated with reduced odds of all forms of substance use. In addition, the religious attendance–substance use relationship becomes weaker with age. Overall, religious attendance has a similar relationship with substance use among males and females, as well as Whites and non-Whites, with a few notable exceptions.
Principal Preparation Programs and Principal Outcomes
Authors: Grissom Jason A. , Mitani Hajime , Woo David S.
Published: July 2018

Purpose: Concerns about variation in the quality of preservice preparation provided by many university-based principal preparation programs (PPPs) has led to calls to use outcomes of program graduates to hold PPPs accountable. Little research, however, has assessed the degree to which different outcomes for PPP graduates in fact vary systematically by program. Research Methods: Using administrative data from Tennessee, we link approximately a decade’s worth of PPP graduates to their schools, licensure examination scores, and multiple measures of job performance in their first 3 years as principals, including supervisors’ practice ratings on the state evaluation system, teacher and assistant principal ratings of school leadership on a statewide survey, and measures of student achievement growth. We use which PPP a principal completed to predict these outcomes using a regression approach with different sets of covariates. Findings: Although we are able to associate PPPs with high and low principal performance, we find that programs’ rankings vary by outcome measure, and we are unable to identify PPPs that perform consistently well or poorly across outcomes. Moreover, we find that Tennessee PPPs vary substantially in the characteristics of the schools into which their principals are hired and that taking these characteristics into account is important in ordering PPPs based on outcomes. In addition, even over a fairly long time frame, some programs produce too few graduates who later become school leaders to allow for reliable estimates. Implications: Although the use of graduates’ outcomes to differentiate PPPs holds promise, the methodological challenges to drawing valid and reliable conclusions about PPPs from graduates’ job outcomes are substantial. Policymakers and researchers may arrive at very different assessments of which PPPs are successful depending on which outcomes are chosen and what modeling approaches are employed.
The effectiveness of QPR suicide prevention training
Authors: Aldrich Rosalie S , Wilde Jerry , Miller Elizabeth
Published: July 2018

Objective:

The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) gatekeeper suicide prevention training on individuals’ ability to recognise the warning signs of suicide, intention to question someone they think is suicidal, persuade the suicidal person to stay alive, and know how and where to get help for the person. We also examined whether QPR training increased an individual’s intention to intervene with a suicidal individual.

Design:

A pretest–posttest online survey, based on the theory of planned behaviour, was employed before and after the face-to-face QPR training.

Setting:

The study was conducted on a small regional college campus in the Midwest USA.

Method:

Faculty, staff, and students at a regional campus completed two online questionnaires (pretest, n = 108, and posttest, n = 79) answering questions about attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control regarding suicide intervention, as well as their intention to intervene with someone who was suicidal. They also completed a 1-hour QPR gatekeeper training event.

Results:

QPR training significantly improved attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control regarding suicide intervention, and intention to intervene. It was also effective at increasing intention to question, persuade and refer (the three core goals of QPR).

Conclusions:

QPR training has been shown to be effective in the short-term at increasing intention to intervene within a US college community.
Development and Implementation of a Standardized Sterile Compounding Training Program
Authors: Loomis Meagan , Kosinski Tracy , Wucherer Stacy
Published: July 2018

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to develop and implement a standardized sterile compounding training program in a multihospital system that incorporates sterile compounding best practice recommendations and ensures compliance with United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Chapters 797 and 800 standards. Methods: Baseline sterile compounding training data were collected and reviewed for sterile compounding facilities across a multihospital health system, which included 37 distinct sterile compounding operations. Current sterile compounding personnel across the system completed preintervention assessments consisting of a written, knowledge-based exam; media-fill challenge test; and an observed assessment of aseptic technique. The personnel then completed refresher training of sterile compounding concepts by completing online and in-person courses. A postintervention assessment was then conducted to evaluate training methods and topics. Based on the intervention data, a training program for new sterile compounding personnel was developed and implemented. A program to provide annual, ongoing training to existing sterile compounding personnel was also developed and implemented. Results: There was a statistically significant improvement in sterile compounding written exam scores ( P < .0001) and aseptic technique observation scores ( P < .0001) after implementation of refresher training. The validated training program was then included in the development and implementation of standardized training for all new and existing sterile compounding personnel across a multihospital health system. Conclusion: A standardized and consistent, sterile compounding training program was developed for all new and existing sterile compounding personnel incorporating a live, in-person training course, as well as online and hands-on training.
Independent Regulatory Authorities: Analysing Accountability, Responsibility and Transparency
Authors: Tripathi Sudhanshu
Published: July 2018

A regulatory authority is an autonomous body established by a federal, state or provincial government with a view to serve the interests of all stakeholders in a society. As the modern state is passing through neo-liberal phase towards reforming public services for accomplishing its goals for good governance, the role of Independent Regulatory Authorities becomes very important. But the spread of independent regulators means that more and more aspects of our lives are shaped by decisions made by institutions that are neither popularly elected nor are they under direct control of elected officials. Obviously, this has important implications for their accountability, responsibility and transparency in the present age of expanding democracy. A way-out may be to re-theorise public authority as an office for coordinating and harmonising diverse interests in a professional way so as to suit the requirements of governance conjointly performed by the state, civil society and market.
Mapping social work across 10 countries: Structure, intervention, identity and challenges
Authors: Ornellas Abigail , Spolander Gary , Engelbrecht Lambert K , Sicora Alessandro , Pervova Irina , Martínez-Román María-Asunción , Law Agnus K , Shajahan PK , Guerreiro Maria das Dores , Casanova José L , Garcia Maria LT , Acar Hakan , Martin Linda , Strydom Marianne
Published: July 2018

An emerging global consciousness and rising attention given to international social work development has seen the recognition of comparative research within the profession. Understanding the functioning and organisation of social work within various country contexts is critical in order to formulate knowledge around its overall impact, successes and challenges, allowing social workers to learn from one another and build professional consolidation. The profession is mapped out in 10 countries, reflecting on its structure, identity and development. Although the profession is developing globally, it is also experiencing significant challenges. Key insights, conclusions and recommendations for future research are presented.
Environmental social work in the disciplinary literature, 1991–2015
Authors: Krings Amy , Victor Bryan G , Mathias John , Perron Brian E
Published: July 2018

Despite increasing acknowledgment that the social work profession must address environmental concerns, relatively little is known about the state of scholarship on environmental social work. This study provides a scientometric summary of peer-reviewed articles ( N = 497) pertaining to environmental topics in social work journals between 1991 and 2015. We find that theoretical and empirical scholarship on environmental social work is growing, though this growth remains limited to specific geographical regions and topics. We note the need to clarify the relationship between environmental social work as a theoretical paradigm and as a research topic.
“My Teacher Had an Accent Too”
Authors: Putjata Galina
Published: July 2018

Transnational mobility across the world is opposed by a monocultural mind-set at school, which has led educational researchers across the world to call for a multilingual and multicultural turn. This article presents a qualitative study that investigates immigrant teachers’ role in this transformation process. Framed by the specific historical context of Israel, where professional integration of new immigrant teachers was politically supported, the study focuses on biographies of Israelis, who had immigrated 20 years ago as children and youths. Their perception of immigrant teachers and counselors was reconstructed based on the theory of imagined community and school as linguistic marketplace. The findings allow deep insight into the process of identity construction and community imagining created by school as institution and immigrant teachers as its agents.
A Disorder by Any Other Name: Metacognition, Schizophrenia, and Diagnostic Practice
Authors: Lysaker Paul H. , Zalzala Aieyat B. , Ladegaard Nicolai , Buck Benjamin , Leonhardt Bethany L. , Hamm Jay A.
Published: July 2018

Humanistic psychology has made us aware that any understanding of schizophrenia must see persons diagnosed with this condition as whole persons who are making sense of what wellness and recovery mean to them. This has raised questions about what the diagnosis of schizophrenia means and whether the diagnostic label of schizophrenia is helpful when we try to conceptualize the actions and aims of treatment. To examine this issue we propose it is essential to consider what is systematically occuring psychologicaly in recovery when persons experience, interpret and agentically respond to emerging challenges. We then review how the integrated model of metacognition provides a systematic, person-centered, evidence-based approach to understanding psychological processes which impact recovery, and discuss how this guides a form of psychotherapy, metacognitive reflection and insight therapy, which promotes metacognitive abilities and support recovery. We suggest this work indicates that metacognitive capacity is something that can be diagnosed without stigmatizing persons. It can be used to meaningfully inform clinical practice across various theoretical models and offers concrete implications for rehabilitation.
Recovery and Personhood in the Diagnostic Formulation and Treatment of Serious Mental Illness: A Commentary
Authors: Zalzala Aieyat B. , Gagen Emily C. , Lysaker Paul H.
Published: July 2018

The present article is a commentary on Pavlo and colleagues’ alternative person centered and recovery oriented diagnostic framework. Three strengths of the framework are identified, including the incorporation of an individual’s environment into the diagnostic formulation, an emphasis on individual strengths and the belief that they exist regardless of illness severity, and a resulting avoidance of stigmatization related to diagnostic labeling. Three potential areas of challenge and clarification are also identified, including how this approach is linked to outcome, how it is created through dialogue, and with what it is systematically concerned. Discussion of these challenges and suggestions for potential resolution are provided.
Stability of Risk Status During Preschool
Authors: Milburn Trelani F. , Lonigan Christopher J. , Phillips Beth M.
Published: July 2018

The current study investigated the stability of children’s risk status across the preschool year. A total of 1,102 preschool children attending Title 1 schools ( n = 631) and non-Title 1 schools ( n = 471) participated in this study. Using averaged standard scores for two measures of language, print knowledge, and phonological awareness administered at the beginning of preschool (Time 1) and midyear (Time 2), children were classified as at-risk or not at each time point. Prevalence rates were determined for four categories of risk status: (1) always at risk, (2) only at risk at Time 1, (3) never at risk, and (4) only at risk at Time 2. Univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that the best predictor of children’s risk status was their level of skill in the respective literacy domain at the beginning of preschool. These results suggest that children with stable risk can be identified early and may benefit from the early provision of extra instructional support within a response-to-instruction framework.
Disappearance of Biased Visual Attention in Infants: Remediated Tonic Neck Reflex or Maturating Visual Asymmetry?
Authors: Lange-Küttner Chris
Published: July 2018

Typically, infants younger than four months fail to attend to the left side of their spatial field, most likely due to an innate asymmetrical tonic neck reflex (ATNR). In a critical transition, by four months of age, infants begin to reach and develop depth perception; and, by five months, they tend to monitor the entire spatial field. However, this developmental transition can be delayed. Moreover, there is always a residual right-sided spatial bias under cognitive load, a phenomenon that may also occur among adult stroke patients. While causative factors of biased visual attention in both infants and brain-injured adults may vary, mechanisms of remediation may be similar. This literature review addresses whether the infant’s emergence of attention toward a full visual spatial field and the associated shift from monocular to binocular vision occurs because of (a) increased left side reaching, loosening the rarely mentioned high muscle tension ATNR or (b) maturational resolution of visual asymmetry in motion perception. More research is needed to investigate the origins of the infants’ visual control system and factors involved in its development, especially because Alzheimer and dementia patients may also show primitive two-dimensional vision and deficits in perceiving objects-in-motion that seem to mirror infant visual perception.
Saddle Height and Cadence Effects on the Physiological, Perceptual, and Affective Responses of Recreational Cyclists
Authors: Kruschewsky Alberto B. , Dellagrana Rodolfo A. , Rossato Mateus , Ribeiro Luiz Fernando P. , Lazzari Caetano D. , Diefenthaeler Fernando
Published: July 2018

Saddle height influences cycling performance and would be expected to influence cyclists physically, perceptually, and emotionally. We investigated how different saddle positions and cadences might affect cyclists’ torque, heart rate, rate of perceived exertion (RPE), and affective responses (Feeling scale). Nine male recreational cyclists underwent cycling sessions on different days under different conditions with a constant load. On Day 1, the saddle was at the reference position (109% of the distance from the pubic symphysis to the ground), and on Days 2 and 3, the saddle was in the “upward position” (reference + 2.5%) and “downward position” (reference − 2.5%) in random order. Each session lasted 30 minutes and was divided into three cadence-varied 10-minute stages without interruption: (a) freely chosen cadence (FCC), (b) FCC − 20%, and (c) FCC + 20%. We assessed all dependent measures at the end of each 10 minute stage. While there was no significant interaction (Saddle × Cadence) for any of the analyzed variables, torque values were higher at lower cadences in all saddle configurations, and the FCC + 20% cadence was associated with faster heart rate, higher RPE, and lower affect compared with FCC and FCC − 20% in all saddle positions. At all cadences, the saddle at “downward position” generated a higher RPE compared with “reference position” and “upward position.” The affective response was lower in the “downward position” compared with the “reference position.” Thus, while cyclists perceived the downward (versus reference) saddle position as greater exercise effort, they also associated it with unpleasant affect.
Distributed path planning of a multi-robot system based on the neighborhood artificial potential field approach
Authors: Matoui Fethi , Boussaid Boumedyen , Abdelkrim Mohamed Naceur
Published: July 2018

The current study is set up to investigate the problem of planning the trajectories of a multi-robot system. It puts emphasis on the idea of using distributed architecture to plan the trajectories of a group of wheeled mobile robots. Each robot must be able to detect and avoid collision with both static and dynamic obstacles present in its environment/neighborhood. This study seeks to improve the artificial potential field (APF) method in order to have good trajectory planning of a multi-robot system. In order to address the purpose of this work, we employed the hybrid approach, which is a combination of three techniques: the APF method; the neighborhood system; and the notion of priority between the robots. Moreover, the minimum local problem is handled in this paper using the non-minimum speed algorithm. The implemented approach is adapted to solve the trajectory planning problem for a multi-robot system. So, the problem of intersection of robots at the same passage point is solved through using the method of assignment of priority between robots. We also used the neighborhood detection technique to reduce the influence area of each robot and to optimize the time of calculation. The overall system equations associated to the robots are updated at each time of simulation to react at any condition that might suddenly emerge. The approach is implemented with MATLAB/Simulink and Solidworks/Simmechanics.
At home in the oasis: Middle-class newcomers’ affiliation to their deprived Rotterdam neighbourhood
Authors: Bosch Eva M , Ouwehand André L
Published: July 2018

One of the arguments for ‘social mix’ urban renewal in low-income neighbourhoods is that the presence of middle-class residents would improve life chances for lower-income groups. However, according to various researchers, middle-class newcomers have little social interaction with the neighbourhood, do not feel at home there and make little use of the neighbourhood’s public spaces and facilities. In short, they show disaffiliation with their mixed neighbourhoods, thus compromising the assumed positive effects of social mixing. Several studies, on the other hand, point to different factors that mediate this (dis)affiliation, such as newcomers’ lifestyles, housing trajectories, the width of class and ethnic differences between newcomers and the existing population and the presence of neighbourhood shops and facilities that can cater to both groups. This relatively large set of factors suggests a need for detailed case-study research to understand neighbourhood affiliation of middle-class newcomers. We made a qualitative and quantitative study of a housing complex designed specifically for middle-class buyers with a ‘diversity-liking lifestyle’, in a poor neighbourhood in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. It has not been researched before how using the assumed preferences of diversity-liking middle-class households in dwelling design, for social mix, relates to the eventual residents’ neighbourhood affiliation. The study yields hardly any disaffiliation in the sense of exclusionary spatial strategies: almost all residents use (semi-)public spaces in the neighbourhood on a day-to-day basis. Affiliation in terms of self-identification with the neighbourhood, however, is higher for residents with a diversity-liking lifestyle, and only the minority-ethnic residents use neighbourhood primary schools.
Limitations of Design-based Causal Inference and A/B Testing under Arbitrary and Network Interference
Authors: Basse Guillaume W. , Airoldi Edoardo M.
Published: July 2018

Randomized experiments on a network often involve interference between connected units, namely, a situation in which an individual’s treatment can affect the response of another individual. Current approaches to deal with interference, in theory and in practice, often make restrictive assumptions on its structure—for instance, assuming that interference is local—even when using otherwise nonparametric inference strategies. This reliance on explicit restrictions on the interference mechanism suggests a shared intuition that inference is impossible without any assumptions on the interference structure. In this paper, we begin by formalizing this intuition in the context of a classical nonparametric approach to inference, referred to as design-based inference of causal effects. Next, we show how, always in the context of design-based inference, even parametric structural assumptions that allow the existence of unbiased estimators cannot guarantee a decreasing variance even in the large sample limit. This lack of concentration in large samples is often observed empirically, in randomized experiments in which interference of some form is expected to be present. This result has direct consequences for the design and analysis of large experiments—for instance, in online social platforms—where the belief is that large sample sizes automatically guarantee small variance. More broadly, our results suggest that although strategies for causal inference in the presence of interference borrow their formalism and main concepts from the traditional causal inference literature, much of the intuition from the no-interference case do not easily transfer to the interference setting.
Testing for Discrimination: Teaching Audit Studies in Quantitative Methods Courses
Authors: Ghoshal Raj
Published: July 2018

This article demonstrates a method for teaching students to conduct audit studies of discrimination. The assignment can be used in courses on quantitative methods, race, gender, or other topics. Audit studies test for unequal treatment by having otherwise identical pairs of people who vary on a single trait, such as race or gender, apply for the same sets of opportunities, such as apartment vacancies or job openings. Once intricate and expensive to conduct, the online shift of the past 15 years has streamlined the approach, enabling researchers to execute audits via email. I show how to lead students through designing and conducting original audit studies. I present evidence that this approach yields significant engagement, builds students’ abilities, and produces excellent work.
Positive Practice Toward Voluntary Unpaid Blood Donation Among College Students in Shandong, China, 2013–2017
Authors: Wang Shu-Rong
Published: July 2018

The chronic worldwide shortage of blood for transfusions has become an important public health problem, especially in developing countries. The aim of the current study was to assess the practice of voluntary unpaid blood donation (VUBD) among college students in the past 5 years (2013–2017). The blood donation data of college students from 41 universities were collected. Change trends in the rate of blood donation among college students from 2013 to 2017 were examined. A continuous increasing trend in the rate of VUBD was observed over the past 5 years, from 3.36% in 2013 to 6.56% in 2017 ( p < .01). In conclusion, a positive practice toward VUBD was observed among college students in Shandong, China. It is necessary to improve the recruitment strategies, establishing a long-term mechanism and promoting the sustainable development of VUBD.
Is end-of-life care a priority for policymakers? Qualitative documentary analysis of health care strategies
Authors: Sleeman Katherine E , Leniz Javiera , Higginson Irene J , Bristowe Katherine
Published: July 2018

Background:

Prioritisation of end-of-life care by policymakers has been the subject of extensive rhetoric, but little scrutiny. In England, responsibility for improving health and care lies with 152 regional Health and Wellbeing Boards.

Aim:

To understand the extent to which Health and Wellbeing Boards have identified and prioritised end-of-life care needs and their plans for improvement.

Design:

Qualitative documentary analysis of Health and Wellbeing Strategies. Summative content analysis to quantify key concepts and identify themes.

Data sources:

Strategies were identified from Local Authority web pages and systematically searched to identify relevant content.

Results:

In total, 150 strategies were identified. End-of-life care was mentioned in 78 (52.0%) and prioritised in 6 (4.0%). Four themes emerged: (1) clinical context – in 43/78 strategies end-of-life care was mentioned within a specific clinical context, most often ageing and dementia; (2) aims and aspirations – 31 strategies identified local needs and/or quantifiable aims, most related to the place of death; (3) narrative thread – the connection between need, aim and planned intervention was disjointed, just six strategies included all three components; and (4) focus of evidence – where cited, evidence related to evidence of need, not evidence for effective interventions.

Conclusion:

Half of Health and Wellbeing Strategies mention end-of-life care, few prioritise it and none cite evidence for effective interventions. The absence of connection between need, aim and intervention is concerning. Future research should explore whether and how strategies have impacted on local populations.
Safety, feasibility, and potential efficacy of intraarterial selective cooling infusion for stroke patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy
Authors: Wu Chuanjie , Zhao Wenbo , An Hong , Wu Longfei , Chen Jian , Hussain Mohammed , Ding Yuchuan , Li Chuanhui , Wei Wenjing , Duan Jiangang , Wang Chunmei , Yang Qi , Wu Di , Liu Liqiang , Ji Xunming
Published: July 2018

This is a prospective non-randomized cohort study of 113 consecutive patients to investigate the safety and efficacy of a short-duration intraarterial selective cooling infusion (IA-SCI) targeted into an ischemic territory combined with mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in patients with large vessel occlusion-induced acute ischemic stroke (AIS); 45/113 patients underwent IA-SCI with 350 ml 0.9% saline at 4℃ for 15 min at the discretion of the interventionalist. Key parameters such as vital signs and key laboratory values, symptomatic and any intracranial hemorrhage, coagulation abnormalities, pneumonia, urinary tract infections and mortality were not significantly different between the two groups. Final infarct volume (FIV) was assessed on noncontrast CT performed at three to seven days. After an adjusted regression analysis, the between-group difference in FIV (19.1 ml; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.2 to 25.2; P = 0.038) significantly favored the IA-SCI group. At 90 days, no differences were found in the proportion of patients who achieved functional independence (mRS 0–2) (51.1% versus. 41.2%, adjusted odd ratio (aOR) 1.9, 95% CI 0.8–2.6, P = 0.192). Combining short-duration IA-SCI with MT was safe. There was a smaller FIV and trend towards clinical benefit that will need to be further evaluated in randomized control trials.
Building Meaning
Authors: Bargenda Angela
Published: July 2018

This conceptual article seeks to demonstrate the pertinence of corporate architecture as an integrative tool in spatial marketing systems. Architecture is explored in a dialectical perspective, both as a functional built form and a symbolic vector of ideologies. Architecture intersects with micro-level and macro-level marketing systems, as it inherently projects corporate identity while referring to broader artistic, social and historical parameters. It is argued that these macromarketing dimensions and their meaning-generating potential add significant value to market exchanges. A special focus on corporate architecture in the banking sector shows the value of architectural narratives in changing marketing environments. The article makes two contributions to macromarketing research. It (1) firmly establishes corporate architecture within marketing systems and (2) shows how symbolic meaning can be derived from the macro-level environmental, historical and cultural properties of buildings.
Personality Traits Do Not Predict How We Look at Faces
Authors: Harrison Charlotte , Binetti Nicola , Coutrot Antoine , Johnston Alan , Mareschal Isabelle
Published: July 2018

While personality has typically been considered to influence gaze behaviour, literature relating to the topic is mixed. Previously, we found no evidence of self-reported personality traits on preferred gaze duration between a participant and a person looking at them via a video. In this study, 77 of the original participants answered an in-depth follow-up survey containing a more comprehensive assessment of personality traits (Big Five Inventory) than was initially used, to check whether earlier findings were caused by the personality measure being too coarse. In addition to preferred mutual gaze duration, we also examined two other factors linked to personality traits: number of blinks and total fixation duration in the eye region of observed faces. No significant correlations were found between any of these measures and participant personality traits. We suggest that effects previously reported in the literature may stem from contextual differences or modulation of arousal.
Material yield strain identification using energy absorption
Authors: Abdul Jalil S , Anwar A , Chou SM , Tai K
Published: July 2018

The current gold standard of identifying yield points from stress strain curves involves identifying a significant change in elastic modulus or using an arbitrary strain offset (0.1%, 0.2% or 2%) of the elastic modulus. The development of the offset method was due to the ambiguous definitions of yield point. The result is an arbitrary yield point which is prone to various human-related errors. This article presents a method to identify a unique yield point consistently using energy absorbed by the material up to first peak stress. This mathematical process idealises the stress strain curve for easy identification of the yield point. The method was tested on three possible types of stress strain curves with either a distinct yield point or without a distinct yield point (with peak stress closer to elastic region or closer to fracture). The yield points obtained by the proposed method are shown to be robust, consistent and unaffected by variations of the stress strain curves and data noises.
Does Anchor Placement on the Glenoid Affect Functional Outcome After Arthroscopic Bankart Repair?
Authors: Park Jin-Young , Lee Jae-Hyung , Chung Seok Won , Oh Kyung-Soo , Noh Young Min , Kim Seong-Jun
Published: July 2018

Background:

In arthroscopic Bankart repair, anchor positions can affect glenoid labral height and functional outcomes.

Purpose:

To evaluate anchor placement on the glenoid during Bankart lesion repair and determine which placement would lead to better functional outcomes.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Method:

This study included 90 patients (74 males, 16 females; average age, 23.7 years; range, 18-47 years) who underwent surgery for Bankart lesions between December 2009 and March 2014. The mean follow-up duration was 32.7 months (range, 26-48 months). We divided anchor positions into 2 groups: on the glenoid face and at the glenoid edge. The anchor position on the glenoid and the labral height were examined with computed tomography (CT) arthrography at 4.5-month follow-up, and Rowe scores were calculated at 2-year follow-up.

Results:

The group with the anchor placed on the glenoid face contained 63 patients, and the group with the anchor placed at the glenoid edge or rim contained 27 patients. Mean labral heights at 4.5 months postoperatively in the 2 groups were 5.4 ± 0.22 mm and 3.2 ± 0.16 mm, respectively ( P < .01), and mean Rowe scores at 2 years were 94.7 and 79.5, respectively ( P < .01). Rowe scores calculated at 2-year follow-up were significantly related to anchor position ( P < .01).

Conclusion:

Anchors positioned on the glenoid face resulted in the greatest restored labral height and better functional outcome (Rowe score). Thus, anchor placement on the glenoid face should be considered, as it may yield better functional outcome in arthroscopic Bankart repair.
Mental Health Service Utilization in Depressed Canadian Armed Forces Personnel
Authors: Thériault François L. , Garber Bryan G. , Momoli Franco , Gardner William , Zamorski Mark A. , Colman Ian
Published: July 2018

Background:

Major depression is prevalent, impactful, and treatable in military populations, but not all depressed personnel seek professional care in a given year. Care-seeking patterns (including the use of primary vs. specialty care) and factors associated with the likelihood of mental health service utilization in depressed military personnel are poorly understood.

Methods:

Our sample included 520 Regular Force respondents to the 2013 Canadian Forces Mental Health Survey. All study participants had past-year major depression. Subjects reported whether they had spoken about their mental health with at least one health professional in the past 12 months. We used multivariate Poisson regression to explore factors associated with past-year mental health service use.

Results:

Three-quarters of Canadian military personnel with past-year depression had sought mental health care in the previous 12 months. Among care-seeking personnel, 70% had seen a psychologist or psychiatrist, while 5% had exclusively received care from a primary care physician. Belief in the effectiveness of mental health care was the factor most strongly associated with care seeking. Female gender, functional impairments, and psychiatric comorbidities were also associated with care seeking. Surprisingly, stigma perceptions had no independent association with care seeking.

Conclusions:

The proportion of depressed Canadian Armed Forces personnel who seek professional care and who access specialty mental health care is higher than in most other populations. However, an important minority of patients are not accessing health services. Efforts to further increase mental health service utilization in the Canadian military should continue to target beliefs about the effectiveness of mental health care.