bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intracranial Extension of Extracranial Vertebral Dissection Is Associated With an Increased Risk of Ischemic Events
Authors: Di Meglio Lucas , Mazighi Mikael , Reiner Peggy , Peres Roxane , Guichard Jean Pierre , Labeyrie Marc-Antoine , Debette Stéphanie , Chabriat Hugues , Cognat Emmanuel
Published: June 2019

Background and Purpose—

Intracranial artery dissection can eventually lead to subarachnoid or intracerebral hemorrhage. Little is known about the clinical features and risks associated with extracranial vertebral artery dissection that extends intracranially. The clinical and imaging characteristics of extracranial vertebral artery dissection (eVAD) with (e+iVAD) or without (eVAD) intracranial extension were analyzed.

Methods—

The frequency of ischemic events, including ischemic strokes and transient ischemic attacks, was compared between e+iVAD and eVAD patients from a monocentric cohort study.

Results—

Among 328 patients with cervical artery dissection, vertebral artery dissection was diagnosed in 153 individuals. Twenty-nine patients had e+iVAD (19%) and 124 patients had only eVAD (81%). Cardiovascular risk factors did not differ between these 2 groups, but ischemic events were more frequent in patients with e+iVAD than in patients with eVAD (86% versus 48%,
P
=0.0002). Subarachnoid hemorrhage occurred in 1 patient with e+iVAD and in 9 with eVAD (6% versus 3%,
P
=0.53). Intracranial extension was an independent factor associated with ischemic stroke at admission (odds ratio, 6.43; 95% CI, −1.96 to 21.08;
P
=0.002) after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors and imaging findings.

Conclusions—

In a large cohort of patients with vertebral artery dissection, intracranial extension of the vessel dissection appears associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke.
On some morphologically aberrant, auto-epizootic forms of Plumularia setacea (Linnaeus, 1758) (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa) from southern Chile
Authors: GALEA HORIA R. , LECLÈRE LUCAS
Published: June 2019

Several peculiar, auto-epizootic forms of Plumularia setacea (Linnaeus, 1758) are described from southern Chile. They live exclusively on normal stems of the same species and are characterized by a remarkable stunting of the colonies, which possess very short cladia composed of only one hydrotheca, with one of the lateral nematothecae often absent. Single cladia arising directly from the hydrorhiza, or aberrant ramifications of the stem and/or branches, have also been observed. The morphological features of these epizootic forms are described in detail and compared with those of normal specimens of P. setacea. Differences with related epizootic colonies, reported from various localities around the world, are also discussed. A comparison of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA of both epizootic and normal forms showed that the former is closely-related to its normal counterpart and probably belongs to the same species.
Revision of the genus Elaphropeza Macquart (Diptera: Hybotidae) from the Oriental Region, with a special attention to the fauna of Singapore
Authors: SHAMSHEV IGOR V. , GROOTAERT PATRICK
Published: June 2019

The genus Elaphropeza Macquart from the Oriental region is revised. In addition to the 79 known species (including seven new combinations of species previously placed within Drapetis Meigen) 51 new species are described and illustrated. The study is mainly based on freshly collected material in Singapore (544 samples, year cycle in eight stations and numerous hand captures). Smaller samples were available from Malaysia, Thailand and Cambodia. Of the 51 new species only 43 have been given a name: E. acantha sp. nov., E. asexa sp. nov., E. asiophila sp. nov., E. belumut sp. nov., E. benitotani sp. nov., E. bezzii sp. nov., E. bulohensis sp. nov., E. chekjawa sp. nov., E. combinata sp. nov., E. crassicercus sp. nov., E. darrenyeoi sp. nov., E. demeijerei sp. nov., E. equalis sp. nov., E. feminata sp. nov., E. flavicaput sp. nov., E. furca sp. nov., E. limosa sp. nov., E. luanae sp. nov., E. luteoides sp. nov., E. malayensis sp. nov., E. meieri sp. nov., E. melanderi sp. nov., E. modesta sp. nov., E. monacantha sp. nov., E. monospina sp. nov., E. murphyi sp. nov., E. neesoonensis sp. nov., E. ngi sp. nov., E. pauper sp. nov., E. pluriacantha sp. nov., E. riatanae sp. nov., E. sime sp. nov.,E. singaporensis sp. nov., E. singulata sp. nov., E. sivasothii sp. nov., E. spicata sp. nov., E. spiralis sp. nov., E. sylvicola sp. nov., E. temasek sp. nov., E. tiomanensis sp. nov., E. ubinensis sp. nov., E. yangi sp. nov., E. yeoi sp. nov. Eight species known only as females are briefly diagnosed but not named. Species (including type materials in most cases) described by C.R. Osten-Sacken, M. Bezzi, J.C.H. de Meijere, R. Senior-White, A.L. Melander and K.G.V. Smith were examined and re-described. Neotypes have been designated for E. calcarifera Bezzi, E. melanura Bezzi, E. formosae Bezzi and E. scutellaris Bezzi. Elaphropeza exul Osten-Sacken, 1882 is transferred as Crossopalpus exul (Osten-Sacken) comb. nov. Elaphropeza formosae Bezzi sensu Quate, 1960 re-described by L.W. Quate from Micronesia, is considered a new species and a new name is given: E. quatei sp. nov. All species of Elaphropeza are divided into two main species groups: E. biuncinata group and E. ephippiata group. Phylogenetic relationships within Elaphropeza are provisionally outlined. Some interesting morphological features and phenology of the species are discussed. Fourteen species have been found exclusively in mangroves. A key is given to the species of the Oriental Region (Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, Philippines and Taiwan, but excluding certain species of the Chinese mainland that proved to be different from the rest of the Oriental Region). A check list of the Oriental species is provided.
Balanced Dynamics and Moisture Quasi-Equilibrium in DYNAMO Convection
Authors: Sessions Sharon L. , Sentić Stipo , Raymond David J.
Published: June 2019

Tropical convection that occurs on large-enough space and time scales may evolve in response to large-scale balanced circulations. In this scenario, large-scale midtropospheric vorticity anomalies modify the atmospheric stability by virtue of thermal wind gradient balance. The convective vertical mass flux and the moisture profile adjust to changes in atmospheric stability that affect moisture and entropy transport. We hypothesize that the convection observed during the 2011 DYNAMO field campaign evolves in response to balanced dynamics. Strong relationships between midtropospheric vorticity and atmospheric stability confirm the relationship between the dynamic and the thermodynamic environments, while robust relationships between the atmospheric stability, the vertical mass flux, and the saturation fraction provide evidence of moisture adjustment. These results are important because the part of convection that occurs as a response to balanced dynamics is potentially predictable. Furthermore, the diagnostics used in this work provide a simple framework for model evaluation, and suggest that one way to improve simulations of large-scale organized deep tropical convection in global models is to adequately capture the relationship between the dynamic and thermodynamic environments in convective parameterizations.
Addressing clients’ sexual health in occupational therapy practice
Authors: Young Kelli , Dodington Abrielle , Smith Catherine , Heck Carol S.
Published: June 2019

Background.

Sexuality is an important dimension of one’s health and well-being. Studies show that occupational therapists regard clients’ sexual health as a legitimate domain of practice but do not adequately address it in their clinical work.

Purpose.

This study aims to describe occupational therapists’ perspectives regarding clients’ sexual health.

Method.

This exploratory study surveyed Canadian occupational therapists using an online questionnaire that collected information on beliefs, knowledge, comfort, barriers, and facilitators with regard to addressing sexuality. Descriptive analysis was conducted on questionnaire data, and content analysis was used to organize respondents’ comments.

Findings.

While most respondents believed that addressing sexuality was within their scope, few actually did so in practice. Participants reported comfort with sexuality but identified lack of knowledge as a barrier to addressing clients’ sexual health.

Implications.

This study provided a greater understanding of factors that require consideration for occupational therapists to effectively meet clients’ sexual health needs.
Surface acoustic wave pressure sensor and its matched antenna design
Authors: Li Yuanyuan , Shao Meng , Jiang Bei , Cao Le
Published: June 2019

Interdigital transducer and signal transmission in surface acoustic wave pressure sensor design is one of the difficulties in sensor design. The transmission antenna is an important design indicator to determine the wireless function of the sensor. In this paper, we simulated the design of the interdigital transducer of surface acoustic wave pressure sensor through COMSOL and analyzed the relationship between the eigenfrequency of the single-pair interdigital model and the interdigital electrode. Then, we obtained the design of the interdigital electrode with error of 0.01 MHz. We also simulated the size, bandwidth, impedance matching, and other parameters of antenna through high frequency structure simulator, and a matching dipole transmission antenna was designed and miniaturized. When the bandwidth is satisfied, the control matching impedance error is within [Formula: see text], and it is verified that the antenna satisfies the signal transmission requirement of the surface acoustic wave pressure sensor. This design provides a more comprehensive approach to the design of interdigital transducers and signal transmission for the field of surface acoustic wave measurement pressure.
Improving Teachers’ Comprehension of Curriculum-Based Measurement Progress-Monitoring Graphs
Authors: van den Bosch Roxette M. , Espin Christine A. , Pat-El Ron J. , Saab Nadira
Published: June 2019

The authors examined three instructional approaches for improving teachers’ curriculum-based measurement (CBM) graph comprehension, each differing in the extent to which reading the data, interpreting the data, and linking the data to instruction were emphasized. Participants were 164 elementary school teachers who were randomly assigned to one of three CBM instructional approaches or a control condition. Instruction was delivered via videos. Prior to and after receiving instruction, teachers completed a CBM graph-comprehension task. They also evaluated the instructional videos. Teachers in the three instructional groups improved more in CBM graph comprehension than control teachers. Improvements were seen primarily in interpreting and linking the data to instruction, two important but difficult aspects of CBM graph comprehension. Differences between the instructional groups were found for interpreting the data. Teachers evaluated the videos positively. Results indicate that teachers’ CBM graph comprehension can be improved via video instruction. Implications for teaching teachers to implement CBM are discussed.
Colonial, Hindu and Nationalist Anthropology in India
Authors: Guha Abhijit
Published: June 2019

The long-standing critique of Indian Anthropology advanced by some notable anthropologists held that Indian Anthropology is the product of a colonial tradition and the anthropologists in India for various reasons followed their colonial masters in one way or the other. There also exists a view of Hindu Anthropology which holds that an Indian form of Anthropology could be found in many ancient Indian texts and scriptures before the advent of a colonial anthropology introduced by the European scholars, administrators and missionaries in the Indian subcontinent. Both the views ignored the materialistic, socially committed, secular and nationalist trends of Indian Anthropology which was growing in the hands of some remarkable anthropologists before and after the Independence of the country.
Working precarity: Urban youth tactics to make livelihoods in instable conditions in Abidjan, Athens, Berlin and Jakarta
Authors: Schilling Hannah , Blokland Talja , Simone AbdouMaliq
Published: June 2019

Globally, conventional understandings of work no longer have much purchase for the efforts of most people to sustain minimally viable existences. This article critically expands on Bourdieu’s theory of practice by looking at the making of livelihoods of urban youth in as diverse places as Abidjan, Athens, Berlin and Jakarta, affected by transformations of work coined with the term ‘precarity’. This article discusses instability as one aspect of the set of experiences of ‘precarity’. Instability challenges how individuation and sociation work upon each other; what Bourdieu has described with the concept of habitus. Drawing on empirical material from the four cities, we explore practices of accruing value in a context of instability and conceptualize them as ‘detaching’ and ‘gathering’. We suggest that a rethinking of practices in relation to dispositions and habitus may enable us to better grasp the improvisations and more fluid forms of social life that characterize the contemporary urban life of many, and can help to address social inequalities today in a refined way.
Knowledge, Awareness, and Compliance of Disease Surveillance and Notification Among Jordanian Physicians in Residency Programs
Authors: Abdulrahim Nansi , Alasasfeh Ihab , Khader Yousef S. , Iblan Ibrahim
Published: June 2019

Health professionals’ knowledge and awareness of the disease surveillance is essential for reporting diseases to health departments. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes of Jordanian physicians toward public health surveillance of communicable disease. A cross-sectional study was conducted among resident doctors who were working in 4 main Ministry of Health hospitals and 2 teaching hospitals in Jordan in September 2017. A self-administered paper-based questionnaire was used to collect the data. The questionnaire collected information about sociodemographic and practice-related characteristics of physicians and included items to assess their knowledge of surveillance and reporting practices. This study included 223 physicians (152 males and 71 females). About 60.1% of the residents were graduates from medical schools in Jordan and the remaining (39.9%) were graduates from medical schools in other countries. Approximately two thirds of residents (62.3%) were doing their residency in Ministry of Health hospitals and the rest (37.7%) in 2 teaching hospitals. Only 44.8% of physicians had defined surveillance correctly. Only 27.4% of physicians had been educated or trained on surveillance. About 39.5% of physicians had filled at least one report form during their practice. The main reasons for not reporting mandatory diseases were high workload (49.8%) and being not trained on reporting diseases (46.6%). A relatively high percentage of physicians have insufficient knowledge of surveillance and reporting of notifiable communicable diseases. Training of physicians on surveillance and diseases notification is highly needed. The practice of disease notification should be enforced in Jordanian hospitals.
Evaluating ACT Processes in Relation to Outcome in Self-Help Treatment for Anxiety-Related Problems
Authors: Ritzert Timothy R. , Berghoff Christopher R. , Tifft Eric D. , Forsyth John P.
Published: June 2019

Evaluating how, for whom, and under what conditions psychosocial treatments work is an important component of anxiety disorder treatment development. Yet, research regarding mediators and moderators of self-help interventions is sparse. The current project is a secondary analysis of mediators, moderators, and correlates of outcome of a randomized wait-list-controlled trial assessing acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) self-help bibliotherapy for anxiety and related problems. Participants ( n = 503) were randomized to an immediate workbook ( n = 256) or wait-list condition ( n = 247). Nonparametric bootstrapped mediation analyses showed that pre–post positive changes in ACT treatment processes accounted for the relation between treatment and pre–post improvement on the primary outcomes of anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and quality of life. Results indicated no baseline variables were significant moderators. Finally, hierarchical regression analyses indicated that the degree of improvement for each primary outcome was positively correlated with the degree to which participants reported applying the workbook material to their day-to-day life, over and above how much of the book they reported reading. This study provided support for the ACT model of change in a self-help context and highlighted the importance of actively applying self-help material, addressing theoretical and practical questions about how and why ACT self-help works.
Demographic Group Representation in Occupational Categories: A Longitudinal Study of EEO-1 Data
Authors: Rigel Hines Tesa
Published: June 2019

Demographic group representation in medium and large private-sector employers was analyzed using multiple regression and EEO-1 data. Across 21 years (1996-2016), these data show an underrepresentation of white women and nonwhites in official and managerial positions, though this is increasing. Nonwhite men are also underrepresented in professional positions, and increasing. Nonwhite employees are overrepresented and increasing representation across other occupational categories. Unemployment rates, a Democratic president, and charges of discrimination are among the control variables with model significance. Across the workforce, we are making progress toward more diversity, but significant issues remain, especially for nonwhite employees.
Use of bivalirudin as a primary anticoagulant in a child during Berlin Heart EXCOR ventricular assist device support
Authors: Medar Shivanand S , Hsu Daphne T , Lamour Jacqueline M , Bansal Neha , Peek Giles J
Published: June 2019

We describe our experience of bivalirudin use, a newer direct thrombin inhibitor, in an infant who was supported with Berlin Heart EXCOR VAD (Berlin VAD) as bridge to transplant for 122 days without complications and without need for pump exchange. An 11-month-old girl with dilated cardiomyopathy with acute heart failure was awaiting cardiac transplant. Lack of improvement despite maximizing medical therapy and anticipating a prolonged waitlist time, she was supported with Berlin LVAD as a bridge to transplant. Anticoagulation with bivalirudin was started and titrated with a goal partial thromboplastin time of 60-90 seconds. Therapeutic anticoagulation was achieved with bivalirudin for 50% of the days (61/122 days) on a dose of 2.1 mg/kg/hour and in a narrow dose range of 1.9 to 2.3 mg/kg/hour for 80% of the days (98/122 days). Antiplatelet regimen was started initially with aspirin and clopidogrel added later. She was supported for 122 days on a single pump without any evidence of thrombus or need for pump change. Berlin VAD explant and orthotopic heart transplant with biatrial anastomosis were performed uneventfully. Explanted Berlin VAD had no evidence of clot/fibrin or thrombus formation. The child was discharged to home uneventfully 15 days after cardiac transplant.
Treatment with dimethyl fumarate reduces the formation and rupture of intracranial aneurysms: Role of Nrf2 activation
Authors: Pascale Crissey L , Martinez Alejandra N , Carr Christopher , Sawyer David M , Ribeiro-Alves Marcelo , Chen Mimi , O'Donnell Devon B , Guidry Jessie J , Amenta Peter S , Dumont Aaron S
Published: June 2019

Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation in arterial walls have been implicated in intracranial aneurysm (IA) formation and rupture. Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) exhibits immunomodulatory properties, partly via activation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway which reduces oxidative stress by inducing the antioxidant response element (ARE). This study evaluated the effects of DMF both in vitro, using tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-treated vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), and in vivo, using a murine elastase model to induce aneurysm formation. The mice were treated with either DMF at 100 mg/kg/day P.O. or vehicle for two weeks. DMF treatment protected VSMCs from TNF-α-induced inflammation as demonstrated by its downregulation of cytokines and upregulation of Nrf2 and smooth muscle cell markers. At higher doses, DMF also inhibited the pro-proliferative action of TNF-α by increasing apoptosis which protected the cells from aponecrosis. In mice, DMF treatment significantly decreased the incidence of aneurysm formation and rupture, at the same time increasing Nrf2 levels. DMF demonstrated a neuroprotective effect in mice with a resultant inhibition of oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis in the cerebrovasculature. This suggests a potential role for DMF as a rescue therapy for patients at risk for formation and rupture of IAs.
Megaesophagus Is a Major Pathological Condition in Rats With a Large Deletion in the Rbm20 Gene
Authors: Schwahn Denise J. , Pleitner Jonathan M. , Greaser Marion L.
Published: June 2019

A spontaneously arising, loss-of-function mutation in the RNA binding motif protein 20 ( Rbm20) gene, which encodes a nuclear splicing protein, was previously identified as the underlying reason for expression of an abnormally large TITIN (TTN) protein in a rat model of cardiomyopathy. An outbreak of Pseudomonas aeruginosa led to submission of rats with dyspnea, sneezing, lethargy, nasal discharge, and/or unexpected death for diagnostic evaluation. Necropsy revealed underlying megaesophagus in Rbm20–/– rats. Further phenotyping of this rat strain and determination of the size of esophageal TTN was undertaken. The Rbm20-defective rats developed megaesophagus at an early age (26 weeks) with high frequency (13/32, 41%). They also often exhibited secondary rhinitis (9/32, 28%), aspiration pneumonia (8/32, 25%), and otitis media/interna (6/32, 19%). In addition, these rats had a high prevalence of hydronephrosis (13/32, 41%). RBM20 is involved in splicing multiple RNA transcripts, one of which is the muscle-specific protein TTN. Rbm20 mutations are a significant cause of dilated cardiomyopathy in humans. In Rbm20-defective rats, TTN size was significantly increased in the skeletal muscle of the esophagus. Megaesophagus in this rat strain (maintained on a mixed genetic background) is hypothesized to result from altered TTN stretch signaling in esophageal skeletal muscle. This study describes a novel mechanism for the development of megaesophagus, which may be useful for understanding the pathogenesis of megaesophagus in humans and offers insights into potential myogenic causes of this condition. This is the first report of megaesophagus and other noncardiac pathogenic changes associated with mutation of Rbm20 in any species.
‘A Local Habitation and a Name’: The Dublin Mechanics’ Institute and the Evolution of Dublin’s Public Sphere, 1824–1904
Authors: Ramon Marta
Published: June 2019

The Dublin Mechanics’ Institute (1824–1919), like others of its kind, was established with the declared purpose of providing technical education to the city’s working classes. While its educational objectives were at best partially achieved, the Institute made a significant contribution to the development of Dublin’s public sphere. Especially after 1848, when the Institute acquired the building that would later become the Abbey Theatre, its premises became a hybrid space where the lower middle and working classes could not only attend courses and lectures, but also receive political training on the managing board, organise their own public events at the lecture hall and negotiate relations with their ‘social betters’ in the common area of the reading room. This article looks at the Dublin Mechanics’ Institute through the different venues it occupied between 1824 and 1904, in order to examine the connection between the provision and regulation of physical space and the development of civic and political culture. It argues that the Institute, far from representing a history of failure, must be understood as a key piece in the incorporation of the lower middle and working classes to Irish civic life during the middle decades of the nineteenth century.
Framing and Feeling Fuel Environmentally Responsible Behaviors of Black Residents in the United States
Authors: Hegtvedt Karen A. , Parris Christie L. , Johnson Cathryn
Published: June 2019

Scholars have long investigated factors contributing to enactment of environmentally responsible behaviors (ERBs), largely among white populations. Although research has debunked the myth that black people express less environmental concern, few studies examine what influences their pro-environmental behavior. We focus on how the cognitively oriented cultural frames of environmentalism and environmental justice combine with overlooked emotions to shape ERBs reported by a nationally representative sample of 988 black residents in the United States. Results indicate that the environmentalism frame, indicated by environmental identity but not attitudes, enhances all the behaviors examined: general conservation, cost-saving conservation, recycling, and advocacy. Effects of environmental justice, however, are more limited. Passion for environmental protection likewise positively affects all pro-environmental actions, and moral outrage over the condition of the environment exerts strong positive effects on conservation and advocacy. In highlighting the role of emotions in conjunction with cultural frames on ERBs, new avenues for research emerge.
Size sensitivity of residual stress and deformation in co-curing process of T-stiffened composite skin assembly
Authors: Chen Zhongli , Wang Qinglin , Wang Xiaoxia , Gao Linlin , Guo Yunli , Dong Qi , Zhou Yong , Zhang Chen , Jia Yuxi
Published: June 2019

The stiffener plays an important role in the overall performance of T-stiffened skin assembly which is a primary structure of aircraft. In this paper, a thermo-viscoelastic finite element model that has been verified by experimental results was established to investigate the effect of the stiffener on stress concentration, stress redistribution, and deformation of T-stiffened skin assembly during curing. The size dependence of residual stress and deformation was analyzed by establishing a series of integrated assemblies with different sizes and stacking sequences of the stiffener. The sensitivity of residual stress and deformation to the stiffener size and stacking sequence was investigated. The results reveal that the overall residual stress of T-stiffened skin assembly is mainly sensitive to the fillet radius and the stacking sequence, whereas the residual stress of skin is almost not sensitive to the stiffener size. The maximum deformation of T-stiffened skin assembly is located in the skin, and the evolution of the maximum deformation is significantly affected by the flange length and stacking sequence.
Classifying Regulatory Approaches of Jurisdictions for Accessory Dwelling Units: The Case of Long Island
Authors: Anacker Katrin B. , Niedt Christopher
Published: June 2019

Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are a strategy for providing affordable rental housing. We suggest a typology of regulatory approaches in Long Island, New York, differentiating between jurisdictions that allow nonfamily/nondomestic employee renters in ADUs (Type 1), allow only family members and domestic employees in ADUs (Type 2), and do not allow any ADUs (Type 3). Content analysis, descriptive statistics, and t tests reveal that there is variation among occupancy and design regulations, suggesting that jurisdictional fragmentation and exclusionary zoning present obstacles to using ADUs as an affordable housing strategy.
A vision-based processing methodology for profile grinding of contour surfaces
Authors: Xu LM , Fan F , Hu YX , Zhang Z , Hu DJ
Published: June 2019

On-machine direct detection of profile errors is vital to improve accuracy and efficiency in profile grinding. However, achieving such detection processes is difficult because of harsh machining conditions. This study presents a novel machine-vision-based processing methodology for the profile grinding of contour surfaces instead of the traditional optical-enlargement-based profile grinding which is manual dependent and low efficient. Grinding errors were efficiently detected online through machine vision. A specific vision system was coordinately designed with the profile grinding system to ensure distortionless measurement of workpiece contour and overcome the interferences of machining environment during profile grinding. A machining error detection principle was proposed based on the online captured workpiece contour image. Real-time error identification and compensation algorithms were developed through the synthetic error measurement. Simulations and experiments were conducted successively. The results indicated that profile errors were considerably reduced and measurement efficiency was improved, validating the effectiveness of the proposed methodology for profile grinding of contour surface. The findings can also provide a reference for the direct measurement of machining errors in other machines.
Impact of Brand Experience on Brand Equity of Online Shopping Portals: A Study of Select E-Commerce Sites in the State of Jammu and Kashmir
Authors: Beig Faseeh Amin , Nika Fayaz Ahmad
Published: June 2019

Brand equity is one of the prime and strategic assets for most of the contemporary business organizations. Companies are focusing on novel and innovative ways in order to build brand equity. Brand experience is one such construct which can be used by marketing managers in building and managing brand equity. Only a few studies have explored the relationship between brand experience and brand equity, particularly in the online shopping industry. This study was carried out in the State of Jammu and Kashmir to examine the influence of brand experience on brand equity. A multi-stage sampling method was employed to target 460 respondents which finally resulted in 403 functional responses. Exploratory Factor analysis (EFA) was conducted for both brand experience and brand equity followed by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) for scale validation. The measurement scale was further subject to reliability and validity tests. Finally, structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to test the hypotheses formulated for the study. The results revealed that four dimensions of brand experience (sensory, affective, behavioural and intellectual) have a positive influence on all four dimensions of brand equity (brand awareness, brand association, perceived quality, brand loyalty). The study findings have further reinforced the research domain in brand experience which implies that producing unique and pleasing brand experiences will lead to improved perception amongst online shopping consumers and thus, influence brand equity. In the light of growing importance of brand experience in marketing, this study is a significant contribution to existing literature. The findings from this research study will provide useful insights to both academicians and marketers. Future researchers can focus on extending this study to other industries and by including additional variables.
Price and Volatility Linkages Between Indian Stocks and Their European GDRs
Authors: Madhavan Vinodh , Ray Partha
Published: June 2019

This article tests for price and volatility linkages between Indian global depositary receipts (GDRs) traded in Luxembourg/London and their underlying shares traded in Mumbai. The relationship is studied between the GDR price and the domestic share price along with the appropriate exchange rates, the foreign stock index and the domestic stock index using the vector autoregression (VAR) and dynamic conditional correlation (DCC) specification of multivariate generalised autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (GARCH) models. VAR results indicate a similarity between the two prices of scrips: one trading in Mumbai and the other trading in Luxembourg (London). Further, DCC-GARCH model outcomes point to, by and large, a high-dynamic correlation between Indian GDRs traded in Luxembourg/London and their underlying stocks listed in Mumbai. Thus, the price and volatility linkages between the Indian stock and its European counterpart are invariant with respect to the choice of the foreign stock exchange. Such a similarity in findings, notwithstanding the difference in degree of information disclosure as well as listing requirements at London and Luxembourg, is perhaps indicative of the stock-exchange-invariant nature of law of one price.

JEL Classification: G15, C22
My Student Cannot Wait! Teaching Tolerance Following Functional Communication Training
Authors: Muharib Reem , Pennington Robert C.
Published: June 2019

Functional communication training (FCT) involves the reinforcement of an appropriate communicative response as an alternative to challenging behavior. The intervention has been identified as an evidence-based practice across multiple populations. Despite its extensive research support, FCT may be impractical in some educational settings because it often requires educators to reinforce alternative responses at high rates. In this discussion article, we describe three procedures (delay to reinforcement, chained schedules of reinforcement, and multiple schedules of reinforcement) that can be used following FCT in educational settings to teach students who exhibit challenging behaviors to tolerate waiting for a reinforcer.
Refugees’ Labor Market Integration in the Context of a Polarized Public Discourse
Authors: Seidelsohn Kristina , Flick Uwe , Hirseland Andreas
Published: June 2019

The public discourse on the integration of refugees into the German society and the labor market in Germany in particular is polarized. How does the transition of refugees to work can be made possible and how does it currently take place? There is little evidence, how refugees can be successfully placed on the labor market. Exemplary qualitative case studies are presented that address processes and mechanisms which facilitate or hinder effective transitions. In a tense social and political climate, the interplay between employment integration, recognition options, and the social participation of refugees as essential factors of sustainability should be considered.
Aesthetic Post-Phenomenological Inquiry: A Compositional Approach to the Invention of Worlds
Authors: Trafí-Prats Laura
Published: June 2019

In this article, I think retrospectively with art and passages of writing produced in connection to a study on aesthetic activity and urban nature with two classes of fifth graders attending school in a city of the American Midwest. For this, I take on the art philosophy of Deleuze, Deleuze and Guattari and Deleuzian scholars to discuss how aesthetics and processes of art-making can inform empirical gestures based on distance from and invention of worlds. Art extracts sensations from chaotic forces that function in excess, variation, and proliferation, offering valuable practices to attune toward the affectivity of post-phenomenological life worlds.
Predicting the Need for a Tier II Ototoxicity Study From Early Renal Function Data
Authors: Gauvin David V. , Zimmermann Zachary J. , Yoder Joshua , Tapp Rachel , Baird Theodore J.
Published: June 2019

History has established that many drugs, such as the antibiotics, chemotherapies, and loop diuretics, are capable of inducing both nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity. The exact mechanisms by which cellular damage occurs remain to be fully elucidated. Monitoring the indices of renal function conducted in the Food and Drug Administration’s prescribed set of early investigational new drug (IND)–enabling studies may be the first signs of ototoxicity properties of the new drug candidate. In developing improved and efficacious new molecular entities, it is critically necessary to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the potential ototoxic effects as early in the drug development program as possible. Elucidation of these mechanisms will facilitate the development of safe and effective clinical approaches for the prevention and amelioration of drug-induced ototoxicity prior to the first dose in man. Biomarkers for nephrotoxicity in early tier I or tier II nonclinical IND-enabling studies should raise an inquiry as to the need to conduct a full auditory function assay early in the game to clear the pipeline with a safer candidate that has a higher probability of continued therapeutic compliance once approved for distribution.
Effects of Perinatal Fluoride Exposure on Short- and Long-Term Memory, Brain Antioxidant Status, and Glutamate Metabolism of Young Rat Pups
Authors: Bartos Mariana , Gumilar Fernanda , Gallegos Cristina E. , Bras Cristina , Dominguez Sergio , Cancela Liliana M. , Minetti Alejandra
Published: June 2019

Exposure to fluoride (F) during the development affects central nervous system of the offspring rats which results in the impairment of cognitive functions. However, the exact mechanisms of F neurotoxicity are not clearly defined. To investigate the effects of perinatal F exposure on memory ability of young rat offspring, dams were exposed to 5 and 10 mg/L F during gestation and lactation. Additionally, we evaluated the possible underlying neurotoxic mechanisms implicated. The results showed that the memory ability declined in 45-day-old offspring, together with a decrease of catalase and glutamate transaminases activity in specific brain areas. The present study reveals that exposure to F in early stages of rat development leads to impairment of memory in young offspring, highlighting the alterations of oxidative stress markers as well as the activity of enzymes involved in the glutamatergic system as a possible mechanisms of neurotoxicity.
Maximizing resource usage in multifold molecular dynamics with rCUDA
Authors: Prades Javier , Imbernón Baldomero , Reaño Carlos , Peña-García Jorge , Cerón-Carrasco Jose Pedro , Silla Federico , Pérez-Sánchez Horacio
Published: June 2019

The full-understanding of the dynamics of molecular systems at the atomic scale is of great relevance in the fields of chemistry, physics, materials science, and drug discovery just to name a few. Molecular dynamics (MD) is a widely used computer tool for simulating the dynamical behavior of molecules. However, the computational horsepower required by MD simulations is too high to obtain conclusive results in real-world scenarios. This is mainly motivated by two factors: (1) the long execution time required by each MD simulation (usually in the nanoseconds and microseconds scale, and beyond) and (2) the large number of simulations required in drug discovery to study the interactions between a large library of compounds and a given protein target. To deal with the former, graphics processing units (GPUs) have come up into the scene. The latter has been traditionally approached by launching large amounts of simulations in computing clusters that may contain several GPUs on each node. However, GPUs are targeted as a single node that only runs one MD instance at a time, which translates into low GPU occupancy ratios and therefore low throughput. In this work, we propose a strategy to increase the overall throughput of MD simulations by increasing the GPU occupancy through virtualized GPUs. We use the remote CUDA (rCUDA) middleware as a tool to decouple GPUs from CPUs, and thus enabling multi-tenancy of the virtual GPUs. As a working test in the drug discovery field, we studied the binding process of a novel flavonol to DNA with the GROningen MAchine for Chemical Simulations (GROMACS) MD package. Our results show that the use of rCUDA provides with a 1.21× speed-up factor compared to the CUDA counterpart version while requiring a similar power budget.
Algorithmic decision-making? The user interface and its role for human involvement in decisions supported by artificial intelligence
Authors: Bader Verena , Kaiser Stephan
Published: June 2019

Artificial intelligence can provide organizations with prescriptive options for decision-making. Based on the notions of algorithmic decision-making and user involvement, we assess the role of artificial intelligence in workplace decisions. Using a case study on the implementation and use of cognitive software in a telecommunications company, we address how actors can become distanced from or remain involved in decision-making. Our results show that humans are increasingly detached from decision-making spatially as well as temporally and in terms of rational distancing and cognitive displacement. At the same time, they remain attached to decision-making because of accidental and infrastructural proximity, imposed engagement, and affective adhesion. When human and algorithmic intelligence become unbalanced in regard to humans’ attachment to decision-making, three performative effects result: deferred decisions, workarounds, and (data) manipulations. We conceptualize the user interface that presents decisions to humans as a mediator between human detachment and attachment and, thus, between algorithmic and humans’ decisions. These findings contrast the traditional view of automated media as diminishing user involvement and have useful implications for research on artificial intelligence and algorithmic decision-making in organizations.
A pharmacogenetic study implicates NINJ2 in the response to Interferon-β in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Peroni Silvia , Sorosina Melissa , Malhotra Sunny , Clarelli Ferdinando , Osiceanu Ana Maria , Ferrè Laura , Roostaei Tina , Rio Jordi , Midaglia Luciana , Villar Luisa María , Álvarez-Cermeño José Carlos , Guaschino Clara , Radaelli Marta , Citterio Lorena , Lechner-Scott Jeannette , Spataro Nino , Navarro Arcadi , Martinelli Vittorio , Montalban Xavier , Weiner Howard L , de Jager Philip , Comi Giancarlo , Esposito Federica , Comabella Manuel , Martinelli-Boneschi Filippo
Published: June 2019

Background:

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease in which biomarker identification is fundamental to predict response to treatments and to deliver the optimal drug to patients. We previously found an association between rs7298096, a polymorphism upstream to the NINJ2 gene, and the 4-year response to interferon-β (IFNβ) treatment in MS patients.

Objectives:

To analyse the association between rs7298096 and time to first relapse (TTFR) during IFNβ therapy in MS patients and to better investigate its functional role.

Methods:

Survival analysis was applied in three MS cohorts from different countries ( n = 1004). We also studied the role of the polymorphism on gene expression using GTEx portal and a luciferase assay. We interrogated GEO datasets to explore the relationship between NINJ2 expression, IFNβ and TTFR.

Results:

Rs7298096AA patients show a shorter TTFR than rs7298096G-carriers (Pmeta-analysis = 3 × 10−4, hazard ratio = 1.41). Moreover, rs7298096AA is associated with a higher NINJ2 expression in blood ( p = 7.0 × 10−6), which was confirmed in vitro ( p = 0.009). Finally, NINJ2 expression is downregulated by IFNβ treatment and related to TTFR.

Conclusions:

Rs7298096 could influence MS disease activity during IFNβ treatment by modulating NINJ2 expression in blood. The gene encodes for an adhesion molecule involved in inflammation and endothelial cells activation, supporting its role in MS.
Women to the rescue: The gendered effects of public discontent on legislative nominations in Latin America
Authors: Funk Kendall D , Hinojosa Magda , Piscopo Jennifer M
Published: June 2019

Political parties act as gatekeepers, meaning that improvements in the representation of women depend on parties’ willingness to nominate women candidates. Previous research suggests that party characteristics and gender quotas largely explain women’s nominations, but overlooks the political context in which parties operate. This study highlights the gendered outcomes that occur when parties make nomination decisions in times of public discontent, namely increasing political distrust and increasing perceived corruption. We theorize that parties hold similar biases to voters: gender stereotypes that regard women as more trustworthy and honest should advantage women as political trust falls and perceptions of corruption rise. We hypothesize that parties nominate larger percentages of women in these circumstances. Using two waves of data from over 100 political parties in 18 Latin American countries, we find that parties nominate more women when a large proportion of the public distrusts the national legislature, providing support for the theory.
Effects of differences in language aptitude on learning grammatical collocations under elaborated input conditions
Authors: Farshi Najmeh , Tavakoli Mansoor
Published: June 2019

The purpose of this study was to find out, whether three methods of presenting input, were effective in relation to language aptitude. Persian-speaking learners of English were provided with 20 grammatical collocations (verb–preposition collocations) embedded in authentic passages, lexically/grammatically elaborated passages, and lexically/grammatically elaborated passages with shorter sentences and enhanced target collocations. Participants were assessed on their receptive knowledge and productive knowledge of the grammatical collocations by a posttest and a delayed posttest, and their scores were correlated with various measures of language aptitude. The results suggested that modified elaborated input, which provided more focus on form (FonF), positively affected immediate and long-term gains in receptive knowledge and ruled out individual differences (IDs) in language aptitude. The results also implicated working memory (WM) as an explanatory variable in immediate and long-term achievements in productive knowledge under all the conditions of presenting input.
Study on the wind-field characteristics over a bridge site due to the shielding effects of mountains in a deep gorge via numerical simulation
Authors: Mingjin Zhang , Jisheng Yu , Jingyu Zhang , Lianhuo Wu , Yongle Li
Published: June 2019

To investigate the shielding effects of mountains in front of a bridge on the wind field at the bridge site in an area with complex topography, a numerical simulation model of the bridge site, which is located in a deep cut V-shaped gorge, was conducted by a computational fluid dynamics method. In this study, taking the shielding effects of mountains in front of the bridge into consideration, the mean velocity, wind attack angle, wind profile, and wind direction angle under different flow cases were calculated and compared. The spatial distribution characteristics of the wind field in an area with complex topography considering shielding effects are presented. The calculation results indicate that the characteristics of the wind field near the mountain at the bridge site are affected by the mountain and the direction of the incoming flow. The shielding effects of the mountain on the eastern side of the bridge are very different under different flow directions. The wind load distribution along the girder is severely uneven in some cases due to a local cyclone existing around the girder. The conclusions of this study provide a basis for improved wind resistance designs of bridges.
Derek Robbins’ muddle: A brief reply
Authors: Baert Patrick
Published: June 2019

In this brief essay, Patrick Baert replies to Derek Robbins’ review of his book The Existentialist Moment and of the co-authored book (with Simon Susen) The Sociology of Intellectuals. His main argument is that Robbins’ review is not only longwinded, but also suprisingly muddled, lacking in analytical clarity and precision. The essay also points out two other problems with Robbin’s confusing review. Firstly, Robbins wrongly accuses Baert of not paying attention to the content of ideas, whereas precisely the opposite is the case. Secondly, Robbins misunderstands the core presuppositions of positioning theory in that he erroneously associates the notion of positioning with conscious strategising. Baert is more sympathetic towards Robbins’ argument about the need to distinguish between different fields, but he laments Robbins’ inability to show how a more detailed attempt to draw this distinction would lead to a superior analysis of the specific historical context at the time.