bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psychometric evaluation of dynamic managerial capability scale in the context of early internationalizing firms from an emerging economy
Authors: Mostafiz Md Imtiaz , Sambasivan Murali , Goh See Kwong
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to perform a psychometric evaluation of dynamic managerial capability (DMC) scale in the context of early internationalizing firms from an emerging economy. Drawing on DMC theory, this study validates the measurement scales to operationalize DMC of entrepreneurs as managerial human capital (MHC), managerial social capital (MSC) and managerial cognition (MC).

Design/methodology/approach

Sample firms were drawn from the apparel industry in Bangladesh, an emerging economy. Data were collected from entrepreneurs in two waves through a questionnaire-based survey. In total, 185 firms responded during the first wave and 223 firms responded during the second wave. The first wave of data was used to conduct exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to uncover the underlying dimensions of DMC and the data from the second wave were used to test the validity of the DMC scale through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).

Findings

EFA suggested a three-dimension scale which was supported by CFA. The findings of the study demonstrate that DMC is a valid and reliable scale to capture the individual-level capability of entrepreneurs.

Originality/value

DMC is rooted in three underlying attributes as MHC, MSC and MC. It is advisable to the practitioner and researcher to operationalize DMC as a second-order construct in future studies.
Government.com? Multifunctional cabinet portfolio analysis of 201 national governments
Authors: Roth Steffen , Santonen Teemu , Heimstädt Maximilian , Clark Carlton , Trofimov Nikolay , Kaivo-oja Jari , Atanesyan Arthur , Laki Balazs , Sales Augusto
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how much value national governments worldwide place on political, economic, scientific, artistic, religious, legal, sportive, health-related, educational and mass media-related issues. This knowledge is critical as governments and policies are typically expected to be congruent with the importance these issues have for society.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on theories of polyphonic and multifunctional organization, the authors recoded and analyzed a US Central Intelligence Agency directory to test the cabinet portfolio of a total of 201 national governments for significant biases to the above issues.

Findings

The results suggest that governments worldwide massively over-allocate their attention to economic issues.

Originality/value

The authors conclude that this strong pro-economic governance-bias likely translates into dysfunctional governance and development at both the national and supra-national level.
Microbial signatures of protected and impacted Northern Caribbean reefs: changes from Cuba to the Florida Keys
Authors: Weber Laura , González‐Díaz Patricia , Armenteros Maickel , Ferrer Víctor M. , Bretos Fernando , Bartels Erich , Santoro Alyson E. , Apprill Amy
Published: November 2019

There are a few baseline reef‐systems available for understanding the microbiology of healthy coral reefs and their surrounding seawater. Here, we examined the seawater microbial ecology of 25 Northern Caribbean reefs varying in human impact and protection in Cuba and the Florida Keys, USA, by measuring nutrient concentrations, microbial abundances, and respiration rates as well as sequencing bacterial and archaeal amplicons and community functional genes. Overall, seawater microbial composition and biogeochemistry were influenced by reef location and hydrogeography. Seawater from the highly protected ‘crown jewel’ offshore reefs in Jardines de la Reina, Cuba had low concentrations of nutrients and organic carbon, abundantProchlorococcus, and high microbial community alpha diversity. Seawater from the less protected system of Los Canarreos, Cuba had elevated microbial community beta‐diversity whereas waters from the most impacted nearshore reefs in the Florida Keys contained high organic carbon and nitrogen concentrations and potential microbial functions characteristic of microbialized reefs. Each reef system had distinct microbial signatures and within this context, we propose that the protection and offshore nature of Jardines de la Reina may preserve the oligotrophic paradigm and the metabolic dependence of the community on primary production by picocyanobacteria.
Fictional Science and Genre: Ectogenesis and Parthenogenesis at Mid‐Century
Authors: Stephanson Raymond
Published: November 2019

Little‐known literary treatments of the artificial creation of human life appear at mid‐century, two generations before Shelley's Frankenstein. These works reveal complex responses to new experiments in the life sciences, despite their satirical elements, and they also allow glimpses into early generic formations before the existence of a ‘science fiction'.
‘Some mode less revolting to their delicacy’: Women's Institutional Space in the Transpennine Enlightenment, 1781‐1822
Authors: Mee Jon
Published: November 2019

This article addresses the subject of women's roles in and around the literary and philosophical societies of the new manufacturing towns of the early Industrial Revolution. Some male members of the societies argued in favour of women's education and even their political rights, but in practice women were not allowed to join. Women did participate, but in forms determined by gendered understandings of modes of knowledge exchange. Ideas of public and private may have shaped women's access to scientific space in the period, but they were far from defining the terms of their everyday experience of a complex, diversified terrain.
Eggs, Sperm and Desire: Sex and Science in the Dutch Golden Age
Authors: Hollewand Karen
Published: November 2019

Within the seventeenth‐century Dutch Republic, humanism, empiricism and liberalism thrived. This social and intellectual liberty allowed for numerous studies on sex, from anatomical treatises on generation to philosophical tracts about lust, published by Reinier de Graaf, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek, Jan Swammerdam, Johannes van Beverwijck, Hadriaan Beverland and Bernhard Mandeville. This article compares the main intellectual traditions in which sex became a popular topic, natural philosophy and medical works versus theological and moralistic treatises, and demonstrates that the Dutch Republic boasted a fertile environment for the science of sex owing to its tolerant intellectual setting and social freedom regarding sexual behaviour.
Remembering Dr Sloane: Masculinity and the Making of an Eighteenth‐Century Physician
Authors: Smith Lisa Wynne
Published: November 2019

By the 1720s Sir Hans Sloane was at the centre of London's eighteenth‐century medical and scientific world; he was a royal physician, President of the Royal Society and President of the Royal College of Physicians. This article examines Sloane's use of self‐fashioning early in his career, which was key to his later successes. Sloane's career‐building offers an opportunity to consider the role of gender in men's medical and scientific activities. This article argues that Sloane used existing concepts of ideal manhood – self‐management, independence and polite sociability – to establish his medical practice and scientific networks.
Zoned in or zoned out? Investigating immersion in slot machine gambling using mobile eye‐tracking
Authors: Murch W. Spencer , Limbrick‐Oldfield Eve H. , Ferrari Mario A. , MacDonald Kent I. , Fooken Jolande , Cherkasova Mariya V. , Spering Miriam , Clark Luke
Published: November 2019

Background and Aims

Immersion during slot machine gambling has been linked to disordered gambling. Current conceptualizations of immersion (namely dissociation, flow and the machine zone) make contrasting predictions as to whether gamblers are captivated by the game per se (‘zoned in’) or motivated by the escape that immersion provides (‘zoned out’). We examined whether selected eye‐movement metrics can distinguish between these predictions.

Design and Setting

Pre‐registered, correlational analysis in a laboratory setting. Participants gambled on a genuine slot machine for 20 minutes while wearing eye‐tracking glasses.

Participants

Fifty‐three adult slot machine gamblers who were not high‐risk problem gamblers.

Measurements

We examined self‐reported immersion during the gambling session and eye movements at different areas of the slot machine screen (the reels, the credit window, etc.). We further explored these variables’ relationships with saccade count and amplitude.

Findings

The ratio of dwell time on the game's credit window relative to the game's reels was positively associated with immersion (t(51) = 1.68, P = 0.049 one‐tailed, R2 = 0.05). Follow‐up analyses described event‐related changes in these patterns following different spin outcomes.

Conclusions

Immersion while gambling on a slot machine appears to be associated with active scanning of the game and a focus on the game's credit window. These results are more consistent with a ‘zoned in’ account of immersion aligned with flow theory than a ‘zoned out’ account based on escape.
Verbenone reduces landing of the redbay ambrosia beetle, vector of the laurel wilt pathogen, on live standing redbay trees
Authors: Martini Xavier , Sobel Lanette , Conover Derrick , Mafra‐Neto Agenor , Smith Jason
Published: November 2019

Laurel wilt is a disease that has caused extensive mortality of redbay Persea borbonia in the southeastern U.S.A. The redbay ambrosia beetle Xyleborus glabratus is the vector of the causal agent of laurel wilt, the fungus Raffaelea lauricola.

We tested two potential repellents to the redbay ambrosia beetle, verbenone and methyl salicylate (MeSA) in an 8‐month large‐scale experiment conducted in three locations in Florida. In each location, redbay trees were treated with a single or double application of SPLAT (Specialized Pheromone and Lure Application Technology; ISCA Technologies, Riverside, California) verbenone, as well as SPLAT with a 1:2 mix of MeSA and verbenone.

The MeSA + verbenone mixes did not reduce beetle captures compared with the control treatment, whereas SPLAT verbenone alone significantly reduced the number of beetles captured on sticky traps placed on redbay trees in the three locations. The reduction of beetle capture was similar regardless of one or two treatments of SPLAT verbenone. The reduction of tree death with the SPLAT verbenone treatment was not statistically significant.

The results of the present study suggest that trunk application of verbenone can reduce landing rates of the redbay ambrosia beetle on live redbay trees and shows promise for use in an integrated pest management strategy against laurel wilt.
Isolated right ventricular noncompaction caused ventricular tachycardia and pulmonary embolism
Authors: Huo Qian , Liang Liwen , Ding Xiaoxue , Pang Mingjie , Zhao Yan , Zhang Hong , Su Wenhua
Published: November 2019

Isolated ventricular noncompaction is an unclassified cardiomyopathy due to intrauterine arrest of compaction of the loose interwoven meshwork. Its mortality and morbidity are high, including heart failure, thromboembolic events, and ventricular arrhythmias. Isolated right ventricular noncompaction was reported rarely, especially that causes pulmonary embolism and ventricular tachycardia. We describe a case of isolated noncompaction of the right ventricular causing pulmonary embolism and ventricular tachycardia.
What Threat? Leadership, Strategic Culture, and Indonesian Foreign Policy in the South China Sea
Authors: Sulaiman Yohanes
Published: November 2019

Why is there no balancing behavior in Southeast Asia vis‐à‐vis what many observers see as a “Chinese threat,” especially in the case of Indonesia? Despite all the concerns regarding the stability of the region, Indonesia is neither strengthening its power projection capability nor building a coalition to address China's growing power in the South China Sea. Indonesia's underbalancing behavior is the result of a strategic culture that influences its military and foreign policy thinking on threat perceptions and economic considerations, limiting the options that Indonesia can take vis‐à‐vis China. As a result, China as a state is not seen as a major, direct, and immediate threat that would warrant immediate action that may in turn jeopardize Indonesia's larger interest. Instead, domestic politics and security—especially public perceptions of how the government's friendship with China may benefit or hurt the government—remains the focus and the priority of the government.
Acute caffeine intake increases performance in the 15‐s Wingate test during the menstrual cycle
Authors: Lara Beatriz , Gutiérrez Hellín Jorge , Ruíz‐Moreno Carlos , Romero‐Moraleda Blanca , Del Coso Juan
Published: November 2019

Aims

In male athletes, caffeine is considered an ergogenic aid to increase anaerobic performance during the Wingate anaerobic test (WANT). However, information about the effect of caffeine on WANT performance in female athletes is contradictory. Furthermore, it is unknown whether the ergogenicity of caffeine is present during all the phases of the menstrual cycle. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of caffeine intake on WANT performance during 3 phases of the menstrual cycle.

Methods

Thirteen well‐trained eumenorrhoeic triathletes participated in a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, cross‐over experimental trial. On 2 different days in each phase, and in randomized order, participants ingested caffeine (3 mg kg−1) or a placebo (cellulose). The menstrual cycle phases were individually characterized as follows: (i) early follicular; (ii) preovulatory; and (iii) midluteal. In each trial, participants performed a 15‐s adapted version of the WANT.

Results

In comparison to the placebo, caffeine increased peak power during the WANT in the early follicular (8.6 ± 0.8 vs 8.9 ± 0.9 W/kg, P = .04; effect size [d] = 0.45), preovulatory (8.6 ± 0.9 vs 8.9 ± 0.9 W/kg, P = .04; d = 0.23) and mid‐luteal phases (8.6 ± 0.8 vs 8.9 ± 0.9 W/kg, P < .01; d = 0.52).

Conclusion

The ergogenic effect of caffeine on WANT peak cycling power was of a similar magnitude in the follicular, preovulatory, and mid‐luteal phases. These results suggest that caffeine increases performance in the 15‐s Wingate test in women athletes and it might be considered an ergogenic aid to increase anaerobic performance in eumenorrhoeic women during their menstrual cycle.
Circulating microRNAs as potential biomarkers for genetic generalized epilepsies: a three microRNA panel
Authors: Martins‐Ferreira R. , Chaves J. , Carvalho C. , Bettencourt A. , Chorão R. , Freitas J. , Samões R. , Boleixa D. , Lopes J. , Ramalheira J. , da Silva B. M. , Martins da Silva A. , Costa P. P. , Leal B.
Published: November 2019

Background and purpose

Genetic generalized epilepsies (GGEs) encompass a group of syndromes of mainly genetic causes, characterized by the involvement of both hemispheres. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non‐coding RNAs with a critical role in the regulation of neuronal biological processes through gene expression modulation. Dysregulated miRNA expression has been shown in epilepsy. Due to their stability in biological fluids like serum, miRNAs have assumed a prominent role in biomarker research. Our aim was to evaluate circulating levels of three miRNAs in GGE patients and assess their putative diagnostic value.

Methods

MiR‐146a, miR‐155 and miR‐132 were quantified by real‐time polymerase chain reaction in the serum of 79 GGE patients (47 women, 32 men, 35.1 ± 12.4 years) and 67 healthy individuals (41 women, 26 men, 42.4 ± 10.1 years). Relative expression values were calculated using the 2–ΔΔCt method. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to assess diagnostic value. MiRNA expression was correlated with clinicopathological features.

Results

Serum levels of miR‐146a and miR‐155 were significantly upregulated in GGE patients relative to controls (3.13 and 6.05, respectively). Combined miR‐146a, miR‐155 and miR‐132 serum levels performed well as a diagnostic biomarker, discriminating GGE patients from controls with an area under the curve of 0.85, 80% specificity and 73% sensitivity.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that miR‐146a, miR‐155 and miR‐132 may partake in GGE epileptogenesis. A panel of three circulating miRNAs with potential value as a GGE biomarker is reported for the first time. Novel biomarkers may help to identify new treatment targets and contribute to improved patients’ quality of life through earlier diagnosis and a more precise prognosis.
Ab initio calculation of the evolution of [SiN4‐nOn] tetrahedron during β‐Si3N4(0001) surface oxidation
Authors: Cai Jianpeng , Hou Xinmei , Fang Zhi , Wang Enhui , Feng Jiao , Chen Junhong , Liang Tongxiang , Bei Guoping
Published: November 2019

The easy‐going oxidation of silicon nitride (Si3N4) at high temperature greatly hampers its potential applications. Here, we explored the reaction mechanism between β‐Si3N4 and O2 via density functional theory (DFT) calculation, which discloses that O atoms are preferentially adsorbed on the top of Si atoms and N2 starts to be generated as the dominant gas product at 2/3 monolayer (ML) O coverage. The vacancies formed by N2 removal attract the O adatoms to transfer to the site of the N vacancy, which accelerates the adsorption of O and the formation of Si–O bonds toward the growth of SiO2 product. The surface oxidation of β‐Si3N4 (0001) has been clarified by the unambiguous evolution of [SiN4‐nOn] (n = 0‐4) tetrahedrons going through from [SiN4] tetrahedron to [SiO4] tetrahedron, providing a deep insight into intrinsic oxidation process of Si3N4 ceramic.
Attributional styles of support staff working with people with intellectual disabilities exhibiting challenging behaviour
Authors: van den Bogaard Kim J. H. M. , Nijman Henk L. I. , Embregts Petri J. C. M.
Published: November 2019

Background

Attributions are cognitive variables that influence a person's behaviour. Although a large volume of research has been conducted on the attributions of support staff with regard to challenging behaviour (CB) exhibited by people with intellectual disabilities (ID), studies on patterns of attributional dimensions (i.e. attributional styles) are scarce.

Method

Using semi‐structured interviews, 19 support staff members were asked to describe incidents of aggressive, self‐injurious and sexualized challenging behaviour. Data on attributions were analysed using the Leeds Attributional Coding System.

Results

Four attributional styles differed significantly for aggressive, self‐injurious and sexualized challenging behaviour. In addition, support staff members largely attributed these three types of CB to characteristics and behaviour of clients with ID.

Conclusions

The results indicate that it is important to train support staff to recognize and understand the ways in which their attributions and behaviour influence the existence and maintenance of CB.
Does sunscreen use comply with official recommendations? Results of a nationwide survey in Germany
Authors: Görig T. , Schneider S. , Seuffert S. , Greinert R. , Diehl K.
Published: November 2019

Background

The use of sunscreen can reduce the risk of UV‐induced skin lesions. Health authorities have provided recommendations for the correct use of sunscreen use: Sufficient amount of sunscreen should be applied at least 30 min before the sun exposure and should be reapplied every 2 h.

Objective

We aimed to research the practice of sunscreen use in a population‐based and representative sample in Germany.

Methods

For this cross‐sectional survey, 3000 German residents aged 14–45 years were surveyed in standardized telephone interviews in 2018. Survey participants provided data on the frequency of sunscreen use in summer, timing of (re‐)application and their skin characteristics. The data were weighted by age, sex, educational level and federal state to ensure the national representativeness of the sample.

Results

Overall, 79.4% of respondents used sunscreen always, often or sometimes when being exposed to the sun. However, 87.2% of sunscreen users did not follow the recommendations on timing of application, 59.5% did not comply with the timing of reapplication. We also saw, that people potentially used too little sunscreen. These data did not differ noticeably by skin types of participants.

Conclusion

Our study revealed deficits in use of sunscreen in Germany, indicating that people here pay little attention to the recommendations of health authorities, regardless of their skin type. There is therefore an urgent need for targeted public information on this issue. Improving public knowledge on correct sunscreen use through educational campaigns or individual counselling by health professionals could be a first step.
A model of the optimal allocation of government expenditures
Authors: Fan Simon , Pang Yu , Pestieau Pierre
Published: November 2019

Government expenditures can be used for various socioeconomic objectives, including public education, consumption of public goods and services, and social protection. This paper analyzes the optimal allocation of public expenditures among these competing functions. We establish an overlapping generations model with heterogeneous individuals in which the government optimally chooses income tax, transfer payment, educational spending, and public consumption. Our model characterizes the transitional dynamics and the steady state of each function with and without a pay‐as‐you‐go intergenerational contract. We also conduct a simulation illustrating that the presence of an intergenerational contract may raise public consumption and social welfare in the steady state.
Pontianus Polman re‐imagined: how (not) to write a history of religious polemics
Authors: Bauer Stefan
Published: November 2019

This historiographical essay discusses several examples of how religious polemics have been studied with regard to their use of history. Only one book has ever treated the subject in a systematic way: Pontianus Polman’s L’élément historique dans la controverse religieuse du XVIe siècle (Gembloux, 1932). Applying a rigid scheme, Polman dealt first with Protestants and then with Catholics. For each side, he presented two sections: the first entitled ‘The accumulation of material’ (subdivided into ‘history of dogma’ and ‘church history’) and the second ‘The synthesis of material’. Polman’s general conclusion was that religious polemics stimulated historical research but that theological ideas were often considered to be of greater importance than evidence derived from historical documents and sources. After a consideration of contemporary reviewers such as Hubert Jedin and Lucien Febvre, I discuss Irena Backus' book Historical Method and Confessional Identity (2003) and argue that a new history of religious controversies should build on an ‘anatomy of polemics’, that is, on the study of scholarly conventions, their modification and rupture in Reformation polemics, giving particular attention to the criteria of religious knowledge as exemplified by debates about forgeries.
Is allocation of nursing home placement in Norway just?
Authors: Heggestad Anne Kari Tolo , Førde Reidun
Published: November 2019

Background

One of the core ethical principles in the Norwegian welfare state is the principle of justice; all citizens should have equal access to healthcare services, including nursing homes, independent of where they live, socioeconomic status or age. Patients who apply for a permanent place in a nursing home are among society’s most vulnerable. Hence, it is of great importance that the process of nursing home placement is just. The purpose of this study was to explore which criteria and values allocation of nursing home placements are built on, and whether the process is just.

Methods

The study has a qualitative design. Data were collected through individual interviews and observation. Executive officers in different municipalities who have the formal responsibility for the placements, and GPs and nurses on short‐term wards in nursing homes were interviewed. In addition, one of the researchers observed meetings where allocation of municipal healthcare services was discussed.

Results

Healthcare personnel in primary health care mainly agree on which criteria are the most important in order to safeguard the principle of justice. However, some unintended and less highlighted factors could jeopardise the ideal of fair and just allocation. Some of these were organizational variations, variations in the municipalities’ economy, variations in individual judgments and resourceful and strong‐willed relatives.

Conclusions

Our study indicates that some of the weakest and most vulnerable patients in the Norwegian society are not treated equally. In order to safeguard the principle of justice, specific national criteria should be used in allocation of nursing home placements. However, national criteria are not enough. We suggest that in addition to guiding criteria, the unintended factors should be given more attention and focus on how to control them in a better way.
Interpersonal pursuit of intrapersonal health goals: Social cognitive–motivational mechanisms by which social support promotes self‐regulatory success
Authors: Riccio Matthew T. , Shrout Patrick E. , Balcetis Emily
Published: November 2019

The short‐ and long‐term health benefits of both regular physical activity and healthy eating are well established for persons of all ages. Despite publicity about these benefits and publications of activity and healthy‐eating guidelines, many people struggle with implementing exercise and eating goals. With this work, we propose multiple social cognitive–motivational mechanisms by which social support can promote self‐regulatory success in these domains. Specifically, we outline how interpersonal processes can improve both action planning and action control across the pre‐action, action, and post‐action phases of physical activity and healthy‐eating goal pursuit. We suggest that close relationships offer a promising avenue for improving and promoting individual‐level health behavior. We also discuss limitations, costs, and potential future interventions relating to health, social support, and interpersonal processes.
Hepatitis B and C in the adult population of Bissau, Guinea‐Bissau: a cross‐sectional survey
Authors: Hønge Bo Langhoff , Olesen Jens Steen , Jensen Mads Mose , Jespersen Sanne , da Silva Zacarias José , Rodrigues Amabélia , Laursen Alex Lund , Wejse Christian , Krarup Henrik , Aaby Peter , Erikstrup Christian
Published: November 2019

Objective

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are prevalent in West Africa. To address the WHO 2030 goals of a 90% reduction in incidence and a 65% reduction in mortality for both infections, we assessed the prevalence of HBV and HCV from surveys in the general population.

Methods

Participants in this cross‐sectional survey were included from randomly selected houses in a demographic surveillance site in Bissau, Guinea‐Bissau. Participants were interviewed and had a blood sample drawn for viral analyses (HBsAg, anti‐HBs, anti‐HBc, anti‐HCV and HCV RNA). Risk factors of HBV and HCV infection were determined by binomial regression adjusted for sex and age.

Results

A total of 2715 participants were included in this study. The overall HBsAg prevalence was 18.7% (95% CI: 17.3–20.2%). HBsAg was associated with male sex (adjusted risk ratio (aRR): 1.64), and prevalence decreased with age >34 years. HBV exposure was found in 91.9% of participants. Although 72.6% of individuals without sexual debut had been exposed to HBV, ever engaging in a sexual relationship was associated with higher risk of HBV exposure (aRR 1.18). The anti‐HCV prevalence was 0.5% (95% CI: 0.3–0.9%), and 78.6% of those had detectable HCV RNA. Risk factors for anti‐HCV sero‐positivity were age above 55 (aRR 10.60), a history of blood transfusion (aRR 5.07) and being in a polygamous marriage (aRR 3.52).

Conclusion

In Guinea‐Bissau initiatives to implement treatment and widespread testing are needed to reach the WHO 2030 goals.
Design, Control, and Pilot Study of a Lightweight and Modular Robotic Exoskeleton for Walking Assistance After Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Font-Llagunes Josep M. , Lugrís Urbano , Clos Daniel , Alonso F. Javier , Cuadrado Javier
Published: November 2019

Walking rehabilitation using exoskeletons is of high importance to maximize independence and improve the general well-being of spinal cord injured subjects. We present the design and control of a lightweight and modular robotic exoskeleton to assist walking in spinal cord injured subjects who can control hip flexion, but lack control of knee and ankle muscles. The developed prototype consists of two robotic orthoses, which are powered by a motor-harmonic drive actuation system that controls knee flexion–extension. This actuation module is assembled on standard passive orthoses. Regarding the control, the stance-to-swing transition is detected using two inertial measurement units mounted on the tibial supports, and then the corresponding motor performs a predefined flexion–extension cycle that is personalized to the specific patient’s motor function. The system is portable by means of a backpack that contains an embedded computer board, the motor drivers, and the battery. A preliminary biomechanical evaluation of the gait-assistive device used by a female patient with incomplete spinal cord injury at T11 is presented. Results show an increase of gait speed (+24.11%), stride length (+7.41%), and cadence (+15.56%) when wearing the robotic orthoses compared with the case with passive orthoses. Conversely, a decrease of lateral displacement of the center of mass (−19.31%) and step width (−13.37% right step, −8.81% left step) are also observed, indicating gain of balance. The biomechanical assessment also reports an overall increase of gait symmetry when wearing the developed assistive device.
Protracted Cardiovascular Impairments After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury: A Critically Appraised Topic
Authors: Butler Cody R. , Allen Kirsten , DiStefano Lindsay J. , Lepley Lindsey K.
Published: November 2019

Clinical Scenario: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear is a devastating knee injury with negative long-term consequences, such as early-onset knee osteoarthritis, biomechanical compensations, and reduced physical activity. Significant reduction in physical activity is a powerful indicator of cardiovascular (CV) disease; therefore, those with a history of ACL injury may be at increased risk for CV disease compared with noninjured individuals. Focused Clinical Question: Do individuals with a history of ACL injury demonstrate negative CV changes compared with those without a history of ACL injury? Summary of Key Findings: Three articles met the inclusion criteria and investigated CV changes after ACL injury. Both cross-sectional studies compared participants with ACL injury with matched controls. Bell et al compared time spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity and step count, whereas Almeida et al compared maximum rate of oxygen consumption, ventilatory thresholds, isokinetic quadriceps strength, and body composition. Collectively, both quantitative studies found that individuals with a history of ACL injury had less efficient CV systems compared with matched controls and/or preoperative data. Finally, a qualitative study of 3506 retired National Football League athletes showed an increased rate of arthritis and knee replacement surgery after an ACL injury when compared with other retired National Football League members, in addition to a >50% increased rate of myocardial infarction. Clinical Bottom Line: A history of ACL injury is a source of impaired physical activity. Preliminary data indicate that these physical activity limitations negatively impair the CV system, and individuals with a history of ACL injury demonstrate lower maximum oxygen consumption, self-reported disability, and daily step count compared with noninjured peers. These complications support the need for greater emphasis on CV wellness. Strength of Recommendation: Consistent findings from 2 cross-sectional studies and 1 survey study suggest level IIB evidence to support that ACL injury is associated with negative CV health.
Draft Genome Sequence of Bacillus safensis Strain Sami, Isolated from Leaf Veins of
Ficus religiosa
Authors: Sami Ullah Asif Ghulam Muhammad
Published: November 2019

Here, I report the draft genome sequence of a novel
Bacillus safensis
strain, Sami, isolated from leaf veins of
Ficus religiosa
.
F. religiosa
is a large tree native to the Indian subcontinent and Indochina. The draft genome of
B. safensis
is 3.67 Mb.
Complete Genome Sequence of
Curtobacterium
sp. Strain SGAir0471, Isolated from Singapore Air Samples
Authors: Hlaing Phu Pwint Thin , Junqueira Ana Carolina M. , Uchida Akira , Purbojati Rikky W. , Wong Anthony , Kushwaha Kavita K. , Putra Alexander , Kee Carmon , Gaultier Nicolas E. , Premkrishnan Balakrishnan N. V. , Heinle Cassie E. , Lim Serene B. Y. , Vettath Vineeth Kodengil , Drautz-Moses Daniela I. , Schuster Stephan C.
Published: November 2019

Curtobacterium
sp. strain SGAir0471 was isolated from tropical air samples collected in Singapore. The genome was assembled using PacBio RS II long reads and Illumina MiSeq short paired-end reads. The complete genome measures 3.53 Mb and consists of 3,151 protein-coding genes, 49 tRNAs, and 12 rRNAs.
Genome Sequence of a Thermostable Avirulent Newcastle Disease Virus Isolated from Domestic Ducks in China
Authors: Li Li , Wang Min , Wang Guokang , Li Lintao , Wang Hongling , Luo Qingping , Shang Yu , Zhang Tengfei , Shao Huabin , Wen Guoyuan
Published: November 2019

Newcastle disease virus strain D4 was isolated from healthy ducks in Hubei, China. The D4 isolate has a genome length of 15,186 nucleotides and is classified as genotype I of class II. Thermostability and pathogenicity tests demonstrate that D4 is a thermostable avirulent strain.
Sarcoidosis presenting as facial and scalp ulceration with secondary bacterial infection of the skin
Authors: Fram Georgi , Kohli Smita , Jiang Angela , Kaatz Scott
Published: November 2019

A 67-year-old man with a medical history of multiorgan sarcoidosis was admitted to the hospital with skin ulceration and a superimposed polymicrobial infection that had failed outpatient management. The patient’s outpatient regimen included doxycycline, ciprofloxacin and moderate-dose prednisone therapy for a coinfection withPseudomonas aeruginosaand methicillin-susceptibleStaphylococcus aureus. The patient presented after a syncopal episode initially thought to be due to severe dehydration. Owing to concern for cardiac sarcoidosis as well as worsening skin lesions, he was admitted to the hospital for cardiac monitoring and intravenous antibiotics. On admission, we broadened antibiotic coverage and initiated high-dose steroids at 1 mg/kg/day of prednisone. He was discharged on intravenous antibiotics and a slow steroid taper 3 days later. At the patient’s 1-month and 5-month follow-up clinic visits, he demonstrated remarkable improvement of his scalp and facial wounds.
On the ethics of algorithmic decision-making in healthcare
Authors: Grote Thomas , Berens Philipp
Published: November 2019

In recent years, a plethora of high-profile scientific publications has been reporting about machine learning algorithms outperforming clinicians in medical diagnosis or treatment recommendations. This has spiked interest in deploying relevant algorithms with the aim of enhancing decision-making in healthcare. In this paper, we argue that instead of straightforwardly enhancing the decision-making capabilities of clinicians and healthcare institutions, deploying machines learning algorithms entails trade-offs at the epistemic and the normative level. Whereas involving machine learning might improve the accuracy of medical diagnosis, it comes at the expense of opacity when trying to assess the reliability of given diagnosis. Drawing on literature in social epistemology and moral responsibility, we argue that the uncertainty in question potentially undermines the epistemic authority of clinicians. Furthermore, we elucidate potential pitfalls of involving machine learning in healthcare with respect to paternalism, moral responsibility and fairness. At last, we discuss how the deployment of machine learning algorithms might shift the evidentiary norms of medical diagnosis. In this regard, we hope to lay the grounds for further ethical reflection of the opportunities and pitfalls of machine learning for enhancing decision-making in healthcare.
Study on the finiteness of the first meeting time between N-dimensional Gaussian jump and Brownian diffusion particles in the fluid
Authors: Alzulaibani Alaa Awad , El-Hadidy Mohamed Abd Allah
Published: November 2019

In this paper, we study the finiteness of the first meeting time between two different randomly moving particles in the fluid. The first particle moves with N-dimensional independent Gaussian jump and has a probability density function which is detailed in El-Hadidy (International Journal of Modern Physics B, Published Online with https://doi.org/10.1142/S0217979219502102 , 2019). The other target moves with N-dimensional independent Brownian motion. We present some analysis that proves the finiteness of the first meeting time expected value between the two particles in the fluid.
Behavior of thermal properties of AgCu1−xFexS compounds under non-isothermal conditions
Authors: Aliyev Y. I. , Khalilzade P. R. , Asadov Y. G. , Ilyasli T. M. , Mammadov F. M. , Ismayilova N. A. , Mirzayev M. N. , Jabarov S. H. , Dang N. T.
Published: November 2019

AgCu[Formula: see text]Fe[Formula: see text]S compounds were synthesized by partial Cu[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]Fe replacement in the AgCuS crystal at a concentration range of 0[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]x[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]0.03. In the differential thermal analysis spectrum obtained at a temperature range of 300 K[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]T[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]1300 K, endoeffect corresponding to the structural phase transition in the AgCuS compound was observed at the temperature T[Formula: see text]=[Formula: see text]938 K. It has been determined that this result is also observed in the AgCu[Formula: see text]Fe[Formula: see text]S compound obtained by partial replacement of Cu atoms by Fe atoms. However, in the compound of AgCu[Formula: see text]Fe[Formula: see text]S this effect was observed at higher temperatures. The thermal capacities and enthalpies of phase transitions were calculated for the given compounds.
Design of a Wireless Router with Virtual Channel Fault Tolerant in WiNoC
Authors: Ouyang Yiming , Zhou Wu , Li Sheng , Wang Zhilu , Liang Huaguo , Du Gaoming
Published: November 2019

Due to chip manufacturing process defects and other factors, the virtual channel permanent fault may occur at the wireless interface in the WiNoC. This fault will affect the operating efficiency of the wireless router and degrade the network performance of the chip. In order to effectively tolerate permanent faults in virtual channels, faults are subdivided into coarse-grained and fine-grained faults. When a fine-grained fault of the virtual channel occurs at the wireless interface, the remapping mechanism is used to tolerate it; when a coarse-grained fault occurs, this unavailable virtual channel is directly abandoned and permanent fault information is broadcast to all nodes in the network. Packets that require a wireless channel can be routed to avoid passing through the fault wireless router. This method can effectively reduce the routing delay caused by the permanent fault of the virtual channel at the wireless interface. Experiments show that compared with the traditional WiNoC and other WiNoC fault-tolerant schemes, the fault-tolerant scheme proposed in this paper has a great improvement in performance and the advantages of low overhead and good scalability.
The Exponential Power-Law Process for the Nonhomogeneous Poisson Process and Bathtub Data
Authors: Bar-Lev Shaul K. , van der Duyn Schouten Frank A.
Published: November 2019

Recently, Bar-Lev, Bshouty and Van der Duyn Schouten [Math. Methods Stat. 25 (2016) 79–980] developed a systematic method, called operator-based intensity function, for constructing huge classes of nonmonotonic intensity functions (convex or concave) for the nonhomogeneous Poisson process, all of which are suitable for modeling bathtub data. Each class is parametrized by several parameters (as scale and shape parameters) in addition to the operator index parameter [Formula: see text]. For the sake of demonstration only, we focus in this paper on a special subclass called the exponential power law process (EXPLP[Formula: see text]) whose base function is the intensity function of the power-law process. We describe various properties of such a subclass and use one of its special case, namely EXPLP[Formula: see text] intensity function, to analyze failure data which lack monotonicity. Maximum likelihood estimation of the parameters involved and relevant functions thereof is discussed with respect various aspects as existence, uniqueness, asymptotic behavior and statistical inference facets. Using two real datasets from the literature we provide evidence that the EXPLP[Formula: see text] intensity function is well suited to analyze data which exhibit a bathtub behavior.
Reliability Demonstration Method for Competing Failure System
Authors: Fei Teng , Wang Hao-Wei
Published: November 2019

In order to improve the accuracy of reliability assessment for the system with multiple failure modes, a reliability modeling method based on the s-dependent competing risk of degradation failures and traumatic failures was proposed. A condition space model was applied to evaluate the degradation degree of system by fusing multivariate degradation data, and then Gamma process was utilized to establish the degradation failure model of system. A conditional Weibull distribution was used to establish the traumatic failure model of system. The reliability model based on dependent competing risk was established by assuming that the probability of traumatic failure depends on the degradation degree of system. An illustrative example was provided to validate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Downregulation of AAA-domain-containing protein 2 restrains cancer stem cell properties in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma via blockade of the Hedgehog signaling pathway
Authors: Li Nuo , Yu Yang , Wang Baoming
Published: November 2019

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) ranks among the five most common cancers in China and has a five-year survival rate of less than 15%. The transcription factor ATPase-family AAA-domain-containing protein 2 (ATAD2) has potential as a therapeutic target in various tumors, and microarray-based gene expression profiling reveals dysregulation of ATAD2 specifically in ESCC. Here we investigated whether ATAD2 could mediate a regulation of cancer stem cell (CSC) biological functions in ESCC. Immunohistochemical staining, reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot assays all revealed upregulation of ATAD2 in ESCC tissues and cell lines, which furthermore correlated with progression of ESCC. In loss-of-function experiments, silencing of ATAD2 inhibited activation of the Hedgehog signaling pathway, as indicated by reduced expression of glioma-associated oncogene family zinc finger 1 (Gli1), smoothened frizzled class receptor (SMO), and patched 1 (PTCH1). Investigations with 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU), Transwell assay, scratch test, flow cytometry, and colony formation assay showed that silencing of ATAD2 or inhibiting the Hedgehog signaling decreased the proliferation, invasion, and migration abilities along with colony formation, but elevated the apoptosis rate of CSCs. Furthermore, in vivo experiments validated the suppressive effect of siRNA-mediated ATAD2 silencing on tumor growth in nude mice. Thus, downregulation of ATAD2 can seemingly restrain the malignant phenotypes of ESCC cells through inhibition of the Hedgehog signaling pathway.
Comparison of intestinal glucose flux and electrogenic current demonstrates two absorptive pathways in pig and one in Nile tilapia and rainbow trout
Authors: Subramaniam Marina , Enns Cole B. , Luu Khanh , Weber Lynn P. , Loewen Matthew E.
Published: November 2019

The mucosal-to-serosal flux of14C 3- O-methyl-d-glucose was compared against the electrogenic transport of d-glucose across ex vivo intestinal segments of Nile tilapia, rainbow trout, and pig in Ussing chambers. The difference in affinities ( Km“fingerprints”) between pig flux and electrogenic transport of glucose, and the absence of this difference in tilapia and trout, suggest two absorptive pathways in the pig and one in the fish species examined. More specifically, the total mucosal-to-serosal flux revealed a super high-affinity, high-capacity (sHa/Hc) total glucose transport system in tilapia; a super high-affinity, low-capacity (sHa/Lc) total glucose transport system in trout and a low-affinity, low-capacity (La/Lc) total glucose transport system in pig. Comparatively, electrogenic glucose absorption revealed similar Kmin both fish species, with a super high-affinity, high capacity (sHa/Hc) system in tilapia; a super high-affinity/super low-capacity (sHa/sLc) system in trout; but a different Kmfingerprint in the pig, with a high-affinity, low-capacity (Ha/Lc) system. This was supported by different responses to inhibitors of sodium-dependent glucose transporters (SGLTs) and glucose transporter type 2 (GLUT2) administered on the apical side between species. More specifically, tilapia flux was inhibited by SGLT inhibitors, but not the GLUT2 inhibitor, whereas trout lacked response to inhibitors. In contrast, the pig responded to inhibition by both SGLT and GLUT2 inhibitors with a higher expression of GLUT2. Altogether, it would appear that two pathways are working together in the pig, allowing it to have continued absorption at high glucose concentrations, whereas this is not present in both tilapia and trout.
A Glance at the Nuclear Envelope Spectrin Repeat Protein 3
Authors: Liao Liwei , Qu Rongmei , Ouang Jun , Dai Jingxing
Published: November 2019

Nuclear envelope spectrin repeat protein 3 (nesprin-3) is an evolutionarily-conserved structural protein, widely-expressed in vertebrate cells. Along with other nesprin family members, nesprin-3 acts as an essential component of the linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton (LINC) complex. Naturally, nesprin-3 shares many functions with LINC, including the localization of various cellular structures and bridging of the nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton, observedin vitro. When nesprin-3 was knocked downin vivo, using zebrafish and mouse models, however, the animals were minimally affected. This paradoxical observation should not limit the physiological importance of nesprin-3, as recently, nesprin-3 has reignited the interest of the research community in studies on cancer cells migration. Moreover, nesprin-3 also plays an active role in certain developmental conditions such as adipogenesis and spermatogenesis, although more studies are needed. Meanwhile, the various protein binding partners of nesprin-3 should also be emphasized, as they are necessary for maintaining the structure of nesprin-3 and enabling it to carry out its various physiological and pathological functions. Nesprin-3 promises to further our understanding of these complex cellular events. Therefore, this review will focus on nesprin-3, examining it from a genetic, structural, and functional perspective. The final part of the review will in turn address the limitations of existing research and the future perspectives for the study of nesprin-3.