bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental study for the effect of dust cleaning on the performance of grid-tied photovoltaic solar systems
Authors: Kasim Naseer K. , Obaid Nibras M. , Abood Hatim G. , Mahdi Raed Abed , Humada Ali Mohmood
Published: September 2020

One of the challenges facing investment in photovoltaic (PV) energy is the accumulation of dust on the surface of the PV panels due to frequent dust storms in many countries, including Iraq. Surface dust particles reduce solar irradiance which declining the electrical performance of the PV solar systems. Therefore, this paper proposes an experimental study to analyze and evaluate the power efficiency of a PV system installed in Baghdad city, Iraq. The performance of dusty solar PV array is compared with that of the clean array of the same PV system. The clean solar array is equipped with an automatic-sprayer cleaning system that is powered by the PV system. The automatic cleaning system utilized in the test system reduces human effort by cleaning the PV array using closed-cycle water with low energy consumption (less than 10 Wh). The PV array under test is part of a 15 kW grid-tied PV system. The experimental results show significant improvement in the performance parameters of efficiency, performance ratio, and the energy gain compared to the clean array. Furthermore, the experimental study contributes to a reduction in CO2 emission, which is substantial for the Iraqi environment that suffers from predominate fossil-fuel power plants.
Different valuable tools for Arabic sentiment analysis: a comparative evaluation
Authors: Zahidi Youssra , El Younoussi Yacine , Al-Amrani Yassine
Published: September 2020

Arabic Natural language processing (ANLP) is a subfield of artificial intelligence (AI) that tries to build various applications in the Arabic language like Arabic sentiment analysis (ASA) that is the operation of classifying the feelings and emotions expressed for defining the attitude of the writer (neutral, negative or positive). In order to work on ASA, researchers can use various tools in their research projects without explaining the cause behind this use, or they choose a set of libraries according to their knowledge about a specific programming language. Because of their libraries' abundance in the ANLP field, especially in ASA, we are relying on JAVA and Python programming languages in our research work. This paper relies on making an in-depth comparative evaluation of different valuable Python and Java libraries to deduce the most useful ones in Arabic sentiment analysis (ASA). According to a large variety of great and influential works in the domain of ASA, we deduce that the NLTK, Gensim and TextBlob libraries are the most useful for Python ASA task. In connection with Java ASA libraries, we conclude that Weka and CoreNLP tools are the most used, and they have great results in this research domain.
Design of spark ignition engine speed control using bat algorithm
Authors: Setiadi Herlambang , Jones Karl O. , Nugroho Teguh Aryo , Abdillah Muhammad , Trilaksana Herri , Amrillah Tahta
Published: September 2020

The most common problem in spark ignition engine is how to increase the speed performance. Commonly researchers used traditional mathematical approaches for designing speed controller of spark ignition engine. However, this solution may not be sufficient. Hence, it is important to design the speed controller using smart methods. This paper proposes a method for designing speed controller of a spark ignition engine using the bat algorithm (BA). The simulation is carried out using the MATLAB/SIMULINK environment. Time domain simulation is carried out to investigate the efficacy of the proposed method. From the simulation results, it is found that by designing speed controller of spark ignition engine using PI based bat algorithm, the speed performance of spark ignition engine can be enhanced both in no load condition and load condition compared to conventional PI controler.
Inner Rhythms: Vessels as a Sustained Brain-Body Performance Practice
Authors: Leslie Grace
Published: September 2020

Vessels is a brain-body performance practice that combines flute improvisation with live, sonified brain and body data. This article describes the genesis of this performance practice, which coevolved with the author’s brain-music interfacing and physiological data sonification methods. The author presents these novel interface designs and discusses how the affordances and constraints of these systems reflect onto her brain-body performance technique.
Reverse-Engineering Neural Networks to Characterize Their Cost Functions
Authors: Isomura Takuya , Friston Karl
Published: September 2020

This letter considers a class of biologically plausible cost functions for neural networks, where the same cost function is minimized by both neural activity and plasticity. We show that such cost functions can be cast as a variational bound on model evidence under an implicit generative model. Using generative models based on partially observed Markov decision processes (POMDP), we show that neural activity and plasticity perform Bayesian inference and learning, respectively, by maximizing model evidence. Using mathematical and numerical analyses, we establish the formal equivalence between neural network cost functions and variational free energy under some prior beliefs about latent states that generate inputs. These prior beliefs are determined by particular constants (e.g., thresholds) that define the cost function. This means that the Bayes optimal encoding of latent or hidden states is achieved when the network's implicit priors match the process that generates its inputs. This equivalence is potentially important because it suggests that any hyperparameter of a neural network can itself be optimized—by minimization with respect to variational free energy. Furthermore, it enables one to characterize a neural network formally, in terms of its prior beliefs.
Inferring Neuronal Couplings From Spiking Data Using a Systematic Procedure With a Statistical Criterion
Authors: Terada Yu , Obuchi Tomoyuki , Isomura Takuya , Kabashima Yoshiyuki
Published: September 2020

Recent remarkable advances in experimental techniques have provided a background for inferring neuronal couplings from point process data that include a great number of neurons. Here, we propose a systematic procedure for pre- and postprocessing generic point process data in an objective manner to handle data in the framework of a binary simple statistical model, the Ising or generalized McCulloch–Pitts model. The procedure has two steps: (1) determining time bin size for transforming the point process data into discrete-time binary data and (2) screening relevant couplings from the estimated couplings. For the first step, we decide the optimal time bin size by introducing the null hypothesis that all neurons would fire independently, then choosing a time bin size so that the null hypothesis is rejected with the strict criteria. The likelihood associated with the null hypothesis is analytically evaluated and used for the rejection process. For the second postprocessing step, after a certain estimator of coupling is obtained based on the preprocessed data set (any estimator can be used with the proposed procedure), the estimate is compared with many other estimates derived from data sets obtained by randomizing the original data set in the time direction. We accept the original estimate as relevant only if its absolute value is sufficiently larger than those of randomized data sets. These manipulations suppress false positive couplings induced by statistical noise. We apply this inference procedure to spiking data from synthetic and in vitro neuronal networks. The results show that the proposed procedure identifies the presence or absence of synaptic couplings fairly well, including their signs, for the synthetic and experimental data. In particular, the results support that we can infer the physical connections of underlying systems in favorable situations, even when using a simple statistical model.
Effect of Top-Down Connections in Hierarchical Sparse Coding
Authors: Boutin Victor , Franciosini Angelo , Ruffier Franck , Perrinet Laurent
Published: September 2020

Hierarchical sparse coding (HSC) is a powerful model to efficiently represent multidimensional, structured data such as images. The simplest solution to solve this computationally hard problem is to decompose it into independent layer-wise subproblems. However, neuroscientific evidence would suggest interconnecting these subproblems as in predictive coding (PC) theory, which adds top-down connections between consecutive layers. In this study, we introduce a new model, 2-layer sparse predictive coding (2L-SPC), to assess the impact of this interlayer feedback connection. In particular, the 2L-SPC is compared with a hierarchical Lasso (Hi-La) network made out of a sequence of independent Lasso layers. The 2L-SPC and a 2-layer Hi-La networks are trained on four different databases and with different sparsity parameters on each layer. First, we show that the overall prediction error generated by 2L-SPC is lower thanks to the feedback mechanism as it transfers prediction error between layers. Second, we demonstrate that the inference stage of the 2L-SPC is faster to converge and generates a refined representation in the second layer compared to the Hi-La model. Third, we show that the 2L-SPC top-down connection accelerates the learning process of the HSC problem. Finally, the analysis of the emerging dictionaries shows that the 2L-SPC features are more generic and present a larger spatial extension.
Unraveling reproducible dynamic states of individual brain functional parcellation
Authors: Boukhdhir Amal , Zhang Yu , Mignotte Max , Bellec Pierre
Published: September 2020

Data-driven parcellations are widely used for exploring the functional organization of the brain, and also for reducing the high dimensionality of fMRI data. Despite the flurry of methods proposed in the literature, functional brain parcellations are not highly reproducible at the level of individual subjects, even with very long acquisitions. Some brain areas are also more difficult to parcellate than others, with association heteromodal cortices being the most challenging. An important limitation of classical parcellations is that they are static, that is, they neglect dynamic reconfigurations of brain networks. In this paper, we proposed a new method to identify dynamic states of parcellations, which we hypothesized would improve reproducibility over static parcellation approaches. For a series of seed voxels in the brain, we applied a cluster analysis to regroup short (3 min) time windows into “states” with highly similar seed parcels. We split individual time series of the Midnight scan club sample into two independent sets of 2.5 hr (test and retest). We found that average within-state parcellations, called stability maps, were highly reproducible (over 0.9 test-retest spatial correlation in many instances) and subject specific (fingerprinting accuracy over 70% on average) between test and retest. Consistent with our hypothesis, seeds in heteromodal cortices (posterior and anterior cingulate) showed a richer repertoire of states than unimodal (visual) cortex. Taken together, our results indicate that static functional parcellations are incorrectly averaging well-defined and distinct dynamic states of brain parcellations. This work calls to revisit previous methods based on static parcellations, which includes the majority of published network analyses of fMRI data. Our method may, thus, impact how researchers model the rich interactions between brain networks in health and disease.
Annotated list of island lady beetles from Chile (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)
Authors: GONZALEZ GUILLERMO , COTORAS DARKO D. , GREZ AUDREY A.
Published: September 2020

We provide a list of coccinellids (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) species from the island territories of Chile. We report a total of 68 records, coming from ten islands, including 42 species corresponding to more than 35% of the species of the country. This paper presents the first Coccinellidae records for the Islas Desventuradas, Isla Mocha and Isla Tenglo. Contrary to what has been reported on other islands and other taxonomic groups in Chilean islands, the level of coccinellid endemism is low (8%), with only one and two species endemic to the Juan Fernández archipelago and Isla de Chiloé, respectively, and probably a fourth species from the Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego. The presence of species with worldwide distribution and of agricultural relevance is strong in the Chilean oceanic islands, particularly in Rapa Nui. The fauna of the continental islands is very similar to the one in the nearby continental areas and composed of native species. Further surveys of Coccinellidae and other insects are required for the islands of Chile, especially for several of them in which there are no records.
Awareness of Safe Computing: A Quantitative Survey of Students at Universiti Tenaga Nasional
Authors: Hashim Wahidah , Nabila Amira , Othman Marini , Maseleno Andino
Published: September 2020

This paper presents awareness of safe computing in Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Malaysia. Research methodology approached by a quantitative survey that conducted through online questionnaire to justify problem on the safe computer and internet usage awareness among students in UNITEN
Putrajaya. From this research, we get that majority number of Uniten Putrajaya students with total of 76.1% answered that they do aware of the meaning of safe computing which is a very good sign for a university level. On the other hand, 23.9% respondents answered that they do not understand
about the meaning of safe computer.
Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) Investigation of Intra/Intermolecular Hydrogen Bond Interaction in Sulfonated Nata-De Coco-Water (NDCS-(H2O)n)
Authors: Rahmawati Sitti , Radiman Cynthia Linaya , Martoprawiro Muhamad Abdulkadir , Nuryanti Siti
Published: September 2020

This research aim to study the conformation, hydrogen bonding network, and stability of all possible molecular interactions between sulfonated nata-de-coco membranes with water (NDCS-(H2O)n), n = 1–5) as well as associate them with results of
phosphorylated nata-de-coco reported previously, to determine the potential of proton transfer within both systems. The calculations used DFT method at the B3LYP/6-311G** level as well as NBO analysis. The strongest hydrogen bonds were found among sulfonic group in NDCS-(H2O)5
and the oxygen in the water molecules. The stabilization energy of NDCS-(H2O)5 is 98.9 kcal/mol, That is much greater than that found in NDCP-(H2O)5 This suggests that the NDCS was more easily to donate its lone pair and that the hydrogen bonds between
sulfonic group and water molecule were stronger, so that it was easier to transfer protons to another sulfonic group than to NDCP. The energy profile showed that barrier energy was roughly 58.1 kcal/mol and 138.6 kcal/mol for NDCS-(H2O)5 and NDCP-(H2O)5
respectively. Proton transfer in NDCS-(H2O)5 generated a lower energy-barrier than the one in NDCP-(H2O)5
Optimization of Energy Conservation in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Rani Anju , Bindal Amit Kumar
Published: September 2020

Presently, Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) is quickest developing technology which broadly embracing for different application services including; climate observing, traffic expectation, reconnaissance, research and scholastic fields and so on. As the sensor nodes are haphazardly conveyed
in remote condition, security measurements turns out to be most encouraging test where correspondence wirelesses systems confronting today. The Stable Election Protocol (SEP) is an enhanced algorithm of Adaptive Clustering Hierarchy (LEACH) with low energy in heterogeneous Wireless Sensor
Network (WSN) for improving the life cycle. Be that as it may, the unequal energy circulation of cluster heads and nodes would diminish the lifetime. From one perspective, adding node vitality to cluster head selection to decrease the energy utilization of cluster heads; on the contrary, decline
the energy utilization of nodes in cluster through not directly transmitted by interlude nodes. SEP, a protocol of heterogeneous-aware to drag out the time interim before the passing of the first node (we allude to as steady period), which is essential for some applications where the input
from the sensor arrange must be solid. SEP depends on weighted election decision probabilities of every node to turn into cluster head as indicated by the rest of the energy in every node. The outcomes show that the E-SEP protocol functions admirably in adjusting the vitality utilization for
improving the lifetime looking at LEACH and SEP protocol with enhanced SEP along with proposed E-SEP algorithm using MATLAB.
Cluster Based Data Aggregation Scheme in Wireless Sensor Network
Authors: Poonam Rani , Avinash Sharma
Published: September 2020

Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) consists of a network with huge quantity of sensors that are deployed to accomplish a particular task. These low cost sensors are proficient of aggregating and communicating the sensed information over the field. Evaluation of IoT and proliferation of sensors
with other application results building a variety of gazettes. However, these nodes being powered by a battery are energy constrained. While operating, most of the vitality is spent during packet transmission. So an ardent care should be taken care of while developing the protocol. The protocols
through which nodes communicate with each other is known as routing. Designing of appropriate routing protocol results in better lifetime of the protocol. This paper proposes a routing protocol based on cluster formation among same type of sensor nodes (SN) for gathering of data at intermediate
nodes in the cluster and these intermediate nodes further transmits data to resource opulence sink.
Green Cloud Computing Strategies for Load Balancing
Authors: Thapliyal Nitin , Dimri Priti
Published: September 2020

Cloud computing nowadays has emerged as one of the important aspect to distributed computing. Organizations are adopting cloud computing (Escalnte, D. and Korty, A.J., 2011. Cloud services: Policy and assessment. EDUCAUSE Review 46(4).) for performance upgrading as one of parameter
and also for cost effective computing. In same context to increase resource utilization and energy efficient techniques are developed using green cloud. These green datacenters provide overall efficiency to cloud database and thereby will be beneficial to distribute load to virtual machines.
Green cloud therefore provides environmental benefits by reducing energy consumption by creating virtual machines and balancing there load. This paper will include detailed review for various load balancing strategies as algorithm which are applicable in any environment with respect to cloud
and variety of parameter for load balancing.
A Brief Understanding on Smart Grid Technology
Authors: Maseleno Andino , Hashim Wahidah , Tang Alicia Y. C. , Mahmoud Moamin A. , Othman Marini
Published: September 2020

Environmental destruction that is marked by high CO2level or greenhouse gas emissions due to excessive use of fossil fuels is a serious challenge that must be minimized immediately. One of the most prominent impact is the destruction of natural ecosystems such as forest fires due to very high temperature, rising sea level, flash flood, melting of iceberg in the north and south poles and uncertain natural climates. From the energy sector that contribute most to global warming is the power generation sector. Currently there are still many power plants that use fossil fuels such as petroleum and coal as the main source of turbine drive in generating electrical energy. The burning results certainly produce CO2gas that contributes to increase levels of global warming. In response to the crucial issue, developed countries make an effort to reduce the impact of greenhouse gases by conducting research and utilization of renewable energy as an environmentally friendly source of energy such as wind energy and solar energy. Renewable energy is capable of generating electrical energy without generating and increasing greenhouse gases. Current renewable energy utilization trends continue to increase which contributes to the birth of the smart grid concept. So the introduction of smart grid technology is a necessity to reduce the impact of global warming while encouraging efficiency, reliability and effective governance in the supply of electrical energy.
Crisis Intervention Team Training in a Correctional Setting: Examining Compliance, Mental Health Referrals, and Use of Force
Authors: McNeeley Susan , Donley Christen
Published: September 2020

The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) model was developed as a specialized police-based program in which officers are trained to safely interact with individuals with mental illnesses. In 2011, the Minnesota Department of Corrections adapted this program for corrections. This study compares prison incidents involving CIT officers to a comparison sample of non-CIT incidents on a number of outcomes, including gaining compliance from people in custody (either immediately or as an incident unfolds), making mental health referrals, and using force against people in custody. We conducted a content analysis of reports describing 500 incidents in an all-male, maximum security prison and estimated multivariate binary logistic models to control for characteristics of situations, incarcerated people, and employees. The findings provide some support for implementing CIT training in a correctional setting, but some less encouraging results show that improvements to the program are still needed.
Changes in adolescent loneliness and concomitant changes in fear of negative evaluation and self-esteem
Authors: Geukens Flore , Maes Marlies , Spithoven Annette , Pouwels J. Loes , Danneel Sofie , Cillessen Antonius H. N. , van den Berg Yvonne H. M. , Goossens Luc
Published: September 2020

Current theories of loneliness posit that biases in social information processing play a key role in the development and maintenance of loneliness. However, this assumption has rarely been tested in longitudinal research in adolescence. The current study concentrated on two constructs associated with such biases, that is, fear of negative evaluation and self-esteem. More specifically, we examined whether changes in loneliness were associated with simultaneous changes in fear of negative evaluation and self-esteem. A sample of Dutch adolescents ( N = 1,174; 50% female) in Grades 7 to 10 completed well-established measures of loneliness, fear of negative evaluation, and self-esteem on four measurement occasions with yearly intervals. Correlations among both initial levels and rates of change for these three variables were examined using a Parallel Process Model (PPM). Adolescents scoring high on loneliness scored high on fear of negative evaluation, but low on self-esteem. Changes in loneliness were accompanied by changes in the same direction for fear of negative evaluation and in the opposite direction for self-esteem. These findings indicate that fear of negative evaluation and low self-esteem could indeed play a role in the development and maintenance of loneliness. Future research will need to clarify how exactly these variables can hamper re-affiliation efforts and lead to sustained loneliness over time.
The burden of serious health-related suffering among cancer decedents: Global projections study to 2060
Authors: Sleeman Katherine E , Gomes Barbara , de Brito Maja , Shamieh Omar , Harding Richard
Published: September 2020

Background:

Palliative care improves outcomes for people with cancer, but in many countries access remains poor. Understanding future needs is essential for effective health system planning in response to global policy.

Aim:

To project the burden of serious health-related suffering associated with death from cancer to 2060 by age, gender, cancer type and World Bank income region.

Design:

Population-based projections study. Global projections of palliative care need were derived by combining World Health Organization cancer mortality projections (2016–2060) with estimates of serious health-related suffering among cancer decedents.

Results:

By 2060, serious health-related suffering will be experienced by 16.3 million people dying with cancer each year (compared to 7.8 million in 2016). Serious health-related suffering among cancer decedents will increase more quickly in low income countries (407% increase 2016–2060) compared to lower-middle, upper-middle and high income countries (168%, 96% and 39% increase 2016-2060, respectively). By 2060, 67% of people who die with cancer and experience serious health-related suffering will be over 70 years old, compared to 47% in 2016. In high and upper-middle income countries, lung cancer will be the single greatest contributor to the burden of serious health-related suffering among cancer decedents. In low and lower-middle income countries, breast cancer will be the single greatest contributor.

Conclusions:

Many people with cancer will die with unnecessary suffering unless there is expansion of palliative care integration into cancer programmes. Failure to do this will be damaging for the individuals affected and the health systems within which they are treated.
Aging, contested meanings, and the built environment
Authors: Laws G
Published: September 2020

Recognition that old age is a socially defined category challenges conventional analyses of the geography of aging. In this paper I call for a political analysis of the ways in which the built environment is implicated in the reproduction of, and challenges to, labels associated with aging populations and thus with the construction of elderly identities. The role of struggles around the built environment in changing definitions of old age is illustrated with a case study from Toronto.
Nutrition Policy and Governance in Ethiopia: What Difference Does 5 Years Make?
Authors: Kennedy Eileen , Mersha Girmay A. , Biadgilign Sibhatu , Tessema Masresha , Zerfu Dilnesaw , Gizaw Rahel , Kershaw Meghan
Published: September 2020

Two studies, ENGINE (Empowering New Generations to Improve Nutrition and Economic opportunities) and Growth through Nutrition, were conducted in the same 4 regions of Ethiopia approximately 5 years apart. A similar protocol using a quantitative and qualitative survey of key informants at the subnational level was used to explore barriers and facilitators for implementation of the country’s national multisector nutrition plan. Noticeable differences were observed, including a change in the perception of the nutrition problems in pregnant women and preschool aged children and greater awareness of the multisector plan. Poor coordination and collaboration were still noted in both time periods. A key issue highlighted was the need to keep up the momentum for multisector approaches to improve nutrition in the policy agenda.
Subgrouping of Korean Readers Based on Reading Achievement and the Relation of Cognitive-Linguistic Variables to the Subgroups
Authors: Kim Ae-Hwa , Kim Ui Jung , Kim Jae Chul , Vaughn Sharon
Published: September 2020

The purpose of this study was to classify Korean readers into subgroups based on their reading achievement and to examine the relationships between these subgroups and a set of cognitive-linguistic variables. The reading achievement and cognitive-linguistic skills of 394 elementary school students were measured and the data were analyzed by disaggregating into primary grade level (i.e., Grades 1–3) and intermediate grade level (i.e., Grades 4–6). The main results are summarized as follows. First, three subgroups of readers were found based on the reading achievement for the primary grade level: “very poor word readers and poor comprehenders,” “poor readers,” and “average readers.” Second, four subgroups of readers were found based on the reading achievement for the intermediate grade level: “very significantly poor readers,” “very poor readers,” “average word readers but poor comprehenders,” and “average readers.” Third, vocabulary, rapid naming, phonological memory, and phonological awareness were cognitive-linguistic variables that significantly differentiated “very poor readers” and “poor readers” from “average readers” for the primary grade level. Fourth, phonological memory, rapid naming, sentence repetition, and listening comprehension were cognitive-linguistic variables that significantly differentiated “very poor readers” and “poor readers” from “average readers” for the intermediate grade level. This article also discusses the limits of this research and the implications in practice. Finally, this article touches upon the direction of future studies.
How Self-confidence Moderates the Effect of Two-sided Messages on Purchase Intention
Authors: Huertas Melby Karina Zuniga , Hanna Eduardo Kalil
Published: September 2020

This article seeks to clarify how two-sided messages work by explaining their causal effects on purchase intention moderated by the self-confidence of individuals. Three studies were performed. Study 1 measured individuals’ levels of self-confidence and their purchase intentions in front of one- or two-sided messages. Studies 2 and 3 manipulated individuals’ levels of self-confidence and analysed the strategies used to evaluate alternatives in cognitive decision-making. Both studies elaborated on the underlying mechanisms by which low (study 2) and high (study 3) self-confident individuals process two-sided messages, explaining the results of study 1. Self-confidence is a moderator variable for the effect of two-sided messages on purchase intention. When an individual’s self-confidence level is high (low), exposure to a two-sided message will increase (reduce) purchase intentions compared to exposure to a one-sided message. Low self-confident individuals apply a non-compensatory strategy to evaluate the offer, whereas high self-confident individuals apply a compensatory strategy to evaluate the offer. The findings suggest a communication strategy oriented to inform and increase consumers’ self-confidence. The findings contribute to a more detailed and refined knowledge of the underlying mechanisms by which two-sided messages are processed.
Effect of Intraoperative Multidimensional Fluoroscopy Versus Conventional Fluoroscopy on Syndesmotic Reduction
Authors: Cunningham Bryce A. , Warner Stephen , Berkes Marschall , Achor Timothy , Choo Andrew , Munz John , “Chip” Routt Milton L. , Gary Joshua L.
Published: September 2020

Background:

Despite multiple techniques to improve syndesmotic reduction accuracy, syndesmotic malreduction in unstable ankle fractures remains prevalent. We performed a prospective, observational study to assess the ability of intraoperative multidimensional fluoroscopy to lead a surgeon to change the syndesmotic reduction obtained by conventional fluoroscopic techniques with the goal of achieving an accurate reduction.

Methods:

Thirty patients with unilateral malleolar ankle fractures and syndesmotic instability were enrolled. Following fixation of the malleollar fractures, the syndesmosis was provisionally reduced. Once the surgeon believed acceptable reduction was obtained by comparison with the contralateral, uninjured ankle mortise and lateral fluoroscopic images, provisional fixation was used to maintain reduction. Intraoperative, multidimensional fluoroscopy was used to generate cross-sectional images to assess the reduction. The surgeon then decided if a change in the reduction was needed, and fixation proceeded per surgeon preference. Postoperative bilateral computed tomography (CT) scans of the ankles were used to assess the reduction.

Results:

The main outcome recorded was syndesmotic reduction change by the attending surgeon following 3-dimensional (3D) fluoroscopic imaging. The secondary outcome was syndesmotic reduction accuracy on postoperative CT scan. Fourteen of 30 patients had intraoperative reduction change following 3D fluoroscopic imaging. Three of 30 patients had residual malreduction compared with the contralateral ankle on bilateral postoperative CT scan.

Conclusion:

Intraoperative 3D fluoroscopy frequently led the surgeon to change the syndesmotic reduction obtained by conventional techniques and provided additional information not available with 2-dimensional fluoroscopy. A 10% syndesmotic malreduction rate was obtained with this technique.

Level of Evidence:

Diagnostic level II, prospective comparative study.
Cancer Community Ecology
Authors: Kotler Burt P. , Brown Joel S.
Published: September 2020

Here we advocate Cancer Community Ecology as a valuable focus of study in Cancer Biology. We hypothesize that the heterogeneity and characteristics of cancer cells within tumors should vary systematically in space and time and that cancer cells form local ecological communities within tumors. These communities possess limited numbers of species determined by local conditions, with each species in a community possessing predictable traits that enable them to cope with their particular environment and coexist with each other. We start with a discussion of concepts and assumptions that ecologists use to study closely related species. We then discuss the competitive exclusion principle as a means for knowing when two species should not coexist, and as an opening towards understanding how they can. We present the five major categories of mechanisms of coexistence that operate in nature and suggest that the same mechanisms apply towards understanding the diversification and coexistence of cancer cell species. They are: Food-Safety Tradeoffs, Diet Choice, Habitat Selection, Variance Partitioning, and Competition-Colonization Tradeoffs. For each mechanism, we discuss how it works in nature, how it might work in cancers, and its implications for therapy.
Detailed kinetic study on methane/diesel RCCI combustion
Authors: Heidarabadi Shadab , Khoshbakhti Saray Rahim , Neshat Elaheh
Published: September 2020

RCCI engines are a novel combustion technology with low pollution and high thermal efficiency. This study aims to identify the reaction pathways in the chemical kinetics mechanism of natural gas and diesel fuel mixture for RCCI combustion. To this end, the engine is simulated using 3D CONVERGE CFD software and then validated by experimental data. In the next step, the chemical reactions are classified with respect to the rate of reactions. Then, the important reactions are identified at various crank positions by considering different numbers of the important reactions and using thermodynamic data and species concentrations obtained from the simulation and the developed code in Fortran. Different reduced mechanisms are developed and compared with the main mechanism with respect to the critical reaction’s pathways within two modes of an engine including single and multi-injection cases. Also, the common reactions are compared with the main mechanisms in terms of reaction rate and important species concentration, such as OH, H, H2, O, etc. All the identified reaction pathways indicate the importance of n-heptane reactions. On the other hand, the number of reactions is not important, but rather the type of reactions involved in the mechanism is an important issue. In the main mechanism, the diagram of the chemical reaction pathways in the multi-injection mode is simpler than that of the single-injection mode, indicating the importance of mixing compared to the reaction pathways in the RCCI combustion.
X-Ray Hesitancy: Patients’ Radiophobic Concerns Over Medical X-rays
Authors: Oakley Paul A. , Harrison Deed E.
Published: September 2020

All too often the family physician, orthopedic surgeon, dentist or chiropractor is met with radiophobic concerns about X-ray imaging in the clinical setting. These concerns, however, are unwarranted fears based on common but ill-informed and perpetuated ideology versus current understanding of the effects of low-dose radiation exposures. Themes of X-ray hesitancy come in 3 forms: 1. All radiation exposures are harmful (i.e. carcinogenic); 2. Radiation exposures are cumulative; 3. Children are more susceptible to radiation. Herein we address these concerns and find that low-dose radiation activates the body’s adaptive responses and leads to reduced cancers. Low-dose radiation is not cumulative as long as enough time (e.g. 24 hrs) passes prior to a repeated exposure, and any damage is repaired, removed, or eliminated. Children have more active immune systems; the literature shows children are no more affected than adults by radiation exposures. Medical X-rays present a small, insignificant addition to background radiation exposure that is not likely to cause harm. Doctors and patients alike should be better informed of the lack of risks from diagnostic radiation and the decision to image should rely on the best evidence, unique needs of the patient, and the expertise of the physician—not radiophobia.
Towards a Confucian geopolitics
Authors: An Ning , Sharp Jo , Shaw Ian
Published: September 2020

In this article, we argue that Confucian philosophies are vital to understanding contemporary Chinese geopolitics. Existing Western geopolitical frameworks, we contend, are insufficient for grasping the complex theories and historical legacies that underpin China’s foreign policy. This issue becomes particularly salient as scholars and the public alike try to manage complex and changing geopolitical ideas underpinning the Belt and Road Initiative, recently heralded by the Chinese state and epitomising China’s ambition for expanded global engagements. This article provides a much-needed critical assessment and review of Confucian ideas and their uptake in Chinese state theory, geographical imaginations, and geopolitical scripts. While Confucianism typically focuses on ideals of harmony, hierarchy, and normative social order, geopolitics analyses geographical influences on politics – in particular, violence and conflict. However, it is precisely within this contradictory dialectic that new possibilities for analysing the geopolitics of a rising global power can emerge.
An Intersection of Mathematics Educational Values and Cultural Values: Pāsifika Students’ Understanding and Explanation of Their Mathematics Educational Values
Authors: Hunter Jodie
Published: September 2020

Purpose:

This article investigates the mathematics educational values of Pāsifika students in New Zealand. It draws on student voice to examine Pāsifika students’ understanding of mathematics educational values and their reasons for rating values at different levels of importance.

Design/Approach/Methods:

The study involved Years 7 and 8 Pāsifika students from two low-socioeconomic middle schools. Students selected their most and least important mathematics educational value statements on a survey. Semi-structured individual interviews were used to investigate their reasons for selecting the values.

Findings:

The mathematics educational values ranked highly by the greatest percentage of students were practice, family, respect, and persistence. In contrast, the values of accuracy and utility were rated as least important. Student interview data revealed commonalities in accounting for the importance of different values. The findings indicate an intersection between the mathematics educational values and cultural values of Pāsifika people.

Originality/Value:

There have been few studies that have explored the mathematics educational values of Pāsifika students. The current study provides insight into why specific values are important to Pāsifika students and how these may influence classroom interactions. The use of student interview data widens the existing literature focused on values in mathematics education.
The Behavioural Economics of Executive Incentives
Authors: Pepper Alexander
Published: September 2020

The conventional design of executive compensation plans is based on an outdated model of executive agency. Behavioural economics has provided a better understanding of the relationship between executives’ pay and their motivation through detailed examination of the psychology of incentives. Four key points emerge from the research. First, executives are much more risk averse than financial theory predicts. Second executives are very high time discounters, thus reducing the perceived value of deferred rewards. Third, intrinsic motivation is much more important than admitted by traditional economic theory. Fourth, executives are more concerned about the perceived fairness of their awards relative to peers than in absolute amounts. Research suggests that companies would be better off paying generous salaries and using annual cash bonuses to incentivise desired actions and behaviours. Executives should be required to invest bonuses in company shares until they have sufficient ‘skin in the game’ to align their interests with shareholders.
Cysteine sulfenylation by CD36 signaling promotes arterial thrombosis in dyslipidemia
Authors: Yang Moua , Li Wei , Harberg Calvin , Chen Wenjing , Yue Hong , Ferreira Renan B. , Wynia-Smith Sarah L. , Carroll Kate S. , Zielonka Jacek , Flaumenhaft Robert , Silverstein Roy L. , Smith Brian C.
Published: September 2020

Arterial thrombosis in the setting of dyslipidemia promotes clinically significant events, including myocardial infarction and stroke. Oxidized lipids in low-density lipoproteins (oxLDL) are a risk factor for athero-thrombosis and are recognized by platelet scavenger receptor CD36. oxLDL binding to CD36 promotes platelet activation and thrombosis by promoting generation of reactive oxygen species. The downstream signaling events initiated by reactive oxygen species in this setting are poorly understood. In this study, we report that CD36 signaling promotes hydrogen peroxide flux in platelets. Using carbon nucleophiles that selectively and covalently modify cysteine sulfenic acids, we found that hydrogen peroxide generated through CD36 signaling promotes cysteine sulfenylation of platelet proteins. Specifically, cysteines were sulfenylated on Src family kinases, which are signaling transducers that are recruited to CD36 upon recognition of its ligands. Cysteine sulfenylation promoted activation of Src family kinases and was prevented by using a blocking antibody to CD36 or by enzymatic degradation of hydrogen peroxide. CD36-mediated platelet aggregation and procoagulant phosphatidylserine externalization were inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner by a panel of sulfenic acid–selective carbon nucleophiles. At the same concentrations, these probes did not inhibit platelet aggregation induced by the purinergic receptor agonist adenosine diphosphate or the collagen receptor glycoprotein VI agonist collagen-related peptide. Selective modification of cysteine sulfenylation in vivo with a benzothiazine-based nucleophile rescued the enhanced arterial thrombosis seen in dyslipidemic mice back to control levels. These findings suggest that CD36 signaling generates hydrogen peroxide to oxidize cysteines within platelet proteins, including Src family kinases, and lowers the threshold for platelet activation in dyslipidemia.
Platelets function as an acute viral reservoir during HIV-1 infection by harboring virus and T-cell complex formation
Authors: Simpson Sydney R. , Singh Meera V. , Dewhurst Stephen , Schifitto Giovanni , Maggirwar Sanjay B.
Published: September 2020

Platelets were recently found to harbor infectious HIV virions in infected individuals who are on antiretroviral treatment with poor CD4+ T-cell recovery. In this study, we screened platelets from recently infected individuals, before and after antiretroviral therapy, for the presence of virus and examined platelet activation, as well as CD4+ T-cell recovery. This was followed by in vitro studies assessing platelet–CD4+ T-cell complex formation as a contributing factor to viral transmission. HIV+ platelets were detected in 10 of 10 acutely infected individuals with no prior history of antiretroviral therapy. The percentage of HIV+ platelets dropped significantly after 3 months of antiretroviral therapy in all of the study participants. These individuals also demonstrated significant recovery of CD4+ T cells. Interestingly, the percentage of HIV+ platelets correlated positively with viral load but not with CD4+ T-cell count. Furthermore, we found that platelet activation with soluble CD40L or thrombin receptor activator peptide 6 (TRAP6) increased platelet-virus interactions in vitro. TRAP6-mediated interactions were reduced by platelet antagonists, aspirin, and R406. We demonstrated that platelets transmit the virus to CD4+ T cells, and this transinfection was abolished by inhibiting platelet–T-cell complex formation via exposure to an anti-CD62P antibody. Additionally, treatment with TRAP6 significantly increased the transinfection, which was also inhibited by aspirin and R206. These results reveal that platelets have the potential to promote HIV viral spread during the acute stage of infection, by harboring infectious virus transmitting infection to susceptible CD4+ T cells through complex formation.
Incidental Richter transformation in chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients during temporary interruption of ibrutinib
Authors: Hampel Paul J. , Cherng Hua-Jay J. , Call Timothy G. , Ding Wei , Khanlari Mahsa , McPhail Ellen D. , Miranda Roberto N. , Lin Pei , Tawbi Hussein A. , Ferrajoli Alessandra , Wierda William G. , Jain Nitin , Parikh Sameer A.
Published: September 2020

Key Points

An incidental histologic diagnosis of DLBCL was identified during temporary interruption of ibrutinib treatment in patients with CLL. In contrast to an aggressive clinical course typical of Richter transformation, these patients responded to reinitiation of ibrutinib alone.
Protective effects of DPP-4 inhibitor on podocyte injury in glomerular diseases
Authors: Kubo Ayano , Hidaka Teruo , Nakayama Maiko , Sasaki Yu , Takagi Miyuki , Suzuki Hitoshi , Suzuki Yusuke
Published: September 2020

Background

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) is a serine protease that inhibits the degradation of glucagon-like peptide 1. DPP-4 inhibitors are used worldwide to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus and were recently shown to have pleiotropic effects such as anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fibrotic actions. DPP-4 inhibitors improve albuminuria and renal injury including glomerular damage independent of its hypoglycemic effect. Although DPP-4 is mainly expressed in the kidney, the physiological function of DPP-4 remains unclear.

Methods

The localization of renal DPP-4 activity was determined in human renal biopsy specimens with glycyl-1-prolyl-4-methoxy-2-naphthylamide and the effects of a DPP-4 inhibitor were examined in human cultured podocyte.

Results

DPP-4 activity under normal conditions was observed in some Bowman’s capsular epithelial cells and proximal tubules, but not in the glomerulus. DPP-4 activity was observed in crescent formation in anti-neutrophil myeloperoxidase cytoplasmic antigen antibody nephritis, nodular lesions in diabetic nephropathy, and some podocytes in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Notably, the DPP-4 inhibitor saxagliptin suppressed DPP-4 activity in podocytes and the proximal tubules. To assess the effect of DPP-4 inhibitor on podocytes, human cultured podocytes were injured by Adriamycin, which increased DPP-4 activity; this activity was dose-dependently suppressed by saxagliptin. Treatment with saxagliptin maintained the structure of synaptopodin and RhoA. Saxagliptin also improved the detachment of podocytes.

Conclusions

DPP-4 activity induces degradation of synaptopodin and reduction of RhoA, resulting in destruction of the podocyte cytoskeleton. Saxagliptin may have pleiotropic effects to prevent podocyte injury.