bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Falling through the cracks. A thematic evaluation of unmet needs of adult survivors of childhood cancers
Authors: White Jennifer , Park Joanne , Russell K. Brooke , Reynolds K.A. , Madani A. , Carlson Linda E. , Giese‐Davis Janine
Published: May 2018

Objective

The population of adult survivors of childhood cancers (ASCCs) is growing, resulting in unique long‐term challenges. This study explored experiences of perceived unmet ASCC survivorship needs.

Methods

We invited ASCCs to complete surveys sent through the cancer registry. Four open‐ended questions allowed participants to write in comments. We analyzed responses to these open‐ended questions thematically, employing a process of constant comparison.

Results

Our sample included 94 ASCCs who completed open‐ended questions (61 female; aged 20‐78 years, mean age = 34.47, SD = 11.84, mean = 23.27 years post diagnosis). Identified themes included (1) overlooked experiences of distress; (2) lack of counseling: system, patient, and family barriers; (3) difficulty negotiating future life milestones exacerbated by lack of knowledge; and (4) dissatisfaction with service provision: past and present. Prevalent issues identified by participants included lack of supportive care to address needs, distress due to missed developmental milestones as a result of cancer, lack of knowledge about late‐term and long‐term effects of cancer treatment, and concern over absence of organized long‐term follow‐up.

Conclusions

Adult survivors of childhood cancers continue to experience unmet needs during their cancer diagnosis, treatment, and long into survivorship due to the treatment for cancer and ongoing side effects. Solutions could focus on addressing the needs of survivors to bridge system gaps and barriers. Specifically, there is a need to improve psychological interventions and transitions from pediatric to adult‐care facilities.
Colloidal Core–Satellite Supraparticles via Preprogramed Burst of Nanostructured Micro‐Raspberry Particles
Authors: Stauch Claudia , Hobbs Christopher , Shmeliov Aleksey , Nicolosi Valeria , Ballweg Thomas , Luxenhofer Robert , Mandel Karl
Published: May 2018

Colloidal molecules, or more general supraparticles, i.e., particles which are themselves assembled of smaller nanoparticles in a defined way, are known to be synthesizable via bottom‐up assembly techniques in colloidal dispersion. The amount of synthesizable particles is mostly limited to milligrams. Herein, a bottom‐up‐programed, triggerable top‐down process is reported to obtain core–satellite supraparticles, i.e., particles composed of a larger core particle surrounded by smaller satellite particles. The key is to prepare a nanostructured, microparticulate powder into which defined burst behavior is preprogramed. Once the system is mechanically triggered, it bursts into well‐defined nanosized core–satellite supraparticles. Scale‐up is easily feasible and several hundred grams per batch can be demonstrated. The product is a ready‐to‐use and flexibly processible powder. Upon simple mixing with a polymer, it disintegrates into the preprogramed core–satellite supraparticles, thus forming a highly sophisticated nanocomposite with the polymer matrix. A pure silica nanoparticle system and a silica–iron oxide nanoparticle hybrid system are presented to demonstrate the versatility of the approach. Enhanced mechanical and unexpected magneto‐optical properties with the particle system are found. The disintegration of the microparticles into individual core–satellite colloidal supraparticles is confirmed via in situ liquid cell transmission electron microscopy.
Membrane Proteome of Invasive Retinoblastoma: Differential Proteins and Biomarkers
Authors: Danda Ravikanth , Ganapathy Kalaivani , Sathe Gajanan , Madugundu Anil K. , Krishnan Uma Maheswari , Khetan Vikas , Rishi Pukhraj , Gowda Harsha , Pandey Akhilesh , Subramanian Krishnakumar , Prasad T. S. Keshava , Elchuri Sailaja V.
Published: May 2018

Purpose: Retinoblastoma (RB) is a pediatric ocular cancer which is caused due to the aberrations in the RB1 gene. The changes in the membrane proteomics would help in understanding the development of the retinoblastoma and could identify candidates for biomarkers and therapy.

Experimental design: Quantitative proteomics is performed on the enriched membrane fractions from pooled normal retina (n = 5) and pooled retinoblastoma tissues (n = 5). The proteins are tryptic‐digested and tagged with iTRAQ labels. Orbitrap mass spectrometry is used to analyze and quantify the deregulated membrane proteins involved in the RB tumor progression. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is used to further validate few of the differentially expressed proteins.

Results: A total of 3122 proteins are identified of which, 663 proteins are found to be deregulated with ≥two fold change in the RB tumor compared to the retina. 282 proteins are upregulated and 381 are downregulated with ≥2 peptide identifications. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that, most of the proteins are involved in the transport, cellular communication, and growth. Overexpression of lamin B1 (LMNB1) and transferrin receptor (TFRC) are observed in RB tumors using IHC.

Conclusion and clinical relevance: The present study, is the first comprehensive quantitative membrane proteomic atlas of the differentially regulated proteins in RB compared to the retina. LMNB1 and TFRC could be potential biomarkers for this childhood cancer.
Physical Simulation of Live‐Fire Detonations using Command‐Detonation Fuzing
Authors: Walsh Michael R. , Bigl Matthew F. , Walsh Marianne E. , Wrobel Erik T. , Beal Samuel A. , Temple Tracey
Published: May 2018

Testing of munitions for environmental impact is required in many countries as part of the life cycle assessment process. Although the post‐detonation mass and composition of metallic species are known, energetics residues from the detonation process are difficult to estimate. Past methods using detonation chamber testing and modeling have been shown to be problematic, especially with newer generation energetic materials. This paper describes a method of field‐testing munitions using command detonation systems for static rounds that simulate live‐fire high order detonations. Research demonstrates that results from command detonated high explosive rounds are similar to residues from rounds fired onto an ice‐covered impact area. The ability to substitute command detonations for live fire will enable the assessment of the environmental impact new munitions will have on training ranges prior to full development and certification. Data may also be used to assess detonation efficiencies for explosive formulations as well as for energetic components in those formulations.
Prostatic collagen architecture in neutered and intact canines
Authors: Ruetten Hannah , Wegner Kyle A. , Romero Michael F. , Wood Michael W. , Marker Paul C. , Strand Douglas , Colopy Sara A. , Vezina Chad M.
Published: May 2018

Background

Prostate stiffness and increased collagen content both associate with the presence of urinary symptoms in men but mechanisms responsible, including impact of age and androgens, are unknown. Dogs develop prostate‐related urinary dysfunction similar to humans, but mechanisms are also unknown. Mice have been used to examine how prostatic collagen accumulation affects voiding but whether mouse prostatic collagen organization resembles human or dog has not been evaluated. Here, we have constructed the first comprehensive, comparative maps of collagen architecture in canine, human, and mouse prostate and test whether canine prostatic collagen content is increased by aging and reduced by castration.

Methods

Complete transverse prostate sections were stained with picrosirius red and imaged with confocal microscopy to reveal and compare collagen architecture across species. Canine prostatic collagen fiber length, diameter, and density in prostatic urethral, periurethral, peripheral, and capsular regions were quantified and compared among four experimental groups: young intact, young neutered, old intact, and old neutered dogs.

Results

Surprisingly, the majority of collagen was localized to the prostatic urethra in canine, human, and mouse. In canine and human, capsular regions also featured a dense collagen network but it appeared less dense than around prostatic urethra. Older, intact male canines exhibited overall denser prostate collagen fibers and had thicker capsular fibers than young, intact males. Prostatic glandular regions undergo dramatic atrophy and regression following castration, and our finding of neutered animals having increased collagen fiber density in both periurethral and peripheral regions is consistent with glandular contraction and increased proportion of stroma.

Conclusions

Collagen architecture in dog appears similar to that in humans when cross sections are compared side‐by‐side. Canine collagen organization is affected by both age and androgen status, suggesting these factors may contribute to collagen accumulation in some males.
Electrospray ionization study of tricarbonyl fac‐[Re(CO)3(PO)(X)]‐type complexes: influence of ancillary co‐ligands in the release of carbon monoxide
Authors: Tisato Francesco , Porchia Marina , Shegani Antoni , Maina Theodosia , Papadopoulos Minas S. , Seraglia Roberta , Traldi Pietro
Published: May 2018

Rationale

fac‐[Re(CO)3(PO)(X)]‐type complexes (PO = chelated bidentate tertiary phosphine (1‐), X = various neutral, mono‐dentate ligands) represent a class of compounds that meets the synthetic criteria for the preparation of potential carbon monoxide (CO) release molecules (CORMs) for medicinal application. The aim of our investigation was to achieve qualitative information whether the nature of the ancillary X ligand might influence the release of CO.

Methods

The release of CO has been investigated by means of product ion spectrometry of electrospray ionization (ESI)‐generated [M + H]+ species, produced by multiple collisional experiments, using an ion trap mass spectrometer.

Results

Tandem mass spectrometry applied to the protonated species [Re(CO)3(PO)(X) + H]+ of seven complexes (those including X = OH2 (1), isonitrile (2, 3), imidazole (4), pyridine (5) and phosphine (6, 7)) shows initial loss of coordinated water (1) or pyridine (5), whereas the majority of investigated entries display initial, sequential release of CO groups. The energetics of CO release have been investigated by breakdown curves for selected collisionally activated decomposition processes involving CO, and compared with those involving X groups.

Conclusions

The nature of the co‐ligand X drives the primary loss in the MSn processes of [Re(CO)3(PO)(X) + H]+ compounds. When X = solvent, the energetics of these decompositions follow the trend H2O < MeOH < CO. In each case, loss of CO is a favored fragmentation route with associated energies following the trend: N‐py ≤ P‐phosphine < C‐isonitrile. Overall, MSn pathways indicate that [Re(PO)] (Re with chelated PO phosphine) constitutes the residual moiety. This behavior indicates that the presence of a functionalized phosphine is essential for a sequential, controlled release of CO.
Creating Emergency Prepared Households—What Really Are the Determinants of Household Emergency Preparedness?
Authors: Nukpezah Julius A. , Soujaa Ismail
Published: May 2018

We draw on social capital and social vulnerability explanations to investigate the determinants of household emergency preparedness using data from the 2008 General Social Survey (GSS) and multivariate ordinal logistic regression. We develop an ordinal‐level scale for household emergency preparedness. We also create indices for individual social capital and risk perception, which correlate with higher levels of household emergency preparedness. We show that race and gender per se do not make households more or less prepared for emergencies because these variables are proxies for socioeconomic inequalities in society. Our study provides insights into household emergency preparedness and direction for policymaking.
Capture of Aldehyde VOCs Using a Series of Amine‐Functionalized Cellulose Nanocrystals
Authors: Guerra Fernanda D. , Campbell McKenzie L. , Attia Mohamed F. , Whitehead Daniel. C. , Alexis Frank
Published: May 2018

Aldehydes are commonly encountered VOCs released to the atmosphere from a variety of anthropogenic sources. We have previously reported the use of poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) modified biodegradable poly(lactic acid) nanoparticles for the capture of volatile aldehydes and carboxylic acids in the gas phase. In this study we evaluated the performance of amine‐decorated cellulose materials by grafting three stable amine‐bearing molecules (i. e. ethylendiamine (EDA), tris(2‐aminoethyl)amine (Tris), and PEI) to the surface of cellulose micro and nanocrystals using a convenient two step protocol. The amine‐modified cellulose materials were then characterized using TGA, FTIR, EDS, and elemental analysis. GC headspace experiments were conducted to assess the ability of the amine‐modified cellulose materials to capture two illustrative aldehyde VOCs, hexanal and octanal, in the gas phase. PEI‐cellulose nanocrystals successfully captured gaseous hexanal, and significantly outperformed related PEI‐cellulose microcrystals. In a second round of optimization, cellulose nanocrystals modified with simpler amine‐bearing molecules, Tris and EDA, were prepared for comparison. Tris and EDA modified cellulose nanocrystals also efficiently captured the target VOCs. These results demonstrate that the size of cellulose substrate and the chemical composition of the amine molecules on the surface are critical parameters for efficient contaminant capture.
Mesoporous Spherical TiO2 with Outstanding Photocatalysis under Visible Light
Authors: Li Xiangji , Lu Xiangkun , Qi Hui , Yu Kaifeng , Zhang Zhiqiang
Published: May 2018

In the paper, mesoporous spherical TiO2 was synthesized using Ti(SO4)2 and TiCl3 as raw materials through one step hydrothermal and calcination method. Good dispersibility and high photocatalytic performance could be obtained without adding any organic dispersant. The preparation process of TiO2 was simple and high efficient. The grain sizes were 29.0 nm, and the specific surfaces were 99.201 m2/g. The photocatalytic efficiency of the prepared samples degrading methyl orange was 1.85 times higher than that of the conventional P25 under visible light. In addition, the reaction mechanism of mesoporous spherical TiO2 based on experiments was explained.
An All‐Freeze‐Casting Strategy to Design Typographical Supercapacitors with Integrated Architectures
Authors: Wang Qingrong , Wang Xinyu , Wan Fang , Chen Kena , Niu Zhiqiang , Chen Jun
Published: May 2018

The emergence of flexible and wearable electronics has raised the demand for flexible supercapacitors with accurate sizes and aesthetic shapes. Here, a strategy is developed to prepare flexible all‐in‐one integrated supercapacitors by combining all‐freeze‐casting with typography technique. The continuous seamless connection of all‐in‐one supercapacitor devices enhances the load and/or electron transfer capacity and avoids displacing and detaching between their neighboring components at bending status. Therefore, such a unique structure of all‐in‐one integrated devices is beneficial for retaining stable electrochemical performance at different bending levels. More importantly, the sizes and aesthetic shapes of integrated supercapacitors could be controlled by the designed molds, like type matrices of typography. The molds could be assembled together and typeset randomly, achieving the controllable construction and series and/or parallel connection of several supercapacitor devices. The preparation of flexible integrated supercapacitors will pave the way for assembling programmable all‐in‐one energy storage devices into highly flexible electronics.
ZIF‐8/ZIF‐67‐Derived Co‐Nx‐Embedded 1D Porous Carbon Nanofibers with Graphitic Carbon‐Encased Co Nanoparticles as an Efficient Bifunctional Electrocatalyst
Authors: Zhang Wenming , Yao Xiuyun , Zhou Shengnan , Li Xiaowei , Li Ling , Yu Ze , Gu Lin
Published: May 2018

Herein, an approach is reported for fabrication of Co‐Nx‐embedded 1D porous carbon nanofibers (CNFs) with graphitic carbon‐encased Co nanoparticles originated from metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), which is further explored as a bifunctional electrocatalyst for both oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Electrochemical results reveal that the electrocatalyst prepared by pyrolysis at 1000 °C (CoNC‐CNF‐1000) exhibits excellent catalytic activity toward ORR that favors the four‐electron ORR process and outstanding long‐term stability with 86% current retention after 40 000 s. Meanwhile, it also shows superior electrocatalytic activity toward OER, reaching a lower potential of 1.68 V at 10 mA cm−2 and a potential gap of 0.88 V between the OER potential (at 10 mA cm−2) and the ORR half‐wave potential. The ORR and OER performance of CoNC‐CNF‐1000 have outperformed commercial Pt/C and most nonprecious‐metal catalysts reported to date. The remarkable ORR and OER catalytic performance can be mainly attributable to the unique 1D structure, such as higher graphitization degree beneficial for electronic mobility, hierarchical porosity facilitating the mass transport, and highly dispersed CoNxC active sites functionalized carbon framework. This strategy will shed light on the development of other MOF‐based carbon nanofibers for energy storage and electrochemical devices.
Wide‐Bandgap Perovskite Solar Cells With Large Open‐Circuit Voltage of 1653 mV Through Interfacial Engineering
Authors: Hu Xiaowen , Jiang Xiao‐Fang , Xing Xiaobo , Nian Li , Liu Xiaoyang , Huang Rong , Wang Kai , Yip Hin‐Lap , Zhou Guofu
Published: May 2018

Low‐cost wide‐bandgap solar cells are attractive candidates for potential applications including tandem photovoltaics, solar‐driven electrochemical energetic devices, and photovoltaic solar panels for spacecraft due to their relatively high output voltage and sustainability in critical environment. Recently, solar cells based on the organic–inorganic lead halide perovskites have emerged as a promising avenue toward high power conversion efficiency (PCE). However, the investigations on achieving high operating voltage with sufficient output power remains a missing part for the halide perovskite solar cells. Here the effectiveness of employing both anode and cathode interfacial modification layers to reach high open‐circuit voltage (VOC) for the methylammonium lead tribromide (MAPbBr3) perovskite solar cells is demonstrated. Specifically, high work function e‐beam processed MoOx layer with vacuum annealing treatment is used to reengineer the anode interface and an atomic layer deposited ZrO2 layer is used to modify the cathode interface, respectively. The minimized energy barrier height by MoOx modification and hole‐blocking effect by ZrO2 synergistically restrain the charge carrier recombination loss and render a consequent larger quasi‐Fermi level separation that endows a higher VOC. The MAPbBr3 perovskite solar cell with a highest PCE of 10.08% and a new record VOC of 1653 mV under one sun‐illumination are demonstrated.
Variation of the Molecular and Electronic Structures of μ‐Oxo Diferric Complexes with the Bridging Motive
Authors: Zimmermann Thomas Philipp , Limpke Thomas , Stammler Anja , Bögge Hartmut , Walleck Stephan , Glaser Thorsten
Published: May 2018

The complexes [(susan){FeIII(OAc)(μ‐O)FeIII(OAc)}](ClO4)2, [(susan){FeIII(μ‐O)(μ‐OAc)FeIII}](ClO4)3, and [(susan){FeIII(μ‐O)(μ‐CO3)FeIII}](ClO4)2 (susan = 4,7‐dimethyl‐1,1,10,10‐tetra(2‐pyridylmethyl)‐1,4,7,10‐tetraazadecane) were synthesized and characterized. Prominent IR vibrations do not shift from the solid state to CH3CN solutions demonstrating dissolution without structural rearrangements or substitutions. The acetates in [(susan){FeIII(OAc)(μ‐O)FeIII(OAc)}]2+ are in a trans conformation resulting in a C2 symmetry of the central core and the overall complex. On the other hand, a second bridging ligand enforces a CS symmetry of the central core, which is incommensurable with the wrapping of the ligand around the central core resulting in only overall C1 symmetry. The Fe–OAc bonds are shorter for the terminal acetates (1.93 Å) than for the bridging acetate (1.97 and 2.07 Å). The bridging dianionic carbonate also results in shorter Fe–Ocarb bonds (1.91 and 1.97 Å). Mössbauer spectroscopy shows a lower quadrupole splitting for [(susan){FeIII(μ‐O)(μ‐CO3)FeIII}](ClO4)2 in line with the shorter and thus more covalent Fe–Ocarb bonds. UV/Vis/NIR spectra differ in the d–d and in the LMCT regions for the mono‐ and doubly‐bridged complexes. The electrochemical characterization shows variations for the potentials for oxidations and reductions. This variation is discussed in light of the difference in π‐donor interactions and the overall charge of the complexes.
SO(32) heterotic line bundle models
Authors: Otsuka Hajime
Published: May 2018

Abstract

We search for the three-generation standard-like and/or Pati-Salam models from the SO(32) heterotic string theory on smooth, quotient complete intersection Calabi-Yau threefolds with multiple line bundles, each with structure group U(1). These models are S- and T-dual to intersecting D-brane models in type IIA string theory. We find that the stable line bundles and Wilson lines lead to the standard model gauge group with an extra U(1)B−Lvia a Pati-Salam-like symmetry and the obtained spectrum consists of three chiral generations of quarks and leptons, and vector-like particles. Green-Schwarz anomalous U(1) symmetries control not only the Yukawa couplings of the quarks and leptons but also the higher-dimensional operators causing the proton decay.
Personal growth initiative’s relation to life meaning and satisfaction in a polish sample
Authors: Borowa Dominika , Kossakowska Marlena M. , Harmon Kevin Andrew , Robitschek Christine
Published: May 2018

This study aimed to develop and validate a Polish version of the Personal Growth Initiative Scale - II (PGIS-II; Robitschek et al.Journal of Counseling Psychology, 59(2), 274–287, 2012). The PGIS-II assesses skills for intentional cognitive, behavioral, or affective change in one’s life. These skills may promote positive mental health (Robitschek and HershbergerJournal of Counseling & Development, 83(4), 457–469, 2005) that could benefit Polish individuals following cultural and political transformation since the late 1980’s when Poland regained sovereignty from communism (Muszczynski 2015). The second aim of this study was to verify the hypothesis that Personal Growth Initiative (RobitschekMeasurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development, 30, 183–198, 1998,Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development, 31, 197–210, 1999) may be related to life satisfaction indirectly via presence of meaning in life. Participants were 530 Polish citizens (65.1% female) aged 15–84. Participants completed the PGIS-II (Polish version) and measures to assess construct validity. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a 4-factor structure similar to the original PGIS-II structure, with slight differences in item loadings. Internal consistency estimates for the scale and subscales were adequate to strong. PGIS-II (Polish version) scores correlated positively with measures of well-being, providing evidence for concurrent validity of the scale. There was a significant indirect effect of PGI’s relationship with life satisfaction via presence of meaning in life. The Polish version of the PGIS-II shows sound psychometric properties and may be used with Polish populations.
Incorporating Neighborhood Choice in a Model of Neighborhood Effects on Income
Authors: van Ham Maarten , Boschman Sanne , Vogel Matt
Published: May 2018

Studies of neighborhood effects often attempt to identify causal effects of neighborhood characteristics on individual outcomes, such as income, education, employment, and health. However, selection looms large in this line of research, and it has been argued that estimates of neighborhood effects are biased because people nonrandomly select into neighborhoods based on their preferences, income, and the availability of alternative housing. We propose a two-step framework to disentangle selection processes in the relationship between neighborhood deprivation and earnings. We model neighborhood selection using a conditional logit model, from which we derive correction terms. Driven by the recognition that most households prefer certain types of neighborhoods rather than specific areas, we employ a principle components analysis to reduce these terms into eight correction components. We use these to adjust parameter estimates from a model of subsequent neighborhood effects on individual income for the unequal probability that a household chooses to live in a particular type of neighborhood. We apply this technique to administrative data from the Netherlands. After we adjust for the differential sorting of households into certain types of neighborhoods, the effect of neighborhood income on individual income diminishes but remains significant. These results further emphasize that researchers need to be attuned to the role of selection bias when assessing the role of neighborhood effects on individual outcomes. Perhaps more importantly, the persistent effect of neighborhood deprivation on subsequent earnings suggests that neighborhood effects reflect more than the shared characteristics of neighborhood residents: place of residence partially determines economic well-being.
Predictors of Erectile Function Normalization in Men With Erectile Dysfunction Treated With Placebo
Authors: Mulhall John P. , Carlsson Martin , Stecher Vera , Tseng Li-Jung
Published: May 2018

Background

Clinical study and practice data have shown sildenafil improves sexual function in men with erectile dysfunction (ED). However, some men treated with placebo in double-blind, placebo-controlled sildenafil studies also report improved erectile function as measured by International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)–Erectile Function Domain (EFD) scores.

Aim

This analysis estimated the relationship between post-baseline IIEF-EFD scores and demographic variables, including co-morbidities, in men with ED receiving placebo in flexible-dose sildenafil studies.

Methods

Placebo-treated participants in the intent-to-treat population of 42 double-blind, placebo-controlled, flexible-dose, sildenafil studies were included. A participant was classified as a placebo responder if the IIEF-EFD score was ≥26 at the last visit.

Outcomes

Variables assessed were age (<45, 45–64, ≥65 years), race, body mass index, co-morbidities (cardiovascular disease/hypertension, diabetes mellitus, depression), date the last study dose was taken, study completion date, ED etiology (psychogenic, organic, mixed), history of cigarette smoking, ED duration, baseline IIEF-EFD score (≤10, 11–16, ≥17), and treatment duration. Stepwise multivariate logistic regression models assessed the odds of being a responder vs a non-responder for each variable.

Results

A total of 4,360 men were included; 13.5% were responders. Odds estimates indicated the largest likelihood of placebo response occurred in men who were black (odds = 20.2, P < .0001), were younger than 45 years (odds = 7.3, P < .0001), had mild ED (baseline IIEF-EFD ≥17; odds >100, P < .0001), and did not have diabetes (odds = 4.5, P < .0001). The likelihood of a placebo response decreased as ED duration increased (odds = 0.74, P < .0001). The frequency of common adverse events was similar between placebo responders and non-responders.

Clinical Translation

These findings contribute to the improved understanding of predictors of placebo response in sildenafil clinical studies. Elucidation of these factors may contribute to the development of further interventions and treatment strategies and best practices for clinical trials.

Strengths and conclusions

Strengths of this analysis include the large and diverse population and the duration of follow-up. Limitations include those associated with retrospective analyses and the inability to ascertain to what extent other demographic factors might have contributed to the placebo responses or how these placebo responses might be related to the natural course of ED.

Conclusions

Certain demographics, co-morbidities, and condition characteristics predicted the odds of a placebo response in sildenafil clinical studies of ED. Underlying reasons behind a placebo response warrant further evaluation.
A Comparative Study Between 2 Different Grafts Used as Patches After Plaque Incision and Inflatable Penile Prosthesis Implantation for End-Stage Peyronie's Disease
Authors: Falcone Marco , Preto Mirko , Ceruti Carlo , Timpano Massimiliano , Garaffa Giulio , Sedigh Omidreza , Sibona Mattia , Oderda Marco , Gontero Paolo , Rolle Luigi
Published: May 2018

Background

Although many grafts have been used for plaque incision with grafting (PIG) and penile prosthesis (PP) implantation, there is no evidence that favors 1 specific graft over another.

Aim

To compare fibrin-coated collagen fleece (TachoSil; Baxter International, Deerfield, IL, USA) with porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS; Cook Biotech, West Lafayette, IN, USA) as grafts.

Methods

From January 2007 to January 2015, 60 non-randomized consecutive patients affected by end-stage Peyronie disease underwent PIG and PP implantation (AMS 700CX; Boston Scientific, Marlborough, MA, USA). All patients underwent preoperative penile dynamic duplex ultrasound. All procedures were performed by the same surgeon. Patients were divided in 2 different groups according to the graft used to cover the albuginea defect. SIS was used for grafting in 34 patients (group A) and TachoSil was used in 26 patients (group B).

Outcomes

Overall hospital stay, operative time, 5-point Likert hematoma scale, visual analog scale, incidence of postoperative complications, and PP mechanical failure were selected as outcome measures. Functional outcomes were assessed through validated questionnaires (International Index of Erectile Function, Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction, and Sexual Encounter Profile questions 2 and 3) preoperatively and 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively.

Results

The patients' median age was 63 years. No statistically significant differences were detected between groups for age and type and degree of curvature (median = 65°). Average follow-up was 35 months. No major intraoperative complications were reported. The average operative time was 145 minutes for group A and 120 minutes for group B. No statistically significant differences between groups were detected for postoperative complications. Only 3 patients developed a major postoperative complication requiring a 2nd surgical intervention: 1 patient in group A for mechanic failure and 1 patient in group A and 1 in group B for inflatable PP infection. Multivariate statistical analysis showed no significant difference for all variables analyzed between the 2 groups, except for operative time, which was significantly shorter for group B.

Clinical Implications

TachoSil could represent a valuable option for grafting, considering its advantages in operative time and cost compared with SIS.

Strengths and Limitations

Long-term follow-up represents a strength factor. Main limitations are the non-randomized nature of the study and the small number of patients.

Conclusions

TachoSil seems to represent an effective solution for grafting after PIG and PP implantation. However, additional studies are warranted to confirm our results.
TECHNICAL AND SCALE EFFICIENCIES OF U.S. GRASS-FED BEEF PRODUCTION: WHOLE-FARM AND ENTERPRISE ANALYSES
Authors: QUSHIM BERDIKUL , GILLESPIE JEFFREY M. , BHANDARI BASU DEB , SCAGLIA GUILLERMO
Published: May 2018

A stochastic production frontier approach was used to estimate input distance functions for U.S. grass-fed beef (GFB) production. Average technical efficiencies of 0.84 and 0.79 were found for U.S. GFB whole farms and enterprises, respectively. Producer education level, experience, farm size, annual net farm income from the GFB operation, annual net household income from off-farm sources, and regional differences are the efficiency drivers of U.S. GFB farms. Increasing returns to scale were found for U.S. GFB farms. Our results suggest that U.S. GFB farms can be scale efficient if the optimal size of the operation is greater than approximately 100 GFB animals.
How Does Firm Life Cycle Affect Board Structure? Evidence from China's Listed Privately Owned Enterprises
Authors: Li Yunhe , Zhang Xiaotian Tina
Published: May 2018

Using data from China's listed privately owned enterprises (POEs) during the period from 2002 to 2014, we explore the effects of firm life cycle on board structure. We find that the board size of China's listed POEs declines over firm life cycle, and there is a trend of separation for board chair-CEO duality while board independence remains almost static. We further provide evidence that board size and independence are determined by the benefits of monitoring and advisory roles of the boards through all the stages of firms’ life cycle with different drivers. The impact of CEO power on board chair-CEO duality is determined by the benefits and costs of separation of board chair, and CEOs are supported at all stages of firms’ life cycle. This article sheds light on the dynamic board structure in an emerging economy where the external corporate governance is weaker than that of developed countries. Our findings suggest that the board structures of China's listed POEs are adjusted at various stages of firms’ life cycle, and the adjustments are mostly based on the resources brought by the new board of directors.
The benefit of simultaneously encountered exemplars and of exemplar variability to verb learning
Authors: SNAPE Simon , KROTT Andrea
Published: May 2018

Young children are conservative when extending novel verbs to novel exemplars. We investigated whether multiple, simultaneously presented exemplars would aid young children's verb learning, as well as the importance of exemplar variability. Three-year-olds were taught novel verbs, while viewing either one action-scene featuring a novel action performed on a novel object, or two action-scenes side-by-side in which the action performed was the same but the object varied, or two action-scenes side-by-side in which no aspect of the scenes varied. They were asked to extend the novel verbs to one of two scenes: one that maintained the action and one that maintained the object. Findings indicated that children were only able to extend verbs correctly after viewing two action-scenes in which the content varied. These findings suggest that simultaneously presented exemplars of a verb can support verb learning in younger children, but only when the content of the exemplars varies.
Look before you speak: children's integration of visual information into informative referring expressions
Authors: DAVIES Catherine , KREYSA Helene
Published: May 2018

Children's ability to refer is underpinned by their developing cognitive skills. Using a production task (n = 57), we examined pre-articulatory visual fixations to contrast objects (e.g., to a large apple when the target was a small one) to investigate how visual scanning drives informativeness across development. Eye-movements reveal that although four-year-olds fixate contrast objects to a similar extent as seven-year-olds and adults, this does not result in explicit referential informativeness. Instead, four-year-olds frequently omit distinguishing information from their referring expressions regardless of the comprehensiveness of their visual scan. In contrast, older children make greater use of information gleaned from their visual inspections, like adults. Thus, we find a barrier not to theincidenceof contrast fixations by younger children, but to theiruseof them in referential informativeness. We recommend that follow-up work investigates whether younger children's immature executive skills prevent them from describing referents in relation to contrast objects.
WHEN THE PRESENT MISUNDERSTANDS THE PAST HOW A MODERN ARAB INTELLECTUAL RECLAIMED HIS OWN HERITAGE
Authors: Tahiri Hassan
Published: May 2018

The beginning of the 20th century has witnessed a significant development that has renewed and stimulated the long passionate historical relationship between two great civilisations which are traditionally known as the West and the East. Following their ancestors who cultivated the quest for knowledge tradition, some Arab scholars have come to leading European countries to learn the latest advancement in knowledge. They did not expect they would be confronted with what seems to be the poor showing of their scientific and cultural heritage according to the assessment that was carried out in the previous century by Western scholars and historians. The Western study of the Eastern heritage had such influence that it has generated new Arab intellectual elite which blames the past for the present difficulties. Following the discovery of major scientific Arabic works in the second half of the 20th century, some Arab scholars like Ibrahim Madkour realised that they had in fact just misunderstood their own tradition. What is the source of their misunderstanding? How did they become aware of it? And how can a better understanding of the past change present attitudes and guide future actions? By attempting to provide some answers to such questions, the aim of this paper is to shed light on what seems to be a turning point in modern Arabic intellectual history.
Triangle-Tilings in Graphs Without Large Independent Sets
Authors: BALOGH JÓZSEF , McDOWELL ANDREW , MOLLA THEODORE , MYCROFT RICHARD
Published: May 2018

We study the minimum degree necessary to guarantee the existence of perfect and almost-perfect triangle-tilings in an n-vertex graph G with sublinear independence number. In this setting, we show that if δ(G) ≥ n/3 + o(n), then G has a triangle-tiling covering all but at most four vertices. Also, for every r ≥ 5, we asymptotically determine the minimum degree threshold for a perfect triangle-tiling under the additional assumptions that G is Kr-free and n is divisible by 3.
Afro-Latin America:A Special Teaching and Research Collection ofThe Americas
Authors: Bretones Lane Fernanda
Published: May 2018

In his introduction to a special issue ofThe Americasin 2006, Ben Vinson III noted how easily the history of Latin America had been dissociated from that of the African Diaspora. “When looking at the broad trajectory of historical writings on Latin America outside of the Caribbean and Brazil, it has long been possible to do Latin American history without referencing blackness or the African Diaspora.” A decade later, it is safe to say that the tables have turned. What were before scattered efforts to recognize black individuals' contributions to the history, culture, economy, and political developments of the region as a whole have evolved into a growing field meriting its own name: Afro-Latin American Studies. Born of the cross-pollination of scholarly debates that were previously disparate, the field of Afro-Latin American Studies has grown and developed in response to the rise of Black Studies and in connection to new realities in countries where Afro-descendants have pushed for social and economic equality.
Police Trauma and Rorschach Indicators
Authors: Pavšič Mrevlje Tinkara
Published: May 2018

Abstract. This study is the first to our knowledge to focus on posttraumatic symptomatology among crime scene investigators (CSIs) and explore its relationship with their personality functioning as measured by Rorschach. Considering that posttraumatic symptomatology can affect decision-making, which is of crucial importance in police work, police officers’ evaluations should include an assessment of trauma-related impairments.

The study was carried out on a sample of 64 male CSIs (85% of all Slovene CSIs). Posttraumatic symptomatology was found to be more frequent among CSIs than among the general population. Avoidance appears to be a predominant personality characteristic defending CSIs from emotionally overwhelming work situations. CSIs show less conventional, but still appropriate, cognitive mediation; however, a more detailed analysis indicates that the group with the highest posttraumatic symptomatology exhibits severely disrupted mediational processes, presumably because of negative affect.

Rorschach was found to be a suitable method for such assessments, particularly because it unfolds psychological functioning related to traumatic experience but not necessarily linked to symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder and not necessarily recognized by the traumatized individual.
Quality Evaluation of IGS GIMs Based on the Statistical Characteristics of VTEC/RMS Eigenvalues: A Macro Perspective
Authors: Liu Chen , Liu Changjian , Feng Xu , Quan Wei
Published: May 2018

With the expanded application scope of the International GNSS Service (IGS) global ionospheric maps (GIMs), it is of great theoretical significance and practical value to evaluate the quality of IGS ionospheric products. A new methodology is proposed to mosaic ionospheric grid maps, and GIMs‐based solutions for global ionosphere vertical total electron content (VTEC)/Root Mean Square (RMS) eigenvalues are put forward for subsequent quality assessment. Moreover, based on the proposed method and the strategy, it is the first time that the quality of IGS GIMs from a macro perspective is assessed using the extracted daily global maxima of ionosphere VTEC/RMS (1998–2016). The results show that there are some abnormal maxima values in the GIMs data between 1998 and 2004, while products from 2005 to 2016 are of relatively better quality and are suitable for use as follow‐up experimental data. In addition, we analyze the statistical characteristics of spatial and temporal distribution of GIMs‐based VTEC/RMS eigenvalues and the correlation between eigenvalues and solar activity, in order to verify the conformity between ionosphere physics characteristic and eigenvalues statistical properties which is for further data quality assessment of GIMs. By analyzing the spatial distribution of VTEC/RMS maxima and minima, we found that VTEC maxima are located on both sides of the geomagnetic equator and there is a “dual‐hump” phenomenon in the distribution, and VTEC minima are concentrated in the high latitudes, while RMS minima are distributed throughout the globe but RMS maxima in the low latitudes. Meanwhile, in terms of time distribution, VTEC maxima distribute mainly in the local time from 13:00 to 17:00, while VTEC minima are mainly at nighttime; for RMS, the maxima are mostly distributed in the daytime, while the minima are of a slightly higher distribution proportion at night than in the daytime. At the same time, it was found that the eigenvalues, except RMS minima, are strongly correlated with solar activity but there are lags of 2 to 3 days. Consequently, the above statistical characteristics of GIMs‐based VTEC/RMS eigenvalues are in conformity with ionospheric physics. It verifies the availability and reliability of GIMs from a macroscopic perspective and provides a favorable support for the further application and promotion of GIMs.
Impact of Hydraulic Redistribution on Multispecies Vegetation Water Use in a Semiarid Savanna Ecosystem: An Experimental and Modeling Synthesis
Authors: Lee Esther , Kumar Praveen , Barron‐Gafford Greg A. , Hendryx Sean M. , Sanchez‐Cañete Enrique P. , Minor Rebecca L. , Colella Tony , Scott Russell L.
Published: May 2018

A major challenge in critical zone science is to understand and predict the interaction between above‐ground and below‐ground ecohydrologic processes. One process that facilitates this connection is hydraulic redistribution, a phenomenon by which roots serve as preferential pathways for water movement from wet to dry soil layers. We use a multilayer canopy model in conjunction with experimental data to quantify the influence of hydraulic redistribution on ecohydrologic processes in order to characterize the competitive and facilitative interaction between mesquite trees and bunchgrasses in a semiarid savanna. Both measured and simulated results show that hydraulic descent dominates during the wet monsoon season, whereas hydraulic lift occurs between precipitation events. For 2015 year‐long simulation, we find about 17% of precipitation is absorbed as soil moisture, with the rest of the precipitation returning to the atmosphere as evapotranspiration. In the wet season, 13% of precipitation is transferred to deep soil (>1.5 m) through roots, and in the dry season, 9% of this redistributed water is then transported back to shallow soil depths (<0.5 m). Assuming water supplied through hydraulic redistribution is well‐mixed with moisture transported directly through the soil matrix and supports vegetation evapotranspiration, hydraulic redistribution supports 47% of mesquite transpiration and 9% of understory transpiration. Through modeling and experimental synthesis, this study demonstrates that in semiarid savanna ecosystems, mesquite exhibits a competitive advantage over understory bunchgrass through hydraulic redistribution. This analysis evaluates the relationship between two coexisting vegetation types that could be expanded to multiple vegetation species sharing resources in an ecosystem.
Effect of the Initial Shape of Coronal Mass Ejections on 3‐D MHD Simulations and Geoeffectiveness Predictions
Authors: Scolini C. , Verbeke C. , Poedts S. , Chané E. , Pomoell J. , Zuccarello F. P.
Published: May 2018

Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are the major space weather drivers, and an accurate modeling of their onset and propagation up to 1 AU represents a key issue for more reliable space weather forecasts. In this paper we use the newly developed EUropean Heliospheric FORecasting Information Asset (EUHFORIA) heliospheric model to test the effect of different CME shapes on simulation outputs. In particular, we investigate the notion of “spherical” CME shape, with the aim of bringing to the attention of the space weather community the great implications of the CME shape implementation details for simulation results and geoeffectiveness predictions. We take as case study an artificial Earth‐directed CME launched on 6 June 2008, corresponding to a period of quiet solar wind conditions near Earth. We discuss the implementation of the cone model used to inject the CME into the modeled ambient solar wind, running several simulations of the event and investigating the outputs in interplanetary space and at different spacecraft and planetary locations. We apply empirical relations to simulation outputs at L1 to estimate the expected CME geoeffectiveness in terms of the magnetopause stand‐off distance and the induced Kp index. Our analysis shows that talking about spherical CMEs is ambiguous unless one has detailed information on the implementation of the CME shape in the model. All the parameters specifying the CME shape in the model significantly affect simulation results at 1 AU as well as the predicted CME geoeffectiveness, confirming the pivotal role played by the shape implementation details in space weather forecasts.