bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of coronary heart disease risk assessments among individuals with metabolic syndrome using three diagnostic definitions: a cross-sectional study from China
Authors: Zhou Juan , Gao Qin , Wang Jun , Zhang Min , Ma Jianping , Wang Changyi , Chen Hongen , Peng Xiaolin , Hao Liping
Published: October 2018

Objective

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a notable risk factor of coronary heart disease (CHD). However, there are differences in the methods used to define MetS. The purpose of this study was to determine which MetS definition most fully reflects the 10-year probability of CHD based on the Framingham risk algorithm.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Data were obtained from the China Health and Nutrition Survey and the Influencing Factors of Chronic Diseases Survey conducted among residents of Nanshan District in Shenzhen, China.

Participants

In total, 1721 participants aged 20–80 years were included in this study.

Methods

MetS was diagnosed according to the criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program’s Adult Treatment Panel (revised NCEP-ATP III), the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the Chinese Diabetes Society (CDS). The NCEP-ATP III algorithm was used to calculate the Framingham risk score, and the Framingham risk score was used to define the probability of developing CHD within 10 years either as low (<6%), moderate (6%–10%), moderately high (10%–20%) or high (>20%). Chi-square tests with or without the Bonferroni correction were used to compare the differences in the distribution of the 10-year estimated risk of developing CHD among the three definitions.

Results

Compared with the other definitions, the revised NCEP-ATP III criteria identified more participants (30.96%, 95% CI 28.8% to 33.2%) as having MetS, while the CDS criteria showed the highest 10-year probability of developing CHD. The 10-year probability of developing CHD in the participants with MetS was significantly higher than that in the participants without MetS (CDS: χ2=157.65, revised ATP III: χ2=45.17, IDF: χ2=306.15, all p<0.001), and all definitions more fully reflect the CHD risk in men than in women (revised NCEP-ATP III: χ2=72.83; IDF: χ2=63.60; CDS: χ2=23.84; all p<0.001).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the differences in the prevalence and distribution of the 10-year estimated risk of developing CHD based on the definition of MetS. A significant finding of this study is that the MetS definitions have better performance for men than for women. Further studies in China, especially longitudinal studies, are needed to determine which definition of MetS is best suited for predicting CHD risk.
Benefits from using two receivers for interpretation of low-strain integrity tests on pipe piles
Authors: Liu Hao , Wu Wenbing , Jiang Guosheng , El Naggar M. Hesham , Mei Guoxiong , Liang Rongzhu
Published: October 2018

The double-velocity symmetrical superposition method (DVSSM), which consists of superimposing and averaging two synchronization signals measured at two symmetrical points of the neutral plane of flexural vibration (in an angle of 90°), is proposed to eliminate the high-frequency interference at the pipe pile head without increasing the predominant period of impact pulse. An analytical solution is derived using the transfer matrix method. The calculated responses from the developed solution are compared with the experimental results for different receiving radius angles to evaluate the effectiveness of the developed solution. A parametric study is also conducted to investigate the suitability of the DVSSM. The findings demonstrate that the high-frequency interference is caused by a combination of the flexural behavior of the pile cross section and the wave propagation along the pipe pile head. The flexural vibration mode comprises the primary component of the high-frequency interference, which can be eliminated through the DVSSM without increasing the predominant period of impact pulse. The DVSSM can serve as an efficient method to detect defects near the pile head with much higher detection accuracy than the conventional method.
Daily estimates reveal fine-scale temporal and spatial variation in fish survival across a stream network
Authors: Childress Evan S. , Nislow Keith H. , Whiteley Andrew R. , O’Donnell Matthew J. , Letcher Benjamin H.
Published: October 2018

Environmental drivers of population vital rates, such as temperature and precipitation, often vary at short time scales, and these fluctuations can have important impacts on population dynamics. However, relationships between survival and environmental conditions are typically modeled at coarse temporal scales, ignoring the role of daily environmental variation in survival. Our goal was to determine the importance of fine-scale temporal variation in survival to population dynamics of stream salmonids. We extended the Cormack–Jolly–Seber model to estimate daily survival rates from seasonal samples of individually marked brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in a stream network. Daily variation in temperature and flow were strongly associated with survival, but relationships varied between juvenile and adult trout and among streams. In all streams, juveniles had higher mortality in warm, low-flow conditions, but in the two larger streams, cold, high-flow conditions also reduced juvenile survival. Adult survival decreased during low flows, particularly in the fall spawning period. Differing survival responses among stream network components to short-term environmental events created shifts in optimal location for maximum survival across life stages, seasons, and years.
Identification of Hidden Sources by Estimating Instantaneous Causality in High-Dimensional Biomedical Time Series
Authors: Koutlis Christos , Kimiskidis Vasilios K. , Kugiumtzis Dimitris
Published: October 2018

The study of connectivity patterns of a system’s variables, such as multi-channel electroencephalograms (EEG), is of utmost importance towards a better understanding of its internal evolutionary mechanisms. Here, the problem of estimating the connectivity network from multivariate time series in the presence of prominent unobserved variables is addressed. The causality measure of partial mutual information from mixed embedding (PMIME), designed to estimate direct lag-causal effects in the presence of many observed variables, is adapted to estimate also zero-lag effects, the so-called instantaneous causality. We term the proposed advanced method, PMIME0. The estimation of instantaneous causality by PMIME0 is a signature of the presence of hidden source in the observed system, as demonstrated analytically in a toy model. It is further demonstrated that the PMIME0 identifies the true instantaneous with great accuracy in a variety of high-dimensional dynamical systems. The method is applied to EEG data with epileptiform discharges (EDs), and the results imply a strong impact of unobserved confounders during the EDs. This finding comes as a possible explanation for the increased levels of causality during epileptic seizures estimated by some measures affected by the presence of a common source.
A Mutual Subsidy Mechanism for a Seasonal Product Supply Chain Channel Under Double Price Regulation
Authors: Peng Hongjun , Pang Tao , Cao Fuliang , Zhao Juan
Published: October 2018

In this paper, we consider the decision-making and coordination mechanism of a seasonal product supply chain channel over a period consisting of a low season and a high season, where the price of the final product is strictly regulated, and the raw material is subject to a price cap regulation during the high season. The optimal decisions and profits under decentralized and centralized cases are derived for the low season and the high season. Our research indicates that, under the double price regulation, the manufacturer’s raw material order in the channel usually is not completely fulfilled during the high season and the order during the low season is usually small. Based on the results, we propose a mutual subsidy mechanism, in order to encourage the supplier to supply more raw material during the high season and to encourage the manufacturer to order more raw material during the low season.The theoretical results indicate that the mutual subsidy mechanism can effectively coordinate the seasonal product supply chain channel under the double price regulation, which is further verified by a numerical example. Moreover, the negotiation skills of the supplier and the manufacturer are also considered under the mutual subsidy mechanism, so that the spillover profit can be allocated on a win–win basis for both sides.
Modified Q-Based Real Frequency Design of Narrowband Impedance Equalizer with Complex Terminations
Authors: Şengül Metin , Yeşilyurt Gökmen
Published: October 2018

In this paper, real frequency design equations of narrowband impedance matching network with complex terminations are derived; which are used to design L, Pi and T type of networks. In the approach, there is no need to have termination models with component values, it is enough to have measurement values of termination impedances. A few examples are solved to exhibit the merits and application of the derived equations.
More on reverses of Minkowski’s inequalities and Hardy’s integral inequalities
Authors: Benaissa Bouharket
Published: October 2018

In 2012, Sulaiman [Reverses of Minkowski’s, Hölder’s, and Hardy’s integral inequalities, Int. J. Mod. Math. Sci. 1(1) (2012) 14–24] proved integral inequalities concerning reverses of Minkowski’s and Hardy’s inequalities. In 2013, Banyat Sroysang obtained a generalization of the reverse Minkowski’s inequality [More on reverses of Minkowski’s integral inequality, Math. Aeterna 3(7) (2013) 597–600] and the reverse Hardy’s integral inequality [A generalization of some integral inequalities similar to Hardy’s inequality, Math. Aeterna 3(7) (2013) 593–596]. In this article, two results are given. First one is further improvement of the reverse Minkowski inequality and second is further generalization of the integral Hardy inequality.
Novel perylene diimide acceptor for nonfullerene organic solar cells
Authors: Liang Yuming , Deng Ping , Wang Zhongtao , Guo Zhiyong , Lei Yanlian
Published: October 2018

Nonfullerene electron acceptor materials have gained enormous attention due to their potential as replacements of fullerene electron acceptors in bulk heterojunction organic solar cells. A novel thiophene bridged selenophene-containing perylene diimide acceptor PDISe-T has been synthesized and applied as an acceptor in nonfullerene organic photovoltaic cells. The inverted organic photovoltaic (OPV) solar cells based on PDISe-T:PBT7-Th (acceptor:donor) blends give a power conversion efficiency (PCE) value of 2.53% with an open-circuit voltage ([Formula: see text] of 0.92[Formula: see text]V, a [Formula: see text] of 6.55[Formula: see text]mA[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text], and a fill factor (FF) of 0.42.
Potential bioavailability assessment and distribution of heavy metal(oids) in cores from Portman Bay (SE, Spain)
Authors: García-Lorenzo Mari Luz , Pérez-Sirvent Carmen , Martínez-Sánchez María José , Molina-Ruiz José , Martínez Salvadora , Arroyo Xabier , Martinez-Martinez Lucia Belen , Bech Jaume
Published: October 2018

A total of 120 sediments from 12 cores of Portman Bay (SE Spain) were studied to assess the degree of contamination and ecological risk related to potentially toxic elements (PTEs) by combining a geochemical and mineralogical characterization with the assessment of the bioavailable forms of trace metals (As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb, Zn). With this purpose, sediment contamination was assessed by total and water-soluble content, and potential bioavailability by the simultaneously extracted metals and acid-volatile sulphides (SEM-AVS) approach, and by an oral bioaccessibility extraction procedure.

The sediments are essentially sandy (>80%). The most important minerals are: iron phases such as siderite, iron oxides and hydroxides and pyrite; clay minerals such as clinochlore, greenalite and biotite; and quartz. Occasionally, jarosite and carbonates (calcite and dolomite) appear. The total PTEs content is high whereas the sediments generally have a very low soluble PTE content.

The SEM/AVS ratio is less than unity in most samples, indicating that there is enough sulphur so that if there was a release of metals, they could precipitate as sulphides. After the bioaccessibility extraction, the results showed that zinc and cadmium are more bioaccessible in the intestinal environment (alkaline) while the rest of the elements have greater availability in the stomach (acid).

Supplementary material:
values of pH (1:1 extract) and concentration of different metals and arsenic in the sediments studied is available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.4272176
Where did I leave my keys?
Authors: Checkoway Stephen , Maskiewicz Jacob , Garman Christina , Fried Joshua , Cohney Shaanan , Green Matthew , Heninger Nadia , Weinmann Ralf-Philipp , Rescorla Eric , Shacham Hovav
Published: October 2018

In December 2015, Juniper Networks announced multiple security vulnerabilities stemming from unauthorized code in ScreenOS, the operating system for their NetScreen Virtual Private Network (VPN) routers. The more sophisticated of these vulnerabilities was a passive VPN decryption capability, enabled by a change to one of the parameters used by the Dual Elliptic Curve (EC) pseudorandom number generator.

In this paper, we described the results of a full independent analysis of the ScreenOS randomness and VPN key establishment protocol subsystems, which we carried out in response to this incident. While Dual EC is known to be insecure against an attacker who can choose the elliptic curve parameters, Juniper had claimed in 2013 that ScreenOS included countermeasures against this type of attack. We find that, contrary to Juniper's public statements, the ScreenOS VPN implementation has been vulnerable to passive exploitation by an attacker who selects the Dual EC curve point since 2008. This vulnerability arises due to flaws in Juniper's countermeasures as well as a cluster of changes that were all introduced concurrently with the inclusion of Dual EC in a single 2008 release. We demonstrate the vulnerability on a real NetScreen device by modifying the firmware to install our own parameters, and we show that it is possible to passively decrypt an individual VPN session in isolation without observing any other network traffic. This incident is an important example of how guidelines for random number generation, engineering, and validation can fail in practice. Additionally, it casts further doubt on the practicality of designing a safe "exceptional access" or "key escrow" scheme of the type contemplated by law enforcement agencies in the United States and elsewhere.
Association of wrist and ambient temperature with cold-induced brown adipose tissue and skeletal muscle [18F]FDG uptake in young adults
Authors: Martinez-Tellez Borja , Xu Huiwen , Sanchez-Delgado Guillermo , Acosta Francisco M. , Rensen Patrick C. N. , Llamas-Elvira Jose M. , Ruiz Jonatan R.
Published: October 2018

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) activity is influenced by the outdoor temperature variation. However, people spend most of their time indoors, especially in colder regions and during cold seasons. Therefore, outdoor temperature is probably not an accurate tool to quantify the exposure of the participants before BAT quantification. We studied the association of wrist and personal environmental temperatures with cold-induced BAT and skeletal muscle [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG) uptake in adults. A total of 74 participants wore two iButtons during 7 days to measure wrist temperature (WT) and personal level of environmental temperature (Personal-ET). Thereafter, we performed a 2-h personalized cooling protocol before performing an [18F]FDG-PET/CT scan. WT was negatively associated with BAT volume ( R2 = 0.122; P = 0.002) and BAT activity [standardized uptake value (SUV)peak, R2 = 0.083; P = 0.012]. Moreover, Personal-ET was negatively associated with BAT volume ( R2 = 0.164; P < 0.001), BAT activity (SUVmean and SUVpeak, all R2 ≥ 0.167; P < 0.001), and skeletal muscle activity (SUVpeak, R2 = 0.122; P = 0.002). Interestingly, the time exposed to a certain Personal-ET (16–20°C) positively correlated only with [18F]FDG uptake by BAT (volume and activity; all P ≤ 0.05), whereas the time exposed to 12–15°C positively correlated only with measures of [18F]FDG uptake by skeletal muscle activity (all P ≤ 0.05). This study shows that WT and Personal-ET are associated with [18F]FDG uptake by BAT and skeletal muscle activity in adults within certain temperature thresholds. Moreover, our results suggest that [18F]FDG uptake by human BAT or skeletal muscle can be activated or inhibited in different ranges of ambient temperatures exposures. Results should be taken with caution because the observed associations were relatively weak.
A Study on a Secure USB Mechanism That Prevents the Exposure of Authentication Information for Smart Human Care Services
Authors: Lee Kyungroul , Oh Insu , Lee Yeunsu , Lee Hyeji , Yim Kangbin , Seo Jungtaek
Published: October 2018

The secure USB flash drive was developed to improve the security of the conventional USB flash drive, which is vulnerable to leakages of internally stored data caused by extortion, loss, etc. However, it has been continuously reported that the secure USB flash drive, which protects data through the adoption of a wide range of security technologies in wide-ranging ways, cannot assure data security because of implementation and environmental vulnerabilities, eavesdropping, unlock commands, and reverse engineering. As such, there is growing demand for a more powerful secure USB flash drive to solve these fundamental problems. Therefore, this paper presents a secure USB mechanism that prevents leakages of authentication data and does not compare authentication data for smart human care services, which have been a fundamental problem of existing flash drives. The proposed mechanism provides better security than the existing secure USB flash drive by satisfying the need for confidentiality, integrity, authentication, and access control and safely protecting data from impersonation, man-in-the-middle, replay, and eavesdropping attacks by malicious attackers. An assessment of its security using the formalized verification tool AVISPA has proved that it is safe. Therefore, it is considered that a safer, more secure USB flash drive can be manufactured using the mechanism proposed in this paper.
Error Source Analysis and Precision Assessment of Limit Equilibrium Methods for Rock Slopes
Authors: An Xiaofan , Li Ning , Zhang Peng , Sun Wenbo
Published: October 2018

The approximate assumptions of limit equilibrium methods are the fundamental cause of the deviation between their calculation results and actual situation. This study proposes a new finite‐element evaluation method to reflect the progressive failure characteristics of rock slopes. By comparing the results of limit equilibrium and finite‐element methods, the influence factors of stability for planar landslides are systematically studied. The factors include the plastic parameters of sliding surfaces in progressive failure, the elastic parameters of sliding mass, the elastic deformation of sliding beds, and excavation stress release. Moreover, the stress distribution rules on sliding surfaces and the diversity of safety factors are explored. Finally, the error source and calculation accuracy of the limit equilibrium method in slope analysis are obtained. The study provides scientific references for analyzing and evaluating the stability of such slopes.
Complex Immune Contextures Characterise Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma: Loss of Adaptive Immunological Signature in the More Aggressive Histological Types
Authors: Tazzari Marcella , Brich Silvia , Tuccitto Alessandra , Bozzi Fabio , Beretta Valeria , Spagnuolo Rosalin D. , Negri Tiziana , Stacchiotti Silvia , Deraco Marcello , Baratti Dario , Camisaschi Chiara , Villa Antonello , Vergani Barbara , Rivoltini Licia , Pilotti Silvana , Castelli Chiara
Published: October 2018

Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MpM), arising in the setting of local inflammation, is a rare aggressive tumour with a poor prognosis and limited therapeutic options. The three major MpM histological variants, epithelioid (E-MpMs), biphasic, and sarcomatoid MpMs (S-MpMs), are characterised by an increased aggressiveness and enhanced levels of EZH2 expression. To investigate the MpM immune contexture along the spectrum of MpM histotypes, an extended in situ analysis was performed on a series of 14 cases. Tumour-infiltrating immune cells and their functionality were assessed by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, and flow cytometry analysis. MpMs are featured by a complex immune landscape modulated along the spectrum of MpM variants. Tumour-infiltrating T cells and evidence for pre-existing antitumour immunity are mainly confined to E-MpMs. However, Th1-related immunological features are progressively impaired in the more aggressive forms of E-MpMs and completely lost in S-MpM. Concomitantly, E-MpMs show also signs of active immune suppression, such as the occurrence of Tregs and Bregs and the expression of the immune checkpoint inhibitory molecules PD1 and PDL1. This study enriches the rising rationale for immunotherapy in MpM and points to the E-MpMs as the most immune-sensitive MpM histotypes, but it also suggests that synergistic interventions aimed at modifying the tumour microenvironment (TME) should be considered to make immunotherapy beneficial for these patients.
A Novel Energy Management Strategy for Series Hybrid Electric Rescue Vehicle
Authors: Li Pei , Yan Jun , Tu Qunzhang , Pan Ming , Xue Jinhong
Published: October 2018

The performance and fuel consumption of hybrid electric vehicle heavily depend on the EMS (energy management strategy). This paper presents a novel EMS for a series hybrid electric rescue vehicle. Firstly, considering the working characteristics of engine and battery, the EMS combining logic threshold and fuzzy control is proposed. Secondly, a fuzzy control optimization method based on IQGA (improved quantum genetic algorithm) is designed to achieve better fuel efficiency. Then, the modeling and simulation are completed by using MATLAB/Simulink; the results demonstrate that the fuel consumption can be decreased by 5.17% after IQGA optimization and that the optimization effect of IQGA is better than that of GA (genetic algorithm) and QGA (quantum genetic algorithm). Finally, the HILS (hardware in loop simulation) platform is constructed with dSPACE; the HILS experiment shows that the proposed EMS can effectively improve the vehicle working efficiency, which can be applied to practical application.
Relative Pose and Inertia Determination of Unknown Satellite Using Monocular Vision
Authors: Ivanov Danil , Ovchinnikov Mikhail , Sakovich Marianna
Published: October 2018

The paper proposes a two-stage algorithm for autonomous relative motion determination of noncooperative and unknown object flying in space. The algorithm is based on image processing and can be applied to motion determination of space debris with unknown geometry and dynamic characteristics. The first stage of the algorithm is aimed at forming a database of possible reference points of the object during continuous observation. Tensor of inertia, initial velocity, and angular velocity of the object are also estimated. Then, these parameters are used in the second stage of the algorithm to determine the relative motion in real time. The algorithm is studied numerically and tested using the video of the Chibis-M microsatellite separation.
Acute Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction due to Anti-P1: A Case Report and Review of Institutional Experience
Authors: Smith Debra , Aye Thandar , Er Lay See , Nester Theresa , Delaney Meghan
Published: October 2018

Background: Here we report a case of acute hemolytic transfusion reaction (HTR) due to anti-P1 and review our institutional database for prevalence of anti-P1 antibodies and frequency of anti-P1-mediated HTR. Anti-P1 antibodies, reported to be present in up to two-thirds of P2 individuals, are usually clinically insignificant. However, rare cases of acute HTR due to anti-P1 are reported. Case Report: We report the clinical and laboratory features of a mild acute HTR due to an IgM anti-P1 not detected by a routinely used antibody screening method. We reviewed our institutional database to investigate prevalence of anti-P1 antibodies identified in our patient population and frequency of HTR in patients with anti-P1. Results: Analysis of RBC transfusion recipient data over the 10-year period from 2006 to 2015 showed prevalence of anti-P1 identified in our laboratory of 174 per 100,000 individuals. Frequency of HTR in patients with anti-P1 identified in our laboratory over a 10-year period was 1 in 1,429 RBC transfusions (0.07%). Conclusion: Our reported case of HTR mediated by IgM anti-P1 reactive at 37 °C confirms the potential of antibody screening methods designed to detect IgG antibodies to miss rare clinically significant IgM antibodies.
Evaluation of Diagnostic Tests by Evanescence Biosensor Technology for Rapid Phenotyping of the Human Platelet Alloantigens 1a and 5b
Authors: Merieux Yves , Schwab Celestine , Saint-Cyr Maurine , Rink Gabi , Rhyner Claudio , Schawaller Manfred , Bugert Peter
Published: October 2018

Background: The human platelet alloantigens (HPA) HPA-1a and HPA-5b are located on glycoproteins on the platelet surface and are the most relevant to cause neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (NAIT). The antigens are defined by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the glycoprotein genes, and the antigen status can be determined by genotyping the SNPs. However, genotyping is time-consuming and costly depending on the method and sample throughput. Here, we tested the reliability of the evanescence wave based fluorescence (EVA) biosensor technology for the rapid phenotyping of the HPA-1a and HPA-5b antigens on blood donor samples in two laboratories. Methods: HPA-1a and HPA-5b phenotyping was performed on EDTA blood samples from 336 blood donors (Lyon: 216 donors; Mannheim: 120 donors) using EVA typing assays and the biosensor system (Davos Diagnostics, Davos, Switzerland). For genotyping, validated PCR-SSP and TaqMan-PCR methods were used. Results: HPA-1a phenotyping was positive for all samples with HPA-1aa (n = 244; EVA value 807 ± 167 U/s) and HPA-1ab (n = 82; 542 ± 110 U/s) genotypes. All samples (n = 10) with negative EVA values (<10 U/s) had the HPA-1bb genotype. HPA-5b phenotyping was negative for all HPA-5aa genotypes (n = 267) and positive for the HPA-5ab (n = 66; 83 ± 22 U/s) and HPA-5bb (n = 3; 118 ± 25 U/s) genotypes. EVA values from heterozygotes were significantly lower compared to HPA-1a or HPA-5b homozygotes. A strong correlation of the EVA values with the platelet count in the blood samples was observed. Conclusion: EVA is a reliable method for rapid phenotyping of the clinically relevant HPA-1a and HPA-5b platelet antigens. All phenotyping results were 100% concordant with the HPA-1 or HPA-5 genotype. The test can be performed from only 10 µl of fresh or frozen blood samples within less than 15 min time-to-result.
RMB Bloc in East Asia: Too Early to Talk About It?
Authors: Kim Chang Sik , Kim Sunghyun , Wang Yunjong
Published: October 2018

This paper investigates whether the Chinese RMB has become more influential (than the U.S. dollar) in determining the exchange rates of East Asian currencies in recent years. We use a regression method with time-varying coefficients to trace changes in coefficients over time. The empirical results show that the RMB's effects on East Asian currencies were near zero before 2008, but since then have significantly increased and taken over the role of the U.S. dollar in some countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines). In Singapore and Thailand, the RMB is still a non-factor. South Korea shows an interesting pattern, in that the role of the RMB swings over time, with an increase in the past couple of years. We conjecture that the trade share with China has a positive influence on the role of the RMB. In conclusion, given the small absolute value of the regression coefficient on RMB, although the RMB has attained a more significant status in the currency market, it is too early to talk about the creation of an RMB bloc in East Asia.
Reading ʿAttār’s Elāhināma as Sufi Practical Ethics: Between Genre, Reception, and Muslim and Christian Audiences
Authors: Dabiri Ghazzal
Published: October 2018

This paper seeks to contribute to the field of reception and audience studies by analyzing ʿAttār’sElāhināma. Little studied, theElāhināmaoffers an opportunity to understand better ʿAttār’s attitudes towards socio-religious issues, as well as the types of audiences that the text seeks, how it addresses them, and what possible aims it has. The paper argues that theElāhināmamobilizes the formal characteristics of practical ethics and mirrors while disrupting them at the level of meaning towards its own aims, namely, a just society grounded in the tenets of Sufism, for a broad, non-specialized audience, which also includes Christians and Muslims. The paper analyzes and discusses not only the structure of the overall text, but also the first story, the “Tale of the Virtuous Woman,” which sets the tone. This story is an interesting case since it resembles the way that lives of female Byzantine Christian saints are constructed. It thus offers an opportunity to comment on the itinerant nature of narratives across Eurasia and more specifically the types of tales circulating in medieval eastern Iran.
Getting to Know the Enemy: Hospitaller Malta’s Intelligence Network in the Early Seventeenth Century
Authors: Grech Ivan
Published: October 2018

In 1530 the Knights Hospitallers were granted the Maltese islands by Charles V. The administration of an archipelago on the Mediterranean war frontier required constant knowledge on the enemy. This article reconstructs Hospitaller Malta’s principal intelligence collection and transmission channels during the seventeenth century, particularly during the magistracy of Alof de Wignacourt from 1601 to 1622, two important decades of infrastructural changes for the archipelago. These specialised communication channels allowed Malta to carve out a special place for itself within the Habsburg-Ottoman rivalry and, in a way, contributed to the gestation period which saw the island evolve from a medieval Spanish fief into an early modern state.
Desperation, Hopelessness, and Suicide: An Initial Consideration of Self-Murder by Slaves in Seventeenth-Century Crimean Society
Authors: Yaşa Fırat
Published: October 2018

Suicide, a new issue in Crimean social history research, has not been dealt with in terms of the status of free persons and slaves. It is difficult to find reliable and detailed primary source about slaves’ private lives and their expectations apart from some cases which focus on slaves as merchandise to be bought and sold, and examples of their release and escape. However, the Crimean Shari’a court records, which recently became available, provide researchers with such information on slaves as well as some incidental information on many topics such as their living conditions, their hopes for release, and reasons for their suicide. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the impact of society on slave suicides by examining the Shari’a court records of the Crimean Khanate from 1650 to 1675.
Some nivicolous species of Lamproderma and Meriderma from the Himalayan Mountains of northwestern India
Authors: MORENO GABRIEL , VILLALBA ANGELA LÓPEZ , CASTILLO AURELIO , STEPHENSON STEVEN L.
Published: October 2018

A detailed morphological examination of 12 specimens representing seven species in the genera Lamproderma and Meriderma collected from snowbank habitats in the Himalayan Mountains in northwestern India was carried out. Two of the specimens are described herein as Lamproderma spinisporum, a species new to science. In addition, the material from northwestern India is compared with other similar taxa belonging to the genus Lamproderma. Light microscope photographs and scanning electron micrographs of the most representative morphological characters are provided.
Geometric morphometry of the head in sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae), an alternative approach to taxonomy studies
Authors: GODOY RODRIGO ESPÍNDOLA , SHIMABUKURO PALOMA HELENA FERNANDES , DOS SANTOS THIAGO VASCONCELOS , PESSOA FELIPE ARLEY COSTA , DA CUNHA ALDA EUNICE FARIAS LOBATO , SANTOS FABRÍCIO KÁSSIO MOURA , VILELA MAURÍCIO LUIZ , RANGEL ELIZABETH FERREIRA , GALATI EUNICE APARECIDA BIANCHI
Published: October 2018

Almost 30% of female American sand flies are morphologically indistinguishable from one another. These females belong to species-complexes or groups with closely related species, making species-level identification difficult or even impossible. This fact has implications for public health since several of these groups include species which are vectors of human pathogens. Thus, new tools are needed to minimize species-level identification problems. In this context, our research sought to use geometric morphometry in the study of the head of females of closely related species of the genus Psychodopygus, Chagasi series, which includes the following species: P. chagasi, P. complexus, P. squamiventris maripaensis, P. squamiventris squamiventris, and P. wellcomei. We have used ten landmarks distributed on the head of these species. All species were clearly distinguished using the centroid size and shape together. These results highlight the head analysis as an effective tool for future geometric morphometry studies in sand flies.
Education Backgrounds of TV Weathercasters
Authors: Green Thomas A. , Schreck Carl J. , Johnson Nathan S. , Heath Sonya Stevens
Published: October 2018

In the early days of television, most weathercasters lacked formal training in meteorology and instead relied on forecasts from other sources. Over the decades, degreed meteorologists became more common. A third category has recently emerged: people with certificates in broadcast meteorology from Mississippi State University (MSU). This certification and the related broadcast meteorology degrees from MSU provide weathercasters with an understanding of meteorology without advanced calculus or differential equations. This study makes no judgment on how a weathercaster’s education background might affect their on-air presentations but notes these courses are required by most guidelines for meteorological degrees, as well as the American Meteorological Society's Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM) program.

This study conducts a unique survey of television meteorologists using the education history listed on their station's website or LinkedIn. The backgrounds of 421 meteorologists were examined with the equivalent of a 94% response rate. Overall, 21% had a broadcast meteorology degree or certification from MSU, 64% had a traditional meteorology degree from MSU or another institution, 2% minored in meteorology or had military training, and 12% listed no or a partial education background in the field. Another way of viewing the data is that the MSU broadcast program alone has nearly as many graduates as the four largest traditional programs combined in our sample. These results were further broken down for various subsets of weathercasters, resulting in statistically significant variations by market size, region, ownership group, and gender.
Atypical Form of Cervicofacial Actinomycosis Involving the Skull Base and Temporal Bone
Authors: McCann Adam , Alvi Sameer A. , Newman Jessica , Kakarala Kiran , Staecker Hinrich , Chiu Alexander , Villwock Jennifer A.
Published: October 2018

Background:

Cervicofacial actinomycosis is an uncommon indolent infection caused by Actinomyces spp that typically affects individuals with innate or adaptive immunodeficiencies. Soft tissues of the face and neck are most commonly involved. Actinomyces osteomyelitis is uncommon; involvement of the skull base and temporal bone is exceedingly rare. The authors present a unique case of refractory cervicofacial actinomycosis with development of skull base and temporal bone osteomyelitis in an otherwise healthy individual.

Methods:

Case report with literature review.

Results:

A 69-year-old man presented with a soft tissue infection, culture positive for Actinomyces, over the right maxilla. Previous unsuccessful treatment included local debridement and 6 weeks of intravenous ceftriaxone. He was subsequently treated with conservative debridement and a prolonged course of intravenous followed by oral antibiotic. However, he eventually required multiple procedures, including maxillectomy, pterygopalatine fossa debridement, and a radical mastoidectomy to clear his disease. Postoperatively he was gradually transitioned off intravenous antibiotics.

Conclusions:

Cervicofacial actinomycosis involves soft tissue surrounding the facial skeleton and oral cavity and is typically associated with a history of mucosal trauma, surgery, or immunodeficiency. The patient was appropriately treated but experienced disease progression and escalation of therapy. Although actinomycosis is typically not an aggressive bacterial infection, this case illustrates the need for prompt recognition of persistent disease and earlier surgical intervention in cases of recalcitrant cervicofacial actinomycosis. Chronic actinomycosis has the potential for significant morbidity.
Risky facilities: Analysis of illegal recreational fishing in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Australia
Authors: Weekers Damian P , Zahnow Renee
Published: October 2018

This paper extends criminological interpretations of risky facilities to focus on how illegal fishing is concentrated in a small number of places in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park in Australia. Testing the applicability of the general hypothesis of risky facilities – that crime is highly concentrated among certain people, places and things – the results demonstrate that the spatial distribution of poaching in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park reflects previous environmental criminology studies which show that crime is concentrated in a small number of places. Poaching risk increases in no-take zones which share a number of homogenous characteristics that also attract legitimate routine activity. Our findings lend support to the emerging environmental criminology literature which examines wildlife crime through the lens of opportunity. Such an approach provides conservation practitioners with an established framework for developing prevention-based compliance management strategies in marine protected areas.
Diagnostic Value of Procalcitonin for Bacterial Meningitis in Children: A Comparison Analysis Between Serum and Cerebrospinal Fluid Procalcitonin Levels
Authors: Zhang Li , Ma Lan , Zhou Xianghong , Meng Jinhua , Wen Jie , Huang Rui , Gao Ting , Xu Lijun , Zhu Lei
Published: October 2018

The aim of this study was to analyze and compare procalcitonin (PCT) levels in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) as tools for detecting bacterial meningitis (BM) in children. Serum and CSF PCT levels as well as albumin index (AI = CSF albumin/serum albumin × 1000) were measured from 29 BM, 25 viral meningitis (VM), and 47 non-meningitis patients. Differences between groups only for CSF PCT were significant. A stronger positive correlation between CSF PCT level and AI was observed in the BM patients ( R = 0.68, P < .001). As a predictor of BM, the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve for CSF PCT was greater than that of serum PCT (0.76 vs 0.67, P < .05) and a cutoff of ⩾0.085 ng/mL achieved 55.17% sensitivity and 95.83% specificity. High levels of CSF PCT may indicate loss of integrity of the blood-brain barrier; only CSF PCT has a diagnostic value for BM in children suspected meningitis.
Psychiatrists’ views on different types of advance statements in mental health care in Germany
Authors: Gieselmann Astrid , Simon Alfred , Vollmann Jochen , Schöne-Seifert Bettina
Published: October 2018

Background:

Advance directives enable patients to ensure that treatment decisions will be based on their autonomous will, even if they are incompetent at the time at which the treatment decision is taken. Although psychiatric advance directives are legally binding in Germany and their benefits are widely acknowledged, they are still infrequently used in German psychiatric practice.

Aims:

The aim of this study is to assess psychiatrists’ attitudes toward the use of advance statements in mental health care.

Methods:

A postal survey of psychiatrists in Germany was carried out to examine their views on advance statements in psychiatry. The survey addressed psychiatrists’ experiences of and attitudes toward different types of advance statements, including psychiatric advance statements written by patients without any specific assistance, and joint crisis plans ( ‘Behandlungsvereinbarungen’), where involvement of the clinical team is required. A total of 396 responded.

Results:

Results suggest that generally speaking, respondents held favorable views on joint crisis plans for mental health care. In all, 80.7% of participants agreed that more frequent use of joint crisis plans in clinical practice would be desirable. However, clinicians’ attitudes differ largely depending on the type of advance statement. Implications for the use of advance statements in psychiatry are discussed.

Conclusion:

The findings suggest that increasing the support structures available to train physicians and inform patients could lead to increased adoption of advance statements.
Language Diversity, Nonnative Accents, and Their Consequences at the Workplace: Recommendations for Individuals, Teams, and Organizations
Authors: Kim Regina , Roberson Loriann , Russo Marcello , Briganti Paola
Published: October 2018

As the workplace is becoming increasingly global, organizations are employing more persons who work in a nonnative language. Moreover, challenges in communication between employees with different linguistic background is inevitable in international mergers and acquisitions, and failure to recognize and address these challenges can create major obstacles to achieving effective integration benefits. Thus, it is imperative for global leaders and managers to understand the effects of language diversity on intraorganizational dynamics. The purpose of this article is to (1) examine the cognitive and affective experiences of both native and nonnative English speakers when they interact with one another and illustrate how language diversity can affect intergroup dynamics in organizations and (2) provide recommendations and interventions to global leaders and managers on how to create a productive and inclusive environment for both native and nonnative language-speaking employees at the individual, team, and organizational level.
Making Sense of Family Deaths in Urban Senegal: Diversities, Contexts, and Comparisons
Authors: McCarthy Jane Ribbens , Evans Ruth , Bowlby Sophie , Wouango Joséphine
Published: October 2018

Despite calls for cross-cultural research, Minority world perspectives still dominate death and bereavement studies, emphasizing individualized emotions and neglecting contextual diversities. In research concerned with contemporary African societies, on the other hand, death and loss are generally subsumed within concerns about AIDS or poverty, with little attention paid to the emotional and personal significance of a death. Here, we draw on interactionist sociology to present major themes from a qualitative study of family deaths in urban Senegal, theoretically framed through the duality of meanings-in-context. Such themes included family and community as support and motivation; religious beliefs and practices as frameworks for solace and (regulatory) meaning; and material circumstances as these are intrinsically bound up with emotions. Although we identify the experience of (embodied, emotional) pain as a common response across Minority and Majority worlds, we also explore significant divergencies, varying according to localized contexts and broader power dynamics.
Religious urbanism in Singapore: Competition, commercialism and compromise in the search for space
Authors: Woods Orlando
Published: October 2018

This article explores the recursive relationship between religious praxis and urban environments. It advances the concept of ‘religious urbanism’ to show how urban environments play an active role in shaping the praxis of religion, and how religious groups adopt secular logics in response to the pressures of urban environments. Such logics have given rise to new, more pragmatic forms of spatial reproduction that lead to the desecularisation of space. Desecularisation involves religious groups diminishing the secular properties of space, rather than attempting to achieve any lasting notion of sacredness. Drawing on the restrictive religio-spatial context of Singapore, I demonstrate how fast-growing religious groups are forced to compete, commercialise, and compromise in order to acquire space. Combined, these factors have come to define religious urbanism in Singapore, and highlight the gulf between the planning and praxis of religion in urban environments.
Intellectual Humility and Incentivized Belief
Authors: Dunnington Kent
Published: October 2018

Despite disagreement about what is fundamental or necessary to intellectual humility, there is broad agreement that intellectual humility will bear on the higher-order epistemic attitudes one takes towards one’s beliefs (and other doxastic attitudes). Intellectually humble people tend not to under- or overstate the epistemic strength of their doxastic attitudes. This article shows how incentivized beliefs—beliefs that are held partly for pragmatic reasons—present a test case for intellectual humility. Intellectually humble persons will adopt ambivalent higher-order epistemic attitudes towards their incentivized beliefs. This is important for institutions that incentivize belief with material or social rewards, such as religious institutions that require orthodoxy for membership. The article argues that such institutions cannot simultaneously incentivize orthodox belief and enjoin conviction about such beliefs, unless they are willing to reject intellectual humility as a virtue.
Energy consumption and modelling of the climate control system in the electric vehicle
Authors: Doyle Aisling , Muneer Tariq
Published: October 2018

With the introduction of electric vehicles in the automobile market, limited information is available on how the battery’s energy consumption is distributed. This paper focuses on the energy consumption of the vehicle when the heating and cooling system is in operation. On average, 18 and 14% for the battery’s energy capacity is allocated to heating and cooling requirements, respectively. The conventional internal combustion engine vehicle uses waste heat from its engine to provide for passenger thermal requirements at no cost to the vehicle’s propulsion energy demands. However, the electric vehicle cannot avail of this luxury to recycle waste heat. In order to reduce the energy consumed by the climate control system, an analysis of the temperature profile of a vehicle’s cabin space under various weather conditions is required. The present study presents a temperature predicting algorithm to predict temperature under various weather conditions. Previous studies have limited consideration to the fluctuation of solar radiation space heating to a vehicle’s cabin space. This model predicts solar space heating with a mean bias error and root mean square error of 0.26 and 0.57°C, respectively. This temperature predicting model can potentially be developed with further research to predict the energy required by the vehicle’s primary lithium-ion battery to heat and cool the vehicle’s cabin space. Thus, this model may be used in a route planning application to reduce range anxiety when drivers undertake a journey under various ambient weather conditions while optimising the energy consumption of the electric vehicle.