bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Three‐Dimensional Numerical Investigation of Dynamic Fracture Characteristics of Rock Specimens with Preexisting Surface Flaws
Authors: Qian XiKun , Liang ZhengZhao , Liao ZhiYi
Published: October 2018

FEM‐based numerical investigation was conducted to investigate the fracture characteristics of heterogeneous rocks with preexisting surface flaws under dynamic loadings. Different types of cracks from initiation to coalescence of the specimen with a single flaw were reproduced in numerical tests, which were very highly agreed with experimental results. Numerical testing on specimens with a single flaw demonstrated that the crack behaviors, including its path, length, and cracking velocity, were significantly different on the surface of and inside the rock specimen. In addition, the higher the incident pressure level applied, the longer the cracking distance propagated; the more the AE count is, the larger the AE energy released and the greater the fragmentized. Furthermore, the cutting depth of flaw could significantly affect crack propagation patterns and AE characteristics. When the cutting depth of flaw is equal to the thickness of the specimen, there would be no shell‐like crack emerged. Subsequently, testing results of the multi‐preexisting flaws indicated that the surface flaws on the specimen made the crack initiation and coalescence behaviors more complicated. The coalescence between flaw tips is not easy, and the coalescence of preexisting flaws needs two or multiple cracks to achieve. The coalescence points occurred not only in the preexisting flaw but also in the trajectory of the wing cracks and antiwing cracks. The accumulative AE energy and AE counts are positively correlated with the amounts of preexisting flaws. Finally, crack evolution under dynamic and static loading was compared. Short tensile cracks are found to be the most common crack type, which are responsible for specimen failure. These findings could give a better explanation on the crack initiation and propagation of rock specimen with preexisting flaw, which is the phenomenon that has not been observed in many dynamic experiments.
InVivoMolecular Ultrasound Assessment of Glioblastoma Neovasculature with Endoglin-Targeted Microbubbles
Authors: Liu Cheng , Yan Fei , Xu Yajie , Zheng Hairong , Sun Lei
Published: October 2018

Objectives. Glioblastoma, as one of the most malignant cancer in the world, usually shows substantially increased angiogenesis. Endoglin (CD105), which is an alternative proangiogenic growth factor, has been remarkably upregulated on the proliferating glioblastoma neovasculature. However, little is known on the noninvasive assessment of the expression levels of CD105 during glioblastoma progression. Herein, we investigated the potential of the molecular ultrasound imaging for the noninvasive assessment of the expression levels of the biomarker CD105 during the glioblastoma progression.Materials and Methods. The CD105-targeted perfluorocarbon-containing lipid-shelled microbubbles (MBs) were prepared. A parallel flow chamber was employed, in which the CD105-targeted and non-targeted MBs were tested across the CD105 ± expression cell lines.In vivomolecular US imaging was conducted based on a subcutaneous xenograft tumor model (n=9). Finally, the statistical analysis was conducted to quantitatively correlate the attachment numbers of MBs in the parallel flow chamber test with the CD105 expression levels of the cells in the flow cytometry test and thein vivomolecular ultrasound signals with theex vivoexpression levels of CD105 in the immunohistochemical test.Results and Discussion. The attachment numbers of the CD105-targeted MBs significantly correlated with the CD105 expression levels of the cells in the parallel flow chamber test. There was a good correlation between thein vivomolecular ultrasound signals with the CD105-targeted MBs and theex vivoexpression levels of CD105 in the immunohistochemical test. The results indicate that the molecular US imaging is much potential to assess the progression of the glioblastoma neovasculature noninvasively.
Partial Contact of a Rigid Multisinusoidal Wavy Surface with an Elastic Half-Plane
Authors: Tsukanov Ivan Y.
Published: October 2018

The interaction effects, arising at partial contact of rigid multisinusoidal wavy surface with an elastic half-plane, are considered in the assumption of continuous contact configuration. The analytical exact and asymptotic solutions for periodic and nonperiodic contact problems for wavy indenters are derived. Continuous contact configuration, appearing at small ratios of amplitude to wavelength for cosine harmonics, leads to continuous oscillatory contact pressure distribution and oscillatory relations between mean pressure and a contact length. Comparison of periodic and nonperiodic solutions shows that long-range elastic interaction between asperities does not depend on a number of cosine wavelengths.
Terminal Guidance with Attack Time and Impact Angle Constraints for Hypersonic Vehicle in Dive Phase
Authors: Li Zhao-ting , Zhang Hong-bo
Published: October 2018

The terminal guidance problem of hypersonic gliding missiles under multiple constraints was considered regarding a coordinated attack in time and space. In this paper, a three-dimensional terminal guidance method based on the real-time updating of parameters is proposed with consideration to the attack time and terminal angle. By this method, the three-dimensional motion was decomposed into the horizontal and vertical plane. In each plane, a real-time solution of the optimal trajectory yielded angle commands that satisfied the terminal angle constraints. Additionally, the time was controlled by changing the flight path angle in the front section of the vertical plane. The results obtained by numerical simulation indicated the good applicability and robustness of this method.
Thermodynamics of Various Entropies in Specific Modified Gravity with Particle Creation
Authors: Jawad Abdul , Rani Shamaila , Rafique Salman
Published: October 2018

We consider the particle creation scenario in the dynamical Chern-Simons modified gravity in the presence of perfect fluid equation of state p=(γ-1)ρ. By assuming various modified entropies (Bekenstein entropy logarithmic entropy, power law correction, and Renyi entropy), we investigate the first law of thermodynamics and generalized second law of thermodynamics on the apparent horizon. In the presence of particle creation rate, we discuss the generalized second law of thermodynamics and thermal equilibrium condition. It is found that thermodynamics laws and equilibrium condition remain valid under certain conditions of parameters.
Posture Optimization Algorithm for Large Structure Assemblies Based on Skin Model
Authors: Zhang Wei , An Luling , Sherar Peter , Tian Wei
Published: October 2018

Geometric deviations inevitably occur in product manufacturing and seriously affect the assembly quality and product functionality. Assembly simulations on the basis of computer-aided design (CAD) package could imitate the assembly process and thus find out the design deficiencies and detect the assemblability of the components. Although lots of researches have been done on the prediction of assembly variation considering the geometric errors, most of them only simplify the geometric variation as orientation and position deviation rather than the manufacturing deformation. However, in machinery manufacturing, even if the manufacturing defects are limited, they could propagate and accumulate through components and lead to a noncompliant assembly. Recently, many point-based models have been applied to assembly simulation; however they are mainly interested in simulating the resulting positions of the assembled parts and lack the consideration of the postprocessing after positioning. This paper enriches the complete assembly simulation process based on skin model and presents a simple and effective posture evaluation and optimization method. The studied approach includes a software algorithm applied to evaluate the contact state of the assembly parts and a mathematical model based on the particle swarm optimization to acquire the optimal assembly posture. To verify the efficiency and feasibility of the proposed method, a case study on the aircraft wing box scaling model assembly is performed.
Can We Use Survival Data from Cancer Registries to Learn about Disease Recurrence? The Case of Breast Cancer
Authors: Mariotto Angela B. , Zou Zhaohui , Zhang Fanni , Howlader Nadia , Kurian Allison W. , Etzioni Ruth
Published: October 2018

Background: Population-representative risks of metastatic recurrence are not generally available because cancer registries do not collect data on recurrence. This article presents a novel method that estimates the risk of recurrence using cancer registry disease-specific survival.

Methods: The method is based on an illness–death process coupled with a mixture cure model for net cancer survival. The risk of recurrence is inferred from the estimated survival among the noncured fraction and published data on survival after recurrence. We apply the method to disease-specific survival curves from female breast cancer cases without a prior cancer diagnosis and with complete stage and hormone receptor (HR) status in Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results registries (1992–2013).

Results: The risk of recurrence is higher for women diagnosed with breast cancer at older age, earlier period, more advanced stage, and HR-negative tumors. For women diagnosed at ages 60–74 in 2000–2013, the projected percent recurring within 5 years is 2.5%, 9.6%, and 34.5% for stages I, II, and III HR-positive, and 6.5%, 20.2%, and 48.5% for stages I, II, and III HR-negative tumors. Although HR-positive cases have lower risk of recurrence soon after diagnosis, their risk persists longer than for HR-negative cases. Results show a high degree of robustness to model assumptions.

Conclusions: The results show that it is possible to extract information about the risk of recurrence using disease-specific survival, and the methods can in principle be extended to other cancer sites.

Impact: This study provides the first population-based summaries of the risk of breast cancer recurrence in U.S. women. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 27(11); 1332–41. ©2018 AACR.
The Detergent Effect of Mesalazine Interferes with Phosphatidylcholine Binding to Mucin 2
Authors: Stremmel Wolfgang , Staffer Simone , Gehrke Sven
Published: October 2018

Objectives: Therapeutically applied delayed-release phosphatidylcholine (PC) revealed mucosa protection and clinical improvement of ulcerative colitis. However, a recent trial with simultaneous application of delayed-release PC and mesalazine showed lack of efficacy. It is hypothesized that mesalazine acts as detergent to prohibit PC integration into mucus as target compartment, thus preventing topical mucus protection. Methods: In vitro PC-binding studies with mucin 2 and intestinally differentiated CaCo2 cells as well as outcome analysis of a therapeutic trial with delayed-release PC and additional mesalazine. Results: Choline-containing phospholipids, in particular PC, bind to mucin 2 as main scaffold protein of intestinal mucus to establish a hydrophobic barrier towards microbiota in the intestinal lumen. PC also binds to the apical surface of polarized CaCo2 cells with membrane-anchored mucin 3. Mesalazine removes mucin-bound PC and, thus, reduces transepithelial resistance. A post hoc analysis of patients from a previous multicenter phase IIB trial with delayed-release PC revealed that those without mesalazine showed a PC dose-dependent outcome with regard to achievement of partial and complete remission (p < 0.05 for 1.6 and 3.2 g PC daily) whereas those treated simultaneously with mesalazine showed no PC dose dependency. Conclusion: Mesalazine solubilizes PC and, thus, prevents the protective action of therapeutically applied delayed-release PC within mucus.
Management of Gonads in Adults with Androgen Insensitivity: An International Survey
Authors: Tack Lloyd J.W. , Maris Ellen , Looijenga Leendert H.J. , Hannema Sabine E. , Audi Laura , Köhler Birgit , Holterhus Paul-Martin , Riedl Stefan , Wisniewski Amy  , Flück Christa E. , Davies Justin H. , T'Sjoen Guy , Lucas-Herald  Angela K. , Evliyaoglu Olcay , Krone Nils , Iotova Violeta , Marginean Otilia , Balsamo Antonio , Verkauskas Gilvydas , Weintrob Naomi , Ellaithi Mona , Nordenström Anna , Verrijn Stuart  Annemarie , Kluivers Kirsten B. , Wolffenbuttel Katja P. , Ahmed S. Faisal , Cools Martine
Published: October 2018

Background: Complete and partial androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS, PAIS) are associated with an increased risk of gonadal germ cell cancer (GGCC). Recent guidelines recommend gonadectomy in women with CAIS in late adolescence. Nevertheless, many adult women prefer to retain their gonads. Aims: This study aims to explore attitudes towards gonadectomy in AIS in centres around the world, estimate the proportion of adults with retained gonads and/or who developed GGCC, and explore reasons for declining gonadectomy. Methods: A survey was performed among health care professionals who use the International DSD Registry (I-DSD). Results: Data were provided from 22 centres in 16 countries on 166 women (CAIS) and 26 men (PAIS). In CAIS, gonadectomy was recommended in early adulthood in 67% of centres; 19/166 (11.4%) women refused gonadectomy. Among 142 women who had gonadectomy, evidence of germ cell neoplasm in situ (GCNIS), the precursor of GGCC, was reported in 2 (1.4%) out of 8 from whom pathology results were formally provided. Nine out of 26 men with PAIS (34.6%) had retained gonads; 11% of centres recommended routine gonadectomy in PAIS. Conclusion: Although development of GGCC seems rare, gonadectomy after puberty is broadly recommended in CAIS; in PAIS this is more variable. Overall, our data reflect the need for evidence-based guidelines regarding prophylactic gonadectomy in AIS.
Presepsin and Procalcitonin Levels as Markers of Adverse Postoperative Complications and Mortality in Cardiac Surgery Patients
Authors: Clementi Anna , Virzì Grazia Maria , Muciño-Bermejo María-Jimena , Nalesso Federico , Giavarina Davide , Carta Mariarosa , Brocca Alessandra , de Cal Massimo , Hinna Danesi Tommaso , Zanella Monica , Marchionna Nicola , Brendolan Alessandra , Battaglia Giovanni Giorgio , Salvador Loris , Ronco Claudio
Published: October 2018

Backgound: This study was aimed at evaluating the presepsin and procalcitonin levels to predict adverse postoperative complications and mortality in cardiac surgery patients. Methods: A total of 122 cardiac surgery patients were enrolled for the study. Presepsin and procalcitonin levels were measured 48 h after the procedure. The primary endpoints were adverse renal, respiratory, and cardiovascular outcomes and mortality. Results: Presepsin and procalcitonin levels were significantly higher in patients with adverse renal and respiratory outcome (p < 0.001 and 0.0081). The presepsin levels were significantly higher in patients with adverse cardiovascular outcome (p = 0.023) and the procalcitonin values in patients with sepsis (p = 0.0013). Presepsin levels were significantly higher in patients who died during hospitalization (382 pg/mL, interquartile range [IQR] 243–717.5 vs. 1,848 pg/mL, IQR 998–5,451.5, p = 0.049). In addition, the predictive value for in-hospital, 30-days, and 6-months mortality was higher for presepsin, with a significant difference between the 2 biomarkers (p = 0.025, p = 0.035, p = 0.003; respectively). Presepsin and procalcitonin seem to have comparable predictive value for adverse renal, cardiovascular, and respiratory outcome in cardiac surgery patients. Although a positive trend was notable for presepsin and adverse renal outcome (area under the ROC [receiver operating characteristic] curves [AUC] of 0.760, 95% CI 0.673–0.833 versus procalcitonin: AUC 0.692; 95% CI 0.601–0.773): no statistically significant difference was evident between the AUC of the 2 biomarkers (p = 0.25). Conclusions: Presepsin and ­procalcitonin seem to have comparable predictive value for ­adverse renal, cardiovascular, and respiratory outcome in cardiac surgery patients. Also, presepsin possesses a better predictive value for in-hospital, 30-days, and 6-months mortality.
Two new genera of hard ticks, Robertsicus n. gen. and Archaeocroton n. gen., and the solution to the mystery of Hoogstraal’s and Kaufman’s “primitive” tick from the Carpathian Mountains
Authors: BARKER STEPHEN C. , BURGER THOMAS D.
Published: October 2018

We establish two new monotypic genera, Robertsicus n. gen. and Archaeocroton n. gen., based on two enigmatic species of Amblyomma. Robertsicus, with the type species R. elaphensis (Price, 1959) n. comb., is proposed for Amblyomma       elaphense, the tick of the Trans-Pecos rat-snake of the Chihuahuan Desert of Mexico and southeastern USA (parts of Arizona, West Texas and New Mexico). Archaeocroton, with the type species Ar. sphenodonti (Dumbleton, 1943) n. comb., is proposed for Amblyomma sphenodonti, the tuatara tick of New Zealand. This is another step in the resolution of the systematic problems concerning the genus Aponomma, a heterogeneous group of eyeless ticks with a predilection for reptiles. By removing R. elaphensis (Price, 1959) and Ar. sphenodonti (Dumbleton, 1943) from the genus Amblyomma we have resolved, for now at least, the polyphyly of the genus Amblyomma. We have also resolved a 50-year old mystery: the identity of Hoogstraal’s and Kaufman’s “primitive” tick from the Carpathian Mountains that had a “striking resemblance” to Ar. sphenodonti n. comb.; it was an Ar. sphenodonti n. comb. that had travelled to the Carpathian       Mountains from New Zealand on a captive tuatara.
Review of Sebadexius Ledoyer, 1984 (Amphipoda, Dexaminidae, Dexamininae) based on new material from The Philippines, with Sebadexius cebuense sp. nov.
Authors: JUST JEAN
Published: October 2018

The amphipod genus Sebadexius Ledoyer, 1984 (New Caledonia) is reviewed, based on new material from Cebu in The Philippines. Some characters are re-interpreted, and a new species, Sebadexius cebuense, is described.
An Observing System Simulation Experiment with a Constellation of Radio Occultation Satellites
Authors: Cucurull L. , Atlas R. , Li R. , Mueller M. J. , Hoffman R. N.
Published: October 2018

Experiments with a global observing system simulation experiment (OSSE) system based on the recent 7-km-resolution NASA nature run (G5NR) were conducted to determine the potential value of proposed Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) radio occultation (RO) constellations in current operational numerical weather prediction systems. The RO observations were simulated with the geographic sampling expected from the original planned Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate-2 (COSMIC-2) system, with six equatorial (total of ~6000 soundings per day) and six polar (total of ~6000 soundings per day) receiver satellites. The experiments also accounted for the expected improved vertical coverage provided by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory RO receivers on board COSMIC-2. Except that RO observations were simulated and assimilated as refractivities, the 2015 version of the NCEP’s operational data assimilation system was used to run the OSSEs. The OSSEs quantified the impact of RO observations on global weather analyses and forecasts and the impact of adding explicit errors to the simulation of perfect RO profiles. The inclusion or exclusion of explicit errors had small, statistically insignificant impacts on results. The impact of RO observations was found to increase the length of the useful forecasts. In experiments with explicit errors, these increases were found to be 0.6 h in the Northern Hemisphere extratropics (a 0.4% improvement), 5.9 h in the Southern Hemisphere extratropics (a significant 4.0% improvement), and 12.1 h in the tropics (a very substantial 28.4% improvement).
Seasonal Forecasting of Wind and Waves in the North Atlantic Using a Grand Multimodel Ensemble
Authors: Bell Ray , Kirtman Ben
Published: October 2018

This study assesses the skill of multimodel forecasts of 10-m wind speed, significant wave height, and mean wave period in the North Atlantic for the winter months. The 10-m winds from four North American multimodel ensemble models and three European Multimodel Seasonal-to-Interannual Prediction project (EUROSIP) models are used to force WAVEWATCH III experiments. Ten ensembles are used for each model. All three variables can be predicted using December initial conditions. The spatial maps of rank probability skill score are explained by the impact of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) on the large-scale wind–wave relationship. Two winter case studies are investigated to understand the relationship between large-scale environmental conditions such as sea surface temperature, geopotential height at 500 hPa, and zonal wind at 200 hPa to the NAO and the wind–wave climate. The very strong negative NAO in 2008/09 was not well forecast by any of the ensembles while most models correctly predicted the sign of the event. This led to a poor forecast of the surface wind and waves. A Monte Carlo model combination analysis is applied to understand how many models are needed for a skillful multimodel forecast. While the grand multimodel ensemble provides robust skill, in some cases skill improves once some models are not included.
Portable Spectroscopy
Authors: Crocombe Richard A.
Published: October 2018

Until very recently, handheld spectrometers were the domain of major analytical and security instrument companies, with turnkey analyzers using spectroscopic techniques from X-ray fluorescence (XRF) for elemental analysis (metals), to Raman, mid-infrared, and near-infrared (NIR) for molecular analysis (mostly organics). However, the past few years have seen rapid changes in this landscape with the introduction of handheld laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), smartphone spectroscopy focusing on medical diagnostics for low-resource areas, commercial engines that a variety of companies can build up into products, hyphenated or dual technology instruments, low-cost visible-shortwave NIR instruments selling directly to the public, and, most recently, portable hyperspectral imaging instruments. Successful handheld instruments are designed to give answers to non-scientist operators; therefore, their developers have put extensive resources into reliable identification algorithms, spectroscopic libraries or databases, and qualitative and quantitative calibrations. As spectroscopic instruments become smaller and lower cost, “engines” have emerged, leading to the possibility of being incorporated in consumer devices and smart appliances, part of the Internet of Things (IOT). This review outlines the technologies used in portable spectroscopy, discusses their applications, both qualitative and quantitative, and how instrument developers and vendors have approached giving actionable answers to non-scientists. It outlines concerns on crowdsourced data, especially for heterogeneous samples, and finally looks towards the future in areas like IOT, emerging technologies for instruments, and portable hyphenated and hyperspectral instruments.
China’s Communist Party: From Mass to Elite Party
Authors: Brødsgaard Kjeld Erik
Published: October 2018

The Communist Party of China (CPC) is not withering away as predicted by some Western scholars. On the contrary, in recent years, the party has centralised and strengthened its rule over China. At the same time, party membership has changed. Today, workers and farmers only account for only one-third of the total party membership compared to two-thirds when the People’s Republic of China (PRC) was established. Instead, new strata and groups such as technical and management personnel have evolved. The composition of the party’s cadre corps has changed accordingly, and cadres today are younger and much better educated than during Mao’s time. The leading cadres form an elite which is at the heart of a ranking-stratified political and social system. This article discusses how the CPC has evolved from a mass to an elite party. It argues that in this process, the party has taken over the state resulting in a merger and overlap of party and government positions and functions, thereby abandoning Deng Xiaoping’s ambidextrous policy goals of separating party and government. Centralisation and reassertion of ranking-stratified party rule is Xi Jinping’s answer to the huge challenges caused by the economic and social transformation of Chinese society—not a return to Mao’s mass party.
Effect of elevated temperatures and applied pressure on the tribological properties of LM30/sillimanite aluminium alloy composites
Authors: Sharma Sandeep , Nanda Tarun , Pandey OP
Published: October 2018

The present study focuses on the development of low-cost, lightweight and highly wear resistant composites for brake rotor applications. Sillimanite mineral reinforced aluminum matrix composites were stir cast using three distinct reinforcement particle sizes. Reinforcement level was varied in the range of 3–15 wt%. The influence of operating temperature (50℃–300℃) and applied pressure (0.2–1.0 MPa) on the wear/friction behaviour of composites was observed. Optical micrographs showed homogenous particle distribution throughout the matrix. The high nanohardness obtained for interface regions signifies good particle–matrix bonding of processed composites. Dilatometry studies showed that the increase in sillimanite content decreased the coefficient of thermal expansion of the composites. Maximum improvement of 33% in coefficient of thermal expansion (over base alloy) was observed for 15 wt% fine composites. Wear analysis revealed that the developed composites provided adequate wear resistance till an operating temperature of 200℃, beyond which wear rate increased significantly. For the high operating temperature of 200℃, the steady-state wear of composites was comparable (only 6.62% higher) to the commercial cast iron alloy used in brake rotor applications. The aluminium-based composites developed in the present research are low cost (sillimanite is a naturally occurring mineral sand) and lightweight (60% lighter than cast iron) and can be used as an alternate material for brake rotors in light vehicles. Finally, SEM of worn out surfaces divulged the dominance of adhesive wear for material removal.
SIS-ECM Laden with GMSC-Derived Exosomes Promote Taste Bud Regeneration
Authors: Zhang Y. , Shi S. , Xu Q. , Zhang Q. , Shanti R.M. , Le A.D.
Published: October 2018

Oral cancer has a high annual incidence rate all over the world, and the tongue is the most frequently affected anatomic structure. The current standard care is ablative surgery of malignant neoplasm, followed by tongue reconstruction with free flap. However, such reconstructive modalities with postsurgery radiotherapy or chemotherapy can hardly support the functional recovery of the tongue—particularly, functional taste bud regeneration—in reconstructed areas, thus seriously affecting patients’ prognosis and life quality. Using a critical-sized tongue defect model in rats, we show that combinatory transplantation of small intestinal submucosa–extracellular matrix (SIS-ECM) with gingival mesenchymal stem cells (GMSCs) or their derivative exosomes promoted tongue lingual papillae recovery and taste bud regeneration as evidenced by increased expression of CK14, CK8, and markers for type I, II, and III taste bud cells (NTPdase 2, PLC-β2, and AADC, respectively). In addition, our results indicate that GMSCs or their derivative exosomes could increase BDNF expression, a growth factor that plays an important role in the proliferation and differentiation of epithelial basal progenitor cells into taste bud cells. Meanwhile, we showed an elevated expression level of Shh—which is essential for development, homeostasis, and maintenance of the taste bud organ—in wounded areas of the tongue among animals treated with GMSC/SIS-ECM or exosome/SIS-ECM as compared with SIS-ECM control. Moreover, our data show that GMSCs or their derivative exosomes promoted innervation of regenerated taste buds, as evidenced by elevated expressions of neurofilament and P2X3 at the injury areas. Together, our findings indicate that GMSC/SIS-ECM and exosome/SIS-ECM constructs can facilitate taste bud regeneration and reinnervation with promising potential application in postsurgery tongue reconstruction of patients with tongue cancer.
Relationship Governance Dynamics: The Roles of Partner Selection Efforts and Mutual Investments
Authors: Wathne Kenneth H. , Heide Jan B. , Mooi Erik A. , Kumar Alok
Published: October 2018

The article studies interfirm governance in the context of supplier–reseller relationships. Using a longitudinal study, the authors examine the roles of supplier selection efforts and mutual specific investments with respect to (1) motivating a supplier to make incremental investments and (2) safeguarding these investments from supplier ex post transaction costs. The authors also examine the joint effects of selection efforts and mutual investments on supplier ex post transaction costs. From a practical standpoint, the findings suggest guidelines for channel strategy. Theoretically, they provide new insights into relationship dynamics, including evidence regarding the effects of a firm’s governance choices over time.
Book review: Mithu Alur, A Birth that Changed a Nation: A New Model of Care and Inclusion
Authors: Malik Bibhuti Bhushan
Published: October 2018

Mithu Alur, A Birth That Changed a Nation: A New Model of Care and Inclusion. New Delhi: SAGE Publications, 2017, xxx + 243 pp., ₹725 (paperback). ISBN: 978-93-860-6221-5.
Book review: Wendy L. Rouse, Her Own Hero: The Origins of the Women’s Self-Defence Movement
Authors: Ray Sawmya
Published: October 2018

Wendy L. Rouse, Her Own Hero: The Origins of the Women’s Self-Defence Movement. New Delhi: SAGE Vistaar, 2018, 255 pp., ₹895 (hardback). ISBN: 978-93-528-0529-7.
Filling in the “Blank Slate”: Examining Newcomers’ Schemas of Supervisors During Organizational Socialization
Authors: Nifadkar Sushil S.
Published: October 2018

Newcomers have little knowledge of the behavioral tendencies of their future supervisors before they join the company; thus, they enter the organization with a “blank slate” regarding their assessments of their supervisors. We know little about how newcomers’ blank slates about their supervisors are gradually filled with mental images—or schemas—of their supervisors and how these schemas influence their adjustment to the organization. Thus, the primary purpose of this study is to examine how newcomers’ schemas of supervisors develop, shape their information seeking from supervisors, and influence their adjustment. Further, previous socialization research has not distinguished between different forms of supportive supervisor behaviors or focused on unique outcomes of newcomers’ personal experience and indirect observation of supervisors’ behaviors. The findings of this study suggest that supervisors’ individualized consideration and intellectual stimulation, both forms of supervisors’ supportive behaviors, have distinct effects on newcomers’ warmth and competence schemas of supervisors; newcomers’ personal experience and indirect observation of supervisors’ behaviors have a unique influence on newcomers’ schemas of supervisors; and warmth and competence schemas of supervisors influence newcomers’ social and task-related information seeking to different extents. The primary contribution of the study lies in explaining how newcomers’ blank slate about their supervisors is filled with warmth and competence schemas of supervisors and how these schemas influence their information seeking and adjustment during socialization.
Televisual diplomacy: I am the Ambassador and Danish nation branding at home and abroad
Authors: Saunders Robert A , Vessels Joel
Published: October 2018

In a time when the current US president came to office via a career in reality television, it seems unnecessary to argue that popular culture and International Relations intersect in meaningful and dramatic ways. Operating from this premise, mass-mediating the act of diplomacy via a television series presents a fecund object of analysis that questions many of the myths surrounding what we call the ‘diplomatic community’. Consequently, this article is interested in the geopolitical interposition of Danish Broadcasting Corporation (DR) via the popular culture form of reality television. We achieve this through a close reading of the DR series I am the Ambassador/Jeg er ambassadøren fra Amerika (2014–2016), ‘starring’ the real US ambassador to Denmark. We situate Ambassador within the evolving space of ‘new diplomacy’ through an evaluation of how it imagines, popularises, and expands ‘everyday’ sites of diplomacy via mass-mediation. However, as we argue, the series – when viewed holistically – says more about the Danish state and its people than it does about the role of the US ambassador, thus functioning as a tool of nation branding as much at home as abroad.
Electrospun polyimide nanofiber-coated polyimide nonwoven fabric for hot gas filtration
Authors: Wang Liang , Cui Lingyan , Liu Yongsheng , Riedel Johanna , Qian Xiaoming , Liu Yong
Published: October 2018

In the present work, heat-endurable polyimide nanofibrous membrane-coated commercial polyimide nonwoven fabrics were prepared by electrospinning synthesized polyamic acid solution on polyimide mats followed by a thermal imidization process. Polyimide synthesized was confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis tests. A higher viscosity of precursor solution resulted in a nanofibrous network coated on the nonwoven fabrics. The coated filter showed lower dimension of pores and greater portion of small pores. The proportion of pores less than 10 µm reached as high as 71.2%. PM2.5 removal efficiency was increased from 81.4 to 97.2%. However, the pressure drop of air flow over the filters did not show significant changes. It suggested a facile method to improve the filtration performance of commercial polyimide nonwoven fabric filters.
Reinforcement attenuation as a behavioral technique to suppress conditioned avoidance response in rats: A comparative study with olanzapine
Authors: Gao Jun , Li Ming
Published: October 2018

Background:

Antipsychotic treatment is effective in the treatment of psychosis, although it also brings with it some unwanted side effects and is associated with low compliance. Finding a non-pharmacological alternative for antipsychotic treatment is highly desirable.

Aims:

This preclinical study examined the ‘antipsychotic’ efficacy of such a behavioral technique using a conditioned avoidance response model. This technique, termed reinforcement attenuation (RA), is to administer a brief footshock (0.1–2.0 s, 0.8 mA) at the end of each trial regardless of whether a well-trained rat makes an avoidance response or not.

Results:

RA achieved the same avoidance suppressing effect as olanzapine (an atypical antipsychotic drug), including both acute suppression and sensitized suppression of avoidance response in well-trained Sprague–Dawley adult male rats. Interestingly, the RA-induced sensitization (an enhanced disruption of avoidance responding) enhanced subsequent olanzapine sensitivity, whereas the olanzapine (1.0 mg/kg)-induced sensitization had little impact on later RA treatment. When RA and olanzapine (0.5 mg/kg, subcutaneously) were used together, the RA-induced sensitization was still detectable in the RA challenge test, although its magnitude was reduced by olanzapine. Finally, we showed that the RA-induced sensitization in avoidance suppression persisted from adolescence into adulthood, long after such a treatment was terminated.

Conclusions:

These findings demonstrate that the RA is functionally equivalent (if not superior) to antipsychotic treatment in the avoidance suppression effect (both acute and sensitization effects) in both adolescent and adult animals. Behavioral therapies that specifically target the reinforcer of psychotic thoughts might be a viable strategy for the treatment of psychosis.
Optical imaging and modulation of neurovascular responses
Authors: Masamoto Kazuto , Vazquez Alberto
Published: October 2018

The cerebral microvasculature consists of pial vascular networks, parenchymal descending arterioles, ascending venules and parenchymal capillaries. This vascular compartmentalization is vital to precisely deliver blood to balance continuously varying neural demands in multiple brain regions. Optical imaging techniques have facilitated the investigation of dynamic spatial and temporal properties of microvascular functions in real time. Their combination with transgenic animal models encoding specific genetic targets have further strengthened the importance of optical methods for neurovascular research by allowing for the modulation and monitoring of neuro vascular function. Image analysis methods with three-dimensional reconstruction are also helping to understand the complexity of microscopic observations. Here, we review the compartmentalized cerebral microvascular responses to global perturbations as well as regional changes in response to neural activity to highlight the differences in vascular action sites. In addition, microvascular responses elicited by optical modulation of different cell-type targets are summarized with emphasis on variable spatiotemporal dynamics of microvascular responses. Finally, long-term changes in microvascular compartmentalization are discussed to help understand potential relationships between CBF disturbances and the development of neurodegenerative diseases and cognitive decline.
Rapamycin in ischemic stroke: Old drug, new tricks?
Authors: Hadley Gina , Beard Daniel J , Couch Yvonne , Neuhaus Ain A , Adriaanse Bryan A , DeLuca Gabriele C , Sutherland Brad A , Buchan Alastair M
Published: October 2018

The significant morbidity that accompanies stroke makes it one of the world's most devastating neurological disorders. Currently, proven effective therapies have been limited to thrombolysis and thrombectomy. The window for the administration of these therapies is narrow, hampered by the necessity of rapidly imaging patients. A therapy that could extend this window by protecting neurons may improve outcome. Endogenous neuroprotection has been shown to be, in part, due to changes in mTOR signalling pathways and the instigation of productive autophagy. Inducing this effect pharmacologically could improve clinical outcomes. One such therapy already in use in transplant medicine is the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin. Recent evidence suggests that rapamycin is neuroprotective, not only via neuronal autophagy but also through its broader effects on other cells of the neurovascular unit. This review highlights the potential use of rapamycin as a multimodal therapy, acting on the blood–brain barrier, cerebral blood flow and inflammation, as well as directly on neurons. There is significant potential in applying this old drug in new ways to improve functional outcomes for patients after stroke.
Shalfak Archaeological Mission (SAM): The 2017 Field Season
Authors: Näser Claudia , Becker Peter , Kossatz Kay , Karrar Osman Khaleel Elawad , Grajetzki Wolfram
Published: October 2018

This report details the activities of the first field season of the Shalfak Archaeological Mission in April 2017. It presents the framework of the project, the results of the mapping survey, the discoveries in three excavations areas – including a hitherto unidentified Middle Kingdom extra muros storage and/or workshop complex – as well as a reconnaissance of the fortress’s surroundings. The article also includes a short discussion of the find material recovered in this season.
The tropoelastin and lysyl oxidase treatments increased the content of insoluble elastin in bioprosthetic heart valves
Authors: Lei Yang , Xia Yushun , Wang Yunbing
Published: October 2018

Valvular heart diseases lead to over 300,000 heart valve replacements worldwide each year. Commercially available bioprosthetic heart valves (BHVs) are mostly made from porcine or bovine pericardiums which were crosslinked by glutaraldehyde (GLUT). However, valve failures can occur within 10 years due to progressive degradation and calcification. GLUT could crosslink collagen but it fails to stabilize elastin. In this current study, we developed a new BHVs preparation strategy named as “GLUT/TE/LOXL/EGCG” that utilizes exogenous tropoelastin (TE)/lysyl oxidase (LOXL) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) to increase the elastin content as well as the stabilization of elastin. The feeding ratios of tropoelastin and lysyl oxidase were optimized. The contents of desmosine and insoluble elastin, biomechanics, cytotoxicity, hemocompatibility, in vivo componential stability and anti-calcification potential were characterized. Pericardiums with increased elastin content had improved the mechanical properties. GLUT/TE/LOXL/EGCG-treated pericardiums had similar cytotoxicity and coagulation properties compared to GLUT and GLUT/EGCG control. We demonstrated that GLUT/TE/LOXL/EGCG-treated pericardiums had high amount of insoluble elastin in 90 days’ rat subdermal implantation model, and better resistance for calcification. This new tropoelastin and lysyl oxidase treatments strategy would be a promising method to make BHVs which have better structural stability and anti-calcification properties.
Letting (H)Anna Speak: An Intertextual Reading of the New Testament Prophetess (Luke 2.36–38)
Authors: Harris Sarah
Published: October 2018

The story of (H)Anna is a brief description of a faithful prophetess (Lk. 2.36–38) which is consciously paired with the previous and more developed narrative of Simeon (22–35). Hannah’s story is significant to the Lukan Gospel and yet her voice, which men and women visiting the temple heard repeatedly (2.38), is not articulated by Luke. She has been the topic of much research, in as much as three verses in their context can provide, while no one has sought to let Hannah speak for herself. This article aims to do this by exploring her story within the Lukan narrative, considering prophetesses in the Old Testament, and echoing the dynamics of the Jewish story of Judith with which she is intertextually paired.
The Toll Death Takes: A Glimpse Into Home-Based Palliative Care Provision in India
Authors: Paul Aneka
Published: October 2018

Millions of people around the world die in pain or continue to live with serious health-related suffering. Palliative care is an approach that attempts to improve the quality of life of patients and their families, by relieving their pain holistically, across physical, psychological, social, and spiritual domains. Palliative care is practiced in a variety of ways in India, but the home-based palliative care model seems to be the most culturally appropriate and economically acceptable. This article analyzes home-based services offered across India by seven leading palliative care organizations, including elements that could be adapted into the country’s public healthcare system, thereby providing relief and solace to the countless suffering, within their very homes.
Comparisons on impact fracture behavior between three-dimensional four directional and five directional braided composite materials
Authors: Shi Baohui , Liu Shengkai , Siddique Amna , Zhang Junjie , Gu Bohong , Sun Baozhong
Published: October 2018

Fracture behaviors of three-dimensional braided composites could be designed from braided preform structures. Here, we compare the fracture behaviors of three-dimensional four direction (3D4d) and five directional (3D5d) braided composites under impact loading. A drop weight impact tester combined with a high-speed photography system was employed to characterize the progressive damages and fracture behaviors, which include crack growth and crack mouth opening displacement. The two-dimensional digital image correlation method was utilized for evaluating deformation contours and strain field. A finite element analyses model was established to reveal impact damage evolution, crack growth, stress distribution, and energy absorption at microstructure level. We found that axial yarns had great effect on the crack propagation paths. The stress at the notch bottom caused yarn breakage and then resulted in a sharply growing crack. The axial yarns in the 3D5d braided composites impede the progress of cracks under transverse impact. The 3D5d braided composites have smaller crack mouth opening displacement than that of the 3D4d composites. The braided preform is the main energy absorption component. With the same volume fraction, axial yarns exhibit the highest energy absorption. Due to the existence of axial yarns, the resistance to the fracture and crack growth of the 3D5d braided composites is better than the 3D4d braided composites.
The Addicts on Main Street
Authors: Becker Daniel M.
Published: October 2018

Mortality rates for middle-aged whites in the U.S. are rising due to drugs, alcohol, and depression. Unique to our country, these “deaths of despair” disproportionately occur among the under-educated, who are at particular risk for dying young. At one time, less-educated persons aspired to work in the same factory as their parents, at union wages, with benefits. Those jobs, and the sense of community and prosperity and security they allowed, are evaporating. Many former workers suffer from chronic pain, which underlies America's ongoing opioid overdose epidemic. The pain is not only physical. It is psychic, spiritual, and economic.
Moving Beyond Marriage: Healthcare and the Social Safety Net for Families
Authors: Wilson Robin Fretwell
Published: October 2018

This article teases out the relationship between family form and the state's social safety nets around healthcare, showing the deep unfairness of measuring social safety nets by whether a couple marries. By continuing to tie healthcare benefits to specific family structures, we perpetuate the “galloping” inequality marking America today.

This article concludes that, whatever happens with the thousands of benefits given to married couples in other domains, social policy should move beyond marriage with respect to healthcare. Delinking support for healthcare coverage and services from family form is just, better assists struggling families, and is in our collective self-interest.
Alzheimer's Disease — Perspective from Political Science: Public Policy Issues
Authors: Blank Robert H.
Published: October 2018

The paper outlines the policy context and summarizes the numerous policy issues that AD raises from the more generic to the unique. It posits that strong public fears of AD and its future prevalence projections and costs, raise increasingly difficult policy dilemmas. After reviewing the costs in human lives and money and discussing the latest U.S. policy initiatives, the paper presents two policy areas as examples the demanding policy decisions we face. The first focuses on the basic regulatory function of protecting the public from those who would exploit these fears. The second centers on the well-debated issues of advance directives and euthanasia that surround AD. Although more dialogue, education and research funding are needed to best serve the interests of AD patients and families as well as society at large, this will be challenging because of the strong feelings and divisions AD engenders.
Advance Directives and Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Davis Deena S.
Published: October 2018

Americans who are afraid of living for many years with Alzheimer's might seek a way to end their lives early, when their dementia has just entered the moderate phase. There is no legal process for doing so. In this paper I argue that advance directives, in particular, are not a legal solution for those who prefer to die rather than suffer years of dementia. The problem is that an advance directive only works to hasten death when there is a life-threatening illness for which one can refuse treatment; more often than not, Alzheimer's kills the self long before it kills the body.