bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HyperLex: A Large-Scale Evaluation of Graded Lexical Entailment
Authors: Vulić Ivan , Gerz Daniela , Kiela Douwe , Hill Felix , Korhonen Anna
Published: September 2017

We introduce HyperLex—a data set and evaluation resource that quantifies the extent of the semantic category membership, that is, type-of relation, also known as hyponymy–hypernymy or lexical entailment (LE) relation between 2,616 concept pairs. Cognitive psychology research has established that typicality and category/class membership are computed in human semantic memory as a gradual rather than binary relation. Nevertheless, most NLP research and existing large-scale inventories of concept category membership (WordNet, DBPedia, etc.) treat category membership and LE as binary. To address this, we asked hundreds of native English speakers to indicate typicality and strength of category membership between a diverse range of concept pairs on a crowdsourcing platform. Our results confirm that category membership and LE are indeed more gradual than binary. We then compare these human judgments with the predictions of automatic systems, which reveals a huge gap between human performance and state-of-the-art LE, distributional and representation learning models, and substantial differences between the models themselves. We discuss a pathway for improving semantic models to overcome this discrepancy, and indicate future application areas for improved graded LE systems.
Occipital Alpha and Gamma Oscillations Support Complementary Mechanisms for Processing Stimulus Value Associations
Authors: Marshall Tom R. , den Boer Sebastiaan , Cools Roshan , Jensen Ole , Fallon Sean James , Zumer Johanna M.
Published: September 2017

Selective attention is reflected neurally in changes in the power of posterior neural oscillations in the alpha (8–12 Hz) and gamma (40–100 Hz) bands. Although a neural mechanism that allows relevant information to be selectively processed has its advantages, it may lead to lucrative or dangerous information going unnoticed. Neural systems are also in place for processing rewarding and punishing information. Here, we examine the interaction between selective attention (left vs. right) and stimulus's learned value associations (neutral, punished, or rewarded) and how they compete for control of posterior neural oscillations. We found that both attention and stimulus–value associations influenced neural oscillations. Whereas selective attention had comparable effects on alpha and gamma oscillations, value associations had dissociable effects on these neural markers of attention. Salient targets (associated with positive and negative outcomes) hijacked changes in alpha power—increasing hemispheric alpha lateralization when salient targets were attended, decreasing it when they were being ignored. In contrast, hemispheric gamma-band lateralization was specifically abolished by negative distractors. Source analysis indicated occipital generators of both attentional and value effects. Thus, posterior cortical oscillations support both the ability to selectively attend while at the same time retaining the ability to remain sensitive to valuable features in the environment. Moreover, the versatility of our attentional system to respond separately to salient from merely positively valued stimuli appears to be carried out by separate neural processes reflected in different frequency bands.
Morphological and molecular identification of the potato cyst nematodes Globodera rostochiensis and G. pallida in Portuguese potato fields
Authors: Camacho Maria J. , Nóbrega Filomena , Lima Arlindo , Mota Manuel , Inácio Maria L.
Published: September 2017

The potato cyst nematodes (PCN)Globodera rostochiensisandG. pallidapose one of the greatest threats to potato crops worldwide and are subject to strict quarantine regulations in many countries. The identification of theseGloboderaspecies based on morphology may be ambiguous due to the variability of the main morphological features and the overlapping of the standard parameters in these two species; thus, confirmationviamolecular methods is recommended. Multiplex PCR with species-specific primers (ITS5/PITSp4 + PITSr3) allows both species to be distinguished. However, despite the development of molecular identification methods, the morphological approach remains useful as a complementary diagnostic technique. In this work, we report results of morphological and molecular analyses that were carried out in twoGloboderaspecies from Portuguese potato fields. The average morphometric values of 40 cysts and 40 second-stage juveniles were generally within the expected ranges forG. pallidaandG. rostochiensiswith some variations noted. Molecular analysis with multiplex PCR confirmed the morphometric identification. The present results confirmed the occurrence of two potato cyst nematode species,G. rostochiensisandG. pallida. Surprisingly, the analysis of soils from Portuguese potato fields detected a greater number of samples infested withG. pallida, which is contrary to expectation asG. rostochiensishas been considered the most widespread species in Portugal. The distinction between the two species is therefore essential in order to detect their presence in the country with a view to re-evaluating the control measures implemented so far and adopting more effective practices.
Medialness and the Perception of Visual Art
Authors: Leymarie Frederic Fol , Aparajeya Prashant
Published: September 2017

In this article we explore the practical use of medialness informed by perception studies as a representation and processing layer for describing a class of works of visual art. Our focus is towards the description of 2D objects in visual art, such as found in drawings, paintings, calligraphy, graffiti writing, where approximate boundaries or lines delimit regions associated to recognizable objects or their constitutive parts. We motivate this exploration on the one hand by considering how ideas emerging from the visual arts, cartoon animation and general drawing practice point towards the likely importance of medialness in guiding the interaction of the traditionally trained artist with the artifact. On the other hand, we also consider recent studies and results in cognitive science which point in similar directions in emphasizing the likely importance of medialness, an extension of the abstract mathematical representation known as ‘medial axis’ or ‘Voronoi graphs’, as a core feature used by humans in perceiving shapes in static or dynamic scenarios.

We illustrate the use of medialness in computations performed with finished artworks as well as artworks in the process of being created, modified, or evolved through iterations. Such computations may be used to guide an artificial arm in duplicating the human creative performance or used to study in greater depth the finished artworks. Our implementations represent a prototyping of such applications of computing to art analysis and creation and remain exploratory. Our method also provides a possible framework to compare similar artworks or to study iterations in the process of producing a final preferred depiction, as selected by the artist.
Synonymy and descriptions in Cerambycinae (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae) from Costa Rica
Authors: GALILEO MARIA HELENA M. , SANTOS-SILVA ANTONIO
Published: September 2017

Hudepohlellus Chemsak & Hovore, 2010, a monotypic genus, is considered a junior synonym of Monneellus Hüdepohl, 1985 and M. semilunatus (Chemsak & Hovore, 2010) is a new combination. Kozlovellus bicolor, a new genus and new species of Rhopalophorini is described from Costa Rica.
The genus Pseudoxyethira Schmid (Trichoptera, Hydroptilidae) in Japan
Authors: ITO TOMIKO
Published: September 2017

The caddisfly genus Pseudoxyethira Schmid (Hydroptilidae) is revised for Japan. The male of a Japanese species, P. ishiharai (Utsunomiya 1994) is redescribed with new distribution records. A new species, P. funatsuki sp. nov., is described from the southernmost region of Japan. Pseudoxyethira thingana (Oláh 1989), known from Vietnam and southern China, is recorded from Japan for the first time, and its male is redescribed.
Contribution to the knowledge of Cloeodes Traver 1938 (Ephemeroptera, Baetidae)
Authors: KLUGE NIKITA J.
Published: September 2017

New species Cloeodes vibratorius sp. n. and Cloeodes nigrohumeris sp. n. are described based on male and female imagoes reared from larvae in Peru. Cloeodes redactus Waltz & McCafferty 1987 is redescribed based on male and female imagoes reared from larvae in Peru. Additional data on South American species Cloeodes auwe Salles & Batista 2004 and Cuban species Cloeodes superior Kluge 1991 and Cloeodes inferior Kluge 1991 are given. Key to known larvae of South American two-winged species of Cloeodes is provided.
First record of ectoparasitic ciliates, of genus Trichodina (Ciliophora: Trichodinidae) parasiting cultured Oranda Gold Fish (Carassius auratus auratus L.) in India
Authors: SAHA MANDIRA , BANDYOPADHYAY PROBIR KUMAR , GÖÇMEN BAYRAM
Published: September 2017

Ornamental fish culture is considered as one of the most important source of home entertainment, because of its diversity and beauty of picturesque colors. Trichodiniasis of fishes causing harm and economic losses in this fish industry. There are many records of trichodinids ectoparasites infesting fish have been found throughout the World, but no such attempt has been made to study the parasitic group infesting ornamental fish, preferably oranda goldfish (Carassius auratus auratus L.) in India. A parasitological search in some ornamental fish farms have been revealed for the first time the occurrence of trichodinid species previously described so far from the oranda goldfish in India. They are Trichodina reticulata, Trichodina mutabilis, Trichodina acuta, Trichodina ngoma, Trichodina nandusi and Trichodina domergui. These parasites have not been reported earlier from the oranda goldfish in India. The paper deals with the diversity, distribution and taxonomic descriptions of these six trichodinid species based on the wet silver nitrate impregnated observations along with new host, locality and prevalence of infestation.
Who is the red-bearded snake, anyway? Clarifying the taxonomic status of Chironius pyrrhopogon (Wied, 1824) (Serpentes: Colubridae)
Authors: SUDRÉ VINÍCIUS , CURCIO FELIPE FRANCO , NUNES PEDRO M. SALES , PELLEGRINO KATIA CRISTINA MACHADO , RODRIGUES MIGUEL TREFAUT
Published: September 2017

We provide morphological data supporting the allocation of Chironius pyrrhopogon (Wied, 1824) in the synonymy of C. exoletus, proposed earlier in the literature without proper justification. Besides the historical (literature) data, we also examined 155 Chironius specimens previously identified as C. exoletus, C. pyrrhopogon and C. quadricarinatus that could possibly fit the diagnosis and distribution of Wied’s specimens, and performed statistical tests to assess potentially informative variations in the sample. In addition, we concluded that the color features associated with C. pyrrhopogon are by no means diagnostic of a unique entity. Nonetheless, although apparently present at random in some Chironius species in the Atlantic Forest, we suggest that the reddish-brown spots are possibly linked to other phenomena involving co-evolutionary interactions with anuran potential preys.
A new species of Crenitulus Winters, 1926 (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae: Chaetarthrinae: Anacaenini) from northern South America
Authors: SANTANA LARISSA , BENETTI CESAR JOÃO , PES ANA MARIA
Published: September 2017

A new species of the genus Crenitulus Winters, 1926 (Hydrophilidae: Chaetarthrinae: Anacaenini), C. clarksoni sp. nov. is described from northern Brazil and Guyana. The new species can be distinguished from other species of Crenitulus by the following combination of characteristics: body size 1.6–1.8 mm in length; clypeus, frons, pronotum and elytra black, pronotum with distinctly demarcated yellow lateral margins; presence of dorsal pubescence and longitudinal rows of coarser punctures on lateral margins of elytra; apical antennomere 1.5 times longer than wide and 2.5 times longer than antennomere 8; maxillary palpi 2.5 times longer than wide and 2.2 times longer than palpomere 3; mesoventrite nearly flat; procoxae with strong, large spines; femoral pubescence confined to anterior margin and proximal portion; by phallobase as long as parameres; by parameres narrowed apically with the apex rounded and by the median lobe slightly shorter than parameres with corona in subapical position.
Determining Mixing Rates from Concurrent Temperature and Velocity Measurements
Authors: Bluteau Cynthia E. , Lueck Rolf G. , Ivey Gregory N. , Jones Nicole L. , Book Jeffrey W. , Rice Ana E.
Published: September 2017

Ocean mixing has historically been estimated using Osborn’s model by measuring the rate of dissipation of turbulent kinetic energy ϵ and the background density stratification N while assuming a value of the flux Richardson number . A constant is typically assumed, despite mounting field, laboratory, and modeling evidence that varies. This challenge can be overcome by estimating the turbulent diffusivity of heat using the Osborn–Cox model. This model, however, requires measuring the rate of dissipation of thermal variance χ, which has historically been challenging, particularly in energetic flows because the high wavenumbers of the temperature gradient spectra are unresolved with current technology. To overcome this difficulty, a method is described that determines χ by spectral fitting to the inertial-convective (IC) subrange of the temperature gradient spectra. While this concept has been exploited for moored time series, particularly near the bottom boundary, it has yet to be adapted to vertical microstructure profilers such as gliders, and autonomous and ship-based vertical profilers from which there are the most measurements. By using the IC subrange, χ, and hence , can be estimated even in very energetic events—precisely the conditions requiring more field observations. During less energetic periods, the temperature gradient spectra can also be integrated to obtain χ. By combining these two techniques, microstrucure profiles at a field site known for its very energetic internal waves are analyzed. This study demonstrates that the spectral fitting approach resolves intense mixing events with . By equating the Osborn and Osborn–Cox models, indirect estimates for can also be obtained.
Pornography use in sexual minority males: Associations with body dissatisfaction, eating disorder symptoms, thoughts about using anabolic steroids and quality of life
Authors: Griffiths Scott , Mitchison Deborah , Murray Stuart B , Mond Jonathan M
Published: September 2017

Objective:

We examined two hypotheses regarding the potential association of pornography use with body image–related and eating disorder–related psychopathology among sexual minority males (i.e. non-heterosexual males). Our primary hypothesis was that pornography use would be associated with males’ body dissatisfaction, eating disorder symptoms, thoughts about using anabolic steroids and quality of life impairment; our secondary hypothesis was that the type of pornography, namely, professional versus amateur pornography, which contains idealised and non-idealised (i.e. regular) bodies, respectively, would moderate these associations.

Methods:

A sample of 2733 sexual minority males living in Australia and New Zealand completed an online survey that contained measures of pornography use, body dissatisfaction, eating disorder symptoms, thoughts about using anabolic steroids and quality of life.

Results:

Almost all (98.2%) participants reported pornography use with a median use of 5.33 hours per month. Multivariate analyses revealed that increased pornography use was associated with greater dissatisfaction with muscularity, body fat and height; greater eating disorder symptoms; more frequent thoughts about using anabolic steroids; and lower quality of life. Effect sizes for these associations were uniformly small. Neither relationship status nor genital dissatisfaction was associated with pornography use. The association between pornography use and thoughts about using anabolic steroids was stronger for viewers of professional pornography than viewers of amateur pornography.

Conclusion:

The findings suggest that the use of pornography is weakly associated with body dissatisfaction and related variables and that the type of pornography (amateur vs professional) viewed may be a moderating factor in some cases. Within the limits of a cross-sectional study design, these findings may have implications for clinicians who treat individuals with eating disorders, body dysmorphic disorder, anabolic-androgenic steroid dependence and related concerns.
It’s about time
Authors: Hyslop Bradley G , Colson Alicia JM
Published: September 2017

The boreal forest is a vast region. Therefore, the archaeological record, like anywhere else in the globe, is subject to revision as additional evidence is gathered. By conducting research in the same location over a long period of time, Hyslop was able to alter the methodological approach that he utilized while surveying the shorelines of Lac Seul. His new approach revealed that cultural material existed well into the forested interior away from the water’s edge within the Lac Seul basin in central Canada. This development requires a detailed discussion of the nature of the boreal forest, the manner in which these discoveries were made, and the possible implications for the geographical region. It is important to recognize that this discussion is concerned with the surveying techniques utilized, and not with the excavation techniques.
The influence factors for gas adsorption with different ranks of coals
Authors: Guo Deyong , Guo Xiaojie
Published: September 2017

In this paper, scanning electron microscopy, low-temperature N2 adsorption and CH4 isothermal adsorption experiments were performed on 11 coal samples with Ro,max between 0.98 and 3.07%. The pore structure characteristics of coals (specific surface area, total volume distribution) were studied to assess the gas adsorption capacity. The results indicate that there is significant heterogeneity on coal surface, containing numerous channel-like pores, bottle-shaped pores and wedge-shaped pores. Both Langmuir volume (VL) and Langmuir pressure (PL) show a stage change trend with the increase of coalification degree. For different coalification stages, there exist different factors influencing the VL and PL values. For low-rank coals (Ro,max < 1.1%), the increase of VL values and decrease of PL values are mainly due to the abundant primary pore and fracture within coal. For middle-rank coals (1.1% < Ro,max < 2.1%), the moisture content, vitrinite content and total pore volume are all the factors influencing VL, and the reduction of PL is mainly attributed to the decrease of moisture content and inertinite content. Meanwhile, this result is also closely related to the pore shape. For high-rank coals (Ro,max > 2.1%), VL values gradually increase and reach the maximum. When the coal has evolved into anthracite, liquid hydrocarbon within pore begins pyrolysis and gradually disappears, and a large number of macropores are converted into micropores, leading to the increase of specific surface area and total pore volume, corresponding to the increase of VL. In addition, the increase of vitrinite content within coal also contributes to the increase of VL. PL, reaches the minimum, indicating that the adsorption rate reaches the largest at the low pressure stage. The result is mainly controlled by the specific surface area and total pore volume of coal samples. This research results will provide a clearer insight into the relationship between adsorption parameters and coal rank, moisture content, maceral composition and pore structure, and it is of great significance for better assessing the gas adsorption capacity.
Experimental comparison of the effects of superimposed axial and bending ultrasonic vibrations on friction stir welding process
Authors: Rezaei Shahreza Amir , Amini Saeid
Published: September 2017

True application of ultrasonic vibrations improves the solid-state process of friction stir welding. This study focuses experimentally on the effects of axial (along the tool axis) and bending ultrasonic vibrations on material stirring process of friction stir welding process. First, in ABAQUS software, an especial friction stir welding tool set geometry was designed containing two types of axial and bending vibrations in different frequencies. Resonance frequency of the tool set, in axial and bending modes, occurred at 19.8 and 23.8 kHz, respectively. The use of a unique set of friction stir welding insert tools as well as its ultrasonic transducer which was equipped with half-ring piezoelectric actuators, due to the identical tool set inertia, made the comparison of the ultrasonic vibrations in different modes to become possible. Then, the tool was manufactured and some experiments were designed to join aluminum 6061-T6 plates as working material. Finally, to investigate the effects of vibrations on the quality of the weld, hardness, tensile strength, temperature and axial force were measured. Regarding the obtained results, in spite of welds, which were created with axial vibrational mode and without vibration states, superimposing bending vibrations, because of its better capability of material stirring pattern, resulted in a higher weld quality, whereas the tool axial forces were enlarged.
Time-Dependent Effects on Synovial Fluid Composition During the Acute Phase of Human Intra-articular Ankle Fracture
Authors: Adams Samuel B. , Reilly Rachel M. , Huebner Janet L. , Kraus Virginia B. , Nettles Dana L.
Published: September 2017

Background:

The study objective was to examine the effect of time and fracture severity on the undiluted synovial fluid (SF) microenvironment during the acute phase following intra-articular fracture (IAF) of the human ankle.

Methods:

Ankle SF from 54 patients with an acute IAF was analyzed for concentrations of 10 cytokines, 5 matrix metalloproteinases, 2 products of cartilage catabolism, and combined products of heme metabolism. All analytes were correlated with time from fracture and further analyzed for an effect of 3 time subgroups (0-2 days, 3-9 days, and ≥10 days) corresponding to timepoints for clinical ankle fracture interventions. The effect of fracture severity was determined by grouping SF according to the number of radiographic intra-articular fracture lines.

Results:

Fifteen of 18 analytes were significantly correlated with time. Temporal grouping of SF revealed an initial (0-2 days) spike of pro-inflammatory (IL-12p70, IL-1β, IL-6) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10 and IL-4) cytokines, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) MMP-9, and sGAG, followed immediately (3-9 days) by products of heme metabolism and an unchallenged surge in mediators and products of cartilage catabolism (MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-10, and CTX-II). After 10 days, there was a decrease in pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines but a persistence of mediators of ECM catabolism. There was no clear relationship between the number of fracture lines and SF levels of analytes.

Conclusions:

This study demonstrated acute temporal fluctuations following ankle IAF resulting in an overall catabolic environment by 10 days post-fracture and supports consideration of an early evacuation of the joint space to reduce the intra-articular inflammatory burden.

Clinical Relavence:

This study contributes to the understanding of the intra-articular events that potentially contribute to the development of posttraumatic osteoarthritis acutely following IAF in the ankle.
Corrective evaluation of multi-valued complex functions for anisotropic elasticity
Authors: Hwu Chyanbin , Hsu Chung-Lei , Chen Wei-Ren
Published: September 2017

It is well known that the Stroh formalism is an elegant and powerful complex variable method for anisotropic elasticity. Through this formalism, several analytical solutions for the problems of anisotropic elasticity have been presented in the literature. To evaluate the analytical solutions, some problems may occur on the numerical evaluation of multi-valued complex functions and their related singular integrals. In this paper, to get a correct single-valued solution, proper branch cuts are suggested for several different multi-valued complex functions, such as the logarithmic function, inverse trigonometric function, power function, mapping function, Plemelj function, and the logarithmic function with mapped variables. To get the correct numerical integration for weakly and strongly singular integrals with multi-valued complex variables, based upon the concept of finite part integrals, formulae employing the Gaussian quadrature rules of standard, logarithmic, and inverse type are derived. According to the branch cuts selected for different complex functions and the integration formulae for singular integrals, some remarks on the computer programming are provided. Verification of the remarks is then made by typical examples of anisotropic elasticity such as holes, cracks, punches, and singular integrals used in boundary element formulation.
Oral Histories as Critical Qualitative Inquiry in Community Health Assessment
Authors: Hernandez Sarah Gabriella , Genkova Ana , Castañeda Yvette , Alexander Simone , Hebert-Beirne Jennifer
Published: September 2017

Qualitative methods such as focus groups and interviews are common methodologies employed in participatory approaches to community health assessment to develop effective community health improvement plans. Oral histories are a rarely used form of qualitative inquiry that can enhance community health assessment in multiple ways. Oral histories center residents’ lived experiences, which often reveal more complex social and health phenomena than conventional qualitative inquiry. This article examines an oral history research component of the Little Village Community Health Assessment, a collaborative research effort to promote health equity in an urban, Mexican ethnic enclave. We collected of 32 oral histories from residents to provide deeper, more grounded insight on community needs and assets. We initially used thematic data analysis. After analytic peer debriefings with the analysis team, we found the process inadvertently reductionist and instead opted for community listening events for participatory data analysis, knowledge translation, and dissemination of findings. Oral histories were most meaningful in their original audio form, adding to a holistic understanding of health by giving voice to complex problems while also naming and describing concepts that were culturally unique. Moreover, the oral histories collectively articulated a counternarrative that celebrated community cultural wealth and opposed the mainstream narrative of the community as deprived. We argue for the recognition and practice of oral histories as a more routine form of qualitative inquiry in community health assessment. In the pursuit of health equity and collaboratively working toward social justice, oral histories can push the boundaries of community health assessment research and practice.
Using Photo-Elicitation Methods to Understand Resilience Among Ultra-Poor Youth and Their Caregivers in Malawi
Authors: Barrington Clare , Villa-Torres Laura , Abdoulayi Sara , Tsoka Maxton Grant , Mvula Peter Matthias
Published: September 2017

Unconditional cash transfer programs are a form of structural intervention to address poverty, a “fundamental cause” of disease. Such programs increasingly aim to build resilience to sustain improved outcomes and provide a solid foundation for longer term transformations. As such, there is a need to understand what resilience means in specific contexts. The goal of this formative study was to explore local experiences of resilience and vulnerability among 11 youth–caregiver dyads ( n = 22) who were beneficiaries of the Malawi Social Cash Transfer Program in Balaka district. We used a photo-elicitation approach informed by the participatory, visual methodology photovoice to guide the study and conducted an iterative content analysis using thematic coding of transcripts and photos. Participants took pictures of their daily struggles and shocks and participated in audio-recorded discussions to reflect on the photos using an adapted version of the SHOWeD method. We found that participants characterized resilience as a tireless process of using all available individual, family, and community resources at all times in pursuit of survival and well-being. In the context of daily struggles, resilience was an essential part of survival. Shocks, mostly health-related, were depicted through staged images candidly highlighting individual and environmental vulnerabilities. Community support was an essential component of resilience for both daily struggles and shocks. Using photo-elicitation methods facilitated an intergenerational, community-driven reflection on the meaning of resilience and the multilevel determinants of health in a context of extreme poverty. Findings can inform the design of resilience-focused cash transfer programs to improve health equity.
Gene-Set Reduction for Analysis of Major and Minor Gleason Scores Based on Differential Gene-Set Expressions and Biological Pathways in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Dinu Irina , Poudel Surya , Pyne Saumyadipta
Published: September 2017

The Gleason score (GS) plays an important role in prostate cancer detection and treatment. It is calculated based on a sum between its major and minor components, each ranging from 1 to 5, assigned after examination of sample cells taken from each side of the prostate gland during biopsy. A total GS of at least 7 is associated with more aggressive prostate cancer. However, it is still unclear how prostate cancer outcomes differ for various distributions of GS between its major and minor components. This article applies Significance Analysis of Microarray for Gene-Set Reduction to a real microarray study of patients with prostate cancer and identifies 13 core genes differentially expressed between patients with a major GS of 3 and a minor GS of 4, or (3,4), vs patients with a combination of (4,3), starting from a less aggressive GS combination of (3,3), and moving toward a more aggressive one of (4,4) via gray areas of (3,4) and (4,3). The resulting core genes may improve understanding of prostate cancer in patients with a total GS of 7, the most common grade and most challenging with respect to prognosis.
Estimation for finite mixture of simplex models: applications to biomedical data
Authors: Quintero Freddy Omar López , Contreras-Reyes Javier E.
Published: September 2017

Simplex distribution has been proved useful for modelling double-bounded variables in data directly. Yet, it is not sufficient for multimodal distributions. This article addresses the problem of estimating a density when data is restricted to the (0,1) interval and contains several modes. Particularly, we propose a simplex mixture model approach to model this kind of data. In order to estimate the parameters of the model, an Expectation Maximization (EM) algorithm is developed. The parameter estimation performance is evaluated through simulation studies. Models are explored using two real datasets: i) gene expressions data of patients’ survival times and the relation to adenocarcinoma and ii) magnetic resonant images (MRI) with a view in segmentation. In the latter case, given that data contains zeros, the main model is modified to consider the zero-inflated setting.
Harmonic clutter recognition and suppression for automotive radar sensors
Authors: Lee Jae-Eun , Lim Hae-Seung , Jeong Seong-Hee , Shin Hyun-Chool , Lee Seong-Wook , Kim Seong-Cheol
Published: September 2017

In this article, we propose a novel harmonic clutter recognition and suppression method to overcome the deterioration of a target- or vehicle-detection performance due to harmonic clutters. Although several studies have been performed on the reflection and diffraction on road surfaces for automotive radar sensors, most of them did not consider the case where metallic structures such as iron tunnels with greater reflection are densely distributed. The proposed method measures the periodicity of harmonic clutters by analyzing the spectral characteristics of the received radar signal with various road conditions. The proposed method can successfully recognize harmonic clutters. In addition, experimental results show that early detection of a target vehicle in an iron tunnel under adaptive cruise control is improved using the proposed clutter suppression method.
Men Respond Too: The Effects of a Social-Evaluative Body Image Threat on Shame and Cortisol in University Men
Authors: Lamarche Larkin , Ozimok Brianne , Gammage Kimberley L. , Muir Cameron
Published: September 2017

Framed within social self-preservation theory, the present study investigated men’s psychobiological responses to social-evaluative body image threats. University men ( n = 66) were randomly assigned to either a high or low social-evaluative body image threat condition. Participants provided saliva samples (to assess cortisol) and completed measures of state body shame prior to and following their condition, during which anthropometric and strength measures were assessed. Baseline corrected values indicated men in the high social-evaluative body image threat condition had higher body shame and cortisol than men in the low social-evaluative body image threat condition. These findings suggest that social evaluation in the context of situations that threaten body image leads to potentially negative psychobiological responses in college men.
School leadership in disadvantaged contexts in Spain: Obstacles and improvements
Authors: Llorent-Bedmar Vicente , Cobano-Delgado Verónica , Navarro-Granados María
Published: September 2017

The increase in child poverty in Spain highlights the importance of equality and inclusion of students at risk of social exclusion in the Spanish educational system. Recent research emphasises the importance of educational leadership, particularly from school principals, as a tool to improve the learning of these students. The main aim of this study is to establish the characteristics of school management in disadvantaged contexts in western Andalusia (Spain), placing special emphasis on the factors considered to hinder or aid effective leadership from principals. A mixed methodology was used in this process, surveying 282 teachers and interviewing 14 principals, and employing descriptive and contrastive statistics techniques. According to the teachers surveyed, principals tend to follow good educational leadership practices. However, the disadvantaged contexts present obstacles to their effective execution. While improvements are observed in the continuity of teaching staff, there is an urgent need to improve the qualifications of teachers working with students at risk of exclusion. In conclusion, principals need greater autonomy in relation to teachers and teaching practice.
The Development of Implicit Self-Esteem During Emerging Adulthood
Authors: Wang Yuqi , Wu Wei , Song Hairong , Wu Mingzheng , Cai Huajian
Published: September 2017

Emerging adulthood is one of the most important life stages for self and identity development. The present research tracked the development of implicit self-esteem during emerging adulthood at both the group and individual levels. We used the implicit association test to assess implicit self-esteem with the improved D score as the index. We surveyed 327 students each year from the beginning of their first year of university until their graduation, with an extra assessment run in the middle of the first year. First-order autoregressive structural equation modeling indicated that implicit self-esteem remained quite stable during the university years in terms of rank-order stability. Latent growth modeling showed that implicit self-esteem decreased slightly during the university years with females initially manifesting a higher level. These findings enrich our understanding of implicit self-esteem and its development as well as self-construction during emerging adulthood.
Practices That Support the Inclusion of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder in Mainstream Early Childhood Education in Zimbabwe
Authors: Majoko Tawanda
Published: September 2017

The international and national mandate to serve learners with special needs in regular education warrants examination of support practices for including learners with autism in Zimbabwe. Entrenched within the inclusive pedagogical philosophy, the current qualitative study executed individual interviews with 18 teachers, document analysis, and nonparticipant observations in the Midlands educational province of Zimbabwe to explore support practices for including learners with autism in regular Early Childhood Development (ECD) classes. The study revealed that support practices for including learners with autism in regular ECD classes included entry competencies informed pedagogy, reinforcement, academic adaptations, socialization, consultation, and strategic management of structured routines and compulsions. The institutionalization of comprehensive teacher education for inclusion and collaborative culture could optimize support practices for including learners with autism in regular ECD classes.
Symptom management in complex post-traumatic stress disorder (ICD-11), view and experience of patients and their relatives: a mixed methods approach (Research Proposal)
Authors: Stadtmann Manuel P. , Maercker Andreas , Binder Jochen , Schnepp Wilfried
Published: September 2017

Objective

Using the framework of IDC-11, complex post-traumatic stress disorder will be diagnosed using the core criteria of a post-traumatic stress disorder and the presence of at least one symptom from the following three domains: symptoms of emotional dysregulation, negative self-concept, and problems in interpersonal relationships. In the literature, these symptoms are discussed as a common reason for seeking treatment. The symptoms can influence and impair the quality of life. This article describes a mixed methods study with a sequential exploratory design. The aim is to describe specific patient characteristics, levels of symptom burden and perspectives of adult inpatients and to describe the experiences, views and needs of patients’ relatives. The study will also investigate facilitators of and barriers to symptom management. The research will be conducted in four phases. The first phase will assess patients’ symptom burdens. The second phase will use semi-structured interviews to explore attitudes to symptom management and perceptions of patients and their relatives. The third phase will statistically explore hypotheses generated after the qualitative interviews. The fourth phase will mix the quantitative and qualitative results and interpret critically.

Results

The present study will add new results to the growing literature on complex post-traumatic stress disorder. These results could serve as the basis for further research into the development of interventions to improve symptom management.

Trial registration Ethical approval has been obtained from the Swiss cantonal ethic commission (Nr. 201500096). This research was also registered to the World Health Organization Clinical Trials Search Portal through the German Clinical Trial Register, Trial DRKS00012268 (21/04/2017)
Best proximity point theorems for generalized α-β-proximal quasi-contractive mappings
Authors: Ayari Mohamed Iadh
Published: September 2017

Herein, we search for some best proximity point results for a novel class of non-self-mappings $T:A \longrightarrow B$
T
:
A
⟶
B
called generalized proximal α-β-quasi-contractive. We illustrate our work by an example. Our results generalize and extend many recent results appearing in the literature. Several consequences are derived. As applications, we explore the existence of best proximity points for a metric space endowed with symmetric binary relation.
Viraph: exploring the potentials of visibility graphs and their analysis
Authors: Amini Behbahani Peiman , Gu Ning , Ostwald Michael
Published: September 2017

Background

Visibility Graph Analysis (VGA) is a space syntax method for quantifying some socio-spatial properties of the built environment by mapping the floor plan into a grid. Presently, VGA mainly relies on mean values of the measures while the individual room-to-room (“interspatial”) relations are not considered or achievable by the common VGA software – depthMapX.

Methods

A new software package, Viraph, is developed using a weighed Dijkstra algorithm to calculate depths. The floor plan is mapped into convex areas to increase the speed of calculation. The interspatial relations are calculated by averaging the point-to-point depths in-between.

Results

The effectiveness of Viraph is demonstrated through a case study, which compares the houses from the late Victorian era with Wright’s Prairie style with a detailed analysis of Francis Little House (designed in 1902). In summary, Viraph has showed a significantly higher calculation speed for VGA, and capability of capturing some socio-spatial relations of the styles by measuring the interspatial depth.

Conclusions

Viraph’s improved speed for measurement has made VGA analysis more accessible for general design researchers and practitioners. Further this paper shows that the added feature of measuring the interspatial depth opens a new perspective for enhancing traditional space syntax analysis.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Tridax procumbens flavonoids: a prospective bioactive compound increased osteoblast differentiation and trabecular bone formation
Authors: Al Mamun Md. Abdullah , Hosen Mohammad Jakir , Khatun Amina , Alam M. Masihul , Al-Bari Md. Abdul Alim
Published: September 2017

Background

The Tridax procumbens extracts (TPE) are known for their ethno-medicinal properties to increase osteogenic functioning in mesenchymal stem cells. Recently, we found that the T. procumbens flavonoids (TPF) significantly suppressed the RANKL-induced osteoclasts differentiation and bone resorption. The TPF also promoted osteoblasts differentiation and bone formation demonstrated by increasing bone formation markers in cultured mouse primary osteoblasts. However, the effects of the TPF on in vivo bone formation remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of the TPF on in vivo bone formation, injected the TPF (20 mg/kg) twice a day in the low calcium diet mice and killed them after 21 day. Radiographic and histomorphometric analyses were performed on the dissected bones to determine the anabolic effects of the TPF.

Results

Bone mineral density and bone mineral content of the TPF-treated mice were significantly increased compared to the control mice. Bone formation-related indices like osteoblast number, osteoblast surface, bone volume, mineralizing surface, mineral apposition rate and bone formation rate were significantly increased in the TPF-treated mice compared to the control mice.

Conclusion

Our findings point towards the stimulation of bone formation by TPF, suggested that the TPF could be a potential natural anabolic agent to treat patients with bone loss-associated diseases such as osteoporosis.
Patient-Clinician Communication: American Society of Clinical Oncology Consensus Guideline
Authors: Gilligan Timothy , Coyle Nessa , Frankel Richard M. , Berry Donna L. , Bohlke Kari , Epstein Ronald M. , Finlay Esme , Jackson Vicki A. , Lathan Christopher S. , Loprinzi Charles L. , Nguyen Lynne H. , Seigel Carole , Baile Walter F.
Published: September 2017

Purpose

To provide guidance to oncology clinicians on how to use effective communication to optimize the patient-clinician relationship, patient and clinician well-being, and family well-being.

Methods

ASCO convened a multidisciplinary panel of medical oncology, psychiatry, nursing, hospice and palliative medicine, communication skills, health disparities, and advocacy experts to produce recommendations. Guideline development involved a systematic review of the literature and a formal consensus process. The systematic review focused on guidelines, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and randomized controlled trials published from 2006 through October 1, 2016.

Results

The systematic review included 47 publications. With the exception of clinician training in communication skills, evidence for many of the clinical questions was limited. Draft recommendations underwent two rounds of consensus voting before being finalized.

Recommendations

In addition to providing guidance regarding core communication skills and tasks that apply across the continuum of cancer care, recommendations address specific topics, such as discussion of goals of care and prognosis, treatment selection, end-of-life care, facilitating family involvement in care, and clinician training in communication skills. Recommendations are accompanied by suggested strategies for implementation. Additional information is available at www.asco.org/supportive-care-guidelines and www.asco.org/guidelineswiki .
Duodenal Sodium/Glucose Cotransporter 1 Expression Under Fasting Conditions Is Associated With Postload Hyperglycemia
Authors: Fiorentino Teresa Vanessa , Suraci Evelina , Arcidiacono Gaetano Paride , Cimellaro Antonio , Mignogna Chiara , Presta Ivan , Andreozzi Francesco , Hribal Marta Letizia , Perticone Francesco , Donato Giuseppe , Luzza Francesco , Sesti Giorgio
Published: September 2017

Context

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is associated with a higher intestinal expression of the glucose transporters sodium/glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT-1) and glucose transporter 2 (GLUT-2). It is currently unsettled whether prediabetes conditions characterized by postprandial hyperglycemia, such as impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and normal glucose tolerance (NGT) with 1-hour postload glucose ≥155 mg/dL (8.6 mmol/L) (NGT-1h-high) are associated with increased expression of these glucose carriers in the intestine.

Objective

We evaluated whether duodenal abundance of SGLT-1 and GLUT-2 is augmented in subjects with IGT and NGT-1h-high, in comparison with subjects with NGT and 1-hour postload glucose ˂155 mg/dL (NGT-1h-low).

Design

Cross-sectional.

Patients

A total of 54 individuals underwent an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Main Outcome Measures

Duodenal SGLT-1 and GLUT-2 protein and messenger RNA levels were assessed by Western blot and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, respectively.

Results

Of the 54 subjects examined, 18 had NGT-1h-low, 12 had NGT-1h-high, 12 had IGT, and 12 had T2DM. Duodenal SGLT-1 protein and messenger RNA levels were significantly higher in individuals with NGT-1h-high, IGT, or T2DM in comparison with NGT-1h-low subjects. GLUT-2 abundance was higher in individuals with T2DM in comparison with NGT-1h-low subjects; no substantial increase in GLUT-2 expression was observed in NGT-1h-high or IGT individuals. Univariate correlations showed that duodenal SGLT-1 abundance was positively correlated with 1-hour postload plasma glucose levels (r = 0.44; P = 0.003) but not with fasting or 2-hour postload glucose levels.

Conclusions

Duodenal SGLT-1 expression is increased in individuals with 1-hour postload hyperglycemia or IGT, as well as in subjects with T2DM, and it positively correlates with early postload glucose excursion.