bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Model-Free Adaptive Sliding Mode Robust Control with Neural Network Estimator for the Multi-Degree-of-Freedom Robotic Exoskeleton
Authors: Chen Xiangjian , Li Di , Wang Pingxin , Yang Xibei , Li Hongmei
Published: March 2020

A new model-free adaptive robust control method has been proposed for the robotic exoskeleton, and the proposed control scheme depends only on the input and output data, which is different from model-based control algorithms that require exact dynamic model knowledge of the robotic exoskeleton. The dependence of the control algorithm on the prior knowledge of the robotic exoskeleton dynamics model is reduced, and the influence of the system uncertainties are compensated by using the model-free adaptive sliding mode controller based on data-driven methodology and neural network estimator, which improves the robustness of the system. Finally, real-time experimental results show that the control scheme proposed in this paper achieves better control performances with good robustness with respect to system uncertainties and external wind disturbances compared with the model-free adaptive control scheme and model-free sliding mode adaptive control scheme.
A PSMA-Targeting CD3 Bispecific Antibody Induces Antitumor Responses that Are Enhanced by 4-1BB Costimulation
Authors: Chiu Danica , Tavaré Richard , Haber Lauric , Aina Olulanu H. , Vazzana Kristin , Ram Priyanka , Danton Makenzie , Finney Jennifer , Jalal Sumreen , Krueger Pamela , Giurleo Jason T. , Ma Dangshe , Smith Eric , Thurston Gavin , Kirshner Jessica R. , Crawford Alison
Published: March 2020

Patients with hematologic cancers have improved outcomes after treatment with bispecific antibodies that bind to CD3 on T cells and that redirect T cells toward cancer cells. However, clinical benefit against solid tumors remains to be shown. We made a bispecific antibody that targets both the common prostate tumor–specific antigen PSMA and CD3 (PMSAxCD3) and provide evidence for tumor inhibition in several preclinical solid tumor models. Mice expressing the human extracellular regions of CD3 and PSMA were generated to examine antitumor efficacy in the presence of an intact immune system and PSMA expression in normal tissues. PSMAxCD3 accumulated in PSMA-expressing tissues and tumors as detected by immuno-PET imaging. Although PSMAxCD3 induced T-cell activation and showed antitumor efficacy in mice with low tumor burden, PSMAxCD3 lost efficacy against larger solid tumors, mirroring the difficulty of treating solid tumors in the clinic. Costimulatory receptors can enhance T-cell responses. We show here that costimulation can enhance the antitumor efficacy of PSMAxCD3. In particular, 4-1BB stimulation in combination with PSMAxCD3 enhanced T-cell activation and proliferation, boosted efficacy against larger tumors, and induced T-cell memory, leading to durable antitumor responses. The combination of CD3 bispecific antibodies and anti-4-1BB costimulation represents a therapeutic approach for the treatment of solid tumors.
Identification of the Targets of T-cell Receptor Therapeutic Agents and Cells by Use of a High-Throughput Genetic Platform
Authors: Gejman Ron S. , Jones Heather F. , Klatt Martin G. , Chang Aaron Y. , Oh Claire Y. , Chandran Smita S. , Korontsvit Tatiana , Zakahleva Viktoriya , Dao Tao , Klebanoff Christopher A. , Scheinberg David A.
Published: March 2020

T-cell receptor (TCR)–based therapeutic cells and agents have emerged as a new class of effective cancer therapies. These therapies work on cells that express intracellular cancer-associated proteins by targeting peptides displayed on MHC receptors. However, cross-reactivities of these agents to off-target cells and tissues have resulted in serious, sometimes fatal, adverse events. We have developed a high-throughput genetic platform (termed “PresentER”) that encodes MHC-I peptide minigenes for functional immunologic assays and determines the reactivities of TCR-like therapeutic agents against large libraries of MHC-I ligands. In this article, we demonstrated that PresentER could be used to identify the on-and-off targets of T cells and TCR-mimic (TCRm) antibodies using in vitro coculture assays or binding assays. We found dozens of MHC-I ligands that were cross-reactive with two TCRm antibodies and two native TCRs and that were not easily predictable by other methods.
Myasthenia Gravis with Anti-Muscle-Specific Tyrosine Kinase Antibody during Pregnancy and Risk of Neonatal Myasthenia Gravis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Inoue Ken-ichi , Tsugawa Jun , Fukae Jiro , Fukuhara Kosuke , Kawano Hiroyasu , Fujioka Shinsuke , Tsuboi Yoshio
Published: March 2020

A 31-year-old woman presented with a nasal voice, dysarthria, and upper limb weakness during her first pregnancy. Soon after delivery of her first baby, her symptoms disappeared. At the age of 34 years, during her second pregnancy, her nasal voice re-appeared. After delivery of the second baby, her nasal voice worsened, and bilateral eyelid ptosis and easy fatigability were also evident. She was referred to our hospital. Because of her myasthenic symptoms and anti-muscle-specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK) antibody (Ab)-positive status, she was diagnosed as having myasthenia gravis (MG). Her symptoms were worse than those in her first pregnancy. She was treated with oral steroid and double filtration plasmapheresis. After initiation of treatment, her myasthenic symptoms improved completely. In addition, her baby developed transient neonatal MG (TNMG) on the fourth day after birth and then gradually recovered over 30 days. It should be noted that symptoms of patients with anti-MuSK Ab-positive MG (MuSK-MG) can deteriorate during pregnancy, and the babies delivered of patients with MuSK-MG have a high probability of developing TNMG.
To be or not to be a tibial comb: A discussion on the (past) use of tibial armature in tribal/subtribal organization in Cholevinae (Coleoptera: Leiodidae)
Authors: Gnaspini Pedro , Peck Stewart Blaine , Antunes-Carvalho Caio , Perreau Michel , Gomyde Eduardo Coutinho
Published: March 2020

Detailed studies of microstructure has recently been shown to provide phylogenetic signals at several supraspecific levels within leiodid coleopterans, as well as in other insects. The tribe Ptomaphagini (Leiodidae: Cholevinae), with a Holarctic-Neotropical-Oriental distribution, has been characterized, among other things, by having a comb of equal-sized, flat spines around the apex of the tibiae of all legs, with a row of spines extending along the outer edge of the protibiae in the subtribes Baryodirina and Ptomaphaginina (but not in Ptomaphagina). A pattern similar to the one in Ptomaphaginina also occurs in the Neotropical cholevine tribe Eucatopini, and this has been used to indicate a phylogenetic relationship between the two tribes (but recent phylogenetic studies have not supported such a close relationship). We here review and revise the presence and structure of periapical (here called an ‘apical crown’) and marginal (here called an ‘external comb’) combs of spines on tibiae in Ptomaphagini, using other cholevines (with and without apical tibial combs) for comparison. We find a phylogenetic signal in an apical crown of tibial spines not interrupted at the outer spur, which seems to be an additional synapomorphy of Ptomaphagini, differing from the pattern in Eucatopini and remaining cholevines with an apical comb of spines, in which the comb is interrupted. We highlight differences not previously noticed between the apical protibial armature of Ptomaphaginina and Eucatopini.
Two new genera of Desmiphorini (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Lamiinae) with description of a species with non-retractile parameres
Authors: Nascimento Francisco Eriberto De Lima , Santos-Silva Antonio
Published: March 2020

In this study, two new genera of Desmiphorini (Lamiinae) are proposed: Cleidaria gen. nov., to include Cleidaria cleidae sp. nov. from the state of Chiapas in Mexico, and Obscenoides gen. nov. for Desmiphora (D.) compta Martins & Galileo, 2005. The shape of tarsal claws of Cleidaria cleidae sp. nov. (abruptly narrowed from basal half) is so far, not found in any current genera of the tribe. With respect to Obscenoides compta (Martins & Galileo, 2005) comb. nov., the genitalia of males have an unusual shape with non-retractile parameres. The character combination related to this genital structure is unknown to us in other species in the family, and hypotheses about its function are suggested.
Erratum: Elaphidiini (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae) from the Caribbean region of Colombia: New species, taxonomic notes and new geographical records
Authors: García Kimberly , Nascimento Francisco Eriberto De Lima
Published: March 2020

Two new species of Elaphidiini from Colombia are described: Sphaerion costae sp. nov., and Mephritus costae sp. nov. The keys to species of Sphaerion Audinet-Serville, 1834 and Mephritus Pascoe, 1866 are translated and modified to include the new species. Chromatic variations of Mephritus apicatus (Linsley, 1935) are reported. Moreover, the geographical distribution is expanded for 12 species of Elaphidiini.
Misuse of prescription medicines is as prevalent as the use of recreational drugs and novel psychoactive substances in Singapore: an unrecognised public health issue?
Authors: Chan Wui Ling , Dargan Paul Ivor , Haynes Colleen Michelle , Green Jody Lynn , Black Joshua Curtis , Dart Richard Charles , Wood David Michael
Published: March 2020

Introduction:

Misuse of prescription medicines and the harms associated with such use are growing threats across the world. There is currently, however, limited data on the extent of prescription medicine misuse in Singapore and whether this is a current threat in the country.

Methods:

An online survey, limited to 1,000 individuals (aged 21 years and over) who were residents in Singapore, was administered through a survey panel company in September 2015. The survey collected information on participant demographics, and their awareness, self-reported lifetime and past-year misuse of commonly available prescription medicines in Singapore as well as the use of a range of recreational drugs and novel psychoactive substances (NPS).

Results:

Lifetime (6.7%) and past-year (4.8%) misuse of any prescription medicine was comparable to lifetime (6.0%) and past-year (3.0%) use of any recreational drugs/NPS. The top five prescription medicines for lifetime misuse were: diazepam (2.7%); codeine (2.3%); dhasedyl (promethazine, codeine and ephedrine; 1.6%); panadeine (paracetamol and codeine; 1.5%); and methylphenidate (1.2%). The top five drugs for past-year misuse were: diazepam (1.6%); codeine (0.9%); panadeine (0.7%); alprazolam (0.6%); baclofen (0.6%); and gabapentin (0.6%).

Conclusion:

Misuse of prescription medicine in Singapore was common, with prevalence comparable to the use of recreational drugs/NPS. A common source for misused drugs was physicians. Further studies are required to determine whether this is more widespread in Singapore and establish the different forms of drug diversion, so that appropriate prevention strategies can be implemented.
Comparison of inhalational methoxyflurane (Penthrox®) and intramuscular tramadol for prehospital analgesia
Authors: Lim KJ , Koh ZX , Ng YY , Fook-Chong S , Ho AFW , Doctor NE , Said NAZM , Ong MEH
Published: March 2020

INTRODUCTION Treatment of pain is an important component of prehospital care. Inhalational analgesia agents have attractive strengths, but there is a paucity of studies comparing these with more conventional agents. We aimed to compare inhalational methoxyflurane and intramuscular (IM) tramadol as first-contact analgesia in the Singapore national ambulance service. METHODS Ambulances were randomised to carry either methoxyflurane or IM tramadol for the first six months and crossed over to the other arm after six months. Patients aged ≥ 16 years, with acute pain arising from musculoskeletal trauma with Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) score ≥ 3 were enrolled. Variables included NRS reduction, time variables, adverse effects, Ramsay Sedation Scores, and patient and paramedic satisfaction scores on a Likert scale. RESULTS A total of 369 patients were enrolled into this study, but 26 patients were excluded due to missing data. The methoxyflurane arm had a shorter median time taken from arrival at the scene to drug administration (9.0 [interquartile range 6.0–14.0] minutes vs. 11.0 [interquartile range 8.0–15.0] minutes). For patients who achieved reduction in NRS ≥ 3 within 20 minutes, those in the methoxyflurane arm took a shorter time. However, the methoxyflurane (46.7%) arm experienced lower proportion of patients not achieving NRS reduction ≥ 3 when compared to the tramadol (71.6%) arm after over 20 minutes. The methoxyflurane arm had significantly higher paramedic and patient satisfaction scores. CONCLUSION For the doses of medication used in this implementation study, methoxyflurane was superior in efficacy, speed of onset and administration, but had more minor adverse effects when compared to IM tramadol.
Alocasia lihengiae, a new species of Araceae from Southern Yunnan

Authors: FANG QIONG , YANG JUN , LONG CHUNLIN
Published: March 2020

Alocasia, a new species of Araceae from Jinuo Mountains, Yunnan, China is described and illustrated. The new species is similar to A. odora and A. hypnosa but differs from A. odora by purple-pink spathe and seasonally dormant habit, while differs from A. hypnosa by leaf blade with upwards basal lobes, milky yellow spadix and persistent purple-black stigma. The new species is terrestrial and grows in open roadside karst area.
Coprophilous fungi from Brazil: updated identification keys to all recorded species

Authors: MELO ROGER FAGNER RIBEIRO , GONDIM NICOLE HELENA DE BRITO , SANTIAGO ANDRÉ LUIZ CABRAL MONTEIRO DE AZEVEDO , MAIA LEONOR COSTA , MILLER ANDREW NICHOLAS
Published: March 2020

Taxonomic records of coprophilous fungi from Brazil are revisited. In total, 271 valid species names, including representatives of Ascomycota (187), Basidiomycota (32), Kickxellomycota (2), Mucoromycota (45) and Zoopagomycota (5), are reported from herbivore dung. Identification keys for coprophilous fungi from Brazil are provided, including both recent surveys (2011–2019) and historical literature.
Phaeosphaeriopsis omaniana (Phaeosphaeriaceae, Pleosporales), a novel fungus from Oman

Authors: AL-JARADI ASMA J. , MAHARACHCHIKUMBURA SAJEEWA S. N. , AL-SADI ABDULLAH M.
Published: March 2020

A fungus within the genus Phaeosphaeriaceae was isolated from brown leaf spot samples of Dracaena serrulata Baker (Yemen dragon tree) collected from Oman Botanic Garden, Muscat, Oman. Detailed morphological studies showed that this strain fits well within the species concept of the genus Phaeosphaeriopsis. Multilocus phylogeny based on LSU, ITS and TEF confirmed its uniqueness and supports its recognition as a new species, Phaeosphaeriopsis omaniana. Geography, pathogenic life mode and subglobose, smooth and brown conidia of the newly described species clearly differ from those of phylogenetically related species. A comprehensive description and illustrations of the new species, P. omaniana is provided and discussed with comparable taxa.
Potential Vorticity and Balanced and Unbalanced Moisture
Authors: Wetzel Alfredo N. , Smith Leslie M. , Stechmann Samuel N. , Martin Jonathan E. , Zhang Yeyu
Published: March 2020

Atmospheric flows are often decomposed into balanced (low frequency) and unbalanced (high frequency) components. For a dry atmosphere, it is known that a single mode, the potential vorticity (PV), is enough to describe the balanced flow and determine its evolution. For a moist atmosphere with phase changes, on the other hand, balanced–unbalanced decompositions involve additional complexity. In this paper, we illustrate that additional balanced modes, beyond PV, arise from the moisture. To support and motivate the discussion, we consider balanced–unbalanced decompositions arising from a simplified Boussinesq numerical simulation and a hemispheric-sized channel simulation using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model. One important role of the balanced moist modes is in the inversion principle that is used to recover the moist balanced flow: rather than traditional PV inversion that involves only the PV variable, it is PV-and-Minversion that is needed, involvingMvariables that describe the moist balanced modes. In examples of PV-and-Minversion, we show that one can decompose all significant atmospheric variables, including total water or water vapor, into balanced (vortical mode) and unbalanced (inertio-gravity wave) components. The moist inversion, thus, extends the traditional dry PV inversion to allow for moisture and phase changes. In addition, we illustrate that the moist balanced modes are essentially conserved quantities of the flow, and they act qualitatively as additional PV-like modes of the system that track balanced moisture.
Relations between Interannual Variability of Regional-Scale Indonesian Precipitation and Large-Scale Climate Modes during 1960–2007
Authors: Alsepan Givo , Minobe Shoshiro
Published: March 2020

Regional-scale precipitation responses over Indonesia to major climate modes in the tropical Indo–Pacific Oceans, namely canonical El Niño, El Niño Modoki, and the Indian Ocean dipole (IOD), and how the responses are related to large-scale moisture convergences are investigated. The precipitation responses, analyzed using a high-spatial-resolution (0.5° × 0.5°) terrestrial precipitation dataset for the period 1960–2007, exhibit differences between the dry (July–September) and wet (November–April) seasons. Canonical El Niño strongly reduces precipitation in central to eastern Indonesia from the dry season to the early wet season and northern Indonesia in the wet season. El Niño Modoki also reduces precipitation in central to eastern Indonesia during the dry season, but conversely increases precipitation in western Indonesia in the wet season. Moisture flux analysis indicates that corresponding to the dry (wet) season precipitation reduction due to the canonical El Niño and El Niño Modoki anomalous divergence occurs around the southern (northern) edge of the convergence zone when one of the two edges is located near the equator (10°S–15°N) associated with their seasonal migration. This largely explains the seasonality and regionality of precipitation responses to canonical El Niño and El Niño Modoki. IOD reduces precipitation in southwestern Indonesia in the dry season, associated with anomalous moisture flux divergence. The seasonality of precipitation response to IOD is likely to be controlled by the seasonality of local sea surface temperature anomalies in the eastern pole of the IOD.
Themes in sentencing young adults charged with serious violent crime involving alcohol and other drugs
Authors: Lawler Siobhan M , Barrett Emma L , Stapinski Lexine A , Bright David A , Teesson Maree
Published: March 2020

The majority of young people in custody have alcohol and other drug problems and over 90% report past-year experiences of high-risk drinking and illicit drug use. Despite a strong link between drug use and violent offending, there is a dearth of information about how this relationship plays out in sentencing young adult offenders. This study examines themes in the sentencing of drug-using young adults facing court for serious violent crime and describes how judges discuss rehabilitation as a consideration for this high-risk group. This research contributes to the literature by bridging law and social science through a cross sectional analysis of n = 507 sentencing remarks from New South Wales higher courts. Substance use involvement was indicated in more than three-quarters (77%) of violent offence cases. Among young adults sentenced for violent crimes involving substance use (n = 51) robbery and homicide were the most common offences, and alcohol and methamphetamine were the most frequently involved substances. Two themes emerged around judges’ reasons for sentencing, one emphasising offender agency and choice and another more compassionate position acknowledging the influence of drug dependence on offending behaviour. Despite this divide, addressing substance use dependence was commonly seen as key for the successful rehabilitation of young people who commit violent crime involving alcohol and other drugs.
Modeling Responses and Response Times in Tests With the Hierarchical Model and the Three-Parameter Lognormal Distribution
Authors: Ranger Jochen , Kuhn Jörg Tobias , Ortner Tuulia M.
Published: March 2020

The hierarchical model of van der Linden is the most popular model for responses and response times in tests. It is composed of two separate submodels—one for the responses and one for the response times—that are joined at a higher level. The submodel for the response times is based on the lognormal distribution. The lognormal distribution is a skew distribution with a support from zero to infinity. Such a support is unrealistic as the solution process demands a minimal processing time that sets a response time threshold. Ignoring this response time threshold misspecifies the model and threatens the validity of model-based inferences. In this article, the response time model of van der Linden is replaced by a model that is based on the three-parameter lognormal distribution. The three-parameter lognormal distribution extends the lognormal distribution by an additional location parameter that bounds the support away from zero. Two different approaches to model fitting are proposed and evaluated with regard to parameter recovery in a simulation study. The extended model is applied to two data sets. In both data sets, the extension improves the fit of the hierarchical model.
The Australian labour market in 2019
Authors: Birch Elisa , Preston Alison
Published: March 2020

1 This article provides an overview of the key features of the labour market in 2019, with historical data providing insight into recent trends. In 2019, the female labour force participation rate reached an all-time high of 61.3%, 10 percentage points lower than the male rate. Disaggregated analysis shows this growth stems from rising participation amongst older women. This, in turn, is underpinned by a growth in feminised sectors of the labour market, notably the Health Care and Social Assistance sector. Since 2000 this sector has contributed 22.6% to total employment growth and at 2019 accounted for 13.5% of the Australian workforce. There has also been a growth in part-time and casual employment over recent years, with the latter now accounting for 25% of all employees. These are concerning developments, with estimates showing that 58.6% of casuals are not guaranteed a minimum number of hours of work in their job. The article notes that wages growth remains below that required to stimulate employment growth, and that a continued focus on conventional labour market indicators has the potential to lead to misguided policy formulation.
The Tax Advantage of Big Business: How the Structure of Corporate Taxation Fuels Concentration and Inequality
Authors: Hager Sandy Brian , Baines Joseph
Published: March 2020

Corporate concentration in the United States has been on the rise in recent years, sparking a heated debate about its causes, consequences, and potential remedies. This article examines a facet of public policy that has been neglected in the debate: corporate taxation. Developing the first empirical mapping of the effective tax rates of nonfinancial corporations disaggregated by size and broken down by jurisdiction, the article reveals a striking tax advantage for big business at home and abroad. The analysis goes on to show how persistent regressivity in the tax structure is bound up with the increasing relative power of large corporations within the corporate universe, as well as a shift in firm-level power relations. As large corporations become less disposed to investments that may indirectly benefit ordinary workers, they become more disposed to shareholder value enhancement that directly benefits the asset-rich. What this means is that the corporate tax structure is connected not only to rising corporate concentration but also to widening household inequality.
Sociology, Sociology and the Cultural and Creative Industries
Authors: Casey Emma , O’Brien Dave
Published: March 2020

Cultural and creative industries are now an established area of academic research. Yet, the welcome innovations that are associated with the development of a new field of study are also matched by confusions and conjectures. The term itself, ‘cultural and creative industries’, is the subject of extensive debate. It goes hand in hand with closely related concepts such as ‘creative economy’, as well as reflecting definitional struggles aimed at conjoining or demarcating the creative and the cultural. Many of these debates have been the subject of sociological research and research in Sociology. This collection considers that specific role of sociology, and Sociology, to the study of cultural and creative industries. The e-special issue collects articles ranging from early empirical and theoretical precursors to the formal establishment of cultural and creative industries as a field of study, to more recent work considering the coherence and usefulness of the category itself.
Ascites: an unusual presentation of eosinophilic gastroenteritis in a child
Authors: Menon Jagadeesh , Venkatesh Vybhav , Bhatia Anmol , Rana Surinder S , Lal Sadhna B
Published: March 2020

Eosinophilic ascites, owing to serosal involvement, is a very rare manifestation of eosinophilic gastroenteritis in children, especially when it occurs with muscular involvement in the absence of mucosal disease, which may be confirmed by endoscopic ultrasonography. An 11-year-old girl, presenting with massive eosinophilic ascites and colicky abdominal pain with peripheral eosinophilia, raised IgE levels and positive skin prick test, had such investigation which confirmed the presence of muscle layer thickening of both stomach and small bowel. She responded well to steroids and montelukast.
Sparse representation preserving embedding based on extreme learning machine for process monitoring
Authors: Yongyong Hui , Xiaoqiang Zhao
Published: March 2020

Extreme learning machine (ELM) is a fast learning mechanism used in many domains. Unsupervised ELM has improved to extract nonlinear features. A nonlinear dynamic process monitoring method named sparse representation preserving embedding based on ELM (SRPE-ELM) is proposed in this paper. First, the noise is removed by sparse representation and the sparse coefficient is applied to construct the adjacency graph. The adjacency graph with a data-adaptive neighborhood can extract dynamic manifold structure better than a specified neighborhood parameter. Secondly, a new objection function considered the sparse reconstruction and output weights is established to extract nonlinear dynamic manifold structure. Thirdly, the statistic SPE and T2 based on SRPE-ELM are built to monitor the whole process. Finally, SRPE-ELM is applied in the IRIS data classification example, a numerical case and Tennessee Eastman benchmark process to verify the effectiveness of process monitoring.
IL-8 and IFN-γ as Preoperative Predictors of the Outcome of Tonsillectomy
Authors: Seethaler Alicia , Stenner Markus , McNally Annika , Rudack Claudia , Roth Johannes , Vogl Thomas , Spiekermann Christoph
Published: March 2020

Objectives:

Tonsillectomy (TE) and tonsillotomy (TO) due to recurrent episodes of acute tonsillitis (RAT) belong to the most frequent surgical procedures. However, an adequate objective marker predicting the outcome of TE/TO preoperatively is missing.

Methods:

Patients with RAT who underwent TE/TO (n = 31) were included in this pilot study. A panel of cytokines and chemokines in serum and saliva were determined preoperatively. Health-related quality of life was assessed pre- and postoperatively by the Tonsillectomy Outcome Inventory-14.

Results:

Health-related quality of life improved significantly after surgery. Increased serum levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) are associated with a less successful outcome. No correlation between the number of acute tonsillitis episodes and the health-related quality of life after TE or TO could be observed.

Conclusions:

Tonsillectomy and TO improve health-related quality of life independently from the number of past acute tonsillitis episodes. Interleukin-8 and IFN-γ in serum may serve as promising markers, predicting the benefit of TE or TO for patients preoperatively.
Sex differences in associations between early adversity, child temperament, and behavior problems
Authors: Coe Jesse L. , Micalizzi Lauren , Josefson Brittney , Parade Stephanie H. , Seifer Ronald , Tyrka Audrey R.
Published: March 2020

Early adversity is associated with both internalizing and externalizing problems among children, and effects of adversity on dimensions of child temperament may underlie these links. However, very little is known about the role of child sex in these processes. The current study examined whether there are indirect effects of early adversity on behavior problems through dimensions of child temperament and whether these indirect effects vary across child sex. Participants in this multimethod (parent-report survey, semistructured interview, child protection records) study included 274 preschool-aged children ( M age = 50.86 months; 52% with documented case of moderate to severe maltreatment) and their primary caregivers assessed at two time points spaced 6 months apart. Results of multigroup path analyses revealed that while anger mediated associations between lifetime stress and behavior problems for the full sample, inhibitory control and appropriate attentional allocation were significant intermediary mechanisms of lifetime stress for boys, but not for girls. Inhibitory control mediated associations between maltreatment and behavior problems for the full sample, but appropriate attentional allocation mediated these associations for boys only. Results suggest that early adversity influences child behavior problems through child temperament, particularly for boys. This work supports the perspective that temperament is influenced by characteristics of the early rearing environment, and the indirect effects of adversity on behavior problems through temperament vary across sex.
Subjective Benefits of Bimodal Listening in Cochlear Implant Recipients with Asymmetric Hearing Loss
Authors: Thompson Nicholas J. , Dillon Margaret T. , Buss Emily , Rooth Meredith A. , King English R. , Bucker Andrea L. , McCarthy Sarah A. , Deres Ellen J. , O’Connell Brendan P. , Pillsbury Harold C. , Brown Kevin D.
Published: March 2020

Objective

To investigate the influence of cochlear implant (CI) use on subjective benefits in quality of life in cases of asymmetric hearing loss (AHL).

Study Design

Prospective clinical trial.

Setting

Tertiary academic center.

Subjects and Methods

Subjects included CI recipients with AHL (n = 20), defined as moderate‐to‐profound hearing loss in the affected ear and mild‐to‐moderate hearing loss in the contralateral ear. Quality of life was assessed with the Speech, Spatial, and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ) pragmatic subscales, which assess binaural benefits. Subjective benefit on the pragmatic subscales was compared to word recognition in quiet and spatial hearing abilities (ie, masked sentence recognition and localization).

Results

Subjects demonstrated an early, significant improvement (P <. 01) in abilities with the CI as compared to preoperative abilities on the SSQ pragmatic subscales by the 1‐month interval. Perceived abilities were either maintained or continued to improve over the study period. There were no significant correlations between results on the Speech in Quiet subscale and word recognition in quiet, the Speech in Speech Contexts subscale and masked sentence recognition, or the Localization subscale and sound field localization.

Conclusions

CI recipients with AHL report a significant improvement in quality of life as measured by the SSQ pragmatic subscales over preoperative abilities. Reported improvements are observed as early as 1 month postactivation, which likely reflect the binaural benefits of listening with bimodal stimulation (CI and contralateral hearing aid). The SSQ pragmatic subscales may provide a more in‐depth insight into CI recipient experience as compared to behavioral sound field measures alone.
Self-concept clarity as a predictor of self-disclosure in romantic relationships
Authors: Tajmirriyahi Maryam , Ickes William
Published: March 2020

Several studies have examined the role of self-esteem in self-disclosure while overlooking a potentially important confounding variable: self-concept clarity. Across three studies, we found an association between self-concept clarity and self-disclosure to one’s romantic partner. This incremental effect held even when the variance attributable to self-esteem was statistically controlled in a multiple regression analysis. Moreover, in two of the three studies, self-esteem was no longer a significant predictor of self-disclosure after controlling for the variance in self-concept clarity. These data suggest that self-concept clarity is an important predictor of self-disclosure—one that is conceptually and empirically distinct from self-esteem. That self-concept clarity tended to supplant self-esteem in the multiple regression models suggests that disclosing the specific aspects of the self that one clearly perceives (one’s attributes, goals, motives, values, etc.) might be more essential to everyday self-disclosure than disclosing only whether one has a globally positive or negative self-view. Future research should explore the causal relationships involved with the aid of experimental studies.
The Canadian Planetary Emulation Terrain Energy-Aware Rover Navigation Dataset
Authors: Lamarre Olivier , Limoyo Oliver , Marić Filip , Kelly Jonathan
Published: March 2020

Future exploratory missions to the Moon and to Mars will involve solar-powered rovers; careful vehicle energy management is critical to the success of such missions. This article describes a unique dataset gathered by a small, four-wheeled rover at a planetary analog test facility in Canada. The rover was equipped with a suite of sensors designed to enable the study of energy-aware navigation and path planning algorithms. The sensors included a colour omnidirectional stereo camera, a monocular camera, an inertial measurement unit, a pyranometer, drive power consumption monitors, wheel encoders, and a GPS receiver. In total, the rover drove more than 1.2 km over varied terrain at the analog test site. All data is presented in human-readable text files and as standard-format images; additional Robot Operating System (ROS) parsing tools and several georeferenced aerial maps of the test environment are also included. A series of potential research use cases is described.
Response on DCE-MRI predicts outcome of salvage radiotherapy for local recurrence after radical prostatectomy
Authors: Sanguineti Giuseppe , Bertini Luca , Faiella Adriana , Ferriero Maria Consiglia , Marzi Simona , Farneti Alessia , Landoni Valeria
Published: March 2020

Objective:

To assess the predictive role of response on dynamic contrast enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) of visible local lesions in the setting of salvage radiotherapy (sRT) after radical prostatectomy.

Methods:

All patients referred for sRT for biochemical failure after radical prostatectomy from February 2014 to September 2016 were considered eligible if they had been restaged with DCE-MRI and had been found to have a visible lesion in the prostatic bed, but no distant/nodal disease on choline positron emission tomography (PET)–computed tomography (CT). Eligible patients were contacted during follow-up and offered reimaging with serial DCE-MRI until lesion resolution. Complete response (CR) was defined as the disappearance of the target lesion on DCE-MRI; prostate-specific antigen (PSA) recurrence was defined as a 0.2 ng/mL PSA rise above the nadir. Median follow-up after sRT was 41.5 months (range, 12.1–61.2 months).

Results:

Fifty-nine patients agreed to undergo repeated DCE-MRI for a total of 64 studied lesions. Overall, 57 lesions (89.1%) showed a CR after 1 (51 patients) or 2 (6 patients) scans, while 7 lesions did not show any change (no response [NR]). At 42 months, no evidence of biochemical disease (bNED) survival was 74.7±6.4% and 64.3±21.0% for patients with CR and NR lesions, respectively (hazard ratio [HR], 3.181; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.157–64.364; p = 0.451). When only patients treated with sRT without androgen deprivation were selected ( n = 41), bNED survival rates at 42 months were 72.1±8.0% and 0, respectively (HR, 52.830; 95% CI, 1.893–1474.110; p = 0.020).

Conclusions:

Patients whose lesions disappear during follow-up have a better outcome than those with unchanged lesions after sRT alone.
Cannabinoids use in adolescents and young adults with cancer: a single-center survey
Authors: Podda Marta , Pagani Bagliacca Elena , Sironi Giovanna , Veneroni Laura , Silva Matteo , Angi Martina , Massimino Maura , Ferrari Andrea , Clerici Carlo Alfredo
Published: March 2020

Objective:

To present an investigation into the intake of cannabinoids in a population of adolescents and young adults with cancer.

Methods:

Sixty-six patients took part in the research: 27 reported having used cannabinoids, 21 before diagnosis; among the latter, 10 increased use during treatment.

Results:

Benefits were reported by 19% of responders regarding anxiety control, 24% for nausea, 29% for pain control and improvement of sleep, and 48% for appetite improvement.

Conclusions:

Cannabis use by patients may often be unknown to caregivers. Studying this subject may help to better define important therapeutic aspects of these substances.
Microphysiological Systems: A Pathologist’s Perspective
Authors: Sura Radhakrishna , Van Vleet Terry , Berridge Brian R.
Published: March 2020

High-throughput in vitro models lack human-relevant complexity, which undermines their ability to accurately mimic in vivo biologic and pathologic responses. The emergence of microphysiological systems (MPS) presents an opportunity to revolutionize in vitro modeling for both basic biomedical research and applied drug discovery. The MPS platform has been an area of interdisciplinary collaboration to develop new, predictive, and reliable in vitro methods for regulatory acceptance. The current MPS models have been developed to recapitulate an organ or tissue on a smaller scale. However, the complexity of these models (ie, including all cell types present in the in vivo tissue) with appropriate structural, functional, and biochemical attributes are often not fully characterized. Here, we provide an overview of the capabilities and limitations of the microfluidic MPS model (aka organs-on-chips) within the scope of drug development. We recommend the engagement of pathologists early in the MPS design, characterization, and validation phases, because this will enable development of more robust and comprehensive MPS models that can accurately replicate normal biology and pathophysiology and hence be more predictive of human responses.
Barriers and Insights in Participant Recruitment in Assisted Living Facilities
Authors: Shropshire Michele D. , Stapleton Stephen J. , Dyck Mary J.
Published: March 2020

An estimated 1.2 million older adults nationwide currently reside in assisted/supportive living facilities, and research is required to continue to identify best outcomes in for their care. However, challenges exist. The aim of this paper is to address barriers and provide insights related to participant recruitment in assisted and supportive living facilities. Identified barriers included unproductive communication with reception area staff, a perceived lack of interest in research activity, and the inability of Director of Nursing (DON) to provide authorization for research activities. Recruitment insights included productive encounters with gatekeepers, establishing trust with executive administration and healthcare personnel, and research team persistence.
Grit: Is It Required for Nursing Research?
Authors: Florczak Kristine L.
Published: March 2020

The following is a short introduction to the column concerning barriers and insights in recruiting participants for nursing research. It supports the notion that grit is required for nursing research and that consists of perseverance and passion.
Neuman Systems Model With Depressed Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Başoğul Ceyda , Buldukoğlu Kadriye
Published: March 2020

To determine the effect of the coping with depression program, based on the Neuman systems model, on the coping strategies, self-esteem, and depression levels of depressed patients, a randomized controlled study was conducted. Two groups—intervention and control—were formed in the study. For the intervention group, individual psychoeducation based on the Neuman systems model and involving cognitive behavioral therapy techniques (coping with depression program) was administered at six sessions. Psychoeducation based on the Neuman systems model was effective in decreasing the level of depression, increasing the level of self-esteem, increasing problem-solving skills, encouraging individuals to seek social support for coping strategies, and decreasing the use of avoidance strategy.
Nursing Perspectives and Knowledge With an Acuity Adaptable Model
Authors: Carroll Karen , Frey-Moylan Genevieve
Published: March 2020

An acuity adaptable pediatric cardiac care model provides healthcare centered on the practice of having the child remain in the same unit and receive care from the same clinical team from admission to discharge. This means the child is managed as they progress from an acute, intermediate, intensive care, and sometimes even long-term status within the same room. This article highlights the relationship-based care nursing model, a patient-centered care model, and the importance of nursing disciplinary knowledge from the Roy adaptation model and its impact on the healthcare this population receives within a unique environment.
Classrooms of the 21st Century: Reimagining Boundaries
Authors: Yancey Nan Russell
Published: March 2020

In this column, the traditional boundaries of nurse education limited by brick and mortar are reimagined in light of rapidly emerging technologies with the potential to break down boundaries of time and space. Gleaning insights from historical and contemporary scholars, a challenge is proffered to create new models of nurse education that meet the call for flexibility and customizability yet are firmly established on a solid nursing theoretical and scientific foundation.
Rise of the Machines? Examining the Influence of Social Bots on a Political Discussion Network
Authors: Hagen Loni , Neely Stephen , Keller Thomas E. , Scharf Ryan , Vasquez Fatima Espinoza
Published: March 2020

The growing influence of social bots in political discussion networks has raised significant concerns, particularly given their potential to adversely impact democratic outcomes. In this study, we report the results of a case study analysis of bot activity in a recent, high-profile political discussion network. Specifically, we examine the prevalence and impact of bots in a Twitter network discussing the Special Counsel investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. elections. Using this discussion network, we conduct a “before-and-after” analysis to examine the prevalence of social bots in the discussion network as well as their influence on key network features such as (1) network structure, (2) content/messaging, (3) sentiment, and (4) influentialness. Our findings suggest that bots can affect political discussion networks in several significant ways. We found that bot-like accounts created the appearance of a virtual community around far-right political messaging, attenuated the influence of traditional actors (i.e., media personalities, subject matter experts), and influenced network sentiment by amplifying pro-Trump messaging. The results of this analysis add to a growing body of literature on the use and influence of social bots while at the same time uniquely examining their influence in a nonelectoral, political setting.
Effect of rolling bearing parameters on the nonlinear dynamics of offset rotor
Authors: Liang Mingxuan , Yan Tianhong , Hu Jianhong , Chen Zhongli
Published: March 2020

Nonlinear vibration of rotating machinery induced by rolling bearings has gradually become a research issue. In many cases, the rotor discs are not always installed in middle of shaft in actual rotor system, and the influence of disc offset on nonlinear vibration needs to be studied in depth as rotating speed increases. This study deals with the effect mechanism of rotor offset on nonlinear dynamic responses. Nonlinear vibration model of offset rotor is established based on finite element method, and the disc offset position along rotor shaft is concerned. The responses are calculated by Newmark-β integration method, which are also validated by an experimental rig, and the influences of nonlinear parameters of rolling bearings are investigated. The results indicate that disc offset is a crucial factor that can induce more complex nonlinearity coupled with rolling bearing under high-speed conditions.
Design and HIL-based verification of the fuel control unit for a gas turbine engine
Authors: Salehi Amin , Montazeri-GH Morteza
Published: March 2020

The correct operation of a gas turbine engine depends on the accurate and stable performance of fuel control system and its components such as fuel control unit. Fuel control unit is an electro-hydraulic actuator of fuel control system whose function is to supply, regulate and send the fuel to the engine according to the electronic control unit command. In this paper, a new fuel control unit has been developed based on the load sensing concept for a turboshaft gas turbine engine. In the designed fuel control unit, the fuel flow rate is controlled by adjusting the fuel pressure. A NARX model and ANFIS controller is employed to design the pressure controller. A hardware in the loop framework, comprising of hydraulic circuit, sensors, data acquisition card and computers, is developed to evaluate the performance of the fuel control unit alongside the real-time simulation of other component such as engine and electronic control unit. Moreover, the consumed power by the fuel control unit is evaluated and a considerable improvement is indicated compared to typical fuel control units.
India–Myanmar Border Fencing and India’s Act East Policy
Authors: Majumdar Munmun
Published: March 2020

The Manipur–Myanmar border is a fine example in establishing that cross-border linkages are far more central to historical change than previously acknowledged. Fencing of the Manipur–Myanmar border created barriers to economic exchanges and livelihood while dividing cultures and families. Therefore, understanding the ways in which the fencing affects the border communities is important and crucial for comprehending the role of the border communities living along the Manipur–Myanmar border in India’s Act East Policy (AEP), together with in examining the ways in which they can be engaged for the successful implementation of the policy.
Book review: Teresa Rehman, Bulletproof: A Journalist’s Notebook on Reporting Conflict
Authors: Deka Kaustubh
Published: March 2020

Teresa Rehman, Bulletproof: A Journalist’s Notebook on Reporting Conflict. New Delhi: Penguin Random House, 2019, ₹399, pp. 272. ISBN: 13-9780143445739.