bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhanced gas barrier and thermal properties of polyimide/montmorillonite nanocomposites as a result of “dual‐plane” structure effect
Authors: Liu Yi Wu , Liu Jun Jie , Ding Qian , Tan Jing Hua , Chen Jun Yi , She Zhi Hong , Tang Ao , Zeng Ke Jian
Published: December 2017

A type of highly exfoliated, dispersed, and oriented organic montmorillonite filled polyimide (DABPI/OMMT) nanocomposites has been prepared successfullyvia in situpolymerization. Compared with the pristine DABPI, the DABPI/OMMT nanocomposites exhibit much better barrier and thermal performance. The water vapor permeability and oxygen permeability of DABPI/OMMT (5 wt%) are low to 0.31 g mil m−2 day−1and 0.72 cm3 mil m−2 day−1, respectively. Meanwhile, its 5% weight‐loss temperature and coefficient of thermal expansion are 568°C and −1.1 ppm K−1, respectively. The results of transmission electron microscopy, 1D and 2D wide angle X‐ray diffractograms, as well as positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy reveal that the excellent barrier and thermal performance of DABPI/OMMT (5 wt%) are mainly because of the high orientation of OMMT, increased crystallinity and low free volume of DABPI matrix. These are resulted from the “dual‐plane” structure effect, which is the synergistic orientation effect between the rigid planar molecular chains of DABPI and nanoplatelets of OMMT. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:E1725–E1732, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Sleep patterns and their association with depression and behavior problems among Chinese adolescents in different grades
Authors: Wang Yaxin , Chen Zhiyan , Guo Fei , Huang Zheng , Jiang Lan , Duan Qing , Zhang Jie
Published: December 2017

We aimed to examine sleep patterns and their association with depression and behavior problems among Chinese adolescents in different grades. A cross‐sectional study was conducted in 10 cities of mainland China. A total of 8,998 Chinese adolescents (49.3% males) aged 9–20 years completed a self‐administered questionnaire that included questions on sleep patterns, depressive symptoms, behavior problems, and demographic characteristics. The percentage of adolescents who slept less than 7 hr on weekdays increased with grade, while the percentage of adolescents who slept less than 7 hr on weekends remained the same. The gap in sleep length between weekdays and weekends increased from 0.6 hr in grade 5 to 2.3 hr in Grade 12. The regression analysis showed that poor sleep habits were linked to greater emotional and behavioral problems. The associations of sleep length with those problems differed by symptom and grade. Sleeping less related to depression in all grades. More behavior problems were observed in primary school students who had less sleep and in senior high school students who had more sleep than their peers. The preference for going to bed late stably related to both adolescent depression and behavior problems in all grades, although it posed a greater risk for students in higher grades.
Interactions between psychosocial stress and the circadian endogenous clock
Authors: Helfrich‐Förster Charlotte
Published: December 2017

Animals are exposed to regular daily challenges in their environment as well as to unpredictable stressful events, so‐called stressors. Both measures require adequate physiological responses that are controlled by the circadian system and the stress system. The two systems are highly linked with each other. The circadian system prepares the animal for the regular daily challenges by upregulating the stress system before the animal's activity phase every day. In addition, unpredicted environmental challenges upregulate the stress system independently of the circadian system. This can happen at any time, even in the middle of the animal's sleeping phase. Although the stress system feeds back on the brain, the circadian master clock in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of the hypothalamus is usually not disturbed by stressful events, but instead continues to activate the animal in a regular daily manner. However, the stability of the SCN clock appears to fade away after chronic stress, in particular after chronic psychosocial stress. Chronic psychosocial stress is the major risk factor for major depression and certain anxiety disorders in humans and therefore deserves attention. Here, I review the interactions between the circadian and stress systems after chronic psychosocial stress in an animal model, the social defeat paradigm.
Fabrication of sintered porous polymeric materials: effect of chain interdiffusion time on mechanical properties
Authors: Salari Meysam , Pircheraghi Gholamreza
Published: December 2017

In this study, sintered porous polymeric materials made of high density polyethylene (HDPE) were fabricated through controlling the chain interdiffusion time at the transition temperature of semicrystalline and melt states. At this intermediate state, where both crystalline and amorphous phases coexist, the interfacial welding of HDPE particles is facilitated thanks to interdiffusion caused by chain relaxation phenomena. Then, by assuming a spherical shape and a cubic packing configuration of particles, a geometrical model was developed to predict porosity variations as sintering progresses. Moreover, the HDPE used, as a broad molecular weight distributed polymer, has different family chains with different specific molecular weight ranges. Accordingly, the melt coalescence rate of the particles was tracked using an optical microscope equipped with a hot stage, in order to determine the diffusion characteristic times for each family. During the characterization stage, SEM images proved the presence of porous structures in the sintered samples. In addition, mechanical properties were assessed through the shear punch test. It was shown that the mechanical properties are governed by the interdiffusion of long chains which occurs at relatively long sintering times. The results also demonstrated the role of reptation motion of long chains in the interfacial welding of polymeric particles. They revealed the compatibility of macroscopic properties of the samples and chain motions at microscopic levels. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Small molecule self‐assembly in polymer matrices
Authors: Sundararajan Pudupadi R.
Published: December 2017

Using small molecules in polymer matrices is common in applications such as (i) plasticizing polymers to modify the glass transition and mechanical properties and (ii) dispersion of photoactive or electroactive small molecules in polymer matrices in organic‐electronic devices Aggregation of these small molecules and phase separation leading to crystallization often cannot be morphologically controlled. If these are designed with self‐assembling codes such as hydrogen bonding or aromatic interactions, their phase separation behavior would be distinctly different. This review summarizes the studies on morphologies in such situations, such as (i) sub‐surface assembly in polymer matrices, (ii) controlled polymerization‐induced phase separation to create polymer blends, (iii) using the polymer to direct the assembly of small molecules in liquid crystalline devices, (iv) functionalizing a polymer with self‐assembling small molecules to cause organo‐gelation which the polymer itself would not by itself, and (v) using such systems as templates to create porous polymer structures. Organic–inorganic hybrids using polymers as templates for nanostructures and imprinted porous membranes is an emerging area. Since self‐assembly is one of the dominating area of research with respect to both small molecules, polymers as well as the combination of the two, this review summarizes the studies on the aforementioned topics. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2018, 56, 451–478
Do Australian adolescents' and young adults' experiences of cancer care influence their quality of life?
Authors: Skaczkowski Gemma , White Victoria , Thompson Kate , Bibby Helen , Coory Michael , Pinkerton Ross , Orme Lisa M. , Conyers Rachel , Phillips Marianne B. , Osborn Michael , Harrup Rosemary , Anazodo Antoinette
Published: December 2017

Objective

To examine the relationship between the cancer care experiences of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) and their quality of life.

Methods

Two hundred and nine AYAs completed a cross‐sectional, self‐report survey distributed through the population‐based cancer registries in 2 Australian states (New South Wales and Victoria). Eligible AYAs were 15 to 24 years old when diagnosed with any cancer (excluding early‐stage melanoma) and were 3 to 24 months post‐diagnosis. Questions examined whether particular care experiences occurred for the patient at different points in the cancer care pathway, including diagnosis, treatment, inpatient care, and at the end of treatment. Quality of life was assessed using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–General scale.

Results

Positive experiences of care at diagnosis, during treatment, during inpatient stays, and when finishing treatment were associated with higher functional, emotional, and social well‐being. However, these associations generally became nonsignificant when communication and support experiences were included in the model. Inpatient experiences positively influenced emotional well‐being over and above the effect of communication and support experiences.

Conclusions

The results suggest that, for most AYAs' quality of life outcomes, positive experiences of age‐appropriate communication and emotional support may underpin the effect of positive experiences of care throughout the cancer care pathway. The results support the need for communication and support tailored to an AYA audience, as recognised by recent Australian and international guidelines on the care of AYAs with cancer.
Chemotherapy Immunophenoprofiles in Non‐Small‐Cell Lung Cancer by Personalized Membrane Proteomics
Authors: Putri Denise Utami , Feng Po‐Hao , Hsu Yuu‐Hueih , Lee Kang‐Yun , Jiang Feng‐Wen , Kuo Lu‐Wei , Chen Yu‐Ju , Han Chia‐Li
Published: December 2017

Objectives: No study has addressed how the immune status at the molecular level is affected by first‐line pemetrexed and cisplatin (PEM–CIS) combination therapy in patients with non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Thus, we aimed to identify the immune status from membrane proteome alterations in patients with NSCLC upon PEM–CIS treatment.

Methods: The paired peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected from four patients with lung adenocarcinoma before and after the first regimen of PEM–CIS treatment and applied quantitative membrane proteomics analysis.

Result: In the personalized PBMC membrane proteome profiles, 2424 proteins were identified as displaying patient‐specific responsive patterns. We discovered an elevated neutrophil activity and a more suppressive T‐cell phenotype with the downregulation of cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 degradation and the upregulation of type 2 T‐helper and T‐regulatory cells in the patient with the highest progression‐free survival (PFS) of 14.5 months. Patients with a PFS of 2 months showed higher expressions of T‐cell subsets, MHC class II pathways, and T‐cell receptor signaling, which indicated an activated immune status.

Conclusion and Clinical Relevance: Without the additional isolation of specific immune cell populations, our study demonstrated that PEM–CIS chemotherapy altered patients’ immune system in terms of neutrophils, T cells, and antigen presentation pathways.
Impact of sensor‐controlled variable‐rate fungicide application on yield, senescence and disease occurrence in winter wheat fields
Authors: Tackenberg Maria , Volkmar Christa , Schirrmann Michael , Giebel Antje , Dammer Karl‐Heinz
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND

Field experiments examining target‐oriented variable‐rate fungicide spraying were performed in 2015 and 2016. The spray volume was adapted in real time to the local green coverage level of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), which was detected using a camera sensor.

RESULTS

Depending on the growth heterogeneity in the three strip trials in 2015, fungicide savings in the sensor‐sprayed strip compared with the adjacent uniformly sprayed strip were 44%, 45% and 1%. In the 2016 field trial, the saving was 12%. There was no greater level of senescence or disease occurrence, and no higher yield losses in the camera‐controlled variable‐rate sprayed strips compared with the adjacent uniformly sprayed strips.

CONCLUSIONS

From an ecological and economical point of view, sensor‐controlled variable‐rate spraying technology, which uses the level of green crop coverage as the plant parameter to adapt the spray volume locally, can be an alternative to the common practice of uniform spraying. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Increase in remediation processes of oil‐contaminated soils
Authors: Lifshits Sarah K. , Glyaznetsova Yuliya S. , Chalaya Olga N. , Zueva Iraida N.
Published: December 2017

A study was conducted in the region of the Lena River, in northeast Russia, where oil‐contaminated soil remediation is compromised due to the reduced natural attenuation mechanisms in northern eco‐systems. The goal of the study was to analyze the effectiveness of different biological methods for remediating the permafrost soil cover contaminated with high concentrations of oil. For the remediation of the areas with approximately similar levels of contamination (in the range of 10 to 14 grams per kilogram [g/kg] of soil) different biological remediation schemes were applied: site 1: sowing plant seeds of meadow clover grass; site 2: introducing a consortium of hydrocarbon oxidizing microorganisms (HOM); and, site 3: introducing the same consortium of HOM with simultaneously sowing grass mixture. The third scheme, applied for the first time, led to the most favorable results, which might be explained by the synergistic effect based on the principle of positive inverse development.
Interplay of foot and mouth disease virus with cell‐mediated and humoral immunity of host
Authors: Abubakar Muhammad , Manzoor Shumaila , Ahmed Afshan
Published: December 2017

Foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) causes a communicable disease of cloven hoofed animals, resulting in major economic losses during disease outbreaks. Like other members of the Picornaviridae FMDV has a relatively short infectious cycle; initiation of infection and dissemination, with production of infectious virions occurs in less than a week. The components of innate immunity as well as cell‐mediated and humoral immunity play a crucial role in control of FMDV. However, it has been shown in vitro using a mouse model that FMDV has evolved certain mechanisms to counteract host immune responses ensuring its survival and spread. The viral leader proteinase, L pro, deters interferon beta (IFN‐β) mRNA synthesis, thus, inhibiting host cell translation. Another viral proteinase, 3C pro, disrupts host cell transcription by cleaving histone H3. A transient lymphopenia in swine as a consequence of FMDV infection has also been observed, but the mechanism involved and viral protein(s) associated with this process are not clearly understood. In this review, we have covered the interaction of FMDV with different immune cells including lymphocytes and antigen presenting cells and their consequences.
In Vitro Modeling of Congenital Heart Defects Associated with an NKX2-5 Mutation Revealed a Dysregulation in BMP/Notch-Mediated Signaling
Authors: Zakariyah Abeer F. , Rajgara Rashida F. , Horner Ellias , Cattin Marie-Elodie , Blais Alexandre , Skerjanc Ilona S. , Burgon Patrick G.
Published: December 2017

The Nkx2-5 gene codes for a transcription factor that plays a critical role in heart development. Heterozygous mutations in NKX2-5 in both human and mice result in congenital heart defects (CHDs). However, the molecular mechanisms by which these mutations cause the disease are still unknown. Recently, we have generated the heterozygous mouse model of the human CHDs associated mutation NKX2-5 R142C (Nkx2-5R141C/+ mouse ortholog of human NKX2-5 R142C variant) that developed septal and conduction defects. This study generated a heterozygous Nkx2-5 R141C mouse embryonic stem cell line (Nkx2-5R141C/+ mESCs) to model CHDs in vitro. We observed that Nkx2-5R141C/+ mESCs display an alteration in the expression of genes that are essential for normal heart development. Furthermore, the reduced cardiomyogenesis is paralleled by a reduction in nuclear import of Nkx2-5 protein. Examination of the Nkx2-5R141C/+ embryos at E8.5 revealed a transient loss of cardiomyogenesis, which is consistent with the phenotype observed in vitro. Moreover, gene expression profiling of Nkx2-5R141C/+ cells at an early stage of cardiac differentiation revealed pronounced deregulation of several cardiac differentiation and function genes. Collectively, our data showed that heterozygosity for the R141C mutation results in disruption of the cellular distribution of Nkx2-5 protein, a transient reduction in cardiomyogenesis that may disrupt the early patterning of the heart, and this, in turn, affects the intricate orchestration of signaling pathways leading to downregulation of Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and Notch signaling. Therefore, we have developed mESCs model of a human CHD, providing an in vitro system to examine early stages of heart development, which are otherwise difficult to study in vivo.
Stage of construction: An essential consideration in designing reinforced concrete building structures
Authors: Alvarado Yezid A. , Buitrago Manuel , Gasch Isabel , Prieto Camilo A. , Ardila Yesenia A.
Published: December 2017

This paper analyzes the potential influence of the construction process on the serviceability stage of the structure of reinforced concrete (RC) buildings. For this, a number of cases of buildings erected by habitual construction processes were simulated by a finite elements model, including and excluding the construction process. The shoring–clearing–striking method was seen the least harmful to the long‐term behavior, but even so maximum loads during construction exceeded the design loads. On the other hand, shoring–reshoring–striking procedure had construction loads similar to the design loads but worse long‐term behavior. In view of the results obtained, it is of the utmost importance to consider the construction phase when designing building structures. Some practical recommendations are given to improve the consideration of the construction process in the design as well as to take into account the long‐term behavior of structures due to load history during construction.
Lightweight indestructible soft robot
Authors: Nishikawa Yuto , Matsumoto Mitsuharu
Published: December 2017

In this paper, we propose a lightweight indestructible soft robot. Soft robots have soft bodies to adapt to various environments. They are expected to be crash‐proof and to be utilized in unpredictable environments. Although many soft robots driven by pneumatic actuators are proposed due to the affinity between soft robots and the air, they require an external large‐scale air pump to be controlled. It limits the applications of the soft robots to isolated environments. To solve the problem, we employed a wire‐type artificial muscle and developed a lightweight, indestructible and soft robot. We conducted some experiments and confirmed the potential of the developed robot. © 2017 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Cover Image, Volume 7, Issue 1
Authors: Shindo Asako
Published: December 2017

The cover image, by Asako Shindo, is based on the Advanced Review Models of convergent extension during morphogenesis, DOI: 10.1002/wdev.311.

image
Gadolinium (III) 2‐Benzoyl‐1,1,3,3‐tetracyanopropenide Diacetate: Synthesis and Crystal Structure
Authors: Karpov Sergey V. , Kayukov Yakov S. , Grigor'ev Arthur A. , Tafeenko Victor A.
Published: December 2017

2‐Acyl‐1,1,3,3‐tetracyanopropenides (ATCN) is a stable organic salts, containing the carbonyl group in addition to the tetracyanoallyl (TCA) fragment in the anion. TCA anions are known as bridging ligands with variable denticity with potential application in organic electronics and as a ionic liquids components. In this communication we reporting the synthesis and crystal structure of gadolinium(III) 2‐benzoyl‐1,1,3,3‐tetracyanopropenide diacetate – the first lantanide ATCN.
A Pilot Study for a Better Visibility in the 3D Laparoscopic Right Colectomy Surgery
Authors: Gu Lei , Liu Pei‐lin , Zhou Hong , Xu Qing
Published: December 2017

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of digital defog technique in 3D laparoscopic surgery for right colon cancer.

Methods

Fifty patients with right colon cancer were divided into digital defogging group and control group. The intraoperative image clarity, the surgeon’s anxiety, the time of operation and the time of fog nursing were compared.

Results

The clarity of the video screen of the digital defogging group was significantly higher than that of the control group, and the degree of anxiety was significantly lower than that of the control group. The operative time was (136.4 ± 30.4) min in the digital defogging group, the operation time of the control group was (168.7 ± 32.7) min, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The time of dehumidification was (4.8 ± 1.3) min in the digital defogging group and (16.3 ± 4.6) min in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Digital defogging technology in the 3D laparoscopic right colon cancer surgery significantly improves the clarity of video images, reduces the surgeon due to screen clarity caused by anxiety, reduces the operation of right colon cancer time and reduces the time to fog care.
The International Long‐Term Ecological Research–East Asia–Pacific Regional Network (ILTER‐EAP): history, development, and perspectives
Authors: Kim Eun‐Shik , Trisurat Yongyut , Muraoka Hiroyuki , Shibata Hideaki , Amoroso Victor , Boldgiv Bazartseren , Hoshizaki Kazuhiko , Kassim Abd Rahman , Kim Young‐Sun , Nguyen Hong Quan , Ohte Nobuhito , Ong Perry S. , Wang Chiao‐Ping
Published: December 2017

There are growing needs to broaden and deepen our multi‐faceted understanding of the ecosystems, and the networks of Long‐Term Ecological Research (LTER) can play significant roles in fostering and applying ecosystem studies at regional and global scales. The International LTER Network (ILTER) is organized as a global network of field research sites and scientists to address current ecological issues such as biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation within a globally changing environment. The ILTER East Asia–Pacific Regional Network (ILTER‐EAP) is one of the four constituent ILTER regional networks. Since 1995, ILTER‐EAP has been developed to promote data sharing, research collaborations and capability building in the science and to bridge gaps between societal needs and scientific imperatives on concerns in the Asia–Pacific Region. Currently, ILTER‐EAP comprises nine formal ILTER members and two associate networks. Their activities involve long‐term and multiple‐site observations of structural, functional and developmental aspects of ecosystems, data sharing, and bridging society and ecological science. This paper presents a review of the activities of ILTER‐EAP, focusing on its: (1) vision and the development following its inception, (2) scientific activities and major outputs related to selected thematic areas, (3) contributions from ILTER‐EAP to the international initiatives, and (4) future challenges and opportunities relating to its development and role in facilitating regional and global research collaborations. Accordingly, regional research questions were identified that could be most effectively addressed by opening up a common research platform, integrated data management system and the network science, which is open to all interested parties.
Sensitivity and resilience of ecosystems to climate variability in the semi‐arid to hyper‐arid areas of Northern China: a case study in the Heihe River Basin
Authors: You Nanshan , Meng Jijun , Zhu Likai
Published: December 2017

Climate variability and climate extremes are important climatic determinants of plant growth, species distribution and net primary productivity. A comprehensively quantitative analysis of the sensitivity and resilience of ecosystems to climate variability is vital to identify which regions and species are most in danger in response to future climate change. Here, we proposed an empirical approach to assess the relative sensitivity and resilience of ecosystems to short‐term climate variability in the Heihe River Basin (HRB) which is the second largest inland river basin in the northern China and contains ecosystems of semi‐arid, arid and hyper‐arid types. Based on the monthly time series of normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), land surface temperatures (LST) and the ratio of actual evapotranspiration to potential evapotranspiration (AET/PET) derived from MODIS sensor from 2000 to 2013, we developed a multiple linear regressive and autoregressive model to determine the sensitivity of NDVI anomalies to climate variability indicated by monthly LST anomalies (temperature variability) and monthly AET/PET anomalies (water variability). We included 1 month time lag of NDVI anomalies in order to reflect ecosystem resilience. We found that the sensitivity and resilience to climate variability were different in the upper, middle and lower reaches of the HRB. Temperature variability dominantly controlled vegetation anomalies in the upper reach, but water variability was the dominant climatic factor in the middle and lower reaches. The different responses of semi‐arid to hyper‐arid ecosystems to climate variability depended much on the distinct climatic conditions and diverse vegetation types. Ecosystems in drier condition tended to show higher sensitivity to water variability, and ecosystems with colder climate were likely to be more sensitive to temperature variability. The most sensitive vegetation type to water variability and temperature variability in the HRB was crop and meadow, respectively. Grass had been proved to have the lowest resilience. Our research on the sensitivity and resilience of semi‐arid to hyper‐arid ecosystems is helpful for formulating and implementing adaptation and mitigation strategies in response to climate change.
Diurnal variations and gap effects of soil CO2, N2O and CH4 fluxes in a typical tropical montane rainforest in Hainan Island, China
Authors: Yang Huai , Liu Shirong , Li Yide , Xu Han
Published: December 2017

Accurate estimations of soil greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes in tropical montane rainforests are critical for assessing the role of tropical forests in influencing global climate change. This research aimed to determine the diurnal variation in soil GHG fluxes and understand the effects of forest canopy gaps on GHG fluxes, and their major controlling factors. The diurnal fluxes of soil carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) inside and outside three forest canopy gaps in a tropical montane rainforest were measured with a closed static chamber system in June 2015. The main results are as follows. (1) There was an obvious single‐peak daily variation of soil GHG fluxes. (2) The averaged soil CO2, N2O and CH4 fluxes of the whole day were closest to the daily average emission fluxes at 9:00 and 12:00 for CO2, 6:00 and 9:00 for N2O, and 9:00 and 12:00 for CH4, respectively. (3) Soil CO2 and N2O emissions (positive values) and CH4 uptake (negative values) were higher inside gaps than outside. (4) There were stronger exponential relationships between soil CO2 and N2O emissions and temperature inside gaps than outside, and there was a stronger quadratic relationship between CH4 uptake and temperature outside gaps than inside. However, significant relationships between soil CO2 (or CH4) and soil moisture only occurred inside gaps (P < 0.01). There were clear diurnal variations and significant effects of gaps on soil CO2, N2O and CH4 fluxes. Our study indicated that understanding the different diurnal variations of soil CO2, N2O and CH4 fluxes inside and outside canopy gaps could improve the accurate evaluation of soil GHG fluxes in tropical montane rainforests under a changing climate.
Effects of Abduction Pillows on Rotator Cuff Repair: A Biomechanical Analysis
Authors: Hawthorne Jacqueline R. , Carpenter Elise M. , Lam Patrick H. , Murrell George A. C.
Published: December 2017

Background

After rotator cuff repair, some surgeons use abduction pillows to unload or protect the repair construct, while others do not.

Question/Purpose

The aim of this study was to determine which type of sling—one with a small or large abduction pillow or one without a pillow—places the repaired rotator cuff in the best position to reduce tension on the supraspinatus.

Methods

An X-ray study was performed on asymptomatic subjects to determine what position the shoulder is placed in when wearing a sling with or without an abduction pillow. Positions were then reproduced in human cadaveric shoulders using a custom-made testing jig, and tension on the repaired supraspinatus was measured.

Results

X-rays showed that abduction of the glenohumeral joint with a sling was only 4°, with a sling with a small pillow was 13°, and with a sling with a large abduction pillow was 25°. Placing the cadaveric shoulders in the position of a sling with a small abduction pillow caused a reduction in tension on the supraspinatus of 27% anteriorly and 55% posteriorly compared to placing the shoulder in the position of a sling without an abduction pillow; a large abduction pillow caused a further reduction in tension, of 42% anteriorly and 56% posteriorly.

Conclusion

These findings show that abduction pillows reduce tension on the repaired supraspinatus tendon.
Constructing Standard Invasion Curves from Herbarium Data—Toward Increased Predictability of Plant Invasions
Authors: Antunes Pedro M. , Schamp Brandon
Published: December 2017

Prevention, early detection, rapid response, and prioritization are essential components of effective and cost-efficient invasive plant management. However, successfully implementing these strategies requires the ability to accurately predict the temporal and spatial dynamics of newly/recently detected nonnative species. Why some nonnative species become invasive and the source of variation in lag time between arrival and the onset of invasive expansion are poorly understood. One tool to fill these knowledge gaps is the “invasion curve,” which tracks nonnative species abundance (i.e., area invaded) over time after arrival in a new area. Since invasive species curves rely primarily on records from herbarium collections, we propose that these collections can be used as a springboard to develop a standardized approach to building invasion curves. This would allow researchers to compare the trajectories of nonnative species, improving risk assessment and our ability to recognize potential invasive species and factors contributing to both invasibility and invasiveness. While there have been admirable efforts to produce invasion curves, several barriers exist to their reliable production and standardization. In this paper, we explore the challenges related to the efficient production of these curves for plants using herbarium data and suggest ways in which progress could occur. It is our hope that this will better position herbaria and researchers to aid natural resource managers to prioritize needs, make effective management decisions, and develop targeted prevention and monitoring programs by taking advantage of lag times to implement timely responses.
Lift on a steady 2-D symmetric airfoil in viscous uniform shear flow
Authors: Hammer Patrick R. , Visbal Miguel R. , Naguib Ahmed M. , Koochesfahani Manoochehr M.
Published: December 2017

We present an investigation into the influence of upstream shear on the viscous flow around a steady two-dimensional (2-D) symmetric airfoil at zero angle of attack, and the corresponding loads. In this computational study, we consider the NACA 0012 airfoil at a chord Reynolds number $1.2\times 10^{4}$ in an approach flow with uniform positive shear with non-dimensional shear rate varying in the range 0.0–1.0. Results show that the lift force is negative, in the opposite direction to the prediction from Tsien’s inviscid theory for lift generation in the presence of positive shear. A hypothesis is presented to explain the observed sign of the lift force on the basis of the asymmetry in boundary layer development on the upper and lower surfaces of the airfoil, which creates an effective airfoil shape with negative camber. The resulting scaling of the viscous effect with shear rate and Reynolds number is provided. The location of the leading edge stagnation point moves increasingly farther back along the airfoil’s upper surface with increased shear rate, a behaviour consistent with a negatively cambered airfoil. Furthermore, the symmetry in the location of the boundary layer separation point on the airfoil’s upper and lower surfaces in uniform flow is broken under the imposed shear, and the wake vortical structures exhibit more asymmetry with increasing shear rate.
How to Approach the Ancient Chinese Wisdom? A Commentary Concerning Sun Tzu'sThe Art of War
Authors: Li Peter Ping , Yang Monsol
Published: December 2017

The central theme of this commentary is thatThe Art of Waris not only highly useful for Chinese business historically in particular, but also universally relevant for global business (including Chinese business as an integral part) in general at the present time and also in the future. We will discuss three issues to elaborate the above central theme: (1) the essence ofThe Art of War, (2) its historical relevance, and (3) its modern and global implications.
Management and Organization Review Special Issue ‘Business Model Innovation in Transforming Economies’
Authors: Volberda Henk , Mihalache Oli , Fey Carl , Lewin Arie Y.
Published: December 2017

Transforming economies such as the BRIC countries – Ex-Soviet Republics, or Eastern European countries – share national aspirations of becoming innovation economies. These aspirations have stimulated a push for entrepreneurship and experimentation with new ways of doing things. This has created a fascinating context for research on business model innovation, relating to the way incumbent firms adapt their business models or come up with entirely new models. Similarly, new business models may be originated by start-up companies that often are challenging and leapfrogging the ‘tired’ old business models or simply invent new ones. However, research that specifically explores indigenous business model innovation in the context of these transforming economies is still in its early stages. The MOR special issue on ‘Business Model Innovation in Transforming Economies’ aims to address this gap by soliciting research uncovering successful new business models that is indigenous to these economies, as they transition to becoming innovation economies themselves and contribute to strategy and management theory development.
Random multigraphs and aggregated triads with fixed degrees
Authors: FRANK OVE , SHAFIE TERMEH
Published: December 2017

Random multigraphs with fixed degrees are obtained by the configuration model or by so called random stub matching. New combinatorial results are given for the global probability distribution of edge multiplicities and its marginal local distributions of loops and edges. The number of multigraphs on triads is determined for arbitrary degrees, and aggregated triads are shown to be useful for analyzing regular and almost regular multigraphs. Relationships between entropy and complexity are given and numerically illustrated for multigraphs with different number of vertices and specified average and variance for the degrees.
The Chronology of the Neolithic Necropolis Bòbila Maduell-Can Gambús in the Northeast Iberian Peninsula: Dating the Pit Burials Cultural Horizon and Long-Range Raw Material Exchange Networks
Authors: Gibaja Juan F , Morell Berta , Álvarez Juan Antonio Barceló , Duboscq Stéphanie , Masclans Alba , Remolins Gerard , Roig Jordi , Martín Araceli , González Paloma , Plasencia Javier , Coll Joan Manel , Subirà M Eulàlia
Published: December 2017

Bòbila Madurell-Can Gambús is the most emblematic Neolithic cemetery in the northeastern Iberian peninsula, with a total of 179 documented pit burials. Artifacts made of exogenous raw materials, such as honey flint (southeastern France), jadeite, amphibolite, eclogite and nephrite (Alps and the Pyrenees), variscite (coast of northeastern Iberia), and even obsidian (Sardinia), have been found in the burials. The presence of these raw materials is not exclusive to this necropolis, but they have also been documented in many of the graves of this region during this period. The literature has singled out this funerary practice as the Pit Burials cultural horizon. However, until now the chronology of this funerary practice has not been fully defined, so it was difficult to explain the development of the chronology and the networks through which the materials reached northeast Iberia. New, unpublished radiocarbon (14C) dates of Bòbila Madurell-Can Gambús are presented, as well as the results of different statistical analyses and Bayesian modeling that specify its chronology. Through the contribution of new data on the chronology of Bòbila Madurell-Can Gambús new clues regarding the temporal dynamics of pit burials and the raw materials exchange networks associated with them are presented.
AMS 14C Dating of Bones from Archaeological Sites in Mexico
Authors: Solis C , Pérez-Andrade G , Rodríguez-Ceja M , Solís-Meza E , Méndez T , Chávez-Lomelí E , Martínez-Carrillo M A , Mondragón M A
Published: December 2017

Collagen associated with bone samples is frequently used for radiocarbon (14C) dating of bones recovered from archaeological sites. However, submersion and exposure to moisture favors the degradation of collagen, which leads to difficulty in reliably dating bones from tropical, humid, or previously submerged archaeological sites. In this paper, we characterized the preservation state of a series of bones, through parameters such as %C, %N, C/N ratio, and collagen recovery. We performed 14C analyses of three collagen fractions obtained through the pretreatment steps (total, ultrafiltered, and insoluble collagen) in order to link the preservation state and the reproducibility of 14C values obtained from the three fractions. Collagen ultrafiltration resulted in a decrease of C/N ratio, although collagen yield was reduced. When two or three collagen fractions were obtained, ages were reproducible and consistent with expected values, according to archaeological or hydrogeological criteria. The pretreatment steps were monitored by infrared spectroscopy in order to analyze the collagen fractions at the molecular level. The presence of collagen in the total and insoluble fractions was confirmed. Since many of the Mexican samples had poor ultrafiltered collagen yield (<3%) or nonexistent yield, our results show that if additional contextual information is carefully considered, the remnant collagen in the total and insoluble fraction can be dated, especially from sites where no other datable fraction exists.
Innovation Strategy of Private Firms
Authors: Gao Huasheng , Hsu Po-Hsuan , Li Kai
Published: December 2017

We compare innovation strategies of public and private firms based on a large sample over the period 1997–2008. We find that public firms’ patents rely more on existing knowledge, are more exploitative, and are less likely in new technology classes, while private firms’ patents are broader in scope and more exploratory. We investigate whether these strategies are due to differences in firm information environments, CEO risk preferences, firm life cycles, corporate acquisition policies, or investment horizons between these two groups of firms. Our evidence suggests that the shorter investment horizon associated with public equity markets is a key explanatory factor.
Generalisation of fear in PTSD related to prolonged childhood maltreatment: an experimental study
Authors: Thome Janine , Hauschild Sophie , Koppe Georgia , Liebke Lisa , Rausch Sophie , Herzog Julia I. , Müller-Engelmann Meike , Steil Regina , Priebe Kathlen , Hermans Dirk , Schmahl Christian , Bohus Martin , Lis Stefanie
Published: December 2017

Background

Fear responses are particularly intense and persistent in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and can be evoked by unspecific cues that resemble the original traumatic event. Overgeneralisation of fear might be one of the underlying mechanisms. We investigated the generalisation and discrimination of fear in individuals with and without PTSD related to prolonged childhood maltreatment.

Methods

Sixty trauma-exposed women with (N = 30) and without (N = 30) PTSD and 30 healthy control participants (HC) underwent a fear conditioning and generalisation paradigm. In a contingency learning procedure, one of two circles of different sizes was associated with an electrical shock (danger cue), while the other circle represented a safety cue. During generalisation testing, online risk ratings, reaction times and fear-potentiated startle were measured in response to safety and danger cues as well as to eight generalisation stimuli, i.e. circles of parametrically varying size creating a continuum of similarity between the danger and safety cue.

Results

The increase in reaction times from the safety cue across the different generalisation classes to the danger cue was less pronounced in PTSD compared with HC. Moreover, PTSD participants expected higher risk of an aversive event independent of stimulus types and task.

Conclusions

Alterations in generalisation constitute one part of fear memory alterations in PTSD. Neither the accuracy of a risk judgement nor the strength of the induced fear was affected. Instead, processing times as an index of uncertainty during risk judgements suggested a reduced differentiation between safety and threat in PTSD.
The development of integration in the elderly care sector: a qualitative analysis of national policies and local initiatives in France and Sweden
Authors: LE BIHAN BLANCHE , SOPADZHIYAN ALIS
Published: December 2017

Due to a significant increase in the complexity of the care demands of older people having multiple care needs, the necessity for integrated care is increasingly acknowledged. Proposing a qualitative approach based on a secondary literature analysis and an empirical survey, this paper explores the integration policy of health and social care for older people having complex needs in two European countries – France and Sweden – where various policy measures aiming at developing and delivering integrated care can be identified: at the national level, through the supportive measures of organisational, institutional and/or professional integration from central government, and at the local level, with the implementation of concrete integrative initiatives. Using a comparative qualitative approach, the authors investigate both of these levels, as well as the interplay between them. They show the importance of this double – local and national – approach of the issue of integration and highlight the continuous negotiation process which underlies the integration activities. Local integration initiatives are in fact constantly reshaped by top-down and bottom-up dynamics which appear to be strongly interconnected.
PATIENT-CENTERED DECISION MAKING: LESSONS FROM MULTI-CRITERIA DECISION ANALYSIS FOR QUANTIFYING PATIENT PREFERENCES
Authors: Marsh Kevin , Caro J. Jaime , Zaiser Erica , Heywood James , Hamed Alaa
Published: December 2017

Objectives:Patient preferences should be a central consideration in healthcare decision making. However, stories of patients challenging regulatory and reimbursement decisions has led to questions on whether patient voices are being considered sufficiently during those decision making processes. This has led some to argue that it is necessary to quantify patient preferences before they can be adequately considered.

Methods:This study considers the lessons from the use of multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) for efforts to quantify patient preferences. It defines MCDA and summarizes the benefits it can provide to decision makers, identifies examples of MCDAs that have involved patients, and summarizes good practice guidelines as they relate to quantifying patient preferences.

Results:The guidance developed to support the use of MCDA in healthcare provide some useful considerations for the quantification of patient preferences, namely that researchers should give appropriate consideration to: the heterogeneity of patient preferences, and its relevance to decision makers; the cognitive challenges posed by different elicitation methods; and validity of the results they produce. Furthermore, it is important to consider how the relevance of these considerations varies with the decision being supported.

Conclusions:The MCDA literature holds important lessons for how patient preferences should be quantified to support healthcare decision making.
Fractional eigenvalue problems that approximate Steklov eigenvalue problems
Authors: Del Pezzo Leandro M. , Rossi Julio D. , Salort Ariel M.
Published: December 2017

In this paper we analyse possible extensions of the classical Steklov eigenvalue problem to the fractional setting. In particular, we find a non-local eigenvalue problem of fractional type that approximates, when taking a suitable limit, the classical Steklov eigenvalue problem.
Emotion Recognition Correlates With Social-Neuropsychiatric Dysfunction in Huntington’s Disease
Authors: Kempnich Clare L. , Andrews Sophie C , Fisher Fiona , Wong Dana , Georgiou-Karistianis Nellie , Stout Julie C.
Published: December 2017

Objectives:People with Huntington’s disease (HD) experience poor social quality of life, relationship breakdown, and social withdrawal, which are mediated to some extent by socially debilitatingneuropsychiatricsymptoms, such as apathy and disinhibition. Socialcognitivesymptoms, such as impaired emotion recognition, also occur in HD, however, the extent of their association with these socially debilitating neuropsychiatric symptoms is unknown. Our study examined the relationship between emotion recognition and symptom ratings of apathy and disinhibition in HD.Methods:Thirty-two people with premanifest or symptomatic-HD completed Part 1 of The Awareness of Social Inference Test (TASIT), which is a facial emotion recognition task. In addition, we obtained severity ratings for apathy and disinhibition on the Frontal Systems Behavior Scale (FrSBe) from a close family member. Our analyses used motor symptom severity as a proxy for disease progression.Results:Emotion recognition performance was significantly associated with family-ratings of apathy, above and beyond their shared association with disease severity. We found a similar pattern for disinhibition ratings, which fell short of statistical significance. As expected, worse emotion recognition performance was correlated with higher severity in FrSBe symptom ratings.Conclusions:Our findings suggest that emotion recognition abilities relate to key socially debilitating neuropsychiatric symptoms in HD. Our results help to understand the functional significance of emotion recognition impairments in HD, and may have implications for the development of remediation programs aimed at improving patients’ social quality of life. (JINS, 2018,24, 417–423)