bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oscillation of a Small Hα Surge in a Solar Polar Coronal Hole
Authors: Cho Kyung-Suk , Cho Il-Hyun , Nakariakov V. M. , Yurchyshyn Vasyl B. , Yang Heesu , Kim Yeon-Han , Kumar Pankaj , Magara Tetsuya
Published: May 2019

Hα surges (i.e., cool/dense collimated plasma ejections) may act as a guide for a propagation of magnetohydrodynamic waves. We report a high-resolution observation of a surge observed with 1.6 m Goode Solar Telescope (GST) on 2009 August 26, from 18:20 UT to 18:45 UT. Characteristics of plasma motions in the surge are determined with the normalizing radial gradient filter and the Fourier motion filter. The shape of the surge is found to change from a “C” shape to an inverse “C” shape after a formation of a cusp, a signature of reconnection. There are apparent upflows seen above the cusp top and downflows below it. The upflows show rising and rotational motions in the right-hand direction, with the rotational speed decreasing with height. Near the cusp top, we find a transverse oscillation of the surge, with the period of ∼2 minutes. There is no change of the oscillation phase below the cusp top, but above the top a phase change is identified, giving a vertical phase speed about 86 km s−1. As the height increases, the initial amplitude of the oscillation increases, and the oscillation damping time decreases from 5.13 to 1.18 minutes. We conclude that the oscillation is a propagating kink wave that is possibly excited by the repetitive spontaneous magnetic reconnection.
Development and Validation of a MicroRNA Panel to Differentiate Between Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis or Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Controls
Authors: Ormseth Michelle J. , Solus Joseph F. , Sheng Quanhu , Ye Fei , Wu Qiong , Guo Yan , Oeser Annette M. , Allen Ryan M. , Vickers Kasey C. , Stein C. Michael
Published: May 2019

Objective.

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short noncoding RNA that regulate genes and are both biomarkers and mediators of disease. We used small RNA (sRNA) sequencing and machine learning methodology to develop an miRNA panel to reliably differentiate between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and control subjects.

Methods.

Plasma samples from 167 RA and 91 control subjects who frequency-matched for age, race, and sex were used for sRNA sequencing. TIGER was used to analyze miRNA. DESeq2 and random forest analyses were used to identify a prioritized list of miRNA differentially expressed in patients with RA. Prioritized miRNA were validated by quantitative PCR, and lasso and logistic regression were used to select the final panel of 6 miRNA that best differentiated RA from controls. The panel was validated in a separate cohort of 12 SLE, 32 RA, and 32 control subjects. Panel efficacy was assessed by area under the receiver operative characteristic curve (AUC) analyses.

Results.

The final panel included miR-22-3p, miR-24-3p, miR-96-5p, miR-134-5p, miR-140-3p, and miR-627-5p. The panel differentiated RA from control subjects in discovery (AUC = 0.81) and validation cohorts (AUC = 0.71), seronegative RA (AUC = 0.84), RA remission (AUC = 0.85), and patients with SLE (AUC = 0.80) versus controls. Pathway analysis showed upstream regulators and targets of panel miRNA are associated with pathways implicated in RA pathogenesis.

Conclusion.

An miRNA panel identified by a bioinformatic approach differentiated between RA or SLE patients and control subjects. The panel may represent an autoimmunity signature, perhaps related to inflammatory arthritis, which is not dependent on active disease or seropositivity.
Developing a Preliminary Definition and Domains of Flare in Knee and Hip Osteoarthritis (OA): Consensus Building of the Flare-in-OA OMERACT Group
Authors: Guillemin Francis , Ricatte Camille , Barcenilla-Wong Annica , Schoumacker Amandine , Cross Marita , Alleyrat Camille , Buttel Thomas , Cembalo Michel , Manseur Hakima , Urban Hema , Fautrel Bruno , Conaghan Philip G. , Hawker Gillian , Rutherford Claudia , March Lyn , Spitz Elisabeth , Hunter David J.
Published: May 2019

Flare in knee and hip osteoarthritis (OA) is more than just an exacerbation of pain. Unstructured, semistructured, and focus group interviews followed by Delphi surveys with patients and health professionals (HP) generated candidate domains of an OA flare. Content analysis of interviews with 29 patients and 16 HP extracted 180 statements, which were grouped into 9 clusters. Delphi consensus with 50 patients (Australia, Canada, and France) and 116 HP (17 countries on 4 continents) identified 5 flare domains: pain, swelling, stiffness, psychological aspects, and effect of symptoms. Elements for a preliminary definition of an OA flare are proposed. Registered at clinicaltrials.govNCT02892058.
Multimorbidity in Axial Spondyloarthropathy and Its Association with Disease Outcomes: Results from the Ankylosing Spondylitis Registry of Ireland Cohort
Authors: Fitzgerald Gillian , Gallagher Phil , O’Shea Finbar D.
Published: May 2019

Objective.

Multimorbidity, the coexistence of 2 or more conditions in an individual, is associated with morbidity and mortality in the general population. This study aims to describe the prevalence of multimorbidity in axial spondyloarthropathy (axSpA) and assess its association with disease outcome measures.

Methods.

This cross-sectional study was conducted within the Ankylosing Spondylitis Registry of Ireland (ASRI) cohort. Structured standardized assessment was performed. Multimorbidity was considered as the presence of at least 1 physician-diagnosed chronic condition (excluding extraarticular manifestations) in addition to axSpA. Validated outcome measures were collected: Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath AS Functional Index (BASFI), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), AS Quality of Life (ASQoL), and Bath AS Metrology Index (BASMI). Adjusted multiple regression was performed to investigate the association between multimorbidity and disease outcomes.

Results.

A total of 734 patients from 12 centers were included: 77% male, mean (SD) age 45 (12) years. Of the cohort, 55% (n = 403) were multimorbid. Multimorbid patients were significantly (p < 0.01) older than axSpA-only patients [50 (12) vs 40 (11) yrs]. Obesity was the most prevalent chronic condition, affecting 27%. Multimorbid patients had more severe disease than patients with axSpA only. After adjusting for confounders, multimorbidity was associated with higher BASDAI (ß 0.7, 95% CI 0.34–1.05), BASMI (ß 0.45, 95% CI 0.09–0.80), BASFI (ß 0.5, 95% CI 0.23–0.78), HAQ (ß 0.07, 95% CI 0.00–0.13), and ASQoL (ß 0.87, 95% CI 0.28–1.46).

Conclusion.

Multimorbidity is prevalent in axSpA and is associated with more severe disease.
Sjögren Syndrome without Focal Lymphocytic Infiltration of the Salivary Glands
Authors: Sharma Rohan , Chaudhari Kaustubh S. , Kurien Biji T. , Grundahl Kiely , Radfar Lida , Lewis David M. , Lessard Christopher J. , Li He , Rasmussen Astrid , Sivils Kathy L. , Scofield R. Hal
Published: May 2019

Objective

Primary Sjögren syndrome (SS) is characterized by a focal lymphocytic infiltrate in exocrine glands. We describe patients who lacked this key feature.

Methods.

We evaluated patients with sicca in a comprehensive clinic at which medical, dental, and ophthalmological examinations were performed. All subjects underwent a minor salivary gland biopsy with focus score calculation. Extraglandular manifestations were also determined. We categorized subjects as high, intermediate, or low in terms of expression of interferon (IFN)-regulated genes.

Results.

About 20% (51 of 229, 22%) of those classified as having primary SS had a focus score of zero. Compared to those with anti-Ro positivity and a focus score > 1.0, the patients with focus score of zero (who by classification criteria must be anti-Ro–positive) were statistically less likely to have anti-La (or SSB) and elevated immunoglobulin, as well as less severe corneal staining. The focus score zero patients were less likely to have elevated expression of IFN-regulated genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells than anti-Ro–positive SS patients with a focal salivary infiltrate.

Conclusion.

There are only a few clinical differences between patients with primary SS with focus score zero and those with both anti-Ro and a focus score > 1.0. The small subset of focus score zero patients tested did not have elevated expression of IFN-regulated genes, but did have systemic disease. Thus, extraglandular manifestations are perhaps more related to the presence of anti-Ro than increased IFN. This may have relevance to pathogenesis of SS.
Association of Childhood Abuse with Incident Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Adulthood in a Longitudinal Cohort of Women
Authors: Feldman Candace H. , Malspeis Susan , Leatherwood Cianna , Kubzansky Laura , Costenbader Karen H. , Roberts Andrea L.
Published: May 2019

Objective.

Exposure to severe stressors may alter immune function and augment inflammation and cytokine release, increasing risk of autoimmune disease. We examined whether childhood abuse was associated with a heightened risk of incident systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods.

Data were drawn from the Nurses’ Health Study II, a cohort of US female nurses enrolled in 1989, followed with biennial questionnaires. We measured childhood physical and emotional abuse with the Physical and Emotional Abuse Subscale of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and sexual abuse with the Sexual Maltreatment Scale of the Parent-Child Conflict Tactics Scale, both administered in 2001. We identified incident SLE (≥ 4 American College of Rheumatology 1997 classification criteria) through 2015. We used multivariable Cox regression models to evaluate the association between childhood abuse and SLE, accounting for potential confounders (e.g., parental education, occupation, home ownership) and mediators [e.g., depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)].

Results.

Among 67,516 women, there were 94 cases of incident SLE. In adjusted models, exposure to the highest versus lowest physical and emotional abuse was associated with 2.57 times greater risk of SLE (95% CI 1.30–5.12). We found that 17% (p < 0.0001) of SLE risk associated with abuse could be explained by depression and 23% (p < 0.0001) by PTSD. We did not observe a statistically significant association with sexual abuse (HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.40–1.77, highest vs lowest exposure).

Conclusion.

We observed significantly increased risk of SLE among women who had experienced childhood physical and emotional abuse compared with women who had not. Exposure to childhood adversity may contribute to development of SLE.
Politique monétaire et globalisation financière
Authors: Cartapanis André
Published: May 2019

L’objet de cet article est de faire le point sur les rapports entre la politique monétaire et la globalisation financière. La première section revient sur les controverses adossées au trilemme de Mundell depuis sa mise en cause initiée par Rey. La deuxième section réexamine la notion d’autonomie de la politique monétaire et les effets de la globalisation financière sur les canaux traditionnels de transmission des chocs monétaires domestiques. La troisième section porte sur les interdépendances monétaires et financières spécifiquement adossées à la globalisation en abordant l’hypothèse du cycle financier global, les contours du canal financier du taux de change et le circuit international de la liquidité bancaire que véhiculent les banques globales.
Visages anonymes
Authors: Luttway Diane
Published: May 2019

Connaître quelqu’un, c’est associer un nom et un visage : si l’un des deux manque, c’est comme si la personne nous échappait ; mais mettre un nom comme on colle une étiquette sur une chose et croire ainsi connaître alors qu’on ne fait qu’identifier, c’est renoncer à l’étonnement face au mystère de l’ipséité captée dans la perception du visage. Afin de l’élucider, il faut se faire phénoménologue et suivre les analyses de Sartre sur le regard ainsi que celles de Levinas sur le visage.
La reine des Marolles et le Roi des Belges : anonymat et souveraineté populaire
Authors: Carton de Grammont Sarah
Published: May 2019

Que se joue-t-il au Bal National, à la veille de la passation des pouvoirs d’Albert II à Philippe ? Par quel reenactment le peuple belge est-il le peuple belge ? Quel rôle joue la tension entre anonymat et singularisation dans l’incarnation de la souveraineté populaire ? De trémolos en trémoussements, danseurs et danseuses d’un soir se dotent d’un Roi des Belges – et de leur voix dans le Concert des Nations.
Hélas, tourment que j’occulte. Pour une raison trop claire…
Authors: Quint Anne-Marie
Published: May 2019

Le roman anonyme Naceo e Amperidónia complète la liste des œuvres de fiction écrites en portugais au xvi e  siècle. Cette histoire, simple, comporte des épisodes narratifs, mais les échanges entre les protagonistes sont surtout épistolaires. Son auteur, quel qu’il soit, y révèle une solide culture, ainsi qu’une grande maîtrise des usages de la cour et du langage mondain, surtout des jeux littéraires en vogue dans les milieux aristocratiques.
La tyrannie du on . L’impasse
Authors: Vieira António
Published: May 2019

Dans ce bref essai composé de fragments, l’auteur questionne le rôle qu’exerce de plus en plus le goût de la foule sur le travail des intellectuels. Ce phénomène, qui illustre en quelque sorte le triomphe de l’anonymat sur la scène de l’histoire, a des retentissements autant sur la qualité de l’art (la banalité, la vulgarité, le kitsch) que sur l’éthique de la création intellectuelle.
Témoignage anonyme : le secret lié à la vérité ?
Authors: Bouit Delphine
Published: May 2019

Si le renseignement anonyme révèle mal le secret, le témoignage anonyme associerait la vérité au secret. Une affaire de règlement de compte sert à illustrer cette perspective.
Effects of Bifidobacterium breve A1 on the cognitive function of older adults with memory complaints: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Kobayashi Y. , Kuhara T. , Oki M. , Xiao J.-Z.
Published: May 2019

In our previous study, we reported the therapeutic potential of Bifidobacterium breve A1 in preventing cognitive impairment in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease and participants with mild cognitive impairment; we suggested that probiotic supplementation is an effective therapeutic strategy for managing cognitive function. Accordingly, we conducted a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to assess whether 12-week B. breve A1 supplementation could affect the cognitive function of elderly subjects with memory complaints. We assessed cognitive function using the Japanese version of the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) at baseline and after 12 weeks of probiotic supplementation. A total of 121 participants were randomised and received B. breve A1 capsules or placebo daily for 12 weeks; of these, 117 participants completed the study. At 12 weeks, neuropsychological test scores significantly increased in both groups; no significant intergroup difference was observed in terms of changes in scores from the baseline scores. However, a stratified analysis revealed a significant difference between B. breve A1 and placebo groups in terms of the subscale ‘immediate memory’ of RBANS and MMSE total score in the subjects with low RBANS total score at baseline. No significant differences in terms of blood parameters between the groups or adverse effects caused by B. breve A1 intervention were observed. The results of the present study suggest the safety of B. breve A1 supplementation and its potential in maintaining cognitive function in elderly subjects with memory complaints. However, future large-scale studies on individuals with impaired cognitive function are required to validate the present findings.
Bifidobacterium breve MCC1274 with glycosidic activity enhances in vivo isoflavone bioavailability
Authors: Yao R. , Wong C.B. , Nakamura K. , Mitsuyama E. , Tanaka A. , Kuhara T. , Odamaki T. , Xiao J.-Z.
Published: May 2019

Polyphenols are plant derived compounds that exert many beneficial health effects to the human host. However, associated health benefits of dietary polyphenol are highly dependent on their intestinal metabolism, bioavailability, and absorption. Bifidobacteria, which represent the key members of gut microbiota, have been suggested to promote gut microbial homeostasis and may be involved in the metabolism of polyphenols. In this study, the capabilities of thirteen Bifidobacterium strains in hydrolysing polyphenol glycosides were evaluated. Among the tested strains, Bifidobacterium breve MCC1274 was found to possess the highest β-glucosidase activity and strong capability to convert daidzin and trans-polydatin to their aglycones; while kinetic analysis revealed that B. breve MCC1274 hydrolysed more than 50% of daidzin and trans-polydatin at less than 3 h of incubation. Further investigation using rats with an antibiotics-disturbed microbiome revealed that following the ingestion of daidzin glycoside, oral administration of B. breve MCC1274 significantly enhanced the plasma concentration of daidzein in rats pre-treated with antibiotics as compared to antibiotics-pre-treated control and non-treated control groups. The relative abundance of Actinobacteria and the total numbers of B. breve were also significantly higher in antibiotics-pre-treated rats administered with B. breve MCC1274 than that of the control groups. These findings suggest that B. breve MCC1274 is effective in enhancing the bioavailability of daidzein in the gut under dysbiosis conditions and may potentially improve intestinal absorption of isoflavones and promote human health.
Deoxynivalenol-3-sulphate is the major metabolite of dietary deoxynivalenol in eggs of laying hens
Authors: Jurisic N. , Schwartz-Zimmermann H.E. , Kunz-Vekiru E. , Reisinger N. , Klein S. , Caldwell D. , Fruhmann P. , Schatzmayr D. , Berthiller F.
Published: May 2019

Previous studies reported very low carry-over of dietary deoxynivalenol (DON) into eggs of laying hens. However, recent studies showed that DON is extensively metabolised to DON-3-sulphate (DON-3S) in chickens. We therefore hypothesised that DON-3S might also be a major DON metabolite in eggs of laying hens fed with DON contaminated diet. The aim of the work was to develop, validate and apply an LC-MS/MS based method for determination of DON, deepoxy-DON (DOM), DON-3S, and DOM-3-sulphate (DOM-3S) in freeze-dried eggs of laying hens. Laying hens were allocated to three treatment groups (negative control (NC); DON low (3.8 mg/kg DON in feed); DON high (7.5 mg/kg DON in feed)) and eggs were collected in the 5th, 7th and 10th week of the trial. DON-3S was identified as the major DON metabolite in eggs for the first time with average concentrations in fresh eggs <0.74 ng/g in the NC, 4.4-6.4 ng/g in the DON low group and 7.9-9.7 ng/g in the DON high group. DON-3S was also the major DON metabolite in chicken plasma, with average concentrations of 6.8±4.1 and 10±7 ng/ml in the DON low and DON high group, respectively. Experiments with intestinal explants indicated that DON-3S is in part already formed in intestinal mucosa cells. Considering the carry-over factor of 0.001, the European guidance value of DON in poultry feed (5 mg/kg), the tolerable daily intake of DON (1 μg/kg body weight and day) and the average egg consumption in Europe (0.5 egg/day/person), there is no significant health risk due to carry-over of DON or DON-3S into eggs, even if theper se non-toxic metabolite DON-3S might be hydrolysed back to free DON in the gut of the egg consumer.
Les crânes et le cochon qui danse
Authors: Reinert Hugo
Published: May 2019

Fin 2017. Pour protester contre l’abattage forcé des troupeaux de rennes indigènes en Norvège, une jeune artiste sámi s’est rendue à Oslo pour installer un « rideau » de 400 crânes de rennes devant le Parlement national. La manifestation a trouvé un écho considérable à l’échelle nationale et internationale et a mobilisé une gamme complexe de résonances historiques – des premières manifestations des Sámi contre le projet hydroélectrique Alta, il y a un demi-siècle, aux vastes piles de crânes de bison symboliques de la campagne américaine contre les Indiens des Plaines au xixe siècle. En resituant l’installation artistique du rideau dans un contexte de violence étatique chronique, d’invisibilité autochtone et de biopolitique de crise, cet article examine les multiples logiques apocalyptiques évoquées par l’œuvre.
Silicium prophétie
Authors: Grimaud Emmanuel
Published: May 2019

La singularité technologique est-elle vraiment « la moins pire des prophéties » comme le dit Vernor Vinge ? L’alliance du genre humain avec la technologie ne peut-elle que conduire à sa propre dissolution ? Faut-il souhaiter sa disparition ? Telles sont quelques-unes des questions que soulève la théorie de Vinge qui a déclenché jusqu’ici soit l’adhésion naïve, soit le rejet violent ou bien l’indifférence. Ce commentaire du premier essai de Vinge sur le concept de singularité technologique cherche à saisir les mécanismes d’emprise paradoxale de la prophétie. Il la resitue de fait par rapport à d’autres scénarios (Point Omega, Digital Gaïa, etc.), variantes technoprophétiques qui extrapolent les seuils critiques de notre temps pour le meilleur et pour le pire.
Esthétique des ruines du futur
Authors: Musset Alain
Published: May 2019

La science-fiction a fait de nos villes les plus célèbres les cibles idéales des cataclysmes amenant la fin du monde. Incarnant tous les maux de la société moderne, elles sont, à l’instar de la Babylone de l’Apocalypse de Jean, des boucs émissaires dont le sacrifice est inévitable. Romans, films, bandes dessinées et jeux vidéo d’anticipation s’acharnent donc sur leurs prodigieux cadavres de pierre et de béton pour mieux nous convaincre que notre civilisation connaîtra le même destin que celles, aujourd’hui disparues, qui nous ont précédés. Les ruines antiques de Thèbes, de Persépolis, d’Angkor ou de Tikal sont un miroir sinistre dans lequel se reflètent les ruines futures de New York et de Paris.
Elevator Energy Storage Systems
Authors: Fong Thomas
Published: May 2019

Elevator energy storage systems provide reliable energy storage using the gravitational potential energy of elevators. The chapter provides evidence that harnessing the gravity of existing infrastructure is economically, environmentally, and socially more responsible than its competitors (large scale hydraulic and lithium battery storage). EESS proposes a heterodox approach to individuals' relationships with power systems. By the use of existing capital to provide power storage, the capitalist cycle, which constructs new capital for the sake of monetary growth, is disrupted. The next generation of energy storage will look to re-constrain its parameters of acceptability on the grounds of environmental and social impact rather than efficiency and megawatt output.
Mapping Climate Justice
Authors: Puaschunder Julia Margarete
Published: May 2019

A three-dimensional climate justice approach introduces to share the benefits and burden of climate change in an economically efficient, legally equitable, and practically feasible way around the globe. Climate justice within a country pays tribute to low- and high-income households carrying the same burden proportional to their dispensable income through consumption tax, progressive carbon taxation, and a corporate inheritance tax. Climate change burden sharing between countries ensures those countries benefiting more from a warmer environment bear higher responsibility regarding climate change mitigation and adaptation. Climate justice over time is proposed by an innovative bonds climate change burden sharing strategy.
Applications of Electromagnetic Bandgap Structure in Microwave Photonics
Authors: Deyasi Arpan , Debnath Pampa , Bhattacharyya Siddhartha
Published: May 2019

Microwave photonics is the arena of research in the 21st century due to ever-increasing ultra-large bandwidth and the meticulous availability of data with very low cost. In this context, conventional optoelectronic devices are replaced by novel photonic counterparts, both in transreceiver design as well as devices and systems. The major objective of this replacement is to reduce noise by means of lower scattering, where photons are only responsible for propagation of electromagnetic wave. With introduction of novel materials, low-loss communication system can now be designed at beyond THz range, mainly due to the physical realization of electromagnetic bandgap structure. This chapter is extended towards plasmonics with the intension of making sensors for beyond THz applications.
Microstrip Antenna
Authors: Bhattacharyya Nandan , Siddiqui Jawad Yaseen
Published: May 2019

The microstrip antenna (MSA) consists of a dielectric substrate in between a metallic conducting patch and a ground plane. The most common forms of the MSA are the rectangular and circular patch MSAs. There are several microstrip antenna analysis methods. The most popular models are transmission-line model, cavity model, method of moments, FDTD method, and finite element method. The transmission-line model is the simplest of these methods, and it provides good physical insight but is less accurate. The cavity model is more accurate compared to the transmission-line model, but cavity model is more complex. Though cavity model gives good physical insight, it is rather difficult to model coupling. The full-wave models (which include primarily integral equations/moment method) are very accurate, very versatile, but they are the most complex models and usually give less physical insight. This chapter explores the microstrip antenna.
Fractal-Inspired Ultra-Wideband Diversity Slot Antenna for Wireless Communication Systems
Authors: Karmakar Anirban , Saha Anuradha
Published: May 2019

A novel compact ultra-wideband (UWB) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) slot antenna with band notch characteristics is presented for portable wireless UWB applications. The antenna comprises of co-planar waveguide feed (CPW) and two radiating monopoles oriented in orthogonal orientation for providing orthogonal radiation patterns. A Minkowski fractal parasitic stub along with a Minkowski fractal grounded stub has been placed at 45° between the monopoles to reduce the coupling between them, which in turn establishes high isolation between the radiators. An excellent band notch characteristic is obtained at 5.5 GHz by etching a modified E-shaped compact slot on the radiators. Results show that the designed antenna meets -10 dB impedance bandwidth and -17 dB isolation throughout the entire operating band (3.1 -12 GHz). Novelty of this design lies in improving isolation using fractal which occupies less space in compared to other isolation mechanisms in MIMO structures. The simulated and measured results depict that the proposed antenna is convenient for MIMO diversity systems.
Optical Switching in Next-Generation Data Centers
Authors: Shukla Vaibhav , Srivastava Rajiv , Choubey Dilip Kumar
Published: May 2019

The leading content provider companies like Google, Yahoo, and Amazon installed mega-data centers that contain hundreds of thousands of servers in very large scale. The current data center systems are organized in the form of the hierarchal tree structure based on bandwidth-limited electronic switches. Modern data center systems face a number of issues like high power consumption, limited bandwidth availability, server connectivity, energy and cost efficiency, traffic complexity, etc. One of the most feasible solution of these issues is the use of optical switching technologies in the core of data center systems. In this chapter a brief description about the modern data center system is presented, and some prominent optical packet switch architectures are also presented in this chapter with their pros and cons.
Predatory Strategies in Standards Wars
Authors: Egyedi Tineke Mirjam , Hommels Anique
Published: May 2019

In standards wars, FUD (fear, uncertainty, and doubt) is sometimes created to weaken an opponent's market position. Little is known about these strategies, their use in committee standardization settings, and how to respond to them. This chapter explores this phenomenon. It (1) identifies various FUD strategies, (2) their context of emergence, and (3) their effect on the dynamics of a standards war in a historical case study: the European standards war on digital mobile radio communication in the 1990s. The study highlights the need to distinguish “FUD as perceived” from “FUD as intended.” FUD strategies and case-specific characteristics of their emergence are illustrated. The chapter shows that perceived FUD polarizes and entrenches positions of warring parties thereby affecting the course of the standards war. The authors conclude that, given its impact, reflection by corporate standardization managers on (perceived) FUD, preclusion, counter-strategies, and the downscaling of standards wars is warranted.
The User With a Thousand Faces
Authors: Cyrek Barbara
Published: May 2019

The aim of this chapter is to interpret the relations of a modern media user with the latest technology through the structures described in the “Monomyth” of Hero's Journey depicted by Joseph Campbell. Individual user behaviors are adjusted to phases of mythical hero's path. The author does not judge whether the source of this myth are the expectations and behaviors of users or the ways in which the media function. These considerations are based on the Jan Kreft's concept of the algorithm as an allegory of Demiurge – representing perfection of creativity, organizing and maintaining digital world. The myth of the heroic user, whether it is conscious or not, may play a significant role in modern media management.
A Myth and Media Management
Authors: Kreft Jan
Published: May 2019

Considering various perspectives and interpretations, a myth has been present in the operation of numerous organizations. Management and entrepreneurship undergo the process of mythologization as well as organizations, with their foundation myths and mythological heroes. Myths refer to the results of the operations run by organizations and their capabilities – such questions have been considered in expert literature on management. The problem of myths has been scarcely researched in the studies on operations performed by media organizations. In media environment, the myth has been following traditional media in their capabilities which refer to their functioning as the Fourth Estate. In the time of digital media, convergence of media, IT, and telecommunication sectors, all the “new media” have been mythologized. Myths have been accompanying the activities of particular organizations and their heroes – leaders; the potential of media organizations has also been mythologized in the context of solving social problems as well as in the context of achieving business objectives.
Big Data Myth
Authors: Mardosz-Grabowska Agata
Published: May 2019

Organizations are expected to act rationally; however, mythical thinking is often present among their members. It refers also to myths related to technology. New inventions and technologies are often mythologized in organizations. People do not understand how new technologies work and usually overestimate their possibilities. Also, myths are useful in dealing with ambivalent feelings, such as fears and hopes. The text focuses on the so-called “big data myth” and its impact on the decision-making process in modern marketing management. Mythical thinking related to big data in organizations has been observed both by scholars and practitioners. The aim of the chapter is to discuss the foundation of the myth, its components, and its impact on the decision-making process. Among others, a presence of a “big data myth” may be manifested by over-reliance on data, neglecting biases in the process of data analysis, and undermining the role of other factors, including intuition and individual experience of marketing professionals or qualitative data.
Teaching Mathematics to English Learners
Authors: Bui Khanh Nguyen , Harman Ruth
Published: May 2019

Recently, teachers in the United States are encountering an influx of multilingual immigrant students. The linguistic diversity can be challenging for teachers who need to think about how to foster language and disciplinary knowledge awareness in meaningful ways. Multimodal instruction (i.e., use of gesture, drawing, and movement) can serve to support conceptual understanding of emergent bilingual students in disciplinary areas such as mathematics or science. The purpose of this chapter is to investigate the interplay between gestures and mathematical concepts. This study takes place in a ninth grade ESOL Coordinate Algebra Classroom. Using systemic functional multimodal discourse analysis, the researchers analyze the teacher's gestures through a corpus of three video recorded lessons. The results show that the teacher's gestures endowed with meanings and mathematical concepts can enhance students' understandings. These findings can contribute to recent research on multimodal pedagogic practices among teachers with multilingual and multicultural students.
What Teachers Need to Know About English Language Learners' Translanguaging in the Classroom
Authors: Aghai Laila
Published: May 2019

This qualitative research study focuses on English language learners who are continuing their education in the U.S. high schools and examines their translanguaging in the classroom. When students are learning a second language, they use their linguistic repertoire and their knowledge in English and their native language for negotiation of meaning. In order to gain a better understanding of the students' translanguaging, one ESL teacher and 10 ESL students were interviewed and observed in a classroom. The ESL students spoke Arabic as their native language and had beginning to intermediate proficiency levels. The findings of the study showed that English language learners use various strategies to make the content comprehensible by making connections between their knowledge in their L1 and L2.
The Threat of Downward Assimilation Among Young African Immigrants in U.S. Schools
Authors: Harushimana Immaculee , Awokoya Janet
Published: May 2019

This chapter presents research implications geared toward preventing the downward assimilation trend prevailing among young African immigrants in US public schools. Secondary data from three qualitative studies of integration and adaptation processes of African-born immigrant youth in urban school settings helped identify signs of downward assimilation, especially among males. Salient signs of this trend include low academic achievement, gang inclination, and defiance towards authority. Four major theories—segmented assimilation, socio-ecological theory, intersectionality, and critical race theory—served as framework for the analysis of the risk factors that may lead young African immigrants to follow the downward assimilation path. The analysis reveals the need for intervention measures at the federal, state, and school levels to reduce the vulnerability of non-predominant minority youth in US school settings and the moral responsibility of school authorities to ensure their welfare. Recommended preventive measures include (1) educating immigrant families and school communities; (2) encouraging collaboration and dialogue between African community organizations, school administration, and policymakers purported at creating a favorable school climate for the marginalized African immigrant youth; (3) increasing intervention measures, such as school-community mediation and political representation.
Fostering Problem-Based Learning (PBL) in Chinese Universities for a Creative Society
Authors: Zhou Chunfang , Zhu Zhiliang
Published: May 2019

Recently, building a creative society has been a new vision of China that brings much discussion on how to foster creative talents and how to improve pedagogic models in Chinese universities. This chapter regards problem-based learning (PBL) as a promising strategy, and accordingly, the following questions will be discussed: 1) How can we understand the context of building a creative society in China? 2) What is a PBL model? 3) How can we understand history of PBL in a global context? 4) What is the theoretical root of PBL? and 5) For Chinese universities, what are boundaries to be broken for facilitating changes towards PBL that benefits to build a creative society? As both challenges and opportunities of fostering PBL in Chinese universities will be revealed, and appropriate strategies of reform will be suggested, this chapter has important significances of pedagogical innovation in Chinese context. In addition, it also implies universities in other cultures for improving innovation strategies in the future.
Fostering Practical Developers in Computer Science Classrooms
Authors: Zhang Yin
Published: May 2019

Real-life software development requires practical developers. This chapter discusses the challenges put by real-life software development on computer science education of modern universities, and how to face these challenges by changing traditional teaching and learning to a PBL-based approach. Based on a literature review on PBL theories, methods and tools, and observations made in classrooms and group rooms at Aalborg University, this chapter discusses possible aspects to consider when changing traditional computer science classrooms. A case is then used to demonstrate the process of changing traditional teaching and learning of a computer science course named Visual Programming and Applications to a PBL-based approach.
An Elective Course-Based Model for the Change of Traditional Engineering Curriculum Towards PBL in a Chinese University
Authors: Zhang Xufang
Published: May 2019

The chapter presents two PBL models for the change of traditional engineering curriculum based on traditional courses across colleges at the Northeastern University in China. A particular focus of the PBL model design is about interdisciplinarity. In this regard, the E2-iPBL model is developed based on general and major elective courses offered across many disciplines, whereas the JD-iPBL model is considered to develop PBL courses by further introducing compulsory major courses for a joint-degree training program. For practical implementations within the traditional engineering curriculum background, the change of the teacher's role for student-centered constructive learning is briefly summarized. Possible realizations and simple cases are illustrated. Finally, a comparative study of the E2-iPBL and JD-iPBL models is outlined.
Developing Engineering Creativity in STEM Programs in Chinese Universities
Authors: Zhou Chunfang
Published: May 2019

This chapter aims to formulate a proposal of developing engineering creativity by problem- and project-based pedagogies in STEM programs in university education in China. It will introduce the increasing needs of engineering creativity in China, deepen understanding of the concept of creativity and engineering creativity, and provide a review of diverse models of problem- and project-based pedagogies in STEM programs. This further brings a discussion on how to develop engineering creativity in STEM programs in Chinese universities in order to overcome the barriers caused by traditional education system and culture. A series of strategies will be proposed including supporting student group work, designing interdisciplinary project, facilitating staff development, and developing creative communities, etc. Briefly, this chapter has the significance of developing engineering creativity in China both theoretically and practically, and also implies how to develop problem- and project-based pedagogies in STEM programs in other cultures around the world.
Effects of PI3K Inhibition on Afucosylated Antibody–Driven FcγRIIIa Events and Phospho-S6 Activity in NK Cells
Authors: Romeo Valentina , Gierke Sarah , Edgar Kyle A. , Liu Scot D.
Published: May 2019

PI3K is one of the most frequently mutated genes in cancers and has been the target of numerous anticancer therapies. With the additional development of therapeutics that mobilize the immune system, such as Abs with effector functions, bispecific Abs, and checkpoint inhibitors, many small molecule inhibitors that target PI3K are being combined with these immunomodulatory treatments. However, the PI3K pathway is also essential for lymphocyte function, and the presence of the PI3K inhibitor may render the immunomodulatory therapeutic ineffective in these combinatorial treatments. Therefore, therapeutics with enhanced activity, such as afucosylated Abs, which promote signaling and function, may be ideal in these types of treatments to offset the negative effect of PI3K inhibitors on immune cell function. Indeed, we show that afucosylated Abs can counterbalance these inhibitory effects on FcγRIIIa-driven signaling in human NK cells to produce signals similar to cells treated only with fucosylated Ab. Furthermore, NK cell activation, degranulation, chemokine/cytokine production, and Ab-dependent cellular cytotoxicity were similar between inhibitor-treated, afucosylated Ab–stimulated NK cells and cells activated only with its fucosylated counterpart. To our knowledge, these studies also identified a previously undefined role for phospho-S6 in human NK cells. In this study, a kinetic delay in PI3K-driven phosphorylation of S6 was observed to control transcription of the temporally regulated production of IFN-γ and TNF-α but not MIP-1α, MIP-1β, and RANTES. Together, these studies demonstrate the importance of the PI3K pathway for S6 phosphorylation in human NK cells and the need to combine PI3K inhibitors with therapeutic molecules that enhance immunomodulatory function for anticancer therapies.
Geochemistry of the Neoproterozoic to Cambrian mafic volcanic rocks of the Jaeger Lake assemblage and the Yelverton Formation, Nunavut
Authors: Dockman D M , Hadlari T , Dewing K
Published: May 2019

Basaltic rocks of the Jaeger Lake assemblage of Axel Heiberg Island and the Yelverton Formation of Ellesmere Island are Neoproterozoic to Cambrian in age and outcrop in a stratigraphic package dominated by carbonate. A lack of modern geochemical data on these
basalts has limited the ability to correlate the two assemblages and to comment on the tectonic setting from which they were generated.
Major, Trace, and Rare Earth Element (REE) geochemistry was performed on three samples collected by the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) during the 2015-2017 field seasons. Trace element analysis indicates that volcanic flows of the Jaeger Lake assemblage and sills within the Yelverton Formation
are sub-alkaline basalts that form a geochemical array along a garnet-lherzolite petrogenetic trend. One sample from each assemblage has an REE pattern indicative of a magma derived from a garnet-bearing, EMORB source, while one Jaeger Lake sample has a strongly depleted, NMORB-like REE pattern.
We hypothesize that all 3 samples are from the same EMORB source and that the strongly depleted sample is the result of extreme, iterative partial melting. Trace elements alone cannot determine if this hypothesis is correct, so an ongoing Sr-Nd and U-Pb study is being undertaken to comment on the
age and source characteristics of these understudied basalts.
Implementing a Communication Model to Enhance Patient-Centered Care
Authors: Jazieh Abdul Rahman , Al Sudairy Reem , Al Shami Mona , Yaqub Abdullah , Al Khesaifi Areej , Al-Dorzi Hasan M. , Fayad Maha
Published: May 2019

Background: Family involvement is essential in providing patient-centered care. It is very challenging to adapt into the health-care system. Our project aims at implementing a culturally tailored communication model to systematically involve a family in patient care. Materials and Methods: A multidisciplinary team was established to implement our previously developed communication model. We used rapid plan–do–study–act (PDSA) cycles of improvement to test the set of interventions to incorporate learned lessons into the project activities. The communication model was implemented in stages starting from the emergency department (ED) and expanding to different hospital units. Result: Fifteen PDSA cycles were conducted in the ED, intensive care unit, and inpatient wards. A clear algorithm on how to appoint the most responsible family members was developed and points of communication with the family were identified. Educational materials were developed for patients and families in addition to staff education about the program. There was a strong acceptance of the concept from families and staff, and the process is being implemented into our electronic health records. Conclusion: Our communication model was well accepted by patients, their families, and our staff. The plan is to automate the process for sustainability by making it an integral component of the electronic medical records and to introduce it throughout our system.
Need for Risk Management and Regular Occupational Health Safety Assessment Among Workers of Developing Countries
Authors: Singh Zorawar , Sekhon Pramjit Singh
Published: May 2019

Occupational health is a sensitive area in many developing countries where occupational exposure needs attention due to lack of awareness among industrialists as well as workers. Industries such as iron, textile, leather, and paper use a vast number of toxic chemicals during different industrial processes. Workers of these industries come in direct contact with these chemicals including dyes, solvents, and finishers, which are known to be mutagenic and genotoxic. In the absence of risk assessment programs, these chemicals pose serious health risks. Risk management is one of the key factors in health safety of the workers. Agencies of central, state, and local levels need to work harder in the field of occupational health and safety. These agencies should develop relevant risk assessment programs to minimize the exposure health impacts. In the present article, various exposure risks to workers of different industries including iron, textile, leather, and paper industry along with levels of risk management system and the need for regular health assessment programs have been discussed to put them into real practice.
Decreasing Prolonged Waiting Times for Chemotherapy Administration for Patients with Cancer
Authors: Mahrous Mervat , El Shaer Emad , Rezik Lamia , Taha Samar , Yosef Ahmed
Published: May 2019

Background: On the basis of our patient satisfaction survey, we initiated a quality improvement project at our institution to decrease waiting times for patients scheduled for chemotherapy. The mean waiting time until a patient started his or her session was 183.5 min. Our aim was to reduce the waiting time by 50% (<90 min) over a 6-month period and to sustain it. Materials and Methods: We used a multidisciplinary approach to identify the root causes and contributing factors of prolonged waiting times for patients in the chemotherapy unit. We implemented three Plan–Do–Study–Act cycles over a 10-month period (February to December 2016). First, we redesigned the nursing triage process, treatment process, and nursing awareness programs. Second, we improved nursing documentation to ensure accurate tracking of patients who declined their appointment or were overbooked. Third, pharmacy forms and chemotherapy preparation were accomplished with the help of an electronic system. We implemented a department-wide standard of care to provide an early assessment of the patient on arrival, and we activated a specific chemotherapy clinic for patient booking and laboratory tests, which were supervised by a trained qualified oncologist. Results: Median time to chemotherapy administration was reduced by 40% in the first 3 months, 64% in 6 months, and 51% in 18 months. We checked every 2 weeks for sustained action and tracked the time from when the patient checked in until he or she received treatment, guided by electronic pharmacy confirmation. The mean waiting time continued to improve and no complaints were reported during the last 6 months of the post-intervention period. Conclusion: Our project resulted in a 40%–64% reduction in waiting times for patients in the chemotherapy unit over an 18-month period. Our plan is to sustain this improvement by continually monitoring waiting times and addressing any emerging issues.