bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cooperative decision in a closed‐loop supply chain considering carbon emission reduction and low‐carbon promotion
Authors: Li Hui , Wang Chuanxu , Shang Meng , Ou Wei , Qin Xiaohui
Published: November 2018

This study examines manufacturers' carbon emission reduction level and retailers' low‐carbon promotion effort in a low‐carbon closed‐loop supply chain (CLSC), in which a manufacturer directly collects the used‐products from consumers. Considering both the carbon emission reduction level and low‐carbon promotion effort depending on the market demands, this study investigates the optimal decisions and performances of CLSC under four different game structures, that is, one non‐cooperative structure and three cooperative structures. In the non‐cooperative structure, the manufacturer controls the carbon emission level, the collection level as well as the wholesale price, while the retailer controls the low‐carbon promotion effort and retail price. The cooperative structures consist of one‐way and two‐way cooperation. In one‐way cooperative structure, the manufacturer shares only a part of retailer's low‐carbon promotion cost. In two‐way cooperative structure, the retailer shares partial manufacturer's carbon emission reduction cost or collection cost based on the one‐way cooperative structure. It shows that the two‐way cooperative structure of the co‐op promotion and carbon emission reduction is the optimal in pricing decisions and carbon emission reduction level, as well as two‐way cooperative structure of the co‐op promotion and collection is the optimal in the collection effort. Under lower the consumer's low‐carbon preferences, the retailer agrees to share the manufacturer's collection cost. When the consumer's low‐carbon preferences are higher, the retailer agrees to share the manufacturer's carbon emission reduction cost. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38: 143–153, 2019
The level of particulate matter (PM2.5) in several indoor public venues
Authors: Al‐Harbi Meshari , BuHamra Sana
Published: November 2018

Indoor air pollution in developing countries is a public health problem deserving of urgent attention. The aim of this study was to assess indoor second‐hand smoke (SHS) exposure via PM2.5 (fine particles with diameter ≤ 2.5 μm) level measurements in several public venues in Kuwait. The PM2.5 mean, median, and interquartile range (IQR) values for nonsmoking areas were; respectively, 28, 24, 32 μg/m3 while the corresponding values for smoking areas were 274, 222, 288 μg/m3 in the absence of water pipe usage and 1434, 1001, 964 μg/m3 in the presence of water pipes, respectively. Differences among the three tested venues (nonsmoking, smoking with and without water pipes) were statistically significant (F = 330.7, P < 0.001). The air quality index (AQI) results showed that nonsmoking areas were mostly classified as either “Good” or “Moderate” whereas the classification in smoking areas varied between “Moderate” to “Hazardous.” Adverse health outcomes from exposure to PM2.5 were also evaluated. The estimated lifetime lung cancer and cardiopulmonary risks in nonsmoking area were 4 × 10−3 and 3 × 10−3, respectively. In smoking areas, the risks were more than sixfold and 30‐fold increases of cancer and cardiopulmonary relative to nonsmoking areas without and with water pipes, respectively. In smoking venues, the relative ratio values were 1.26 and 1.16 with no water pipe and 1.86 and 1.51 when water pipe usage was observed, for lung cancer and cardiopulmonary mortality, respectively. These values reveal that people, especially the young and elderly, occupying or visiting these venues are susceptible to lung cancer and cardiopulmonary mortality. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38:e13096, 2019
Recycling of bioenergy by‐products as crop nutrient: Application in different phases for improvement of soil and crop
Authors: Kataki Sampriti , Hazarika Samarendra , Baruah DC
Published: November 2018

Recycling of nutrients through soil application of bioenergy by‐products (BEBPs) promotes closing of nutrient cycle as well as solves issues related to their improper management. Present investigation reports experimental data on soil fertility, crop growth (rapeseed), and crop nutrition from application of 15 fertilization treatments comprising of 13 BEBPs treatments, NPK and control. The selected by‐products are three types of digestates from anaerobic digestion namely, (i) cowdung, (ii) co‐digested Ipomoea carnea leaves:cowdung (60:40 dry weight), (iii) co‐digested rice straw:green gram stover:cowdung (30:30:40 dry weight) and one char (Rice husk) from gasification system. Fertilizer potential of digestates are assessed in four application phases namely, whole, separated solid, separated liquid, and ash from solid digestates. Significant variations in soil parameters (pH, EC, soil organic carbon, soil available N, P, and K, soil micronutrients) and crop responses were seen with respect to both feedstock type and application phases. BEBP application particularly in solid and whole phase proved significantly better in improving soil organic carbon. Addition of BEBP resulted in increased aboveground productivity, crop yield, plant NPK concentration compared with BEBP unfertilized condition. Overall, the improvement in grain yield over BEBP untreated control can be related to improvement in soil fertility (available fraction of N, P, and K), organic carbon, pH as well as crop physical growth. This study demonstrated that, due to differential partitioning of nutrients, a differentiated planning of BEBP applications, governed by the nature of feedstock and phase of applications would be required. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38:e13099, 2019
The relation between polychlorinated biphenyls and population metrics of 4 species of fish from the upper Hudson River, New York, USA
Authors: Maceina Michael J. , Sammons Steven M.
Published: November 2018

In the upper Hudson River, New York, USA, fish were exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from the 1940s to 1977, and PCBs still persist in this environment. Yellow perch (Perca flavescens), brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus), smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu), and largemouth bass (M. salmoides) were collected annually from 2003 to 2009 from 1 control site upstream of the PCB discharge locations and from 2 sites downstream from where PCBs were released. Fish PCB concentrations were estimated, and 3 population metrics were examined: 1) relative abundance, 2) weight-to-length ratio, and 3) growth. Normalized lipid-based PCB concentrations at the 2 PCB exposure pools averaged approximately 100 to 600 μg/g. Estimated relative abundances with electrofishing were higher for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and brown bullhead at PCB exposure sites compared to the control site; but yellow perch were more abundant at the control site. Weight to length ratios varied among sites and species, but no consistent pattern was evident in relation to PCBs at the population level or for individual fish. Growth rates for yellow perch and brown bullhead were similar among sites. Largemouth bass growth was slightly higher at the control site compared to the 2 PCB sites, but smallmouth bass growth was much higher at the PCB sites compared to the control site. We could not detect any relation or influence of PCBs on the 3 population metrics that we examined. the present results corroborated those of previous investigations concerning the effects of PCBs on fishes. We recommend stronger consideration of the biological impacts of PCBs at the population level when conducting risk assessments. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:329–339. © 2018 SETAC
Indirect mineral carbonation of chlorinated tailing derived from Ti‐bearing blast‐furnace slag coupled with simultaneous dechlorination and recovery of multiple value‐added products
Authors: Chu Guanrun , Wang Lin , Liu Weizao , Zhang Guoquan , Luo Dongmei , Wang Liming , Liang Bin , Li Chun
Published: November 2018

The chlorinated tailing (CT) generated during titanium extraction from Ti‐bearing blast‐furnace slag contains 3–5 wt% chlorides, which are hazardous to the environment. In this paper, a process for simultaneous CO2 mineralization, dechlorination, and recovery of multiple value‐added products was proposed to fully utilize the CT. In this process, Ti, Al, Mg, and Ca are extracted in the form of their sulfates via roasting with recyclable (NH4)2SO4 followed by leaching with dilute H2SO4. Their extraction ratios are 83.1%, 87.4%, 89.4%, and 92.1%, respectively. The chlorides are simultaneously removed from the CT as gaseous HCl with a dechlorination ratio of 98.5%. Subsequently, 89.5% of the Al and 97.5% of the Ti in the leaching liquor are successively recovered as NH4Al(SO4)2·12H2O with a purity of 99 wt% and titanium‐rich material with TiO2 of 62.5 wt%. The CaSO4‐rich leaching residue and MgSO4‐rich leachate, after complete depletion of the Al and Ti, are separately carbonated with a mixed gas of CO2 and NH3 with total CO2 capacity up to 279.8 kg CO2 per tonne CT. The preliminary economic evaluation shows that income from selling products after the deduction of the cost of primary raw materials reaches 200 $/tonne CT. The proposed route therefore provides a cost‐efficient alternative for comprehensive utilization of the polluting CT. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reenvisioning Writing Pedagogy and Learning Disabilities Through a Black Girls’ Literacies Framework
Authors: Whitney Erin Hope
Published: November 2018

Much of the special education research on writing has focused on skill acquisition and remediation. However, a significant problem with this approach is that it does not account for the sociocultural nature of writing or the importance of culturally sustaining pedagogies in writing instruction. In this article, the author uses practitioner research to examine the ways that Raquel (pseudonym), a seventh‐grade black girl identified as having a learning disability, enacted her identity as a writer when components of the Black Girls’ Literacies framework were integrated into her writing instruction and how this agentive identity offered a counternarrative to the institutional identity ascribed to her as a student with a learning disability. Findings suggest that by integrating the Black Girls’ Literacies framework into language arts instruction, students such as Raquel might be empowered to identify as writers and use writing to critique society and envision a more just and equitable world.
Biogenic nanoselenium particles activate Nrf2‐ARE pathway by phosphorylating p38, ERK1/2, and AKT on IPEC‐J2 cells
Authors: Xiao Xiao , Song Deguang , Cheng Yuanzhi , Hu Yuhan , Wang Fengqin , Lu Zeqing , Wang Yizhen
Published: November 2018

As the intestinal epithelium is vulnerable to oxidative stress because of frequent enterocyte renewal and continuous exposure to exogenous agents, it is meaningful to figure out how the epithelial cells exert antioxidant function. We previously synthesized a novel biogenic nanoselenium (BNS) particles and proved that BNS could effectively improve intestinal antioxidative function through activating Nrf2‐ARE pathway. The objective of the present study was to investigate the mechanism by which BNS activate Nrf2‐ARE pathway on the physiological function of intestinal epithelial cells. In the present study, we demonstrated that treatment of IPEC‐J2 cells with BNS particles not only elevated the levels of downstream proteins of nuclear factor (erythroid‐derived‐2)‐like 2 (Nrf2) such as heme oxygenase‐1 and NQO‐1 in a time‐dependent manner which started to weaken at 12 hr after treatment but also significantly activated Nrf2, mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK), and protein kinase B (AKT) pathway in a time‐dependent manner within 24 hr. BNS particles significantly increased the content of phosphorylated‐Nrf2, without evident influence on the level of Kelch‐like ECH‐associated protein 1 (Keap1). Moreover, BNS also induced the activation of p38, extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase, and AKT while phosphorylating Nrf2. Using specific protein kinase inhibitors, we found that the Nrf2‐phosphorylating and antioxidative effects of BNS particles were abolished when p38, ERK1/2, and AKT were significantly inhibited. Overall, our data demonstrated that BNS particles activated Nrf2‐ARE pathway through p38, ERK1/2, and AKT mediated‐phosphorylation of Nrf2 to improve the antioxidant function of intestinal epithelial cells
Synthesis and QSAR Study of Some Novel Heterocyclic Derivatives as In Vitro Cytotoxic Agents
Authors: Rizk Sameh A. , Abdelwahab Salwa S. , Elrazaz Eman
Published: November 2018

2,3‐Diaryloxirane‐2,3‐dicarbonitriles have employed in heterocyclic synthesis in many organic reactions. Authors highlight its use as intermediate in the synthesis of various organic compounds through the reaction with different nitrogen nucleophiles as methyl hydrazine, thiourea, thiosemicarbazide, methylglycinate, and others to furnish new heterocyclic derivatives. They are also used as key starting materials to construct some important heterocycles. Structures of all newly synthesized products are substantiated by studying their micro analytical and spectral data. Some of newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxic effects against a panel of three human tumor cell lines, namely, Hep‐G2, Hela, and MCF‐7. Most of the newly synthesized compounds (1a, 2a, 2d, 3, 4, 5, 6a, 6c, 6d, 7a, and 7b) inhibited cell proliferation with IC50 values in range of 0.52–5.21 μΜ. For activity against HepG2 cell line, compounds 5, 6a, 6d, and 7b emerged as the most active members. The Hela cell line showed highest sensitivity toward compounds 2a, 2d, and 6c whereas compounds 2d and 6c showed the highest inhibitory activity against MCF‐7 cell line.
Retention in clinic versus retention in care during the first year of HIV care in Nairobi, Kenya: a prospective cohort study
Authors: van der Kop Mia L , Nagide Patrick I , Thabane Lehana , Gelmon Lawrence , Kyomuhangi Lennie B , Abunah Bonface , Ekström Anna Mia , Lester Richard T
Published: November 2018

Introduction

When measuring the success of HIV programmes to retain patients in care, few studies distinguish between retention in clinic (individual returns to the same clinic) and retention in care (individual is active in care at initial site or elsewhere). The objectives of this study were to quantify retention in clinic versus retention in care and determine risk factors associated with attrition from care in low‐income settings in Nairobi, Kenya.

Methods

Between April 2013 and June 2015, adults testing positive for HIV were recruited at two comprehensive care clinics in informal urban settlements. Participants were followed from the time of a positive HIV test for up to 14 months. Participants who did not return to the clinic for their 12‐month appointment between 10 and 14 months after their baseline visit were traced by telephone or community outreach to determine whether they were still receiving HIV care. We used generalized linear regression to determine the association between clinical and socio‐demographic factors and attrition from care at 12 months.

Results

Of the 1068 individuals screened for study participation, 775 individuals newly presenting to HIV care were included in this study. Between 10 and 14 months, 486 participants (62.7%, 95% confidence intervals [CI], 59.2% to 66.1%) returned to the clinic for their 12‐month appointment (retained in clinic). After telephone tracing and community outreach, an additional 123 of 289 participants were found to be active in care at other HIV clinics (42.6%, 95% CI, 36.8% to 48.5%). Overall, 609 (78.6%, 95% CI, 75.7% to 81.5%) participants were retained in care at any HIV clinic at 12 months. Participants in higher baseline CD4 count categories were more likely to be retained than those whose baseline CD4 count was <200 cells/mm3.

Conclusions

Retention in clinic substantially underestimated retention in care 12 months after presenting to care in this high‐prevalence and low‐income urban setting. Improved systems to track patients between clinics are required to accurately estimate retention in care in resource‐limited settings. Although the proportion of patients retained in care was greater than expected, interventions to improve retention in care are needed to meet global targets to end the AIDS epidemic.
Prediction of fracture lines of the calcaneus using a three‐dimensional finite element model
Authors: Tsubone Tetsu , Toba Naoki , Tomoki Uzu , Arakawa Daisuke , Iiyama Toshinari , Hara Natsuki , Matsuo Takumi , Fukuda Fumio
Published: November 2018

The various lines of calcaneal fractures indicate their complex nature and make their treatment challenging. There is still much debate regarding the position and direction of these fracture lines, even for the primary fracture line. The computed tomography‐based finite element model is known to provide accurate predictions of fracture loads and virtual fracture locations for the femur and distal radius. This study aimed to establish how to predict the calcaneus fracture lines using the computed tomography‐based finite element model for patients with contralateral calcaneal fractures and to investigate whether the predicted lines were similar to those of the fractured calcaneus. The calcanei of five men and two women aged 44–77 years (average age, 60 years) with contralateral calcaneal fractures were analyzed. To assess the precision of the predicted fracture lines of the contralateral calcanei, they were compared with the fracture locations found by three‐dimensional models of the calcanei. The fracture lines of the finite element model simulated the actual fracture lines and diagnosed joint depression types of fractures (five cases) and tongue types (two cases), but only under certain conditions for each case. This trial simulated calcaneal fractures using a patient‐specific computed tomography‐based nonlinear finite element model. Therefore, we suggest that it is possible to reproduce calcaneal fractures using the finite element model. It was possible to predict with precision the actual calcaneal fracture for each patient and to reproduce fracture conditions. Therefore, this method is valuable because it can provide an understanding of the pathomechanism of calcaneal fractures. © 2018 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 37:483–489, 2019.
Towards sustainable agriculture for the salt‐affected soil
Authors: Shao Hongbo , Chu Liye , Lu Haiying , Qi Weicong , Chen Xin , Liu Jia , Kuang Shaoping , Tang Boping , Wong Vanessa
Published: November 2018

Salt stress is a major problem happening in almost all the world, affecting soil metabolism and acting further negatively soil fertility and soil quality, causing land degradation and low ecosystem service functions and ecosystem productivity. In marshy area as one type of important marginal land resources, salt is also the main barrier to be improved and the driving force to make vegetation succeed. This commentary briefly reviews the main advance focusing on salt‐affected soil and introduced the publications in this Special Issue: Salt Soil Improvement and Efficient Development in Land Degradation & Development 29, 2018, to promote global cooperation for studying salt‐affecting soil quality, land degradation, and eco‐restoration.
High‐Performance Bio‐Based Benzoxazines from Enzymatic Synthesis of Diphenols
Authors: Bonnaud Leïla , Chollet Benjamin , Dumas Ludovic , Peru Aurélien A. M. , Flourat Amandine L. , Allais Florent , Dubois Philippe
Published: November 2018

This paper reports the preparation, characterization, and performance of three low viscosity fully bio‐based benzoxazine resins synthesized from bio‐based furfurylamine, paraformaldehyde, and three new enzymatic originated diphenols obtained through a sustainable and highly selective lipase‐catalyzed enzymatic process from p‐coumaric acid, and three bio‐based diols (propanediol, butanediol, and isosorbide, respectively). The enzymatic method is used for the first time, to the authors’ knowledge, to design specific diphenolic structures dedicated to the preparation of benzoxazine thermosetting resins whose precursors exhibit easy handling within a wide processing window (from room temperature up to 200 °C). The resulting cross‐linked materials present high glass transition temperature (T
g > 200 °C) and inherent charring ability upon pyrolysis (≈50 wt% at 1000 °C). These results open a valuable and new pathway to develop enhanced benzoxazines and bring them new properties.
Lymphotoxin‐β receptor‐NIK signaling induces alternative RELB/NF‐κB2 activation to promote metastatic gene expression and cell migration in head and neck cancer
Authors: Das Rita , Coupar Jamie , Clavijo Paul E. , Saleh Anthony , Cheng Tsu‐Fan , Yang Xinping , Chen Jianhong , Van Waes Carter , Chen Zhong
Published: November 2018

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) preferentially spread to regional cervical tissues and lymph nodes. Here, we hypothesized that lymphotoxin‐β (LTβ), receptor LTβR, and NF‐κB‐inducing kinase (NIK), promote the aberrant activation of alternative NF‐κB2/RELB pathway and genes, that enhance migration and invasion of HNSCC. Genomic and expression alterations of the alternative NF‐kB pathway were examined in 279 HNSCC tumors from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and a panel of HNSCC lines. LTβR is amplified or overexpressed in HNSCC of the larynx or oral cavity, while LTβ, NIK, and RELB are overexpressed in cancers arising within lymphoid oropharyngeal and tonsillar sites. Similarly, subsets of HNSCC lines displayed overexpression of LTβR, NIK, and RELB proteins. Recombinant LTβ, and siRNA depletion of endogenous LTβR and NIK, modulated expression of LTβR, NIK, and nuclear translocation of NF‐κB2(p52)/RELB as well as functional NF‐κB promoter reporter activity. Treatment with a NIK inhibitor (1,3[2H,4H]‐Iso‐Quinoline Dione) reduced the protein expression of NIK and NF‐κB2(p52)/RELB, and blocked LTβ induced nuclear translocation of RELB. NIK and RELB siRNA knockdown or NIK inhibitor slowed HNSCC migration or invation in vitro. LTβ‐induces expression of migration and metastasis related genes, including hepatocyte growth/scatter factor receptor MET. Knockdown of NIK or MET similarly inhibited the migration of HNSCC cell lines. This may help explain why HNSCC preferentially migrate to local lymph nodes, where LTβ is expressed. Our findings show that LTβ/LTβR promotes activation of the alternative NIK‐NF‐κB2/RELB pathway to enhance MET‐mediated cell migration in HNSCC, which could be potential therapeutic targets in HNSCC.
An h–p version of the Chebyshev spectral collocation method for nonlinear delay differential equations
Authors: Meng Tingting , Wang Zhongqing , Yi Lijun
Published: November 2018

We develop and analyze a spectral collocation method based on the Chebyshev–Gauss–Lobatto points for nonlinear delay differential equations with vanishing delays. We derive an a priori error estimate in the H1‐norm that is completely explicit with respect to the local time steps and the local polynomial degrees. Several numerical examples are provided to illustrate the theoretical results.
Effective Chorin–Temam algebraic splitting schemes for the steady Navier–stokes equations
Authors: Viguerie Alex , Xiao Mengying
Published: November 2018

This paper continues some recent work on the numerical solution of the steady incompressible Navier–Stokes equations. We present a new method, similar to the one presented in Rebholz et al., but with superior convergence and numerical properties. The method is efficient as it allows one to solve the same symmetric positive‐definite system for the pressure at each iteration, allowing for the simple preconditioning and the reuse of preconditioners. We also demonstrate how one can replace the Schur complement system with a diagonal matrix inversion while maintaining accuracy and convergence, at a small fraction of the numerical cost. Convergence is analyzed for Newton and Picard‐type algorithms, as well as for the Schur complement approximation.
Preparation and performance of the novel PVDF ultrafiltration membranes blending with PVA modified SiO2 hydrophilic nanoparticles
Authors: Sun De , Yue Dongmin , Li Bingbing , Zheng Zhaoshan , Meng Xiangchun
Published: November 2018

In this study, PVA‐SiO2 was synthesized by modifying silica (SiO2) with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), then a novel polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) ultrafiltration (UF) membrane was prepared by incorporating the prepared PVA‐SiO2 into membrane matrix using the non‐solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) method. The effects of PVA‐SiO2 particle on the properties of the PVDF membrane were systematically studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), surface pore size, porosity, and water contact angle. The results indicated that with the addition of PVA‐SiO2 particles in the PVDF UF membranes, membrane mean pore size increased from 80.06 to 126.00 nm, porosity improved from 77.4% to 89.1%, and water contact angle decreased from 75.61° to 63.10°. Furthermore, ultrafiltration experiments were conducted in terms of pure water flux, bovine serum albumin (BSA) rejection, and anti‐fouling performance. It indicated that with the addition of PVA‐SiO2 particles, pure water flux increased from 70 to 126 L/m2 h, BSA rejection increased from 67% to 86%, flux recovery ratio increased from 60% to 96%, total fouling ratio decreased from 50% to 18.7%, and irreversible fouling ratio decreased from 40% to 4%. Membrane anti‐fouling property was improved, and it can be expected that this work may provide some references to the improvement of the anti‐fouling performance of the PVDF ultrafiltration membrane. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:E412–E421, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
The impact of adenotonsillectomy on pediatric asthma
Authors: Goldstein Nira A. , Thomas Maxwell S. , Yu Yasong , Weaver Diana E. , Watanabe Izumi , Dimopoulos Antonios , Wasserman Jason , Ahmad Sabina Q. , Ednick Mathew , Vastola A. Paul , Weedon Jeremy
Published: November 2018

Objective

To determine asthma outcomes in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy (T&A) for treatment of sleep‐disordered breathing (SDB).

Hypothesis

Asthmatic children will demonstrate improvement in asthma control after T&A compared to asthmatic children not undergoing surgical treatment.

Study Design

Prospective cohort.

Patient‐Subject Selection

80 children with diagnosed asthma, aged 4‐11, undergoing T&A and 62 controls matched to the T&A subjects by age, sex, and asthma severity classification.

Methodology

Parents and children completed the Childhood Asthma Control Test (C‐ACT) and the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ). Parents were queried regarding the number of asthma exacerbations, the frequency of the use of systemic steroids, the number of emergency room visits and the number of hospitalizations in the prior 6 months. The identical questionnaires and interviews were completed 6 months after entry.

Results

The adjusted mean (95% CI) C‐ACT score was 21.86 (20.94‐22.68) at entry and 25.15 (24.55‐25.71) at follow‐up for the T&A group compared with 22.42 (21.46‐23.28) and 23.59 (22.77‐24.33) for the control group. There was a significant group by time interaction (P < 0.001). Simple effects analysis showed that group means did not differ at entry (P = 1.00) but did differ at follow‐up (P = 0.006). Baseline PSQ was a significant predictor of improvement in C‐ACT scores. Statistical modeling did not demonstrate significant group by time interactions for any of the asthma clinical outcomes, although these outcomes were very infrequent in both groups.

Conclusion

Treatment of SDB improves asthma outcomes as measured by the C‐ACT.
Synergistic interaction between the agonism of cebranopadol at nociceptin/orphanin FQ and classical opioid receptors in the rat spinal nerve ligation model
Authors: Christoph Thomas , Raffa Robert , De Vry Jean , Schröder Wolfgang
Published: November 2018

Cebranopadol (trans‐6′‐fluoro‐4′,9′‐dihydro‐N,N‐dimethyl‐4‐phenyl‐spiro[cyclohexane‐1,1′(3′H)‐pyrano[3,4‐b]indol]‐4‐amine) is a novel analgesic nociceptin/orphanin FQ opioid peptide (NOP) and classical opioid receptor (MOP, DOP, and KOP) agonist with highly efficacious and potent activity in a broad range of rodent models of nociceptive, inflammatory, and neuropathic pain as well as limited opioid‐type side effects such as respiratory depression. This study was designed to explore contribution and interaction of NOP and classical opioid receptor agonist components to cebranopadol analgesia in the rat spinal nerve ligation (SNL) model. Assessing antihypersensitive activity in SNL rats intraperitoneal (IP) administration of cebranopadol resulted in ED50 values of 3.3 and 3.58 μg/kg in two independent experiments. Pretreatment (IP) with J‐113397 (4.64 mg/kg) a selective antagonist for the NOP receptor or naloxone (1 mg/kg), naltrindole (10 mg/kg), or nor‐BNI (10 mg/kg), selective antagonists for MOP, DOP, and KOP receptors, yielded ED50 values of 14.1, 16.9, 17.3, and 15 μg/kg, respectively. This 4‐5 fold rightward shift of the dose‐response curves suggested agonistic contribution of all four receptors to the analgesic activity of cebranopadol. Combined pretreatment with a mixture of the antagonists for the three classical opioid receptors resulted in an 18‐fold potency shift with an ED50 of 65.5 μg/kg. The concept of dose equivalence was used to calculate the expected additive effects of the parent compound for NOP and opioid receptor contribution and to compare them with the observed effects, respectively. This analysis revealed a statistically significant difference between the expected additive and the observed effects suggesting intrinsic synergistic analgesic interaction of the NOP and the classical opioid receptor components of cebranopadol. Together with the observation of limited respiratory depression in rats and humans the synergistic interaction of NOP and classical opioid receptor components in analgesia described in the current study may contribute to the favorable therapeutic index of cebranopadol observed in clinical trials.
Forced migration in childhood and subsequent fertility: The Karelian displaced population in Finland
Authors: Saarela Jan , Skirbekk Vegard
Published: November 2018

The family formation consequences of refugee movements is of relevance to international demographic development and for countries accepting forced migrants. Finland provides a unique opportunity to understand the long term effects of involuntary migration on subsequent family formation patterns using population register data. We study individuals who were aged up to 17 years when they were forced to migrate from Finnish Karelia, following the Soviet annexation in the 1940s. There was no migrant selectivity that could affect fertility, and no one had the opportunity to eventually return migrate. For displaced women, but not displaced men, we find that the experience of forced migration in childhood lead to a slightly lower risk of finding a partner, whereas the influence on fertility was small and slightly positive only for men. Forced migrants were more likely to partner with other forced migrants, but we find no robust evidence that partnering behaviour of this kind promotes fertility.
Coexistent sarcoidosis and lymphangioleiomyomatosis in a patient with cystic lung disease
Authors: Cullivan Sarah , De La Harpe Golden Peter , Doyle Deirdre , Doddakula Kishore Kumar , Burke Louise , Murphy Desmond Michael
Published: November 2018

A 45‐year‐old lady presented acutely with pleuritic chest pain, haemoptysis, and dyspnoea. Her background was significant for a 1.4 cm renal angiomyolipoma, and she was an ex‐smoker without any relevant family history. A computed tomography (CT) pulmonary angiogram was negative for a pulmonary embolism but demonstrated diffuse cystic change throughout both lungs. A bronchoscopy confirmed a normal endobronchial tree, and pulmonary function tests demonstrated moderate airways obstruction, with reversibility and a normal diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO). A video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lung biopsy showed non‐caseating granulomas, and serum angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) was elevated consistent with a diagnosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis. Further sectioning indicated focal areas that stained positive for Human Melanoma Black 45 (HMB‐45), confirming lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM). A diagnosis of cystic lung disease secondary to coexistent sarcoidosis and LAM was made.
Pleural anthracosis presenting with massive effusion: a rare entity
Authors: Amiseno Rayhan , Ban Andrea Yu‐Lin , Masir Noraidah , Hamidi Lizawati Rasul , Faisal Abdul Hamid Mohamed
Published: November 2018

Pleural anthracosis is rare and, in most cases, is diagnosed incidentally or at autopsy. We report a 67‐year‐old man with pleural anthracosis. He was initially referred for possible tuberculous pleural effusion and had recurrent admissions for symptomatic pleural effusion, which increased with each subsequent episode. A thoracoscopic examination demonstrated diffuse hyperpigmentation in both parietal and visceral pleura. Parietal pleural biopsy indicated granuloma with foreign body giant cell. A contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CECT) thorax showed focal plaques in parietal pleura with calcifications in the ipsilateral lung. Investigations for tuberculosis, fungal, and malignancy proved to be negative. With these results, a diagnosis of pleural anthracosis was made. This case highlights the unusual presentation of pleural anthracosis with pleural effusion.
Discover how former senior student affairs officers charted successful career paths to the presidency
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: November 2018

PHILADELPHIA — If you aspire to the college presidency but you don't know how to make it happen, it can certainly help to follow in the footsteps of other student affairs professionals who successfully rose through the ranks.
Were student's due process rights violated?
Authors: Gelpi Aileen
Published: November 2018

The plaintiff, a member of the Wright State University tennis team, was formally accused in February 2016 by two teammates of hazing and other violations of the student conduct code.
Phase transitions and critical phenomena of tiny grains carbon films synthesized in microwave‐based vapor deposition system
Authors: Ali Mubarak , Lin I‐Nan
Published: November 2018

Different peak trends of tiny grains carbon film have been observed under the investigations of the Raman spectroscopy and energy loss spectroscopy. Carbon films known in nanocrystalline and ultrananocrystalline diamond films are synthesized by employing microwave‐based vapor deposition system. Carbon atoms exhibit several state behaviors depending on the incurred positions of their electrons. Different morphology of tiny grains under different chamber pressure is related to different rate of arriving typical energies at/near substrate surface. Those tiny grains of carbon film, which evolved in graphitic state atoms are converted to structure of smooth elements where elongation of atoms of one‐dimensional arrays is as per exerting surface format forces along opposite poles from their centers. Such tiny grains in the film are the cause of v1 peak under the investigation of the Raman spectrum because of the enhanced propagation of input laser signals through channelized inter‐state electron gaps of elongated graphitic state atoms. Those tiny grains of carbon film, which evolved in fullerene state are the cause of v2 peak. The tiny grains related to v1 peak possess a low intensity as compared with the ones which comprised atoms having state behaviors known in their exceptional hardness. Tiny grains representing v1 peak in the Raman spectrum are also the cause of field emission characteristic of a carbon film. Different peak recordings were made for the Raman at defined positions indicating a different state of carbon atoms for a different phase of deposited tiny grains, which is in line to their energy loss spectroscopy.
Assessment of axial load effect on nonlinear modeling and seismic response of reinforced concrete‐structures based on fuzzy set theory using genetic algorithm
Authors: Ebrahimi Elaheh , Abdollahzadeh Gholamreza , Jahani Ehsan
Published: November 2018

The present study develops a more efficient method for the accurate modeling of nonlinear behavior of structural elements, being an essential ingredient in reliable assessment of collapse fragility curve, as an important issue in the performance‐based earthquake engineering. To this end, beams and columns are often simulated by lumped plasticity models, consisting of one elastic element and two nonlinear spring elements at two ends to consider the effects of strength and stiffness degradation. Since introducing spring elements is obviously associated with the correct estimation of axial load ratio of each structural component during nonlinear dynamic analysis, the specific aim of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of any variation in the generated axial forces (axial efforts) in the elements on structural seismic response. For this purpose, fuzzy set theory has been utilized to assess the median of collapse fragility curves as fuzzy number by well‐known α‐cut approach. Then, herein, genetic algorithm has been employed to search for the maximum and minimum of this median in each membership degree α. Application of this methodology is illustrated through an example. It is shown that the primary advantage of the proposed assessment processes is to incorporate the influence of record to record variability, as aleatory uncertainty, and fuzziness in axial effort of the structural elements, as epistemic uncertainty, on the estimation of more realistic responses for structural systems with cyclic behavior and the evaluation of collapse performance of reinforced concrete buildings under seismic loads.
Utility of the bucket cable trap to capture American black bears
Authors: Pfander Morgan A. , Fairbanks Wendelyn S.
Published: November 2018

Most American black bear (Ursus americanus) population studies involving live capture have used foot‐hold restraints or barrel and culvert traps, but new capture methods, including the bucket cable trap, are increasingly being used by wildlife management agencies and researchers. Although the bucket cable trap has been used to capture black bears and grizzly bears (U. arctos) in the United States and Canada, quantitative assessments of its capture efficiency, injury rates, and capture biases are lacking. We addressed this gap in knowledge using a camera‐trap‐based study of bucket‐cable‐trap capture methodology. Between 12 May and 12 August 2015, we placed remotely triggered cameras at active bucket‐trap sites throughout southeastern Oklahoma, USA. During 1,285 camera‐trap‐nights, we recorded 711 black bear visitation events and 106 successful captures. Of the 402 visitation events in which the trap was active, 26.3% resulted in a successful capture. Incidental captures were limited to northern raccoons (Procyon lotor). Sex, previous capture, and mass characteristics appeared to affect the capture process, indicating that it is important to keep capture heterogeneity in mind when characterizing population demographics and calculating abundance using this capture method. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
Implications of the integration of renewable energies into the electricity market of Greece
Authors: Bachhiesl Udo , Kakavas P. , Feichtinger G. , Gaugl R.
Published: November 2018

The main purpose of this paper is a comprehensive investigation of the Greek electricity production and transmission system with a focus on the integration of renewable energy sources. A techno-economic model of the Continental European electricity sector called ATLANTIS is used to analyse the development of the Greek power system. Several different projections—including national, ENTSO-E and European scenarios—have been investigated and the officially published national development strategy of Greece until 2027 has been chosen for the simulation. Starting with the modelling of the technical system, that considers a pre-defined development path for the power plant park and the transmission grid, several techno-economic investigations are performed. These include the effects of an increasing electricity demand on the electricity production with respect to several technologies, the imports, the load flows and the CO2 emissions. Additionally, the age structure and the value of the power plant park are analysed. The results illustrate a remarkable shift from a fossil fuel dominated electricity structure to an electricity system with a high share of renewable energies. The integration of the wind power and solar/PV production capacities requires a corresponding enhancement of the Greek transmission grid including several new cross-border connections to the neighbouring countries. Therefore, all important transmission grid projects based on the TYNDP and the national grid operator have been included in the physical transmission system, which covers long distance connections between the islands and the mainland as well as connections between the islands themselves by using also the HVDC technology. Furthermore, it is shown that due to the reduced lifetime of the RES technologies compared to the fossil-fuelled and the hydro power plants the up-coming re-investment cycles have to be planned carefully. Finally, the paper closes with a comprehensive discussion of the outcomes and gives an outlook of the ongoing and the future works, which cover e.g. a stronger linkage of the whole Mediterranean electricity systems to the European transmission grid according to a European energy strategy.
Awkward Choreographies from Cancer's Margins: Incommensurabilities of Biographical and Biomedical Knowledge in Sexual and/or Gender Minority Cancer Patients’ Treatment
Authors: Bryson Mary K. , Taylor Evan T. , Boschman Lorna , Hart Tae L. , Gahagan Jacqueline , Rail Genevieve , Ristock Janice
Published: November 2018

Canadian and American population-based research concerning sexual and/or gender minority populations provides evidence of persistent breast and gynecologic cancer-related health disparities and knowledge divides. The Cancer's Margins research investigates the complex intersections of sexual and/or gender marginality and incommensurabilities and improvisation in engagements with biographical and biomedical cancer knowledge. The study examines how sexuality and gender are intersectionally constitutive of complex biopolitical mappings of cancer health knowledge that shape knowledge access and its mobilization in health and treatment decision-making. Interviews were conducted with a diverse group (n=81) of sexual and/or gender minority breast or gynecologic cancer patients. The LGBQ//T2 cancer patient narratives we have analyzed document in fine grain detail how it is that sexual and/or gender minority cancer patients punctuate the otherwise lockstep assemblage of their cancer treatment decision-making with a persistent engagement in creative attempts to resist, thwart and otherwise manage the possibility of discrimination and likewise, the probability of institutional erasure in care settings. Our findings illustrate the demands that cancer places on LGBQ//T2 patients to choreograph access to, and mobilization of knowledge and care, across significantly distinct and sometimes incommensurable systems of knowledge.
The Impact of Forced Migration on Mortality: Evidence From German Pension Insurance Records
Authors: Bauer Thomas K. , Giesecke Matthias , Janisch Laura M.
Published: November 2018

We examine the long-run effects of forced migration for individuals who were displaced from Eastern Europe to Germany in the aftermath of World War II. Evidence suggests that displaced individuals were worse off economically, facing a considerably lower income and a higher unemployment risk than comparable nondisplaced Germans, even 20 years after being expelled. We extend this literature by investigating mortality outcomes. Using social security records that document the exact date of death and a proxy for pre-retirement lifetime earnings, we estimate a significantly and considerably higher mortality risk among forced migrants compared with nondisplaced West Germans. The adverse displacement effect persists throughout the earnings distribution except for the top quintile. Although forced migrants were generally worse off regarding mortality outcomes, those with successful labor market histories seem to have overcome the long-lasting negative consequences of flight and expulsion.
A threshold policy in a Markov-modulated production system with server vacation: the case of continuous and batch supplies
Authors: Barron Yonit
Published: November 2018

We consider a Markov-modulated fluid flow production model under theD-policy, that is, as soon as the storage reaches level 0, the machine becomes idle until the total storage exceeds a predetermined thresholdD. Thus, the production process alternates between a busy and an idle machine. During the busy period, the storage decreases linearly due to continuous production and increases due to supply; during the idle period, no production is rendered by the machine and the storage level increases by only supply arrivals. We consider two types of model with different supply process patterns: continuous inflows with linear rates (fluid type), and batch inflows, where the supplies arrive according to a Markov additive process (MAP) and their sizes are independent and have phase-type distributions depending on the type of arrival (MAP type). Four types of cost are considered: a setup cost, a production cost, a penalty cost for an idle machine, and a storage cost. Using tools from multidimensional martingale and hitting time theory, we derive explicit formulae for these cost functionals in the discounted case. Numerical examples, a sensitivity analysis, and insights are provided.
Nearest-neighbour Markov point processes on graphs with Euclidean edges
Authors: van Lieshout M. N. M.
Published: November 2018

We define nearest-neighbour point processes on graphs with Euclidean edges and linear networks. They can be seen as analogues of renewal processes on the real line. We show that the Delaunay neighbourhood relation on a tree satisfies the Baddeley‒Møller consistency conditions and provide a characterisation of Markov functions with respect to this relation. We show that a modified relation defined in terms of the local geometry of the graph satisfies the consistency conditions for all graphs with Euclidean edges that do not contain triangles.