bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of a multi-sensor data fusion technique for the fault diagnosis of gearboxes
Authors: He Jun , Yang Shixi , Papatheou Evangelos , Xiong Xin , Wan Haibo , Gu Xiwen
Published: March 2019

Gearbox is the key functional unit in a mechanical transmission system. As its operating condition being complex and the interference transmitting from diverse paths, the vibration signals collected from an individual sensor may not provide a fully accurate description on the health condition of a gearbox. For this reason, a new method for fault diagnosis of gearboxes based on multi-sensor data fusion is presented in this paper. There are three main steps in this method. First, prior to feature extraction, two signal processing methods, i.e. the energy operator and time synchronous averaging, are applied to multi-sensor vibration signals to remove interference and highlight fault characteristic information, then the statistical features are extracted from both the raw and preprocessed signals to form an original feature set. Second, a coupled feature selection scheme combining the distance evaluation technique and max-relevance and min-redundancy is carried out to obtain an optimal feature set. Finally, the deep belief network, a novel intelligent diagnosis method with a deep architecture, is applied to identify different gearbox health conditions. As the multi-sensor data fusion technique is utilized to provide sufficient and complementary information for fault diagnosis, this method holds the potential to overcome the shortcomings from an individual sensor that may not accurately describe the health conditions of gearboxes. Ten different gearbox health conditions are simulated to validate the performance of the proposed method. The results confirm the superiority of the proposed method in gearbox fault diagnosis.
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Promotes Neural Stem Cell Proliferation and Differentiation after Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Mice*
Authors: Cui Mengchu , Ge Hongfei , Zeng Han , Yan Hongxiang , Zhang Le , Feng Hua , Chen Yujie
Published: March 2019

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a physical treatment applied during recovery after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). With in vivo and in vitro assays, the present study sought to investigate how rTMS influences neural stem cells (NSCs) after ICH and the possible mechanism. Following a collagenase-induced ICH, adult male C57BL/6 J mice were subjected to rTMS treatment every 24 h for 5 days using the following parameters: frequency, 10 Hz; duration, 2 s; wait time, 5.5 s; 960 trains (500 µV/div, 5 ms/div, default setting). Brain water content and neurobehavioral score were assessed at days 1, 3, and 5 after ICH. The proliferation and differentiation of NSCs were observed using immunofluorescence staining for Nestin, Ki-67, DCX, and GFAP on day 3 after ICH, and rTMS treatment with the same parameters was applied to NSCs in vitro. We found that rTMS significantly reduced brain edema and alleviated neural functional deficits. The mice that underwent ICH recovered faster after rTMS treatment, with apparent proliferation and neuronal differentiation of NSCs and attenuation of glial differentiation and GFAP aggregation. Accordingly, proliferation and neuronal differentiation of isolated NSCs were promoted, while glial differentiation was reduced. In addition, microarray analysis, western blotting assays, and calcium imaging were applied to initially investigate the potential mechanism. Bioinformatics showed that the positive effect of rTMS on NSCs after ICH was largely related to the MAPK signaling pathway, which might be a potential hub signaling pathway under the complex effect exerted by rTMS. The results of the microarray data analysis also revealed that Ca2+ might be the connection between physical treatment and the MAPK signaling pathway. These predictions were further identified by western blotting analysis and calcium imaging. Taken together, our findings showed that rTMS after ICH exhibited a restorative effect by enhancing the proliferation and neuronal differentiation of NSCs, potentially through the MAPK signaling pathway.
ICT, Financial Development, Economic Growth and Electricity Consumption: New Evidence from Malaysia
Authors: Solarin Sakiru Adebola , Shahbaz Muhammad , Khan Habib Nawaz , Razali Radzuan Bin
Published: March 2019

This article investigates the impact of information and communication technology (ICT), financial development and economic growth on electricity consumption for Malaysian economy, utilizing quarter frequency data for the period of 1990-2015. In order to examine the long-run relationship, a cointegration approach that provides for structural break is applied. The causal relationship between the variables is investigated by employing Toda-Yamamoto Granger causality approach, and robustness of causality results is confirmed by the innovative accounting method. The results provide evidence for the presence of cointegration between the variables. ICT has positive effect on electricity consumption. Financial development increases electricity consumption. Economic growth is positively associated with electricity consumption. The causality analysis indicates the feedback effect between ICT and electricity consumption. The bidirectional causality is found between economic growth and electricity consumption. Financial development causes electricity consumption and electricity consumption in turn causes financial development in Granger sense. This article opens fresh insights for policymakers to utilize ICT, financial development and economic growth as economic tools for sustainable economic development.
Can Exchange Rate Volatility Influence the Export Positively? Evidence from Turkey Under the Regime Shifts
Authors: Bilgili Faik , Ulucak Recep , Soykan Mehmet Erkan , Erdog˘an Selma
Published: March 2019

One might claim that a researcher can estimate the impact of exchange rate volatility on exports, considering the regime shifts. Otherwise, the relevant estimation output might be biased. This article examines the possible impact of exchange rate volatility on export in Turkey by employing the monthly data for the period 2003M1 and 2015M4. To this end, the article develops a model based on the demand for the traditional long-term aggregate export in which the influences of volatility of exchange rate, domestic income level, foreign income level and ratio of foreign price to domestic price on the real export level are observed. The article (a) first reviews the relevant literature evidence, (b) then follows the preliminary methodologies of unit root test with structural breaks or break point tests through regime shifts (c) and later, estimates the cointegration coefficients of Hatemi-J regime switching models, dynamic ordinary least square (DOLS) and fully modified ordinary least square models to understand the behaviour of Turkish export in detail.

The motivation of this article lies in two points. First, the article considers mainly the effect of exchange rate volatility on Turkish export by observing the possible existence of structural breaks and/or regime shifts. Second, the article follows both (C/S) regime switching model and (C/T) regime switching model, where (C/S) represents the model in which regime changes are observed in constant and in all regressors and where (C/T) denotes the model in which the regime shifts are estimated in constant along with trend of the Turkish export equation. The regime switching model (C/S) exhibits the positive effects of volatility, domestic income and price ratio (W/Tr) and negative impact of World income on Turkish export. The DOLS estimations support the (C/S) model outputs except the sign of price ratio. Eventually the article reveals that (a) the Turkish exporters appear to be risk lovers rather than risk-averse and (b) Turkish export should give more weight to MENA countries.
Factors Affecting the Adoption of Social Media as a Business Platform: A Study among Student Entrepreneurs in Malaysia
Authors: Nawi Noorshella Che , Mamun Abdullah Al , Nasir Noorul Azwin Md , Muniady Rajennd
Published: March 2019

Social media has been identified as a platform for student entrepreneurs to sell products and services, and to interact and connect with customers. However, the factors contributing to the adoption of social media as a platform among student entrepreneurs in Malaysia have not been established. This article aims to identify factors affecting the adoption of social media as a business platform among student entrepreneurs in Malaysia. This study employed a cross-sectional design and quantitative data was collected from 300 selected student entrepreneurs listed in the ‘entrepreneurship centres’ in all public universities in Peninsular Malaysia. Findings suggest that performance expectancy, perceived trust, perceived enjoyment and perceived risk have a significant positive effect on the adoption of social media. It is noted that there is a significant positive moderating effect of social influence between the relationship of facilitating conditions and the adoption of social media. Student entrepreneurs adopt social media as a business platform if they believe it improves their performance. Risk and trust are the most important factors influencing the adoption of social media as a business platform. Based on the findings, government agencies should promote social media as a business platform by instilling trust in the system with the hope that it will positively affect students’ entrepreneurial activities using social media as a business platform.
Book review: Vikram Bakshi, The Forward Looking Manager in a VUCA World
Authors: Mathew Sunil George
Published: March 2019

Vikram Bakshi, The Forward Looking Manager in a VUCA World, 2017, New Delhi: SAGE Publications, 284 pp., ₹450. ISBN 978-93-866-0231-2.
Predictive Modelling of Employee Turnover in Indian IT Industry Using Machine Learning Techniques
Authors: Khera Shikha N. , Divya
Published: March 2019

Information technology (IT) industry in India has been facing a systemic issue of high attrition in the past few years, resulting in monetary and knowledge-based loses to the companies. The aim of this research is to develop a model to predict employee attrition and provide the organizations opportunities to address any issue and improve retention. Predictive model was developed based on supervised machine learning algorithm, support vector machine (SVM). Archival employee data (consisting of 22 input features) were collected from Human Resource databases of three IT companies in India, including their employment status (response variable) at the time of collection. Accuracy results from the confusion matrix for the SVM model showed that the model has an accuracy of 85 per cent. Also, results show that the model performs better in predicting who will leave the firm as compared to predicting who will not leave the company.
Modelling the Effects of Brand Placements in Movies: An Investigative Study of Event Type and Placement Type
Authors: Chavadi Chandan A. , Menon Sindhu R. , Sirothiya Monika
Published: March 2019

Movies are getting extremely costly and product placement has become inevitable to accommodate brands to support their budgets. Moreover, brands are demanding return on investment for their placements. This article makes an attempt to evaluate the outcome of brand placements in movies. As Indian audiences are exposed to both Hollywood and Bollywood movies, product placement is rapidly turning into a colossal path for brands to achieve their objectives by placing the brand in a subtle or blatant way. It is reasonable to count on that consumer contrast of brands will genuinely get influenced based on the type of the entertainment event (Bollywood vs. Hollywood) and type of the product placement (subtle vs. blatant). A structural equation model was developed to assess the effect of entertainment event and placement type (PT) on brand attitude (AB) and consequently on purchase intentions (PIs). The study also explores the possibility of mediation and conducted multi-group analysis on event type and PT using AMOS and SPSS. The findings help us to comprehend the event type (Hollywood movie vs. Bollywood movie) and the PT (subtle vs. blatant) that has the most significant impact on AB and subsequently on PI.
Understanding the Impact of Perceived Customer Power on Motives and Outcomes of Emotional Labour
Authors: Bhatt Alka Singh
Published: March 2019

The article aims to measure the influence of employee perception of customer power on motives of emotional labour and its impact on outcome of emotional labour. Employee perception about customer power was measured on a 5-point Likert scale from high to low, wherein motives of emotional labour were measured under three categories, namely, prevention motive, instrumental motive and pleasure motive. The study analyses the response of 320 service executives from 5 different type of organizations such as airlines, hotels, nursing homes, insurance companies and banks. The study finds that employee perception about customer power significantly impacts the selection of motive of emotional labour, which in turn was significantly related to the consequences of emotional labour, that is, ‘job burnout’ and ‘job satisfaction’. The study also observes that customer reciprocation towards the display of emotional labour moderates the outcome variables significantly. This study identifies the possible outcomes of emotional labour after taking into consideration the perceived customer power and the moderating role of customer reciprocation. The findings have managerial implications at multiple levels. First of all, organizations may utilize the findings of the reported study to define the display rules that may increase job satisfaction and at the same time reduce job burnout. The study may also be used to provide autonomy to the employees in selecting the motives of emotional labour based on their perception of customer power.
Long-duration Storytelling: Study of Factors Influencing Retention Ability of Brands
Authors: Dhote Tripti , Kumar Vishal
Published: March 2019

In the current cluttered context, delivering brand communication competently to the intended target audience is a big challenge. Given the multiple options available in terms of brands and channels, creating the right impact is a tough call. One format which has emerged in recent times is long-duration storytelling. As a creative strategy, the format is gaining an immense prominence primarily due to its potential to hold audiences and leave an enduring impact on their minds. The trend also shows that brands embracing storytelling are moving beyond the traditional 30- and 45-s duration, resorting to longer formats of more than 60 s. Though there is some research on the ability of brand elements and other factors like culture and family influencing customer attitudes through storytelling, marketers also try to influence behaviour by adding elements of storytelling that demand realism, conciseness, reversal, humour and personal relevance. Yet, despite recent advances, there is limited research on long-format storytelling beyond 60 s. This study aims at investigating factors that can influence the retention ability of brands in commercials above 60 s. The outcome is significant from a practical perspective as it endeavours to assist brand and media practitioners in leveraging the factors that truly matter for enhancing the efficacy of long-duration storytelling above 60 s.
Evaluating the Impact of Urbanization on the Physiochemical Parameters of the Urban River System: A Study on Vaigai River, Madurai
Authors: Balaji G. , Thirumaran K.
Published: March 2019

The article attempts to investigate the impact of Madurai’s urban expansion on the River Vaigai at the confluence of six channels draining into the river from the urban watershed and at the causeways. Impervious surface cover (ISC) has impacted the river. Water samples were collected during 2017 in 15 stations in the urban stretch and two stations in the peri-urban stretch. Physical characteristics, namely, temperature, colour, odour and taste, and the intensity of chemical parameters, namely, pH, calcium, nitrates, total dissolved solids (TDS), total hardness (TH) and carbon dioxide demand (COD), were estimated. These estimations show that anomalous concentrations of physiochemical parameters in the river are much higher than the permissible standards prescribed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The causeway recorded greater variations in TDS levels between the upstream and downstream zone. The study identifies two realities: first, variance in the intensity of physiochemical properties in the urban and peri-urban stretch and second, the impact of causeways on the flow characteristics of the river.
Perception of Climate Change and the Adaptation Strategies and Capacities of the Rice Farmers in Kedah, Malaysia
Authors: Akhtar Rulia , Masud Muhammad Mehedi , Afroz Rafia
Published: March 2019

This article attempts to understand the perception of the rice-growing farmers on the issue of climate change (CC) and identify their adaptive capacity (AC). A survey was conducted through structured questionnaires to understand farmers’ perception and adaptation strategies in response to changing climate and variability. The findings indicate that farmers are moderately adaptive to CC in the study area. The result also revealed that the main barriers are lack of funds and government support available information to CC. Farmers with higher AC can produce greater amount of rice. Rice producers should be enabled through improved extension services, government aid, such as grants, training for better level of adaptability, to help them achieve higher rice production.
Blockchain and Trust in a Smart City
Authors: Kundu Debasish
Published: March 2019

Trust in a smart city is fundamental to its transparency, the participation of its people in governance, entrepreneurial initiatives, trade, commerce and hence the growth of its economy. A city gets smart by transforming itself to a digital city, and a digital city runs on data, analytics, internet of things, artificial intelligence and machine learning. This inevitable transformation creates the fundamental need for trust. How does data remain sacrosanct and verifiable? How do people trust institutions? How do institutions trust each other? How do devices trust each other?

This article explores blockchain as an essential layer of trust in a smart city. It explains the technology by drawing real-life examples to the ‘memory game’ that operates in an ecosystem of ‘trust and consensus.’ The article provides further insight into institutions that can be governed on blockchain through ‘smart contracts’ in a sovereign and human independent manner. The use cases of blockchain have been corroborated with examples of successful blockchain implementation. The value for blockchain, in general, and smart cities, in particular, has been presented across four categories: (a) the network effect on trust on society, governments and industries; (b) empowering the individual and strengthening the economy; (c) the liquid economy and (d) the shareable economy.

Given the current topology of technology innovations, there is no solution better than blockchain that embodies trust. It is a hope and expectation that this article will help smart city planners, developers, architects and thinkers implement blockchain as the embodiment of trust in smart cities that are increasingly becoming digital.
Gestational Diabetes and Breastfeeding Outcomes: A Systematic Review
Authors: Nguyen Phung Thi Hoang , Pham Ngoc Minh , Chu Khac Tan , Van Duong Dat , Van Do Dung
Published: March 2019

Studies of gestational diabetes mellitus in relation to breastfeeding are limited, while their findings are inconsistent. This systematic review was conducted to assess the associations between gestational diabetes and breastfeeding outcomes. An initial search of PubMed, Web of Science, and ProQuest identified 518 studies, and after applying the inclusion criteria, 16 studies were finally included in the review. Four studies reported that “exclusive/predominant/full breastfeeding” rates at discharge were lower in mothers with gestational diabetes than in those without gestational diabetes, and 2 studies showed a shorter duration of “exclusive/predominant breastfeeding” in the former than in the latter. However, most studies found no apparent difference in the rate of “breastfeeding initiation”, “any breastfeeding” duration, or “any breastfeeding” in hospital and at discharge between mothers with and without gestational diabetes. In summary, mothers with gestational diabetes were less likely to exclusively breastfeed their infants and may have a shorter breastfeeding duration than other mothers.
Gaming in Virtual Reality: What Changes in Terms of Usability, Emotional Response and Sense of Presence Compared to Non-Immersive Video Games?
Authors: Pallavicini Federica , Pepe Alessandro , Minissi Maria Eleonora
Published: March 2019

Background. Virtual reality can provide innovative gaming experiences for present and future game players. However, scientific knowledge is still limited about differences between player’s experience in video games played in immersive modalities and games played in non-immersive modalities (i.e., on a desktop display).

Materials and method. Smash Hit was played by 24 young adults in immersive (virtual reality) and non-immersive (desktop) condition. Self-report questionnaires (VAS-A, VAS-HP, VAS-SP, SUS, SUS-II) and psycho-physiological measures (heart rate and skin conductance) were used to assess usability, emotional response and the reported sense of presence.

Results. No statistical differences emerged between the immersive and the non-immersive condition regarding usability and performance scores. The general linear model for repeated measures conducted on VAS-A, VAS-HP, VAS-SP scores for the virtual reality condition supported the idea that playing in the immersive display modality was associated with higher self-reported happiness and surprise; analysis on SUS-II revealed that the perceived sense of presence was higher in the virtual reality condition

Discussion and conclusion. The proposed study provides evidence that (a) playing a video game in virtual reality was not more difficult than playing through a desktop display; (b) players showed a more intense emotional response, as assessed by self-report questionnaires and with psycho-physiological indexes (heart rate and skin conductance), after playing in virtual reality versus after playing through the desktop display; (c) the perceived sense of presence was found to be greater in virtual reality as opposed to the non-immersive condition.
Validation of the Intention Attribution Test for Children (IAC)
Authors: Vanwalleghem Stéphanie , Miljkovitch Raphaële , Counsell Alyssa , Atkinson Leslie , Vinter Annie
Published: March 2019

The Intention Attribution Test for Children (IAC) was created to assess hostile attribution bias in preschool- and early school-aged children. It comprises 16 cartoon strips presenting situations in which one character (either a child or an adult) causes harm to another, either intentionally, accidentally (nonintentional), or without his or her intention being clear (ambiguous). Its validity was tested on 233 children aged 4 to 12 years. Exploratory factor analysis and item response theory models demonstrated support for a single factor of hostile attribution bias for the ambiguous and nonintentional items. Analyses revealed, however, that the intentional items did not contribute to this same overall construct of hostile intention attribution bias. Correlations with the Social Perception Test and with sociometry suggest good validity of the IAC. The IAC may be a useful instrument for research and in the context of therapeutic intervention addressing socially inappropriate behavior in childhood.
99 Reasons and He Ain’t One: A Content Analysis of Domestic Homicide News Coverage
Authors: Lee Chelsey , Wong Jennifer S.
Published: March 2019

Domestic violence is a widespread issue, with victims suffering emotional and physical harm and severe cases resulting in homicide. Media presentation of these extreme instances may affect public opinion and related policies. The current study considered the portrayal of domestic homicides in Canadian print news, using articles published in the Vancouver Sun between 2004 and 2015. A content analysis shows domestic homicides were portrayed as isolated incidents and perpetuated the notions of victim blaming and offender excusing, rather than as connected to a pattern of domestic violence. This portrayal may affect how domestic violence and homicides are perceived and addressed.
First-line pembrolizumab therapy in a cisplatin-ineligible patient with plasmacytoid urothelial carcinoma: A case report
Authors: Hunter Lindsay , Moser Justin , Sturge Caleb , Barraza Gonzalo , Colonna Sarah
Published: March 2019

Background

Plasmacytoid urothelial carcinoma (PUC) is a rare but aggressive variant of transitional cell carcinoma. In patients with unresectable disease, cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy is the most commonly used treatment. However, many patients are cisplatin-ineligible due to poor performance status or other comorbidities. We report a case of a cisplatin-ineligible patient with metastatic PUC who was treated with pembrolizumab.

Case report

A 71-year-old man with 30 pack-year smoking history and schizoaffective disorder was found to have multiple right-sided lung nodules after presenting with atypical chest pain. Staging CT showed bilateral adrenal masses and a large soft tissue mass in the right iliac fossa. Tissue pathology and immunohistochemical staining was consistent with PUC. As the patient was cisplatin-ineligible due to poor performance status and multiple medical comorbidities, the decision was made to treat with pembrolizumab. Repeat CT chest and abdomen showed partial response at three months and stable disease at six months.

Discussion

The KEYNOTE-052 study found that first-line pembrolizumab in cisplatin-ineligible patients with urothelial cancer resulted in complete or partial response in 24% of patients with few adverse effects. However, it is unclear if patients with plasmacytoid variant were included. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of a patient with metastatic PUC not only treated with pembrolizumab but shown to have clinical response.

Conclusion

Given our patient’s clinical response, pembrolizumab is a promising first-line agent for treating cisplatin-ineligible patients with metastatic PUC. Further evaluation is warranted to confirm the benefit of treating this patient population with pembrolizumab.
Working Toward a Socially Just Future in the ELA Methods Class
Authors: Fowler-Amato Michelle , LeeKeenan Kira , Warrington Amber , Nash Brady Lee , Brady Randi Beth
Published: March 2019

This review of literature highlights the efforts teacher educators and researchers have made over the past 18 years to work toward social justice in secondary English language arts (ELA) preservice teacher (PT) education. Drawing on Dantley and Green’s framework for social justice leadership, we highlight the work that teacher educators have engaged in to support secondary ELA PTs in developing (a) indignation/anger for justice through exploring beliefs about students and themselves, (b) a prophetic and historical imagination through broadening understandings about teaching and learning, and (c) accountability to students and communities through university-to-classroom transitions. We close this article by drawing on this framework to honor what we, as a field, have accomplished while acknowledging the efforts that still need to be made in working toward justice in secondary ELA PT education and, ultimately, in the schools and communities in which our PTs teach.
Trajectories of Emotional and Conduct Problems and Their Association With Early High School Achievement and Engagement for Adolescents With ADHD
Authors: Zendarski Nardia , Mensah Fiona , Hiscock Harriet , Sciberras Emma
Published: March 2019

Objective: This study aimed to (a) identify longitudinal trajectories of emotional and conduct problems from middle childhood to early adolescence in a sample of 130 adolescents diagnosed with ADHD and (b) examine trajectories in relation to early adolescent academic achievement and engagement. Method: Group-based trajectory models (GBTMs) were constructed from the parent-rated strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ) subscales of emotional and conduct problems at three time points, mean ages 10.7 years, 11.6 years, and 13.7 years. Associations between trajectories and adolescent academic achievement and engagement were examined using multivariate regression. Results: Four distinct trajectories were identified within each domain. High-persistent problem trajectories in each domain were associated with poorer achievement and lower school engagement compared with adolescents following persistent-low problem trajectories. Conclusion: Findings highlight the importance of early assessment and management of comorbid emotional and conduct problems for children with ADHD as they predict school difficulties during early high school. (J. of Att. Dis. XXXX; XX(X) XX-XX)
Orbital metastasis as presenting symptom from a prostatic adenocarcinoma
Authors: Pastore Marco R , D’Aloisio Rossella , Cirigliano Gabriella , De Giacinto Chiara , Tognetto Daniele
Published: March 2019

Purpose:

To report a 72-year-old man with orbital metastasis as presenting symptoms from a prostatic adenocarcinoma.

Methods:

A complete ophthalmological evaluation with ultrasonography examination, kinetic perimetry, fluorescein angiography, and visually evoked potentials were performed. The patient underwent computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging of the orbit, and blood test for confirmation of the diagnosis. Bone infiltration rate of the cancer was evaluated with bone scintigraphy. Type of the tumor was assessed with orbital incision biopsy and histological analysis. The patient received systemic chemotherapy. Due to poor patient compliance, radiotherapy was not performed.

Results:

Ultrasonography showed a hypoechoic retrobulbar lesion. At computed tomography examination of the orbit an expansive oval intraconical solid lesion with enhancement after medium contrast was found. Biopsy findings revealed a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma with immunohistochemical profile supporting prostate as the primary tumor site: negative for cytokeratin-7 and cytokeratin-20 and positive for prostate-specific antigen, prostate-specific acid phosphatase, and alpha-methylacyl-CoA-racemase.

Conclusions:

Ocular signs and symptoms as first clinical presentation of a prostate cancer are relatively rare. Despite its very poor prognosis, a correct management and therapy can improve visual acuity, ocular symptoms, and median survival of cancer patients.
Supracapsular fixation for repositioning Ahmed glaucoma valve in case with tube-endothelial touch
Authors: Gupta Shikha , Markan Ashish , Azmira Kishan , Dada Tanuj , Gupta Viney
Published: March 2019

A new technique of correcting tube-corneal touch is described in a case of Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation. This technique repositions the intracameral tube without externalization unlike the standard procedures which aim to correct tube-corneal touch. The technique makes use of a transscleral supracapsular anchor suture to facilitate repositioning of the tube within the ciliary sulcus. Feasible only in pseudophakic and aphakic patients, either a preexisting iridectomy or intraoperative iridectomy is an essential prerequisite to perform this procedure. The final positioning of the tube within the sulcus potentially prevents chronic rubbing of the iris by polypropylene suture as opposed to a transcameral suture.
Can Your Phone Be Your Therapist? Young People’s Ethical Perspectives on the Use of Fully Automated Conversational Agents (Chatbots) in Mental Health Support
Authors: Kretzschmar Kira , Tyroll Holly , Pavarini Gabriela , Manzini Arianna , Singh Ilina ,   NeurOx Young People’s Advisory Group
Published: March 2019

Over the last decade, there has been an explosion of digital interventions that aim to either supplement or replace face-to-face mental health services. More recently, a number of automated conversational agents have also been made available, which respond to users in ways that mirror a real-life interaction. What are the social and ethical concerns that arise from these advances? In this article, we discuss, from a young person’s perspective, the strengths and limitations of using chatbots in mental health support. We also outline what we consider to be minimum ethical standards for these platforms, including issues surrounding privacy and confidentiality, efficacy, and safety, and review three existing platforms (Woebot, Joy, and Wysa) according to our proposed framework. It is our hope that this article will stimulate ethical debate among app developers, practitioners, young people, and other stakeholders, and inspire ethically responsible practice in digital mental health.
Contrast Enhancement and Image Quality Influence Two- and Three-dimensional Echocardiographic Determination of Left Ventricular Volumes: Comparison With Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Jenner Jonas , Sörensson Peder , Pernow John , Caidahl Kenneth , Eriksson Maria J
Published: March 2019

Purpose:

To evaluate the effect of image quality and contrast enhancement (CE) on left ventricular (LV) volume determination by two- (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography (2DE/3DE).

Methods:

We studied 32 post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients without (2DE/3DE) and with CE (CE2DE/CE3DE), in comparison with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR).

Results:

Two-dimensional echocardiography showed the largest negative bias versus CMR for diastolic and systolic volumes (−59, −28 mL, respectively) with lower biases for CE2DE (−37, −22 mL), 3DE (−31, −17 mL), and CE3DE (−17, −11 mL). Bias for ejection fraction (EF) ranged from −2.1% for 2DE to +1.4% for CE3DE. Agreement (intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC) for EF between CMR and 3DE (0.86 without and 0.85 with contrast) was better than for 2DE (0.73 without and 0.69 with contrast). The inter-/intra-observer coefficients of variation for EF varied from 16%/10% (2DE) to 6.9%/6.6% (CE2DE), and 8.3%/4.8% (3DE) to 6.7%/6.8% (CE3DE), respectively. The agreement (ICC) with CMR for EF measured by 2DE/3DE changed from 0.64/0.84 with poor image quality to 0.81/0.87 with moderate to good image quality.

Conclusions:

Three-dimensional echocardiography was more accurate than 2DE for estimating LV volumes, with less inter-/intra-observer variability in EF values. Contrast enhancement improved accuracy for both 2DE and 3DE and improved the inter-observer variability of EF estimates for 2DE and 3DE. Image quality had more impact on the agreement of EF values with CMR for 2DE than for 3DE. Our results emphasize the importance of using the same technique for longitudinal studies of LV EF and specially LV volumes.
Significance bias in the tourism-led growth literature
Authors: Fonseca Nino , Sánchez-Rivero Marcelino
Published: March 2019

We use an original meta-regression analysis to test the existence of bias of statistical significance in the literature on the study of Granger causality relationships between tourism and income. We conclude for the presence of such bias. We also conclude that some methodological choices are more likely to lead to statistically significant results. Additionally, we find that the empirical association between tourism and income is stronger the shorter the time horizon analyzed and that it is correlated with the countries' economic, touristic and demographic profile. Altogether, our results suggest that there are reasons to mistrust the typical methodological approach followed by the literature reviewed and cast doubt on its usual implications for economic policy.
Densely distributed and real-time scour hole monitoring using piezoelectric rod sensors
Authors: Funderburk Morgan L , Huang Shieh-Kung , Loh Chin-Hsiung , Loh Kenneth J
Published: March 2019

This study aims to validate a piezoelectric driven-rod scour monitoring system that can sense changes in scour depth along the entire rod at its instrumented location. The proposed sensor is a polymeric slender rod with a thin strip of polyvinylidene fluoride that runs through its midline. Extraction of the fundamental frequency allows the direct calculation of the exposed length (or scour depth) of the slender rod undergoing fluid flow excitation. First, laboratory validation in dry conditions is presented. Second, hydrodynamic testing of the sensor system in a soil-bed flume is discussed. Each rod was installed using a three-dimensional-printed footing designed for ease of installation and stabilization during testing. The sensors were installed in a layout designed to capture symmetric scour conditions around a scaled pier. In order to analyze the system out of steady-state conditions, water velocity was increased in stages during testing to induce different degrees of scour. As ambient water flow excited the portion of the exposed rods, the embedded piezoelectric element outputted a time-varying voltage signal. Different methods were then employed to extract the fundamental frequency of each rod, and the results were compared. Further testing was also performed to characterize the relationship between frequency outputs and flow velocity, which were previously thought to be independent. In general, the proposed driven-rod scour monitoring system successfully captured changing frequencies under varied flow conditions.
Male–Female Wage Gap and Informal Employment in Bangladesh: A Quantile Regression Approach
Authors: Rahman Mustafizur , Al-Hasan Md.
Published: March 2019

This article undertakes an examination of Bangladesh’s latest available Quarterly Labour Force Survey 2015–2016 data to draw in-depth insights on gender wage gap and wage discrimination in Bangladesh labour market. The mean wage decomposition shows that on average a woman in Bangladesh earns 12.2 per cent lower wage than a man, and about half of the wage gap can be explained by labour market discrimination against women. Quantile counterfactual decomposition shows that women are subject to higher wage penalty at the lower deciles of the wage distribution with the wage gap varying between 8.3 per cent and 19.4 per cent at different deciles. We have found that at lower deciles, a significant part of the gender wage gap is on account of the relatively larger presence of informal employment. Conditional quantile estimates further reveal that formally employed female workers earn higher wage than their male counterparts at the first decile but suffer from wage penalty at the top deciles.

JEL: C21, J31, J46, J70
Negotiating meanings online: Disagreements about word meaning in discussion forum communication
Authors: Myrendal Jenny
Published: March 2019

This article describes word meaning negotiation (WMN) in online discussion forum communication, a form of computer-mediated communication (CMC). WMN occurs when participants who are engaged in a discussion about a particular topic remark on a word choice of another participant, thus initiating a meta-linguistic sequence in which a particular word is openly questioned and the meaning of that word is up for negotiation. By closely studying the process of WMN and focusing on the practices of the participants engaged in it, this article empirically explores how situated meaning in concrete utterances is established by participants who are in disagreement about word meaning. Routine ways of entering into a WMN sequence are identified, as well as typical ways of contributing to the negotiation once the discussion has shifted focus from being on topic to being on word meaning. The article highlights the context-sensitivity of word meanings and illustrates how participants engaged in WMN orient toward both semantic properties of the words themselves as well as to relevant aspects of the conversational context.
Internationalization of schools in Russia
Authors: Pevzner Mikhail , Rakhkochkine Anatoli , Shirin Alexander , Shaydorova Natalia
Published: March 2019

Whereas Russian universities have mostly adopted the paradigm of internationalization in higher education that is now widespread in Europe and worldwide, the internationalization of schools in Russia is more complex and ambiguous. This article addresses the questions about the main characteristics of the internationalization of schools in Russia and investigates how the concept of international education and internationalization of schools has developed over time with regard to the interaction of policies, pedagogical models and practices in the Soviet Union and post-Soviet Russia. It takes a closer systematic look at the landscape of the internationalization of schools and different types of schools with an international profile (global competitiveness type, human-oriented type, and language-oriented type) and explores the development of school profiles in mainstream schools far from Russian megacities. Lastly, the article provides reflections on the internationalization of schools in Russia in the context of educational policy in post-socialist Russia, neoliberal reforms and Russia’s search for a new position in a globalized world. The research is based on a review of literature and data from a small-scale empirical study of mainstream schools in a medium-sized city.
A Systematic Review of the Effect of Neurofeedback in Cancer Patients
Authors: Hetkamp Madeleine , Bender Jasmin , Rheindorf Nadine , Kowalski Axel , Lindner Marion , Knispel Sarah , Beckmann Mingo , Tagay Sefik , Teufel Martin
Published: March 2019

Introduction: Neurofeedback (NF) or electroencephalogram (EEG)-Biofeedback is a drug-free form of brain training to directly alter the underlying neural mechanisms of cognition and behavior. It is a technique that measures a subject’s EEG signal, processes it in real time, with the goal to enable a behavioral modification by modulating brain activity. The most common application of the NF technology is in epilepsies, migraine, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, affective disorders, and psychotic disorders. Few studies have investigated the use of NF in context of psychosomatic illnesses. Little is known about the use in cancer patients or postcancer survivors despite the high number of this patient group. Objectives: We here provide a systematic review of the use and effect of NF on symptoms and burden in cancer patients and long-term cancer survivors. Methods: In conducting this systematic review, we followed the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) Statement. Results: Our search resulted in only 3 experimental studies, 1 observational study, and 2 case reports. Given the heterogeneity of the intervention systems and protocols, no meta-analysis was conducted. Conclusion: Altogether, there is initial evidence that NF is a complementary, drug-free, and noninvasive therapy that has the potential to ameliorate symptoms in this patient group, such as pain, fatigue, depression, and sleep. Further studies are highly needed.
Hybrid Rehabilitation Therapies on Upper-Limb Function and Goal Attainment in Chronic Stroke
Authors: Hung Chung-shan , Hsieh Yu-wei , Wu Ching-yi , Chen Yu-ju , Lin Keh-chung , Chen Chia-ling , Yao Kaiping Grace , Liu Chien-ting , Horng Yi-shiung
Published: March 2019

This study examined the treatment effects between unilateral hybrid therapy (UHT; unilateral robot-assisted therapy [RT] + modified constraint-induced movement therapy) and bilateral hybrid therapy (BHT; bilateral RT + bilateral arm training) compared with RT. Thirty patients with chronic stroke were randomized to UHT, BHT, or RT groups. Preliminary efficacy was assessed using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), the Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory (CAHAI), and the goal attainment scaling (GAS). Possible adverse effects of abnormal muscle tone, pain, and fatigue were recorded. All groups showed large improvements in motor recovery and individual goals. Significant between-group differences were found on GAS favoring the hybrid groups but not on FMA and CAHAI. No adverse effects were reported. Hybrid therapies are safe and applicable interventions for chronic stroke and favorable for improving individual functional goals. Treatment effects on motor recovery and functional activity might be similar among the three groups.
Impact of 99mTc-GSA SPECT Image-Guided Inverse Planning on Dose–Function Histogram Parameters for Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy Planning for Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Dosimetric Comparison Study
Authors: Toya Ryo , Saito Tetsuo , Kai Yudai , Shiraishi Shinya , Matsuyama Tomohiko , Watakabe Takahiro , Sakamoto Fumi , Tsuda Noriko , Shimohigashi Yoshinobu , Yamashita Yasuyuki , Oya Natsuo
Published: March 2019

Purpose:

To evaluate the impact of 99mTc-labeled diethylene triamine pentaacetate-galactosyl human serum albumin (99mTc-GSA) single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) image-guided inverse planning on the dose–function histogram (DFH) parameters for stereotactic body radiation therapy planning in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods:

Eleven patients were enrolled in this study. The functional liver structure (FLS) was derived from SPECT thresholds of 60% to 80% of the maximum pixel value. Two treatment plans optimized without FLS (plan C) and with FLS (plan F) were designed for 50 Gy to the planning target volume (PTV). The DFH parameters were calculated as follows: Fx = (sum of the counts within the liver volume receiving a dose > x Gy/sum of the counts within the whole liver volume) × 100. Other parameters for the PTV included D95, mean dose, conformity index (CI), and homogeneity index (HI).

Results:

Compared with plan C, plan F significantly reduced DFH parameters of F5 to F40 ( P < .05). There were no significant differences in the parameters of the PTV of D95, mean dose, CI, and HI and organs at risks (stomach, duodenum, spinal cord, and kidneys) between plans C and F.

Conclusion:

DFH analyses revealed that 99mTc-GSA SPECT image-guided inverse planning provided dosimetric benefits related to sparing of liver function and may reduce hepatic toxicities.
Reduction of Delayed Homologous Recombination by Induction of Radioadaptive Response in RaDR-GFP Mice (Yonezawa Effect): An Old Player With a New Role
Authors: Liu Cuihua , Hirakawa Hirokazu , Tanaka Kaoru , Mohd Saaya Fazliana , Nenoi Mitsuru , Fujimori Akira , Wang Bing
Published: March 2019

Radiotherapy (RT) treats cancer effectively with high doses of ionizing radiation (IR) to killing cancer cells and shrinking tumors while bearing the risk of developing different side effects, including secondary cancer, which is most concerning for long-term health consequences. Genomic instability (GI) is a characteristic of most cancer cells, and IR-induced GI can manifest as delayed homologous recombination (HR). Radioadaptive response (RAR) is capable of reducing genotoxicity, cell transformation, mutation, and carcinogenesis, but the rational evidence describing its contributions to the reduction of radiation risk, in particular, carcinogenesis, remains fragmented. In this work, to investigate the impact of RAR on high-dose, IR-induced GI measured as delayed HR, the frequency of recombinant cells was comparatively studied under RAR-inducible and -uninducible conditions in the nucleated cells in hematopoietic tissues (bone marrow and spleen) using the Rosa26 Direct Repeat-green fluorescent protein (RaDR-GFP) homozygote mice. Results demonstrated that the frequency of recombinant cells was significantly lower in hematopoietic tissues under RAR-inducible condition. These findings suggest that reduction in delayed HR may be at least a part of the mechanisms underlying decreased carcinogenesis by RAR, and application of RAR would contribute to a more rigorous and scientifically grounded system of radiation protection in RT.