bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Online Self-testable Multi-core System using Dynamic Partial Reconfiguration of FPGA
Authors: Prasad Acharya G. , Asha Rani M.
Published: April 2019

This paper presents a novel and efficient method of designing an online self-testable multi-core system. Testing of a Core Under Test (CoUT) in a massively multi-core system can be carried out while the system is operational, by assigning the functionality of the CoUT to one of the non-functioning/idle and pre-tested core. The methodology presented in this paper has been implemented taking a test setup by demonstrating the Dynamic Partial Reconfiguration (DPR) feature of latest FPGAs on Zynq-7 XC702 evaluation board. The simulation results obtained from the experimental setup show that the utilization of a multi-core system can be significantly improved by effectively utilizing the idle core(s) to back up CoUT(s) for on-line test without a significant hardware overhead and test latency.
Minimizing the loses of solar power generation by designing an intelligent tracking system implemented on FPGA
Authors: Hamza Omran Alaa
Published: April 2019

The increasing of using of an electrical power as a power source in a large number of devices can occur a serious problem in our daily life. One of the useful power sources is a solar cell which used to overcome many problems of power generation. In this paper, the solar cell model is proposed to minimize loses of solar power generation by designing of an intelligent tracking system based on FPGA. PSO algorithms are used to train the neural networks to control the speeds and the directions of rotations of two DC motors with the help of FPGA cart. The proposed system was implemented in MATLAB; and for the hardware part, FPGA was used for the implementation of neural networks.
An Ultra Low Power CMOS Sigma Delta ADC Modulator for System-on-chip (SoC) Temperature Sensor for Aerospace Applications
Authors: Prasad Deepak , Nath Vijay
Published: April 2019

In the current paper, an accurate with low power consumed sigma delta (ΣΔ) analog to digital converter has been designed for the aerospace applications. The sigma delta ADC has been designed in such a way that it works fine with consumption of low power and high accuracy in the system on chip (SoC) temperature sensor where the analog output from the temperature sensor unit will be the fed to the analog to digital converter. To check the robustness, different parameters with variation has been analyzed. The high gain operational amplifier plays a vital role in the circuits design. Hence, a 30 MHz operational amplifier has also been proposed whose unity gain bandwidth (UGB) has been observed of about 30 MHz, 51.1dB dc gain and slew rate (SR) of about 27.9 V/ μsec. For the proper operation of the circuit, a power supply of +1.3V to -1.3V is used. The proposed sigma delta ADC modulator is showing better results over previously designed modulator in terms of power consumption, error and performance. The design and simulation have been tested with the help of cadence analog design environment with UMC 90nm CMOS process technology.
Design and Development of IP for Modified Haar Wavelet Transform (MHWT) Image Fusion using FPGA
Authors: Yaliagr Sumant S , Dessai Sanket
Published: April 2019

The fast growth in the field of digital imaging applications in remote sensing, bio medical and other satellite applications had created an architecture studies for image fusion in capable to store large amount of data and process. An algorithm considered for the process of image fusion for implementation of FPGA is Modified Haar Wavelet Transform (MHWT) based image fusion where at the time four pixels are consider in calculation of different bands as compared to conventional Haar wavelet based image fusion. The process of modification uses far less memory and computation power. The FPGA implementation of MHWT based image fusion is done on Digilent development board with Spartan 6 series FPGA. The architecture is developed in VHDL. The timing analysis is done and report is obtained for I/O interactions, memory units etc. The architecture is made to run in cosimulation with Simulink. The design is tested with different kinds of images and run successfully. The visual analysis of the resultant fused image is achived and observed.
FPGA Implementation of DTCWT and PCA Based Watermarking Technique
Authors: S. Sudha M. , C. Thanuja T.
Published: April 2019

The hardware implementation of the image watermarking algorithm offers numerous distinct advantages over the software implementation in terms of low power consumption, less area usage and reliability. The advantages of Dual Tree Complex Wavelet Transform (DTCWT) and Principle Component Analysis (PCA) techniques are extracted to improve the robustness and perceptibility. The hardware watermarking solution is more economical, because adding the component only takes up a small dedicated area of silicon. The algorithm is developed and simulated using Matlab, Simulink and system generator. The implementation is carried out using Spartan 6 Diligent Atlys Field Programmable Gate array (FPGA). The architecture uses 256 slice registers, 257 slice Look Up Tables (LUT’s) and 47 I/O pins. It also meets the requirement of high speed architecture with a delay of 1.328ns and an operating frequency of 549.451MHz.
An Optimal Design of CMOS Two Stage Comparator Circuit using Swarm Intelligence Technique
Authors: Sasikumar Sasikumar , Muthaiah Muthaiah
Published: April 2019

A swarm intelligent based optimization technique named as Flower pollination algorithm (FPA) is applied for the design of the CMOS two stage comparator circuit. The basic idea of FPA mimics the flower pollination process of flowering plants. The input control parameters of FPA improve the exploration and exploitation capabilities of optimization problem. This paper presents the design of a CMOS two-stage comparator circuit using simulation based model called swarm intelligence technique. Simulation results shows that the proposed method is capable to determine the transistor sizes and bias current values of the CMOS comparator. The results obtained from the FPA improved the design performance of comparator in terms of power consumption, MOS transistor area and gain. To investigate the efficiency of proposed approach, comparisons have been carried out with differential evolution (DE) and harmony search (HS) algorithm based circuit design. The performances of FPA based comparator design are better than the previously reported works
Real time FPGA Implementation of PWM Chopper Fed Capacitor Run Induction Motor
Authors: Murali N. , Balaji V.
Published: April 2019

This paper presents the performance enhancement of capacitor run induction motor by pulse width modulated AC chopper.The phase angle control faces severe shortfall in the performance improvement for larger triggering angles. In this paper the comparison of phase angle control and sinusoidal pulse width modulation technique is encountered for effective speed control of single phase capacitor run induction motor. The necessary parameters are taken into considerations are higher efficiency, lesser total harmonic distortion and high input power factor. The results are compared by using the simulations using matlab Simulink environment. The validation of result in hardware is implemented using Field programmable gate array for sinusoidal pulse width modulation technique.
Secured smart ATM transaction
Authors: Balamurugan C. R. , Kumar K. Ramash , Thirumalai A.
Published: April 2019

The objective of this paper is to reduce the service tax during mobile transactions. To improve the security and to make the process easy and less time consuming this process is rendered with the help of GSM (Global System for Mobile communication), finger print sensors, PIC16F877A microcontroller and aadhaar number.
A zona cinza: ordem criminosa e autodefesa armada no México
Authors: Díaz Antonio Fuentes
Published: April 2019

Os grupos de autodefesa no estado de Michoacán, México, surgiram para opor-se à extorsão e à violência da ordem paraestatal local estabelecida pelo crime organizado. Sua formação supõe a produção de um imaginário de ordem que se opôs à ordem criminosa local, que desempenhava funções de governo, controle violento e extorsão, em uma área cinza entre a legalidade e a ilegalidade.
A reinvenção da cidade na selva
Authors: Martins José de Souza
Published: April 2019

Sintetizo minha pesquisa sobre a fronteira nos anos de 1970 e 1980, quando do violento movimento de ocupação da Amazônia Legal. Cobriu da Pré-Amazônia maranhense ao Pará, Mato Grosso, Goiás, Rondônia e Acre. Polarizo dois grupos de experiências sociais opostas na gestação das cidades e do modo de vida urbano no cenário peculiar. Num extremo, a formação espontânea, a partir de pequenos povoados, decorrente da livre ocupação da terra por migrantes oriundos, em grande parte, do semiárido do Nordeste. No outro extremo, o território ocupado por migrantes do Sul e da região do Contestado do Espírito Santo e Minas Gerais, as cidades planejadas, que expressavam modernas concepções do urbano, na intervenção do Estado ditatorial e sua lógica ordenadora.
Vocação deambulatória e convivência com deserdados: caminhadas de Lima Barreto pelo centro do Rio de Janeiro
Authors: Frúgoli Jr. Heitor , Macedo Márcio
Published: April 2019

Através de uma incursão no passado numa perspectiva etnográfica, pretende-se reconstituir aspectos antropologicamente relevantes das vivências do escritor Afonso Henriques de Lima Barreto (1881-1921) na cidade do Rio de Janeiro. Lançaremos um olhar atento às relações entre os citadinos e destes com os espaços urbanos, com base naquilo que emerge das crônicas do autor em questão. Nesse âmbito, também abordaremos aspectos decorrentes das discriminações sociais e raciais sofridas por Lima Barreto, com ênfase na forma como ocorreram em interações na vida urbana.
Quando espaços e tempos revelam cidades
Authors: Frehse Fraya , O'Donnell Julia G.
Published: April 2019

Apresentação ao dossiê "Pensar a cidade (no Brasil): Espaços e tempos".
Thirty-Day Readmission Risk Model for Older Adults Hospitalized With Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Dodson John A. , Hajduk Alexandra M. , Murphy Terrence E. , Geda Mary , Krumholz Harlan M. , Tsang Sui , Nanna Michael G. , Tinetti Mary E. , Goldstein David , Forman Daniel E. , Alexander Karen P. , Gill Thomas M. , Chaudhry Sarwat I.
Published: April 2019

Background:

Early readmissions among older adults hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are costly and difficult to predict. Aging-related functional impairments may inform risk prediction but are unavailable in most studies. Our objective was to, therefore, develop and validate an AMI readmission risk model for older patients who considered functional impairments and was suitable for use before hospital discharge.

Methods and Results:

SILVER-AMI (Comprehensive Evaluation of Risk in Older Adults with AMI) is a prospective cohort study of 3006 patients of age ≥75 years hospitalized with AMI at 94 US hospitals. Participants underwent in-hospital assessment of functional impairments including cognition, vision, hearing, and mobility. Other variables plausibly associated with readmissions were also collected. The outcome was all-cause readmission at 30 days. We used backward selection and Bayesian model averaging to derive (N=2004) a risk model that was subsequently validated (N=1002). Mean age was 81.5 years, 44.4% were women, and 10.5% were nonwhite. Within 30 days, 547 participants (18.2%) were readmitted. Readmitted participants were older, had more comorbidities, and had a higher prevalence of functional impairments, including activities of daily living disability (17.0% versus 13.0%;
P
=0.013) and impaired functional mobility (72.5% versus 53.6%;
P
<0.001). The final risk model included 8 variables: functional mobility, ejection fraction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, arrhythmia, acute kidney injury, first diastolic blood pressure, P2Y12 inhibitor use, and general health status. Functional mobility was the only functional impairment variable retained but was the strongest predictor. The model was well calibrated (Hosmer-Lemeshow
P
value >0.05) with moderate discrimination (C statistics: 0.65 derivation cohort and 0.63 validation cohort). Functional mobility significantly improved performance of the risk model (net reclassification improvement index =20%;
P
<0.001).

Conclusions:

In our final risk model, functional mobility, previously not included in readmission risk models, was the strongest predictor of 30-day readmission among older adults after AMI. The modest discrimination indicates that much of the variability in readmission risk among this population remains unexplained by patient-level factors.

Clinical Trial Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov.
Unique identifier: NCT01755052.
The genus Plectrocnemia Stephens in China (Trichoptera, Polycentropodidae)
Authors: ZHONG HUA , YANG LIAN-FANG , MORSE JOHN C.
Published: April 2019

Currently, 21 species of the genus Plectrocnemia are known from China. Examination of material collected from 13 provinces of China from 1990–2005 has revealed 9 new species and 3 new records of this genus, bringing the number of Chinese Plectrocnemia species to 33. Newly described species include: P. monacanthus sp. nov., P. huangi sp. nov., P. maoerensis sp. nov., P. pectinata sp. nov., P. fanjingensis sp. nov., P. platilobus sp. nov., P. paragryphalis sp. nov., P. bifoliolata sp. nov., and P. wuyiensis sp. nov. Two species, Plectrocnemia sinualis Wang & Yang and P. uncata Wang & Yang are synonymized with P. tsukuiensis (Kobayashi) and P. tortosa Banks, respectively. Plectrocnemia jonam (Malicky), P. ondakeana Tsuda and P. salah Malicky are newly recorded for the Chinese fauna. All species are organized by monophyletic species groups; the diagnostic characters for the species groups are discussed.
A revision of Chinese pear psyllids (Hemiptera: Psylloidea) associated with Pyrus ussuriensis
Authors: LUO XINYU , LI FASHENG , MA YANFANG , CAI WANZHI
Published: April 2019

The Chinese pear psyllids, Cacopsylla spp., associated with Pyrus ussuriensis are reviewed. Three new species, C. accincta sp. n., C. burckhardti sp. n., and C. cinereosignata sp. n., are described. Cacopsylla liaoli (Yang & Li), C. qiuzili Li, C. maculatili Li and C. chinensis (Yang & Li) are redescribed. A key to the adults of the seven species and a key to nymphs of three species are given.
Two new species of Kokeshia from China (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Schizopteridae)
Authors: RÉDEI DÁVID , REN SHUZHI , BU WENJUN
Published: April 2019

Kokeshia xiei sp. nov. and K. zhengi sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Dipsocoromorpha: Schizopteridae) are described from Hainan and Hubei Provinces of China, respectively.
First record of Alainites sadati Thomas, 1994 (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae) in Tunisia, description of the larval stage and ecology
Authors: ZRELLI SONIA , GATTOLLIAT JEAN-LUC , BOUMAÏZA MONCEF , THOMAS ALAIN
Published: April 2019

Alainites sadati Thomas, 1994 is recorded for the first time in Tunisia. The first description of the larval stage of A. sadati Thomas, 1994 is provided based on material from Algeria, near the type locality, and Tunisia. This species can be separated from the other Palaearctic species by the number of gills, the setation of the legs, the prolongation of the paraproct and the reticulation of the tergites. Based on the new data, the ecology of A. sadati is discussed.
First records of Parergodrilus heideri (Annelida: "Polychaeta") from North America
Authors: SCHLAGHAMERSKÝ JIŘÍ , FRELICH LEE E.
Published: April 2019

Parergodrilus heideri Reisinger, 1925 is one of two species of the family Parergodrilidae (together with the marine litoral, interstitial species Stygocapitella subterranea Knöllner, 1934) and one of only two truly soil-dwelling “polychaetes” (the other being Hrabeiella periglandulata Pižl and Chalupský, 1984) that are predominantly known from terrestrial habitats (Reisinger 1925, 1960; Römbke and Jans 1991; Chalupský 1992; Graefe 1993; Rota 1997, 1998; Purschke 1999; Rota et al. 2001; Beylich and Graefe 2007; Martinez-Ansemil and Parapar 2009; Rota et al. 2010). Due to its small body size (adults up to 1 mm) and sensitivity to dessication, the species has usually been found by researchers using some type of wet extraction for soil mesofauna, such as enchytraeids and free-living flatworms (“turbellarians”). However, due to its similar chaetae, Parergodrilus heideri can be easily mistaken for a freshly hatched enchytraeid, even by enchytraeid specialists without experience with this species.
Authorship and type specimens of Alburnoides kubanicus (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)
Authors: ŠANDA RADEK , MLÍKOVSKÝ JIŘÍ
Published: April 2019

Boguckaâ & Coad (2009: 138) recognized Alburnoides kubanicus as a valid species in the genus Alburnoides Jeitteles (1861: 325), attributing it to Berg (1932a). We show below that Berg (1932a) did not describe the species and discuss the proper authorship of the name.
The Aradidae (Insecta, Hemiptera, Heteroptera) of Argentina
Authors: CONTRERAS EUGENIA FERNANDA , DEL CARMEN COSCARÓN MARÍA
Published: April 2019

In Argentina, 14 genera and 41 species are recorded, belonging to 5 subfamilies: Aneurinae, Aradinae, Calisiinae, Isodeminae and Mezirinae. Aneurosoma dissimile (Bergroth); Aneurus bosqui Kormilev; Aphleboderrhis comata Champion; Aphleboderrhis pilosa Stål; Aradus angustellus (Blanchard); Aradus brasiliensis Usinger; Aradus mexicanus Usinger; Aradus penningtoni Drake; Calisius confusus Kormilev; Dysodius lunatus (Fabricius); Iralunelus bergi (Kormilev); Iralunelus monrosi (Kormilev); Iralunelus subdipterus (Burmeister); Isodermus gayi (Spinola); Kormilevia dureti (Kormilev); Lobocara oblonga Bergroth; Mezira americana (Spinola); Mezira argentinensis (Kormilev); Mezira birabeni (Kormilev 1953); Mezira bonaerensis Kormilev; Mezira bruchi (Kormilev); Mezira formosa (Kormilev); Mezira granuliger (Stål); Mezira neonigripennis Kormilev; Mezira neonigripennis misionensis Kormilev; Mezira nigripennis Usinger; Mezira paragranuliger Kormilev; Mezira proseni Kormilev; Mezira regularis (Champion); Mezira reuteri (Bergroth); Mezira saltensis Kormilev; Mezira spissigrada Kormilev; Mezira tartagalensis Kormilev; Mezira vianai Kormilev; Neuroctenus centralis (Berg); Neuroctenus punctulatus (Burmeister); Neuroctenus subandinus Kormilev; Neuroctenus terginus (Stål); Notapictinus martinezi (Kormilev); Notapictinus sanmigueli (Kormilev); and Placogenys clarkei Kormilev.
Taxonomy of the Afrotropical genera Angolositus Koch, 1955 and Pseudoselinus Iwan, 2002 with a key to species (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Pedinini)
Authors: KAMIŃSKI MARCIN JAN
Published: April 2019

The validity of the genera Angolositus and Pseudoselinus is confirmed. The results of a comparative morphological analysis show that these two genera are closely related. One new species is described (Angolositus lidiae sp. n.) and Pseudoselinus elevatus is transferred into the genus Angolositus. Distributional maps are presented with complete faunistic data for the studied genera. An identification key is provided to all known species of Angolositus and Pseudoselinus.
Systematic position of Australian genus Palaeoscydmaenus Franz (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Scydmaeninae)
Authors: JAŁOSZYŃSKI PAWEŁ
Published: April 2019

The Australian monospecific genus Palaeoscydmaenus Franz is revised based on the type material of P. australiensis Franz. The original placement of Palaeoscydmaenus in the tribe Scydmaenini is regarded as erroneous and evidence is provided to support a formal transfer of this genus to Cyrtoscydmini. Diagnostic characters of Scydmaenini and Cyrtoscydmini are discussed, Palaeoscydmaenus is redefined, and P. australiensis is redescribed.
Resurrection of the octocorallian genus Antillogorgia for Caribbean species previously assigned to Pseudopterogorgia, and a taxonomic assessment of the relationship of these genera with Leptogorgia (Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Gorgoniidae)
Authors: WILLIAMS GARY C. , CHEN JEI-YING
Published: April 2019

The genus Antillogorgia Bayer, 1951 is resurrected for species of zooxanthellate, pinnately-branched gorgonians with sc-lerite complements that include well-developed scaphoids, and inhabit coral reefs of the western Atlantic, particularlyfrom the Bahamas through the Caribbean. These species were previously assigned to the Indo-Pacific genus Pseu-dopterogorgia Kükenthal, 1919 by Bayer, 1958 (thus making Antillogorgia a junior synonym of Pseudopterogorgia), butare shown here to warrant generic separation. Both morphological as well as molecular evidence is provided to justify distinguishing the two genera. Taxonomic relationships to a third gorgoniid genus, Leptogorgia, are also discussed.
Larval morphology and ontogeny of Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis Biju & Bossuyt, 2003 (Anura, Nasikabatrachidae) from Western Ghats, India
Authors: RAJ PRUDHVI , VASUDEVAN KARTHIKEYAN , V. DEEPAK , SHARMA RICHA , SINGH SHASHI , AGGARWAL RAMESH K. , DUTTA SUSHIL K.
Published: April 2019

The external, oral and buccopharyngeal morphologies of Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis tadpoles were studied using ste-reoscopic and scanning electron microscopy. Using DNA barcodes, taxonomic identity of the tadpoles was establishedand tadoples of N. sahyadrensis were reared in semi-natural conditions. Development in the species from hatching tometamorph was prolonged and it took about 100 days for the freshly hatched larvae to metamorphose. The tadpoles areexotrophic, torrent dwelling with a large ventral suctorial oral disc, broadly rounded snout, cylindrical body, and a funnelshaped vent tube opening medially. During development external and buccopharyngeal characters show extensive changes. During metamorphosis developmental asynchrony was observed.
Taxonomy of Epictia munoai (Orejas-Miranda, 1961) (Squamata: Serpentes: Leptotyphlopidae)
Authors: FRANCISCO BÁRBARA CRISTINA S. , PINTO ROBERTA R. , FERNANDES DANIEL S.
Published: April 2019

The wormsnakes Leptotyphlopidae include the smallest and thinnest snakes of the world. This group has historically fewtaxonomic studies and the descriptions of taxa in general are superficial, frequently preventing an accurate identification.This family includes the genus Epictia with many representatives with taxonomic major issues, including Epictia munoai.We redescribe and compare E. munoai with other related cisandine species in order to evaluate its taxonomic status con-sidering the morphological analysis of specimens. A table with some diagnostic characters of each species is presented.Epictia munoai is distinguished from other related species mostly by low number of middorsal and midventral scales, and is distributed in coastal areas in southern Brazil, Uruguay and northeastern Argentina.
The Mediterranean Sea Overturning Circulation
Authors: Pinardi Nadia , Cessi Paola , Borile Federica , Wolfe Christopher L. P.
Published: April 2019

The time-mean zonal and meridional overturning circulations of the entire Mediterranean Sea are studied in both the Eulerian and residual frameworks. The overturning is characterized by cells in the vertical and either zonal or meridional planes with clockwise circulations in the upper water column and counterclockwise circulations in the deep and abyssal regions. The zonal overturning is composed of an upper clockwise cell in the top 600 m of the water column related to the classical Wüst cell and two additional deep clockwise cells, one corresponding to the outflow of the dense Aegean water during the Eastern Mediterranean Transient (EMT) and the other associated with dense water formation in the Rhodes Gyre. The variability of the zonal overturning before, during, and after the EMT is discussed. The meridional basinwide overturning is composed of clockwise, multicentered cells connected with the four northern deep ocean formation areas, located in the Eastern and Western Mediterranean basins. The connection between the Wüst cell and the meridional overturning is visualized through the horizontal velocities vertically integrated across two layers above 600 m. The component of the horizontal velocity associated with the overturning is isolated by computing the divergent components of the vertically integrated velocities forced by the inflow/outflow at the Strait of Gibraltar.
Performance Characteristics of “Spotter,” a Newly Developed Real-Time Wave Measurement Buoy
Authors: Raghukumar Kaustubha , Chang Grace , Spada Frank , Jones Craig , Janssen Tim , Gans Andrew
Published: April 2019

The Spotter is a low-cost, real-time, solar-powered wave measurement buoy that was recently developed by Spoondrift Technologies, Inc. (Spoondrift). To evaluate the data quality of the Spotter device, we performed a series of validation experiments that included comparisons between Spotter-derived motions and prescribed wave motions (monochromatic and random waves) on a custom-built, motion-controlled validation stand and simultaneous in-water measurements using a conventional wave measurement buoy, the Datawell DWR-G4 (Datawell). Spotter evaluations included time-domain validation (i.e., wave by wave) and comparisons of wave spectra, directional moments, and bulk statistical parameters such as significant wave height, peak period, mean wave direction, and directional spread. Spotter wave measurements show excellent fidelity and lend a high degree of confidence in data quality. Overall, Spotter-derived bulk statistical parameters were within 10% of respective Datawell-derived quantities. The Spotter’s low cost and compact form factor enabled unique field deployments of multiple wave measurement buoys for direct measurements of wave characteristics such as ocean wave decorrelation length scales, wave speed, and directional spread. Wave decorrelation lengths were found to be inversely proportional to the width of the spectrum, and wave speeds compared well against linear wave theory.
Modeling Emerging-Market Firms’ Competitive Retail Distribution Strategies
Authors: Sharma Amalesh , Kumar V. , Cosguner Koray
Published: April 2019

In emerging markets, the effective implementation of distribution strategies is challenged by underdeveloped road infrastructure and a low penetration of retail stores that are insufficient in meeting customer needs. In addition, products are typically distributed in multiple forms through multiple retail channels. Given the competitive landscape, manufacturers’ distribution strategies should be based on anticipation of competitor reactions. Accordingly, the authors develop a manufacturer-level competition model to study the distribution and price decisions of insecticide manufacturers competing across multiple product forms and retail channels. Their study shows that both consumer preferences and estimated production and distribution costs vary across brands, product forms, and retail channels; that ignoring distribution and solely focusing on price competition results in up to a 55% overestimation of manufacturer profit margins; and that observed pricing and distribution patterns support competition rather than collusion among manufacturers. Through counterfactual studies, the authors find that manufacturers respond to decreases in distribution costs and to the exclusive distribution of more preferred manufacturers by asymmetrically changing their price and distribution decisions across different retail channels.
Populist Attitudes, Political Trust, and External Political Efficacy: Old Wine in New Bottles?
Authors: Geurkink Bram , Zaslove Andrej , Sluiter Roderick , Jacobs Kristof
Published: April 2019

Substantial scholarly attention has been devoted to explaining why voters support populist parties. Recently, a new concept has been introduced to gauge populism among voters and to explain voting for populist parties: populist attitudes. However, some researchers regard populist attitudes as simply another measurement of existing and established concepts such as political trust and external political efficacy. Using data from the Netherlands (2018), this article addresses the relationship between these concepts, both theoretically and empirically. This article examines whether political trust, external political efficacy, and populist attitudes tap into different latent dimensions. Using a confirmatory factor analysis, we show that populist attitudes are not old wine in new bottles and that they tap into different underlying attitudes than political trust and external political efficacy. Furthermore, we show that the three measures are not only different constructs but also relate differently to populist voting preferences.
Bounded action: Hannah Arendt on the history of science and the limits of freedom
Authors: Hirsch Roni
Published: April 2019

The article asks why and how Hannah Arendt framed The Human Condition as a history of modern science. It answers that, in telling the history of instrumental rationality and the work of the experimental scientist, Arendt accomplished three main things. First, by identifying science as a form of ‘work’ she could demonstrate the significance of her threefold division of human activity into labour, work and action, highlighting the dangers of their indistinction. Second, Arendt used the form of organization typical of scientists – a professional community founded on standards of objectivity – to warn against the substitution of the appearance of publicity for true openness. Finally, she identified the transgression of the boundaries of action as the site where a political community might become visible to itself, taking the unsuccessful attempts of post-war ‘public scientists’ to reckon with their past as a cautionary tale. Her account of modern science thus allows her to define freedom through its dependence on human-made boundaries, politicizing the very act of history-writing.
Hearing as an Independent Predictor of Postural Balance in 1075 Patients Evaluated for Dizziness
Authors: Berge Jan Erik , Nordahl Stein Helge Glad , Aarstad Hans Jørgen , Goplen Frederik Kragerud
Published: April 2019

Objective

To evaluate the association between hearing and postural balance.

Study Design

Retrospective cross‐sectional study.

Setting

Tertiary care otolaryngology clinic.

Subjects and Methods

Patients examined for suspected vestibular disorder were included in this study. The outcome variable was postural sway measured by static posturography during quiet standing with eyes closed. The predictor variable was pure‐tone average hearing threshold on the best hearing ear at 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 kHz. Covariates were age, sex, and vestibular disease or vestibular asymmetry assessed by bithermal caloric irrigation.

Results

In total, 1075 patients were included. Increased hearing threshold was a strong predictor of increased postural sway (path length) after correcting for age and sex. A 10‐dB increase in hearing loss on the best hearing ear predicted a mean 6.0% increase in path length (confidence interval, 2.9%‐9.3%, P <. 001). Of the covariates, increasing age (P <. 001) and male sex (P =. 009) were significant predictors of increased postural sway. The effect of increased hearing threshold was also significant after adjusting for vestibular disease.

Conclusion

Increased hearing threshold was an independent predictor of increased postural instability, and this effect was strongest for the best hearing ear. Unilateral vestibular disease did not seem to explain this association between hearing and postural balance. Reduced hearing is associated with impaired balance, and interventions to prevent falls should be considered for patients at risk.
Computed Tomography Data to Generate a Reproducible, Anatomically Accurate Hemilaryngeal Model
Authors: Hintze Justin M. , Myers Cheryl E. , McPhail Michael J. , Tchoukalova Yourka D. , Lott David G.
Published: April 2019

Objective

The study aims to demonstrate the reproducibility and feasibility of creating a hemilaryngeal model with a medialized vocal fold (VF) using 3‐dimensional (3D) modeling techniques in both healthy larynges and those affected by cancer.

Study Design

Three‐dimensional modeling of human larynges.

Setting

Tertiary academic referral center and regenerative medicine laboratory.

Subjects and Methods

Computed tomography (CT) scans from 10 healthy control and 10 patients with laryngeal cancer were segmented and imported into 3D modeling software. The larynx was cut sagittally to create a hemilaryngeal model and the vocal fold medialized. Measurements were taken from the CT and 3D model data and compared.

Results

All control modeling data closely matched the CT data and were not statistically different from each other. There was a significant correlation between subglottic anteroposterior diameter and VF length (r2 = 0.78, P =. 0008), and it may be a valuable tool to infer true VF dimension in cases where disruption has occurred. The modeling data from patients with cancer did not show statistical difference to the control data, showing that accurate modeling can also be achieved in patients with laryngeal cancer.

Conclusion

CT scan‐based 3D modeling of the larynx and VF is possible and reproducible. The results closely match those previously reported in the literature and can also be replicated in cases with laryngeal cancer. This study paves the way for future de novo fabricated laryngeal scaffolds that can be synthesized using 3D printers and tailored to meet surgical demands.
Is GRADE the Right Choice for Clinical Practice Guidelines Developed by the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation?
Authors: Bur Andrés M. , Rosenfeld Richard M.
Published: April 2019

Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs), developed to inform clinicians, patients, and policy makers about what constitutes optimal clinical care, are one way of increasing implementation of evidence into clinical practice. Many factors must be considered by multidisciplinary guideline panels, including strength of available evidence, limitations of current knowledge, risks/benefits of interventions, patient values, and limited resources. Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) is a framework for summarizing evidence that has been endorsed by many national and international organizations for developing CPGs. But is GRADE the right choice for CPGs developed by the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO‐HNSF)? In this commentary, we will introduce GRADE, discuss its strengths and limitations, and address the question of what potential benefits GRADE might offer beyond existing methodology used by the AAO‐HNSF in developing CPGs.
Bexarotene Exerts Protective Effects Through Modulation of the Cerebral Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotypic Transformation by Regulating PPARγ/FLAP/LTB4 After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Rats
Authors: Zhang Zhaosi , Zhao Guosheng , Liu Liu , He Junchi , Darwazeh Rami , Liu Han , Chen Hong , Zhou Chao , Guo Zongduo , Sun Xiaochuan
Published: April 2019

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play an important role after a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The changes in VSMCs following bexarotene treatment after SAH are unknown. In the present study, neurological impairment, decreased cerebral cortical blood flow and transformation of cerebral VSMCs from a contractile to a synthetic phenotype were observed after SAH. Bexarotene reduced neurological impairment, improved cerebral cortical blood flow, inhibited VSMC phenotypic transformation and suppressed the expression of 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein (FLAP) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4), which was partly reversed by GW9662, an inhibitor of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). Mechanistically, sh-PPARγ-mediated phenotypic transformation of VSMCs was partially suppressed by MK886, an antagonist of FLAP. Therefore, we conclude that bexarotene reduced neurological impairment, improved cerebral cortical blood flow and inhibited the VSMC phenotypic transformation after SAH, which was achieved by activating PPARγ-mediated inhibition of FLAP/LTB4 in VSMCs
Can platelet-rich plasma be an alternative to surgery for resistant chronic patellar tendinopathy in sportive people? Poor clinical results at 1-year follow-up
Authors: Manfreda F , Palmieri D , Antinolfi P , Rinonapoli G , Caraffa A
Published: April 2019

Introduction and purpose:

Patellar tendinopathy is a disease affecting particularly athletes. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections have gained increasing interest for their potential benefits. Anyway, a tendon disease longer than 6 months should be considered as an indication for surgery. The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of PRP in athletes with a severe chronic patellar tendinopathy longer than 6 months when surgery should be chosen.

Methods:

We enrolled 17 sport practitioners (19 patellar tendons) who did not want to undergo surgery and who are nonresponders to other conservative treatments. We treated them with PRP and calculated the results using the visual analog scale (VAS), the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Patellar (VISA-P) score, and Tegner Activity Scale. Every test has been conducted at T0, T1 (4 months), and T2 (12 months).

Results:

We found a poor improvement at T1 and a clinical worsening at T2 through VAS. VISA-P showed a medium improvement both at T1 and T2. Tegner scale did not show improvements.

Conclusions:

Our study was not able to remove the doubts about the benefits of PRP in patellar tendinopathy, confirming ambiguous certainties. Further investigations are needed to assess its effectiveness.
Concurrent Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Presenting as an Enlarging Neck Mass
Authors: Bhinder Prabhjot , Chahin Michael , Zuberi Lara
Published: April 2019

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients are at an increased risk for developing more aggressive lymphomas via Richter’s transformation and of developing secondary malignancies. Despite the known association for secondary cancers, oropharyngeal cancers occur rarely. We present a case of a woman with a history of CLL who presented to our facility via transfer for impending airway compromise. Her initial workup was consistent with CLL; however, biopsies were taken of the neck mass because of its aggressive nature. She was treated with rituximab with good response. Final pathology showed evidence of CLL and tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Direct laryngoscopy and further biopsies yielded a diagnosis of unresectable oropharyngeal SCC. She was to be treated with chemotherapy and radiation for her SCC while holding treatment for CLL. This case demonstrates a rare and unexpected concurrent diagnosis.
Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Presenting as Acute Heart Failure—A Rare Presentation: Diagnosis Supported by Skin Biopsy
Authors: Kichloo Asim , Chugh Savneek Singh , Gupta Sanjeev , Pandav Jay , Chander Praveen
Published: April 2019

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a rare disorder of uncontrolled complement activation that manifests classically as anemia, thrombocytopenia, and renal failure, although extrarenal manifestations are observed in 20% of the patient most of which involving central nervous system, with relatively rare involvement of the heart. In this article, we report the case of a 24-year-old male with no history of heart disease presenting with acute systolic heart failure along with microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute kidney injury. Given his presentation of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA), along with laboratory results significant for low haptoglobin, platelets, hemoglobin, C3, C4, CH50, and normal ADAMTS13 levels, with no diarrhea and negative STEC polymerase chain reaction in stool, aHUS diagnosis was established with strong clinical suspicion, and immediate initiation of treatment was advised. Kidney biopsy to confirm diagnosis of aHUS was inadvisable because of thrombocytopenia, so the skin biopsy of a rash on his arm was done, which came to be consistent with thrombotic microangiopathy. Our case highlights a relatively rare association between aHUS and cardiac involvement, and the use of skin biopsy to support diagnosis of aHUS in patients who cannot undergo renal biopsy because of thrombocytopenia.
A Puzzle of Racial Attitudes: A Measurement Analysis of Racial Attitudes and Policy Indicators
Authors: Roos J. Micah , Hughes Michael , Reichelmann Ashley V.
Published: April 2019

In the 1970s and 1980s, researchers argued that a new dimension of racial prejudice, termed “symbolic racism” and later “racial resentment,” emerged among white Americans as their endorsement of traditional prejudice declined. Recently, Carmines, Sniderman, and Easter have challenged this conceptualization. Relying on American National Election Surveys data, they argue that racial resentment and the attitudes about racial policy that it presumably explains are part of the same latent construct (labeled racial policy attitudes). This conclusion undermines theories that racial prejudice among white Americans is a primary determinant of their continued opposition to racial policies. We replicate their analyses and test an alternative model using five additional samples. We find that an alternative model that specifies racial resentment as distinct from racial policy attitudes was a better fit to the data, and additionally, we find preliminary evidence that it is inappropriate to consider racial policy attitudes as a single dimension using traditional indicators.
The longitudinal modulus of bitumen: Pressure and temperature dependencies
Authors: Rabbani Arif , Schmitt Douglas R.
Published: April 2019

Bitumen retains significant solid-like behavior even in temperatures in excess of 50°C. Traditional ultrasonic wave-propagation studies have, however, largely ignored the existence of the shear modulus in such materials, and they have mostly assumed that the observed longitudinal (P) wave speeds solely depend on the fluid’s bulk modulus. To further study this, we have measured ultrasonic longitudinal (P) wave transmission speeds through viscous bitumen at different pressures (0.1–15 MPa) and temperatures (7–132°C) using an adapted version of the technique that consists of two piezoelectric receivers placed at unequal lengths from the transmitter. As such, we are able to calculate the P-wave attenuation and velocity that is used to derive the material’s complex longitudinal modulus. Using parallel measurements of the bitumen’s complex shear modulus, we find that the bulk modulus differs from the longitudinal modulus particularly at lower (reservoirs) temperatures. The results, together with the realization that bitumen experiences a sequence of various compositional and thermophysical phase that is primarily temperature-dependent, can be implemented to improve the fluid-substitution analyses of rock-physics studies of bitumen-saturated reservoirs.
Pressure dependence of elastic deformation at multiple contacts and estimation of contact state of thin cracks
Authors: Jayawickrama Eranga Gayanath , Tamai Hayata , Muto Jun , Nagahama Hiroyuki
Published: April 2019

The pressure dependence of elastic deformation at multiple contacts in thin cracks has been investigated through the variation of elastic wave velocity. By extending previously introduced single-contact load-displacement relationships to those of multiple contacts and obtaining the first derivative of pressure with respect to the displacement at contacts, relationships for the pressure dependence of elastic deformation are obtained. The obtained relationships indicated that the pressure dependence is given by a pressure exponent [Formula: see text], which is the multiple contact state of thin cracks. This was correlated with a similar pressure exponent in an empirically derived elastic wave velocity relationship, and we found that the contact state can be obtained by the empirical relationship. The estimated multiple contact state has two ideal values of 0.67 and 0.5 for conical and flat contacts, respectively, and [Formula: see text] values between the ideal states give the pressure dependence of elastic deformation of contacts, formed by a mixture of two ideal states and their population. The contact state values smaller than 0.5 and values greater than 0.67 indicate closed and open state of cracks, respectively. From previously published data on elastic wave velocities of various rocks, it is verified that the pressure dependence of elastic deformation of multiple contacts can be quantitatively obtained by the estimated contact states from the pressure dependence of elastic wave velocity.
A least-squares correlation-based full traveltime inversion for shallow subsurface velocity reconstruction
Authors: Yi Jia , Liu Yike , Yang Zongqi , Lu Huiyi , He Bin , Zhang Zhendong
Published: April 2019

Accurate estimation of shallow subsurface velocity models with complex topography is crucial for statics corrections and imaging deep structures. The correlation-based wave-equation traveltime inversion (CWTI) method is suitable for estimating such shallow subsurface velocity structures. However, the CWTI objective function suffers an inherent resolution-loss problem because the traveltime weighted crosscorrelation misfit does not fall to zero even when the model is perfectly matched. Furthermore, the Born-approximation-based CWTI gradient cannot provide an effective model update during each iteration. To overcome these problems, we have developed a least-squares correlation-based full traveltime inversion (LCFTI) method, in which the least-squares correlation-based objective function was designed to minimize the traveltime weighted difference between the autocorrelation and the crosscorrelation. By incorporating the autocorrelation, LCFTI indicates better convergence and higher resolution than CWTI. The LCFTI model updates are derived using the Rytov approximation to avoid incorrect model updates by emphasizing phase matching. Furthermore, to accurately simulate wave propagation, we use the spectral-element method as the modeling engine, in which the mesh of the complex topography is flexibly represented. Synthetic and field data examples are performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in shallow subsurface velocity reconstruction.