bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma: Survival Analysis and Evaluation of Mutation‐Specific Immunohistochemistry in Detection of Sporadic Disease
Authors: Jayakody S. , Reagh J. , Bullock M. , Aniss A. , Clifton‐Bligh R. , Learoyd D. , Robinson B. , Delbridge L. , Sidhu S. , Gill A. J. , Sywak M.
Published: February 2018

Introduction

Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is a rare tumour of neuroendocrine origin with a more aggressive profile than differentiated thyroid cancer. Familial cases of MTC are associated with RET mutations whilst RAS mutations appear to be a frequent finding in RET negative tumours. The aims of this study were to analyse survival outcomes in MTC and to evaluate the role of RAS immunohistochemistry in the identification of sporadic disease.

Materials and methods

A retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients with MTC was undertaken. The primary outcome measures were overall survival and disease‐free survival. Survival analysis was performed on the basis of sporadic and familial disease. Patients had routine RET testing using the capillary (Sanger) sequencing method. Histopathological MTC slides from 100 patients were tested for HRASQ61R, a common somatic RAS mutation in MTC, with mutation‐specific immunohistochemistry (IHC).

Results

A total of 195 patients had surgical treatment of MTC in the period 1980 to 2016. There were 83 males and 112 females with a mean age of 53.0 years. A total of 39 (20%) patients had familial disease. Sporadic cases had a higher median pre‐op calcitonin (969.5 vs. 257.5 pg/ml), greater mean primary tumour size (23.5 vs. 12.5 mm) and more distant metastases (12.8 vs. 10.3%). Multivariate analysis showed age (p = 0.005), Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2 (MEN2) status (p = 0.021) and distant metastasis (p = 0.002) to be significant independent predictors of survival. Significant independent predictors for disease‐free survival were age (p = 0.015), MEN2 (p = 0.002), pre‐op calcitonin (p = 0.033) and venous invasion (p = 0.001). The overall 5‐year survival was 100% for familial MTC and 78% for sporadic MTC. The 10‐year disease‐free survival was 94% for familial MTC and 61% for sporadic cases. A total of 100 cases of MTC underwent mutation‐specific IHC for HRASQ61R. Of these, 18 had confirmed MEN2. IHC had 100% specificity in excluding MEN2. Twelve (12%) of 100 patients stained positive for HRASQ61R mutation.

Conclusion

In the era of genetic testing, RET status significantly influences disease‐specific survival in MTC. Mutation‐specific IHC for HRASQ61R may have a role in the identification of patients presenting with sporadic disease.
A Petrological and Geochemical Account of Subsurface Noritic Intrusion in the Western Part of Bundelkhand Massif, Shivpuri District, M.P.
Authors: Roy Madhuparna , Pandey Pradeep , Kumar Shailendra , Singh R. P.
Published: February 2018

Subsurface exploration for uranium in the northwestern part of Bundelkhand massif, near Khor area, Shivpuri dist., M.P., resulted in intercepting a substantial thickness of mafic rock within Bundelkhand granitoid. Intercepts of this mafic rock at various levels in the boreholes, indicate that the rock mainly occurs as dyke-like intrusion and fracture-fills within Bundelkhand granite. It is essentially composed of hypersthene and plagioclase, with or without olivine, leading to the characterisation as hypersthene microdolerite, noritic dolerite and norite (±olivine), depending on the grainsize and variation from intergranular to ophitic texture. Chemically, the rock is characterised by av. 49.09% SiO2, 2.46%TiO2, 2.33 Fe2O3, 9.45% FeO, 5.75% MgO, 8.37% CaO and 0.96% K2O. The normative composition ranges from 3.53% quartz, 46.86% plagioclase, 12.58% diopside, 19.24% hypersthene. The olivine normative samples show av. 5.65% olivine. Geochemical plots indicate an intra-plate affinity along with oceanic signature, while presence of mineralogical and normative olivine, together with the REE pattern, point towards a lower crustal or mantle source. The mineralogical and normative presence of either quartz or olivine in these mafic rocks implies that it has an intermediate character between the tholeiitic dolerite dykes and the komatiite-type ultramafics reported from Bundelkhand craton. The complex geochemical signature of the rocks also reveals that both intra-continental as well as a mixture of oceanic-to upper mantle signatures are evident. The present study is a first time report of the occurrence of this hitherto unknown noritic body at depth within the Bundelkhand granite, which has no visible surface expression. The findings may strengthen the existing concept of a continuum between Rajasthan craton in the west and Bundelkhand craton in the east, as a single proto-continent.
Moment Tensor Solutions of some Selected Local Events: Implications towards the Present-day Tectonics of the Kachchh Rift zone
Authors: Singh Bhoopendra , Mandal Prantik
Published: February 2018

The Kachchh rift zone of the northwestern India lies near to the India–Arabia and the India–Eurasia plate boundaries, which has experienced many devastating earthquakes in the past, namely the 1819 Allah Bund earthquake, the 1956 Anjar earthquake and the 2001 Bhuj earthquake. These earthquakes claimed the lives of about 17,000 people. To understand the current seismo-tectonic scenario, moment tensor inversion on the broadband data of fourteen Kachchh events of Mw 3.5-4.6 (during 2009-2015) from 5-12 three-component seismograph stations of the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), Hyderabad, India was applied. Here deviatoric moment tensor inversion of multiple point sources (10–20s) for regional (or local) earthquakes, developed by Zahradnik et al. (2005) was used. The study reveals that modeled focal mechanisms range between reverse and normal oblique strike-slip while no pure normal dip-slip mechanism is found. However, only four out of fourteen events show oblique normal faulting with a minor strike-slip component. Thus, the modeling proposed in this study suggests that the oblique-reverse strike-slip, reverse and strike-slip type focal mechanisms are found to be dominant in the Kachchh rift zone. This observation indicates that the region is presently under compression.
Analyses of Aeromagnetic Data to Delineate Basement Structures and Reveal Buried Igneous Bodies in Kaladgi Basin, Karnataka
Authors: Sridhar M. , Markandeyulu A. , Chawla A. S. , Chaturvedi A. K.
Published: February 2018

Aeromagnetic data overcome constrain of inadequate exposures and provide signatures of bodies beneath sediment cover. Present work on analysis of aeromagnetic data over western part of Kaladgi basin provided insight into the basement structures and their role in basin evolution. In the study area, the NW-SE and NE-SW are the major trends of magnetic lineament followed by E-W and N-S trends. Archean to Paleoproterozoic basement is manifested by two structural zones, NW-SE trends related to major lineaments within the basement and the NE-SW trends presumed intra-basinal fault systems which controlled the local depressions. The basin configuration deduced from depth to basement show that the Kaladgi basin is an open deep basin and divided into several sub-basins, separated by fault-controlled NE-SW and NW-SE oriented basement ridges. An intriguing find in the western part are the numerous scattered smaller-scale, circular or semicircular, distinct magnetic anomalies of moderate to strong magnetic signal with strong remenance. Analyses coupled with 3D inversions in combination with sub-surface probing reveal in-homogeneities within basement gneisses and supracrustal rocks of the Kaladgi basin, Dharwar craton. 3D inversions of these circular bodies, suggest that they are apophyses of the intrusions or alternatively as younger intrusive stocks. Sub-surface probing by boreholes over circular bodies revealed leucocratic granite with porphyritic texture emplaced as intrusive within the Chitradurga metasediments. This implies that these intrusives are post-Chitradurga schist and pre Badami sediments as they have not affected the latter. However, they can be presumed to be coeval to potassic granites, which intrude the eastern part of the western Dharwar craton in southern India, until geochronological data are available.
Palaeoenvironmental Significance of Ichnofossil Assemblages from the Paleogene Sediments of Inner Fold Belt, Naga Hills, NE India
Authors: Khalo Ajano , Pandey Nagendra
Published: February 2018

Paleogene sediments of the inner fold belt, Naga hills, have very well preserved ichnofossils. 16 ichnospecies have been documented among 13 ichnogenera such as Arenicolites isp., Chondrites targionii, Cylindrichnus isp., Diplocraterion parallelum, Gyrochorte isp., Ophiomorpha annulata, O. irregulaire, O. nodosa, O. rudis, Palaeophycus tubularis, Planolites beverleyensis, Scolicia palaeobullia, Skolithos linearis, Trypinites weisei, Thalassinoides horizontalis and Zoophycos isp. The ichnofossil assemblages comprise mostly domichnia and fodinichnia benthos of the Skolithos and Cruziana ichnofacies. A shallow marine nearshore to offshore marine environment with fluctuating energy condition has been envisaged.
Engineering Geological and Geotechnical Investigations for a Pump House Complex Site — a Case Study from Lift Irrigation Scheme
Authors: Naithani A. K. , Singh L. G. , Jain Prasnna , Rawat D. S.
Published: February 2018

For the deep underground pump house complex engineering geological and geotechnical investigations were carried out. The area was investigated through detailed engineering geological mapping, exploratory drilling, in-situ stress measurements and laboratory testing. Surface mapping was done on 1:500 scales with 0.5 m contour interval and drill holes logging was done on 1:100 scale. The rock mass properties, i.e. joint sets, weathering grade, RQD etc. of the rock masses to be encountered during the excavation of cavities have been analyzed in detail. Core samples from the exploratory drill holes drilled at the surge pool and pump house area were tested for physico-mechanical properties of rocks in the laboratory. To evaluate the stress regime at the proposed underground pump house complex area, stress measurements were carried out by hydrofracturing method inside the borehole. The mapping details indicated that cavities will be excavated through fresh, coarse to very coarse grained, hard and jointed granites. The average depth recorded of fresh rock from the surface was 15.7 m. The uniaxial compressive strength of the rock mass range from 221 to 246 MPa. The orientation of the long axis of the cavities recommended is N150°. Classification of rock mass using Tunnelling Quality Index Q is attempted and the values are range from 3.58 to 16.40.
Rock Mass Characterization and Support Assessment along Power Tunnel of Hydropower in Kohistan Area, KPK, Pakistan
Authors: Akram Mian Sohail , Zeeshan Muhammad
Published: February 2018

This paper encompasses the engineering geological properties of rock mass along the power tunnel of hydropower in Kohistan, Khayber Pakhtun Khawa (KPK), Pakistan. The major geological units of the study area are Chilas complex (CC) and Gilgit complex (GC) that consists mostly of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Discontinuity surveys were conducted to classify the rock mass by utilizing rock mass rating (RMR) and tunneling quality index (Q) classification systems. RMR system involves collection of data for parameters of rock strength, RQD, spacing of discontinuities, condition of discontinuities, groundwater condition and Q system involves rock quality designation (RQD), joint roughness (Jr), joint sets (Js), joint alteration (Ja), stress reduction factor (SRF) and joint water reduction (Jw). RMR values ranges from 46 to 66 (fair to good) for rock unit of Chilas complex (CC) and 50 to 58 (fair) for rock unit of Gilgit complex (GC). The evaluated values of tunnel quality by Q-system are 1.55 to 6.4 (poor to fair) for Chilas complex (CC) and 1.35 to 1.84 (poor) for Gilgit complex (GC). The required support along the tunnel route is also estimated by both classification systems. Unwedge program is used to analyze the unstable zones due to the intersection of different joint sets. Total 14 cases are analyzed in Unwedge from which 3 cases have failure potential with FOS less than 1. These failure potential blocks can become stable by applying further support of rock bolting and shotcrete layer.
Functional response of Quercus robur L. to taproot pruning: a 5-year case study
Authors: Mucha Joanna , Jagodziński Andrzej M. , Bułaj Bartosz , Łakomy Piotr , Talaśka Adrian M. , Oleksyn Jacek , Zadworny Marcin
Published: February 2018

Key message

Quercus roburseedling mass was affected more by planting density than by taproot pruning. Root pruning enhanced stem biomass at the expense of roots in later growth stages. Alteration of biomass allocation due to nursery practices may result in greater susceptibility to injury and death of the seedlings under unfavorable environmental conditions.

Context

Plants adjust their growth and modulate the resource allocation in response to applied treatments and environmental conditions.

Aims

The aim was to examine how taproot pruning in seedlings grown at different densities affected long-term growth of Quercus robur.

Methods

Seedlings, sown as acorns at two planting densities, with or without pruned roots were harvested in the second, fourth, and fifth years of growth. The effect of root pruning on biomass allocation was determined by measuring leaf, stem, and root mass fractions; carbohydrate concentrations in the roots; and C/N ratios. Specific leaf area and root length were also determined to assess morphological adaptations to growth conditions.

Results

Total seedling mass was affected more by planting density than by taproot pruning. After 4 years of growth, root mass fractions were lower and stem mass fractions were greater in seedlings planted at a higher density. Five-year old root-pruned seedlings also had a lower root mass fraction and higher stem mass fractions than unpruned seedlings. Specific root length was not affected by root pruning or planting density.

Conclusion

Decrease of relative root biomass with simultaneous increase of stem biomass may be a long-term consequence of taproot pruning of Q. robur, and the effects may manifest years after the seedling stage.
Self-efficacy beliefs of medical students: a critical review
Authors: Klassen Robert M. , Klassen Joel R. L.
Published: February 2018

Introduction Self-efficacy is a theoretically and empirically robust motivation belief that has been shown to play an important role in the learning and development of new skills and knowledge. In this article, we critically review research on the self-efficacy beliefs of medical students, with a goal to evaluate the existing research and to strengthen future work. In particular, we sought to describe the state of research on medical student self-efficacy and to critically examine the conceptualization and measurement of the construct. Finally, we aimed to provide directions for future self-efficacy research.

Methods We critically reviewed 74 published articles that included measures of self-efficacy beliefs of medical students.

Results Our review showed that (a) research on the self-efficacy beliefs of medical students is growing and is becoming increasingly international, and (b) that nearly half (46%) of self-efficacy measures showed conceptual and operational flaws.

Discussion Our critical review of 74 research studies on self-efficacy of medical students found that although research in the field is increasing, nearly half of measures labelled as self-efficacy were incongruent with the conceptual guidelines set by self-efficacy experts. We provide five suggestions for future research on the self-efficacy of medical students.
Changes in Rehabilitation Outcomes by new Guidelines of Hong Kong Hospital Authority in Implant Choice for Femoral Neck Fractures—Austin Moore versus Cemented Exeter Hemiarthroplasty
Authors: Yung-Chak Hsu Albert
Published: February 2018

Background

In 2013, Hospital Authority of Hong Kong replaced Austin Moore Arthroplasty (AMA) with cemented Exeter hemiarthroplasty for displaced femoral neck fractures. This study evaluated whether this new guidelines resulted in better mortality, hospital service reattendances and rehabilitation outcomes.

Methods

Patients aged 65–84 years with hemiarthroplasty done in a tertiary hospital during 2012–2014 were reviewed retrospectively. AMA group included AMAs carried out during years 2012–2013, and Exeter group included cemented modular Exeter hemiarthroplasties carried out during years 2013–2014. All patients were followed-up for 2 years.

Results

The Exeter group performed significantly better in rehabilitation outcomes than AMA group in terms of mobility score, independent and outdoor walking and community dwelling. They also had less hospital service reattendances due to falls, refractures and implant-related causes. There was a trend towards lower mortality in the Exeter group with increasing duration from operation.

Conclusion

The new guidelines in replacing AMA with cemented Exeter hemiarthroplasty resulted in better patient outcomes.
Twelve-year Follow-up of a Case of Proximal Femoral Unicameral Bone Cyst (UBC) Treated by Steroid Injection using Radiological and DXA Scan Data
Authors: Kin-Wah Ng Bobby , Wing-Yin Hung Vivian , Wai-Wang Chau , Tsz-Ping Lam , Chun-Yiu Cheng Jack
Published: February 2018

This report is of a proximal femoral unicameral bone cyst in a patient presented at 3 years. Intra-lesional steroid injection was used to treat this large active lesion. The response to treatment was monitored with the use of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan as an indirect method of monitoring the activity of the bone cyst. The patient had developed stress fracture during the course of treatment which had remodelled fully after successful treatment with multiple injections; at 12-year follow-up, the patient reached skeletal maturity. The affected femur had remodelled back to normal radiological appearance without avascular necrosis. This has demonstrated that steroid injection is a safe and effective procedure to achieve regression of a large active bone cyst in the proximal femur. It is a minimal invasive procedure resulting in no scar. DXA scan is a useful method combining clinical assessment to monitor status of the bone cyst to allow timing of injection.
Avaliação por imagem do púbis em jogadores de futebol
Authors: Todeschini Karina , Daruge Paulo , Bordalo-Rodrigues Marcelo , Pedrinelli André , Busetto Antonio Marcos
Published: February 2018

Objetivo Comparar a acurácia da ultrassonografia em relação à ressonância magnética na detecção de lesões da aponeurose do reto abdominal/adutor longo, estudar características dos jogadores e achados de imagem associados à pubalgia e demonstrar a importância de cada método.

Materiais e métodos Estudo realizado de 2011 a 2016 com 39 jogadores profissionais de futebol, 15 deles com e 24 sem pubalgia. Foram registrados idade, posição, índice de massa corporal (IMC), carga de treino semanal, tempo de profissão e lesão prévia na coxa/joelho e lombalgia. Os seguintes exames de imagem foram realizados: radiografias (anteroposterior da bacia e flamingo) para avaliar sinais de impacto do quadril, articulações sacroilíacas e instabilidade da sínfise púbica; ultrassonografia para analisar a aponeurose comum do reto abdominal/adutor longo e hérnias inguinais e do esporte; ressonância magnética buscando alterações degenerativas e edema no púbis, lesões musculares dos adutores e retos abdominais e na sua aponeurose.

Resultados Observou-se uma associação entre pubalgia e IMC elevado (p = 0,032) e alterações musculares (p < 0,001). Hérnia inguinal foi encontrada em dois casos e hérnia do esporte, em um caso e dois controles. Alterações degenerativas do púbis foram frequentes nos dois grupos. Lesões da aponeurose foram mais comuns nos pacientes com dor e a ultrassonografia teve sensibilidade de 44,4% e especificidade de 100% na detecção.

Conclusão A avaliação da pubalgia atlética deve ser realizada com radiografias, ultrassonografia e ressonância magnética. Índice de massa corporal elevado, lesões musculares, geodos e osteófitos são achados associados à pubalgia; a ultrassonografia tem baixa sensibilidade para detectar lesões da aponeurose comum do reto abdominal/adutor longo.
Efeito comparativo entre a infiltração de plasma rico em plaquetas e o uso de corticosteroides no tratamento de osteoartrite do joelho: Estudo clínico prospectivo e randomizado
Authors: Freire Marianna Ribeiro de Menezes , da Silva Philippe Mota Coutinho , Azevedo Arthur Rangel , Silva Denison Santos , da Silva Ronald Bispo Barreto , Cardoso Juliana Cordeiro
Published: February 2018

Objetivo Analisar a eficácia do uso de plasma rico em plaquetas, obtido do sangue periférico e autólogo dos pacientes, na redução das queixas álgicas e melhoria funcional dos pacientes portadores de osteoartrite de joelhos, em comparação com o tratamento padrão com injeção de corticosteroides de depósito, como a triancilonola.

Métodos Os pacientes foram acompanhados clinicamente na consulta pré-infiltrativa, com avaliação quantitativa através das escalas Knee Society Score (KSS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), e Kellgren and Lawrence. Além disso, os pacientes foram reavaliados com as mesmas escalas após 1 mês e 6 meses de intervenção com 2,5 mL de acetato de triancinolona ou 5 mL de plasma rico em plaquetas. O estudo foi feito em 50 pacientes portadores de osteoartrite de joelhos atendidos no Centro de Especialidades Médicas, divididos em amostras equivalentes randomizadas para cada terapia.

Resultados No presente estudo, verificaram-se redução dos valores em escalas álgicas, como a WOMAC, e elevação das pontuações em escalas funcionais, como a KSS, evidenciadas em 180 dias após o uso de plasma rico em plaquetas, uma terapia feita a partir do sangue autólogo do paciente e com menos efeitos colaterais.

Conclusão Embora ambas as terapias com plasma rico em plaquetas e corticosteroides tenham se mostrado eficazes na redução das queixas álgicas e na recuperação funcional, houve diferença significativa entre as terapias aos 180 dias. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, no tratamento da osteoartrite do joelho, o plasma rico em plaquetas demonstrou efeitos mais duradouros em 180 dias.
Judicial Discretion and the Minimum Statutory Sentence for Migrant Smuggling through Indonesia
Authors: PALMER Wayne , MISSBACH Antje
Published: February 2018

The general, but false, perception of migrant smuggling through Indonesia, a large, archipelagic country, is that smugglers operate entirely on their own. In fact, the more complex smuggling operations rely on broad networks of foreign organizers as well as local intermediaries and ground staff. In 2011, the Indonesian legislature introduced a severe minimum sentence for any involvement in migrant smuggling with the expectation that the judiciary would apply the sentence in all future cases. However, some judges proceeded to hand down sentences below the statutory minimum, arguing that the punishment is not commensurate to the relatively minor roles played by locals. This article examines how judges at all levels of the judiciary did so in ten related cases. In conclusion, it argues that statutory sentences are not mandatory in Indonesia and that, by applying below-minimum sentences, judges not only maintain judicial independence; they also effectively exercise a judicial review function.
Kinetic energy transfer in compressible isotropic turbulence
Authors: Wang Jianchun , Wan Minping , Chen Song , Chen Shiyi
Published: February 2018

Kinetic energy transfer in compressible isotropic turbulence is studied using numerical simulations with solenoidal forcing at turbulent Mach numbers ranging from 0.4 to 1.0 and at a Taylor Reynolds number of approximately 250. The pressure dilatation plays an important role in the local conversion between kinetic energy and internal energy, but its net contribution to the average kinetic energy transfer is negligibly small, due to the cancellation between compression and expansion work. The right tail of probability density function (PDF) of the subgrid-scale (SGS) flux of kinetic energy is found to be longer at higher turbulent Mach numbers. With an increase of the turbulent Mach number, compression motions enhance the positive SGS flux, and expansion motions enhance the negative SGS flux. Average of SGS flux conditioned on the filtered velocity divergence is studied by numerical analysis and a heuristic model. The conditional average of SGS flux is shown to be proportional to the square of filtered velocity divergence in strong compression regions for turbulent Mach numbers from 0.6 to 1.0. Moreover, the antiparallel alignment between the large-scale strain and the SGS stress is observed in strong compression regions. The inter-scale transfer of solenoidal and compressible components of kinetic energy is investigated by Helmholtz decomposition. The SGS flux of solenoidal kinetic energy is insensitive to the change of turbulent Mach number, while the SGS flux of compressible kinetic energy increases drastically as the turbulent Mach number becomes larger. The compressible mode persistently absorbs energy from the solenoidal mode through nonlinear advection. The kinetic energy of the compressible mode is transferred from large scales to small scales through the compressible SGS flux, and is dissipated by viscosity at small scales.
Prediction of near-wall turbulence using minimal flow unit
Authors: Yin Guang , Huang Wei-Xi , Xu Chun-Xiao
Published: February 2018

In the present study, direct numerical simulation (DNS) is carried out in a minimal channel at $Re_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}}=2000$ to sustain healthy turbulence below $y^{+}=100$. Turbulence intensities are compared with those of the motions at the same scales as the minimal channel in the full-sized channel at $Re_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}}=2003$ (Hoyas & Jiménez, Phys. Fluids, vol. 20 (10), 2008, article 101511). They show good agreement in $y^{+}<100$. The universal signals for the three velocity components similar to that in the predictive model of Marusic et al. (Science, vol. 329 (5988), 2010, pp. 193–196) are extracted from the DNS data of the full-sized channel. They correspond well to the near-wall velocity fluctuations in the minimal flow unit (MFU). The predictive models for the three components of near-wall velocity fluctuations are proposed based on the MFU data. The predicted turbulence intensities as well as the joint probability density functions of velocity fluctuations agree well with the DNS results of the full-sized channel turbulence.
Curtailing data biases in business research: Introducing a hybrid approach
Authors: Alam Muhammad Aftab , Bhatti Omar Khalid
Published: February 2018

This study elucidates the falsity of business research in relying on either respondents or informants alone for data collection, and argues that with the biased data, business research cannot provide unbiased solutions. We compare 400 reports (200 respondents and 200 informants) on the workplace deviance and assess the goodness of both the techniques. Analysis of variance andposthoc(descriptive discriminant analysis) indicate significant disparities between the two approaches across all items. In the informant’s role, people tend to overreport, whereas in the respondent’s part they underreport an undesirable behavior. Further, we find that conventional techniques for assessing the construct’s validity and common-method bias neither assures realistic measurement nor eliminate the response bias. Drawing on the theory of psychological projection, we propose a hybrid approach that curtails some of the main biases in data and measurement. Qualitative confirmation through informal interviews with managers in the investigated firms validates the proposed method.
THE POPULARITY OF ANCIENT HISTORIANS, 1450–1600
Authors: JENSEN FREYJA COX
Published: February 2018

The histories of ancient Greece and Rome are part of a shared European heritage, and a foundation for many modern Western social and cultural traditions. Their printing and circulation during the Renaissance helped to shape the identities of individual nations, and create different reading publics. Yet we still lack a comprehensive understanding of the forms in which works of Greek and Roman history were published in the first centuries of the handpress age, the relationship between the ideas contained within these texts and the books as material objects, and thus the precise nature of the changes they effected in early modern European culture and society. This article provides the groundwork for a reassessment of the place of ancient history in the early modern world. Using new, digital resources to reappraise existing scholarship, it offers a fresh evaluation of the publication of the ancient historians from the inception of print to 1600, revealing important differences that alter our understanding of particular authors, texts, and trends, and suggesting directions for further research. It also models the research possibilities of large-scale digital catalogues and databases, and highlights the possibilities (and pitfalls) of these resources.
Positional faithfulness in Harmonic Grammar
Authors: MCCARVEL MIRANDA , KAPLAN AARON
Published: February 2018

In Tamil, coronals are licensed in onsets and initial syllables, exemplifying what Jesney (2011b) calls Licensing in Multiple Contexts (LMC). Jesney shows that while only positional faithfulness produces LMC in Optimality Theory, positional licensing provides a competing analysis of LMC in Harmonic Grammar (HG). This suggests that positional faithfulness may not be necessary in HG. We argue, though, that positional faithfulness remains essential. First, other facts in Tamil are incompatible with the positional licensing approach to LMC, rendering the positional faithfulness alternative the only viable analysis. Second, only with positional faithfulness can certain typological generalizations concerning assimilation between consonants be captured.
Weight, physical activity and breast cancer survival
Authors: McTiernan Anne
Published: February 2018

Weight, weight change and physical activity may affect prognosis among women who are diagnosed with breast cancer. Observational studies show associations between overweight/obesity and weight gain with several measures of reduced prognosis in women with breast cancer, and some suggestions of lower survival in women who are underweight or who experience unexplained weight loss after diagnosis. Observational studies have also shown an association between higher levels of physical activity and reduced breast cancer-specific and all-cause mortality, although a dose–response relationship has not been established. The effects of purposive dietary weight loss and increase in physical activity on survival or recurrence in breast cancer are not yet established, and randomised controlled trials are needed for definitive data. This paper presents the epidemiologic evidence on weight status, weight change, and physical activity and breast cancer survival; suggests potential mediating mechanisms; summarises evidence on weight loss interventions in breast cancer survivors; describes ongoing randomised clinical trials designed to test the effects of weight loss or physical activity on breast cancer survival; and provides information on available guidelines on weight and physical activity for cancer survivors.
Fitness and eco-physiological response of a chytrid fungal parasite infecting planktonic cyanobacteria to thermal and host genotype variation
Authors: Agha Ramsy , Gross Alina , Gerphagnon Melanie , Rohrlack Thomas , Wolinska Justyna
Published: February 2018

Understanding how individual parasite traits contribute to overall fitness, and how they are modulated by both external and host environment, is crucial for predicting disease outcome. Fungal (chytrid) parasites of phytoplankton are important yet poorly studied pathogens with the potential to modulate the abundance and composition of phytoplankton communities and to drive their evolution. Here, we studied life-history traits of a chytrid parasite infecting the planktonic, bloom-forming cyanobacteriumPlanktothrixspp. under host genotype and thermal variation. When expressing parasite fitness in terms of transmission success, disease outcome was largely modulated by temperature alone. Yet, a closer examination of individual parasite traits linked to different infection phases, such as (i) the establishment of the infection (i.e. intensity of infection) and (ii) the exploitation of host resources (i.e. size of reproductive structures and propagules), revealed differential host genotype and temperature × host genotype modulation, respectively. This illustrates how parasite fitness results from the interplay of individual parasite traits that are differentially controlled by host and external environment, and stresses the importance of combining multiple traits to gain insights into underlying infection mechanisms.
A Constrained Total Extended Kalman Filter for Integrated Navigation
Authors: Mahboub Vahid , Mohammadi Dorsa
Published: February 2018

In this contribution, an improved Extended Kalman Filter (EKF), named the Total Extended Kalman Filter (TEKF) is proposed for integrated navigation. It can consider the neglected random observed quantities which may appear in a dynamic model. In particular, this paper will consider the case of vision-based navigation. This algorithm is equipped with quadratic constraints and makes use of condition equations. The paper will show that the refined data from different sensors including a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, an Inertial Navigation System (INS) and remote sensors can be fused into a Constrained Total Extended Kalman Filter (CTEKF) algorithm. The CTEKF algorithm is applied to a case study in the Guilan province in the north of Iran. The results show the efficiency of the proposed algorithm.
Approaching Custom Identification as a Conflict Avoidance Technique:TadićandKupreškićRevisited
Authors: GALAND ALEXANDRE SKANDER
Published: February 2018

International human rights law (IHRL), international humanitarian law (IHL) and international criminal law (ICL) have trouble staying faithful to the two pillars of customary international law – state practice andopinio juris. In ICL, theTadićInterlocutory Appeal on Jurisdiction and theKupreškićTrial Judgement have even gone as far as enunciating new models to identify customs. In this article, I show that the approaches to customs’ identification postulated in these two cases were conflict-avoidance techniques used by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) to bring together IHRL and IHL. The crux of the matter in theTadićandKupreškićcases was that the human rights of the victims of war crimes committed in internal conflicts required that a new approach to customary international law be adopted. Thus, the criminal aspect of IHL (i.e., ICL) was updated, and conceptual conflicts between IHL and IHRL were avoided.
The Impact of Alcohol Use on Drop-out and Psychological Treatment Outcomes in Improving Access to Psychological Therapies Services: an Audit
Authors: Buckman J.E.J. , Naismith I. , Saunders R. , Morrison T. , Linke S. , Leibowitz J. , Pilling S.
Published: February 2018

Background: The impact of alcohol use disorders (AUD) on psychological treatments for depression or anxiety in primary care psychological treatment services is unknown. Aims: To establish levels of alcohol misuse in an Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service, examine the impact of higher risk drinking on IAPT treatment outcomes and drop-out, and to inform good practice in working with alcohol misuse in IAPT services. Method: 3643 patients completed a brief questionnaire on alcohol use pre-treatment in addition to measures of depression, anxiety and functioning. Symptom and functioning measures were re-administered at all treatment sessions. Results: Severity of alcohol misuse was not associated with treatment outcomes, although those scoring eight or more on the AUDIT-C were more likely to drop out from treatment. Conclusions: IAPT services may be well placed to offer psychological therapies to patients with common mental disorders and comorbid AUD. Patients with AUD can have equivalent treatment outcomes to those without AUD, but some higher risk drinkers may find accessing IAPT treatment more difficult as they are more likely to drop out. Alcohol misuse on its own should not be used as an exclusion criterion from IAPT services. Recommendations are given as to how clinicians can: adjust their assessments to consider the appropriateness of IAPT treatment for patients that misuse alcohol, consider the potential impact of alcohol misuse on treatment, and improve engagement in treatment for higher risk drinkers.
ON A CELL DIVISION EQUATION WITH A LINEAR GROWTH RATE
Authors: VAN BRUNT B. , ALMALKI A. , LYNCH T. , ZAIDI A.
Published: February 2018

We consider an initial–boundary value problem that involves a partial differential equation with a functional term. The problem is motivated by a cell division model for size structured cell cohorts in which growth and division occur. Although much is known about the large time asymptotic behaviour of solutions to these problems for constant growth rates, general solution techniques are rare. We analyse the case where the growth rate is linear and the division rate is a monomial, and we develop a method to determine the general solution for a general class of initial data. The large time dynamics of solutions for this case are significantly different from the constant growth rate case. We show that solutions approach a time-dependent attracting solution that is periodic in the time variable.
Financial Inclusion: A Tale of Two Literatures
Authors: Prabhakar Rajiv
Published: February 2018

Financial inclusion has arisen as an important social policy agenda over the past twenty years. A scholarly literature has emerged that is very critical of financial inclusion, seeing it as part of the financialisation of the everyday. Often, this theoretical literature makes little reference to how financial inclusion was developing in practice. Conversely, much of the policy literature does not refer to theoretical controversies about financial inclusion. The result is that the theoretical and policy literatures are developing in isolation from one another. This article suggests that it would be much better if there were greater mixing between these different literatures. The scholarly literature can inform the direction of policy and the applied literature can develop more nuanced versions of financialisation.
Ring filter synthesis and its BiCMOS 60 GHz implementation
Authors: Rynkiewicz Pedro , Franc Anne-Laure , Coccetti Fabio , Wietstruck Matthias , Wipf Christian , Tolunay Wipf Selin , Kaynak Mehmet , Prigent Gaëtan
Published: February 2018

The detailed synthesis of a direct access ring filter topology fully controlled with the following targeted specification (center frequency, low transmission zero frequency, and matching level in the passband) is hereby presented. For this topology, the lowest achievable bandwidth is limited by technological constraints. Thereby a solution consisting in adding capacitive loads is proposed. The associated synthesis is also given and discussed. Both syntheses are illustrated with 60 GHz integrated planar filters implemented in the IHP 130 nm BiCMOS technology. Various 3 dB fractional bandwidths from 18 to 8% are targeted, some of them require the implementation of the capacitive loaded solution. The latter allows us to lower the bandwidth limit of the nominal topology as well as to get a high miniaturization, up to 3.4, depending on the capacitance value. Thanks to good measurement results, this implementation highlights the high efficiency, reliability, and versatility of the synthesis without the need of tuning simulations or post-simulations.
Osteocyte morphology and orientation in relation to strain in the jaw bone
Authors: Wu Vivian , van Oers René F. M. , Schulten Engelbert A. J. M. , Helder Marco N. , Bacabac Rommel G. , Klein-Nulend Jenneke
Published: February 2018

Bone mass is important for dental implant success and is regulated by mechanoresponsive osteocytes. We aimed to investigate the relationship between the levels and orientation of tensile strain and morphology and orientation of osteocytes at different dental implant positions in the maxillary bone. Bone biopsies were retrieved from eight patients who underwent maxillary sinus-floor elevation with β-tricalcium phosphate prior to implant placement. Gap versus free-ending locations were compared using 1) a three-dimensional finite-element model of the maxilla to predict the tensile strain magnitude and direction and 2) histology and histomorphometric analyses. The finite-element model predicted larger, differently directed tensile strains in the gap versus free-ending locations. The mean percentage of mineralised residual native-tissue volume, osteocyte number (mean ± standard deviations: 97 ± 40/region-of-interest), and osteocyte shape (~90% elongated, ~10% round) were similar for both locations. However, the osteocyte surface area was 1.5-times larger in the gap than in the free-ending locations, and the elongated osteocytes in these locations were more cranially caudally oriented. In conclusion, significant differences in the osteocyte surface area and orientation seem to exist locally in the maxillary bone, which may be related to the tensile strain magnitude and orientation. This might reflect local differences in the osteocyte mechanosensitivity and bone quality, suggesting differences in dental implant success based on the location in the maxilla.
Lrp1 in osteoblasts controls osteoclast activity and protects against osteoporosis by limiting PDGF–RANKL signaling
Authors: Bartelt Alexander , Behler-Janbeck Friederike , Beil F. Timo , Koehne Till , Müller Brigitte , Schmidt Tobias , Heine Markus , Ochs Laura , Yilmaz Tayfun , Dietrich Martin , Tuckermann Jan P. , Amling Michael , Herz Joachim , Schinke Thorsten , Heeren Joerg , Niemeier Andreas
Published: February 2018

Skeletal health relies on architectural integrity and sufficient bone mass, which are maintained through a tightly regulated equilibrium of bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts. Genetic studies have linked the gene coding for low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein1 (Lrp1) to bone traits but whether these associations are based on a causal molecular relationship is unknown. Here, we show that Lrp1 in osteoblasts is a novel regulator of osteoclast activity and bone mass. Mice lacking Lrp1 specifically in the osteoblast lineage displayed normal osteoblast function but severe osteoporosis due to highly increased osteoclast numbers and bone resorption. Osteoblast Lrp1 limited receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) expression in vivo and in vitro through attenuation of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB) signaling. In co-culture, Lrp1-deficient osteoblasts stimulated osteoclastogenesis in a PDGFRβ-dependent manner and in vivo treatment with the PDGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib mesylate limited RANKL production and led to complete remission of the osteoporotic phenotype. These results identify osteoblast Lrp1 as a key regulator of osteoblast-to-osteoclast communication and bone mass through a PDGF–RANKL signaling axis in osteoblasts and open perspectives to further explore the potential of PDGF signaling inhibitors in counteracting bone loss as well as to evaluate the importance of functional LRP1 gene variants in the control of bone mass in humans.
Novel biomarker ZCCHC13 revealed by integrating DNA methylation and mRNA expression data in non-obstructive azoospermia
Authors: Li Zhiming , Chen Shuai , Yang Yufeng , Zhuang Xuan , Tzeng Chi-Meng
Published: February 2018

The objective of this study was to identify genes regulated by methylation that were involved in spermatogenesis failure in non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). Testis biopsies of patients with NOA and OA (with normal spermatogenesis) were evaluated by microarray analysis to examine DNA methylation and mRNA expression using our established integrative approach. Of the coordinately hypermethylated and down-regulated gene list, zinc-finger CCHC-type containing 13 (ZCCHC13) was present within the nuclei of germ cells of testicular tissues according immunohistochemistry, and there was decreased protein expression in men with NOA compared with OA controls. Mechanistic analyses indicated that ZCCHC13 increased c-MYC expression through the p-AKT and p-ERK pathways. To confirm the changes inZCCHC13expression in response to methylation, 5-aza-2′-deoxycitidine (5-Aza), a hypomethylating agent, was administered to mouse spermatogonia GC-1 cells. We demonstrated that 5-Aza enhanced protein and mRNA expression ofZCCHC13epigenetically, which was accompanied by activation of p-AKT and p-ERK signaling. Our data, for the first time, demonstrate that ZCCHC13 is an important signaling molecule that positively regulates the AKT/MAPK/c-MYC pathway and that methylation aberrations ofZCCHC13may cause defects in testis development in human disease, such as NOA.
A peptide tag-specific nanobody enables high-quality labeling for dSTORM imaging
Authors: Virant David , Traenkle Bjoern , Maier Julia , Kaiser Philipp D. , Bodenhöfer Mona , Schmees Christian , Vojnovic Ilijana , Pisak-Lukáts Borbála , Endesfelder Ulrike , Rothbauer Ulrich
Published: February 2018

Dense fluorophore labeling without compromising the biological target is crucial for genuine super-resolution microscopy. Here we introduce a broadly applicable labeling strategy for fixed and living cells utilizing a short peptide tag-specific nanobody (BC2-tag/bivBC2-Nb). BC2-tagging of ectopically introduced or endogenous proteins does not interfere with the examined structures and bivBC2-Nb staining results in a close-grained fluorophore labeling with minimal linkage errors. This allowed us to perform high-quality dSTORM imaging of various targets in mammalian and yeast cells. We expect that this versatile strategy will render many more demanding cellular targets amenable to dSTORM imaging.
Ultraslow isomerization in photoexcited gas-phase carbon cluster $${{\rm C}}_{10}^ -$$
Authors: Saha K. , Chandrasekaran V. , Heber O. , Iron M. A. , Rappaport M. L. , Zajfman D.
Published: February 2018

Isomerization and carbon chemistry in the gas phase are key processes in many scientific studies. Here we report on the isomerization process from linear $${{\rm C}}_{10}^ -$$

C

10

-

to its monocyclic isomer. $${{\rm C}}_{10}^ -$$

C

10

-

ions were trapped in an electrostatic ion beam trap and then excited with a laser pulse of precise energy. The neutral products formed upon photoexcitation were measured as a function of time after the laser pulse. It was found using a statistical model that, although the system is excited above its isomerization barrier energy, the actual isomerization from linear to monocyclic conformation takes place on a very long time scale of up to hundreds of microseconds. This finding may indicate a general phenomenon that can affect the interstellar medium chemistry of large molecule formation as well as other gas phase processes.