bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Elevated miR-182-5p Associates with Renal Cancer Cell Mitotic Arrest through Diminished MALAT-1 Expression
Authors: Kulkarni Priyanka , Dasgupta Pritha , Bhat Nadeem S. , Shahryari Varahram , Shiina Marisa , Hashimoto Yutaka , Majid Shahana , Deng Guoren , Saini Sharanjot , Tabatabai Z. Laura , Yamamura Soichiro , Tanaka Yuichiro , Dahiya Rajvir
Published: July 2018

The molecular heterogeneity of clear cell renal carcinoma (ccRCC) makes prediction of disease progression and therapeutic response difficult. Thus, this report investigates the functional significance, mechanisms of action, and clinical utility of miR-182-5p and metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1/NEAT2), a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), in the regulation of kidney cancer using human kidney cancer tissues as well as in vitro and in vivo model systems. Profiling of miR-182-5p and MALAT-1 in human renal cancer cells and clinical specimens was done by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). The biological significance was determined by series of in vitro and in vivo experiments. The interaction between miR-182-5p and MALAT-1 was investigated using luciferase reporter assays. In addition, the effects of miR-182-5p overexpression and MALAT-1 downregulation on cell-cycle progression were assessed in ccRCC cells. The data indicate that miR-182-5p is downregulated in ccRCC; the mechanism being CpG hypermethylation as observed from 5-Aza CdR treatment that decreased promoter methylation and expression of key methylation regulatory genes like DNMT1, DNMT3a, and DNMT3b. Overexpression of miR-182-5p–inhibited cell proliferation, colony formation, apoptosis, and led to G2–M-phase cell-cycle arrest by directly targeting MALAT-1. Downregulation of MALAT-1 led to upregulation of p53, downregulation of CDC20, AURKA, drivers of the cell-cycle mitotic phase. Transient knockdown of MALAT-1 mimicked the effects of miR-182-5p overexpression. Finally, overexpression of miR-182-5p decreased tumor growth in mice, compared with controls; thus, demonstrating its antitumor effect in vivo.

Implications: This is the first study that offers new insight into role of miR-182-5p/MALAT-1 interaction on inhibition of ccRCC progression. Mol Cancer Res; 16(11); 1750–60. ©2018 AACR.
Molecular Portrait of Hypoxia in Breast Cancer: A Prognostic Signature and Novel HIF-Regulated Genes
Authors: Ye I. Chae , Fertig Elana J. , DiGiacomo Josh W. , Considine Michael , Godet Inês , Gilkes Daniele M.
Published: July 2018

Intratumoral hypoxia has been associated with invasion, metastasis, and treatment failure, prompting the need for a global characterization of the response to hypoxic conditions. The current study presents the results of a large-scale RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) effort, analyzing 31 breast cancer cell lines representative of breast cancer subtypes or normal mammary epithelial (NME) cells exposed to control tissue culture conditions (20% O2) or hypoxic conditions (1% O2). The results demonstrate that NME have a stronger response to hypoxia both in terms of number of genes induced by hypoxia as well as level of expression. A conserved 42-gene hypoxia signature shared across PAM50 subtypes and genes that are exclusively upregulated in Luminal A, Luminal B, and normal-like mammary epithelial cells is identified. The 42-gene expression signature is enriched in a subset of basal-like cell lines and tumors and differentiates survival among patients with basal-like tumors. Mechanistically, the hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF-1 and/or HIF-2) mediate the conserved hypoxic response. Also, four novel hypoxia-regulated and HIF-1–responsive genes were identified as part of the conserved signature. This dataset provides a novel resource to query transcriptional changes that occur in response to hypoxia and serves as a starting point for a clinical assay to aid in stratifying patients that would benefit from hypoxia-targeted therapies, some of which are currently in clinical trials.

Implications:

RNA-seq of 31 breast cancer cells exposed to control or hypoxic conditions reveals a conserved genomic signature that contains novel HIF-regulated genes and is prognostic for the survival of patients with triple-negative breast cancer.
An Ultrasound Study of the Development of Lingual Coarticulation during Childhood
Authors: Zharkova Natalia
Published: July 2018

Background/Aims: There is growing evidence that coarticulation development is protracted and segment-specific, and yet very little information is available on the changes in the extent of coarticulation across different phonemes throughout childhood. This study describes lingual coarticulatory patterns in 6 age groups of Scottish English-speaking children between 3 and 13 years old. Methods: Vowelon-consonant anticipatory coarticulation was analysed using ultrasound imaging data on tongue shape from 4 consonants that differ in the degree of constraint, i.e., the extent of articulatory demand, on the tongue. Results: Consonant-specific age-related patterns are reported, with consonants that have more demands on the tongue reaching adolescent-like levels of coarticulation in older age groups. Within-speaker variability in tongue shape decreases with increasing age. Conclusion: Reduced coarticulation in the youngest age group may be due to insufficient tongue differentiation. Immature patterns for lingual consonants in 5- to 11-year-olds are explained by the goal of producing the consonant target overriding the goal of coarticulating the consonant with the following vowel.
Long-Term Response with Eribulin Mesylate in a Breast Cancer Patient: A Case Report
Authors: Medici Marta , Fossile Emanuela
Published: July 2018

Despite the wide pharmacological armamentarium available for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer (MBC), long-lasting control of disease is challenging, especially in heavily pretreated patients. In this case report, we documented a long-lasting complete response (CR) with eribulin in a relatively young woman with MBC and bone metastasis, who did not benefit from prior chemotherapy regimens. Besides CR, the patient was able to maintain an excellent performance status and was free from the severe pain experienced before the initiation of eribulin. Noteworthy, eribulin treatment was very well tolerated, with only a mild alopecia being reported; response was maintained also after a temporary dose interruption and a therapeutic holiday due to non-treatment-related increase in liver enzymes and steatosis.
Eribulin as a Feasible and Safe Monotherapy in a Dialytic Pretreated Woman with Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Case Report
Authors: Nettuno Raffaele , Menditto Carmine
Published: July 2018

Eribulin, a non-taxane inhibitor of microtubule dynamics, is approved for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer patients after progression with anthracyclines and taxanes. Nevertheless, to our knowledge, information on its use in dialytic patients is not available to date. This report describes the case of a chemo-pretreated dialytic woman with lung, bone, and liver metastasis from breast cancer, who experienced stable disease with a response < 20% with eribulin in fifth line after 3 hormonal lines and 1 chemotherapy line. This case suggests the feasibility and good tolerability of eribulin in this peculiar setting.
Effects of MicroRNA-494 on Astrocyte Proliferation and Synaptic Remodeling in the Spinal Cord of a Rat Model of Chronic Compressive Spinal Cord Injury by Regulating the Nogo/Ngr Signaling Pathway
Authors: Wang Yuan , Sun Jing-Chuan , Wang Hai-Bo , Xu Xi-Ming , Yang Yong , Kong Qing-Jie , Shi Jian-Gang
Published: July 2018

Background/Aims: Chronic compression of the spinal cord causes the loss of motor neurons in the anterior horn, but the precise and extensive mechanism for the loss is not completely determined. Therefore, this study aims to explore the role of microRNA-494 (miR-494) in the proliferation of astrocytes and in the synaptic remodeling in the spinal cord of a rat model of chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) by regulating the Nogo/NgR signaling pathway. Methods: A rat model of chronic, compressive SCI was established, and the spinal cord state, blood supply changes, and astrocyte apoptosis were observed. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting were used to detect expression of miR-494 and the Nogo/NgR signaling pathway-related genes. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used for detecting miR-494 expression and distribution. Results: Higher miR-494 expression was accompanied by the inhibition of astrocyte proliferation and synaptic remodeling. In addition, CDK6 could be regulated by miR-494 and was shown to be one of the target genes of miR-494. Positive expression of miR-494 detected by FISH was consistent with the results from RT-qPCR that miR-494 could downregulate CDK6 gene expression. Moreover, the direct miR-494 target CDK6 plays important inhibitory roles in chronic SCI by suppressing the Nogo/ NgR signaling pathway. Conclusions: The results demonstrated that miR-494 inhibition can promote astrocyte proliferation and synaptic remodeling by suppressing the Nogo/NgR signaling pathway in a rat model of chronic SCI.
Introdução elementar às técnicas do calculo diferencial e integral
Authors:   Universidade de São Paulo. Instituto de Física, Carneiro Carlos E. I. , Prado Carmen P. C. ,   Universidade de São Paulo. Instituto de Física, Salinas Silvio R. A. ,   Universidade de São Paulo. Instituto de Física
Published: July 2018

Em sua primeira edição, esse livro pretendia apresentar as ideias básicas do cálculo diferencial e integral aos estudantes do primeiro ano dos cursos de física e engenharia. Definir o que é essencial não é tarefa fácil e alguns tópicos importantes não foram incluídos na primeira edição. Na segunda edição, foi acrescentada uma seção sobre as funções logaritmo e exponencial, que aparecem de forma essencial e intensiva na física, na matemática e na engenharia, e algumas técnicas apresentadas na obra para a "resolução de integrais". No final, foram acrescentadas listas de exercícios para cada capítulo e suas soluções respectivas, e algumas destas são apresentadas, em detalhes, nos apêndices. As listas não são extensivas e visam apenas verificar se os conceitos básicos foram bem assimilados. ​E, nesta terceira edição, completamos a introdução às equações diferenciais, iniciada na segunda edição, acrescentando uma seção sobre equações diferenciais de osciladores amortecidos e forçados. Dessa forma, esperamos cobrir uma parte razoável dos requisitos de cálculo para os cursos de física básica
FONKSİYONEL MALİYE TEMELİNDE KAMU BORÇLANMASI VE İKTİSADİ BÜYÜME ARASINDAKİ İLİŞKİNİN EKONOMETRİK ANALİZİ: TÜRKİYE ÖRNEĞİ
Authors: GÜVEN Ayşegül , OSKAY Cansel
Published: July 2018

Keynes’in Genel Teori’sinden yola çıkarak, Abba P. Lerner’in öne sürdüğü fonksiyonel maliye yaklaşımında, maliye politikası değerlendirmelerinin, mali araçların ekonomik etkilerine ve sonuçlarına bakılarak yapılması gerektiği savunulmaktadır. Fonksiyonel maliye yaklaşımına göre vergilemeye, kamu harcamalarını finanse etmek için değil, devlet parasına talep yaratmak için başvurulmaktadır. Yine bir maliye politikası aracı olarak kamu borçlanmasına sınırlama getirilmemesi gerektiği ve toplam talep ile toplam hasıla uyumlu olduğu sürece kamu borcu seviyesinin bir önemi olmadığı vurgulanmaktadır. Fonksiyonel maliye yaklaşımında fiyat istikrarı ile tam istihdamın eş zamanlı sağlanmasında devlete aktif bir rol verilmektedir. Fonksiyonel maliyenin temel argümanlarından olan kamu borçlanmasının, ekonomik büyüme olumsuz etkilemediğini sınamak bu çalışmanın temel amacıdır. Bu bağlamda 1990-2016 dönemi için Türkiye özelinde, ekonomik büyüme ile kamu borçlanması arasındaki nedensellik ilişkisi test edilmiştir. Granger nedensellik analizi kullanılarak yapılan testlerin sonuçları, fonksiyonel maliye yaklaşımının öngörülerini doğrular niteliktedir. Elde edilen bulgular, kamu borçlanması ile ekonomik büyüme arasında bir nedensellik ilişkisi olduğunu ortaya koymaktadır.
TYPIFICATIONS IN CHROMOLAENA AND PRAXELIS (ASTERACEAE: EUPATORIEAE)
Authors: CHRIST ANDERSON LUIZ , RITTER MARA REJANE
Published: July 2018

The genera Chromolaena Candolle (1836: 133) and Praxelis Cassini (1826: 261) (Asteraceae: Eupatorieae) were both segregated from Eupatorium Linnaeus (1753: 836) in 1970 (King & Robinson 1970a, 1970b). Despite several taxonomic studies (including new combinations and typifications) since then, there are still countless names that need to be typified. As a result of our ongoing taxonomic treatment of both genera in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, we propose here five lectotypes and one neotype in Chromolaena and one lectotype in Praxelis.
Molecular Phylogeny of the Ficus auriculata Complex (Moraceae)
Authors: ZHANG LI-FANG , ZHANG ZHEN , WANG XIAO-MEI , GAO HAI-YAN , TIAN HUAI-ZHEN , LI HONG-QING
Published: July 2018

The closely related species of the genus Ficus with continuous variation have been confusing taxonomists, co-evolutionary researchers, and other related scientists. The boundary between species in the complex of F. auriculata, F. oligodon, F. hainanensis, F. beipeiensis, and F. variegata is still unclear. To clarify this problem, the nuclear loci ITS and G3pdh; chloroplast loci trnH-psbA, trnL-trnF, trnS-trnG, and psbK-psbI; and 15 pairs of SSR markers were used to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationship and clarify the species boundaries. The results of the present study indicated that F. variegata should be an independent species in Ficus sect. Sycomorus subsect. Neomorphe, which together with F. auriculata, F. oligodon, F. hainanensis, and F. beipeiensis compose a monophyletic group. The last four species of this complex are with small genetic distances, shared haplotypes, and overlapped geographic distribution, and should be treated as a single species.
Neolinocarpon phayaoense sp. nov. (Linocarpaceae) from Thailand
Authors: SENWANNA CHANOKNED , PHOOKAMSAK RUNGTIWA , BAHKALI ALI H. , ELGORBAN ABDALLAH M. , CHEEWANGKOON RATCHADAWAN , HYDE KEVIN D.
Published: July 2018

A new species of Neolinocarpon, N. phayaoense was found on a branch of Hevea brasiliensis in northern Thailand. The new species is introduced in this paper, with evidence from morphology and phylogenetic analyses. Descriptions, illustrations and notes are provided for the new taxon. Maximum-likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses of a combined LSU and ITS sequence data clarified the phylogenetic affinity in Neolinocarpon, with the species separated from Linocarpon in Linocarpaceae. Neolinocarpon is morphologically distinct from Linocarpon in having immersed ascomata.
Three new taxa of the genus Cechetra Zolotuhin & Ryabov, 2012 (Lepidoptera, Sphingidae) from South-East Asia with notes on other species of the genus
Authors: IVSHIN NIKOLAY , KRUTOV VADIM , ROMANOV DENIS
Published: July 2018

Two new species and one subspecies of the genus Cechetra Zolotuhin & Ryabov, 2012 are described from South-East Asia. Cechetra bryki sp.n. is described from Nepal, Myanmar (Burma), southwestern China and northern Vietnam. This species is most closely related in habitus, male genitalia morphology and COI mtDNA to the sympatric species, C. lineosa (Walker, 1856) and C. scotti (Rothschild, 1920) in habitus, male genitalia morphology and COI mtDNA. Cechetra inconspicua sp.n. is described from Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo and Sumatra. In habitus, it is closest to C. lineosa and C.subangustata (Rothschild, 1920), but its COI mtDNA (COI-5P “barcode region”) is very different from all other species in the genus. Cechetra subangustata continentalis ssp.n. is described from continental Indochina and Taiwan. It differs from the nominotypical subspecies in habitus. Cechetra scotti comb. nov. is transferred to Cechetra from Cechenena Rothschild & Jordan, 1903.
First record and a new species of the fossil dragonfly genus Proinogomphus (Odonata: Liassogomphidae) from the Early Jurassic of Bascharage in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
Authors: BECHLY GÜNTER
Published: July 2018

A new species of fossil dragonfly, Proinogomphus kreuzerorum sp. nov. (Liassogomphidae), is described from the Early Jurassic black shale of Bascharage in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, based on a very well-preserved isolated female hind wing. This genus was previously only known from the Liassic of Braunschweig region in Germany, and is here recorded for the first time for this fossil locality. The classification of the family Liassogomphidae Tillyard, 1935 and the genus Proinogomphus Cowley, 1942 is briefly discussed and the diagnosis of the latter is emended.
Molecular phylogenetic analysis of the catfish species Auchenoglanis occidentalis (Valenciennes, 1840) (Pisces: Claroteidae) from Lake Turkana in East Africa: taxonomic implications
Authors: OKWIRI BRIAN , CAO LIANG , NYINGI DOROTHY WANJA , ZHANG E.
Published: July 2018

Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences of two specimens here recognized as Auchenoglanis occidentalis from Lake Turkana in the Ethiopian section were determined. A COI gene-based phylogenetic analysis was performed for these along with sequences of African catfish species from the family Clarotidae available in GenBank. Based on results of this analysis, it is concluded that (1) the currently identified A. occidentalis is a species complex that includes several distinct species; (2) the Niger River basin harbors two distinct species of Auchenoglanis, one of which occurs in Lake Turkana, as well as A. biscutatus; and (3) A. sacchii is likely a valid species, but it is not the endemic species of Lake Turkana. It is suggested here that species diversity of Auchenoglanis requires further study based on molecular and morphological evidence.
Assessing Decision Timing and Seasonal Climate Forecast Needs of Winter Wheat Producers in the South-Central United States
Authors: Klemm Toni , McPherson Renee A.
Published: July 2018

Agricultural decision-making that adapts to climate variability is essential to global food security. Crop production can be severely impacted by drought, flood, and heat, as seen in recent years in parts of the United States. Seasonal climate forecasts can help producers reduce crop losses, but many nationwide, publicly available seasonal forecasts currently lack relevance for agricultural producers, in part because they do not reflect their decision needs. This study examines the seasonal forecast needs of winter wheat producers in the southern Great Plains to understand what climate information is most useful and what lead times are most relevant for decision-making. An online survey of 119 agricultural advisers, cooperative extension agents in Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, and Colorado, was conducted and gave insights into producers’ preferences for forecast elements, what weather and climate extremes have the most impact on decision-making, and the decision timing of major farm practices. The survey participants indicated that winter wheat growers were interested not only in directly modeled variables, such as total monthly rainfall, but also in derived elements, such as consecutive number of dry days. Moreover, these agricultural advisers perceived that winter wheat producers needed seasonal climate forecasts to have a lead time of 0–2.5 months—the planning lead time for major farm practices, like planting or harvesting. A forecast calendar and monthly rankings for forecast elements were created that can guide forecasters and advisers as they develop decision tools for winter wheat producers and that can serve as a template for other time-sensitive decision tools developed for stakeholder communities.
Assessment of Radiative Forcing by Light-Absorbing Particles in Snow from In Situ Observations with Radiative Transfer Modeling
Authors: McKenzie Skiles S. , Painter Thomas H.
Published: July 2018

It is well established that episodic deposition of dust on mountain snow reduces snow albedo and impacts snow hydrology in the western United States, particularly in the Colorado Rockies, which are headwaters for the Colorado River. Until recently the snow observations needed to physically quantify radiative forcing (RF) by dust on snow were lacking, and analysis of impacts used a semiempirical relationship between snow optical properties and observed surface reflectance. Here, we present a physically based daily time series of RF by dust and black carbon (BC) in snow at Senator Beck Basin Study Area, Colorado. Over the 2013 ablation season (March–May), a snow–aerosol radiative transfer model was forced with near daily measured snow property inputs (density, effective grain size, and dust/BC concentrations) and validated with coincidentally measured spectral albedo. Over the measurement period, instantaneous RF by dust and BC in snow ranged from 0.25 to 525 W m−2, with daily averages ranging from 0 to 347 W m−2. Dust dominated particulate mass, accounting for more than 90% of RF. The semiempirical RF values, which constitute the continuous long-term record, compared well to the physically based RF values; over the full time series, daily reported semiempirical RF values were 8 W m−2 higher on average, with a root-mean-square difference of 16 W m−2.
The Role of Accelerator Designs in Mitigating Bounded Rationality in New Ventures
Authors: Cohen Susan L. , Bingham Christopher B. , Hallen Benjamin L.
Published: July 2018

Using a nested multiple-case study of participating ventures, directors, and mentors of eight of the original U.S. accelerators, we explore how accelerators’ program designs influence new ventures’ ability to access, interpret, and process the external information needed to survive and grow. Through our inductive process, we illuminate the bounded-rationality challenges that may plague all ventures and entrepreneurs—not just those in accelerators—and identify the particular organizational designs that accelerators use to help address these challenges, which left unabated can result in suboptimal performance or even venture failure. Our analysis revealed three key design choices made by accelerators—(1) whether to space out or concentrate consultations with mentors and customers, (2) whether to foster privacy or transparency between peer ventures participating in the same program, and (3) whether to tailor or standardize the program for each venture—and suggests a particular set of choices is associated with improved venture development. Collectively, our findings provide evidence that bounded rationality challenges new ventures differently than it does established firms. We find that entrepreneurs appear to systematically satisfice prematurely across many decisions and thus broadly benefit from increasing the amount of external information searched, often by reigniting search for problems that they already view as solved. Our study also contributes to research on organizational sponsors by revealing practices that help or hinder new venture development and to emerging research on the lean start-up methodology by suggesting that startups benefit from engaging in deep consultative learning prior to experimentation.
Incidence of Vestibular Schwannoma in Taiwan from 2001 to 2012: A Population-Based National Health Insurance Study
Authors: Koo Malcolm , Lai Jen-Tsung , Yang Edward Yih-Liang , Liu Tien-Chen , Hwang Juen-Haur
Published: July 2018

Objectives:

Vestibular schwannomas, also known as acoustic neuromas, are slow-growing tumors that may lead to asymmetric hearing loss, unilateral tinnitus, and vertigo. Population-based data are lacking regarding the incidence of vestibular schwannoma in Asian populations. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of vestibular schwannoma in Taiwan using data from a population-based health claim database.

Subjects and Methods:

Patients aged 20 years and over with incident cases of vestibular schwannoma between January 1, 2001, and December 31, 2012, were identified from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2000 of the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD), Taiwan, based on the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) code 225.1. Only those patients who had received a magnetic resonance imaging scan prior to the diagnosis of vestibular schwannoma were considered as definitive cases.

Results:

206 cases of vestibular schwannoma were identified during the interval 2001 to 2012. The overall annual incidence was 2.66 per 100 000 persons (95% confidence interval, 2.32-3.05). The annual incidence rate varied throughout the study period, ranging from 1.74 to 3.72 per 100 000 persons. The highest incidence rate of 4.86 per 100 000 persons was observed in the age group of 60 to 69 years.

Conclusions:

Based on data from the NHIRD in Taiwan for the years 2001 to 2012, the average annual incidence rate of vestibular schwannoma was found to be 2.66 per 100 000 persons.
Impact of Delayed Oral Vancomycin for Severe Clostridium difficile Infection
Authors: Shah Sunish , Ereshefsky Benjamin , Pontiggia Laura , Cawley Michael
Published: July 2018

Background: Treatment of severe Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) with oral vancomycin (VAN) is known to be superior to treatment with metronidazole (MDZ). However, previous studies have not evaluated the impact on patients when oral VAN therapy is delayed after diagnosis of severe CDI. Materials and Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective study of adult patients who were diagnosed with severe CDI. The objective was to compare clinical outcomes for patients treated initially with oral VAN versus patients receiving delayed oral VAN after at least 48 hours of initial treatment with MDZ. The primary outcome was all-cause in-hospital mortality. Results: There were 101 patients who comprised the initial oral VAN group, while 20 patients comprised the delayed oral VAN group. There was no significant difference in all-cause in-hospital mortality for patients in the initial oral VAN treatment group compared to those who had delayed oral VAN therapy (4.95% vs 15.00%, P = 0.13). Patients who were initially treated with oral VAN experienced a significantly higher rate of clinical cure (49.50% vs 20.00%, P = 0.02), shorter median postinfection length of hospitalization (7.0 days vs 13.0 days, P < 0.001), shorter median time to resolution of leukocytosis (3.9 days vs 10.4 days, P = 0.01), and were less likely to have an end of treatment serum creatinine greater than 1.5 times their baseline (8.7% vs 29.4%, P = 0.03). Conclusion: Patients who receive oral VAN as their initial treatment for severe CDI experience improved clinical outcomes compared to patients receiving delayed oral VAN after being initially treated with MDZ.
Crowdsourced Measurement of Reaction Times to Audiovisual Stimuli With Various Degrees of Asynchrony
Authors: Bazilinskyy Pavlo , Winter Joost de
Published: July 2018

Objective:

This study was designed to replicate past research concerning reaction times to audiovisual stimuli with different stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA) using a large sample of crowdsourcing respondents.

Background:

Research has shown that reaction times are fastest when an auditory and a visual stimulus are presented simultaneously and that SOA causes an increase in reaction time, this increase being dependent on stimulus intensity. Research on audiovisual SOA has been conducted with small numbers of participants.

Method:

Participants ( N = 1,823) each performed 176 reaction time trials consisting of 29 SOA levels and three visual intensity levels, using CrowdFlower, with a compensation of US$0.20 per participant. Results were verified with a local Web-in-lab study ( N = 34).

Results:

The results replicated past research, with a V shape of mean reaction time as a function of SOA, the V shape being stronger for lower-intensity visual stimuli. The level of SOA affected mainly the right side of the reaction time distribution, whereas the fastest 5% was hardly affected. The variability of reaction times was higher for the crowdsourcing study than for the Web-in-lab study.

Conclusion:

Crowdsourcing is a promising medium for reaction time research that involves small temporal differences in stimulus presentation. The observed effects of SOA can be explained by an independent-channels mechanism and also by some participants not perceiving the auditory or visual stimulus, hardware variability, misinterpretation of the task instructions, or lapses in attention.

Application:

The obtained knowledge on the distribution of reaction times may benefit the design of warning systems.
What Professionals Want: Union and Employer Tactics in Representation Elections of Professional Workers
Authors: Aleks Rachel
Published: July 2018

Using matched data from an original survey administered to organizers throughout the United States and election reports from the National Labor Relations Board, the author analyzes organizing campaigns of professional and non-professional workers. Professional workers have long been thought of as difficult to organize, yet they are strategically important to unions given their growing numbers in today’s economy. The author assesses whether unions and employers use different approaches in their organizing drives for professionals. An interactive model is used to test whether professionals’ distinct identity moderates the effect of common determinants of a representation election on the election outcome. The results show the benefit of an interactive model, as it highlights the importance of developing a campaign strategy unique to the group being organized.
‘Informal Exceptionalism?’ Labour Migrants’ Creative Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Livelihoods in Accra, Ghana
Authors: Oteng-Ababio Martin , Tanle Augustine , Amoah Samuel Twumasi , Kusi Louis , Kosoe Enoch Akwasi , Bagson Ernest
Published: July 2018

Intra- and inter-regional migration is widely described. Prior studies have attribute varied reasons for this development including the quest for greener pastures and unequal development in northern Ghana. What has escaped critical scrutiny is some migrants’ ability to escape extreme rural poverty, albeit in harsh urban environment. Such a missing gap can potentiate high policy failures, hence the need for academic attention. Using a mixed method, we focus on two informal daily livelihoods as exemplars – exceptionalism – in Accra. We see their embedded organisational vitality and dynamic networks as illuminating for good livelihood practices, proper city governance and fostering economic empowerment. We call on city authorities to take cognisance of such complexities and heterogeneity of production–labour relations, failure of which can spell doom for policies ostensibly initiated to curb migration, as they are likely to be underpinned by factual inaccuracies and may result in ill-fated interventions.
The ‘honeymoon effect’ and ‘gate fever’ in a secure forensic adolescent psychiatric hospital: Do they exist?
Authors: Riordan-Eva Elliott , Hill Simon A , Leipold Alexandra
Published: July 2018

There is limited research that comments on whether there are recurring patterns for incidents or significant events during inpatient admissions to psychiatric units. This is even more so the case for an adolescent population. This study looked at 30 consecutive female patient admissions to Bluebird House, a medium secure adolescent unit in the South of England, to identify whether both the ‘honeymoon effect’ (low incident rate in the first 28 days following admission) and ‘gate fever’ (high incident rate in the last 28 days prior to discharge) were identifiable phenomena. Analysis of the incident rate found that in our secure adolescent population, the number of incidents both in the first week and at the first 28 days was higher in comparison to the whole admission. We also did not find a consistent increase in incidents in the final 28 days of the admission.
Simulation of time series wind speed at an international airport
Authors: Wesonga Ronald , Nabugoomu Fabian , Ababneh Faisal , Owino Abraham
Published: July 2018

The sporadic and unstable nature of wind speed renders it very difficult to predict accurately to serve various decisions, such as safety in the air traffic flow and reliable power generation system. In this study we assessed the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) and artificial neural network (ANN) models on the wind speed time series problem. Data on wind speed and minimum and maximum temperatures were evaluated. Wind speed was established to follow a time series that fluctuated around ARIMA (0,1,1) and ARIMA (1,1,1). The optimal ANN model was established at 10 hidden neurons. The performance indices considered all indicated that the ANN wind speed model was superior to the ARIMA model. Wind speed prediction accuracy can be improved to secure the safety of air traffic flow as well support the implementation of a reliable and secure power generation system at the airport.
Questioning the mental health effects of community-based interventions: evaluation of a women empowerment programme
Authors: Hoss Juliane M , Blokland Linda E , Weierstall Roland
Published: July 2018

This study conducted an empirical evaluation of a pre-existing women empowerment community programme purporting to address negative consequences of traumatic experiences and gender-based violence while facilitating posttraumatic growth. It was conducted in Tembisa, a South African township, with 103 women aged 18–56 ( M = 27.77, SD = 8.29). The women were assessed before the start of the programme. A 3-month follow-up assessed 70 women: 39 in the intervention group, 31 in the control group. Factors assessed included demographic information, traumatic experiences, depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire–9), and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD Symptoms Scale–Interview for DSM-5). Results on the mental health measures indicated the general need for a programme supporting the women in coping with their challenges due to poverty, unemployment, and inequality in the community. Results suggested that the programme had little or even negative influence on the women’s functionality and mental health symptoms. The strong focus on traumatic experiences of the women empowerment programme seems to be inadequate for the specific needs of this target group. This article argues against the implementation of interventions without tailoring them to the specific needs of the target populations. A collaboration between researchers and practitioners is recommended to adequately pursue the goals of such programmes.
Sun Yat-sen as Guofu: Competition over Nationalist Party Orthodoxy in the Second Sino-Japanese War
Authors: Du Yue
Published: July 2018

This article explores the significance of the cult of Sun Yat-sen, often referred to as “Father of the [modern Chinese] Nation” 國父 (Guofu), for Nationalist state-building in China. Although Sun Yat-sen’s title of Guofu was formalized only in 1940 as a result of competition over Nationalist Party (Guomindang, GMD) orthodoxy between opposing Nationalist regimes in Chongqing and Nanjing during the Second Sino-Japanese War, the term reflected the ongoing importance of Sun’s legacy in securing political legitimacy in the Chinese Republic. Overall, the GMD promulgated state-sponsored veneration of the Guofu to justify its political tutelage in the name of parental guardianship over the Chinese people. Yet Sun’s legacy allowed for multiple interpretations, which complicates any effort to lock this legacy to one political purpose. The development of different elements of the Guofu’s legacy by competing wartime regimes shows how it failed to provide a truly unifying tool for political legitimation.
An adaptive fault tolerant neuro-fuzzy based proportional-integral controller for a nonlinear system
Authors: Zhou Yimin
Published: July 2018

In this paper, an adaptive proportional-integral controller based on a fuzzy relational model is developed for the purpose of fault tolerant control in a nonlinear, information-poor system. First, the methods of fault tolerant control are briefly introduced. An air-cooling subsystem in a heating, ventilating and air-conditioning system is used as an example to describe the fuzzy relational modelling procedure. Then a proportional-integral (PI) observer is established for fault identification and a PI-based adaptive controller is designed for fault tolerance with varied parameter adjusting. By introducing the fault estimation, an adaptive mechanism is adopted to update the parameter selection in the control scheme. Sensor noise is also considered in the method and simulation experiments are performed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
Non-smooth convex Lyapunov functions for stability analysis of fractional-order systems
Authors: Muñoz-Vázquez Aldo-Jonathan , Parra-Vega Vicente , Sánchez-Orta Anand
Published: July 2018

Based on proximal subdifferentials and subgradients, and instrumented with an extended Caputo differintegral operator, the stability analysis of a general class of fractional-order nonlinear systems is considered by means of non-smooth but convex Lyapunov functions. This facilitates concluding the Mittag–Leffler stability for fractional-order systems whose solutions are not necessarily differentiable in any integer-order sense. As a solution to the problem of robust command of fractional-order systems subject to unknown but Lebesgue-measurable and bounded disturbances, a unit-vector-like integral sliding mode controller is proposed. Numerical simulations are conducted to highlight the reliability of the proposed method in the analysis and design of fractional-order systems closed by non-smooth robust controllers.
Education in Northern Ireland: Does it meet the needs of gifted students?
Authors: McGrath Patricia
Published: July 2018

This study focuses on education at primary and secondary level in Northern Ireland and questions whether it meets the needs of gifted students. Gifted students from Mensa were questioned about their experiences in school, and the majority of students stated that they did not have sufficient challenge in school, or any type of differentiation in classes, and the preferred form of differentiation was more demanding work in class, followed by fast-paced classes with older, advanced students.
Rhythmic auditory stimulation for reduction of falls in Parkinson’s disease: a randomized controlled study
Authors: Thaut Michael H , Rice Ruth R , Braun Janzen Thenille , Hurt-Thaut Corene P , McIntosh Gerald C
Published: July 2018

Objective:

To test whether rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS) training reduces the number of falls in Parkinson’s disease patients with a history of frequent falls.

Design:

Randomized withdrawal study design.

Subjects:

A total of 60 participants (aged 62–82 years) diagnosed with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (Hoehn and Yahr stages III or IV) with at least two falls in the past 12 months.

Intervention:

Participants were randomly allocated to two groups and completed 30 minutes of daily home-based gait training with metronome click–embedded music. The experimental group completed 24 weeks of RAS training, whereas the control group discontinued RAS training between weeks 8 and 16.

Main measures:

Changes in clinical and kinematic parameters were assessed at baseline, weeks 8, 16, and 24.

Results:

Both groups improved significantly at week 8. At week 16—after the control group had discontinued training—significant differences between groups emerged including a rise in the fall index for the control group ( M = 10, SD = 6). Resumption of training reduced the number of falls so that group differences were no longer significant at week 24 ( Mexperimental = 3, SD = 2.6; Mcontrol = 5, SD = 4.4; P > 0.05). Bilateral ankle dorsiflexion was significantly correlated with changes in gait, fear of falling, and the fall index, indicating ankle flexion as a potential kinematic mechanism RAS addresses to reduce falls.

Conclusion:

RAS training significantly reduced the number of falls in Parkinson’s disease and modified key gait parameters, such as velocity and stride length.
Failures in dual-task obstacle crossing could predict risk of future fall in independent ambulatory individuals with spinal cord injury
Authors: Amatachaya Sugalya , Srisim Kitiyawadee , Thaweewannakij Thiwabhorn , Arrayawichanon Preeda , Amatachaya Pipatana , Mato Lugkana
Published: July 2018

Objective:

To determine whether cognitive-motor interference using ability of dual-task obstacle crossing could predict a risk of fall in 90 ambulatory individuals with spinal cord injury.

Design:

Six-month prospective study.

Setting:

A rehabilitation center and community hospitals.

Subjects:

Independent ambulatory individuals with spinal cord injury.

Main outcome measures:

Subjects were interviewed and evaluated for personal characteristics, dual-task obstacle crossing ability, and functional ability using the 10 Meter Walk Test, Timed Up and Go Test, and Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test. Then they were prospectively monitored for fall data every month for six months in total.

Results:

A total of 90 chronic ambulatory individuals with spinal cord injury with an average age of 52.51 ± 13.43 years, who mostly had mild lesion severity ( n = 71, 79%) and walked with a walking device ( n = 54, 60%) completed in the study. More than one-third of the subjects ( n = 32, 36%) failed in dual-task obstacle crossing. The failures were obviously associated with the fall (unadjusted odds ratio = 7.07, P < 0.002, power = 1.000).

Conclusion:

Cognitive-motor interference is important for ambulatory individuals with spinal cord injury, as it could detect those with low functional ability and risk of future falls.
Sensual Light? Subjective Dimensions of Ambient Illumination
Authors: Albertazzi Liliana , Canal Luisa , Chisté Paolo , Micciolo Rocco , Zavagno Daniele
Published: July 2018

This work concerns the subjective impression of perceived illumination. The purpose of the study is to test attributes expressing qualitative experiences referring to ambient lighting that can be applied as descriptors. Seventy participants viewed an actual model room, with the fourth wall removed (viewing booth). Walls, floor, and ceiling were achromatic. Two achromatic cubes were placed inside the room: One was a reflectance increment to the walls, the other a decrement. The room was illuminated by two different light sources, Artificial Daylight (D65) or Tungsten Filament (F), the order of which was randomized across participants. The participants’ task was to evaluate ambient illumination for each light source. A semantic differential method was employed with 27 pairs of adjectives on 1 to 7 rating scales, categorized in three groups: characteristics of atmosphere, time, and cross-modal. Only the ratings of nine pairs of adjectives were not influenced by the type of illumination. The most differentiated couples under different illuminants were hot/cold and modern/old, but large differences also appeared with the following couples: hard/soft, technological/primitive, summery/wintry, warm/cool, sensual/frigid, natural/artificial, and hospitable/inhospitable. The hypothesis that there would be consistency among the subjects in evaluations of the characteristics tested and that these would be differently perceived under different illuminants was confirmed. The results show that it is possible to identify subjective perceived illumination as a phenomenon endowed with specific filling-in qualities and that as a perceptual experience it can be categorized, with implications for application in architecture and design.
The hidden heritage of Arab libraries: Online catalogs and institutional barriers to discoverability
Authors: Kurzman Charles , Martin John D.
Published: July 2018

Advances in technology have made access to information about library holdings a seemingly universal feature of interaction with modern libraries. However, this type of access does not exist evenly throughout the world. There is a vast “hidden heritage” contained in Arab libraries without online public access catalogs. This article reports and summarizes findings from research conducted as part of a year-long investigation into international library collaboration in Arab libraries. The research included: (a) a survey of online presence for Arab libraries, (b) a survey of Arab librarians, and (c) focused panel discussions with Arab librarians and library scholars. This study finds that the relatively small online presence of libraries cannot be explained by material factors alone: institutional factors also play an important role in keeping information about library collections offline.
Impacts on Vehicle Occupancy and Airport Curb Congestion of Transportation Network Companies at Airports
Authors: Hermawan Karina , Regan Amelia C.
Published: July 2018

How does the growth of transportation network companies (TNCs) at airports affect the use of shared modes and congestion? Using data from the 2015 passenger survey from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), and Oakland International Airport (OAK), this research analyzes TNCs’ relationship with shared modes (modes that typically have higher vehicle-occupancy and include public transit such as buses and light rail, shared vans or shuttles) and the demand for their shared vs. standard service at the airport. Because TNCs both replace shared rides and make them possible, the research also measured the net effects at these airports. The results suggest that in 2015, TNCs caused 215,000 and 25,000 passengers to switch from shared to private modes at SFO and OAK, respectively. By 2020, the increase is expected to be about 840,000 and 107,000 passengers per year, respectively.
Health Services Utilization Among Chinese American Older Adults: Moderation of Social Support With Functional Limitation
Authors: Wang Jinjiao , Kong Dexia , Sun Benjamin C. , Dong XinQi
Published: July 2018

In this study, we aimed to examine the relationship of social support with hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits among older Chinese adults in the United States and its possible mechanism. This was a secondary analysis of data from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly (July 2011-June 2013; N = 3,157). After adjusting for demographic, clinical, and functional covariates in logistic regression analyses, significant interaction between social support from spouse and the number of functional limitations in (instrumental) activities of daily living was related to lower odds of hospitalization (odds ratio [OR] = 0.97 [0.95-0.99]) and ED visits (OR = 0.98 [0.96-0.99]). This finding suggests that among older Chinese American adults with functional limitations, more spousal support was related to lower odds of hospitalizations and ED visits. Future studies should comprehensively measure social support (e.g., content, amount) from other sources and investigate how unnecessary acute health service utilization in this population may be reduced by social support interventions.
Risk estimation and multivariate statistical analysis of the heavy metal content of drinking water samples
Authors: Jakhu Rajan , Mehra Rohit
Published: July 2018

Drinking water samples of Jaipur and Ajmer districts of Rajasthan, India, were collected and analyzed for the measurement of concentration of heavy metals. The purpose of this study was to determine the sources of the heavy metals in the drinking water. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used for the determination of the heavy metal concentrations, and for the statistical analysis of the data, principal component analysis and cluster analysis were performed. It was observed from the results that with respect to WHO guidelines, the water samples of some locations exceeded the contamination levels for lead (Pb), selenium (Se), and mercury (Hg), and with reference to the EPA guidelines, the samples were determined unsuitable for drinking because of high concentrations of Pb and Hg. Using multivariate statistical analysis, we determined that copper, manganese, arsenic, Se, and Hg were of anthropogenic origin, while Pb, copper, and cadmium were of geogenic origin. The present study reports the dominance of the anthropogenic contributions over geogenics in the studied area. The sources of the anthropogenic contaminants need to be investigated in a future study.