bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fisetin Protects Against Hepatic Steatosis Through Regulation of the Sirt1/AMPK and Fatty Acid β-Oxidation Signaling Pathway in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice
Authors: Liou Chian-Jiun , Wei Ciao-Han , Chen Ya-Ling , Cheng Ching-Yi , Wang Chia-Ling , Huang Wen-Chung
Published: September 2018

Background/Aims: Fisetin is a naturally abundant flavonoid isolated from various fruits and vegetables that was recently identified to have potential biological functions in improving allergic airway inflammation, as well as anti-oxidative and anti-tumor properties. Fisetin has also been demonstrated to have anti-obesity properties in mice. However, the effect of fisetin on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is still elusive. Thus, the present study evaluated whether fisetin improves hepatic steatosis in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice and regulates lipid metabolism of FL83B hepatocytes in vitro. Methods: NAFLD was induced by HFD in male C57BL/6 mice. The mice were then injected intraperitoneally with fisetin for 10 weeks. In another experiment, FL83B cells were challenged with oleic acid to induce lipid accumulation and treated with various concentrations of fisetin. Results: NAFLD mice treated with fisetin had decreased body weight and epididymal adipose tissue weight compared to NAFLD mice. Fisetin treatment also reduced liver lipid droplet and hepatocyte steatosis, alleviated serum free fatty acid, and leptin concentrations, significantly decreased fatty acid synthase, and significantly increased phosphorylation of AMPKα and the production of sirt-1 and carnitine palmitoyltransferase I in the liver tissue. In vitro, fisetin decreased lipid accumulation and increased lipolysis and β-oxidation in hepatocytes. Conclusion: This study suggests that fisetin is a potential novel treatment for alleviating hepatic lipid metabolism and improving NAFLD in mice via activation of the sirt1/AMPK and β-oxidation pathway.
Fucoidan Inhibits the Proliferation of Leiomyoma Cells and Decreases Extracellular Matrix-Associated Protein Expression
Authors: Chen Hsin-Yuan , Huang Tsui-Chin , Lin Li-Chun , Shieh Tzong-Ming , Wu Chi-Hao , Wang Kai-Lee , Hong Yong-Han , Hsia Shih-Min 
Published: September 2018

Background/Aims: Uterine leiomyomas (ULs) are benign uterine tumors, and the most notable pathophysiologic feature of ULs is excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM). Fucoidan is a polysaccharide extracted from brown seaweeds that has a wide range of pharmacological properties, including anti-fibrotic effects. We aimed to study the effect of fucoidan on the growth of ULs activated by transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ). Methods: We used ELT-3 (Eker rat leiomyoma tumor-derived cells) and HUtSMC (human uterine smooth muscle cells) as in vitro models. Cell viability was determined by the MTT assay. Cell colony formation was stained using crystal violet. The side population, cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed using flow cytometry. Protein expression was assayed by western blot analysis. We also conducted in vivo experiments to confirm the inhibitory effects of fucoidan in nude mouse xenograft models. Tumor tissues were assayed by immunohistochemistry analysis. Results: In our study, fucoidan caused a 50% growth inhibition using a dose of 0.5 mg/ml and decreased the stem cell activity after 48 h. In addition, fucoidan induced sub-G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Fucoidan down-regulated fibronectin, vimentin, α-SMA and the COL1A1 protein levels in TGFβ3-induced ELT-3 cells. In the cellular mechanism, fucoidan abrogated TGFβ3-induced levels of p-Smad2 and p-ERK1/2, as well as β-catenin translocation into the nucleus. Furthermore, fucoidan suppressed xenograft tumor growth in vivo. Conclusion: Fucoidan displays anti-proliferation and anti-fibrotic effects and exerts protective effects against ULs development.
Unmet Needs in Appendiceal Neuroendocrine Neoplasms
Authors: Toumpanakis Christos , Fazio Nicola , Tiensuu Janson Eva , Hörsch Dieter , Pascher Andreas , Reed Nicholas , O'Toole Dermot , Nieveen van Dijkum Els , Partelli Stefano , Rinke Anja , Kos-Kudla Beata , Costa Frederico , Pape Ulrich-Frank , Grozinsky-Glasberg Simona , Scoazec Jean-Yves ,   The ENETS 2016 Munich Advisory Board Participants
Published: September 2018

Appendiceal neuroendocrine neoplasms (ANEN) are mostly discovered coincidentally during appendicectomy and usually have a benign clinical course; thus, appendicectomy alone is considered curative. However, in some cases, a malignant potential is suspected, and therefore additional operations such as completion right hemicolectomy are considered. The existing European Neuroendocrine Tumour Society (ENETS) guidelines provide useful data about epidemiology and prognosis, as well as practical recommendations with regards to the risk factors for a more aggressive disease course and the indications for a secondary operation. However, these guidelines are based on heterogeneous and retrospective studies. Therefore, the evidence does not seem to be robust, and there are still unmet needs in terms of accurate epidemiology and overall prognosis, optimal diagnostic and follow-up strategy, as well as identified risk factors that would indicate a more aggressive surgical approach at the beginning and a more intense follow-up. In this review, we are adopting a critical approach of the ENETS guidelines and published series for ANEN, focusing on the above-noted “grey areas”.
A genese dos tumores: uma hipotese de trabalho
Authors: Azevedo Luiz Geraldo Rocha
Published: September 2018

O autor lança uma nova hipótese sobre a gênese dos tumores admitindo que são devidos a conjugações celulares, que iriam condicionar a enorme energia de crescimento observada nos tumores; para tanto é necessário admitir a possibilidade de uma mutaçãpo de células somáticas em germinativas.
Genealogia do psíquico. Sobre A transcendência do ego–esboço de uma descrição fenomenológica, de Jean-Paul Sartre
Authors: Carrasco Alexandre de Oliveira Torres
Published: September 2018

O texto que segue é a segunda parte de um estudo sobre A Transcendência do Ego, esboço de uma descrição fenomenológica, de J.-P. Sartre. O objeto é a concepção sartriana do ego, em referência às tradições cratesiana e fenomenológica. A primeira parte desse estudo foi publicada nos Cadernos Espinosanos, vol. XXVIII, em agosto de 2013.
Tricentenário do nascimento de Diderot (1713-2013)
Authors: Souza Maria das Graças De
Published: September 2018

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Arte, afeto fundamental e transcendência teológica em Heidegger
Authors: Pasqualin Chiara
Published: September 2018

O objetivo do artigo é explorar a reflexão heideggeriana sobre a arte nos Beiträge zur Philosophie, escrito que oferece uma perspectiva inaudita sobre o pensamento do filósofo no período posterior ao da Ontologia Fundamental, notadamente no que diz respeito à arte e à técnica.
O livre jogo da linguagem poética em Friedrich Schlegel
Authors: Faustino Silvia
Published: September 2018

O artigo analisa o papel da linguagem como instância de livre jogo na reflexão poética de Friedrich Schlegel, detendo-se principalmente em seus fragmentos.
Filosofia e literatura nas Afinidades Eletivas de Goethe
Authors: Silva Arlenice Almeida da
Published: September 2018

O texto examina as relações entre filosofia e literatura no Romance "As afinidades eletivas", de Goethe.
A fisiologia e seu discurso
Authors: Fragelli Isabel Coelho
Published: September 2018

Trata-se de examinar, a partir do livro La physiologie des Lumières, de François Duchesneau, a inserção da fisiologia no quadro da filosofia moderna, em especial no período de transição do paradigma cartesiano para o newtoniano, na virada do século XVII para o XVIII.
A representação na mônada: expressão e ideias inatas em Leibniz
Authors: Kontic Sacha Zilber
Published: September 2018

Trata-se de analisar o conceito leibniziano de ideia expressiva a partir da noção de expressão como uma relação de ordem entre dois ou mais elementos distintos para demonstrar como, com ela, Leibniz constrói uma crítica à concepção da representação na percepção como imitação ou cópia de um original. Buscamos assim entender em qual sentido a defesa de uma concepção inatista das ideias permite com que o autor alemão considere que tanto Descartes quanto Locke sejam vítimas do mesmo erro em relação às suas noções de percepção.
No Differences in Levels of Circulating Progenitor Endothelial Cells or Circulating Endothelial Cells Among Patients Treated With Ticagrelor Compared With Clopidogrel During Non–ST‐Segment–Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Diego‐Nieto Alejandro , Vidriales Maria B. , Alonso‐Orcajo Norberto , Moreno‐Samos Jose C. , Martin‐Herrero Francisco , Carbonell Raul , Cid Belen , Cruz‐Gonzalez Ignacio , Martin‐Moreiras Javier C. , Cuellas Carlos , Pascual Cristina , Lopez‐Benito Maria , Sanchez Pedro L. , Fernandez‐Vazquez Felipe , de Prado Armando Perez
Published: September 2018

Background

Ticagrelor use during acute coronary syndromes demonstrated a decrease in all‐cause mortality in the
PLATO
(Platelet Inhibition and Patient Outcomes) trial. This effect has been attributed to a non–platelet‐derived improvement in endothelial function. The aim of this study was to determine differences in the number of endothelial progenitor cells and/or circulating endothelial cells found in peripheral blood in patients treated with either ticagrelor or clopidogrel during non–ST‐segment–elevation myocardial infarction.

Methods and Results

In this multicenter, randomized study (
NCT
02244710), patients were considered for inclusion after non–ST‐segment–elevation myocardial infarction whenever they were P2Y
12
‐inhibitor naïve. Ticagrelor and clopidogrel were allocated at a 1:1 ratio. Blood samples for determining endothelial progenitor cells and circulating endothelial cells were extracted before the antiplatelet loading dose, 48 hours after presentation of index symptoms, and 1 month after the event. A multichannel cytometer was used for optimal cell characterization. A total of 96 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Circulating endothelial cell levels corrected by white blood cells were as follows at baseline, 48 hours, and 1 month: 44 (28–64), 50 (33–63), and 38 (23–62) cells/mL, respectively, for clopidogrel and 38 (29–60), 45 (32–85), and 35 (24–71) cells/mL, respectively, for ticagrelor (
P
=0.6). Endothelial progenitor cell levels were 29 (15–47), 27 (15–33), and 18 (10–25) cells/mL, respectively, for clopidogrel and 20 (11–33), 22 (12–32), and 18 (11–29) cells/mL, respectively, for ticagrelor (
P
=0.9). No differences in intraindividual changes were found.

Conclusions

Patients treated with ticagrelor during non–ST‐segment–elevation myocardial infarction, in comparison to clopidogrel, showed similar levels of endothelial progenitor cells and circulating endothelial cells. These data suggest that the endothelial protective effect mediated by ticagrelor is not related to bone marrow physiology modulation.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier:
NCT
02244710.
The Impact of Climate Change on the Water Balance of Oil Sands Reclamation Covers and Natural Soil Profiles
Authors: Alam Md. Shahabul , Barbour S. Lee , Elshorbagy Amin , Huang Mingbin
Published: September 2018

The design of reclamation soil covers at oil sands mines in northern Alberta, Canada, has been conventionally based on the calibration of soil–vegetation–atmosphere transfer (SVAT) models against field monitoring observations collected over several years, followed by simulations of long-term performance using historical climate data. This paper evaluates the long-term water balances for reclamation covers on two oil sands landforms and three natural coarse-textured forest soil profiles using both historical climate data and future climate projections. Twenty-first century daily precipitation and temperature data from CanESM2 were downscaled based on three representative concentration pathways (RCPs) employing a stochastic weather generator [Long Ashton Research Station Weather Generator (LARS-WG)]. Relative humidity, wind speed, and net radiation were downscaled using the delta change method. Downscaled precipitation and estimated potential evapotranspiration were used as inputs to simulate soil water dynamics using physically based models. Probability distributions of growing season (April–October) actual evapotranspiration (AET) and net percolation (NP) for the baseline and future periods show that AET and NP at all sites are expected to increase throughout the twenty-first century regardless of RCP, time period, and soil profile. Greater increases in AET and NP are projected toward the end of the twenty-first century. The increases in future NP at the two reclamation covers are larger (as a percentage increase) than at most of the natural sites. Increases in NP will result in greater water yield to surface water and may accelerate the rate at which chemical constituents contained within mine waste are released to downstream receptors, suggesting these potential changes need to be considered in mine closure designs.
Impacts of Atmospheric Rivers on Precipitation in Southern South America
Authors: Viale Maximiliano , Valenzuela Raúl , Garreaud René D. , Ralph F. Martin
Published: September 2018

This study quantifies the impact of atmospheric rivers (ARs) on precipitation in southern South America. An AR detection algorithm was developed based on integrated water vapor transport (IVT) from 6-hourly CFSR reanalysis data over a 16-yr period (2001–16). AR landfalls were linked to precipitation using a comprehensive observing network that spanned large variations in terrain along and across the Andes from 27° to 55°S, including some sites with hourly data. Along the Pacific (west) coast, AR landfalls are most frequent between 38° and 50°S, averaging 35–40 days yr−1. This decreases rapidly to the south and north of this maximum, as well as to the east of the Andes. Landfalling ARs are more frequent in winter/spring (summer/fall) to the north (south) of ~43°S. ARs contribute 45%–60% of the annual precipitation in subtropical Chile (37°–32°S) and 40%–55% along the midlatitude west coast (37°–47°S). These values significantly exceed those in western North America, likely due to the Andes being taller. In subtropical and midlatitude regions, roughly half of all events with top-quartile precipitation rates occur under AR conditions. Median daily and hourly precipitation in ARs is 2–3 times that of other storms. The results of this study extend knowledge of the key roles of ARs on precipitation, weather, and climate in the South American region. They enable comparisons with other areas globally, provide context for specific events, and support local nowcasting and forecasting.
Tornadogenesis in the 12 May 2010 Supercell Thunderstorm Intercepted by VORTEX2 near Clinton, Oklahoma
Authors: Markowski Paul M. , Hatlee Timothy P. , Richardson Yvette P.
Published: September 2018

The 12 May 2010 supercell thunderstorm intercepted by the Second Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment (VORTEX2) is analyzed during a time period of strong low-level rotation in which dual-Doppler radar observations were collected. Two different cyclonic vortices are documented. The first vortex was “marginally tornadic” before abruptly weakening, following the development of a descending reflectivity core (DRC) similar to those that have been documented in past studies of supercells. The second vortex rapidly developed immediately north of the DRC shortly after the DRC reached low altitudes, and was associated with a tornado that produced damage near Clinton, Oklahoma. The paper explores the possible roles of the first vortex in triggering the DRC, the DRC in the subsequent initiation of a new updraft pulse on its flank, and the updraft pulse on the development of the second, stronger vortex. The Clinton storm case is, unfortunately, a nice example of the challenges in predicting tornadogenesis within supercell storms even in environments understood to be favorable for tornadoes.
Analyzing Tropical Cyclone Structures during Secondary Eyewall Formation Using Aircraft In Situ Observations
Authors: Wunsch Katharine E. D. , Didlake Anthony C.
Published: September 2018

The dynamical mechanisms for secondary eyewall formation (SEF) in tropical cyclones (TCs) are not yet fully understood. Most hypotheses for SEF rely on the early presence of persistent and widespread rainband convection outside of the primary eyewall. This convection eventually coalesces into a secondary eyewall through both axisymmetric and asymmetric processes, but the extent and importance of these dynamical processes and their associated convective structures remain unclear. This study examines the evolution of axisymmetric and asymmetric structures in a composite analysis of Atlantic TCs from 1999 to 2015 using aircraft reconnaissance observations from the Extended Flight-Level Dataset for Tropical Cyclones (FLIGHT+). Compared to intensifying TCs that did not experience SEF, TCs undergoing SEF showed axisymmetric broadening of the outer wind field in the tangential wind and angular momentum profiles before SEF. Thermodynamic observations indicated features consistent with strengthening eyewall convection. We also analyzed TCs in shear-relative quadrants to examine the evolution of asymmetric kinematic and thermodynamic structures during SEF. Utilizing a new normalization technique based on the radii of both eyewalls, we isolated the structures surrounding the secondary eyewall before and during SEF. Using this technique, we found that kinematic structures of the developing secondary eyewall were most prominent in the left-of-shear half, and the thermodynamic structures of the secondary eyewall became more axisymmetric during SEF. Asymmetries developed in the primary eyewall thermodynamics as it decayed. Understanding the evolution of these observed structures characteristic to SEF will improve our ability to predict SEF and the resulting changes in TC intensity and structure.
Consecration as a Population-Level Phenomenon
Authors: Accominotti Fabien
Published: September 2018

We tend to think of consecration as something happening to individuals: We say that someone has been consecrated when they have been declared a saint, inducted into a hall of fame, or presented with a lifetime achievement award. The present article explores the analytical payoffs of looking at consecration as a population-level phenomenon, that is, as the delineation of clear-cut divides between the chosen and the rest in a population of candidates. This approach, I argue, brings out the unique character of consecration as an abstract process of status formation: It enhances the perceived worth of the consecrated, not by confirming that they are individually worthy, but by asserting the existence in a field of a reliable hierarchy of worthiness. A population-level approach also implies that consecrating institutions derive some of their authority from the forcefulness of the divides they draw between elected individuals and others. The article shows how this explains some of the salient features of retrospective consecration projects. To make these points I analyze cases of consecration in a variety of empirical domains, from politics to the arts, sports, and religion.
Trends in the Incidence and In-Hospital Outcomes of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Complicated by Non-ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Ogunbayo Gbolahan O. , Messerli Adrian W. , Ha Le Dung , Elbadawi Ayman , Olorunfemi Odunayo , Darrat Yousef , Guglin Maya , Okwechime Remi , Akanya Deborah , Abdel-Latif Ahmed , Smyth Susan S. , Elayi Claude S.
Published: September 2018

Atrial fibrillation (AF) can present with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). The incidence, characteristics, outcomes, and treatment of this subgroup of patients with AF remains poorly studied. Using data from the National Inpatient Sample database, we (1) compared baseline characteristics of patients with AF with/without NSTEMI, (2) evaluated their outcomes and associated trends over the study period (2004-2013), and (3) evaluated revascularization (by percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass graft [CABG]) and the impact on patient outcomes. Of the 3 923 436 patients admitted with a primary diagnosis of AF, 47 785 (1.2%) had a secondary diagnosis of NSTEMI. In this subgroup with AF and NSTEMI, there was a significant trend toward a decrease in mortality ( P = .002), stroke ( P < .001), and gastrointestinal bleeding ( P < .001) during the study period. Compared to unrevascularized patients, revascularized patients were more likely to be younger (72.2 ± 10.2 vs 77.0 ± 11.8 years old, P < .001), male (57.8 vs 42.7%, P < .001), and had a much higher incidence of coronary risk factors. Revascularization was associated with increased survival in multivariable analysis (odds ratio: 0.562, 95% confidence interval: 0.334-0.946, P = .03). In conclusion, among patients admitted with AF, 1.2% were diagnosed with NSTEMI. A minority of patients with AF and NSTEMI underwent revascularization and had better in-hospital outcomes.
Interstate Distribution and Sectoral Composition of FDI Inflows in India
Authors: K. Febina , Kattookaran Thomas Paul
Published: September 2018

Foreign direct investment (FDI) refers to obtaining the ownership in a foreign business entity. It can also be attributed that FDI circulates capital across national boundaries. It can be defined as an investor based in one country (home country), acquires an asset in another country (host country), with the intention to manage it. It is this dimension of management that distinguishes FDI from portfolio investment in foreign stocks and other financial instruments. For a terribly populated country like India, a good quantum of resource is needed to fund its various developmental needs, which the country does not have. To strengthen its infrastructure, expertise and knowledge base, FDI is inevitable. Realizing these facts, the government is now moulding a robust business environment to smoothen the flow of FDI. An interstate comparison of FDI in India makes it quite apparent that there exists huge variations in the inflow of FDI to different states. While some regions like Delhi, Bombay, etc. receive soaring flow of FDI, it is very stumpy in regions like Patna, Guwahati, etc. An overview on the sectoral distribution of foreign investment discloses the wide disparity in the distribution of foreign capital among various sectors. While some sectors like service, construction, etc. receive elevated flow of foreign capital, others lie fully ignored by the foreign investors.

JEL Classification: F21, F23, F63, O10
Understanding the ideology of the Swedish tax-paid school meal
Authors: Persson Osowski Christine , Fjellström Christina
Published: September 2018

Background:

Children are provided with food at school in various ways. In Sweden, free school lunches are provided to all children of compulsory school age. Internationally, Sweden is fairly unique in this sense, which makes the country an important example to study and reflect upon.

Objective:

This article aims to describe the welfare ideology that underpins the provision of school meals in Sweden.

Setting:

Schools in Sweden.

Method:

The ideological underpinnings of the free school lunches provided in Sweden are described using the Seven Elements of Public Meals framework, which comprises the elements of welfare, health, sustainability, learning, social environment, physical environment and food.

Results:

Our findings suggest that school meal provision in Sweden is seen as a universal welfare service and a part of public health work. Meals are to be sustainable and are regarded as a learning occasion. The importance of the social and physical environment is accentuated, and when it comes to the quality of the food served, the school meal has improved over the years.

Conclusion:

The choice of food in schools is increasingly expected to be guided by personal choice. However, the privilege of being served a shared free school meal comes at the cost of less individual choice.
Behavioral Adaptations to Lane Keeping Systems: Effects of Exposure and Withdrawal
Authors: Miller Erika E. , Boyle Linda Ng
Published: September 2018

Objective:

A driving simulator study was conducted to evaluate the longitudinal effects of an intervention and withdrawal of a lane keeping system on driving performance and cognitive workload.

Background:

Autonomous vehicle systems are being implemented into the vehicle fleet. However, limited research exists in understanding the carryover effects of long-term exposure.

Methods:

Forty-eight participants (30 treatment, 18 control) completed eight drives across three separate days in a driving simulator. The treatment group had an intervention and withdrawal of a lane keeping system. Changes in driving performance (standard deviation of lateral position [SDLP] and mean time to collision [TTC]) and cognitive workload (response time and miss rate to a detection response task) were modeled using mixed effects linear and negative binomial regression.

Results:

Drivers exposed to the lane keeping system had an increase in SDLP after the system was withdrawn relative to their baseline. Drivers with lane keeping had decreased mean TTC during and after system withdrawal compared with manual drivers. There was an increase in cognitive workload when the lane keeping system was withdrawn relative to when the system was engaged.

Conclusion:

Behavioral adaptations in driving performance and cognitive workload were present during automation and persisted after the automation was withdrawn.

Application:

The findings of this research emphasize the importance to consider the effects of skill atrophy and misplaced trust due to semi-autonomous vehicle systems. Designers and policymakers can utilize this for system alerts and training.
Repertoires of political participation: Macroeconomic conditions, socioeconomic resources, and participation gaps in Europe
Authors: Quaranta Mario
Published: September 2018

The European economic crisis has stimulated a great deal of research linking contextual macroeconomic conditions and political outputs, as conventional and unconventional political participation. Nevertheless, such research has often treated forms of political participation as independent from each other, overlooking how citizens can choose from combinations of political actions to influence politics in contexts with varying levels of macroeconomic performance. This article, instead, focuses on two common forms of participation – voting and protesting – and studies whether engagement in “repertoires” of participation – the “disengaged” (abstaining and not protesting), the “duty-based” (voting and not protesting), the “protest” (abstaining and protesting), and the “all-round” (voting and protesting) repertoires – varies according to countries’ macroeconomic conditions in Europe in 30 countries over time. This article also considers that the effect of macroeconomic conditions on repertoires of participation might depend on citizens’ socioeconomic resources – such as education, employment status, and income – with consequences for participation gaps or inequalities. Using multilevel models and data from seven rounds of the European Social Survey, this article shows that in contexts where macroeconomic conditions are worse, the probability of engaging in the “protest” repertoire increases, while the probability of engaging in the other three repertoires does not depend on the economy. In addition, the article finds that participation gaps narrow in the “disengaged” and “duty-based” repertoires in contexts with poorer macroeconomic performance, while the gaps in the “protest” and “all-round” repertoires do not change across contexts with different economic conditions.
Institutional Completeness and Crime Rates in Immigrant Neighborhoods
Authors: Kubrin Charis E. , Kim Young-An , Hipp John R.
Published: September 2018

Objectives:

A growing body of research finds that immigration has a null or negative association with neighborhood crime rates. We build on this important literature by investigating the extent to which one theory, institutional completeness theory, may help explain lower crime rates in immigrant communities across the Southern California region. Specifically, we test whether two key measures of institutional completeness—the presence of immigrant/ethnic voluntary organizations in the community and the presence and diversity of immigrant/ethnic businesses in the community—account for lower crime rates in some immigrant communities.

Method:

Compiling a tract-level data set utilizing various data sources, we estimate negative binomial regression models predicting violent and property crime levels that include measures of institutional completeness while controlling for a range of neighborhood correlates of crime. We also account for possible endogeneity by estimating instrumental variable models.

Results:

The results reveal very limited support for institutional completeness theory.

Conclusions:

Several possible explanations for these findings are discussed.
A Corpus-Based Exploration of the Discourse Marker Well in Spoken Interlanguage
Authors: Huang Lan-fen
Published: September 2018

This corpus-based study examines the widely-used discourse marker well in Chinese-speaking learners’ speech and compares its frequencies in native speaker data and Swedish learners. While Swedish learners overuse well, Chinese-speaking learners (predominantly at the upper-intermediate level) significantly underuse it. The positions and functions of well are further examined using a functional framework. One-fourth of the Chinese-speaking learners who use well manipulate its positions in utterances in a similar way to native speakers. In terms of functions, well is employed for speech management much more frequently than for attitudinal purposes. The greater use of the former does not generally create negative effects, but the under-representation of the latter may suggest that Chinese-speaking learners sound too direct in certain contexts. The paper concludes by considering pedagogical implications for different first languages and proficiency levels and their possible applications to the instruction of well.
Intergenerational Mobility at the Top of the Educational Distribution
Authors: Torche Florencia
Published: September 2018

Research has shown that intergenerational mobility is higher among individuals with a college degree than those with lower levels of schooling. However, mobility declines among graduate degree holders. This finding questions the meritocratic power of higher education. Prior research has been hampered, however, by the small samples of advanced degree holders in representative surveys. Drawing on a large longitudinal data set of PhD holders—the Survey of Doctorate Recipients—this study examines intergenerational mobility among the American educational elite, separately for men and women and different racial/ethnic groups. Results show substantial mobility among PhD holders. The association between parents’ education and adult children’s earnings is moderate among men and nonexistent among women with doctoral degrees. However, women’s earnings converge to an average level that is much lower than men’s, signaling ‘‘perverse openness’’ for women even at the top of the educational distribution. Among men, there is variation in mobility by race and ethnicity. The intergenerational socioeconomic association is null for Asian men, small for white and black men, and more pronounced for Hispanics. Educational and occupational mediators account for intergenerational association among blacks and whites but not Hispanic men. A doctoral degree largely detaches individuals from their social origins in the United States, but it does not eliminate all sources of inequality.
Understanding Institutions without Collective Acceptance?
Authors: Mäkelä Pekka , Hakli Raul , Amadae S. M.
Published: September 2018

Francesco Guala has written an important book proposing a new account of social institutions and criticizing existing ones. We focus on Guala’s critique of collective acceptance theories of institutions, widely discussed in the literature of collective intentionality. Guala argues that at least some of the collective acceptance theories commit their proponents to antinaturalist methodology of social science. What is at stake here is what kind of philosophizing is relevant for the social sciences. We argue that a Searlean version of collective acceptance theory can be defended against Guala’s critique and question the sufficiency of Guala’s account of the ontology of the social world.
Share, Show, and Tell: Group Discussion or Simulations Versus Lecture Teaching Strategies in a Research Methods Course
Authors: Linneman Judith A.
Published: September 2018

Impacts of incorporating active learning pedagogies into a lecture-based course were examined among 266 students across nine research methods course sections taught by one instructor at a large public university. Pedagogies evaluated include lecture only, lecture with small group discussions, and lecture with simulations. Although lecture-simulations sections outperformed lecture-only sections on one outcome measure, few performance differences appeared between lecture-only and alternative groups. Even when controlling eight variables potentially affecting performance, active learning components provided little measurable learning benefit. Student appraisals of instructor effectiveness were generally favorable, and students preferred the lecture-only format to the lecture-discussion format. Despite calls to reduce reliance on lecturing, these data suggest introducing active learning into lecture-based courses may not consistently enhance achievement. Perhaps discussions and simulations were too few or too short in duration to yield significant learning advantages. Course content and instructor style and experience likely confound effects of teaching methodology on achievement.
Guarding against dispassion for doctors in the NHS
Authors: Das Archik , Charlton Rodger
Published: September 2018

Compassion has always been a vital component of healthcare anywhere in the world. With numerous definitions in a variety of contexts, it cannot simply be prescribed, measured or given in a bottle. When our patients are ill, great attention is paid to the verbal and non-verbal communication presented by a doctor and the manner in which they are delivered. However, with an ever-growing demand on the NHS workforce, numerous patient surveys across the UK have accused doctors for lacking compassion in their practice, amid the strains of their modern-day commitments. The concept of being caring to our patients is highlighted from the first walks of medical school or indeed any healthcare professional’s training programme, meaning that patients will always be our prime audience for compassion. Yet, so often in medical training, it is emphasised how important it is to demonstrate a personal detachment between oneself and the patient and not to get too emotionally involved. So despite numerous challenges, how do we find the correct balance to optimise our day-to-day service and stay sensitive to the needs of our patients? This article reflects upon compassion from multiple perspectives in the NHS pertinent to doctors of all settings and experience levels, exploring the barriers, internal conflicts and facilitators of its delivery. We examine the objective evidence of measures that have been put in place to overcome these challenges and summarise key considerations to optimise the enablement of a workforce to deliver compassion at universally higher standards in future practice.
Giant left atrium with left lung damage: a case report
Authors: Yang Mingfeng , Zhang Lan
Published: September 2018

Giant left atrium is most commonly associated with rheumatic mitral valve disease, causing a series of cardiac and extracardiac complications. Cardiac complications are often reported, such as atrial fibrillation, decreased cardiac output, and atrial thrombus formation. Extracardiac complications are rarely described in the literature. We report an unusual case of a 55-year-old woman who was diagnosed with rheumatic heart disease 20 years earlier. Her chief complaints were episodes of chest tightness and difficulty breathing, which she had for more than 30 years. Echocardiography showed severe mitral stenosis with severe mitral insufficiency. Contrast-enhanced chest CT showed that the left thoracic cavity was occupied by a giant left atrium. The left main bronchus was compressed, and the left lung showed complete consolidation without pulmonary function.
Low-Level Automated Light-Duty Vehicle Technologies Provide Opportunities to Reduce Fuel Consumption
Authors: Vasebi Saeed , Hayeri Yeganeh M. , Samaras Constantine , Hendrickson Chris
Published: September 2018

Gasoline is the main source of energy used for surface transportation in the United States. Reducing fuel consumption in light-duty vehicles can significantly reduce the transportation sector’s impact on the environment. Implementation of emerging automated technologies in vehicles could result in fuel savings. This study examines the effect of automated vehicle systems on fuel consumption using stochastic modeling. Automated vehicle systems examined in this study include warning systems such as blind spot warning, control systems such as lane keeping assistance, and information systems such as dynamic route guidance. We have estimated fuel savings associated with reduction of accident and non-accident-related congestion, aerodynamic force reduction, operation load, and traffic rebound. Results of this study show that automated technologies could reduce light-duty vehicle fuel consumption in the U.S. by 6% to 23%. This reduction could save $60 to $266 annually for the owners of vehicles equipped with automated technologies. Also, adoption of automated vehicles could benefit all road users (i.e., conventional vehicle drivers) up to $35 per vehicle annually (up to $6.2 billion per year).
Unrevealed Preferences: Unexpected Traveler Response to Pricing on Managed Lanes
Authors: Burris Mark W. , Brady John F.
Published: September 2018

This paper addresses priced managed lane corridors, on which travelers may choose to pay a toll to travel on the managed lanes (MLs) to realize generally faster, more reliable travel than on the adjacent, toll-free general purpose lanes (GPLs). These lanes exist in many cities across the United States and are becoming more common as transportation agencies look for innovative ways to increase capacity and regulate demand for their roadways. Commonly, demand for these lanes is modeled assuming travelers choose between the MLs and GPLs primarily based on the cost and time savings of the MLs. Although the traffic and revenue forecasts generated by these models have generally succeeded in estimating revenue, newly available empirical data from Katy Freeway and North Tarrant Express shows these models fail to capture how individual drivers make decisions. Most travelers on those freeways were not choosing—they always used the same lane regardless of travel time and toll. Travelers that used both sets of lanes often made choices that appeared counter-intuitive based on travel time savings and toll rate. This research provides a preliminary investigation into this issue, which calls into question all prior ML travel-behavior research.
Classification of Distracted Driving Based on Visual Features and Behavior Data using a Random Forest Method
Authors: Yao Ying , Zhao Xiaohua , Du Hongji , Zhang Yunlong , Rong Jian
Published: September 2018

This research is to explore the relationship between a driver’s visual features and driving behaviors of distracted driving, and a random forest (RF) method is developed to classify driving behaviors and improve the accuracy of detecting distracted driving. Drivers were required to complete four distraction tasks while they followed simulated vehicles in the experiment. In data analysis, the features of distracted driving behaviors are first described, and the visual data are classified into three distraction levels based on the AttenD algorithm. Based on the collected data, this paper shows the relationship between visual features and driving behavior. Significant differences are discovered between different distraction tasks and distraction levels. Additionally, driving behavior data is used to build an RF model to classify distracted driving into three levels. Results demonstrate that this model is feasible to capture the classification of distraction and its accuracy for each distraction task is over 90%. Areas under receiver operating characteristic curve calculated through error-correcting output codes are mainly around 0.9, indicating good reliability. With this classification method, distraction levels could be classified with vehicle operation characteristics. The model established by this method could detect distractions in actual driving through the detection of driving behavior without the need of eye tracking systems.
Using National Performance Management Research Data Set for Corridor Performance Measures: A US-281N Corridor Case Study
Authors: Pandey Venktesh , Juri Natalia Ruiz
Published: September 2018

The National Performance Management Research Data Set (NPMRDS), made available by Federal Highway Administration in 2013, provides fine-resolution travel-time data, which have been used in numerous network performance management and operations applications. This article discusses corridor-level performance measures computed using the NPMRDS. Three measures are analyzed on a 20.2-mile long corridor in San Antonio, Texas, including corridor travel time, corridor travel-time reliability, and day-to-day variation in travel time. The primary contributions of this article are the analysis of the impact of using two different approaches for travel-time aggregation across segments—instantaneous and time-dependent approaches—and defining a mean absolute error-based method to identify days when travel times significantly deviate from typical traffic conditions. The findings suggest that the temporal patterns of corridor travel times obtained using instantaneous and time-dependent aggregation approaches are similar; however, instantaneous travel-time estimates lead to inaccuracies that become more apparent during peak hours and for longer segments. In addition, it is found that a [Formula: see text]-means clustering analysis performed on daily travel-time profiles provides a useful statistic for corridor performance analysis. Using this methodology, 9.23% of weekdays in the 20-month study period are classified as atypical for the corridor. The numerical results reinforce the value of the NPMRDS in estimating corridor performance measures and highlight potential limitations of traditional techniques for evaluating corridor performance measures when applied in practice to support enhanced traffic planning and operations.
Applying Spatial Aggregation Methods to Identify Opportunities for New Bus Services in London
Authors: Viggiano Cecilia , Koutsopoulos Haris N. , Wilson Nigel H.M. , Attanucci John
Published: September 2018

Innovative analyses of origin–destination (OD) data derived from automatic fare collection and automatic vehicle location systems in public transport networks enable planners to gain new insights into how passengers travel in the network and the quality of service provided, and can even inform decisions about network improvements. Particularly in large, complex networks, systematic, data-driven approaches to network evaluation and planning are essential. New methodologies are needed to transform OD data into informative metrics and planning recommendations. This paper proposes a framework for this process and applies it to London’s public transport network. Though there are many ways to improve public transport networks, this paper focuses on the addition of new bus routes to reduce circuity. The proposed framework includes three steps that combine OD-level analysis with spatial aggregation methodologies for the identification of corridors for new bus services. First, bus stops and rail stations were clustered into geographic zones. Second, a subset of zonal OD pairs with circuitous service were identified as candidates for improvement through new bus routes, based on performance standards established with user-defined parameters. Third, an algorithm that clusters OD pairs into corridors was applied to identify promising corridors for new bus services. This paper discusses corridors identified for new services in the London case study.
Tensile and flexural properties of natural fiber reinforced polymer composites: A review
Authors: Khan Mohammad ZR , Srivastava Sunil K , Gupta MK
Published: September 2018

In recent years, researchers and scientists are facing problems in terms of environmental imbalance and global warming owing to numerous use of composite materials prepared by synthetic fibers and petrochemical polymers. Hence, an increasing attention has been devoted to the research and development of polymer composites reinforced with the natural fibers. The natural fibers are the most suitable alternative of synthetic fibers due to their biodegradability, eco-friendliness and acceptable mechanical properties. The natural fibers are attracting the researchers and scientists to exploit their properties by amalgamating them with the polymer. The properties of natural fiber reinforced polymer composites mainly depend upon various factors such as properties of fibers and matrices, fiber loading percentage, size and orientation of fibers, stacking sequences, degree of interfacial bonding, fiber surface treatments, hybridization and incorporation of additives and coupling agents. Tensile and flexural tests are the most important investigations to predict the applications of the materials. A good number of research has been carried out on tensile and flexural properties of natural fiber reinforced polymer composites. In this paper, a review on tensile and flexural properties of natural fiber reinforced polymer composites in terms of effects of fiber weight fraction, geometry, surface treatments, orientations and hybridization is presented. Moreover, recent applications of natural fiber reinforced polymer composites are also presented in this study.
Establishing pyrolysis kinetics for the modelling of the flammability and burning characteristics of solid combustible materials
Authors: Yuen Anthony Chun Yin , Chen Timothy Bo Yuan , Yeoh Guan Heng , Yang Wei , Cheung Sherman Chi-Pok , Cook Morgan , Yu Bin , Chan Qing Nian , Yip Ho Lung
Published: September 2018

In this article, a generic framework was proposed to effectively characterise the pyrolysis kinetics of any household furniture materials. To examine the validity of this method, two wooden polymeric samples, (1) furniture plywood and (2) particle board, were experimented through thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses, as well as cone calorimetry. The framework comprises of three major parameterisation procedures including (1) using the Kissinger method for the initial approximation, (2) modification of modelling constants and (3) optimisation by comparisons with the experimental results. The finalised pyrolysis kinetics was numerically investigated through computational fluid dynamics simulation of the cone calorimeter. Numerical predictions were validated against the experimental data for three different cone radiation intensities. Good agreement was achieved between the computational and experimental results in terms of heat release rate, ignition time and burn duration. The proposed framework was capable of establishing quality pyrolysis kinetics that fully replicates the complex thermal decomposition of solid combustible materials.