bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impacts of Power Structure on Supply Chain with a Store Brand
Authors: Ma Weimin , Cheng Rong , Ke Hua
Published: June 2018

In a framework where both power structure and consumer heterogeneity (brand loyalty and different willingness-to-pay for perceived quality) count, we study six noncooperative games (two Stackerberg and one Nash games with and without a store brand) between a national-brand manufacturer and a store-brand retailer. Our results contribute to the theoretical literature on store brand in four aspects: (a) revealing that the mechanism whereby store brands alleviate double-marginalization problem varies with supply-chain power structures; (b) finding that it is the power manufacturer with a low-loyalty national brand that suffers most from the store brand entry; (c) finding that a category follower retailer is more inclined to introduce its store brand than a power one, and should optimally position its store brand close to the low-loyalty national brand supplied by a power manufacturer; (d) showing that the store brand may lead the manufacturer and the retailer to be trapped in the prisoners’ dilemma.
Lorentz-violating neutral-pion decays in isotropic modified Maxwell theory
Authors: Klinkhamer F. R.
Published: June 2018

We consider an extension of the Standard Model with isotropic non-birefringent Lorentz violation in the photon sector and restrict the discussion to the case of a “fast” photon with a phase velocity larger than the maximum attainable velocity of the quarks and leptons. With our conventions, this case corresponds to a negative Lorentz-violating parameter [Formula: see text] in the action. The decay rate of a neutral pion into two nonstandard photons is calculated as a function of the 3-momentum of the initial pion and the negative Lorentz-violating parameter [Formula: see text] of the final photons.
GROWTH TIME DEPENDENCE ON PHOTOELECTROCHEMICAL PROPERTY OF ZINC OXIDE NANORODS PREPARED BY HYDROTHERMAL SYNTHESIS
Authors: RATTANAWARINCHAI PRAPAKORN , KHEMASIRI NARATHON , JESSADALUK SUKITTAYA , CHANANONNAWATHORN CHANUNTHORN , HORPRATHUM MATI , KLAMCHUEN ANNOP , KAYUNKID NAVAPHUN , RAHONG SAKON , PHROMYOTHIN DARINEE , NUKEAW JITI
Published: June 2018

Here, the dependence of growth time on the growth behavior, morphology and photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties of ZnOnanorods (ZnO-NRs) as a photoanode are demonstrated. Vertical-aligned ZnO-NRs with [Formula: see text]-axis perpendicular to substrate were accomplished via seed-assisted hydrothermal technique at the growth time varying between 0.5 and 24[Formula: see text]h. Growth behaviors of ZnO-NRs can be described into three regimes, which consist of the nucleation stage, ZnO-NRs growth and saturation growth, respectively. ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) corresponding to the nucleation site occur at the growth time below 1[Formula: see text]h. Afterward, the growth regime of ZnO-NRs, which originated from the competition between the vertical and the lateral growth, is clearly observed, and leads to increase in length and diameter. The whole growth of ZnO-NRs is terminated after 16[Formula: see text]h, attributed to low amount of Zn[Formula: see text] and OH− supplied from growth solution. PEC measurement reveals the fast solar response and high photostability of ZnO-NRs. Additionally, the photoconversion efficiency ([Formula: see text] improves with the growth time of 4[Formula: see text]h and degrades for longer time due to the change of total surface area. The maximum [Formula: see text] of 0.13% at 0.63[Formula: see text][Formula: see text] is obtained for the growth time of 4[Formula: see text]h. Our results highlight that the growth time plays a crucial role in controlling growth behavior and the total surface area directly related with the PEC properties of ZnO-NRs.
Two new constructions of approximately mutually unbiased bases
Authors: Wang Gang , Niu Min-Yao , Fu Fang-Wei
Published: June 2018

Two orthonormal bases [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] of a [Formula: see text]-dimensional complex inner-product space [Formula: see text] are called mutually unbiased bases (MUBs) if and only if [Formula: see text] holds for all [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. The size of any set containing pairwise MUBs of [Formula: see text] cannot exceed [Formula: see text]. If [Formula: see text] is a power of a prime, then extremal sets containing [Formula: see text] MUBs are known to exist, which are called the complete MUBs of [Formula: see text]. We have not known whether there exist complete MUBs when [Formula: see text] is not a power of a prime so far. Therefore, many researchers focus their attention on approximately mutually unbiased bases (AMUB). In this paper, two new constructions of AMUB of [Formula: see text] are provided based on the mixed character sum of two special kinds of functions over finite fields.
Visually Augmented Audio-Tactile Graphics for Visually Impaired People
Authors: Götzelmann T.
Published: June 2018

Tactile graphics play an essential role in knowledge transfer for blind people. The tactile exploration of these graphics is often challenging because of the cognitive load caused by physiological constraints and their complexity. The coupling of physical tactile graphics with electronic devices offers to support the tactile exploration by auditory feedback. Often, these systems have strict constraints regarding their mobility or the process of coupling both components. Additionally, visually impaired people cannot appropriately benefit from their residual vision. This article presents a concept for 3D printed tactile graphics, which offers to use audio-tactile graphics with usual smartphones or tablet-computers. By using capacitive markers, the coupling of the tactile graphics with the mobile device is simplified. These tactile graphics integrating these markers can be printed in one turn by off-the-shelf 3D printers without any post-processing and allows us to use multiple elevation levels for graphical elements. Based on the developed generic concept on visually augmented audio-tactile graphics, we presented a case study for maps. A prototypical implementation was tested by a user study with visually impaired people. All the participants were able to interact with the 3D printed tactile maps using a standard tablet computer. To study the effect of visual augmentation of graphical elements, we conducted another comprehensive user study. We tested multiple types of graphics and obtained evidence that visual augmentation may offer clear advantages for the exploration of tactile graphics. Even participants with a minor residual vision could solve the tasks with visual augmentation more quickly and accurately.
Personal Informatics for Sport
Authors: Rapp Amon , Tirabeni Lia
Published: June 2018

Technological advances in wearable computing are changing the sports domain. A variety of Personal Informatics (PI) tools are starting to provide support and improve athletes’ performance in many sports. In this article, we interviewed 20 amateur and elite athletes of different disciplines, using an array of PI devices, to explore how sports, as well as athletes’ experience, are affected by such instruments. We discovered that amateur athletes present different patterns of usage compared to elite ones. Moreover, we found that elite athletes make sense of their data by exploiting the knowledge they have about their own body and sports practice. We then proposed four considerations for design that we believe should be explored in the future, to reflect on how self-tracking is changing our perspective on sports, and, by and large, on our everyday life.
Design and Evaluation of a Collaborative Virtual Environment (CoMove) for Autism Spectrum Disorder Intervention
Authors: Zhang Lian , Fu Qiang , Swanson Amy , Weitlauf Amy , Warren Zachary , Sarkar Nilanjan
Published: June 2018

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized in part by core deficits in social interaction and communication. A collaborative virtual environment (CVE), which is a computer-based, distributed, virtual space for multiple users to interact with one another and/or with virtual items, has the potential to support flexible, safe, and peer-based social interactions. In this article, we presented the design of a CVE system, called CoMove, with the ultimate goals of measuring and potentially enhancing collaborative interactions and verbal communication of children with ASD when they play collaborative puzzle games with their typically developing (TD) peers in remote locations. CoMove has two distinguishing characteristics: (i) the ability to promote important collaborative behaviors (including information sharing, sequential interactions, and simultaneous interactions) and to provide real-time feedback based on users’ game performance; as well as (ii) an objective way to measure and index important aspects of collaboration and verbal-communication skills during system interaction. A feasibility study with 14 pairs—7 ASD/TD pairs and 7 TD/TD pairs—was conducted to initially test the feasibility of CoMove. The results of the study validated the system feasibility and suggested its potential to index important aspects of collaboration and verbal communication.
MBE Growth and Optical Properties of GaN, InN, and A3 B5 Nanowires on SiC/Si(111) Hybrid Substrate
Authors: Reznik R. R. , Kotlyar K. P. , Ilkiv I. V. , Khrebtov A. I. , Soshnikov I. P. , Kukushkin S. A. , Osipov A. V. , Nikitina E. V. , Cirlin G. E.
Published: June 2018

The possibility of GaN, InN, and A3B5 nanowires MBE growth on a silicon substrate with a nanoscale SiC buffer layer has been demonstrated. Optical studies indicated a higher structural quality GaN NWs compared with the best structures of GaN NWs without silicon carbide buffer layer. The diameter of A3B5 NWs is smaller than diameter of similar NWs which were grown on a silicon substrate, because of higher lattice mismatch. In particular, InAs NWs diameter was evaluated as little as 10 nm, one of the smallest ever demonstrated for this NWs system.
Dynamic Power Splitting Strategy for SWIPT Based Two‐Way Multiplicative AF Relay Networks with Nonlinear Energy Harvesting Model
Authors: Wang Tianci , Lu Guangyue , Ye Yinghui , Ren Yuan
Published: June 2018

This paper investigates an energy‐constrained two‐way multiplicative amplify‐and‐forward (AF) relay network, where a practical nonlinear energy harvesting (NLEH) model is equipped at the relay to realize simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT). We focus on the design of dynamic power splitting (DPS) strategy, in which the PS ratio is able to adjust itself according to the instantaneous channel state information (CSI). Specifically, we first formulate an optimization problem to maximize the outage throughput, subject to the NLEH. Since this formulated problem is nonconvex and difficult to solve, we further transfer it into an equivalent problem and develop a Dinkelbach iterative method to obtain the corresponding solution. Numerical results are given to verify the quick convergence of the proposed iterative method and show the superior outage throughput of the designed DPS strategy by comparing with two peer strategies designed for the linear energy harvesting (LEH) model.
An Energy Efficient Two-Stage Supply Pressure Hydraulic System for the Downhole Traction Robot
Authors: Fang Delei , Shang Jianzhong , Yang Junhong , Wang Zhuo , Xue Yong , Wu Wei
Published: June 2018

The efficiency of hydraulic drive system has become one of the significant issues in mobile robot. In this paper, an energy efficient two-stage supply pressure hydraulic system is proposed to solve the energy waste in the one-stage supply pressure system of the downhole traction robot. This novel two-stage hydraulic system can match different pressure requirements of actuator by changing the modes of supply pressure, which is helpful to reduce the energy loss and improve the efficiency for traction robot. Based on the robot working principle, the load characteristics in different actuators are obtained and the shortage in traditional hydraulic system is analyzed. The novel hydraulic system which consists of a high-pressure source and a low-pressure source is designed, including the system structure and energy supply method. According to the energy flow process, energy loss models of the system and components are established to analyze energy-saving principle of the novel hydraulic system. The feasibility and efficiency of two-stage supply pressure system are verified by simulating the operating process of telescopic mechanism. Finally, the simulation shows that control precision of the novel system can reach 3.5 mm and the efficiency is increased to 59.53%, which can provide theoretical reference for design of hydraulic drive system in traction robot and the efficiency improvement of multiactuator mobile robot.
Effect of Liuzijue Exercise Combined with Elastic Band Resistance Exercise on Patients with COPD: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Wu Weibing , Liu Xiaodan , Li Peijun , Li Ning , Wang Zhenwei
Published: June 2018

Objectives. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Liuzijue exercise combined with elastic band resistance exercise on patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to provide a convenient, safe, and cost‐effective exercise. Methods. Subjects were randomly divided into the control group (CG), the Liuzijue exercise group (LG), and the Liuzijue exercise combined with elastic band resistance exercise group (LEG), with 20 patients in each group. The LG performed Liuzijue exercise six times a week (two exercise sessions in the hospital and four exercise sessions at home). The LEG includes Liuzijue exercise similar to the LG and elastic band resistance exercise three times a week, with elastic band exercise implemented after Liuzijue exercise. Spirometry, 6‐minute walking test (6MWT), 30‐second sit‐to‐stand test (30 s SST), handgrip strength test, and St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) were performed at baseline and at the end of intervention. Results. After six‐month intervention, the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (% predicted), 6‐minute walking distance (6MWD), 6MWD%pred, 30 s SST, and SGRQ were significantly improved in the intervention groups (p < 0.01) and handgrip strength was increased significantly in the LG and LEG (p = 0.03 and p = 0.001, respectively). Furthermore, improvements in 6MWD and SGRQ were distinguished in the intervention groups compared with the CG (p < 0.01). No difference was significant in all of the outcomes between the LG and the LEG. Conclusions. The intervention program of Liuzijue exercise combined with elastic band resistance exercise and Liuzijue exercise only has beneficial effects on COPD patients especially in the aspect of exercise capacity and quality of life.
Acoustic Signatures of the Phases and Phase Transitions in the Blume Capel Model with Random Crystal Field
Authors: Gulpinar Gul
Published: June 2018

Sound propagation in the Blume Capel model with quenched diluted single-ion anisotropy is investigated. The sound dispersion relation and an expression for the ultrasonic attenuation are derived with the aid of the method of thermodynamics of irreversible processes. A frequency-dependent dispersion minimum that is shifted to lower temperatures with rising frequency is observed in the ordered region. The thermal and sound frequency (ω) dependencies of the sound attenuation and effect of the Onsager rate coefficient are studied in low- and high-frequency regimes. The results showed that ωτ≪1 and ωτ≫1 are the conditions that describe low- and high-frequency regimes, where τ is the single relaxation time diverging in the vicinity of the critical temperature. In addition, assuming a linear coupling of sound wave with the order parameter fluctuations in the system and ε as the temperature distance from the critical point, we found that the sound attenuation follows the power laws α(ω,ε)~ω2ε-1 and α(ω,ε)~ω0ε1 in the low- and high-frequency regions, while ε→0. Finally, a comparison of the findings of this study with previous theoretical and experimental studies is presented and it is shown that a good agreement is found with our results.
Uterine Carcinosarcoma with Alpha-Fetoprotein-Producing Hepatoid Component: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Li Joshua J. X. , Lee Jacqueline H. S. , Chan Vicky T. C. , Yu Mei-yung
Published: June 2018

A 67-year-old woman presented with postmenopausal vaginal bleeding. Full body imaging demonstrated an intrauterine mass with deep myometrial invasion but no nodal or other metastatic disease. Uterine curettage was performed. Histologically, the tumor was an endometrioid adenocarcinoma with sarcomatous element and a hepatoid component, the latter was immunohistochemically positive for alpha-fetoprotein, HepPar-1, and arginase-1. The patient underwent total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Serum alpha-fetoprotein level decreased from 31896 ug/l preoperatively to 2063 ug/l postoperatively. Eight weeks later, a rise in serum alpha-fetoprotein was detected, and a biopsy-proven vaginal recurrence was diagnosed. Palliative chemotherapy led to tumor shrinkage and a concurrent decrease in the serum alpha-fetoprotein level. A rise in serum alpha-fetoprotein, refractory to second-line chemotherapy, was accompanied by subsequent development of ureteric obstruction, ascites, and radiological evidence of peritoneal metastases. This is an unusual case of uterine carcinosarcoma with an alpha-fetoprotein-producing hepatoid adenocarcinoma component. Serum alpha-fetoprotein level corresponds to disease recurrence and progression.
AIRank: Author Impact Ranking through Positions in Collaboration Networks
Authors: Zhang Jun , Hu Yan , Ning Zhaolong , Tolba Amr , Elashkar Elsayed , Xia Feng
Published: June 2018

Citation is a universally acknowledged way for scientific impact evaluation. However, due to its easy manipulability, simply relying on citation cannot objectively reflect the actual impact of scholars. Instead of citation, we utilize the academic networks, in virtue of their available and abundant academic information, to evaluate the scientific impact of scholars in this paper. Through the collaboration among scholars in academic networks, we notice an interesting phenomenon that scholars in some special positions can access more kinds of information and connect researchers from different groups to promote the scientific collaborations. However, this important fact is generally ignored by the existing approaches. Motivated by the observations above, we propose the novel method AIRank to evaluate the scientific impact of scholars. Our method not only considers the impact of scholars through the mutual reinforcement process in heterogeneous academic networks, but also integrates the structural holes theory and information entropy theory to depict the benefit that scholars obtain via their positions in the network. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of AIRank in evaluating the impact of scholars more comprehensively and finding more top ranking scholars with interdisciplinary nature.
Micro/Nanofiber with Hollow Silica Nanoparticles Thin-Film for Airborne Molecular Contaminants Real-Time Sensing
Authors: Niu Longfei , Zhou Guorui , Miao Xinxiang , Yuan Xiaodong , Kumar Rahul , Liu Hao , Jiang Yilan , Zou Xinshu , Zhou Hai , Lü Haibing
Published: June 2018

A novel chemical sensing approach detecting airborne molecular contaminants (AMCs) or compounds is demonstrated by using single-mode optical microfibre (OMF) coated with hollow silica nanoparticles (HSNs). The concentration of AMCs, which were volatilized on the surface of the tapered microfibre coated with HSNs, influences the transmission loss of the microfibre. Tapered OMF was fabricated using a high-precision electrically controlled setup, and coatings of HSNs were prepared by meniscus coating method. The transmission loss of three OMFs with different diameters and the same thick coating were tested to determine the relationship between AMC concentrations and transmission loss of coated OMFs. Experimental results showed that the transmission loss increases with increasing concentration of AMCs. The sensitivity for volatile simethicone was 0.0263 dB/mg/m3 obtained by the coated OMF with diameter of 2.5 μm, and the sensitivity values of coated OMF with diameters of 5 μm and 6 μm were 0.0024 and 0.0018 dB/mg/m3, respectively. Thus the proposed coated OMF can be used in enclosed space for AMCs sensing.
Research of Deceptive Review Detection Based on Target Product Identification and Metapath Feature Weight Calculation
Authors: Yuan Ling , Li Dan , Wei Shikang , Wang Mingli
Published: June 2018

It is widespread that the consumers browse relevant reviews for reference before purchasing the products when online shopping. Some stores or users may write deceptive reviews to mislead consumers into making risky purchase decisions. Existing methods of deceptive review detection did not consider the valid product review sets and classification probability of feature weights. In this research, we propose a deceptive review detection algorithm based on the target product identification and the calculation of the Metapath feature weight, noted as TM-DRD. The review dataset of target product is modeled as a heterogeneous review information network with the feature nodes. The classification method of graph is used to detect the deceptive reviews, which can improve the efficiency and accuracy of deceptive review detection due to the sparsity, imbalance of deceptive reviews, and the absence of category probability of feature weight calculation. The TM-DRD algorithm we proposed is validated on the real review dataset Yelp and compared with the SpEagle, NFC, and NetSpam algorithm. The experiment results demonstrate that the TM-DRD algorithm performs better than the other method with regard to the accuracy and efficiency.
Modeling Free Surface Flows Using Stabilized Finite Element Method
Authors: Garg Deepak , Longo Antonella , Papale Paolo
Published: June 2018

This work aims to develop a numerical wave tank for viscous and inviscid flows. The Navier-Stokes equations are solved by time-discontinuous stabilized space-time finite element method. The numerical scheme tracks the free surface location using fluid velocity. A segregated algorithm is proposed to iteratively couple the fluid flow and mesh deformation problems. The numerical scheme and the developed computer code are validated over three free surface problems: solitary wave propagation, the collision between two counter moving waves, and wave damping in a viscous fluid. The benchmark tests demonstrate that the numerical approach is effective and an attractive tool for simulating viscous and inviscid free surface flows.
Linear θ-Method and Compact θ-Method for Generalised Reaction-Diffusion Equation with Delay
Authors: Wu Fengyan , Wang Qiong , Cheng Xiujun , Chen Xiaoli
Published: June 2018

This paper is concerned with the analysis of the linear θ-method and compact θ-method for solving delay reaction-diffusion equation. Solvability, consistence, stability, and convergence of the two methods are studied. When θ∈[0,1/2), sufficient and necessary conditions are given to show that the two methods are asymptotically stable. When θ∈[1/2,1], the two methods are proven to be unconditionally asymptotically stable. Finally, several examples are carried out to confirm the theoretical results.
Comparison between High- and Low-Cost Transmission of Tele-Anesthesia in Japan
Authors: Sugawara Yoh , Miyashita Tetsuya , Mizuno Yusuke , Nagamine Yusuke , Miyazaki Tomoyuki , Kobayashi Ayako , Tojo Kentaro , Iketani Yasuhiro , Takaki Shunsuke , Goto Takahisa
Published: June 2018

Background. We previously reported a tele-anesthesia system that connected Sado General Hospital (SGH) to Yokohama City University Hospital (YCUH) using a dedicated virtual private network (VPN) that guaranteed the quality of service. The study indicated certain unresolved problems, such as the high cost of constantly using a dedicated VPN for tele-anesthesia. In this study, we assessed whether use of a best-effort system affects the safety and cost of tele-anesthesia in a clinical setting. Methods. One hundred patients were enrolled in this study. We provided tele-anesthesia for 65 patients using a guaranteed transmission system (20 Mbit/s; guaranteed, 372,000 JPY per month: 1 JPY = US$0.01) and for 35 patients using a best-effort system (100 Mbit/s; not guaranteed, 25,000 JPY per month). We measured transmission speed and number of commands completed from YCUH to SGH during tele-anesthesia with both transmission systems. Results. In the guaranteed system, anesthesia duration was 5780 min (88.9 min/case) and surgical duration was 3513 min (54.0 min/case). In the best-effort system, anesthesia duration was 3725 min (106.4 min/case) and surgical duration was 2105 min (60.1 min/case). The average transmission speed in the best-effort system was 17.3 ± 3.8 Mbit/s. The system provided an acceptable delay time and frame rate in clinical use. All commands were completed, and no adverse events occurred with both systems. Discussion. In the field of tele-anesthesia, using a best-effort internet VPN system provided equivalent safety and efficacy at a better price as compared to using a guaranteed internet VPN system.
Integrated Genomic Classification of Melanocytic Tumors of the Central Nervous System Using Mutation Analysis, Copy Number Alterations, and DNA Methylation Profiling
Authors: Griewank Klaus G. , Koelsche Christian , van de Nes Johannes A.P. , Schrimpf Daniel , Gessi Marco , Möller Inga , Sucker Antje , Scolyer Richard A. , Buckland Michael E. , Murali Rajmohan , Pietsch Torsten , von Deimling Andreas , Schadendorf Dirk
Published: June 2018

Purpose: In the central nervous system, distinguishing primary leptomeningeal melanocytic tumors from melanoma metastases and predicting their biological behavior solely using histopathologic criteria may be challenging. We aimed to assess the diagnostic and prognostic value of integrated molecular analysis.

Experimental Design: Targeted next-generation sequencing, array-based genome-wide methylation analysis, and BAP1 IHC were performed on the largest cohort of central nervous system melanocytic tumors analyzed to date, including 47 primary tumors of the central nervous system, 16 uveal melanomas, 13 cutaneous melanoma metastases, and 2 blue nevus–like melanomas. Gene mutation, DNA-methylation, and copy-number profiles were correlated with clinicopathologic features.

Results: Combining mutation, copy-number, and DNA-methylation profiles clearly distinguished cutaneous melanoma metastases from other melanocytic tumors. Primary leptomeningeal melanocytic tumors, uveal melanomas, and blue nevus–like melanoma showed common DNA-methylation, copy-number alteration, and gene mutation signatures. Notably, tumors demonstrating chromosome 3 monosomy and BAP1 alterations formed a homogeneous subset within this group.

Conclusions: Integrated molecular profiling aids in distinguishing primary from metastatic melanocytic tumors of the central nervous system. Primary leptomeningeal melanocytic tumors, uveal melanoma, and blue nevus–like melanoma share molecular similarity with chromosome 3 and BAP1 alterations, markers of poor prognosis. Clin Cancer Res; 24(18); 4494–504. ©2018 AACR.
Intra versus Inter Cross-resistance Determines Treatment Sequence between Taxane and AR-Targeting Therapies in Advanced Prostate Cancer
Authors: Lombard Alan P. , Liu Liangren , Cucchiara Vito , Liu Chengfei , Armstrong Cameron M. , Zhao Ruining , Yang Joy C. , Lou Wei , Evans Christopher P. , Gao Allen C.
Published: June 2018

Current treatments for castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) largely fall into two classes: androgen receptor (AR)-targeted therapies such as the next-generation antiandrogen therapies (NGAT), enzalutamide and abiraterone, and taxanes such as docetaxel and cabazitaxel. Despite improvements in outcomes, patients still succumb to the disease due to the development of resistance. Further complicating the situation is lack of a well-defined treatment sequence and potential for cross-resistance between therapies. We have developed several models representing CRPC with acquired therapeutic resistance. Here, we utilized these models to assess putative cross-resistance between treatments. We find that resistance to enzalutamide induces resistance to abiraterone and vice versa, but resistance to neither alters sensitivity to taxanes. Acquired resistance to docetaxel induces cross-resistance to cabazitaxel but not to enzalutamide or abiraterone. Correlating responses with known mechanisms of resistance indicates that AR variants are associated with resistance to NGATs, whereas the membrane efflux protein ABCB1 is associated with taxane resistance. Mechanistic studies show that AR variant-7 (AR-v7) is involved in NGAT resistance but not resistance to taxanes. Our findings suggest the existence of intra cross-resistance within a drug class (i.e., within NGATs or within taxanes), whereas inter cross-resistance between drug classes does not develop. Furthermore, our data suggest that resistance mechanisms differ between drug classes. These results may have clinical implications by showing that treatments of one class can be sequenced with those of another, but caution should be taken when sequencing similar classed drugs. In addition, the development and use of biomarkers indicating resistance will improve patient stratification for treatment. Mol Cancer Ther; 17(10); 2197–205. ©2018 AACR.
Validation of Modified ALBI Grade for More Detailed Assessment of Hepatic Function in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients: A Multicenter Analysis
Authors: Hiraoka Atsushi , Kumada Takashi , Tsuji Kunihiko , Takaguchi Koichi , Itobayashi Ei , Kariyama Kazuya , Ochi Hironori , Tajiri Kazuto , Hirooka Masashi , Shimada Noritomo , Ishikawa Toru , Tachi Yoshihiko , Tada Toshifumi , Toyoda Hidenori , Nouso Kazuhiro , Joko Kouji , Hiasa Yoichi , Michitaka Kojiro , Kudo Masatoshi ,   on behalf of the RELPEC Study Group and HCC 48 Group
Published: June 2018

Background/Aim: The frequency of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with good hepatic reserve function has been increasing in Japan along with the progression of antiviral therapies and aging of the society. We evaluated the usefulness of modified albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade as a tool for assessment of hepatic reserve function. Materials/Methods: We enrolled 6,649 naïve HCC patients treated from 2000 to 2017 and divided them into training (Ehime Prefecture group: E group, n = 2,357) and validation (validation group: V group, n = 4,292) cohorts. Child-Pugh classification and ALBI and modified ALBI (mALBI) grading were compared using with Japan Integrated Staging (JIS), ALBI-TNM (ALBI-T), and mALBI-T scores, which were calculated based on TNM stage and each assessment tool, retrospectively. Results: In the E group, Akaike’s Information Criterion (AIC) and c-index values for mALBI-T (13,725.2/0.744) were better as compared to those of ALBI-T (13,772.6/0.733) and JIS score (13,874.7/0.720), with similar results observed in the V group (mALBI-T: 27,727.4/0.760; ALBI-T: 27,817.8/0.750; JIS: 27,807.5/0.748). Although there were some significant differences between the groups with regard to clinical background factors (age, etiology, tumor size, tumor number, treatment modalities), for all patients the AIC and c-index values of mALBI-T (45,327.1/0.755) were also better than those of ALBI-T (45,467.7/0.744) and JIS scores (45,555.8/0.739), indicating its superior stratification ability and prognostic predictive value in patients with HCC. Conclusion: The detailed stratification ability of mALBI grade for hepatic reserve function is suitable for the recent trend of HCC patients, while mALBI-T may provide a more accurate predictive value than existing total staging scoring systems.
Open Liver Resection, Laparoscopic Liver Resection, and Percutaneous Thermal Ablation for Patients with Solitary Small Hepatocellular Carcinoma (≤30 mm): Review of the Literature and Proposal for a Therapeutic Strategy
Authors: Viganò Luca , Laurenzi Andrea , Solbiati Luigi , Procopio Fabio , Cherqui Daniel , Torzilli Guido
Published: June 2018

Background: Patients with a single hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ≤3 cm and preserved liver function have the highest likelihood to be cured if treated. The most adequate treatment methods are yet a matter that is debated. Methods: We reviewed the literature about open anatomic resection (AR), laparoscopic liver resection (LLR), and percutaneous thermal ablation (PTA). Results: PTA is effective as resection for HCC < 2 cm, when they are neither subcapsular nor perivascular. PTA in HCC of 2–3 cm is under evaluation. AR with the removal of the tumor-bearing portal territory is recommended for HCC > 2 cm, except for subcapsular ones. In comparison with open surgery, LRR has better short-term outcomes and non-inferior long-term outcomes. LLR is standardized for superficial limited resections and for left-sided AR. Conclusions: According to the available evidences, the following therapeutic proposal can be advanced. Laparoscopic limited resection is the standard for any subcapsular HCC. PTA is the first-line treatment for deep-located HCC < 2 cm, except for those in contact with Glissonean pedicles. Laparoscopic AR is the standard for deep-located HCC of 2–3 cm of the left liver, while open AR is the standard for deep-located HCC of 2–3 cm in the right liver. HCC in contact with Glissonean pedicles should be scheduled for resection (open or laparoscopic) independent of their size. Liver transplantation is reserved to otherwise untreatable patients or as a salvage procedure at recurrence.
Reduced Myocardial Flow Reserve by Positron Emission Tomography Predicts Cardiovascular Events After Cardiac Transplantation
Authors: Konerman Matthew C. , Lazarus John J. , Weinberg Richard L. , Shah Ravi V. , Ghannam Michael , Hummel Scott L. , Corbett James R. , Ficaro Edward P. , Aaronson Keith D. , Colvin Monica M. , Koelling Todd M. , Murthy Venkatesh L.
Published: June 2018

Background:

We evaluated the diagnostic and prognostic value of quantification of myocardial flow reserve (MFR) with positron emission tomography (PET) in orthotopic heart transplant patients.

Methods and Results:

We retrospectively identified orthotopic heart transplant patients who underwent rubidium-82 cardiac PET imaging. The primary outcome was the composite of cardiovascular death, acute coronary syndrome, coronary revascularization, and heart failure hospitalization. Cox regression was used to evaluate the association of MFR with the primary outcome. The relationship of MFR and cardiac allograft vasculopathy severity in patients with angiography within 1 year of PET imaging was assessed using Spearman rank correlation and logistic regression. A total of 117 patients (median age, 60 years; 71% men) were identified. Twenty-one of 62 patients (34%) who underwent angiography before PET had cardiac allograft vasculopathy. The median time from orthotopic heart transplant to PET imaging was 6.4 years (median global MFR, 2.31). After a median of 1.4 years, 22 patients (19%) experienced the primary outcome. On an unadjusted basis, global MFR (hazard ratio, 0.22 per unit increase; 95% confidence interval, 0.09–0.50;
P
<0.001) and stress myocardial blood flow (hazard ratio, 0.48 per unit increase; 95% confidence interval, 0.29–0.79;
P
=0.004) were associated with the primary outcome. Decreased MFR independently predicted the primary outcome after adjustment for other variables. In 42 patients who underwent angiography within 12 months of PET, MFR and stress myocardial blood flow were associated with moderate–severe cardiac allograft vasculopathy (International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation grade 2–3).

Conclusions:

MFR assessed by cardiac rubidium-82 PET imaging is a predictor of cardiovascular events after orthotopic heart transplant and is associated with cardiac allograft vasculopathy severity.
Review of the genus Promalactis Meyrick, 1908 (Lepidoptera: Oecophoridae) III. The trilineata species group, with descriptions of four new species
Authors: WANG SHUXIA , JIA YANYAN
Published: June 2018

The trilineata species group of the genus Promalactis Meyrick, 1908 is proposed for the first time based on the forewing patterns. A total of 36 species are included, four of which are described as new: P. aggregata sp. nov., P. apicifurcellata sp. nov., P. stenitubilaris sp. nov. and P. albipedalis sp. nov. Photographs of adults and genitalia of the new species are provided. A checklist of the other described species belonging to this group is given with original citations.
The Impact of Tropical Precipitation on Summertime Euro-Atlantic Circulation via a Circumglobal Wave Train
Authors: O’Reilly Christopher H. , Woollings Tim , Zanna Laure , Weisheimer Antje
Published: June 2018

The influence of tropical precipitation variability on summertime seasonal circulation anomalies in the Euro-Atlantic sector is investigated. The dominant mode of the maximum covariance analysis (MCA) between the Euro-Atlantic circulation and tropical precipitation reveals a cyclonic anomaly over the extratropical North Atlantic, contributing to anomalously wet conditions over western Europe and dry conditions over eastern Europe and Scandinavia (in the positive phase). The related mode of tropical precipitation variability is associated with tropical Pacific SST anomalies and is closely linked to the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). The second MCA mode consists of weaker tropical precipitation anomalies but with a stronger extratropical signal that reflects internal atmospheric variability. The teleconnection mechanism is tested in barotropic model simulations, which indicate that the observed link between the dominant mode of tropical precipitation and the Euro-Atlantic circulation anomalies is largely consistent with linear Rossby wave dynamics. The barotropic model response consists of a circumglobal wave train in the extratropics that is primarily forced by divergence anomalies in the eastern tropical Pacific. Both the eastward and westward group propagation of the Rossby waves are found to be important in determining the circulation response over the Euro-Atlantic sector. The mechanism was also analyzed in an operational seasonal forecasting system, ECMWF’s System 4. While System 4 is well able to reproduce and skillfully forecast the tropical precipitation, the extratropical circulation response is absent over the Euro-Atlantic region, which is likely related to biases in the Asian jet stream.
Analysis and Simulations of a Heavy Rainfall Event over Northern Taiwan during 11–12 June 2012
Authors: Chen Yi-Leng , Chu Yen-Ju , Chen Ching-Sen , Tu Chuan-Chi , Teng Jen-Hsin , Lin Pay-Liam
Published: June 2018

During 11–12 June 2012, heavy precipitation occurred over the northwestern Taiwan coast (~435 mm) and within the Taipei basin (~477 mm). With the presence of a midlatitude omega-blocking pattern, a persistent cold northerly wind component west of the northeast China low and west of the mei-yu frontal cyclone extends all the way to the subtropics and up to the 700-hPa level. At 2000 LST 11 June, the total precipitable water ahead of the front is elevated (>70 kg m−2) with horizontal southwesterly moisture fluxes >360 g kg−1 m s−1 at the 950-hPa level. The rainfall maximum along the northwestern coast mainly occurs before 0200 LST 12 June, as the convective activities in the frontal zone are enhanced by the localized convergence between the prefrontal southerly barrier jet and environmental airflow. After landfall, the relatively deep (~1.5 km) mei-yu front moves over the mountains (with peaks ~1121 m) along the northern coast and into the Taipei basin. During 0200–0800 LST 12 June, it stalls at the foothills of the Snow Mountains (with peaks ~3886 m) south of the basin under the postfrontal west-northwesterly flow. Rain cells associated with the mei-yu front are enhanced as they move southeastward toward the Snow Mountains. The barrier jet and the rainfall maxima over the northwestern coast and within the Taipei basin are well simulated using the high-resolution WRF Model. With the model terrain removed, the simulated mei-yu front continues to move southward after landfall without reproducing the barrier jet and both observed rainfall maxima.
Melanoma and Melanocyte Identification from Hyperspectral Pathology Images Using Object-Based Multiscale Analysis
Authors: Wang Qian , Li Qingli , Zhou Mei , Sun Li , Qiu Song , Wang Yiting
Published: June 2018

Pathological skin imaging analysis is identified as an efficient technique to diagnose melanoma and provide necessary information for treatment. Automatic detection of melanoma and melanocytes in the epidermis area can be a challenging task as a result of the variability of melanocytes and similarity among cytological components. In order to develop a practical and reliable approach to address the issue, this paper proposed a melanoma and melanocyte detection method based on hyperspectral pathology images. Given the abundant and related spectral and spatial information associated with the hyperspectral skin pathological image, an object-based method was first used to construct the image into the object level; then a multiscale descriptor was performed to extract specific features of melanoma and melanocytes. A quantitative evaluation of 100 scenes of hyperspectral pathology images from 49 patients showed the optimal accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of 94.29%, 95.57%, and 93.15%, respectively. The results can be interpreted that hyperspectral pathology imaging techniques help to detect the melanoma and melanocytes effectively and provide useful information for further segmentation and classification.
Resilience in Black women who do not have fathers: a qualitative inquiry
Authors: Zulu Ncamisile Thumile
Published: June 2018

This qualitative study explored the meanings that Black women who do not have fathers attach to growing up without a father. A combination of purposive and snowballing sampling was undertaken to obtain the five female participants, while data were collected through interviews. Resilience theory was used as the framework for conceptualising the study and analysing the data. Strong resilient mothers seemed to play a primary role in how the participants made meanings of growing up without a father. The participants also constructed themselves to be resilient to victimisation that they attributed to father absence. Collectively, the women portrayed themselves to be independent, content, and empowered. These findings challenge the assumption that being reared by one parent will automatically lead to detrimental outcomes.
WW domain-containing E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1 depletion evokes antitumor effect in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma by inhibiting signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling pathway
Authors: Xia Yonghua , Chang Xiao , Lian Shi , Zhu Wei
Published: June 2018

Objectives

WW domain-containing E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1 (WWP1) has been implicated in tumor progression. We aimed to investigate the role of WWP1 in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC).

Methods

WWP1 gene and protein levels were detected using semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry and western blotting. The effects of WWP1 on cell cycle, apoptosis, cell migration and invasion were examined by flow cytometry, wound healing and Transwell assays, respectively. The antitumor efficacy of WWP1 small interfering RNA was determined in CSCC tumor xenografts in mice.

Results

WWP1 expression was significantly higher in CSCC tissues and cells than in normal skin and cells, respectively. WWP1 expression was significantly associated with histological grade, invasion depth and lymph node metastasis in patients with CSCC. High expression predicted metastatic potential and an unfavorable prognosis. WWP1 downregulation suppressed tumor growth in vitro and in vivo, reduced cell migration and invasion, arrested the cell cycle in G0/G1 and induced apoptosis in A431 cells. WWP1 depletion also decreased phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), matrix metalloproteinase-2, cyclin D1 and Bcl-2, but did not affect total STAT3.

Conclusions

WWP1 is a potential target for the diagnosis, prognosis and therapy of patients with CSCC.
Turning Temporal: a Discourse of Time in IR
Authors: Chamon Paulo
Published: June 2018

Recent studies dedicated to time in IR often begin with the claim that the field has long relegated time to a background position, and only recently begun taking the concept seriously, with many fruitful insights. In this article, I refuse this interpellation to ‘take time seriously’, instead proposing we read these claims as part of a discourse, that is, a set of regularities through which we organise and distribute time as an object of knowledge in IR, and through which we come to govern ourselves and others. First, by engaging works of the ‘temporal turn’, I describe four procedures through which the discourse of time in IR is organised: opposing conceptual fields, scaling objects, naturalising and repressing desires, and strategic inverting. Second, I argue this reading shows that the temporal turn might ultimately fall short of realising its proclaimed aims. However, and third, I propose we take this not as a failure, but as the effective working of the discourse. Fourth, in doing so, I suggest the discourse of time effectively ‘changes the subject’ in terms of both the problems posed and the subjectivities constituted in relation to them – in the field of IR, but possibly also more broadly.
Study on the Day-Based Work Zone Scheduling Problem in Urban Road Networks Based on the Day-to-Day Traffic Assignment Model
Authors: Yang Da , Zhao Xinpeng , Chen Yuting , Zhang Xi , Chen Chongshuang
Published: June 2018

Many work zones exist in the urban road network and have a great negative impact on city traffic. Finding the optimal work zone schedule can minimize the negative impact of work zones on traffic. This paper focuses on the day-based work zone scheduling problem in the urban network. Existing studies on the day-based work zone scheduling problem do not consider the progression of day-to-day traffic from a non-equilibrium state to an equilibrium state during the construction period. For the first time, this paper proposes a model for day-based work zone scheduling by introducing a day-to-day traffic assignment model, in which the target of the optimization problem is minimizing the increase in travel cost caused by work zones. Numerical examples are presented to explore the variations of the optimal construction sequence for different work durations, crew numbers, and model parameter values. Some new findings are obtained in the paper. When the construction duration of each work zone is relatively short (for example, less than 20 days), the optimal scheduling will obviously change with the work duration; when all of the construction durations increase to a threshold (for example, 60 days), the optimal construction sequence will no longer change. An optimal crew number exists that can minimize the increment of travel cost caused by work zones. During the construction period, the total travel cost in the network can be decreased by guiding travelers to change their original travel habits.