bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Post hoc analysis of plasma amino acid profiles: towards a specific pattern in autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability
Authors: Delaye Jean-Baptiste , Patin Franck , Lagrue Emmanuelle , Le Tilly Olivier , Bruno Clement , Vuillaume Marie-Laure , Raynaud Martine , Benz-De Bretagne Isabelle , Laumonnier Frederic , Vourc’h Patrick , Andres Christian , Blasco Helene
Published: August 2018

Objectives

Autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disability present a challenge for therapeutic and dietary management. We performed a re-analysis of plasma amino acid chromatography of children with autism spectrum disorders ( n = 22) or intellectual disability ( n = 29) to search for a metabolic signature that can distinguish individuals with these disorders from controls ( n = 30).

Methods

We performed univariate and multivariate analyses using different machine learning strategies, from the raw data of the amino acid chromatography. Finally, we analysed the metabolic pathways associated with discriminant biomarkers.

Results

Multivariate analysis revealed models to discriminate patients with autism spectrum disorders or intellectual disability and controls from plasma amino acid profiles ( P < 0.0003). Univariate analysis showed that autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability patients shared similar differences relative to controls, including lower glutamate ( P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0002, respectively) and serine ( P = 0.002 for both) concentrations. The multivariate model ( P < 6.12.10−7) to discriminate between autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disability revealed the involvement of urea, 3-methyl-histidine and histidine metabolism. Biosigner analysis and univariate analysis confirmed the role of 3-methylhistidine ( P = 0.004), histidine ( P = 0.003), urea ( P = 0.0006) and lysine ( P = 0.002).

Conclusions

We revealed discriminant metabolic patterns between autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disability and controls. Amino acids known to play a role in neurotransmission were discriminant in the models comparing autism spectrum disorders or intellectual disability to controls, and histidine and b-alanine metabolism was specifically highlighted in the model.
Accurate integrated position and orientation method for vehicles based on strapdown inertial navigation system /Doppler radar
Authors: Bo Yang , Yue-gang Wang , Liang Xue , Bin Shan , Bao-cheng Wang
Published: August 2018

In order to realize maneuver combat in the modern warfare, some special military vehicles require the ability of determining their position and orientation rapidly and accurately, and the position and orientation system should be highly autonomous and have strong anti-jamming capability. So a high-accuracy independent position and orientation method for vehicles that utilizes strapdown inertial navigation system/Doppler radar is presented in this article. Laser gyroscopes in strapdown inertial navigation system and Doppler radar are adopted to develop a dead-reckoning system for vehicles. Subsequently, the attitude, velocity,and position-updating algorithms of dead-reckoning system are designed. The error sources of dead-reckoning system are analyzed to establish the system error model, including the attitude error equations of the mathematical platform, velocity error equations, and position error equations. The errors of strapdown inertial navigation system and deadreckoning system are selected as system states of the integrated position and orientation method. The difference between the attitude output of strapdown inertial navigation system and that of dead-reckoning system, and the difference between the position output of strapdown inertial navigation system and that of dead-reckoning system are chosen as the measurements of integrated position and orientation. Then, Kalman filter is adopted to design the filtering algorithm of integrated position and orientation. In the end, the integrated position and orientation method is validated by simulation experiment and vehicular experiment. The experimental results show that strapdown inertial navigation system/Doppler radar integration can realize accurate positioning and orientation for a long time, and the accuracy of attitude/position integration mode is significantly higher than that of velocity/position integration mode. Therefore, the former integration mode is more suitable for accurate position and orientation for vehicles.
Processing of Ni–WC–Cr3C2-based metal matrix composite cladding on SS-316L substrate through microwave irradiation
Authors: Kaushal Sarbjeet , Singh Dilkaran , Gupta Dheeraj , Jain Vivek
Published: August 2018

The present paper reports on the development of metal matrix composite clads of Ni–WC–Cr3C2-based materials through microwave heating route. In this study, metal matrix composite clads were deposited on austenitic stainless steel (SS-316 L) inside a multimode-type domestic microwave oven. Experiment trials were carried out at a microwave power of 900 W and frequency of 2.45 GHz. The optimal exposure time for processing of metal matrix composite clads was varied from 60 to 360 s. The microstructural analysis of processed clads revealed that the metal matrix composite clads of approximately 0.85 mm thickness were free from any type of voids and cracks. The WC and Cr3C2 particles were dispersed inside the Ni matrix. The phase analysis results revealed the formation of Cr7Ni3, NiC, Fe6W6C, Co3W3C4, FeNi3, NiW phases inside the clad layer. The formation of hard carbide phases resulted in higher microhardness of the clad layer. The average value of Vicker’s microhardness was observed to be 503 ± 34 HV, which is almost 1.6 times that of the substrate.
Infant Welfare, Family Planning, and Population Policy in Hong Kong: Race, Refugees, and Religion, 1931–61
Authors: Franco Rosaria
Published: August 2018

In the twentieth century Hong Kong’s population expanded dramatically. Yet, it was only after one million refugees from China settled in the 1950s that the colonial Government undertook population control. Imposing immigration restrictions was straightforward, but curbing unprecedented natural growth proved problematic. On the one side, supporting family planning risked alienating pro-life Catholic organizations, many channelling necessary relief for the refugees in an anti-communist mission for the USA. While on the other, indigenous infant welfare, which reduced infant mortality, could not be neglected further, in part because of the postwar resetting of race relations, its importance in improving public health, and the attention given to the refugee crisis by world public opinion. Hence, the paradox of an overpopulated British colony investing in infant welfare, not in family planning.
Chief Administrator or Political ‘Moderator’? Dumbarton Oaks, the Secretary-General and the Korean War
Authors: Barnes Robert
Published: August 2018

Seventy-five years after the creation of the United Nations at the Dumbarton Oaks conference, the secretary-general has become the de facto figurehead of the world organization and the office-holder is expected to take a proactive role in a whole range of global issues. Yet it remains unclear what powers the Allied planners intended for the secretary-general. By examining the discussions that took place on this issue before, during and after Dumbarton Oaks this article argues that despite the seemingly innocuous provisions relating to the secretary-general enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, the office-holder was never intended to simply be a chief administrator. What is more, the first Secretary-General, Trygve Lie, controversially sought to resolve a number of issues that came before the United Nations, most notably the Korean War. The second half of this article thus demonstrates that while Lie did test the parameters of his office to the limits during the Korean conflict, none of his actions exceeded the powers granted to the secretary-general. Moreover, Lie’s role during the Korean War set the tone for his successor, Dag Hammarskjold, who is usually seen as the most proactive secretary-general to date.
Autocratic Government Moderates the Relationship Between Culture and Legal Restriction
Authors: Chan Linus , Conway Lucian Gideon
Published: August 2018

Laws that restrict citizens exist in every form of government. Although previous research has shown that legal restriction is tied to culture-level variables such as collectivism, we propose and test a novel interactive model specifying that the culture-legal restriction relationship will depend on the level of democracy or autocracy present in the government. Specifically, legal restrictions in democracies should show more consistent relationships with culture-level variables because lawmakers in democracies are more directly accountable to the populace. In contrast, legal restrictions in autocracies should be less subject to influence by culture-level variables because lawmakers are less directly accountable to the populace. In our study, we tested this interactive model by examining if horizontal/vertical legal restrictions predict culture-level variables (wealth, urbanity, collectivism) differently for democracies versus autocracies. Results provide qualified support for the model: Especially for higher power tests with larger samples of nations, we found that the level of democracy/autocracy significantly moderated the relationship between culture-level variables and two different types of legal restriction. Also consistent with our model, the nature of these interactions generally revealed significant culture-legal restriction effects for democracies but not autocracies. Our results suggest that the path between culture and legal systems might take very different routes depending on level of autocracy or democracy in the ruling government.
Time-dependent changes in kidney histopathology in ethylene glycol poisoning
Authors: Bokor Janos , Danics Krisztina , Keller Eva , Szollosi Zoltan
Published: August 2018

Ethylene glycol (EG) may be acutely toxic following ingestion. In fatal cases, microscopic examination of urine and kidney specimens can establish a post-mortem diagnosis of EG poisoning. We describe the main renal histopathologic changes during different stages of EG poisoning, which might be helpful when dating the EG poisoning itself. A single-centre retrospective study conducted on all EG poisoning cases demonstrated that in an early stage of EG poisoning, fine dust-like crystals were deposited to the tubular cell basement membrane, followed by internalisation of calcium oxalate crystals into the epithelial cells. Later, the crystals formed larger aggregates within the epithelial cells. As the changes became advanced, pronounced tubular epithelial damage occurred, with detachment of epithelial cells from the basement membrane. In the final stage, coarse calcium oxalate crystals were recognised in the tubular lumen, with cellular debris from damaged epithelial cells. Our study shows that the time-dependent histological changes described follow the clinical stages of EG poisoning and may therefore provide a rough estimate of the time of EG ingestion before death.
Attitudes and Practices Regarding Responsible Beverage Service: Focus Group Discussions With Bar and Restaurant Management and Staff
Authors: Ecklund Alexandra M. , Nederhoff Dawn M. , Hunt Shanda L. , Horvath Keith J. , Nelson Toben F. , Plum Jennifer E. , Toomey Traci L.
Published: August 2018

Staff and management of bars and restaurants are the key players in assuring responsible beverage service (RBS) and preventing the overservice of alcohol to intoxicated patrons. We conducted six focus group discussions ( N = 42) with management and staff from bars and restaurants about RBS. We compared findings from these current discussions to results of focus group discussions conducted in the 1990s. In comparison to the earlier focus group discussions, we found that many managers and staff members had experience with RBS training programs, establishments generally had written alcohol service policies, and managers and staff members perceived greater likelihood of facing consequences from law enforcement for serving underage youth. Managers and servers also expressed greater concern about overservice of alcohol but did not report greater concern about potential legal consequences for overservice of alcohol than participants from the 1990s focus groups. Results of this study can inform training and enforcement approaches to addressing overservice of alcohol.
Public Service Motivation: A Rationalist Critique
Authors: O’Leary Chris
Published: August 2018

There has been a significant and growing interest, and growing empirical research, around Public Service Motivation (PSM) in recent years. There are few critiques of the construct, and none from a rationalist perspective. Given that the origins of PSM lie in attempts by public administration scholars to counter rationalist explanations of bureaucratic behavior, this lack of countercriticism is surprising. This article provides a rationalist critique of PSM. It argues that PSM is consistent with, and not an alternative to, rationalist understandings of what motivates individuals. It also argues that a significant gap in the PSM literature is around how civil servants and others make decisions; decisions about the public interest, and thus how and when to allocate public resources. It concludes that seeing PSM as consistent with rationality, and specifically as a form of expressive interests, answers many of the remaining questions about PSM and addresses the substantive gaps in the construct.
Criminal Justice Debt During the Prisoner Reintegration Process: Who Has It and How Much?
Authors: Link Nathan W.
Published: August 2018

Much recent, national attention has centered on financial sanctions and associated debt burdens related to criminal justice. Scholars and practitioners alike have argued that financial debt among the incarcerated, in particular, exacerbates a transition home already defined by difficulties. This article takes a step back and assesses who is at risk of these adverse consequences in reentry by examining the extent of debt burdens that resulted from financial sanctions, its sources, and the individual-level factors that are associated with owing criminal justice debt. Relying on the Returning Home data ( N = 740), results from descriptive analyses, logistic regression, and negative binomial models show that a large proportion of respondents owed debts and that debt was strongly linked with being mandated to community supervision. In addition, debt amount was predicted by employment, income, and race. Policy implications in the realm of financial sanctioning by courts and correctional agencies are discussed.
An offline LMI-based robust model predictive control of vehicle active suspension system with parameter uncertainty
Authors: Moradi Shahab M , Akbari Ahmad , Mirzaei Mehdi
Published: August 2018

In vehicle active suspension design, it is desirable to improve performance criteria, such as ride comfort and road holding, subject to constraints on some states and control input. To tackle this constrained optimization problem, an offline robust model predictive control (RMPC) using linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) is proposed. In conventional model predictive control (MPC), an optimization problem is solved at each sampling interval, which might lead to task overrun and hence could prevent its real-time implementation. The proposed offline RMPC approach overcomes the problem by offline optimizations prior to implementation. Moreover, it is extended to take account of parameter uncertainties. To evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed approach, it is applied to a quarter-car suspension system with structured bounded uncertainties. Comparative simulation results show that the presented offline RMPC is much faster than both online RMPC and classic MPC approaches, yet with a competitive robust performance. In addition, simulation results with different road profiles endorse independence of the proposed offline RMPC from road excitations, as well as its efficiency to deal with shocks and vibrations.
Selecting effective intrinsic mode functions of empirical mode decomposition and variational mode decomposition using dynamic time warping algorithm for rolling element bearing fault diagnosis
Authors: Kumar Prem Shankar , Kumaraswamidhas Lakshmi Annamalai , Laha Swarup Kumar
Published: August 2018

Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) and Variational Mode Decomposition (VMD) are data-driven self-adaptive signal processing methods to decompose a complex signal into different modes of separate spectral bands, in to a number of Intrinsic Mode Functions (IMFs). While the EMD extracts modes recursively and empirically, the VMD extracts modes non-recursively and concurrently. In this paper, both the EMD and the VMD have been applied to examine their efficacy in fault diagnosis of rolling element bearing. However, all the IMFs do not contain necessary information regarding fault characteristic signature of the bearing. In order to select the effective IMF, the Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) algorithm has been employed here, which gives a measurement of similarity index between two signals. Also, correlation analysis has been carried out to select the appropriate IMFs. Finally, out of the selected IMFs, bearing characteristic fault frequencies have been determined with the envelope spectrum.
Second-order consensus for a class of uncertain multi-agent systems subject to input saturation
Authors: Fan Ming-Can , Wang Miaomiao
Published: August 2018

This paper investigates the leaderless and leader-following consensus problem for a class of second-order multi-agent systems subject to input saturation, that is, the control input is required to be a priori bounded. Moreover, the control coefficients are assumed to be unavailable, which cannot be lower or upper bounded by any known constants. Distributed consensus protocols are proposed based only on agents’ own velocity state information and relative position state information among neighbouring agents and the leader. By virtue of the adaptive control technique, algebraic graph theory and Barbalat’s lemma, it is proved that the states of the multi-agent systems can achieve consensus under the assumption that the interconnection topology is undirected and connected. Finally, two simulation examples are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the theoretical results.
Dynamic output feedback control for stochastic networked control systems based on a periodic event-triggered mechanism
Authors: Xing Mali , Deng Feiqi
Published: August 2018

In this paper, the event-triggered dynamic output feedback control for stochastic networked control systems is investigated. The measurement output signal is periodically sampled but aperiodically transmitted. The time-delay system method is utilized to model the stochastic networked control system under the periodic event-triggered mechanism, then the corresponding stability criteria are obtained. Based on the stability criteria, the suitable output-based controller and event-triggered parameters are co-designed. Two air vehicle systems are presented to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed control method.
Inequality, Institutions and Organizations
Authors: Amis John M. , Munir Kamal A. , Lawrence Thomas B. , Hirsch Paul , McGahan Anita
Published: August 2018

The organizations and institutions with which we interact in our everyday lives are heavily implicated in the rising levels of global inequality. We develop understanding of the ways in which a preference in social structures for the free market over other forms of economic organization has made inequality almost inevitable. This has been accompanied by organizational practices such as hiring, promotion and reward allocation, that maintain and enhance societal inequalities. The mutually constitutive relationship between organizations and institutions in the reproduction of inequality are exposed throughout.
Mapping Charles Taylor
Authors: Bohmann Ulf , Keding Gesche , Rosa Hartmut
Published: August 2018

The extensive, profound and influential oeuvre of Charles Taylor has inspired generations of thinkers. But how can we explore such a body of work? As we try to show in this Special Issue: by understanding him literally and making use of his notion of moral maps – or, differently put, by ‘mapping’ Charles Taylor. As he is far too modest a person to reveal to us his own moral atlas, we have decided to seize the occasion of his 85th birthday to ask several of his renowned colleagues, students and interlocutors to contribute to the reconstruction of such a map. This introduction develops three ‘mountain ridges’ in this cartography – a philosophical anthropology in spatial terms, the indispensable motif of dialogue, and the role of political life –, around which the following 24 illuminating appraisals are grouped.
The effect of moral foundations in prosocial crowdfunding
Authors: Jancenelle Vivien E , Javalgi Rajshekhar (Raj) G
Published: August 2018

Prosocial crowdfunding is a new business phenomenon which is transforming the microfinance sector, as more microloans are posted online for fundraising. Research suggests that prosocial lenders registered on crowdfunding platforms seek non-financial returns from their investments, such as the creation of value for the social good. This article adds moral ethics to the crowdfunding equation by drawing on Moral Foundations Theory (MFT). It is posited that cues of moral foundations embedded within borrower profile descriptions are likely to inform prosocial lenders about a borrower’s potential for social value creation, thus triggering lending decisions. A Computer-Assisted-Text-Analysis (CATA) of 130,964 funded microloan profile descriptions on a crowdfunding platform suggests that prosocial lenders fund borrowers who cue universal moral foundations ( Harm/Care and Fairness/Reciprocity) more quickly than those who cue primarily conservative moral foundations ( Ingroup/Loyalty, Authority/Respect and Purity/Sanctity).
Urban–rural disparity in colorectal cancer incidence and increasing trend in relation to socioeconomic development and urbanization in China
Authors: Wen Denggui , Zou Wendi , Wen Xiaoduo , Yang Yi , Chen Yuetong , He Yutong , Wang Guiying , Shan Baoen
Published: August 2018

Objective

To study urban–rural disparity in colorectal cancer incidence and the increasing trend in relation to rapid socioeconomic development and urbanization in China.

Methods

We compared the age-standardized incidence rates (ASRs) of colorectal cancer between rural and urban areas in China in 2012 and analyzed the trend in Shexian County for 2000–2015 using population-based tumor registration data collected in Shijiazhuang city (2012) and Shexian County (2000–2015).

Results

The ASRs of colorectal cancer in Shijiazhuang (urban) were considerably higher than in Shexian (rural) in both men (22.8 vs. 11.9/100,000) and women (15.0 vs. 9.3/100,000). The difference was similar to that between countries with high and medium human development indices according to GLOBOCAN 2012. In trend analysis, the biennial ASR in Shexian increased from 6.6 in 2000–2001 to 15.9/100,000 in 2014–2015 in men (averaged biennial percent change (ABPC) = +6.0%), and from 4.0 to 11.7/100,000 in women (ABPC=+5.5%).

Conclusions

The incidence of colorectal cancer in China is rising in parallel with socioeconomic development and urbanization. Integrated efforts should be made to reduce the incidences of overweight and obesity in society to help prevent this increase.
Median effective volume of ropivacaine 0.5% for ultrasound-guided adductor canal block
Authors: Tao Yan , Zheng Shao-qiang , Xu Tao , Wang Geng , Wang Yun , Wu An-shi , Yue Yun
Published: August 2018

Objective

This study aimed to identify the median effective volume of ropivacaine 0.5% for ultrasound-guided adductor canal block (ACB).

Methods

Thirty-two patients received ultrasound-guided ACB for knee arthroscopic meniscectomy. The criterion for successful ACB was the loss of pinprick sensation in the saphenous area (medial knee, leg, and foot). The volume of ropivacaine 0.5% in each case was determined using the up-down method and used for calculating the median effective dose.

Results

The mean age, weight, and height of patients were 28.6 ± 7.1 years, 68.2 ± 10.6 kg, and 172.5 ± 6.4 cm, respectively. Among patients who received 18- and 15-mL doses, ACB was successful in all four cases. Among patients who received a 12-mL dose, ACB was effective in eight and ineffective in two cases. Among patients who received a 10-mL dose, ACB was successful in six and unsuccessful in seven cases. In patients who received an 8-mL dose, ACB was ineffective in all five cases. The median effective volume of ropivacaine 0.5% was 10.4 mL (95% confidence interval, 9.1–11.4 mL). In all effective cases, the median quadriceps strength was grade 5.

Conclusions

The median effective volume of ropivacaine 0.5% is 10.4 mL for ultrasound-guided ACB.
Low Accuracy of Diagnostic Codes to Identify Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear in Orthopaedic Database Research
Authors: Sanders Thomas L. , Pareek Ayoosh , Desai Vishal S. , Hewett Timothy E. , Levy Bruce A. , Stuart Michael J. , Dahm Diane L. , Krych Aaron J.
Published: August 2018

Background:

Database research is being used in orthopaedic literature with increased regularity. The main limitation of database research is the absence of diagnosis and treatment verification afforded by medical chart review. This absence may limit the accuracy of some conclusions and recommendations produced by database research.

Hypothesis/Purpose:

The purpose was to describe the accuracy of 1 database (Rochester Epidemiology Project) used in orthopaedic research to detect isolated anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears and to discuss the limitations of database research. It was hypothesized that diagnostic codes alone are unlikely to be accurate in identifying patients with ACL tears.

Study Design:

Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

A population-based historical cohort study was performed with the Rochester Epidemiology Project database. All subjects had International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, diagnosis codes consistent with ACL tears between January 1, 1990, and December 31, 2010. The medical records of all subjects were reviewed in detail to confirm the accuracy of diagnosis and gather data on injury type, laterality, associated meniscal injuries, magnetic resonance imaging findings, and treatment details.

Results:

A total of 3494 patients had codes consistent with ACL tears, and 2288 of them were confirmed through chart review to have an isolated ACL tear (65.5%). Among these were 1841 patients (52.7%) with an ACL tear within 1 year of injury and an additional 447 (12.8%) with an ACL tear >1 year from injury. Thirty-nine patients (1.1%) had a partial ACL tear diagnosed on magnetic resonance imaging, 48 (1.4%) had an isolated posterior cruciate ligament tear, and 22 (0.6%) had a combined ACL–posterior cruciate ligament injury. Twenty-four patients (0.7%) had ACL reconstruction before the study period. The remaining 1073 patients (30.7%) had diagnostic codes consistent with an ACL tear but did not have a cruciate ligament injury.

Conclusion:

This study demonstrates low accuracy with the use of diagnostic codes alone to identify an ACL tear. Database studies offer unique benefits to the medical literature, but the inherent limitations should be taken into account when these data are used to counsel patients, dictate clinical management, or make health care policy decisions. Information from a health care database is most accurate when accompanied by verification of diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes with medical chart review.
Learning Disabilities: Implications for Policy Regarding Research and Practice: A Report by the National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities
Authors: Gartland Debi , Strosnider Roberta
Published: August 2018

This is an official document of the National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities (NJCLD), of which Council for Learning Disabilities is a long-standing, active member. With this position paper, NJCLD addresses points of agreement in the field, common misperceptions, and unresolved issues in scholarship and practice, and makes recommendations for federal and state policy.
Integrating Critical Consciousness and Technology in Entrepreneurship Career Development With Diverse Community College Students
Authors: Cadenas Germán A. , Cantú Elizabeth Angélica , Spence Tameka , Ruth Alissa
Published: August 2018

The United States faces shortages of professionals in science, technology, engineering, and math enterprises, which are complicated by underrepresented minorities facing systemic barriers to their educational and career success. Addressing this, we used social cognitive career theory and critical consciousness to create a program named Poder (Spanish for “to be able to” and “power”). We analyzed interviews from 36 diverse community college students who experienced this 5-week program, which included mentoring and seed funding opportunities as they designed ventures addressing societal problems. Initial findings highlighted themes on how students developed and integrated critical consciousness, entrepreneurship self-efficacy, and technological understanding during Poder. Students displayed high expectations for entrepreneurship careers that leveraged technology to promote social change, as well as high expectations to persist through graduation and/or transfer to a 4-year university.
Paraffin wax microsphere embedded epoxy composites for potential thermal management in electronic devices
Authors: Khagokpam Gopal Krishna Singh , Halder Sudipta
Published: August 2018

Miniaturization of electronic devices with more computing power has created a challenging set of aspects in thermal management. Present work is based on phase change materials microsphere and its incorporation in the epoxy network to develop a new class of potting material facilitating thermal management for miniaturized electronic devices. A facile and scalable method was implemented to synthesize paraffin wax microspheres (PMPs). It was dispersed into a room temperature curing epoxy network to fabricate the epoxy composite with high latent heat of fusion and high thermal stability. PMPs obtained have spherical morphology with an average diameter of approximately 5 µm. The PMP/epoxy composite can store 34.34 and 49.3 J g−1 of latent heat energy at 30 and 40 wt% PMP loading, respectively. Leakage test reveals that leaching declined as the size of PMP is reduced. Incorporation of PMP into the epoxy network reduces the compressive strength, but still resilient enough to protect electronic devices. This is an added advantage over the potential to mitigate the issue of hot spot in electronic devices as demonstrated by infrared thermography. The application of such composite is not limited only as electronic potting materials but also has the potential for other thermal energy storage applications.
Transitional flight equilibrium and performance study for the X-NMRL tail-sitter VTOL MAV
Authors: Tang Wei , Song Bi-Feng
Published: August 2018

An investigation on transitional flight equilibrium, performance analysis and parameter impacts is conducted in a conversion corridor, based on the proposed X-NMRL tail-sitter Vertical Takeoff and Landing Micro Air Vehicles (VTOL MAVs). Dependent on a propulsion model, aerodynamic model and physical control model, a nonlinear mathematical transitional model of the vehicle dynamics was constructed with consideration of the velocity, angle of attack, thrust, control surface deflection and pitching angle. The momentum theory and estimation method are applied to simulated propeller slipstream effects on aerodynamics, and an aerodynamic model for all regions of angles of attack and velocities is built. The nonlinear indefinite high-order dynamic model is solved by the improved Newton iteration algorithm. The corridor of the pitching angle or flight-path angle to the velocity reveals that the boundaries are mainly governed by the stalling performance, full throttle thrust and zero thrust, respectively. The performance corridor indicates different performance parameter variations under different conditions of steady climbing, cruising and descending states. Additionally, the performance for a steady transitional strategy can be illustrated to some extent. In terms of the parameter impacts, the increasing max propulsive power, supplied voltage, and decreasing total weight can widen the transitional corridor effectively, and the changes in the aerodynamics will only move the boundaries toward the same direction. These results will benefit transitional vehicle designs and control designs.
Co-producing Windhoek: the contribution of the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia
Authors: Chitekwe-Biti Beth
Published: August 2018

Over the last three decades, Windhoek, Namibia has grown substantially. In line with the general urban growth, Windhoek’s informal settlements have expanded, making it ever more pressing to secure basic services and suitable housing for residents of these settlements. This paper, drawing from the author’s PhD completed at the University of Manchester in 2013, documents how one social movement, the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia (SDFN), has challenged and collaborated with the City of Windhoek to improve living conditions. The analysis draws on varied data sources – including extensive interviews with government and federation representatives, the SDFN’s own data, and maps showing the spatial transformation of the city – to trace the recent history of co-production in Windhoek. The continuing marginalization of the city’s informal settlement dwellers points to a need for reimagining Windhoek’s residential development and integrating this into planning, as well as working with social movements like the SDFN to ensure that reforms are grounded in local realities and reflect the aspirations of those on the city’s northwest fringe.
Beyond contention: urban social movements and their multiple approaches to secure transformation
Authors: Mitlin Diana
Published: August 2018

This paper explores the strategies of social movement organizations working in towns and cities of the global South to secure justice for their members and address poverty and inequality. The paper argues that there has been a false distinction between alternative strategies of resistance. Drawing on research in Kenya and South Africa, I argue that, rather than seeing strategies of contention, collaboration and subversion as separate approaches, they can best be understood as alternative strategies, adopted simultaneously and iteratively by urban social movements. Movements, I suggest, move among contentious politics, efforts at collaboration with the state, and subversion (often taking the form of encroachment), to address the survival imperatives of their members.
Hand-held near-infrared spectrometers: State-of-the-art instrumentation and practical applications
Authors: Yan Hui , Siesler Heinz W
Published: August 2018

Recently, miniaturization of Raman, mid-infrared and near-infrared spectrometers has made substantial progress, and marketing companies predict for this segment of instrumentation a significant growth rate within the next few years. This increase will be based on a more frequent implementation for industrial quality and process control and a wider adoption of spectrometers for in-the-field testing and onsite measurements. However, contrary to Raman and MIR spectroscopy, miniaturization has been much further driven for near-infrared instrumentation. Thus, the present communication will focus on hand-held near-infrared spectrometers only and discuss their applications to selected analytical problems.
Dynamics of Food Inflation: Assessing the Role of Intermediaries
Authors: Huria Sugandha , Pathania Kanika
Published: August 2018

The recent upsurge in the food prices experienced by the Indian economy since the latter half of 2000s has made it imperative for the policymakers to identify the crucial factors, which affect food prices within the economy. Against this backdrop, the present article determines the various key factors impacting the prices of food grains, specifically elucidating the role of intermediaries in this regard. By applying the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach to cointegration and quantifying the role of intermediaries by computing the price wedge between wholesale and retail prices of food grains, the study establishes the existence of both short-run and long-run relationships between price wedge and food grain inflation.
Formulary Considerations for Insulins Approved Through the 505(b)(2) “Follow-on” Pathway
Authors: Rasmussen Jack T. , Ipema Heather J.
Published: August 2018

Objective: To summarize formulary-relevant issues for follow-on insulins approved through the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 505(b)(2) approval pathway (Basaglar and Admelog). Data Sources: A search of the MEDLINE database was performed for articles pertaining to clinical and formulary considerations for follow-on insulin products through July 2018. Study Selection and Data Extraction: All clinical trials used in the 505(b)(2) approval process for follow-on insulin glargine and insulin lispro products were included and summarized. Data Synthesis: Follow-on insulin glargine and insulin lispro products have been recently approved as the first lower-cost alternatives to innovator insulin products. The follow-on insulins were approved via the 505(b)(2) pathway, making them neither generics nor biosimilars. Current data do not suggest any clinically relevant differences between the follow-on insulins and their respective innovator products. Clinicians should be aware that follow-on insulins will be reclassified as biologic products in the year 2020. Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice: This article provides information about currently available follow-on insulin products that were approved through the 505(b)(2) pathway, including product characteristics and efficacy and safety data. These products will likely be considered for both clinical use and formulary placement because of their potentially lower cost compared with innovator products. Conclusions: Follow-on insulin products approved through the 505(b)(2) pathway are supported by robust efficacy and safety data. As new follow-on insulins are approved and the regulatory change that will occur with these products in 2020 approaches, formulary decisions and clinical policies (eg, substitution) will continue to be revisited.
Prospective Evaluation of Utilization Patterns and Prescribing Guidelines of Opioid Consumption Following Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery
Authors: Saini Sundeep , McDonald Elizabeth L. , Shakked Rachel , Nicholson Kristen , Rogero Ryan , Chapter Megan , Winters Brian S. , Pedowitz David I. , Raikin Steven M. , Daniel Joseph N.
Published: August 2018

Background:

Overprescription of narcotic pain medication is a major culprit in the present opioid epidemic plaguing the United States. The current literature on lower extremity opioid usage has limitations and would benefit from additional study. The purpose of our study was to prospectively assess opioid consumption patterns following outpatient orthopedic foot and ankle procedures.

Methods:

Patients undergoing outpatient orthopedic foot and ankle procedures who met inclusion criteria had the following prospective information collected: patient demographics, preoperative health history, patient-reported outcomes, anesthesia type, procedure type, opioid prescription and consumption details. The morphine equivalent dose was calculated for each prescription and then converted to the equivalent of a 5-mg oxycodone “pill.” Univariable analyses were performed to identify variables with a statistically robust association with opioid consumption for inclusion in a multivariable linear regression. A stepwise backward regression was then performed to identify independent predictors of opioid consumption. Postoperative opioid utilization was reported for 988 patients (mean age: 49 years).

Results:

Overall, patients consumed a median of 20 pills whereas the median number of pills prescribed was 40. This resulted in a utilization rate of 50% and 20 631 pills left unused. Independent factors associated with higher opioid consumption were anesthesia type ( P < .004), age <60 years ( P < .001), preoperative visual analog scale (VAS) pain report of >6 ( P = .008), and bony procedures ( P = .008); residual standard error 16.73 ( F7,844=14.3, P < .001).

Conclusion:

Our study found that patients who underwent orthopedic foot and ankle procedures were overprescribed narcotic medication by nearly twice the amount that was actually consumed. Although we identified 4 independent factors associated with opioid consumption, the large residual standard error suggests that there remains a substantial degree of unexplained variance of opioid consumption observed in the patient population. Physicians face a challenging task of setting appropriate protocols when balancing pain relief and generalizable guidelines.

Level of Evidence:

Level II, prospective observational cohort study.
Simulation and experiments of active vibration control for ultra-long flexible manipulator under impact loads
Authors: Huang Yi , Liu Zhiqiang , Du Ronghua , Tang Hongbin
Published: August 2018

This paper aims to reduce the tip vibration of an ultra-long flexible manipulator subjected to impact loads. A modified least mean square method is proposed to determine the frequency response matrix of control paths and identify the complex amplitude of external excitation responses. The presented work is innovative in the sense that: (1) a theoretical model and a new algorithm are proposed for the identification of explicit convergence conditions of online parameters, and they are used to calculate output variables for the optimized robotic control; (2) an active numerical approach is developed to control the response of the tip vibration of the manipulator. The control algorithm is based on a relational model of control parameters and system outcomes; (3) design of experiments is performed for the verification purpose. The active vibration control has been demonstrated on a pump truck product where the third boom hydraulic cylinder is selected as the actuator for testing, and the manipulator tip is equipped with an acceleration sensor to collect the information of vibration; and (4) the performance of the proposed active vibration control has been validated on the flexible manipulator, and the results have shown that the amplitude of the vibration of robotic tip has been decreased for more than 60%.
Overuse and underuse of pegfilgrastim for primary prophylaxis of febrile neutropenia
Authors: Zullo Andrew R , Lou Uvette , Cabral Sarah E , Huynh Justin , Berard-Collins Christine M
Published: August 2018

Introduction

Guidelines recommend pegfilgrastim for primary prophylaxis of febrile neutropenia after highly myelosuppressive chemotherapy. While deviations from guidelines could result in overuse and increased costs, underuse is also a concern and could compromise quality of care. Our objectives were to evaluate guideline adherence and quantify the extent to which physician heterogeneity may influence pegfilgrastim use.

Methods

We randomly sampled 550 patients from a retrospective cohort of those who received infusions at an academic cancer center between 1 September 2013 and 1 September 2014. Electronic medical and drug dispensing records provided information on patient characteristics, chemotherapy characteristics, prescribing physician, and pegfilgrastim administration.

Results

We included 154 patients treated by 25 physicians. About half of patients were male and mean age was 61.3 years. Forty (26.1%) patients had no febrile neutropenia risk factors, 62 (40.5%) had one, and 51 (33.3%) had two or more. Thirty patients (19.5%) received pegfilgrastim, of which 12 (40%) received palliative chemotherapy. Nine (60%) of 15 patients on a regimen with a febrile neutropenia risk  ≥ 20% received pegfilgrastim. Pegfilgrastim use significantly varied by cancer type (p < 0.01), chemotherapy regimen (p < 0.001), and regimen febrile neutropenia risk (p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis reaffirmed the association between chemotherapy regimen febrile neutropenia risk ≥ 20% and pegfilgrastim use (odds ratio (OR) = 10.1, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.6–62.7) and suggested that 31% (95% CI: 8%–71%) of the variation in use was attributable to physician characteristics.

Conclusion

Pegfilgrastim was potentially overused for palliative chemotherapy and underused for chemotherapy regimens with febrile neutropenia risk ≥ 20%. Successful interventions to modify prescribing practices likely require an understanding of the relationship between specific physician characteristics and pegfilgrastim use.
Evaluation of laboratory disturbance risk when adding low-dose cotrimoxazole for PJP prophylaxis to regimens of high-grade glioma patients taking RAAS inhibitors
Authors: Coppens Roland , Yang Johanna , Ghosh Sunita , Gill John , Chambers Carole , Easaw Jacob C
Published: August 2018

Background

Cotrimoxazole is associated with the development of hyponatremia, hyperkalemia and elevated serum creatinine, especially when combined with inhibitors of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS). Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) prophylaxis is the standard of care for high-grade glioma (HGG) patients receiving temozolomide concurrently with radiotherapy, low-dose cotrimoxazole being the preferred agent. Many of these patients are also taking renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system inhibitors, however the risk of significant laboratory disturbance in these patients remains undescribed.

Objective

We evaluated whether high-grade glioma patients taking renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system inhibitors receiving low-dose cotrimoxazole for Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia prophylaxis are at additional risk of laboratory disturbances in comparison with their non-renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system counterparts.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective chart review of adult neuro-oncology patients treated for WHO Grade III or IV glioma between 2013 and 2016. Patient serum Na, K, creatinine, and eGFR were compared (renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system vs. non-renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system) using the chi-square test. Binary logistic regression analysis was then performed to account for differences between cohorts.

Results

Of 63 patients (35 non-renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system, 28 renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system), patients in the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system cohort were more likely to experience a laboratory disturbance (odds ratio=3.17, p = 0.03). Overall, these disturbances were moderate, but were slightly more common and slightly more severe in the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system cohort.

Conclusion

Adding low-dose cotrimoxazole for Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia prophylaxis to the regimens of patients with high-grade glioma taking renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system inhibitors increases the risk of laboratory disturbances. While these are generally moderate, some patients are at risk of significant electrolyte abnormalities requiring intervention.