bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Digital Age Leadership: A Transhumanistic Perspective
Authors: Dimitrov Aleksandar
Published: December 2018

The changing nature of leadership is already a motion in progress. The digital revolution is already a fact. The current paper attempts to define what kind of leaders to expect in the near future in the context of the technological society. What to expect if the leader is noeme, cyborg, just an avatar or any kind of HET (human enhancement technology) person? How virtual leadership affects the effectiveness and what is needed for the virtual leaders or social media opinion leaders to move the masses—is there a special ingredient? Current trends are reviewed and extrapolated to a transhumanistic perspective. It is also argued that now the transhumanist perspective is marginal, but (following the tendencies) may be dominant in the future. That suggestion deserves a closer examination because it redefines the perception of the leadership as a whole.
The insights into molecular pathways of hypoxia‐inducible factor in the brain
Authors: Ostrowski Robert P. , Zhang John H.
Published: December 2018

The objectives of this present work were to review recent developments on the role of hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF) in the survival of cells under normoxic versus hypoxic and inflammatory brain conditions. The dual nature of HIF effects appears well established, based on the accumulated evidence of HIF playing both the role of adaptive factor and mediator of cell demise. Cellular HIF responses depend on pathophysiological conditions, developmental phase, comorbidities, and administered medications. In addition, HIF‐1α and HIF‐2α actions may vary in the same tissues. The multiple roles of HIF in stem cells are emerging. HIF not only regulates expression of target genes and thereby influences resultant protein levels but also contributes to epigenetic changes that may reciprocally provide feedback regulations loops. These HIF‐dependent alterations in neurological diseases and its responses to treatments in vivo need to be examined alongside with a functional status of subjects involved in such studies. The knowledge of HIF pathways might be helpful in devising HIF‐mimetics and modulating drugs, acting on the molecular level to improve clinical outcomes, as exemplified here by clinical and experimental data of selected brain diseases, occasionally corroborated by the data from disorders of other organs. Because of complex role of HIF in brain injuries, prospective therapeutic interventions need to differentially target HIF responses depending on their roles in the molecular mechanisms of neurologic diseases.
Identification of risk in cutaneous melanoma patients: Prognostic and predictive markers
Authors: Hyams David M. , Cook Robert W. , Buzaid Antonio C.
Published: December 2018

New therapeutic modalities for melanoma promise benefit in selected individuals. Efficacy appears greater in patients with lower tumor burden, suggesting an important role for risk‐stratified surveillance. Robust predictive markers might permit optimization of agent to patient, while low‐risk prognostic markers might guide more conservative management. This review evaluates protein, gene, and multiplexed marker panels that may contribute to better risk assessment and improved management of patients with cutaneous melanoma.
Follow‐up of the melanoma patient
Authors: Deschner Benjamin , Wayne Jeffrey D.
Published: December 2018

Follow‐up of the melanoma patient involves many different methods of surveillance. Specific guidelines for modalities and frequency are flexible and largely open to physician preference. Patient education and self‐examination are generally viewed as crucial and cost‐effective for recurrence detection. Increased frequency of clinical follow‐up, laboratory studies, and imaging has not demonstrated survival benefit in surveillance. However, appropriate application of these different methods is controversial and evolving, especially with changing surgical management and new medical therapies.
Management of local or regional non‐nodal disease
Authors: Racz Jennifer M. , Block Matthew S. , Baum Christian L. , Jakub James W.
Published: December 2018

Some melanomas develop a striking avidity for lymphatic spread. In spite of multiple recurrences, patients can remain years without visceral metastasis. There is clearly a biologic reason for this lymphotrophic pattern of growth and dissemination, which we have yet to uncover. In‐transit metastases have widely diverse clinical presentations and can be a stubborn disease to cure. As a result, a host of treatments exist that should be tailored to the individual patient.
Tumor budding and adjacent tissue at the invasive front correlate with delayed neck metastasis in clinical early‐stage tongue squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Yamakawa Nobuhiro , Kirita Tadaaki , Umeda Masahiro , Yanamoto Souichi , Ota Yoshihide , Otsuru Mitsunobu , Okura Masaya , Kurita Hiroshi , Yamada Shin‐ichi , Hasegawa Takumi , Aikawa Tomonao , Komori Takahide , Ueda Michihiro ,   Japan Oral Oncology Group (JOOG)
Published: December 2018

Background and Objectives

Some patients with early‐stage oral cancer have a poor prognosis owing to the delayed neck metastasis (DNM). Tumor budding is reportedly a promising prognostic marker in many cancers. Moreover, the tissue surrounding a tumor is also considered to play a prognostic role. In this study, we evaluated whether tumor budding and adjacent tissue at the invasive front can be potential novel predictors of DNM in early tongue cancer.

Methods

In total, 337 patients with early‐stage tongue squamous cell carcinoma were retrospectively reviewed. The patient characteristics and histopathological factors were evaluated for association with DNM. DNM rates were calculated; items which were significant in the univariate analysis were used as explanatory variables, and independent factors for DNM were identified by the multivariate analysis.

Results

The univariate analysis identified T classification, depth of invasion, tumor budding, vascular invasion, and adjacent tissue at the invasive front as significant predictors of DNM; the multivariate analysis using these factors revealed all the above variables except vascular invasion, which are independent predictors of DNM.

Conclusion

In addition to conventional predictors, high grade tumor budding and adjacent tissue at the invasive front can serve as useful predictors of DNM in early tongue cancer.
Factor Structure and Psychometric Properties of the Peritraumatic and Posttraumatic Emotions Questionnaires Among Active Duty Military Personnel With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Authors: Zang Yinying , Gay Natalie G. , Kaczkurkin Antonia N. , McLean Carmen P. , Wachen Jennifer Schuster , Yarvis Jeffrey S. , Litz Brett T. , Yadin Elna , Mintz Jim , Roache John D. , Young‐McCaughan Stacey , Peterson Alan L. , Foa Edna B. , Resick Patricia A. ,   for the STRONG STAR Consortium
Published: December 2018

The Peritraumatic Emotions Questionnaire (Peri‐TEQ) and Posttraumatic Emotions Questionnaire (Post‐TEQ) are self‐report measures of emotions experienced during and after a traumatic event, respectively. The factor structure and psychometric properties of the Peri‐ and Post‐TEQ were investigated among 474 military personnel with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following deployment. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted to test the factor structure of the scales. Internal consistency, composite reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity were also assessed. Four factors were identified for the Peri‐TEQ (Fear, Humiliation, Anger, and Sadness), and three factors were identified for the Post‐TEQ (Fear, Anger‐Hurt, and Humiliation). The full scales and all subscales demonstrated adequate‐to‐good internal consistency, Cronbach's αs = .722–.893. The subscales demonstrated adequate‐to‐good composite reliability, Cronbach's αs = .763–.861. The Peri‐ and Post‐TEQ demonstrated good convergent validity with measures of PTSD symptoms, rs = .229–.601, ps < .001, and depressive symptoms, rs = .284–.470, ps < .001, and good discriminate validity with measures of resilience, ps = .116–.940, and unit cohesion, Peri‐TEQ, p = .304 and Post‐TEQ, r = −.123, p = .008. The Humiliation subscales demonstrated good convergent validity with guilt cognitions, rs = .315–.341, ps < .001, and the Anger subscales demonstrated good convergent validity with state anger, rs = .260–.347, ps < .001. The Peri‐ and Post‐TEQ are reliable, valid self‐report measures of emotions during and in response to remembering a trauma. The results support the use of these measures in research investigating trauma‐related emotions.
Acute findings in an acquired neurosensory dysfunction
Authors: Hoffer Michael E. , Levin Bonnie E. , Snapp Hillary , Buskirk James , Balaban Carey
Published: December 2018

Background

In the Autumn of 2016, diplomatic personnel residing in Havana began to present with symptoms of dizziness, ear pain, and tinnitus that emerged after perception of high frequency noise and/or a pressure sensation. Understanding the acute symptoms of this disorder is important for better defining the disorder and developing optimal diagnostic, preventive, and treatment algorithms.

Objectives

To define the presenting symptoms in a cohort of patients in the acute time period after perceiving a noise/pressure exposure in Havana.

Design/Settings/Participants

Review of 25 symptomatic individuals who reported a localized sensation of noise/pressure and 10 asymptomatic individuals (roommates of those affected) who did not experience the sound/pressure.

Results

Immediately after the exposure, the majority of individuals reported intense ear pain in one or both ears and experienced tinnitus. All of the individuals noticed unsteadiness and features of cognitive impairment. On presentation to our center, dizziness (92%) and cognitive complaints (56%) were the most common symptoms. Formal testing revealed that 100% of individuals had an otolithic abnormality and evidence of cognitive dysfunction.

Conclusion and Relevance

This study focuses on the acute presentation of a phenomenon in which symptoms emerge after perception of a localized noise/pressure and in which the acute symptomology includes the universal nature of vestibular injuries and select cognitive deficits. The findings presented in this acute group of patients begin to provide a better picture of the initial injury pattern seen after this exposure and may allow for more accurate diagnosis of this disorder in future cases.

Level of Evidence

Retrospective review
A fast level set model of multi‐atlas labels fusion for 3D MRI tissues segmentation with application of split Bregman method
Authors: Yang Yunyun , Ruan Sichun , Qin Xuxu , Tian Dongcai
Published: December 2018

In this paper, we propose a new fast level set model of multi‐atlas labels fusion for 3D magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tissues segmentation. The proposed model is aimed at segmenting regions of interest in MR images, especially the tissues such as the amygdala, the caudate, the hippocampus, the pallidum, the putamen, and the thalamus. We first define a new energy functional by taking full advantage of an image data term, a length term, and a label fusion term. Different from using the region‐scalable fitting image data term and length term directly, we define a new image data term and a new length term, which is also incorporated with an edge detect function. By introducing a spatially weight function into the label fusion term, segmentation sensitivity to warped images can be largely improved. Furthermore, the special structure of the new energy functional ensures the application of the split Bregman method, which is a significant highlight and can improve segmentation efficiency of the proposed model. Because of these promotions, several good characters, such as accuracy, efficiency, and robustness have been exhibited in experimental results. Quantitative and qualitative comparisons with other methods have demonstrated the superior advantages of the proposed model.
Frequency spectrum analysis of lightweight foamed concrete using microwave dielectric measurement technique
Authors: Lee Kim Yee , Phua Yeong‐Nan , Lim Siong‐Kang , You Kok Yeow , Cheng Ee Meng
Published: December 2018

The dielectric characterization of concrete is a significant parameter to study the microwave signal transmission for the building materials. In this paper, a microwave measurement system has been developed using open ended coaxial sensor and vector network analyzer for frequency spectrum analysis of lightweight foamed concrete. The measurement setup is validated prior to make sure the system is working properly. The results of dielectric constant and loss factor of different densities lightweight concrete samples are measured and analyzed from 150 kHz to 8 GHz. From the analysis, the lightweight foamed concrete is a frequency spectrum friendly building material. In addition, the relationship between the dielectric constant and density of the lightweight foamed concrete is found to be interrelated. The empirical modeling of some selected frequencies has been formed. The models are useful for the future application on determining the dielectric constant and characteristic of lightweight concrete samples.
Holographic design of leaky‐wave antenna with gain controlled four beams
Authors: Liu Jinlin , Su Tao , Wu Bian , Lv Huanhuan
Published: December 2018

In this article, a holographic design of leaky‐wave antenna (LWA) with gain controlled 4 beams using artificial impedance surface (AIS) is presented. The AIS is composed of sub‐wavelength patches which have small physical sizes and less loss. Based on the principle of the holographic theory, the radiation pattern with 4 beams can be obtained with the AIS excited by the reference wave. By adjusting the amplitude coefficients of the modulation depth of each beam, the gain of each beam can be effectively controlled. For validating the analysis, a prototype is fabricated and measured. The results show that the proposed method is an efficient way to design gain controlled 4‐beam LWA.
Resolving interferences of triple‐crossover‐cranes by determining paths in networks
Authors: Briskorn Dirk , Zey Lennart
Published: December 2018

In order to reduce waiting times of trucks or other container transport vehicles in terminals storage blocks in seaport container terminals may be equipped with three stacking cranes. With an increasing number of cranes, however, the determination of conflict‐free schedules not only becomes more challenging but also is a key factor for the overall productivity of the cranes. In this article we develop a heuristic algorithm that provides conflict‐free routings for a triple‐crossover‐stacking‐crane setting minimizing the makespan for a given assignment of container jobs to cranes and a given sequence of jobs for each crane. We tackle this problem by developing a graphical model allowing us to construct a network of paths. Each path represents a conflict‐free schedule and we can determine a very good routing by finding the shortest path in the network. We demonstrate the method's effectiveness as well as its efficiency by means of a computational study.
Development of stochastic isogeometric analysis (SIGA) method for uncertainty in shape
Authors: Zhang Hongguan , Shibutani Tadahiro
Published: December 2018

In this paper, a new method is proposed that extend the classical deterministic isogeometric analysis (IGA) into a probabilistic analytical framework in order to evaluate the uncertainty in shape and aim to investigate a possible extension of IGA in the field of computational stochastic mechanics. Stochastic IGA (SIGA) method for uncertainty in shape is developed by employing the geometric characteristics of the non‐uniform rational basis spline and the probability characteristics of polynomial chaos expansions (PCE). The proposed method can accurately and freely evaluate problems of uncertainty in shape caused by deformation of the structural model. Additionally, we use the intrusive formulation approach to incorporate PCE into the IGA framework, and the C++ programming language to implement this analysis procedure. To verify the validity and applicability of the proposed method, two numerical examples are presented. The validity and accuracy of the results are assessed by comparing them to the results obtained by Monte Carlo simulation based on the IGA algorithm.
Evaluation of traveltime tomography in estimating near‐surface velocity inversion
Authors: Liu Yuzhu , Wu Zheng
Published: December 2018

Near‐surface velocity structures are generally inverted by ray‐based traveltime tomography in which the objective function is usually constructed using raypath traveltime residuals. However, inversion accuracy in these situations remains low due to the asymptotic assumption. On the contrary, phase and instantaneous traveltime tomographies invert frequency‐dependent traveltime rather than the asymptotic raypath version that is contained in the first‐arrival waveform for near‐surface velocities. They also take the finite‐frequency effect of the seismic wave propagation into account by using wavepaths instead of raypaths as sensitivity kernels. In this context, we firstly compare synthetic results between raypath traveltime, phase traveltime and instantaneous traveltime in this study before comparing their corresponding sensitivity kernels. We then analyse three sets of inversion results to prove that it is still an acceptable way to construct the objective function using raypath traveltime for tomography within the seismic exploration frequency band. In this way, time‐domain wave‐equation forward simulation can be avoided and therefore the computational cost can be dramatically reduced. We also demonstrate that a sensitivity kernel that takes the finite‐frequency effect into account is more important for inversion accuracy than traveltime used in tomography.
A cross‐cultural validation of the Resiliency Scale for Young Adults in Canada and China
Authors: Wilson Claire A. , Plouffe Rachel A. , Saklofske Donald H. , Yan Gonggu , Nordstokke David W. , Prince‐Embury Sandra , Gao Yan
Published: December 2018

The current study reports on a cross‐cultural validation of the recently developed Resiliency Scale for Young Adults (RSYA) with two samples consisting of 617 Canadian university students and 651 Chinese university students. Confirmatory factor analysis, tests of cultural invariance, and correlations with relevant individual difference variables were conducted as tests of validity. In the Chinese sample, confirmatory factor analysis supported the factor structure of the RSYA and internal consistency reliabilities for the three factors and 10 facets were good‐to‐excellent. Cultural and gender invariance were supported. Correlations with depression, anxiety, stress, flourishing, and life satisfaction were also in the expected direction in the Chinese sample. These findings provide additional support for the RSYA as a reliable and valid measure of personal resiliency for Chinese young adults. Findings support the three‐factor model of personal resiliency in both Canadian and Chinese young adults, as well as cultural and gender invariance. The robustness of this model has implications for assessing and developing resiliency cross‐culturally.
Abnormal fetal cerebral and vascular development in hypoplastic left heart syndrome
Authors: Kinnear Caroline , Haranal Maruti , Shannon Patrick , Jaeggi Edgar , Chitayat David , Mital Seema
Published: December 2018

Objective

To assess the cerebral and vascular development in fetuses with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS).

Methods

Pregnant women carrying fetuses diagnosed with HLHS who decided to interrupt their pregnancies were included in our study. Aortic size and blood flow were assessed based from fetal echocardiography. Immunohistochemical staining was performed in brain sections obtained from pathology in fetuses with HLHS and control fetuses without heart disease.

Results

Twenty‐seven midgestation fetal HLHS were included (gestational age, 23.3 ± 3.4 weeks). Head circumference z scores were lower in HLHS fetuses. Middle cerebral artery pulsatility index, a measure of cerebrovascular resistance, was inversely correlated with the ascending aortic z score (P < 0.05). Fetuses with HLHS had lower capillary density in the germinal matrix and their capillaries were larger compared with control fetuses with (P < 0.05). The expression of neuronal differentiation marker, FGFR1, and oligodendrocyte precursor, O4, were lower in HLHS brains compared with controls (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Our study identified abnormalities of vascular flow and structural brain abnormalities in fetal HLHS associated with impaired neuronal and oligodendrocyte differentiation, as well as cerebral growth impairment, early in gestation. These findings may be related in part to early vascular abnormalities.
A novel crystallization kinetics model of transcrystalline used for crystallization behavior simulation of short carbon fiber‐reinforced polymer composites
Authors: Fang Haidong , Wang Xinyu , Gu Junfeng , Li Zheng , Ruan Shilun , Shen Changyu
Published: December 2018

A combined model is presented to simulate the crystallization behavior of short carbon fiber‐reinforced polymer (SCFRP) composites in this work. The combined model accounts for two morphologies in SCFRP: transcrystalline and spherulite. Transcrystalline is affected by complicated processing conditions and fibers and significantly affects the performance of composites. The quantitative modeling of crystallization kinetics of transcrystalline is thus important in predicting the mechanical properties of the composites. Therefore, this work proposes a novel analytical crystallization kinetics model of transcrystalline for SCFRP. In the combined model, the crystallization kinetics of spherulites is calculated using a classic Kolmogorov model. The combined model for SCFRP is first validated using a pixel coloring method in a two‐dimensional (2D) simulation experiment and is then compared with the results of a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) experiment. The results of the model and experiments (using pixel coloring method and DSC) were found to be in agreement, which proves the rationality of the combined model. The modeling results also show that transcrystalline can accelerate the crystallization rate of composites, and the acceleration effect is more remarkable at high temperature. The proposed crystallization kinetics model has good potential for modelling the crystallization behavior of SCFRP under complex processing conditions. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:854–862, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Approaching 23% with large‐area monoPoly cells using screen‐printed and fired rear passivating contacts fabricated by inline PECVD
Authors: Nandakumar Naomi , Rodriguez John , Kluge Thomas , Groβe Thomas , Fondop Lauretta , Padhamnath Pradeep , Balaji Nagarajan , König Marcel , Duttagupta Shubham
Published: December 2018

We present n‐type bifacial solar cells with a rear interfacial SiOx/n+:poly‐Si passivating contact (‘monoPoly’ cells) where the interfacial oxide and n+:poly‐Si layers are fabricated using an industrial inline plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) tool. We demonstrate outstanding passivation quality with dark saturation current density (J0) values of approximately 3 fA/cm2 and implied open‐circuit voltage (iVoc) of 730 mV at 1‐sun conditions after firing in an industrial belt furnace. Using a simple solar cell process flow that can be easily adapted for mass production, a peak cell efficiency of 22.8% with a cell open circuit voltage (Voc) of 696 mV is achieved on large‐area, screen‐printed, Czochralski‐silicon (Cz‐Si) solar cells using commercial fire‐through metal pastes.
Unofficial hazing in secondary schools: Prevalence, activities, and attitudes
Authors: Pečjak Sonja , Pirc Tina
Published: December 2018

The aim of our exploratory pilot study was to investigate the unofficial initiation rite of accepting novices in secondary school. We examined the prevalence of unofficial hazing, types and frequency of hazing activities and the attitudes toward hazing of students with different roles in hazing (targets, bystanders, and target‐bystanders) in a sample of 404 first‐year (secondary school) students. We found out that 79% of student‐novices were involved in unofficial hazing (43% of them involuntarily); that activities of subtle hazing prevail (in 72%), but there are activities of harassment and dangerous hazing present in 28%; and that targets and target‐bystanders have more positive feelings and attitudes toward hazing than bystanders do. Implications of the study findings are also discussed.
Health outcomes in spinal muscular atrophy type 1 following AVXS‐101 gene replacement therapy
Authors: Al‐Zaidy Samiah , Pickard A. Simon , Kotha Kavitha , Alfano Lindsay N. , Lowes Linda , Paul Grace , Church Kathleen , Lehman Kelly , Sproule Douglas M. , Dabbous Omar , Maru Benit , Berry Katherine , Arnold W. David , Kissel John T. , Mendell Jerry R. , Shell Richard
Published: December 2018

Background

Spinal Muscular Atrophy type 1 (SMA1) is a rare genetic neuromuscular disease where 75% of SMA1 patients die/require permanent‐ventilation by 13.6 months. This study assessed the health outcomes of SMA1 infants treated with AVXS‐101 gene replacement therapy.

Methods

Twelve genetically confirmed SMA1 infants with homozygous deletions of theSMN1gene and twoSMN2gene copies received a one‐time intravenous proposed therapeutic dose of AVXS‐101 in an open label study conducted between December 2014 and 2017. Patients were followed for 2‐years post‐treatment for outcomes including (1) pulmonary interventions; (2) nutritional interventions; (3) swallow function; (4) hospitalization rates; and (5) motor function.

Results

All 12 patients completed the study. Seven infants did not require noninvasive ventilation (NIV) by study completion. Eleven patients had stable or improved swallow function, demonstrated by the ability to feed orally; 11 patients were able to speak. The mean proportion of time hospitalized was 4.4%; the mean unadjusted annualized hospitalization rate was 2.1 (range = 0, 7.6), with a mean length of stay/hospitalization of 6.7 (range = 3, 12.1) days. Eleven patients achieved full head control and sitting unassisted and two patients were walking independently.

Conclusions

AVXS‐101 treatment in SMA1 was associated with reduced pulmonary and nutritional support requirements, improved motor function, and decreased hospitalization rate over the follow‐up period. This contrasts with the natural history of progressive respiratory failure and reduced survival. The reduced healthcare utilization could potentially alleviate patient and caregiver burden, suggesting an overall improved quality of life following gene replacement therapy.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.govnumber, NCT02122952.
Tuning the Exciton Diffusion Coefficient of Polyfluorene Based Semiconducting Polymers
Authors: Sajjad Muhammad T. , Ward Alexander J. , Ruseckas Arvydas , Bansal Ashu K. , Allard Sybille , Scherf Ullrich , Samuel Ifor D.W.
Published: December 2018

Exciton diffusion plays an important role in functional materials used in organic optoelectronic devices, such as solar cells, organic light emitting diodes, and lasers. Here we explore how exciton diffusion can be controlled in highly fluorescent blue‐emitting polyfluorene materials by changing the length and type of side chains. We find that the exciton diffusion coefficient (D) decreases from 1.2 × 10−3 cm2 s−1 to 0.2×10−3 cm2 s−1 when the side chain length is increased from 8 to 12 carbon atoms. Other changes to the side chains led to enhancement of D up to 1.6 × 10−3 cm2 s−1. Our results show that small adjustments to the molecular structure can be helpful for the future development of high‐brightness organic light emitting devices.
CCC‐r charts' performance with estimated parameter for high‐quality process
Authors: Zhang Min , Hou Xuejun , Chen Hui , He Shuguang
Published: December 2018

CCC‐r charts are effective in detecting process shifts in the nonconforming rate especially for a high‐quality process. The implementation of the CCC‐r charts is usually under the assumption that the in‐control nonconforming rate is known. However, the nonconforming rate is never known, and accurate estimation is difficult. We investigate the effect of estimation error on the CCC‐r charts' performances through the expected value of the average number of observations to signal (EANOS) as well as the standard deviation of the average number of observations to signal (SDANOS). By comparing the in‐control performance of the CCC‐r charts, the CCC‐r chart with a larger value of r is more susceptible to the effects of parameter estimation. Meanwhile, the performance of the CCC‐r charts can converge when detecting upward shifts in p of out‐of‐control processes. We recommend the use of the CCC‐4 chart when considering its effectiveness in detecting shifts as well as its easier construction in practice. Furthermore, it is investigated that the CCC‐4 chart is less sensitive to parameter estimation while being more effective in detecting different process shifts when compared with Geometric CUSUM chart and synthetic chart.
Under canopy light detection and ranging‐based autonomous navigation
Authors: Higuti Vitor A. H. , Velasquez Andres E. B. , Magalhaes Daniel Varela , Becker Marcelo , Chowdhary Girish
Published: December 2018

This paper describes a light detection and ranging (LiDAR)‐based autonomous navigation system for an ultralightweight ground robot in agricultural fields. The system is designed for reliable navigation under cluttered canopies using only a 2D Hokuyo UTM‐30LX LiDAR sensor as the single source for perception. Its purpose is to ensure that the robot can navigate through rows of crops without damaging the plants in narrow row‐based and high‐leaf‐cover semistructured crop plantations, such as corn (Zea mays) and sorghum (
Sorghum bicolor). The key contribution of our work is a LiDAR‐based navigation algorithm capable of rejecting outlying measurements in the point cloud due to plants in adjacent rows, low‐hanging leaf cover or weeds. The algorithm addresses this challenge using a set of heuristics that are designed to filter out outlying measurements in a computationally efficient manner, and linear least squares are applied to estimate within‐row distance using the filtered data. Moreover, a crucial step is the estimate validation, which is achieved through a heuristic that grades and validates the fitted row‐lines based on current and previous information. The proposed LiDAR‐based perception subsystem has been extensively tested in production/breeding corn and sorghum fields. In such variety of highly cluttered real field environments, the robot logged more than 6 km of autonomous run in straight rows. These results demonstrate highly promising advances to LiDAR‐based navigation in realistic field environments for small under‐canopy robots.
Hypergraph coloring up to condensation
Authors: Ayre Peter , Coja‐Oghlan Amin , Greenhill Catherine
Published: December 2018

Improving a result of Dyer, Frieze and Greenhill [Journal of Combinatorial Theory, Series B, 2015], we determine the q‐colorability threshold in random k‐uniform hypergraphs up to an additive error of , where . The new lower bound on the threshold matches the “condensation phase transition” predicted by statistical physics considerations [Krzakala et al., PNAS 2007].
An anti‐repeater‐jamming approach based on blind source separation for the downlink of satellite communication systems
Authors: Yang Hua , Zhang Hang , Zhang Jiang , Yang Liu
Published: December 2018

In this paper, an anti‐jamming approach is proposed for the downlink of satellite communication systems when encountering a hostile repeater‐jamming. Based on blind source separation, this approach can eliminate repeater‐jamming by separating the mixtures of the communication signals and the repeater‐jamming. Meanwhile, oversampling method is employed to transform the underdetermined mixing of signals into a determined mixing for facilitating the separation. In the simulations, the symbol error ratio (SER) of the separated communication signals can approximate the theory SER, and the anti‐repeater‐jamming capacity can arrive to nearly 28 dB.
The ends required to justify the means for sustainable affordable housing: A review on critical success criteria
Authors: Adabre Michael Atafo , Chan Albert P.C.
Published: December 2018

In this time of increasing housing demand and incessant housing supply deficit, the need for critical success criteria (CSC) to qualitatively and quantitatively measure the performance of affordable housing projects has become even more relevant. Though affordable housing has received much attention in the construction industry, success in affordable housing is interpreted differently by different researchers and is an abstract term difficult to be assessed. Besides, limited studies exit on providing a framework for assessing success in affordable housing projects. This paper aims to review the literature on CSC for affordable housing and based on the outcomes develop a framework for measuring success in affordable housing projects. To this end, CSC‐related papers were retrieved from Scopus and the Web of Science databases. A systematic desktop search was employed, which culminated in the selection of 34 articles related to CSC for both general construction and affordable housing projects. Based on the literature, 20 CSC for sustainable affordable housing were identified and used to develop a conceptual framework of product success, project management success, and project success. Practically, the findings of this study could help architects, project managers, and planners monitor and control affordable housing projects to ensure successful delivery while also serving as measuring criteria to assess performance of affordable housing projects in meeting households' needs. Theoretically, this study offers an important acumen to the existing literature on CSC for affordable housing and provides useful findings for further empirical studies.
Impact of Abradant Size on Damaged Zone of 304 AISI Steel Characterized by Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy
Authors: Horodek P. , Siemek K. , Dryzek J. , Wróbel M.
Published: December 2018

Positron annihilation, electron microscopy, and optical profilometry studies of steel 304 AISI exposed to blasting with different size of abradant, i.e., alumina and glass have been reported. The size of abradant particles has a direct impact on the roughness which changed from 0.7 μm to about 5 μm. Positron lifetime measurements revealed the existence of defects associated with the dislocations in samples processed with a smaller medium. In the case of blasting with aluminum oxide particles with a diameter of 250 μm, monovacancies were detected in processed specimens. The defect concentration induced by blasting decreases with the increase of the depth from the surface, and it depends on the abradant particles’ size.
Advancing the Disaster and Development Paradigm
Authors: Collins Andrew E.
Published: December 2018

Consolidation of disaster and development studies as an integrated field of action research that influences policy has proved to be fundamental to global disaster risk reduction, sustainable development, climate change, and humanitarian agreements. However, challenges in achieving targets, such as those of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals, requires further advances of the disaster and development paradigm underpinning these aspirations. This article presents perspectives that grew primarily from local action research, particularly research carried out with marginalized and highly at-risk groups of people in Southern Africa and South Asia. Analytical fronts from these findings emphasize disaster and development risk assessment opportunities that consolidate earlier ideas and extend understanding of disaster and development-related risk intervention options. These acknowledge severe shortcomings in disaster risk reduction progress while including greater use of hope as an active ingredient. This process of paradigm exploration remains fundamental to achieving disaster risk reduction, sustainable development, and associated policy objectives. The analysis presented here reiterates earlier groundings in people-centric perspectives, emphasizing social relations and systems of meaning as essential active ingredients for challenging power structures, technology, education, and human behavior. The analysis proposes some consequent thematic fronts for increased investment. These include investing in early buildup of well-being before a disaster, better living with uncertainty, and overcoming the barriers to desired disaster and development outcomes. The article is intended to contribute to an ever-evolving paradigm of disaster and development risk that requires impetus from personal and collective values beyond calculations of disaster and development.
Interaction of crustal and mantle materials, sources of trace elements during the formation and evolution of Early Paleozoic Li-rich granite–pegmatite systems in southeastern Tuva
Authors: Kuznetsova L.G.
Published: December 2018

We present new data on the age, composition, and environments of formation of granites of the Kystarys complex and the associated Li-rich rare-element pegmatites of the South Sangilen pegmatite belt including the large Tastyg lithium deposit. It has been established that they formed during the Early Paleozoic collisional orogeny in the Tuva–Mongolian massif at the Cambrian–Ordovician boundary. The granites of the Kystarys complex are moderately alkaline high-K rocks and are enriched in Zr, Nb, Y, and REE; therefore, they are classified as postcollisional, transitional to within-plate (A-type). The spodumene pegmatites of the South Sangilen pegmatite belt are similar to the above granites in age and isotopic and geochemical parameters, which suggests a paragenetic relationship between these rocks. Pegmatites form several pegmatite fields within the belt, which differ in trace-element signatures. In addition to predominant Li, Cs, and Ta, specific to all spodumene pegmatites (LCT family), pegmatites of two fields have high contents of Nb, Y, REE, and Zr, which are indicator elements of NYF family pegmatites. It has been established that the formation of spodumene pegmatites with combined LCT–NYF geochemical signatures was preceded by the intrusion of dikes of monzogabbro with the geochemical characteristics of OIB and of alkali aegirine granites and by the formation of associated metasomatites enriched in Zr, Nb, Y, and REE. Based on the geological, mineralogical, and geochemical data, we substantiate the hypothesis of the formation of Li-bearing granite–pegmatite melts from a mixed source resulted from the influence of fluids of an alkaline igneous complex of mantle genesis on the crustal protolith.
Extremely magnesian olivine in igneous rocks
Authors: Plechov P.Yu. , Shcherbakov V.D. , Nekrylov N.A.
Published: December 2018

Published data on extremely magnesian olivine (>96 mol.% forsterite) in igneous rocks were generalized and compared with data of new high-precision electron probe microanalyses of olivine from oxidized lavas of the Tolbachik Volcano (Kamchatka), chromitites from the Ray-Iz deposit (Russia), alkaline ultrabasic lavas from San Venanzo volcanoes (Italy), and skarns from the Kuh-i-Lal deposit (Tajikistan). All the found olivines resulted from low-temperature processes, such as subsurface oxidation, interaction with carbonates, and subsolidus re-equilibration. Low-temperature formation of olivine is reflected in its structure (hematite lamellae and abundance of inclusions of ore minerals) and abnormal contents of minor components (Mn, Ni, and Ca). The Mg content of olivine increases under the influence of postmagmatic processes and can be manifested in different rocks. This gives grounds to refine the genesis of olivine of exotic composition (93–96 mol.% forsterite) in some kimberlites, komatiites, and peridotites.
Distribution and segregation of trace elements during the growth of ore mineral crystals in hydrothermal systems: geochemical and mineralogical implications
Authors: Tauson V.L. , Lipko S.V. , Smagunov N.V. , Kravtsova R.G. , Arsent’ev K.Yu.
Published: December 2018

The interfacial crystal layer of poorly soluble mineral grown under hydrothermal conditions is modified chemically into a surficial nonautonomous phase (SNAP) and, in this capacity, takes part in growth process, doing several important functions. This paper considers some of them related to geochemistry and mineralogy. The new interpretation is given to the following phenomena: (1) selection of components during crystal growth in multiphase associations; (2) stability of multiphase parageneses having a common chemical component; (3) dual character of the distribution coefficients due to different properties of the crystal volume and SNAP; (4) formation of nano- and microinclusions of unusual composition different from the basic mineral phase; (5) spatial ordering of nano- and microparticles during their directed aggregation at the growing crystal face; (6) accumulation of valuable components (primarily noble metals), incompatible in most of mineral matrixes, in the surficial layer; and (7) effect of “hidden” metal content, associated with the presence of noble metals in the SNAP or of nano- and microinclusions formed during the SNAP evolution.
Caregivers dying before care recipients with dementia
Authors: Gaugler Joseph E. , Jutkowitz Eric , Peterson Colleen M. , Zmora Rachel
Published: December 2018

Introduction

Although a handful of studies have examined mortality among caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia (ADRD), the proportion of caregivers who die before their cognitively impaired care recipients remains unknown.

Methods

We conducted descriptive and survival analyses on up to 17 years of data from the nationally representative Health and Retirement Study to evaluate the proportion of spouse caregivers who died before their care recipients.

Results

Eighteen percent of spouse ADRD caregivers died before their care recipients, and spouse caregivers had a significantly lower risk of mortality than their husbands or wives with ADRD.

Discussion

Although a large majority of spouse ADRD caregivers will likely not die before their cognitively impaired husband or wife, those persons with ADRD who survive longer than their caregivers are worthy of future inquiry given their potential risk for negative health outcomes.
The Design Argument
Authors: Sober Elliott
Published: December 2018

This Element analyzes the various forms that design arguments for the existence of God can take, but the main focus is on two such arguments. The first concerns the complex adaptive features that organisms have. Creationists who advance this argument contend that evolution by natural selection cannot be the right explanation. The second design argument - the argument from fine-tuning - begins with the fact that life could not exist in our universe if the constants found in the laws of physics had values that differed more than a little from their actual values. Since probability is the main analytical tool used, the book provides a primer on probability theory.
Kognitive Merkmale rechenschwacher Kinder in Abhängigkeit vom Cut-off Kriterium
Authors: Busch Jenny , Schmidt Claudia , Studte Sara , Grube Dietmar
Published: December 2018

Zusammenfassung. Unter Rechenschwäche versteht man unterdurchschnittliche Rechenleistungen, die gemessen an einer sozialen Bezugsnorm unterhalb tolerierbarer Abweichungen liegen. Die Größe der Abweichung wird in wissenschaftlichen Studien oft willkürlich gewählt und liegt zwischen 0.5 und 2 Standardabweichungen unterhalb des Verteilungsmittelwerts (Cut-off). Dies hat nicht nur Auswirkungen auf die Identifikation schwacher Rechner, sondern auch auf die Vergleichbarkeit und Aussagekraft empirischer Studien. Diese Studie prüft, ob sich in Abhängigkeit vom verwendeten Cut-off unterschiedliche Zusammenhänge zur Rechenschwäche mit Arbeitsgedächtnisleistungen, Leistungen bei (non-)symbolischen Mengenvergleichen und für das arithmetische Faktenwissen aufzeigen lassen. Dazu wurden die Leistungen zwei distinkter Gruppen schwach rechnender Kinder (T ≤ 35 vs. 35 < T < 40) sowie einer Kontrollgruppe durchschnittlich rechnender Kinder (T ≥ 40) verglichen. Nur bei Verwendung eines strengen Cut-off (T ≤ 35) zeigten sich Zusammenhänge der Rechenschwäche mit dem visuell-räumlichen Arbeitsgedächtnis und symbolischen Mengenvergleichen. Bei der Bearbeitung von Aufgaben zum basalen arithmetischen Faktenwissen wurden zwischen den beiden Gruppen schwacher Rechner unterschiedliche Rechenstrategien festgestellt. Die Ergebnisse werden in Hinblick auf die heterogene Befundlage zu kognitiven Bedingungen der Rechenschwäche und bezüglich möglicher Implikationen für die pädagogisch-psychologische Praxis diskutiert.
Pushing the Limits
Authors: Zondervan-Zwijnenburg Mariëlle , Depaoli Sarah , Peeters Margot , van de Schoot Rens
Published: December 2018

Abstract. Longitudinal developmental research is often focused on patterns of change or growth across different (sub)groups of individuals. Particular to some research contexts, developmental inquiries may involve one or more (sub)groups that are small in nature and therefore difficult to properly capture through statistical analysis. The current study explores the lower-bound limits of subsample sizes in a multiple group latent growth modeling by means of a simulation study. We particularly focus on how the maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian estimation approaches differ when (sub)sample sizes are small. The results show that Bayesian estimation resolves computational issues that occur with ML estimation and that the addition of prior information can be the key to detect a difference between groups when sample and effect sizes are expected to be limited. The acquisition of prior information with respect to the smaller group is especially influential in this context.
Seismicity of the Bora‐Tullu Moye Volcanic Field, 2016–2017
Authors: Greenfield Tim , Keir Derek , Kendall J.‐Michael , Ayele Atalay
Published: December 2018

The Bora‐Tullu Moye (TM) volcanic field is a geothermal energy prospect in the central Main Ethiopian Rift, but little is known about the seismicity of the region. Here we document seismic activity between February 2016 and October 2017, locating more than a 1,000 seismic events of local magnitude 0 to 2.7. This provides new insights into fluid movement and deformation beneath what we only now realize is a complicated volcanic system. A discrete cluster of events lies beneath TM, but, surprisingly, most of the seismicity lies in two clusters that are beneath neither the Bora or TM edifices. In these regions, we use earthquake cluster orientations, fault plane solutions, and fast seismic shear‐wave orientations to show that seismicity is triggered by hydrothermal circulation of fluids along preexisting fractures. The fractures trend in multiple directions and are, in general, not parallel to rifting related structures. Instead, the fractures are parallel to structures created during previous caldera forming eruptions at both Bora and TM. Highly fractured regions such as this could be attractive targets for geothermal power generation. We estimate a minimum depth for a magmatic body beneath TM to be 6.5 km using the mapped brittle‐ductile transition. Frequency analysis of the earthquake waveforms reveal the bulk of the events to be volcano tectonic, but some low‐frequency seismicity is present at a depth of 5 km beneath the TM edifice triggered by high pore fluid pressures.