bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of large‐scale photovoltaic generation integration structure on static voltage stability in China's Qinghai province network
Authors: Wang Ding , Yuan Xiaoming , Zhao Mingquan , Qian Yunzhe
Published: November 2017

Large‐scale photovoltaic (PV) generations are integrated into China's Qinghai province network and challenging the system stability. This study focuses on static voltage stability analysis of Qinghai grid in consideration of high‐penetration PV generation. The test system is based on the practical network structure of Qinghai grid. Different practical PV integration structures are, respectively, studied by discussing the influences of transmission line length, output power of PV plant and reactive power compensation capacity on system static voltage stability. The authors also compared different PV integration structures to study the effect of topology on static voltage stability. Simulation results are performed in the practical network structure of Qinghai grid. The analysis results can be used to provide guidance for system modification and thereby improve the system operation stability.
Asymmetric Chlorination of Cyclic β-Keto Esters and N-Boc Oxindoles­ Catalyzed by an Iron(III)-BPsalan Complex
Authors: Xu Zhen-Jiang , Che Chi-Ming , Luo Yong-Heng , Ping Yuan-Ji , Li Zong-Rui , Gu Xin
Published: November 2017

An iron(III)-BPsalan complex was found to efficiently catalyze the asymmetric chlorination reaction of cyclic β-keto esters and N-Boc oxindoles, affording the corresponding chlorinated products in high yield and up to 92% ee with NCS as chlorination reagent under mild reaction conditions.
Removal of a Frontal Sinus Osteoma and Reconstruction by a Custom-Made Implant with Neuronavigation Assistance
Authors: Palazzolo Vincenzo , Tronchet Anita , Valsecchi Stefano , Bellocchi Silvio , Gervasoni Carlo , Spotti Stefano , Francesco Andrea Di , Colombo Luigi , Riccio Stefano , Ronchi Paolo
Published: November 2017

The authors report the surgical treatment of an extensive right frontal sinus osteoma assisted by neuronavigation and reconstruction by a hydroxyapatite custom-made implant. The patient presents with ptosis, hypoglobus, and proptosis of the right eye, without any visual impairment. Computed tomographic (CT) scan showed a very large bony mass involving right frontal sinus and displacing the orbital roof. A stereolithographic model–guided planning was carried out to obtain a practical simulation of the surgical operation and it was submitted to a new CT scan to acquire the reference point to realize the neuronavigation assistance, and to achieve the template to realize the hydroxyapatite custom-made implant. Intraoperatively, with the help of neuronavigation assistance, osteotomies were performed by piezoelectric device. The reconstruction was made using a hydroxyapatite custom-made implant. The procedure was damage free, the bony mass was excised, and the orbital roof was repaired without any adverse effects. Postsurgical CT scan and scintigraphy showed a good reconstruction and a good-quality osteoblasts activity on the borders of the implant. Osteoma is a benign slow-growing bone tumor, usually involving the frontal sinus. Navigational assistance offers a very important help to perform safe osteotomies. Hydroxyapatite custom-made implant seems to be an excellent reconstructive method.
Thromboprophylaxis in Head and Neck Microvascular Reconstruction
Authors: Abraham Manoj , Badhey Arvind , Hu Shirley , Kadakia Sameep , Rasamny J. K. , Moscatello Augustine , Ducic Yadranko
Published: November 2017

Head and neck patients undergoing microvascular reconstruction are at high risk for thromboembolism. While the prevention of thromboembolism has become an essential aspect of care, within the field of microsurgery, concern for anastomotic complications have hindered the creation of an accepted regimen. The aim of this review was to evaluate the risks and benefits of prophylactic agents for thromboprophylaxis. A literature search was conducted in MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and PubMed/NCBI databases. Articles discussing thromboprophylaxis in otolaryngology, head and neck surgery, or microvascular reconstruction were considered in the review from the past 30 years. The majority of patients undergoing microvascular surgery have multiple risk factors for thrombus formation. Several consensus guidelines exist for the prophylaxis in patients who are critically ill, undergoing surgery, or with malignancy. Significant evidence supports the routine use of mechanical means, such as early mobilization and pneumatic compression along with subcutaneous heparin. Low-molecular-weight heparin is also frequently utilized, although results are largely divided. Data on aspirin remain equivocal. Studies on microvascular failure and flap loss have demonstrated little to no association with chemoprophylaxis. The evidence for postoperative thromboprophylaxis regimens in patients undergoing head and neck free tissue transfer is variable. Multiple studies have supported the use of unfractionated heparin or low-molecular-weight heparin. There appears to be an expert consensus for the combined use of mechanical prophylactic methods and chemical prophylaxis. Prospective randomized trials are required to validate the most effective combination of chemoprophylaxis agents.
Future Interventional Oncology Catheter-Based Therapies
Authors: Noda Christopher , Roubhaka Mihail , Charalel Resmi , Masrani Abdulrahman , Akinwande Olaguoke
Published: November 2017

Minimally invasive techniques in the treatment of cancer continue to develop at a rapid pace. Although surgical resection currently remains the only option for a complete cure, not all diseases are amenable to complete removal. This leaves opportunities to develop effective downstaging techniques as well as palliative care. In the realm of minimally invasive oncologic techniques, catheter-based therapies are an attractive option because malignancies require a blood supply to remain active. The intra-arterial (IA) delivery of specific tumoricidal drugs has been shown to be a successful delivery method in a variety of different cancers, and it is currently a progressive area of research. There is work both to increase the delivery specificity of oncologic drugs, including SW43 sigma receptor ligand and nanoparticle research. In addition, oncolytic viral therapy and 3-bromopyruvate have become increasingly more attractive tumoricidal drug prospects. In the future, the success of these therapies will ultimately determine the degree to which IA delivery will compete with the systemic delivery of drugs in the treatment of cancer.
A Review of the Incidence, Manifestation, Predisposing Factors, and Management of Recurrent Pediatric Inguinal Hernia
Authors: Koivusalo Antti
Published: November 2017

Recurrent pediatric inguinal hernia is relatively rare. In a large series, the recurrence rates vary from 0.3 to 1.2%. In a university hospital with surgical service for a wide spectrum of sick pediatric patients, the real recurrence rate may be 3 to 6%. Recurrence manifests typically 6 months after first repair. Current evidence indicates that recurrence rates in open and laparoscopic repair are similar. Laparoscopic repairs are, however, still performed by a minority of skilled pediatric surgeons, whereas the majority of pediatric surgeons rely on open repair not least because of the assumed lower risk of recurrence. After repair of an indirect hernia, the majority of recurrences (97%) are indirect, whereas in rare cases the recurrence turns out to be a formerly undiagnosed direct or femoral hernia. In Children's Hospital of Helsinki, Finland, recurrence rate from 2012 to 2016 was 2.8% and operations for recurrent hernias comprised 3.3% of the total. From 1991 to 2017, a total of 130 operations for recurrent hernias were performed with open inguinal approach (n = 75, 58%), laparoscopy (n = 49, 38%), and laparotomy (n = 4, 4%). One teenage patient underwent a Lichtenstein Prolene net repair. A recurrent inguinal hernia can be repaired either with an open or laparoscopic approach. In laparoscopy, the nature of the recurrent hernia can be clarified and an immediate repair performed either by laparoscopic or open technique. In expert hands new laparoscopic techniques using muscular arch, lateral umbilical ligament, iliopubic tract, and division of the sac may be an alternative to a simple purse-string closure.
Beeinflusst das Strukturniveau den Erfolg tagesklinischer Behandlung? Ergebnisse einer Längsschnittuntersuchung
Authors: Scherg Nina , Karcher Anna , Zimmermann Johannes , Hörz-Sagstetter Susanne
Published: November 2017

In einer explorativen, fragebogengestützten Untersuchung (n=63) wurde die Bedeutung des Strukturniveaus für den Erfolg tagesklinischer Behandlung untersucht. Die Datenerhebung zu Beginn und Ende der 4-6wöchigen Behandlung umfasste Daten zur aktuellen Symptombelastung (SCL-90-R, BDI-2), zum Strukturniveau (IPO-16), zu Persönlichkeitsstörungen (ADP- IV) sowie zu traumatischen Erfahrungen in Kindheit und Jugend (CTQ). Es wurden starke Zusammenhänge zwischen strukturellen Defiziten, Persönlichkeitspathologie, Traumatisierung und Symptombelastung gefunden. Es ergaben sich keine signifikanten Veränderungen im Strukturniveau im Behandlungszeitraum. Ein Einfluss des Strukturniveaus auf den Behandlungserfolg konnte entgegen den Ergebnissen bisheriger Studien nicht gezeigt werden. Die Bedeutung des Strukturniveaus für die Behandlungsplanung sollte weiter untersucht werden.
Faktorielle Validität und Konstruktvalidität des ICD-10-Symptom-Ratings (ISR) in einer klinisch weitgehend unauffälligen Stichprobe
Authors: Braun Sarah , Zimmermann Julia , Söhner Stephanie , Neidhardt Sylwia
Published: November 2017

Einleitung Das ICD-10-Symptom-Rating (ISR) ist ein Selbstbeurteilungsinstrument, das sich an der syndromalen Struktur des ICD-10 orientiert. Lassen sich bisherige Befunde zur Validität des Instruments in klinischen Stichproben in einer klinisch weitgehend unauffälligen Stichprobe replizieren?

Material & Methoden N=428 vorrangig studentische Versuchspersonen füllten das ISR und die SCL-90-R online aus.

Ergebnisse Die theoretisch postulierte faktorielle Struktur des ISR konnte mit einer guten Modellanpassung repliziert werden. Die Korrelationen zwischen den konstruktverwandten Skalen der beiden Instrumente reichten von rmin=0,60 bis rmax=0,85. Das Ausfüllen des ISR wurde als wenig belastend eingestuft.

Diskussion und Schlussfolgerung Diese Ergebnisse sind als Hinweise auf die Validität und Zumutbarkeit des ISR zu werten.
Concurrent Training with Blood Flow Restriction does not Decrease Inflammatory Markers
Authors: de Souza Thiago , Libardi Cleiton , Cavaglieri Cláudia , Gáspari Arthur , Brunelli Diego , de Souza Giovana , Ugrinowitsch Carlos , Min Li Li , Chacon-Mikahil Mara
Published: November 2017

The aging process is associated with several changes in the elderly such as the decrease in cardiorespiratory fitness, strength and muscle mass, in addition to chronic low-grade inflammation. Concurrent training with blood flow restriction can be an interesting alternative to improve functional capacity with low mechanical stress in the elderly. The purpose of this study was to compare the inflammatory effects in older individuals submitted to two different protocols of concurrent training. Twenty-two healthy older adults (63.7±3.8 years; 69.8±8.9 kg; 1.6±0.1 m) performed 12 weeks of concurrent training (CT) or concurrent training with blood flow restriction (CTBFR) and the effects on inflammatory markers were analyzed. We found inflammatory behavior for the CTBFR group with a significant difference in serum concentration of C-reactive protein between pre- and post-moment (0.96±0.37 to 1.71±1.45, p=0.049), with no difference between groups, and a time effect in interleukin-6 (pre=0.86±0.43; post=1.02±0.46, p=0.016). We conclude that the CTBFR showed a pro-inflammatory profile after the period of intervention whereas the CT showed the opposite.
Aus-, Fort- und Weiterbildung in Public Health – wo stehen wir heute?
Authors: Dierks Marie
Published: November 2017

Die Aus-, Fort- und Weiterbildung in Public Health findet in Deutschland auf der Ebene von Universitäten, Hochschulen für Angewandte Wissenschaften und Akademien und statt, in unterschiedlicher Intensität und mit z. T. unterschiedlichen Bezeichnungen. Der Artikel gibt einen Überblick über die historische Herausbildung der aktuellen Strukturen, umreißt die Herausforderungen für eine Weiterentwicklung und gruppiert mögliche Angebote unter den 3 von der Weltgesundheitsorganisation vorgeschlagenen zentralen Zielgruppen „Fachkräfte für das Öffentliche Gesundheitswesen“, „Gesundheitsfachkräfte, die sich mit der individuellen Versorgung von Patienten befassen“ und „Zielgruppen, die außerhalb des Gesundheitswesen arbeiten, aber für Entscheidungen verantwortlich sind, die sich auf die Gesundheit der Bevölkerung auswirken“.
Reduced α-stable dynamics for multiple time scale systems forced with correlated additive and multiplicative Gaussian white noise
Authors: Thompson William F. , Kuske Rachel A. , Monahan Adam H.
Published: November 2017

Stochastic averaging problems with Gaussian forcing have been the subject of numerous studies, but far less attention has been paid to problems with infinite-variance stochastic forcing, such as an α-stable noise process. It has been shown that simple linear systems driven by correlated additive and multiplicative (CAM) Gaussian noise, which emerge in the context of reduced atmosphere and ocean dynamics, have infinite variance in certain parameter regimes. In this study, we consider the stochastic averaging of systems where a linear CAM noise process in the infinite variance parameter regime drives a comparatively slow process. We use (semi)-analytical approximations combined with numerical illustrations to compare the averaged process to one that is forced by a white α-stable process, demonstrating consistent properties in the case of large time-scale separation. We identify the conditions required for the fast linear CAM process to have such an influence in driving a slower process and then derive an (effectively) equivalent fast, infinite-variance process for which an existing stochastic averaging approximation is readily applied. The results are illustrated using numerical simulations of a set of example systems.
Attractor learning in synchronized chaotic systems in the presence of unresolved scales
Authors: Wiegerinck W. , Selten F. M.
Published: November 2017

Recently, supermodels consisting of an ensemble of interacting models, synchronizing on a common solution, have been proposed as an alternative to the common non-interactive multi-model ensembles in order to improve climate predictions. The connection terms in the interacting ensemble are to be optimized based on the data. The supermodel approach has been successfully demonstrated in a number of simulation experiments with an assumed ground truth and a set of good, but imperfect models. The supermodels were optimized with respect to their short-term prediction error. Nevertheless, they produced long-term climatological behavior that was close to the long-term behavior of the assumed ground truth, even in cases where the long-term behavior of the imperfect models was very different. In these supermodel experiments, however, a perfect model class scenario was assumed, in which the ground truth and imperfect models belong to the same model class and only differ in parameter setting. In this paper, we consider the imperfect model class scenario, in which the ground truth model class is more complex than the model class of imperfect models due to unresolved scales. We perform two supermodel experiments in two toy problems. The first one consists of a chaotically driven Lorenz 63 oscillator ground truth and two Lorenz 63 oscillators with constant forcings as imperfect models. The second one is more realistic and consists of a global atmosphere model as ground truth and imperfect models that have perturbed parameters and reduced spatial resolution. In both problems, we find that supermodel optimization with respect to short-term prediction error can lead to a long-term climatological behavior that is worse than that of the imperfect models. However, we also show that attractor learning can remedy this problem, leading to supermodels with long-term behavior superior to the imperfect models.
Stationary state distribution and efficiency analysis of the Langevin equation via real or virtual dynamics
Authors: Li Dezhang , Han Xu , Chai Yichen , Wang Cong , Zhang Zhijun , Chen Zifei , Liu Jian , Shao Jiushu
Published: November 2017

Langevin dynamics has become a popular tool to simulate the Boltzmann equilibrium distribution. When the repartition of the Langevin equation involves the exact realization of the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck noise, in addition to the conventional density evolution, there exists another type of discrete evolution that may not correspond to a continuous, real dynamical counterpart. This virtual dynamics case is also able to produce the desired stationary distribution. Different types of repartition lead to different numerical schemes, of which the accuracy and efficiency are investigated through studying the harmonic oscillator potential, an analytical solvable model. By analyzing the asymptotic distribution and characteristic correlation time that are derived by either directly solving the discrete equations of motion or using the related phase space propagators, it is shown that the optimal friction coefficient resulting in the minimum characteristic correlation time depends on the time interval chosen in the numerical implementation. When the recommended “middle” scheme is employed, both analytical and numerical results demonstrate that, for good numerical performance in efficiency as well as accuracy, one may choose a friction coefficient in a wide range from around the optimal value to the high friction limit.
Carrier dynamics of InAs quantum dots with GaAs1−xSbx barrier layers
Authors: Guo Yingnan , Liu Yao , Liang Baolai , Wang Ying , Guo Qinglin , Wang Shufang , Fu Guangsheng , Mazur Yuriy I. , Ware Morgan E. , Salamo Gregory J.
Published: November 2017

Photoluminescence properties of InAs/GaAs1−xSbx quantum dots (QDs) are investigated with respect to the Sb-composition of x = 0, 0.15, and 0.25. The QDs demonstrate a type-II band alignment for x = 0.15 and 0.25. In contrast, with well-defined InAs/GaAs QDs, the InAs/GaAs1−xSbx QDs exhibit overlapping spectral features with increasing laser excitation intensity, which are determined to be the result of different carrier recombination routes, including both type-I and type-II pathways. Our investigation indicates that the optical behavior and the carrier dynamics in these InAs/GaAs1−xSbx QDs are much more complicated than in the InAs/GaAs QD counterparts. It provides very useful information for understanding the band structure and carrier dynamics of type-II InAs/GaAs1−xSbx QDs.
Portable detection of trace metals in airborne particulates and sediments via μPADs and smartphone
Authors: Jia Yuan , Dong Hui , Zheng Jianping , Sun Hao
Published: November 2017

Particulate matter (PM), a key indicator of air pollution by natural and anthropogenic activities, contributes to a wide spectrum of diseases that lead to a shortening of life expectancy. It has been recognized that trace metals in airborne PM are highly toxic and can be correlated with lesion in respiratory, gastrointestinal, immunological, and hematological systems. Traditional methods for trace metal assay require sophisticated instrumentations and highly trained operators in centralized laboratories. In this work, by integrating the technologies of microfluidic paper-based analytical devices, additive manufacturing, smartphone, and colorimetric sensing, we developed the first smartphone based paper microfluidic platform for portable, disposable, and quantitative measurements of cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), and iron (Fe) in ambient air and street sediments. On a single A4-sized paper, 48 devices were fabricated in under 30 s with a total cost of ∼$1.9. On each device, 12 reaction units were patterned and used for colorimetric tests. Particulate samples from urban ambient air and street sediments were collected, processed, and analyzed. Signals of the on-chip complexation product were recorded using a smartphone camera and processed by a self-developed app on an iOS system. For precisely controlling the object distance, chip position, and luminance, a hand-held 3D cellphone housing was designed and printed. The detection limits of Co, Cu, and Fe were determined to be 8.2, 45.8, and 186.0 ng, while the linear dynamic ranges were calculated to be 8.2–81.6, 45.8–4.58 × 102, and 1.86 × 102–1.86 × 103 ng, representing a practically relevant device performance with a significant reduction in the detection cost and time consumption. Trace metals in ambient air and sediments of two cities in China have been quantified portably, thus demonstrating the utility of our system in improving strategies for air pollution control in low-resource settings.
Relativistic finite-temperature Thomas-Fermi model
Authors: Faussurier Gérald
Published: November 2017

We investigate the relativistic finite-temperature Thomas-Fermi model, which has been proposed recently in an astrophysical context. Assuming a constant distribution of protons inside the nucleus of finite size avoids severe divergence of the electron density with respect to a point-like nucleus. A formula for the nuclear radius is chosen to treat any element. The relativistic finite-temperature Thomas-Fermi model matches the two asymptotic regimes, i.e., the non-relativistic and the ultra-relativistic finite-temperature Thomas-Fermi models. The equation of state is considered in detail. For each version of the finite-temperature Thomas-Fermi model, the pressure, the kinetic energy, and the entropy are calculated. The internal energy and free energy are also considered. The thermodynamic consistency of the three models is considered by working from the free energy. The virial question is also studied in the three cases as well as the relationship with the density functional theory. The relativistic finite-temperature Thomas-Fermi model is far more involved than the non-relativistic and ultra-relativistic finite-temperature Thomas-Fermi models that are very close to each other from a mathematical point of view.
Yeast cell fractionation by morphology in dilute ferrofluids
Authors: Chen Qi , Li Di , Zielinski Jessica , Kozubowski Lukasz , Lin Jianhan , Wang Maohua , Xuan Xiangchun
Published: November 2017

Morphology is an important particle (both biological and synthetic) property and potentially a useful marker for label-free particle separation. We present in this work a continuous-flow morphology-based fractionation of a heterogeneous mixture of drug-treated yeast cells in dilute ferrofluids. Such a diamagnetic cell separation technique utilizes the negative magnetophoretic motion to direct pre-focused yeast cells to morphology-dependent streamlines in a laminar flow. The separation performance is evaluated by comparing the exiting positions of the four classified groups of yeast cells: Singles, Doubles, Triples, and Others. We also develop a three-dimensional numerical model to simulate the separation process by the use of the experimentally determined correction factor for each group of non-spherical cells. The determining factors in this separation are studied both experimentally and numerically, the results of which show a reasonable agreement.
Public health impacts of culture independent diagnostic testing in Australia
Authors: May Fiona J
Published: November 2017

Culture independent diagnostic tests (CIDT) for detection of pathogens in clinical specimens have become widely adopted in Australian pathology laboratories. Pathology laboratories are the primary source of notification of pathogens to state and territory surveillance systems. Monitoring and analysis of surveillance data is integral to guiding public health actions to reduce the incidence of disease and respond to outbreaks. As with any change in testing protocol, the advantages and disadvantages of the change from culture based testing to culture independent testing need to be weighed up and the impact on surveillance and outbreak detection assessed. This article discusses the effect of this change in testing on surveillance and public health management of pathogens in Australia, with specific focus on gastrointestinal pathogens.
Changing epidemiology of invasive meningococcal disease in Australia 1994–2016
Authors: Smith Helen V , Jennison Amy V
Published: November 2017

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) has a relatively low incidence in Australia, however remains a serious public health issue, with a case fatality rate of approximately 10% despite antimicrobial treatment. IMD is particularly seen in young children, but can affect all age groups. The disease has non-specific early symptoms, rapid clinical progression mainly manifesting as septicaemia and/or meningitis, and has the potential for long term sequelae in the survivors, including skin scarring, amputation, deafness and seizures. There are 13 serogroups, although most invasive infections worldwide are caused by serogroups A, B, C, W, and Y, with some recent outbreaks in Africa caused by serogroup X. The prevalent circulating serogroups can undergo dynamic shifts, generating dramatic changes in IMD epidemiology. Such serogroup shifts have important ramifications for vaccination programs and constant surveillance is crucial.
Public health impact of the Enteroviruses and Parechoviruses
Authors: Knippenberg Ben , Ferson Mark J
Published: November 2017

Enteroviruses (EV) comprise viruses originally classified on cell culture replication patterns and clinical manifestations into a number of groups: poliovirus, coxsackievirus A, coxsackievirus B and ECHOvirus. The closely related genus Parechovirus has more recently been associated with human disease. EVs are common commensals of the human gut, often found without any ill effects on the person, but are also associated with a wide range of diseases and syndromes including non-specific rash illnesses, hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), conjunctivitis, meningitis and encephalitis, myocarditis and polio. This results in a significant burden of disease worldwide, often due to a particular genotype of EV. An estimated 1 billion people are infected with EV every year.
Work-based higher education programmes in Germany and the US: Comparing multi-actor corporatist governance in higher education
Authors: Graf Lukas
Published: November 2017

In both Germany and the United States, employers search for new strategies to recruit and train people in times of a dynamically evolving economy and rising educational expectations on the part of individuals. In this context, we observe the proliferation of work-based higher education programmes in both countries. This development challenges the common classification found in the political economy and educational policy literature that distinguishes between collectively governed dual apprenticeships in Germany and market-driven on-the-job training in the US. The paper proposes an alternative conceptualization that identifies significant similarities in the governance mode of work-based higher education across the two countries. Based on expert interviews and document analysis, the institutional analysis focuses on complex multi-actor governance constellations at the nexus of vocational training and higher education and explores consequences for contemporary policy-making in advanced skill formation.
Understanding policy problems: a refinement of past work
Authors: Hoornbeek John A , Peters B Guy
Published: November 2017

To better connect the concept of policy problems to policy solutions, this article builds on Guy Peters’ framework for identifying and applying ‘attributes’ of policy problems. It does so by applying the seven attributes of policy problems identified in Peters’ past work to a range of policy problems in the United States. The problems investigated include access to healthcare, the organization of public health services, and water pollution. By applying Peters’ attributes to these policy problems, we assess the range of the framework’s application to different types of policy problems. We also identify insights that can be used to enable improvements to the framework over time, which may enhance our ability to characterize policy problems in ways that guide policy design.
The absence of institutional entrepreneurship in climate adaptation policy – in search of local adaptation strategies for Rotterdam’s unembanked areas
Authors: Duijn Michael , van Buuren Arwin
Published: November 2017

Innovative policy measures often imply institutional adjustments. Whether such adjustments are accomplished often depends upon the presence of institutional entrepreneurship: actors who take responsibility to initiate the necessary actions to redesign existing institutional practices. The question arises under which conditions can institutional entrepreneurship be developed? And, what might be the cause of lacking institutional entrepreneurship?

In this article, the latter question is examined through in-depth collaborative research project for exploring alternative, adaptive flood risk strategies for flood proofing the unembanked area of the north-end of the city district Feijenoord in Rotterdam. Due to climate change, these areas are increasingly vulnerable to flooding. The traditional, institutionalized solution of raising the ground level before initiating new spatial developments does not suffice in the long term. Therefore, the city government explored alternative strategies for more adaptive ways of dealing with flood risks. Together with representatives of key stakeholders in the area, two key strategies for the unembanked areas were elaborated. These strategies have significant implications for the distribution of costs, risks and responsibilities and necessitate alternative governance architectures that exceed the current institutional structures.

During the research project, it became clear that the developed alternative strategies fundamentally differed from the current institutional system. Thus, institutional redesign was necessary. This proved to be virtually impossible, especially because none of the involved actors was willing nor capable of undertaking entrepreneurial activities to start such redesign. This observation led us to further investigate into the causes and the consequences of the absent entrepreneurship.
Institutional entrepreneurship and organisational learning: financial stability policy design in Turkey
Authors: Yağcı Mustafa
Published: November 2017

In the aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC), ‘financial stability’ emerged as one of the key pillars of economic policy-making and as a new mandate for central banks. In spite of the acceptance and prominence of financial stability goal, we know very little about the mechanisms of institutional change and the role of institutional entrepreneurship in particular, to pursue financial stability objective in national contexts. This study investigates the active financial stability pursuit of the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBRT) following the GFC and argues that institutional entrepreneurship of CBRT as an organisation and the governor of CBRT as an individual paved the way for active financial stability pursuit and resulting institutional and policy changes in Turkey by accomplishing ‘organisational learning’ at the CBRT. Governor of CBRT also played a key role as an institutional entrepreneur by gaining Turkish Treasury’s political support in design of unconventional monetary policy measures for financial stability objective. Utilising institutional theory, organisation theory, and public policy literature, this study offers an interdisciplinary, agency based and process-oriented analysis to the study of the political economy of central banking in the aftermath of GFC and sheds light on the questions of why and how central banks take specific policy decisions from a micro-level analysis.
Translating ideas into action: Brazilian studies of the role of the policy entrepreneur in the public policy process
Authors: Brasil Felipe Gonçalves , Capella Ana Cláudia Niedhardt
Published: November 2017

Over the past decades, research on policy formulation, especially research on agenda-setting, has demonstrated that the actions of individuals (or groups) labelled ‘policy entrepreneurs’ constitute a central aspect of the public policy process. Agenda-setting theoretical models (John Kingdon’s multiple streams model and Baumgartner and Jones’s punctuated equilibrium theory) view those actors from different perspectives, stressing different features of their role in the policy process. Both models consider the policy entrepreneur an essential actor in their explanations of policy maintenance or change. In Brazil, although the study of public policy has experienced periods of strong expansion during the past decades, there is still a lack of detailed data on the application of such models and the role of policy entrepreneurs in such analyses. This paper aims to present and discuss the centrality of policy entrepreneurs in agenda-setting models by analysing this important actor and the limits and contributions of this conceptualization for understanding the policy process. In addition, this research analyses the central role of the policy entrepreneur and presents empirical findings of Brazilian policy studies, thus highlighting implications regarding the concept for these three theoretical approaches.
Intrinsic and extrinsic benefits as promoters of pro-environmental behaviour / Beneficios intrínsecos y extrínsecos como promotores de la conducta proambiental
Authors: Vanegas-Rico María-Cristina , Corral-Verdugo Víctor , Ortega-Andeane Patricia , Bustos-Aguayo José-Marcos
Published: November 2017

The practice of pro-environmental behaviour (PEB) can generate positive consequences for the environment and for those who engage in such behaviour. This study suggests that such consequences can, in turn, promote the future practice of pro-environmental actions. A structural model was tested, including the intrinsic and extrinsic benefits of PEB experienced by people as exogenous variables, and PEB as the endogenous variable, on a sample of 360 inhabitants of Mexico City. The model fit the data adequately and explained 24% of variance in PEB. Intrinsic and extrinsic benefits positively and significantly affected PEB, and also presented a moderately strong relationship between them, which could indicate that both types of benefits might jointly foster pro-environmental actions.
Anharmonic, dimensionality and size effects in phonon transport
Authors: Thomas Iorwerth O , Srivastava G P
Published: November 2017

We have developed and employed a numerically efficient semi- ab initio theory, based on density-functional and relaxation-time schemes, to examine anharmonic, dimensionality and size effects in phonon transport in three- and two-dimensional solids of different crystal symmetries. Our method uses third- and fourth-order terms in crystal Hamiltonian expressed in terms of a temperature-dependent Grüneisen’s constant. All input to numerical calculations are generated from phonon calculations based on the density-functional perturbation theory. It is found that four-phonon processes make important and measurable contribution to lattice thermal resistivity above the Debye temperature. From our numerical results for bulk Si, bulk Ge, bulk MoS2 and monolayer MoS2 we find that the sample length dependence of phonon conductivity is significantly stronger in low-dimensional solids.
Village Political Economy, Land Tenure Insecurity, and the Rural to Urban Migration Decision: Evidence from China
Authors: Giles John , Mu Ren
Published: November 2017

This article investigates the impact of land tenure insecurity on the migration decisions of China's rural residents from 1995 to 2003. The article appeals to a simple model to frame the relationship between migration and the probability that a reallocation of land in the village will occur in the following year. Empirically, the article first demonstrates that a village leader's support for an administrative land reallocation carries with it the risk of losing a future election. Exploiting election timing and village heterogeneity in lineage group composition, the article identifies the effect of reallocation risk on migration decisions. In response to an expected land reallocation in the following year, the probability that a rural resident migrates out of the county declines by 2.4 percentage points, which accounts for 15% of the annual share of village residents, aged 16 to 50, who worked as migrants during the period. This finding underscores the potential importance of secure property rights for facilitating labor market integration and the movement of labor out of agriculture.
Cellular Substrates of Brain Rhythms
Authors: Amzica Florin , Lopes da Silva Fernando H.
Published: November 2017

The purpose of this chapter is to familiarize the reader with the basic electrical patterns of the electroencephalogram (EEG). Brain cells (mainly neurons and glia) are organized in multiple levels of intricate networks. The cellular membranes are semipermeable media between extracellular and intracellular solutions, populated by ions and other electrically charged molecules. This represents the basis of electrical currents flowing across cellular membranes, further generating electromagnetic fields that radiate to the scalp electrodes, which record changes in the activity of brain cells. This chapter presents these concepts together with the mechanisms of building up the EEG signal. The chapter discusses the various behavioral conditions and neurophysiological mechanisms that modulate the activity of cells leading to the most common EEG patterns, such as the cellular interactions for alpha, beta, gamma, slow, delta, and theta oscillations, DC shifts, and some particular waveforms such as sleep spindles and K-complexes and nu-complexes.
Normal EEG in Wakefulness and Sleep
Authors: Pearl Phillip L. , Beal Jules , Eisermann Monika , Misra Sunita , Plouin Perrine , Moshe Solomon L. , Riviello James J. , Nordli Douglas R. , Mizrahi Eli M.
Published: November 2017

Electroencephalogram (EEG) interpretation depends on accurate pattern recognition. One of the first lessons the novice electroencephalographer learns is that EEG pattern interpretation must take into account the patient’s age and the level of vigilance, or state. EEG patterns vary according to central nervous system development and maturation. This process evolves over time, starting with the early development and maturation of the nervous system (an evolution) to a peak of maturity, followed by an involution. Basic differences exist between the ascending (developmental) and descending (involutional) portions of this curve. This chapter discusses pediatric EEG, from the dramatic ontogenic transitioning of the neonate, premature and term, to infants, children, and adolescents.
Validating Biomarkers and Diagnostic Tests in Clinical Neurophysiology
Authors: Ewen Joshua B. , Beniczky Sándor
Published: November 2017

There has been an explosion in the development of electroencephalogram (EEG)-based biomarkers and clinical tests. This upsurge is likely due to an increase in therapies rooted in biological mechanisms rather than behavioral descriptions, as well as to the democratization of computational power and the lower cost of EEG compared with competing methodologies. This increase in motivation and opportunity demands an increased responsibility for proper validation studies. Fields including laboratory medicine and psychometrics have paved the way for rigorous validation methodology. This chapter reviews a systematic methodology for biomarker/clinical test validation, translating approaches from other fields to the specific characteristics of EEG-based metrics. A checklist is provided to help readers design high-quality diagnostic validation studies of EEG-based biomarkers.
EEG Activation Methods
Authors: Shafi Mouhsin M. , Westover M. Brandon
Published: November 2017

Activation procedures are commonly employed to increase the diagnostic yield of electroencephalography (EEG) in patients with suspected epilepsy. This chapter reviews the effects and utility of hyperventilation, intermittent photic stimulation, and color/pattern stimulation on the EEG in patients with epilepsy and other neurological disorders. In theory, the greater the number of different activation methods used in EEG evaluation of an epilepsy patient, the greater the chance of obtaining abnormal findings. However, the specificity of these findings for epilepsy is uncertain. Furthermore, from a practical point of view, desirable activations are those methods that can be carried out easily and systematically, in a short time frame, with affordable equipment, without undesirable side effects for patients, and with reliable and predictive results. At this time, hyperventilation and intermittent photic stimulation are the most widely used activation methods and have an extensive body of literature supporting them.
Patterns of Unclear Significance
Authors: Edwards Jonathan Charles , Kutluay Ekrem
Published: November 2017

Accurate interpretation of electroencephalograms requires knowledge and experience with a wide range of findings. Misinterpretation is common and may result from insufficient inexperience, incomplete training, or simply human error. However, misinterpretation may also arise from the relative rarity of some findings, and also from the evolution and necessary change in our understanding of the significance of these findings. One of the most common sources of reader error is in dealing with patterns that have some hallmarks of abnormalities but are actually normal findings. We refer to these findings as variants, or “patterns of unclear significance.” This chapter reviews several of the common and uncommon patterns (fast or slow alpha variant, alpha squeak, rhythmic midtemporal theta bursts of drowsiness, midline theta rhythm, subclinical rhythmic electrographic discharge in adults, 14- and 6-Hz positive bursts, 6-Hz spike-and-wave bursts, benign sporadic sleep spikes, wickets, frontal arousal rhythm), emphasizing characteristics that can optimize interpretation.
The EEG in Degenerative Disorders of the Central Nervous System
Authors: Gaitanis John , Pearl Phillip L. , Goodkin Howard
Published: November 2017

Nervous system alterations can occur at any stage of prenatal or postnatal development. Any of these derangements, whether environmental or genetic, will affect electrical transmission, causing electroencephalogram (EEG) alteration and possibly epilepsy. Genetic insults may be multisystemic (for example, neurocutaneous syndromes) or affect only the brain. Gene mutations account for inborn errors of metabolism, channelopathies, brain malformations, and impaired synaptogenesis. Inborn errors of metabolism cause seizures and EEG abnormalities through a variety of mechanisms, including disrupted energy metabolism (mitochondrial disorders, glucose transporter defect), neuronal toxicity (amino and organic acidopathies), impaired neuronal function (lysosomal and peroxisomal disorders), alteration of neurotransmitter systems (nonketotic hyperglycinemia), and vitamin and co-factor dependency (pyridoxine-dependent seizures). Environmental causes of perinatal brain injury often result in motor or intellectual impairment (cerebral palsy). Multiple proposed etiologies exist for autism, many focusing on synaptic development. This chapter reviews the EEG findings associated with this myriad of pathologies occurring in childhood.
EEG in Dementing Disorders
Authors: Babiloni Claudio , Percio Claudio Del , Buján Ana
Published: November 2017

This chapter reviews the most relevant literature on qualitative and quantitative abnormalities in resting-state eyes-closed electroencephalographic (rsEEG) rhythms recorded in patients with dementing disorders due to Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal lobar degeneration, vascular disease, Parkinson’s disease, Lewy body disease, human immunodeficiency virus infection, and prion disease, mainly Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease. This condition of quiet wakefulness is the most used in clinical practice, as it involves a simple, innocuous, quick, noninvasive, and cost-effective procedure that can be repeated many times without effects of stress, learning, or habituation. While rsEEG has a limited diagnostic value (not reflecting peculiar pathophysiological processes directly), delta, theta, and alpha rhythms might be promising candidates as “topographical markers” for the prognosis and monitoring of disease evolution and therapy response, at least for the most diffuse dementing disorders. More research is needed before those topographical biomarkers can be proposed for routine clinical applications.
The Application of EEG to Epilepsy in Adults and the Elderly
Authors: Krishnan Vaishnav , Chang Bernard S. , Schomer Donald L.
Published: November 2017

Surface or scalp electroencephalography (EEG) has become an indispensable tool for the diagnosis, classification, and care of patients with epilepsy across the age spectrum. This chapter provides an overview of interictal and corresponding ictal scalp EEG patterns observed in adults with certain classical epilepsy syndromes. In patients with one or more new-onset seizures, the value of EEG testing begins with a close examination of the interictal record. The morphology, frequency, and topography of interictal epileptiform discharges (when present) are typically sufficient to broadly distinguish between the propensity to develop “generalized seizures” (those that rapidly engage a distributed epileptogenic network) or “focal seizures” (which have a stereotyped onset within a clearly lateralized focal region or network). Epileptiform discharges may also be seen in patients without epilepsy who are affected by certain acute (e.g., severe metabolic encephalopathies) or chronic neuropsychiatric syndromes (e.g., autism spectrum disorder). An examination of the ictal recording is of crucial importance in patients with medication-refractory focal onset seizures as it serves to guide patient selection and ancillary testing for the possibility of resective surgery for epilepsy. This chapter also highlights the limited anatomical sensitivity of EEG for seizures that lack an associated impairment in consciousness (“simple partial seizures”) or those that remain confined to mesial, deep or inferior cortical regions.
EEG in the Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Osman Gamaleldin M. , Riviello James J , Hirsch Lawrence J.
Published: November 2017

The field of continuous electroencephalographic monitoring (cEEG) in the intensive care unit has dramatically expanded over the past two decades. Expansion of cEEG programs led to recognition of the frequent occurrence of electrographic seizures, and complex rhythmic and periodic patterns in various critically ill populations. The majority of electrographic seizures are of nonconvulsive nature, hence the need for cEEG for their identification. Guidelines on when and how to perform cEEG and standardized nomenclature for description of rhythmic and periodic patterns are now available. Quantitative EEG analysis methods depict EEG data in a compressed (hours on one screen) colorful graphical representation, facilitating early identification of key events, recognition of slow, long-term trends, and timely therapeutic intervention. Integration of EEG with other invasive and noninvasive modalities of monitoring brain function provides critical information about the development of secondary neuronal injury, providing a valuable window of opportunity for intervention before irreversible damage ensues.