bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mindfulness and Buddhism
Authors: Neves-Pereira Mônica Souza , Carvalho Marco Aurélio Bilibio de , Aspesi Cristiana de Campos
Published: August 2017

This article discusses contributions of Eastern philosophical traditions, in particular, Buddhism and its concept of mindfulness—to the field of psychology. Psychology has long dealt with the concept of mindfulness to understand the results of meditation in several contexts, such as psychotherapy and education. The works of Thich Nhat Hanh on meditation and mindfulness represent one of the theoretical pillars of this discussion. Recent research on mindfulness in the field of scientific psychology provides additional links for this collaborative effort between religious tradition and science. Research on this theme inevitably leads to considerations of the ethical, moral, environmental, ecological, emotional, and spiritual dimensions involved in Buddhist traditions and in different psychological theories. These traditions and theories converge to benefit persons undergoing situations of psychological and spiritual suffering. This article concludes by sharing new possibilities of comprehending the concept and practice of mindfulness, based on writings from the Buddhist tradition that focus on its phenomenon from a broader and deeper viewpoint.
Absorption mechanism, structural and electronic properties of MC19 (M = B and Si) fullerenes with 1-acetylpiperazine
Authors: Alver Özgür , Parlak Cemal , Elzagheid Mohamed I , Ramasami Ponnadurai
Published: August 2017

The interaction mechanisms of undoped, silicon- and boron-doped C20 fullerenes and 1-acetylpiperazine (1-ap) were investigated. Stability, electronic properties, influence of water on the solubility and stability, molecular parameters, descriptive vibrational bands and nuclear magnetic resonance shielding values are reported. The quantum mechanical calculations were carried out using the M06-2X functional and the 6-31G(d) basis set. It is observed that all the complexes are more stabilized in water compared to the gas phase. The most stable complex was found as silicon-doped fullerene interacting with the carbonyl edge of 1-ap releasing energy of 64.13 kcal/mol in water.
Relationship between haemodynamic impairment and collateral blood flow in carotid artery disease
Authors: Hartkamp Nolan S , Petersen Esben T , Chappell Michael A , Okell Thomas W , Uyttenboogaart Maarten , Zeebregts Clark J , Bokkers Reinoud PH
Published: August 2017

Collateral blood flow plays a pivotal role in steno-occlusive internal carotid artery (ICA) disease to prevent irreversible ischaemic damage. Our aim was to investigate the effect of carotid artery disease upon cerebral perfusion and cerebrovascular reactivity and whether haemodynamic impairment is influenced at brain tissue level by the existence of primary and/or secondary collateral. Eighty-eight patients with steno-occlusive ICA disease and 29 healthy controls underwent MR examination. The presence of collaterals was determined with time-of-flight, two-dimensional phase contrast MRA and territorial arterial spin labeling (ASL) imaging. Cerebral blood flow and cerebrovascular reactivity were assessed with ASL before and after acetazolamide. Cerebral haemodynamics were normal in asymptomatic ICA stenosis patients, as opposed to patients with ICA occlusion, in whom the haemodynamics in both hemispheres were compromised. Haemodynamic impairment in the affected brain region was always present in symptomatic patients. The degree of collateral blood flow was inversely correlated with haemodynamic impairment. Recruitment of secondary collaterals only occurred in symptomatic ICA occlusion patients. In conclusion, both CBF and cerebrovascular reactivity were found to be reduced in symptomatic patients with steno-occlusive ICA disease. The presence of collateral flow is associated with further haemodynamic impairment. Recruitment of secondary collaterals is associated with severe haemodynamic impairment.
Optimal control of greenhouse gas emissions and system cost for integrated municipal solid waste management with considering a hierarchical structure
Authors: Li Jing , He Li , Fan Xing , Chen Yizhong , Lu Hongwei
Published: August 2017

This study presents a synergic optimization of control for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and system cost in integrated municipal solid waste (MSW) management on a basis of bi-level programming. The bi-level programming is formulated by integrating minimizations of GHG emissions at the leader level and system cost at the follower level into a general MSW framework. Different from traditional single- or multi-objective approaches, the proposed bi-level programming is capable of not only addressing the tradeoffs but also dealing with the leader–follower relationship between different decision makers, who have dissimilar perspectives interests. GHG emission control is placed at the leader level could emphasize the significant environmental concern in MSW management. A bi-level decision-making process based on satisfactory degree is then suitable for solving highly nonlinear problems with computationally effectiveness. The capabilities and effectiveness of the proposed bi-level programming are illustrated by an application of a MSW management problem in Canada. Results show that the obtained optimal management strategy can bring considerable revenues, approximately from 76 to 97 million dollars. Considering control of GHG emissions, it would give priority to the development of the recycling facility throughout the whole period, especially in latter periods. In terms of capacity, the existing landfill is enough in the future 30 years without development of new landfills, while expansion to the composting and recycling facilities should be paid more attention.
‘Details on the Establishment of Doctor Willis, for the Cure of Lunatics’ (1796)
Authors: Smith Leonard , Peters Timothy
Published: August 2017

The ‘mad-doctor’ Dr Francis Willis achieved national and international celebrity following his successful treatment of King George III’s first major episode of insanity in 1788–9. At the time of his summons to attend the King, Willis was a well-established provincial practitioner and madhouse proprietor. An anonymous French visitor published a description of Willis’s Lincolnshire madhouse and his therapeutic practices in 1796. The translated text of the full article provides a unique insight into the work of a key figure in the historical development of psychological medicine. The accompanying Introduction summarizes Francis Willis’s career as a mad-doctor and uses salient information from the original text to place him and his madhouse practice within a contemporary context.
The impact of urbanization on energy consumption and efficiency
Authors: Sheng Pengfei , He Yaping , Guo Xiaohui
Published: August 2017

There is no consensus about the impact of urbanization on energy efficiency. We seek to fill this gap in literature using data from 78 countries for the period of 1995 through 2012. Extending the Stochastic Impacts by Regression on Population, Affluence, and Technology model, we identify the impact of urbanization on energy consumption and efficiency. Results of generalized method of moments estimation indicate that the process of urbanization leads to substantial increases in both the actual and the optimal energy consumption, but a decrease in efficiency of energy use. In addition, we find that the extent to which energy inefficiency correlates with urbanization is greater in countries with higher gross domestic product per capita.
Comparison between robust and multi-model controllers
Authors: Hariz Maher Ben , Bouani Faouzi
Published: August 2017

Advances in microelectronics and software allow the implementation of some control laws in embedded systems. In this work, the STM32 microcontroller is used to implement a robust fixed low-order controller for linear systems. The parametric uncertainty model is employed to describe the system behavior and the controller objective is to ensure, in the presence of model uncertainties and disturbances at the plant output, some specified time response performances. The controller design is expressed as a min–max non-convex optimization problem while taking into consideration uncertainties and the desired closed-loop specifications. Consequently, the use of a local optimization method to resolve such kind of problem may lead to a local solution and then, the obtained control law is not optimal. Therefore, with the purpose of obtaining an optimal solution which will be able to satisfy the desired specifications, the application of a global optimization method is recommended. The optimization method exploited in this work is the generalized geometric programming. In order to evaluate the performances of the proposed method, the implementation of a fixed low-order controller by applying the multi-model approach is also considered.
The Axiological Memory of Max Weber
Authors: Râmbu Nicolae
Published: August 2017

Although it is been more than a century since the appearance of Max Weber’s famous essay about the objective character of knowledge in the field of social and political sciences, it still continues to attract the interest of researchers in the various cultural sciences. There is a whole secondary literature dedicated to concepts that Weber has not defined clearly enough, such as Idealtypus [ideal type], historisches Individuum [historical individual], Wertbeziehung [value-relation] or Werturteilsfreiheit [the freedom from value- judgement] ( Oakes, 1990 ). Our contribution falls into this category; since the phrase ‘axiological memory’ appears nowhere in Weber’s work, the concept itself is present, especially in his essays dedicated to methodology in the social and political sciences. As Guy Oakes noted, Weber did not always endeavour to argue his thesis rigorously, thus leaving ample room for the interpretation and development of his ideas.
Nonlocal large-amplitude vibration of embedded higher-order shear deformable multiferroic composite rectangular nanoplates with different edge conditions
Authors: Gholami R , Ansari R , Gholami Y
Published: August 2017

Based on the nonlocal elasticity theory, a unified nonlocal, nonlinear, higher-order shear deformable nanoplate model is developed to investigate the size-dependent, large-amplitude, nonlinear vibration of multiferroic composite rectangular nanoplates with different boundary conditions resting on an elastic foundation. By considering a unified displacement vector and using von Kármán’s strain tensor, the strain–displacement components are obtained. Using coupled nonlocal constitutive relations, the coupled ferroelastic, ferroelectric, ferromagnetic, and thermal properties of multiferroic composite materials and small-scale effect are taken into account. The electric and magnetic potential distributions in the nanoplate are calculated via Maxwell’s electromagnetic equations. Furthermore, Hamilton’s principle is utilized to obtain the mathematical formulation associated with the coupled governing equations of motions and boundary conditions. The developed model enables us to consider the effects of rotary inertia and transverse shear deformation without using any shear correction factor. Also, it can be degenerated to the models based on the Kirchhoff and existing shear deformation plate theories. To solve the large-amplitude vibration problem, an efficient multistep numerical solution approach is utilized. Effects of various important parameters such as the type of the plate theory, and parameters of nonlocality and coupled fields on the nonlinear frequency response are investigated.
Parenteral product error detection before and after implementation of intravenous workflow management technology
Authors: Wright Kelly R , Dekarske Brian , Clark John S , Chaffee Bruce W
Published: August 2017

Objective

To assess the difference in pharmacy error detection rates when using a manual process compared to an intravenous workflow management system for the preparation of parenteral medications.

Methods

Baseline error data were collected by staff using a standard form over a four-day time period before intravenous workflow management system implementation and compared to 48 weeks of electronically collected data following implementation. The chi-square test was used for statistical comparisons.

Results

The ability to detect an error during the intravenous preparation process increased immediately following implementation, but this difference was not sustained and was not statistically different when the entire post-implementation time period was compared to the baseline sample. The most prevalent errors at baseline were wrong drug amount (36.4%) and wrong base solution (22.7%). Post-implementation product expiration (26.1%), wrong diluent or base (17.9%), and wrong drug amount (19.2%) were the most prevalent errors. Barcode scanning technology detected 60% of the errors during the post-implementation period. A decrease in error detection over time was observed post-implementation and was attributed to corrections and additions to the intravenous workflow management library and better prospective identification of potential errors by staff as they adjusted to the system. The use of serial imaging enabled pharmacists to detect errors prospectively, which may have previously been undetected using the traditional intravenous preparation process.

Conclusion

The implementation of intravenous workflow management technology was unable to detect a statistically significant greater percentage of sterile product preparation errors compared with the baseline time period. Statistical significance was achieved during three of the first four months following implementation ( P < 0.05); however, this statistically significant increase was not maintained when the entire post-implementation sample was included.
Corporate Social Responsibility Strategies of Spanish Listed Firms and Controlling Shareholders’ Representatives
Authors: Pucheta-Martínez María Consuelo , López-Zamora Blanca
Published: August 2017

This article aims at analyzing how controlling shareholders’ representatives on boards affect corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies (disclosing CSR matters) in Spain, a context characterized by high ownership concentration, one-tier boards, little board independence, weak legal protection for investors, and the presence of large shareholders, especially institutional shareholders. Furthermore, among controlling shareholders’ representatives, we can distinguish between those appointed by insurance companies and banks and those appointed by mutual funds, investment funds, and pension funds. The effect of these categories of directors on CSR strategies is, therefore, also analyzed. Our findings suggest that controlling shareholders’ representatives have a positive effect on CSR strategies, as do directors appointed by investment funds, pension funds, and mutual funds, while directors appointed by banks and insurance companies have no impact on CSR strategies. This analysis offers new insights into the role played by certain types of directors on CSR strategies.
BOAST
Authors: Videau Brice , Pouget Kevin , Genovese Luigi , Deutsch Thierry , Komatitsch Dimitri , Desprez Frédéric , Méhaut Jean-François
Published: August 2017

The portability of real high-performance computing (HPC) applications on new platforms is an open and very delicate problem. Especially, the performance portability of the underlying computing kernels is problematic as they need to be tuned for each and every platform the application encounters. This article presents BOAST, a metaprogramming framework dedicated to computing kernels. BOAST allows the description of a kernel and its possible optimizations using a domain-specific language. BOAST runtime will then compare the different versions’performance as well as verify their exactness. BOAST is applied to three use cases: a Laplace kernel in OpenCL and two HPC applications BigDFT (electronic density computation) and SPECFEM3D (seismic and wave propagation).
Influence of magneto-electric environments on size-dependent bending results of three-layer piezomagnetic curved nanobeam based on sinusoidal shear deformation theory
Authors: Arefi Mohammad , Zenkour Ashraf M
Published: August 2017

In this work, an analytical solution for bending analysis of the three-layer curved nanobeams is presented. The nanobeams are including a nanocore and two piezomagnetic face-sheets. The structure is subjected to applied electric and magnetic potentials while is resting on Pasternak's foundation. To reach more accurate results, sinusoidal shear deformation theory is employed to derive displacement field of the curved nanobeams. In addition, nonlocal electro-magneto-elasticity relations are employed to derive governing equations of bending based on the principle of virtual work. The analytical results are presented for simply supported curved nanobeam to discuss the influence of important parameters on the vibration and bending results. The important parameters are included spring and shear parameters of the foundation, applied electric and magnetic potentials, nonlocal parameter, and radius of curvature of curved nanobeam.
Tribological behavior of laser textured steel impregnated with supramolecular gel lubricant
Authors: Yu Qiangliang , Ma Zhengfeng , Cai Meirong , Zhou Feng , Liu Weimin
Published: August 2017

The friction and wear properties of supramolecular gel lubricant impregnated into the laser surface texturing steel fabricated by laser micromachining were investigated, with that impregnated with commercial oil PAO10 as a comparison. Scanning electron microscopy characterization shows the gel lubricant have been successfully pumped into the pores of laser surface texturing steel from liquid state and solidified afterwards via supermolecular assembly. The friction was measured on an Optimal SRV-IV oscillating reciprocating friction and wear tester. It is shown that laser surface texturing steel impregnated with gel lubricant exhibited outstanding friction reduction and antiwear performance than impregnated with PAO10. The gelator molecules act not only to solidify lubricating oil, but also contribute to boundary lubrication by strong adsorption on substrate surface. The instant self-assembly of gelator to solidify lubricating oils makes impregnation of lubricants easier and helps to keep lubricating oils retention for long-term functioning.
‘Sing as you talk’: Politics, popular music and rock criticism in Spain (1975–1986)
Authors: del Val Fernán
Published: August 2017

The field of popular music in Spain underwent an important transformation in the years of the country’s political transition from 1975 to 1986, producing a great confluence of two music scenes: the so-called ‘Movida’ scene and the hard-rock scene. This article analyses a variety of music magazines and personal interviews with rock critics to trace how the process of legitimation in rock criticism deepened during those years. From a theoretical standpoint, this article applies ideas from the sociology of art criticism to popular music studies, Motti Regev’s work on the non-Anglophone music press and Shyon Baumann’s work on the legitimation process.
Do Psychology Department Mission Statements Reflect the American Psychological Association Undergraduate Learning Goals?
Authors: Warchal Judith R. , Ruiz Ana I. , You Di
Published: August 2017

This study focuses on the inclusion of the American Psychological Association’s learning goals in the mission statements of undergraduate psychology programs across the US. We reviewed the mission statements available on websites for 1336 psychology programs listed in the Carnegie classification. Results of a content analysis revealed that of the 205 (15.34%) psychology departments with mission statements available online, 11% addressed all five American Psychological Association learning goals, 95% addressed at least one of the five learning goals, and almost 5% (4.87%) did not address any learning goals.
Effect of respiratory rehabilitation techniques on the autonomic function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review
Authors: Mohammed Jibril , Da Silva Hellen , Van Oosterwijck Jessica , Calders Patrick
Published: August 2017

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) show several extrapulmonary abnormalities such as impairment in the autonomic function (AF). Similarly, the use of respiratory training techniques such as controlled breathing techniques, noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV), and oxygen supplementation for AF modulation in patients with COPD is popular in existing literature. However, the evidence to support their use is nonexistent. A systematic search of studies reporting on the effect of controlled breathing techniques, NIMV, and/or oxygen supplementation techniques on AF outcome parameters was conducted in three online databases: PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses statement, relevant studies were retained and qualitatively analyzed for evidence synthesis. The methodological quality in these studies was evaluated using the evidence based guideline development (EBRO) checklists per designs provided by the Dutch Cochrane Centre. Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria of the review and were included and discussed. The evidence synthesis revealed that a strong and moderate level evidence supported oxygen supplementation and slow breathing techniques, respectively, in significantly enhancing the baroreceptor sensitivity (BRS) values in patients with COPD. The effect of the examined techniques on the heart rate variability and muscle sympathetic nerve activity was of a limited or inconsistent evidence. The findings from this review suggest that oxygen supplementation and controlled breathing techniques have profound positive influence on the BRS in patients with COPD. However, it is not fully clear whether these influence translates to any therapeutic benefit on the general AF of patients with COPD in the long term.
Shame, Class, and Embodiment in the Catfish Universe
Authors: Kozma Alicia
Published: August 2017

This article examines the film Catfish and the corresponding television program Catfish: The TV Show to articulate how genres of the real create entertainment paradigms built on shame and derision as acceptable modes of programming particularly focused on bodies. Understanding these texts as visual culture narratives grounded in shame produced through “failed” classed, fat, and gendered bodies, I argue that when genres of the real focus on shame as entertainment they implicate individuals, rather than systemically enforced normative identity positions, as wholly complicit in their own sociocultural failure.
Gaussian process regression-based robust free space detection for autonomous vehicle by 3-D point cloud and 2-D appearance information fusion
Authors: Xiao Zhipeng , Dai Bin , Li Hongdong , Wu Tao , Xu Xin , Zeng Yujun , Chen Tongtong
Published: August 2017

Free space detection is crucial to autonomous vehicles while existing works are not entirely satisfactory. As cameras have many advantages on environment perception, a stereo vision-based robust free space detection method is proposed which mainly depends on geometry information and Gaussian process regression. In this work, in order to improve the performance by exploiting multiple source information, we apply Bayesian framework and conditional random field inference to fuse the multimodal information including 2-D image and 3-D point geometric information. Particularly, a Bayesian framework is used for multiple feature fusion to provide a normalized and flexible output. Gaussian process regression is used to automatically and incrementally regress the data, resulting enhanced performance. Finally, conditional random field with color and geometry constrains is applied to make the result more robust. In order to evaluate the proposed method, quantitative experiments on popular KITTI-road data set and qualitative experiments on our own campus data set are tested. The results show satisfactory and inspiring performance compared to the outstanding works and even are competitive to some relevant Lidar-based methods.
Chronic changes in pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide and related receptors in response to repeated chemical dural stimulation in rats
Authors: Han Xun , Ran Ye , Su Min , Liu Yinglu , Tang Wenjing , Dong Zhao , Yu Shengyuan
Published: August 2017

Background

Preclinical experimental studies revealed an acute alteration of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide in response to a single activation of the trigeminovascular system, which suggests a potential role of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide in the pathogenesis of migraine. However, changes in pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide after repeated migraine-like attacks in chronic migraine are not clear. Therefore, the present study investigated chronic changes in pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide and related receptors in response to repeated chemical dural stimulations in the rat.

Methods

A rat model of chronic migraine was established by repeated chemical dural stimulations using an inflammatory soup for a different numbers of days. The pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide levels were quantified in plasma, the trigeminal ganglia, and the trigeminal nucleus caudalis using radioimmunoassay and Western blotting in trigeminal ganglia and trigeminal nucleus caudalis tissues. Western blot analysis and real-time polymerase chain reaction were used to measure the protein and mRNA expression of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide-related receptors (PAC1, VPAC1, and VPAC2) in the trigeminal ganglia and trigeminal nucleus caudalis to identify changes associated with repetitive applications of chemical dural stimulations.

Results

All rats exhibited significantly decreased periorbital nociceptive thresholds to repeated inflammatory soup stimulations. Radioimmunoassay and Western blot analysis demonstrated significantly decreased pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide levels in plasma and trigeminal ganglia after repetitive chronic inflammatory soup stimulation. Protein and mRNA analyses of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide-related receptors demonstrated significantly increased PAC1 receptor protein and mRNA expression in the trigeminal ganglia, but not in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis, and no significant differences were found in the expression of the VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptors.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated the chronic alteration of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide and related receptors in response to repeated chemical dural stimulation in the rat, which suggests the crucial involvement of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide in the development of migraine. The selective increase in pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide-related receptors suggests that the PAC1 receptor pathway is a novel target for the treatment of migraine.
Prosthetic trauma and politics in the National September 11 Memorial Museum
Authors: Sodaro Amy
Published: August 2017

The National September 11 Memorial Museum opened in New York City in May 2014. Like other memorial museums, it uses affect and experience to produce in visitors what Alison Landsberg calls a “prosthetic memory” of 9/11: an individual, personal memory of 9/11 whether or not the visitor actually experienced the event. However, the museum also constructs 9/11 as an event that is collectively, culturally traumatic. Thus, the prosthetic memory might be better conceived as a “prosthetic trauma” that, in recreating for visitors the trauma of 9/11, encourages strong identification with the victims as embodiments of the American cultural identity that was targeted by the ideology of the terrorists. In this article, I examine how the 9/11 Museum constructs 9/11 as cultural trauma and uses the act of bearing witness to create “prosthetic trauma” and a simplistic dualism between good and evil that has important political implications.
The Integration of Emotional Expression and Experience: A Pragmatist Review of Recent Evidence From Brain Stimulation
Authors: Fausto Caruana
Published: August 2017

A common view in affective neuroscience considers emotions as a multifaceted phenomenon constituted by independent affective and motor components. Such dualistic connotation, obtained by rephrasing the classic Darwin and James’s theories of emotion, leads to the assumption that emotional expression is controlled by motor centers in the anterior cingulate, frontal operculum, and supplementary motor area, whereas emotional experience depends on interoceptive centers in the insula. Recent stimulation studies provide a different perspective. I will outline two sets of findings. First, affective experiences can be elicited also following the stimulation of motor centers. Second, emotional expressions can be elicited by stimulating interoceptive regions. Echoing the original pragmatist theories of emotion, I will make a case for the notion that emotional experience emerges from the integration of sensory and motor signals, encoded in the same functional network.
Tools for measuring and improving external customer satisfaction in stores of Santo Domingo, Ecuador
Authors: Rodriguez Alexander Sánchez , Campdesuñer Reyner Pérez , Vidal Gelmar García , Vivar Rodobaldo Martínez
Published: August 2017

This article is based on the development and application of a procedure to measure and improve external customer satisfaction, allowing a rational intervention in the variables related to the quality of service and leading to the progressive improvement of quality management in stores of Santo Domingo, Ecuador. It was possible to measure the levels of satisfaction experienced by customers based on perceptions about the service they receive. In addition, it allowed the modeling of indicators measuring the degree of customer satisfaction and loyalty, both globally and by processes, from a multi-attribute approach, which uses a linear additive model of attributes that characterize it and identifies those essential and critical of according to its importance and current valuation, in the framework of the specific procedure developed to evaluate the level of service performance, allowing to focus the management actions towards the solution of problems and the improvement of vital aspects of the execution of the service and in this way to maintain a continuous monitoring of the indicators of performance of the customer satisfaction in the selected organization.
Rare-earth crystal chemistry of thalénite-(Y) from different environments
Authors: Raschke Markus B. , Anderson Evan J. D. , Van Fosson Jason , Allaz Julien M. , Smyth Joseph R. , Škoda Radek , Persson Philip M. , Becker Randy
Published: August 2017

Thalénite-(Y), ideally Y3Si3O10F, is a heavy-rare-earth-rich silicate phase occurring in granite pegmatites that may help to illustrate rare-earth element (REE) chemistry and behaviour in natural systems. The crystal structure and mineral chemistry of thalénite-(Y) were analysed by electron microprobe analysis, X-ray diffraction and micro-Raman spectroscopy from a new locality in the peralkaline granite of the Golden Horn batholith, Okanogan County, Washington State, USA, in comparison with new analyses from the White Cloud pegmatite in the Pikes Peak batholith, Colorado, USA. The Golden Horn thalénite-(Y) occurs as late-stage sub-millimetre euhedral bladed transparent crystals in small miarolitic cavities in an arfvedsonite-bearing biotite granite. It exhibits growth zoning with distinct heavy-rare-earth element (HREE) vs. light-rare-earth element (LREE) enriched zones. The White Cloud thalénite-(Y) occurs in two distinct anhedral and botryoidal crystal habits of mostly homogenous composition. In addition, minor secondary thalénite-(Y) is recognized by its distinct Yb-rich composition (up to 0.8 atoms per formula unit (apfu) Yb). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and structure refinement reveals Y-site ordering with preferential HREE occupation of Y2 vs. Y1 and Y3 REE sites. Chondrite normalization shows continuous enrichment of HREE in White Cloud thalénite-(Y), in contrast to Golden Horn thalénite-(Y) with a slight depletion of the heaviest REE (Tm, Yb and Lu). The results suggest a hydrothermal origin of the Golden Horn miarolitic thalénite-(Y), compared to a combination of both primary magmatic followed by hydrothermal processes responsible for the multiple generations over a range of spatial scales in White Cloud thalénite-(Y).
Crystal chemistry of natural layered double hydroxides: 4. Crystal structures and evolution of structural complexity of quintinite polytypes from the Kovdor alkaline-ultrabasic massif, Kola peninsula, Russia
Authors: Zhitova Elena S. , Krivovichev Sergey V. , Yakovenchuk Viktor N. , Ivanyuk Gregory Yu. , Pakhomovsky Yakov A. , Mikhailova Julia A.
Published: August 2017

Two quintinite polytypes, 3Rand 2T, which are new for the Kovdor alkaline-ultrabasic complex, have been structurally characterized. The crystal structure of quintinite-2Twas solved by direct methods and refined toR1= 0.048 on the basis of 330 unique reflections. The structure is trigonal,P$\bar 3$c1,a= 5.2720(6),c= 15.113(3) Å andV= 363.76(8) Å3. The crystal structure consists of [Mg2Al(OH)6]+brucite-type layers with an ordered distribution of Mg2+and Al3+cations according to the$\sqrt 3 $×$\sqrt 3 $superstructure with the layers stacked according to a hexagonal type. The complete layer stacking sequence can be described as …=Ab1C = Cb1A=…. The crystal structure of quintinite-3Rwas solved by direct methods and refined toR1= 0.022 on the basis of 140 unique reflections. It is trigonal,R$\bar 3$m,a= 3.063(1),c= 22.674(9) Å andV= 184.2(1) Å3. The crystal structure is based upon double hydroxide layers [M2+,3+(OH)2] with disordered distribution of Mg, Al and Fe and with the layers stacked according to a rhombohedral type. The stacking sequence of layers can be expressed as …=АB = BC = CA=… The study of morphologically different quintinite generations grown on one another detected the following natural sequence of polytype formation: 2H→ 2T→ 1Mthat can be attributed to a decrease of temperature during crystallization. According to the information-based approach to structural complexity, this sequence corresponds to the increasing structural information per atom (IG): 1.522 → 1.706 → 2.440 bits, respectively. As theIGvalue contributes negatively to the configurational entropy of crystalline solids, the evolution of polytypic modifications during crystallization corresponds to the decreasing configurational entropy. This is in agreement with the general principle that decreasing temperature corresponds to the appearance of more complex structures.
Clinical Factors That Affect the Establishment of Soft Tissue Sarcoma Patient-Derived Orthotopic Xenografts: A University of California, Los Angeles, Sarcoma Program Prospective Clinical Trial
Authors: Russell Tara A. , Eckardt Mark A. , Murakami Takashi , Elliott Irmina A. , Kawaguchi Kei , Kiyuna Tasuku , Igarashi Kentaro , Li Yungfeng , Crompton Joseph G. , Graham Danielle S. , Dry Sarah M. , Bernthal Nicholas , Yanagawa Jane , Kalbasi Anusha , Federman Noah , Chmielowski Bartosz , Singh Arun S. , Hoffman Robert M. , Eilber Fritz C.
Published: August 2017

Purpose

Given the diverse and aggressive nature of soft tissue sarcomas (STSs), a need exists for more-precise therapy. Patient-derived orthotopic xenografts (PDOXs) provide a unique platform for personalized treatment. Thus, identification of patient and treatment factors that predict PDOX establishment is important. This study assessed the feasibility of incorporating PDOXs into the clinical setting and identifying factors associated with PDOX establishment.

Patients and Methods

From May 2015 to May 2016, 107 patients with biopsy-proven or potential STS were enrolled. Tumor samples were obtained intraoperatively and orthotopically implanted into nude mice in the corresponding anatomic location. PDOXs were considered established after engraftment and serial passage. Factors associated with establishment were analyzed by logistic regression and time to establishment by time-to-event analysis.

Results

Only high-grade tumors established (32 of 72 [44.4%]). The establishment rate (ER) varied by neoadjuvant therapy and treatment response, with the highest ER among untreated high-grade tumors (26 of 42 [61.9%]). Tumors exposed to radiation preoperatively did not establish (zero of 11 [0%]), and tumors exposed to neoadjuvant chemotherapy had a lower ER (31.9%) than untreated tumors. Only STSs with minimal pathologic response to neoadjuvant treatment (≤ 30%) established a PDOX (six of 18 [33.3%]). Median establishment time was 54 days, which varied by neoadjuvant therapy but was not statistically significant ( P = .180).

Conclusion

To our knowledge, in the largest STS PDOX study to date, we demonstrate a 62% ER among untreated high-grade tumors with a median establishment time of 54 days. Neoadjuvant therapy, particularly radiation, and pathologic response to treatment were associated with a reduced rate of PDOX establishment.
The Technology of Processed Electroencephalogram Monitoring Devices for Assessment of Depth of Anesthesia
Authors: Fahy Brenda G. , Chau Destiny F.
Published: August 2017

Commercial brain function monitors for depth of anesthesia have been available for more than 2 decades; there are currently more than 10 devices on the market. Advances in this field are evidenced by updated versions of existing monitors, development of new monitors, and increasing research unveiling the mechanisms of anesthesia on the brain. Electroencephalography signal processing forms an integral part of the technology supporting the brain function monitors for derivation of a depth-of-anesthesia index. This article aims to provide a better understanding of the technology and functionality behind these monitors. This review will highlight the general design principles of these devices and the crucial stages in electroencephalography signal processing and classification, with a focus on the key mathematical techniques used in algorithm development for final derivation of the index representing anesthetic state. We will briefly discuss the advantages and limitations of this technology in the clinical setting as a tool in our repertoire used for optimizing individualized patient care. Also included is a table describing 10 available commercial depth-of-anesthesia monitors.
Validade de constructo do módulo do questionário ISAQ-A para mensurar barreiras para a prática de atividades físicas no lazer de universitários
Authors: Sousa Thiago Ferreira de , Fonseca Silvio Aparecido
Published: August 2017

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a validade de constructo e a consistência interna do módulo do questionário ISAQ-A para mensurar barreiras para a prática de atividades físicas no lazer de universitários, tendo como base a proposta de agrupamento em três fatores. Foi realizado um estudo transversal com amostra de 970 universitários de uma instituição de ensino superior do Estado da Bahia de média etária de 23,5 anos (±5,2 anos) e 54,5% do sexo feminino. O módulo do questionário ISAQ-A mensura 12 tipos de barreiras, com a possibilidade de resposta até três opções, por ordem de importância. Para analisar a validade de constructo, considerou-se a proposta de agrupamento das barreiras em três fatores: barreiras pessoais, barreiras situacionais e barreiras de recursos/oportunidades, mediante a análise fatorial confirmatória (AFC). A consistência interna foi avaliada por meio do alfa de Cronbach’s. A consistência interna geral foi de 0,95, e entre os fatores, variou de 0,86 para o fator situacional a 0,90 para o fator de recursos/ oportunidades. Os resultados da AFC mostraram adequação da proposta de classificação das barreiras em três fatores (Comparative Fit Index = 0,96; Standardized Root Mean-Square Residual = 0,03; Tucker-Lewis Indices = 0,95; Normalized Fit Indices = 0,96). Conclui-se que o módulo do questionário ISAQ-A para a mensuração de barreiras para a prática de atividades físicas no lazer de universitários apresentou níveis adequados de validade de constructo e de consistência interna.
Students’ and teachers’ understanding of the WebCas questionnaire for assessing healthrelated behaviors
Authors: Legnani Rosimeide , Camargo Edina , Legnani Elto , Bacil Eliane , Malta Neto Nicolau , Campos Wagner
Published: August 2017

The objective of this study was to verify students’ and teachers’ understanding of the WebCas questionnaire, which aims to assess health-related behaviors. This cross-sectional, descriptive and exploratory survey used the qualitative technique of focus groups with 24 students and 6 teachers. The students highlighted the need to include colorful drawings, to display the segmentation of the day on the computer screen, to provide small explanatory texts in the questionnaire, and to replace terms that are unusual for children. Teachers suggested the inclusion of two images, one representing the male sex and the other representing the female one, and the creation of a scale to represent the intensities of activities, such as the sensation of tiredness, represented by sweat on the skin and hair and reddened skin. This study presented important contributions provided by students and teachers that enabled a better understanding of the WebCas electronic questionnaire in its application with children and adolescents.
Barreiras e facilitadores da adesão a um programa de educação em diabetes: a visão do usuário
Authors: Mendes Guilherme , Dullius Jane , Rezende Alexandre , Nogueira Julia
Published: August 2017

Este estudo objetiva identificar barreiras e facilitadores da adesão a um programa para o tratamento da Diabetes Mellitus tipo 2 (DM2). O Programa Doce Desafio (PDD) é contínuo, de base anual; regular, oferecido desde 2001; multidisciplinar, com exercícios físicos supervisionados, alimentação, autocuidado, uso de medicamentos e aspectos psicossociais; multiprofissional, com profissionais da farmácia, nutrição, educação física, medicina e enfermagem; multiestratégico, com palestras, debates, jogos, oficinas, discussões, e práticas de exercício físico supervisionado; comunitário, incluindo a atenção básica; e intersetorial, entre Universidade e Serviço; e realiza sessões de 120 minutos duas vezes por semana, em três locais do Distrito Federal. A pesquisa foi qualitativa, exploratória e baseada na técnica “roda de conversa”. Todos os 132 frequentadores do programa foram convidados e 55 sujeitos aceitaram participar da pesquisa. Cada unidade de atendimento sediou um encontro mediado pelo pesquisador, utilizando roteiro semiestruturado, para estabelecer um diálogo sobre as barreiras e facilitadores da adesão ao PDD. Todas as falas foram gravadas, transcritas e submetidas à análise de conteúdo. Das falas emergiram seis facilitadores à adesão: motivação para aprender; incentivo familiar; interação afetiva; melhoria da saúde e qualidade de vida; prazer da atividade física; e orientação profissional. E, quatro barreiras: desgaste no preenchimento de formulários; complicações de saúde; dificuldades financeiras; e problemas familiares. Educação multidisciplinar, exercícios físicos orientados e acompanhamento humanizado foram diferenciais do PDD em relação a outras vivências no tratamento da DM2. Falta avançar na capacitação profissional e sensibilização dos participantes para que as avaliações clínicas se tornem menos exaustivas e mais acessíveis.
Lévy-driven Polling Systems and Continuous-State Branching Processes
Authors: Boxma Onno , Ivanovs Jevgenijs , Kosiński Kamil , Mandjes Michel
Published: August 2017

In this paper we consider a ring of N ≥ 1 queues served by a single server in a cyclic order. After having served a queue (according to a service discipline that may vary from queue to queue), there is a switch-over period and then the server serves the next queue and so forth. This model is known in the literature as a polling model.

Each of the queues is fed by a non-decreasing Lévy process, which can be different during each of the consecutive periods within the server’s cycle. The N-dimensional Lévy processes obtained in this fashion are described by their (joint) Laplace exponent, thus allowing for non-independent input streams. For such a system we derive the steady-state distribution of the joint workload at embedded epochs, i.e. polling and switching instants. Using the Kella-Whitt martingale, we also derive the steady-state distribution at an arbitrary epoch.

Our analysis heavily relies on establishing a link between fluid (Lévy input) polling systems and multi-type Jiřina processes (continuous-state discrete-time branching processes). This is done by properly defining the notion of the branching property for a discipline, which can be traced back to Fuhrmann and Resing. This definition is broad enough to contain the most important service disciplines, like exhaustive and gated.
Tuning Approximate Dynamic Programming Policies for Ambulance Redeployment via Direct Search
Authors: Maxwell Matthew S. , Henderson Shane G. , Topaloglu Huseyin
Published: August 2017

In this paper we consider approximate dynamic programming methods for ambulance redeployment. We first demonstrate through simple examples how typical value function fitting techniques, such as approximate policy iteration and linear programming, may not be able to locate a high-quality policy even when the value function approximation architecture is rich enough to provide the optimal policy. To make up for this potential shortcoming, we show how to use direct search methods to tune the parameters in a value function approximation architecture so as to obtain high-quality policies. Direct search is computationally intensive. We therefore use a post-decision state dynamic programming formulation of ambulance redeployment that, together with direct search, requires far less computation with no noticeable performance loss. We provide further theoretical support for the post-decision state formulation of the ambulance-deployment problem by showing that this formulation can be obtained through a limiting argument on the original dynamic programming formulation.
Distributed user Profiling via Spectral Methods
Authors: Tomozei Dan-Cristian , Massoulié Laurent
Published: August 2017

User profiling is a useful primitive for constructing personalised services, such as content recommendation. In the present paper we investigate the feasibility of user profiling in a distributed setting, with no central authority and only local information exchanges between users. We compute a profile vector for each user (i.e., a low-dimensional vector that characterises her taste) via spectral transformation of observed user-produced ratings for items. Our two main contributions follow:

(i) We consider a low-rank probabilistic model of user taste. More specifically, we consider that users and items are partitioned in a constant number of classes, such that users and items within the same class are statistically identical. We prove that without prior knowledge of the compositions of the classes, based solely on few random observed ratings (namely O(N log N) such ratings for N users), we can predict user preference with high probability for unrated items by running a local vote among users with similar profile vectors. In addition, we provide empirical evaluations characterising the way in which spectral profiling performance depends on the dimension of the profile space. Such evaluations are performed on a data set of real user ratings provided by Netflix.

(ii) We develop distributed algorithms which provably achieve an embedding of users into a low-dimensional space, based on spectral transformation. These involve simple message passing among users, and provably converge to the desired embedding. Our method essentially relies on a novel combination of gossiping and the algorithm proposed by Oja and Karhunen.