bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genome‐wide identification and expression analysis reveal the potential function of ethylene responsive factor gene family in response to Botrytis cinerea infection and ovule development in grapes (Vitis vinifera L.)
Authors: Zhu Y. , Li Y. , Zhang S. , Zhang X. , Yao J. , Luo Q. , Sun F. , Wang X.
Published: November 2018

The prevention of Botrytis cinerea infection and the study of grape seedlessness are very important for grape industries. Finding correlated regulatory genes is an important approach towards understanding their molecular mechanisms.

Ethylene responsive factor (ERF) gene family play critical roles in defence networks and the growth of plants. To date, no large‐scale study of the ERF proteins associated with pathogen defence and ovule development has been performed in grape (Vitis vinifera L.). In the present study, we identified 113 ERF genes (VvERF) and named them based on their chromosome locations. The ERF genes could be divided into 11 groups based on a multiple sequence alignment and a phylogenetic comparison with homologues from Arabidopsis thaliana. Synteny analysis and Ka/Ks ratio calculation suggested that segmental and tandem duplications contributed to the expansion of the ERF gene family. The evolutionary relationships between the VvERF genes were investigated by exon–intron structure characterisation, and an analysis of the cis‐acting regulatory elements in their promoters suggested potential regulation after stress or hormone treatments.

Expression profiling after infection with the fungus, B. cinerea, indicated that ERF genes function in responses to pathogen attack. In addition, the expression levels of most ERF genes were much higher during ovule development in seedless grapes, suggesting a role in ovule abortion related to seedlessness.

Taken together, these results indicate that VvERF proteins are involved in responses to Botrytis cinerea infection and in grape ovule development. This information may help guide strategies to improve grape production.
Training and match volume and injury in adolescents playing multiple contact team sports: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Hartwig Timothy B. , Gabbett Tim J. , Naughton Geraldine , Duncan Craig , Harries Simon , Perry Nicholas
Published: November 2018

Training and competition loads have emerged as valuable injury risk factors but very few studies have explored injury outcomes in adolescent athletes. The aims of this study were to describe injuries and to explore the relationship between training and match load volumes and injury in adolescent athletes participating in multiple contact team sports. One hundred and three male youth rugby athletes aged 14‐16 years from 8 rugby union teams were prospectively monitored during a season for weekly training and match volumes and injuries. The relationship between volume and injury was explored by comparing the weekly volume in the week prior to an injury vs weeks without injury. There were 83 time‐loss injuries in 58 athletes (62%). Overall injury incidence was 18.5 per 1000 player‐hours. Mean weekly injury prevalence was 27% (95% CI 25‐30). Average weekly volume was 5.4 (2.2) hours comprising 1.4 (1) match hours and 4 (2.6) training hours. Compared with weeks without injury, weeks prior to an injury had higher match volumes (110 [57] min vs 83 [59] min, P < 0.001). Poisson regression demonstrated that match volume was a predictor of injury with an odds ratio of 1.41 (P = 0.001). The contribution of match volumes to injury risk and the relatively high injury burden in these athletes may be profound. Very high match volumes are unlikely to be in the best interests of young athletes and could be avoided with a systematic approach to load management and athlete development.
CONSTANS delays Arabidopsis flowering under short days
Authors: Luccioni Laura , Krzymuski Martín , Sánchez‐Lamas Maximiliano , Karayekov Elizabeth , Cerdán Pablo D. , Casal Jorge J.
Published: November 2018

Long days (LD) promote flowering of Arabidopsis thaliana compared with short days (SD) by activating the photoperiodic pathway. Here we show that growth under very‐SD (3 h) or darkness (on sucrose) also accelerates flowering on a biological scale, indicating that SD actively repress flowering compared with very‐SD. CONSTANS (CO) repressed flowering under SD, and the early flowering of co under SD required FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT). FT was expressed at a basal level in the leaves under SD, but these levels were not enhanced in co. This indicates that the action of CO in A. thaliana is not the mirror image of the action of its homologue in rice. In the apex, CO enhanced the expression of TERMINAL FLOWER 1 (TFL1) around the time when FT expression is important to promote flowering. Under SD, the tfl1 mutation was epistatic to co and in turn ft was epistatic to tfl1. These observations are consistent with the long‐standing but not demonstrated model where CO can inhibit FT induction of flowering by affecting TFL1 expression.
Myofibroblast proliferation and heterogeneity are supported by macrophages during skin repair
Authors: Shook Brett A. , Wasko Renee R. , Rivera-Gonzalez Guillermo C. , Salazar-Gatzimas Emilio , López-Giráldez Francesc , Dash Biraja C. , Muñoz-Rojas Andrés R. , Aultman Krystal D. , Zwick Rachel K. , Lei Vivian , Arbiser Jack L. , Miller-Jensen Kathryn , Clark Damon A. , Hsia Henry C. , Horsley Valerie
Published: November 2018

Myofibroblast diversity with injury and aging

Fibroblasts deposit extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules to regulate tissue strength and function. However, if too much ECM is deposited, fibrosis and scarring results. Shook
et al.
examined cells during mouse skin wound healing, fibrosis, and aging (see the Perspective by Willenborg and Eming). They identified distinct subpopulations of myofibroblasts, including cells identified as adipocyte precursors (APs). In cellular ablation mouse models, CD301b-expressing macrophages selectively activated proliferation of APs, but not other myofibroblasts. Myofibroblast composition and gene expression changed during aging. Thus, macrophage-fibroblast interactions are important during tissue repair and aging, which may have therapeutic implications for chronic wounds and fibrotic disease.

Science
, this issue p.
eaar2971
; see also p.
891
Multicomponent intermetallic nanoparticles and superb mechanical behaviors of complex alloys
Authors: Yang T. , Zhao Y. L. , Tong Y. , Jiao Z. B. , Wei J. , Cai J. X. , Han X. D. , Chen D. , Hu A. , Kai J. J. , Lu K. , Liu Y. , Liu C. T.
Published: November 2018

Nanoparticle superalloy

Improving the strength of a metal alloy is hard to do without sacrificing the ductility. Yang
et al.
designed an iron-nickel-cobalt (Fe-Ni-Co) alloy laced with aluminum-titanium (Al-Ti) nanoparticles with both high strength and ductility. The key was getting the composition tuned correctly, because the Fe-Ni-Co matrix reacts with the Al-Ti nanoparticles. This was vital for avoiding environmental embrittlement, enhancing work hardening, and improving ductility.

Science
, this issue p.
933
Plio-Pleistocene decline of African megaherbivores: No evidence for ancient hominin impacts
Authors: Faith J. Tyler , Rowan John , Du Andrew , Koch Paul L.
Published: November 2018

Megaherbivore extinctions in Africa

Human ancestors have been proposed as drivers of extinctions of Africa's diverse large mammal communities. Faith
et al.
challenge this view with an analysis of eastern African herbivore communities spanning the past ∼7 million years (see the Perspective by Bobe and Carvalho). Megaherbivores (for example, elephants, rhinos, and hippos) began to decline about 4.6 million years ago, preceding evidence for hominin consumption of animal tissues by more than 1 million years. Instead, megaherbivore decline may have been triggered by declining atmospheric carbon dioxide and expansion of grasslands.

Science
, this issue p.
938
; see also p.
892
Corneal neurotisation by great auricular nerve transfer and scleral-corneal tunnel incisions for neurotrophic keratopathy
Authors: Jowett Nate , Pineda II Roberto
Published: November 2018

Background/Aims

Medical management of neurotrophickeratopathy is challenging and costly. Supra-orbital nerve transfer to thecornea has proven effective for management of keratopathy, but yieldsconsiderable donor site morbidity. Herein, a novel technique for reinnervationof the anaesthetic cornea is presented and early results characterised.

Methods

Sensory fibres of the ipsilateral greatauricular nerve were directed via an interposition graft to the anteriorcorneal stroma using scleral-corneal tunnel incisions in two patients withgrade III neurotrophic keratopathy.

Results

Improvements in visual acuity, cornealpachymetry, corneal esthesiometry, and corneal neurotisation as assessed by invivo confocal microscopy were observed within nine months of surgery in bothpatients.

Conclusion

Corneal neurotisation by interposition grafttransfer of great auricular nerve fibres via scleral-corneal tunnel incisionsappears effective in the management of neurotrophic keratopathy.
Foveal microstructure and visual outcomes of myopic macular hole surgery with or without the inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique
Authors: Hu Xu-Ting , Pan Qin-Tuo , Zheng Jing-Wei , Zhang Zong-Duan
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the inverted internal limiting membrane (ILM) flap technique on the macular hole (MH) closure and foveal microstructure recovery of patients with highly myopic MH.

Methods

Pars plana vitrectomy and gas tamponade with the inverted ILM flap technique (19 eyes) or with the ILM peeling technique (21 eyes) were performed in patients with highly myopic MH with or without retinal detachment. The rate of MH closure and retinal reattachment, the reconstructive anatomical change of the foveal microstructure and the best-corrected visual acuities (BCVA) of the two groups were compared.

Results

The anatomic closure rate was statistically significantly higher in the inverted group (100%) than in the peeling group (66.7%; p=0.009). All eyes with MH retinal detachment had successful retinal reattachment in these two groups. However, the rate of the external limiting membrane (ELM) and ellipsoid zone (EZ) (p=0.020), as well as gliosis (p=0.049) in macular area, detected by OCT, was significantly greater in the inverted group than in the peeling group. The postoperative BCVA was significantly better in the eyes with ELM, EZ (p=0.031) and gliosis (p=0.008), but without hyperreflective foci (p=0.001).

Conclusions

These findings demonstrate that the inverted ILM flap technique has better efficacy than the ILM peeling technique for patients with myopic MH in closure rate, foveal microstructure and postoperative BCVA.
Content analysis of 50 clinical negligence claims involving test results management systems in general practice
Authors: Baylis Diane , Price Julie , Bowie Paul
Published: November 2018

Background and aims

Laboratory test results management systems are a complex safety issue in primary care settings worldwide. Related failures lead to avoidable patient harm, medicolegal action, patient complaints and additional workload to problem solve identified issues. We aimed to review and learn from 50 clinical negligence cases involving system failures related to the management of test results.

Methods

The Medical Protection Society database was searched and a convenience sample of 50 claims identified from a 3-year period covering 2014–2016. A content analysis of documentation was undertaken to quantify and theme data, aided by a Risk Assessment Matrix and the Yorkshire Contributory Factors Framework. Quantitative data were subjected to simple descriptive statistical analysis.

Results

14/50 cases (28%) involved a delay in diagnosis or treatment of a patient with cancer. 15 cases were judged to be ‘never events’ (30%) and 85 distinct system issues were identified. Just under half of cases involved a failure to notify patients of an abnormal test result (n=24, 48%), while 18 cases (36%) involved a test result not being actioned by a doctor. The most frequently occurring contributory factors (n=30, 60%) were related to local working conditions, for example, unclear professional responsibilities with regards to test result review or follow-up or lack of patient care continuity.

Conclusion

This small study highlights why test result management systems fail and contribute to future litigation, providing new insights in this area. Most claims involved avoidable harm to patients and preventable organisational risks. The findings point to the inadequate design of practice systems and the need for proactive strategies to improve the management of test results in order to reduce patient harm.
Lumbar stabilisation exercises versus back endurance-resistance exercise training in athletes with chronic low back pain: protocol of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Nowotny Alexandre Henrique , Calderon Mariene Guizeline , de Souza Pablo Albuquerque , Aguiar Andreo Fernando , Léonard Guillaume , Alves Bruno Mazziotti Oliveira , Amorim Cesar Ferreira , da Silva Rubens Alexandre
Published: November 2018

Background

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is an important disorder in athletes that may negatively affect their performance in competitions. The literature usually recommends physiotherapy based on exercises for back pain management in athletes. Recent evidence suggests that interventions based on lumbar muscle stabilisation exercises (LMSE) and back endurance-resistance exercises (BERE) may improve back pain and function performance. However, it is still unclear which type of exercise is more effective for the treatment of CLBP in athletes.

Objective

To compare the efficacy of LMSE versus BERE in athletes with CLBP.

Design

The study is a 2-arm, prospectively registered, randomised controlled trial.

Setting

The physical therapy clinical and biomechanics laboratory of the UNOPAR University.

Participants

32 male athletes with CLBP, age between 18 and 40 years old, recruited from the local community.

Intervention

An 8-week intervention programme will be carried out with LMSE s versus BERE.

Measurements

Trunk neuromuscular patterns during balance tasks (unipodal and over a ball) using electromyography and force platform parameters, pain, disability, fear and avoidance will be assessed by a blinded assessor at baseline and at follow-up after 8 weeks of intervention period.

Limitations

The absence of blinding intervention and the exclusion of female athletes, seated sports and swimmers will affect the internal and external validity of the study.

Conclusions

The results of this study will elucidate which of these two interventions promote better results in trunk neuromuscular pattern, back pain and function in male athletes with CLBP.
Daily remote ischaemic conditioning following acute myocardial infarction: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Vanezis Andrew Peter , Arnold Jayanth Ranjit , Rodrigo Glenn , Lai Florence Y , Debiec Radek , Nazir Sheraz , Khan Jamal Nasir , Ng Leong L , Chitkara Kamal , Coghlan John G , Hetherington Simon Lee , McCann Gerry P , Samani Nilesh J
Published: November 2018

Background

Remote ischaemic conditioning (rIC) is a cardioprotective tool which has shown promise in preclinical and clinical trials in the context of acute ischaemia. Repeated rIC post myocardial infarction may provide additional benefits which have not previously been tested clinically.

Methods

The trial assessed the role of daily rIC in enhancing left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) recovery in patients with impaired LVEF (<45%) after ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (P-PCI). Patients were recruited from four UK hospitals and randomised to receive either 4 weeks of daily rIC or sham conditioning using the autoRIC Device (CellAegis) starting on day 3 post P-PCI. The primary endpoint was the improvement in LVEF over 4 months assessed by cardiac MRI (CMR). Seventy-three patients (38 cases, 35 controls) completed the study.

Results

The treatment and control groups were well matched at baseline including for mean LVEF (42.8% vs 44.3% respectively, p=0.952). There was no difference in the improvement in LVEF over 4 months between the treatment and control groups (4.8%±7.8% vs 4.6%±5.9% respectively, p=0.924). No differences were seen in the secondary outcome measures including changes in infarct size and left ventricular end-diastolic and systolic volumes, major adverse cardiac and cerebral event, mean Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire score and change in N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels.

Conclusions

Daily rIC starting on day 3 and continued for 4 weeks following successful P-PCI for STEMI did not improve LVEF as assessed by CMR after 4 months when compared with a matched control group.

Trial registration number

NCT0166461.
Causality theory for closed cone structures with applications
Authors: Minguzzi Ettore
Published: November 2018

We develop causality theory for upper semi-continuous distributions of cones over manifolds generalizing results from mathematical relativity in two directions: non-round cones and non-regular differentiability assumptions. We prove the validity of most results of the regular Lorentzian causality theory including: causal ladder, Fermat’s principle, notable singularity theorems in their causal formulation, Avez–Seifert theorem, characterizations of stable causality and global hyperbolicity by means of (smooth) time functions. For instance, we give the first proof for these structures of the equivalence between stable causality, [Formula: see text]-causality and existence of a time function. The result implies that closed cone structures that admit continuous increasing functions also admit smooth ones. We also study proper cone structures, the fiber bundle analog of proper cones. For them, we obtain most results on domains of dependence. Moreover, we prove that horismos and Cauchy horizons are generated by lightlike geodesics, the latter being defined through the achronality property. Causal geodesics and steep temporal functions are obtained with a powerful product trick. The paper also contains a study of Lorentz–Minkowski spaces under very weak regularity conditions. Finally, we introduce the concepts of stable distance and stable spacetime solving two well-known problems (a) the characterization of Lorentzian manifolds embeddable in Minkowski spacetime, they turn out to be the stable spacetimes, (b) the proof that topology, order and distance (with a formula à la Connes) can be represented by the smooth steep temporal functions. The paper is self-contained, in fact we do not use any advanced result from mathematical relativity.
Nutty black holes in Galileon scalar-tensor gravity
Authors: Brandelet A. , Brihaye Y. , Delsate T. , Ducobu L.
Published: November 2018

Einstein gravity supplemented by a scalar field nonminimally coupled to a Gauss–Bonnet term provides an example of model of scalar-tensor gravity where hairy black holes do exist. We consider the classical equations within a metric endowed with a NUT-charge and obtain a two-parameter family of nutty-hairy black holes. The pattern of these solutions in the exterior and the interior of their horizon is studied in some details. The influence of both — the hairs and the NUT-charge — on the lightlike and timelike geodesics is emphasized.
Investor Structure and Stock Price Crash Risk in a Continuous Double Auction Market: An Agent-Based Perspective
Authors: Zhao Ruwei , Xiong Xiong , Shen Dehua , Zhang Wei
Published: November 2018

Multiple studies presume the institutional investors to be informed investors. However, some reports argue that this view is still under debate. In this paper, to avoid the informed investors proxy bias caused by the institutional investors, we construct an agent-based continuous double auction stock market model with both informed and uninformed investors and examine whether stock price crash risk can be affected by the change of investor structure. In particular, we employ four types of investor structures by gradually increasing percentage adjustments of informed investors from 20%, 40%, 60% to 80% within the market. We find that stock clear price and return show significant improved stability coming with the rising weight of informed investors. Beyond that, we recognize the situation that stock clear price falls below 95% confidence interval as crash event and count the number of the stock price crash events within each simulation of each different investor structure. We find that consistent with growing stability of stock clear price and return, stock price crash event number drops dramatically following the higher proportion of informed investors. These findings confirm our hypothesis that the involvement of informed investors contributes to the market stability.
Optimization of the Pricing Strategies between Container Terminals under Deregulation
Authors: Dong Gang
Published: November 2018

According to the dual-track system implemented on port tariffs in past years, the vast majority of state-owned container terminals adopt the standard rates specified by China’s Ministry of Transport, while the container terminals of joint ventures are permitted to charge their stevedoring rate with a 20% float ratio up and down. The latest port reform was to improve the port tariff formation mechanism by speeding up the implementation of detailed list and public notice on port pricing. This paper analyses the optimization of the pricing strategies between container terminals under deregulation. Based on a two-stage noncooperative game theoretical model, the Nash equilibria of pricing strategy profiles between container terminals of one port under deregulation are derived. Although the price-matching strategy may be employed by the foreign-owned container terminal, which usually resulting in a total social welfare loss, the price-matching pricing strategy not being adopted by the state-owned container terminal will avert tacit collusion. Numerical simulation is applied to the case of Shenzhen Port.
Anti-Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein and Human Leukocyte Antigens as Markers in Pediatric and Adolescent Multiple Sclerosis: on Diagnosis, Clinical Phenotypes, and Therapeutic Responses
Authors: Gontika Maria P. , Anagnostouli Maria C.
Published: November 2018

Early-onset (pediatric and adolescent) multiple sclerosis (MS) is a well-established demyelinating disease that accounts for approximately 3-5% of all MS cases. Thus, identifying potential biomarkers that can reflect the pathogenic mechanisms, disease course and prognosis, and therapeutic response in such patients is of paramount importance. Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) has been regarded as a putative autoantigen and autoantibody target in patients with demyelinating diseases for almost three decades. However, recent studies have suggested that antibodies against MOG represent a distinct clinical entity of dominantly humoral profile, with a range of clinical phenotypes closely related to the age of onset, specific patterns of disease course, and responses to treatment. Furthermore, the major histocompatibility complex (MHC)—which has been regarded as the “gold standard” for attributing genetic burden in adult MS since the early 1970s—has also emerged as the primary genetic locus in early-onset MS, particularly with regard to the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles DRB1⁎1501 and DRB1⁎0401. Recent studies have investigated the potential interactions among HLA, MOG, and environmental factors, demonstrating that early-onset MS is characterized by genetic, immunogenetic, immunological, and familial trait correlations. In this paper, we review recent evidence regarding HLA-genotyping and MOG antibodies—the two most important candidate biomarkers for early-onset MS—as well as their potential application in the diagnosis and treatment of MS.
Predictors of Renal Outcomes in Sclerotic Class Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody Glomerulonephritis
Authors: Menez Steven , Hruskova Zdenka , Scott Jennifer , Cormican Sarah , Chen Min , Salama Alan D. , Alasfar Sami , Little Mark A. , Safrankova Hana , Honsova Eva , Tesar Vladimir , Geetha Duvuru
Published: November 2018

Background: The prognostic value of the anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) associated glomerulonephritis (GN) classification has been demonstrated in several cohorts with sclerotic class having the worst renal outcome. Relevant published data on factors predicting outcomes in sclerotic ANCA GN is limited. Methods: Sclerotic ANCA GN patients were recruited from 5 centers worldwide for this retrospective cohort study. We describe the clinical characteristics of this cohort and evaluate predictors of 1-year glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Kidney function at 12 months as measured by Modification of Diet in Renal Disease estimated GFR (eGFR) was modeled by simple and multiple linear regression analyses. We used Cox proportional hazards regression modeling to evaluate ESRD-free survival. Results: Of the 50 patients, 92% were Caucasian and 60% male with a mean age of 61 years. While 72% had renal limited disease, 82% were MPO ANCA positive. Kidney biopsies contained a median of 20 (interquartile range [IQR] 15–34) glomeruli with 96% showing moderate to severe interstitial fibrosis. Overall, 96% of patients received immunosuppressive drug therapy and 16% received plasmapheresis. Treatment response was achieved in all but 1 patient. The median (IQR) eGFR at entry was 14.5 (9–19) mL/min/1.73 m2. Over a median (IQR) follow-up of 33.5 (17–82) months, 26 patients reached ESRD. Ten patients died with 6 of the deaths occurring within the first year of diagnosis. The hazard of progression to ESRD was significantly higher in those with lower GFR at study entry (p = 0.003) and with higher degree of tubular atrophy (p = 0.043). Conclusions: Renal recovery is rare among sclerotic ANCA GN patients requiring dialysis at entry and 12% of patients died in the first year. Entry GFR and tubular atrophy were significant predictors of GFR at 12 months and renal survival in patients with sclerotic class ANCA GN.
Negative Refractive Index Materials
Authors: Veselago Victor , Braginsky Leonid , Shklover Valery , Hafner Christian
Published: November 2018

The main directions of studies of materials with negative index of refraction, also called left-handed or metamaterials, are reviewed. First, the physics of the phenomenon of negative refraction and the history of this scientific branch are outlined. Then recent results of studies of
photonic crystals that exhibit negative refraction are discussed. In the third part numerical methods for the simulation of negative index material configurations and of metamaterials that exhibit negative index properties are presented. The advantages and the shortages of existing computer
packages are analyzed. Finally, details of the fabrication of different kinds of metamaterials are given. This includes composite metamaterials, photonic crystals, and transmission line metamaterials for different wavelengths namely radio frequencies, microwaves, terahertz, infrared, and visible
light. Furthermore, some examples of practical applications of metamaterials are presented.
A Tight-Binding Molecular Dynamics Simulation Analysis of Carbon Nanotube Growth Process Parameters
Authors: Ju Shin-Pon , Weng Cheng-I , Fang Kuan-Chuan , Lee Chuan-Sheng
Published: November 2018

This paper employs tight-binding molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the effects upon the final nanotube morphology of three principal carbon nanotube growth process parameters, namely the radii of the initial carbon nanotube patterns, the temperatures of the carbon nanotube
patterns, and the energies of the incident carbon atoms. The simulation results provide an understanding of the roles played by these parameters in the fabrication of carbon nanotubes from an atomic perspective. It is shown that carbon nanotube patterns with small radii tend to form close-capped
ends, while patterns with larger radii tend to promote lifted-up growth. Furthermore, the effect of pattern temperature is more obvious in the case of larger radii carbon nanotube patterns, in which disordered structures are evident at low pattern temperatures. Finally, it is shown that incident
atoms with higher energies not only form unstable bonds with other carbon atoms, but may also destroy the covalent bonds of previously deposited carbon atoms. The present results provide a valuable insight into the promotion of close-capped nanotubes or lifted-up growth during the fabrication
of carbon nanotubes.
Controlled Nanocrack Patterns for Nanowires
Authors: Salac David , Lu Wei
Published: November 2018

Recent experiments have shown a new approach of nanowire fabrication by filling cracks with semiconductor materials or metals. Full exploration of this approach calls for a computational model to predict the crack patterns in a thin film. This paper considers crack propagation in a
heterogeneous thin film with etched space and stressers for cracking guidance. A phase field model applicable to multiple materials is proposed, which eliminates the need of explicit crack front tracking. The elastic field is solved by an efficient iteration process in Fourier space. The computations
show that the propagation direction of nanocracks can be effectively controlled via pre-patterning.
Study of Leakage Current in Novel Nanoscale Device Architecture depending on Doping Profile
Authors: Datta Deepanjan
Published: November 2018

In this paper, we look into the reduction in leakage components of a fully depleted (FD) nanoscale double-gate (DG) MOSFET architecture. Here, we have developed an numerical model for PCHEM-DG MOSFET followed by the gate-controlled band-to-band tunneling leakage and gate leakage currents
in the device of 10 nm gate length and observed the reduction in the leakage components over bulk-MOSFETs. Various leakage current components have been discussed and their variations with respect to bias and device parameters are presented. The results have been compared and contrasted with
standard device simulator such as MINIMOS 6.0 for the purpose of validation of the results. A dramatic increase of the gate leakage and Band-to-Band Tunneling (BTBT) leakage in nanoscaled devices drastically increases total leakage power in a logic circuit. This device proposes to reduce this
power dissipation. This work provides a simple and intuitive method for lowering of leakage currents which can be very salutary for the future nanoscale device technologies.
What does retelling ‘tell’ about children’s reading proficiency?
Authors: Qin Wenjuan , Kingston Helen C. , Kim James S.
Published: November 2018

Book retelling has been frequently used as an indicator of children’s reading proficiency. However, how children’s performance varies across retelling narrative and expository texts and whether that has different implications for reading proficiency remains understudied. The present study examined 85 high-poverty second- and third-graders’ retelling of narrative and expository books. A parallel coding scheme was developed to evaluate children’s performance on retelling fluency, content, and language complexity. Children’s retelling performance was compared across text types and analyzed in relation to reading proficiency. Findings revealed similarities and differences in retelling across text types, with narrative retelling containing a higher proportion of content-matched T-units, whereas expository retelling contained a higher proportion of inference generation and more complex syntactic structures. Moreover, indicators of reading proficiency were found to vary across text types. Findings highlight the distinct cognitive and linguistic demands posed by reading narrative and expository texts and provide implications for effective instruction and assessment.
Hispanic Families’ Action Plans for a Healthier Lifestyle for Diabetes Management
Authors: Amirehsani Karen A. , Hu Jie , Wallace Debra C. , Silva Zulema A. , Dick Sarah
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to conduct focus groups with Hispanic patients with type 2 diabetes and their family members who participated in a culturally tailored, family-based diabetes intervention about their action plans for a healthier lifestyle.

Methods

Five separate focus groups were led in Spanish by an experienced bicultural/bilingual moderator. The audiotaped sessions occurred at the end of the 8-week diabetes educational program. Data were transcribed in Spanish and translated into English. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the findings.

Results

Eighty-four Hispanic adults participated with an equal representation of patients with diabetes and family members. Most persons were female (63.1%) and the majority of persons were born in Mexico. The mean (SD) age of participants was 44.2 (14.3) years. Six themes emerged from the data: healthier eating habits, increasing physical activity, taking care of my sugar, coping with emotions, for the family, and empowerment and increased self-efficacy.

Conclusions

Hispanics created action plans that promoted healthier lifestyle behaviors individually and as a family. This type of behavior change may result in better diabetes management and fewer complications. Research studies are needed to assess the sustainability of action plans and their impact on glycemic control and diabetes risk factors. Additional studies are needed to address emotional eating and mental health factors.
Improving Youths’ Attitudes About the Police: Results From an Experimental Design
Authors: Freiburger Tina L.
Published: November 2018

This study examined the effectiveness of Students Talking it Over with Police (STOP) to improve youths’ perceptions of the police, willingness to cooperate with police, and perceptions of procedural justice. It utilized an experimental design in 36 schools in Milwaukee, WI. Pretest and posttest were administered to assess the outcomes before and after the STOP program. The results indicated that STOP was effective in improving youths’ perceptions of the police, youths’ willingness to cooperate with the police, and youths’ perceptions of procedural justice. Additional analysis suggested that STOP was able to reverse some of the negative effects these encounters had on youths’ perceptions, as those with prior negative interactions of police experienced significantly greater rates of change in their perceptions of procedural justice than those who did not have a negative encounter.
Age Moderates the Effect of Self-Paced Exercise on Exercise Adherence among Overweight Adults
Authors: Lee Harold H. , Dunsiger Shira , Connell Bohlen Lauren , Boyle Holly K. , Emerson Jessica A. , Williams David M.
Published: November 2018

Objective: The present study tested the hypothesis that the effect of self-paced exercise on adherence to exercise programs is more pronounced with increasing age. Method: Fifty-nine low-active overweight adults (18-65 years) were encouraged to walk 30 to 60 min/day and randomized to either self-paced ( n = 30) or prescribed moderate-intensity ( n = 29) conditions. Results: The effect of study condition was moderated by age (main effect: b = 6.14, SE = 2.54, p = .02; Condition × Age: b = −11.55, SE = 3.77, p < .01), such that among participants >50 years, those in the self-paced condition exercised 6 more min/day than participants in the prescribed moderate-intensity condition ( p = .02), whereas among participants <50 years, those in the self-paced condition exercised 5.4 fewer min/day compared with those in the moderate-intensity condition ( p = .05). Affective response to physical activity did not mediate the moderating effect of age. Discussion: As age increases, adults may be more likely to adhere to self-paced versus prescribed moderate-intensity exercise.
Space and Culture as Critical Practice and as Space of Culture
Authors: Shields Rob
Published: November 2018

This is an introduction to the 20th anniversary special issue of Space and Culture and overview of the experience of working on the journal.
Benevolent discrimination: Explaining how human resources professionals can be blind to the harm of diversity initiatives
Authors: Romani Laurence , Holck Lotte , Risberg Annette
Published: November 2018

This article contributes to critical diversity management studies by exploring how human resources professionals do not see that the diversity measures they initiate can contribute to the reproduction of inequalities. We argue that framing such practices as benevolent obscures the fact that they are discriminatory acts. Drawing on the concept of benevolent discrimination, we conceptualise it along three dimensions: (1) a well-intended effort to address discrimination within (2) a social relationship that constructs the others as inferior and in need of help, which is granted with (3) the expectation that they will accommodate into the existing hierarchical order. Benevolent discrimination is a subtle and structural form of discrimination that is difficult to see for those performing it, because it frames their action as positive, in solidarity with the (inferior) other who is helped, and within a hierarchical order that is taken for granted. We develop the concept of benevolent discrimination building on an in-depth qualitative case study of a Swedish organisation that is believed to be exemplary in its engagement in diversity management initiatives. The organisation is however swayed by an inequality regime based on the intersection of class and ethnicity. We argue that it is precisely because human resources professionals frame their actions as acts of benevolence that they cannot see how they take part in organisational discrimination.
A semianalytical method for studying the performances of aerostatic thrust bearing
Authors: Zhang Jianbo , Jiao Chunxiao , Zou Donglin , Ta Na , Rao Zhushi
Published: November 2018

The solution of Reynolds equation and computational fluid dynamics are widely employed for the lubrication performance analysis of aerostatic thrust bearing. However, the solution of Reynolds equation may be inaccurate and cannot present detailed performance near orifice, while computational fluid dynamics method has low computational efficiency with time consumption in mesh generation and solving Navier–Stokes equations. In order to overcome the drawbacks of Reynolds equation and computational fluid dynamics, based on the method of separation of variables, a semianalytical method is developed for describing the characteristics of aerostatic bearings available. The method of separation of variables considering the initial and viscous effect is more accurate than the Reynolds equation and can present detailed performance near orifice in the aerostatic thrust bearings, while method of separation of variables has great computational efficiency compared to computational fluid dynamics. Meanwhile, the pressure distribution calculated by method of separation of variables is compared to the published experimental data and the results obtained by computational fluid dynamics. The comparative results indicate validity of the method. Furthermore, the influences of flow and geometry parameters, such as supply pressure, orifice diameter, film thickness, and bearing radius, on the characteristics of aerostatic thrust bearings with single orifice are studied. The results show that there exists pressure depression phenomenon near orifice. The depression phenomenon is strengthened with increase of film thickness and supply pressure and decrease of orifice diameter and bearing radius, while the maximum speed increases with strengthening of pressure depression due to decrease of minimum local pressure near orifice. Moreover, the bearing capacity increases with increase of supply pressure, orifice diameter, and bearing radius and decreases with increase of film thickness, while mass flow rate increases with supply pressure, orifice diameter, and film thickness and it is not sensitive to bearing radius.
Physicians’ Dietary Knowledge, Attitudes, and Counseling Practices: The Experience of a Single Health Care Center at Changing the Landscape for Dietary Education
Authors: Harkin Nicole , Johnston Emily , Mathews Tony , Guo Yu , Schwartzbard Arthur , Berger Jeffrey , Gianos Eugenia
Published: November 2018

Morbidity and mortality associated with cardiovascular disease can be significantly modified through lifestyle interventions, yet there is little emphasis on nutrition and lifestyle in medical education. Improving nutrition education for future physicians would likely lead to improved preparedness to counsel patients on lifestyle interventions. An online anonymous survey of medical residents, cardiology fellows, and faculty in Internal Medicine and Cardiology was conducted at New York University Langone Health assessing basic nutritional knowledge, self-reported attitudes and practices. A total of 248 physicians responded (26.7% response rate). Nutrition knowledge was fair, but few (13.5%) felt adequately trained to discuss nutrition with patients. A majority (78.4%) agreed that additional training in nutrition would allow them to provide better clinical care. Based on survey responses, a dedicated continuing medical education (CME) conference was developed to improve knowledge and lifestyle counseling skills of healthcare providers. In postconference evaluations, attendees reported improved knowledge of evidence-based lifestyle interventions. Most noted that they would prescribe a Mediterranean or plant-based diet and would make changes to their practice based on the conference. An annual CME conference on diet and lifestyle can effectively help interested providers overcome barriers to lifestyle change in clinical practice through improved nutrition knowledge.
Comprehending products with mixed reality
Authors: Tang YM , Au KM , Leung Yohana
Published: November 2018

Nowadays, the virtual reality (VR) market has made significant strides. VR is widely used in different applications, and education and training are one of the leading areas which are expected to grow to US $2.2 billion in revenue by 2023. Mixed reality (MR) is also known as hybrid reality that encompasses both VR and augmented reality. It allows interaction and feedback from the users, which is particularly important to enhance the experience in teaching and learning. MR not only merges the real and virtual worlds into a new environment, which combines physical and digital content, but also allows users to interact with the digital content dynamically in real time. In support of teaching and training, MR technology has been applied in diverse manufacturing and industrial sectors to visualize the digital models. Nevertheless, most of these MR projects are mainly focused on users’ experience. The effectiveness in comprehending product design is seldom investigated. Therefore, in this project, an MR application is developed for teaching product design to university students. The application is developed on the HoloLens system. A practicable application has been designed that allows students to visualize the geometry of 3-D objects as well as the exploded diagrams of selected components. The students can command the system through the command manual or can signal the system through gazing, gesturing, and voice to implement instructions. To investigate the effectiveness of the MR application in teaching product design, a pretest and a posttest of similar difficulties were designed to access students’ abilities in five main areas: the ability of students in comprehending design, understanding product functions, visualizing 3-D geometry, understanding geometric relationship, and students’ creativity. In the investigation, 45 students were participated in the tests. Experimental results show that the proposed design positively improves students’ understanding in geometric relationships and creativity. In the future, more features will be added to the MR application to further improve students’ abilities in learning and training in other aspects.
Pulmonary vascular pruning in smokers with bronchiectasis
Authors: Diaz Alejandro A. , Maselli Diego J. , Rahaghi Farbod , Come Carolyn E. , Yen Andrew , Maclean Erick S. , Okajima Yuka , Martinez Carlos H. , Yamashiro Tsuneo , Lynch David A. , Wang Wei , Kinney Gregory L. , Washko George R. , San José Estépar Raúl
Published: November 2018

There are few studies looking at the pulmonary circulation in subjects with bronchiectasis. We aimed to evaluate the intraparenchymal pulmonary vascular structure, using noncontrast chest computed tomography (CT), and its clinical implications in smokers with radiographic bronchiectasis.

Visual bronchiectasis scoring and quantitative assessment of the intraparenchymal pulmonary vasculature were performed on CT scans from 486 smokers. Clinical, lung function and 6-min walk test (6MWT) data were also collected. The ratio of blood vessel volume in vessels <5 mm2in cross-section (BV5) to total blood vessel volume (TBV) was used as measure of vascular pruning, with lower values indicating more pruning. Whole-lung and lobar BV5/TBV values were determined, and regression analyses were used to assess the differences in BV5/TBV between subjects with and without bronchiectasis.

155 (31.9%) smokers had bronchiectasis, which was, on average, mild in severity. Compared to subjects without bronchiectasis, those with lower-lobe bronchiectasis had greater vascular pruning in adjusted models. Among subjects with bronchiectasis, those with vascular pruning had lower forced expiratory volume in 1 s and 6MWT distance compared to those without vascular pruning.

Smokers with mild radiographic bronchiectasis appear to have pruning of the distal pulmonary vasculature and this pruning is associated with measures of disease severity.