bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Therapeutic outcome of various treatment modalities for the management of 34 cases of mandibular unicystic ameloblastoma
Authors: Khadka Rajib , Chaurasia Nitesh , Yadav Deepak , Thakurathi Deepak
Published: March 2018

Background & Objectives: Unicystic ameloblastoma is a challenge, as conservative modalities have high recurrence chances whereas radical modalities have high morbidity for defects and deformity. Enucleation with peripheral ostectomy and Carnoy’s solution is an intermediate treatment with less risk of recurrence and good outcome. The objectives of the study was to determine the therapeutic outcome for various treatment modalities for the management of mandibular unicystic ameloblastoma.Materials & Methods:Retrospective analysis of 34 cases from 2005 to 2014 was done and were analysed in terms of demographic profiles, treatment modalities and its efficacy (recurrence) in 6 years’ follow up time.Results: The total number of patients was 34. The age ranged from 12 years to 28 years with a mean age of 18.82 years. Gender distribution was 21 males (61.8%) and 13 females (38.2%). The location found was 26 (76.5%) cases in posterior mandibular region and 8 (23.5%) cases in the anterior mandibular region. Size of the lesions was small in 10 (29.4%) cases, medium in 18 (52.9%) cases and large in 6 (17.6%) cases. Perforation of buccal or lingual cortex was present in 6 (17.6%) and no preforation in 28 (82.4%). Treatment modalities done was marsupilisation in 6 (17.6%) cases, enucleation with peripheral ostectomy with caroney solution in 22 (64.7%) cases and resection with safe margin in 6 (17.6%) cases. Recurrence occurred in 8 (23.5%) cases and no recurrence in 26 (76.5%) cases.Conclusion:Enucleation with peripheral ostectomy and Carnoy’s solution is one of the good treatment modality for unicystic ameloblastoma of the mandible whereas complete resection of the mandible with safe margin has low risk of recurrence in long term follow up.
Landmark Trials in Renal Cancer
Authors: Vaishampayan Ulka
Published: March 2018

The therapy of kidney cancer has made multiple major advances. Eleven agents are now approved by FDA for treatment of metastatic RCC and one agent is approved for adjuvant therapy for localized high risk disease post nephrectomy. In addition the trials addressing the role of surgery also represent major strides in therapy. All these advances in RCC therapeutics have occurred through clinical trials. This paper is a summary of landmark trials that have been critical in the therapeutic development journey in advancing the care and improving outcomes in kidney cancer. The front line therapies are summarized starting with immunotherapy with high dose interleukin-2 to targeted therapies such as bevacizumab (monoclonal antibody), receptor tyrosine kinases such as sorafenib, sunitinib, and pazopanib and MTOR inhibitors lke temsirolimus in the front line setting. Recently the combinations of ipilimumab and nivolumab as well as bevacizumab and atezolizumab have demonstrated promising efficacy in metastatic disease and these regimens are likely to receive FDA approval. In second line and beyond, therapies such as everolimus, nivolumab, lenvatinib+ everolimus and Cabozantinib have proven benefit. Adjuvant post nephrectomy trials have been conducted with conflicting results. Majority have shonwn lack of benefit, however one study conducted in T3/T4/N1 disease revealed statistically significant disease free survival favoring ajuvant sunitinib therapy leading to FDA approval. This paper summarizes the data from the reported trials and discusses recent developments in RCC therapeutics.
The Gibraltar Skull: early history, 1848–1868
Authors: Menez Alex
Published: March 2018

The Gibraltar Skull is Gibraltar's most celebrated fossil and the first adult Neanderthal skull ever found. Very little is known about its discovery and history while it was in Gibraltar. The skull was sent to London in 1864. There it formed a key component in the debates about human evolution and especially how Neanderthal 1, the Feldhofer skull, was understood. As such, it was instrumental in initiating the new field of palaeoanthropology. This paper draws on published and unpublished, primary sources to re-evaluate the early history of the Gibraltar Skull and provides fresh interpretations of this history.
Illustration of an 1857 “sea-serpent” sighting re-interpreted as an early depiction of cetacean entanglement in maritime debris
Authors: France R. L.
Published: March 2018

As many sightings of purported sea-serpents are now recognized to have been misidentified cetaceans, this anecdotal literature can provide a valuable resource for extending inferences about whale biology backward in time. For example, a re-interpretation of the 1857 sighting of a “sea-serpent” seen off Cape Town suggests that the unidentified marine object was probably an animal, likely a cetacean, observed entangled in fishing gear or other maritime debris. This is one of the earliest cases of pre-plastic entanglement, and suggests the problem has a much longer environmental history than what is commonly believed.
The manuscript works of S. Fred Prince (1857–1949)
Authors: Cahalan S. B. , Dean J. W.
Published: March 2018

S. Fred Prince, a scientific illustrator and amateur scientist, is a largely unknown artist whose work on the American landscape demonstrates his eligibility to be considered in the lineage of self-taught illustrator-naturalists such as Mark Catesby and Genevieve Jones. In this article, we present a biographical sketch of Prince, as well as a survey of Prince's extant manuscripts, describing their contents and physical characteristics, following personal analysis when possible.
A Distributed Indexing Method for Timeline Similarity Query
Authors: He Zhenwen , Ma Xiaogang
Published: March 2018

Timelines have been used for centuries and have become more and more widely used with the development of social media in recent years. Every day, various smart phones and other instruments on the internet of things generate massive data related to time. Most of these data can be managed in the way of timelines. However, it is still a challenge to effectively and efficiently store, query, and process big timeline data, especially the instant recommendation based on timeline similarities. Most existing studies have focused on indexing spatial and interval datasets rather than the timeline dataset. In addition, many of them are designed for a centralized system. A timeline index structure adapting to parallel and distributed computation framework is in urgent need. In this research, we have defined the timeline similarity query and developed a novel timeline index in the distributed system, called the Distributed Triangle Increment Tree (DTI-Tree), to support the similarity query. The DTI-Tree consists of one T-Tree and one or more TI-Trees based on a triangle increment partition strategy with the Apache Spark. Furthermore, we have provided an open source timeline benchmark data generator, named TimelineGenerator, to generate various timeline test datasets for different conditions. The experiments for DTI-Tree’s construction, insertion, deletion, and similarity queries have been executed on a cluster with two benchmark datasets that are generated by TimelineGenerator. The experimental results show that the DTI-tree provides an effective and efficient distributed index solution to big timeline data.
Generating Improved Experimental Designs with Spatially and Genetically Correlated Observations Using Mixed Models
Authors: Mramba Lazarus , Peter Gary , Whitaker Vance , Gezan Salvador
Published: March 2018

The aim of this study was to generate and evaluate the efficiency of improved field experiments while simultaneously accounting for spatial correlations and different levels of genetic relatedness using a mixed models framework for orthogonal and non-orthogonal designs. Optimality criteria and a search algorithm were implemented to generate randomized complete block (RCB), incomplete block (IB), augmented block (AB) and unequally replicated (UR) designs. Several conditions were evaluated including size of the experiment, levels of heritability, and optimality criteria. For RCB designs with half-sib or full-sib families, the optimization procedure yielded important improvements under the presence of mild to strong spatial correlation levels and relatively low heritability values. Also, for these designs, improvements in terms of overall design efficiency (ODE%) reached values of up to 8.7%, but these gains varied depending on the evaluated conditions. In general, for all evaluated designs, higher ODE% values were achieved from genetically unrelated individuals compared to experiments with half-sib and full-sib families. As expected, accuracy of prediction of genetic values improved as levels of heritability and spatial correlations increased. This study has demonstrated that important improvements in design efficiency and prediction accuracies can be achieved by optimizing how the levels of a treatment are assigned to the experimental units.
Research on Distributed PV Storage Virtual Synchronous Generator System and Its Static Frequency Characteristic Analysis
Authors: Yan Xiangwu , Zhang Xueyuan , Zhang Bo , Ma Yanjun , Wu Ming
Published: March 2018

The increasing penetration rate of grid connected renewable energy power generation reduces the primary frequency regulation capability of the system and poses a challenge to the security and stability of the power grid. In this paper, a distributed photovoltaic (PV) storage virtual synchronous generator system is constructed, which realizes the external characteristics of synchronous generator/motor. For this kind of input/output bidirectional devices (e.g., renewable power generation/storage combined systems, pumped storage power stations, battery energy storage systems, and vehicle-to-grid electric vehicles), a synthesis analysis method for system power-frequency considering source-load static frequency characteristics (S-L analysis method) is proposed in order to depict the system’s power balance dynamic adjustment process visually. Simultaneously, an inertia matching method is proposed to solve the problem of inertia matching in the power grid. Through the simulation experiment in MATLAB, the feasibility of the distributed PV storage synchronous virtual machine system is verified as well as the effectiveness of S-L analysis method and inertia matching method.
Attosecond-Resolved Electron Dynamics in Many-Electron Atoms: Quantitative Theory and Comparison with Measurements
Authors: Nicolaides Cleanthes Anthony
Published: March 2018

A variety of processes originating from the interaction of atomic or molecular N-electron states with strong and/or hypershort radiation pulses can be understood quantitatively only by first determining with good accuracy the solutions of the many-electron time-dependent Schrödinger equation (METDSE) that describe the corresponding physics. The METDSE is solvable nonperturbatively via the state-specific expansion approach (SSEA). SSEA solutions have been used, or can be used, for quantitative explanation and numerically reliable predictions of quantities that have been measured or are measurable in modern laser-driven experiments that can track, with hypershort (attosecond) time resolution, the effects of electron rearrangements in atoms and molecules. The calculations take into account in a transparent way the interplay between the phenomena and the electronic structures of the physically significant states in discrete and multichannel continuous spectra, including multiply- and inner-hole–excited resonance states. The discussion focuses on novel topics of time-resolved many-electron physics and includes a comparison of our predictions to recent quantitative measurements of attosecond-resolved generation of the profile of the

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doubly excited resonance state of helium during photoionization and of the relative time delay in photoemission of the (2s,2p) electrons of neon.
Label-Free Electrochemical Immunoassay for C-Reactive Protein
Authors: Thangamuthu Madasamy , Santschi Christian , J. F. Martin Olivier
Published: March 2018

C-reactive protein (CRP) is one of the most expressed proteins in blood during acute phase inflammation, and its minute level increase has also been recognized for the clinical diagnosis of cardio vascular diseases. Unfortunately, the available commercial immunoassays are labour intensive, require large sample volumes, and have practical limitations, such as low stability and high production costs. Hence, we have developed a simple, cost effective, and label-free electrochemical immunoassay for the measurement of CRP in a drop of serum sample using an immunosensor strip made up of a screen printed carbon electrode (SPE) modified with anti-CRP functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The measurement relies on the decrease of the oxidation current of the redox indicator Fe3+/Fe2+, resulting from the immunoreaction between CRP and anti-CRP. Under optimal conditions, the present immunoassay measures CRP in a linear range from 0.4–200 nM (0.047–23.6 µg mL−1), with a detection limit of 0.15 nM (17 ng mL−1, S/N = 3) and sensitivity of 90.7 nA nM−1, in addition to a good reproducibility and storage stability. The analytical applicability of the presented immunoassay is verified by CRP measurements in human blood serum samples. This work provides the basis for a low-priced, safe, and easy-to-use point-of-care immunosensor assay to measure CRP at clinically relevant concentrations.
Brain–Computer Interface Spellers: A Review
Authors: Rezeika Aya , Benda Mihaly , Stawicki Piotr , Gembler Felix , Saboor Abdul , Volosyak Ivan
Published: March 2018

A Brain–Computer Interface (BCI) provides a novel non-muscular communication method via brain signals. A BCI-speller can be considered as one of the first published BCI applications and has opened the gate for many advances in the field. Although many BCI-spellers have been developed during the last few decades, to our knowledge, no reviews have described the different spellers proposed and studied in this vital field. The presented speller systems are categorized according to major BCI paradigms: P300, steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP), and motor imagery (MI). Different BCI paradigms require specific electroencephalogram (EEG) signal features and lead to the development of appropriate Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs). The purpose of this review is to consolidate the most successful BCI-spellers published since 2010, while mentioning some other older systems which were built explicitly for spelling purposes. We aim to assist researchers and concerned individuals in the field by illustrating the highlights of different spellers and presenting them in one review. It is almost impossible to carry out an objective comparison between different spellers, as each has its variables, parameters, and conditions. However, the gathered information and the provided taxonomy about different BCI-spellers can be helpful, as it could identify suitable systems for first-hand users, as well as opportunities of development and learning from previous studies for BCI researchers.
Application of Industrial XRF Coating Thickness Analyzer for Phosphate Coating Thickness on Steel
Authors: Sokolov Aleksandr , Hasikova Jelena , Pecerskis Aleksej , Gostilo Vladimir , Lee Ki , Jung Hoobok , Lim Jung
Published: March 2018

The results of industrial application of an online X-ray fluorescence coating thickness analyzer for measuring the thickness of phosphate coatings on moving steel strips are considered in the article. The target range of coating thickness to be measured is from tens to hundreds of mg/m2 in a measurement time of 10 s. The measurement accuracy observed during long-duration factory acceptance test was 10–15%. The coating thickness analyzer consists of two XRF gauges, mounted above and below the steel strip and capable of moving across the moving strip system for their suspension and relocation and electronic control unit. Fully automated software was developed to automatically and continuously (24/7) control both gauges, scanning both sides of the steel strip, and develop and test methods for measuring new coatings. It allows performing offline storage and retrieval of the measurement results, remotely controlling the analyzer components and measurement modes from a control room. The developed XRF coating thickness analyzer can also be used for real-time measurement of other types of coatings, both metallic and non-metallic.
Zinc Oxide Nanostructures: From Chestnut Husk-Like Structures to Hollow Nanocages, Synthesis and Structure
Authors: Scarano Domenica , Cesano Federico , Bertarione Serena , Zecchina Adriano
Published: March 2018

Tailor-made nanostructured ZnO cages have been catalytically grown on Au and Pt films covering silicon substrates, by a controlled evaporation process, which means an accurate choice of temperatures, times, gas flows (He in the heating, He/air during the synthesis), and Au/Pt film thickness. The effect of the process parameters affecting the morphology and the structure of the obtained materials has been investigated by XRD analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) microscopies, and FTIR spectroscopies. In particular, the role of the synthesis temperature in affecting the size and shape of the obtained ZnO cages has been highlighted. It will be shown that by adopting higher temperatures, the protruding nanowhiskers several microns in length, covering the cages and exhibiting both basal and prismatic faces, change into very thin and narrow structures, with extended prismatic faces, prevailing with respect to the basal ones. At an even higher process temperature, the building up of Au particles aggregates inside and/or anchored to the walls of the hollow cages, without any evidence of elongated ZnO nanostructures will be highlighted. From FTIR spectra information on lattice modes of the investigated ZnO, materials have been obtained.
The Function of Personality in Suicidal Ideation from the Perspective of the Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicide
Authors: Baertschi Marc , Costanza Alessandra , Canuto Alessandra , Weber Kerstin
Published: March 2018

The Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicide (IPTS) has been increasingly studied over the last years, responding to the demand for a valid framework addressing suicidality. Yet, only a few studies have explored the function of personality in the IPTS and none with clinical patients. We aimed to contribute to fill this gap in investigating the relationship between personality as conceptualized by the Five-Factor Model, the IPTS constructs, and a dimensional measure of current suicidal ideation. We conducted correlation, multiple linear regression, and path analyses based on a trait-interpersonal framework in a sample of 201 individuals visiting the psychiatric emergency room of a general hospital with current suicidal ideation. Neuroticism (positively) and openness (negatively) predicted perceived burdensomeness, while neuroticism (positively) and extraversion (negatively) predicted thwarted belongingness. Higher conscientiousness and lower extraversion were both predictors of the acquired capability for suicide. However, none of the models involving path analyses with IPTS variables as mediators of the relationship between personality traits and suicidal ideation was adequately adjusted to the data. Thus, it appears that personality plays a significant albeit modest role in suicidality when considered from an IPTS perspective. As personality is frequently assessed in the clinical routine, health professionals should consider it as complementary to detect individuals at risk of or presenting suicidal ideation.
Assessing the Health-Care Risk: The Clinical-VaR, a Key Indicator for Sound Management
Authors: Jiménez-Rodríguez Enrique , Feria-Domínguez José , Sebastián-Lacave Alonso
Published: March 2018

Clinical risk includes any undesirable situation or operational factor that may have negative consequences for patient safety or capable of causing an adverse event (AE). The AE, intentional or unintentionally, may be related to the human factor, that is, medical errors (MEs). Therefore, the importance of the health-care risk management is a current and relevant issue on the agenda of many public and private institutions. The objective of the management has been evolving from the identification of AE to the assessment of cost-effective and efficient measures that improve the quality control through monitoring. Consequently, the goal of this paper is to propose a Key Risk Indicator (KRI) that enhances the advancement of the health-care management system. Thus, the application of the Value at Risk (VaR) concept in combination to the Loss Distribution Approach (LDA) is proved to be a proactive tool, within the frame of balanced scorecard (BSC), in health organizations. For this purpose, the historical events recorded in the Algo-OpData® database (Algorithmics Inc., Toronto, ON, Canada, IBM, Armonk, NY, USA) have been used. The analysis highlights the importance of risk in the financials outcomes of the sector. The results of paper show the usefulness of the Clinical-VaR to identify and monitor the risk and sustainability of the implemented controls.
LGR5 and BMI1 Increase Pig Intestinal Epithelial Cell Proliferation by Stimulating WNT/β-Catenin Signaling
Authors: Li Xiang-Guang , Wang Zhe , Chen Rong-Qiang , Fu Hou-Long , Gao Chun-Qi , Yan Hui-Chao , Xing Guang-Xu , Wang Xiu-Qi
Published: March 2018

Leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 5 (LGR5) and B-cell-specific Moloney murine leukemia virus insertion site 1 (BMI1) are markers of fast-cycling and quiescent intestinal stem cells, respectively. To determine the functions of these proteins in large animals, we investigated their effects on the proliferation of intestinal epithelial cells from pigs. Our results indicated that LGR5 and BMI1 are highly conserved proteins and that the pig proteins have greater homology with the human proteins than do mouse proteins. Overexpression of either LGR5 or BMI1 promoted cell proliferation and WNT/β-catenin signaling in pig intestinal epithelial cells (IPEC-J2). Moreover, the activation of WNT/β-catenin signaling by recombinant human WNT3A protein increased cell proliferation and LGR5 and BMI1 protein levels. Conversely, inhibition of WNT/β-catenin signaling using XAV939 reduced cell proliferation and LGR5 and BMI1 protein levels. This is the first report that LGR5 and BMI1 can increase proliferation of pig intestinal epithelial cells by activating WNT/β-catenin signaling.
Whole-Genome Comparison Reveals Heterogeneous Divergence and Mutation Hotspots in Chloroplast Genome of Eucommia ulmoides Oliver
Authors: Wang Wencai , Chen Siyun , Zhang Xianzhi
Published: March 2018

Eucommia ulmoides (E. ulmoides), the sole species of Eucommiaceae with high importance of medicinal and industrial values, is a Tertiary relic plant that is endemic to China. However, the population genetics study of E. ulmoides lags far behind largely due to the scarcity of genomic data. In this study, one complete chloroplast (cp) genome of E. ulmoides was generated via the genome skimming approach and compared to another available E. ulmoides cp genome comprehensively at the genome scale. We found that the structure of the cp genome in E. ulmoides was highly consistent with genome size variation which might result from DNA repeat variations in the two E. ulmoides cp genomes. Heterogeneous sequence divergence patterns were revealed in different regions of the E. ulmoides cp genomes, with most (59 out of 75) of the detected SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) located in the gene regions, whereas most (50 out of 80) of the indels (insertions/deletions) were distributed in the intergenic spacers. In addition, we also found that all the 40 putative coding-region-located SNPs were synonymous mutations. A total of 71 polymorphic cpDNA fragments were further identified, among which 20 loci were selected as potential molecular markers for subsequent population genetics studies of E. ulmoides. Moreover, eight polymorphic cpSSR loci were also developed. The sister relationship between E. ulmoides and Aucuba japonica in Garryales was also confirmed based on the cp phylogenomic analyses. Overall, this study will shed new light on the conservation genomics of this endangered plant in the future.
The Potential for Connexin Hemichannels to Drive Breast Cancer Progression through Regulation of the Inflammatory Response
Authors: Rhett J. , Yeh Elizabeth
Published: March 2018

Over the past few decades, connexin hemichannels have become recognized as major players in modulating the inflammatory response. Chronic inflammation is documented to promote tumorigenesis and is a critical component of tumor progression. Furthermore, inflammation is strongly linked to angiogenesis, immunotolerance, invasiveness, metastasis, and resistance in breast cancers. In this review, the literature on the role of connexin hemichannels in inflammation is summarized, and the potential role for hemichannel-mediated inflammation in driving breast cancer progression is discussed. Lastly, the potential for connexin-based therapeutics to modulate the inflammatory component of the tumor microenvironment as an avenue for the treatment of breast cancer is also discussed.
Multi-Objective Patch Optimization with Integrated Kinematic Draping Simulation for Continuous–Discontinuous Fiber-Reinforced Composite Structures
Authors: Fengler Benedikt , Kärger Luise , Henning Frank , Hrymak Andrew
Published: March 2018

Discontinuous fiber-reinforced polymers (DiCoFRP) in combination with local continuous fiber reinforced polymers (CoFRP) provide both a high design freedom and high weight-specific mechanical properties. For the optimization of CoFRP patches on complexly shaped DiCoFRP structures, an optimization strategy is needed which considers manufacturing constraints during the optimization procedure. Therefore, a genetic algorithm is combined with a kinematic draping simulation. To determine the optimal patch position with regard to structural performance and overall material consumption, a multi-objective optimization strategy is used. The resulting Pareto front and a corresponding heat-map of the patch position are useful tools for the design engineer to choose the right amount of reinforcement. The proposed patch optimization procedure is applied to two example structures and the effect of different optimization setups is demonstrated.
Contagion Effect of Natural Disaster and Financial Crisis Events on International Stock Markets
Authors: Lee Kuo-Jung , Lu Su-Lien , Shih You
Published: March 2018

In the contemporary world bustling with global trade, a natural disaster or financial crisis in one country (or region) can cause substantial economic losses and turbulence in the local financial markets, which may then affect the economic activities and financial assets of other countries (or regions). This study focuses on the major natural disasters that occurred worldwide during the last decade, especially those in the Asia–Pacific region, and the economic effects of global financial crises. The heteroscedasticity bias correlation coefficient method and exponential general autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity model are employed to compare the contagion effect in the stock markets of the initiating country on other countries, determining whether economically devastating factors have contagion or spillover effects on other countries. The empirical results indicate that among all the natural disasters considered, the 2008 Sichuan Earthquake in China caused the most substantial contagion effect in the stock markets of neighboring Asian countries. Regarding financial crises, the financial tsunami triggered by the secondary mortgage fallout in the United States generated the strongest contagion effect on the stock markets of developing and emerging economies. When building a diversified global investment portfolio, investors should be aware of the risks of major natural disasters and financial incidents.
Optical Biosensors Based on Photonic Crystals Supporting Bound States in the Continuum
Authors: Romano Silvia , Lamberti Annalisa , Masullo Mariorosario , Penzo Erika , Cabrini Stefano , Rendina Ivo , Mocella Vito
Published: March 2018

A novel optical label-free bio-sensing platform based on a new class of resonances supported in a photonic crystal metasurface is reported herein. Molecular binding is detected as a shift in the resonant wavelength of the bound states in the continuum of radiation modes. The new configuration is applied to the recognition of the interaction between protein p53 and its protein regulatory partner murine double minute 2 (MDM2). A detection limit of 66 nM for the protein p53 is found. The device provides an excellent interrogation stability and loss-free operation, requires minimal optical interrogation equipment and can be easily optimized to work in a wide wavelength range.
Ageing Study of Palm Oil and Coconut Oil in the Presence of Insulation Paper for Transformers Application
Authors: Mohamad Nur , Azis Norhafiz , Jasni Jasronita , Ab Kadir Mohd , Yunus Robiah , Yaakub Zaini
Published: March 2018

This paper presents a sealed ageing study of palm oil (PO) and coconut oil (CO) in the presence of insulation paper. The type of PO under study is refined, bleached, and deodorized palm oil (RBDPO) olein. Three different variations of RBDPO and one sample of CO are aged at temperatures of 90 °C, 110 °C, and 130 °C. The properties of RBDPO and CO as well as paper under ageing are then analysed through dielectric and physicochemical measurements. It is found that the effect of ageing is not significant on the alternating current (AC) breakdown voltages and relative permittivities of RBDPO and CO. There is a slight increment trend of the resistivity for CO, while for all of the RBDPO, the resistivity slightly decreases as the ageing progresses. Only CO shows an apparent reduction of the dielectric dissipation factor. Throughout the ageing time, the acidities of all of the RBDPO and CO remain at low level, while the moisture in oils decreases. The tensile index (TI) of the papers for all of the RBDPO and CO retain more than 50% of the TI. A significant increment of the paper ageing rates of all of the RBDPO and CO is observed at an ageing temperature of 130 °C.
Gene-Therapeutic Strategies Targeting Angiogenesis in Peripheral Artery Disease
Authors: Sanada Fumihiro , Taniyama Yoshiaki , Muratsu Jun , Otsu Rei , Shimizu Hideo , Rakugi Hiromi , Morishita Ryuichi
Published: March 2018

The World Health Organization announced that cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death globally, representing 31% of all global deaths. Coronary artery disease (CAD) affects approximately 5% of the US population aged 40 years and older. With an age-adjusted prevalence of approximately 12%, peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects at least 8 to 12 million Americans. Both CAD and PAD are caused by mainly atherosclerosis, the hardening and narrowing of arteries over the years by lipid deposition in the vascular bed. Despite the significant advances in interventions for revascularization and intensive medical care, patients with CAD or PAD who undergo percutaneous transluminal angioplasty have a persistent high rate of myocardial infarction, amputation, and death. Therefore, new therapeutic strategies are urgently needed for these patients. To overcome this unmet need, therapeutic angiogenesis using angiogenic growth factors has evolved in an attempt to stimulate the growth of new vasculature to compensate for tissue ischemia. After nearly 20 years of investigation, there is growing evidence of successful or unsuccessful gene therapy for ischemic heart and limb disease. This review will discuss basic and clinical data of therapeutic angiogenesis studies employing angiogenic growth factors for PAD patients and will draw conclusions on the basis of our current understanding of the biological processes of new vascularization.
The Firm as a Common. Non-Divided Ownership, Patrimonial Stability and Longevity of Co-Operative Enterprises
Authors: Tortia Ermanno
Published: March 2018

Contemporary literature dealing with the governance and exploitation of common-pool natural resources was initiated by Elinor Ostrom in 1990, and has been growing fast ever since. On the contrary, within the same research stream, the study of the presence and economic role of common resources in entrepreneurial organizations is, to date, under-researched. This work endeavors to fill some theoretical gaps in this research perspective by: (i) spelling out a new-institutionalist framework for the analysis of the accumulation and governance of common capital resources within organizational boundaries; (ii) considering co-operative enterprises as the organizational form that, on the basis of historical record, and of behavioral and institutional characteristics, demonstrated to be most compatible with a substantial role for common and non-divided asset-ownership and with its governance thereof; and (iii) evidencing and explaining the theoretical connection between cooperative longevity and the presence of non-divided asset ownership. The economic forces influencing the optimal level of self-financed common capital resources in co-operatives are enquired. Conclusions to the paper evidence the main reasons why the new approach can better explain than preceding ones the economic sustainability and longevity of cooperative enterprises.
Geographically Weighted Regression Models in Estimating Median Home Prices in Towns of Massachusetts Based on an Urban Sustainability Framework
Authors: Ma Yaxiong , Gopal Sucharita
Published: March 2018

Housing is a key component of urban sustainability. The objective of this study was to assess the significance of key spatial determinants of median home price in towns in Massachusetts that impact sustainable growth. Our analysis investigates the presence or absence of spatial non-stationarity in the relationship between sustainable growth, measured in terms of the relationship between home values and various parameters including the amount of unprotected forest land, residential land, unemployment, education, vehicle ownership, accessibility to commuter rail stations, school district performance, and senior population. We use the standard geographically weighted regression (GWR) and Mixed GWR models to analyze the effects of spatial non-stationarity. Mixed GWR performed better than GWR in terms of Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) values. Our findings highlight the nature and spatial extent of the non-stationary vs. stationary qualities of key environmental and social determinants of median home price. Understanding the key determinants of housing values, such as valuation of green spaces, public school performance metrics, and proximity to public transport, enable towns to use different strategies of sustainable urban planning, while understanding urban housing determinants—such as unemployment and senior population—can help modify urban sustainable housing policies.
Honey Bee Antiviral Immune Barriers as Affected by Multiple Stress Factors: A Novel Paradigm to Interpret Colony Health Decline and Collapse
Authors: Nazzi Francesco , Pennacchio Francesco
Published: March 2018

Any attempt to outline a logical framework in which to interpret the honey bee health decline and its contribution to elevated colony losses should recognize the importance of the multifactorial nature of the responsible syndrome and provide a functional model as a basis for defining and testing working hypotheses. We propose that covert infections by deformed wing virus (DWV) represent a sword of Damocles permanently threatening the survival of honey bee colonies and suggest that any factor affecting the honey bee’s antiviral defenses can turn this pathogen into a killer. Here we discuss the available experimental evidence in the framework of a model based on honey bee immune competence as affected by multiple stress factors that is proposed as a conceptual tool for analyzing bee mortality and its underlying mechanisms.
Invertebrate Iridoviruses: A Glance over the Last Decade
Authors: İnce İkbal Agah , Özcan Orhan , Ilter-Akulke Ayca Zeynep , Scully Erin D. , Özgen Arzu
Published: March 2018

Members of the family Iridoviridae (iridovirids) are large dsDNA viruses that infect both invertebrate and vertebrate ectotherms and whose symptoms range in severity from minor reductions in host fitness to systemic disease and large-scale mortality. Several characteristics have been useful for classifying iridoviruses; however, novel strains are continuously being discovered and, in many cases, reliable classification has been challenging. Further impeding classification, invertebrate iridoviruses (IIVs) can occasionally infect vertebrates; thus, host range is often not a useful criterion for classification. In this review, we discuss the current classification of iridovirids, focusing on genomic and structural features that distinguish vertebrate and invertebrate iridovirids and viral factors linked to host interactions in IIV6 (Invertebrate iridescent virus 6). In addition, we show for the first time how complete genome sequences of viral isolates can be leveraged to improve classification of new iridovirid isolates and resolve ambiguous relations. Improved classification of the iridoviruses may facilitate the identification of genus-specific virulence factors linked with diverse host phenotypes and host interactions.
Deep Sequencing-Based Transcriptome Profiling Reveals Avian Interferon-Stimulated Genes and Provides Comprehensive Insight into Newcastle Disease Virus-Induced Host Responses
Authors: Liu Weiwei , Qiu Xusheng , Song Cuiping , Sun Yingjie , Meng Chunchun , Liao Ying , Tan Lei , Ding Zhuang , Liu Xiufan , Ding Chan
Published: March 2018

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is an avian paramyxovirus that causes significant economic losses to the poultry industry worldwide, with variations in NDV pathogenicity due to the differences in virulence between strains. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the avian innate immune response to NDV infection. In this study, transcriptional profiles were obtained from chick embryo fibroblasts (CEFs) that were infected with the highly virulent NDV Herts/33 strain or the nonvirulent LaSota strain using RNA-seq. This yielded 8433 transcripts that were associated with NDV infection. This list of candidate genes was then further examined using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses. It showed a high enrichment in the areas of cellular components and metabolic processes, with the cellular components possibly being associated with NDV pathogenicity. Among these 8433 transcripts, 3616 transcripts associated with interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) were obtained; these transcripts are involved in metabolic processes, including protein phosphorylation and protein modification. These results provide further insight into the identification of genes that are involved in NDV infection. The global survey of changes in gene expression performed herein provides new insights into the complicated molecular mechanisms underlying virus and host interactions and will enable the use of new strategies to protect chickens against this virus.
The Gender Wage Gap in the Tourism Industry: Evidence from Australia
Authors: Kortt Michael A. , Sinnewe Elisabeth , Pervan Simon J.
Published: March 2018

This article presents an examination of the gender wage gap among tourism and hospitality employees in Australia. Data from the household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (hILDA) Survey—covering the period 2001 to 2014—are used to estimate earnings functions for
prime age (25–54) male and female workers. Conventional human capital functions are estimated using a random-effects regression model. The principal findings suggest that, after controlling for an extensive range of sociodemographic characteristics, female tourism and hospitality employees,
on average, earned 8.5% and 7.5%, respectively, less than their male counterparts. Although human capital variables like education and work experience play a role in the determination of wages, an employee's gender still continues to be a significant factor in the wage received.
Air Quality and Inbound Tourism in China
Authors: Zhou Bo , Qu Hailin , Du Xingqiang , Yang Bi , Liu Fei
Published: March 2018

The issue of air quality in China has gotten great attention worldwide. This study makes the first effort to investigate the impact of air pollution on China's inbound tourism, using panel data at city level and the technique of corrected least square dummy variable (CLSDV). This study
demonstrates how air pollution in China adversely impacts inbound tourism demand as well as the lagged effect of air pollution. Furthermore, this study reveals that for cities with different degrees of air pollution, the impact differs. Accordingly, we provide suggestions for governments and
tourism firms on how to respond to the air pollution concern of international tourists.
Investigating Air Passengers' Acceptance Level of Unruly In-Flight Behavior
Authors: Tsang Steven , Masiero Lorenzo , Schuckert Markus
Published: March 2018

Service quality is an important issue for airlines. However, incidents of unruly passenger behavior (UPB) are increasing. Such incidents may have a negative impact on passengers' evaluation of the overall service quality of an airline, making the maintenance of airline standards difficult.
This study investigates the relationship between acceptability of in-flight UPBs and traveler profile. Results show that aggression and violence are the most unacceptable forms of UPB. Educational and cultural background, purpose of travel, travel frequency, and flight duration are the main
factors influencing participants' acceptance of UPB. This study provides information on the acceptability of different forms of UPB and the impact of different passenger characteristics. The study closes with the recommendations to airlines for dealing with UPB.
Temporal Tourism Booking Decisions and the Effect of Message and Goal Framing
Authors: Rahman Arifur , Crouch Geoffrey I. , Levin Irwin P.
Published: March 2018

Travelers are often faced with a booking dilemma—to book early or to wait until the last minute. Two studies were undertaken to examine how different ways of framing the booking options can affect choice. Message framing was used in Study 1 and goal framing in Study 2. Study 1
participants were given the choice of a trade-off between a cheap but possibly inconvenient early bird fare and an expensive but more convenient later fare; involvement was included as a potential moderator. Study 2 participants were given the option of a rebate for early booking; the moderator
was approach/avoidance motivation. Participants in both studies were more apt to choose the early bird option in the negative framing condition that described the negative consequences of not booking early, compared to the positive framing condition that described the positive consequences
of booking early. The moderators made little difference. These findings enhance our understanding of framing effects in tourism contexts and so contribute to both marketing theory and tourism marketing practice.
Destination Brand Promise: The Core of Customer-Based Brand Equity Modeling
Authors: Chekalina Tatiana , Fuchs Matthias , Lexhagen Maria
Published: March 2018

The present study contributes to the discussion on transferring the concept of customer-based brand equity (CBBE) to a tourism destination context. The core component of the proposed CBBE model for tourism destinations (CBDBE) considers customers' evaluation of the destination promise
in terms of the transformation of destination resources into value-in-use for tourists. The introduced CBDBE model consists of six interdependent constructs, including awareness, tourists' perception of functional, tangible and social destination resources, value-in-use disclosing the purpose
and benefits of consumption, value-for-money, satisfaction and loyalty. The model was tested for the leading Swedish mountain destination Åre for the summer season by using customer-based survey data and a linear structural equation modeling (SEM) approach. Findings confirm the hypothesized
relationships and the hierarchical structure of the proposed model. Managerial implications are discussed and the agenda for future CBDBE research is outlined.
Tourism and Economic Growth: A Worldwide Study
Authors: Risso Wiston Adrián
Published: March 2018

This article analyzes the relationship between tourism and economic growth for a worldwide dataset of 179 countries during 1995–2016. Applying a panel data Granger causality test, bidirectional causality is found, supporting the feedback hypothesis at a worldwide level. The results
show that a 100% increase in number of arrivals, tourism receipts, and tourism expenditure increases per capita GDP by 9%, 7%, and 10%, respectively. In contrast, a 100% increase in real per capita GDP increases number of arrivals, receipts, and expenditure by 54%, 91%, and 101%, respectively.
Control variables such as human capital and gross capital formation as a percentage of GDP play an important role in tourism and economic growth.
The Updated BaSTI Stellar Evolution Models and Isochrones. I. Solar-scaled Calculations
Authors: Hidalgo Sebastian L. , Pietrinferni Adriano , Cassisi Santi , Salaris Maurizio , Mucciarelli Alessio , Savino Alessandro , Aparicio Antonio , Aguirre Victor Silva , Verma Kuldeep
Published: March 2018

We present an updated release of the BaSTI (a Bag of Stellar Tracks and Isochrones) stellar model and isochrone library for a solar-scaled heavy element distribution. The main input physics that have been changed from the previous BaSTI release include the solar metal mixture, electron conduction opacities, a few nuclear reaction rates, bolometric corrections, and the treatment of the overshooting efficiency for shrinking convective cores. The new model calculations cover a mass range between 0.1 and 15 M
⊙, 22 initial chemical compositions between [Fe/H] = −3.20 and +0.45, with helium to metal enrichment ratio dY/dZ = 1.31. The isochrones cover an age range between 20 Myr and 14.5 Gyr, consistently take into account the pre-main-sequence phase, and have been translated to a large number of popular photometric systems. Asteroseismic properties of the theoretical models have also been calculated. We compare our isochrones with results from independent databases and with several sets of observations to test the accuracy of the calculations. All stellar evolution tracks, asteroseismic properties, and isochrones are made available through a dedicated web site.
Neutrinos from Choked Jets Accompanied by Type-II Supernovae
Authors: He Hao-Ning , Kusenko Alexander , Nagataki Shigehiro , Fan Yi-Zhong , Wei Da-Ming
Published: March 2018

The origin of the IceCube neutrinos is still an open question. Upper limits from diffuse gamma-ray observations suggest that the neutrino sources are either distant or hidden from gamma-ray observations. It is possible that the neutrinos are produced in jets that are formed in core-collapsing massive stars and fail to break out, the so-called choked jets. We study neutrinos from the jets choked in the hydrogen envelopes of red supergiant stars. Fast photo-meson cooling softens the neutrino spectrum, making it hard to explain the PeV neutrinos observed by IceCube in a one-component scenario, but a two-component model can explain the spectrum. Furthermore, we predict that a newly born jet-driven type-II supernova may be observed to be associated with a neutrino burst detected by IceCube.