bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ethyl Acetate Fraction from Hedyotis diffusa plus Scutellaria barbata Suppresses Migration of Bone‐Metastatic Breast Cancer Cells via OPN‐FAK/ERK/NF‐κB Axis
Authors: Fang Ting , Yan Ying-Xuan , Yang Yue , Lv Ya-Xin , Chang Qing-Qi , Zhang Dan-Dan
Published: April 2020

Hedyotis diffusa plus Scutellaria barbata is a couplet of medicinal that has been commonly used to treat inflammation‐related diseases and various types of tumors. However, the effect of this couplet on tumor cell migration has not been elucidated. With the aid of MCF‐7‐BOM, a bone‐metastatic subline of ER + breast cancer MCF‐7, we showed that ethyl acetate fraction extracted at an equal weight ratio of Hedyotis diffusa plus Scutellaria barbata (EA11) inhibited cell migration of MCF‐7‐BOM in a concentration‐dependent manner. To define the underlying molecular mechanism, we revealed that EA11 reduced the expression of osteopontin (OPN) and interfered with the FAK/ERK/NF‐κB signaling pathways, which are both critical for breast cancer bone metastasis. This study strongly suggested EA11 may represent a potential therapeutic agent against bone metastasis of breast cancer.
Adjustable Scaling Parameters for State of Charge Estimation for Lithium-Ion Batteries Using Iterative Multiple UKFs
Authors: Jianwang Hong , Ramirez-Mendoza Ricardo A. , Lozoya-Santos Jorge de J.
Published: April 2020

In this paper, one unscented Kalman filter with adjustable scaling parameters is proposed to estimate the state of charge (SOC) for lithium-ion batteries, as SOC is most important in monitoring the latter battery management system. After the equivalent circuit model is applied to describe the lithium-ion battery charging and discharging properties, a state space equation is constructed to regard SOC as its first state variable. Based on this state space model about SOC, one state estimation problem corresponding to the nonlinear system is established. In implementing the unscented Kalman filter, state estimation is influenced by the scaling parameter. Then, one criterion function is constructed to choose the scaling parameter adaptively by minimizing this criterion function. To extend one single unscented Kalman filter with adjustable scaling parameters to multiple module estimation, one improved unscented Kalman filter is advised based on iterative multiple models. Generally, the main contributions of this paper consist in two folds: one is to introduce a selection strategy for the scaling parameter adaptively, and the other is to combine iterative multiple models and a single unscented Kalman filter with adjustable scaling parameters. Finally, two simulation examples confirm that our unscented Kalman filter with adjustable scaling parameters and its improved iterative form are better than the classical Kalman filter; i.e., our obtained SOC estimation error converges to zero.
An Agent-Based Model of Opinion Polarization Driven by Emotions
Authors: Schweitzer Frank , Krivachy Tamas , Garcia David
Published: April 2020

We provide an agent-based model to explain the emergence of collective opinions not based on feedback between different opinions, but based on emotional interactions between agents. The driving variable is the emotional state of agents, characterized by their valence, quantifying the emotion from unpleasant to pleasant, and their arousal, quantifying the degree of activity associated with the emotion. Both determine their emotional expression, from which collective emotional information is generated. This information feeds back on the dynamics of emotional states and individual opinions in a nonlinear manner. We derive the critical conditions for emotional interactions to obtain either consensus or polarization of opinions. Stochastic agent-based simulations and formal analyses of the model explain our results. Possible ways to validate the model are discussed.
New Interaction Solutions for a (2 + 1)-Dimensional Vakhnenko Equation
Authors: Meng Qing , He Bin
Published: April 2020

In this paper, we focus on the interaction solutions of a (2 + 1)-dimensional Vakhnenko equation. By using Hirota’s transformation combined with the three-wave method and with symbolic computation, some interaction solutions which include interaction solutions between exponential and trigonometric functions and interaction solutions between exponential and trigonometric and hyperbolic functions are presented.
Exudate Detection for Diabetic Retinopathy Using Pretrained Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Mateen Muhammad , Wen Junhao , Nasrullah Nasrullah , Sun Song , Hayat Shaukat
Published: April 2020

In the field of ophthalmology, diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a major cause of blindness. DR is based on retinal lesions including exudate. Exudates have been found to be one of the signs and serious DR anomalies, so the proper detection of these lesions and the treatment should be done immediately to prevent loss of vision. In this paper, pretrained convolutional neural network- (CNN-) based framework has been proposed for the detection of exudate. Recently, deep CNNs were individually applied to solve the specific problems. But, pretrained CNN models with transfer learning can utilize the previous knowledge to solve the other related problems. In the proposed approach, initially data preprocessing is performed for standardization of exudate patches. Furthermore, region of interest (ROI) localization is used to localize the features of exudates, and then transfer learning is performed for feature extraction using pretrained CNN models (Inception-v3, Residual Network-50, and Visual Geometry Group Network-19). Moreover, the fused features from fully connected (FC) layers are fed into the softmax classifier for exudate classification. The performance of proposed framework has been analyzed using two well-known publicly available databases such as e-Ophtha and DIARETDB1. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed pretrained CNN-based framework outperforms the existing techniques for the detection of exudates.
Physiomorphology of Soybean as Affected by Drought Stress and Nitrogen Application
Authors: Basal Oqba , Szabó András
Published: April 2020

Drought periods are predicted to increase in the future, putting the production of sensitive crops under serious hazards. Soybean, as a legume, is capable of partly achieving its nitrogen demands through the N2-fixation process; however, this process is inhibited by drought stress conditions. Moreover, N2-fixation might not fulfill the total N demand for soybean plants, so supplemental N-fertilizer doses might be crucial. A 3-year experiment was carried out in Debrecen, Hungary, to investigate the effects of inoculation and N-fertilizer application on the physiomorphology of soybean (cv. Boglár) under both drought stress and irrigated conditions. Results showed that, regardless of inoculation, drought negatively affected plant height, LAI, SPAD, and, to a smaller extent, NDVI. On average, increasing N-fertilizer enhanced these traits accordingly. Inoculation, on the other hand, resulted in taller plants and higher LAI values, but lower SPAD values. It could be concluded that soybean’s physiomorphology is negatively influenced by drought stress and that N-fertilizer application can enhance it whether soybean plants suffer from drought stress conditions or not.
Control of Near-Grazing Dynamics in the Two-Degree-of-Freedom Vibroimpact System with Symmetrical Constraints
Authors: Wang Zihan , Xu Jieqiong , Wu Shuai , Yuan Quan
Published: April 2020

The stability of grazing bifurcation is lost in three ways through the local analysis of the near-grazing dynamics using the classical concept of discontinuity mappings in the two-degree-of-freedom vibroimpact system with symmetrical constraints. For this instability problem, a control strategy for the stability of grazing bifurcation is presented by controlling the persistence of local attractors near the grazing trajectory in this vibroimpact system with symmetrical constraints. Discrete-in-time feedback controllers designed on two Poincare sections are employed to retain the existence of an attractor near the grazing trajectory. The implementation relies on the stability criterion under which a local attractor persists near a grazing trajectory. Based on the stability criterion, the control region of the two parameters is obtained and the control strategy for the persistence of near-grazing attractors is designed accordingly. Especially, the chaos near codimension-two grazing bifurcation points was controlled by the control strategy. In the end, the results of numerical simulation are used to verify the feasibility of the control method.
Constraints Optimal Control Governing by Triple Nonlinear Hyperbolic Boundary Value Problem
Authors: Al-Hawasy Jamil A. Ali , Ali Lamyaa H.
Published: April 2020

The focus of this work lies on proving the existence theorem of a unique state vector solution (Stvs) of the triple nonlinear hyperbolic boundary value problem (TNHBVP) when the classical continuous control vector (CCCVE) is fixed by using the Galerkin method (Galm), proving the existence theorem of a unique constraints classical continuous optimal control vector (CCCOCVE) with vector state constraints (equality EQVC and inequality INEQVC). Also, it consists of studying for the existence and uniqueness adjoint vector solution (Advs) of the triple adjoint vector equations (TAEqs) associated with the considered triple state equations (Tsteqs). The Fréchet Derivative (Frde.) of the Hamiltonian (HAM) is found. At the end, the theorems for the necessary conditions and the sufficient conditions of optimality (Necoop and Sucoop) are achieved.
Acupuncture Improving Early Sexual Development of Girls with Peripheral Precocious Puberty: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Liu Lili , Wan Naijun , Sun Huihui
Published: April 2020

Objective. To study primarily on the effect of acupuncture on breast Tanner stage, serum sex hormone level, and TCM symptom scores in girls with peripheral precocious puberty (PPP). Methods. 19 eligible patients diagnosed with PPP received acupuncture intervention for 12 weeks, twice a week for 12 weeks, 24 sessions of acupuncture treatment in all, and then follow‐up for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was the change in serum luteinizing hormone (LH) level, follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) level, and breast Tanner stage at 12‐week treatment and 12‐week follow‐up. Serum estradiol (E2) level and TCM symptom scores were also assessed. Results. Nineteen patients with peripheral precocious puberty were treated with acupuncture. After the 12‐week acupuncture intervention, the serum LH level, breast Tanner stage, and TCM symptom scores decreased significantly compared with baseline (P < 0.05); the serum FSH and E2 level did not change significantly after the 12‐week treatment (P > 0.05). After the 12‐week follow‐up, breast Tanner stage and TCM symptom scores decreased significantly compared with baseline (P < 0.05), and there was no statistical difference between serum sex hormone (LH, FSH, and E2) level and baseline level (P > 0.05). During the period of acupuncture treatment, no side effects or serious adverse events occurred. Conclusions. Acupuncture is effective in regulating the hormone level and controlling early development process. It may be a viable alternative to the treatment of peripheral precocious puberty in girls. However, further randomized controlled trials are needed.
Solitary and Periodic Wave Solutions of Sasa–Satsuma Equation and Their Relationship with Hamilton Energy
Authors: Zhang Weiguo , Ling Xingqian , Wang Bei-Bei , Li Shaowei
Published: April 2020

In this paper, we study the exact solitary wave solutions and periodic wave solutions of the S-S equation and give the relationships between solutions and the Hamilton energy of their amplitudes. First, on the basis of the theory of dynamical system, we make qualitative analysis on the amplitudes of solutions. Then, by using undetermined hypothesis method, the first integral method, and the appropriate transformation, two bell-shaped solitary wave solutions and six exact periodic wave solutions are obtained. Furthermore, we discuss the evolutionary relationships between these solutions and find that the appearance of these solutions for the S-S equation is essentially determined by the value which the Hamilton energy takes. Finally, we give some diagrams which show the changing process from the periodic wave solutions to the solitary wave solutions when the Hamilton energy changes.
Innovative IOP-Independent Neuroprotection and Neuroregeneration Strategies in the Pipeline for Glaucoma
Authors: Tsai James C.
Published: April 2020

While sustained reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) has been shown to halt and/or delay the progressive death of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in glaucoma, there exists great interest in the development and validation of IOP-independent therapeutic strategies for neuroprotection and/or neuroregeneration. Multiple etiologies for RGC death have been implicated in glaucoma including defective axonal transport, ischemia, excitotoxicity, reactive oxygen species, trophic factor withdrawal, and loss of RGC electrical activity. However, IOP lowering with medical, laser, and surgical therapies is itself neuroprotective, and investigators are seeking to identify agents that are able to confer neuroprotection independent of IOP reduction, as well as providing for regeneration of nonviable RGCs and their axons to restore and/or maintain functional vision. These innovative strategies in the pipeline include investigation of neurotrophic factors, gene therapy, immune system modulation, and novel neuroregeneration pathways. Alongside this new knowledge, enhanced opportunities for discovery of vision preservation and/or restoration therapies must be weighed against the potential disadvantages of perturbing the complex central nervous system environment.
Prostate Cancer Incidence and Aggressiveness in Appalachia versus Non-Appalachia Populations in Pennsylvania by Urban-Rural Regions, 2004–2014
Authors: McDonald Alicia C. , Wasserman Emily , Lengerich Eugene J. , Raman Jay D. , Geyer Nathaniel R. , Hohl Raymond J. , Wang Ming
Published: April 2020

Background:

Few studies have examined prostate cancer incidence and aggressiveness in urban-rural Appalachian populations. We examined these rates in urban-rural Appalachia and non-Appalachia Pennsylvania (PA), and the association between these areas and more aggressive prostate cancer at diagnosis.

Methods:

Men, ages ≥ 40 years with a primary prostate cancer diagnosis, were identified from the 2004–2014 Pennsylvania Cancer Registry. Age-adjusted incidence rates for prostate cancer and more aggressive prostate cancer at diagnosis were calculated by urban-rural Appalachia status. Multivariable Poisson regressions were conducted. Multiple logistic regressions were used to examine the association between the geographic areas and more aggressive prostate cancer, after adjusting for confounders.

Results:

There were 94,274 cases, ages 40–105 years, included. Urban non-Appalachia had the highest 2004–2014 age-adjusted incidence rates of prostate cancer and more aggressive prostate cancer (293.56 and 96.39 per 100,000 men, respectively) and rural Appalachia had the lowest rates (256.48 and 80.18 per 100,000 men, respectively). Among the cases, urban Appalachia were more likely [OR = 1.12; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.08–1.17] and rural Appalachia were less likely (OR = 0.92; 95% CI = 0.87–0.97) to have more aggressive prostate cancer at diagnosis compared with urban non-Appalachia.

Conclusions:

Lower incidence rates and the proportion of aggressive disease in rural Appalachia may be due to lower prostate cancer screening rates. More aggressive prostate cancer at diagnosis among the cases in urban Appalachia may be due to exposures that are prevalent in the region.

Impact:

Identifying geographic prostate cancer disparities will provide information to design programs aimed at reducing risk and closing the disparity gap.
Algoritmos e Big Data
Authors: Schuch Lucas Alves , Petermann Juliana
Published: April 2020

Neste artigo pretendemos discutir as atualizações necessárias ou possíveis no habitus publicitário frente às transformações contemporâneas da publicidade, considerando especialmente, as questões relacionadas à mediação dos algoritmos e processos em Big Data. Temos como guia a seguinte questão: Quais são as atualizações que acompanhamos no habitus publicitário diante das transformações no cenário da publicidade contemporânea? Faremos um acercamento sobre o conceito de habitus, discutindo principalmente o habitus publicitário e avaliaremos sobre as possíveis transformações desse na contemporaneidade.
Publicidade inteligente
Authors: Carrera Fernanda , Krüger Priscila
Published: April 2020

Novas tecnologias da informação provocam modificações sistemáticas na sociedade e fazem emergir o que aqui defendemos como publicidade inteligente. Assim, objetivamos compreender como os softwares de conversação automatizada pautados na inteligência artificial (IA), podem ganhar destaque nas estratégias de fortalecimento de vínculo entre as marcas e seus clientes nesta nova maneira de se fazer publicidade online. Para isto, dialogamos brevemente sobre IA, Big Data, Algoritmos e Chatbots a fim de compreender melhor estas tecnologias sob o prisma da publicidade inteligente.
Mechanism of Eccentric Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy Secondary to Severe Mitral Regurgitation
Authors: Li Shujuan , Nguyen Ngoc Uyen Nhi , Xiao Feng , Menendez-Montes Ivan , Nakada Yuji , Tan Wilson Lek Wen , Anene-Nzelu Chukwuemeka George , Foo Roger S. , Thet Suwannee , Cardoso Alisson Campos , Wang Ping , Elhelaly Waleed M. , Lam Nicholas T. , Pereira Ana Helena Macedo , Hill Joseph A. , Sadek Hesham A.
Published: April 2020

Background:

Primary valvular heart disease is a prevalent cause of morbidity and mortality in both industrialized and developing countries. Although the primary consequence of valvular heart disease is myocardial dysfunction, treatment of valvular heart diseases centers around valve repair or replacement rather than prevention or reversal of myocardial dysfunction. This is particularly evident in primary mitral regurgitation (MR), which invariably results in eccentric hypertrophy and left ventricular (LV) failure in the absence of timely valve repair or replacement. The mechanism of LV dysfunction in primary severe MR is entirely unknown.

Methods:

Here, we developed the first mouse model of severe MR. Valvular damage was achieved by severing the mitral valve leaflets and chords with iridectomy scissors, and MR was confirmed by echocardiography. Serial echocardiography was performed to follow up LV morphology and systolic function. Analysis of cardiac tissues was subsequently performed to evaluate valve deformation, cardiomyocyte morphology, LV fibrosis, and cell death. Finally, dysregulated pathways were assessed by RNA-sequencing analysis and immunofluorescence.

Results:

In the ensuing 15 weeks after the induction of MR, gradual LV dilatation and dysfunction occurred, resulting in severe systolic dysfunction. Further analysis revealed that severe MR resulted in a marked increase in cardiac mass and increased cardiomyocyte length but not width, with electron microscopic evidence of sarcomere disarray and the development of sarcomere disruption. From a mechanistic standpoint, severe MR resulted in activation of multiple components of both the mammalian target of rapamycin and calcineurin pathways. Inhibition of mammalian target of rapamycin signaling preserved sarcomeric structure and prevented LV remodeling and systolic dysfunction. Immunohistochemical analysis uncovered a differential pattern of expression of the cell polarity regulator Crb2 (crumbs homolog 2) along the longitudinal axis of cardiomyocytes and close to the intercalated disks in the MR hearts. Electron microscopy images demonstrated a significant increase in polysome localization in close proximity to the intercalated disks and some areas along the longitudinal axis in the MR hearts.

Conclusions:

These results indicate that LV dysfunction in response to severe MR is a form of maladaptive eccentric cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and outline the link between cell polarity regulation and spatial localization protein synthesis as a pathway for directional cardiomyocyte growth.
Associations of Arterial Stiffness With Cognitive Performance, and the Role of Microvascular Dysfunction
Authors: Rensma Sytze P. , Stehouwer Coen D.A. , Van Boxtel Martin P.J. , Houben Alfons J.H.M. , Berendschot Tos T.J.M. , Jansen Jaap F.A. , Schalkwijk Casper G. , Verhey Frans R.J. , Kroon Abraham A. , Henry Ronald M.A. , Backes Walter H. , Dagnelie Pieter C. , van Dongen Martin C.J.M. , Eussen Simone J.P.M. , Bosma Hans , Köhler Sebastian , Reesink Koen D. , Schram Miranda T. , van Sloten Thomas T.
Published: April 2020

The mechanisms underlying cognitive impairment are incompletely understood but may include arterial stiffness and microvascular dysfunction. In the population-based Maastricht Study, we investigated the association between arterial stiffness and cognitive performance, and whether any such association was mediated by microvascular dysfunction. We included cross-sectional data of 2544 participants (age, 59.7 years; 51.0% men; 26.0% type 2 diabetes mellitus). We used carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity and carotid distensibility coefficient as measures of aortic and carotid stiffness, respectively. We calculated a composite score of microvascular dysfunction based on magnetic resonance imaging features of cerebral small vessel disease, flicker light-induced retinal arteriolar and venular dilation response, albuminuria, and plasma biomarkers of microvascular dysfunction (sICAM-1 [soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1], sVCAM-1 [soluble vascular adhesion molecule-1], sE-selectin [soluble E-selectin], and vWF [von Willebrand factor]). Cognitive domains assessed were memory, processing speed, and executive function. A cognitive function score was calculated as the average of these domains. Higher aortic stiffness (per m/s) was associated with lower cognitive function (β, −0.018 SD [95% CI, −0.036 to −0.000]) independent of age, sex, education, and cardiovascular risk factors, but higher carotid stiffness was not. Higher aortic stiffness (per m/s) was associated with a higher microvascular dysfunction score (β, 0.034 SD [95% CI, 0.014 to 0.053]), and a higher microvascular dysfunction score (per SD) was associated with lower cognitive function (β, −0.089 SD [95% CI, −0.124 to −0.053]). Microvascular dysfunction significantly explained 16.2% of the total effect of aortic stiffness on cognitive function. The present study showed that aortic stiffness, but not carotid stiffness, is independently associated with worse cognitive performance, and that this association is in part explained by microvascular dysfunction.
Between Islamic Learning and Philological Nationalism: Mullah Mahmûdê Bayazîdî’s Auto-ethnography of the Kurds
Authors: Leezenberg Michiel
Published: April 2020

This article deals with the ethnographic and philological works of the nineteenth-century Kurdish scholar Mullah Mahmûdê Bayazîdî, which mark a crucial stage in the history of vernacular Kurdish-language learning. It turns out that Bayazîdî, although working in the service of the then Russian consul, Auguste Jaba, cannot be called either a “native informant” nor an “orientalist scholar”. After providing some historical background, I discuss Bayazîdî’s main writings and their significance. I then discuss his conceptions of language, literature, local tradition or culture, and history, concluding that none of these bears any traces of modern Western philology or romantic nationalism. Hence, his work cannot be qualified as “internalized orientalism”, but, as it is written in a vernacular language, neither can it be wholly assimilated to classical Islamic learning.
Women’s Participation in Informal Peace Processes
Authors: Dayal Anjali Kaushlesh , Christien Agathe
Published: April 2020

Women’s greater presence in informal peace processes is often noted in works on peace processes, but there has been little systematic evidence about this involvement. This article is the first systematic study of women’s participation in informal peace processes. We find that women are a significant presence in civil society efforts to forge peace outside formal negotiation rooms: nearly three-fourths of identifiable informal peace processes have clear evidence of involvement from women’s groups. This research indicates that women advocate to be included in formal peace processes, work to legitimate formal negotiations and organize for peace, advocate for the inclusion of women’s rights issues in the final peace agreement, provide information on human rights violations to participants in the formal peace process, engage in local conflict resolution, and advocate as partisans for one or another side in the conflict.
The Humanitarian Gap in the Global Sanctions Regime
Authors: Mallard Grégoire , Sabet Farzan , Sun Jin
Published: April 2020

Since the late 1990s, targeted sanctions and general humanitarian sanctions exemptions have aimed at avoiding the disastrous humanitarian consequences of comprehensive sanctions. In parallel, global banks in charge of administering the international trade of vital goods (food and medicine) have received guidance on how to implement risk-based approaches to avoid completely blockading sanctioned jurisdictions. But these efforts have failed. This article asks: Why has the governance of sanctions and sanctions exemption failed, and what can be done to fix the problem? It argues that a hybrid form of governance in the field of sanctions is responsible for current humanitarian problems. Based on more than eighty interviews with treasury officials, sanctions experts, compliance officers, and others, and taking the international trade of vital goods in Iran as an example, this article assesses various fixes to the governance failures and solutions to address the payment problems that exporters of vital goods in sanctioned jurisdictions face.
Steady as She Goes? Structure, Change Agents, and the Evolution of the Arctic Council
Authors: Smieszek Malgorzata (Gosia)
Published: April 2020

Over the last three decades, the Arctic and the Arctic Council (AC) have experienced profound changes. Since its establishment in 1996, the AC has evolved significantly in reach and stature; it has expanded its portfolio of projects and instruments, and it has also substantially enhanced its administrative capacities. So far, most studies on the AC have focused on exogenous sources of its change. In contrast, drawing from the general literature on international environmental regimes and gradual institutional change, this paper examines the endogenous factors and properties of the AC and the role they play in enabling or constraining the AC’s institutional change. This reveals that the AC’s setup provides ample space for change agents who, if able to identify windows of opportunity and exploit the inherent openness of the Council’s rules, can establish new precedents that can ultimately influence the course of the AC’s evolution. As such, the analysis draws our attention to previously understudied questions of agency and endogenous sources in the processes of institutional change of the AC. Moreover, as a case study on an informal institution, it is a source of insight and a contribution to the general literature on international environmental regimes, which to date has focused almost exclusively on hard-law and treaty-based institutions.
A Padshah like Manu: Political Advice for Akbar in the Persian Mahābhārata
Authors: Truschke Audrey
Published: April 2020

In the late sixteenth century, the Mughal Emperor Akbar sponsored the translation of more than one dozen Sanskrit texts into Persian, chief among them the Mahābhārata. The epic was retitled the Razmnāma (Book of War) in Persian and rapidly became a seminal work of Mughal imperial culture. Within the Razmnāma, the Mughal translators devoted particular attention to sections on political advice. They rendered book twelve (out of eighteen books), the Śānti Parvan (Book of Peace), into Persian at disproportionate length to the rest of the text and singled out parts of this section to adorn with quotations of Persian poetry. Book twelve also underwent significant transformations in terms of its content as Mughal thinkers reframed the Mahābhārata’s views on ethics and sovereignty in light of their own imperial interests. I analyze this section of the Razmnāma in comparison to the original Sanskrit epic and argue that the Mughal translators reformulated parts of the Mahābhārata’s political advice in both style and substance in order to speak directly to Emperor Akbar. The type of advice that emerged offers substantial insight into the political values that Mughal elites sought to cultivate through translating a Sanskrit work on kingship.
Using Photovoice as Methodology, Pedagogy and Assessment Tool in Education: Graduate Students’ Experiences and Reflections
Authors: WANG Ting
Published: April 2020

Participatory visual methods are increasingly used in various disciplines. This article focuses on using photovoice as a methodology, pedagogy and participatory assessment tool in education through Chinese graduate students’ experiences with a photovoice project. The study investigated the efficacy of photovoice as a pedagogical and assessment tool, and the utility of photovoice as a participatory visual research method to examine impacts of globalization on China. A group of sixty Chinese students who studied an Australian transnational Master of Education program participated in this photovoice project. Analysis of the participants’ photographs, narratives, and reflections provided evidence that photovoice can be employed as an effective pedagogical and assessment tool. The findings showed that photovoice related learning was emancipatory and transformative. Photovoice offered opportunities for the participants to deepen understanding and enhance critical consciousness. The study suggests that photovoice as a participatory research methodology has educational and cultural appropriateness for Chinese students.
Photovoice Data Analysis: Critical Approach, Phenomenological Approach, and Beyond
Authors: TSANG Kwok Kuen
Published: April 2020

Photovoice is a visual method that has attracted the attention of researchers in the field of education and social sciences in general. However, there are a number of methodological challenges in photovoice research and one of the challenges facing the researchers is the data analysis procedure. This article proposes a strategy for researchers to handle photovoice data analysis which consists of four stages, including a photograph analysis based on the researcher’s interpretations, a photograph analysis based on the participants’ interpretations, a cross-comparison, and theorization. According to the strategy, researchers should analyze both visual data (participants’ voice) and narrative data (interview data) based on their perspectives as well as those of participants in attempt to generate a more credible visual and narrative explanation and theorization of the phenomenon.
Characterization of Nanoporous Silicon Layer to Reduce the Optical Losses of Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells
Authors: Lee Soohong , Lee Eunjoo
Published: April 2020

Reduction of optical losses in crystalline silicon solar cells by surface modification is one of the most important issues of silicon photovoltaics. Porous Si layers on the front surface of textured Si substrates have been investigated with the aim of improving the optical losses of
the solar cells, because an anti-reflection coating and a surface passivation can be obtained simultaneously in one process. We have demonstrated the feasibility of a very efficient porous Si AR layer, prepared by a simple, cost effective, electrochemical etching method. Silicon p-type CZ
(100) oriented wafers were textured by anisotropic etching in sodium carbonate solution. Then, the porous Si layers were formed by electrochemical etching in HF solutions. After that, the properties of porous Si in terms of morphology, structure and reflectance are summarized. The structure
of porous Si layers was investigated using SEM. The formation of a nanoporous Si layer on the textured silicon wafer result in a reflectance lower than 5% in the wavelength region from 500 to 900 nm. Such a surface modification allows improving the Si solar cell characteristics. An efficiency
of 13.4% is achieved on a monocrystalline silicon solar cell using the electrochemical technique.
Novel Nanocomposite Actuator Based on Sulfonated Poly(styrene-b-ethylene-co-butylene-b-styrene) Polymer
Authors: Jung Jin-Young , Oh Il-Kwon
Published: April 2020

Ionic polymer metal composite (IPMC) actuators were developed with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) and sulfonated poly(styrene-b-ethylene-co-butylene-b-styrene) (SSEBS) ionic polymers. MWNT with the diameter of 10 ∼ 15 nm and length of 10 ∼ 20 μm was used to enhance
the mechanical and electrical performances of IPMC actuators. Ultrasonic treatment and high speed mixing were employed to disperse MWNTs homogeneously in SSEBS solution. The electroless plating method was used to make electrodes on the both side of the composite membrane. Scanning electron
microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) images were taken to characterize the surface and micro-structures of the composite actuators. In this study, novel nano-composite actuators were fabricated with different weight ratio of the MWNT 0.5%, 1.5% and the bending actuation
performance and electrical power consumptions were investigated.
Production of Nanosized Carbon Black from Hydrocarbon by a Thermal Plasma
Authors: Yang Hye-Min , Nam Won-Ki , Park Dong-Wha
Published: April 2020

Thermal plasma conditions (optimal heat and radical sources for the thermal decomposition) can be used to accelerate thermodynamically favorable chemical reactions or provide the energy required for endothermic reforming processes. Direct thermal decomposition of hydrocarbon (methane,
acetylene, and propane) was carried out using a thermal plasma system which is an environmentally favorable process. In case of thermal decomposition, high purity of the hydrogen and solidified nano-sized carbon can be achieved without any contaminant. The main product carbon produced by thermal
decomposition can be either sequestered or used as a raw material and it can be applied for the varieties of industry fields. The morphology of the carbon was characterized by SEM and the particle size was determined by a particle size analyzer. It was observed that the carbon black particles
were sphere particles with mainly several tens of nano-sized diameters, those are about 10–80 nm. It can be expected to be used as a raw material of laser printer toner which requires small sized carbon black particles; An average primary particle size of PRINTEX® L (Degussa
Fillers & Pigment) used in a part of printing inks is 23 nm. In case of the XRD pattern of the produced carbon black from acetylene is of higher crystalline than the commercialized carbon black used for fuel cells. Also carbon species produced were characterized by EA and TGA.
Catalytic Performance of Nanosized Pt–Au Alloy Catalyst in Oxidation of Methanol and Toluene
Authors: Kim Ki-Joong , Kim Yong-Hwa , Ahn Ho-Geun
Published: April 2020

The alloy formed between a group-VIII metal such as platinum and a group-IB metal such as gold changes the catalytic behavior compared to the monometallic phase, increasing the selectivity toward certain products and also decreasing the deactivation rate. Pt–Au alloy nanoparticles
coated on alumina support were found to be catalytically very active for complete oxidation of methanol and toluene. Furthermore, the nanosized Pt–Au particles were added to ZnO/Al2O3 on monolith catalyst. Also, effect of various parameters such as concentration
of methanol and toluene and feed flow rate was investigated. Au particles were sized in 20∼30 nm and Pt particles were well dispersed. In case of alumina supported powder catalyst, complete oxidation of methanol occurred at a temperature lower than that of toluene. From oxidation activity
of monolithic honeycomb with Pt and Au particles, the conversion of methanol was increased with increasing the concentration of methanol, but conversion of toluene showed a decreasing tendency as the concentration of toluene increased. Also, conversion of methanol over honeycomb catalyst was
not largely affected by feed flow rate, while conversion in toluene oxidation was decreased rapidly as feed flow rate was increased. As a result, the Pt-Au/ZnO/Al2O3/M catalyst used is likely to efficiently treat a large volume of exhaust gas containing VOCs.
Effect of TiO2 Particle Size on the Performance of Viologen-Anchored TiO2 Electrochromic Device
Authors: Kim Yong Joo , Jeong Hyun Ki , Seo Jung Kyu , Chai Seung Yong , Kim Young Seok , Lim Goo Il , Cho Min Ho , Lee Ik-Mo , Choi Young S. , Lee Wan In
Published: April 2020

The effect of TiO2 particle size on the performance of the electrochromic device (ECD) has been investigated in this work by applying the TiO2 nanoparticles in 7, 15, and 30 nm sizes. The phosphonated viologen, bis(2-phosphonoethyl)-4,4′-bipyridinium dibromide,
was anchored on the TiO2 surfaces for the construction of ECD. The ECD derived from 7 nm-sized TiO2 demonstrated the highest contrast ratio with high optical transparency, whereas it showed the slowest switching response. The enhancement of coloration efficiency with
decrease of TiO2 particle size is due to the increased amount of the anchored viologen on TiO2 electrode. On the other hand, the relatively slower switching response would be caused by the difficulty of diffusion for the electrolytes and counter-ions through the small
pores of the nanocrystalline TiO2 electrode derived from 7 nm-sized nanoparticles.
Fabrication of Poly-Silicon Nano-Wire Transistors on Plastic Substrates
Authors: Park ChangMin , Lee SeHan , Choi MinSu , Kang MyungGil , Jung YoungChai , Hwang SungWoo , Ahn Doyeol , Lee JungHyeon , Song ChangRyong
Published: April 2020

We report the fabrication and characterization of poly-Si nanowire transistors on flexible substrates. The nanowire transistors are fabricated on a SiO2/Si substrate using conventional CMOS processes, and then they are transferred onto polyimide substrates. The transfer process
is performed by spin-coating of polyimide, curing (annealing) of the polyimide layer, and removal of the SiO2 sacrificial layer. The optimized curing condition results in the maximum bending of 150° with full recovery. The nanowire transistors exhibit transistor characteristics
as a function of the backgate bias. Our new process can be applied to the fabrication of Si-nanowire transistors with larger mobilities.
Next Generation Adoptive Immunotherapy—Human T Cells as Carriers of Therapeutic Nanoparticles
Authors: Mortensen M. W. , Kahns L. , Hansen T. , Sørensen P. G. , Björkdahl O. , Jensen M. R. , Gundersen H. J. G. , Bjørnholm T.
Published: April 2020

An important step in adoptive immunotherapy in general and specifically with respect to cancer treatment is the initiation of an inflammatory T cell response at the tumor site. Here we suggest a new concept for a controlled inflammatory response in which the intrinsic cytotoxic properties
of T cells are upgraded with the properties of nanoparticles transfected into the T cells during the ex vivo expansion process. We report in vitro upgrading of human T cells using PEGylated boron carbide nanoparticles functionalised with a translocation peptide aimed at
Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT). A key finding is that the metabolism of such upgraded human T cells were not affected by a payload of 0.13 pg boron per cell and that the nanoparticles were retained in the cell population after several cell divisions. This is vital for transporting
nanoparticles by T cells to the tumor site.
Magnetic Nanoparticles for Intracranial Thermotherapy
Authors: Jordan Andreas , Maier-Hauff Klaus
Published: April 2020

Thermotherapy using magnetic nanoparticles, also termed nanotherapy, is a new therapeutic concept in which tumor cells are damaged via local heat application. The principle of this method is direct injection of a magnetic fluid into a tumor and its subsequent heating in an alternating
magnetic field. The heat created this way (thermotherapy) causes either direct damage to the tumor cells (depending on temperature and reaction time) or make cells more susceptible to accompanying radio- or chemotherapy. The results of a feasibility trial (phase I) on the treatment of brain
tumors (glioblastoma multiforme) are presented.
Application of a Hybrid ARIMA–SVR Model Based on the SPI for the Forecast of Drought—A Case Study in Henan Province, China
Authors: Xu Dehe , Zhang Qi , Ding Yan , Huang Huiping
Published: April 2020

Drought forecasts could effectively reduce the risk of drought. Data-driven models are suitable forecast tools because of their minimal information requirements. The motivation for this study is that because most data-driven models, such as autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models, can capture linear relationships but cannot capture nonlinear relationships they are insufficient for long-term prediction. The hybrid ARIMA–support vector regression (SVR) model proposed in this paper is based on the advantages of a linear model and a nonlinear model. The multiscale standard precipitation indices (SPI: SPI1, SPI3, SPI6, and SPI12) were forecast and compared using the ARIMA model and the hybrid ARIMA–SVR model. The performance of all models was compared using measures of persistence, such as the coefficient of determination, root-mean-square error, mean absolute error, Nash–Sutcliffe coefficient, and kriging interpolation method in the ArcGIS software. The results show that the prediction accuracies of the multiscale SPI of the combined ARIMA–SVR model and the single ARIMA model were related to the time scale of the index, and they gradually increase with an increase in time scale. The predicted value decreases with increase in lead time. Comparing the measured data with the predicted data from the model shows that the combined ARIMA–SVR model had higher prediction accuracy than the single ARIMA model and that the predicted results 1–2 months ahead show reasonably good agreement with the actual data.
Diurnal Cycling of Submesoscale Dynamics: Lagrangian Implications in Drifter Observations and Model Simulations of the Northern Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Sun Daoxun , Bracco Annalisa , Barkan Roy , Berta Maristella , Dauhajre Daniel , Molemaker M. Jeroen , Choi Jun , Liu Guangpeng , Griffa Annalisa , McWilliams James C.
Published: April 2020

The diurnal cycling of submesoscale circulations in vorticity, divergence, and strain is investigated using drifter data collected as part of the Lagrangian Submesoscale Experiment (LASER) experiment, which took place in the northern Gulf of Mexico during winter 2016, and ROMS simulations at different resolutions and degree of realism. The first observational evidence of a submesoscale diurnal cycle is presented. The cycling is detected in the LASER data during periods of weak winds, whereas the signal is obscured during strong wind events. Results from ROMS in the most realistic setup and in sensitivity runs with idealized wind patterns demonstrate that wind bursts disrupt the submesoscale diurnal cycle, independently of the time of day at which they happen. The observed and simulated submesoscale diurnal cycle supports the existence of a shift of approximately 1–3 h between the occurrence of divergence and vorticity maxima, broadly in agreement with theoretical predictions. The amplitude of the modeled signal, on the other hand, always underestimates the observed one, suggesting that even a horizontal resolution of 500 m is insufficient to capture the strength of the observed variability in submesoscale circulations. The paper also presents an evaluation of how well the diurnal cycle can be detected as function of the number of Lagrangian particles. If more than 2000 particle triplets are considered, the diurnal cycle is well captured, but for a number of triplets comparable to that of the LASER analysis, the reconstructed diurnal cycling displays high levels of noise both in the model and in the observations.
Exploring the Relation Between Teacher Factors and Student Growth in Early Writing
Authors: Bresina Britta Cook , McMaster Kristen L.
Published: April 2020

Data from a small randomized control trial of teachers’ use of Data-Based Instruction (DBI) for early writing were analyzed to determine the influence of teacher knowledge, skills, and treatment fidelity on student Curriculum-Based Measurement (CBM) slope. Participants included 11 elementary grade teachers who delivered intensive intervention in early writing and their students ( n = 31), all identified as either at risk for or with disabilities that affect their writing. Teachers received professional development and ongoing coaching to support the implementation of DBI for improving their students’ early writing skills. Results from a multiple regression analysis suggest that teacher knowledge and skills in DBI was strongly related to student CBM slope in early writing ( p < .01) and a small but significant relation between fidelity of writing instruction and student CBM slope ( p < .01). Implications for instructional coaching and improving student writing progress are discussed.
Cheater Detection Using the Unrelated Question Model
Authors: Reiber Fabiola , Pope Harrison , Ulrich Rolf
Published: April 2020

Randomized response techniques (RRTs) are useful survey tools for estimating the prevalence of sensitive issues, such as the prevalence of doping in elite sports. One type of RRT, the unrelated question model (UQM), has become widely used because of its psychological acceptability for study participants and its favorable statistical properties. One drawback of this model, however, is that it does not allow for detecting cheaters—individuals who disobey the survey instructions and instead give self-protecting responses. In this article, we present refined versions of the UQM designed to detect the prevalence of cheating responses. We provide explicit formulas to calculate the parameters of these refined UQM versions and show how the empirical adequacy of these versions can be tested. The Appendices contain R-code for all necessary calculations.
Model Adequacy Checking/Goodness-of-fit Testing for Behavior in Joint Dynamic Network/Behavior Models, with an Extension to Two-mode Networks
Authors: Wang Cheng , Butts Carter T. , Hipp John , Lakon Cynthia M.
Published: April 2020

The recent popularity of models that capture the dynamic coevolution of both network structure and behavior has driven the need for summary indices to assess the adequacy of these models to reproduce dynamic properties of scientific or practical importance. Whereas there are several existing indices for assessing the ability of the model to reproduce network structure over time, to date there are few indices for assessing the ability of the model to reproduce individuals’ behavior patterns. Drawing on the widely used strategy of assessing model adequacy by comparing index values summarizing features of the observed data to the distribution of those index values on simulated data from the fitted model, we propose four goals that a researcher could reasonably expect of a joint structure/behavior model regarding how well it captures behavior and describe indices for assessing each of these. These reasonably simple and easily implemented indices can be used for assessing model adequacy with any dynamic network models jointly working with networks and behavior, including the stochastic actor-based models implemented within software packages such as RSien version 1.2-24. We demonstrate the use of our indices with an empirical example to show how they can be employed in practical settings, with an additional extension to modeling affiliation dynamics in two-mode networks. Key scripts are provided in the Supplemental Document (which can be found at http://smr.sagepub.com/supplemental/ ).