bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE EFFECT OF TiN, TiAlN, CrAlN, AND TiAlN/TiSiN COATINGS ON THE WEAR PROPERTIES OF AISI H13 STEEL AT ROOM TEMPERATURE
Authors: KARA LEVENT , ASL HOJJAT GAHRAMANZADE , KARADAYI ÖZCAN
Published: November 2018

TiN, TiAlN, CrAlN and TiAlN/TiSiN films were deposited on AISI H13 hot work steel substrate by cathodic arc evaporation method. Each coating was optimized in laboratory conditions and the highest hardness and wear resistance coatings were taken into consideration for this study.

Morphological properties, chemical compositions, crystallographic structure, nano hardness and adhesion strength of coatings were analyzed with SEM, AFM, EDS, XRD, nano indentation and scratch resistance tester. Wear experiments were performed using ball-on-disk tribometer against Al2O3 ball of 6[Formula: see text]mm diameter and wear volume of coatings were measured using optical profilometer.

Wear experimental results revealed that all coated samples showed higher wear resistance and hardness than uncoated AISI H13 steel substrate. The highest wear and scratch resistances as well as nano hardness were attained for CrAlN coating. TiAlN coating has the lowest scratch resistance and wear resistance. Adhesive wear mechanism was the dominant wear mechanism for CrAlN coatings which is the highest wear resistant coating. Abrasive wear mechanism was the dominant wear mechanism for TiAlN coatings which is the lowest wear resistant coating.
THE BIOMECHANICAL STUDY OF DIFFERENT POSTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES
Authors: GUO NA , QI YANSONG , YANG BIAO , HAN ZHONGHAO , HU LEI , XU YONGSHENG , WANG TIANMIAO , YU JIAKUO
Published: November 2018

The main purpose of our study was to evaluate the biomechanics of different posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction techniques. Seven fresh cadaver knees were collected. A 6-DOF robot arm was used to test the biomechanical parameters, including the posterior stability, the lateral stability and the rotation stability of different PCL reconstruction techniques. Each group was tested at the knee flexion of 0, 30[Formula: see text], 60[Formula: see text], 90[Formula: see text] and 120[Formula: see text], under the following conditions respectively: a posterior force of 134[Formula: see text]N, an internal and external rotation torque of 5[Formula: see text][Formula: see text], a varus and valgus torque of 10[Formula: see text][Formula: see text], and a combination of 100[Formula: see text]N posterior force and 5[Formula: see text][Formula: see text] external rotation torque. The posterior tibia translation and the rotational angle of the 4-tunnel double-bundle PCL reconstruction group were significantly lower than that of 3-tunnel double-bundle group and the single-bundle group; the posterior tibia translation valgus–varus-angle were lower at some specified flexion angle. No statistical difference was found between the anatomic 4-tunnel bundle group and the intact knee group concerning the posterior tibia translation, the rotational angle, and the valgus–varus-angle. This study showed that the biomechanics of PCL of 4-tunnel double-bundle reconstruction was closer to the intact knees than the other two reconstruction methods.
Exact exponential cosmological solutions with two factor spaces of dimension m in EGB model with a Λ-term
Authors: Ivashchuk V. D. , Kobtsev A. A.
Published: November 2018

A [Formula: see text]-dimensional Einstein–Gauss–Bonnet (EGB) model with the cosmological term [Formula: see text] is considered. We find a class of solutions with exponential time dependence of two scale factors, governed by two Hubble-like parameters [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], corresponding to two factor spaces of dimension [Formula: see text] and obeying [Formula: see text]. We prove that the solutions, obeying [Formula: see text], are stable (in a class of cosmological solutions with diagonal metrics) for [Formula: see text] and they are unstable for [Formula: see text]. A subclass of solutions with small enough variation of the effective gravitational constant [Formula: see text] is considered. It is shown that all solutions from this subclass are stable.
Compactifications of manifolds with boundary
Authors: Gu Shijie , Guilbault Craig R.
Published: November 2018

This paper is concerned with compactifications of high-dimensional manifolds. Siebenmann’s iconic 1965 dissertation [L. C. Siebenmann, The obstruction to finding a boundary for an open manifold of dimension greater than five, Ph.D. thesis, Princeton Univ. (1965), MR 2615648] provided necessary and sufficient conditions for an open manifold [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text]) to be compactifiable by addition of a manifold boundary. His theorem extends easily to cases where [Formula: see text] is noncompact with compact boundary; however, when [Formula: see text] is noncompact, the situation is more complicated. The goal becomes a “completion” of [Formula: see text], i.e. a compact manifold [Formula: see text] containing a compactum [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text]. Siebenmann did some initial work on this topic, and O’Brien [G. O’Brien, The missing boundary problem for smooth manifolds of dimension greater than or equal to six, Topology Appl. 16 (1983) 303–324, MR 722123] extended that work to an important special case. But, until now, a complete characterization had yet to emerge. Here, we provide such a characterization. Our second main theorem involves [Formula: see text]-compactifications. An important open question asks whether a well-known set of conditions laid out by Chapman and Siebenmann [T. A. Chapman and L. C. Siebenmann, Finding a boundary for a Hilbert cube manifold, Acta Math. 137 (1976) 171–208, MR 0425973] guarantee [Formula: see text]-compactifiability for a manifold [Formula: see text]. We cannot answer that question, but we do show that those conditions are satisfied if and only if [Formula: see text] is [Formula: see text]-compactifiable. A key ingredient in our proof is the above Manifold Completion Theorem — an application that partly explains our current interest in that topic, and also illustrates the utility of the [Formula: see text]-condition found in that theorem.
Interaction problems between cracks and crystal defects in constrained Cosserat elasticity
Authors: Baxevanakis K. P. , Georgiadis H. G.
Published: November 2018

In this work, interaction problems between a finite-length crack with plane and antiplane crystal defects in the context of couple-stress elasticity are presented. Two alternative yet equivalent approaches for the formulation of crack problems are discussed based on the distributed dislocation technique. To this aim, the stress fields of climb and screw dislocation dipoles are derived within couple-stress theory and new ‘constrained’ rotational defects are introduced to satisfy the boundary conditions of the opening mode problem. Eventually, all interaction problems are described by single or systems of singular integral equations that are solved numerically using appropriate collocation techniques. The obtained results aim to highlight the deviation from classical elasticity solutions and underline the differences in interactions of cracks with single dislocations and dislocation dipoles. In general, it is concluded that the cracked body behaves in a more rigid way when couple-stresses are considered. Also, the stress level is significantly higher than the classical elasticity prediction. Moreover, the configurational forces acting on the defects are evaluated and their dependence on the characteristic material length of couple-stress theory and the distance between the defect and the crack-tip is discussed. This investigation reveals either a strengthening or a weakening effect in the opening mode problem while in the antiplane mode a strengthening effect is always obtained.
Numerical Simulation on the Seepage Properties of Soil‐Rock Mixture
Authors: Zhao Ning , Wang Yingchao , Meng Bo , Luo Ning
Published: November 2018

To reveal the mechanism of water inrush in a fault tunnel and study the influence of different structures on the seepage process, a filling structure composed of a soil skeleton (fixed particles), a movable particles phase, and a water phase is constructed to simulate the rock mass broken by the fault. Fluent software is used to simulate the migration of the water phase in three different filling structures under different initial water velocities and dynamic viscosities. The variation law of the seepage time with the initial water velocity and dynamic viscosity in the three types of filling structures is obtained. The research shows the following: (1) the looser the filling structure, the greater the influence of gravity on the water phase seepage; the more compact the filling structure, the greater the spread range of the water phase and the more uniform the spread of the water phase. (2) The seepage time decreases with the increase in the initial water velocity. The seepage time and initial water velocity can be fitted by an exponential function. The effect of initial water velocity on seepage time is much greater than that of the structure. (3) The seepage time is related to both the dynamic viscosity and the structure. The seepage time increases with the increase in dynamic viscosity.
Probabilistic Prediction of Maximum Tensile Loads in Soil Nails
Authors: Hu Yongqiang , Lin Peiyuan
Published: November 2018

This paper presents the development of a simplified model for estimation of maximum nail loads during or at completion of construction of soil nail walls. The developed simplified nail load model consists of two multiplicative components: the theoretical nail load and the correction factor. The theoretical nail load is computed as the product of lateral active Earth pressure at nail depth and the nail tributary area. The correction factor is introduced to account for the difference between the theoretical and the measured nail loads. A total of 85 measured nail load data were collected from the literature; out of which, 74 were used to develop a simple formulation for the correction factor, whereas the remaining 11 were used for validation. After the validation, the model was updated using all 85 data. The updated simplified nail load model was demonstrated to be accurate on average (mean of model factor equal to 1), and the spread in prediction quantified as the coefficient of variation of the model factor was about 40%. Here, model factor is the ratio of measured to estimated nail load. The randomness of the model factor was also verified. Finally, the model factor was demonstrated to be a lognormal random variable. The proposed simplified nail load model is beneficial due to its simplicity and quantified model uncertainty; thus it is practically valuable to both direct reliability‐based design and load and resistance factor design of soil nail wall internal limit states.
Impact of Cold Exposure on the Reproductive Function in Female Rats
Authors: Xu Tong , Li Xi , Yang Lin , Zhang Yongqiang , Zhang Li , Guo Zhan , Cheng Xiaodan , Zheng Xiantong , Chen Baodong , Hou Zhidong , Yang Danfeng
Published: November 2018

Female reproductive system diseases caused by exposure to a cold environment are widely considered as important human health challenges. Although the projection of female reproduction in cold temperature has been studied, a holistic view on the probable effects of cold exposure on the functions of the female reproductive system has not been achieved. Our aim was to evaluate the effects of cold exposure to the functions of the ovary and uterus in female rats. For this purpose, female rats were randomly grouped as follows: (1) the cold group was exposed to -10°C, 4 h per day for 2 weeks, and (2) the normal temperature (23 ± 1°C) group was used as control. Alterations were observed in different parameters, including body weight gain, organ coefficients, estrus cycle, and pathology of the cold-exposed female rats. Similarly, the serum reproductive hormones and mRNA expression were evaluated. Cold exposure induced estrus cycle irregularity and some alterations in the morphology of the ovary. Cold exposure impairs the function of the ovary probably by changing the level of serum LH and increasing LHR expression. Cold exposure induced a significant reduction of uterine epithelium height. Cold exposure causes alterations in the morphology of the uterus probably because of the effect of progesterone, the increase in the PR level, and the decrease in the ER level.
On the Goodness of Using Orthogonal Channels in WLAN IEEE 802.11 in Realistic Scenarios
Authors: Gimenez-Guzman Jose Manuel , Marsa-Maestre Ivan , Orden David , de la Hoz Enrique , Ito Takayuki
Published: November 2018

Due to the high density of Wi‐Fi networks, especially in the unlicensed 2.4 GHz frequency band, channel assignment has become a critical duty for achieving a satisfactory user experience. Probably, the main peculiarity of Wi‐Fi networks is the partial overlap of the radio channels that can be used by access points. For that reason, a number of works avoid cochannel interferences by using only channels which are far enough from each other to have no interferences, the so‐called orthogonal channels. However, there is a range of choices between using the whole spectrum and using only orthogonal channels. In this work we evaluate the influence of the choice of channel set in realistic settings, using both optimization and heuristic approaches. Results show that the optimizer is not able to achieve better results when using the whole spectrum instead of restricting to only the orthogonal channels. In fact, the optimizer uses mainly the orthogonal channels when they are available, while the heuristics considered lose performance when more channels are available. We believe this insight will be useful to design new heuristics for Wi‐Fi channel assignment.
Motor and Nonmotor Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease: Antagonistic Pleiotropy Phenomena Derived fromα-Synuclein Evolvability?
Authors: Takamatsu Yoshiki , Fujita Masayo , Ho Gilbert J. , Wada Ryoko , Sugama Shuei , Takenouchi Takato , Waragai Masaaki , Masliah Eliezer , Hashimoto Makoto
Published: November 2018

Lewy body diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and multiple system atrophy (MSA), are associated with a wide range of nonmotor symptoms (NMS), including cognitive impairment, depression and anxiety, sleep disorders, gastrointestinal symptoms, and autonomic failure. The reason why such diverse and disabling NMS have not been weeded out but have persisted across evolution is unknown. As such, one possibility would be that the NMS might be somehow beneficial during development and/or reproductive stages, a possibility consistent with our recent view as to the evolvability of amyloidogenic proteins (APs) such asα-synuclein (αS) and amyloid-β(Aβ) in the brain. Based on the heterogeneity of protofibrillar AP forms in terms of structure and cytotoxicity, we recently proposed that APs might act as vehicles to deliver information regarding diverse internal and environmental stressors. Also, we defined evolvability to be an epigenetic phenomenon whereby APs are transgenerationally transmitted from parents to offspring to cope with future brain stressors in the offspring, likely benefitting the offspring. In this context, the main objective is to discuss whether NMS might be relevant to evolvability. According to this view, information regarding NMS may be transgenerationally transmitted by heterogeneous APs to offspring, preventing or attenuating the stresses related to such symptoms. On the other hand, NMS associated with Lewy body pathology might manifest through an aging-associated antagonistic pleiotropy mechanism. Given that NMS are not only specific to Lewy body diseases but also displayed in other disorders, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Huntington’s disease (HD), these conditions might share common mechanisms related to evolvability. This might give insight into novel therapy strategies based on antagonistic pleiotropy rather than on individual NMS from which to develop disease-modifying therapies.
Discrimination and Geographical Origin Prediction ofCynomorium songaricumRupr. from Different Growing Areas in China by an Electronic Tongue
Authors: Ding Jiaji , Gu Caimei , Huang Linfang , Tan Rui
Published: November 2018

Cynomorium songaricumRupr. is a well-known and widespread plant in China. It has very high medicinal values in many aspects. The study aimed at discriminating and predictingC. songaricumfrom major growing areas in China. An electronic tongue was used to analyzeC. songaricumbased on flavor. Discrimination was achieved by principal component analysis and linear discriminant analysis. Moreover, a prediction model was established, andC. songaricumwas classified by geographical origins with 100% degree of accuracy. Therefore, the identification method presented will be helpful for further study ofC. songaricum.
Dynamic Tensile Properties of Granite Varied with Depths under a Similar Loading Rate
Authors: Man Ke , Wang Ju , Liu Xiaoli
Published: November 2018

Based on the SHPB device, the dynamic tensile test was carried out on the granite, which is located at the depth 350 m∼580 m at the same borehole in TianHu area Xinjiang Province, the preselected site of the high‐level radioactive waste geological disposal in China. Under the loading rate level of 105 MPa/s, the dynamic tensile strength is generally between 15 MPa∼35 MPa, which is of significant reference for the site selection. No matter whatever the depth, the dynamic tension strength increases with the loading rate, which shows the loading rate effect of brittle material. Meanwhile, the failure model is also tension pattern, which is the same as the static tension test. Furthermore, as the physical characteristics of the rock have been changed gradually, the rock strength and other mechanical properties will increase or decrease with the depth. From the point of physical mechanism, the density, porosity, and others are different at diverse depths, which lead to the differences of mechanical properties. And the result and the theoretical knowledge could be applied to the blasting and excavation of deep geoengineering and HLW geodisposal.
Potential Risk Factors for In-Hospital Mortality in Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Blunt Multiple Trauma Who Survive Initial Resuscitation
Authors: Yucel Neslihan , Ozturk Demir Tuba , Derya Serdar , Oguzturk Hakan , Bicakcioglu Murat , Yetkin Funda
Published: November 2018

Introduction.The aim was to identify risk factors that influence in-hospital mortality for patients with moderate-to-severe blunt multiple trauma (BMT) who survive initial resuscitation.Methods.The prospective study involved 195 adult patients with BMT who were admitted to a referral hospital’s emergency department (ED) between May 1, 2015, and May 31, 2016.Results.Forty-three (22%) of the 195 patients died in hospital. Multivariate analysis identified low blood pH (odds ratio [OR] 6.580, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12-38.51), high serum lactate level (OR 1.041, 95% CI 1.01-1.07), high ISS (OR 1.109, 95% CI 1.06-1.16), high APACHE II score (OR 1.189, 95% CI 1.07-1.33), traumatic brain injury (TBI) (OR 4.358, 95% CI 0.76-24.86), severe hemorrhage (OR 5.314, 95% CI 1.07-26.49), and coagulopathy (OR 5.916, 95% CI 1.17-29.90) as useful predictors of acute in-hospital mortality. High ISS (OR 1.047, 95% CI 1.02-1.08), TBI (OR 8.922, 95% CI 2.57-31.00), sepsis (OR 4.956, 95% CI 1.99-12.36), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (OR 8.036, 95% CI 1.85-34.84), respiratory failure (OR 9.630, 95% CI 2.64-35.14), renal failure (OR 74.803, 95% CI 11.34-493.43), and multiple organ failure [MOF] (OR 10.415, 95% CI 4.48-24.24) were risk factors for late in-hospital mortality. High Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) was a good predictor for survival at 2, 7, and 28 or more days of hospitalization (OR 0.708 and 95% CI 0.56-0.09; OR 0.835 and 95% CI 0.73-0.95; OR 0.798 and 95% CI 0.71-0.90, resp.).Conclusion.Several factors signal poor short-term outcome for patients who present to the ED with moderate-to-severe BMT: low blood pH, high serum lactate level, presence of TBI, severe hemorrhage, coagulopathy, organ failure (respiratory, renal, and MOF), and ARDS. For this patient group, ISS and APACHE II scores might be helpful for stratifying by mortality risk, and GCS might be a good predictor for survival.
Early Biofilm Formation on UV Light Activated Nanoporous TiO2SurfacesIn Vivo
Authors: Areid Nagat , Söderling Eva , Tanner Johanna , Kangasniemi Ilkka , Närhi Timo O.
Published: November 2018

Purpose. To explore earlyS. mutansbiofilm formation on hydrothermally induced nanoporous TiO2surfacesin vivoand to examine the effect of UV light activation on the biofilm development.Materials and Methods. Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy discs (n = 40) were divided into four groups with different surface treatments: noncoated titanium alloy (NC); UV treated noncoated titanium alloy (UVNC); hydrothermally induced TiO2coating (HT); and UV treated titanium alloy with hydrothermally induced TiO2coating (UVHT).In vivoplaque formation was studied in 10 healthy, nonsmoking adult volunteers. Titanium discs were randomly distributed among the maxillary first and second molars. UV treatment was administered for 60 min immediately before attaching the discs in subjects’ molars. Plaque samples were collected 24h after the attachment of the specimens. Mutans streptococci (MS), non-mutans streptococci, and total facultative bacteria were cultured, and colonies were counted.Results. The plaque samples of NC (NC + UVNC) surfaces showed over 2 times more oftenS. mutanswhen compared to TiO2surfaces (HT + UVHT), with the number of colonized surfaces equal to 7 and 3, respectively.Conclusion. Thisin vivostudy suggested that HT TiO2surfaces, which we earlier showed to improve blood coagulation and encourage human gingival fibroblast attachmentin vitro, do not enhance salivary microbial (mostly mutans streptococci) adhesion and initial biofilm formation when compared with noncoated titanium alloy. UV light treatment provided Ti-6Al-4V surfaces with antibacterial properties and showed a trend towards less biofilm formation when compared with non-UV treated titanium surfaces.
Peak Occurrence of Retinal Detachment following Cataract Surgery: A Systematic Review and Pooled Analysis with Internal Validation
Authors: Kassem Rabea , Greenwald Yoel , Achiron Asaf , Hecht Idan , Man Vitaly , Ben haim Liron , Bukelman Amir
Published: November 2018

Introduction. Timing of retinal detachment (RD) following cataract surgery is of importance for both diagnostic and prognostic factors. However, results on RD onset-time following cataract surgery have been conflicting.Method. A systematic pooled analysis of the literature regarding timing of retinal detachment following cataract surgery. Outcomes were verified against an independent dataset.Results. Twenty-one studies, reporting on rates of RD in 3,352,094 eyes of 2,458,561 patients, met our inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. The mean pooled time to RD following surgery was 23.12 months (95% CI: 17.79–28.45 months) with high heterogeneity between studies (I2=100%,P<0.00001). Meta-analytic pooling for the risk of retinal detachment revealed a risk of 1.167% (95% CI: 0.900 to 1.468,I2=99.50%,P<0.0001). A retrospective chart review identified 54 pseudophakic RD cases (mean age 65.5, 59.3% males). The 95% confidence interval for the mean time to RD was 3.1–6.75 years.Conclusions. The interval between cataract surgery and RD in a pooled analysis revealed a mean time of approximately 1.5–2.3 years. However, there was high variability between studies. Validation based on our local results showed similar yet slightly longer time frames. Timing of pseudophakic retinal detachment might direct appropriate follow-up, assisting in earlier detection.
Vitrectomy Outcomes in Eyes with Tractional Diabetic Macular Edema
Authors: Pessoa Bernardete , Dias David Afonso , Baptista Pedro , Coelho Constança , Beirão João Nuno Melo , Meireles Angelina
Published: November 2018

Purpose: To evaluate pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) outcomes in cases with tractional diabetic macular edema (tDME). Methods: We conducted a single-center retrospective study with a follow-up of 12 months. Forty-six eyes with tDME of 38 patients submitted to PPV between 2013 and 2015 were assessed. A standard PPV was performed and surgical outcomes were registered at the 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up. Results: The baseline median best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in ETDRS (Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study) letters and the median central foveal thickness (CFT) were 43.0 letters and 491.0 µm, respectively. At the 12-month follow-up, a median decrease in CFT of 232.7 µm was observed. A CFT < 300 µm was achieved in 65.2% of the cases (52.2% needing no further treatment); a BCVA improvement by ≥10 letters was achieved in 60.0%, but there was a decrease of ≥10 letters in 13.0% of the cases. DME recurrence was observed in 10.9% of the cases, with a median time of development after vitrectomy of 6 months. As a major postoperative complication, a macular hole was observed in 1 patient (2.1%). Conclusions: In our series, PPV for tDME induced an improvement in retinal thickening and visual outcome in more than 50% of the cases, with low recurrence rates and a low number of postoperative complications.
Long-Term Follow-Up of a Case with Dyskeratosis Congenita Caused by NHP2-V126M/X154R Mutation: Genotype-Phenotype Association
Authors: Erdem Melek , Tüfekçi Özlem , Yılmaz Şebnem , Alacacıoğlu İnci , Ören Hale
Published: November 2018

Dyskeratosis congenita (DC) is a rare inherited syndrome characterized by classical mucocutaneous features and the presence of other clinical features including bone marrow failure, pulmonary fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, and a predisposition to cancer. The symptoms develop at various ages and may manifest over time. Gene mutations associated with DC, such as DC1, TERC, TERT, TINF2, NHP2, NOP10, ACD, CTC1, NAF1, PARN, POT1, RTEL1, STN1, and WRAP53, have been identified in about 70% of patients. Since the number of patients with DC is small and the effect of genetic pathogenic variant may affect the phenotype, we wanted to present the clinical features and course of illness in a patient with NHP2 gene mutation (compound heterozygote for the NHP2 mutations c.376G>A/c.460T>A; amino acid substitutions: p.Val126Met and p.X154Arg) that occurred as a compound heterozygous state.
The Karyotype of the Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin) - A Phylogenetic Enigma of the Neornithes
Authors: dos Santos Michelly S. , Furo Ivanete O. , Tagliarini Marcella M. , Kretschmer Rafael , O''Brien Patricia C.M. , Ferguson-Smith Malcolm A. , de Oliveira Edivaldo H.C.
Published: November 2018

The hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin Müller, 1776) is a folivorous bird, endemic to the Amazonian region. It presents some unique characteristics, including wing claws and foregut fermentation, which make its phylogenetic relationship to other birds difficult to determine. There have been various attempts to place it among the Galliformes, Gruiformes, Musophagiformes, Cuculiformes, and Charadriiformes, but phylogenetic analyses always show low supporting values. Nowadays, the hoatzin is included in the monotypic order Opisthocomiformes, but the relationship of this order to other groups of birds is still unclear. Although its karyotype resembles the typical avian model, fissions of the syntenic groups corresponding to chicken chromosomes 1 and 2 and 2 fusions were found. The presence of 18S rDNA clusters in 2 pairs of microchromosomes is another derived character. Hence, different rearrangements were detected in the karyotype of the hoatzin, indicating it has been derived from the putative ancestral karyotype by the occurrence of fissions and fusions. However, as these rearrangements are not exclusive to O. hoazin, they do not clarify the phylogenetic position of this enigmatic species.
The Role of Renal Vascular Reactivity in the Development of Renal Dysfunction in Compensated and Decompensated Congestive Heart Failure
Authors: Kratky Vojtech , Kopkan Libor , Kikerlova Sona , Huskova Zuzana , Taborsky Milos , Sadowski Janusz , Kolar Frantisek , Cervenka Ludek
Published: November 2018

Background/Aims: Reduction of renal blood flow (RBF) is commonly thought to be a causative factor of renal dysfunction in congestive heart failure (CHF), but the exact mechanism of the renal hypoperfusion is not clear. Apart from the activation of neurohormonal systems controlling intrarenal vascular tone, the cause might be altered reactivity of the renal vasculature to endogenous vasoactive agents. Methods: To evaluate the role of this mechanism, we assessed by an ultrasonic transient-time flow probe maximum RBF responses to renal artery infusion of angiotensin II (ANG II), norepinephrine (NE) and acetylcholine (Ach) in healthy male rats and animals with compensated and decompensated CHF. CHF was induced by volume overload achieved by the creation of the aorto-caval fistula (ACF) in Hannover Sprague-Dawley rats. Results: Maximum responses in RBF to ANG II were similar in rats studied five weeks (compensated phase) and 20 weeks (decompensated phase) after ACF creation when compared to sham-operated rats. On the other hand, NE elicited larger maximum decreases in RBF in rats with CHF (five and 20 weeks post-ACF) than in sham-operated controls. We observed greater maximum vasodilatory responses to Ach only in rats with a compensated stage of CHF (five weeks post-ACF). Conclusion: Greater renal vasoconstrictor responsiveness to ANG II or reduced renal vasodilatation in response to Ach do not play a decisive role in the development of renal dysfunction in ACF rats with compensated and decompensated CHF. On the other hand, exaggerated renal vascular responsiveness to NE may be here a contributing causative factor, active in either CHF phase.
An Investigation of SRSD to Teach Fractions to Students With Disabilities
Authors: Losinski Mickey , Ennis Robin Parks , Sanders Sara , Wiseman Nicole
Published: November 2018

In the current study we examined the effect of a self-regulated strategy development intervention on the fraction calculations of students with or at risk for disabilities using a multiple-baseline-across-sites, single-case design. Specifically, the intervention package addressed the following skills: adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators, simplifying fractions, and converting improper fractions to mixed numbers. The intervention was implemented with high levels of treatment fidelity and social validity across three separate intervention agents. Results of the study showed the intervention to be effective, with 15 of the 16 participants making marked gains on fraction probes. We discuss the results of the study with respect to the research questions, provide limitations to the study, and propose areas for future research.
The impact of leader‒member exchange on follower performance in light of the larger social network
Authors: Regts Gerdien , Molleman Eric , van de Brake Hendrik Johan
Published: November 2018

Relationships with leaders do not happen in isolation from the relationships one has with one’s peers. Therefore, we examine the influence of leader‒member exchange on follower job performance in light of the larger social networks in which followers are embedded. Testing multilevel models with data that were gathered using questionnaires from a sample of 240 nurses and 20 supervisors working at four Dutch hospitals revealed that a positive relationship exists between leader‒member exchange and follower job performance when follower workflow network centrality and/or follower friendship network centrality are high but not when they are both low. The results of this study show how the different follower relationships with the supervisor and colleagues intertwine in explaining follower job performance and suggest that the larger network in which followers are embedded within their work teams is important for explaining variations in the results regarding the relationship between leader‒member exchange and follower job performance. Our study indicates that leaders should have an eye for the network position of their followers when developing high quality leader‒member exchange relationships. For followers, a good relationship with their leader is important, but its value depends on their relationships with colleagues.
Layers of Bias: A Unified Approach for Understanding Problems With Risk Assessment
Authors: Eckhouse Laurel , Lum Kristian , Conti-Cook Cynthia , Ciccolini Julie
Published: November 2018

Scholars in several fields, including quantitative methodologists, legal scholars, and theoretically oriented criminologists, have launched robust debates about the fairness of quantitative risk assessment. As the Supreme Court considers addressing constitutional questions on the issue, we propose a framework for understanding the relationships among these debates: layers of bias. In the top layer, we identify challenges to fairness within the risk-assessment models themselves. We explain types of statistical fairness and the tradeoffs between them. The second layer covers biases embedded in data. Using data from a racially biased criminal justice system can lead to unmeasurable biases in both risk scores and outcome measures. The final layer engages conceptual problems with risk models: Is it fair to make criminal justice decisions about individuals based on groups? We show that each layer depends on the layers below it: Without assurances about the foundational layers, the fairness of the top layers is irrelevant.
Ungovernable? Indigenous Campesino Resistance to Land Grabbing in Guatemala’s Polochic Valley
Authors: Konforti Lazar
Published: November 2018

A decade after buying up large swaths of land in Guatemala’s Polochic Valley, the Chabil Utzaj sugarcane plantation was forced to cease operations because of local resistance led by indigenous Q’eqchi’ campesinos. Situating the conflict within broader trajectories of agrarian and political change brought about by globalization in Guatemala shows how campesino groups have had to navigate a neoliberal political arena that disciplines their discourses and practices and limits their achievements. Campesinos’ success to date has rested on partially subverting neoliberal institutions and prescribed practices, thus making new territories coveted by capital ungovernable and therefore less desirable. While most of the lands previously under sugarcane cultivation are currently occupied by organized campesino groups, their control of those lands is very precarious without property titles. The conflict is not yet over, and its long-term impact on livelihoods and trajectories of agrarian change remains uncertain.

Una década después de comprar grandes franjas de tierra en el Valle Polochic de Guatemala, la plantación de caña de azúcar Chabil Utzaj se vio obligada a cesar sus operaciones debido a la resistencia local liderada por los campesinos indígenas Q’eqchi. Situar el conflicto dentro de trayectorias más amplias de cambios agrarios y políticos provocados por la globalización en Guatemala muestra cómo los grupos campesinos han tenido que navegar por una arena política neoliberal que disciplina sus discursos y prácticas y limita sus logros. El éxito de campesinos hasta la fecha se ha basado en subvertir parcialmente las instituciones neoliberales y las prácticas prohibidas, haciendo que los nuevos territorios codiciados por el capital sean ingobernables y, por lo tanto, menos deseables. Si bien la mayoría de las tierras anteriormente cultivadas con caña de azúcar están actualmente ocupadas por grupos campesinos organizados, su control de esas tierras es muy precario sin títulos de propiedad. El conflicto aún no ha terminado, y su impacto a largo plazo en la manera de ganarse la vida y las trayectorias del cambio agrario sigue siendo incierto.
Financialization, Institutional Reform, and Structural Change in the Bolivian Boom (2006–2014)
Authors: Macías Vázquez Alfredo , García-Arias Jorge
Published: November 2018

Since nationalizing its hydrocarbon industry, Bolivia has articulated an ambitious strategy to promote structural change in its economy. Despite positive trends in macroeconomic indicators, the increase in fiscal revenues derived from the export of raw materials has not translated into structural transformation. Although the Bolivian government has broken with classical extractivism, nationalization and state intervention have not been sufficient to produce changes. The institutional control imposed on hydrocarbon revenue by financialization inhibits structural change and threatens the long-term sustainability of recent improvements in social indicators.

Después de nacionalizar su industria de hidrocarburos, Bolivia ha articulado una estrategia ambiciosa para promover el cambio estructural en su economía. A pesar de las tendencias positivas en los indicadores macroeconómicos, el aumento en los ingresos fiscales derivados de la exportación de materias primas no se ha traducido en una transformación estructural. Aunque el gobierno boliviano ha roto con el extractivismo clásico, la nacionalización y la intervención estatal no han sido suficientes para producir cambios. El control institucional impuesto a los ingresos de hidrocarburos por la financiarización inhibe el cambio estructural y amenaza la sostenibilidad a largo plazo de las mejoras recientes en los indicadores sociales.
The Head, the Hand, and Matter: New Materialism and the Politics of Knowledge
Authors: Rekret Paul
Published: November 2018

This article seeks to examine the political connotations of a recent ‘material turn’ in social and political theory and its implications for theorizations of political agency. ‘New materialist’ theories are premised upon transcending the limits which social constructivism places upon thought, viewed as a reification of the division of subject and object and so a hubristic anthropocentrism which places human beings at the centre of social existence. Yet new materialist theories have tended to locate the conditions of the separation of mind and world they seek to overcome upon the terrain of epistemic or ethical error. By taking the work of Quentin Meillassoux, Jane Bennett and Karen Barad as exemplary, this article contends that new materialist theories not only fall short of their own materialist pretensions insofar as they do not interrogate the material conditions of the separation of the mental and material, but that the failure to do so has profound repercussions for the success of their accounts of political agency. This essay seeks to offer a counter-narrative to new materialist theories by situating the hierarchy between thought and world as a structural feature of capitalist social relations.
Exploring the Theory of Metamorphosis: In Dialogue with Ulrich Beck
Authors: Mythen Gabe
Published: November 2018

This interview with Ulrich Beck was undertaken in late August 2014. At this juncture Beck was preparing what was to be his final book, The Metamorphosis of the World (2016). The conversation is reflective of Beck's thinking around the theory of metamorphosis at that time and represents his views on the underlying dynamics of social transformation and the mobilizing power of global risks.
The Metamorphosis of the World: Society in Pupation?
Authors: Mythen Gabe
Published: November 2018

This article reviews the German sociologist Ulrich Beck’s final contribution, The Metamorphosis of the World (2016). The drivers of the process of metamorphosis are appraised and the approach adopted by Beck is considered within the broader context of his oeuvre. Continuities with previous work are illuminated and novel developments identified. In order to provide a critical but sympathetic assessment of the theory of metamorphosis, Beck’s epistemological position and his sociological modus operandi are considered. It is argued that, despite elisions, the theory of metamorphosis breaks new ground in social theory and offers valuable opportunities for future empirical investigation and conceptual debate.
A systematic review of transfer studies in third language acquisition
Authors: Puig-Mayenco Eloi , González Alonso Jorge , Rothman Jason
Published: November 2018

The present systematic review examines what factors determine when, how and to what extent previous linguistic experience (from the first language, second language or both languages) affects the initial stages and beyond of adult third language (L3) acquisition. In doing so, we address what a bird’s eye view of the data tells us regarding competing theoretical accounts of L3 morphosyntactic transfer. Data couple together to suggest that some factors are more influential than others. As discussed, the systematic review transcends the field of adult multilingualism precisely because of what it reveals, as a prima facie example in behavioral research, in terms of how different types of methodological considerations impact the way data are interpreted to support or not particular claims.
Patient-reported outcomes of endovenous superficial venous ablation for lower extremity swelling
Authors: Shutze William , Shutze Ryan , Dhot Paul , Ogola Gerald O
Published: November 2018

Objective

To evaluate the effect of endovenous ablation in patients presenting with leg swelling.

Methods

We identified Clinical, Etiology, Anatomy, Pathophysiology (CEAP) clinical class 3 (C3) patients undergoing endovenous ablation from 21 January 2005 to 19 March 2015 with an 810-nm or 1470-nm laser. Patients were surveyed regarding the degree of edema, use of compression stockings, and satisfaction with the procedure.

Results

A total of 1634 limbs were treated by endovenous ablation for incompetent saphenous veins with or without adjunctive segmental varicose vein microphlebectomy. Of these, 528 limbs were treated for CEAP C3. The average time period from the procedure date until the survey date was 1494 days (range, 562–2795 days). Ninety-two respondents accounted for 130 ablations in 128 limbs with an average venous segmental disease score of 2.7. Ninety-seven limbs (75.8%) had reduced or resolved swelling, 29 limbs (22.6%) were unchanged, and 2 limbs (1.6%) had increased swelling. The vast majority (81%) were satisfied with their decision to have the procedure.

Conclusions

Endovenous ablation for edema secondary to superficial venous insufficiency is effective and has high patient satisfaction. Further investigation is needed regarding risk factors for immediate failure and delayed recurrence of edema.
Learning About Situational Crime Prevention From Offenders: Using a Script Framework to Compare the Commission of Completed and Disrupted Sexual Offenses
Authors: Cook Alana , Reynald Danielle M. , Leclerc Benoit , Wortley Richard
Published: November 2018

The collective knowledge of offenders is one of the richest ways to advance understandings of crime commission and effective crime prevention. Drawing on self-report data from 53 incarcerated offenders in three Australian states and territories, the current article presents an innovative method which, through a crime script framework, allows for a first-time comparison of completed versus disrupted sexual offenses involving adult female and child victims at each stage of the crime commission process. Findings (a) highlight the critical need to boost the efficacy of situational prevention in the crime setup phase of the sexual offense script and (b) showcase how incorporating a script framework in offender-based research can identify new directions for crime prevention
Mussel-inspired in situ forming adhesive hydrogels with anti-microbial and hemostatic capacities for wound healing
Authors: Han Xiaoman , Meng Guihua , Wang Qian , Cui Lin , Wang Hao , Wu Jianning , Liu Zhiyong , Guo Xuhong
Published: November 2018

All kinds of commercially available wound dressings are clinically used as fleshly obstacles and therapeutic materials in opposition to microbial incursion. Few researches focused on effective-bleeding and anti-bacteria at the same time. In order to better solve this problem, two hydrogels were synthetized in this study. One is phosphate buffer solution-activated dopamine-modified-γ-poly glutamic acid (PBS-PD) hydrogel, the other one is cirsium setosum extracts-activated dopamine-modified-γ-poly glutamic acid (CSE-PD) hydrogel. The two hydrogels are prepared by applying an enzyme-catalyzed crosslinking means in the presence of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The chemical structures were characterized through 1H-NMR and FT-IR. In conclusion, both PBS-PD and CSE-PD hydrogels exhibit superior tissue adhesion properties, and remarkable anti-infection quality. In addition, these two hydrogels manifest prominent hemostatic efficiency. The bio adhesion performance can achieve 30 kPa, meanwhile the CSE-PD hydrogels show good germicidal properties, and the antibacterial rate can reach 98%. The hydrogels could reduce blood loss without any obvious side effect, and present a new prospect in the field of hemostasis rapidly.
Does the Chicago Safe Passage Program Reduce Reported Crime Around Elementary Schools? Evidence From Longitudinal, Geocoded Crime Data
Authors: Curran F. Chris
Published: November 2018

The Chicago Public School’s Safe Passage program is a large-scale intervention designed to improve the safety of students as they travel to and from schools. By placing hundreds of adult monitors on designated streets around schools, the program has the potential to reduce crime. This study evaluates Safe Passage’s impact on crime around primary schools during the 2013-2014 expansion of the program. Using longitudinal, geocoded crime data and a difference-in-differences and triple-difference methodology, this study finds suggestive, though not conclusive, evidence that Safe Passage may have contributed to lower crime on designated routes despite some increases in crime around designated “welcoming schools” during the 2013-2014 school year. Implications for the continued expansion of the program and further directions for research of the program are discussed.
Homicide Illustrated Across the Ages: Graphic Depictions of Victim and Offender Age, Sex, and Relationship
Authors: Allen Terry , Salari Sonia , Buckner Glen
Published: November 2018

Objective: A total of 34 years of FBI Supplementary Homicide Reports were examined using statistical graphics to illustrate patterns across ages, by sex, and victim/offender relationships (intimate partner [IP], other family, acquaintance, or stranger). Method: An innovative fourfold display and victim/sex-specific scatterplots with overlaid deviation ellipses determine the age/sex patterns for each relationship. Results: We illustrate numerous acquaintance killings among young men and improve our understanding of predictors by sex, relationship, and circumstances in mid/later life. Male victims of strangers are either older with young male offenders or vice versa. Female acquaintance and stranger homicides are rare. Within families, older male parents are killed by adult offspring, but rarely by IP. The majority of elder femicide is perpetrated by IP or other family. Discussion: U.S. murder rates are rising, and we found children from 6 to 12 years were least likely to die by homicide. Elder femicide risk from IP and other kin indicated danger from within the home.