bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preoperative Parathyroid Imaging: Trends in Utilization and Comparative Accuracy of Sonography, Scintigraphy, and 4-Dimensional Computed Tomography
Authors: Bahl Manisha 
Published: November 2018

Objective
The purposes of this study were to describe trends in parathyroid imaging utilization and to compare the sensitivities of sonography, scintigraphy, and 4-dimensional computed tomography (4DCT) in different imaging algorithms.

Methods
A retrospective review of consecutive patients who underwent parathyroid surgery from 2009 to 2014 was performed. Utilization and accuracy were compared for sonography, scintigraphy, and 4DCT.

Results
The study population was composed of 604 patients with 850 adenomas or hyperplastic glands. Sonography was the most common imaging modality, performed in 91.2% (551/604) of patients. The utilization of 4DCT increased in the study period from 1.5% (2/133) in 2009–2010 to 75.8% (72/95) in 2013–2014 (P < 0.01). The overall sensitivities of sonography, scintigraphy, and 4DCT, regardless of order of imaging or imaging algorithm, were 58.6% (456/778), 49.1% (317/645), and 82.3% (121/147), respectively (P < 0.01).

Conclusions
Four-dimensional CT has the highest sensitivity for localization of parathyroid adenomas regardless of order of imaging or imaging algorithm.
Transposition of Duplicated Thumb for Reconstruction of Asymmetric Radial Polydactyly
Authors: Chang Chin-Fu , Chen I-Chen , Tsai Yueh-Chi , Lai Chih-Sheng , Chen Yen-Wei , Lu Chen-Te , Yen Jung-Hsing 
Published: November 2018

Background
In this study, we present the long-term functional and aesthetic outcomes in patients with complicated asymmetric radial polydactyly treated with this surgical technique involving the transposition of a duplicated thumb.

Methods
We evaluated 6 thumbs in 6 patients who underwent radial polydactyly reconstruction using the transposition of duplicated thumb procedure between 2001 and 2017. The procedure was used when one of the thumbs was not obviously dominant over the other, with one having a better proximal portion and the other having a better distal portion. The average age at the time of surgery was 35 months, and at the final follow-up, average age was 86.5 months. Objective outcome values were obtained, and the Japanese Society for Surgery of the Hand evaluation form was adopted to assess functional and cosmetic outcomes.

Results
Neither soft tissue loss nor nonunion of the osteotomy was noted. No patients reported pain or difficulties in their activities. Mean flexion-extension arc for the metacarpophalangeal joint was 72.9° (range, 8.8° extension to 64.1° flexion), and that for the interphalangeal joint was 44.0° (range, 5.7° extension to 38.3° flexion). Mean key pinch, tip pinch, and grip strength of unaffected thumb were 75.1%, 68.7%, and 81.9%, respectively. Total scores using the Japanese Society for Surgery of the Hand scoring system averaged 18.2 points, and the results were excellent in 1 case and good in 5.

Conclusions
Transposition of duplicated thumb can provide durable functional and cosmetic results for Rotterdam types IV and VI with asymmetric radial polydactyly in which neither thumb has adequate distal and proximal components.
Enrichment of Cytomegalovirus-induced NKG2C+ Natural Killer Cells in the Lung Allograft
Authors: Harpur Christopher M. , Stankovic Sanda , Kanagarajah Abbie , Widjaja Jacqueline M.L. , Levvey Bronwyn J. , Cristiano Yvonne , Snell Greg I. , Brooks Andrew G. , Westall Glen P. , Sullivan Lucy C. 
Published: November 2018

Background.
In lung transplant recipients, immunosuppressive medications result in impaired antiviral immunity and a propensity for cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation within the lung allograft. Natural killer (NK) cells play a key role in immunity to CMV, with an increase in the proportion of NK cells expressing activating CD94-NKG2C receptors in the blood being a strong correlate of CMV infection. Whether a similar increase in NKG2C+ NK cells occurs in lung transplant recipients following CMV reactivation in the allograft and if such cells contribute to viral control remains unclear.

Methods.
In this pilot study, we longitudinally assessed the frequency and phenotype of NKG2C+ NK cells in the blood and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of lung transplant recipients and stratified recipients based on their risk of developing CMV disease.

Results.
We observed an increase in the proportion of NKG2C+ NK cells in the blood and BAL of CMV high-risk patients, coincident with both the cessation of antiviral prophylaxis and subsequent detection of actively replicating CMV in the blood and lung allograft. Additionally, these NKG2C+ NK cells expressed killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors distinct from those of other NK subsets and BAL NKG2C+ NK cells possessed an activated phenotype. Finally, the frequency of NKG2C+ NK cells in the BAL may be inversely correlated with CMV blood titers.

Conclusions.
Monitoring the phenotype of NK cells postlung transplant may be a useful biomarker for monitoring patient levels of CMV immunity.
Emergence of stable sensory and dynamic temporal representations in the hippocampus during working memory
Authors: Taxidis Jiannis , Pnevmatikakis Eftychios , Mylavarapu Apoorva L. , Arora Jagmeet S. , Samadian Kian D. , Hoffberg Emily A. , Golshani Peyman 
Published: November 2018

ABSTRACTHippocampal networks form maps of experience through spiking sequences that encode sensory cues, space or time. But whether distinct rules govern the emergence, stability and plasticity of externally driven and internally-generated representations remains unclear. Using two-photon calcium imaging, we recorded CA1 pyramidal populations across multiple days, while mice learned and performed an olfactory, delayed, working-memory task. We observed anatomically intermixed spiking sequences, comprised of ‘odor-cells’ encoding olfactory cues, followed by ‘time-cells’ encoding odor-specific delay time-points. Odor-cells were reliably activated across trials and retained stable fields over days and different delays. In contrast, time-cells exhibited sparse, unreliable activation and labile fields that remapped over days and extended delays. Moreover, the number of odor-cells remained stable, whereas time-cells increased over days during learning of the task, but not during passive exposure. Therefore, multi-modal representations with distinct learning-related dynamics and stability can co-exist in CA1, likely driven by different neurophysiological and plasticity mechanisms.
Reconstitution of eukaryotic chromosomes and manipulation of DNA N6-methyladenine alters chromatin and gene expression
Authors: Beh Leslie Y. , Debelouchina Galia T. , Clay Derek M. , Thompson Robert E. , Lindblad Kelsi A. , Hutton Elizabeth R. , Bracht John R. , Sebra Robert P. , Muir Tom W. , Landweber Laura F. 
Published: November 2018

SummaryDNA N6-adenine methylation (6mA) has recently been reported in diverse eukaryotes, spanning unicellular organisms to metazoans. Yet the functional significance of 6mA remains elusive due to its low abundance, difficulty of manipulation within native DNA, and lack of understanding of eukaryotic 6mA writers. Here, we report a novel DNA 6mA methyltransferase in ciliates, termed MTA1. The enzyme contains an MT-A70 domain but is phylogenetically distinct from all known RNA and DNA methyltransferases. Disruption of MTA1in vivoleads to the genome-wide loss of 6mA in asexually growing cells and abolishment of the consensus ApT dimethylated motif. Genes exhibit subtle changes in chromatin organization or RNA expression upon loss of 6mA, depending on their starting methylation level. Mutants fail to complete the sexual cycle, which normally coincides with a peak of MTA1 expression. Thus, MTA1 functions in a developmental stage-specific manner. We determine the impact of 6mA on chromatin organizationin vitroby reconstructing complete, full-length ciliate chromosomes harboring 6mA in native or ectopic positions. Using these synthetic chromosomes, we show that 6mA directly disfavors nucleosomesin vitroin a local, quantitative manner, independent of DNA sequence. Furthermore, the chromatin remodeler ACF can overcome this effect. Our study identifies a novel MT-A70 protein necessary for eukaryotic 6mA methylation and defines the impact of 6mA on chromatin organization using epigenetically defined synthetic chromosomes.HighlightsThe MT-A70 protein MTA1 mediates DNA N6-adenine methylation inOxytrichaMTA1 mutants exhibit subtle changes in nucleosome organization and transcriptionin vivo6mA directly disfavors nucleosome occupancy in natural and synthetic chromosomesin vitroDe novosynthesis of complete, epigenetically definedOxytrichachromosomes
The underlying mechanism of corporate governance in China
Authors: Yan Caiyu , He Hongqu , Li Juan , Cheng Shuang , Zhang Yanjun 
Published: November 2018

PurposeThis paper aims to propose a strategy to analyze management governance in China.Design/methodology/approachThis paper incorporates data on 989 Chinese listed firms over 2006 to 2016. A fixed effects model with panel data and anF-test are applied to exploit the relationship between management ownership and firm performance. A threshold model is introduced to explore the impacts of other governance mechanisms on management governance.FindingsThis paper finds an inverted U-shaped relationship between management ownership and firm performance. Furthermore, the threshold model demonstrates that large shareholders strengthen the positive effects of management governance and attenuate its negative effects; board size strengthens the positive effects of management governance but cannot attenuate its negative effects; and independent directors attenuate the negative effects of management governance.Practical implicationsThis paper indicates that increasing management ownership could motivate managers to ameliorate the agent’s moral hazard problem which link the firm value premium when management ownership is less than 20.286 per cent. However, equity incentives are very rare in China. Thus, the authors expect that equity incentives will be a common phenomenon in Chinese listed firms.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to corporate governance literature by shedding some light on management ownership to explore the effects of management ownership. Specifically, this paper explores the effects of management ownership on firm performance and the impacts of other governance mechanisms on management governance to shape the management governance in China.
The fiscal system of China under the New Normal: trends and changes
Authors: Gao Peiyong , Zhen Jiang 
Published: November 2018

Purpose
More and more statistics have repeatedly shown that as the economic development has entered the New Normal, the Chinese fiscal system has experienced tremendous changes. Although chance cannot be ruled out, much of those changes indicate trends, and they can even be said to be the result of the law of economic development. These trends and changes have repeatedly demonstrated that, as a reflection and an inevitable result of the economic developing speed shift, structural adjustment and energy conversion, the Chinese fiscal system, far from the conventional operating state, has progressed on a new path. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper systematically analyzes several new trends and changes in the Chinese fiscal system under the New Normal. First, revenue growth has experienced a sharp downward trend, while the tax elasticity coefficient has declined rapidly. Second, fiscal expenditure has risen against the tendency, while the rigidity of expenditure has kept on increasing.

Findings
Considering the present fiscal and taxation system reform with the analysis above, it can be seen that if the reform’s progress for the past two years is slower than expected – thus, preventing the effects of all aspects from a timely achievement – then, in the recent period, the agreement on the fiscal and taxation system reform will be reached and challenges entirely different from the past, including sharp slowdown in revenue growth rate, fiscal expenditure rising against trend and increases in fiscal deficit and government debts will be faced. The factors encouraging the reform are gathering gradually. The growth of the strength to push the reform forward is speeding up. And the pace of the reform in relevant areas is quickening.

Originality/value
In the face of those trends and changes, on the one hand, the authors should deeply understand and accurately grasp them through a comprehensive summary and systematic analysis. On the other hand, a series of conventional ideas, thoughts and strategies should be adjusted comprehensively and duly. Taking a train of new ideas, thoughts and strategies, the authors ought to actively adapt to and initiate a new Chinese fiscal structure under the New Normal of China’s economy.
Study on the “high-quality development” economics
Authors: Bei Jin 
Published: November 2018

Purpose
As China embarks upon a new era of high-quality development, it is increasingly important and imperative for China’s economic development to live up to its real nature, which is to satisfy people’s growing needs for a better life. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper attempts to discuss the implication of HQD and its related theoretical issues from the basic theory of economics, and literature review. It is necessary to return to Marx’s “dual character of commodity” to check the theoretical foundation of this issue, based on the duality methodology, namely, the duality of the value of use and the value of exchange.

Findings
Moving from HSG phase to HQD phase constitutes a major challenge and an arduous task that is extremely difficult both theoretically and practically. A series of new problems crop out as to the theoretical understanding and practical resolution. Fundamentally speaking, this new dynamic mechanism intrinsically requires a perfect integration of the instrumental rationality of market economy and the value-based rationality of economic development.

Originality/value
This new momentum requires a perfect match between the instrumental rationality of market economy and the value-based rationality of economic development.
China’s Belt and Road Initiative and large-scale outbound investment
Authors: Kunrong Shen , Gang Jin 
Published: November 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to comprehensively examine the influence of formal and informal institutional differences on enterprise investment margin, mode and result.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper is based on 2,440 micro samples of large-scale outbound investment from 609 Chinese enterprises from the years 2005 to 2016.

Findings
The study has found that formal institutional differences have little impact on investment scale, but significantly affect investment diversification. In order to avoid the management risks brought by formal institutional differences, enterprises tend to a full ownership structure. However, the choice between greenfield investment and cross-border mergers and acquisitions is not affected by formal institutional differences. In contrast, the impact of informal institutional differences is more extensive. Both formal and informal institutional differences significantly increase the probability of investment failure. Further research found that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) bridges the formal institutional differences.

Originality/value
The study concludes that developing the BRI, especially cultural exchanges with countries alongside the Belt and Road, will help enterprises to “go global” faster and better.
An in-depth study on the implementation aspect of unified time integrators in reactive two-phase flows with consistent time level
Authors: Xue Tao , Zhang Xiaobing , Tamma K.K. 
Published: November 2018

Purpose
A consistent implementation of the general computational framework of unified second-order time accurate integrators via the well-known GSSSS framework in conjunction with the traditional Finite Difference Method is presented to improve the numerical simulations of reactive two-phase flows.

Design/methodology/approach
In the present paper, the phase interaction evaluation in the present implementation of the reactive two-phase flows has been derived and implemented to preserve the consistency of the correct time level evaluation during the time integration process for solving the two phase flow dynamics with reactions.

Findings
Numerical examples, including the classical Sod shock tube problem and a reactive two-phase flow problem, are exploited to validate the proposed time integration framework and families of algorithms consistently to second order in time accuracy; this is in contrast to the traditional practices which only seem to obtain first-order time accuracy because of the inconsistent time level implementation with respect to the interaction of two phases. The comparisons with the traditional implementation and the advantages of the proposed implementation are given in terms of the improved numerical accuracy in time. The proposed approaches provide a correct numerical simulation implementation to the reactive two-phase flows and can obtain better numerical stability and computational features.

Originality/value
The new algorithmic framework and the consistent time level evaluation extended with the GS4 family encompasses a multitude of past and new schemes and offers a general purpose and unified implementation for fluid dynamics.
Data analytics criteria of IoT enabled smart energy meters (SEMs) in smart cities
Authors: Ahuja Kiran , Khosla Arun 
Published: November 2018

PurposeThis paper aims to focus on data analytic tools and integrated data analyzing approaches used on smart energy meters (SEMs). Furthermore, while observing the diverse techniques and frameworks of data analysis of SEM, the authors propose a novel framework for SEM by using gamification approach for enhancing the involvement of consumers to conserve energy and improve efficiency.Design/methodology/approachA few research strategies have been accounted for analyzing the raw data, yet at the same time, a considerable measure of work should be done in making these commercially reasonable. Data analytic tools and integrated data analyzing approaches are used on SEMs. Furthermore, while observing the diverse techniques and frameworks of data analysis of SEM, the authors propose a novel framework for SEM by using gamification approach for enhancing the involvement of consumers to conserve energy and improve efficiency. Advantages of SEM’s are additionally discussed for inspiring consumers, utilities and their respective partners.FindingsConsumers, utilities and researchers can also take benefit of the recommended framework by planning their routine activities and enjoying rewards offered by gamification approach. Through gamification, consumers’ commitment enhances, and it changes their less manageable conduct on an intentional premise. The practical implementation of such approaches showed the improved energy efficiency as a consequence.
Tribological behaviour of low-pressure plasma sprayed WC-Co coatings at elevated temperatures
Authors: Geng Zhe , Huang Huadong , Lu Baoshan , Wu Shaohua , Shi Gaolian 
Published: November 2018

Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the effect of coating microstructure, mechanical and oxidation property on the tribological behaviour of low-pressure plasma spraying (LPPS) tungsten carbide/cobalt (WC-Co) coatings.

Design/methodology/approach
WC-12Co and WC-17Co coatings were deposited via the LPPS spraying method. Tribological tests on the coatings were performed using a high-temperature ball-on-disc tribometer at temperatures from room temperature (RT, approximately 25 °C) up to 800 °C in ambient air.

Findings
WC-12Co coating contained brittle phases, pores and microcracks, which led to the low hardness, and finally promoted the splat delamination and the carbide debonding during wear. WC-17Co coating had higher cobalt content which benefited the coating to contain more WC particles, less brittle phases, pores and nearly no microcracks, and resulted in the high hardness and better wear resistance. Higher cobalt content also decelerated the oxidation rate of the coating and promoted the formation of cobalt oxides and CoWO4, which were able to maintain the load-bearing capacity and improve the tribological behaviour of the coating below 650°C. Above 650°C, the increase of oxidation degree and the decrease of mechanical property deteriorated the wear resistance of coatings.

Originality/value
The LPPS WC-Co coating with higher cobalt content had better tribological properties at different temperatures. The LPPS WC-Co coatings should not be used as wear-resistant coatings above 650 °C.
Investigation on tribological and corrosion characteristics of oxide-coated steel and mild steel fiber-based brake friction composites
Authors: S. Manoharan , R. Vijay , D. Lenin Singaravelu , Kchaou Mohamed 
Published: November 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this work is to investigate the effect of oxide-coated steel in comparison with mild steel fibers on the tribological and corrosion performances of friction composites.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, the friction composites were developed in the form of standard brake pads by using oxide-coated steel and compared with mild steel fibers-based one without varying the other ingredients. The brake pads were developed as per the industrial procedure. The physical, mechanical, thermal properties of the developed brake pads were analyzed as per the industrial standards. The tribological properties were analyzed using the Chase test. The worn surface analysis was done using scanning electron microscope. Corrosion behavior was also analyzed in both salt and normal water conditions.FindingsThe experimental results indicate that the oxide-coated steel-based friction composites brake pads possess good physical, chemical, thermal, corrosion resistance and mechanical properties with stable fade and recovery characteristics because of its oxide coating and flake morphology.Originality/valueThis paper explains the influence of oxide-coated steel in friction composites for enhancing the tribological performance and corrosion resistance by its oxide coating and flake morphology which could potentially replace mild steel fibers-based problems in friction composites.