bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Incentive contract design for internet referral services: cost per click vs cost per sale
Authors: Zhou Chi , Xu Geni , Liu Zhibing 
Published: July 2019

PurposeInternet referral services are a common form of online marketing operating activities. To incentivize infomediaries and improve referral performance, brand retailers typically apply the cost-per-click (CPC) or the cost-per-sale (CPS) payments. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of referral services on the optimal contract with CPC or CPS payments.Design/methodology/approachThis paper studies a mechanism design problem for internet referral services. To maximize the expected utility of the brand retailer, an uncertain contract model is established in which the brand retailer's assessment of the infomediary's referral service capability is characterized as an uncertain variable. Then equivalent models under CPC and CPS payments are presented to obtain the optimal solutions.FindingsThe results demonstrate that under CPC payments, as the referral service capability increases, the optimal sales volume is increasing, and the optimal transfer payment first shows a declining and then a rising trend. The brand retailer is less likely to raise the optimal transfer payment for the infomediary given a higher CPC revenue-sharing fee percentage, which is counterintuitive. Under CPS payments, the optimal sales volume and transfer payment are also increasing in the referral service capability. In addition, an increase in the click-through rate leads to the infomediary's incremental marginal utility.Originality/valueThe value of this research is its application of incentive contracts to the internet referral services considering CPC or CPS payments. The results of this research can serve as a guide for retailers and infomediaries in their decision-making around online retailing.
Near‐infrared spectroscopy monitoring in a pre‐hospital trauma patient cohort: An analysis of successful signal collection
Authors: Weatherall Andrew , Poynter Elwyn , Garner Alan , Lee Anna 
Published: July 2019

BackgroundNoninvasive monitoring of cerebral physiology could potentially guide pre‐hospital management of patients with traumatic injuries. Near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is one such modality but the consistency of monitoring performance remains unclear. This study assessed the proportion of successful signal collection during pre‐hospital care.MethodsAs part of a prospective observational study, an independent study observer placed three sensors for a Nonin 7610 NIRS device; two on the forehead and one on the forearm. NIRS records were analysed for time of adequate monitoring signal in each sensor (>70% of total pre‐hospital time). We also compared pre‐hospital scene and transport times for patients with or without NIRS monitoring.ResultsSixty‐three patients with monitoring sensors applied were compared to 255 patients where no study observer was on board and 97 without NIRS monitoring for various reasons within the same time period. The proportion of pre‐hospital time with successful monitoring (>70%) was 71.4% (45 of 63) for all three sensors, with at least two sensors functional in 90.4% (57 of 63). The median (interquartile range) scene time was 19 (11‐23) minutes in patients with NIRS monitoring compared to 18 (11‐27) minutes without NIRS monitoring (P = .570). There was no difference in the median (interquartile range) total pre‐hospital time between patients with or without monitoring sensors (72 [59‐89] versus 72 [59‐80] minutes; P = .605).ConclusionsIn this pre‐hospital observational feasibility study with dedicated personnel an acceptable proportion of measurement time was achieved in over 90% of monitored subjects. Addition of NIRS monitoring did not alter pre‐hospital scene or transport times in this research setting.
Comparing diabetic retinopathy lesions in scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and colour fundus photography
Authors: Nghiem Allan Zhifa , Nderitu Paul , Lukic Marko , Khatun Mumina , Largan Ross , Kortuem Karsten , Balaskas Konstantinos , Sim Dawn 
Published: July 2019

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate the detection of different lesions of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO) compared to colour fundus photographs within the same retinal field.MethodsScanning laser ophthalmoscopy and colour fundus photographs of 67 eyes taken on the same day of dilated patients with different grades of diabetic retinopathy were retrospectively examined. SLO images were then cropped to match the size and position of its 45‐degree colour fundus photograph equivalent. Five independent masked graders assessed the images. Features of DR including haemorrhages, microaneurysms, exudates, cotton wool spots, intraretinal microvascular abnormalities, venous beading and neovascularization were analysed. Additionally, each image was classified according to Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) grading and English Diabetic Eye Screening Programme (DESP) grading.ResultsThere was moderate to good agreement in ETDRS and DESP grading between SLO and colour fundus photographs within individual graders (weighted kappa range 0.45–0.65). The average number of microaneurysms for SLO and colour photographs showed a high degree of agreement (ICC: 0.92). Equally, the average number of blot haemorrhages in SLO and colour images showed strong agreement (ICC: 0.98) and the average number of cotton wool spots in SLO and colour images correlated well (ICC: 0.92). For these three lesions, the intergrader reliability was good (ICC ≥0.66) for both modalities.ConclusionThere was good correlation in detected microaneurysms, blot haemorrhages and cotton wool spots between SLO and colour fundus photographs. However, there was intergrader variability in flame haemorrhage, intraretinal microvascular abnormalities, venous beading and neovascularization grading with both modalities.
Detection of Chlamydiaceae in ocular swabs from Australian pre‐export feedlot sheep
Authors: Jelocnik M , Laurence M , Murdoch FR , Polkinghorne A 
Published: July 2019

Infectious Ovine Keratoconjunctivitis (IOK) is a contagious ocular disease of sheep. A range of organisms have been observed as the aetiological agents of IOK. In this study, the presence of chlamydial pathogens (C. pecorum, C. abortus, C. psittaci) in conjunctival swabs was tested for. The swabs were collected from sheep with varying grades of IOK in an Australian pre‐export feedlot. The sheep had been rejected from a shipment because of the eye disease. The relative contribution of chlamydial pathogens to IOK and the rejection of animals was evaluated.In total, 149 conjunctival swabs were taken from rejected sheep (IOK Grades 1 to 6; n = 126) as well as those with healthy eyes (Grade 0; n = 23). Screening for chlamydial pathogens was done using species–specific qPCR assays. Chlamydial DNA was detected in 35.6% (53/149) of conjunctival samples. C. pecorum was the most predominant species with an overall prevalence of 28.9% (43/149). C. psittaci prevalence was 6.7% (10/149). Both organisms were detected in healthy as well as IOK‐affected eyes. All swabs tested negative for C. abortus.The results from this study demonstrate that Chlamydia spp can be readily detected in sheep presenting with IOK. The zoonotic C. abortus was not detected in any of the samples in this study, providing further evidence to the suggestion that this pathogen remains absent from Australia. Although the exact contribution of Chlamydia spp in the IOK pathogenesis is unclear, such studies are anticipated to be of benefit to Australian domestic and live export production systems.
Effects of scripting on dialogues, motivation and learning outcomes in serious games
Authors: van der Meij Hans , Veldkamp Sabine , Leemkuil Henny 
Published: July 2019

AbstractResearch on serious games shows that complementary design measures are often needed to increase effectiveness. The present study investigated the role of scripted collaboration. In such a collaboration, players are assigned roles or given specific tasks to stimulate them to communicate more about essential game aspects (eg, arguing why a move should be made versus merely suggesting a move), and thereby raise learning. A risk of scripted collaboration is that it can constrain communication so much that motivation drops. An experiment with eighth‐grade students is reported in which a scripted and non‐scripted condition were compared for their effects on the level of dialogic acts, motivation and learning outcomes. In the scripted condition, players were assigned opposing roles in a game that revolved around making smart choices by considering each perspective. The findings supported the prediction that scripting would raise the level of the dialogues. Scripting led to significantly more dialogic acts about deeper level game features. In addition, players in the scripted condition achieved a significantly higher mean score on a knowledge posttest. An exploratory analysis showed that higher level dialogic acts correlated with higher posttest scores. Motivation was the same in both conditions.
Practitioner NotesWhat is already known about this topic

Without complementary support, serious games may yield low learning effects.
Collaborative game‐play helps raise the effectiveness only moderately.
What this paper adds

The effectiveness of learning from a serious game was investigated for a conflict script that stimulated players to adopt opposing roles.
The conflict script did not affect the amount of talking.
Gaming‐the‐game expressions predominantly coincided with relevant observations about game content.
Scripted collaboration increased the level of the dialogic acts, and raised learning. Higher levels of dialogic acts were also positively related with higher learning outcomes.
Implications for practice and/or policy

Collaboration scripts can contribute substantially to game‐based learning. They have the advantage that they can be constructed by educators.
The design of a collaboration script requires careful balancing the need to stimulate certain kinds of game communications and avoiding imposing too much constraints on these communications.
Automatic Design of Cable‐Tensioned Glass Shells
Authors: Laccone Francesco , Malomo Luigi , Froli Maurizio , Cignoni Paolo , Pietroni Nico 
Published: July 2019

AbstractWe propose an optimization algorithm for the design of post‐tensioned architectural shell structures, composed of triangular glass panels, in which glass has a load‐bearing function. Due to its brittle nature, glass can fail when it is subject to tensile forces. Hence, we enrich the structure with a cable net, which is specifically designed to post‐tension the shell, relieving the underlying glass structure from tension. We automatically derive an optimized cable layout, together with the appropriate pre‐load of each cable. The method is driven by a physically based static analysis of the shell subject to its service load. We assess our approach by applying non‐linear finite element analysis to several real‐scale application scenarios. Such a method of cable tensioning produces glass shells that are optimized from the material usage viewpoint since they exploit the high compression strength of glass. As a result, they are lightweight and robust. Both aesthetic and static qualities are improved with respect to grid shell competitors.
Horizontal ridge augmentation using GBR with a native collagen membrane and 1:1 ratio of particulate xenograft and autologous bone: A 3‐year after final loading prospective clinical study
Authors: Meloni Silvio Mario , Jovanovic Sascha Alexander , Urban Istvan , Baldoni Edoardo , Pisano Milena , Tallarico Marco 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackgroundCawood‐Howell class IV atrophies, also known as “knife‐edge” ridges, represent a serious horizontal defect, making the placement of regular implants challenging.AimTo clinically and radiographically evaluate bone regeneration of severe horizontal bone defects with 3 years of follow‐up.Materials and MethodsThis study was designed as a single cohort, prospective clinical trial. Patients having horizontal bone width of 4 mm or less in the posterior mandible or maxilla were treated with resorbable collagen membranes and a 1:1 mixture of anorganic bovine bone (ABB) and autogenous bone. Implants were inserted and loaded 7 months later. Outcomes were implant and prosthetic survival rates, any biological and prosthetic complications, horizontal and volumetric bone dimensional changes measured on cone beam computer tomography (CBCT), peri‐implant marginal bone level (MBL) changes measured on periapical radiographs, plaque index (PI), and bleeding on probing (BOP).ResultsEighteen patients received 55 implants. No patient dropped‐out. No implant and prosthetic failures and no complications were recorded. Super imposition of pre and 7‐month postoperative CBCT scans revealed an average horizontal bone gain of 5.03 ± 2.15 mm (95% CI: 4.13‐5.92 mm). After 3 years, mean MBL was 1.15 ± 0.28 mm (95% CI 0.84‐1.22 mm). The PI was 11.6%, and BOP was 5.2%.ConclusionWithin the limitations of the present study, high implant survival rate and high average bone augmentation seem to validate the use of collagen resorbable membranes with a 1:1 mixture of particulate ABB and autogenous bone for the reconstruction of Cawood‐Howell class IV alveolar ridge atrophies.
B‐lines by lung ultrasound predict heart failure in hospitalized patients with acute anterior wall STEMI
Authors: Ye Xiao‐Jun , Li Nan , Li Jia‐Hui , Wu Wen‐Jing , Li Ai‐Li , Li Xian‐Lun 
Published: July 2019

AbstractObjectiveB‐line imaging by lung ultrasound (LUS) is a new tool for evaluating subclinical pulmonary congestion. The aim of this study was to explore the prognostic value of B‐line number at admission in predicting symptomatic heart failure (HF) during hospitalization in acute anterior wall STEMI patients.MethodsThis was a prospective cohort study which consecutively enrolled 96 anterior wall STEMI patients without dyspnea at admission. Pulmonary auscultation, NT‐proBNP test, LUS, and echocardiography were performed within 5 hours after primary PCI. Rale occurrence, plasma NT‐proBNP levels, B‐line number, LVEF, E/e’ were recorded, and their predictive value for HF in‐hospital was analyzed.ResultsA total of 19 patients developed symptomatic HF. Median B‐line number, NT‐proBNP levels, and E/e’ in the HF group were higher than those of the nonheart‐failure (NHF) group (P < 0.001) while LVEF was lower (P = 0.002). There was no statistical difference in rale occurrence between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that B‐lines, E/e’, and NT‐proBNP independently predicted HF during hospitalization. According to the area under the ROC curve, the strongest predictor is B‐lines (0.972), followed by NT‐proBNP (0.936) and E/e’ (0.928), and combining the three indicators was better than any single parameter (P = 0.048). B‐line cutoff ≥18 could well predict HF event with specificity and sensitivity of 94.7% and 94.8%, respectively.ConclusionSubclinical pulmonary congestion reflected by B‐lines can independently predict symptomatic HF during hospitalization in patients with anterior wall STEMI, LUS will act as a complementary tool for evaluating cardiac function.
Sudden ventricular fibrillation and death during ibrutinib therapy—A case report
Authors: Bernardeschi Paolo , Pirrotta Maria Teresa , Del Rosso Attilio , Fontanelli Giulia , Milandri Carlo 
Published: July 2019

AbstractIbrutinib is an oral inhibitor of Bruton tyrosine kinase approved for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, mantle cell lymphoma and refractory Waldenstrom's disease. It increases progression‐free survival, overall survival, response rate. The most frequent adverse reactions, are increased risk in of bleeding and atrial fibrillation, but several reports of more dangerous rhythm disturbances have been recently reported in literature. A case of a patient with refractory Waldenstrom's disease, who developed ventricular fibrillation while taking ibrutinib, is reported, along with a concise literature review.
Ultrastructure of giant thalamic terminals in the auditory cortex
Authors: Saldeitis Katja , Richter Karin , Fischer Klaus‐Dieter , Ohl Frank W. , Mateos José M. , Budinger Eike 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe auditory system comprises some very large axonal terminals like the endbulb and calyx of Held and “giant” corticothalamic synapses. Previously, we described a hitherto unknown population of giant thalamocortical boutons arising from the medial division of the medial geniculate body (MGm) in the Mongolian gerbil, which terminate over a wide cortical range but in a columnar manner particularly in the extragranular layers of the auditory cortex. As a first step towards an understanding of their potential functional role, we here describe their ultrastructure combining anterograde tract‐tracing with biocytin and electron microscopy. Quantitative ultrastructural analyses revealed that biocytin‐labelled MGm boutons reach much larger sizes than other, non‐labelled boutons. Also, mitochondria occupy more space within labelled boutons whereas synapses are of similar size. Labelled boutons are very heterogeneous in size but homogeneous with respect to their ultrastructural characteristics, with asymmetric synapses containing clear, round vesicles and targeting dendritic spines. Functionally, the ultrastructure of the MGm terminals indicates that they form excitatory contacts, which may transmit their information in a rapid, powerful and high‐fidelity manner onto strategically advantageous compartments of their cortical target cells.
Prosodic pitch processing is represented in delta‐band EEG and is dissociable from the cortical tracking of other acoustic and phonetic features
Authors: Teoh Emily S. , Cappelloni Madeline S. , Lalor Edmund C. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractSpeech is central to communication among humans. Meaning is largely conveyed by the selection of linguistic units such as words, phrases and sentences. However, prosody, that is the variation of acoustic cues that tie linguistic segments together, adds another layer of meaning. There are various features underlying prosody, one of the most important being pitch and how it is modulated. Recent fMRI and ECoG studies have suggested that there are cortical regions for pitch which respond primarily to resolved harmonics and that high‐gamma cortical activity encodes intonation as represented by relative pitch. Importantly, this latter result was shown to be independent of the cortical tracking of the acoustic energy of speech, a commonly used measure. Here, we investigate whether we can isolate low‐frequency EEG indices of pitch processing of continuous narrative speech from those reflecting the tracking of other acoustic and phonetic features. Harmonic resolvability was found to contain unique predictive power in delta and theta phase, but it was highly correlated with the envelope and tracked even when stimuli were pitch‐impoverished. As such, we are circumspect about whether its contribution is truly pitch‐specific. Crucially however, we found a unique contribution of relative pitch to EEG delta‐phase prediction, and this tracking was absent when subjects listened to pitch‐impoverished stimuli. This finding suggests the possibility of a separate processing stream for prosody that might operate in parallel to acoustic–linguistic processing. Furthermore, it provides a novel neural index that could be useful for testing prosodic encoding in populations with speech processing deficits and for improving cognitively controlled hearing aids.
Effects of β‐carotene on oxazolone‐induced atopic dermatitis in hairless mice
Authors: Kake Takamichi , Imai Masahiko , Takahashi Noriko 
Published: July 2019

AbstractSkin acts as a barrier, which protects internal tissues and promotes moisture retention. Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory skin disease associated with a variety of genetic and environmental factors that involve helper T cells. β‐Carotene (provitamin A) exhibits antioxidant activity and activates the immune system. However, it is not clear whether inflammation in AD skin is improved by posttreatment with β‐carotene. In the current study, we investigated the effects of β‐carotene on the skin of hairless mice with oxazolone‐induced inflammation/oedema (Ox‐AD mice). We found that skin inflammation was significantly reduced by oral administration of β‐carotene. In addition, treatment with β‐carotene suppressed protein levels of TNF‐α, IL‐1β and MCP‐1, as well as mRNA expression associated with IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐4 and Par‐2 in skin tissues. Furthermore, the mRNA and protein levels of filaggrin, a structural protein in the epidermal stratum corneum, were elevated by β‐carotene administration as compared with Ox‐AD mice. β‐Carotene significantly reduced the activity of proMMP‐9, but not proMMP‐2. These results suggest that in Ox‐AD mice, β‐carotene improves skin inflammation by suppressing the expression of inflammatory factors, promoting filaggrin expression and reducing MMP‐9 activity. β‐Carotene is a potent anti‐inflammatory agent that improves the barrier functions of AD skin.
Residual stress/strain evolution due to low‐cycle fatigue by removing local material volume and optical interferometric data
Authors: Matvienko Yury , Pisarev Vladimir , Eleonsky Svyatoslav , Chernov Andrey 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThree experimental methods, based on optical interferometric measurements of deformation response to local material removing, have been implemented for residual stresses determination. Two first techniques are employed to characterize initial residual stress values and their evolution near welded joints of aluminium plates under low‐cycle fatigue. The hole‐drilling method gives high‐accurate dependencies between residual stress components and number of cycles. The second approach comprises cracks modelling by narrow notches to describe residual stress distributions in more wide spatial range near the weld. The results demonstrate residual stress evolution is of complex character and cannot be uniquely qualified as a gradual relaxation. Besides, the secondary hole drilling method is developed and used as a fast and reliable tool to quantify the redistribution of residual strains near cold‐expanded holes due to low‐cycle fatigue. Dependencies of circumferential residual strains along the secondary hole edge versus number of cycles are constructed.