bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Single‐switch multi‐output converters as second stage of LED driver
Authors: Li Xuewen , Liu Xueshan , Xiao Rui , Zhou Qun , Zhang Zhefeng 
Published: December 2018

Single‐switch multi‐output light emitting diode (LED) drivers derived from Cuk, Sepic and Zeta converter are proposed and analysed. The proposed multi‐output LED drivers can achieve balanced output current of each LED string by charge balance of storage capacitor without auxiliary current balancing circuit. Therefore, if only the output current of one LED string is controlled to the required level, the output currents of other LED strings will be regulated to the same level naturally, which will greatly simplify the control loop, especially when the number of LED string is numerous. The proposed LED drivers use only one active switch, which decreases the volume of circuit and simplifies the control loop. Finally, a 76 W prototype is built to verify the studied results.
Der interessante klinische Fall – reversibles amnestisches Syndrom bei einem Patienten mit Alkoholabhängigkeit
Authors: Kamp Daniel , Utlu Aylin , Burchert Karin , Franke Petra 
Published: December 2018

ZusammenfassungAlkoholabhängige sind eine Risikopopulation für Vitaminmangelzustände, die zu variablen kognitiven Defiziten bis hin zu einem amnestischen Syndrom führen können. Wir berichten über einen alkoholabhängigen, fokal-neurologisch unauffälligen 58-jährigen Patienten mit amnestischem Syndrom, das sich nach Substitution mit Thiamin, Vitamin B12 und Folsäure im Beobachtungszeitraum von 22 Monaten vollständig reversibel zeigte.
Microvascular Compressicaude by Slinging a Tortuous Vertebrobasilar Artery to the Petrous Dura in Hemifacial Spasm: Technical Note
Authors: Chowdhury Forhad , Haque Mohammod , Rumi Jalal , Reza Monir 
Published: December 2018

Objective In cases of hemifacial spasm caused by a tortuous vertebrobasilar artery (TVBA), the traditional treatment technique involves Teflon (polytetrafluoroethylene), which can be ineffective and fraught with recurrence and neurological complications. In such cases, there are various techniques of arteriopexy using adhesive compositions, ‘suspending loops’ made of synthetic materials, dural or fascial flaps, surgical sutures passed around or through the vascular adventitia, as well as fenestrated aneurysmal clips. In the present paper, we describe a new technique of slinging the vertebral artery (VA) to the petrous dura for microvascular decompression (MVD) in a patient with hemifacial spasm caused by a TVBA.
Method A 50-year-old taxi driver presented with a left-sided severe hemifacial spasm. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the brain showed a large tortuous left-sided vertebral artery impinging and compressing the exit/entry zone of the 7th and 8th nerve complex. After a craniotomy, a TVBA was found impinging and compressing the entry zone of the 7th and 8th nerve complex. Arachnoid bands attaching the artery to the nerve complex and the pons were released by sharp microdissection. Through the upper part of the incision, a 2.5 × 1 cm temporal fascia free flap was harvested. After the fixation of the free flap, a 6–0 prolene suture was passed through its length several times using the traditional Bengali sewing and stitching techniques to make embroidered quilts called Nakshi katha. The ‘prolenated’ fascia was passed around the compressing portion of the VA. Both ends of the fascia were brought together and stitched to the posterior petrous dura to keep the TVBA away from the 7th and 8th nerves and the pons.
Result The patient had no hemifacial spasm immediately after the recovery from the anesthesia. A postoperative MRI of the brain showed that the VA was away from the entry zone of the 7th and 8th nerves.
Conclusion The ‘prolenated’ temporal fascia slinging technique may be a very good option of MVD in cases in which the causative vessel is a TVBA.
Pregnancy of Unknown Location: The Value of Frozen Section Analysis and Its Relation to Beta-hCG Levels and Endometrial Thickness
Authors: Odeh Marwan , Qasoum Ayat , Tendler Rene , Kais Mohamad , Khamise Farah Rola , Bornstein Jacob 
Published: December 2018

Objective Frozen section examination is a rapid method for identifying products of conception in endometrial curetting, yet its accuracy is inconclusive. The purposes of this study is to determine the accuracy of frozen section analysis of endometrial curetting in pregnancies of unknown location, and to verify the relation of β-human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) level and endometrial thickness to the assessed accuracy.
Methods We reviewed data from January 2009 to December 2014 of diagnostic curettages from women with suspected ectopic pregnancies sent for frozen section examination at a medical center. A frozen section diagnosis was considered accurate if it concurred with the final pathologic diagnosis.
Results Of 106 frozen section studies, the diagnosis was accurate in 94 (88.7%). Of 79 specimens interpreted as negative on frozen sections (no products of conception noted), 9 (11.4%) were positive on final pathologic review. Three of the 27 (11.1%) specimens interpreted as positive by a frozen section failed to demonstrate products of conception on a final pathologic section. The sensitivity of frozen sections in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy was 72.7%, specificity 95.9%, positive predictive value 88.9%, negative predictive value 88.6%, and accuracy 88.6%. A statically significant correlation was found between β-hCG level and high accuracy of the frozen section technique (p < 0.001). No correlation was found between endometrial thickness and the accuracy of the frozen section technique.
Conclusion The accuracy of frozen section examination was high and was found to correlate with β-hCG level, but not with endometrial thickness.
Der Zebrafisch als in vivo-Modellsystem für Adipositas und assoziierte Erkrankungen
Authors: Kiess W. , Körner A. , Landgraf K. 
Published: December 2018

ZusammenfassungViele Erkenntnisse über Mechanismen, die für die Entstehung von Adipositas, und den damit einhergehenden Adipositas-assoziierten Erkrankungen, relevant sind, sind mit Hilfe der Modellorganismen Maus oder Ratte erarbeitet worden. In den letzten Jahren hat sich der Zebrafisch als weiteres, sehr geeignetes in-vivo-Modellsystem etabliert, da er verschiedene Vorteile gegenüber Maus und Ratte und anderen Modellorganismen aufweist. Zudem sind wesentliche Aspekte der Regulation des Energiemetabolismus, welche bei der Entstehung von Adipositas und Adipositas-assoziierten Folgeerkrankungen beim Menschen eine Rolle spielen, im Zebrafisch konserviert. Dies beinhaltet unter anderem Mechanismen der zentralen Regulation des Sättigungsgefühls, der Fettzellentwicklung, der ernährungsbedingten Anhäufung von Fettgewebe sowie der Körperfettverteilung. Aufgrund dessen stellt der Zebrafisch ein geeignetes in vivo-Modellsystem für die Untersuchung von Prozessen dar, welche in die Entstehung von Adipositas und deren Folgeerkrankungen involviert sind.
Effects of long-term physical exercise on skeletal muscles in senescence-accelerated mice (SAMP8)
Authors: Takigawa Kaho , Matsuda Rintaro , Uchitomi Ran , Onishi Takumi , Hatazawa Yukino , Kamei Yasutomi 
Published: December 2018

ABSTRACT
We examined the effect of long-term exercise on the prevention of sarcopenia using a senescence-accelerated-prone mice (SAMP8) model. Mice were housed in a wheel cage for 25 weeks to increase voluntary exercise. At week 23, endurance running capacity was examined using a treadmill. In a treadmill running test, the wheel cage group had increased endurance running capacity, which suggests that aging-related loss of muscle function was recovered by long-term exercise. Mice were sacrificed and microarray analysis revealed that genes involved in protein synthesis and degradation were upregulated in the skeletal muscles of the wheel cage group, suggesting accelerated protein turnover. Total body and adipose tissue weights decreased following the use of the wheel cage. Thus, long-term, spontaneous physical exercise may assist in recovering from aging-related sarcopenia (loss of muscle function) and obesity.
Technical approaches to reduce interference of Fetal calf serum derived RNA in the analysis of extracellular vesicle RNA from cultured cells
Authors: Driedonks Tom A. P. , Twilhaar Maarten K. Nijen , Nolte‐'t Hoen Esther N. M. 
Published: December 2018

ABSTRACTFoetal calf serum (FCS) is a common supplement of cell culture medium and a known source of contaminating extracellular vesicles (EV) containing RNA. Because of a high degree of sequence similarity among homologous non‐coding RNAs of mammalian species, residual FCS‐RNA in culture medium may interfere in the analysis of EV‐RNA released by cultured cells. Recently, doubts have been raised as to whether commonly used protocols for depletion of FCS‐EV efficiently remove FCS‐RNA. Moreover, technical details in FCS‐EV depletion protocols are known to vary between labs, which may lead to inter‐study differences in contaminating FCS‐RNA levels. Here, we investigated how technical modifications of EV‐depletion protocols affect the efficiency with which bovine RNAs are depleted from FCS, and determined the contribution of contaminating bovine RNA to EV‐RNA purified from cell cultures. Our data show differences in depletion efficiency between and within various classes of small non‐coding RNA. Importantly, we demonstrate that variations in FCS‐EV depletion protocols affect both the quantity and type of residual FCS‐RNAs in EV‐depleted medium. By using optimised FCS‐EV depletion protocols combined with methods for high‐grade purification of EV the levels of contaminating bovine RNA in EV populations isolated from cell culture medium can be reduced. With illustrative datasets we also demonstrate that the abundance of a specific RNA in cell culture EV can only be determined if measured relative to background levels of this RNA in medium control samples. These data highlight the need for optimisation and validation of existing and novel FCS‐EV depletion methods and urge for accurate descriptions of these methods in publications to increase experimental reproducibility.
Level Spacings and Nodal Sets at Infinity for Radial Perturbations of the Harmonic Oscillator
Authors: Beck Thomas , Hanin Boris 
Published: December 2018

Abstract
We study properties of the nodal sets of high-frequency eigenfunctions and quasimodes for radial perturbations of the harmonic oscillator. In particular, we consider nodal sets on spheres of large radius (in the classically forbidden region) for quasimodes with energies lying in intervals around a fixed energy $E$. For well-chosen intervals we show that these nodal sets exhibit quantitatively different behavior compared to those of the unperturbed harmonic oscillator. These energy intervals are defined via a careful analysis of the eigenvalue spacings for the perturbed operator, based on analytic perturbation theory and linearization formulas for Laguerre polynomials.
Prevalence and Incidence of Zika Virus Infection Among Household Contacts of Patients With Zika Virus Disease, Puerto Rico, 2016–2017
Authors: Rosenberg Eli S , Doyle Kate , Munoz-Jordan Jorge L , Klein Liore , Adams Laura , Lozier Matthew , Weiss Kevin , Sharp Tyler M , Paz-Bailey Gabriela 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackgroundLittle is known about the prevalence or incidence of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection in settings affected by the 2015–2016 Zika pandemic and associated risk factors. We assessed these factors among household contacts of patients with ZIKV disease enrolled in a cohort study in Puerto Rico during 2016–2017.MethodsHousehold contacts of index case patients completed a questionnaire and gave specimens for real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunoglobulin M enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay testing to detect ZIKV infection. We measured the prevalence of ZIKV infection among contacts and associated individual and household factors, examined sexual transmission using a sexual-networks approach, and assessed incident infection among initially uninfected household contacts 2–4 months later.ResultsOf 366 contacts, 34.4% had evidence of ZIKV infection at enrollment, including 11.2% by RT-PCR. Having open doors and windows that were either screened (prevalence ratio [PR], 2.1 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.2–3.6]) or unscreened (PR, 2.5 [95% CI, 1.5–4.1]) was associated with increased prevalence. Sexual partners were more likely to both be RT-PCR positive relative to other relationships (odds ratio, 2.2 [95% CI, 1.1–4.5]). At follow-up, 6.1% of contacts had evidence of incident infection.ConclusionsThis study identified sexual contact as a risk factor for ZIKV infection. Persons living with ZIKV-infected individuals should be a focus of public health efforts.
Wine for the Table: Self-Construal, Group Size, and Choice for Self and Others
Authors: Wu Eugenia C , Moore Sarah G , Fitzsimons Gavan J 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThis research examines how consumers make unilateral decisions on behalf of the self and multiple others, in situations where the chosen option will be shared and consumed jointly by the group—for instance, choosing wine for the table. Results across six studies using three different choice contexts (wine, books, and movies) demonstrate that such choices are shaped by the decision-maker’s self-construal (independent vs. interdependent) and by the size of the group being chosen for (large vs. small). Specifically, we find that interdependent consumers consistently make choices that balance self and others’ preferences, regardless of group size. In contrast, the choices of independent consumers differ depending on group size: for smaller groups, independents make choices that balance self and others’ preferences, while for larger groups, they make choices that more strongly reflect their own preferences. Via mediation and moderation, the data show that differential attention to others underlies the combined effect of self-construal and group size on the joint consumption choices that consumers make for the self and others.
Revenue Management without Commitment: Dynamic Pricing and Periodic Flash Sales
Authors: Dilmé Francesc , Li Fei 
Published: December 2018

Abstract
A seller has a fixed number of goods to sell by a deadline. At each time, he posts a regular price and decides whether to hold a flash sale. Over time, buyers privately enter the market and strategically time their purchases. If a buyer does not purchase when she arrives, she can pay an attention cost to recheck the regular price afterwards, or she can wait for future flash sales where she may obtain a good at a discounted price. In the unique Markov perfect equilibrium, the seller sporadically holds flash sales to lower the stock of goods. A flash sale increases the willingness to pay of future buyers, but decreases the willingness to pay of buyers who arrive early in the game. When it is very likely that a buyer will obtain a good in a flash sale, the seller holds a “big” initial flash sale for all but one unit of the good.
Femoral Neck Fractures in Young Patients: State of the Art
Authors: Chan Daniel S. 
Published: December 2018

Summary:
Femoral neck fractures in young patients are uncommon but are often associated with surgical challenges and complications. The quality of reduction, more than time to surgery, has the most impact on optimizing outcomes and function. There is no consensus in the best fixation construct for these fractures. Neck shortening and varus collapse are the most common challenges of current fixation options. Use of newer implants is being reported with cautious optimism, and further studies are needed.

Level of Evidence:
Therapeutic Level V.
Novel Treatment Options for the Surgical Management of Young Femoral Neck Fractures
Authors: Levack Ashley E. , Gausden Elizabeth B. , Dvorzhinskiy Aleksey , Lorich Dean G. , Helfet David L. 
Published: December 2018

Summary:
In physiologically young patients with displaced femoral neck fractures, surgical treatment is aimed at achieving fracture union while preserving native hip anatomy and biomechanics. The intracapsular environment, tenuous vascular supply, and unfavorable hip biomechanics contribute to the high complication rates seen after osteosynthesis of these fractures. Conventional fixation methods for osteosynthesis of femoral neck fractures include multiple cancellous screws, fixed-angle dynamic implants, and fixed-angle length-stable constructs. Despite several biomechanical and clinical studies evaluating various surgical options, the optimal fixation construct to allow healing and prevent nonunion of displaced femoral neck fractures is not known. This article will review the clinical data regarding conventional fixation constructs and describe the technique and rationale behind 2 novel alternative treatment options for these challenging fractures. The surgical technique and clinical examples for constructs involving multiple cannulated screws/Pauwels screw augmented with a fibular strut graft, as well as a novel fixed-angle locking plate with controlled dynamic compression, are presented.
Non-performing loans and monetary policy dynamics in Ghana
Authors: Asiama Rexford Kweku , Amoah Anthony 
Published: December 2018

Purpose
The sharp rise in non-performing loans (NPLs) with its associated effect on financial institutions in Ghana has become very alarming. This has led to the collapse of distressed institutions and associated repercussions such as loss of private savings, investments, businesses and livelihoods. The purpose of this paper is to test the hypothesis that the monetary policy rate can be used to influence NPLs in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach
Using quarterly data spanning from 2000 to 2016, the authors used the autoregressive distributed lag econometric approach to estimate the effect of monetary policy on the percentage growth of NPLs in Ghana. The results are presented for both short-run and long-run periods.

Findings
In the short run, the authors find evidence of no statistically significant effect of monetary policy on the percentage growth of NPLs. However, in the long run, the authors find a statistically significant effect of monetary policy on the percentage growth of NPLs.

Practical implications
The authors recommend that policymakers should focus on building a strong financial environment, so that monetary policy can be used to influence the commercial bank’s interest rate. In effect, this will help reduce the growth of NPLs, reduce risk and attract competitors into the financial market, increase asset base, increase credit to support viable ventures and subsequently boost economic growth in Ghana.

Originality/value
The paper shows its value by using quarterly data whereas most literature have considered annual data. Also, the paper includes a policy variable measured by the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) as the key variable of interest which is normally not the case with most studies.
Consumption values and physical activities: consumers’ healthy eating choices
Authors: Thomé Karim Marini , Pinho Guilherme Mata , Hoppe Alexia 
Published: December 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent to which consumption values and physical activities influence consumers’ healthy eating choices.Design/methodology/approachA survey with 292 participants was analysed by means of bilateral factor analysis and structural equation modelling to study the consumers’ healthy eating choices based on consumption values and moderation effect of physical activities.FindingsConsumers’ healthy eating choices are strongly linked to epistemic and emotional values. Physical activities act as a moderator of the emotional value and functional value price.Originality/valueThis paper adds to the literature on consumption values and raises new insights of value for the health and wellness food industry.
A student perspective of ethics in the Zambian construction industry
Authors: Zulu Sambo , Muleya Franco 
Published: December 2018

Purpose
The importance of ethical considerations in the construction industry is acknowledged. This is particularly the case that the industry plays a significant part in a nation’s development. The Zambian construction industry has seen an increase in activity due, in part, to massive infrastructure development programmes adopted by successive governments, increase in foreign direct investment and housing development. The Zambian construction industry, like any other, is not immune to unethical behaviour. This study aims to investigate students’ perception of the prevalence of unethical practices in the Zambian construction industry. A review of literature demonstrated that a number of contextual factors including location can influence the perception of unethical practices. A focus on Zambia was therefore considered necessary.

Design/methodology/approach
In total, 121 students took part in a questionnaire survey to examine their perception of the extent to which unethical practices were prevalent in the Zambian construction industry.

Findings
The findings suggest that students perceived bribery/corruption and political/societal influences as the two most common unethical practices, while the least prevalent unethical practices were perceived to be alcohol/drug abuse and workplace violence. The findings are largely consistent with previous studies investigating the ethical perception of professionals in the Zambian construction industry. In addition, the findings suggests that when the year and programme of study are taken into consideration, the differences in perception of unethical practices are evident for these demographic groups.

Originality/value
This study provided an added dimension to the understanding of ethical issues in the Zambian construction industry as it was the first of its kind involving students’ perceptions. This paper therefore contributes to the list of countries where similar studies have been undertaken.
Research Watch: therapists’ working conditions and their implications for service users’ social inclusion
Authors: Holttum Sue 
Published: December 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to highlight possible implications of therapists’ working conditions on social inclusion of service users.

Design/methodology/approach
A search was carried out for recent papers on cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) therapists.

Findings
One study highlighted that over half of their sample of 201 UK therapists in Improving Access to Psychological Therapy (IAPT) services reported burnout. In a second study, in interviews with ten IAPT workers in inner London services, therapists said they had to fight for extra time to adapt CBT for people who had learning disabilities, and the additional stress made them feel less positive about working with these clients. A third study, on therapists working with people with multiple sclerosis, highlights the importance of adapting CBT for people with physical conditions.

Originality/value
Taken together, these three papers highlight concerning implications of current working conditions for many therapists working in IAPT services. They highlight that sources of stress include services’ rigid focus on targets and inability to make expected adjustments. With regard to the UK, this may be due to the current national service model, but it has implications for the social inclusion of some service users.