bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Eco‐efficiency evaluation of petrochemical enterprises: An application of 3D state‐space model
Authors: Wang Yanqiu , Zhu Zhiwei , Ma Zixin 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThis paper attempts to focus on the application of the ecological carrying capacity theory and the three‐dimensional state‐space model to th eco‐efficiency evaluation of petrochemical enterprises. This research differs from the existing literature, which focuses on business’ eco‐efficiency from behavioral motivation and strategic perspective. This paper proposes a three‐dimensional state‐space model of ecological efficiency of petrochemical enterprises by adopting a combination of ecological carrying index and state space. This model in a three‐dimensional geometric space takes petrochemical enterprises as a pressurer for natural resources and natural environment. The three axes of space represent the economic status of petrochemical enterprises, the use of resources, and the impact of enterprises on the environment, respectively. It attempts to quantitatively describe economic activities of petrochemical enterprises and the interaction with resources and environment. It focuses on applying the model to calculate the ecological carrying capacity of petrochemical enterprises, verifying the feasibility and applicability of the model in calculating the ecological efficiency of enterprises, and providing theoretical tools for enterprises to make ecological efficiency judgments. The results show that this method can help to find out the problems with resources, economy, and environment during the development of petrochemical enterprises and provide the basis for managers to make strategic decisions of sustainable development.
Emergence of symmetry selectivity in the visual areas of the human brain: fMRI responses to symmetry presented in both frontoparallel and slanted planes
Authors: Keefe Bruce D. , Gouws André D. , Sheldon Aislin A. , Vernon Richard J. W. , Lawrence Samuel J. D. , McKeefry Declan J. , Wade Alex R. , Morland Antony B. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractSymmetry is effortlessly perceived by humans across changes in viewing geometry. Here, we re‐examined the network subserving symmetry processing in the context of up‐to‐date retinotopic definitions of visual areas. Responses in object selective cortex, as defined by functional localizers, were also examined. We further examined responses to both frontoparallel and slanted symmetry while manipulating attention both toward and away from symmetry. Symmetry‐specific responses first emerge in V3 and continue across all downstream areas examined. Of the retinotopic areas, ventral occipital VO1 showed the strongest symmetry response, which was similar in magnitude to the responses observed in object selective cortex. Neural responses were found to increase with both the coherence and folds of symmetry. Compared to passive viewing, drawing attention to symmetry generally increased neural responses and the correspondence of these neural responses with psychophysical performance. Examining symmetry on the slanted plane found responses to again emerge in V3, continue through downstream visual cortex, and be strongest in VO1 and LOB. Both slanted and frontoparallel symmetry evoked similar activity when participants performed a symmetry‐related task. However, when a symmetry‐unrelated task was performed, fMRI responses to slanted symmetry were reduced relative to their frontoparallel counterparts. These task‐related changes provide a neural signature that suggests slant has to be computed ahead of symmetry being appropriately extracted, known as the “normalization” account of symmetry processing. Specifically, our results suggest that normalization occurs naturally when attention is directed toward symmetry and orientation, but becomes interrupted when attention is directed away from these features.
The principal–agent problem and owner‐managers: An instrumental variables application to nursing home quality
Authors: Huang Sean Shenghsiu , Bowblis John R. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe literature on provider ownership has primarily focused broadly on for‐profits compared with nonprofits and chains versus nonchains. However, the understanding of more nuanced ownership arrangements within individual facilities is limited. Utilizing the principal–agent and managerial control frameworks, we study the role of managerial ownership and its relationship to quality among for‐profit nursing homes (NHs). We identify NH administrators with more than 5% ownership (owner‐manager) from Ohio Medicaid Cost Reports (2005–2010) and link these data to long‐stay resident records in the Minimum Data Set. Using differential distance to the nearest NHs with a salaried manager relative to an owner‐manager, we address the differential selection into these two types of NHs. After instrumenting for admissions to owner‐managed NHs, quality among long‐stay residents at owner‐managed NHs is generally better than NHs with salaried managers. We find suggestive evidence that the magnitudes of quality difference are larger when the principal–agent problem is likely more pronounced, such as when NHs that are part of a multifacility chain and located in more concentrated markets.
Accuracy of patient recall for self‐reported doctor visits: Is shorter recall better?
Authors: Dalziel Kim , Li Jinhu , Scott Anthony , Clarke Philip 
Published: July 2018

AbstractIn health economics, the use of patient recall of health care utilisation information is common, including in national health surveys. However, the types and magnitude of measurement error that relate to different recall periods are not well understood. This study assessed the accuracy of recalled doctor visits over 2‐week, 3‐month, and 12‐month periods by comparing self‐report with routine administrative Australian Medicare data. Approximately 5,000 patients enrolled in an Australian study were pseudo‐randomised using birth dates to report visits to a doctor over three separate recall periods. When comparing patient recall with visits recorded in administrative information from Medicare Australia, both bias and variance were minimised for the 12‐month recall period. This may reflect telescoping that occurs with shorter recall periods (participants pulling in important events that fall outside the period). Using shorter recall periods scaled to represent longer periods is likely to bias results. There were associations between recall error and patient characteristics. The impact of recall error is demonstrated with a cost‐effectiveness analysis using costs of doctor visits and a regression example predicting number of doctor visits. The findings have important implications for surveying health service utilisation for use in economic evaluation, econometric analyses, and routine national health surveys.
The effect of chronic disease family history on the adoption of healthier lifestyles
Authors: Sá Alexandre , Peleteiro Bárbara 
Published: July 2018

SummaryAimTo determine the influence of family history (FH) and personal history (PH) of chronic disease (CD) in the adoption of healthy lifestyles.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study was based on the EPIPorto cohort (n = 1588). Participants were grouped taking into account FH and PH of CD, such as diabetes, myocardial infarction, stroke, asthma, and cancer, and if at least one of the first‐degree relatives had died from the CD. Age‐, sex‐, and education‐adjusted odds ratios and corresponding 95% confidence intervals were computed using multinomial logistic regression.ResultsSubjects with PH and FH of CD were more likely to follow recommendations regarding salt intake but less likely regarding obesity measures. Overall, similar results were observed when repeating the analyses according to the type of CD, particularly in those with diabetes.ConclusionsRecommendations towards healthier lifestyles are not followed by individuals with history of CD, at least in what concerns obesity measures. Our study suggests reducing obesity as a major target for interventions in these groups of individuals.
EGFR‐mediated signaling pathway influences the sensitivity of oral squamous cell carcinoma to JQ1
Authors: Liu Xiaojing , Li Qing , Huang Ping , Tong Dongdong , Wu Haitao , Zhang Fenghe 
Published: July 2018

AbstractInhibiting BRD4 has emerged as a promising anticancer strategy, and inhibitors such as JQ1 can suppress cell growth in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, the mechanism through which JQ1 exerts its anticancer activity has not been reported. Moreover, JQ1 does not markedly inhibit proliferation and increase apoptosis in OSCC when used as a monotherapy. Herein, we explore the mechanism of JQ1 in OSCC and probe ways to increase its therapeutic potential. In this study, we used two cell lines, Cal27, and Scc25. We found that BRD4 was highly expressed in OSCC tissues when compared with adjacent non‐tumor tissues, and JQ1 worked through the EGFR‐mediated signaling pathway in tumor cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that JQ1 induced an increased treatment effect in vitro and in vivo when combined with a PI3K inhibitor. Interestingly, subsequent mechanistic analyses indicated that further suppressing EGFR and BRD4 expression was instrumental to this functional synergism. Moreover, we found that upregulating EGFR expression by EGF stimulation protected cells treated with JQ1 from apoptosis, while knockdown of EGFR before addition of JQ1 successfully mimicked the combination treatment results. In summary, our findings revealed that JQ1 can act by inhibiting the EGFR‐mediated signaling pathway, and EGFR expression influences the sensitivity of OSCC to JQ1. Regarding clinical use, this study demonstrates that BRD4 is a novel therapeutic target and EGFR can be used as a biomarker to identify the most appropriate anti‐BRD4 treatment strategy in OSCC.
The role of hypoxia‐inducible factor‐2 alpha in angiogenesis
Authors: Befani Christina , Liakos Panagiotis 
Published: July 2018

Angiogenesis is a key enabling feature of mammalian embryonic development and tumor progression, which provides oxygen and nutrients that are required for vessel growth and tumor cell growth, respectively. Hypoxia is a driver of this phenomenon and is considered to be one of the most potent initiators of angiogenesis both in vitro and in vivo through stabilization of the transcription factors, hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1 and ‐2 (HIF‐1 and HIF‐2). Although these proteins are highly homologous, emerging evidence suggests that they have unique transcriptional targets and differential impact on angiogenesis. Although HIF‐1α is the best known and widely described isoform, recent studies suggest that HIF‐2α is a critical regulator of physiological and pathophysiological angiogenesis and, at least, the similiarly important as HIF‐1α. Indeed, HIF‐2α has been shown to regulate multiple aspects of angiogenesis, including cell proliferation, migration, maturation of blood vessels, and metastasis. In this review, we focus on recent insights into HIF‐2α expression, activation, and function under hypoxic and nonhypoxic conditions. We also summarize the current knowledge on the crosstalk between HIF‐2 and angiogenesis, describing reported phenotypical changes of HIF‐2α genetic models and HIF‐2 target genes implicated in angiogenesis. Finally, we provide a survey of recent pharmacologic strategies to specifically target HIF‐2 activity.
Study on the mechanism behind lncRNA MEG3 affecting clear cell renal cell carcinoma by regulating miR‐7/RASL11B signaling
Authors: He Hongchao , Dai Jun , Zhuo Ran , Zhao Juping , Wang Haofei , Sun Fukang , Zhu Yu , Xu Danfeng 
Published: July 2018

The goal of this research was to study the relationships between maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3), microRNA‐7 (miR‐7), and RASL11B, and explore their influence on the progression of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC). Microarray analysis was conducted using the data provided by The Cancer Genome Atlas. The expression levels of MEG3 and miR‐7 in CCRCC and adjacent tissue samples were ascertained by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). The cell proliferation activity was unmasked by 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, and cell apoptosis and cell cycle were investigated by flow cytometry. A dual luciferase reporter assay was used to verify target relationships. Wound healing assay and transwell assay were used to detect cell migration and invasion ability. Decreased MEG3 expression was observed in CCRCC tissues and cells. Overexpression of MEG3 accelerated apoptosis; inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion; and induced G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest in CCRCC. MiR‐7, directly binding to MEG3, was overexpressed in the CCRCC tissues and could inhibit the apoptosis and promote the migration and invasion of CCRCC cells. RASL11B, lowly expressed in CCRCC, was a target of miR‐7. After the overexpression of RASL11B, G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest was induced; cell apoptosis was promoted; and the proliferation, invasion, and migration of CCRCC cells were inhibited. MEG3 could up‐regulate RASL11B to inhibit the cell proliferation, invasion, and migration; induce G0/G1 cell cycle arrest; and promote cell apoptosis by suppressing miR‐7 in CCRCC.
Capacity value of wind power using kd tree and nearest neighbor search algorithm
Authors: Nayak Ashwini K. , Mohanty Kanungo B. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractElectrical power demand is increasing cumulatively with the increase in population. Economic and environmental impacts restrict the expansion of conventional generation but prompting for intermittent wind sources due to its economic and environmental benefits. But the average capacity value of the wind power is not the same as that of the same rated conventional generation due to its intermittent nature and wind speed dependence. Several definitions of capacity value of wind power are proposed on the basis of reliability evaluation of the system. The estimation of capacity value is not easy as at hourly step wind speed is changing so the power. Therefore, a new procedure is developed here to accumulate all the information like the sequential value of wind power, their reliability indices, and the corresponding capacity values using the capacity value definitions in a single database. To search the capacity value of the wind power, the database is represented in a multidimensional k‐dimensional tree and nearest neighbor search algorithm is implemented. A case study is considered to validate the proposed methodology.
Reconstruction of cranioplasty using the thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) flap: A case series
Authors: Scaglioni Mario F. , Giunta Gabriele 
Published: July 2018

BackgroundComplex defects resulting in ablation of the scalp, the calvaria, the dura, and the underlying brain are still challenging. These defects require cranioplasty to restore the bone cosmetic and functional roles and free‐flap soft tissue reconstruction to prevent cranioplasty exposure and further infection. Different materials have been used in cranioplasty, while different free flaps have been proposed in those cases. In this article, we present a case series of cranioplasty reconstruction with thoracodorsal artery perforator flap (TDAP).Patients and MethodsFrom April 2016 to January 2018, 5 patients underwent cranioplasty reconstruction using alloplastics and TDAP flap. Two patients underwent primary cranioplasty and 3 patients underwent secondary cranioplasty. The superficial temporal vessels were always dissected as recipient vessels.ResultsThe flap sizes range from 40 to 80 cm2 (mean 57 cm2) and the maximum pedicle length was 12 cm (mean 10 cm). All the donor sites were closed primary with minimal morbidity. No postoperative complications were experienced. All the flaps provided stable coverage with an acceptable color match. The mean follow‐up time was 4 months.ConclusionsOur data suggest that the TDAP may be employed in postcranioplasty reconstruction. The TDAP has more advantages compared to other flaps used in alloplastic reconstruction: a broad large surface, a long pedicle, and a thinner thickness.
Small Organic Azides as High Energy Materials: Perazidoacetylene, ‐ethylene, and ‐allene
Authors: Martin William R. , Ball David W. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractCompounds containing the azide group are already being used as primary explosives or energetic polymers/plasticizers. Here we present a short survey of the energy content of three small organic molecules that have been fully derivatized by N3 groups. Calculated thermodynamic and molecular properties indicate that their specific enthalpies of decomposition and combustion are in the range of those for current high energy‐density materials.
2.45 GHz microwave radiation induced oxidative and nitrosative stress mediated testicular apoptosis: Involvement of a p53 dependent bax‐caspase‐3 mediated pathway
Authors: Shahin Saba , Singh Surya Pal , Chaturvedi Chandra Mohini 
Published: July 2018

AbstractDeleterious effects of MW radiation on the male reproduction are well studied. Previous reports although suggest that 2.45 GHz MW irradiation induced oxidative and nitrosative stress adversely affects the male reproductive function but the detailed molecular mechanism occurring behind it has yet to be elucidated. The aim of present study was to investigate the underlying detailed pathway of the testicular apoptosis induced by free radical load and redox imbalance due to 2.45 GHz MW radiation exposure and the degree of severity along with the increased exposure duration. Twelve‐week old male mice were exposed to 2.45 GHz MW radiation [continuous‐wave (CW) with overall average Power density of 0.0248 mW/cm2and overall average whole body SAR value of 0.0146 W/kg] for 2 hr/day over a period of 15, 30, and 60 days. Testicular histology, serum testosterone, ROS, NO, MDA level, activity of antioxidant enzymes, expression of pro‐apoptotic proteins (p53 and Bax), anti‐apoptotic proteins (Bcl‐2 and Bcl‐xL), cytochrome‐c, inactive/active caspase‐3, and uncleaved PARP‐1 were evaluated. Findings suggest that 2.45 GHz MW radiation exposure induced testicular redox imbalance not only leads to enhanced testicular apoptosis via p53 dependent Bax‐caspase‐3 mediated pathway, but also increases the degree of apoptotic severity in a duration dependent manner.
A simple worldsheet black hole
Authors: Dubovsky Sergei 
Published: July 2018

AbstractWe study worldsheet theory of confining strings in two-dimensional massive adjoint QCD. Similarly to confining strings in higher dimensions this theory exhibits a non-trivialS-matrix surviving even in the strict planar limit. In the process of two-particle scattering a zigzag is formed on the worldsheet. It leads to an interesting non-locality and exhibits some properties of a quantum black hole. Ordinarily, identical quantum particles do not carry identity. On the worldsheet they acquire off-shell identity due to strings attached. Identity implies complementarity. We discuss similarities and differences of the worldsheet scattering with the$$ T\overline{T} $$TT¯deformation. We also propose a promising candidate for a supersymmetric model with integrable confining strings.
AN EXTREME-VALUE THEORY APPROXIMATION SCHEME IN REINSURANCE AND INSURANCE-LINKED SECURITIES
Authors: Aviv Rom 
Published: July 2018

AbstractWe establish a “top-down” approximation scheme to approximate loss distributions of reinsurance products and Insurance-Linked Securities based on three input parameters, namely the Attachment Probability, Expected Loss and Exhaustion Probability. Our method is rigorously derived by utilizing a classical result from Extreme-Value Theory, the Pickands–Balkema–de Haan theorem. The robustness of the scheme is demonstrated by proving sharp error-bounds for the approximated curves with respect to the supremum and L2 norms. The practical implications of our findings are examined by applying it to Industry Loss Warranties: the method performs very accurately for each transaction. Our approach can be used in a variety of applications such as vendor model blending, portfolio optimization and premium calculation.
Prodigality, Avarice and Anger
Authors: Fontaine Laurence 
Published: July 2018

AbstractIn a status society, such as early modern Europe, the development of the market economy threatened social hierarchies. At a time when religion was the source of power, priests and warriors strove to protect themselves from what was a foreseeable attack going to the very root of their domination, which was jeopardized by the potentialities of the capitalist economy. They therefore developed religious, legal and moral tools to counter capital accumulation and interest-bearing loans in order to break the motor of capitalism. Avarice, one of the Seven Deadly Sins, and usury, which was punished by excommunication, were the moral weapons used to exclude those from the community who hoarded money or who charged, however little, interest on loans. But whereas greed, the disease of market exchange, was considered one of the Seven Deadly Sins, prodigality, which lies at the heart of aristocratic exchange, was considered one of the Seven Heavenly Virtues. Contemporary theatre, with its misers and spendthrifts, is a perfect place to hear echoes of the struggles between the antagonistic values in society, and to follow the way in which individuals reacted to the conflicts that these struggles provoked.The essay is based on literary works reflecting behaviors that could also be echoed in judicial archives and in texts from writers of the time. It analyses plays from Shakespeare (Timon of Athens, The Merchant of Venice), Ben Jonson (Volpone) and Molière (The Miser).
The Persistence of Pardons and the End of Attainder
Authors: Norton Matthew 
Published: July 2018

AbstractPardons are a well-known form of lawful but extrajudicial power over criminal classifications. They are still in regular use in rule of law regimes around the world. Attainder is the less well-known power to condemn via a legislative rather than a judicial act. Despite their structural similarities, pardon and attainder have exhibited divergent trajectories. One is ubiquitous, the other extinct. Focusing on the divergent trajectories of pardon and attainder during the framing of the U.S. Constitution and thereafter, the article advances an explanation for these phenomena based on asymmetries in the relational facts linking pardon and attainder to other thick moral constructs that constituted the moral system of the framers and their successors. Those facts mattered in their own right, but it was in light of the matrix of founding era moral interpretations that the framers grasped and institutionalized their significance.
Quantifier Variance Dissolved
Authors: Finn Suki , Bueno Otávio 
Published: July 2018

AbstractQuantifier variance faces a number of difficulties. In this paper we first formulate the view as holding that the meanings of the quantifiers may vary, and that languages using different quantifiers may be charitably translated into each other. We then object to the view on the basis of four claims: (i) quantifiers cannot vary their meaning extensionally by changing the domain of quantification; (ii) quantifiers cannot vary their meaning intensionally without collapsing into logical pluralism; (iii) quantifier variance is not an ontological doctrine; (iv) quantifier variance is not compatible with charitable translation and as such is internally inconsistent. In light of these troubles, we recommend the dissolution of quantifier variance and suggest that the view be laid to rest.