bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A State of Underdevelopment: Sovereignty, Nation-Building and Labor in Liberia 1898–1961
Authors: Whyte Christine 
Published: November 2017

AbstractIn the nineteenth and early twentieth century, Liberia was in the unusual position of being a colony with no metropole. Without military or financial support, the settlers’ control over their territory remained weak. Surrounding European empires preyed on this weakness, and Americo-Liberian rule was often at risk from coalitions of European forces and indigenous African resistance. From the early twentieth century, the political elite took on the concept of “development” as a central part of government policy in an attempt to gain political and economic control of the hinterland areas and stave off European incursions. This policy involved the extension and reinforcement of labor policies and practices that had developed through the nineteenth century as means to incorporate settlers and indigenous people into Liberian society. When these plans failed, huge swathes of territory were turned over to foreign commercial interests in an attempt to bolster Liberian claims to sovereignty. And after the Second World War, new policies of “community development” introduced by international agencies again tried to solve Liberia's “land and labor” problem through resettlement. At each stage developmentalist rationales were deployed in order to facilitate greater government control over the Liberian interior territory.
Design and implementation of a variable stiffness actuator based on flexible gear rack mechanism
Authors: Wang Wei , Fu Xiaoyue , Li Yangmin , Yun Chao 
Published: November 2017

SUMMARYVariable stiffness can improve the capability of human–robot interacting. Based on the mechanism of a flexible rack and gear, a rotational joint actuator named vsaFGR is proposed to regulate the joint stiffness. The flexible gear rack can be regarded as a combination of a non-linear elastic element and a linear adjusting mechanism, providing benefits of compactness. The joint stiffness is in the range of 217–3527 N.m/rad, and it is inversely proportional to the 4th-order of the gear displacement, and nearly independent from the joint angular deflection, providing benefits of quick stiffness regulation in a short displacement of 20 mm. The gear displacement with respect to the flexible gear rack is perpendicular to the joint loading force, so the power required for stiffness regulating is as low as 14.4 W, providing benefits of energy saving. The working principles of vsaFGR are elaborated, followed by presentation on the mechanics model and the prototype. The high compactness, great stiffness range and low power cost of vsaFGR are proved by simulations and experiments.
MODEL-BASED COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF CONVENTIONAL AND INNOVATIVE CHEMO-RADIATION IN LUNG CANCER
Authors: Bongers Mathilda L. , de Ruysscher Dirk , Oberije Cary , Lambin Philippe , Uyl-de Groot Carin A. , Belderbos José , Coupé Veerle M.H. 
Published: November 2017

Introduction:Optimizing radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy through advanced imaging and accelerated radiation schemes shows promising results in locally advanced non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study compared the cost-effectiveness of positron emission tomography-computed tomography based isotoxic accelerated sequential chemo-radiation (SRT2) and concurrent chemo-radiation with daily low-dose cisplatin (CRT2) with standard sequential (SRT1) and concurrent chemo-radiation (CRT1).Methods:We used an externally validated mathematical model to simulate the four treatment strategies. The model was built using data from 200 NSCLC patients treated with curative sequential chemo-radiation. For concurrent strategies, data from a meta-analysis and a single study were included in the model. Costs, utilities, and resource use estimates were obtained from literature. Primary outcomes were the incremental cost-effectiveness and cost-utility ratio (ICUR) of each strategy. Scenario analyses were carried out to investigate the impact of uncertainty.Results:Total undiscounted costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) for SRT1, CRT1, SRT2, and CRT2 were EUR 17,288, EUR 18,756, EUR 19,072, EUR 17,360 and QALYs 1.10, 1.15, 1.40, and 1.40, respectively. Compared with SRT1, the ICURs were EUR 38,024/QALY for CRT1, EUR 6,249/QALY for SRT2, and EUR 346/QALY for CRT2. CRT2 was highly cost-effective compared with SRT1. Moreover, CRT2 was more effective and less costly than CRT1 and SRT2. Therefore, these strategies were dominated by CRT2.Conclusion:Optimized sequential and concurrent chemo-radiation strategies are more effective and cost-effective than the current conventional sequential and concurrent strategies. Concurrent chemo-radiation with a daily low dose cisplatin regimen is the most cost-effective treatment option for locally advanced inoperable NSCLC patients.
EVALUATION OF PATIENT AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT INITIATIVES IN HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT: A SURVEY OF INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES
Authors: Weeks Laura , Polisena Julie , Scott Anna Mae , Holtorf Anke-Peggy , Staniszewska Sophie , Facey Karen 
Published: November 2017

Objectives:Although there is increased awareness of patient and public involvement (PPI) among health technology assessment (HTA) organizations, evaluations of PPI initiatives are relatively scarce. Our objective as members of Health Technology Assessment International's (HTAi's) Patient and Citizen Involvement Group (PCIG) was to advance understanding of the range of evaluation strategies adopted by HTA organizations and their potential usefulness.Methods:In March 2016, a survey was sent to fifty-four HTA organizations through the International Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment (INAHTA) and contacts of members of HTAi's PCIG. Respondents were asked about their organizational structure; how patients and members of the public are involved; whether and how PPI initiatives have been evaluated, and, if so, which facilitators and challenges to evaluation were found and how results were used and disseminated.Results:Fifteen (n= 15) programs from twelve countries responded (response rate 27.8 percent) that involved patients (14/15) and members of the public (10/15) in HTA activities. Seven programs evaluated their PPI activities, including participant satisfaction (5/7), process (5/7) and impact evaluations (4/7). Evaluation results were used to improve PPI activities, identify education and training needs, and direct strategic priorities. Facilitators and challenges revolved around the need for stakeholder buy-in, sufficient resources, senior leadership, and including patients in evaluations.Conclusions:A small but diverse set of HTA organizations evaluate their PPI activities using a range of strategies that reflect the range of rationales and approaches to PPI in HTA. It will be important for HTA organizations to draw on evaluation theories and methods.
Distributional learning aids linguistic category formation in school-age children
Authors: HALL Jessica , OWEN VAN HORNE Amanda , FARMER Thomas 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe goal of this study was to determine if typically developing children could form grammatical categories from distributional information alone. Twenty-seven children aged six to nine listened to an artificial grammar which contained strategic gaps in its distribution. At test, we compared how children rated novel sentences that fit the grammar to sentences that were ungrammatical. Sentences could be distinguished only through the formation of categories of words with shared distributional properties. Children's ratings revealed that they could discriminate grammatical and ungrammatical sentences. These data lend support to the hypothesis that distributional learning is a potential mechanism for learning grammatical categories in a first language.
A note on the polynomial Freĭman–Ruzsa conjecture over ℤ
Authors: MANNERS FREDDIE 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe polynomial Freĭman–Ruzsa conjecture over the integers is often phrased in terms of convex progressions. We give an alternative, apparently stronger formulation in terms of the more restrictive “ellipsoid progressions”, and show that these formulations are in fact equivalent. The key input to the equivalence proof comes from strong results in asymptotic convex geometry.
Sustainability impact assessments of different urban short food supply chains: examples from London, UK
Authors: Schmutz Ulrich , Kneafsey Moya , Sarrouy Kay Carla , Doernberg Alexandra , Zasada Ingo 
Published: November 2017

AbstractGreater London has a vibrant food scene comprising of many different types of urban and peri-urban ‘short food supply chains’ (SFSCs). This paper reports on exploratory research, which used examples of SFSCs from London to build a more detailed understanding of different types of urban SFSC and their relative performance compared to each other. To do this, we undertook a participatory sustainability impact assessment (SIA) in which local food system stakeholders were asked to rank the perceived impacts of five different urban and peri-urban SFSCs compared with the current ‘mainstream’ food supply system (defined as supermarkets retailing mass-produced, standardized food products). The SFSCs ranked were: (1) urban gardening (self-supply), (2) urban gardening (commercial), (3) community supported agriculture (CSA), (4) direct sale (on-farm) and (5) direct sale (off-farm). Results from the SIA showed that CSAs were regarded as delivering the highest overall social, economic and environmental benefits, followed by urban gardening (commercial), urban gardening (self-supply) and direct sales (off-farm). The lowest overall rating was for the supply chain direct sales (on-farm). All five SFSCs were ranked highest on the social aspects of sustainability. Following the participatory SIA of perceived sustainability, we next developed a questionnaire in order to test the feasibility of measuring the specific (rather than ‘perceived’) impacts of an urban SFSC. We applied the test at a community-led local food market in South London, where we conducted face-to-face interviews with all market stallholders (18 respondents) and a random sample of consumers (51 respondents). Results from the community-led market were similar to those acquired at the SIA workshop, with greater agreement about the social benefits of the market, compared with economic and environmental impacts. The results also suggest that producers underestimated consumers’ willingness to share the risks that the producers face and we identify this as an important aspect for future research. The paper concludes with reflections on the strengths and weaknesses of the SIA methodology.
Tackling IUU Fishing: Developing a Holistic Legal Response
Authors: Soyer Barış , Leloudas George , Miller Dana 
Published: November 2017

AbstractIllegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing is a global problem, which threatens marine ecosystems in addition to putting food security and regional stability at risk. It is often linked to major human rights violations and even organized crime. Legal measures, such as introducing monitoring and surveillance systems or denying services to vessels engaged in IUU fishing, are often implemented at national and international levels to combat such practices. Academics and economists have suggested that IUU fishing might be discouraged equally well by taking the profit out of it. Building on this premise, this article analyzes the extent to which the availability of liability insurance contributes to the problem of IUU fishing. To this end, an empirical study has been carried out, which supports the contention that vessels suspected of involvement in IUU fishing have no serious difficulty in obtaining liability insurance from the market and insurance sector, thereby inadvertently facilitating IUU fishing. The authors conclude that to deter IUU fishing, access to insurance for those involved in it should be restricted. Some success can be achieved if certain steps are taken to improve the risk assessment procedures of underwriters. However, it is advocated that the most effective approach would be the reform of European Union or domestic legislation and putting providers of liability insurance under a clear positive obligation to refuse cover to those involved in IUU fishing.
Effect of Tillage Systems on the Dissipation of Prosulfocarb Herbicide
Authors: Scherner Ananda , Schreiber Fabio , Fomsgaard Inge S. , Melander Bo , Avila Luis A. , Kudsk Per 
Published: November 2017

AbstractCrop management practices such as tillage can influence the dissipation of herbicides in soil. This study aimed to determine the effects of tillage systems on soil dissipation of prosulfocarb (PSC) using two assessment methods: bioassay and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. PSC was applied on plots cultivated under three tillage systems (moldboard plowing, tine tillage at 8- to 10-cm soil depth, and direct drilling) at different rates (0, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 4,000 and 8,000 g ai ha−1) and two spraying times, representing early and late sowing time of winter cereals in Denmark. The experiment was conducted over 2 yr. The soil was analyzed for PSC residues by HPLC and a bioassay, using silky windgrass as the indicator plant. Neither technique revealed an effect of tillage systems on PSC dissipation, but the LD50values estimated based on the bioassays were generally lower under direct drilling (11.7 d) than with plowing (17.5 d). Moreover, LD50estimates based on bioassay results were generally lower than those estimated with HPLC analyses. Half-life values estimated with HPLC were low and not within the range of values reported in the literature (ca. 20 d), suggesting enhanced degradation of PSC. In addition to influencing the performance of PSC against problematic weed species, an enhanced dissipation rate could also hamper the benefits of PSC in an antiresistance strategy.
UAV Low-Altitude Remote Sensing for Precision Weed Management
Authors: Huang Yanbo , Reddy Krishna N. , Fletcher Reginald S. , Pennington Dean 
Published: November 2017

AbstractPrecision weed management, an application of precision agriculture, accounts for within-field variability of weed infestation and herbicide damage. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) provide a unique platform for remote sensing of field crops. They are more efficient and flexible than manned agricultural airplanes in acquiring high-resolution images at low altitudes and low speeds. UAVs are more universal than agricultural aircraft, because the latter are used only in specific regions. We have developed and used UAV systems for red–green–blue digital and color–infrared imaging over crop fields to identify weed species, determine crop injury from dicamba at different doses, and detect naturally grown glyphosate-resistant weeds. This article presents remote sensing technologies for weed management and focuses on development and application of UAV-based low-altitude remote sensing technology for precision weed management. In particular, this article futher discusses the potential application of UAV-based plant-sensing systems for mapping the distributions of glyphosate-resistant and glyphosate-susceptible weeds in crop fields.
Just Don’t Call it a Tax! Framing in an Experiment on Voting and Redistribution
Authors: Lorenz Jan , Paetzel Fabian , Tepe Markus 
Published: November 2017

AbstractUtilizing a simplified version of the Meltzer–Richard redistribution mechanism, we designed a laboratory experiment to test whether it matters if voters were asked to decide on a tax rate or a minimum income, leaving the redistribution mechanism itself unchanged. Framing the vote about redistribution as a decision about a minimal income increases the individually and ideally preferred level of redistribution. This effect outlives the groups’ deliberation processes and leads to the implementation of a higher level of redistribution.
Status Quo Bias in Ballot Wording
Authors: Barber Michael , Gordon David , Hill Ryan , Price Joseph 
Published: November 2017

AbstractWe examine the role of status quo bias in the ballot wording of social issues that affect the rights of minority groups. We test the salience of this framing bias by conducting an experiment that randomly assigns different ballot wordings for five policies across survey respondents. We find that status quo bias changes the percent of individuals who vote for the ballot measure by 5–8 percentage points with the least informed individuals being the most affected by status quo bias.
Fbxo4-mediated degradation of Fxr1 suppresses tumorigenesis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Qie Shuo , Majumder Mrinmoyee , Mackiewicz Katarzyna , Howley Breege V. , Peterson Yuri K. , Howe Philip H. , Palanisamy Viswanathan , Diehl J. Alan 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe Fbxo4 tumour suppressor is a component of an Skp1-Cul1-F-box E3 ligase for which two substrates are known. Here we show purification of SCFFbxo4 complexes results in the identification of fragile X protein family (FMRP, Fxr1 and Fxr2) as binding partners. Biochemical and functional analyses reveal that Fxr1 is a direct substrate of SCFFbxo4. Consistent with a substrate relationship, Fxr1 is overexpressed in Fbxo4 knockout cells, tissues and in human cancer cells, harbouring inactivating Fbxo4 mutations. Critically, in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, Fxr1 overexpression correlates with reduced Fbxo4 levels in the absence of mutations or loss of mRNA, suggesting the potential for feedback regulation. Direct analysis reveals that Fbxo4 translation is attenuated by Fxr1, indicating the existence of a feedback loop that contributes to Fxr1 overexpression and the loss of Fbxo4. Ultimately, the consequence of Fxr1 overexpression is the bypass of senescence and neoplastic progression.
Genome-driven evolutionary game theory helps understand the rise of metabolic interdependencies in microbial communities
Authors: Zomorrodi Ali R. , Segrè Daniel 
Published: November 2017

AbstractMetabolite exchanges in microbial communities give rise to ecological interactions that govern ecosystem diversity and stability. It is unclear, however, how the rise of these interactions varies across metabolites and organisms. Here we address this question by integrating genome-scale models of metabolism with evolutionary game theory. Specifically, we use microbial fitness values estimated by metabolic models to infer evolutionarily stable interactions in multi-species microbial “games”. We first validate our approach using a well-characterized yeast cheater-cooperator system. We next perform over 80,000 in silico experiments to infer how metabolic interdependencies mediated by amino acid leakage in Escherichia coli vary across 189 amino acid pairs. While most pairs display shared patterns of inter-species interactions, multiple deviations are caused by pleiotropy and epistasis in metabolism. Furthermore, simulated invasion experiments reveal possible paths to obligate cross-feeding. Our study provides genomically driven insight into the rise of ecological interactions, with implications for microbiome research and synthetic ecology.
Excavating hidden adsorption sites in metal-organic frameworks using rational defect engineering
Authors: Chong Sanggyu , Thiele Günther , Kim Jihan 
Published: November 2017

AbstractMetal–organic frameworks are known to contain defects within their crystalline structures. Successful engineering of these defects can lead to modifications in material properties that can potentially improve the performance of many existing frameworks. Herein, we report the high-throughput computational screening of a large experimental metal–organic framework database to identify 13 frameworks that show significantly improved methane storage capacities with linker vacancy defects. The candidates are first identified by focusing on structures with methane-inaccessible pores blocked away from the main adsorption channels. Then, organic linkers of the candidate structures are judiciously replaced with appropriate modulators to emulate the presence of linker vacancies, resulting in the integration and utilization of the previously inaccessible pores. Grand canonical Monte Carlo simulations of defective candidate frameworks show significant enhancements in methane storage capacities, highlighting that rational defect engineering can be an effective method to significantly improve the performance of the existing metal–organic frameworks.
Drip tectonics and the enigmatic uplift of the Central Anatolian Plateau
Authors: Göğüş Oğuz H. , Pysklywec Russell N. , Şengör A. M. C. , Gün Erkan 
Published: November 2017

AbstractLithospheric drips have been interpreted for various regions around the globe to account for the recycling of the continental lithosphere and rapid plateau uplift. However, the validity of such hypothesis is not well documented in the context of geological, geophysical and petrological observations that are tested against geodynamical models. Here we propose that the folding of the Central Anatolian (Kırşehir) arc led to thickening of the lithosphere and onset of “dripping” of the arc root. Our geodynamic model explains the seismic data showing missing lithosphere and a remnant structure characteristic of a dripping arc root, as well as enigmatic >1 km uplift over the entire plateau, Cappadocia and Galatia volcanism at the southern and northern plateau margins since ~10 Ma, respectively. Models show that arc root removal yields initial surface subsidence that inverts >1 km of uplift as the vertical loading and crustal deformation change during drip evolution.
Backward Cherenkov radiation emitted by polariton solitons in a microcavity wire
Authors: Skryabin D. V. , Kartashov Y. V. , Egorov O. A. , Sich M. , Chana J. K. , Tapia Rodriguez L. E. , Walker P. M. , Clarke E. , Royall B. , Skolnick M. S. , Krizhanovskii D. N. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractExciton-polaritons in semiconductor microcavities form a highly nonlinear platform to study a variety of effects interfacing optical, condensed matter, quantum and statistical physics. We show that the complex polariton patterns generated by picosecond pulses in microcavity wire waveguides can be understood as the Cherenkov radiation emitted by bright polariton solitons, which is enabled by the unique microcavity polariton dispersion, which has momentum intervals with positive and negative group velocities. Unlike in optical fibres and semiconductor waveguides, we observe that the microcavity wire Cherenkov radiation is predominantly emitted with negative group velocity and therefore propagates backwards relative to the propagation direction of the emitting soliton. We have developed a theory of the microcavity wire polariton solitons and of their Cherenkov radiation and conducted a series of experiments, where we have measured polariton-soliton pulse compression, pulse breaking and emission of the backward Cherenkov radiation.