bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Estimating the palliative effect of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in an observational registry using principal stratification and generalized propensity scores
Authors: Mishra-Kalyani Pallavi S. , Johnson Brent A. , Glass Jonathan D. , Long Qi 
Published: September 2016

AbstractClinical disease registries offer a rich collection of valuable patient information but also pose challenges that require special care and attention in statistical analyses. The goal of this paper is to propose a statistical framework that allows for estimating the effect of surgical insertion of a percutaneous endogastrostomy (PEG) tube for patients living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) using data from a clinical registry. Although all ALS patients are informed about PEG, only some patients agree to the procedure which, leads to the potential for selection bias. Assessing the effect of PEG is further complicated by the aggressively fatal disease, such that time to death competes directly with both the opportunity to receive PEG and clinical outcome measurements. Our proposed methodology handles the “censoring by death” phenomenon through principal stratification and selection bias for PEG treatment through generalized propensity scores. We develop a fully Bayesian modeling approach to estimate the survivor average causal effect (SACE) of PEG on BMI, a surrogate outcome measure of nutrition and quality of life. The use of propensity score methods within the principal stratification framework demonstrates a significant and positive effect of PEG treatment, particularly when time of treatment is included in the treatment definition.
Hierarchical nanoporosity enhanced reversible capacity of bicontinuous nanoporous metal based Li-O2 battery
Authors: Guo Xianwei , Han Jiuhui , Liu Pan , Chen Luyang , Ito Yoshikazu , Jian Zelang , Jin Tienan , Hirata Akihiko , Li Fujun , Fujita Takeshi , Asao Naoki , Zhou Haoshen , Chen Mingwei 
Published: September 2016

AbstractHigh-energy-density rechargeable Li-O2 batteries are one of few candidates that can meet the demands of electric drive vehicles and other high-energy applications because of the ultra-high theoretical specific energy. However, the practical realization of the high rechargeable capacity is usually limited by the conflicted requirements for porous cathodes in high porosity to store the solid reaction products Li2O2 and large accessible surface area for easy formation and decomposition of Li2O2. Here we designed a hierarchical and bicontinuous nanoporous structure by introducing secondary nanopores into the ligaments of coarsened nanoporous gold by two-step dealloying. The hierarchical and bicontinuous nanoporous gold cathode provides high porosity, large accessible surface area and sufficient mass transport path for high capacity and long cycling lifetime of Li-O2 batteries.
Single-Molecule Imaging Reveals the Activation Dynamics of Intracellular Protein Smad3 on Cell Membrane
Authors: Li Nan , Yang Yong , He Kangmin , Zhang Fayun , Zhao Libo , Zhou Wei , Yuan Jinghe , Liang Wei , Fang Xiaohong 
Published: September 2016

AbstractSmad3 is an intracellular protein that plays a key role in propagating transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signals from cell membrane to nucleus. However whether the transient process of Smad3 activation occurs on cell membrane and how it is regulated remains elusive. Using advanced live-cell single-molecule fluorescence microscopy to image and track fluorescent protein-labeled Smad3, we observed and quantified, for the first time, the dynamics of individual Smad3 molecules docking to and activation on the cell membrane. It was found that Smad3 docked to cell membrane in both unstimulated and stimulated cells, but with different diffusion rates and dissociation kinetics. The change in its membrane docking dynamics can be used to study the activation of Smad3. Our results reveal that Smad3 binds with type I TGF-β receptor (TRI) even in unstimulated cells. Its activation is regulated by TRI phosphorylation but independent of receptor endocytosis. This study offers new information on TGF-β/Smad signaling, as well as a new approach to investigate the activation of intracellular signaling proteins for a better understanding of their functions in signal transduction.
In Situ Nanopressing: A General Approach to Robust Nanoparticles-Polymer Surface Structures
Authors: Zhang Xiaojie , He Junhui , Jin Binbin 
Published: September 2016

AbstractWe report a novel, facile and general approach, in situ nanopressing, to integrate nanoparticles and polymers in a thin film configuration, where both nanoparticles exposure and film robustness are indispensable for applications. By simply pressing silica nanoparticles into a polymer thin film under an external force, we successfully attained a nanoparticles-polymer thin film, where the silica nanoparticles were partly embedded in the polymer thin film. The outstanding characteristic of easy-to-fabricate nanoparticles-polymer thin films combined the properties of both materials, giving excellent antireflective and antifogging properties, as well as enhanced the robustness of composite thin film. This in situ nanopressing may not only provide an alternative to meet the challenge of constructing mechanically robust nanoparticles-polymer thin films that require nanoparticles on the film surface, but also enrich the methodology to integrate nanoparticles and polymers.
Synchrotron microbeam irradiation induces neutrophil infiltration, thrombocyte attachment and selective vascular damage in vivo
Authors: Brönnimann Daniel , Bouchet Audrey , Schneider Christoph , Potez Marine , Serduc Raphaël , Bräuer-Krisch Elke , Graber Werner , von Gunten Stephan , Laissue Jean Albert , Djonov Valentin 
Published: September 2016

AbstractOur goal was the visualizing the vascular damage and acute inflammatory response to micro- and minibeam irradiation in vivo. Microbeam (MRT) and minibeam radiation therapies (MBRT) are tumor treatment approaches of potential clinical relevance, both consisting of parallel X-ray beams and allowing the delivery of thousands of Grays within tumors. We compared the effects of microbeams (25–100 μm wide) and minibeams (200–800 μm wide) on vasculature, inflammation and surrounding tissue changes during zebrafish caudal fin regeneration in vivo. Microbeam irradiation triggered an acute inflammatory response restricted to the regenerating tissue. Six hours post irradiation (6 hpi), it was infiltrated by neutrophils and fli1a+ thrombocytes adhered to the cell wall locally in the beam path. The mature tissue was not affected by microbeam irradiation. In contrast, minibeam irradiation efficiently damaged the immature tissue at 6 hpi and damaged both the mature and immature tissue at 48 hpi. We demonstrate that vascular damage, inflammatory processes and cellular toxicity depend on the beam width and the stage of tissue maturation. Minibeam irradiation did not differentiate between mature and immature tissue. In contrast, all irradiation-induced effects of the microbeams were restricted to the rapidly growing immature tissue, indicating that microbeam irradiation could be a promising tumor treatment tool.
High Cycle-life Shape Memory Polymer at High Temperature
Authors: Kong Deyan , Xiao Xinli 
Published: September 2016

AbstractHigh cycle-life is important for shape memory materials exposed to numerous cycles, and here we report shape memory polyimide that maintained both high shape fixity (Rf) and shape recovery (Rr) during the more than 1000 bending cycles tested. Its critical stress is 2.78 MPa at 250 °C, and the shape recovery process can produce stored energy of 0.218 J g−1 at the efficiency of 31.3%. Its high Rf is determined by the large difference in storage modulus at rubbery and glassy states, while the high Rr mainly originates from its permanent phase composed of strong π-π interactions and massive chain entanglements. Both difference in storage modulus and overall permanent phase were preserved during the bending deformation cycles, and thus high Rf and Rr were observed in every cycle and the high cycle-life will expand application areas of SMPs enormously.
Improving methane production in cow dung and corn straw co-fermentation systems via enhanced degradation of cellulose by cabbage addition
Authors: Wu Wenyang , Chen Yong , Faisal Shah , Khan Aman , Chen Zhengjun , Ling Zhenmin , Liu Pu , Li Xiangkai 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe effects of cabbage waste (CW) addition on methane production in cow dung and corn straw co-fermentation systems were investigated. Four experimental groups, each containing 55 g of substrate, were set up as follows: 100% cow dung (C); 36% cabbage and 64% cow dung (CC); 36% straw and 64% cow dung (SC); and 18% cabbage, 18% straw, and 64% cow dung (CSC). After seven days of fermentation, the maximum methane yield was 134 mL in the CSC group, which was 2.81-fold, 1.78-fold, and 1340-fold higher than that obtained in the CC, SC, and C groups, respectively. CW treatment of the CSC group enhanced cellulase activity and enriched culturable cellulose-degrading bacterial strains. Miseq sequencing data revealed that the predominant phylum in the CSC group was Bacteroidetes, which contains most of the cellulose-degrading bacteria. Our results suggested that CW treatment elevated cellulose degradation and promoted methane production.
Hidden electronic rule in the “cluster-plus-glue-atom” model
Authors: Du Jinglian , Dong Chuang , Melnik Roderick , Kawazoe Yoshiyuki , Wen Bin 
Published: September 2016

AbstractElectrons and their interactions are intrinsic factors to affect the structure and properties of materials. Based on the “cluster-cluster-plus-glue-atom” model, an electron counting rule for complex metallic alloys (CMAs) has been revealed in this work (i. e. the CPGAMEC rule). Our results on the cluster structure and electron concentration of CMAs with apparent cluster features, indicate that the valence electrons’ number per unit cluster formula for these CMAs are specific constants of eight-multiples and twelve-multiples. It is thus termed as specific electrons cluster formula. This CPGAMEC rule has been demonstrated as a useful guidance to direct the design of CMAs with desired properties, while its practical applications and underlying mechanism have been illustrated on the basis of CMAs’ cluster structural features. Our investigation provides an aggregate picture with intriguing electronic rule and atomic structural features of CMAs.
Ultra-sensitive detection of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the brain of freely moving mice using an interdigitated microelectrode (IME) biosensor
Authors: Yoo Yong Kyoung , Lee Jaekwang , Kim Jinsik , Kim Gangeun , Kim Sunpil , Kim Jeongyeon , Chun Heejung , Lee Jeong Hoon , Lee C. Justin , Hwang Kyo Seon 
Published: September 2016

AbstractBrain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a critical role in cognitive processes including learning and memory. However, it has been difficult to detect BDNF in the brains of behaving animals because of its extremely low concentration, i.e., at the sub-nanogram/mL level. Here, we developed an interdigitated microelectrode (IME) biosensor coated with an anti-BDNF an anti-BDNF antibody in a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based microfluidic channel chip. This sensor could detect BDNF from microliter volumes of liquid samples even at femtogram/mL concentrations with high selectivity over other growth factors. Using this biosensor, we examined whether BDNF is detectable from periodical collection of cerebrospinal fluid microdialysate, sampled every 10 min from the hippocampus of mice during the context-dependent fear-conditioning test. We found that the IME biosensor could detect a significant increase in BDNF levels after the memory task. This increase in BDNF levels was prevented by gene silencing of BDNF, indicating that the IME biosensor reliably detected BDNFin vivo. We propose that the IME biosensor provides a general-purpose probe for ultrasensitive detection of biomolecules with low abundance in the brains of behaving animals.
Lactobacillus plantarum attenuates anxiety-related behavior and protects against stress-induced dysbiosis in adult zebrafish
Authors: Davis Daniel J. , Doerr Holly M. , Grzelak Agata K. , Busi Susheel B. , Jasarevic Eldin , Ericsson Aaron C. , Bryda Elizabeth C. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe consumption of probiotics has become increasingly popular as a means to try to improve health and well-being. Not only are probiotics considered beneficial to digestive health, but increasing evidence suggests direct and indirect interactions between gut microbiota (GM) and the central nervous system (CNS). Here, adult zebrafish were supplemented with Lactobacillus plantarum to determine the effects of probiotic treatment on structural and functional changes of the GM, as well as host neurological and behavioral changes. L. plantarum administration altered the β-diversity of the GM while leaving the major core architecture intact. These minor structural changes were accompanied by significant enrichment of several predicted metabolic pathways. In addition to GM modifications, L. plantarum treatment also significantly reduced anxiety-related behavior and altered GABAergic and serotonergic signaling in the brain. Lastly, L. plantarum supplementation provided protection against stress-induced dysbiosis of the GM. These results underscore the influence commensal microbes have on physiological function in the host and demonstrate bidirectional communication between the GM and the host.
Location variation in Hong Kong Sign Language (HKSL)
Authors: Siu Wai Yan Rebecca 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThis paper presents results from a study of sociolinguistic variation in Hong Kong Sign Language (HKSL). Specifically, it reports findings about location variation in a class of signs likeknowthat are produced at/above the signer’s forehead in their citation form, but are sometimes articulated at a lower location in everyday conversation. Eight hundred tokens of target signs from 40 signers were analyzed. As also found in studies of location ‘dropping’ in similar signs in American Sign Language, Australian Sign Language, and New Zealand Sign Language, variation in HKSL correlates with linguistic and social factors in a systematic way (Lucas, Bayley, & Valli, 2001;Schembri, McKee, McKee, Pivac, Johnston, & Goswell, 2009). A comparison of findings across these four languages is presented and discussed. The results of the present study suggest that a set of forehead-located signs that express the names of deaf schools may have affected results due to their salience. The work environment (i.e., sign language related work roles) of participants may also affect ‘careful’ versus lowered production of forehead signs.
Sociotonetics using connected speech
Authors: Stanford James N. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThis is the first variationist sociotonetic study to use free-speech data for exploring tone. Due to the challenges of analyzing tone in free-speech data, prior work on sociotonetics has been limited to relatively formal speech styles: word lists, sentence frames, and phrase lists. But connected speech styles, including free speech and reading passages, are important for segmental sociophonetics and most other linguistic variables. Will free-speech data always be out of reach for sociotonetics? Can tone variation in connected speech data be normalized and meaningfully analyzed for sociolinguistic research questions? Using field data from the Sui language of China, this paper develops a practical approach for analyzing tone variation in connected speech data, and then applies it to a specific research question about dialect contact in exogamous Sui villages. Results show that some types of intra- and inter-speaker tone variation in connected speech can be effectively analyzed, although other types of tone variables are neutralized in this speech style.
The origins of invented vocabulary in a utopian Philippine language
Authors: Kelly Piers 
Published: September 2016

Abstract
The utopian Eskayan language and script has been spoken for at least three generations by a small community on the island of Bohol in the southern Philippines. Speakers, who use the language in special domains, attribute its creation to a legendary ancestor known as Pinay. In this paper I consider the origins of Eskayan vocabulary, showing how lexical models from Cebuano, Spanish and English account for a small proportion of Eskayan lexemes. The traces of these colonial languages lend important clues to the development of the lexicon as a whole, shedding light on the tumultuous historical context in which Eskayan came into being. Further, the patterning of Eskayan vocabulary reveals Pinay’s folklinguistic conceptions about the nature of ‘language’ and linguistic variation.
“We’re just kind of there”
Authors: Hale Sandra Beatriz , Napier Jemina 
Published: September 2016

Abstract
In considering the challenges for court interpreters, much of the previous research has concentrated on the linguistic aspects of the interpreting process. This paper explores the issue from the perspective of working conditions and professional status. One hundred and ninety-four practicing court interpreters in Australia were surveyed about their experience with working conditions, court protocols and professional status, as well as their opinions about what affects the quality of their work and what improvements may be necessary. The findings of this study give a picture of the reality of court interpreting practice, as compared to the ideal, and generate recommendations for the training of interpreters to work in court, the education of legal personnel on how to work with interpreters in court, and practical suggestions regarding the provision of court interpreting to ensure high quality services.
Assessing morphologically motivated transfer in parallel corpora
Authors: Defrancq Bart , Rawoens Gudrun 
Published: September 2016

Abstract
This paper proposes a new way of identifying and analysing positive transfer on the basis of corpus data. Taking stock of process-oriented research into what is called ‘literal translation’, transfer is defined as an instance in which a translator is primed into using a target language item that is formally similar to the source item to be translated, when alternatives are available. In order to measure the extent to which morphological transfer is present in translation, a study is conducted on translations of negative prefixes in parallel corpora of French, Swedish and Dutch. The corpus study revealed that (1) transfer is by far the main translation option translators choose in all corpora involved, (2) transfer is more frequent when translators have the opportunity to use a cognate prefix in the other language, (3) transfer is more frequent between languages belonging to the same language family. The results of the study contradict the generally acknowledged fact that transfer is more likely from a language which is culturally dominant to a language which is not.
Managing shopping experience through mall attractiveness dimensions
Authors: Tandon Anushree , Gupta Ashish , Tripathi Vibhuti 
Published: September 2016

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to understand the dimensions of mall attractiveness for Indian shoppers from the metro cities of New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai; and subsequently investigate the effect of these dimensions on shoppers’ mall experience.Design/methodology/approachA shopper intercept survey was conducted in the aforementioned cities and 400 responses were obtained which were analysed with exploratory factor analysis and stepwise regression.FindingsThe results indicate that tenant management, facilities management, atmospherics and entertainment potential are the factors which attract shoppers to malls. Tenant management, facilities management and atmospherics also emerge as significant predictors of mall shopping experience.Research limitations/implicationsDue to limited resources, the research results may lack generalizability. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the derived factors and hypothesized relationships further.Practical implicationsContemporary retail settings have transited to offer holistic experiences, generated out of tenant mix, facilities and atmospherics. Managers of shopping malls can enhance their mall attractiveness by identifying an optimal mix of factors such as crowd management, tenant variety, parking, etc. as seen in the results of this study. Entertainment emerges as a mall attractiveness dimension but not as a significant predictor of shopping experience which shows that Indian shoppers’ inclination towards hedonism is still in elementary stages and economic pursuit continues to be a dominant motivator for visiting a mall.Originality/valueThis paper attempts to provide a holistic overview of mall attractiveness dimensions in India and its implications for shopping experiences.
Gender differences in Taiwan’s hypermarkets
Authors: Chang Tsung-Sheng , Yeh Hsiaoping 
Published: September 2016

Purpose
Hypermarkets face a very competitive environment, as their rivals also include traditional markets, convenient stores and supermarkets. In addition to offering innovative services, hypermarket managers must also pay attention to customer shopping patterns and behaviors in order to gain market share. The purpose of this paper is to posit that there will be significant differences between male and female hypermarket customers in terms of both shopping time and categories of goods purchased.

Design/methodology/approach
To investigate actual shopping behaviors, this study observed customers in hypermarkets and recorded how long they spent shopping and what they purchased.

Findings
The results of this study implied that gender is a key factor that affects both shopping time and the goods purchased in Taiwanese hypermarkets. The empirical findings also indicated that customers favor certain goods categories.

Practical implications
The results of this study provide details of the differences between male and female hypermarket customers, with which managers can use to develop better marketing strategies.

Originality/value
The purpose of this study is to show hypermarket retailers how gender differences affect customer behavior in this context. It also presents a consumer product categories list for hypermarkets, and this can be used as a reference for follow-up studies.