bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Performance metrics for guidance active constraints in surgical robotics
Authors: Enayati Nima , Ferrigno Giancarlo , De Momi Elena 
Published: November 2017

AbstractActive constraint (AC)/virtual fixture (VF) is among the most popular approaches towards the shared execution of subtasks by the surgeon and robotic systems. As more possibilities appear for the implementation of ACs in surgical scenarios, the need to introduce methods that guarantee a safe and intuitive user‐interaction increases. The presence of the human in the loop adds a layer of interactivity and adaptability that renders the assessment of such methods non‐trivial. In most works, guidance ACs have been evaluated mainly in terms of enhancement of accuracy and completion time with little regard for other aspects such as human factors, even though the continuous engagement of these methods can considerably degrade the user experience. This paper proposes a set of performance metrics and considerations that can help evaluate guidance ACs with reference to accuracy enhancement, force characteristics and subjective aspects. The use of these metrics is demonstrated through two sets of experiments on 12 surgeons and 6 inexperienced users.
Stable Low‐Current Electrodeposition of α‐MnO2 on Superaligned Electrospun Carbon Nanofibers for High‐Performance Energy Storage
Authors: Liu Yiyang , Zeng Zheng , Bloom Brian , Waldeck David H. , Wei Jianjun 
Published: November 2017

AbstractMetal oxide/carbonaceous nanomaterials are promising candidates for energy‐storage applications. However, inhomogeneous mass and charge transfer across the electrode/electrolyte interface due to unstable metal oxide/carbonaceous nanomaterial synthesis limit their performance in supercapacitors. Here, it is shown that the above problems can be mitigated through stable low‐current electrodeposition of MnO2 on superaligned electrospun carbon nanofibers (ECNFs). The key to this approach is coupling a self‐designed four steel poles collector for aligned ECNFs and a constant low‐current (40 µA) electrodeposition technique to form a uniform Na+‐induced α‐MnO2 film which proceeds by a time‐dependent growth mechanism involving cluster‐“kebab” structures and ending with a compact, uniform MnO2 film for high‐performance energy storage.
Effect of the cross‐talk between autophagy and endoplasmic reticulum stress on Mn‐induced alpha‐synuclein oligomerization
Authors: Liu Chang , Yan Dong‐Ying , Tan Xuan , Ma Zhuo , Wang Can , Deng Yu , Liu Wei , Yang Tian‐Yao , Xu Zhao‐Fa , Xu Bin 
Published: November 2017

AbstractOverexposure to manganese (Mn) has been known to induce alpha‐synuclein (α‐Syn) oligomerization, which is degraded mainly depending on endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress) and autophagy pathways. However, little data reported the cross‐talk between ER stress and autophagy on Mn‐induced α‐Syn oligomerization. To explore the relationship between ER stress and autophagy, we used 4‐phenylbutyric acid (4‐PBA, the ER stress inhibitor), rapamycin (Rap, autophagy activator) and 3‐methyladenine (3‐MA, autophagy inhibitor) in mice model of manganism. After 4 weeks of treatment with Mn, both ER stress and autophagy were activated. Exposed to Mn also resulted in α‐Syn oligomerization and neuronal cell damage in the brain tissue of mice, which could be relieved by 4‐PBA pretreatment. Moreover, when the ER stress was inhibited, the activation of autophagy was also inhibited. Rap pretreatment significantly activated autophagy and decreased α‐Syn oligomers. However, 3‐MA pretreatment inhibited autophagy resulting in increase of α‐Syn oligomers, and compensatorily activated PERK signaling pathway. Our results also demonstrated that the inhibition of autophagy by 3‐MA aggravated neuronal cell damage. The findings clearly demonstrated that the cross‐talking between autophagy and ER stress might play an important role in the α‐Syn oligomerization and neurotoxicity by Mn.
A review of market‐based climate change regulation in Alberta's oil and gas sector
Authors: Tarnoczi Tyler Joseph 
Published: November 2017

Alberta has implemented the Specified Gas Emitters Regulation to address the issue of growing greenhouse gas emissions. The regulation allows large emitting facilities to achieve emission reduction targets using market‐based compliance instruments. The goal of this analysis is twofold: (1) Overview market participants, composition, and offset management approaches and (2) discuss future corporate offset strategy options. Market participants are generally weighted toward firms in the electricity generation sector. In the oil and gas sector, while many firms participate in the offset market, a small number dominate. Market composition analysis of program compliance instruments over time offers insights regarding supply and demand. A program‐level view of all market‐based compliance instruments, as well as offset credits specifically, shows how major policy changes can transform market dynamics. Corporate offset management approaches of firms in the oil and gas sector are then analyzed and categorized into one of three approaches: development, sourcing and use, and banking. Based on the analysis, a discussion of future offset strategy options for firms operating under the regulation is provided for a range of policy scenarios. The analysis serves to inform regulated emitters in the private sector exposed to newly enacted or increasingly stringent regulation by assessing the current state of activities and providing insights of emergent strategies.WIREs Energy Environ2018, 7:e277. doi: 10.1002/wene.277This article is categorized under:Fossil Fuels > Climate and EnvironmentEnergy and Climate > Climate and EnvironmentEnergy and Climate > Economics and PolicyEnergy Policy and Planning > Climate and Environment
Homogenized couple stress model of optimal auxetic microstructures computed by topology optimization
Authors: Ganghoffer J. F. , Goda I. , Novotny A. A. , Rahouadj R. , Sokolowski J. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAuxetic materials and microstructures are attracting the attention of a growing community of researchers due to their unusual properties and high mechanical performances, in both the static and dynamic regimes. The topological derivative is used in this contribution to determine microstructures having the most negative in‐plane mean Poisson's ratio. The auxetic nature of the computed microstructures is demonstrated by both numerical and real experiments performed over samples fabricated by additive printing. The effective mechanical properties of these auxetic structures have been computed in the framework of couple stress elasticity, allowing to identify both in‐plane and out‐of plane effective properties. The calculated classical moduli are found independent of the size of the window of analysis and are consequently effective coefficients. In contrast to this, the calculated in‐plane bending moduli show a clear dependency on the auxetic cell size, whereas the out‐of‐plane bending moduli appear to be size‐independent.
Using case management in a universal health coverage system to improve quality of life of frequent Emergency Department users: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Iglesias Katia , Baggio Stéphanie , Moschetti Karine , Wasserfallen Jean-Blaise , Hugli Olivier , Daeppen Jean-Bernard , Burnand Bernard , Bodenmann Patrick 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
Purpose
Frequent Emergency Department users are likely to experience poor quality of life (QOL). Case management interventions are efficient in responding to the complex needs of this population, but their effects on QOL have not been tested yet. Therefore, the aim of our study was to examine to what extent a case management intervention improved frequent Emergency Department users’ QOL in a universal health coverage system.

Methods
Data were part of a randomized controlled trial designed to improve frequent Emergency Department users’ QOL at the Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland. A total of 250 frequent Emergency Department users (≥ 5 attendances during the previous 12 months) were randomly assigned to the control (n = 125) or the intervention group (n = 125). The latter benefited from case management intervention. QOL was evaluated using the WHOQOL-BREF at baseline, two, five and a half, nine, and twelve months later. It included four dimensions: physical health, psychological health, social relationship, and environment. Linear mixed-effects models were used to analyze the change in the patients’ QOL over time.

Results
Patients’ QOL improved significantly (p < 0.001) in both groups for all dimensions after two months. However, environment QOL dimension improved significantly more in the intervention group after 12 months.

Conclusions
Environment QOL dimension was the most responsive dimension for short-term interventions. This may have been due to case management’s assistance in obtaining income entitlements, health insurance coverage, stable housing, or finding general health care practitioners. Case management in general should be developed to enhance frequent users’ QOL.
Trial registration: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov, Unique identifier: NCT01934322
Performance normativity and here-and-now doxastic agency
Authors: Chrisman Matthew 
Published: November 2017

AbstractSosa famously argues that epistemic normativity is a species of “performance normativity,” comparing beliefs to archery shots. However, philosophers have traditionally conceived of beliefs asstates, which means that they are not dynamic or telic like performances. A natural response to this tension is to argue that belief formation rather than belief itself is the proper target of epistemic normativity. This response is rejected here on grounds of the way it obscures the “here and now” exercise of cognitive agency that I view as central to any account of epistemic normativity and doxastic agency. Although the etiology of a belief can be relevant to its normative status, often so much more is relevant and more centrally so. This generates a dilemma for anyone following Sosa in pursuing the idea that epistemic normativity is a species of performance normativity.
Informed Consent for Radiation in Interventional Radiology Procedures
Authors: Zener Rebecca , Johnson Peter , Wiseman Daniele , Pandey Sachin , Mujoomdar Amol 
Published: November 2017

Purpose To explore the patient perception on radiation-related cancer risk from interventional radiology (IR) procedures and whether informed radiation consent is warranted. Methods A multiple-choice survey was prospectively administered to 68 adults undergoing a body or neuro-IR procedure with ionizing radiation exposure. Subgroup analysis with chi-square or Fisher exact test was performed based on patient past IR history ( P < .05). Results A total of 81% of patients wanted to be informed if there was a radiation-related 3% increased cancer risk over 5 years. Although 55% considered 3% a small risk, 28% wanted to further discuss the risks and alternate options, and 15% would have only proceeded if it were a life-saving procedure: 89%, 80%, and 67% of patients wanted to be informed with exposure risks of 1 in 100, 1 in 1000, and 1 in 10,000, respectively. Only 53% were aware they were going to be exposed to radiation, irrespective of past IR history ( P = .15). Most patients believed radiation consent should include radiation-related cancer risks (85%). No past IR history was significantly associated with wanting consent to include cancer-related risk (100% vs 76%; P = .01) and deterministic risks (70% vs 41%; P = .04). A majority (69%) believed both the referring physician and the interventional radiologist were responsible for obtaining radiation consent, and 65% of patients wanted verbal consent followed by signed written consent, regardless of past IR history. Conclusions Many patients want to discuss cancer-related radiation risks with both radiologists and physicians. Informed radiation consent should be considered for procedures with high anticipated radiation doses.
Neurological soft signs significantly differentiate schizophrenia patients from healthy controls
Authors: Fountoulakis Konstantinos N. , Panagiotidis Panagiotis , Gonda Xenia , Kimiskidis Vasilios , Nimatoudis Ioannis 
Published: November 2017

ObjectiveNeurological soft signs (NSS) are a group of minor non-localisable neurological abnormalities found more often in patients with schizophrenia. The aim of the current study was to test for the effect of gender, age, parental age, age at onset and clinical symptomatology on NSS.Material and methodsThe study sample included 133 patients suffering from schizophrenia according to DSM-IV-TR (77 males and 56 females; aged 33.55±11.22 years old) and 122 normal controls (66 males and 56 females; aged 32.89±9.91 years old). The assessment included the Neurological Evaluation Scale (NES), and a number of scales assessing the clinical symptoms and adverse effects especially extrapyramidal. The statistical analysis included exploratory t-test, simple linear regression analysis, analysis of covariance and the calculation of correlation coefficients.ResultsThe results of the current study confirm that NSS are more frequent in patients with schizophrenia in comparison with normal controls (Wilks=0.622, p<0.0001), but do not support an effect of gender, age, age at onset, paternal or maternal age, education, medication status or clinical subtype of schizophrenia on NES scores.DiscussionOverall these results suggest that NSS constitute an independent (from the rest of symptoms), core (present in the vast majority of patients) and trait (unrelated to age and probably to the stage of schizophrenia) symptom of schizophrenia which could be of value in the clinical assessment and research of schizophrenia. Overall these results are not in full accord with the literature, but they could serve to fill in gaps and inconsistencies observed so far.
Toward a balanced view of stress-adapted cognition
Authors: Frankenhuis Willem E. , Ellis Bruce J. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractPepper & Nettle's paper exemplifies an emerging resistance against an exclusive focus on deficits in people who come from harsh environments. We extend their model by arguing for a perspective that includes not only contextually appropriate responses but also strengths – that is, enhanced mental skills and abilities. Such a well-rounded approach can be leveraged in education, jobs, and interventions.
Socioeconomic status, unpredictability, and different perceptions of the same risk
Authors: Mittal Chiraag , Griskevicius Vladas 
Published: November 2017

AbstractIn this commentary, we address three questions: (1) How might outcomes be affected by the variation in the level of deprivation, rather than the average level of deprivation? (2) Could there be differences in the subjective perception of the same risk as either intrinsic or extrinsic, depending on people's socioeconomic status (SES)? (3) What other psychological mechanisms might play a role in influencing the psychology and behavior of people from deprived backgrounds?
Relative state, social comparison reactions, and the behavioral constellation of deprivation
Authors: Novakowski Dallas , Mishra Sandeep 
Published: November 2017

AbstractPepper & Nettle compellingly synthesize evidence indicating that temporal discounting is a functional, adaptive response to deprivation. In this commentary, we underscore the importance of the psychology of relative state, which is an index of relative competitive (dis)advantage. We then highlight two proximate emotional social comparison reactions linked with relative state – personal relative deprivation and envy – that may play an important role in the deprivation-discounting link.
Securing fresh food from fertile soil, challenges to the organic and raw milk movements
Authors: Heckman Joseph R. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractIn recent decades, a diverse community of dairy farmers, consumers and nutrition advocates has campaigned amidst considerable government opposition, to secure and expand the right of individuals to produce, sell and consume fresh unprocessed milk, commonly referred to as ‘raw milk’. This advocacy shares important parallels with battles fought in the organic food movement over the past century. Both the raw milk and organic food movements originated with farmers and consumers who sought to replace industrialized food production and processing practices with more traditional ones. Both movements equate the preservation of natural integrity in farming and food handling with more wholesome, nutritious food and environmental conservation. Both movements have had to work diligently to overcome a false perception that their practices are anachronistic, notably with regard to productive output of organic agriculture and the safety of fresh unprocessed milk. There is also the failure of opponents to acknowledge a growing body of scientific evidence for health benefits associated with drinking of fresh unprocessed milk. The raw milk movement has the potential to economically benefit family farmers, much as organic agriculture has done. Building soil fertility, a foundational principle of organic farming, would benefit from having numerous small pasture-based dairies spread across the land providing fresh unprocessed milk. Agricultural universities and the Cooperative Extension System could seize a real leadership opportunity by promoting and participating in this reinvention of dairy farming, and restoring the ecology of this traditional food and farming system.
Monitoring the Changes in Weed Populations in a Continuous Glyphosate- and Dicamba-Resistant Soybean System: A Five-Year Field-Scale Investigation
Authors: Shergill Lovreet S. , Bish Mandy D. , Biggs Meghan E. , Bradley Kevin W. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractResearch was conducted from 2011 to 2015 to determine the effect of herbicide strategy on efficacy and evolution of herbicide resistance in weeds in a continuous glyphosate- and dicamba-resistant (GDr) soybean system. The nine herbicide strategies included sequential applications of glyphosate only, glyphosate plus dicamba with or without acetochlor, PRE application of residual herbicides with POST glyphosate or non-glyphosate herbicides, and their biennial rotation with one another. Giant foxtail and horseweed were the least problematic during all growing seasons. An increase in horseweed was observed by the end of the experiment especially in the plots where POST glyphosate was not used with PRE application of residual herbicides. Giant ragweed evolved resistance to glyphosate over a 4-yr period of selection with strategies that predominantly included PRE and POST glyphosate. Herbicide use strategies that included glyphosate-only and PRE application of residual herbicides fb POST glyphosate annually or in a biennial rotation were ineffective in controlling giant ragweed and glyphosate-resistant (GR) common waterhemp. Over the years, application of PRE herbicide mixtures before POST glyphosate application improved weed control and soybean yields compared with the glyphosate-only strategy. During all growing seasons, the greatest yield and reduction in total weed density before harvest was provided by herbicide use strategies that included glyphosate plus dicamba annually or in a biennial rotation regardless of the inclusion of acetochlor POST. Dicamba proved to be a valuable addition to improve the control of GR weeds. GDr soybean will provide growers with a new option for managing resistant weeds, but it needs to be used with caution, as multiple resistance in weeds, including waterhemp and giant ragweed, is already widespread.
Future loss of Arctic sea-ice cover could drive a substantial decrease in California’s rainfall
Authors: Cvijanovic Ivana , Santer Benjamin D. , Bonfils Céline , Lucas Donald D. , Chiang John C. H. , Zimmerman Susan 
Published: November 2017

AbstractFrom 2012 to 2016, California experienced one of the worst droughts since the start of observational records. As in previous dry periods, precipitation-inducing winter storms were steered away from California by a persistent atmospheric ridging system in the North Pacific. Here we identify a new link between Arctic sea-ice loss and the North Pacific geopotential ridge development. In a two-step teleconnection, sea-ice changes lead to reorganization of tropical convection that in turn triggers an anticyclonic response over the North Pacific, resulting in significant drying over California. These findings suggest that the ability of climate models to accurately estimate future precipitation changes over California is also linked to the fidelity with which future sea-ice changes are simulated. We conclude that sea-ice loss of the magnitude expected in the next decades could substantially impact California’s precipitation, thus highlighting another mechanism by which human-caused climate change could exacerbate future California droughts.
Generation of photonic entanglement in green fluorescent proteins
Authors: Shi Siyuan , Kumar Prem , Lee Kim Fook 
Published: November 2017

AbstractRecent development of spectroscopic techniques based on quantum states of light can precipitate many breakthroughs in observing and controlling light-matter interactions in biological materials on a fundamental quantum level. For this reason, the generation of entangled light in biologically produced fluorescent proteins would be promising because of their biocompatibility. Here we demonstrate the generation of polarization-entangled two-photon state through spontaneous four-wave mixing in enhanced green fluorescent proteins. The reconstructed density matrix indicates that the entangled state is subject to decoherence originating from two-photon absorption. However, the prepared state is less sensitive to environmental decoherence because of the protective β-barrel structure that encapsulates the fluorophore in the protein. We further explore the quantumness, including classical and quantum correlations, of the state in the decoherence environment. Our method for photonic entanglement generation may have potential for developing quantum spectroscopic techniques and quantum-enhanced measurements in biological materials.
Resolving the spin splitting in the conduction band of monolayer MoS2
Authors: Marinov Kolyo , Avsar Ahmet , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Kis Andras 
Published: November 2017

AbstractTime-reversal symmetry and broken spin degeneracy enable the exploration of spin and valley quantum degrees of freedom in monolayer transition-metal dichalcogenides. While the strength of the large spin splitting in the valance band of these materials is now well-known, probing the 10–100 times smaller splitting in the conduction band poses significant challenges. Since it is easier to achieve n-type conduction in most of them, resolving the energy levels in the conduction band is crucial for the prospect of developing new spintronic and valleytronic devices. Here, we study quantum transport in high mobility monolayer MoS2 devices where we observe well-developed quantized conductance in multiples of e2/h in zero magnetic field. We extract a sub-band spacing energy of 0.8 meV. The application of a magnetic field gradually increases the interband spacing due to the valley-Zeeman effect. Here, we extract a g-factor of ~2.16 in the conduction band of monolayer MoS2.