Looking for causes of effects in cases: Evaluating intermunicipal collaboration in The Netherlands applying QCA

Economic geography and regional planning suffer from a lack of clear answers with respect to the question what methods to use to systematically explain complex territorial phenomena such as regional development. Rather than the universal effect of causes, analysis should focus on patterns revealed through case-specific effects of enabling and disabling conditions. Using qualitative configurational analysis (QCA), this paper illustrates the relevance of such an approach examining the variable effectiveness of intermunicipal collaboration in the Netherlands. Drawing on a survey of a large sample of collaborations, complemented with case-specific inside knowledge, eight conditions are found supporting collaboration effectiveness: age, size, homogeneity, project/policy activity, mission and inclusiveness. The configurational analysis uncovers one dominant evolutionary pattern (evolving policy focus), one minor pattern (metropolitan collaboration) plus two somewhat unique cases. It also finds contributing roles for mission-orientation, inclusiveness, and, somewhat surprisingly, size. QCA proves a promising tool to study complex dynamics across a population of territorial cases.

Practice Patterns in Reporting Tertiary Grades at Radical Prostatectomy: Survey of a Large Group of Experienced Urologic Pathologists

Context.— In prostate cancer, “tertiary” higher-grade patterns (TPs) have been associated with biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy. Objective.— To determine variation regarding definition and application of TPs. Design.— Online survey regarding TPs in a range of grading scenarios circulated to 105 experienced urologic pathologists. Results.— Among 95 respondents, 40 of 95 (42%) defined TPs as “third most common pattern” and 55 (58%) as “minor pattern/less than 5% of tumor.” In a tumor with pattern 3 and less than 5% pattern 4, of the 95 respondents, 35 (37%) assigned 3 + 3 = 6 with TP4, while 56 (59%) assigned 3 + 4 = 7. In a tumor with pattern 4 and less than 5% pattern 5, of the 95 respondents, 51 (54%) assigned 4 + 4 = 8 with TP5, while 43 (45%) assigned 4 + 5 = 9. Six scenarios were presented in which the order of most common patterns was 3, 4, and 5 (Group 1) or 4, 3, and 5 (Group 2) with varying percentages. In both groups, when pattern 5 was less than 5%, we found that 98% and 93% of respondents would assign 3 + 4 = 7 or 4 + 3 = 7 with TP5. In scenarios with 15% or 25% pattern 5, most respondents (70% and 80%, respectively) would include pattern 5 as the secondary grade, that is, 3 + 5 = 8 (Group 1) or 4 + 5 = 9 (Group 2). For 85 of 95 (89%), a TP would not impact Grade Group assignment. Conclusions.— This survey highlights substantial variation in practice patterns regarding definition and application of “tertiary” grading in radical prostatectomy specimens. High consistency was observed in 3 + 4 = 7/4 + 3 = 7 scenarios with truly minor pattern 5. These findings should inform future studies assessing the standardization and predictive value of “tertiary” patterns.

Parameter Optimization Of CPG And Its Application In Robot

The central pattern generator (CPG) has been identified in the spinal cords as responsible for locomotion movements. It is difficult to select the appropriate values of parameters in CPG model. In this paper, the Matsuoka oscillator is selected as the rhythm-generation model and the bat algorithm is chosen to search the parameters of CPG model. The paper shows the details of the parameters optimization and the diagram of the convergence performance. In the paper, the CPG includes the main rhythm-generation neuron and the minor pattern-formation neuron, and Rowat's neural model is chosen as the pattern-formation neuron. Then the CPG model is applied to the three-link biped robot and the result shows that the method of parameter optimization is effective.

Fabrication of 2.5D Rock-Based Micromodels With High Resolution Features

Fabrication of 2.5D rock-based micromodels with high resolution features is presented using SU-8 multi-layer lithography and nickel electroforming for nickel molds. Processes associated with SU-8 were carefully optimized by the use of the vacuum contact, the use of UV filter, and controls of UV exposure doses and baking times. The use of SU-8 MicroSpray enabled the easy fabrication of multi-layers of SU-8, while exhibiting some total thickness variations. The thirteen layered SU-8 samples showed reliable patterning results for features at 10 and 25 μm resolutions, and minor pattern distortions of features at the 5 μm resolution. Flycutting method employed in multi-layer lithography of SU-8 yielded accurate total thickness control within ±1.5 μm and excellent pattern formation for all of 5, 10, and 25 μm features. Electroforming of nickel was optimized with electroplating bath composition and electroplating parameters such as current density to realize the high resolution nickel mold. The fabricated nickel molds from flycutting based SU-8 samples revealed the feasibility of manufacturing the minimum features down to 5 μm for thirteen layers without any pattern distortions. The replication-based micromolding method will allow for fabrication of micromodels in a variety of materials such as polymers and ceramics. The high resolution, 2.5D micromodels will be used for investigation of pore-scale fluid transport, which will aid in understanding the complicated fluidic phenomena occurring in the 3D reservoir rock.

Case marking in absolute constructions: further evidence for a semantically based alignment in Late Latin

The argument structure of the Latin clause normally patterns according to a nominative/accusative alignment, because – regardless of their semantic role – transitive and intransitive subjects are marked in the same way, as opposed to direct objects. A semantically based alignment is nevertheless attested in some domains of Latin grammar, overtly marking the semantic opposition between active/agentive and inactive/non-agentive arguments – regardless of their syntactic role. In Late Latin, this minor pattern results in the “extended accusative/restricted nominative,” a syntactico-semantic phenomenon that testifies to a re-alignment of the encoding of the argument structure in the transition from Latin to Romance. However, while there is direct evidence for the extension of the accusative, the parallel restriction of the nominative is not easy to prove, since a number of social and stylistic factors obscure the distribution of the different alignments in the late documents. New evidence for such a re-alignment may be probably drawn from some fluctuations of case marking in the

Basic valency orientation and the middle voice in Hittite

This paper discusses basic valency orientation in Hittite, based on the typology proposed in Nichols et al. (2004). Verb pairs usually employed to test basic valency indicate the clearly transitivizing character of this language; a closer scrutiny of intransitive verbs further reveals the existence of a three-fold distinction featuring two intransitive verbs, a basic stative one (or an adjective), and an overtly marked intransitive change-of-state, in addition to a transitive counterpart overtly marked as causative. The high productivity of causative derivation is shown by the fact that morphologically marked causatives are not only derived from stative verbs, but also from telic intransitives and from transitive verbs. In the case of telic intransitive verbs, a minor pattern is also attested, whereby valency alternation is encoded through voice alternation, with intransitive forms inflected in the middle voice and transitive forms in the active. Since neither voice can be considered to be derived with respect to the other, verbs that display this behavior are indeterminate as to basic valency orientation. In spite of the limited extent to which voice indicates valency alternation, this finding becomes more significant when set into the framework of valency alternation in the early Indo-European languages, and sheds some light (or raises more questions) on the original function of the Hittite and of the Indo-European middle voice, a typologically puzzling category.

Predominant Dermoscopic Patterns Observed among Nevi

Background: It has been clinically observed that patients' “normal” moles resemble each other. Whether this concept is applicable to dermoscopic practice has not been sufficiently studied. Objective: To investigate whether physicians evaluating dermoscopic images would identify common dermoscopic profiles of nevi within individual patients. Methods: Images of 205 nevi belonging to 18 patients were evaluated by 2 dermatologists for dermoscopic global pattern, color, and specific structures. We defined dermoscopic patterns as dominant if seen in ≥ 40% of the patient's nevi; a minor pattern was defined as 20 to 39%. Results: A dominant pattern was seen in 15 patients (83%). In 13 (72%) of the patients, ≥ 80% of the nevi were classified into one, two, or three global patterns. The reticular global pattern was the most prevalent dominant pattern, seen in 9 patients (50%); the homogeneous pattern was the most prevalent minor pattern, seen in 16 patients (89%). Conclusion: Individuals tend to have one to three predominant dermoscopic nevus global patterns.