bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Produção de leite e emissões de metano na região do Corede, RS
Authors: Martins-Costa T. V. A.
Published: November 2015

RESUMOO presente artigo tem como objetivo analisar a produção de leite na região do Corede, com foco nas emissões de gases efeito estufa como uma externalidade negativa dessa importante atividade econômica. Para as estimativas de emissões, utilizou-se a metodologia Tier 1 proposta pelo IPCC. As emissões passaram de 1,0 gigagrama em 1974 para 8,64 gigagramas de CH4 em 2011, o que representa um acréscimo de 767% nas emissões estimadas para o início do período de análise. Em termos de taxa de crescimento geométrica, as emissões cresceram a uma taxa de 6,0% ao ano. No entanto, se for considerada a emissão média de metano por litro de leite produzido, pode-se observar que ela reduziu significativamente de valor durante o período analisado, passando de 58 gramas de CH4 por litro de leite produzido em 1974 para 24 gramas em 2011, ou seja, as emissões de metano por litro de leite se reduziram pela metade, evidenciando que o ganho de produtividade permite uma redução das emissões, desde que acompanhado por uma redução do rebanho e de estratégias de gestão que reduzam as emissões.
Análisis temático sobre la fibromialgia en la prensa escrita Argentina: descripciones generales y el rol de la psicología
Authors: Sarudiansky Mercedes
Published: November 2015

Desde su conceptualización en 1990, la Fibromialgia (FM) ha sido discutida en términos de su validez como diagnóstico, su definición como enfermedad y sus tratamientos. Estas cuestiones han sido abordadas por diferentes disciplinas biomédicas y sociales, entre las cuales se incluyen la psicología, la psiquiatría, la antropología y la sociología. En este trabajo, indagaremos cómo se difunden los saberes respecto de la FM en Argentina, a través de un análisis temático de los artículos referentes a este síndrome publicados en la prensa escrita. Analizaremos la manera en que las notas periodísticas describen a la FM – características generales, hipótesis causales, y tratamientos – y reflexionaremos respecto de cómo estos medios abordan el rol de la psicología en el tratamiento de esta dolencia.
Systematic review of research investigating psychotherapy and information and communication technologies
Authors: Hallberg Sílvia Cristina Marceliano , Lisboa Carolina Saraiva de Macedo , Souza Déborah Brandão de , Mester Ariela , Braga Andréia Zambon , Strey Artur Marques , Silva Camila Sartori da
Published: November 2015

Introduction:Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are devices, services and knowledge that reproduce, process and distribute information. Psychotherapy has been influenced by these technologies, and there is a tendency for their role to expand.Objective: To describe the current panorama of the scientific literature on psychotherapy and ICTs.Method: This is a systematic and descriptive review. Searches were run on the electronic databases Biblioteca Virtual em Saude (BVS), PsycINFO, Scopus, PePSIC, ScienceDirect and Index Psi, using the Boolean operator AND and the descriptors psychotherapy, computers, Internet, cell phones and social networks.Results: A considerable volume of empirical research was found, published recently in many different parts of the world, especially in the United States. There is very little Brazilian research on the subject. The majority of the studies identified assess the efficacy or describe the development of techniques and psychotherapies, via ICTs, for prevention, diagnosis or treatment of mental and behavioral disorders. The psychopathology most investigated in this area is depression and it was not possible to draw conclusions on a possible trend for research into the subject to increase. The technology most investigated was the Internet and cognitive-behavioral therapy was the most common theoretical approach in these studies.Conclusions:Systematic reviews of published studies can detect gaps in the research agenda within a specific field of knowledge.
Uma digitação do Prelúdio da Suíte para Alaúde BWV 997 de J. S. Bach transcrito para o violão
Authors: Sousa Natanael Martins de , Maia Marcos da Silva
Published: November 2015

Resumo:Este trabalho apresenta uma digitação violonística para transcrições do prelúdio da Suíte BWV 997, original para alaúde, de Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750). Os aspectos musicais abordados para fundamentar a digitação foram divididos e classificados em motivo, melodia polifônica, contraponto, arpejo e homogeneidade tímbrica. O cotejamento foi aplicado como modelo de análise, em algumas transcrições para violão dessa obra, nas quais foram verificadas digitações diversificadas e notações distintas quanto à representação de alguns valores rítmicos e de determinadas alturas.
Rousseau Misantropo
Authors: Corôa Pedro Paulo
Published: November 2015

RESUMO:O objetivo de nossa exposição é mostrar que, em sua Carta a d’Alembert, Rousseau retoma o debate clássico sobre a relação entre o teatro e a moral nas mesmas bases estabelecidas por Platão. Sendo assim, a disputa sobre o teatro tem, da parte de Rousseau, uma objetividade que não encontramos no artigo de d’Alembert. Portanto, não se trata de uma diferença de opinião entre Rousseau e d’Alembert, mas da capacidade filosófica de bem compreender o que é próprio ao teatro e à moralidade.
A divulgação da avaliação da educação na imprensa escrita: 1995-2010
Authors: Rothen José Carlos , Barreyro Gladys Beatriz , Prado Aryane de Paula , Bortolin Leticia , Cavachia Raiani Cristina
Published: November 2015

Resumo A imprensa, a partir de meados da década de 1990, tornou-se um dos atores importantes para a consolidação das políticas de avaliação da educação na realidade brasileira. Usando como fonte documental o jornal Folha de S. Paulo, as revistas Veja e Época, no período compreendido entre 1995 e 2010, no artigo reconstrói-se a maneira como estes meios de comunicação impresso divulgam e fazem uso dos resultados das avaliações. Conclui-se que as mídias analisadas têm contribuído para a legitimação da avaliação da educação e é presente nas matérias a ideia de que a avaliação é uma prova que permite controlar a qualidade da educação.
Preface: Minority Men's Health
Authors: Williams, PhD, MPH David R.
Published: November 2015

Ethn Dis. 2015; 25(3):237-239
Advancing Racial/Ethnic Minority Men's Health Using a Life Course Approach
Authors: Thorpe, Jr., PhD Roland J. , Duru, MD, MS O. Kenrik , Hill, PhD, MPH Carl V.
Published: November 2015

Guest Editorial. Ethn Dis. 2015;25(3):241-244
The Impact of Veteran Status on Life-Space Mobility among Older Black and White Men in the Deep South
Authors: McCaskill, PhD, MSW, MPA Gina M. , Sawyer, PhD Patricia , Burgio, PhD Kathryn L. , Kennedy, MD Richard , Williams, MPH Courtney P. , Clay, PhD Olivio J. , Brown, MD Cynthia J. , Allman, MD Richard M.
Published: November 2015

Objective: To examine life-space mobility over 8.5 years among older Black and White male veterans and non-veterans in
the Deep South.

Design: A prospective longitudinal study of community-dwelling Black and White male adults aged >65 years (N=501; mean age=74.9; 50% Black and 50% White) enrolled in the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Study of Aging. Data from baseline in-home assessments with followup telephone assessments of life-space mobility completed every 6 months were used in linear mixed-effects modeling analyses to examine life-space mobility trajectories.

Main outcome measure: Life-space mobility.

Results: In comparison to veterans, nonveterans were more likely to be Black, single, and live in rural areas. They also reported lower income and education. Veterans had higher baseline life-space (73.7 vs 64.9 for non-veterans; P<.001). Race-veteran
subgroup analyses revealed significant differences in demographics, comorbidity, cognition, and physical function. Relative to Black veterans, there were significantly greater declines in life-space trajectories for White non-veterans (P=.009), but not for White veterans (P=.807) nor Black non-veterans (P=.633). Mortality at 8.5 years was 43.5% for veterans and 49.5% for non-veterans (P=.190) with no significant differences by race-veteran status.

Conclusions: Veterans had significantly higher baseline life-space mobility. There were significantly greater declines in lifespace
trajectories for White non-veterans in comparison to other race-veteran subgroups. Black veterans and non-veterans did not have significantly different trajectories.Ethn Dis. 2015;25(3):255-262.
An Examination of Lower Extremity Function and Its Correlates in Older African American and White Men
Authors: Clay, PhD Olivio J. , Thorpe, Jr., PhD Roland J. , Wilkinson, PhD Larrell L. , Plaisance, PhD Eric P. , Crowe, PhD Michael , Sawyer, PhD Patricia , Brown, MD, MSPH Cynthia J.
Published: November 2015

Objective: Maintaining functional status and reducing/eliminating health disparities in late life are key priorities. Older African Americans have been found to have worse lower extremity functioning than Whites, but little is known about potential differences in correlates between African American and White men. The goal of this investigation was to examine measures that could explain this racial difference and to identify race-specific correlates of lower extremity function.

Methods: Data were analyzed for a sample of community-dwelling men. Linear regres­sion models examined demographics, medical conditions, health behaviors, and perceived discrimination and mental health as correlates of an objective measure of lower extremity function, the Short Physi­cal Performance Battery (SPPB). Scores on the SPPB have a potential range of 0 to 12 with higher scores corresponding to better functioning.

Results: The mean age of all men was 74.9 years (SD=6.5), and the sample was 50% African American and 53% rural. African American men had scores on the SPPB that were significantly lower than White men after adjusting for age, rural residence, marital status, education, and income dif­ficulty (P<.01). Racial differences in cognitive functioning accounted for approximately 41% of the race effect on physical function. Additional models stratified by race revealed a pattern of similar correlates of the SPPB among African American and White men.

Conclusions: The results of this investigation can be helpful for researchers and clinicians to aid in identifying older men who are at-risk for poor lower extremity function and in planning targeted interventions to help reduce disparities. Ethn Dis.2015;25(3):271- 278.
Perceptions from Latino and African American Older Adults about Biological Markers in Research
Authors: Moreno, MD, MSHS Gerardo , Mangione, MD, MSPH Carol M. , Meza, BS Carlos E. , Kwon, MPH Ivy , Seeman, PhD Teresa , Trejo, MPA Laura , Moore, PhD Mignon , Sarkisian, MD, MSHS Catherine A
Published: November 2015

Although older adult minorities face disparities in health and health care, they continue to be underrepresented in health research. Studies with biological markers of health often lack representation of older minority adults. The purpose of this study was to describe perceptions of biomarkers among ethnic minority seniors who might participate in studies of biological markers of health and to document barriers and facilitators to acceptance of biomarkers. Six focus groups (3 of Spanish-speaking Latinos and 3 of African Americans) were con­ducted in three community senior service organizations (two senior centers and one church). Ten semi-structured interviews were conducted to support and augment focus group data. Seventy-two community-dwelling minority older adults aged 62 years and older and 10 community stakeholders participated. A community-based partnered research approach was used and two com­munity partners participated in the analysis and interpretation of results. Standard quali­tative content-analysis methods were used to identify and organize themes in domains. Focus group participants were 49% Latino and 51% African American. Results included barriers: 1) mistrust, 2) fear of specimen collection/storage, 3) perceived harms, 4) competing demands, and 5) costs. Older Latinos cited issues of language as barriers to awareness and acceptance of biomarkers. African Americans had concerns over per­ceived harms of biomarkers. Facilitators to acceptance of biomarkers were community engagement through church and communi­ty leaders. Older Latino and African Ameri­cans identified many barriers and facilitators to the collection and storage of biomarkers. Participants identified community-partnered recommendations to overcome barriers to the acceptance, collection, and storage of biomarkers. Ethn Dis.2015;25(3):355-362.
Body Size Perceptions among Overweight and Obese African American Women
Authors: Baruth Meghan , Sharpe Patricia A , Magwood Gayenell , Wilcox Sara , Schlaff Rebecca A
Published: November 2015

Objectives: Understanding body size percep­tions and discrepancies among African Ameri­can women may have implications for effec­tive weight-loss interventions. The purpose of this study is to examine body size perceptions of economically disadvantaged, overweight and obese African American women.

Design: Cross-sectional using baseline data from a randomized controlled trial.

Setting: 18 census tracts in a central South Carolina city where ≥25% of residents were below poverty income.

Participants: 147 economically disad­vantaged, overweight and obese African American women.

Main Outcome Measures: Using Pulvers’ figure rating scale, participants chose the figure: 1) closest to their current figure; 2) they would be satisfied with; and 3) with a body weight that would be a health problem for the average person. Mean body mass indices corresponding to each figure were compared with those in a large sample of White women.

Results: Most participants wanted to be smaller (mean=2.6 figures smaller) than their current size. A majority (67%) chose the largest figure as representing a body size that could lead to a health problem, and most (60%) chose a current figure smaller than the figure they believed would be associated with health problems. The mean body mass index for women selecting any given figure as their current size was significantly larger (5.2-10.8 kg/m2 larger, P<.0001) than those established in the sample of White women.

Conclusions: Although women desired a smaller body size, there nonetheless were misperceptions of body size and the as­sociated health consequences. Body size misperceptions and/or satisfaction may pose barriers for effective weight-loss. Ethn Dis. 2015;25(4):391-398; doi:10.18865/ ed.25.4.391
Effect of Interleukin-10 and Laminar Shear Stress on Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase and Nitric Oxide in African American Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
Authors: Babbitt Dianne M. , Kim Ji-Seok , Forrester Steven J. , Brown Michael D. , Park Joon-Young
Published: November 2015

Background: African Americans have a pre­disposition to heightened systemic inflamma­tion and a high prevalence of hypertension.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of interleukin-10 (IL- 10) and laminar shear stress (LSS) on African American endothelial cells by measuring to­tal endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) protein expression and its phosphorylated form (p-eNOS) at Serine 1177, and nitric oxide (NO) levels, in response to IL-10 incubation and high physiological levels of LSS, used as an in vitro mimetic for aerobic exercise training (AEXT).

Design: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) from an African American donor were cultured. The experimental conditions included Static, Static with IL-10 Incubation, LSS at 20 dynes/cm2, and LSS at 20 dynes/cm2 with IL-10 Incubation. West­ern blotting was used to measure eNOS and p-eNOS protein expression in the cells. A modified Griess assay was used to measure NO metabolites in the cell culture media.

Results: There were significant increases in p-eNOS, eNOS, and NO in the LSS at 20 dynes/cm2 and LSS at 20 dynes/cm2 with IL-10 Incubation experimental conditions when compared to the Static experimental condition. There were no other statistically significant differences demonstrating that IL- 10 did not have an additive effect on eNOS activity in our study.

Conclusion: The significant increases in p-eNOS, eNOS, and NO as a result of LSS in African American HUVECs suggest that AEXT may be a viable, nonpharmacologic method to improve vascular inflamma­tion status and vasodilation, and thereby contribute to hypertension reduction in the African American population. Ethn Dis. 2015;25(4):413-418; doi:10.18865/ ed.25.4.413
Validation of an Albuminuria Self-assessment Tool in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)
Authors: Tanner Rikki M , Woodward Mark , Peralta Carmen , Warnock David G , Gutiérrez Orlando , Shimbo Daichi , Kramer Holly , Katz Ronit , Muntner Paul
Published: November 2015

Objective: We previously developed an 8-item self-assessment tool to identify individuals with a high probability of having albuminuria. This tool was developed and externally validated among non-Hispanic Whites and non-Hispanic Blacks. We sought to validate it in a multi-ethnic cohort that also included Hispanics and Chinese Americans.

Design: This is a cross-sectional study.

Setting: Data were collected using stan­dardized questionnaires and spot urine samples at a baseline examination in 2000- 2002. The 8 items in the self-assessment tool include age, race, gender, current ciga­rette smoking, history of diabetes, hyperten­sion, or stroke, and self-rated health.

Participants: Of 6,814 community-dwelling adults aged 45-84 years participating in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), 6,542 were included in the primary analysis.

Main Outcome Measures: Albuminuria was defined as urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio ≥30 mg/g at baseline.

Results: Among non-Hispanic Whites, non- Hispanic Blacks, Hispanics, and Chinese Americans, the prevalence of albuminuria was 6.0%, 11.3%, 11.6%, and 10.8%, respectively. The c-statistic for discriminating participants with and without albuminuria was .731 (95% CI: .692, .771), .728 (95% CI: .687, .761), .747 (95% CI: .709, .784), and .761 (95% CI: .699, .814) for non-His­panic Whites, non-Hispanic Blacks, Hispan­ics, and Chinese Americans, respectively. The self-assessment tool over-estimated the probability of albuminuria for non-Hispanic Whites and Blacks, but was well-calibrated for Hispanics and Chinese Americans.

Conclusions: The albuminuria self-assess­ment tool maintained good test charac­teristics in this large multi-ethnic cohort, suggesting it may be helpful for increasing awareness of albuminuria in an ethnically diverse population. Ethn Dis.2015;25(4):427- 434; doi:10.18865/ed.25.4.427
Associations of Abdominal Muscle Area with 4-Year Change in Coronary Artery Calcium Differ by Ethnicity among Post-Menopausal Women
Authors: Wassel Christina L. , Laughlin Gail A. , Saad Sarah D. , Araneta Maria Rosario G. , Wooten Wilma , Barrett-Connor Elibeth , Allison Matthew A.
Published: November 2015

Objective: To examine the association of abdominal muscle area with coronary artery calcium (CAC) presence, extent, and pro­gression in a multi-ethnic cohort of older, community-dwelling post-menopausal women.

Design and Setting: Cross-sectional and longitudinal population-based cohort.

Participants: The sample comprised 179 non-Hispanic White women, 116 Filipina women and 144 African American women, all without known CVD, who underwent chest and abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans twice about four years apart for abdominal muscle and fat, as well as CAC.

Main Outcome Measures: CAC presence, extent and progression.

Results: There was a significant interaction of ethnicity with baseline oblique muscle area (p-for-interaction .01), and marginally significant interactions with baseline total and paraspinal muscle for change in CAC (p-for-interactions both .09). Among Fili­pina women, each standard deviation (SD) greater total muscle area was associated with a 26% (95% CI (-43%, -4%), P=.02) reduced rate of change in CAC; higher paraspinal and oblique muscle area were associated with a 24% (-38%, -6%, P=.01) and a 37% (-53%, -16%, P=.0002) reduced rate of change in CAC, respectively. These associations were not significant in African American or non-Hispanic White women. There were no significant associations of abdominal muscle with CAC presence or extent, nor were there significant ethnicity by muscle interactions in these models.

Conclusions: Among Filipina women, greater abdominal muscle mass is associated with a decreased rate of CAC progression. Higher muscle mass may be important for this group in reducing CVD outcomes. Ethn Dis. 2015;25(4):435-442; doi:10.18865/ ed.25.4.435
Treatment Resistant Hypertension
Authors: Egan Brent M.
Published: November 2015

Treatment resistant hypertension (TRH) is defined by office blood pressure (BP) uncontrolled on ≥3 or controlled on ≥4 antihypertensive medications, preferably at optimal doses and including a diuretic. Apparent (a)TRH is used when optimal therapy, adherence, and measurement artifacts are unknown. Among treated hy­pertensives, ~30% of uncontrolled and 10% of controlled individuals have aTRH, with a higher prevalence in Blacks than other race-ethnicity groups. In ≥50% of aTRH patients, BP measurement artifacts (‘office’ TRH), suboptimal regimens, or suboptimal adher­ence are present, ie, pseudo-resistance. While patients with ‘office’ TRH have fewer cardiovascular events than those with ‘true’ TRH, no evidence confirms that patients with suboptimal regimens or adherence are spared. Averaging several office BPs obtained with an automated monitor can reduce ‘office’ TRH. Home or ambulatory BP monitoring can identify office resistance. Prescribing ≥3 different antihypertensive medication classes, eg, thiazide-type diuret­ic, renin-angiotensin blocker and calcium antagonist at ≥50% of maximum recom­mended doses reasonably defines optimal therapy. Intensifying diuretic therapy, eg, adding an aldosterone antagonist, is effec­tive for many TRH patients who are volume expanded. Clinical information, hemody­namic and renin-guided therapeutics can inform other treatment options. Attention to adverse effects, medication costs, and pill burden can improve adherence and control. Patients with aTRH and suspected second­ary hypertension should be evaluated. Inter­fering substances or medications should be discontinued. These approaches will identify or correct the problem in ~80% of aTRH patients. Referral to a hypertension special­ist and newer therapeutic approaches are options for TRH patients who cannot take or do not respond to optimal therapy. Ethn Dis. 2015;25(4):495-498; doi:10.18865/ ed.25.4.495
The Spatial Distribution of Nitrogen Removal Functional Genes in Multimedia Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment
Authors: Ji Guodong , He Chunguang , Tan Yufei , Yang Zhonghua
Published: November 2015

The real‐time polymerase chain reaction was used to quantitatively evaluate distribution patterns and nitrogen removal pathways of the amoA, nxrA, narG, napA, nirK, qnorB, nosZ, nas, and nifH genes and 16S rRNA in anaerobic ammonia oxidation bacteria in four multimedia constructed wetlands for rural wastewater treatment. The results indicated that the abundance of functional genes for nitrogen removal in the rhizosphere layer (0 to 30 cm), water distribution layer (30 to 50 cm), multime filler layer (50 to 130 cm), and catchment layer (130 to170 cm) of the constructed wetlands were closely related. The rhizosphere layer was conducive to the absolute enrichment of dominant genes. The other three layers were favorable to the relative enrichment of rare genes.
Effects of Biocide Chlorine on Biochemical Responses of the Dinoflagellate Prorocentrum minimum
Authors: Ebenezer Vinitha , Suh Young Sang , Ki Jang‐Seu
Published: November 2015

Effects of the biocide sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) on the dinoflagellate Prorocentrum minimum were assessed. Growth rate, pigment concentrations, and chlorophyll autofluorescence were monitored up to 72 hours after NaOCl exposure, and these parameters showed dose‐ and time‐dependent decrease. The 72‐hour EC50 was 0.983 mg/L. Additionally, enzymatic activities of lipid peroxidation and reduced glutathione were significantly altered with increasing NaOCl and exposure time. Thus, NaOCl at doses of 0.5 mg/L induces physiological and biochemical changes in P. minimum, suggesting that chlorine concentrations observed in power plant discharges and in drinking water systems are potentially detrimental to microalgae.
Optimization of Manganese Reduction in Biotreated POME onto 3A Molecular Sieve and Clinoptilolite Zeolites
Authors: Jami Mohammed S. , Rosli Nurul‐Shafiqah , Amosa Mutiu K.
Published: November 2015

Availability of quality‐certified water is pertinent to the production of food and pharmaceutical products. Adverse effects of manganese content of water on the corrosion of vessels and reactors necessitate that process water is scrutinized for allowable concentration levels before being applied in the production processes. In this research, optimization of the adsorption process conditions germane to the removal of manganese from biotreated palm oil mill effluent (BPOME) using zeolite 3A subsequent to a comparative adsorption with clinoptilolite was studied. A face‐centered central composite design (FCCCD) of the response surface methodology (RSM) was adopted for the study. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) for response surface quadratic model revealed that the model was significant with dosage and agitation speed connoting the main significant process factors for the optimization. R2 of 0.9478 yielded by the model was in agreement with predicted R2. Langmuir and pseudo‐second‐order suggest the adsorption mechanism involved monolayer adsorption and cation exchanging.
Accounting Institution Citation-Based Research Rankings by Topical Area and Methodology
Authors: Myers Noah , Snow Neal , Summers Scott L. , Wood David A.
Published: November 2015

This study creates citation-based rankings for accounting institutions by topical areas (AIS, audit, financial, managerial, tax, and other) and methodologies (archival, analytical, experimental, and other) extending prior count-based ranking studies that disaggregate rankings by topic and methodology. We report separate rankings for different year windows (previous six years, 12 years, and since 1990) and only give institutions credit for authors who currently work for the institution. We show that disaggregated citation-based rankings are important as the correlations for some topic areas and methodologies with an overall ranking are modest. We also show that the correlation for citation-based and count-based rankings can differ significantly in some situations suggesting the importance of considering both types of rankings in decision making.

Data Availability: Requests for data may be made to the authors.
Lost in Policy Translation: Canadian Minority Francophones and Health Disparities
Authors: Alimezelli Hubert Tote , Leis Anne , Denis Wilfrid , Karunanayake Chandima
Published: November 2015

We reviewed Canadian federal, provincial, and territorial policies related to the health of official language minorities (OLMs) and found important provincial and territorial differences as well as policies penalizing OLMs, which thus contribute significantly to health disparities and to the low vitality of OLM communities. These findings suggest the need for more aggressive, hands-on, and concerted federal and provincial/territorial government efforts to address social inequities and health disparities. Increased policy coherence between these levels of government will not only increase the health and vitality of these populations but also help close the disparity gap and lead to better health and well-being for all Canadians.
Qualité de l’emploi et santé mentale des travailleurs au Québec : une comparaison entre les immigrants et les natifs
Authors: Boulet Maude , Boudarbat Brahim
Published: November 2015

Dans cet article, nous analysons le lien d’association entre la qualité de l’emploi et la santé mentale des travailleurs nés au Canada ou à l’étranger. Il s’agit de vérifier si le fait d’occuper un emploi de qualité préserve la santé mentale des travailleurs, et celle immigrants en particulier. En effet, la littérature souligne que l’intégration des immigrants sur le marché du travail au Canada est difficile et que le chômage est l’un des principaux stresseurs de la santé mentale des nouveaux arrivants. Nos résultats – obtenus à partir des données de l’Enquête québécoise sur des conditions de travail, d’emploi et de santé et de sécurité du travail(EQCOTESST) – révèlent que le fait d’occuper un emploi de qualité réduit davantage la détresse psychologique chez les immigrants que chez les natifs. Cela suggère que la qualité de l’emploi aurait un effet protecteur plus fort sur la santé mentale des immigrants que sur celle des natifs. L’investissement dans l’intégration des immigrants serait de ce fait plus que rentable pour la société d’accueil.
Rater Errors in Clinical Performance Assessments
Authors: Royal Kenneth D. , Hecker Kent G.
Published: November 2015

Rater errors are some of the most significant validity threats to any performance assessment. Veterinary medical education routinely uses raters to assess student performance in a variety of scenarios (e.g., clinical assessments, OSCEs, etc.). The purpose of this “teaching tip” is to introduce veterinary medical educators to the notion of rater error, identify a list of common rater errors, and discuss how these errors can be addressed and minimized so as to produce accurate and defensible measures of student performance.
Cold Atom Gases, Hedgehogs, and Snakes: The Methodological Challenges of Comparing Scientific Things
Authors: Gläser Jochen , Laudel Grit
Published: November 2015

While several “grand narratives” have been developed to account for the impact of scientific things on scientific practice, there is still very little methodological support for comparative analyses of scientific things. The goal of our article is to sketch the methodological challenges involved in comparatively analyzing scientific things and including their properties in middle-range theories of scientific practice. Methodological challenges arise from the necessity to use scientists' accounts of scientific things, the dilemma between depth and breadth of comparative case-study approaches, and from the necessity to compare accounts of scientific things to each other as well as to social conditions of research. Since the dominant approaches to the study of scientific things avoid the middle levels of abstraction, we suggest using an approach based on a theory of action. Two examples from a recent study of conditions for scientific innovations illustrate our approach to the comparative analysis of properties of scientific things.
Social Situations and the Impact of Things: The Example of Catholic Liturgy
Authors: Cress Torsten
Published: November 2015

Today, the insight that material objects are an important part of social life is widely recognized in the social and cultural sciences. But how exactly do things affect the microlevel of social interaction? And by which methodological means can their significance for it be explored? Based on a study of Catholic liturgy, an ethnographic approach is developed that allows for systematic investigations into the role material objects play in social situations. Using Erving Goffman's frame analysis as a theoretical tool, it assumes that things are constitutive of social situations while in turn helping participants make sense of these situations. Conversely, the impact of things is considered closely tied to their particular situational involvement. In order to explore the connections between materiality, meaning, and use, I suggest investigating a number of closely related aspects: the contribution of things to the specifics of the situation in question; the bodily practices in which they are involved; the physical environment in which they are embedded; the physical qualities they possess; and the social definitions tied to them.
Chitosan Supplementation may Improve the Digestive Physiology and Health of Captive Leiothrix lutea
Authors: Le Wang , Ting-Ting Liao , Xi-Long Wang , Gui-Ping Yuan , Shi-Bin Yuan
Published: November 2015

We investigated the effects of supplemental chitosan on digestibility of feed nutrients, intestinal histology and digestive enzyme activity in the pancreas, duodenum and jejunoileum in Leiothrix lutea. Sixty-four adult birds were randomly allotted to one of four dietary treatments (basal diet supplemented with 0%, 0.1%, 0.5% and 1% chitosan). The experiment lasted for 30 days, of which the last 4 days involved metabolic experiments. Compared with the control group, the addition of 0.5% chitosan enhanced the apparent metabolism rate of dry matter, metabolisable energy, crude fat and phosphorus, and decreased apparent metabolism rate of calcium; crude protein was unaffected. Compared with the control group, the villous height of the duodenum and ileum supplemented with 0.5% chitosan increased by 12.11% and 15.03%, while the crypt depth in the duodenum deepened by 6.48%. Supplemental chitosan decreased lipase and amylase activities; trypsin and chymotrypsin activities increased first and then decreased as the level of chitosan increased. These data suggest that dietary chitosan (0.5%) may improve the digestive physiology of L. lutea in captivity by increasing the apparent metabolic rate of most nutrients, improving intestinal health and enhancing digestive enzyme activity.
Replacement of Yolk of the Chicken Embryo in ovo with Fresh Yolk or Yolk Varying in Granule and Cholesterol Content
Authors: Austic Richard E. , Hsu Kun-Nan
Published: November 2015

A method has been devised to study the nutritional role of yolk cholesterol in the development of the chicken ( Gallus gallus domesticus) embryo using egg yolk replacement. Preliminary experiments revealed that 11 mL of yolk in medium-sized eggs were adequate to support embryos from 4 to 20 days of incubation, and that low levels of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and amyloglucosidase (AG) in yolk were tolerated by the embryo. Fresh egg yolk was treated with β-CD at 50 °C, centrifuged to remove the insoluble β-CD-cholesterol complex, and incubated with AG to degrade residual β-CD. The cholesterol content was reduced from 13.1 mg g−1 in fresh egg yolk to 1.3 mg g−1 in cholesterol-reduced yolk supernatant (CRYS). Yolk granules co-precipitated with the β-CD-cholesterol complex. The cholesterol concentration of CRYS supplemented with granules from fresh yolk ( i.e. CRYSg) was 3.2 mg g−1. When yolks of early 5-day embryos were replaced with 11 mL of CRYS, the maximum survival was 17 days of incubation. When yolks were replaced with 11 mL CRYSg, 30% of embryos survived to 20 days, a significant increase in survival compared to CRYS ( P < 0.05). Sixty per cent of embryos receiving fresh yolk (yolk controls) and 83% of embryos in intact eggs (intact controls) survived to 20 days. The controls did not differ significantly ( P > 0.05). Embryos in the CRYS and CRYSg groups had shorter survivals than yolk controls ( P < 0.001) and intact controls ( P < 0.005). These results suggest a methodological approach for investigations of egg yolk cholesterol and yolk granules in chick embryo development.
Molecular Analysis of the Value of Horseshoe Crab Eggs to Migrating Shorebirds
Authors: Novcic Ivana , Mizrahi David S. , Veit Richard R. , Symondson William O.C.
Published: November 2015

Detection of prey DNA from faecal samples is a non-invasive method being successfully applied to the dietary analysis of birds as well as other vertebrates and invertebrates. We have employed this technique to examine the significance of Horseshoe Crab eggs ( Limulus polyphemus) for Dunlins ( Calidris alpina), Semipalmated Sandpipers ( Calidris pusilla), Least Sandpipers ( Calidris minutilla) and Short-billed Dowitchers ( Limnodromus griseus) during northbound migration at their major stopover area in Delaware Bay. This was accomplished through polymerase chain reaction amplification of Limulus DNA from faecal samples using new Horseshoe Crab-specific primers. We detected the consumption of crab eggs in all study species, although results suggest that eggs may be a less important food source for Least Sandpipers than for the other species. Consumption of eggs increases as the migration season progresses, implying a strong preference of birds for this resource at the end of May, when eggs are readily accessible. The results confirm the value of Horseshoe Crab eggs for migrating shorebirds in this crucial stopover area. The Limulus-specific primers we designed can be effectively used for detection of semidigested Limulus DNA from faecal samples and thus they can be employed in the dietary analysis of other predators that seasonally capitalise on Horseshoe Crabs or their eggs.
Food Supplementation Reveals Constraints and Adaptability of Egg Quality in the Magpie Pica Pica
Authors: Siitari Heli , Alatalo Rauno , Pihlaja Marjo , Hämäläinen Jenny , Blount Jonathan D. , Groothuis Ton G. , Hytönen Vesa P. , Surai Peter , Soulsbury Carl D.
Published: November 2015

Differences in the deposition of limited maternal resources to eggs can reflect the optimal allocation to manipulate offspring phenotype, or constraints caused by maternal condition. We examined multiple maternal substances transferred to eggs in the magpie Pica pica to test the hypothesis that certain substances represent constraint and some optimal allocation. We did this by supplementary feeding magpies prior to egg-laying and then comparing the effect of food on maternal substances in conjunction with laying order relative to a control group. Certain substances such as carotenoids, immunoglobulins and avidin responded positively to food supplementation, whereas others, such as testosterone and total protein content of eggs, did not. Immunoglobulin allocation increased with laying order in fed but not in unfed groups. Our results suggest that patterns of optimal allocation and constraint in maternally-provisioned substances co-occur within clutches. Furthermore, constraint and optimal allocation may co-occur within the same substance i.e. immunoglobulins, highlighting the complexities of maternal resource allocation.
The High Mountain Asia glacier contribution to sea-level rise from 2000 to 2050
Authors: Zhao Liyun , Ding Ran , Moore John C.
Published: November 2015

We estimate all the individual glacier area and volume changes in High Mountain Asia (HMA) by 2050 based on Randolph Glacier Inventory (RGI) version 4.0, using different methods of assessing sensitivity to summer temperatures driven by a regional climate model and the IPCC A1B radiative forcing scenario. A large range of sea-level rise variation comes from varying equilibrium-line altitude (ELA) sensitivity to summer temperatures. This sensitivity and also the glacier mass-balance gradients with elevation have the largest coefficients of variability (amounting to ~50%) among factors examined. Prescribing ELA sensitivities from energy-balance models produces the highest sea-level rise (9.2 mm, or 0.76% of glacier volume a–1), while the ELA sensitivities estimated from summer temperatures at Chinese meteorological stations and also from 1°x1° gridded temperatures in the Berkeley Earth database produce 3.6 and 3.8 mm, respectively. Different choices of the initial ELA or summer precipitation lead to 15% uncertainties in modelled glacier volume loss. RGI version 4.0 produces 20% lower sea-level rise than version 2.0. More surface mass-balance observations, meteorological data from the glaciated areas, and detailed satellite altimetry data can provide better estimates of sea-level rise in the future.
The Rationality and Irrationality of Financing Green Start-Ups
Authors: Bergset Linda
Published: November 2015

Green start-ups contribute towards a transition to a more sustainable economy by developing sustainable and environmentally friendly innovation and bringing it to the market. Due to specific product/service characteristics, entrepreneurial motivation and company strategies that might differ from that of other start-ups, these companies might struggle even more than usual with access to finance in the early stages. This conceptual paper seeks to explain these challenges through the theoretical lenses of entrepreneurial finance and behavioural finance. While entrepreneurial finance theory contributes to a partial understanding of green start-up finance, behavioural finance is able to solve a remaining explanatory deficit produced by entrepreneurial finance theory. Although some behavioural finance theorists are suggesting that the current understanding of economic rationality underlying behavioural finance research is inadequate, most scholars have not yet challenged these assumptions, which constrict a comprehensive and realistic description of the reality of entrepreneurial finance in green start-ups. The aim of the paper is thus, first, to explore the specifics of entrepreneurial finance in green start-ups and, second, to demonstrate the need for a more up-to-date conception of rationality in behavioural finance theory in order to enable realistic empirical research in this field.
Emotional Meta-Memories: A Review
Authors: Fairfield Beth , Mammarella Nicola , Palumbo Rocco , Di Domenico Alberto
Published: November 2015

Emotional meta-memory can be defined as the knowledge people have about the strategies and monitoring processes that they can use to remember their emotionally charged memories. Although meta-memory per se has been studied in many cognitive laboratories for many years, fewer studies have explicitly focused on meta-memory for emotionally charged or valenced information. In this brief review, we analyzed a series of behavioral and neuroimaging studies that used different meta-memory tasks with valenced information in order to foster new research in this direction, especially in terms of commonalities/peculiarities of the emotion and meta-memory interaction. In addition, results further support meta-cognitive models that take emotional factors into account when defining meta-memory per se.
Meta-Analysis of DNA Tumor-Viral Integration Site Selection Indicates a Role for Repeats, Gene Expression and Epigenetics
Authors: Doolittle-Hall Janet , Cunningham Glasspoole Danielle , Seaman William , Webster-Cyriaque Jennifer
Published: November 2015

Oncoviruses cause tremendous global cancer burden. For several DNA tumor viruses, human genome integration is consistently associated with cancer development. However, genomic features associated with tumor viral integration are poorly understood. We sought to define genomic determinants for 1897 loci prone to hosting human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) or Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV). These were compared to HIV, whose enzyme-mediated integration is well understood. A comprehensive catalog of integration sites was constructed from the literature and experimentally-determined HPV integration sites. Features were scored in eight categories (genes, expression, open chromatin, histone modifications, methylation, protein binding, chromatin segmentation and repeats) and compared to random loci. Random forest models determined loci classification and feature selection. HPV and HBV integrants were not fragile site associated. MCPyV preferred integration near sensory perception genes. Unique signatures of integration-associated predictive genomic features were detected. Importantly, repeats, actively-transcribed regions and histone modifications were common tumor viral integration signatures.
Neighborhood Approximations for Non-Linear Voter Models
Authors: Schweitzer Frank , Behera Laxmidhar
Published: November 2015

Non-linear voter models assume that the opinion of an agent depends on the opinions of its neighbors in a non-linear manner. This allows for voting rules different from majority voting. While the linear voter model is known to reach consensus, non-linear voter models can result in the coexistence of opposite opinions. Our aim is to derive approximations to correctly predict the time dependent dynamics, or at least the asymptotic outcome, of such local interactions. Emphasis is on a probabilistic approach to decompose the opinion distribution in a second-order neighborhood into lower-order probability distributions. This is compared with an analytic pair approximation for the expected value of the global fraction of opinions and a mean-field approximation. Our reference case is averaged stochastic simulations of a one-dimensional cellular automaton. We find that the probabilistic second-order approach captures the dynamics of the reference case very well for different non-linearities, i.e., for both majority and minority voting rules, which only partly holds for the first-order pair approximation and not at all for the mean-field approximation. We further discuss the interesting phenomenon of a correlated coexistence, characterized by the formation of large domains of opinions that dominate for some time, but slowly change.
Counterfactual Distributions in Bivariate Models—A Conditional Quantile Approach
Authors: Alejo Javier , Badaracco Nicolás
Published: November 2015

This paper proposes a methodology to incorporate bivariate models in numerical computations of counterfactual distributions. The proposal is to extend the works of Machado and Mata (2005) and Melly (2005) using the grid method to generate pairs of random variables. This contribution allows incorporating the effect of intra-household decision making in counterfactual decompositions of changes in income distribution. An application using data from five latin american countries shows that this approach substantially improves the goodness of fit to the empirical distribution. However, the exercise of decomposition is less conclusive about the performance of the method, which essentially depends on the sample size and the accuracy of the regression model.
A Comparison of Airborne Laser Scanning and Image Point Cloud Derived Tree Size Class Distribution Models in Boreal Ontario
Authors: Penner Margaret , Woods Murray , Pitt Douglas
Published: November 2015

Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) metrics have been used to develop area-based forest inventories; these metrics generally include estimates of stand-level, per hectare values and mean tree attributes. Tree-based ALS inventories contain desirable information on individual tree dimensions and how much they vary within a stand. Adding size class distribution information to area-based inventories helps to bridge the gap between area- and tree-based inventories. This study examines the potential of ALS and stereo-imagery point clouds to predict size class distributions in a boreal forest. With an accurate digital terrain model, both ALS and imagery point clouds can be used to estimate size class distributions with comparable accuracy. Nonparametric imputations were generally superior to parametric imputations; this may be related to the limitation of using a unimodal Weibull function on a relatively small prediction unit (e.g., 400 m2).