bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early burst in body size evolution is uncoupled from species diversification in diving beetles (Dytiscidae)
Authors: Désamoré Aurélie , Laenen Benjamin , Miller Kelly B. , Bergsten Johannes
Published: January 2018

Changes in morphology are often thought to be linked to changes in species diversification, which is expected to leave a signal of early burst (EB) in phenotypic traits. However, such signal is rarely recovered in empirical phylogenies, even for groups with well‐known adaptive radiation. Using a comprehensive phylogenetic approach in Dytiscidae, which harbours ~4,300 species with as much as 50‐fold variation in body size among them, we ask whether pattern of species diversification correlates with morphological evolution. Additionally, we test whether the large variation in body size is linked to habitat preference and whether the latter influences species turnover. We found, in sharp contrast to most animal groups, that Dytiscidae body size evolution follows an early‐burst model with subsequent high phylogenetic conservatism. However, we found no evidence for associated shifts in species diversification, which point to an uncoupled evolution of morphology and species diversification. We recovered the ancestral habitat of Dytiscidae as lentic (standing water), with many transitions to lotic habitat (running water) that are concomitant to a decrease in body size. Finally, we found no evidence for difference in net diversification rates between habitats nor difference in turnover in lentic and lotic species. This result, together with recent findings in dragonflies, contrasts with some theoretical expectations of the habitat stability hypothesis. Thus, a thorough reassessment of the impact of dispersal, gene flow and range size on the speciation process is needed to fully encompass the evolutionary consequences of the lentic–lotic divide for freshwater fauna.
A guide to calculating habitat‐quality metrics to inform conservation of highly mobile species
Authors: Bieri J. A. , Sample C. , Thogmartin W. E. , Diffendorfer J. E. , Earl J. E. , Erickson R. A. , Federico P. , Flockhart D. T. T. , Nicol S. , Semmens D. , Skraber T. , Wiederholt R. , Mattsson B. J.
Published: January 2018

Many metrics exist for quantifying the relative value of habitats and pathways used by highly mobile species. Properly selecting and applying such metrics requires substantial background in mathematics and understanding the relevant management arena. To address this multidimensional challenge, we demonstrate and compare three measurements of habitat quality: graph‐, occupancy‐, and demographic‐based metrics. Each metric provides insights into system dynamics, at the expense of increasing amounts and complexity of data and models. Our descriptions and comparisons of diverse habitat‐quality metrics provide means for practitioners to overcome the modeling challenges associated with management or conservation of such highly mobile species. Whereas previous guidance for applying habitat‐quality metrics has been scattered in diversified tracks of literature, we have brought this information together into an approachable format including accessible descriptions and a modeling case study for a typical example that conservation professionals can adapt for their own decision contexts and focal populations.

Considerations for Resource Managers

Management objectives, proposed actions, data availability and quality, and model assumptions are all relevant considerations when applying and interpreting habitat‐quality metrics.

Graph‐based metrics answer questions related to habitat centrality and connectivity, are suitable for populations with any movement pattern, quantify basic spatial and temporal patterns of occupancy and movement, and require the least data.

Occupancy‐based metrics answer questions about likelihood of persistence or colonization, are suitable for populations that undergo localized extinctions, quantify spatial and temporal patterns of occupancy and movement, and require a moderate amount of data.

Demographic‐based metrics answer questions about relative or absolute population size, are suitable for populations with any movement pattern, quantify demographic processes and population dynamics, and require the most data.

More real‐world examples applying occupancy‐based, agent‐based, and continuous‐based metrics to seasonally migratory species are needed to better understand challenges and opportunities for applying these metrics more broadly.
The frequency of family meals and nutritional health in children: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Dallacker M. , Hertwig R. , Mata J.
Published: January 2018

Findings on the relationship between family meal frequency and children's nutritional health are inconsistent. The reasons for these mixed results have to date remained largely unexplored. This systematic review and meta‐analysis of 57 studies (203,706 participants) examines (i) the relationship between family meal frequency and various nutritional health outcomes and (ii) two potential explanations for the inconsistent findings: sociodemographic characteristics and mealtime characteristics. Separate meta‐analyses revealed significant associations between higher family meal frequency and better overall diet quality (r = 0.13), more healthy diet (r = 0.10), less unhealthy diet (r = −0.04) and lower body mass index, BMI (r = −0.05). Child's age, country, number of family members present at meals and meal type (i.e. breakfast, lunch or dinner) did not moderate the relationship of meal frequency with healthy diet, unhealthy diet or BMI. Socioeconomic status only moderated the relationship with BMI. The findings show a significant relationship between frequent family meals and better nutritional health – in younger and older children, across countries and socioeconomic groups, and for meals taken with the whole family vs. one parent. Building on these findings, research can now target the causal direction of the relationship between family meal frequency and nutritional health.
Childhood alopecia areata—Data from the National Alopecia Areata Registry
Authors: Wohlmuth‐Wieser Iris , Osei Joyce S. , Norris David , Price Vera , Hordinsky Maria K. , Christiano Angela , Duvic Madeleine
Published: January 2018

Background/Objectives

Alopecia areata may occur at any age and is the third‐most‐common dermatosis in children. The objective of this study was to investigate the clinical and epidemiologic features of children and adolescents with alopecia areata based on the data of the National Alopecia Areata registry on children and adolescents.

Methods

Two thousand two hundred eighteen children and adolescents with alopecia areata self‐enrolled in the National Alopecia Areata Registry and completed a web‐based, self‐administered, short‐intake screening questionnaire (first tier). In the second tier, 643 patients participated in a clinical examination and completed a long‐form questionnaire.

Results

Mean age of onset was 5.9 ± 4.1 years. With a female to male ratio of 1.5:1, alopecia areata was more prevalent in girls, but boys were significantly more likely to have a severe type (P = .009). One‐fourth of all children had a positive family history, with 8% having more than three affected relatives. The disease most commonly associated with alopecia areata was atopic dermatitis (32.7%).

Conclusion

Childhood alopecia areata is more prevalent in girls than in boys, but boys have more extensive alopecia areata. Despite the low prevalence, congenital alopecia areata is an important differential diagnosis for neonatal hair loss. Alopecia areata runs in families, suggesting an underlying genetic background. One‐quarter of the children reported at least one affected first‐degree relative; 8% had more than three affected relatives.
Oxybutynin 3% gel for the treatment of primary focal hyperhidrosis in adolescents and young adults
Authors: Nguyen Nicholas V. , Gralla Jane , Abbott James , Bruckner Anna L.
Published: January 2018

Background/Objectives

There are no reliably effective, well‐tolerated topical agents for the treatment of hyperhidrosis. We sought to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of oxybutynin 3% gel in adolescents and young adults with primary focal hyperhidrosis.

Methods

Patients with severe axillary hyperhidrosis were treated with topical oxybutynin 3% gel for 4 weeks. Response to treatment was assessed by calculating change in Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Score from baseline to weeks 1 and 4. Change in health‐related quality of life was assessed using the Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index or the Dermatology Life Quality Index. Adverse effects were evaluated using patient diaries, investigator global review, and physical examination.

Results

Of 10 patients aged 13‐24 enrolled, seven completed the study. Of those who completed the study, four (57.1%) reported reduction in axillary Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Score at week 1 and all seven (100%) at week 4. Six patients (85.7%) reported reduction in Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index or Dermatology Life Quality Index score. Anticholinergic adverse effects were infrequent. The majority of treatment‐related adverse events were mild to moderate in severity. One patient experienced a severe adverse event.

Conclusion

Oxybutynin 3% gel reduced hyperhidrosis severity and improved health‐related quality of life in this small pilot study. Safety and efficacy should be further evaluated in a large, prospective, placebo‐controlled study.
Growth of liver allografts over time in pediatric transplant recipients
Authors: Chaudhry S. G. , Bentley‐Hibbert S. , Stern J. , Lobritto S. , Martinez M. , Vittorio J. , Halazun K. J. , Lee H. T. , Emond J. , Kato T. , Samstein B. , Griesemer A.
Published: January 2018

The liver's capacity to grow in response to metabolic need is well known. However, long‐term growth of liver allografts in pediatric recipients has not been characterized. A retrospective review of pediatric recipients at a single institution identified patients who had cross‐sectional imaging at 1, 5, and 10 years post‐transplant. Using volumetric calculations, liver allograft size was calculated and percent SLV were compared across the different time points; 18 patients ranging from 0.3 to 17.7 years old were identified that had imaging at 2 or more time points. Measured liver volumes increased by 59% after 5 years and 170% after 10 years. The measured liver volumes compared to calculated %SLV for these patients were 123 ± 37%, 97 ± 19%, and 118 ± 27% at 1, 5, and 10 years after transplant, respectively. Our data suggest that liver allografts in pediatric recipients increase along with overall growth, and reach SLVs for height and weight by 5 years post‐transplantation. Additionally, as pediatric recipients grow, the livers appear to maintain appropriate SLV.
Effect of astaxanthin on the quality of boar sperm stored at 17°C, incubated at 37°C or under in vitro conditions
Authors: Basioura A , Boscos CM , Parrilla I , Tsousis G , Tsakmakidis IA
Published: January 2018

Contents

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of the antioxidant astaxanthin on boar semen. Twenty ejaculates from 10 boars (two ejaculates/boar) were extended and split in three groups: semen control (SC), solvent control (C; semen with dimethyl sulfoxide, the diluent of astaxanthin) and semen with astaxanthin (A) in concentration 0.5 μmol/L. Sperm quality parameters (motility and kinetics, morphology, viability, functional integrity of sperm plasma membrane by Hypo‐Osmotic Swelling Test [HOST] and DNA integrity) were assessed at 0, 24 and 48 hr of storage at 17°C (experiment I), before (0 hr) and after (1 hr) of sperm thermal resistance assay at 37°C (experiment II) and finally before (0 hr) and after (1 hr) sperm in vitro incubation (38.5°C, 5% CO2, maximum humidity [experiment III]). In experiment I, group A performed overall better than group SC and as a tendency better than group C regarding viability. Total motility, rapid spermatozoa and HOST remained constant across time in group A, whereas they decreased in the remaining groups. In experiment II, regarding motility and viability, group A displayed better results across time than the other two groups. In experiment III, viability and total motility decreased in groups SC and C, while in group A, these parameters were not significantly different between the examination time points. In conclusion, astaxanthin has a beneficial and protective effect on boar semen quality under the investigated conditions.
SPATIAL MODELING OF INDUSTRIAL LOCATION DETERMINANTS IN JAPAN: EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS USING SPATIAL ECONOMETRIC APPROACHES
Authors: Takano Keisuke , Tsutsumi Morito , Kikukawa Yasuaki
Published: January 2018

Recent empirical studies have shown that investigation is required to identify the determinants of industrial location on a spatially detailed scale for disaggregated regional units, such as cities or counties. The existing literature establishes the necessity for considering spatial dependence among proximal location units; however, few studies have employed this process for Japan. We empirically show the main determinants of new entries of production bases in 1,652 local municipalities in Japan from 2012 to 2015. We also address the existence of spatial dependence by adopting a spatial econometric approach, which has an impact on the location determination process. Some location determinants of neighboring municipalities, related to economic agglomeration, have a significant impact on the new entries of production bases belonging to the heavy industry, while no significant impact is observed in the light industry. Unobserved and spatially dependent determinants have a significantly positive impact on new production bases in both industries, particularly in disaster‐stricken areas.
In‐center hemodialysis education: Challenges and innovations in training of fellows in nephrology
Authors: Moist Louise M , Lindsay Robert M
Published: January 2018

The in‐center dialysis unit and practice of dialysis, in the current multi‐team approach, requires knowledge and skills in all the domains including medical expert, communicator, collaborator, scholar, health advocate, and leader. We are tasked as a community, to embrace and incentivize new innovations and technology to address these needs for our post graduate trainees. These innovations must address the basic principles of dialysis, quality improvement, technical and procedural skills as well as leadership and administration skills. The teaching methods and innovations must also be challenged to demonstrate the translation into adoption and improvements in practice to demonstrate success. This article will review the current state of the training curriculum in Nephrology for in‐center hemodialysis and address some of the recent innovations.
Tax and inequality in the United States
Authors: Bradley Stephanie L.
Published: January 2018

Taxation impacts individuals' lives in significant, and sometimes unequal, ways. While much sociological research examines factors that contribute to economic inequality and policy development, the relationship between inequality and tax policies remains understudied in sociology. In this article, I review extant research highlighting the ways in which taxation is an important site of inequality in the United States. I focus on how some of the most valuable tax policies related to work, marriage, investments, and homeownership contribute to economic inequality with class, gender, and race/ethnicity variation.
The mediation of gay men's lives: A review on gay dating app studies
Authors: Wu Shangwei , Ward Janelle
Published: January 2018

A growing body of literature focuses on gay men's use of mobile dating applications or “dating apps.” Running on smartphones and working with GPS, dating apps connect users to others in close geographic proximity and often in real time. These apps allow users to create profiles to present themselves and interact with each other to reach multiple goals, such as casual sex, dating, or networking. Attending to the dynamics between communication technologies and society, this article reviews gay dating app studies that highlight the communicative practices and social relations mediated by dating apps. Using the mediation framework as a starting point, we examine major themes in these studies, including gay men's online self‐presentation and interactions, gay community in the digital era, and gay men's interpersonal relationships. We suggest that future research should pay more attention to the technical development of dating devices and the transformation of gay men's social relations.
Contribution to the knowledge of the oribatid mite genus Licnodamaeus Grandjean, 1931 and synonymy of Licnodamaeolus Covarrubias, 1998 (Acari, Oribatida, Licnodamaeidae)
Authors: Bayartogtokh Badamdorj , Ermilov Sergey G. , Hugo-coetzee Elizabeth A. , Khaustov Alexander A.
Published: January 2018

Two new oribatid mite species of the genus Licnodamaeus (Oribatida, Licnodamaeidae) are described based on adult material collected from a termite nest in South Africa. Licnodamaeus navalhillensis sp. nov. is similar to L. travei (Covarrubias, 1998) comb. nov., but differs by the clavate bothridial setae. Licnodamaeus sacculatus sp. nov. is similar to L. asetosus (Ermilov & Hugo-Coetzee, 2012) comb. nov., but differs by the unilaterally dilated bothridial setae, four pairs of notogastral setae, tridactylous legs and saccules on all leg femora and trochanters III, IV. The taxonomic status of the genus Licnodamaeolus is discussed, resulting in the following taxonomic proposal: Licnodamaeus Grandjean, 1931 (=Licnodamaeolus Covarrubias, 1998 syn. nov.).
Antimicrobial Stewardship: How the Microbiology Laboratory Can Right the Ship
Authors: Morency-Potvin Philippe , Schwartz David N. , Weinstein Robert A.
Published: January 2018

Antimicrobial stewardship is a bundle of integrated interventions employed to optimize the use of antimicrobials in health care settings. While infectious-disease-trained physicians, with clinical pharmacists, are considered the main leaders of antimicrobial stewardship programs, clinical microbiologists can play a key role in these programs. This review is intended to provide a comprehensive discussion of the different components of antimicrobial stewardship in which microbiology laboratories and clinical microbiologists can make significant contributions, including cumulative antimicrobial susceptibility reports, enhanced culture and susceptibility reports, guidance in the preanalytic phase, rapid diagnostic test availability, provider education, and alert and surveillance systems. In reviewing this material, we emphasize how the rapid, and especially the recent, evolution of clinical microbiology has reinforced the importance of clinical microbiologists' collaboration with antimicrobial stewardship programs.
Point-Counterpoint: Meningitis/Encephalitis Syndromic Testing in the Clinical Laboratory
Authors: Dien Bard Jennifer , Alby Kevin
Published: January 2018

INTRODUCTION

Syndromic panels were first FDA cleared for detection of respiratory pathogens in 2008. Since then, other panels have been approved by the FDA, and most recently, the FilmArray meningitis/encephalitis panel (BioFire, Salt Lake City, UT) has become available. This assay detects 14 targets within 1 h and includes pathogens that typically cause different manifestations of infection, although they infect the same organ system. Several studies have reported both false-positive and false-negative results with this test, and all agree that the cost is significant. As with other panels, health care systems have adopted different strategies for offering this assay. Some have implemented strategies to limit the use of the test to certain patient populations, others have elected not to offer the test, and others have elected not to offer the test and instead request that providers order specific PCRs for the pathogens that best fit the patient's symptoms. In this Point-Counterpoint, Jennifer Dien Bard of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, and of the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California explains why laboratories should offer these assays without restriction. Kevin Alby of the University of Pennsylvania explains the concerns about the use of these assays as first-line tests and why some limitations on their use might be appropriate.
Clinical Validation of SensiTest Colistin, a Broth Microdilution-Based Method To Evaluate Colistin MICs
Authors: Carretto Edoardo , Brovarone Flavia , Russello Giuseppe , Nardini Paola , El-Bouseary Maisra M. , Aboklaish Ali F. , Walsh Timothy R. , Tyrrell Jonathan M.
Published: January 2018

The global spread of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria has led to the return of colistin for treating severe infections. Recently, different plasmid-mediated genes conferring resistance to this drug were described and reported worldwide. International committees (EUCAST/CLSI) reevaluated inconsistencies surrounding colistin antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST), concluding that broth microdilution (BMD) should serve as the reference method for AST. The development of an accurate, reproducible commercial test based on BMD is therefore highly desirable. SensiTest Colistin (STC), a BMD-based compact 4-test panel containing the lyophilized antibiotic in 7 2-fold dilutions (0.25 to 16 μg/ml) was here compared with the EUCAST-CLSI standard reference method (BMD) and, for some isolates, with the automated Phoenix 100 system (PHX). A total of 353 bacterial strains were evaluated by two different laboratories; 137 isolates were resistant to colistin (19 were intrinsically resistant, 83 harbored the
mcr-1
gene). Essential agreement (EA) between STC and BMD was obtained for 339 out of the 353 strains tested (96.0%). Overall categorical agreement was obtained for 349 out of the 353 strains analyzed (98.9%). Two major errors (MEs; 0.93%) and two very major errors (VMEs; 1.46%) were documented. STC appeared to be a simple but highly reliable test with good reproducibility even with panels stored at room temperature or at 35°C. Moreover, STC showed a good performance with strains carrying the
mcr-1
gene, with a 98.8% EA. As the secondary endpoint of our study, VMEs for PHX were documented for 6 isolates (10%).
Roles of the 5′ Untranslated Region of Nonprimate Hepacivirus in Translation Initiation and Viral Replication
Authors: Tanaka Tomohisa , Otoguro Teruhime , Yamashita Atsuya , Kasai Hirotake , Fukuhara Takasuke , Matsuura Yoshiharu , Moriishi Kohji
Published: January 2018

The 5′ untranslated region (UTR) of hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is composed of four domains (I, II, III, and IV) and a pseudoknot, is essential for translation and viral replication. Equine nonprimate hepacivirus (EHcV) harbors a 5′ UTR consisting of a large 5′-terminal domain (I); three additional domains (I′, II, and III), which are homologous to domains I, II, and III, respectively, of HCV; and a pseudoknot, in the order listed. In this study, we investigated the roles of the EHcV 5′ UTR in translation and viral replication. The internal ribosome entry site (IRES) activity of the EHcV 5′ UTR was lower than that of the HCV 5′ UTR in several cell lines due to structural differences in domain III. Domains I and III of EHcV were functional in the HCV 5′ UTR in terms of IRES activity and the replication of the subgenomic replicon (SGR), although domain II was not exchangeable between EHcV and HCV for SGR replication. Furthermore, the region spanning domains I and I′ of EHcV (the 5′-proximal EHcV-specific region) improved RNA stability and provided the HCV SGR with microRNA 122 (miR-122)-independent replication capability, while EHcV domain I alone improved SGR replication and RNA stability irrespective of miR-122. These data suggest that the region spanning EHcV domains I and I′ improves RNA stability and viral replication regardless of miR-122 expression. The 5′-proximal EHcV-specific region may represent an inherent mechanism to facilitate viral replication in nonhepatic tissues.

IMPORTANCE
EHcV is the closest viral homolog to HCV among other hepaciviruses. HCV exhibits a narrow host range and liver-specific tropism, while epidemiological reports suggest that EHcV infects the liver and respiratory organs in horses, donkeys, and dogs. However, the mechanism explaining the differences in host or organ tropism between HCV and EHcV is unknown. In this study, our data suggest that the 5′ untranslated region (UTR) of EHcV is composed of an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) element that is functionally exchangeable with HCV IRES elements. Furthermore, the 5′-proximal EHcV-specific region enhances viral replication and RNA stability in a miR-122-independent manner. Our data suggest that the region upstream of domain II in the EHcV 5′ UTR contributes to the differences in tissue tropism observed between these hepaciviruses.
Clostridium sordellii
Pathogenicity Locus Plasmid pCS1-1 Encodes a Novel Clostridial Conjugation Locus
Authors: Vidor Callum J. , Watts Thomas D. , Adams Vicki , Bulach Dieter , Couchman Edward , Rood Julian I. , Fairweather Neil F. , Awad Milena , Lyras Dena
Published: January 2018

A major virulence factor in
Clostridium sordellii
-mediated infection is the toxin TcsL, which is encoded within a region of the genome called the pathogenicity locus (PaLoc).
C. sordellii
isolates carry the PaLoc on the pCS1 family of plasmids, of which there are four characterized members. Here, we determined the potential mobility of pCS1 plasmids and characterized a fifth unique pCS1 member. Using a derivative of the pCS1-1 plasmid from strain ATCC 9714 which had been marked with the
ermB
erythromycin resistance gene, conjugative transfer into a recipient
C. sordellii
isolate, R28058, was demonstrated. Bioinformatic analysis of pCS1-1 identified a novel conjugation gene cluster defined as the
C. sordellii
transfer (
cst
) locus. Interruption of genes within the
cst
locus resulted in loss of pCS1-1 transfer, which was restored upon complementation in
trans
. These studies provided clear evidence that genes within the
cst
locus are essential for the conjugative transfer of pCS1-1. The
cst
locus is present on all pCS1 subtypes, and homologous loci were identified on toxin-encoding plasmids from
Clostridium perfringens
and
Clostridium botulinum
and also carried within genomes of
Clostridium difficile
isolates, indicating that it is a widespread clostridial conjugation locus. The results of this study have broad implications for the dissemination of toxin genes and, potentially, antibiotic resistance genes among members of a diverse range of clostridial pathogens, providing these microorganisms with a survival advantage within the infected host.

IMPORTANCE
C. sordellii
is a bacterial pathogen that causes severe infections in humans and animals, with high mortality rates. While the pathogenesis of
C. sordellii
infections is not well understood, it is known that the toxin TcsL is an important virulence factor. Here, we have shown the ability of a plasmid carrying the
tcsL
gene to undergo conjugative transfer between distantly related strains of
C. sordellii
, which has far-reaching implications for the ability of
C. sordellii
to acquire the capacity to cause disease. Plasmids that carry
tcsL
encode a previously uncharacterized conjugation locus, and individual genes within this locus were shown to be required for conjugative transfer. Furthermore, homologues on toxin plasmids from other clostridial species were identified, indicating that this region represents a novel clostridial conjugation locus. The results of this study have broad implications for the dissemination of virulence genes among members of a diverse range of clostridial pathogens.
Prevalence and Source of Fecal and Oral Bacteria on Infant, Child, and Adult Hands
Authors: Shaffer Michael , Lozupone Catherine
Published: January 2018

Bacteria live all around us, and we are constantly exposed to them during our everyday lives. Modern standards of hygiene aim to limit exposure to fecal bacteria, and yet bacteria rapidly colonize the gut in early life and following antibacterial treatment. Exposures to fecal and oral microbes provide risk of disease, but are also necessary since commensal microbes play important roles in health. This work establishes that bacteria of both fecal and oral origins are commonly found on hands. It also establishes that the uniqueness of fecal and oral bacterial communities across people can allow for determination of the likely individual from whom the fecal and oral bacteria came. These techniques allow for understanding the hands as a vector for microbial transmission within families and across populations, which has important implications for public health.
Snap, crackle and pop: when sneezing leads to crackling in the neck
Authors: Yang Wanding , Sahota Raguwinder S , Das Sudip
Published: January 2018

Spontaneous perforation of the pharynx is an unusual condition. Due to its non-specific presentation and general lack of awareness, diagnosis and intervention may be delayed resulting in potential complications. This case reports a rare spontaneous perforation of the pyriform sinus after a forceful sneeze, leading to cervical subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum.
Neighbourhood looking glass: 360º automated characterisation of the built environment for neighbourhood effects research
Authors: Nguyen Quynh C , Sajjadi Mehdi , McCullough Matt , Pham Minh , Nguyen Thu T , Yu Weijun , Meng Hsien-Wen , Wen Ming , Li Feifei , Smith Ken R , Brunisholz Kim , Tasdizen Tolga
Published: January 2018

Background

Neighbourhood quality has been connected with an array of health issues, but neighbourhood research has been limited by the lack of methods to characterise large geographical areas. This study uses innovative computer vision methods and a new big data source of street view images to automatically characterise neighbourhood built environments.

Methods

A total of 430 000 images were obtained using Google’s Street View Image API for Salt Lake City, Chicago and Charleston. Convolutional neural networks were used to create indicators of street greenness, crosswalks and building type. We implemented log Poisson regression models to estimate associations between built environment features and individual prevalence of obesity and diabetes in Salt Lake City, controlling for individual-level and zip code-level predisposing characteristics.

Results

Computer vision models had an accuracy of 86%–93% compared with manual annotations. Charleston had the highest percentage of green streets (79%), while Chicago had the highest percentage of crosswalks (23%) and commercial buildings/apartments (59%). Built environment characteristics were categorised into tertiles, with the highest tertile serving as the referent group. Individuals living in zip codes with the most green streets, crosswalks and commercial buildings/apartments had relative obesity prevalences that were 25%–28% lower and relative diabetes prevalences that were 12%–18% lower than individuals living in zip codes with the least abundance of these neighbourhood features.

Conclusion

Neighbourhood conditions may influence chronic disease outcomes. Google Street View images represent an underused data resource for the construction of built environment features.
Perceptions of exercise screening among older adults
Authors: Stathokostas Liza , Petrella Andrea F.M. , Blunt Wendy , Petrella Robert J.
Published: January 2018

Prephysical activity screening is important for older adults’ participating in physical activity. Unfortunately, many older adults face barriers to exercise participation and thus, may not complete proper physical activity screening. The purpose of this project was to conduct a thematic analysis of perceptions and experiences of community-dwelling older adults regarding prephysical activity screening (i.e., Get Active Questionnaire (GAQ) and a standardized exercise stress test). A convenience sample of adults (male n = 58, female n = 54) aged 75 ± 7 years living in the City of London, Ontario, Canada, was used. Participants completed a treadmill stress test and the GAQ at a research laboratory for community-based referrals. One week later, participants completed the GAQ again and were asked questions by a research assistant about their perceptions of the screening process. Thematic analysis of the responses was conducted. The results indicated that older adults view physical activity screening as acceptable, but not always necessary. Also, the experiences expressed by this sample of older adults indicated that physical activity screening can contribute to continued confidence (through reassurance) and can contribute to increased motivation (through yearly fitness results) in exercise participation. In conclusion, older adults may perceive screening as supportive in exercise adoption, if screening is simple, convenient, and supports older adults’ motivation and confidence to exercise.
Improved Algorithm for Resource Allocation Problems
Authors: Mondal Sakib A.
Published: January 2018

We consider the problem of allocating a set of resources for performing a given collection of jobs. Each of the jobs has specific resource requirement for its execution. Each resource has specific start time, finish time and associated cost per unit usage. The objective is to execute the jobs while incurring minimum cost. The problem is NP-hard. We improve known four-approximation to a three-approximation algorithm. Our algorithm implies better approximation for two other related problems.
Improved Convergence Properties of the Relaxation Schemes of Kadrani et al. and Kanzow and Schwartz for MPEC
Authors: Xu Na , Zhu Xide , Pang Li-Ping , Lv Jian
Published: January 2018

This paper concentrates on improving the convergence properties of the relaxation schemes introduced by Kadrani et al. and Kanzow and Schwartz for mathematical program with equilibrium constraints (MPEC) by weakening the original constraint qualifications. It has been known that MPEC relaxed constant positive-linear dependence (MPEC-RCPLD) is a class of extremely weak constraint qualifications for MPEC, which can be strictly implied by MPEC relaxed constant rank constraint qualification (MPEC-RCRCQ) and MPEC relaxed constant positive-linear dependence (MPEC-rCPLD), of course also by the MPEC constant positive-linear dependence (MPEC-CPLD). We show that any accumulation point of stationary points of these two approximation problems is M-stationarity under the MPEC-RCPLD constraint qualification, and further show that the accumulation point can even be S-stationarity coupled with the asymptotically weak nondegeneracy condition.
Good subsemigroups of ℕn
Authors: D’Anna Marco , García-Sánchez Pedro A. , Micale Vincenzo , Tozzo Laura
Published: January 2018

Value semigroups of non-irreducible singular algebraic curves and their fractional ideals are submonoids of [Formula: see text] that are closed under infimums, have a conductor and fulfill a special compatibility property on their elements. Monoids of [Formula: see text] fulfilling these three conditions are known in the literature as good semigroups and there are examples of good semigroups that are not realizable as the value semigroup of an algebraic curve. In this paper, we consider good semigroups independently from their algebraic counterpart, in a purely combinatorial setting. We define the concept of good system of generators, and we show that minimal good systems of generators are unique. Moreover, we give a constructive way to compute the canonical ideal and the Arf closure of a good subsemigroup when [Formula: see text].
An invariant of virtual knots using flat virtual knot diagrams
Authors: Kim Joonoh , Shin Mihaw
Published: January 2018

In this paper, we describe a method of making an invariant of virtual knots that is defined in terms of an integer labeling of the flat virtual knot diagram. We give an invariant of flat virtual knots using the invariant above. Moreover, we derive a relation of two invariants.
The host galaxies of long gamma-ray bursts through cosmic time
Authors: Krühler Thomas
Published: January 2018

As a result of their unprecedented luminosity, long [Formula: see text]-ray bursts (GRBs) and their afterglows pinpoint a population of high-redshift galaxies that is distinct and complementary to galaxies selected by deep sky surveys. In this way, GRBs facilitate a unique view into the high-redshift universe. The bright optical afterglow, for example, serves as a background light for absorption-line spectroscopy, and thus helps us to accurately characterize and understand the cosmochemical evolution of the interstellar matter, the properties of star-forming galaxies through cosmic time or dust extinction at redshifts up to [Formula: see text]. Similarly, detailed studies of the GRB explosion site, and the specific stellar population and galactic environment linked to the GRB, provide important constraints on the physical properties of the GRB progenitor like stellar mass, or on the interplay between metallicity and GRB formation. In this paper, we review recent results in both areas, focusing on novel results from extensive host observations of well-selected GRB samples.
THE SIERPINSKI TRIANGLE PLANE
Authors: ETTESTAD DAVID , CARBONARA JOAQUIN
Published: January 2018

The Sierpinski Triangle (ST) is a fractal which has Haussdorf dimension [Formula: see text] that has been studied extensively. In this paper, we introduce the Sierpinski Triangle Plane (STP), an infinite extension of the ST that spans the entire real plane but is not a vector subspace or a tiling of the plane with a finite set of STs. STP is shown to be a radial fractal with many interesting and surprising properties.
A STUDY OF MULTIFRACTALITY AND PHASE TRANSITION IN HEAVY-ION COLLISIONS — EXPERIMENTAL DATA VERSUS MODEL SIMULATION
Authors: BHATTACHARYYA SWARNAPRATIM , HAIDUC MARIA , NEAGU ALINA TANIA , FIRU ELENA
Published: January 2018

In this paper, we have investigated the presence of multifractality and the possibility of quark–hadron phase transition in the multiparticle production in [Formula: see text]O–AgBr, [Formula: see text]Si–AgBr and [Formula: see text]S–AgBr interactions at 4.5[Formula: see text]AGeV/[Formula: see text] in the framework of Ginzburg–Landau theory of second-order phase transition following the Takagi moment methodology. The same analysis with the factorial moment method has also been performed. Experimental results have been compared with the prediction of UrQMD and AMPT models. A comparison of experimental results with the analysis of UrQMD simulated RHIC data by the method of Takagi moment has also been presented. Comparison of experimental results with previous results of emulsion experiments has been mentioned.
OPERATING CAPACITY OF ANTI-OXIDIZING COATING IN HYPERSONIC FLOWS OF AIR PLASMA
Authors: ASTAPOV ALEXEY N. , KUZNETSOVA EKATERINA L. , RABINSKIY LEV N.
Published: January 2018

In this paper, we present the results of investigations of degradation processes that occur in the structure promising high-temperature anti-oxidizing of heat-resistant coating of the Si–TiSi2–MoSi2–B–Y system in hypersonic flows of air plasma. The coating is designed to protect a wide range of heat-resistant materials (carbon–carbon and carbon–ceramic composites, coal–graphite materials, alloys based on Nb, Mo, W, etc.). It is found that the coating operating capacity at surface temperatures [Formula: see text] 1820–1830∘C is provided by the structural-phase state of its microcomposite main layer and formation on the coating surface of a heterogeneous passivating protective film. It is based on borosilicate glass reinforced by rutile microneedles. The mechanism of coating destruction at [Formula: see text] 1850–1860∘C is erosion loss of oxide film as well as generation and growth of gas-filled cavities at the “coating main layer–oxide film” interface. As the pressure of saturated vapor of gaseous oxidation products (SiO, CO, MoO3 and B2O3) exceeds that of the ambient, the oxide film integrity is disrupted and oxidation process becomes active. The rates of erosion loss and sublimation grow as operating temperature increases and ambient pressure decreases.
THERMAL AND AC ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF THIN FILMS PREPARED FROM n-BUTYL METHACRYLATE BY A CAPACITIVELY COUPLED PLASMA REACTOR
Authors: NASRIN RAHIMA , BHUIYAN A. H.
Published: January 2018

Plasma-polymerized thin films of n-butyl methacrylate (PPnBMA) have been deposited on to glass substrate in an aluminium/PPnBMA/aluminium configuration by a capacitively coupled glow discharge reactor. The field emission scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscope images of PPnBMA thin films showed a flat, uniform and continuous surface. With increasing deposition time the root mean square roughness of the PPnBMA thin films increases. The differential thermal analysis and thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated that PPnBMA was thermally stable up to about 476 and 500[Formula: see text]K in air and N2 environments, respectively. The alternating current (AC) electrical conductivity ([Formula: see text]) and dielectric properties of the PPnBMA thin films of thickness 120[Formula: see text]nm were investigated in the frequency region from 102–106[Formula: see text]Hz at various temperatures. It was found that the mechanism dependable for the conduction process in PPnBMA is hopping. The trend of dielectric constant ascends with ascending temperature and descends with frequency. The dielectric loss tangent is seen to increase with frequency and attains a maximum loss peak at around 105[Formula: see text]Hz and above this frequency it decreases. The plot of relaxation time against the reciprocal of absolute temperature for PPnBMA thin film yields the activation energy for dielectric relaxation at 0.05[Formula: see text]eV. Cole–Cole plot exhibits little distorted semicircle which also indicates nearly Debye type relaxation process in this film.
LINSEED OIL AS A NOVEL ECO-FRIENDLY CORROSION INHIBITOR OF CARBON STEEL IN 1 M HCl
Authors: GHARDA N. , GALAI M. , SAQALLI L. , HABBADI N. , GHAILANE R. , SOUIZI A. , TOUHAMI M. EBN , PERES-LUCCHESE Y.
Published: January 2018

The extraction of linseed oil (LO) was realized by refluxing method. The extracted oil was identified by gas chromatography method coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In order to contribute to the protection of the environment, one contemplates to try on LO as a green corrosion inhibitor. The corrosion inhibition of LO was studied by weight loss and electrochemical methods. The obtained results showed that the LO is an effective inhibitor of the carbon steel corrosion in 1[Formula: see text]M HCl solution, the inhibition efficiency increased with concentration to reach 88% at 200[Formula: see text]ppm. Furthermore, the adsorption of the inhibitor on the surface of metal in 1[Formula: see text]M HCl solution was found to obey Langmuir’s adsorption isotherm. The influences of temperature were also studied in the range from 298[Formula: see text]K to 328[Formula: see text]K. The kinetic and thermodynamic data of activation dissolution process were determined and discussed.
Observational effects of varying speed of light in quadratic gravity cosmological models
Authors: Izadi Azam , Shacker Shadi Sajedi , Olmo Gonzalo J. , Banerjee Robi
Published: January 2018

We study different manifestations of the speed of light in theories of gravity where metric and connection are regarded as independent fields. We find that for a generic gravity theory in a frame with locally vanishing affine connection, the usual degeneracy between different manifestations of the speed of light is broken. In particular, the space-time causal structure constant ([Formula: see text]) may become variable in that local frame. For theories of the form [Formula: see text], this variation in [Formula: see text] has an impact on the definition of the luminosity distance (and distance modulus), which can be used to confront the predictions of particular models against Supernovae type Ia (SN Ia) data. We carry out this test for a quadratic gravity model without cosmological constant assuming (i) a constant speed of light and (ii) a varying speed of light (VSL), and find that the latter scenario is favored by the data.
A first-order Lagrangian theory of fields with arbitrary spin
Authors: Canarutto Daniel
Published: January 2018

The bundles suitable for a description of higher-spin fields can be built in terms of a 2-spinor bundle as the basic “building block”. This allows a clear, direct view of geometric constructions aimed at a theory of such fields on a curved spacetime. In particular, one recovers the Bargmann–Wigner equations and the [Formula: see text]-dimensional representation of the angular-momentum algebra needed for the Joos–Weinberg equations. Looking for a first-order Lagrangian field theory we argue, through considerations related to the 2-spinor description of the Dirac map, that the needed bundle must be a fibered direct sum of a symmetric “main sector” — carrying an irreducible representation of the angular-momentum algebra — and an induced sequence of “ghost sectors”. Then one indeed gets a Lagrangian field theory that, at least formally, can be expressed in a way similar to the Dirac theory. In flat spacetime, one gets plane-wave solutions that are characterized by their values in the main sector. Besides symmetric spinors, the above procedures can be adapted to anti-symmetric spinors and to Hermitian spinors (the latter describing integer-spin fields). Through natural decompositions, the case of a spin-2 field describing a possible deformation of the spacetime metric can be treated in terms of the previous results.
Hydrothermal Synthesis of CrO2 Nanoparticle Arrays on Ti nano-pit Array Templates
Authors: Wang Xiaoling , Wang Lu , Lin Tao , Huang Hailiang , Wen Gehui
Published: January 2018

Chromium dioxide (CrO[Formula: see text] nanoparticle arrays were fabricated on Ti nano-pit array templates by hydrothermal synthesis using CrO3 aqueous solution as precursor. The Ti nano-pit array template was obtained by stripping TiO2 nanotube array formed on the Ti foil. CrO2 nanoparticles are arranged in honeycomb pattern in a large area and their surface density reaches [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text]. The CrO2 nanoparticle arrays show typical magnetic behavior, and the easy axis is parallel to the plane of Ti nano-pit array template. The influence of the concentration of CrO3 aqueous solution on the CrO2 nanoparticle arrays is studied and the mechanism of the formation of the CrO2 nanoparticle arrays is briefly discussed.
Three-Dimensional Graphene/MnO2Nanowalls Hybrid for High-Efficiency Electrochemical Supercapacitors
Authors: Xiong Chuanyin , Li Tiehu , Zhao Tingkai , Dang Alei , Ji Xianglin , Li Hao , Etesami Mohammad
Published: January 2018

In this paper, a facile method is designed to fabricate three-dimensional (3D) graphene (GR)/manganese dioxide (MnO2) nanowall electrode material. The 3D GR/MnO2hybrid is prepared by a combination of electrochemical deposition (ELD) and electrophoresis deposition (EPD), followed by thermal reduction (TR). Firstly, the 3D graphene oxide (GO)/MnO2hybrid is obtained by the ELD–EPD method. Secondly, the 3D GR/MnO2hybrid is obtained through hydrogen reduction at a certain temperature. The as-fabricated hybrid has been characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and Raman spectroscopy. The electrochemical properties have been also measured by cyclic voltammetry. The results showed that the 3D GR/MnO2nanowalls hybrid has a high specific capacitance of 266.75[Formula: see text]Fg[Formula: see text] and a high energy density of 25.36[Formula: see text]Whkg[Formula: see text]. Moreover, a high specific capacitance (240.15[Formula: see text]Fg[Formula: see text]) at a high scan rate of 200[Formula: see text]mVs[Formula: see text] (90% capacity retention) has been also obtained. Additionally, the hybrid can serve directly as the electrodes of supercapacitor without adding binder. This work provides a novel road to fabricate a binder-free 3D GR-based hybrid for high-performance energy storage devices.