bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inoculation of new rhizobial isolates improve nutrient uptake and growth of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and arugula (Eruca sativa)
Authors: de Souza Eduardo M , Bassani Victor L , Sperotto Raul A , Granada Camille E
Published: November 2015

BACKGROUND

In the current agricultural model, the massive use of chemical fertilizer causes environmental and economic losses. Inoculation of plant‐growth‐promoting (PGP) nitrogen‐fixing bacteria is an alternative to the use of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. In this study, rhizobia strains isolated from common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) root nodules were evaluated in an effort to identify an efficient nitrogen‐fixing rhizobia strain able to improve bean germination and growth.

RESULTS

Common bean plants were collected from seven sites in southern Brazil, and 210 native rhizobia isolates were obtained. Evaluation of PGP traits showed that most of the rhizobia isolates were non‐siderophore producers and weak indolic compounds producers. Under laboratory conditions, rhizobia isolates E15 (Rhizobium leguminosarum) and L5 (Rhizobium radiobacter) increase germination percentage, length, and dry weight of common bean and arugula (Eruca sativa) seedlings. Under greenhouse conditions, common bean plants inoculated with the rhizobia isolates VC28 and L15 (both Rhizobium fabae) presented the highest nodule number and shoot dry matter, while VC28 also presented the highest values of shoot nitrogen and potassium. Isolate L17 presented highly effective N fixation, even with reduced nodulation.

CONCLUSION

These new rhizobia isolates are attractive PGP alternatives to chemical fertilizers. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Winter wheat fertilized with biogas residue and mining waste: yielding and the quality of grain
Authors: Różyło Krzysztof , Gawlik‐Dziki Urszula , Świeca Michał , Różyło Renata , Pałys Edward
Published: November 2015

BACKGROUND

Environmental protection problems and efforts to increase agricultural productivity result in attempts to use various organic and mineral wastes as fertilizers. This study aimed to determine the effect of biogas residue (BR) and mining waste (MS) fertilization on wheat yield as well as the nutritional and pro‐health quality of grains produced.

RESULTS

After the application of MS and BR wheat grain yield was increased compared to unfertilized wheat. The highest grain yield and thousand‐grain weight were obtained after MS+BR fertilization. Grains of wheat fertilized with BR and MS+BR contained significantly more protein and wet gluten compared to no fertilization and conventional fertilization (NPK). The studied conditions did not statistically affect starch content. BR fertilization significantly increased the total phenolic content; however, grains of wheat fertilized with NPK were characterized by the highest content of flavonoids and syringic, p‐coumaric and sinapic acids. Compared to NPK, waste fertilizations positively affect the reducing power and antiradical activity of wheat.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that the wastes evaluated can be an alternative to conventional fertilization in the soil tested that without any significant deterioration and in some cases significant improvement of yield and wheat quality. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Puma response to the effects of fire and urbanization
Authors: Jennings Megan K. , Lewison Rebecca L. , Vickers T. Winston , Boyce Walter M.
Published: November 2015

In southern California, wildfire and urbanization influence landscape condition and features. We explored the synergistic effects of these disturbances on puma (Puma concolor) movement and habitat preference in southern California, USA using a telemetry dataset of >40 individuals from 2001 to 2011. We examined post‐fire movement of tracked pumas to consider the relationship between habitat use and availability as animals used the landscape. We also explored puma response to burned areas to examine the influence of vegetation cover, time since fire, fire frequency, and the synergistic effects of urbanization on puma landscape use. We compare our results to those of others by using a complementary approach to evaluate how habitat relationships change with additional puma data and with consideration of the fire history of the landscape. Our analyses suggest that after fires, pumas use burned habitats opportunistically, responding to post‐fire changes in prey density. Additionally, time since fire and fire frequency were useful predictors of puma presence at the individual‐ and population‐level. Our puma habitat models showed a strong relationship between puma habitat use, vegetation, and human developments. Our analysis suggests that fire is an important landscape element to consider when evaluating puma habitat; pumas opportunistically used recently burned areas in the first few years after fire. We identified that pumas avoided grassland vegetation types and areas of sparse cover, suggesting that increasing fire frequency could affect puma habitat suitability and connectivity in the future. Fire frequencies in parts of southern California have already increased beyond the threshold to which the ecosystem is resilient, and if this trend continues across the region, suitable puma habitat may be lost through vegetation‐type conversion to homogenous non‐native annual grasslands, a habitat avoided by pumas during foraging and resting. We suggest monitoring responses to increasing fire frequency to assess how pumas and other carnivores will be affected by large‐scale changes that may pose a threat to landscape integrity and persistence of puma populations in southern California. © 2015 The Wildlife Society.
Median nerve penetration by a persistent median artery and vein mimicking carpal tunnel syndrome
Authors: Stavros Kara , Paik David , Motiwala Rajeev , Weinberger Jesse , Zhou Lan , Shin Susan
Published: November 2015

Introduction: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common clinical syndrome seen in the outpatient setting that is easily confirmed by electrodiagnostic testing. Methods: We describe the case of a patient who presented with the classic symptoms and neurological examination for CTS, but had a normal nerve conduction study and electromyogram. Results: Neuromuscular ultrasound of the median nerve on the symptomatic side revealed penetration of the nerve by a persistent median artery and vein in the mid‐forearm, with a positive sonographic Tinel sign over this spot. This finding is an anatomical variation that has been described sparingly in the literature, mostly in cadavers. It has not been reported previously to be a mimic of CTS. Conclusions: This case demonstrates the diagnostic utility of neuromuscular ultrasound and the importance of considering an anatomical variation involving the median nerve in the differential diagnosis of CTS. Muscle Nerve 53: 485–487, 2016
NUR77 exerts a protective effect against inflammatory bowel disease by negatively regulating the TRAF6/TLR–IL‐1R signalling axis
Authors: Wu Hua , Li Xiu‐Ming , Wang Jing‐Ru , Gan Wen‐Juan , Jiang Fu‐Quan , Liu Yao , Zhang Xin‐Dao , He Xiao‐Shun , Zhao Yuan‐Yuan , Lu Xing‐Xing , Guo Yan‐Bing , Zhang Xiao‐Kun , Li Jian‐Ming
Published: November 2015

Nur77, an immediate‐early response gene, participates in a wide range of biological functions. Its human homologue, NUR77, is known by several names and has the HGNC‐approved gene symbol NR4A1. However, the role of Nur77 in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and its underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, using public data from the International Inflammatory Bowel Disease Genetics Consortium (IIBDGC) on the most recent genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) for ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), we found that genetic variants of the NUR77 gene are associated with increased risk for both UC and CD. Accordingly, Nur77 expression was significantly reduced in colon tissues from patients with UC or CD and mice treated with DSS. Nur77 deficiency increased the susceptibility of mice to DSS‐induced experimental colitis and prevented intestinal recovery, whereas treatment with cytosporone B (Csn‐B), an agonist for Nur77, significantly attenuated excessive inflammatory response in the DSS‐induced colitis mouse model. Mechanistically, NUR77 acts as a negative regulator of TLR–IL‐1R signalling by interacting with TRAF6. This interaction prevented auto‐ubiquitination and oligomerization of TRAF6 and subsequently inhibited NF‐κB activation and pro‐inflammatory cytokine production. Taken together, our GWAS‐based analysis and in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that Nur77 is an important regulator of TRAF6/TLR–IL‐1R‐initiated inflammatory signalling, and loss of Nur77 may contribute to the development of IBD, suggesting Nur77 as a potential target for the prevention and treatment of IBD. Copyright © 2015 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Age Differences in the Variance of Personality Characteristics
Authors: Mõttus René , Allik Jüri , Hřebíčková Martina , Kööts–Ausmees Liisi , Realo Anu
Published: November 2015

In contrast to mean–level comparisons, age group differences in personality trait variance have received only passing research interest. This may seem surprising because individual differences in personality characteristics are exactly what most of personality psychology is about. Because different proposed mechanisms of personality development may entail either increases or decreases in variance over time, the current study is exploratory in nature. Age differences in variance were tested by comparing the standard deviations of the five–factor model domain and facet scales across two age groups (20 to 30 years old versus 50 to 60 years old). Samples from three cultures (Estonia, the Czech Republic and Russia) were employed, and two methods (self–reports and informant–reports) were used. The results showed modest convergence across samples and methods. Age group differences were significant for 11 of 150 facet–level comparisons but never consistently for the same facets. No significant age group differences were observed for the five–factor model domain variance. Therefore, there is little evidence for individual differences in personality characteristics being systematically smaller or larger in older as opposed to younger people. We discuss the implications of these findings for understanding personality development. Copyright © 2015 European Association of Personality Psychology
INTERNSHIPS IN SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY: SELECTION AND ACCREDITATION ISSUES
Authors: Keilin W. Gregory
Published: November 2015

Doctoral students in school psychology often report unique issues and challenges when seeking a doctoral internship. The number and range of accredited internship positions available to School Psychology (SP) students in the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) Match is quite limited, and they often obtain non‐accredited positions outside of the Match. This article reviews recent data from APA and the APPIC Match to better understand these challenges. In addition, recent and upcoming changes to the accreditation landscape may have a significant impact on SP doctoral programs, internships, and students. Implications of these changes are discussed, and recommendations for the future are provided.
INTERNSHIP ATTAINMENT AND PROGRAM POLICIES: TRENDS IN APA‐ACCREDITED SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY PROGRAMS
Authors: Perfect Michelle M. , Thompson Miriam E. , Mahoney Emery
Published: November 2015

Completion of an internship that is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) is considered to be to the “gold standard” for health service psychology training programs. The Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) facilitates a Match process between participating applicants and internship programs. The current study aggregated data from across all APA‐accredited school psychology training programs to determine trends in internship types that students completed and programmatic requirements that might influence those trends. The study showed that 20% of students are completing internships of unknown quality. Further, participation in the Match and subsequent success in matching to an APA‐accredited or APPIC‐member internship were more likely to occur for students from programs that required or encouraged students to participate in the Match, had a firm deadline for dissertation proposals (with earlier deadlines being more successful), and were flexible in their policies regarding when students could complete a (600‐hour) school‐based organized field experience. There was considerable variability within programs, suggesting that students from the same program may have different training experiences with unknown implications. These data provide a foundation for school psychology organizations and trainers from school psychology programs to discuss standards for determining quality and strategies for supporting students who desire to pursue APA‐accredited internships.
Legume proteomics: Progress, prospects, and challenges
Authors: Rathi Divya , Gayen Dipak , Gayali Saurabh , Chakraborty Subhra , Chakraborty Niranjan
Published: November 2015

Legumes are the major sources of food and fodder with strong commercial relevance, and are essential components of agricultural ecosystems owing to their ability to carry out endosymbiotic nitrogen fixation. In recent years, legumes have become one of the major choices of plant research. The legume proteomics is currently represented by more than 100 reference maps and an equal number of stress‐responsive proteomes. Among the 48 legumes in the protein databases, most proteomic studies have been accomplished in two model legumes, soybean, and barrel medic. This review highlights recent contributions in the field of legume proteomics to comprehend the defence and regulatory mechanisms during development and adaptation to climatic changes. Here, we attempted to provide a concise overview of the progress in legume proteomics and discuss future developments in three broad perspectives: (i) proteome of organs/tissues; (ii) subcellular compartments; and (iii) spatiotemporal changes in response to stress. Such data mining may aid in discovering potential biomarkers for plant growth, in general, apart from essential components involved in stress tolerance. The prospect of integrating proteome data with genome information from legumes will provide exciting opportunities for plant biologists to achieve long‐term goals of crop improvement and sustainable agriculture.
The throne vs. the kingdom: Founder control and value creation in startups
Authors: Wasserman Noam
Published: November 2015

Research summary:Does the degree to which founders keep control of their startups affect company value? I argue that founders face a “control dilemma” in which a startup's resource dependence drives a wedge between the startup's value and the founder's ability to retain control of decision making. I develop hypotheses about this tradeoff and test the hypotheses on a unique dataset of 6,130 American startups. I find that startups in which the founder is still in control of the board of directors and/or theCEOposition are significantly less valuable than those in which the founder has given up control. On average, each additional level of founder control (i.e., controlling the board and/or theCEOposition) reduces the pre‐money valuation of the startup by 17.1–22.0 percent.

Managerial summary:A founder's vision and capabilities are key ingredients in the early success of a startup. During those early days, it is natural for the founder to have a powerful, central role. However, as the startup grows, founders who keep too much control of the startup and its most important decisions can harm the value of the startup. Both qualitative case studies and quantitative analyses of more than 6,000 private companies highlight that startups in which the founder has maintained control (by retaining a majority of the board of directors and/or by remaining asCEO) have significantly lower valuations than those where the founder has relinquished control. This is especially true when the startup is three years old or more. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Probabilistic degradation modelling of circular tunnels assembled from segmental linings
Authors: Ai Qing , Yuan Yong , Mahadevan Sankaran , Jiang Xiaomo
Published: November 2015

Cross‐section deformation is considered an important indicator for assessing the structural safety in the inspection and maintenance of tunnels. The way it increases over its lifetime is an indication of the gradual degradation in structural performance. In order to take timely and appropriate maintenance measures before the tunnel reaches the ultimate limit state, a predictive degradation model of cross‐section deformation should be established. In this paper, a probabilistic degradation model is developed based on an average uniform rigidity ring model for circular tunnels assembled from segmental linings. By considering the uncertainties and relevant performance of parameters that vary over time, the model is able to supply probabilistic and time‐dependent predictions. Critical parameters are identified and the model is simplified following sensitivity analysis. Based on the measuring data, a Bayesian updating method is proposed to improve the input assumptions and predictions of the model. This research provides a perspective on the degradation modelling of the cross‐section deformation of circular tunnels assembled from segmental linings and methods for improving the proposed predictive model.
Influence of reinforcing bar layout on fibre orientation and distribution in slabs cast from fibre‐reinforced self‐compacting concrete (FRSCC)
Authors: Žirgulis Giedrius , Švec Oldřich , Geiker Mette Rica , Cwirzen Andrzej , Kanstad Terje
Published: November 2015

Fibre orientation and volume distribution affect the post‐cracking tensile strength, which is one of the main design parameters of fibre‐reinforced concrete (FRC). This paper discusses the influence of unidirectional and grid reinforcement on fibre orientation and distribution in FRC slabs. Slabs without conventional reinforcing bars were used as a reference. The slab size was 1200 × 1200 × 150 mm. Numerical simulations were used to predict the fibre orientation and X‐ray computed tomography (CT) to determine the actual fibre orientation and distribution. Beams were sawn from each slab, CT‐scanned and tested in three‐point bending tests in accordance with EN 14651. Both the numerical simulations and the CT results show that the rebars caused a more isotropic fibre orientation in the lower halves of the slabs. This was confirmed in the bending tests, where the lowest variation and highest residual tensile strengths were documented for beams sawn from slabs with grid reinforcement. Fibre migration from the upper layer to middle and lower layers of the slabs due to gravity was observed in all slabs, and in the reinforced slabs, migration also depended on the distance from the casting point. The reinforcement led to an accumulation of fibres above the rebars in the middle layer of each reinforced slab. A set of mechanisms is proposed to explain the experimental results.
Narrow subpubic arch angle is associated with higher risk of persistent occiput posterior position at delivery
Authors: Ghi T. , Youssef A. , Martelli F. , Bellussi F. , Aiello E. , Pilu G. , Rizzo N. , Frusca T. , Arduini D. , Rizzo G.
Published: November 2015

Objective

To determine whether the subpubic arch angle (SPA) measured by three‐dimensional ultrasound is associated with the fetal occiput position at delivery and the mode of delivery.

Methods

Nulliparous women with an uncomplicated singleton pregnancy at ≥ 37 weeks' gestation were recruited from two tertiary centers between September 2013 and August 2015. All women underwent a three‐dimensional transperineal ultrasound examination and the SPA was measured using the previously validated Oblique View Extended Imaging software. Data on the outcome of labor were obtained prospectively in all cases and the correlations between SPA and the fetal occiput position at delivery and the incidence of operative delivery were investigated.

Results

Overall, 368 women were included in the study. Fetal position at delivery was occiput anterior in 339 (92.1%) cases and occiput posterior (OP) in 29 (7.9%) cases. A significantly narrower SPA was found in the OP group compared with the occiput anterior group (104.4 ± 16.8° vs 116.4 ± 11.9°; P < 0.0001). The SPA was significantly narrower in women requiring obstetric intervention compared with in women with a spontaneous vaginal delivery. From multivariable logistic regression analysis, SPA and maternal height appeared to be significant predictors of both the fetal occiput position at delivery and the risk of operative delivery. The best cut‐off value of SPA for predicting an OP position at delivery was 90.5°.

Conclusion

A narrow SPA is associated with a higher risk of persistent OP position at delivery and of operative delivery. Copyright © 2015 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Is Chemotherapy or Radiation Therapy in Addition to Surgery Beneficial for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer in the Elderly? A National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) Study
Authors: Bergquist J. R. , Thiels C. A. , Shubert C. R. , Habermann E. B. , Hayman A. V. , Zielinski M. D. , Mathis K. L.
Published: November 2015

Introduction

Current National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines for Stages II and III rectal cancer recommend neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by curative intent surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. It is unclear whether therapies in addition to surgery are truly beneficial in elderly patients. Our aim was to compare the survival of patients over 80 with Stages II and III rectal cancer undergoing curative intent surgery with or without additional therapy.

Materials and methods

The National Cancer Data Base (NCDB 2006–2011) was queried for patients over 80 with Stages II and III rectal cancer. The primary outcome was overall survival. Patients were stratified based upon therapy group. Univariate group comparisons were made. Unadjusted Kaplan–Meier and multivariable Cox proportional hazards modeling survival analyses were performed.

Results

The query yielded 3098 patients over 80 with Stage II (N = 1566) or Stage III (N = 1532) disease. Approximately, half of the patients received surgery only. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed improved survival for patients receiving neoadjuvant and/or adjuvant therapy in addition to surgery, but there was no significant difference between those that received guideline concordant care (GCC), neoadjuvant chemoradiation only, or post‐operative chemotherapy only. Cox proportional hazard modeling identified age >90 and margin positivity as independent risk factors for decreased overall survival.

Conclusion

Analysis of NCDB data for Stages II and III rectal cancer in patients over 80 shows a survival benefit of adjuvant and/or neoadjuvant therapy over surgery alone. There does not appear to be a difference in survival between patients who received neoadjuvant chemoradiation, post‐resection adjuvant chemotherapy, or GCC.
Reproductive Endocrinologists’ Utilization of Genetic Counselors for Oncofertility and Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) Treatment of BRCA1/2 Mutation Carriers
Authors: Goetsch Allison L. , Wicklund Catherine , Clayman Marla L. , Woodruff Teresa K.
Published: November 2015

Genetic counselors believe fertility preservation and preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) discussions to be a part of their role when counseling BRCA1/2 mutation‐positive patients. This study is the first to explore reproductive endocrinologists’ (REI) practices and attitudes regarding involvement of genetic counselors in the care of BRCA1/2 mutation carriers seeking fertility preservation and PGD. A survey was mailed to 1000 REIs from Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility (SREI), an American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) affiliate group. A 14.5 % response rate was achieved; data was analyzed using SPSS software. The majority of participating REIs were found to recommend genetic counseling to cancer patients considering fertility preservation (82 %) and consult with a genetic counselor regarding PGD for hereditary cancer syndromes (92 %). Additionally, REIs consult genetic counselors regarding PGD patient counseling (88 %), genetic testing (78 %), and general genetics questions (66 %). Two areas genetic counselors may further aid REIs are: elicitation of family history, which is useful to determine fertility preservation and PGD intervention timing (32 % of REIs utilize a cancer family history to determine intervention timing); and, interpretation of variants of uncertain significance (VOUS) as cancer panel genetic testing becomes more common (36 % of REIs are unfamiliar with VOUS). Given our findings, the Oncofertility Consortium® created an online resource for genetic counselors focused on fertility preservation education and communication strategies.
Das Zusammenspiel von Raum und Technik bei der Etablierung Erneuerbarer Energien. Transformationen in der Energiewende
Authors: Radtke Jörg
Published: November 2015

This paper examines the effects of the German Energy Transition (“Energiewende”) at the social and par- ticularly at the spatial level. The paper uses a concept of space that acknowledges the role of new technology. The approach differentiates between environmental spaces, spaces of conventional energy production and renewable energy production. Additionally, it addresses the question what happens when renewable energy technology meets space. The analysis addresses three key issues: ●  Hybridization: Do technology, individuals and nature form an inseparable unit, which cannot (anymore) be separated? ●  Disintegration of counter-spaces: Do renewable ener- gies lead to a disintegration of the clear distinction bet- ween technological spaces and their environment? ●  Design of space: Which possibilities of collaboration and participation exist for the local population? Furthermore, the paper investigates socio-spatial landscape outcomes that are affected by technological change. As well equally direct and indirect impacts of technology on human action are separated. Both aspects are important for the implementation of renewable energy in Germany. Wind turbines are installed at specific sites which are connected to a meaning, a use or an identity. Technology affects people in their everyday routines by its visual perception and its non-material value. The paper demonstrates different meanings of space concerning symbols of new technologies in varying con- texts, e.g. the installation of a large number of wind tur- bines shapes landscapes. Theoretical reflections draw on the concept of the inclusion of technology from Bruno La-tour and the determination of ‘Other Spaces’ from Michel Foucault. Practical issues related to the Energy Transition are discussed using case studies on wind energy deploy- ment and grid expansion in Germany as an example. The paper aims at discussing the idea of an increased hybridization of nature and technology due to the grow- ing use of renewable energy. A theoretical framework of socio-technological change of societies is developed to understand the current discourse on the German Energy Transition.
Towards a New Treaty on Business and Human Rights
Authors: DE SCHUTTER Olivier
Published: November 2015

This article examines the legal as well as political feasibility of four potential options for a legally-binding international instrument in the area of business and human rights. The four options that the open-ended intergovernmental working group may wish to consider while negotiating an instrument are: (i) to clarify and strengthen the states’ duty to protect human rights, including extraterritorially; (ii) to oblige states, through a framework convention, to report on the adoption and implementation of national action plans on business and human rights; (iii) to impose direct human rights obligations on corporations and establish a new mechanism to monitor compliance with such obligations; and (iv) to impose duties of mutual legal assistance on states to ensure access to effective remedies for victims harmed by transnational operations of corporations. As these options are not mutually exclusive, the author argues that a hybrid instrument building on elements of the first and the fourth option may be the best way forward both in terms of political feasibility and improving access to effective remedies for victims.
The Turn to Contractual Responsibility in the Global Extractive Industry
Authors: GATHII James , ODUMOSU-AYANU Ibironke T
Published: November 2015

This article argues that there is a newer model of contracting for natural resources that expands the potential for corporate responsibility towards those adversely affected by business activities. It lays out the conceptual roadmap and justification underlying these shifts and changes in contracting for natural resources. The article calls for a renewed focus in exploring enforcement of corporate obligations for impacts to individuals and communities within a contractual framework. Examples of this type of arrangements include contracts that can be construed to allow third parties to sue on a contract; community development agreements; contracts between investors and communities; environmental contracts; human rights deeds, and investor–state–local community contracts (tripartite contracts). These contractual forms demonstrate that the law of contract has evolved from the nineteenth century idea that contracts merely protect the rights of investors without much concern for those who are directly affected by extractive industry operations. By including affected communities, indigenous communities, and others, these new contractual forms demonstrate that investors and governments are trustees and that extractive resources must be mobilized for the benefits of their publics. In so doing, we map this turn to contracts between multiple parties in the resource extraction context, and argue that it affirmatively demonstrates real potential to address or mitigate the absence of remedial and responsibility regimes for the adverse impacts of extractive industry activities on individuals and communities.
DYADIC TRIANGULAR HILBERT TRANSFORM OF TWO GENERAL FUNCTIONS AND ONE NOT TOO GENERAL FUNCTION
Authors: KOVAČ VJEKOSLAV , THIELE CHRISTOPH , ZORIN-KRANICH PAVEL
Published: November 2015

The so-called triangular Hilbert transform is an elegant trilinear singular integral form which specializes to many well-studied objects of harmonic analysis. We investigate $L^{p}$ bounds for a dyadic model of this form in the particular case when one of the functions on which it acts is essentially one dimensional. This special case still implies dyadic analogues of boundedness of the Carleson maximal operator and of the uniform estimates for the one-dimensional bilinear Hilbert transform.
The force on a boundary in active matter
Authors: Yan Wen , Brady John F.
Published: November 2015

We present a general theory for determining the force (and torque) exerted on a boundary (or body) in active matter. The theory extends the description of passive Brownian colloids to self-propelled active particles and applies for all ratios of the thermal energy $k_{B}T$ to the swimmer’s activity $k_{s}T_{s}={\it\zeta}U_{0}^{2}{\it\tau}_{R}/6$, where ${\it\zeta}$ is the Stokes drag coefficient, $U_{0}$ is the swim speed and ${\it\tau}_{R}$ is the reorientation time of the active particles. The theory, which is valid on all length and time scales, has a natural microscopic length scale over which concentration and orientation distributions are confined near boundaries, but the microscopic length does not appear in the force. The swim pressure emerges naturally and dominates the behaviour when the boundary size is large compared to the swimmer’s run length $\ell =U_{0}{\it\tau}_{R}$. The theory is used to predict the motion of bodies of all sizes immersed in active matter.
Vitamin D status and its determinants during autumn in children at northern latitudes: a cross-sectional analysis from the optimal well-being, development and health for Danish children through a healthy New Nordic Diet (OPUS) School Meal Study
Authors: Petersen Rikke A. , Damsgaard Camilla T. , Dalskov Stine-Mathilde , Sørensen Louise B. , Hjorth Mads F. , Ritz Christian , Kjølbæk Louise , Andersen Rikke , Tetens Inge , Krarup Henrik , Astrup Arne , Michaelsen Kim F. , Mølgaard Christian
Published: November 2015

Sufficient summer/autumn vitamin D status appears important to mitigate winter nadirs at northern latitudes. We conducted a cross-sectional study to evaluate autumn vitamin D status and its determinants in 782 Danish 8–11-year-old children (55°N) using baseline data from the Optimal well-being, development and health for Danish children through a healthy New Nordic Diet (OPUS) School Meal Study, a large randomised controlled trial. Blood samples and demographic and behavioural data, including 7-d dietary recordings, objectively measured physical activity, and time spent outdoors during school hours, were collected during September–November. Mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) was 60·8 (sd 18·7) nmol/l. Serum 25(OH)D levels ≤50 nmol/l were found in 28·4 % of the children and 2·4 % had concentrations <25 nmol/l. Upon multivariate adjustment, increasing age (per year) (β −2·9; 95 % CI −5·1, −0·7 nmol/l), female sex (β −3·3; 95 % CI −5·9, −0·7 nmol/l), sampling in October (β −5·2; 95 % CI −10·1, −0·4 nmol/l) and November (β −13·3; 95 % CI −17·7, −9·1), and non-white ethnicity (β −5·7; 95 % CI −11·1, −0·3 nmol/l) were negatively associated with 25(OH)D (all P<0·05). Likewise, immigrant/descendant background was negatively associated with 25(OH)D, particularly in females (β −16·3; 95 % CI −21·9, −10·7) (P<0·001) (Pinteraction=0·003). Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (min/d) (β 0·06; 95 % CI 0·01, 0·12), outdoor walking during school hours (min/week) (β 0·4; 95 % CI 0·1, 0·6) and intake of vitamin D-containing supplements ≥3 d/week (β 8·7; 95 % CI 6·4, 11·0) were positively associated with 25(OH)D (all P<0·05). The high proportion of children with vitamin D status below the recommended sufficiency level of 50 nmol/l raises concern as levels expectedly drop further during winter months. Frequent intake of vitamin D supplements was strongly associated with status. MVPA and outdoor activity during school hours should be investigated further in interventions to improve autumn vitamin D status in children at northern latitudes.
One Nation, Three Faiths: World War I and the Shaping of “Protestant-Catholic-Jewish” America
Authors: Mislin David
Published: November 2015

During World War I, American political, military, and religious leaders sought to foster the view that protestants, Catholics, and Jews were equal stakeholders in society. Crucial in shaping the embrace of this “tri-faith” ideal were leading members of all three traditions, who used their connections to the federal government to ensure that many facets of national life reflected this new conception of the nation's religious character. The military chaplaincy put these ideals into practice, and interfaith activity became commonplace in the army. Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish chaplains worked closely together, and provided pastoral care or offered religious rites to wounded and dying soldiers from different faith traditions. This article examines how the wartime break from political and social normality, the desire to project a particular image of the nation abroad, and Americans' firsthand encounter with religion in Europe all contributed to idealizations of the inclusive nature of American civil religion during World War I. Yet, as this essay demonstrates, the transitional nature of wartime culture and the strong role of the federal government in fostering these values prevented this outlook from firmly taking root. The experience did, however, provide a critical precedent for subsequent idealizations of a protestant-Catholic-Jewish nation.
Donor Political Economies and the Pursuit of Aid Effectiveness
Authors: Dietrich Simone
Published: November 2015

In response to corruption and inefficient state institutions in recipient countries, some foreign aid donors outsource the delivery of aid to nonstate development actors. Other donor governments continue to support state management of aid, seeking to strengthen recipient states. These cross-donor differences can be attributed in large measure to different national orientations about the appropriate role of the state in public service delivery. Countries that place a high premium on market efficiency (for example, the United States, United Kingdom, Sweden) will outsource aid delivery in poorly governed recipient countries to improve the likelihood that aid reaches the intended beneficiaries of services. In contrast, states whose political economies emphasize a strong state in service provision (for example, France, Germany, Japan) continue to support state provision. This argument is borne out by a variety of tests, including statistical analysis of dyadic time-series cross-section aid allocation data and individual-level survey data on a cross-national sample of senior foreign aid officials. To understand different aid policies, one needs to understand the political economies of donors.
Investor Sentiment and Mutual Fund Strategies
Authors: Massa Massimo , Yadav Vijay
Published: November 2015

We show that mutual funds employ portfolio strategies based on market sentiment. We build a proxy for the degree of a fund’s sentiment beta (or FSB). The low-FSB funds outperform high-FSB funds, even after controlling for standard risk factors and fund characteristics. This effect is sizable and delivers a net-of-risk performance of 3.8% per year. Funds with a lower FSB follow more idiosyncratic strategies, suggesting that FSB is a deliberate, active choice of the fund manager. A sentiment contrarian strategy leads to high flows due to its superior performance, whereas a sentiment catering strategy fails to attract significant investor flows.
Anticipating the 2007–2008 Financial Crisis: Who Knew What and When Did They Know It?
Authors: Adebambo Biljana , Brockman Paul , Yan Xuemin (Sterling)
Published: November 2015

We examine the ability of three groups of informed market participants to anticipate the 2007–2008 financial crisis. Institutional investors and financial analysts exhibit some awareness of the impending crisis in their preference for nonfinancial stocks over financial stocks. In contrast, corporate insiders of financial firms appear to be completely unaware of the timing and extent of the financial crisis. Net purchases by managers of financial firms exceed those by managers of nonfinancial firms over the entire 2006–2008 period. Our results add considerable weight to the argument that the financial crisis was more a case of flawed judgment than flawed incentives.
Efficacy of pharmacokinetic interactions between piperonyl butoxide and albendazole against gastrointestinal nematodiasis in goats
Authors: Kumbhakar N.K. , Sanyal P.K. , Rawte D. , Kumar D. , Kerketta A.E. , Pal S.
Published: November 2015

To test the hypothesis that modulation of hepatic microsomal sulphoxidation and sulphonation by the cytochrome P450 inhibitor piperonyl butoxide could increase bioavailability of albendazole, the present study was undertaken to understand the pharmacokinetics of albendazole in goats at a dose of 7.5 mg kg− 1 body weight with and without co-administration with piperonyl butoxide at 63.0 mg kg− 1 body weight. Plasma albendazole sulphoxide metabolite, the anthelmintically active moiety, reached its maximum concentration of 0.322 ± 0.045 μg ml− 1 and 0.384 ± 0.013 μg ml− 1 at 18 h and 24 h after administration of albendazole alone and co-administration of albendazole with piperonyl butoxide, respectively. Analysis of the data revealed statistically increased albendazole sulphoxide levels at 24 (P <  0.001), 30 (P <  0.001) and 36 h (P <  0.01) after administration of albendazole with piperonyl butoxide, with statistically increased levels of albendazole sulphone at 24, 30 and 48 h after administration. No significance difference (P > 0.05) in values of maximum concentration (normal and calculated) could be observed between groups of goats. However, values of time to reach the concentration maximum (normal and calculated), area under the concentration–time curve (0–∞ and calculated), minimum residence time, distribution half-life, elimination half-life and total area under the first movement of plasma drug concentration–time curve were significantly higher (P <  0.05) in plasma levels of albendazole sulphoxide in goats following single oral co-administration of albendazole with piperonyl butoxide. The faecal egg count reduction and lower 95% confidence limit for the group treated with albendazole alone were 97 and 68%, while for co-administration of albendazole and piperonyl butoxide the values were 99 and 97%, respectively. The ED50 for egg hatch was 0.196, indicating suspected resistance to benzimidazole anthelmintics. The drug combination proved efficacious against an albendazole-resistant nematode parasite population in goats.
Mutation in Breton verbs: Pertinacity across generations
Authors: KENNARD HOLLY J. , LAHIRI ADITI
Published: November 2015

Although word-initial consonants are highly salient cross-linguistically, the process of initial-consonant mutation has nonetheless continued to affect them in the Celtic languages. This paper investigates the use of the mixed mutation (MM) in Breton, following the progressive particle. Like all mutation, it naturally affects the phonology, but also gives (redundant) information for morphosyntax. Mutation is generally presumed to be a regular process, but as there has been a gap in the transmission of Breton, the extent to which this phono-syntactic phenomenon is consistent across generations remains open to discussion. It has been claimed that younger speakers, being strongly French-dominant, do not use mutation correctly. We tested this examining both distribution of usage and acoustic measurements of the consonants in question. Data from original fieldwork indicate that young adults use MM in the same way as older speakers, but children attending Breton-medium schooling are less proficient. Mixed mutation is difficult to acquire, the crucial factor being sustained Breton input beyond the early teenage years. Acoustically, there is no difference in the production of MM cross-generationally. The difference between the two generations is in the use of the progressive particle itself, omitted by the older generation, but retained by younger speakers.
Assessing the influence of the North Atlantic Oscillation on a migratory demersal predator in the Alboran Sea
Authors: Báez José Carlos
Published: November 2015

This study analysed the regime shift of tope shark and the overlapping taxaRajaspp. in the Alboran Sea. Tope shark andRajaspp. landings are both significantly correlated with the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). A significant negative correlation was found betweenRajaspp. landings and tope shark landings. This finding suggests that climatic oscillations affect regime shifts between these taxa in the Alboran Sea. Studies are scarce on the dependence of deep-sea communities on biological and physical processes occurring in near-shore pelagic environments mediated by large-scale atmospheric phenomena. Similar to previous studies on the Mediterranean Sea, a close association was found between landings of deep-water animals and the NAO. The main conclusion is that the regime shift of tope shark and the overlapping taxaRajaspp. is mediated by a negative NAO and accumulated snow.
Second-harmonic generation by relativistic self-focusing of cosh-Gaussian laser beam in underdense plasma
Authors: Singh Arvinder , Gupta Naveen
Published: November 2015

This paper presents theoretical investigation of effect of relativistic self-focusing of cosh-Gaussian (ChG) laser beam on second-harmonic generation in an underdense plasma. Steep transverse density gradients are produced in the plasma by the electron plasma wave excited by relativistic self-focusing of ChG laser beam. The generated plasma wave interacts with the pump beam to produce its second harmonics. Following Jeffrey Wentzel Kramers Brillouin (J.W.K.B) approximation and moment theory the differential equation governing the evolution of spot size of laser beam with distance of propagation has been derived. The differential equation so obtained has been solved numerically by the Runge–Kutta method to investigate the effect of decentered parameter, intensity of laser beam as well as density of plasma on self-focusing of the ChG laser beam, and generation of its second harmonics. It has been observed that the peak intensity of the laser beam shifts in the transverse direction by changing the decentered parameter and a noticeable change is observed on focusing of the laser beam as well as on conversion efficiency of second harmonics.
The Posthumous Conversion of Ludwig Wittgenstein and the Future of Jewish (Anti-)Theology
Authors: Fisher Cass
Published: November 2015

In recent years Jewish philosophers and theologians from across the religious spectrum have claimed that the philosophy of the Austrian-born British philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein is a crucial resource for understanding Jewish belief and practice. The majority of these thinkers are drawn to Wittgenstein's work on account of the diminished role that he ascribes to religious belief—a position that affirms the widespread view that theology has played a minimal role in Judaism. Another line of thought sees in Wittgenstein's philosophy resources that can illuminate the forms and functions of Jewish theological language and bolster the place of theological reflection within Jewish religious life. This article undertakes a critical analysis of the reception of Wittgenstein's philosophy among contemporary Jewish thinkers with the goal of delineating these alternative responses to his work. The paper concludes by arguing that the way in which Jewish thinkers appropriate Wittgenstein's philosophy will have profound consequences for the future of Jewish theology.
Better Forecasting for the Next Volcanic Eruption
Authors: Acocella Valerio , Chiodini Giovanni
Published: November 2015

The Eruptive Precursors project in Campi Flegrei, Italy, seeks to understand conditions leading to caldera eruptions.
Rising Temperatures Release Methane Locked in the Seabed
Authors: Strelich Lily
Published: November 2015

New research shows that when ice in the seafloor melts, single-cell organisms metabolize the methane released, preventing the greenhouse gas from reaching the atmosphere.
Reversibility and criticality in amorphous solids
Authors: Regev Ido , Weber John , Reichhardt Charles , Dahmen Karin A. , Lookman Turab
Published: November 2015

The physical processes governing the onset of yield, where a material changes its shape permanently under external deformation, are not yet understood for amorphous solids that are intrinsically disordered. Here, using molecular dynamics simulations and mean-field theory, we show that at a critical strain amplitude the sizes of clusters of atoms undergoing cooperative rearrangements of displacements (avalanches) diverges. We compare this non-equilibrium critical behaviour to the prevailing concept of a ‘front depinning’ transition that has been used to describe steady-state avalanche behaviour in different materials. We explain why a depinning-like process can result in a transition from periodic to chaotic behaviour and why chaotic motion is not possible in pinned systems. These findings suggest that, at least for highly jammed amorphous systems, the irreversibility transition may be a side effect of depinning that occurs in systems where the disorder is not quenched.