bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Yes, the Composition of the Market Portfolio Matters: The Estimated Cost of Equity
Authors: Kamara Avraham , Young Lance
Published: December 2017

Market portfolio composition substantially affects the cost of equity estimates. Adding Treasury securities to an equity‐only market portfolio substantially changes both estimated market betas and the estimated market excess return. Though the sign and magnitude of the net impact of these changes are uncertain, they dramatically impact costs of equity for 30 industry portfolios under the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) and Fama‐French (1993) Three‐Factor Model. The choice of market portfolio proxy is as important as the choice of the pricing model when estimating costs of equity. Similar conclusions hold when we add real estate, corporate debt, and international securities to the market portfolio.
Neuronal RNA‐binding protein HuD regulates addiction‐related gene expression and behavior
Authors: Oliver R. J. , Brigman J. L. , Bolognani F. , Allan A. M. , Neisewander J. L. , Perrone‐Bizzozero N. I.
Published: December 2017

The neuronal RNA‐binding protein HuD is involved in synaptic plasticity and learning and memory mechanisms. These effects are thought to be due to HuD‐mediated stabilization and translation of target mRNAs associated with plasticity. To investigate the potential role of HuD in drug addiction, we first used bioinformatics prediction algorithms together with microarray analyses to search for specific genes and functional networks upregulated within the forebrain of HuD overexpressing mice (HuDOE). When this set was further limited to genes in the knowledgebase of addiction‐related genes database (KARG) that contains predicted HuD‐binding sites in their 3′ untranslated regions (3′UTRs), we found that HuD regulates networks that have been associated with addiction‐like behavior. These genes included Bdnf and Camk2a, 2 previously validated HuD targets. Since addiction is hypothesized to be a disorder stemming from altered gene expression causing aberrant plasticity, we sought to test the role of HuD in cocaine conditioned placed preference (CPP), a model of addiction‐related behaviors. HuD mRNA and protein were upregulated by CPP within the nucleus accumbens of wild‐type C57BL/6J mice. These changes were associated with increased expression of Bdnf and Camk2a mRNA and protein. To test this further, we trained HuDOE and wild‐type mice in CPP and found that HuDOE mice showed increased cocaine CPP compared with controls. This was also associated with elevated expression of HuD target mRNAs and proteins, CaMKIIα and BDNF. These findings suggest HuD involvement in addiction‐related behaviors such as cocaine conditioning and seeking, through increased plasticity‐related gene expression.
Climate warming and land‐use changes drive broad‐scale floristic changes in Southern Sweden
Authors: Tyler Torbjörn , Herbertsson Lina , Olsson Pål Axel , Fröberg Lars , Olsson Kjell‐Arne , Svensson Åke , Olsson Ola
Published: December 2017

Land‐use changes, pollution and climate warming during the 20th century have caused changes in biodiversity across the world. However, in many cases, the environmental drivers are poorly understood. To identify and rank the drivers currently causing broad‐scale floristic changes in N Europe, we analysed data from two vascular plant surveys of 200 randomly selected 2.5 × 2.5 km grid‐squares in Scania, southernmost Sweden, conducted 1989–2006 and 2008–2015, respectively, and related the change in frequency (performance) of the species to a wide range of species‐specific plant traits. We chose traits representing all plausible drivers of recent floristic changes: climatic change (northern distribution limit, flowering time), land‐use change (light requirement, response to grazing/mowing, response to soil disturbance), drainage (water requirement), acidification (pH optimum), nitrogen deposition and eutrophication (N requirement, N fixation ability, carnivory, parasitism, mycorrhizal associations), pollinator decline (mode of reproduction) and changes in CO2 levels (photosynthetic pathway). Our results suggest that climate warming and changes in land‐use were the main drivers of changes in the flora during the last decades. Climate warming appeared as the most influential driver, with northern distribution limit explaining 30%–60% of the variance in the GLMM models. However, the relative importance of the drivers differed among habitat types, with grassland species being affected the most by cessation of grazing/mowing and species of ruderal habitats by on‐going concentration of both agriculture and human population to the most productive soils. For wetland species, only pH optimum was significantly related to species performance, possibly an effect of the increasing humification of acidic water bodies. An observed relative decline of mycorrhizal species may possibly be explained by decreasing nitrogen deposition resulting in less competition for phosphorus. We found no effect of shortage or decline of pollinating lepidopterans and bees.
Clusters of functional domains to identify older persons at risk of disability
Authors: Costanzo Luisa , Pedone Claudio , Cesari Matteo , Ferrucci Luigi , Bandinelli Stefania , Antonelli Incalzi Raffaele
Published: December 2017

Aim

To date, there is no consensus on which set of variables should be used to identify older persons at risk of disability in activities of daily living. The present study aimed to: (i) evaluate how different deficits cluster in a population of community‐dwelling older persons; and (ii) investigate whether the discriminative capacity of physical performance measures towards the development of disability might be improved by adding psychological, social and environmental indicators.

Methods

Data are from 709 non‐disabled older persons participating in the “Invecchiare in Chianti” study. We carried out a cluster analysis of 12 deficits in multiple functional domains, selected from the available frailty assessment instruments. Then, participants were assigned to a group, based on the obtained clusters of variables. For each group, we measured the prognostic capacity and the predictive ability for 6‐year disability.

Results

The analysis showed a “physical” cluster (including weight loss, reduced grip strength/gait speed/physical activity, impaired balance, environmental barriers) and a “psychosocial” cluster (e.g. living alone, depression, low income). Thus, participants were classified into four groups according to the presence of a physical and/or psychosocial cluster. Compared with the “fit” group, the relative risks of becoming disabled in the “physical,” “psychosocial” and “mixed” deficit groups were 2.23 (95% CI 0.71–7.00), 1.52 (95% CI 0.62–3.75) and 6.37 (95% CI 2.83–14.33), respectively. The positive and negative predictive values for the “physical,” “psychosocial” and “mixed” deficit groups were, respectively, 9% and 87%, 6% and 83%, and 27% and 94%.

Conclusions

As expected, physical and psychosocial deficits cluster predominantly into different groups. Even when both are considered simultaneously, the ability to predict incident disability is still insufficient. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 685–691
HIV prevalence among first‐presentation psychotic patients
Authors: Laher A , Ariefdien N , Etlouba Y
Published: December 2017

Objectives

First‐episode psychosis is a frequent emergency department (ED) presentation that may potentially be secondary to an underlying life‐threatening HIV‐related condition. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HIV infection in patients presenting with a first episode of psychosis.

Methods

Medical records of 159 consecutive African, Asian, White and mixed ethnicity patients presenting to a tertiary academic hospital ED with a first episode of psychotic features were prospectively reviewed.

Results

Of the 159 subjects, 63 (39.6%) were HIV positive. An underlying medical condition was the most common aetiology of psychosis in both HIV‐positive (84.2%) and HIV‐negative (35.4%) subjects, but was significantly more common in HIV‐positive individuals (P < 0.001). Substance‐induced psychotic disorders and other primary psychiatric disorders were significantly more common in subjects without HIV infection (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). While there were more men in the HIV‐negative group (66.7%), gender distribution was almost equal in the HIV‐infected group (49.2% male). Overall, as well as in both groups, most subjects were of African race, were unemployed and had not completed high school.

Conclusions

Co‐occurrence of HIV infection was a frequent finding in first‐episode psychotic individuals residing in a high‐prevalence HIV setting. These individuals are more likely to have an underlying medical condition precipitating the onset of psychosis, not to have been initiated on antiretroviral therapy and to present with a low CD4 cell count and high HIV viral load.
Feeding microalgae at a high level to finishing heifers increases the long‐chain n‐3 fatty acid composition of beef with only small effects on the sensory quality
Authors: Rodriguez‐Herrera Maricruz , Khatri Yunus , Marsh Simon P. , Posri Wilatsana , Sinclair Liam A.
Published: December 2017

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of feeding a low and high level of microalgae (MA, high in C22:6n‐3) on the fatty acid (FA) composition and sensory attributes of beef. Thirty Charolais cross Limousin/Friesian heifers were fed one of the three diets (n = 10 per treatment): Control (no MA), low MA (LMA; inclusion rate of 15 g kg−1) or high MA (HMA; inclusion rate of 30 g kg−1) for 95 days before slaughter. Heifers fed HMA had a higher (P < 0.05) content of C20:5n‐3: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and C22:6n‐3: docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the longissimus thoracis muscle than those receiving the Control (mean values for EPA of 0.5, 0.92, 1.20 and DHA of 0.31, 0.89 and 1.05 % of total FA for Control, LMA and HMA, respectively), and a lower n‐3 to n‐6 ratio (2.9, 1.9 and 1.6 in Control, LMA and HMA, respectively; P < 0.001). Steaks from animals fed either of the MA diets had a marginally higher (P < 0.05) ‘seaweedy flavour’ that was positively correlated with muscle C22:6n‐3 concentration. Steaks from animals fed HMA were rated as being higher (P < 0.05) in tenderness and had a lower (P < 0.05) shear force than those from Control fed animals. It is concluded that feeding microalgae at high levels can beneficially improve the health attributes of beef with only a few effects on sensory quality.
International statistical classification of diseases and related health problems coding underestimates the incidence and prevalence of acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease in general medical patients
Authors: Ko Soe , Venkatesan Sudharsan , Nand Kushma , Levidiotis Vicki , Nelson Craig , Janus Edward
Published: December 2017

Background

The international classification of diseases (ICD) code is frequently used to identify renal impairment in epidemiological research. However, Australian studies examining accuracy of this administrative data in coding kidney injury are lacking.

Aims

To compare the ICD 10 coding with the kidney disease: improving global outcomes (KDIGO) criteria in diagnosing acute kidney injury (AKI) and/or chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods

A retrospective study of 325 patients admitted to general medicine during January 2012 was performed. Sensitivity and specificity of ICD 10 in identifying AKI and CKD were calculated using KDIGO as gold standard.

Results

The sensitivities of ICD 10 in identifying AKI and CKD were low for both (59.5% and 54.1%), but the specificities were high (86.2% and 90.2%). Using KDIGO criteria, we identified 72 AKI (22%), 56 CKD (17%), 64 AKI on CKD (19%) and 133 controls (40%). Compared to the control group, patients with AKI and AKI on CKD had longer length of stay (3.2 vs 4.9 days and 3.2 vs 4.8 days, P = 0.20). Renal impairment groups had increased in‐hospital mortality rate (5% control, 6% AKI, 10% CKD, 9% AKI on CKD) and re‐admission rate within 30 days (13% control, 20% AKI, 25% CKD, 26% AKI on CKD). After adjusting for age, gender and comorbidities, the difference in outcomes was not statistically significant.

Conclusion

This study shows that ICD 10 fails to identify almost half of the patients with AKI (40.5%) and CKD (45.9%) in our cohort. A total of 60% had evidence of renal impairment as defined by KDIGO.
Ogallala Aquifer Program: A Catalyst for Research and Education to Sustain the Ogallala Aquifer on the Southern High Plains (2003–2017)
Authors: Brauer David , Devlin Dan , Wagner Kevin , Ballou Mike , Hawkins Dean , Lascano Robert
Published: December 2017

The Ogallala Aquifer Program (OAP) was created in 2003 with support from Congressmen from Kansas and Texas. The OAP is a research‐education consortium seeking solutions from problems arising from declining water availability from the Ogallala Aquifer in western Kansas and the Texas High Plains. The consortium is led by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) laboratories in Bushland and Lubbock, TX, and the university partners are Kansas State University, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Service, Texas Tech University, and West Texas A&M University. The OAP has provided over $40 million to support research and education activities. About half of these funds were used to support permanent ARS scientists and ARS hired post‐docs. The other half were used by university scientists to supplement on‐going projects by providing support for supplies, sample analyses, temporary employees, etc. Initially, OAP activities were focused on seven priorities. In 2013, four objectives replaced the original seven priorities. A fifth priority was added in 2017. The current objectives are: 1) Develop and evaluate water management strategies and technologies that could reduce water withdrawals for irrigation by 20% in 2020 compared to 2012; 2) Develop and evaluate management strategies and technologies that would increase the productivity and profitability of dryland cropping systems; 3) Improve the understanding of hydrological and climatic factors that affect water use and agricultural profitability; 4) Determine the impacts of alternative water withdrawal/use policies on the economic viability of the agriculture industry of the Southern Ogallala Aquifer Region; and 5) Develop best management practices for production of high value and alternative crops for both dryland and irrigated systems. The objectives of the program and distribution of resources are decided by an executive committee with a member from each of the four universities, two from ARS, one from Bushland, and the other from Lubbock. Proposed projects that utilize resources from more than one participating institution, leverage existing resources, and address the stated objectives are more likely to be provided support. The impact of the OAP on research directed at agriculture on the High Plains has been recognized by three prestigious awards.
Water Budget Development for SGMA Compliance, Case Study: Ukiah Valley Groundwater Basin
Authors: Marquez Maritza Flores , Sandoval‐Solis Samuel , DeVicentis Alyssa J. , Partida Jose Pablo Ortiz , Goharian Erfan , Britos Bruno R. , Jordan Pablo T. Silva , McGourty Glenn T. , Lewis David J. , Elkins Rachel B. , Harper John M.
Published: December 2017

The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) is the first comprehensive legislative effort to reform groundwater management in the state of California after years of uncoordinated and voluntary governance of this resource. The objective of this study is to a) describe the SGMA in California, b) describe a method for estimating a water budget, and c) present the implementation of this method for the Ukiah Valley Groundwater Basin (UVGB). An estimated water budget, done on a monthly time step from 1991 to 2015, was developed in order to characterize the UVGB. Results suggest that the groundwater basin is not in overdraft, and that a portion of the Russian River is a gaining river (approximately 18,952 AF/y) from November to June, and a losing river (approximately 393 AF/y) from July to October. Furthermore, lateral groundwater movement is identified through the groundwater mass balance. Based on previous work and the results of this study, the observed later groundwater losses signify connectivity between the UVGB and the Sanel Valley Groundwater Basin (SVGB). Local groundwater managers and users can use this information to inform proposed action plans and monitoring protocols that will allow them to achieve and maintain groundwater sustainability in the UVGB by the year 2040.
Aquifer Depletion in the Lower Mississippi River Basin: Challenges and Solutions
Authors: Reba M.L. , Massey J.H. , Adviento‐Borbe M.A. , Leslie D. , Yaeger M.A. , Anders M. , Farris J.
Published: December 2017

The Lower Mississippi River Basin (LMRB) is an internationally‐important region of intensive agricultural crop production that relies heavily on the underlying Mississippi River Valley Alluvial Aquifer (MRVAA) for irrigation. Extensive irrigation coupled with the region’s geology have led to significant aquifer decline. The response to the decline has been multi‐faceted. Research related to three responses are highlighted: innovation in rice irrigation, on‐farm reservoirs, and managed aquifer recharge. Irrigated rice grown in Arkansas, which is nearly 50% of annual U.S. rice production, accounts for a significant portion of aquifer withdrawal. As a result, strategies for using less water while maintaining rice yields are being developed. The Rice Stewardship Partnership (RSP) began in 2015 and aims to improve irrigation management in rice lands of the LMRB. Early results from the RSP are presented. Secondly, on‐farm reservoir‐tailwater recovery systems (R‐TWRS) are increasingly used to store abundant surface water in the LMRB. Over 700 R‐TWRS are currently used in rice producing areas of Arkansas. The confining clay layer that overlies the MRVAA in many locations limits rates of aquifer recharge. Locations where the confining layer is thin or non‐existent may provide opportunities for artificial (i.e., managed) recharge. A 10‐m deep excavation pit from a highway project provided an opportunity to measure infiltration rates of the uppermost section of the alluvial aquifer. Findings from this and other studies are used to demonstrate how conservation, off‐season rainfall capture and storage, and managed recharge are being investigated as means to reduce the on‐going decline of the alluvial aquifer that is both economically and ecologically important to the LMRB.
Assessment of job satisfaction in people with intellectual disabilities: Towards best‐practice recommendations
Authors: Kocman Andreas , Weber Germain
Published: December 2017

Background

The current body of research on job satisfaction of people with intellectual disability is based on highly diverse measures, originating both from the general population and people with intellectual disability. This heterogeneity represents a possible confounder. Best‐practice approaches for the assessment of job satisfaction are hence needed.

Method

Using systematic literature review, job satisfaction measures were identified and analyzed with regard to their applicability for people with intellectual disability. Identified best‐practice measures (JDI/JIGS as well as RSM‐WS) were subsequently applied in the course of a pilot study with 129 employees of sheltered workshops. Comprehension, reliability and validity were assessed.

Results

The three identified instruments exhibit high reliability and validity. Comprehension was sufficient for JDI and JIGS but better for RSM‐WS.

Conclusions

The JDI/JIGS represent a feasible measures of job satisfaction allowing for comparisons with the general population. In samples with more severe intellectual disabilities, the RSM‐WS is preferable.
A Neofunctionalist Perspective on the ‘European Refugee Crisis’: The Case of the European Border and Coast Guard
Authors: Niemann Arne , Speyer Johanna
Published: December 2017

Initial literature on the ‘European refugee crisis’ discerned intergovernmental tendencies in its management. This paper examines whether neofunctionalism may be able to explain a major case of ‘European refugee crisis’ policy‐making, the negotiations on the European Border and Coast Guard regulation. We argue, somewhat counterintuitively, that the theory considerably furthers our respective understanding. The crisis acted as a catalyst exposing the weaknesses of a system that pitted a supranational Schengen against a largely intergovernmental external border regime, notwithstanding a developing Frontex. These dysfunctionalities have been widely fostered by both national and supranational decision‐makers shrinking from the significant economic, political and sunk costs of Schengen disintegration, thus ruling out the possibility for spillback. Additionally, further integration was substantially nurtured by supranational agency, ‘socialized’ national civil servants, transnational NGOs and European business associations.
Laser‐assisted removal of all ceramic fixed dental prostheses: A comprehensive review
Authors: Kellesarian Sergio Varela , Ros Malignaggi Vanessa , Aldosary Khaled M. , Javed Fawad
Published: December 2017

Objective

The aim of this comprehensive review was to assess the effectiveness of erbium lasers in the removal of all ceramic fixed dental prostheses (FDPs).

Overview

Indexed databases were searched without language or time restriction up to and including December 2017 using different combinations of the following keywords: “lasers”; “phototherapy”; “crowns”; “prostheses and implants”; “inlays”; “ceramics”; “dental porcelain”; “zirconium”; “removal”; “debonding”; “fixed dental prostheses”; “veneers”; “laminates”; and “fixed bridge.” All levels of available evidence including experimental studies, case reports and case series were included. Six clinical studies reporting a total of 13 cases and 6 experimental studies were included. Results from all studies showed that erbium lasers are effective reducing the shear bond strengths of all ceramic FDPs, in terms of easy removal of the restorations with none or minimal damage to teeth or ceramic surfaces.

Conclusion

Laser‐assisted removal of all ceramic FDPs is a promising treatment protocol. Further well‐designed controlled clinical trials and longitudinal prospective studies are needed to determine the precise laser parameters and duration of irradiation that could be used for removal of ceramic restorations with varying thicknesses.

Clinical significance

Benefits of lasers over mechanical instrumentation for crown removal encompass efficient restoration retrievability without restoration or teeth surfaces damages; and relatively easier and time effective procedure with no prerequisite for anesthetic agents. It is however imperative for clinicians to be well‐trained and exhibit adequate knowledge regarding recommended power settings and laser‐safety parameters with reference to interactions between light and different tissues and ceramics.
Quantitative detection of mixed pesticide residue of lettuce leaves based on hyperspectral technique
Authors: Sun Jun , Cong Sunli , Mao Hanping , Wu Xiaohong , Yang Ning
Published: December 2017

To explore the best method for non‐destructively and accurately quantitative detection of mixed pesticide residue in vegetables, the mixed pesticide (fenvalerate and dimethoate) of lettuce leaves was used as the research object detected by hyperspectral technique. The hyperspectral data was preprocessed using standard normalized variable. Then two different kinds of characteristic wavelengths were selected using competitive adaptive reweighed sampling (CARS) and random forest‐recursive feature elimination (RF‐RFE), respectively. The least squares support vector regression (LSSVR) model results of predicting fenvalerate and dimethoate showed that the CARS‐screened wavelengths had the best modeling results for fenvalerate with
of 0.8203 and RMSEP of 0.0222, and the RF‐RFE‐screened wavelengths had the best results for dimethoate with
of 0.8712 and RMSEP of 0.0186. To simplify the calibration model, successive projections algorithm (SPA) was used for the second selection of characteristic wavelengths. Finally, the CARS‐SPA‐LSSVR model for predicting fenvalerate achieved the accuracy with
of 0.8890 and RMSEP of 0.0182, RF‐RFE‐SPA‐LSSVR model for predicting dimethoate with
of 0.9386 and RMSEP of 0.0077. Thus, hyperspectral technique can be applied to quantitatively detect the mixed pesticide residue of lettuce leaves.

Practical applications

Lettuce leaves can be used for raw food, and lettuce leaves with mixed pesticide residues is more likely to bring harm to people's health. Traditional methods of detecting pesticide residues are time‐consuming and destructive to samples, so they cannot meet the requirement of modern agriculture. Whereas, hyperspectral imaging technology is a new rapidly growing method which integrates spectroscopic and imaging techniques in one system for providing both spectral and spatial information simultaneously, of which the spectral information can detect the physical structure and chemical composition of unknown samples. Therefore, the hyperspectral technique is a fast and nondestructive detecting method, and this study showed it is feasible for quantitative detection of the mixed pesticide residue of lettuce leaves.
Food safety practices, levels of knowledge, and problems of dairy companies in Turkey
Authors: Kirdar Seval Sevgi
Published: December 2017

Milk contains a large number of essential nutrients that should be consumed at every stage of human life. As a subsector, the dairy industry is extremely important to the national economy. The dairy industry constitutes 16% of the output of the food industry in Turkey. Burdur is one of the major cities in Turkey in terms of the dairy industry. Burdur province has significant potential both in terms of dairy farming and the processing industry. Burdur province produces 258,000 tons of milk annually. There are 16 milk processing plants in the province. The total capacity of these enterprises is 184,807 tons per year, but capacity use is only 69,480 tons per year. In addition, milk powder and whey powder are available at only one processing facility; the capacity of this facility is 4,554 tons per year. Although the province's milk processing capacity is 68.44%, only 26.9% of the milk produced in the province is traded in the province; 73.1% is processed outside the province.

Practical applications

In this study, we examine the general characteristics of the 13 operating dairies in Burdur province. We used questionnaires to determine problems and solutions concerning food safety, the level of information on food safety among managers, resources, and current practices. This study used an in‐depth interview method to survey business managers and employees. We surveyed managers and employees concerning their knowledge of food security, sources of information, and problems and solutions.
Differences in pain thresholds elicited by intraoral electrical stimuli between individuals with and without diabetes mellitus
Authors: Ogawa T. , Kimoto S. , Nakashima Y. , Furuse N. , Ono M. , Furokawa S. , Okubo M. , Yamaguchi H. , Kawai Y.
Published: December 2017

There is little evidence of sensation in individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM) in the dental research field. We investigated whether pain thresholds (PTs) differ between individuals with and without DM (non‐DM; NDM). To this end, we assessed whether PTs obtained from the oral cavity, hands, and feet differed from each other and across groups, and whether PTs differed for the three current frequencies used for testing (2000 Hz, 250 Hz, and 5 Hz). Pain threshold measurements were obtained from the oral mucosa and the tips of the fingers and toes of 56 volunteers, including 21 individuals with DM (12 men and 9 women, average age: 72.1 ± 4.7 years) and 35 NDM individuals (17 males and 18 females, average age: 51.2 ± 23.9 years) using the Neurometer CPT/C® device to deliver electrical stimulation. A single operator obtained PT measurements from around the left greater palatine foramen and from the tip of the left first finger and of the left great toe. Individuals with DM had significantly lower PT values than those without DM. The PT values for the oral cavity, hands, and feet differed significantly from each other (foot > hand, foot > oral cavity, hand > oral cavity). Moreover, there was a significant difference in the PT values for 5 Hz and 2000 Hz, as well as for 250 Hz and 2000 Hz. This study concluded that PT values derived from DM participants are lower than those from NDM participants, although PT measurements varied across regions and with current frequency.
Joint optimization of cluster number and abundance transformation for obtaining effective vegetation classifications
Authors: Lengyel Attila , Landucci Flavia , Mucina Ladislav , Tsakalos James L. , Botta‐Dukát Zoltán
Published: December 2017

Question

Is it possible to determine which combination of cluster number and taxon abundance transformation would produce the most effective classification of vegetation data? What is the effect of changing cluster number and taxon abundance weighting (applied simultaneously) on the stability and biological interpretation of vegetation classifications?

Locality

Europe, Western Australia, simulated data.

Methods

Real data sets representing Hungarian sub‐montane grasslands, European wetlands, and Western Australian kwongan vegetation, as well as simulated data sets were used. The data sets were classified using the partitioning around medoids method. We generated classification solutions by gradually changing the transformation exponent applied to the species projected covers and the number of clusters. The effectiveness of each classification was assessed with a stability index. This index is based on bootstrap resampling of the original data set with subsequent elimination of duplicates. The vegetation types delimited by the most stable classification were compared with other classifications obtained at local maxima of the stability values. The effect of changing the transformation power exponent on the number of clusters, indexed according to their stability, was evaluated.

Results

The optimal number of clusters varied with the power exponent in all cases, both with real and simulated data sets. With the real data sets, optimal cluster numbers obtained with different data transformations recovered interpretable biological patterns. Using the simulated data, the optima of stability values identified the simulated number of clusters correctly in most cases.

Conclusions

With changing the settings of data transformation and the number of clusters, classifications of different stability can be produced. Highly stable classifications can be obtained from different settings for cluster number and data transformation. Despite similarly high stability, such classifications may reveal contrasting biological patterns, thus suggesting different interpretations. We suggest testing a wide range of available combinations to find the parameters resulting in the most effective classifications.
Where Movements Matter: Examining Unintended Consequences of the Pain Management Movement in Medical, Criminal Justice, and Public Health Fields
Authors: Chiarello Elizabeth
Published: December 2017

Social movement scholars have rarely considered professional fields as sites of social movement consequences and have overlooked how social movement consequences traverse field boundaries. This research examines where movements matter by examining unintended consequences across professional fields. Drawing on a case study of the pain management movement, this study asks (1) under what conditions do movements targeting a focal professional field create consequences in adjacent fields; (2) what factors affect how adeptly the adjacent field responds; and (3) how do social movement impacts on adjacent fields affect the focal field? Findings demonstrate how the success of the pain management movement in medicine helped to fuel the opioid epidemic, which detrimentally affected the adjacent fields of criminal justice and public health. These adjacent fields' strategies for curbing spillover, in turn, created a new set of consequences for medicine. Their responses depended on material and moral resources and authority structures that differed significantly across the two adjacent fields. This article concludes with a discussion of factors that may facilitate or deter cross‐field contagion effects and offers suggestions for future research.
Sedimentation limits the erosion rate of a bioeroding sponge
Authors: Marlow Joseph , Smith David , Werorilang Shinta , Bell James
Published: December 2017

Coral reefs are increasingly threatened by anthropogenic disturbances and consequently coral cover and complexity are declining globally. However, bioeroding sponges, which are the principal agents of internal bioerosion on many coral reefs, are increasing in abundance on some degraded reefs, tipping them towards net carbonate erosion. The aim of this study was to identify the environmental factors that drive the erosion rates of the common Indonesian bioeroding sponge Spheciospongia cf. vagabunda. Sponge explants were attached to limestone blocks and deployed across seven sites characterized by different environmental conditions in the UNESCO Wakatobi Biosphere Reserve in Indonesia. Average bioerosion rates were 12.0 kg m−2 sponge tissue year−1 (±0.87 SE), and were negatively correlated with depth of settled sediment (r = −.717, p < .01) and showed weak positive correlation with water movement (r = .485, p = .012). Our results suggest that although bioeroding sponges may generally benefit from coral reef degradation, bioerosion rates may be reduced on reefs that are impacted by high sedimentation, which is a common regional stressor in the South‐East Asian Indo‐Pacific.
Harbor seal use of glacier ice and terrestrial haul‐outs in the Kenai Fjords, Alaska
Authors: Hoover‐Miller Anne , Armato Peter
Published: December 2017

Harbor seals, Phoca vitulina, use diverse haul‐out substrates including ice calved by tidewater glaciers. Numbers of seals at glacial and terrestrial haul‐outs on the southeastern Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, were assessed using aerial, vessel, and video surveys. Mean annual abundance at glacial and terrestrial haul‐outs differed temporally. From 2004 to 2011, numbers of seals counted during the molt increased 5.4%/yr at glacial haul‐outs and 9%/yr at terrestrial haul‐outs while numbers of pups increased 5.0%/yr at glacial sites and 1.5%/yr at terrestrial sites. Numbers of seals without pups counted during pupping increased 7.96%/yr at glacial sites and 5.1%/yr at terrestrial sites. Results indicate that pupping and molting locations are not equivalent and population monitoring during the molt does not necessarily reflect habitat association of pupping seals. Ratios of pups to total seals counted during pupping and the subsequent molt were used to contrast habitat use. Low proportions of pups at terrestrial haul‐outs, relative to most glacial haul‐outs, indicate an overall preference for pupping in glacial haul‐outs. High proportions of pups at most glacial sites (during pupping and molting) suggest reduced use of tidewater glacier habitats by nonbreeders and molting seals. Results suggest more seals associate with glacial haul‐outs than currently estimated.
Introduction: The state and historic buildings: preserving ‘the national past’
Authors: Thatcher Mark
Published: December 2017

Historic buildings are important in nationalism through their roles in building and reinforcing national identity. As part of the expanding ‘heritage industry’, they are also of growing economic and political importance. Despite their physical existence, historic buildings are ‘created’ – they must be constructed as ‘historic’ through processes of choice and the attachment of significance. The state can perform these functions through policies that define and select buildings for protection, by ownership and funding, and by its uses of buildings for nationalistic purposes. Yet state actors can have good reasons – nationalistic and economic – to destroy or fail to preserve historic buildings. The paper examines why, when and how state actors pursue policies to protect historic buildings. It offers arguments about patterns of state action that part of state strategies to promote national identity and cultural nationalism.
State production of cultural nationalism: political leaders and preservation policies for historic buildings in France and Italy
Authors: Thatcher Mark
Published: December 2017

Although cultural and political nationalism have often been treated as separate, recent studies argue that they are linked because the state produces policies such as promotion of cultural heritage to further nation building. The article examines the conditions that favour national political leaders adopting policies to protect historic buildings for aims of political nationalism. It compares France and Italy, focusing on the period after 1870. It finds that in both countries, national political leaders have introduced extensive protection of historic buildings when faced with major challenges such as war, regime change or pressures from localism or supporters of cultural nationalism as part of wider strategies to build and reinforce the nation state. But Italy extended protection earlier and more deeply than France, suggesting in a later nation state with strong inherited cultural nationalism but major political weaknesses and, national political leaders may introduce earlier, more far‐reaching and more layered legal protection than in states created earlier and with fewer weaknesses.
Sun protective behaviors at an outdoor entertainment event in Australia
Authors: Barrett Fiona , Usher Kim , Woods Cindy , Harrison Simone L. , Nikles Jane , Conway Jane
Published: December 2017

An observational study was conducted to examine the use of sun protective hats, clothing, and sunglasses of people attending an outdoor entertainment event in an area of high‐to‐extreme ultraviolet radiation in New South Wales, Australia. Armidale is unique, as it is a highly‐elevated area, almost 1000 m above sea level, and temperatures are often mild with very high‐to‐extreme levels of ultraviolet radiation. Four trained data collectors observed attendees as they entered the event, and recorded their use of sun protective hats, clothing, and sunglasses. While more than half of the attendees wore sun protective hats, only 14% wore sun protective clothing. Broad‐brimmed hats were considered sun protective, while sun protective clothing was defined by shirts with at least three‐quarter‐length sleeves. Females were more likely to wear both a sun protective hat and clothing than males, and children were less protected than adults. Legislative changes are required to ensure that organizers of outdoor events have a legal responsibility to provide a safe environment for attendees, including strategies to help reduce ultraviolet radiation exposure.
Redesigning the patient classification system in China: A pilot study
Authors: Bai Yamei , Yao Aaron , Song Yulei , Xu Guihua
Published: December 2017

The current prototype patient classification system in China has not been updated for over six decades. In the present study, we adopted a hybrid patient classification method using both disease severity and activities of daily living scores to classify patients. The time motion approach was used to measure the direct nursing time of 551 general acute care patients. We found that patients in old Categories according to ability of self‐care and disease severity 1–4 received approximately 7.1, 4.6, 3.4, and 4.5 h of direct nursing care, and the number of hours was not significantly different between Categories 2, 3, and 4. In contrast, patients in new Categories 1–4 received approximately 10.1, 6.9, 4.4, and 2.4 h of direct nursing care in 24 h. The nursing hours were significantly different between all pairings of the new categories. The new classification system can be used to make nursing care assignments and adjust staffing.
Estimation of jaw‐opening forces in adults
Authors: Brunton P. A. , Loch C. , Waddell J. N. , Bodansky H. J. , Hall R. , Gray A.
Published: December 2017

Structured Abstract

Objectives

To estimate maximum jaw‐opening forces in healthy participants of diverse ancestry and to estimate whether opening forces are associated with sex, age and anthropometric parameters such as height, weight and BMI.

Setting and Sample Population

One hundred and forty‐nine participants aged 20‐60 years with overall good oral and general health. Exclusion criteria included myofascial or neck pain, symptomatic temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD), current orthodontic treatment or the absence of a natural dentition.

Material and Methods

Jaw‐opening forces were measured with an adjustable rigid extra‐oral device connected to a 1000 N load cell. Seven attempts were recorded, with 10 seconds interval. Median force values were obtained after discarding the first and last attempt. The height and weight of each participant were measured and recorded, alongside age, sex and ethnicity.

Results

Men had greater maximum opening force median values than women (P < .001). Median (IQR) values for women were 41.16 N (30.44) and 79.00 N for men (63.86). Jaw‐opening force values were poorly associated with biological and anthropometric parameters.

Conclusion

In this study, which included a large sample of participants of broad age range and from a demographically diverse background, jaw‐opening force values were greater in males than in females; however, force values were poorly associated with biological and anthropometric parameters. Future studies should explore the potential of this method as a screening tool for TMJ disorders and other conditions.
Extracellular matrix influence in Streptococcus mutans gene expression in a cariogenic biofilm
Authors: Florez Salamanca E.J. , Klein M.I.
Published: December 2017

Caries etiology is biofilm–diet‐dependent. Biofilms are highly dynamic and structured microbial communities enmeshed in a three‐dimensional extracellular matrix. The study evaluated the expression dynamics of Streptococcus mutans genes associated with exopolysaccharides (EPS) (gtfBCD, gbpB, dexA), lipoteichoic acids (LTA) (dltABCD, SMU_775c) and extracellular DNA (eDNA) (lytST, lrgAB, ccpA) during matrix development within a mixed‐species biofilm of S. mutans, Actinomyces naeslundii and Streptococcus gordonii. Mixed‐species biofilms using S. mutans strains UA159 or ΔgtfB formed on saliva‐coated hydroxyapatite discs were submitted to a nutritional challenge (providing an abundance of sucrose and starch). Biofilms were removed at eight developmental stages for gene expression analysis by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The pH of spent culture media remained acidic throughout the experimental periods, being lower after sucrose and starch exposure. All genes were expressed at all biofilm developmental phases. EPS‐ and LTA‐associated genes had a similar expression profile for both biofilms, presenting lower levels of expression at 67, 91 and 115 hours and a peak of expression at 55 hours, but having distinct expression magnitudes, with lower values for ΔgtfB (eg, fold‐difference of ~382 for gtfC and ~16 for dltB at 43 hours). The eDNA‐associated genes presented different dynamics of expression between both strains. In UA159 biofilms lrgA and lrgB genes were highly expressed at 29 hours (which were ~13 and ~5.4 times vs ΔgtfB, respectively), whereas in ΔgtfB biofilms an inverse relationship between lytS and lrgA and lrgB expression was detected. Therefore, the deletion of gtfB influences dynamics and magnitude of expression of genes associated with matrix main components.
Radiation Dose Exposure for Lumbar Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections and Facet Joint Blocks Under CT vs. Fluoroscopic Guidance
Authors: Maino Paolo , Presilla Stefano , Colli Franzone Paola A. , van Kuijk Sander M.J. , Perez Roberto S.G.M. , Koetsier Eva
Published: December 2017

Background

Transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFESIs) and facet joint blocks can be performed under fluoroscopy or computed tomography (CT) guidance. The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to compare patient radiation dose for lumbar TFESIs and facet joint blocks under CT guidance vs. fluoroscopic guidance.

Methods

The primary outcome of this retrospective cohort study was the difference between the estimated effective dose (ED) of CT guidance and fluoroscopic guidance for TFESIs and facet joint blocks. Patients who had undergone these procedures with both CT and fluoroscopic guidance were eligible for this study. Dose‐length product for CT‐guided procedures and dose‐area product for fluoroscopic‐guided procedures were retrospectively collected and converted to ED. Within‐ or between‐group comparisons were performed with appropriate nonparametric tests, using a P value of < 0.05 to indicate statistical significance.

Results

The 42 patients included in this study underwent a total of 100 procedures. The median estimated ED differed significantly between CT‐guided injections and fluoroscopic‐guided injections (1.59 mSv (interquartile range [IQR] 0.78 to 3.09) vs. 0.19 mSv (IQR 0.11 to 0.30) (Wilcoxon signed rank test, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The study results suggest that TFESIs and facet joint blocks performed with CT guidance are associated with more than 8 times higher patient radiation dose exposure compared to fluoroscopic guidance. There needs to be more vigilance with regards to CT guidance in interventional pain procedures.
Value creation in the quadruple helix: a micro level conceptual model of principal investigators as value creators
Authors: Cunningham James A. , Menter Matthias , O'Kane Conor
Published: December 2017

Conceptual models of the quadruple helix have largely taken a macro perspective. While these macro perspectives have motivated debates and studies, they fall short in understanding value creation activities at the micro level of the quadruple helix. The purpose of this paper is to address this deficit by focussing on the fundamental research question how value is collectively created, captured, and enhanced at the micro level of the quadruple helix. Drawing on theoretical considerations centred on simmelian ties, boundary work and value postures (motives, creation, destruction and drivers), we develop a micro level conceptual model of principal investigators (PIs) as value creators in the quadruple helix. Scientists in the PI role engage in boundary spanning activities with other quadruple helix actors. This engagement builds strong simmelian ties with these actors and enables PIs to develop collective value motives by bridging diverse knowledge and creating common value motives. Our conceptual model extends understanding of the quadruple helix at the micro level and highlights the importance of PIs having strong simmelian ties in order to realise collective and individual value motives. The paper concludes with some suggestions for future avenues of research on this important topic.