bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Step‐Down Approach for Pharyngoesophageal Corrosive Stricture: Outcome and Analysis
Authors: Saluja Sundeep Singh , Varshney Vaibhav Kumar , Mishra Pramod Kumar , Srivastava Siddharth , Meher Ravi , Saxena Pritul
Published: March 2017

Background

Pharyngoesophageal stricture (PES) is an Achilles’ heel in the management of corrosive injury. Advances in endoscopic techniques were utilized in its management. We classified the stricture as per its dilatability and then planned their treatment.

Methods

PES was sub‐categorized based on endoscopic dilatation and availability of cervical oesophagus: group‐1 stricture with available cervical oesophagus; group‐2 stricture with some part of upper oesophagus made available after endoscopic dilatation and anastomosis in cervico‐pharyngeal area; group‐3 stricture not amenable for dilatation, anastomosis done at the pharynx. Endoscopic dilatation was performed using through‐the‐scope pyloric balloon. Number and duration of dilatation sessions before surgery, incidence of tracheostomy, time and incidence for re‐stricture and present status of swallowing were evaluated.

Results

Of 226 patients managed, 46 underwent oesophageal replacement for PES. Group 1, 2 and 3 had 12, 14 and 20 patients, respectively. An average 3 (2–4) preoperative balloon dilatation sessions were performed over 6–8 weeks. Tracheostomy was required in 1, 0, 8 patients (p = 0.010), and median hospital stay was 10, 9 and 13 days (p = 0.09) in group 1, 2, 3, respectively. Re‐stricture developed in 4/12, 4/14, 9/20 patients with average sessions of dilatation required in post‐operative period was 4, 3.5 and 8 in group 1, 2, 3, respectively. >90% of patients are taking normal diet in each group.

Conclusion

We attempted to avoid the high anastomosis by dilating the PES and step down the level of anastomosis in two‐third patients. We thereby avoided tracheostomy, aspiration and swallowing problems related to high strictures.
Translation and Adaptation of the Genetic Counselling Outcome Scale (GCOS‐24) for Use in Denmark
Authors: Diness Birgitte Rode , Overbeck Gritt , Hjortshøj Tina Duelund , Hammer Trine Bjørg , Timshel Susanne , Sørensen Else , McAllister Marion
Published: March 2017

Outcome measurement in clinical genetics is challenging. Robust outcome measures are needed to provide evidence to support service development within genetic counseling. The Genetic Counselling Outcome Scale (GCOS‐24), a Patient Reported Outcome Measure (PROM), was developed in English and validated with clinical genetics patients in the British NHS. This study reports the translation and adaptation of the GCOS‐24 for use in Denmark. GCOS‐24 was translated and back translated, supervised by an expert committee. Feedback on the first version was collected from genetic counseling patients in qualitative interviews focusing on instructions for use, response options and specific items considered semantically difficult. After further adjustment the adapted and translated version was administered to a second sample of patients, with responses analyzed using descriptive statistics. Eighteen interviews were conducted, and led to adjustment of item wording. Sixty‐one patients completed the final version GCOS‐24dk. Internal consistency is good (Cronbach's α =0.79), with an acceptable number of missing responses and no floor or ceiling effect observed. GCOS‐24 has been successfully translated and adapted for use in a Danish setting. The study confirms the feasibility of local adaptation of patient reported outcome measures and stresses the importance of adaptation, even across quite similar populations and health care systems.
Evaluation of Cavitation Erosion Behavior of Commercial Steel Grades Used in the Design of Fluid Machinery
Authors: Tzanakis I. , Bolzoni L. , Eskin D. G. , Hadfield M.
Published: March 2017

The erosion response under cavitation of different steel grades was assessed by studying the erosion rate, the volume removal, the roughness evolution, and the accumulated strain energy. A 20 kHz ultrasonic transducer with a probe diameter of 5 mm and peak-to-peak amplitude of 50 μm was deployed in distilled water to induce damage on the surface of commercial chromium and carbon steel samples. After a relatively short incubation period, cavitation induced the formation of pits, cracks, and craters whose features strongly depended on the hardness and composition of the tested steel. AISI 52100 chromium steel showed the best performance and is, therefore, a promising design candidate for replacing the existing fluid machinery materials that operate within potential cavitating environments.

Graphical Abstract
Rehabilitation Traumatology: A Narrative Review
Authors: Bloodworth Donna , Pandit Sindhu , Mullan Patrick , Chiou‐Tan Faye
Published: March 2017

Rehabilitation traumatology has developed within the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation as a specialized area of knowledge in which the physiatrist works with the traumatology team to enhance the functional outcome of trauma patients. Based on the definition of traumatology in the American Heritage Dictionary, the authors propose rehabilitation traumatology be “the branch of medicine that deals with the treatment of serious wounds, injuries, and disabilities,” “to restore [the patient] to good health or useful life.” This article reviews the history of traumatology, special considerations of the traumatology patient through the continuum of care, and concepts toward the creation of a rehabilitation traumatology program.

Level of Evidence

V
Gradient theory of phase transitions with boundary contact energy
Authors: Modica Luciano
Published: March 2017

We study the asymptotic behavior as

ε → 0^+

of solutions of the variational problems for the Van der Waals–Cahn–Hilliard theory of phase transitions in a fluid. We assume that the internal free energy, per unit volume, is given by

ε^2|∇ρ|^2 + W(ρ)

and the contact energy with the container walls, per unit surface area, is given by

εσ(ρ)

, where

ρ

is the density. The result is that such solutions approximate a two-phases configuration satisfying a variational principle related to the equilibrium configuration of liquid drops.

Nous étudions ici le comportement asymptotique pour

ε → 0^+

des solutions des problèmes variationnels qui viennent de la théorie de Van der Waals–Cahn–Hilliard sur les transitions de phase des fluides. Nous faisons l’hypothèse que l’énergie libre de Gibbs, pour unité de volume, est donnée par

ε^2|∇ρ|^2 + W(ρ)

et que l’énergie de contact avec la surface intérieure du containeur, pour unité de surface, est donnée par

εσ(ρ)

, où

ρ

est la densité. Le résultat est que ces solutions approchent une configuration à deux phases qui satisfait un principe variationnel lié aux configurations à l’équilibre des gouttes.
On a quasi-periodic Hopf bifurcation
Authors: Braaksma B.L.J. , Broer H.W.
Published: March 2017

In this paper we study quasi-periodic Hopf bifurcations for the model problem of a quasi-periodically forced oscillator, where the frequencies remain fixed. For this purpose we first consider Stoker’s problem for small damping.

Dans cet article, nous étudions les bifurcations de Hopf quasi-périodiques pour le problème d’un oscillateur quasi-périodique forcé où les fréquences restent fixes. Dans ce but, nous commençons par analyser le problème de Stoker pour un amortissement faible.
Global regularity for solutions of the minimal surface equation with continuous boundary values
Authors: Williams Graham H.
Published: March 2017

Suppose

Ω

is a bounded open subset of

ℝ^n

with

C^2

boundary

∂Ω

having nonnegative mean curvature. We examine the regularity at the boundary of solutions

u

to the minimal surface equation having boundary values

ϕ

. If

ϕ

has modulus of continuity

β

we give a modulus of continuity for

u

which depends on

β

and the behaviour of the mean curvature of

∂Ω

. If

ϕ

is Lipschitz continuous then we show that

u

is Hölder continuous with some exponent α (explicitly obtained) that depends on the Lipschitz constant for

ϕ

. Finally we give examples showing the above results are best possible.

Supposons que

Ω

soit un ouvert borné de

ℝ^n

dont le bord

∂Ω

est de classe

C^2

et a une courbure moyenne positive au mille. Nous examinons la régularité sur le bord de toute solution

u

à l’équation des surfaces minimales avec

ϕ

donné au bord. Si

ϕ

a un module de continuité

β

, nous dérivons un module de continuité pour

u

qui dépend de

β

et du comportement de la courbure moyenne de

∂Ω

. Si

ϕ

est lipschitzienne, nous démontrons que

u

est höldérienne d’exposant α (obtenu explicitement), dépendant de la constante de Lipschitz pour

ϕ

. Finalement, nous donnons des exemples démontrant que les résultats obtenus sont rigoureux.
Nonlinear Evolution Equations and Analyticity. I
Authors: Kato Tosio , Masuda Kyûya
Published: March 2017

We prove a theorem on abstract nonlinear evolution equations

∂_tu = F(t, u)

in a Banach space, which aims at estimating certain families of Liapunov functions for the solutions. The theorem is useful in proving global analyticity (in space variables) of solutions of various partial differential equations, such as the equations of Korteweg–de Vries, Benjamin–Ono, Euler, Navier–Stokes, nonlinear Schrödinger, etc. In this paper it is shown that if the initial state of the KdV or the BO equation has an analytic continuation that is analytic and

L^2

in a strip containing the real axis, then the solution (which is unique in

H^2(ℝ)

) has the same property for all time, though the width of the strip might decrease with time.

On démontre un théorème sur des équations d’évolution non-linéaires abstraites dans un espace de Banach, visant à estimer certaines fonctions de Liapounov pour les solutions. Ce théorème sert à démontrer l’analyticité globale (en espace) des solutions de diverses équations aux dérivées partielles. On montre en particulier que si la condition initiale de l’équation de Korteweg–de Vries ou de Benjamin–Ono a un prolongement analytique

L^2

dans une bande autour de l’axe réel, alors la solution (unique dans

H^2

) a la même propriété à tout instant, bien que la largeur de la bande puisse décroître avec le temps.
Sexual Violence in the Eritrean National Service
Authors: Kibreab Gaim
Published: March 2017

Claims of sexual violence against female conscripts by military commanders abound in the Eritrean National Service (ENS), but hitherto there has been no attempt to subject these claims to rigorous empirical scrutiny. This article is a partial attempt to fill the gap. Based on data collected through snowball sampling from 190 former conscripts in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, South Africa, Kenya, and Sweden who fled from the ENS, supplemented by data from systematically selected key informants who were interviewed in depth, it examines the extent to which female conscripts serving in the ENS were subjected to sexual violence and harassment by their commanders, including at the Sawa military training camp. The extensive data, based on the perceptions and experiences of respondents who served on average about six years, suggest that sexual abuse is rampant throughout the ENS, particularly among female conscripts who are assigned to work at the camp subsequent to the six months of military training.
“Spinning a Yarn”: Institutions, Law, and Standards c.1880–1914
Authors: HIGGINS DAVID M. , VELKAR AASHISH
Published: March 2017

The Manchester Chamber of Commerce established the Manchester Testing House in 1895, and introduced uniform yarn contracting rules in 1897. The chamber made these institutional “innovations” to deal with the nefarious practice of “short-reeling.” This case study explains how and why merchants were crucial to undoing weaknesses in domestic —and to some extent foreign—legislation to overcome this fraudulent activity. We argue that the Testing House and uniform contract were tantamount to developing a quasi-legal system such that private standards established through cooperative agreements had legal sanction. Our study shows how institutions evolved to improve governance along the supply chain for this highly specialized export-orientated industry. This article contributes to the growing literature on historical markets, institutions, and standards. Based on extensive archival sources, we show how specific and complementary commercial institutions developed within grounded notions of governance rather than abstracted spaces of market exchange.
Comprehending Sociality: Hegel Beyond his Appropriation in Contemporary Philosophy of Recognition
Authors: Krijnen Christian
Published: March 2017

Contemporary philosophy of recognition represents probably the most prominent direction that presently claims to introduce an updated version of classical German idealism into ongoing debates, including the debate on the nature of sociality. In particular, studies of Axel Honneth offer triggering contributions in Frankfurt School fashion while at the same time rejuvenating Hegel’s philosophy in terms of a philosophy of recognition. According to Honneth, this attempt at a rejuvenation also involves substantial modification of Hegelian doctrines. It is shown that Honneth underestimates the implications of Hegel’s thoughts about the theme, method and systematic form of philosophy. As a consequence, Honneth’s social philosophy is, on the one hand, in need of a plausible foundation. This leads, on the other hand, to a different construction of the social within philosophy than Honneth offers.
Qualitative analysis of the minimum flow rate of a cone-jet of a very polar liquid
Authors: Higuera F. J.
Published: March 2017

Electrostatic atomization of a liquid of finite electrical conductivity in the so-called cone-jet regime relies on the electric shear stresses that appear in a region of the liquid surface when a meniscus of the liquid is subjected to an intense electric field. An order of magnitude analysis is used to describe the flow induced by these stresses, which drive the liquid of the meniscus into a jet that issues from the tip of the meniscus and breaks into droplets at some distance from it. When the dielectric constant of the liquid is large, the electric shear stresses extend into the jet and cause a depression that sucks liquid from the meniscus. The induced flow rate is estimated and shown to represent approximately the minimum flow rate at which a cone-jet can be established. It is argued that the meniscus can be stabilized by the electric field that the charge of the jet induces on it. This stabilizing mechanism weakens when the flow rate supplied to the meniscus decreases, and its failure may determine an alternative minimum flow rate for the cone-jet regime. The instability of the jet and existing scaling laws for the size of the spray droplets are discussed.
Restricted Euler dynamics along trajectories of small inertial particles in turbulence
Authors: Johnson Perry L. , Meneveau Charles
Published: March 2017

The fate of small particles in turbulent flows depends strongly on the velocity gradient properties of the surrounding fluid, such as rotation and strain rates. For non-inertial (fluid) particles, the restricted Euler model provides a simple low-dimensional dynamical system representation of Lagrangian evolution of velocity gradients in fluid turbulence, at least for short times. Here, we derive a new restricted Euler dynamical system for the velocity gradient evolution of inertial particles, such as solid particles in a gas, or droplets and bubbles in turbulent liquid flows. The model is derived in the limit of small (sub-Kolmogorov-scale) particles and low Stokes number. The system exhibits interesting fixed points, stability and invariant properties. Comparisons with data from direct numerical simulations show that the model predicts realistic trends such as the tendency of increased straining over rotation along heavy particle trajectories and, for light particles such as bubbles, the tendency of reduced self-stretching of the strain rate.
Structure of a streamwise-oriented vortex incident upon a wing
Authors: McKenna C. , Bross M. , Rockwell D.
Published: March 2017

Impingement of a streamwise-oriented vortex upon a fin, tail, blade or wing represents a fundamental class of flow–structure interaction that extends across a range of applications. It can give rise to unsteady loading known as buffeting and to changes of the lift to drag ratio. These consequences are sensitive to parameters of the incident vortex as well as the location of vortex impingement on the downstream aerodynamic surface, generically designated as a wing. Particle image velocimetry is employed to determine patterns of velocity and vorticity on successive cross-flow planes along the vortex, which lead to volume representations and thereby characterization of the streamwise evolution of the vortex structure as it approaches the downstream wing. This evolution of the incident vortex is affected by the upstream influence of the downstream wing, and is highly dependent on the spanwise location of vortex impingement. Even at spanwise locations of impingement well outboard of the wing tip, a substantial influence on the structure of the incident vortex at locations significantly upstream of the leading edge of the wing was observed. For spanwise locations close to or intersecting the vortex core, the effects of upstream influence of the wing on the vortex are to: decrease the swirl ratio; increase the streamwise velocity deficit; decrease the streamwise vorticity; increase the azimuthal vorticity; increase the upwash; decrease the downwash; and increase the root-mean-square fluctuations of both streamwise velocity and vorticity. The interrelationship between these effects is addressed, including the rapid attenuation of axial vorticity in presence of an enhanced defect of axial velocity in the central region of the vortex. When the incident vortex is aligned with, or inboard of, the tip of the wing, the swirl ratio decreases to values associated with instability of the vortex, thereby giving rise to enhanced values of azimuthal vorticity relative to the streamwise (axial) vorticity, as well as relatively large root-mean-square values of streamwise velocity and vorticity.
A within-country study of leadership perceptions and outcomes across native and immigrant employees: Questioning the universality of transformational leadership
Authors: Holten Ann-Louise , Bøllingtoft Anne , Carneiro Isabella Gomes , Borg Vilhelm
Published: March 2017

This study investigates the universality of transformational leadership with respect to employee perceptions and three outcomes: job satisfaction, self-rated health, and well-being. We do so among employees of different national and cultural backgrounds, yet within a shared national and sectorial setting. Our study has a repeated measures design based on survey data from 2,947 employees (2,836 natives Danes and 111 immigrants) in the Danish elder care sector. While we find no difference between native Danes and immigrants in their perception of transformational leadership, we find that transformational leadership is not a universal predictor of outcomes. Although transformational leadership predicts change in none of the outcomes for immigrants, it does predict change in job satisfaction and well-being for native Danes. Based on our findings, we suggest applying a combination of universalistic and contingency paradigms when leading composite employee groups.
Silicified microbiota from the Paleoproterozoic Dahongyu Formation, Tianjin, China
Authors: Shi Min , Feng Qing-Lai , Khan Maliha Zareen , Awramik Stanley , Zhu Shi-Xing
Published: March 2017

Cherts and silicified dolostones of the ca. 1600 Ma Dahongyu Formation (uppermost Changcheng Group) from North China contain well-preserved microfossils. Cyanobacteria filaments and coccoids dominate the studied Dahongyu microbiota in the Jixian section. These microfossils show the characteristics of endobenthic, epibenthic, and allochthonous microfossils, which illustrated well a vertical distributional view of an intertidal microbiota. Large numbers and size of allochthonous microfossils are the distinguishing characteristics of this new microbiota. A few of these possess ornaments or odd morphology, which suggest their potential eukaryotic nature. Through regional comparisons, it is revealed that there was significant regional disparity within the Yanshan Basin of microbiotas during deposition of the Dahongyu Formation. The newly studied Dahongyu microbiota is similar to the microbiota from the underlying Changcheng Group, with only slight differences. The absence of typical eukaryotes and the emergence of unique microfossils (especially small fusiform microfossils) make the Dahongyu Formation and the subsequent strata of the Jixian Group distinct from contemporaneous eukaryote-bearing strata.

In the Dahongyu assemblage, 19 species were recognized, six species were identified informally and seven species were identified in open nomenclature. One new taxon of microfossil was described:Xiaohongyuia sinicaShi and Feng new genus new species.
Cutting the Flesh: Surgery, Autopsy and Cannibalism in the Belgian Congo
Authors: Au Sokhieng
Published: March 2017

Within the colonial setting of the Belgian Congo, the process of cutting the body, whether living or dead, lent itself to conflation with cannibalism and other fantastic consumption stories by both Congolese and Belgian observers. In part this was due to the instability of the meaning of the human body and the human corpse in the colonial setting. This essay maps out different views of the cadaver and personhood through medical technologies of opening the body in the Belgian Congo. The attempt to impose a specific reading of the human body on the Congolese populations through anatomy and related Western medical disciplines was unsuccessful. Ultimately, practices such as surgery and autopsy were reinterpreted and reshaped in the colonial context, as were the definitions of social and medical death. By examining the conflicts that arose around medical technologies of cutting human flesh, this essay traces multiple parallel narratives on acceptable use and representation of the human body (Congolese or Belgian) beyond its medical assignation.
Comparing Three Methods of Measuring Race/Ethnicity
Authors: Shah Paru R. , Davis Nicholas R.
Published: March 2017

In this research note, we explore compare and contrast three methods for measuring race. We utilize as our baseline, or “true”, measure expert coded racial categories, and to this compare two alternatives. The first is a hybrid Bayesian analysis of racial/ethnic surname lists and population distributions, which allow us to develop a race probability score for each candidate. The second is a novel and innovative crowdsourcing method that allows many contributors to classify the racial identity of candidates. We analyze and discuss the potential benefits, pitfalls, and tradeoffs of each method. We conclude with the implications of these new measures for future election research as well as race and politics scholarship more broadly.
EXTENSIONS OF THE HERMITE–HADAMARD INEQUALITY FOR -PREINVEX FUNCTIONS ON AN INVEX SET
Authors: HWANG DAH-YAN , DRAGOMIR SILVESTRU SEVER
Published: March 2017

Necessary and sufficient conditions to characterise weakly $r$-preinvex functions on an invex set are obtained and used to establish generalisations of the Hermite–Hadamard inequality for such functions.
A CHARACTERISATION FOR A GROUPOID GALOIS EXTENSION USING PARTIAL ISOMORPHISMS
Authors: CORTES WAGNER , TAMUSIUNAS THAÍSA
Published: March 2017

Let $S|_{R}$ be a groupoid Galois extension with Galois groupoid $G$ such that $E_{g}^{G_{r(g)}}\subseteq C1_{g}$, for all $g\in G$, where $C$ is the centre of $S$, $G_{r(g)}$ is the principal group associated to $r(g)$ and $\{E_{g}\}_{g\in G}$ are the ideals of $S$. We give a complete characterisation in terms of a partial isomorphism groupoid for such extensions, showing that $G=\dot{\bigcup }_{g\in G}\text{Isom}_{R}(E_{g^{-1}},E_{g})$ if and only if $E_{g}$ is a connected commutative algebra or $E_{g}=E_{g}^{G_{r(g)}}\oplus E_{g}^{G_{r(g)}}$, where $E_{g}^{G_{r(g)}}$ is connected, for all $g\in G$.
IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT RISKS AND ZN FERTILIZATION NEEDS IN ZN BIOFORTIFICATION BREEDING IN LOWLAND RICE
Authors: RUBIANES F.H.C. , SWAMY B.P. MALLIKARJUNA , JOHNSON-BEEBOUT S.E.
Published: March 2017

As zinc (Zn) fertilizer and water management affect the expression of Zn-enriched grain traits in rice, we studied the effect of Zn fertilizer and water management on Zn uptake and grain yield of different biofortification breeding lines and the possible biases in selection for high grain Zn content. The first field experiment showed that longer duration genotypes had higher grain Zn uptake rate than shorter duration genotypes during grain filling. In the first greenhouse experiment, neither application of Zn fertilizer at mid-tillering nor application at flowering significantly increased the grain Zn concentration. In the second greenhouse experiment, application of alternate wetting and drying (AWD) significantly increased the available soil Zn and plant Zn uptake but not grain Zn concentration. Terminal drying (TD) did not increase the available soil Zn or grain Zn contents. The second field experiment confirmed that differences in TD were not important in understanding differences between genotypes. Zn application is not always necessary to breeding trials unless there is a severe Zn deficiency and there is no need to carefully regulate TD prior to harvest.
Plasma waves as a benchmark problem
Authors: Kilian Patrick , Muñoz Patricio A. , Schreiner Cedric , Spanier Felix
Published: March 2017

A large number of wave modes exist in a magnetized plasma. Their properties are
determined by the interaction of particles and waves. In a simulation code, the
correct treatment of field quantities and particle behaviour is essential to
correctly reproduce the wave properties. Consequently, plasma waves provide test
problems that cover a large fraction of the simulation code. The large number of
possible wave modes and the freedom to choose parameters make the selection of test
problems time consuming and comparison between different codes difficult. This paper
therefore aims to provide a selection of test problems, based on different wave modes
and with well-defined parameter values, that is accessible to a large number of
simulation codes to allow for easy benchmarking and cross-validation. Example results
are provided for a number of plasma models. For all plasma models and wave modes that
are used in the test problems, a mathematical description is provided to clarify
notation and avoid possible misunderstanding in naming.
Roman Field-System Earthworks in the Birklands and Belhaugh Hays, Nottinghamshire
Authors: Malone Steve
Published: March 2017

Processing and analysis of LiDAR data in Nottinghamshire has identified the survival of earthwork field-systems beneath woodland in some of the oldest established parts of Sherwood Forest. The morphology and alignment of these field-systems strongly suggest that they represent a survival of the late Iron Age and Roman brickwork-plan field-systems of North Nottinghamshire and South Yorkshire with considerable potential to elucidate the history of abandonment of these fields and the establishment of Sherwood Forest.
Evergreen Plants in Roman Britain and Beyond: Movement, Meaning and Materiality
Authors: Lodwick Lisa A.
Published: March 2017

In tandem with the large-scale translocation of food plants in the Roman world, ornamental evergreen plants and plant items were also introduced to new areas for ritual and ornamental purposes. The extent to which these new plants, primarily box and stone-pine, were grown in Britain has yet to be established. This paper presents a synthesis of archaeobotanical records of box, stone-pine and norway spruce in Roman Britain, highlighting chronological and spatial patterns. Archaeobotanical evidence is used alongside material culture to evaluate the movement of these plants and plant items into Roman Britain, their meaning and materiality in the context of human-plant relations in ornamental gardens and ritual activities. Archaeobotanical evidence for ornamental evergreen plants elsewhere in the Roman world is presented.
The association of mobility limitation and social networks in relation to late-life activity
Authors: LITWIN HOWARD , LEVINSON MAAYAN
Published: March 2017

The current study examines the interaction between mobility limitations and social networks in relation to activity in later life. Although the importance of activity participation to successful ageing has been well established, it is still unclear what contributes to higher levels of activity. This research addresses this issue, using data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe. The analysis focuses on a sub-sample of respondents aged 60 and older, from 13 countries, who participated in two specific waves, in 2011 and 2013. Multivariate analysis of the longitudinal data was conducted using hierarchical generalised Poisson regression and incorporating a new comprehensive social network scale. The inquiry found that having multiple mobility limitations is associated with less activity and that having a resourceful social network contributes to more activity. The research further revealed that social network is particularly beneficial to those with multiple mobility limitations because it mitigates the negative association with activity. This conclusion furthers the understanding of the relationship between different key dimensions in the successful ageing paradigm. Specifically, the findings imply the significance of having a social network among those who are functionally challenged. This finding has important implications for active ageing policies.
Generating high-yield positrons and relativistic collisionless shocks by 10 PW laser
Authors: Jiao J. , Zhang B. , Yu J. , Zhang Z. , Yan Y. , He S. , Deng Z. , Teng J. , Hong W. , Gu Y.
Published: March 2017

Relativistic collisionless shock charged particle acceleration is considered as a possible origin of high-energy cosmic rays. However, it is hard to explore the nature of relativistic collisionless shock due to its low occurring frequency and remote detecting distance. Recently, there are some works attempt to solve this problem by generating relativistic collisionless shock in laboratory conditions. In laboratory, the scheme of generation of relativistic collisionless shock is that two electron–positron pair plasmas knock each other. However, in laboratory, the appropriate pair plasmas have been not generated. The 10 PW laser pulse maybe generates the pair plasmas that satisfy the formation condition of relativistic collisionless shock due to its ultrahigh intensity and energy. In this paper, we study the positron production by ultraintense laser high Z target interaction using numerical simulations, which consider quantum electrodynamics effect. The simulation results show that the forward positron beam up to 1013/kJ can be generated by 10 PW laser pulse interacting with lead target. The estimation of relativistic collisionless shock formation shows that the positron yield satisfies formation condition and the positron divergence needs to be controlled. Our results indicate that the generation of relativistic collisionless shock by 10 PW laser facilities in laboratory is possible.
Albatrosses bathe before departing on a foraging trip: implications for risk assessments and marine spatial planning
Authors: GRANADEIRO JOSÉ P. , CAMPIONI LETIZIA , CATRY PAULO
Published: March 2017

Tracking studies of seabirds have generally focused in identifying areas used for foraging, in the hope of highlighting regions of energy transfer which may be important for seabird and general ecosystem conservation and special management. However, some sea areas may serve functions other than providing nutritional resources, which may be equally relevant, particularly if used by large numbers of individuals. In this paper, based on a study of 4 breeding colonies in the Falkland Islands and on 314 individuals tracked, we show that virtually all (97.8%) black-browed albatrosses Thalassarche melanophris (BBA) bathe in the close vicinity of the colony, remaining in the area for nearly an hour, before departing on a foraging trip. This compares with only 20 to 40% of the individuals landing close to the colony at the end of a foraging trip. The observed utilization of marine areas by BBA in a radius of 1 to 5 km around the nesting colony is one order of magnitude higher than elsewhere, including foraging hotspots. Clearly, even long-range flying birds such as albatrosses can make an intensive use of the sea-surface in the immediate vicinity of the colonies, and therefore any threats to seabirds in these areas (disturbance, pollutants, collision with artificial structures and light attraction) can potentially have a major impact at the population level. As such, the close neighbourhood of seabird colonies are potentially highly sensitive areas, and this needs to be taken into account when carrying out risk assessments or during marine spatial planning exercises.
Indomethacin induced and prostaglandin relieved coarctation of the aorta in right aortic arch with left arterial duct: a case report
Authors: Golden-Plotnik Stevi , Rosenberg Herschel C. , Altamirano-Diaz Luis A.
Published: March 2017

We describe the case of an infant with DiGeorge syndrome born with a right aortic arch and left arterial duct. Despite the remote location of the right aortic arch from the left arterial duct, he developed coarctation of the aorta during treatment with indomethacin. This was relieved by prostaglandin treatment. This case highlights the fact that, even in the absence of an arterial duct, ductal tissue can still be present in the aorta, and cause coarctation when exposed to indomethacin. We also demonstrate the utility of prostaglandin for relief of this type of obstruction.
A cognitive load delays predictive eye movements similarly during L1 and L2 comprehension
Authors: ITO AINE , CORLEY MARTIN , PICKERING MARTIN J.
Published: March 2017

We used the visual world eye-tracking paradigm to investigate the effects of cognitive load on predictive eye movements in L1 (Experiment 1) and L2 (Experiment 2) speakers. Participants listened to sentences whose verb was predictive or non-predictive towards one of four objects they were viewing. They then clicked on a mentioned object. Half the participants additionally performed a working memory task of remembering words. Both L1 and L2 speakers looked more at the target object predictively in predictable- than in non-predictable sentences when they performed the listen-and-click task only. However, this predictability effect was delayed in those who performed the concurrent memory task. This pattern of results was similar in L1 and L2 speakers. L1 and L2 speakers make predictions, but cognitive resources are required for making predictive eye movements. The findings are compatible with the claim that L2 speakers use the same mechanisms as L1 speakers to make predictions.
Assessment of nutrition and physical activity practices using self-report and observation in early care and education across multiple US states
Authors: Smith Teresa M , Blaser Casey , Geno Rasmussen Cristy , Shuell Julie , Plumlee Catherine , Yaroch Amy L
Published: March 2017

Objective

The National Early Care and Education Learning Collaboratives (ECELC) Project aims to promote healthy physical activity and nutrition environments, policies and practices in early care and education (ECE) programmes across multiple states. The present pilot study sought to assess changes to the physical activity and nutrition practices in a sub-sample of ECE programmes participating in the ECELC using the Environment and Policy Assessment and Observation (EPAO). Additionally, it sought to compare results with the Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAP SACC).

Design

Quasi-experimental pre–post pilot study where paired-sample t tests examined changes to physical activity and nutrition practices from pre-assessment to post-assessment (P<0·05). Pearson correlation coefficients examined change scores from EPAO compared with NAP SACC with statistical significance set at a two-sided α level of P<0·10 to account for sample size.

Setting

The study occurred among ECE programmes.

Subjects

Pre-school classrooms in nineteen ECE programmes across four US states were observed.

Results

EPAO data demonstrated an increase in total score from pre-assessment to post-assessment (150 (sd 30) to 176 (sd 35)). NAP SACC change scores demonstrated little relationship with EPAO domain change scores, with exceptions in Nutrition Policy and Physical Activity Policy (r=−0·4 and −0·6, respectively).

Conclusions

The overall improvements reported through the EPAO suggest participation in the ECELC resulted in changes in critical nutrition- and physical activity-related practices. However, considerable differences in data reported using the NAP SACC compared with the EPAO suggest subjective data should be interpreted with caution and objective measurement should be used when feasible.
Influence of Noise-Generating Factors on Cross-Correlation Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) Measurement of Geometrically Necessary Dislocations (GNDs)
Authors: Hansen Landon T. , Jackson Brian E. , Fullwood David T. , Wright Stuart I. , De Graef Marc , Homer Eric R. , Wagoner Robert H.
Published: March 2017

Studies of dislocation density evolution are fundamental to improved understanding in various areas of deformation mechanics. Recent advances in cross-correlation techniques, applied to electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) data have particularly shed light on geometrically necessary dislocation (GND) behavior. However, the framework is relatively computationally expensive—patterns are typically saved from the EBSD scan and analyzed offline. A better understanding of the impact of EBSD pattern degradation, such as binning, compression, and various forms of noise, is vital to enable optimization of rapid and low-cost GND analysis. This paper tackles the problem by setting up a set of simulated patterns that mimic real patterns corresponding to a known GND field. The patterns are subsequently degraded in terms of resolution and noise, and the GND densities calculated from the degraded patterns using cross-correlation ESBD are compared with the known values. Some confirmation of validity of the computational degradation of patterns by considering real pattern degradation is also undertaken. The results demonstrate that the EBSD technique is not particularly sensitive to lower levels of binning and image compression, but the precision is sensitive to Poisson-type noise. Some insight is also gained concerning effects of mixed patterns at a grain boundary on measured GND content.
AN ALTERNATIVE METHOD OF CONCEPT LEARNING
Authors: WANG SEN , FANG QINGXIANG , FENG JUN-E
Published: March 2017

We solve the problem of concept learning using a semi-tensor product method. All possible hypotheses are expressed under the framework of a semi-tensor product. An algorithm is raised to derive the version space. In some cases, the new approach improves the efficiency compared to the previous approach.
ON THE CONVERGENCE OF DISCRETE PROCESSES WITH MULTIPLE INDEPENDENT VARIABLES
Authors: ISHIMURA N. , YOSHIDA N.
Published: March 2017

We discuss discrete stochastic processes with two independent variables: one is the standard symmetric random walk, and the other is the Poisson process. Convergence of discrete stochastic processes is analysed, such that the symmetric random walk tends to the standard Brownian motion. We show that a discrete analogue of Ito’s formula converges to the corresponding continuous formula.
Distress and body image due to altered appearance in posttreatment and active treatment of breast cancer patients and in general population controls
Authors: Kang Danbee , Choi Eun-Kyung , Kim Im-Ryung , Nam Seok Jin , Lee Jeong Eon , Im Young-Hyuck , Ahn Jin Seok , Park Yeon Hee , Cho Juhee
Published: March 2017

Objective:

Our objective was to evaluate long-term altered appearance, distress, and body image in posttreatment breast cancer patients and compare them with those of patients undergoing active treatment and with general population controls.

Method:

We conducted a cross-sectional survey between May and December of 2010. We studied 138 breast cancer patients undergoing active treatment and 128 posttreatment patients from 23 Korean hospitals and 315 age- and area-matched subjects drawn from the general population. Breast, hair, and skin changes, distress, and body image were assessed using visual analogue scales and the EORTC BR–23. Average levels of distress were compared across groups, and linear regression was utilized to identify the factors associated with body image.

Results:

Compared to active-treatment patients, posttreatment patients reported similar breast changes (6.6 vs. 6.2), hair loss (7.7 vs. 6.7), and skin changes (5.8 vs. 5.4), and both groups had significantly more severe changes than those of the general population controls (p < 0.01). For a similar level of altered appearance, however, breast cancer patients experienced significantly higher levels of distress than the general population. In multivariate analysis, patients with high altered appearance distress reported significantly poorer body image (–20.7, CI95% = –28.3 to –13.1) than patients with low distress.

Significance of results:

Posttreatment breast cancer patients experienced similar levels of altered appearance, distress, and body-image disturbance relative to patients undergoing active treatment but significantly higher distress and poorer body image than members of the general population. Healthcare professionals should acknowledge the possible long-term effects of altered appearance among breast cancer survivors and help them to manage the associated distress and psychological consequences.
Does Religious Attendance Increase Immigrant Political Participation?: A Case Study in Australia
Authors: Jiang Liang
Published: March 2017

The relationship between religion and immigrant political participation has not been rigorously investigated in the literature set in Australia. In this study, I test whether religious attendance influences electoral and non-electoral participation among immigrants. Drawing on data from the 2013 Australian Election Study, I demonstrate that the impact of religious attendance on political participation may be overstated. I find that religious attendance is not significantly related to electoral and non-electoral participation among immigrants in Australia. This result may relate to three factors: the ability of religious attendance to affect immigrants’ key political resources; competition between religious and secular organizations; and the political salience of particular religious denominations within the Australian context. This study does not provide the much sought-after empirical confirmation to associational theories of political participation, but instead sounds a note of caution about the universal applicability of such theories.
The effect of paternal methyl-group donor intake on offspring DNA methylation and birth weight
Authors: Pauwels S. , Truijen I. , Ghosh M. , Duca R. C. , Langie S. A. S. , Bekaert B. , Freson K. , Huybrechts I. , Koppen G. , Devlieger R. , Godderis L.
Published: March 2017

Most nutritional studies on the development of children focus on mother–infant interactions. Maternal nutrition is critically involved in the growth and development of the fetus, but what about the father? The aim is to investigate the effects of paternal methyl-group donor intake (methionine, folate, betaine, choline) on paternal and offspring global DNA (hydroxy)methylation, offspringIGF2DMR DNA methylation, and birth weight. Questionnaires, 7-day estimated dietary records, whole blood samples, and anthropometric measurements from 74 fathers were obtained. A total of 51 cord blood samples were collected and birth weight was obtained. DNA methylation status was measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (global DNA (hydroxy)methylation) and pyrosequencing (IGF2DMR methylation). Paternal betaine intake was positively associated with paternal global DNA hydroxymethylation (0.028% per 100 mg betaine increase, 95% CI: 0.003, 0.053,P=0.03) and cord blood global DNA methylation (0.679% per 100 mg betaine increase, 95% CI: 0.057, 1.302,P=0.03). Paternal methionine intake was positively associated with CpG1 (0.336% per 100 mg methionine increase, 95% CI: 0.103, 0.569,P=0.006), and mean CpG (0.201% per 100 mg methionine increase, 95% CI: 0.001, 0.402,P=0.049) methylation of theIGF2DMR in cord blood. Further, a negative association between birth weight/birth weight-for-gestational agez-score and paternal betaine/methionine intake was found. In addition, a positive association between choline and birth weight/birth weight-for-gestational agez-score was also observed. Our data indicate a potential impact of paternal methyl-group donor intake on paternal global DNA hydroxymethylation, offspring global andIGF2DMR DNA methylation, and prenatal growth.
The influence ofin vitrofertilization and embryo culture on the embryo epigenetic constituents and the possible consequences in the bovine model
Authors: Sirard M.-A.
Published: March 2017

Medically assisted reproductive technologies, such asin vitroembryo production, are increasingly being used to palliate infertility. Eggs are produced following a hormonal regimen that stimulates the ovaries to produce a large number of oocytes. Collected oocytes are then fertilizedin vitroand allowed to developin vitrountil they are either frozen or transferred to mothers. There are controversial reports on the adverse impacts of these technologies on early embryos and their potential long-term effects. Using newly developed technological platforms that enable global gene expression and global DNA methylation profiling, we evaluated gene perturbations caused by such artificial procedures. We know that cells in the early embryo produce all cells in the body and are able to respond to theirin vitroenvironment. However, it is not known whether gene perturbations are part of a normal response to the environment or are due to distress and will have long-term impacts. While the mouse is an established genetic model used for quality control of culture media in clinics, the bovine is a large mono-ovulating mammal with similar embryonic kinetics as humans during the studied developmental window. These model systems are critical to understand the effects of assisted reproduction without the confounding impact of infertility and without the limitations imposed by the scarcity of donated human samples and ethical issues. The data presented in this review come mostly from our own experimentation, publications, and collaborations. Together they demonstrate that thein vitroenvironment has a significant impact on embryos at the transcriptomic level and at the DNA methylation level.