bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ChemInform Abstract: SELECTIVITY OF TWO‐PHASE HYPOBROMIDE OXIDATION IN THE CHOLESTEROL SERIES
Authors: GAWRONSKI JACEK , GALAT ANDRZEJ
Published: March 2016

Durch 2‐Phasen‐Hypobromit‐Oxidation von Cholesterin (I) gelingt die Darstellung von Diels′ Säure (II) in der angegebenen Ausbeute.
ChemInform Abstract: SYNTHESIS OF DEPSIPEPTIDES PART 11, SYNTHESIS OF DIDEPSIPEPTIDES OF D‐ALPHA‐HYDROXYGLUTARIC ACID
Authors: HOFFMANN MARIA , WASIELEWSKI CZESLAW
Published: March 2016

Das α‐Hydroxyglutarsäurederivat (IV) wird aus dem Lacton (I) über die Stufen (II) und (III) dargestellt.
ChemInform Abstract: 4‐MORPHOLINYL ESTER AS AN ACTIVATED ESTER IN PEPTIDE SYNTHESIS PART 3
Authors: OKAMOTO K. , SHIMAMURA S.
Published: March 2016

Die N‐geschützten Aminosäure‐4‐morpholinylester (I) ergeben durch saure Hydrolyse die N‐freien Aminosäureester (II), deren Kondensation mit den Aminosäuren (III) zu den geschützten Peptiden (IV) führt.
ChemInform Abstract: BEITRAEGE ZUR TROPANCHEMIE 1. MITT. 3BETA‐SUBSTITUIERTE TROPAN‐DERIVATE
Authors: SCHNEIDER W. , LANG B. , SCHUMANN F.
Published: March 2016

Während sich das Nortropinon (I) mit Malodinitril in 78%iger Ausbeute zu (II) ‐kondensieren läßt, beträgt die Ausbeute bei der Kondensation des Homologen (III) zu (IV) aus sterischen Gründen nur 12 %.
ChemInform Abstract: NON‐GLYCOSIDIC ANALOGS OF NUCLEOTIDES PART 5, DINUCLEOSIDE MONOPHOSPHATE ANALOGS FROM 9‐(OMEGA′‐HYDROXYALKYL) ADENINES
Authors: MIKAILOV S. N. , KRITSYN A. M. , KOLOBUSHKINA L. I. , FLORENT'EV V. L.
Published: March 2016

9‐(ω′‐Hydroxyalkyl)‐N6‐benzoyl‐adenin (I) wird in Pyridin in Gegenwart von Mesitylensulfochlorid mit einem acetylierten Ribonucleosid‐5′‐phosphat (II) kondensiert.
Direct Generation of Fine Bi2WO6 Nanocrystals on g‐C3N4 Nanosheets for Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity
Authors: Yin Wenjie , Bai Song , Zhong Yijun , Li Zhengquan , Xie Yi
Published: March 2016

Graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) coupled with Bi2WO6 is a promising Type II heterojunction, but it is still difficult to obtain uniform nanocomposites of these materials with the present assembly methods. Here we employ g‐C3N4 nanosheets saturated with Bi3+ ions to provide numerous and widespread nucleation sites for the growth of Bi2WO6 nanocrystals. As a result, g‐C3N4 nanosheets loaded with fine and controllable amount of Bi2WO6 nanocrystals are produced. The g‐C3N4/Bi2WO6 nanocomposites exhibit significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity for RhB degradation under visible‐light irradiation. Particularly, the g‐C3N4/70 % Bi2WO6 nanocomposite achieves the highest photocatalytic activity, and the average rate constant is almost 5 and 9 times higher than those of bare g‐C3N4 and Bi2WO6, respectively. Moreover, the composite exhibits high photocatalytic stability in cycling tests.
Being truly technologically accessible starts with engaging whole campus
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: March 2016

Ensuring that your campus is compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act standards for online courses and technology accessibility can help your institution avoid hefty fines. But perhaps even more important, compliance enhances the quality of education for all students. Institutions that welcome a diverse student body, including students with disabilities, provide a more well‐rounded education for all. Building an accessible campus is about more than just providing captioning on request or the correct screen‐reading software.
Are academic accommodations all students need?
Authors: Hamblet Elizabeth
Published: March 2016

Staff in many disability services offices spend a lot of their time deciding upon and then coordinating accommodations for students. Some students believe that accommodations are necessary to their success, and some may believe that accommodations are all they need to be successful in college. But what does the research say about the correlation between accommodations and students' GPA or college completion? And which accommodations are they using? Studies have looked at these issues, but it's hard to get a clear picture because of differences in measures used and the limitations involved with self‐report measures.
Be ready for a lawsuit even if OCR finds no violation
Authors: Masinter Michael R.
Published: March 2016

Most students who believe they have been wrongfully denied an academic adjustment or reasonable accommodation complain to the Office for Civil Rights rather than sue under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act or the Americans with Disabilities Act. They file OCR complaints for two reasons: you don't need a lawyer or the associated costs to complain to OCR, and OCR is often thought to be more likely to be receptive to a complaint than is a federal judge. But even when OCR finds no violation, a student can still sue for damages under Section 504, and a school may still face liability despite the OCR finding.
A Design Approach to Linear‐Phase FIR Filters with Odd‐Symmetric Transition Bands Using Piecewise Exponential Functions
Authors: SAITO HIROTO
Published: March 2016

This paper proposes a novel method for designing linear‐phase finite‐impulse response digital filters with an asymmetric transition band. The proposed filters use a form of piecewise exponential functions in the frequency domain where transition characteristics are determined by giving only two fixed feature points. The design method was evaluated in two ways. First, we evaluated a designed asymmetric transition band filter, and the results revealed that evaluated errors in the proposed filters were equivalent to well‐known existing filters. Then, it was shown that a three‐channel filter bank with an asymmetric transition band and linear‐phase property could be implemented.
Low‐Power ECG Processing ASIC
Authors: MATSUMOTO YUKI , TANAKA TOMOYA , SONODA KOJI , KANDA KENSUKE , FUJITA TAKAYUKI , MAENAKA KAZUSUKE
Published: March 2016

We designed and evaluated ASICs (application‐specific integrated circuits) for a human activity monitoring system in order to reduce total power consumption. The ASIC extracts the HR from the measured electrocardiogram (ECG) raw signal. To create an ASIC with ultra‐low power consumption, we used a novel algorithm based on fuzzy logic that is very simple and requires minimal processing power. The fabricated ASIC shows sufficient functionality and a power level as low as 2 W. A total of 85% of the power consumption in microprocessing unit (MPU) processing was cut by using the heart rate extraction ASIC.
Load Vector Sensors Using Strain‐Sensitive Cr‐N Thin Films and Their Applications
Authors: NIWA EIJI , SHIRAKAWA KIWAMU , SHINGYOCHI SHIGEAKI , XIONG SIBEI , NAKAHARA KENJI , ITO TAKAMICHI , SASAKI YOSHIHIRO
Published: March 2016

Cr‐N thin films, which have a gauge factor of about 16 and a temperature coefficient of resistivity close to zero, are a promising new next‐generation strain gauge material. In this paper, the fabrication and characterization of a single‐module system of the load vector sensor using the Cr‐N strain‐sensitive thin films, which can be applied to sole sensors, are reported.
A System for Recommending Essential Visual Perception Information in Life Monitoring Using Air Pollution Data
Authors: KAJIWARA YUSUKE , UENO MASAYOSHI , HASEGAWA TATSUHITO , NAKAMURA MUNEHIRO , KIMURA HARUHIKO
Published: March 2016

Life monitoring systems with air pollution data have been developed for solitary elderly people. However, the existing systems obtain unnecessary information that invades their privacy. In addition, since degrees of air pollution change in distinctive ways due to the effect of home environment and airflow conditions, it is difficult for people who have no expert knowledge to identify the activities of their daily living (ADL). To solve the problems above, this paper presents a system to select useful information that is required to identify ADL. Experimental results have shown that the proposed system achieves 77.3% identification accuracy. Besides, compared with the case when 10 users were asked to identify ADL without the proposed system, the identification accuracy has increased by 11.3% with the proposed system.
Method for Fabricating Multilevel Interconnection Structures Using Differential Delamination Energies between Metal and Silicon Oxide Thin Films
Authors: AONO TAKANORI , IWASAKI TOMIO , YOSHIMURA YASUHIRO , NAKAYAMA YOSHINORI
Published: March 2016

A method for fabricating multilevel interconnection structures using differential delamination energies (adhesion strength) between metal and silicon oxide thin films has been developed. When the selectivity of the delamination energies between the metal and the silicon oxide thin films sets on the wiring, the silicon oxide thin film can be released on the low delamination energy area and can be held on the high delamination energy area by using ultrasonic waves. The delamination energies are calculated by using a molecular dynamics simulation. The delamination energies between chromium, titanium, and nickel and silicon oxide thin films are larger than those of copper and gold thin films. Chromium, titanium, and nickel are applied as an adhesion layer with silicon oxide, and copper and gold are applied as a release layer from silicon oxide. The results are applied to the process for fabricating the multilevel interconnection structures, and the release and adhesive areas of silicon oxide thin film can be fabricated on the wiring by applying ultrasonic waves. With this method, the lower wiring and the contact areas of multilevel interconnection structures can be easily fabricated.
Polyethylene glycol fusion repair prevents reinnervation accuracy in rat peripheral nerve
Authors: Robinson Grant A. , Madison Roger D.
Published: March 2016

Functional recovery following a peripheral nerve injury is made easier when regenerating axons correctly reinnervate their original targets. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) has recently been used in attempts to fuse severed peripheral axons during suture‐based repair, but an analysis of target selectivity following such repair has not been undertaken. The rat femoral nerve (in which muscle and cutaneous pathways comingle proximally but segregate distally into separate terminal nerve branches) is a convenient in vivo model for assessing motor neuron regeneration accuracy. The present study uses retrograde labeling of motor neurons to compare reinnervation accuracy after suture‐based nerve repair with and without PEG fusion. The results show that adding PEG to the suture repair site blocked the preference of motor neurons to reinnervate correctly the distal terminal nerve branch to muscle that was seen with suture repair. Retrograde transport and diffusion studies also determined that PEG fusion allowed passage of probes across the repair site, as has previously been seen, but did not result in motor neuron labeling in the spinal cord. The results suggest that PEG fusion disrupts the beneficial trophic influence of muscle on motor neuron reinnervation accuracy normally seen after suture repair and that such fusion‐based approaches may be best suited to nerve injuries in which accurate target reinnervation at the terminal nerve branch level is not a priority. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The limitations of qPCR telomere length measurement in diagnosing dyskeratosis congenita
Authors: Gadalla Shahinaz M. , Khincha Payal P. , Katki Hormuzd A. , Giri Neelam , Wong Jason Y. Y. , Spellman Stephen , Yanovski Jack A. , Han Joan C. , De Vivo Immaculata , Alter Blanche P. , Savage Sharon A.
Published: March 2016

Background

Telomere length <1st percentile‐for‐age in leukocyte subsets by flow cytometry with fluorescence in situ hybridization (flow FISH) is highly sensitive and specific in diagnosing patients with dyskeratosis congenita (DC), a telomere biology disorder.

Methods

We evaluated the clinical utility of the high‐throughput quantitative real‐time PCR (qPCR) relative telomere length (RTL) measurement as a diagnostic test for DC in patients with a priori clinical and/or genetic DC diagnoses. We calculated the sensitivity and specificity of RTL at different age‐specific percentile cutoffs in 31 patients with DC and 51 mutation‐negative relatives, and evaluated RTL difference by disease genotype.

Results

qPCR RTL <1st percentile‐for‐age failed to identify more than 60% of the patients already known to have DC (sensitivity = 39%, specificity = 98%). Three‐quarters of DC patients had RTL below the 10th percentile‐for‐age (sensitivity = 74%), as did 12% of the unaffected relatives (specificity = 88%).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the qPCR RTL method is not optimal for diagnosing DC. In light of these limitations, leukocyte flow FISH telomere length remains the recommended molecular test for diagnosing DC.
Scale up efforts to attract and retain adult learners
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: March 2016

BALTIMORE, MD. — Officials at many colleges and universities develop initiatives to make their institutions more attractive to adult learners and to help those students graduate once they enroll. But officials at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities realized they could serve adult students more effectively if they worked together to share strategies and best practices.
Consider how to keep what's important when your institution scales up PLA
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: March 2016

BALTIMORE, MD. — “We're in a world of change. What do we do?” asked Alan Mandell, college professor of adult learning and mentoring at the State University of New York's Empire State College.
Oscillatory interaction between two like‐charged nanoparticles induced by polyelectrolyte brush–solvent interface
Authors: Lian Zengju , Qi Shuanhu
Published: March 2016

We use two‐dimensional (2D) self‐consistent field theory to study the effective interactions between two like‐charged cylindrical nanoparticles mediated by an oppositely weakly charged polyelectrolyte brush in a solvent solution. In a poor solvent, where a sharp brush–solvent interface forms, an oscillatory interaction is observed when two nanoparticles are both located at the brush–solvent interface. This oscillatory interaction depends on the penetration depths of the particles and their geometric orientations with respect to the substrate. When the particles are both immersed in the brush and/or the particles are oriented vertically or diagonally with large angles to the substrate, the oscillatory behavior disappears. We interpret our findings by analyzing in detail the contributions to the free energy from electrostatic interaction, nonelectrostatic interaction, and entropies, separately. Briefly, the deformations of the interface and the ion layers formed in the vicinity of the interface are responsible for this oscillatory behavior. In a good solvent, where the narrow brush–solvent interface vanishes, the effective particle–particle interactions behave like that for both particles immersed into the brush with poor solvent. They are found to be repulsive. The influences of the particle size, grafting density, and amount of charges and ions are also briefly discussed. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016, 54, 1458–1468
What Troubles You? What Keeps You up at Night?
Authors: Roper Larry D. , Whitt Elizabeth J.
Published: March 2016

Responses of student affairs leaders to questions about the challenges and obstacles they find in their work are examined and discussed.
Embracing Core Values: Finding Joy in the Challenges of our Work
Authors: Roper Larry D. , Porterfield Kent T. , Whitt Elizabeth J. , Carnaghi Jill E.
Published: March 2016

This chapter describes and discusses implications of the experiences of student affairs leaders—the challenges and the opportunities, the obstacles and the joy—for understanding and facilitating student affairs leadership.
Consider sample test questions for FERPA Basics training
Authors: Rainsberger Richard
Published: March 2016

This is not a tests and measurements column. However, the importance of and need to develop great Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act test questions at the end of a FERPA training program is essential.
Genomic epidemiology and global diversity of the emerging bacterial pathogenElizabethkingia anophelis
Authors: Breurec Sebastien , Criscuolo Alexis , Diancourt Laure , Rendueles Olaya , Vandenbogaert Mathias , Passet Virginie , Caro Valérie , Rocha Eduardo P. C. , Touchon Marie , Brisse Sylvain
Published: March 2016

Elizabethkingia anophelisis an emerging pathogen. Genomic analysis of strains from clinical, environmental or mosquito sources is needed to understand the epidemiological emergence ofE. anophelisand to uncover genetic elements implicated in antimicrobial resistance, pathogenesis, or niche adaptation. Here, the genomic sequences of two nosocomial isolates that caused neonatal meningitis in Bangui, Central African Republic, were determined and compared withElizabethkingiaisolates from other world regions and sources. Average nucleotide identity firmly confirmed thatE. anophelis, E. meningosepticaandE. miricolarepresent distinct genomic species and led to re-identification of several strains. Phylogenetic analysis ofE. anophelisstrains revealed several sublineages and demonstrated a single evolutionary origin of African clinical isolates, which carry unique antimicrobial resistance genes acquired by horizontal transfer. TheElizabethkingiagenus and the speciesE. anophelishad pan-genomes comprising respectively 7,801 and 6,880 gene families, underlining their genomic heterogeneity. African isolates were capsulated and carried a distinctive capsular polysaccharide synthesis cluster. A core-genome multilocus sequence typing scheme applicable to allElizabethkingiaisolates was developed, made publicly available (http://bigsdb.web.pasteur.fr/elizabethkingia), and shown to provide useful insights intoE. anophelisepidemiology. Furthermore, a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) locus was uncovered inE. meningoseptica, E. miricolaand in a fewE. anophelisstrains. CRISPR spacer variation was observed between the African isolates, illustrating the value of CRISPR for strain subtyping. This work demonstrates the dynamic evolution ofE. anophelisgenomes and provides innovative tools forElizabethkingiaidentification, population biology and epidemiology.

IMPORTANCE

Elizabethkingia anophelisis a recently recognized bacterial species involved in human infections and outbreaks in distinct world regions. Using whole-genome sequencing, we showed that the species comprises several sublineages, which differ markedly in their genomic features associated with antibiotic resistance and host-pathogen interactions. Further, we have devised high-resolution strain subtyping strategies and provide an open genomic sequence analysis tool, facilitating the investigation of outbreaks and tracking of strains across time and space. We illustrate the power of these tools by showing that two African healthcare-associated meningitis cases observed 5 years apart were caused by the same strain, providing evidence thatE. anopheliscan persist in the hospital environment.
Seven SNPs in the Coding Sequence of Leptin Receptor Gene in Long-term Selected Japanese Quail Lines
Authors: Karabağ Kemal , Alkan Sezai , Karlı Taki , İkten Cengiz , Şahin İnci , Balcıoğlu Murat Soner
Published: March 2016

The objective of this study was to identify SNPs in the coding sequence of the leptin receptor gene and to test for their possible association with 20 economically advantageous traits in 15 generations of 2 selected (HBW and LBW) and a control of japanase quail. A 350-bp part of the leptin receptor coding region was amplified and sequenced and understood that the fragment contained 7 SNPs (GenBank:KP674322.1-KP674328.1) that were detected in 5 loci (T3216C, T3265C, T3265G, C3265G, T3303C, A3311G, and T3347C) in a total of 30 individuals. The T3216C and T3303C SNPs located at the end of the codon were synonymous and did not affect the presence of proline. However, phenylalanine, leucine and valine were produced when the T3265C, T3265G and C3265G SNPs, respectively, were present. Glutamine or arginine was produced when the A3311G SNP was A or G, respectively, and serine was produced when the T3347C SNP was C. Although codons and amino acid sequences changed due to the second SNP, the secondary protein structure was not changed. However, the fourth and fifth SNPs changed both the amino acid sequences and secondary protein structure.

Pairing the SNP loci with phenotypic traits created haplogroups. When all individuals were evaluated together, some of the differences between the haplogroups were statistically significant (p<0.05; p<0.01). These results showed that both the sequence and structure of the leptin receptor gene could be altered by long-term selection. However, to achieve a more precise understanding of the role of leptin, entire coding sequences of leptin and the leptin receptor should be studied.
Ethical issues and stakeholders matter
Authors: Dale Ola
Published: March 2016

Commentary to: Clinical provision of improvised nasal naloxone without experimental testing and without regulatory approval: imaginative shortcut or dangerous bypass of essential safety procedures?
Ensure global access to naloxone for opioid overdose management
Authors: Balster Robert L. , Walsh Sharon L.
Published: March 2016

Commentary to: Clinical provision of improvised nasal naloxone without experimental testing and without regulatory approval: imaginative shortcut or dangerous bypass of essential safety procedures?
Sex beyond species: the first genetically analyzed case of intergeneric fertile hybridization in pinnipeds
Authors: Franco‐Trecu Valentina , Abud Carolina , Feijoo Matías , Kloetzer Guillermo , Casacuberta Marcelo , Costa‐Urrutia Paula
Published: March 2016

A species, according to the biological concept, is a natural group of potentially interbreeding individuals isolated by diverse mechanisms. Hybridization is considered the production of offspring resulting from the interbreeding of two genetically distinct taxa. It has been documented in over 10% of wild animals, and at least in 34 cases for Artic marine mammals. In Otariids, intergeneric hybridization has been reported though neither confirming it through genetic analyses nor presenting evidence of fertile offspring. In this study, we report the finding of a hybrid adult female between a South American fur seal (Arctocephalus australis) and a South American sea lion (Otaria byronia), and its offspring, a male pup, in Uruguay. Further based on morphological constraints and breeding seasons, sex‐biased hybridization between the two species is hypothesized. Morphological and genetic (nuclear and mitochondrial) results confirm de hybrid nature of the female‐pup pair. Here we discuss a genetic dilution effect, considering other hybridization events must be occurring, and how isolation mechanisms could be circumvented. Moreover, the results obtained from stable isotope analysis suggest feeding habits may be a trait transmitted maternally, leading to consider broader issues regarding hybridization as an evolutionary innovation phenomenon.
Estimation of saturated hydraulic conductivity from double‐ring infiltrometer measurements
Authors: Fatehnia M. , Tawfiq K. , Ye M.
Published: March 2016

This research aims to determine soil vertical saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) in situ from the measured steady infiltration rate (I), initial soil properties and double‐ring infiltrometer (DRI) test data. Characterizing the effects of these variables on the measured steady infiltration rate will enable more accurate prediction of Ks. We measured the effects of the ring diameter, head of ponding, ring depth, initial effective saturation and soil macroscopic capillary length on measured steady infiltration rates. We did this by simulating 864 DRI tests with the finite element program HYDRUS‐2D and by conducting 39 full‐scale in situ DRI tests, 30 Mini‐Disk infiltrometer experiments and four Guelph Permeameter tests. The M5′ model trees and genetic programming (GP) methods were applied to the data to establish formulae to predict the Ks of sandy to sandy‐clay soils. The nine field DRI tests were used to verify the computer models. We determined the accuracy of the methods with 30% of the simulated DRI data to compare I/KS values of the finite element models with estimates from the suggested formulae. We also used the suggested formulae to predict the Ks values of 30 field DRI experiments and compared them with values measured by Guelph Permeameter tests. Compared with the GP method, the M5′ model was better at predicting KS, with a correlation coefficient of 0.862 and root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.282 cm s−1. In addition, the latter method estimated Ksvalues of the field experiments more accurately, with an RMSE of 0.00346 cm s−1.
The effect of pre‐industrial charcoal kilns on chemical properties of forest soil of Wallonia, Belgium
Authors: Hardy B. , Cornelis J.‐T. , Houben D. , Lambert R. , Dufey J. E.
Published: March 2016

In Wallonia, Belgium, intensive in situ charcoal production that was linked closely to pre‐industrial smelting and steel‐making affected a large part of the forested area in the late eighteenth century. Charcoal kiln relics can be detected under forest as domes of about 10 m in diameter, with the topsoil greatly enriched with charcoal residues. We sampled 19 charcoal kiln sites and the adjacent reference soil by soil horizon on four different soil types (Arenosols, Luvisols, Cambisols and Podzols). Data were analysed with linear mixed models to assess the effect of the charcoal kiln site on soil properties in relation to depth and soil conditions. We also addressed the evolution of soil properties over time by a comparison of the soil characteristics at a currently active kiln site. The charcoal‐rich topsoil has a larger C:N ratio and cation exchange capacity (CEC) per unit of organic carbon than the reference soil. The largest CECs per unit of carbon were observed on soil with coarser textures. On acidic soil, the increase in base saturation in the subsoil reflects the past liming effect of ash produced by wood charring, whereas the topsoil is re‐acidified. The acidity of carbonate‐rich Cambisols, however, is not reduced. Regardless of soil type, the kiln topsoil is greatly depleted in exchangeable K+ and available P, which may be attributed to the small affinity of the exchange complex of charcoal for K+ and a decrease in P availability with time. Therefore, we recommend further research on the long‐term effects of biochar on the dynamics of plant nutrients.
Effects of compost, biochar and manure on carbon mineralization of biogas residues applied to soil
Authors: Coban H. , Miltner A. , Centler F. , Kästner M.
Published: March 2016

Biogas residues contain microbial biomass, which contributes to the formation of soil organic matter. Whether the potential of biogas residues to increase soil organic matter can be enhanced by co‐application with compost, biochar or manure is unknown, however. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the effects of co‐amendment on the mineralization of biogas residues, carbon dioxide emissions and the carbon flow within the microbial food web. We determined the fate of 13C‐labelled microbial biomass present in biogas residues applied together with compost, biochar and manure to soil, by analysing CO2 and biomarker phospholipid fatty acids. Although the rate of mineralization constant of the slowly degrading carbon pool was not affected by co‐amendments, co‐amendment with manure resulted in a larger rate of mineralization constant of the readily degrading carbon pool of biogas residues. The incorporation of carbon was mainly to Gram‐negative biomass and was the smallest with manure co‐amendment, which indicated differences in bioavailability of the carbon source.
Executive Compensation in American Unions
Authors: Hallock Kevin F. , Klein Felice B.
Published: March 2016

We explore compensation of labor union leaders using U.S. panel data on more than 75,000 organization‐years from 2000 to 2007. We find that membership, estimated average wages, and dues are strongly related to the compensation of the leaders of American labor unions, even after controlling for organization size and organization fixed effects. That is, within the same union over time, higher levels of these measures are associated with higher levels of pay for union leaders.
Task Polarization in the Japanese Labor Market: Evidence of a Long‐Term Trend
Authors: Ikenaga Toshie , Kambayashi Ryo
Published: March 2016

By quantifying the various skills required for different occupations, we examine the long‐term trend in labor‐market polarization in Japan in terms of tasks from 1960 to 2005. We find that the input share of nonroutine tasks has consistently and gradually increased, while that of routine tasks has decreased. With regard to nonroutine tasks, we observe an increase in the input shares of both high‐skilled analytical and interactive tasks and low‐skilled manual tasks. While we also find that the polarization depends on the introduction of technology, the progress of polarization is slower and smaller in Japan than in other countries.
Skin cancer risk in outdoor workers: a European multicenter case–control study
Authors: Trakatelli M. , Barkitzi K. , Apap C. , Majewski S. , De Vries E. ,   the EPIDERM group
Published: March 2016

Background

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is the most important external risk factor for skin cancer. Outdoor workers, who are exposed to high ambient UVR levels are at increased risk.

Objective

To compare outdoor with indoor workers in terms of: (i) skin cancer risk factors, and (ii) risk of developing skin cancer.

Methods

Using descriptive methods and a large multicenter European case–control study, we compared risk factor patterns between outdoor (N = 1416) and indoor workers (N = 1863). Risk of developing basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), melanoma and actinic keratosis (AK) were analysed by type of work using multivariate logistic regression models, for three categories of work: indoor; farming/construction; other outdoor work.

Results

Although skin phototype was equally distributed by type of work, significantly less outdoor than indoor workers used sunscreen in their own country (44.3% vs. 60.2%), but had more outdoor hobbies (66.2% vs. 58.2%). Outdoor workers had lower educational levels, and felt less confident in understanding medical information and filling medical forms (all P < 0.001). Outdoor workers had more signs of photodamage (78.1% vs. 65.5%) and among the skin cancer patients, 37.7% of outdoor workers vs. 28.6% of indoor workers had ≥2 skin cancers diagnosed during their lifetime. Multivariate logistic regression models showed significantly increased risk of outdoor vs. indoor work for AK (ORother outdoor = 1.55, ORfarming/construction = 2.58), SCC (ORother outdoor = 1.32, ORfarming/construction = 2.77) and BCC (ORother outdoor = 1.53, ORfarming/construction = 1.83). No significant associations were found for melanoma. The risk of all types of skin cancer and AK was significantly increased for workers with ≥5 years of outdoor work.

Conclusions

Outdoor workers had more risk behaviour with similar constitutional skin cancer risk factors: more UV exposure (both occupational and leisure) and less sunscreen use and lower health literacy. This results in higher exposure, more photodamage and an increased risk of developing AK, BCC and SCC.
The European Status Quo in legal recognition and patient‐care services of occupational skin cancer
Authors: Ulrich C. , Salavastru C. , Agner T. , Bauer A. , Brans R. , Crepy M.N. , Ettler K. , Gobba F. , Goncalo M. , Imko‐Walczuk B. , Lear J. , Macan J. , Modenese A. , Paoli J. , Sartorelli P. , Stageland K. , Weinert P. , Wroblewski N. , Wulf H.C. , John S.M.
Published: March 2016

Background

Skin cancer is the most common malignancy in Caucasian populations worldwide and ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is known for being the number one carcinogen. As, especially in outdoor workers, UVR is an inevitable carcinogen, the prevention and management of UVR‐related skin cancers in these at‐risk populations represent a collective challenge for dermatologists and healthcare policymakers likewise.

Objective

To provide an overview on the current regulations on the acknowledgement and management of work‐related skin cancer in 11 European countries.

Methods

Dermatologists from 11 countries networking within the EU Horizon 2020 COST Action TD1206 ‘StanDerm’ contributed to a standardized survey regarding current national regulations, implemented for the recognition, prevention and management as well as possible compensation regulations in their individual country of residence.

Results

Ten of 11 participating countries in this survey reported the existence of an established programme available on certain occupational diseases; work‐related skin diseases were only specifically recognized in eight countries. Seven of 11 countries recognize cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in outdoor workers as ‘occupational skin cancer’. Basal cell carcinoma (6 of 11), actinic keratosis (5 of 11), Bowen's disease (5 of 11) and malignant melanoma (5 of 11) are not as regularly approved as potentially ‘work‐induced’. Only a few of the countries included into this survey established a general documentation system (national registry) on occupational skin diseases. So far, representatives of only three countries of this survey referred to a specific established national programme for the prevention, management or compensation of occupational skin cancers acquired during work‐related UVR exposure.

Conclusion

This survey highlights the need for mandatory regulations on the prevention, management and potential compensation of work‐related UV‐induced skin cancer across Europe. Against the background of a joint European domestic market, equal standards of occupational safety across Europe should include binding regulations for the protection and management of work‐related skin cancer. The design of a common regulation to meet the increasing incidence of skin cancers in outdoor workers should become part of the European agenda, ensuring equal working and living conditions in the member states.
Jointly Optimal Regulation of Bank Capital and Liquidity
Authors: WALTHER ANSGAR
Published: March 2016

In an economy with financial frictions, banks endogenously choose excessive leverage and maturity mismatch in equilibrium, as they fail to internalize the risk of socially wasteful fire sales. Macroprudential regulators can achieve efficiency with simple linear constraints, which require less information than Pigouvian taxes. The liquidity coverage and net stable funding ratios of Basel III can implement efficiency. Additional microprudential regulation of leverage is required when bank failures are socially costly. Micro‐ and macroprudential rules are imperfect substitutes. Optimally, macroprudential policy reacts to systematic risk and credit conditions over the cycle, while microprudential policy reacts to systematic and idiosyncratic risk.
Housing and Tax Policy
Authors: ALPANDA SAMI , ZUBAIRY SARAH
Published: March 2016

This paper investigates the effects of housing‐related tax policy measures on macroeconomic aggregates using a dynamic general‐equilibrium model featuring borrowing and lending across heterogeneous households, financial frictions in the form of collateral constraints tied to house prices, and a rental housing market alongside owner‐occupied housing. We analyze the effects of various tax policies and find that they all lead to significant output losses, with large long‐run tax multipliers of around 2. Among them, reducing the mortgage interest deduction is the most effective in raising tax revenue per unit of output lost, whereas reducing the depreciation allowance for rental income is the least effective.
Improving Overnight Loan Identification in Payments Systems
Authors: REMPEL MARK
Published: March 2016

Information on the allocation and pricing of over‐the‐counter (OTC) markets is scarce. Furfine (1999) pioneered an algorithm that provides transaction‐level data on the OTC interbank lending market. The veracity of the data identified, however, is not well established. Using permutation methods, I estimate an upper bound on the daily false positive rate of this algorithm to be between 10% and 20%. I propose refinements that reduce the bound to 10% or lower with negligible power loss. The results suggest that the inferred prices and quantities of overnight loans provide viable estimates of interbank lending market activity for Canadian data.
Socio‐economic stratification of English in globalized landscapes: A market‐oriented perspective
Authors: Vandenbroucke Mieke
Published: March 2016

Globalization has dramatically altered the urban societies of Amsterdam and Brussels over recent decades, with intensified socio‐economic inequality, unprecedented levels of multilingualism and the increasing importance of English. In this paper, I examine the use of English in the linguistic landscape of socio‐economically stratified commercial shopping streets in these two second‐tier global cities. I adopt a market‐oriented, contextualized approach to quantitative and qualitative variability in how English emerges in these particular commercial ‘linguistic markets’. McDonaldization in midscale shopping streets occurs alongside downscale and upscale uses of English which are more susceptible to local commercial dynamics, in particular in Brussels. As such, global English in these single city contexts emerges as a heterogeneous and scaled phenomenon shaped by specific local commercial and linguistic market conditions.
Grassland root functional parameters vary according to a community‐level resource acquisition–conservation trade‐off
Authors: Fort Florian , Cruz Pablo , Lecloux Eric , Bittencourt de Oliveira Leandro , Stroia Ciprian , Theau Jean‐Pierre , Jouany Claire
Published: March 2016

Questions

The fundamental trade‐off between fine root trait attributes related to resource acquisition and conservation is well documented at species and community levels. However, relations remain unclear between this trade‐off and community adaptation to environmental factors. As a result we ask: (1) how do fertility changes influence community position along the root acquisition–conservation trade‐off; (2) how does root position along the soil profile influence its functional parameter; and (3) do fertility and soil depth have an interactive effect on community root parameters?

Location

Native multi‐species temperate grassland in the French Massif Central.

Methods

We assessed botanical composition and measured community root functional parameters (at plot and soil layer levels) in 16 plots differentiated by the amounts of N and P fertilizers applied over 16 yr and a soil depth gradient. Structural equation models were used to analyse relations among environmental factors, botanical composition and root functional parameters.

Results

Botanical composition and plot‐level root functional parameters vary according to fertility and soil depth. Communities from low fertility plots display a resource conservation strategy, i.e. high root tissue density, low specific root length (SRL) and low root length density (RLD), while communities from high fertility plots display a resource acquisition strategy, i.e. opposite parameter values. This demonstrates the importance of root resource management strategies in community adaptation to resource acquisition. Roots display different parameter values with soil depth. Roots in the surface horizon have small diameters and high SRL and RLD, suggesting intensive soil exploration and a high nutrient acquisition capacity. Roots in deep horizons have large diameters and low SRL, suggesting high water transport capacity per root length unit. This pattern is affected by plot fertility, i.e. communities from high fertility plots show higher root strategy differentiation with depth than communities from low fertility plots. We hypothesize that this root specialization along the soil profile enables species to be competitive for nutrient uptake in shallow soil layers and water uptake and transport in deep soil layers.

Conclusion

Our study provides evidence that fertility and soil depth modified root functional parameters, in agreement with predictions from the economics spectrum theory.
Systemic Amyloidosis: A Rare Presentation of Mesenteric Angina
Authors: Andrews Christopher N , Amar Jack N , Hayes Malcolm MM , Enns Robert A
Published: March 2016

A 64-year-old man presented with an eight-month history of increasing postprandial epigastric pain and a 15 kg weight loss. Computed tomography of the abdomen, panendoscopy and mesenteric angiography failed to explain the cause of the patient's mesenteric angina. Systemic amyloidosis involving intestinal small vasculature without larger arterial involvement was diagnosed at autopsy after the patient died of an asystolic cardiac arrest. Mesenteric angina without evidence of ischemic enteritis or pseudo-obstruction is a rare manifestation of amyloidosis.
Causation: Recurrent Collagenous Colitis Following Repeated Use of NSAIDs
Authors: Al-Ghamdi Mohammed Y , Malatjalian Dickran A , van Zanten Sander Veldhuyzen
Published: March 2016

A case in which a patient who on two occasions developed watery diarrhea and proven collagenous colitis shortly after taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is described. The case report suggests a causal relationship.
Spontaneous Free Perforation of the Small Intestine in Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Freeman Hugh J
Published: March 2016

Spontaneous free perforation of the small intestine is a rare but often dramatic event in the clinical course of Crohn’s disease. Fifteen new cases of spontaneous free perforation of the small intestine - nine female patients and six male patients – were discovered in a series of 1000 consecutively evaluated patients with Crohn’s disease seen during a period spanning 20 years, for an estimated frequency of 1.5%. Spontaneous free perforation was the presenting clinical feature of Crohn’s disease in nine (60%) of the newly discovered cases. Most perforations were located in the ileum rather than in the jejunum, and there were no duodenal free perforations. One patient with extensive intestinal disease presented with concomitant free perforations of the jejunum and ileum, while a second patient had two free ileal perforations that developed independently, separated by about six years. No perforations were the result of a superimposed malignant process, ie, adenocarcinoma or lymphoma. There have been no mortalities, and the subsequent clinical course of these patients has been limited to a minority requiring corticosteroid or immunosuppressive medications, or further surgical resections.
Motion – All Patients with GERD Should Be Offered Once in a Lifetime Endoscopy: Arguments for the Motion
Authors: Armstrong David
Published: March 2016

Proton pump inhibitor therapy is so successful at relieving refluxrelated symptoms and healing esophageal erosions that it has supplanted formal diagnostic techniques, such as endoscopy and esophageal pH monitoring, for the initial management of gastroesophageal reflux disease. The response to antisecretory therapy is not indicative, however, of Barrett’s esophagus or esophageal adenocarcinoma. Patients with prolonged and severe reflux symptoms, especially if they are over the age of 60 years, are at risk of these complications. For them, endoscopy is the only appropriate investigation for detecting Barrett’s esophagus and dysplasia or cancer. Because of the difficulty in distinguishing dysplasia from inflammatory and regenerative changes, endoscopy should be undertaken while the patient is on effective antisecretory therapy. Endoscopy should be offered only to patients who are suitable for further therapy (especially esophagectomy), and only if they understand the implications of abnormal findings. The published evidence suggests that the application of clear guidelines would not overwhelm health care resources, and that fewer than 20% of patients with Barrett’s esophagus would eventually undergo endoscopic surveillance.
Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding and Ischemic Colitis
Authors: Newman Jamie R , Cooper Mary Anne
Published: March 2016

OBJECTIVE: To compare the incidence and clinical characteristics of lower gastrointestinal (LGI) bleeding due to ischemic colitis with those with LGI bleeding of other causes.

METHODS: A chart review was performed of patients admitted with LGI bleeding to Sunnybrook and Women’s College Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, between July 1, 1997 and January 31, 2000.

RESULTS: Of 124 patients with LGI bleeding, 24 cases were due to ischemic colitis, 62 to diverticulosis, 11 to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and 27 to all other causes (‘others’). The average ages of patients in each group were 66.5, 76.5, 40.5 and 77.5 years, respectively. Patients with ischemic colitis were statistically younger than those with diverticular bleeding and ‘others’. Patients with IBD were younger than those in the other three groups. The only statistical difference for vascular disease risks was hypertension, because of its absence from the IBD group. Three patients with ischemic colitis underwent blood transfusions, while 23 with diverticulosis, 15 ‘others’ and none with IBD received blood. Three patients with ischemic colitis and one patient from the ‘others’ group died. More women (75) than men (49) had LGI bleeding - in total and within each subgroup. Of women with LGI bleeding, many more with ischemic colitis (44.4%) than with diverticulosis (3.0%), IBD (0%) or ‘others’ (5.6%) were taking estrogen.

CONCLUSIONS: Ischemic colitis was the second most common cause of LGI bleeding. LGI bleeding from all causes was more common in women than in men. Many more women in the ischemic colitis group than in the other groups were using estrogen therapy.
Motion – The Available Treatments for Hepatitis C Are Cost Effective: Arguments against the Motion
Authors: Kim W Ray
Published: March 2016

Hepatitis C is a prevalent infection in North America. However, the natural history of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the general population is not fully understood. Available cohortbased studies suggest that only a relative minority of patients develop significant liver disease, such as cirrhosis and/or hepatocellular carcinoma. Other studies, mostly conducted based on referral patients with established disease, portray much more serious consequences of HCV infection. Although a substantial improvement has been made in the treatment for HCV, the overall impact of antiviral therapy in altering the natural course of HCV infection remains uncertain. Therapeutic trials involve narrow selection criteria that would exclude the majority of hepatitis C patients in the community, and are conducted in ideal settings that may not be generalizable to the average practice setting. Demographic groups that are at high risk of developing severe liver disease include older male patients who consume alcohol. In contrast, antiviral therapy is more effective in young and female patients and those who do not drink alcohol. Thus, patients who appear to be successfully treated may not be those for whom clearance of the virus would be beneficial. Cost-effectiveness studies published to date have not been able to fully address the complex and heterogeneous matrix of the factors that influence the natural history of HCV infection and treatment response.

In summary, there is a significant degree of uncertainty about many assumptions that are necessary in creating computer models to estimate the cost-effectiveness of HCV therapy. When interpreting the results of cost effectiveness analyses regarding the treatment of HCV infection, it is important to be aware of the underlying assumptions that are incorporated in the model and the data on which they are based. Given these limitations, vis-à-vis the expense, toxicity and yet limited effectiveness of the currently available antiviral agents, one should not blindly accept a conclusion that treatment for hepatitis C is cost effective.