bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How Do Firms Form Their Expectations? New Survey Evidence
Authors: Coibion Olivier , Gorodnichenko Yuriy , Kumar Saten
Published: August 2018

We survey New Zealand firms and document novel facts about their macroeconomic beliefs. There is widespread dispersion in beliefs about past and future macroeconomic conditions, especially inflation. This dispersion in beliefs is consistent with firms’ incentives to collect and process information. Using experimental methods, we find that firms update their beliefs in a Bayesian manner when presented with new information about the economy and that changes in their beliefs affect their decisions. Inflation is not generally perceived as being important to business decisions so firms devote few resources to collecting and processing information about inflation. (JEL D22, D83, D84, E31, E52)
Borboletas (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea e Hesperioidea) da Reserva Biológica do Gurupi, Maranhão, Brasil
Authors: Pereira Surama , Rezende Walisson Mickael Alves , Câmara Joseleide Teixeira
Published: August 2018

Resumo. As borboletas constituem um dos grupos mais utilizados em estudos de monitoramento e mensuração do equilíbrio ambiental, uma vez que são sensíveis a qualquer tipo de alteração ambiental. O objetivo do presente estudo é divulgar a primeira lista de espécies de borboletas da REBIO do Gurupi e estimar a representatividade dessas espécies na comunidade. Foram realizadas coletas bimestrais, durante sete dias consecutivos, entre jan/2010 e jul/2011. Os espécimes foram obtidos com uso de rede entomológica e armadilhas do tipo Van Someren-Rydon. Na análise dos dados foram calculados a frequência das espécies, índices de diversidade, estimativas de riqueza e obteve-se a curva de acúmulo de espécies. Foram obtidos 413 espécimes de 91 espécies, 64 gêneros, 14 subfamílias e seis famílias. A espécie mais frequente foi Morpho menelaus (Linnaeus, 1758). Os índices de diversidades obtidos, quando comparados a outros estudos, são expressivos; a estimativa de espécies e a curva de acúmulo mostram que a comunidade amostrada está subestimada. Com esse trabalho, o Maranhão alcançou 358 espécies de borboletas registradas. Os dados ressaltam a importância da REBIO e das demais Unidades de Conservação para a manutenção da riqueza de borboletas da região.Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea and Hesperioidea) from the Gurupi Biological Reserve, Maranhão State, BrazilAbstract. Butterflies are one of the groups most used in monitoring and measuring environmental balance studies, as they are sensitive to any type of environmental change. The objective of the present study is to disclose the first list of butterfly species of REBIO Gurupi and to estimate the representativeness of these species in the community. Were performed collected quarterly during seven consecutive days, between Jan/2010 and Jul/ 2011. The specimens were obtained using an entomological network and traps of the Van Someren-Rydon type. In the analysis of the data were calculated the frequency of species, diversity indexes, wealth estimates and the curve of species accumulation was obtained. The most frequent species was Morpho menelaus (Linnaeus, 1758). The diversity indexes obtained, when compared to other studies, are expressive; The species estimates and the accumulation curve show that the sampled community is underestimated. With this work, Maranhão reached 358 species of registered butterflies. The data emphasizes the importance of REBIO and other conservation units for the maintenance of the butterflies’ wealth of the region.
Effect of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on the Quantitative and Qualitative Parameters of Rice (Oriza sativa L.)
Authors: Sharada P. , Sujathamma P.
Published: August 2018

Rice is the most important staple cereals in human nutrition and consumed by 75% of the global population. Rice plant needs supply of essential nutrients for its optimal growth. Rice production has been increased tremendously in India after green revolution combined with insensitive irrigation and use of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides. However, the effect of using inorganic fertilizers has resulted in contamination of ground water and decreased the productivity of soil, which in turn affects the rice production in long term. Use of organic manure may help to regain the soil health but they are insufficient to provide the essential nutrients to achieve optimal growth. So, use of organic manures combine with inorganic fertilizers are followed to obtain optimum yields. This study aimed to test the effect of the different organic fertilizer and combinations of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the qualitative and quantitative parameters of two cultivars of rice as DRR Dhan 39 and RP.BIO.226. The experiment was conducted on the farm located at Fasalwadi village, Sangareddy district, Telangana during kharif season in randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatment included two controls and 10 combinations of four organic fertilizers as farmyard manure, vermicompost, Panchagavya, Jeevamrutha and inorganic fertilizers as combination of 60:75:75 levels of N, P and K. Grain and straw samples were collected and physical parameters were measured at harvest stage. The results indicated that the variety DRR Dhan 39 gave the statistically significant (P<0.0001) higher grain yield of 8713 kg/ha and straw yield of 9483kg/ha with 50% organic fertilizers of Vermicompost, Jeevamrutha 5% and Panchagavya 3% and 50% inorganic fertilizer of NPK. On the other hand, the variety of RP.BIO.226 gave the highest grain yield of 6390 kg/ha with Vermicompost, Jeevamrutha 5% and Panchagvya 3% (8 t/ha, foliar spray and 500 litres/ha) and highest straw yield of 7430 kg/ha with T10 treatment (50% organic fertilizers of Vermicompost, Jeevamrutha 5% and Panchagavya 3% and 50% inorganic fertilizer of NPK). Both varieties of rice poorly responded to inorganic fertilizers with lower grain and straw yield. Statistically significant differences were observed in both varieties of grain crude protein (CP%), straw acid detergent fiber (ADF%), crude fiber (CF%) and acid detergent lignin (ADL%) with different fertilizers
Impact of rainfall on the coconut productivity in Kozhikode and Malappuram Districts of Kerala
Authors: Abhinav M. C. , Paul Lazarus T. , Priyanga V. , Kshama A.V.
Published: August 2018

Rainfall has enormous impact on weather and climate. An investigation on impact of rainfall on coconut productivity was taken place in Kozhikode and Malappuram districts of Kerala, to identify the variation in coconut production on an account of secondary data based on rainfall collected for a time period from 1991 to 2015 (25 years). Panel data analysis revealed that rainfall during 3rd (July-September) and 4th (October-December) quarters was found to have significant negative impact on coconut production. Amount of rainfall observed during 1st (Januvary-March) and 2nd(April-June) quarters has positive non-significant impact on coconut production. The growth trend of rainfall showed an increasing trend in Kozhikode district whereas Malappuram district had a decreasing trend over the years.
Ergonomics Hazards and Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Workers of Health Care Facilities
Authors: Hamid Almas , Salaam Ahmad Alizae , Dar Sarah , Sohail Sana , Akram Faiza , Irfan Qureshi Mariya
Published: August 2018

The present study is conducted to determine occupational health and safety hazards with special focus on ergonomic hazards among healthcare facility (HCF) workers. A structured questionnaire survey was conducted among 200 workers in five HCFs of Lahore, Pakistan. Among the reported ergonomic hazards, muscle aches/ sprains (76.5%), elbow/ wrist/ neck pain (56.0%), body posture issues (56.0%), excessive stretching of muscles (67.5%) and bending/ twisting at work (55.5%) were commonly encountered. Biological hazards included incidences of cuts/wounds/ lacerations (69.0%), contact with specimens (56.0%), exposure of airborne diseases (64.0%) and other infections (72.0%) inspite of the fact that majority (90.0%) were aware of procedures where needle stick injuries are most likely to occur and knowledgeable on occupational infections. Physical hazards included slips/trips/falls (65.0%), high noise levels (64.0%) and chemical spills (54.0%). A significant percentage of workers experienced psychosocial hazards including work related stress (77.0%) and some form of psychosocial or physical abuse (68.5%). Despite workers awareness about occupational health hazards and implementation of control measures by HCF to mitigate hazards (especially biological) prevalence of hazards was reported. Hence, there is a need to improve working standards and conditions to reduce the occurrence of ergonomic and psychosocial hazards.
The Avon patellofemoral joint arthroplasty
Authors: Metcalfe A. J. , Ahearn N. , Hassaballa M. A. , Parsons N. , Ackroyd C. E. , Murray J. R. , Robinson J. R. , Eldridge J. D. , Porteous A. J.
Published: August 2018

Aims

This study reports on the medium- to long-term implant survivorship and patient-reported outcomes for the Avon patellofemoral joint (PFJ) arthroplasty.

Patients and Methods

A total of 558 Avon PFJ arthroplasties in 431 patients, with minimum two-year follow-up, were identified from a prospective database. Patient-reported outcomes and implant survivorship were analyzed, with follow-up of up to 18 years.

Results

Outcomes were recorded for 483 implants (368 patients), representing an 86% follow-up rate. The median postoperative Oxford Knee Score (0 to 48 scale) was 35 (interquartile range (IQR) 25.5 to 43) and the median Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC, 0 to 100 scale) was 35 (IQR 25 to 53) at two years. There were 105 revisions, 61 (58%) for progression of osteoarthritis. All documented revisions were to primary knee systems without augmentation. The implant survival rate was 77.3% (95% confidence interval (CI) 72.4 to 81.7, number at risk 204) at ten years and 67.4% (95% CI 72.4 to 81.7 number at risk 45) at 15 years. Regression analysis of explanatory data variable showed that cases performed in the last nine years had improved survival compared with the first nine years of the cohort, but the individual operating surgeon had the strongest effect on survivorship.

Conclusion

Satisfactory long-term results can be obtained with the Avon PFJ arthroplasty, with maintenance of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), satisfactory survival, and low rates of loosening and wear. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:1162–7.
Glenosphere design affects range of movement and risk of friction-type scapular impingement in reverse shoulder arthroplasty
Authors: Werner B. S. , Chaoui J. , Walch G.
Published: August 2018

Aims

Scapular notching is a frequently observed radiographic phenomenon in reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA), signifying impingement of components. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the effect of glenoid component size and glenosphere type on impingement-free range of movement (ROM) for extension and internal and external rotation in a virtual RSA model, and to determine the optimal configuration to reduce the incidence of friction-type scapular notching.

Materials and Methods

Preoperative CT scans obtained in 21 patients (three male, 18 female) with primary osteoarthritis were analyzed using modelling software. Two concurrent factors were tested for impingement-free ROM and translation of the centre of rotation: glenosphere diameter (36 mm vs 39 mm) and type (centred, 2 mm inferior eccentric offset, 10° inferior tilt).

Results

Glenosphere size was most predictive of increased extension and external rotation, whereas lateralization of the centre of rotation was the most predictive factor for internal rotation. A larger diameter of glenosphere combined with a 10° tilted configuration demonstrated superior values for extension and external rotation, whereas the eccentric component improved internal rotation by a mean 8.9° (standard deviation 2.7°) compared with a standard concentric glenosphere.

Conclusion

Glenosphere configuration can be modified to increase range of movement in RSA. Friction-type scapular notching was most effectively reduced by use of a large-diameter glenosphere with 10° inferior tilt. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:1182–6.
RESPOSTA DO TOMATE SWEET GRAPE CULTIVADO EM SUBSTRATO COMERCIAL COM DIFERENTES LÂMINAS E FREQUÊNCIAS DE IRRIGAÇÃO
Authors: Viol Miguel Augusto , Ferreira Ewerton Dilelis , Carvalho Jacinto De Assunção , Lima Elvis Márcio De Castro , Rezende Fátima Conceição
Published: August 2018

Os tomates do grupo grape estão ocupando espaço no mercado consumidor devido a sua doçura e praticidade. Entretanto, pesquisas relacionadas ao sistema de cultivo e manejo da irrigação para tomates deste grupo são escassas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar características produtivas do tomate sweet grape cultivado em substrato fibra de coco com diferentes lâminas de irrigação. As plantas foram cultivadas em vasos e irrigadas por gotejamento. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em esquema fatorial de 5x3 com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram de cinco lâminas de irrigação definidas por 40, 60, 100, 120 e 140% de reposição da água consumida e três frequências de irrigação (1, 2 e 3 vezes ao dia) com parcelamento da lâmina aplicada em cada tratamento. Foram avaliados o número, o peso, o diâmetro, o comprimento dos frutos e a eficiência de uso da água. Todos os atributos avaliados foram significativamente influenciados pela lâmina de irrigação, porém a frequência de irrigação não foi significativa. A eficiência do uso da água reduziu com o aumento da lâmina de irrigação sendo, entretanto, semelhante para as menores lâminas.
IMPORTANCE OF ISLAMIC FINANCIAL SERVICES ACT 2013 IN TAKAFUL INDUSTRY AFTER THE REPELLED TAKAFUL ACT 1984
Authors: Jamil Siti Norshila , Jamal Jasri
Published: August 2018

The new Malaysian Islamic Financial Services Act 2013 (Act 759) (‘IFSA 2013’) came into force on the 30th June 2013. Its main objectives are to promote financial stability and compliance to Shariah and further strengthen the regulation of Islamic financial institutions. By this, the IFSA 2013 aims to strengthen consumer protection and further increase the confidence of the public in Takaful. At the same time, it remains to be seen if the IFSA 2013 will also encourage Takaful Operators to take their social and religious responsibility more into consideration, which is fundamental behind the concept of Takaful.  Keywords: Takaful, Islamic Financial Services Act 2013
THE FUNCTION OF IDEAL LAW IN PREPARATION REGULATION LEGISLATION IN ORDER TO CREATING EQUITABLE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Saraswati Retno
Published: August 2018

Indonesia as a country that adheres to the concept of the welfare of the duty of the welfare, in order to achieve the necessary guidance in the formation of the law, in the form of legal ideas. Indonesia has set a goal of Pancasila as the law, which includes the noble values developed from their own community. Efforts to create equitable regional development can be achieved through legislation that is based on the ideals of the law.
REVEALING RELATIONSHIP CAPITALISM, DEMOCRACY AND GLOBALIZATION IN CRITICAL LEGAL STUDIES APPROACH
Authors: Samekto FX.Adji
Published: August 2018

The dominance of global capitalism is the result of a long historical process in Western Europe since the Enlightenment in the seventeenth century, the philosophers led by a very large influence on the political-economic thought and legal relationship with the state and its citizens.Capitalism and free market mechanisms become increasingly strong with sustained legal concept of rule of law. The principle of the rule of law actually originally not intended to be a means of achieving public objectives or to solve the problems of society such as the problem of poverty. Rule of law is intended to create a stable structure for individuals and businesses associated with economic activities.Linkage between laissez faire, the rule of law is logically implicated in the growth of the view that the existence of the state is to protect the free market. That is phenomena of globalization. The dominance of the rules of law which is intended to facilitate the interests of the free market encourage the implementation of adjustment programs by the state in Third World. As a result, however, it become difficult to realize policies in favor of poverty, meeting basic needs and alignments on the rights of local communities, the embodiment of social justice and environmental protection.
DECISION ON THE CIVIL EXCEPTION DEVIATES FROM ARTICLE 136 HIR (ANALYSIS OF THE DECISION OF PN SEMARANG NUMBER: 73/Pdt.G/2010/PN.SMG)
Authors: Dja’is Mochammad
Published: August 2018

Exceptions should be examined and decided along with the subject matter (Article 136 HIR). The Semarang District Court (PN Semarang) has cut a separate exception from the principal issue of the case. The purpose of the study to know whether exactly the decision of PN Semarang. Data were obtained through literature study and participant observation. Based on the qualitative analysis known, the decision of the exception separated from the principal case by PN Semarang is appropriate. The makers of the National Civil Law Procedure should determine, the decision of the exception is left to the judge's discretion.
Jak je český národ charakterizován v kinematografii (Glosa s využitým etnonymickým názvoslovím)
Authors: Hampl Lubomír
Published: August 2018

Autor článku chce především ukázat, jak jsou Češi obecně vnímáni a charakterizováni v okruhu popisované domény kinematografie. Vybral si pro účel tohoto příspěvku český komediální televizní seriál pojmenovaný Hospoda, ve kterém je hodně příkladů týkajících se autocharakteristiky vlastností českého etnika. Všechny uvedené českojazyčné příklady s vyprofilovaným „národnostním komponentem” jsou vážně brány současnou lingvistikou jako ukazatel stereotypu, který je pevně zakotven v kulturně jazykovém kódu. Ve většině analyzovaných příkladů všichni herci v tomto zaprezentovaném seriálu poukazovali na lidské vady a jejich nedokonalosti a právě díky nim si český divák (reprezentující příslušníky zmíněného národa) může své nedostatky lépe uvědomovat.
Application of NMR metabolomics to search for human disease biomarkers in blood
Authors: Song Zikuan , Wang Haoyu , Yin Xiaotong , Deng Pengchi , Jiang Wei
Published: August 2018

Recently, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR)-based metabolomics analysis and multivariate statistical techniques have been incorporated into a multidisciplinary approach to profile changes in small molecules associated with the onset and progression of human diseases. The purpose of these efforts is to identify unique metabolite biomarkers in a specific human disease so as to (1) accurately predict and diagnose diseases, including separating distinct disease stages; (2) provide insights into underlying pathways in the pathogenesis and progression of the malady and (3) aid in disease treatment and evaluate the efficacy of drugs. In this review we discuss recent developments in the application of NMR-based metabolomics in searching disease biomarkers in human blood samples in the last 5 years.
Random walks on weakly hyperbolic groups
Authors: Maher Joseph , Tiozzo Giulio
Published: August 2018

Let G be a countable
group which acts by isometries on a separable,
but not necessarily proper, Gromov hyperbolic space X. We say the
action of G is weakly hyperbolic if G contains two independent
hyperbolic isometries. We show that a random walk on such G converges to
the Gromov boundary almost surely. We apply the convergence result to
show linear progress and linear growth of translation length, without
any assumptions on the moments of the random walk.

If the action is acylindrical, and the random walk has finite entropy
and finite logarithmic moment, we show that the Gromov boundary with
the hitting measure is the Poisson boundary.
Invisible Coattails: Presidential Approval and Gubernatorial Elections, 1994–2014
Authors: Fullmer Elliott , Daniel Rebecca
Published: August 2018

Hoping to insulate their contests from national politics, thirty-six states hold their gubernatorial elections in national midterm election years. Many scholars have assessed whether presidential evaluations nevertheless have an effect on these races, though findings have varied. We offer a new approach to examining this question, relying on underutilized state-level presidential approval data preceding 143 gubernatorial races across six national midterm election cycles. Accounting for the effects of state ideology, gubernatorial approval, campaign spending, state economic performance, and incumbency, we report that presidential approval has a positive and significant effect on the performance of the presidential party in gubernatorial races. The substantive effects are modest, though still potentially meaningful. In the primary specification, an additional six points of presidential approval is associated with about one additional point of gubernatorial vote share.
The Trump Effect: Filing Deadlines and the Decision to Run in the 2016 Congressional Elections
Authors: Riley Gavin , Smith Jacob
Published: August 2018

In this paper, we examine whether the nomination of Donald Trump for president affected decisions to run for Congress in 2016 in states with later filing deadlines. We theorize that the perception among potential candidates that Donald Trump would be a weak nominee had the potential to entice high-quality Democratic candidates (defined as those who have previously held an elective office) to run for Congress as it became increasingly clear that Donald Trump would be the Republican presidential nominee. We also examine an alternative hypothesis that the impending Trump nomination enhanced political amateurs’ perception they could win in 2016, enticing them to run for Congress. Using a novel dataset from PredictIt, we find support for the second hypothesis, with more political amateurs running as the Trump nomination became more likely. These findings suggest that Donald Trump’s nomination had important consequences that went beyond the presidential race.
Biogenic ZnO nanoparticles: a study of blueshift of optical band gap and photocatalytic degradation of reactive yellow 186 dye under direct sunlight
Authors: Singh Jagpreet , Kaur Sukhmeen , Kaur Gaganpreet , Basu Soumen , Rawat Mohit
Published: August 2018

Synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) using plant extracts has been suggested as an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical synthesis of semiconductor NPs. In the present study, ZnO NPs were synthesized by a simple and cost-effective method using Coriandrum sativum leaf extract and zinc acetate as precursors. The as-synthesized ZnO NPs were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. The results confirmed the formation of ZnO NPs with a wurtzite structure, spherical shape and average particle size of 24 nm. The photocatalytic degradation of reactive yellow 186 (RY 186) dye was carried out under direct sunlight irradiation and its degradation efficiency and apparent rate constant (K’app) of reaction were calculated to be 93.38%, and 0.0019 min−1, respectively. The optical band gap value of the as-synthesized ZnO NPs was found to be 3.4 eV, which indicates the presence of blueshift. Owing to the presence of blueshift and a wide band gap of synthesized biogenic ZnO NPs, the overall absorption of sunlight irradiation will be enhanced, which leads to higher degradation efficiency of the dye. The current study thus highlights the optical band gap properties of biogenic ZnO NPs and their significance as a heterogeneous catalyst for the purification of polluted water.
Crystal structure of 3β-methoxy-20α-dimethylamino-pregn-5-ene, C24H41NO
Authors: Huo Shao-Jie , Wu Ji-Chun , He Xi-Chen , Wu Qi-Yun , Du Jiang
Published: August 2018

C24H41NO, orthorhombic, P212121 (no. 19), a = 6.3752(16) Å, b = 12.607(3) Å, c = 26.943(7) Å, V = 2165.4(10) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0573, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1232, T = 173 K.
Crystal stucture of 2-(tert-butyl)-6-(hydroxymethyl)-4-methylphenol, C12H18O2
Authors: Wang Limin , Zhao Linxiu , Qin Tingting
Published: August 2018

C12H18O2, orthorhombic, Pbca (no. 61), a = 17.9560(6) Å, b = 9.8553(3) Å, c = 25.5955(7) Å, V = 4529.4(2) Å3, Z = 16, R
gt(F) = 0.0490, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1162, T = 107(10) K.
Crystal structure of 5-bromo-7-chloro-3,3a-dihydrocyclopenta[b]chromen-1(2H)-one, C12H8BrClO2
Authors: Lu Min , Li Jianqing , Ma Ling
Published: August 2018

C12H8BrClO2, triclinic, P1̄ (no. 2), a = 7.3250(6) Å, b = 8.6187(6) Å, c = 9.9660(6) Å, α = 107.866(2)°, β = 102.329(2)°, γ = 105.307(2)°, V = 547.06(7) Å3, Z = 2, R
gt(F) = 0.0487, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1166, T = 296(2) K.
The corrosion inhibitor behavior of iron in saline solution by the action of magnesium carboxyphosphonate
Authors: Maranescu Bianca , Lupa Lavinia , Tara-Lunga Mihali Milica , Plesu Nicoleta , Maranescu Valentin , Visa Aurelia
Published: August 2018

Herein, we report the synthesis, structural characterization and corrosion assay of a metal phosphonate – Mg(GLY)(H2O)2 obtained from a tridentate ligand N,N-bis-phosphonomethylglycine (GLY) and a magnesium salt (MgSO4·7H2O). The phosphonate was obtained by hydrothermal method at 80°C and also under ultrasounds conditions at 60°C. The FTIR, X-ray powder diffraction, elemental analysis and thermogravimetric analysis were performed in order to fully characterize the synthesized compounds and polarization experiments (CP) and electrochemical spectroscopy (EIS) to investigate the corrosion inhibition properties. The FTIR confirm the formation of magnesium phosphonate, and the X-ray diffraction showed the formation of a semi-crystalline compound. The elemental analysis confirmed the number of water molecules per formula unit of Mg(HO3PCH2)2N(H)CH2COO·2H2O. The presence of nitrogen atom and phosphonate groups in the metal phosphonate structure anticipated that the presence of the small quantity of Mg(GLY)(H2O)2 in saline solution will provide a positive effect on iron surface and act as a corrosion inhibitor. From the CP curves recorded in an aerated nitric saline solution, corrosion parameters (corrosion potential –Ecorr, corrosion density current – Jcorr, polarization resistance – Rp and corrosion rate – Rcorr) were extracted from Tafel plots. The decrease in Jcorr is associated with a shift in Ecorr to more negative values. These results suggest that metal phosphonate behaves as a mixed-type inhibitor, by reducing both the cathodic and anodic reactions. The optimum inhibitor concentration determined was 2 mM. At this concentration the corrosion rate decreases by 23% fold comparatively with iron in nitric acid solution without metal phosphonate. The EIS data in agreement with the polarization measurement resulted from polarization data.
Differentially Private Oblivious RAM
Authors: Wagh Sameer , Cuff Paul , Mittal Prateek
Published: August 2018

In this work, we investigate if statistical privacy can enhance the performance of ORAM mechanisms while providing rigorous privacy guarantees. We propose a formal and rigorous framework for developing ORAM protocols with statistical security viz., a differentially private ORAM (DP-ORAM). We present Root ORAM, a family of DP-ORAMs that provide a tunable, multi-dimensional trade-off between the desired bandwidth overhead, local storage and system security.

We theoretically analyze Root ORAM to quantify both its security and performance. We experimentally demonstrate the benefits of Root ORAM and find that (1) Root ORAM can reduce local storage overhead by about 2× for a reasonable values of privacy budget, significantly enhancing performance in memory limited platforms such as trusted execution environments, and (2) Root ORAM allows tunable trade-offs between bandwidth, storage, and privacy, reducing bandwidth overheads by up to 2×-10× (at the cost of increased storage/statistical privacy), enabling significant reductions in ORAM access latencies for cloud environments. We also analyze the privacy guarantees of DP-ORAMs through the lens of information theoretic metrics of Shannon entropy and Min-entropy [16]. Finally, Root ORAM is ideally suited for applications which have a similar access pattern, and we showcase its utility via the application of Private Information Retrieval.
Feature Selection for Website Fingerprinting
Authors: Yan Junhua , Kaur Jasleen
Published: August 2018

Website fingerprinting based on TCP/IP headers is of significant relevance to several Internet entities. Prior work has focused only on a limited set of features, and does not help understand the extents of fingerprint-ability. We address this by conducting an exhaustive feature analysis within eight different communication scenarios. Our analysis helps reveal several previously-unknown features in several scenarios, that can be used to fingerprint websites with much higher accuracy than previously demonstrated. This work helps the community better understand the extents of learnability (and vulnerability) from TCP/IP headers.
Neural network prediction of K and L-shell X-ray production cross sections
Authors: Beladel Brahim , Mohamedi Brahim , Guesmia Abdelkader , Benamar Mohamed E. A.
Published: August 2018

The ionization and X-ray production cross section are fundamental parameters in elemental analysis by PIXE technique. Unfortunately no exact general analytical expression exists, from which the interest of this work. In this paper, we apply the neural network technique in the evaluation of the X-ray production cross sections. The calculations are based on Mukoyama’s PWBA data. Our results are compared with experimental data for protons and alpha particles for energies ranging from hundreds KeV to tens MeV.
Performance of Fully Grouted Piezometers under Transient Flow Conditions: Field Study and Numerical Results
Authors: Marefat Vahid , Duhaime François , Chapuis Robert P. , Borgne Vincent Le
Published: August 2018

Piezometers can be installed in clay layers using the fully grouted method. This method is said to reduce installation costs and facilitate installation, especially for nested piezometers. The success of a fully grouted installation depends upon the ratio of grout and surrounding soil hydraulic conductivity and upon the grout physical stability. This article presents new results from field tests and numerical simulations regarding the performance of fully grouted piezometers under transient flow conditions. The field observations show that using low-permeability grout for piezometer installation provides precise pore water pressure (PWP) measurements. This confirms previous findings on the fully grouted installation technique. Field observations for a very high-permeability grout that could be more than 1,100 times more permeable than the soil result in PWPs that totally differ from the PWP obtained with a low-permeability grout. Using three scenarios involving transient flow, the numerical results show that hydraulic conductivity ratios between 0.001 and 10 provide an accurate pore pressure response without a significant time lag for soils with a very low permeability (K ≤ 2 × 10−9 m/s). For most practical applications, a hydraulic conductivity ratio of 100 is the upper limit to obtain acceptable pore pressure measurements for these soils. A large hydraulic conductivity ratio may cause a hydraulic short circuit between the fully grouted piezometer and the upper aquifer. For a borehole diameter of 100 mm, the numerical results demonstrate that grout stiffness has no significant impact on the performance of fully grouted piezometers. However, grout stiffness is important for the long-term performance of the fully grouted piezometer. This article also introduces preliminary results regarding a testing program on grout properties. These results confirm pervious findings by others that the preparation of low-permeability grout is not trivial and that grout initial viscosity controls its physical stability and hydraulic conductivity.
Myelination of Axons Corresponds with Faster Transmission Speed in the Prefrontal Cortex of Developing Male Rats
Authors: McDougall Sean , Vargas Riad Wanette , Silva-Gotay Andrea , Tavares Elizabeth R. , Harpalani Divya , Li Geng-Lin , Richardson Heather N.
Published: August 2018

Myelination of prefrontal circuits during adolescence is thought to lead to enhanced cognitive processing and improved behavioral control. However, while standard neuroimaging techniques commonly used in human and animal studies can measure large white matter bundles and residual conduction speed, they cannot directly measure myelination of individual axons or how fast electrical signals travel along these axons. Here we focused on a specific population of prefrontal axons to directly measure conduction velocity and myelin microstructure in developing male rats. Anin vitroelectrophysiological approach enabled us to isolate monosynaptic projections from the anterior branches of the corpus callosum (corpus callosum-forceps minor, CCFM) to the anterior cingulate subregion of the medial prefrontal cortex (Cg1) and to measure the speed and direction of action potentials propagating along these axons. We found that a large number of axons projecting from the CCFMto neurons in Layer V of Cg1 are ensheathed with myelin between pre-adolescence [postnatal day (PD)15] and mid-adolescence (PD43). This robust increase in axonal myelination is accompanied by a near doubling of transmission speed. As there was no age difference in the diameter of these axons, myelin is likely the driving force behind faster transmission of electrical signals in older animals. These developmental changes in axonal microstructure and physiology may extend to other axonal populations as well, and could underlie some of the improvements in cognitive processing between childhood and adolescence.
Discharge and Role of Acetylcholine Pontomesencephalic Neurons in Cortical Activity and Sleep-Wake States Examined by Optogenetics and Juxtacellular Recording in Mice
Authors: Cissé Youssouf , Toossi Hanieh , Ishibashi Masaru , Mainville Lynda , Leonard Christopher S. , Adamantidis Antoine , Jones Barbara E.
Published: August 2018

Acetylcholine (ACh) neurons in the pontomesencephalic tegmentum (PMT) are thought to play an important role in promoting cortical activation with waking (W) and paradoxical sleep [PS; or rapid eye movement (REM)], but have yet to be proven to do so by selective stimulation and simultaneous recording of identified ACh neurons. Here, we employed optogenetics combined with juxtacellular recording and labeling of neurons in transgenic (TG) mice expressing ChR2 in choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-synthesizing neurons. We establishedin vitrothenin vivoin anesthetized (A) and unanesthetized (UA), head-fixed mice that photostimulation elicited a spike with short latency in neurons which could be identified by immunohistochemical staining as ACh neurons within the laterodorsal (LDT)/sublaterodorsal (SubLDT) and pedunculopontine tegmental (PPT) nuclei. Continuous light pulse stimulation during sleep evoked tonic spiking by ACh neurons that elicited a shift from irregular slow wave activity to rhythmic θ and enhanced γ activity on the cortex without behavioral arousal. With θ frequency rhythmic light pulse stimulation, ACh neurons discharged in bursts that occurred in synchrony with evoked cortical θ. During natural sleep-wake states, they were virtually silent during slow wave sleep (SWS), discharged in bursts during PS and discharged tonically during W. Yet, their bursting during PS was not rhythmic or synchronized with cortical θ but associated with phasic whisker movements. We conclude that ACh PMT neurons promote θ and γ cortical activity during W and PS by their tonic or phasic discharge through release of ACh onto local neurons within the PMT and/or more distant targets in the hypothalamus and thalamus.
Sarcoglycan Alpha Mitigates Neuromuscular Junction Decline in Aged Mice by Stabilizing LRP4
Authors: Zhao Kai , Shen Chengyong , Li Lei , Wu Haitao , Xing Guanglin , Dong Zhaoqi , Jing Hongyang , Chen Wenbing , Zhang Hongsheng , Tan Zhibing , Pan Jinxiu , Xiong Lei , Wang Hongsheng , Cui Wanpeng , Sun Xiang-Dong , Li Shihua , Huang Xinping , Xiong Wen-Cheng , Mei Lin
Published: August 2018

During aging, acetylcholine receptor (AChR) clusters become fragmented and denervated at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). Underpinning molecular mechanisms are not well understood. We showed that LRP4, a receptor for agrin and critical for NMJ formation and maintenance, was reduced at protein level in aged mice, which was associated with decreased MuSK tyrosine phosphorylation, suggesting compromised agrin-LRP4-MuSK signaling in aged muscles. Transgenic expression of LRP4 in muscles alleviated AChR fragmentation and denervation and improved neuromuscular transmission in aged mice. LRP4 ubiquitination was augmented in aged muscles, suggesting increased LRP4 degradation as a mechanism for reduced LRP4. We found that sarcoglycan α (SGα) interacted with LRP4 and delayed LRP4 degradation in cotransfected cells. AAV9-mediated expression of SGα in muscles mitigated AChR fragmentation and denervation and improved neuromuscular transmission in aged mice. These observations support a model where compromised agrin-LRP4-MuSK signaling serves as a pathological mechanism of age-related NMJ decline and identify a novel function of SGα in stabilizing LRP4 for NMJ stability in aged mice.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThis study provides evidence that LRP4, a receptor of agrin that is critical for NMJ formation and maintenance, is reduced at protein level in aged muscles. Transgenic expression of LRP4 in muscles ameliorates AChR fragmentation and denervation and improves neuromuscular transmission in aged mice, demonstrating a critical role of the agrin-LRP4-MuSK signaling. Our study also reveals a novel function of SGα to prevent LRP4 degradation in aged muscles. Finally, we show that NMJ decline in aged mice can be mitigated by AAV9-mediated expression of SGα in muscles. These observations provide insight into pathological mechanisms of age-related NMJ decline and suggest that improved agrin-LRP4-MuSK signaling may be a target for potential therapeutic intervention.
The Shape of ROC Curves in Shooter Tasks: Implications for Best Practices in Analysis
Authors: Rotello Caren M. , Kelly Laura J. , Heit Evan
Published: August 2018

Four experiments addressed the widely studied issue of the association between racial groups and guns, namely shooter bias, as measured in the first-person shooter task or the weapon identification task, in which participants judge whether a suspect has a weapon or some other item such as a phone (Correll, Park, Judd, & Wittenbrink, 2002; Payne, 2001). Previous studies have employed various analyses that make conflicting, and indeed untested, assumptions about the underlying nature of the data: Analyses of variance and model-based analyses assume linear receiver operating characteristics (ROCs) and signal detection (SDT) analyses assume curved ROCs. The present experiments directly investigated the shape of the ROCs for the weapon identification task, demonstrating that they are curved, and that the majority of previous studies are at risk for inclusion of inappropriate analyses, because they assume linear rather than curved ROCs.
Endothelial dysfunction and the risk of atherosclerosis in overt and subclinical hypothyroidism
Authors: Saif Aasem , Mousa Shrook , Assem Maha , Tharwat Nashwa , Abdelhamid Alaa
Published: August 2018

Hypothyroidism is associated with increased risk of atherosclerosis. We assessed carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), as a marker of atherosclerosis, and endothelial function in patients with hypothyroidism. We included 70 female patients with hypothyroidism in the study, 40 patients with overt and 30 patients with subclinical hypothyroidism. Forty, age- and sex-matched, subjects with normal thyroid functions were also included as a control group. CIMT was measured using high-resolution color-coded Doppler ultrasonography. Endothelial function was assessed by measuring the percent of change in blood flow following heat-mediated vasodilation using laser Doppler flowmetry. CIMT was significantly higher in patients with overt and subclinical hypothyroidism as compared with the control group (0.7 ± 0.2 and 0.6 ± 0.2 mm respectively vs 0.45 ± 0.07 mm,P < 0.001 for both). The percent of change in blood flow following heat-mediated vasodilation was significantly impaired in patients with overt and subclinical hypothyroidism as compared with the control group (328 ± 17 and 545 ± 406% respectively vs 898 ± 195%,P < 0.001 for both). The impairment was more significant in overt as compared with subclinical hypothyroidism (P = 0.014). CIMT negatively correlated with percent of change in blood flow following heat-mediated vasodilation in patients with overt and subclinical hypothyroidism (P < 0.001 for both). We concluded that CIMT is significantly higher in patients with overt and subclinical hypothyroidism compared with normal control subjects. Impairment of endothelial function is a contributing factor to the increased risk of atherosclerosis in both groups of patients.
Marco jurídico del lavado de activos y de la captación masiva habitual de dineros desde un enfoque de derecho administrativo
Authors: Fernando Ulloa Luis
Published: August 2018

Se hace una relación entre los antecedentes que dieron origen al marco jurídico en materia del lavado de activos y de la captación masiva habitual de dineros, y la principal normatividad que regula la materia abordada desde la administrativización del derecho penal económico en Colombia, que permite concluir la responsabilidad estatal en este tipo de delitos.
Principales prácticas restrictivas a la libre competencia ejecutadas por los oferentes en el marco de procesos de selección de contratistas del Estado
Authors: Galvis Macías Iván Humberto
Published: August 2018

El derecho a la libre competencia económica, garantizado en el ordenamiento jurídico colombiano a partir de la prescripción contenida en el artículo 333 de la Constitución de 1991, encuentra su más legítima representación en el ámbito de la contratación estatal en el principio de libre concurrencia de oferentes, el cual resulta vulnerado a través de prácticas ejecutadas entre oferentes, e incluso entre estos y entidades estatales, con el ánimo de buscar beneficios en la selección de contratistas del Estado. Desde esta perspectiva, se hace necesario determinar cuáles son las principales prácticas ejecutadas por los oferentes en los procesos de selección de contratistas, que vulneran el derecho constitucional a la libre competencia y que han sido investigadas por la Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio (SIC), para lo cual se determinará la naturaleza jurídica del derecho constitucional a la libre competencia en el marco de procesos de contratación estatal, se auscultará el papel de la Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio colombiana frente a la garantía de este derecho en procesos de contratación estatal, se determinará la posible aplicación de las prácticas restrictivas de la competencia tipificadas en el ordenamiento jurídico colombiano en procesos de selección de contratistas del Estado, y se analizarán algunos breves casos en los que la SIC aplicó medidas jurídicas en presuntos casos de prácticas colusorias, para de esta manera comprender la forma como tales prácticas se consolidan en los procesos de selección de contratistas adelantados por entidades estatales
Perceived Cultural Competency Skills and Deficiencies Among Pediatric Residents and Faculty at a Large Teaching Hospital
Authors: Rule Amy R.L. , Reynolds Kim , Sucharew Heidi , Volck Brian
Published: August 2018

OBJECTIVES:

To identify demographic, educational, and experiential factors associated with perceived self-efficacy in cultural competency (PSECC) for pediatric residents and faculty at a large, tertiary-care children’s hospital and to identify key barriers to the delivery of culturally competent pediatric care.

METHODS:

We conducted a cross-sectional assessment of cultural competency (CC) education, training, and skills using an online survey of residents and faculty at a large children’s hospital. With our data analysis, we sought associations between PSECC skills, cross-cultural training or work experience, and demographic background. Participants were asked to identify and rank barriers to CC care and additional training they would like to see implemented.

RESULTS:

A total of 114 residents (55%) and 143 faculty (65%) who responded to the survey assessing PSECC. Residents were more likely to have had CC training than faculty. More than half of the residents and faculty had participated in an underserved-group clinical experience domestically or abroad. Those residents with underserved-group experience were more likely to be comfortable with interpreter use (P = .03) and culturally sensitive issues (P = .06). Faculty who participated in underserved-group care in the United States were more likely to believe that cultural bias affects care (P = .005). Both identified time constraints, language barriers, and lack of knowledge as chief barriers to acquiring CC, and both desired more training.

CONCLUSIONS:

Residents and faculty at a large children’s hospital believe that they lack adequate CC training. Underserved-group clinical experiences both domestically and abroad are associated with perceived improved cross-cultural care skills. Increasing the extent and quality of CC education in both resident training and faculty development is needed.
A Clinical Careography: Steering Life-and-death Decisions Through Care
Authors: Navne Laura E. , Svendsen Mette N.
Published: August 2018

OBJECTIVES:

In many Euro-American societies, the ideal of patient and family involvement in clinical decision-making prevails. This ideal exists alongside the doctor’s obligation and responsibility to make decisions and to be accountable for them. In this article, we explore how medical staff navigate the tension between autonomy and authority when engaging life-and-death decision-making in a Danish NICU.

METHODS:

The study rests on ethnographic fieldwork in a Danish NICU, involving participant observations in everyday care and decision-making work and semistructured interviews with staff and parents. All interviews were taped and transcribed. The empirical material was analyzed using thematic coding and validated in discussions with staff, parents, and social scientists.

RESULTS:

Decisions are relational. Multiple moves, spaces, temporalities, and actors are involved in life-and-death decisions in the NICU. Therefore, the concept of medical decision-making fails to do justice to the complex efforts of moving infants in or out of life. Yet, many of these decision-making moments are staged, timed, and coordinated by medical staff. Therefore, we introduce an alternative vocabulary for talking about life-and-death decision-making in neonatology to help us attend to the moral stakes, the emotional tenor, and the fine-grained mechanisms of authority implied in such decisions around tiny infants.

CONCLUSIONS:

We conceptualize decisions as an art of “careography.” Careography is the work of aligning care for the infant, care for the parents, care for staff, care for other infants, and care for society at large, in the process of deciding whether it is best to continue or withdraw life support.