bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sex Differences in Neuropsychological Test Performance in Alzheimer’s Disease and the Influence of the ApoE Genotype
Authors: Tensil Maria , Hessler Johannes B. , Gutsmiedl Maria , Riedl Lina , Grimmer Timo , Diehl-Schmid Janine
Published: November 2017

Background:

Only few studies exist reporting sex differences in the Alzheimer disease (AD) patients regarding cognitive profile, brain damage, and risk factors. The present study investigated the influence of sex in combination with the Alzheimer risk allele, ε4-allele of apolipoprotein E, on cognitive performance.

Materials and Methods:

We examined the effect of sex and ApoE genotype on a range of neuropsychological markers from the German version of the Consortium to Establish a Registry in Alzheimer’s Disease Neuropsychological Battery in a monocentric study of 399 AD patients.

Results:

Male patients had significantly more years of school and occupational education compared with women. Male AD patients outperformed female patients in tasks of object naming, constructional praxis, and constructional praxis recall. There was no statistically significant interaction effect between sex and ε4-allele of apolipoprotein E for any of the examined variables.

Conclusions:

The superiority of healthy men compared with women in tasks of object naming, constructional praxis, and visual memory seems to remain stable when people develop AD, indicating larger cognitive reserves in men. In contrast, findings that cognitively healthy women outperform men in tests of verbal memory and verbal fluency are not stable in AD. Further studies are needed to gain insight in the reasons for sex differences.
Crystal structure of BaMn2(AsO4)2containing discrete [Mn4O18]28−units
Authors: Alcantar Salvador , Ledbetter Hollis R. , Ranmohotti Kulugammana G. S.
Published: November 2017

In our attempt to search for mixed alkaline-earth and transition metal arsenates, the title compound, barium dimanganese(II) bis(arsenate), has been synthesized by employing a high-temperature RbCl flux. The crystal structure of BaMn2(AsO4)2is made up of MnO6octahedra and AsO4tetrahedra assembled by sharing corners and edges into infinite slabs with composition [Mn2(AsO4)2]2−that extend parallel to theabplane. The barium cations reside between parallel slabs maintaining the interslab connectivity through coordination to eight oxygen anions. The layered anionic framework comprises weakly interacting [Mn4O18]28−tetrameric units. In each tetramer, the manganese(II) cations are in a planar arrangement related by a center of inversion. Within the slabs, the tetrameric units are separated from each other by 6.614 (2) Å (Mn...Mn distances). The title compound has isostructural analogues amongst synthetic SrM2(XO4)2compounds withM= Ni, Co, andX= As, P.
A one-dimensional HgIIcoordination polymer based on bis(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)sulfane
Authors: Moon Suk-Hee , Kang Youngjin , Park Ki-Min
Published: November 2017

The reaction of mercury(II) chloride with bis(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)sulfane (L, C12H12N2S) in methanol afforded the title crystalline coordination polymercatena-poly[[dichloridomercury(II)]-μ-bis(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)sulfane-κ2N:N′], [HgCl2L]n. The asymmetric unit consists of one HgIIcation, oneLligand and two chloride anions. Each HgIIion is coordinated by two pyridine N atoms from separateLligands and two chloride anions. The metal adopts a highly distorted tetrahedral geometry, with bond angles about the central atom in the range 97.69 (12)–153.86 (7)°. EachLligand bridges two HgIIions, forming an infinite –(Hg–L)n– zigzag chain along thebaxis, with an Hg...Hg separation of 10.3997 (8) Å. In the crystal, adjacent chains are connected by intermolecular C—H...Cl hydrogen bonds, together with Hg—Cl...π interactions [chloride-to-centroid distance = 3.902 (3) Å], that form between a chloride anion and the one of the pyridine rings ofL, generating a two-dimensional layer extending parallel to (101). These layers are further linked by intermolecular C—H...π hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional supramolecular network.
Crystal structure of aqua(1H-pyrazole-κN2)(pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylato-κ3O2,N,O6)copper(II) dihydrate
Authors: Kim Daeyoung , Kang Sung Kwon
Published: November 2017

In the title compound, [Cu(C7H3NO4)(C3H4N2)(H2O)]·2H2O, the CuIIatom is coordinated by three O atoms and two N atoms, provided by a tridentate pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate (pdc), one pyrazole and one water ligand, forming a slightly distorted square-pyramidal geometry [range of O—Cu—O and O—Cu—N bond angles = 79.55 (8)–166.22 (10)°]. The water molecule is positioned at the apical position. In the crystal, the complex molecule and the two crystallographically independent non-coordinating water molecules are linked into a supramolecular layer structure parallel to theabplaneviaO—H...O and N—H...O hydrogen bonds.
Stoichiometric and polymorphic salt of imidazolium picrate monohydrate
Authors: Liu Ling-li
Published: November 2017

The asymmetric unit of the title co-crystal salt, 1H-imidazol-3-ium 2,4,6-trinitrophenolate monohydrate, C4H7N2+·C6H2N3O7−·H2O, contains one imidazolium cation, one picrate anion and one solvent water molecule of crystallization. The phenolic proton has been transferred to an imidazole N atom. In the crystal, the components are linked by N—H...O and O—H...O hydrogen bonds into a three-dimensional network which is further consolidated by weak C—H...O hydrogen bonds. In addition, π–π stacking interactions occur between pairs of imidazolium cations and picrate anions. If only the classical N—H...O and O—H...O hydrogen bonds are considered, the component ions are linked into a three-dimensional threefold interpenetrating network of the topological typeutp[or (10,3)-d]. Hirshfeld surface analysis indicates the crystal structure is mainly stabilized by H...·O contacts of the hydrogen bonds.
Crystal structure of a zigzag CoIIcoordination polymer:catena-poly[[dichloridobis(methanol-κO)cobalt(II)]-μ-bis(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)sulfane-κ2N:N′]
Authors: Moon Suk-Hee , Seo Joobeom , Park Ki-Min
Published: November 2017

Reaction of bis(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)sulfane (L) with cobalt(II) chloride in methanol led to the formation of the title coordination polymer, [CoCl2(C12H12N2S)(CH3OH)2]n, in which the CoIIcation lies on a crystallographic inversion centre and the S atom of theLligand lies on a twofold rotation axis. Each CoIIion is coordinated by two pyridine N atoms from two bridgingLligands, two O atoms from methanol molecules and two chloride anions, all inversion-related. The complex unit has an elongated octahedral geometry, in which N2O2donor atoms occupy the equatorial positions and two chloride anions occupy the axial positions. EachLligand links two CoIIions, forming an infinite zigzag chain propagating along thec-axis direction and further stabilized by O—H...Cl hydrogen bonds between the methanol molecules and the chloride anions. Adjacent chains in the structure are connected by intermolecular C—H...Cl hydrogen bonds, resulting in the formation of a three-dimensional supramolecular architecture.
(E)-1-(Pyridin-4-yl)propan-1-oneO-tosyl oxime
Authors: Eitel Michael , Schollmeyer Dieter , Koch Pierre
Published: November 2017

The title compound, C15H16N2O3S, was obtained by the reaction of (E)-1-(pyridin-4-yl)propan-1-one oxime andpara-toluenesulfonic acid. The pyridine ring makes a dihedral angle of 54.70 (10)° with the benzene ring. In the crystal, molecules are linked by C—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming a chain along thec-axis direction.
5-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-4-methyl-1-phenyl-3-p-tolyl-1H-pyrazole
Authors: Ben Soumane Yahya , Loughzail Mohamed , Baouid Abdesselam , El Hadrami El Mestafa , Ben Tama Abdeslam , Driss Mohamed
Published: November 2017

The title compound, C24H22N2O, crystallizes with two independent molecules (AandB) in the asymmetric unit. The phenyl,p-tolyl andp-methoxyphenyl rings are inclined to the pyrazole ring by 42.5 (2), 17.68 (19) and 52.20 (19)°, respectively, in moleculeA, and by 39.5 (2), 40.77 (19) and 59.76 (18)°, respectively, in moleculeB. In the asymmetric unit, the pyrarole ring of moleculeAmakes a dihedral angle of 3.7 (2)° with that of moleculeB. In the crystal, the two independent molecules are linked to each other by a C—H...O hydrogen bond.
Quality management in universities: towards an integrated approach?
Authors: Manatos Maria J. , Rosa Maria J. , Sarrico Cláudia S.
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically test the thesis that universities are developing their different quality management (QM) systems comprehensively and integrating them in their broader management and governance systems, covering different processes, organisational levels and the principles of QM.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical work is based on a country case study which embeds three paradigmatic university case studies. Data are obtained from institutional documents, as well as from individual and panel interviews. A content analysis using N-Vivo was undertaken.

Findings

Universities show signs of integrating QM in their overall management and governance framework. They develop their QM systems with a focus on teaching and learning, but they are increasingly trying to integrate their other processes. They seek to involve their different organisational levels, from the programme to the institutional level. Universities cover most QM principles, but show deficiencies regarding customer focus, mutually beneficial supplier relationships, involvement of people and process and system approach.

Research limitations/implications

The research shows the results of three paradigmatic cases regarding QM implementation, since these were the first to have their QM systems certified by the Agency for Assessment and Accreditation of Higher Education. In future work, it would be interesting to understand how other universities are developing their QM systems and whether implementation occurs in an integrated way.

Practical implications

The authors expect that the results will add to the discussion on the implementation of QM in universities, further contributing to the development of truly integrated approaches to QM in higher education.

Originality/value

The paper discusses the QM systems which are being developed and implemented in universities and analyses how integrated they are, as only those that are fully integrated will contribute to improve the overall quality of universities.
Assessing Lean adoption in food SMEs: Evidence from Greece
Authors: Psomas Evangelos , Antony Jiju , Bouranta Nancy
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the current state of the Lean principles adopted by food small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

The case study approach was undertaken in order to gain insights into Lean adoption. Nine Greek food SMEs certified according to the ISO 9001 quality management system (QMS) and the ISO 22000 food safety management system (FSMS) were approached. Interviews were conducted with the chief executive officers and the company managers in charge of the QMS or FSMS, based on a structured questionnaire.

Findings

The food SMEs participating in the present study adopt Lean principles to a high extent. However, there is room for further improvement.

Research limitations/implications

The fact that the data collected suggests subjective business evidence and not objective as well as the fact that only two representatives of each of the nine food SMEs were conducted, comprise the main limitations of the present study. So, the results should be considered with caution, as far as the Lean adoption in the Greek food sector is concerned. Based on these limitations, future research suggestions can be made.

Practical implications

Based on the present study, suggestions can be made regarding the successful adoption of Lean principles, not only for the sample SMEs but also for the whole of the food sector. More specifically, by determining the strengths and weaknesses of the food SMEs’ efforts to adopt Lean, suitable managerial initiatives can be undertaken by these companies as well as the whole sector to fully adopt Lean and derive the respective benefits.

Originality/value

The paper provides insights into the adoption of Lean principles in the Greek food sector. This is the first study in the field of Lean that has been carried out in the Greek food SMEs.
An integrated approach for lead time reduction of military aircraft major overhaul
Authors: Saravanan J. , Thakkar Jitesh J.
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate into the improvement strategies for lead time reduction of military aircraft major overhaul (enhance the overhaul task from present seven to nine-plus aircrafts as agreed to customer) for ABC Company.

Design/methodology/approach

This research has been conducted based on the available knowledge and extensive experience gained while working in the overhaul unit of the case organization for a long period of time. The research employs an integrated approach of multi-criteria decision method (in specific analytic hierarchy process (AHP)), theory of constraint (TOC) and simulation for M/M/1/K queuing environment for investigating the improvement strategies for lead time reduction in major overhaul of military aircraft. This has mainly included: Step 1: analysis of existing activity network using actual overhaul data; Step 2: ranking of constraint activities that most affects the lead time using AHP; Step 3: revised flow activity network using time buffers (TBs) concept of TOC; Step 4: mathematical model formulation for effective utilization of TB using single server finite queuing approach (M/M/1/K queuing environment); Step 5: discrete event simulation representing present overhaul conditions and revised overhaul conditions with different scenarios; and Step 6: sensitivity analysis and interpretation of results. The proposed methodology has been tested on an industrial case study dealing with an aircraft overhaul in India (namely ABC Company).

Findings

The proposed overhaul lead-time reduction plan points out the augmentation of resources in order to achieve more than 50 per cent reduction in lead time and waiting time under two scenarios – with overtime and without overtime.

Research limitations/implications

An integrated approach proposed has so far been applicable to the specific aircrafts (Jaguar/Mirage/Kiran) of the ABC Company overhaul division. However, the particular methodology can be proved potentially useful and highly practical when applying to other aircraft types.

Originality/value

The results indicate several problems with the current overhaul strategies that need focused process improvements and a need for capacity augmentation for achieving the enhanced overhaul task of nine+ aircrafts per year with reduced overhaul lead time. The proposed approach also provides the maintenance planners with a platform for decision analysis and support often ignored the capacity augmentation.
Lean for airport services: a systematic literature review and agenda for future research
Authors: Syltevik Sigrid , Karamperidis Stavros , Antony Jiju , Taheri Babak
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the key findings of a systematic literature review (SLR) on Lean for services and, in particular, airport services.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have utilised an SLR methodology proposed by Denyer and Tranfield (2009). A total of 23 papers published in 18 scientific journals have been systematically reviewed for evaluating and establishing the current status of Lean for airport services.

Findings

It was observed that there are no journal publications on the use of Lean in UK airport services. Although value stream mapping has been widely accepted as a powerful Lean tool across many service organisations, its applications in airport services is in its early stages. One of the biggest challenges in the implementation of Lean for airport services is about maintaining the level of service standards. The most common barriers in the implementation of Lean for airport services may include: resistance to change, varied definitions of the term Lean for different people across the business and understanding the need for Lean in airport services as there is a misconception that Lean is confined to manufacturing.

Research limitations/implications

This paper seeks to contribute to and broaden the limited body of evidence of the applicability of Lean to airport services and identify areas for further research and review.

Originality/value

This paper makes an attempt to demonstrate the use of Lean thinking for service industries and, in particular, airport services. The authors have identified less than five papers on the use of Lean thinking in airport services and this paper sets the foundation for future research on the use of process excellence methodologies such as Lean. Moreover, the authors firmly believe that the results of this SLR can be extremely beneficial to many managers working in Airport Service contexts, irrespective of the country and culture of the organisation.
The relationships between obesity-increasing risk factors for public health, environmental impacts, and health expenditures worldwide
Authors: Abbade Eduardo Botti
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the associations between obesogenic severity, the public health situation, environmental impacts, and health care expenditures in populations worldwide.

Design/methodology/approach

This ecological study is based on official data available for approximately 140 countries worldwide. This study defines four main variables: obesogenic severity, environmental impact, public health implications (PHI), and health expenditures, all measured through specific indicators. Data were obtained mainly from the WHO, World Bank, and IDF. The indicators were reduced to the main variables through factorial reduction and multiple regression analyses were used to test the main hypotheses.

Findings

Obesogenic severity strongly and positively affects environmental impacts (β=0.6578; p<0.001), PHI-1 (cardiovascular risk factor) (β=0.3137; p<0.001) and PHI-2 (blood glucose and diabetes diagnoses) (β=0.3170; p<0.001). Additionally, environmental impacts strongly and positively affect PHI-1 (β=0.4978; p<0.001) but not PHI-2. Thus, results suggest that environmental impact, PHI-1, and PHI-2 strongly affect health expenditures (β=0.3154; p<0.001, β=0.5745; p<0.001, and β=−0.4843; p<0.001, respectively), with PHI-2 negatively affecting the health expenditures.

Practical implications

This study presents evidence that can aid in decision making regarding public and private efforts to better align budgets and resources as well as predict the needs and expenditures of public health care systems.

Originality/value

This investigation finds that the main variables addressed are strongly associated at the worldwide level. Thus, these analytical procedures can be used to predict public health and health care cost scenarios at the global level.
The Actionability of Exome sequencing testing results
Authors: Stivers Tanya , Timmermans Stefan
Published: November 2017

Genomic tests such as exome sequencing have recently become an option for diagnosing patients. The tests allow clinical geneticists to sequence the majority of patients’ disease causing genetic variants. As a new technology, exome sequencing confronts the question of what the benefit is of this increased genetic information. Against a narrow perspective of clinical utility that emphasises tangible improvements in a patient's disease management, professional organisations have argued that genomic sequencing should be considered beneficial if it helps families and society. Based on video‐recorded observations of the return of exome sequencing results to parents of a child with disabilities in the clinic and in‐depth interviews with these parents, we examine how genomic test results become actionable in the clinical encounter. We find that parents and clinicians marshal exome results beyond biomedical diagnostic and management goals to address questions about guilt for causing the disabilities and to secure access to disability‐related services. We argue that genomic actionability rests on the interaction between the biological characteristics of genetic results and the predicaments facing parents of children with disabilities.
Managing non‐serious low back pain in the emergency department: Time for a change?
Authors: Machado Gustavo C , Rogan Eileen , Maher Chris G
Published: November 2017

Low back pain is a common condition seen in the ED. However, its management in this setting has received relatively little attention and there have been few efforts to develop strategies to improve emergency care of low back pain. In order to ensure that care is appropriately delivered for low back pain patients in the ED, emergency physicians must understand issues of providing low‐value care and consider potential solutions to the problem. In this paper, we describe the usual emergency care provided for non‐serious low back pain and present possible strategies for restructuring ED practice and approaches for changing physician and patient behaviour. A better understanding of how non‐serious low back pain is currently being managed and discussion on how to provide evidence‐based care according to current guideline recommendations will help emergency physicians improve the value of care for these patients.
Evaluating the Applicability of a Two‐dimensional Flow Model of a Highly Heterogeneous Domain to Flow and Environmental Management
Authors: Carr Kara J. , Tu Tongbi , Ercan Ali , Kavvas M. Levent
Published: November 2017

Two‐dimensional simulation of highly heterogeneous domains, especially those with disparate length scales, roughness conditions, and geometries, often leads to challenges such as long computation times and numerical instability. Simulation of challenging domains is often needed to guide flood management and environmental regulation agencies in operation and potential domain modifications. This work evaluates the ability of a two‐dimensional unsteady hydrodynamic model to represent long‐duration transient flows over a domain with highly heterogeneous roughness, geometric characteristics, and length scales through bed roughness representation. The domain includes 13 km of Cache Creek and the 14.5 km2 Cache Creek Settling Basin, which traps both sediment and mercury. Calibration under different bed roughness methods, validation, and modeling results of bathymetric modification scenarios are presented. The modeling approach's performance supports its application as a tool for management of similar domains, such as settling basins, leveed floodplains, and reservoirs. Accurate representation of flow dynamics can also inform environmental management that involves transport of sediments, nutrients, and heavy metals. This study found that a two‐dimensional unsteady flow model can accurately represent long‐duration transient flow in a large settling basin with highly heterogeneous characteristics without parsing of the domain or flow events simulated.
Characterizing Uncertainty in Daily Streamflow Estimates at Ungauged Locations for the Massachusetts Sustainable Yield Estimator
Authors: Farmer William H. , Levin Sara
Published: November 2017

Hydrologic characterization at ungauged locations is one of the quintessential challenges of hydrology. Beyond simulation of historical streamflows, it is similarly important to characterize the level of uncertainty in hydrologic estimates. In tandem with updates to Massachusetts Sustainable Yield Estimator, this work explores the application of global uncertainty estimates to daily streamflow simulations. Expanding on a method developed for deterministic modeling, this approach produces confidence intervals on daily streamflow developed through nonlinear spatial interpolation of daily streamflow using flow duration curves; the 95% confidence is examined. Archived cross‐validations of daily streamflows from 66 watersheds in and around Massachusetts are used to evaluate an approach to uncertainty characterization. Neighboring sites are treated as ungauged, producing relative errors that can be resampled and applied to target sites. The method, with some modification, is found to provide appropriately narrow confidence intervals that contain 95% of the observed streamflows in cross‐validation. Further characterizing uncertainty, multiday means of daily streamflow are evaluated. Working through cross‐validation in Massachusetts, two‐ to three‐month averages of daily streamflow show the best performance. These two approaches to uncertainty characterization inform how streamflow simulation produced for prediction in ungauged basins can be used for water resources management.
Cyberinfrastructure and Web Apps for Managing and Disseminating the National Water Model
Authors: Souffront Alcantara Michael A. , Kesler Christian , Stealey Michael J. , Nelson E. James , Ames Daniel P. , Jones Norm L.
Published: November 2017

Hydrologic modeling can be used to provide warnings before, and to support operations during and after floods. Recent technological advances have increased our ability to create hydrologic models over large areas. In the United States (U.S.), a new National Water Model (NWM) that generates hydrologic variables at a national scale was released in August 2016. This model represents a substantial step forward in our ability to predict hydrologic events in a consistent fashion across the entire U.S. Nevertheless, for these hydrologic results to be effectively communicated, they need to be put in context and be presented in a way that is straightforward and facilitates management‐related decisions. The large amounts of data produced by the NWM present one of the major challenges to fulfill this goal. We created a cyberinfrastructure to store NWM results, “accessibility” web applications to retrieve NWM results, and a REST API to access NWM results programmatically. To demonstrate the utility of this cyberinfrastructure, we created additional web apps that illustrate how to use our REST API and communicate hydrologic forecasts with the aid of dynamic flood maps. This work offers a starting point for the development of a more comprehensive toolset to validate the NWM while also improving the ability to access and visualize NWM forecasts, and develop additional national‐scale‐derived products such as flood maps.
Occurrence of Middle Miocene Fossil Cyprinid Fish in the Northern Qaidam Basin and its Paleoenvironmental Implications
Authors: SONG Bowen , ZHANG Kexin , JI Junliang , HAN Fang , WANG Chaowen , WANG Jiaxuan , AI Keke
Published: November 2017

With a thick sequence of early Eocene to Pleistocene terrestrial records, the Qaidam Basin on the northern Tibetan Plateau provides an important sedimentary archive for understanding the paleoenvironmental evolution of the northeast Tibetan Plateau. In this study, specimens of fossil fish remains are collected from the late Middle Miocene (Serravallian, ∼12Ma) of the middle member of the Shang Youshashan Formation, Dahonggou (DHG) section, in the northern Qaidam Basin. Based on a systematic study of these materials, the remains have assigned to Cyprinidae, with typical pharyngeal teeth and dorsal fin spines with serrations on the posterior edge. Our discovery improves understanding of the cyprinid fish distribution characteristics in the Qaidam Basin during the Cenozoic. Cooccurrences of terrestrial brackish ostracod species Cyprideis and long chain alkenonesin the layer indicate that the studied cyprinid fish lived in a generally large brackish to saline water body during the late middle Miocene (Serravallian), when the climate of Qaidam Basin was still not sufficiently dry to form an extreme saline water lake.
Paleoseismological Analysis Along the Astara Fault System (Talesh Mountain, North Iran)
Authors: BARZEGARI Amir , GHORASHI Manouchehr , NAZARI Hamid , FONTUGNE Michel , SHOKRI Mohammad A. , POURKERMANI Mohsen
Published: November 2017

The Astara Fault System (AFS) is located in the northwest Alborz, east of Talesh Mountain (TM) and west of the South Caspian Basin (SCB). The AFS is one of the basement rock faults in Iran that is heavily involved in seismotectonic activity of the Talesh region, and to which subsidence of the SCB is attributed. There is little information available concerning previous AFS seismic activities and its properties. In order to elucidate the seismic behavior and activities of the AFS, we conducted a research study on paleoseismology of the fault. Based on paleoseismic evidence, two scenarios could be taken into consideration, one of which has three and another has four seismic events with magnitudes Mw in the range of 6.7 to 7.2. Evidence of these seismic events is within sedimentary succession as they have occurred during the past 3 ka (this age is determined based on the deposition rate of the region). Six carbon samples were taken for C14age determination tests, the results of which clearly demonstrated that the EvIV (scenario A) and EvIII (scenario B) had occurred before 27,444 cal BP, while other events occurred in the time period between 27,444 cal BP and 3 ka ago. If we consider the occurrence of three or four seismic events (based on the two scenarios) to be between 27,444 cal BP and 3 ka ago, the average recurrence interval is 7,119 ± 1,017, but evidence for these events has been removed. If we assume EvI to be the youngest event (in both scenarios), the minimum elapsed time is therefore 3 ka.
Late Mesozoic‐Cenozoic Exhumation of the Northern Hexi Corridor: Constrained by Apatite Fission Track Ages of the Longshoushan
Authors: ZHANG Beihang , ZHANG Jin , WANG Yannan , ZHAO Heng , LI Yanfeng
Published: November 2017

The apatite fission track (AFT) ages and thermal modeling of the Longshoushan and deformation along the northern Hexi Corridor on the northern side of the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau show that the Longshoushan along the northern corridor had experienced important multi‐stage exhumations during the Late Mesozoic and Cenozoic. The AFT ages of 7 samples range from 31.9 Ma to 111.8 Ma. Thermal modeling of the AFT ages of the samples shows that the Longshoushan experienced significant exhumation during the Late Cretaceous to the Early Cenozoic (∼130–25 Ma). The Late Cretaceous exhumation of the Longshoushan may have resulted from the continuous compression between the Lhasa and Qiangtang blocks and the flat slab subduction of the Neo‐Tethys oceanic plate, which affected wide regions across the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau. During the Early Cenozoic, the Longshoushan still experienced exhumation, but this process was caused by the Indian‐Eurasian collision. Since this time, the Longshoushan was in a stable stage for approximately 20 Ma and experienced erosion. Since ∼5 Ma, obvious tectonic deformation occurred along the entire northern Hexi Corridor, which has also been reported from the peripheral regions of the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau, especially in the Qilianshan and northeastern margin of the plateau. The AFT ages and the Late Cenozoic deformation of the northern Hexi Corridor all indicate that the present northern boundary of the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau is situated along the northern Hexi Corridor.
Application of River Longitudinal Profile Morphometrics to Reveal the Uplift of Lushan Mountain
Authors: HAN Zhiyong , LI Xusheng , WANG Nairui , CHEN Gang , WANG Xianyan , LU Huayu
Published: November 2017

The stream power model was applied to Lushan Mt. in South China in order to verify its capability of interpreting the uplift of a small block mountain. On a log‐log plot, the longitudinal profiles of 9 rivers derived from a 30m DEM exhibit primary characteristics similar to those derived from a 5m DEM; however, the 5m DEM clearly reveals more minor knickpoints, and the positions of knickpoints are pinpointed more accurately. All of the studied rivers on the block mountain are in a transient state due to geological perturbations. Some of them exhibit two segments in steady state separated by a slope‐break knickpoint. Such rivers generally develop in a longitudinal valley, which are less perturbed by substrate inhomogeneities. The similar heights of the slope‐break knickpoints and the similar uplift rate indicated by the ksn values demonstrate an almost simultaneous headward erosion induced by the fall in base level. This modelling result is consistent with the mode of formation of this particular block mountain. Our study demonstrates that the stream power model is applicable to a small tectonically‐active massif only if the channel segments are in a steady state.
Petrogenesis and Metallogenesis of the Mazaertag Layered Intrusion in the Tarim Large Igneous Province, NW China
Authors: CAO Jun , WANG Qimeng
Published: November 2017

The Mazaertag layered intrusion is located in the northwestern part of the Tarim large igneous province where several early Permian layered mafic‐ultramafic intrusions host important Fe‐Ti oxide deposits. The intrusion covers an area of ∼0.13 km2 and has a vertical stratigraphic thickness of at least 300 m. It consists chiefly of olivine clinopyroxenite, and is cut through by the nearby mafic‐ultramafic dykes. In this paper, we report new mineral chemistry data and whole‐rock chemical and isotopic compositions for the Mazaertag intrusion along with whole‐rock isotopic compositions for the nearby mafic dykes. The averaged compositions of cumulus olivine, clinopyroxene and intercumulus plagioclase within individual samples range from Fo71–73, Mg# = 76 to 79 and An65–75 but they do not define sustained reversals. The observed mineral compositions are consistent with the differentiation of a single batch of magma in a closed system. Rocks of the Mazaertag intrusion are characterized by enrichment in light REE relative to heavy REE, positive Nb and Ta anomalies and a small range of age‐corrected ∊Nd(t) (−0.1 to +0.9) and initial 87Sr/86Sr values (0.7044 to 0.7068). The slightly lower ∊Nd(t), initial 206Pb/204Pb and higher initial 87Sr/86Sr values of the intrusion compared to those of the least contaminated dykes [∊Nd(t) = +2.8 to +3.4; (206Pb/204Pb), = 18.516–18.521; (87Sr/86Sr)1 = 0.7038–0.7041] imply that the Mazaertag magma was subjected to small to modest degrees of contamination by the upper crust. The Sr‐Nd isotopic compositions of the least contaminated dykes are consistent with derivation from a FOZO‐like mantle source. The parental magma of the Mazaertag intrusion, estimated from clinopyroxene compositions using mineral‐melt partition coefficients, has trace element compositions similar to some of the most primitive mafic dykes in the same area. This suggests that the Mazaertag intrusion and mafic dykes shared a similar mantle source. Therefore, the parental magma of the Mazaertag intrusion was interpreted to have originated from a mantle plume. Based on the Cr2O3 contents in titanomagnetite and less‐evolved characteristics of the Mazaertag intrusion compared to the Wajilitag Fe‐Ti oxide deposit in Bachu, it is speculated that there might not be a potential to find economic Fe‐Ti oxide mineralization in the intrusion.
Filling Pattern of Volcanostratigraphy of Cenozoic Volcanic Rocks in the Changbaishan Area and Possible Future Eruptions
Authors: TANG Huafeng , KONG Tan , WU Chengzhi , WANG Pujun , PENG Xu , GAO Youfeng
Published: November 2017

The Cenozoic volcanostratigraphy in the Changbaishan area had complex building processes. Twenty‐two eruption periods have been determined from the Wangtian'e, Touxi, and Changbaishan volcanoes. The complex volcanostratigraphy of the Changbaishan area can be divided into four types of filling patterns from bottom to top. They are lava flows filling in valleys (LFFV), lava flows filling in platform (LFFP), lava flows formed the cone (LFFC), and pyroclastic Flow filling in crater or valleys (PFFC/V). LFFV has been divided into four layers and terminates as a lateral overlap. The topography of LFFV, which is controlled by the landform, is lens shaped with a wide flat top and narrow bottom. LFFP has been divided into three layers and terminates as a lateral downlap. The topography of LFFP is sheet and tabular shaped with a narrow top and wide bottom. It has large width to thickness ratio. It was built by multiple eruptive centers distributed along the fissure. The topography of LFFC, which is located above the LFFP, has a hummocky shape with a narrow sloping top and a wide flat bottom. It terminates as a later downlap or backstepping. It has large width to thickness ratio. It was built by a single eruptive center. The topography of PFFC/V, which located above the LFFC, LFFP, or valley, has the shape of fan and terminates as a lateral downlap or overlap. It has a small width to thickness ratio and was built by a single eruptive center. The filling pattern is controlled by temperature, SiO2 content, volatile content, magma volume, and the paleolandform. In the short term, the eruptive production of the Changbaishan area is comenditic ash or pumice of a Plinian type eruption. The eruptive volume in future should be smaller than that of the Baguamiao period, and the filling pattern should be PFFC/V, which may cause huge damage to adjacent areas.
Geology and Lead–Sulphur Isotope Compositions of the Tongyu Volcanic‐Hosted Massive Sulphide Copper Deposit in the Western Part of the North Qinling Orogen, China
Authors: GONG Hujun , ZHU Laimin , LI Ben , XIONG Xiao , DING Lele
Published: November 2017

The Tongyu copper deposit, located in the western part of the North Qinling Orogen, China, is one of several volcanic‐hosted massive sulphide (VHMS) deposits with industrial value and is also a typical example of mineralization related to the subduction and metallogenesis during the Caledonian orogeny. We conducted systematic lead–sulphur isotope geochemical analyses of the Tongyu deposit to understand the possible ore‐forming material sources and tectonic settings. Twenty‐six sulphide samples yielded clustered δ34SCDT values of 1.13‰–3.36‰, average 2.22‰, and show a tower‐type distribution, implying that the sulphur of the Tongyu copper deposit mainly originated from a mantle source. The Pb isotope compositions of sulphides (206Pb/204Pb = 17.59225–18.56354, average 18.32020; 207Pb/204Pb = 15.51770–15.69381, average 15.66217; 208Pb/204Pb = 37.99969–39.06953, average 38.52722) are close to the values of the volcanic host rocks (206Pb/204Pb = 18.10678–18.26293, average 18.21158; 207Pb/204Pb = 15.63196–15.68188, average 15.65345; 208Pb/204Pb = 38.43676–38.56360, average 38.49171), thus consistent with the Pb in ores and volcanic host rocks having been derived from a common source that was island‐arc Pb related to oceanic crust subduction. The northward subduction of the Palaeo–Qinling oceanic crust triggered dehydration of the slab, which generated a large amount of high‐oxygen‐fugacity aqueous hydrothermal fluid. The fluid rose into the mantle wedge, activated and extracted metallogenic material and promoted partial melting of the mantle wedge. The magma and ore‐forming fluid welled up and precipitated, finally forming the Tongyu VHMS copper deposit.
Facies Analysis and Sequence Stratigraphy of the Qal'eh Dokhtar Formation (Middle–Upper Jurassic) in the West of Boshrouyeh, East Central Iran
Authors: SABBAGH BAJESTANI Mahnaz , MAHBOUBI Asadollah , MOUSSAVI‐HARAMI Reza , AL‐AASM Ihsan , NADJAFI Mehdi
Published: November 2017

The study area is located in the east Tabas Block in Central Iran. Facies analysis of the Qal'eh Dokhtar Formation (middle Callovian to late Oxfordian) was carried out on two stratigraphic sections and applied to depositional environment and sequence stratigraphy interpretation. This formation conformably overlies and underlies the marly‐silty Baghamshah and the calcareous Esfandiar formations, respectively. Lateral and vertical facies changes documents low‐ to high energy environments, including tidal‐flat, beach to intertidal, lagoon, barrier, and open‐marine. According to these facies associations and absence of resedimentation deposits a depositional model of a mixed carbonate–siliciclastic ramp was proposed for the Qal'eh Dokhtar Formation. Seven third‐order depositional sequences were identified in each two measured stratigraphic sections. Transgressive systems tracts (TSTs) show deepening upward trends, i.e. shallow water beach to intertidal and lagoonal facies, while highstand systems tracts (HST) show shallowing upward trends in which deep water facies are overlain by shallow water facies. All sequence boundaries (except at the base of the stratigraphic column) are of the no erosional (SB2) types. We conclude eustatic rather than tectonic factors played a dominant role in controlling carbonate depositional environments in the study area.
A phylogenetically controlled meta‐analysis of biologging device effects on birds: Deleterious effects and a call for more standardized reporting of study data
Authors: Bodey Thomas W. , Cleasby Ian R. , Bell Fraser , Parr Nicole , Schultz Anthony , Votier Stephen C. , Bearhop Stuart
Published: November 2017

The use of biologging devices continues to increase with technological advances yielding remarkable ecological insights and generating new research questions. However, as devices develop and are deployed more widely, there is a need to update our knowledge of the potential ethical impacts to allow scientists to balance these against the knowledge gained.

We employed a suite of phylogenetically controlled meta‐analyses on a dataset comprising more than 450 published effect sizes across 214 different studies to examine the effects of biologger tagging on five key traits in birds.

Overall, we found small but significant negative effects of tagging on survival, reproduction, parental care. In addition, tagging was positively associated with foraging trip duration, but had no effect on body mass. Meta‐regressions revealed that flying style, migration distance and proportional tag mass were significant influences producing these deleterious effects, with attachment type and position additionally important covariates influencing survival‐ and reproduction‐based effect sizes.

There was a positive correlation between the effects of tagging on survival and reproduction, highlighting that effects may be cumulative, with the full effects of tagging not necessarily apparent in studies focused on single traits. We discuss the tradeoff between these negative effects and the advances gained through the use of biologgers.

Finally, given the number of studies from our initial literature search that lacked sufficient data for inclusion in analyses, we provide recommendations on the essential information that all biologging studies should report in order to facilitate future assessments of impacts on animals.
Delirium and effect of circadian light in the intensive care unit: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Estrup S. , Kjer C. K. W. , Poulsen L. M. , Gøgenur I. , Mathiesen O.
Published: November 2017

Background

Delirium is a serious condition often experienced by critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICUs). The role of circadian light for this condition is unclear. The aim of this study was to describe incidence of delirium, risk factors for delirium, and the association between delirium and circadian light for patients in the ICU.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study of all patients at a Danish ICU from 1 August 2015 to 31 January 2016. Exclusion criteria were heavy sedation, no Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU (CAM‐ICU) scores, or inability to communicate in Danish. Delirium was defined as at least one positive CAM‐ICU score or treatment with haloperidol. Three of nine beds at the ICU had a circadian light installation. Allocation to ICU beds with or without circadian light depended on availability at admission. Risk factors for development of delirium were analyzed by simple and multiple logistic regression.

Results

We included 183 patients in the study. The incidence of delirium was 28% (95% CI 22, 35). Allocation to beds with or without circadian lighting was not associated with delirium incidence (OR 1.14; 95% CI 0.55, 2.37; P = 0.73). We found that Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (SAPS II) (OR 1.03; 95% CI 1.01, 1.06; P = 0.002), and dexmedetomidine was associated with delirium (OR 4.14; 95% CI 1.72, 10.03; P = 0.002).

Conclusion

In this population of patients admitted to an ICU during 6 months, the incidence of delirium was 28%. We did not find an association between circadian light and development of delirium.
4218T/C polymorphism associations with post‐cesarean patient‐controlled epidural fentanyl consumption and pain perception
Authors: Xie W. , Zhuang W. , Chen L. , Xie W. , Jiang C. , Liu N.
Published: November 2017

Background

The utilization of intrathecal opioids is an efficacious component of post‐cesarean section pain management. Given that growing evidence indicates that calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) plays a key role in the development of peripheral sensitization and is associated with enhanced pain, we hypothesized that CGRP 4218T/C polymorphism is associated with the variability in fentanyl consumption for post‐cesarean analgesia.

Methods

We recruited 548 patients who presented for elective cesarean delivery, and used polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) method to analyze CGRP 4218T/C polymorphism. We examined the association of CGRP 4218T/C polymorphism and post‐operative fentanyl consumption for analgesia as well as adverse reactions to fentanyl in those patients who received cesarean section surgeries.

Results

We found that the CGRP 4218T/C polymorphism has a significant effect on pain perception, analgesic requirement, and nausea and vomiting for the first 24 h after cesarean delivery in patients who received PCEA fentanyl. Individuals with the C/C genotype had more pain, required more PCEA fentanyl, and experienced a lower incidence of nausea and vomiting.

Conclusion

These results indicated that patients with C/C genotype may have reduced sensitivity to fentanyl analgesia and/or increased pain perception, and were more willing to use PCEA fentanyl to manage their pain.
Recurrence of reported CDH23 mutations causing DFNB12 in a special cohort of South Indian hearing impaired assortative mating families – an evaluation
Authors: Vanniya S Paridhy , Chandru Jayasankaran , Pavithra Amritkumar , Jeffrey Justin Margret , Kalaimathi Murugesan , Ramakrishnan Rajagopalan , Karthikeyen Natarajan P. , C. R. Srikumari Srisailapathy
Published: November 2017

Mutations in CDH23 are known to cause autosomal‐recessive nonsyndromic hearing loss (DFNB12). Until now, there was only one study describing its frequency in Indian population. We screened for CDH23 mutations to identify prevalent and recurring mutations among South Indian assortative mating hearing‐impaired individuals who were identified as non‐DFNB1 (GJB2 and GJB6). Whole‐exome sequencing was performed in individuals found to be heterozygous for CDH23 to determine whether there was a second pathogenic allele. In our study, 19 variants including 6 pathogenic missense mutations were identified. The allelic frequency of pathogenic mutations accounts to 4.7% in our cohort, which is higher than that reported previously; three mutations (c.429+4G>A, c.2968G>A, and c.5660C>T) reported in the previous Indian study were found to recur. DFNB12 was found to be the etiology in 3.4% of our cohort, with missense mutation c.2968G>A (p.Asp990Asn) being the most prevalent (2.6%). These results suggest a need to investigate the possibility for higher proportion of CDH23 mutations in the South Indian hearing‐impaired population.