bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pitfalls in accelerometer‐based measurement of physical activity: The presence of reactivity in an adult population
Authors: Baumann S. , Groß S. , Voigt L. , Ullrich A. , Weymar F. , Schwaneberg T. , Dörr M. , Meyer C. , John U. , Ulbricht S.
Published: September 2017

When a behavior is monitored, it is likely to change, even if no change may be intended. This phenomenon is known as measurement reactivity. We investigated systematic changes in accelerometer‐based measures over the days of monitoring as an indicator of measurement reactivity in an adult population. One hundred seventy‐one participants from the general population (65% women; mean age = 55 years, range: 42‐65 years) wore accelerometers for 7 consecutive days to measure sedentary behavior and physical activity (PA). Latent growth models were used (a) to investigate changes in accelerometer wear time over the measurement days and (b) to identify measurement reactivity indicated by systematic changes in sedentary time (ST), light physical activity (LPA), and moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Over the measurement days, participants reduced accelerometer wear time by trend (rate of change [b] = −4.7 min/d, P = .051, Cohen's d = .38), increased ST (b = 2.4 min/d, P = .018, d = .39), and reduced LPA (b = −2.4 min/d, P = .015, d = .38). Participants did not significantly reduce MVPA (P = .537). Our data indicated that accelerometry might generate reactivity. Small effects on ST and LPA were found. Thus, the validity of accelerometer‐based data on ST and LPA may be compromised. Systematic changes observed in accelerometer wear time may further bias accelerometer‐based measures. MVPA seems to be less altered due to the presence of an accelerometer.
Bridging the Implementation Gap in Poor Areas: A Study of How Municipal Socio‐economic Characteristics Impact Intergovernmental Policy Implementation
Authors: Galvani Flávia
Published: September 2017

This article examines the relationship between local socio‐economic characteristics and implementation performance by analyzing the performance of Brazilian municipalities implementing the Bolsa Família Program, the largest conditional cash transfer programme in the world. Counterintuitively, poor municipalities were found to outperform wealthy ones. Analysis of the interactions between local socio‐economic characteristics and municipal administrative capacity, willingness and intergovernmental relations help to explain why this was the case.
Early Cretaceous exhumation of the Qiangtang Terrane during collision with the Lhasa Terrane, Central Tibet
Authors: Zhao Zhongbao , Bons Paul D. , Stübner Konstanze , Wang Gen‐Hou , Ehlers Todd A.
Published: September 2017

The timing of the closure of the Bangong Ocean between the Lhasa and South Qiangtang Terranes in central Tibet and the resulting crustal thickening are still under debate. We integrate published apatite fission track and (U–Th)/He thermochronometer data with new zircon (U–Th)/He ages from eight samples and with structural profiles to document that the South Qiangtang Terrane experienced slow exhumation between 200 and 150 Ma, associated with the opening of the Bangong Ocean. Accelerated exhumation (around 0.2–0.3 mm/a) of the South Qiangtang Terrane was initiated at around 150 Ma. This exhumation event is interpreted to reflect collision between the Lhasa and South Qiangtang Terranes after closure of the Bangong Ocean, associated with crustal thickening via thick‐skinned folding and thrusting within the South Qiangtang Terrane. The amalgamation of the Lhasa and South Qiangtang Terranes recorded here may represent the first stage of crustal thickening in the central Tibetan Plateau.
Identification of occult active infection using PET‐CT in a combined liver‐kidney transplant candidate
Authors: Al Shakarchi Julien , Neil Desley , Lipkin Graham , Elsharkawy Ahmed , Inston Nicholas
Published: September 2017

This case describes a patient being considered for combined liver‐kidney transplantation for Caroli's disease with a failed renal transplant. A chronic septic focus could not be located with standard imaging techniques, such as ultrasonography and computed tomography. This case report highlights the observation that a retained non‐functioning transplant can be the cause of fever of unknown origin and PET‐CT can be useful in diagnosing these challenging cases.
Barriers to listing for HIV‐infected patients being evaluated for kidney transplantation
Authors: Lee Dong Heun , Boyle Suzanne M. , Malat Gregory E. , Kern Christopher , Milrod Charles , DeBellis Shannon , Harhay Meera N. , Ranganna Karthik , Guy Stephen , Talluri Sindhura , Bias Tiffany , Doyle Alden
Published: September 2017

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐infected patients have excellent outcomes following kidney transplantation (KT) but still might face barriers in the evaluation and listing process. The aim of this study was to characterize the patient population, referral patterns, and outcomes of HIV‐infected patients who present for KT evaluation. We performed a single‐center retrospective cohort study of HIV‐infected patients who were evaluated for KT. The primary outcome was time to determination of eligibility for KT. Between 2011 and 2015, 105 HIV‐infected patients were evaluated for KT. Of the 105 patients, 73 were listed for transplantation by the end of the study period. For those who were deemed ineligible, the most common reasons cited were active substance abuse (n = 7, 22%) and failure to complete the full transplant evaluation (n = 7, 22%). Our cohort demonstrated a higher proportion of HIV‐infected patients eligible for KT than in previous studies, likely secondary to advances in HIV management. Among those who were denied access to transplantation, we identified that many were unable to complete the evaluation process, and that active substance abuse was common. Future prospective studies should examine reasons and potential interventions for the lack of follow‐through and drug use we observed in this population.
Valganciclovir (VGCV) followed by cytomegalovirus (CMV) hyperimmune globulin compared to VGCV for 200 days in abdominal organ transplant recipients at high risk for CMV infection: A prospective, randomized pilot study
Authors: Fleming James N. , Taber David J. , Weimert Nicole A. , Nadig Satish , McGillicuddy John W. , Bratton Charles F. , Baliga Prabhakar K. , Chavin Kenneth D.
Published: September 2017

Background

With the advent of effective antivirals against cytomegalovirus (CMV), use of CMV hyperimmune globulin (HIG) has decreased. Although antiviral prophylaxis in patients at high risk for CMV is effective, many patients still have late infection, never developing antibodies sufficient to achieve immunity. Utilizing a combination of antiviral and CMV HIG may allow patients to achieve immunity and decrease late CMV infections.

Methods

This was a prospective randomized, open‐label, pilot study comparing valganciclovir (VGCV) prophylaxis for 200 days vs VGCV for 100 days followed by CMV HIG in abdominal transplant recipients at high risk for CMV. The primary outcome was a comparison of late CMV disease.

Results

Forty patients were randomized to VGCV for 200 days (n = 20) or VGCV for 100 days followed by 3 doses of monthly CMV HIG (n = 20). Numerically, more overall CMV infections occurred in the CMV HIG group (45 vs 20%, P = .09). No differences in overall CMV infections or late CMV disease were seen between groups (20% vs 15%, P = 1.00 and 0 vs 0, P = 1.00). All CMV disease occurred within 200 days, with 63% occurring while patients were on VGCV. No differences were found in toxicities, graft function, or rejection between groups. Patients with CMV infection at any time had a higher body weight than those who did not have an infection (82 vs 95 kg, P = .049).

Conclusion

Use of CMV HIG sequentially with prophylaxis may be an effective and affordable prophylactic regimen in abdominal transplant recipients at high risk for CMV, and warrants larger prospective study. Increased monitoring for patients with obesity may be warranted.
Immunomodulatory effect of cryopreserved platelets: altered BDCA3+ dendritic cell maturation and activation in vitro
Authors: Ki Katrina K. , Johnson Lacey , Faddy Helen M. , Flower Robert L. , Marks Denese C. , Dean Melinda M.
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND

Cryopreservation of platelets (PLTs) is useful in remote areas to overcome logistic problems associated with supply and can extend the shelf life to 2 years. During cryopreservation, properties of PLTs are modified. Whether changes in the cryopreserved PLT (CPP) product are associated with modulation of recipients’ immune function is unknown. We aimed to characterize the immune profile of myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) and the specialized blood DC antigen (BDCA)3+ subset after exposure to CPPs.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Using an in vitro whole blood model of transfusion, the effect of CPPs on mDC and BDCA3+ DC surface antigen expression and inflammatory mediator production was examined using flow cytometry. In parallel, polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was utilized to model processes activated in viral or bacterial infection, respectively.

RESULTS

Cryopreserved PLTs had minimal impact on mDC responses but significantly modulated BDCA3+ DC responses in vitro. Exposure to CPPs alone up regulated BDCA3+ DC CD86 expression and suppressed interleukin (IL)‐8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, and interferon‐γ inducible protein (IP)‐10 production. In both models of infection‐related processes, exposure to CPPs down regulated BDCA3+ DC expression of CD40, CD80, and CD83 and suppressed BDCA3+ DC production of IL‐8, IL‐12, and TNF‐α. CPPs suppressed CD86 expression in the presence of LPS and IP‐10 and IL‐6 production with poly(I:C).

CONCLUSION

Cryopreserved PLTs may be immunosuppressive, and this effect is more evident when processes associated with infection are concurrently activated, especially for BDCA3+ DCs. This suggests that transfusion of CPPs in patients with infection may result in impaired BDCA3+ DC responses.
China's economic growth and convergence
Authors: Lee Jong‐Wha
Published: September 2017

Using cross‐country panel data, this study identifies and discusses major factors contributing to China's strong growth in the past four decades. China's low initial per capita income relative to its own long‐run potential, combined with sound policy factors including a high investment rate, strong human capital, high trade openness and improved institutions, enabled the economy to converge with advanced economies in terms of income level. The shift‐share analysis with industry‐level data shows that strong labour productivity growth in the manufacturing sector largely contributed to China's overall labour productivity growth. Although labour reallocation from agriculture to the services sector made a positive contribution to aggregate labour productivity growth, labour productivity growth in the services sector itself was negative over the 1980–2010 period. China's average potential GDP growth is predicted to decline significantly in the coming decade, to 5%–6% and fall further to 3%–4%—due to the convergence effect and structural problems—unless China substantially upgrades its institutions and policy factors and improves productivity, particularly in its services sector.
Multimodal treatment of a dog with disseminated cutaneous viral papillomatosis
Authors: Levy Britt J. , Sample Susannah J. , Yuan Hang
Published: September 2017

Background

Canine papillomaviruses (CPVs) are associated with varied cutaneous manifestations. Spontaneous resolution typically occurs within one to 12 months. This case report describes multimodal treatment of a dog with severe disseminated papillomatosis.

Clinical summary

An eight‐month‐old, female spayed, mixed breed dog was presented with a two month history of rapidly progressing papillomatosis and lack of response to oral azithromycin therapy. The dog was severely pruritic and malodorous; the weight and growth of lesions had progressed to affect the dog's gait and vision, and led to decreased quality of life. The dog was treated with substantial surgical debulking of lesions, followed by daily topical 5% imiquimod cream applied to nonexcisable lesions, and received five doses of an experimental recombinant CPV2 L1 vaccine every 14 days for 10 weeks. At the end of the 10 weeks, two lesions remained and were excised. No additional treatment was needed and 10 months post‐treatment the dog was lesion free.

Conclusion

New therapies need to be developed and assessed, in controlled treatment trials, to determine the efficacy of single modality therapeutic interventions for severe, persistent canine cutaneous papillomatosis.
Comparison of laparoscopic gastropexy performed via intracorporeal suturing with knotless unidirectional barbed suture using a needle driver versus a roticulated endoscopic suturing device: 30 cases
Authors: Coleman Kristin A. , Monnet Eric
Published: September 2017

Objective

To compare two suturing techniques for prophylactic laparoscopic gastropexy in healthy dogs.

Study design

Retrospective case series.

Animals

Thirty healthy client‐owned dogs from breeds predisposed to gastric dilation volvulus.

Methods

Medical records of dogs presented for prophylactic laparoscopic gastropexy performed with knotless unidirectional barbed suture were reviewed. Dogs were grouped based on the device used for suturing, consisting of an endoscopic needle driver (END) vs an endoscopic suturing device (ESD). Signalment, weight, surgery time, number of suture bites per side of gastropexy, and intraoperative complications were compared between groups.

Results

The END group consisted of 10 dogs, with a median age of 1.09 years (range 0.5‐2.67), weight of 41.5 kg (range 25‐66), surgical time of 49.5 minutes (range 35‐77), and a median of 5 suture bites per side (range 4‐6). The ESD group included 20 dogs, with a median age of 1.75 years (range 0.6‐8.75, P = .0944), weight was 37.5 kg (range 20‐62, P = .5823), surgical time of 55 minutes (range 30‐76, P = .808), and a median of 6 suture bites for the first side (range 4‐7, P = .072) and 7 for the second side (range 4‐8, P = .003). No major complications and no conversion to open celiotomy occured in either group. Minor complications occurred in 3 dogs in the ESD group, all related to device dysfunction and suture breakage.

Conclusion

Laparoscopic gastropexy may be performed effectively with either of these suturing techniques.
Antibiotic resistant Escherichia coli in southeastern Australian pig herds and implications for surveillance
Authors: van Breda L. K. , Dhungyel O. P. , Ward M. P.
Published: September 2017

To investigate public health implications of antibiotics to control post‐weaning scours, we surveyed 22 commercial pig herds in southeastern Australia. Fifty faecal samples per herd were collected from pre‐ and post‐weaned piglets. Presumptive Escherichia coli isolates were confirmed by MALDI‐TOF MS. Isolates (n = 325) were screened for susceptibility to 19 veterinary antibiotics using MIC broth microdilution. All 325 E. coli isolates underwent further testing against 27 antibiotics used in human medicine and were screened for ETEC adhesin and enterotoxin genes (F4 (K88), F5 (K99), F6 (987P), F18, F41, STa, STb, Stx2e and LT) by multiplex PCR. Isolates identified as phenotypically resistant to third‐generation cephalosporin (3GC) and aminoglycoside antibiotics were screened by multiplex PCR/reverse line blot to detect common β‐lactam and aminoglycosides resistance genes, confirmed by sequencing. Twenty (6.1%) of the E. coli isolates were resistant to 3GC antibiotics and 24 (7.4%) to the aminoglycoside antibiotic gentamicin. Genetic analysis revealed six different extended spectrum β‐lactamase (ESBL) genes (blaCTX‐M‐1, ‐14, ‐15, ‐27, blaSHV‐12 and blaCMY‐2‐like genes), four of which have not been previously reported in Australian pigs. Critically, the prevalence of 3GC resistance was higher in non‐pathogenic (non‐ETEC) isolates and those from clinically normal (non‐diarrhoeal) samples. This highlights the importance of non‐ETECE. coli as reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance genes in piglet pens. Antimicrobial resistance surveillance in pig production focused on diagnostic specimens from clinically‐affected animals might be potentially misleading. We recommend that surveillance for emerging antimicrobial resistance such as to 3GC antibiotics should include clinically healthy pigs.
Good reduction of K3 surfaces
Authors: Liedtke Christian , Matsumoto Yuya
Published: September 2017

Let$K$be the field of fractions of a local Henselian discrete valuation ring${\mathcal{O}}_{K}$of characteristic zero with perfect residue field$k$. Assuming potential semi-stable reduction, we show that an unramified Galois action on the second$\ell$-adic cohomology group of a K3 surface over$K$implies that the surface has good reduction after a finite andunramifiedextension. We give examples where this unramified extension is really needed. Moreover, we give applications to good reduction after tame extensions and Kuga–Satake Abelian varieties. On our way, we settle existence and termination of certain flops in mixed characteristic, and study group actions and their quotients on models of varieties.
Two and three particles interacting in a one-dimensional trap
Authors: Na MengXing , Marsiglio Frank
Published: September 2017

We outline a procedure for using matrix mechanics to compute energy eigenvalues and eigenstates for two and three interacting particles in a confining trap, in one dimension. Such calculations can bridge a gap in the undergraduate physics curriculum between single-particle and many-particle quantum systems, and can also provide a pathway from standard quantum mechanics course material to understanding current research on cold-atom systems. In particular, we illustrate the notion of “fermionization” and how it occurs not only for the ground state in the presence of strong repulsive interactions, but also for excited states, in both the strongly attractive and strongly repulsive regimes.
Simulations in quantum tunneling
Authors: Smith Kevin , Blaylock Guy
Published: September 2017

We study the timing effects of nonrelativistic wave packet tunneling through a barrier using a numerical simulation readily accessible to an undergraduate audience. We demonstrate that the peak of the transmitted packet can sometimes emerge from the barrier ahead of the peak of an undisturbed wave packet that does not encounter a barrier. Under the right circumstances, this effect can give the appearance that transmission through the barrier occurs at superluminal speeds. We demonstrate that this seemingly paradoxical effect is not all that puzzling. Rather, components from the front of the incoming wave packet are preferentially transmitted, forming a transmitted packet ahead of the average of the incoming wave packet but not ahead of the leading edge of that packet. Our studies also show how the timing depends on barrier height and width, consistent with expectations based on the different energy components of the wave packet.
Resource Letter FCA-1: Frequency Combs and Applications
Authors: Yost Dylan C.
Published: September 2017

Since their invention at the turn of the millennium, optical frequency combs have been the focus of a growing and active field of research. At their core, frequency combs serve a seemingly simple function—to provide a direct link between microwave and optical frequencies. However, due to their robustness and flexibility, frequency combs have been revolutionary for precision optical spectroscopy and have found numerous applications in fields as diverse as searches for extrasolar planets and ultra-stable microwave generation. This letter aims to provide resources that introduce this increasingly diverse and exciting field.
Measurement of gravitational time dilation: An undergraduate research project
Authors: Burns M. Shane , Leveille Michael D. , Dominguez Armand R. , Gebhard Brian B. , Huestis Samuel E. , Steele Jeffrey , Patterson Brian , Sell Jerry F. , Serna Mario , Gearba M. Alina , Olesen Robert , O'Shea Patrick , Schiller Jonathan
Published: September 2017

General relativity predicts that clocks run more slowly near massive objects. The effect is small—a clock at sea level lags behind one 1000 m above sea level by only 9.4 ns/day. Here, we demonstrate that a measurement of this effect can be done by undergraduate students. Our paper describes an experiment conducted by undergraduate researchers at Colorado College and the United States Air Force Academy to measure gravitational time dilation. The measurement was done by comparing the signals generated by a GPS frequency standard (sea-level time) to a Cs-beam frequency standard at seven different altitudes above sea level. We found that our measurements are consistent with the predictions of general relativity.
Scale-sensitivity: A cognitive resource basic to music perception
Authors: Dean Tyler , Chubb Charles
Published: September 2017

A tone-scramble is a rapid, randomly ordered sequence of pure tones. Chubb, Dickson, Dean, Fagan, Mann, Wright, Guan, Silva, Gregersen, and Kowalski [(2013). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 134(4), 3067–3078] showed that a task requiring listeners to classify major vs minor tone-scrambles yielded a strikingly bimodal distribution. The current study sought to clarify the nature of the skill required in this task. In each of the “semitone” tasks, all tone-scrambles contained eight each of the notes G5, D6, and G6 (to establish G as the tonic) and eight copies of a target note. The target note was either A♭ or A in the “2” task, B♭ or B in the “3” task, C or D♭ in the “4” task, E♭ or E in the “6” task, and F or G♭ in the “7” task. On each trial, the listener strove to classify each stimulus according to its target note. Performance was best (and nearly equal) in the 2, 3, and 6 tasks, intermediate in the 4 task and worst in the 7 task. The results were well-described by a model in which a single cognitive resource controls performance in all five semitone tasks. This resource is called “scale sensitivity” here because it seems to confer general sensitivity to variations in scale in the presence of a fixed tonic.
Nerf gun eye injuries: traumatic hyphema
Authors: Bizrah Mukhtar , Verma Seema
Published: September 2017

Three unrelated patients attended the accident and emergency department with pain and blurred vision after ocular injury with a Nerf gun. Two were adults and one was a child, all of which presented within a 3 months’ period. All three cases were found to have ≥1 mm of traumatic hyphema (pooling of blood in anterior chamber of the eye), indicating significant ocular trauma. The two adult patients had formed hyphema and uveitis. The 11-year-old child had formed hyphema, corneal oedema, anterior uveitis, localised angle recession and commotio retinae, which further highlight the severity of the ocular trauma. Significant Nerf gun ocular injuries are not reported in the literature, as far as we know. This case series serves to raise awareness of the seriousness of Nerf gun ocular injuries. It encourages further exploration of reasons for such injuries, as well as a review of protective measures against ocular trauma.
Economic insecurity during the Great Recession and metabolic, inflammatory and liver function biomarkers: analysis of the UK Household Longitudinal Study
Authors: Niedzwiedz Claire L , Katikireddi Srinivasa Vittal , Reeves Aaron , McKee Martin , Stuckler David
Published: September 2017

Background

Economic insecurity correlates with adverse health outcomes, but the biological pathways involved are not well understood. We examine how changes in economic insecurity relate to metabolic, inflammatory and liver function biomarkers.

Methods

Blood analyte data were taken from 6520 individuals (aged 25–59 years) participating in Understanding Society. Economic insecurity was measured using an indicator of subjective financial strain and by asking participants whether they had missed any bill, council tax, rent or mortgage payments in the past year. We investigated longitudinal changes in economic insecurity (remained secure, increase in economic insecurity, decrease in economic insecurity, remained insecure) and the accumulation of economic insecurity. Linear regression models were calculated for nine (logged) biomarker outcomes related to metabolic, inflammatory, liver and kidney function (as falsification tests), adjusting for potential confounders.

Results

Compared with those who remained economically stable, people who experienced consistent economic insecurity (using both measures) had worsened levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, triglycerides, C reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen and glycated haemoglobin. Increased economic insecurity was associated with adverse levels of HDL-cholesterol (0.955, 95% CI 0.929 to 0.982), triglycerides (1.077, 95% CI 1.018 to 1.139) and CRP (1.114, 95% CI 1.012 to 1.227), using the measure of financial strain. Results for the other measure were generally consistent, apart from the higher levels of gamma-glutamyl transferase observed among those experiencing persistent insecurity (1.200, 95% CI 1.110 to 1.297).

Conclusion

Economic insecurity is associated with adverse metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers (particularly HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and CRP), heightening risk for a range of health conditions.
Theoretical analysis of high-pressure effects on conformational equilibria
Authors: Spooner Jacob , Wiebe Heather , Louwerse Miranda , Reader Brandon , Weinberg Noham
Published: September 2017

Along with temperature, pressure is the most important physical parameter determining the thermodynamic properties and reactivity of chemical systems. In this work, we discuss the effects of high pressure on conformational properties of organic molecules and propose an approach toward calculation of conformational volume changes based on molecular dynamics simulations. The results agree well with the experimental data. Furthermore, we demonstrate that pressure can be used as an instrument for fine-tuning of molecular conformations and to propel a properly constructed molecular rotor possessing a suitable combination of energy and volume profiles.
Hierarchical Bayesian models for small area estimation of county-level private forest landowner population
Authors: Ver Planck Neil R. , Finley Andrew O. , Huff Emily S.
Published: September 2017

The National Woodland Owner Survey (NWOS), administered by the USDA Forest Service, provides estimates of private forest ownership characteristics and owners’ attitudes and behaviors at a national, regional, and state levels. Due to sample sizes prescribed for inference at the state level, there are insufficient data to support county-level estimates. However, county-level estimates of NWOS variables are desired because ownership programs and education initiatives often occur at the county level and such information could help tailor these efforts to better match county-specific needs and demographics. Here, we present and assess methods to estimate the number of private forest ownerships at the county level for two states, Montana and New Jersey. To assess model performance, true population parameters were derived from cadastral and remote sensing data. Two small area estimation (SAE) models, the Fay-Herriot (FH) and the FH with conditional autoregressive random effects (FHCAR), improved estimated county-level population mean squared error (MSE) over that achieved by direct estimates. The proposed SAE models use covariates to improve accuracy and precision of county-level estimates. Results show total forest area, and 2010 decennial census population density covariates explained a significant portion of variability in county-level population size. These and other results suggest that the proposed SAE methods yield a statistically robust approach to deliver reliable estimates of private ownership population size and could be extended to additional important NWOS variables at the county level.
Scavenging and the ecology of fear: do animal carcasses create islands of risk on the landscape?
Authors: Steinbeiser C.M. , Wawrzynowski C.A. , Ramos X. , Olson Z.H.
Published: September 2017

Many vertebrate scavengers function as predators in ecosystems, suggesting that the presence of scavengers and occurrence of predator effects may be intertwined near carcasses. We tested for risk effects near a series of experimentally placed carcasses by measuring small-mammal foraging in a before–after control–impact design. Validation efforts revealed low levels of food loss from stations due to human error and invertebrate foraging, and habituation to stations occurred after 2 weeks. Increased perceived predation risk by small mammals relative to controls occurred in three of seven trials. The effect was observed across tested carcass types (beaver, Castor canadensis Kuhl, 1820; white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus (Zimmermann, 1780)) and seasons (summer and fall). However, small mammals also increased foraging relative to controls in two of seven trials, and foraging reached a ceiling in two other trials that prevented inference on a response. Taken together, our results suggest that scavenger recruitment to carcasses can in some instances create islands of risk for prey on the landscape, but the effect is not likely to be universal. Where small-mammal foraging does decrease, further work will be necessary to determine if risk effects cascade to adjacent trophic levels through enhanced seed and seedling survival.
Habitat use of coexisting Microtus vole species under competition and predation risk
Authors: Koivisto E. , Hoset K.S. , Huitu O. , Korpimäki E.
Published: September 2017

Competing species and predators can alter the habitat use of animals, but both factors are rarely simultaneously controlled. We studied in experimental enclosures how closely related species, the sibling vole (Microtus levis Miller, 1908) and the field vole (Microtus agrestis (Linnaeus, 1761)), adjust their habitat use when facing either the competing species or simultaneously competition and predation risk. The species responded differently in their proportional use of two habitat types, a low cover (productive but riskier) and a high cover (safer but poorer). When alone, field voles used the low-cover habitat according to availability at low densities, but decreased its use with increasing density. Sibling voles, however, avoided the low-cover habitat in single-species populations. Under interspecific competition, the habitat-use patterns switched between species: sibling voles used the low-cover habitat according to availability, with decreasing use as densities increased. Sibling voles responded to predation risk by showing a stronger density-dependent decrease in the use of low-cover habitat. Field voles, initially using mostly high cover, did not change behaviour under risk of predation. Our results highlight the importance of considering both predation risk and interspecific competition when interpreting patterns of habitat selection among coexisting species.
Scale Relativistic signature in the Brownian motion of micro-spheres in optical traps
Authors: LeBohec Stephan
Published: September 2017

The development of mechanics of nondifferentiable paths[Formula: see text] suggested by Scale Relativity[Formula: see text] results in a foundation of Quantum Mechanics[Formula: see text] including Schrödinger’s equation and all the other axioms under the assumption the path nondifferentiability can be described as a Wiener process at the resolution-scale of observation. This naturally brings under question the possibility that the statistics of the dynamics of macroscopic systems fulfilling this hypothesis could fall under a quantum-like description with the Planck constant replaced with some other constant, possibly system specific, and corresponding to a diffusion coefficient. The observation of such a quantum-like dynamics would establish if the Scale Relativistic principle is implemented in macroscopic complex or chaotic systems. This would have major implications for the study of structure formation dynamics in various research fields. In this paper, I investigate the possibility for the detection of such an effect in the Brownian motion of a micro-sphere in an optical trap. I find that, if it exists, the observation of the transition to a quantum-like regime is within reach of modern experiments.
The (2+1)-dimensional f-deformed Dirac oscillator in the presence of an external field
Authors: Setare M. R. , Majari P.
Published: September 2017

We consider a two-dimensional f-deformed Dirac oscillator in the presence of an external uniform static magnetic field. We show that the two-dimensional f-deformed Dirac oscillator maps exactly onto the anti-Jaynes–Cummings (AJC) and Jaynes–Cummings (JC) models. We also obtain the energy spectrum and corresponding eigenstates in the weak and strong magnetic field regimes. We show how the change in chirality is associated with the magnitude of the magnetic field. We investigate the two-dimensional f-deformed Dirac oscillator in an external (isospin) field and find its energy spectrum.
Magnetic properties of a bi-fullerene-like structure, X60-Y60, with RKKY interactions in the Blume–Capel model
Authors: Sahdane T. , Mhirech A. , Bahmad L. , Kabouchi B.
Published: September 2017

In this paper, we study the influence of the physical parameters on the thermal and magnetic properties of a nano-particle of bi-fullerene-like structure X[Formula: see text]-Y[Formula: see text] separated by nonmagnetic spherical surfaces, using the Metropolis Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. The coupling between the two spheres containing the spins [Formula: see text] = 3/2 and the spins S = 7/2 belongs to the core and shell, respectively. This study is based on the RKKY (Ruderman–Kittel–Kasuya–Yoshida) interaction type. To complete this work, we carry out the hysteresis cycles of the studied system for different nonmagnetic surface (NMS) numbers.
Users’ Click and Bookmark Based Personalization Using Modified Agglomerative Clustering for Web Search Engine
Authors: Rajkumar T. Dhiliphan , Raja S. P. , Suruliandi A.
Published: September 2017

Short and ambiguous queries are the major problems in search engines which lead to irrelevant information retrieval for the users’ input. The increasing nature of the information on the web also makes various difficulties for the search engine to provide the users needed results. The web search engine experience the ill effects of ambiguity, since the queries are looked at on a rational level rather than the semantic level. In this paper, for improving the performance of search engine as of the users’ interest, personalization is based on the users’ clicks and bookmarking is proposed. Modified agglomerative clustering is used in this work for clustering the results. The experimental results prove that the proposed work scores better precision, recall and F-score.
IRREVERSIBLE INVESTMENTS AND AMBIGUITY AVERSION
Authors: CARTEA ÁLVARO , JAIMUNGAL SEBASTIAN
Published: September 2017

Real option valuation has traditionally been concerned with investment under project value uncertainty while assuming that the agent has perfect confidence in a specific model. However, agents do not generally have perfect confidence in their model and this ambiguity may affect their decisions. In addition, the value of real investments is not typically fully spanned by tradable assets because markets are incomplete as is typically the case in energy and commodities. In this paper, we account for the agent’s aversion to model ambiguity and address market incompleteness through the notion of robust indifference prices. We derive analytical results for the perpetual option to invest and the linear complementarity problem that the finite-time version of this problem satisfies. Ambiguity aversion has a number of effects on decision making some of which cannot be explained by altering the agent’s risk aversion. For example, ambiguity averse agents are found to exercise real options both earlier and later than their ambiguity neutral counterparts, depending on whether ambiguity stems from uncertainty in the dynamics of the project value or the dynamics of a hedging asset.
On connectedness of power graphs of finite groups
Authors: Panda Ramesh Prasad , Krishna K. V.
Published: September 2017

The power graph of a group [Formula: see text] is the graph whose vertex set is [Formula: see text] and two distinct vertices are adjacent if one is a power of the other. This paper investigates the minimal separating sets of power graphs of finite groups. For power graphs of finite cyclic groups, certain minimal separating sets are obtained. Consequently, a sharp upper bound for their connectivity is supplied. Further, the components of proper power graphs of [Formula: see text]-groups are studied. In particular, the number of components of that of abelian [Formula: see text]-groups are determined.
m-Noncrossing trees
Authors: Igusa Kiyoshi
Published: September 2017

We examine [Formula: see text]-cluster theory from an elementary point of view using a generalization of [Formula: see text]-ary trees which we call [Formula: see text]-noncrossing trees. We show that these trees are in bijection with [Formula: see text]-clusters in the [Formula: see text]-cluster category of a quiver of type [Formula: see text]. Similar trees are in bijection with complete exceptional sequences. Most of this paper is expository, explaining definitions and known results about these topics in representation theory. One application of these trees is that the mutation formula for [Formula: see text]-clusters is derived from the more elementary mutation of trees. The main new result is that the natural map of an [Formula: see text]-noncrossing tree into the plane is an embedding. We also explain the relationship between [Formula: see text]-noncrossing trees and finite Harder–Narasimhan systems in the derived category of the module category of type [Formula: see text].
Remarks on regular black holes
Authors: Nicolini Piero , Smailagic Anais , Spallucci Euro
Published: September 2017

Recently, it has been claimed by Chinaglia and Zerbini that the curvature singularity is present even in the so-called regular black hole solutions of the Einstein equations. In this brief note, we show that this criticism is devoid of any physical content.
Practical obstacles and their mitigation strategies in compressional optical coherence elastography of biological tissues
Authors: Zaitsev Vladimir Y. , Matveyev Alexandr L. , Matveev Lev A. , Gubarkova Ekaterina V. , Sovetsky Alexandr A. , Sirotkina Marina A. , Gelikonov Grigory V. , Zagaynova Elena V. , Gladkova Natalia D. , Vitkin Alex
Published: September 2017

In this paper, we point out some practical obstacles arising in realization of compressional optical coherence elastography (OCE) that have not attracted sufficient attention previously. Specifically, we discuss (i) complications in quantification of the Young modulus of tissues related to partial adhesion between the OCE probe and soft intervening reference layer sensor, (ii) distorting influence of tissue surface curvature/corrugation on the subsurface strain distribution mapping, (iii) ways of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) enhancement in OCE strain mapping when periodic averaging is not realized, and (iv) potentially significant influence of tissue elastic nonlinearity on quantification of its stiffness. Potential practical approaches to mitigate the effects of these complications are also described.
Interpreting the biochemical specificity of mouse spinal cord by confocal raman microspectral imaging
Authors: Gong Yuze , Liang Zhuowen , Yin Yaning , Song Jiwei , Hu Xueyu , Wang Kaige , He Qingli , Wang Zhe , Bai Jintao , Wang Shuang
Published: September 2017

Interpreting the biochemical specificity of spinal cord tissue is the essential requirement for understanding the biochemical mechanisms during spinal-cord-related pathological course. In this work, a longitudinal study was implemented to reveal a precise linkage between the spectral features and the molecular composition in ex vivo mouse spinal cord tissue by microspectral Raman imaging. It was testified that lipid-rich white matter could be distinguished from gray matter not only by the lipid Raman peaks at 1064, 1300, 1445 and 1660[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text], but also by protein (1250 and 1328[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text] and saccharides (913 and 1137[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text] distributions. [Formula: see text]-means cluster analysis was further applied to visualize the morphological basis of spinal cord tissue by chemical components and their distribution patterns. Two-dimensional chemical images were then generated to visualize the contrast between two different tissue types by integrating the intensities of the featured Raman bands. All the obtained results illustrated the biochemical characteristics of spinal cord tissue, as well as some specific substance variances between different tissue types, which formed a solid basis for the molecular investigation of spinal cord pathological alterations.
A Simple, Possibly Correct LR Parser for C11
Authors: Jourdan Jacques-Henri , Pottier François
Published: September 2017

The syntax of the C programming language is described in the C11 standard by an ambiguous context-free grammar, accompanied with English prose that describes the concept of “scope” and indicates how certain ambiguous code fragments should be interpreted. Based on these elements, the problem of implementing a compliant C11 parser is not entirely trivial. We review the main sources of difficulty and describe a relatively simple solution to the problem. Our solution employs the well-known technique of combining an LALR(1) parser with a “lexical feedback” mechanism. It draws on folklore knowledge and adds several original aspects, including a twist on lexical feedback that allows a smooth interaction with lookahead; a simplified and powerful treatment of scopes; and a few amendments in the grammar. Although not formally verified, our parser avoids several pitfalls that other implementations have fallen prey to. We believe that its simplicity, its mostly declarative nature, and its high similarity with the C11 grammar are strong informal arguments in favor of its correctness. Our parser is accompanied with a small suite of “tricky” C11 programs. We hope that it may serve as a reference or a starting point in the implementation of compilers and analysis tools.
Facial Features of Non-player Creatures Can Influence Moral Decisions in Video Games
Authors: Ferstl Ylva , Kokkinara Elena , Mcdonnell Rachel
Published: September 2017

With the development of increasingly sophisticated computer graphics, there is a continuous growth of the variety and originality of virtual characters used in movies and games. So far, however, their design has mostly been led by the artist’s preferences, not by perceptual studies. In this article, we explored how effective non-player character design can be used to influence gameplay. In particular, we focused on abstract virtual characters with few facial features. In experiment 1, we sought to find rules for how to use a character’s facial features to elicit the perception of certain personality traits, using prior findings for human face perception as a basis. In experiment 2, we then tested how perceived personality traits of a non-player character could influence a player’s moral decisions in a video game. We found that the appearance of the character interacting with the subject modulated aggressive behavior towards a non-present individual. Our results provide us with a better understanding of the perception of abstract virtual characters, their employment in video games, as well as giving us some insights about the factors underlying aggressive behavior in video games.
An Unsuspected Finding of t(9;22): A Rare Case of Philadelphia Chromosome-Positive B-Lymphoblastic Lymphoma
Authors: Boddu Prajwal , Yin C. Cameron , Kanagal-Shamanna Rashmi , Tang Guillin , Thakral Beenu , Kadia Tapan , Konopleva Marina , Jabbour Elias , Jain Nitin
Published: September 2017

While rare, cases of isolated extramedullary disease of B-cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma (B-LBL) without morphologic bone marrow involvement have been described. In this report, we illustrate the case of an elderly gentleman who presented with isolated testicular and vertebral LBL involvement but had no morphologic bone marrow involvement. The initial plan of treatment was to treat along the lines of Philadelphia negative B-ALL/LBL. During this time, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and PCR testing for BCR-ABL1 rearrangements were being performed on the marrow specimens as a part of routine diagnostic workup. While the FISH returned negative, PCR testing unexpectedly detected BCR-ABL1 fusion transcripts at a low level of 0.48%. Given their presence, we performed FISH for BCR/ABL1 rearrangement in both testicular and L5 vertebral specimens which were 80–90% positive. He subsequently received rituximab, hyper-CVAD, and dasatinib, along with prophylactic intrathecal prophylactic chemotherapy. The patient achieved a prolonged remission but eventually relapsed, 4 years later. Had it not been for this fortuitous discovery, the patient would not have been treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors. We emphasize that FISH and PCR testing for BCR-ABL1 rearrangement are integral to arriving at an accurate diagnosis and should be routinely tested on B-LBL biopsy specimens.
Key Enablers of Effective Implementation of TQM in Royal Jet Airways
Authors: Al Nahyan Moza Tahnoon , Abdel All Sherine Farouk
Published: September 2017

Total quality management (TQM) is a unified management approach that concentrates on the consecutive improvement of processes, products, and methods to surpass client expectations. This paper aims to highlight the advantages of implementing TQM in the airline industry by examining the key enablers of TQM. This study was based on a research model including six factors that were found to have a profound influence in implementing TQM. The data needed for the study was collected with the aid of questionnaires and secondary sources. The study discovered that procedures, policies, and a culture of knowledge transfer were the most significant enablers of successful TQM initiatives in Royal Jet Airways. In order to effectively implement TQM, the study suggests that management should offer appropriate recognition and rewards to employees. This will motivate them to adopt and practice TQM initiatives. Apart from that, management should also arrange seminars or workshops to accustom the employees to the basic procedures and objectives of effective TQM.