bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A simple signaling rule for variable life‐adjusted display derived from an equivalent risk‐adjusted CUSUM chart
Authors: Wittenberg Philipp , Gan Fah Fatt , Knoth Sven
Published: April 2018

The variable life‐adjusted display (VLAD) is the first risk‐adjusted graphical procedure proposed in the literature for monitoring the performance of a surgeon. It displays the cumulative sum of expected minus observed deaths. It has since become highly popular because the statistic plotted is easy to understand. But it is also easy to misinterpret a surgeon's performance by utilizing the VLAD, potentially leading to grave consequences. The problem of misinterpretation is essentially caused by the variance of the VLAD's statistic that increases with sample size. In order for the VLAD to be truly useful, a simple signaling rule is desperately needed. Various forms of signaling rules have been developed, but they are usually quite complicated. Without signaling rules, making inferences using the VLAD alone is difficult if not misleading. In this paper, we establish an equivalence between a VLAD with V‐mask and a risk‐adjusted cumulative sum (RA‐CUSUM) chart based on the difference between the estimated probability of death and surgical outcome. Average run length analysis based on simulation shows that this particular RA‐CUSUM chart has similar performance as compared to the established RA‐CUSUM chart based on the log‐likelihood ratio statistic obtained by testing the odds ratio of death. We provide a simple design procedure for determining the V‐mask parameters based on a resampling approach. Resampling from a real data set ensures that these parameters can be estimated appropriately. Finally, we illustrate the monitoring of a real surgeon's performance using VLAD with V‐mask.
Controlled Shape Transformation and Loading Release of Smart Hemispherical Hybrid Microgels Triggered by ‘Inner Engines’
Authors: Wang Jianying , Zhu Xiang , Wei Lai , Ye Yuqi , Liu Yuying , Li Jinhua , Mei Tao , Wang Xianbao , Wang Lei
Published: April 2018

The dynamic controlling and changing the shape of microgels, especially the anisotropic change, remains a challenge for the construction of advanced smart materials. To this end, the fabrication of hemispherical hybrid microgels (HHMs) with Au nanorods(AuNRs)‐based vesicles was demonstrated, with the thermo‐ and NIR light‐triggered anisotropic shape transformation and controlled release induced by ‘inner engines’. AuNRs‐based vesicles acting as ‘inner engines’ were first fabricated by the self‐assembly of thiol‐terminated block copolymers modified AuNRs, with the absorbance of NIR light (808 nm), thus generating heat in the system; second, poly(N‐isopropyl acrylamide) (pNIPAM)‐based HHMs containing AuNRs‐based vesicles were synthesized by the assistance of both microfluidics and photopolymerization. Importantly, uneven heat generated by the gradationally distributed AuNRs‐based vesicles in the hybrid microgels could cause an anisotropic shape change from hemispherical to mushroom‐like shape via external stimuli, with good reversibility and reproducibility. Based on this, the controlled release of loadings (e. g. Rhodamine B (RhB)) inside the engines of the microgels can be realized by combining NIR light irradiation and the shape transformation. Thus, HHMs with AuNRs‐vesicle‐based engines provide a novel platform for the investigation of drug release, artificial actuators, and micromotors.
Is regulatory adoption ceremonial? Evidence from lead director appointments
Authors: Shi Wei , Connelly Brian L.
Published: April 2018

Research Summary: Regulatory bodies often wrestle with the thorny question of whether to mandate a governance practice or allow for organic adoption. While mandates afford rapid diffusion, we theorize that they also result in ceremonial adoptions. Leveraging a quasi‐natural experiment, we compare adoption outcomes for a governance practice—lead director adoption—that was mandated by the NYSE but not the NASDAQ. We find that NYSE firms are more likely than NASDAQ firms to have installed a lead director as a symbolic management tactic, so their lead directors are less effectual. We also find that transient institutional investors are deceived by this symbolic management, but dedicated institutional investors are not.

Managerial Summary: Shareholders and analysts often desire to see companies introduce strict governance measures, such as proxy access and independent boards. Consequently, regulatory bodies often wrestle with the thorny issue of whether and when to mandate such practices for all companies. What they might not realize is that mandates may not work as well as they seem. Although more companies adopt reform under a mandate, they do so merely as a symbolic gesture. We look at one governance reform—appointing a lead director—finding that companies who introduce this reform as a result of a mandate appoint someone that is relatively toothless. We also find, though, that savvy investors are not actually fooled by this tactic and will trade out of firms that attempt such symbolic management.
Enhanced In Vitro Biocompatibility and Water Dispersibility of Magnetite and Cobalt Ferrite Nanoparticles Employed as ROS Formation Enhancer in Radiation Cancer Therapy
Authors: Klein Stefanie , Kızaloğlu Melek , Portilla Luis , Park Hyoungwon , Rejek Tobias , Hümmer Julian , Meyer Karsten , Hock Rainer , Distel Luitpold V. R. , Halik Marcus , Kryschi Carola
Published: April 2018

Efficient magnetic reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation enhancing agents after X‐ray treatment are realized by functionalizing superparamagnetic magnetite (Fe3O4) and Co‐ferrite (CoFe2O4) nanoparticles with self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs). The Fe3O4 and CoFe2O4 nanoparticles are synthesized using Massart's coprecipitation technique. Successful surface modification with the SAM forming compounds 1‐methyl‐3‐(dodecylphosphonic acid) imidazolium bromide, or (2‐{2‐[2‐hydroxy‐ethoxy]‐ethoxy}‐ethyl phosphonic acid provides biocompatibility and long‐term stability of the Fe3O4 and CoFe2O4 nanoparticles in cell media. The SAM‐stabilized ferrite nanoparticles are characterized with dynamic light scattering, X‐ray powder diffraction, a superconducting quantum interference device, Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy, zeta potential measurements, and thermogravimetric analysis. The impact of the SAM‐stabilized nanoparticles on the viability of the MCF‐7 cells and healthy human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) is assessed using the neutral red assay. Under X‐ray exposure with a single dosage of 1 Gy the intracellular SAM stabilized Fe3O4 and CoFe2O4 nanoparticles are observed to increase the level of ROS in MCF‐7 breast cancer cells but not in healthy HUVECs. The drastic ROS enhancement is associated with very low dose modifying factors for a survival fraction of 50%. This significant ROS enhancement effect by SAM‐stabilized Fe3O4 and CoFe2O4 nanoparticles constitutes their excellent applicability in radiation therapy.
Insight into Ca‐Substitution Effects on O3‐Type NaNi1/3Fe1/3Mn1/3O2 Cathode Materials for Sodium‐Ion Batteries Application
Authors: Sun Liqi , Xie Yingying , Liao Xiao‐Zhen , Wang Hong , Tan Guoqiang , Chen Zonghai , Ren Yang , Gim Jihyeon , Tang Wan , He Yu‐Shi , Amine Khalil , Ma Zi‐Feng
Published: April 2018

O3‐type NaNi1/3Fe1/3Mn1/3O2 (NaNFM) is well investigated as a promising cathode material for sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs), but the cycling stability of NaNFM still needs to be improved by using novel electrolytes or optimizing their structure with the substitution of different elements sites. To enlarge the alkali‐layer distance inside the layer structure of NaNFM may benefit Na+ diffusion. Herein, the effect of Ca‐substitution is reported in Na sites on the structural and electrochemical properties of Na1−xCax/2NFM (x = 0, 0.05, 0.1). X‐ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of the prepared Na1−xCax/2NFM samples show single α‐NaFeO2 type phase with slightly increased alkali‐layer distance as Ca content increases. The cycling stabilities of Ca‐substituted samples are remarkably improved. The Na0.9Ca0.05Ni1/3Fe1/3Mn1/3O2 (Na0.9Ca0.05NFM) cathode delivers a capacity of 116.3 mAh g−1 with capacity retention of 92% after 200 cycles at 1C rate. In operando XRD indicates a reversible structural evolution through an O3‐P3‐P3‐O3 sequence of Na0.9Ca0.05NFM cathode during cycling. Compared to NaNMF, the Na0.9Ca0.05NFM cathode shows a wider voltage range in pure P3 phase state during the charge/discharge process and exhibits better structure recoverability after cycling. The superior cycling stability of Na0.9Ca0.05NFM makes it a promising material for practical applications in sodium‐ion batteries.
Flexible and High‐Performance All‐2D Photodetector for Wearable Devices
Authors: Yao Jiandong , Yang Guowei
Published: April 2018

Emerging novel applications at the forefront of innovation horizon raise new requirements including good flexibility and unprecedented properties for the photoelectronic industry. On account of diversity in transport and photoelectric properties, 2D layered materials have proven as competent building blocks toward next‐generation photodetectors. Herein, an all‐2D Bi2Te3‐SnS‐Bi2Te3 photodetector is fabricated with pulsed‐laser deposition. It is sensitive to broadband wavelength from ultraviolet (370 nm) to near‐infrared (808 nm). In addition, it exhibits great durability to bend, with intact photoresponse after 100 bend cycles. Upon 370 nm illumination, it achieves a high responsivity of 115 A W−1, a large external quantum efficiency of 3.9 × 104%, and a superior detectivity of 4.1 × 1011 Jones. They are among the best figures‐of‐merit of state‐of‐the‐art 2D photodetectors. The synergistic effect of SnS's strong light–matter interaction, efficient carrier separation of Bi2Te3–SnS interface, expedite carrier injection across Bi2Te3–SnS interface, and excellent carrier collection of Bi2Te3 topological insulator electrodes accounts for the superior photodetection properties. In summary, this work depicts a facile all‐in‐one fabrication strategy toward a Bi2Te3‐SnS‐Bi2Te3 photodetector. More importantly, it reveals a novel all‐2D concept for construction of flexible, broadband, and high‐performance photoelectronic devices by integrating 2D layered metallic electrodes and 2D layered semiconducting channels.
Carbon and Nitrogen Based Nanosheets as Fluorescent Probes with Tunable Emission
Authors: Sun Jingwen , Malishev Ravit , Azoulay Adi , Tzadikov Jonathan , Volokh Michael , Jelinek Raz , Shalom Menny
Published: April 2018

2D carbon and nitrogen based semiconductors (CN) have attracted widespread attention for their possible use as low‐cost and environmentally friendly materials for various applications. However, their limited solution‐dispersibility and the difficulty in preparing exfoliated sheets with tunable photophysical properties restrain their exploitation in imaging‐related applications. Here, the synthesis of carbon and nitrogen organic scaffolds with highly tunable optical properties, excellent dispersion in water and DMSO, and good bioimaging properties is reported. Tailored photophysical and chemical properties are acquired by the synthesis of new starting monomers containing different substituent chemical groups with varying electronic properties. Upon monomer condensation at moderate temperature, 350 °C, the starting chemical groups are fully preserved in the final CN. The low condensation temperature and the effective molecular‐level modification of the CN scaffold lead to well‐dispersed photoluminescent CN thin sheets with a wide range of emission wavelengths. The good bioimaging properties and the tunable fluorescence properties are exemplified by in situ visualization of giant unilamellar vesicles in a buffered aqueous solution as a model system. This approach opens the possibility for the design of tailor‐made CN materials with tunable photophysical and chemical properties toward their exploitation in various fields, such as photocatalysis, bioimaging, and sensing.
Headspace single‐drop microextraction with in‐drop derivatization followed by reversed‐phase HPLC analysis to determine residual acetaldehyde in polyethylene terephthalate
Authors: Mahesh VS , Narayana Ramesh , Mohana Chandra , Kumar Arun
Published: April 2018

Headspace single‐drop microextraction with in‐drop derivatization coupled with reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography method has been developed for the determination of trace level acetaldehyde in polyethylene terephthalate pellets. The headspace microextraction step involves simultaneous extraction, concentration and in situ derivatization of acetaldehyde with 2,4‐dinitrophenylhydrazine. Various factors influencing the performance of headspace single‐drop microextraction, such as extraction solvent, drop volume, temperature and time for extraction, were studied and optimized. The calibration curve was found to be linear over the concentration range of 0.14–3.0 ppm with correlation coefficient of >0.999. The limits of detection and quantitation were 0.07 and 0.14 ppm, respectively. The spiking recovery of acetaldehyde was in range of 103.1 to 105.5%. The method shows good repeatability, with a relative standard deviation of 5.6%. The residual acetaldehyde content estimated in the polyethylene terephthalate pellets by headspace single‐drop microextraction was found to be in agreement with the result obtained by standard ASTM F2013 headspace gas chromatography method. The developed headspace single‐drop microextraction is robust, sensitive and easy to implement in any laboratory.
Soldering of Mg Joints Using Zn-Al Solders
Authors: Gancarz Tomasz , Berent Katarzyna , Skuza Wojciech , Janik Katarzyna
Published: April 2018

Magnesium has applications in the automotive and aerospace industries that can significantly contribute to greater fuel economy and environmental conservation. The Mg alloys used in the automotive industry could reduce mass by up to 70 pct, providing energy savings. However, alongside the advantages there are limitations and technological barriers to use Mg alloys. One of the advantages concerns phenomena occurring at the interface when joining materials investigated in this study, in regard to the effect of temperature and soldering time for pure Mg joints. Eutectic Zn-Al and Zn-Al alloys with 0.05 (wt pct) Li and 0.2 (wt pct) Na were used in the soldering process. The process was performed for 3, 5, and 8 minutes of contact, at temperatures of 425 °C, 450 °C, 475 °C, and 500 °C. Selected, solidified solder-substrate couples were cross-sectioned, and their interfacial microstructures were investigated by scanning electron microscopy. The experiment was designed to demonstrate the effect of time, temperature, and the addition of Li and Na on the kinetics of the dissolving Mg substrate. The addition of Li and Na to eutectic Zn-Al caused to improve mechanical properties. Higher temperatures led to reduced joint strength, which is caused by increased interfacial reaction.
Siedlungsrückzug als planerische Strategie zur Reduzierung von Hochwasserrisiken
Authors: Greiving Stefan , Hurth Florian , Gollmann Christina , Kirstein Madeleine , Fleischhauer Mark , Hartz Andrea , Saad Sascha
Published: April 2018

Currently, spatial planning contributes to the management of flood risks by keeping flood-prone area free of further development. This approach does not contribute to the reduction of flood risks which are mainly related to already built-up areas. For reducing flood risks, threatened settlement and infrastructure have to be protected or retreated from flood-prone areas. This paper discusses managed settlement retreat. First, the present role of spatial planning in flood risk management is investigated by means of a literature survey and an analysis of the practice of spatial planning in all major territorial states. Moreover, existing examples for managed settlement retreat from Germany and other countries are analysed. Managed settlement retreat can be conceptualized as a proactive or reactive planning strategy in order to reduce flooding risk. The paper presents the results of a gaming simulation of a proactive settlement retreat in Saxonia (Germany). This test proved the applicability of managed settlement retreat in context or urban renewal. Here, a close cooperation between urban development, regional planning and water management is seen as a success factor.
Communication skills training and the conceptual structure of empathy among medical students
Authors: Son Daisuke , Shimizu Ikuo , Ishikawa Hirono , Aomatsu Muneyoshi , Leppink Jimmie
Published: April 2018

Introduction Medical and healthcare professionals’ empathy for patients is crucially important for patient care. Some studies have suggested that a significant decline in empathy occurs during clinical training years in medical school as documented by self-assessed empathy scales. Moreover, a recent study provided qualitative evidence that communication skills training in an examination context, such as in an objective structured clinical examination, might stimulate perspective taking but inhibit the development of compassionate care. Therefore, the current study examined how perspective taking and compassionate care relate to medical students’ willingness to show empathic behaviour and how these relations may change with communication skills training.

Methods A total of 295 fourth-year Japanese medical students from three universities completed the Jefferson Empathy Scale and a newly developed set of items on willingness to show empathic behaviour twice after communication skills training, pertaining to post-training and retrospectively for pre-training.

Results The findings indicate that students’ willingness to show empathic behaviour is much more correlated with perspective taking than with compassionate care. Qualitative descriptive analysis of open-ended question responses revealed a difficulty of feeling compassion despite showing empathic behaviour.

Discussion These findings shed light on the conceptual structure of empathy among medical students and generate a number of hypotheses for future intervention and longitudinal studies on the relation between communication skills training and empathy.
Improvements to the Vulva, Vestibule, Urethral Meatus, and Vagina in Women Treated With Ospemifene for Moderate to Severe Dyspareunia: A Prospective Vulvoscopic Pilot Study
Authors: Goldstein Sue W. , Winter Ashley G. , Goldstein Irwin
Published: April 2018

Introduction

Ospemifene, an oral selective estrogen receptor modulator approved for the treatment of mild to moderate dyspareunia from menopause, has been shown to moderate sexual pain and vaginal epithelial cell characteristics. However, no prospective vulvoscopic studies have been performed.

Aim

To examine, in menopausal women taking ospemifene 60 mg daily, changes to the vulva, vestibule, urethral meatus, and vaginal region over 20 weeks using vulvoscopy in a prospective open-label pilot study.

Methods

Vulvoscopic photographs taken at screening and the end of therapy assessed for changes in the appearance of the vulva, vestibule, urethral meatus, and vagina rated by a single reviewer using a 10-parameter Likert rating scale, the Vulvoscopic Genital Tissue Appearance Scale (VGTA). In addition, the cotton-tipped swab test and subject diary scores were assessed over the 20-week treatment period and compared before and after the intervention using Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

Main Outcome Measure

Changes in VGTA score from baseline to end of study.

Results

8 subjects (age = 59 ± 4.7 years) completed all visits and were included in the analysis of vulvoscopic photographs (n = 258). There were significant changes during the study period for urethral meatal prominence, introital stenosis, vestibular pallor, vestibular erythema, mucosal moisture, vaginal rugation, and anterior wall prominence (P < .05). Total pain score during cotton-tipped swab testing decreased from 11 (interquartile range = 10–16) before the intervention to 1 (interquartile range = 0–3) at the end of the study. Quantitative diary analysis indicated an increase in the number of sexual events, decrease in rates of pain during foreplay and intercourse, and decrease in use of lubricant at study completion (P < .05).

Conclusions

Ospemifene 60 mg daily for 20 weeks showed improvement in physical examination findings in this prospective study of menopausal women with dyspareunia, as documented on vulvoscopic photography. These changes were consistent with improvements in subject-reported pain and sexual function.
Editorial
Authors: Mansfield-Devine Steve
Published: April 2018

The plot thickens in the spat between Apple and the FBI. It now seems that elements within the FBI withheld information about the agency's ability to crack iPhones because it would have been useful to get a court judgment against Apple and set a legal precedent.
Making information security easier
Authors: Briner Luke
Published: April 2018

There is a perception that information security is basically some paperwork and a few pieces of hardware, a bit like fitting a burglar alarm to your house.

Alternatively, too many people think that security is too complex and they effectively give up. Luke Briner of PixelPin believes that the current information security environment is too ad hoc, with piecemeal solutions, poorly defined roles and a rat's nest of certification, regulation and law. He makes a plea for greater simplicity and a clearer view of goals and the paths to them.

For too many people, information security makes their head hurt. At best we can keep a light grip on a small part of the risk base, but at worst it feels like trying to climb a greasy pole. For every strong movement upwards we end up feeling like we know less than we did before. How is that possible? Just like being a doctor, lawyer or tightrope walker, working in information security is hard. Very hard.
VPN: from an obscure network to a widespread solution
Authors: Longworth James
Published: April 2018

Looking at the evolution of virtual private networks (VPNs), one can see a clear shift in their usage in the past decade or so. While VPNs used to be reserved for big companies and government authorities – proving a mystery or unjustifiable expense to most – today we see VPNs being implemented and talked about on a much wider scale. From organisations of all sizes to individuals, more and more people are turning to VPNs to safeguard their data and ensure privacy.
Effects of a Focused Breathing Mindfulness Exercise on Attention, Memory, and Mood: The Importance of Task Characteristics
Authors: Eisenbeck Nikolett , Luciano Carmen , Valdivia-Salas Sonsoles
Published: April 2018

Previous research has shown that long-term mindfulness training has beneficial effects on cognitive functioning and emotional regulation, but results are mixed regarding single mindfulness exercises, especially on attention and memory tasks. Thus, the present study aimed to analyse the effects of the Focused Breathing Exercise (FB) on cognitive performance, using standardised tests. Forty-six healthy undergraduate students were randomly assigned either to a FB or a Control condition. Two cognitive tasks (the Concentrated Attention task of the Toulouse-Pierron Factorial Battery and the Logical Memory Subtest I from the Wechsler Memory Scale III), along with mood evaluations (the Positive and Negative Affect Scale), were implemented both before and after the interventions. Results showed no significant differences for the attention task and mood evaluations. Nonetheless, the FB enhanced performance for the memory task significantly more than the Control exercise. The findings highlight that mindfulness does not affect equally all types of cognitive performances. Task characteristics may be important and their analysis can help to disentangle how mindfulness interferes with cognitive processes.
eMBeDding for impact and scale in developing contexts
Authors: GAURI VARUN
Published: April 2018

While behavioral public policy remains underutilized in rich countries relative to its potential impact, the required infrastructure for diagnosing behavioral bottlenecks and the autonomy to act on those diagnoses are even less common in developing countries. At the World Bank, the Mind, Behavior, and Development Unit (eMBeD) aims to promote the systematic use of behaviorally informed tools in development policies and projects, institutionalize the use of behavioral science in development organizations and governments, provide evidence on scaled and sustainable behavioral solutions, and generate more and better behavioral data. By focusing on thorough diagnosis and ongoing adaptation, we aim to create impactful, behaviorally informed interventions in complex, resource-constrained settings. While Sanders, Snijders and Hallsworth (2018) raise valuable points about the implications for impactful behavioral public policy, for those working in developing countries, issues of replication and scale come with unique contextual challenges.
Bank Identity: Banks, ID Cards, and the Emergence of a Financial Identification Society in Sweden
Authors: HUSZ ORSI
Published: April 2018

Today, nearly the entire adult population in Sweden uses a digital BankID for more purposes than only financial ones. Issuing identity documents is commonly perceived as a task for state authorities, but in Swedish society banks have played a dominant role as identificators. The first contribution of this article is that it explains this unique emergence ofbank identityand traces the historical roots of afinancial identification societyto the mid-1960s. Banks started issuing standardized identity cards as a complement to the new system of paying salaries and wages by direct deposit to checking accounts, and these cards eventually became quasi-official identity documents. The Swedish story thus contrasts the scholarship on identification and state control. By treating identity as both a socio-cultural category and a materialization of a technology of control, I argue that the formalization of official identity documents for everyday use was intertwined with the creation of new financial identities. The introduction and general distribution of ID cards were parts of a process whereby wage earners became financial consumers, and the banks transformed themselves into retail companies. My second contribution therefore relates to the scholarly narrative on the financialization of everyday life since the 1980s. While the mass move to financial identification in Sweden, highlighted in this article, certainly fits the content of this narrative, it questions its chronology.
Influence of soybean bioactive peptides on performance, foot pad lesions and carcass characteristics in broilers
Authors: Abdollahi M. R. , Zaefarian F. , Gu Y. , Xiao W. , Jia J. , Ravindran V.
Published: April 2018

The influence of different inclusion levels of a biologically active peptide derived from soybeans by enzymatic hydrolysis, on growth performance, foot pad lesions and carcass characteristics in broilers were examined in this study. Starter (1 to 21 d) and finisher (22 to 42 d) diets, based on maize and soybean meal, were subjected to seven inclusion levels of a commercial soybean bioactive peptide (SBP) product (Fortide, Chengdu Mytech Biotech Co. Ltd., Chengdu, Sichuan, China) at 0.0, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0 and 6.0 g/kg of diet. All diets were equivalent in respect of energy density, digestible amino acids and other nutrients. A total of 840, one-day-old male broilers (Ross 308) were allocated to 42 pens (20 birds/pen), which were randomly assigned to seven dietary treatments. During the starter period, there was no significant effect of SBP on weight gain and feed intake of the birds. However, a significant (P < 0.05) effect of SBP was observed for the feed conversion ratio (FCR), with SBP inclusion at 3.0 g/kg and above showing lower (P < 0.05) FCR values compared to the diet with no SBP. No effect of SBP was observed for weight gain and feed intake over the whole trial period. However, SBP inclusion tended (P = 0.06) to influence the FCR of birds. Increasing SBP inclusion level resulted in gradual decrease in FCR values, with SBP inclusion at 5.0 and 6.0 g/kg showing lower FCR values compared to the diet with no SBP. Overall, the present study suggests that dietary supplementation of SBP in broiler diets has the potential to improve FCR and to be used as a novel functional protein in poultry diets.
Surface mass balance of small glaciers on James Ross Island, north-eastern Antarctic Peninsula, during 2009–2015
Authors: ENGEL ZBYNĚK , LÁSKA KAMIL , NÝVLT DANIEL , STACHOŇ ZDENĚK
Published: April 2018

Two small glaciers on James Ross Island, the north-eastern Antarctic Peninsula, experienced surface mass gain between 2009 and 2015 as revealed by field measurements. A positive cumulative surface mass balance of 0.57 ± 0.67 and 0.11 ± 0.37 m w.e. was observed during the 2009–2015 period on Whisky Glacier and Davies Dome, respectively. The results indicate a change from surface mass loss that prevailed in the region during the first decade of the 21st century to predominantly positive surface mass balance after 2009/10. The spatial pattern of annual surface mass-balance distribution implies snow redistribution by wind on both glaciers. The mean equilibrium line altitudes for Whisky Glacier (311 ± 16 m a.s.l.) and Davies Dome (393 ± 18 m a.s.l.) are in accordance with the regional data indicating 200–300 m higher equilibrium line on James Ross and Vega Islands compared with the South Shetland Islands. The mean accumulation-area ratio of 0.68 ± 0.09 and 0.44 ± 0.09 determined for Whisky Glacier and Davies Dome, respectively, is similar to the value reported for Vega Island and within the range of typical values for high-latitude glaciers.
Democracy for All: Conceptualizing and Measuring Egalitarian Democracy
Authors: Sigman Rachel , Lindberg Staffan I.
Published: April 2018

Although equality figures prominently in many foundational theories of democracy, liberal and electoral conceptions of democracy have dominated empirical political science research on topics like political regimes, democratization and democratic survival. This paper develops the concept of egalitarian democracy as a regime that provides de facto protection of rights and freedoms equally across the population, distributes resources in a way that enables meaningful political participation for all citizens and fosters an environment in which all individuals and social groups can influence political and governing processes. Using new indicators from the Varieties of Democracy project, the paper develops and presents measures of these important concepts, demonstrates their relationship to existing measures, and illustrates their utility for advancing the study of democracy in ways that more fully embrace the richness of democratic theory.
Elite Competition and State Capacity Development: Theory and Evidence from Post-Revolutionary Mexico
Authors: GARFIAS FRANCISCO
Published: April 2018

International wars and interstate rivalry have been at the center of our understanding of the origin and expansion of state capacity. This article describes an alternative path to the development of state capacity rooted in domestic political conflict. Under conditions of intra-elite conflict, political rulers seize upon the temporary weakness of their rivals, expropriate their assets, and consolidate authority. Because this political consolidation increases rulers’ chances of surviving an economic elite’s challenge, it enhances their incentives to develop state capacity. These ideas are evaluated in post-revolutionary Mexico, where commodity price shocks induced by the Great Depression affected the local economic elite differentially. Negative shocks lead to increased asset expropriation and substantially higher investments in state capacity, which persist to the present.
Attack rates ofSirex noctilioand patterns of pine tree defenses and mortality in northern Patagonia
Authors: Martinson S.J. , Fernádez Ajó A.A. , Martínez A.S. , Krivak-Tetley F.E. , Villacide J.M. , Ayres M.P. , Corley J.C.
Published: April 2018

Accidental and intentional global movement of species has increased the frequency of novel plant–insect interactions. In Patagonia, the European woodwasp,Sirex noctilio, has invaded commercial plantations of North American pines. We compared the patterns of resin defenses andS. noctilio-caused mortality at two mixed-species forests near San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina. We observed lower levels of resin flow and higher levels of mortality inPinus contortacompared withPinus ponderosa. In general,S. noctilioattacked trees with lower resin compared with neighboring trees. Resin production inP. ponderosawas not related to growth rates, but forP. contorta, slower growing trees produced less resin than faster growing conspecifics. For all infested trees, attack density and number of drills (ovipositor probes) per attack did not vary with resin production. Most attacks resulted in one or two drills. Attack rates and drills/attack were basically uniform across the bole of the tree except for a decrease in both drills/attack and attack density in the upper portion of the crown, and an increase in the attack density for the bottom 10% of the tree. Planted pines in Patagonia grow faster than their counterparts in North America, and produce less resin, consistent with the growth-differentiation balance hypothesis. Limited resin defenses may help to explain the high susceptibility ofP. contortato woodwasps in Patagonia.
Survival ability of Mexican fruit fly males from different strains in presence of the predatory orb-weaving spider Argiope argentata (Araneae: Araneidae)
Authors: Dor A. , Liedo P.
Published: April 2018

The sterile insect technique (SIT) is a key element for the integrated management of pest populations of the Mexican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens, in Mexico. Its success depends on the survival of mass-reared sterile males and their ability to mate with wild females. However, colonization and mass-rearing conditions can adversely affect their ability to avoid predators. To test if colony management strategies could contribute to improve field survival abilities of mass-reared flies, we compared the survival of males exposed to the orb-weaver spider Argiope argentata. Males compared originated from three strains with different colonization strategies: (a) a colony started from field-collected wild flies (replacement), (b) a colony started by hybridizing wild males with mass-reared adapted females (hybrid) and (c) a colony started with mass-reared males selected on the basis of their survival ability and mating competitiveness in field cages (selected). Mass-reared males and wild males were used as controls. Males were exposed to spiders under laboratory cage conditions. Overall, wild males showed better survival ability than mass-reared males. Regarding the colonization approach, wild males survived better than a hybrid, replaced and selected males. We conclude that mass-rearing conditions have a strong negative effect on the ability of males to escape spiders. The colonization systems evaluated did not counter this effect. The lower survival of males from the selected colony suggests that the selection over one generation did not contribute to improve males’ predator avoidance and escape abilities and probably needs to be modified. Possible explanations for this and implications on colonization and colony management for SIT purpose are discussed.
Detrital zircon geochronology and geochemistry of Jurassic sandstones in the Xiongcun district, southern Lhasa subterrane, Tibet, China: implications for provenance and tectonic setting
Authors: LANG XINGHAI , LIU DONG , DENG YULIN , TANG JUXING , WANG XUHUI , YANG ZONGYAO , CUI ZHIWEI , FENG YONGXIN , YIN QING , XIE FUWEI , HUANG YONG , ZHANG JINSHU
Published: April 2018

Jurassic sandstones in the Xiongcun porphyry copper–gold district, southern Lhasa subterrane, Tibet, China were analysed for petrography, major oxides and trace elements, as well as detrital zircon U–Pb and Hf isotopes, to infer their depositional age, provenance, intensity of source-rock palaeo-weathering and depositional tectonic setting. This new information provides important evidence to constrain the tectonic evolution of the southern Lhasa subterrane during the Late Triassic – Jurassic period. The sandstones are exposed in the lower and upper sections of the Xiongcun Formation. Their average modal abundance (Q21F11L68) classifies them as lithic arenite, which is also supported by geochemical studies. The high chemical index of alteration values (77.19–85.36, mean 79.96) and chemical index of weathering values (86.19–95.59, mean 89.98) of the sandstones imply moderate to intensive weathering of the source rock. Discrimination diagrams based on modal abundance, geochemistry and certain elemental ratios indicate that felsic and intermediate igneous rocks constitute the source rocks, probably with a magmatic arc provenance. The detrital zircon ages (161–243 Ma) and εHf(t) values (+10.5 to +16.2) further constrain the sandstone provenance as subduction-related Triassic–Jurassic felsic and intermediate igneous rocks from the southern Lhasa subterrane. A tectonic discrimination method based on geochemical data of the sandstones, as well as detrital zircon ages from sandstones, reveals that the sandstones were most likely deposited in an oceanic island-arc setting. These results support the hypothesis that the tectonic background of the southern Lhasa subterrane was an oceanic island-arc setting, rather than a continental island-arc setting, during the Late Triassic – Jurassic period.
Barcoding hybrids: heterogeneous distribution of Schistosoma haematobium × Schistosoma bovis hybrids across the Senegal River Basin
Authors: BOON NELE A. M. , VAN DEN BROECK FREDERIK , FAYE DJIBY , VOLCKAERT FILIP A. M. , MBOUP SOULEYMANE , POLMAN KATJA , HUYSE TINE
Published: April 2018

Hybridization events between Schistosoma species (Digenea, Platyhelminthes) are reported with increasing frequency, largely due to improved access to molecular tools. Nevertheless, little is known about the distribution and frequency of hybrid schistosomes in nature. Screening for hybrids on a large scale is complicated by the need for nuclear and mitochondrial sequence information, precluding a ‘simple’ barcoding approach. Here we aimed to determine and understand the spatiotemporal distribution of Schistosoma haematobium × Schistosoma bovis hybrids in the Senegal River Basin. From ten villages, distributed over the four main water basins, we genotyped a total of 1236 schistosome larvae collected from human urine samples using a partial mitochondrial cox1 fragment; a subset of 268 parasites was also genotyped using ITS rDNA. Hybrid schistosomes were unevenly distributed, with substantially higher numbers in villages bordering Lac de Guiers than in villages from the Lampsar River and the Middle Valley of the Senegal River. The frequency of hybrids per village was not linked with the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis in that village. However, we did find a significant positive association between the frequency of hybrids per village and the prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni. We discuss the potential consequences of adopting a barcoding approach when studying hybrids in nature.
Seeking out SARI: an automated search of electronic health records
Authors: O'Horo John C. , Dziadzko Mikhail , Sakusic Amra , Ali Rashid , Sohail M. Rizwan , Kor Daryl J. , Gajic Ognjen
Published: April 2018

The definition of severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) – a respiratory illness with fever and cough, occurring within the past 10 days and requiring hospital admission – has not been evaluated for critically ill patients. Using integrated electronic health records data, we developed an automated search algorithm to identify SARI cases in a large cohort of critical care patients and evaluate patient outcomes. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all admissions to a medical intensive care unit from August 2009 through March 2016. Subsets were randomly selected for deriving and validating a search algorithm, which was compared with temporal trends in laboratory-confirmed influenza to ensure that SARI was correlated with influenza. The algorithm was applied to the cohort to identify clinical differences for patients with and without SARI. For identifying SARI, the algorithm (sensitivity, 86.9%; specificity, 95.6%) outperformed billing-based searching (sensitivity, 73.8%; specificity, 78.8%). Automated searching correlated with peaks in laboratory-confirmed influenza. Adjusted for severity of illness, SARI was associated with more hospital, intensive care unit and ventilator days but not with death or dismissal to home. The search algorithm accurately identified SARI for epidemiologic study and surveillance.
The association between tuberculosis and diphtheria
Authors: Coleman S.
Published: April 2018

This research investigates the long-forgotten relationship between diphtheria and tuberculosis. Historical medical reports from the late 19th century are reviewed followed by a statistical regression analysis of the relationship between the two diseases in the early 20th century. Historical medical reports show a consistent association between diphtheria and tuberculosis that can increase the likelihood and severity of either disease in a co-infection. The statistical analysis uses historical weekly public health data on reported cases in five American cities over a period of several years, finding a modest but statistically significant relationship between the two diseases. No current medical theory explains the association between diphtheria and tuberculosis. Alternative explanations are explored with a focus on how the diseases assimilate iron. In a co-infection, the effectiveness of tuberculosis at assimilating extracellular iron may lead to increased production of diphtheria toxin, worsening that disease, which may, in turn, exacerbate tuberculosis. Iron-dependent repressor genes connect both diseases.
Using Implementation Intentions to Prevent Relapse after Psychological Treatment for Depression – the SMArT Intervention
Authors: Lucock Mike , Bartys Serena , Cupac Jade , Delgadillo Jaime , Denton Charlotte , Gaines Sarah , McMillan Dean , Prestwich Andrew , Stebbings Rick
Published: April 2018

Background: It is recognized that a significant proportion of people with depression are prone to relapse, even after successful treatment, and that self-management interventions should be developed and provided. There is evidence that implementation intentions (IMPS) can be successfully applied to health-related behaviours but their application to self-management of mental health problems has been limited. Aims: This paper describes the design and initial evaluation of a Self-Management After Therapy (SMArT) intervention, which incorporated IMPS and followed psychological therapy for depression. We sought to assess the feasibility and acceptability of SMArT. Method: The SMArT intervention was designed with reference to the MRC guidance on developing and evaluating complex interventions and co-designed with and implemented in a UK Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service. Eleven patients who were in remission following treatment for depression received the SMArT intervention, provided by Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (PWPs). The evaluation used routine IAPT outcome measures at each session, feedback from patients and PWPs, and analysis of the type of IMPS identified and their fidelity with the model. Six patients provided brief feedback about the intervention to an independent researcher. Results: Feedback from patients and PWPs suggested that the intervention was feasible, acceptable and could potentially help patients to stay well after therapy. Patients confirmed the value of setting their own goals in the form of IMPS, receiving support from PWPs and in some cases from partners, friends and family members. Conclusions: Implementation intentions are a promising approach to support the self-management of depression.
Ethnic and age differences in prediction of mortality by mid-upper arm circumference in children below 3 years of age in Nepal
Authors: Gupta Avni , Tielsch James M , Khatry Subarna K , LeClerq Steven C , Mullany Luke C , Katz Joanne
Published: April 2018

Objective

To assess ethnicity- and age-modified associations between mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and mortality in Nepalese children and whether sociodemographic factors explain these associations.

Design

Secondary data analysis of children followed until 3 years of age. Estimated mortality hazard ratios (HR) for MUAC<11·5cm (recommended cut-off for identifying severe acute malnutrition among children ≥6 months old) compared with ≥11·5cm in younger (<6 months) and older children (≥6 months) of Pahadi and Madhesi ethnicity, adjusting for sex, socio-economic status (SES) and mother’s education using Cox proportional hazard models.

Setting

Sarlahi, Nepal (21 October 2001–2 February 2006).

Subjects

Children (n48 492) enrolled in the Nepal Nutrition Intervention Project, Sarlahi-4.

Results

Among children aged ≥6 months, MUAC<11·5 cm was associated with increased risk of mortality in both Pahadis (HR=4·01; 95 % CI 1·42, 11·76) and Madhesis (HR=5·60; 95 % CI 3·87, 8·11) compared with those with MUAC≥11·5 cm, after adjusting for sex, SES and maternal literacy. Among children <6 months old, MUAC<11·5 cm was not associated with mortality in Pahadis with (HR=1·12; 95 % CI 0·72, 1·73) or without adjusting (HR=1·17; 95 % CI 0·75, 1·18) as compared with Madeshis (adjusted HR=1·76; 95 % CI 1·35, 2·28).

Conclusions

Among older children, MUAC<11·5 cm is associated with subsequent mortality in both ethnicities regardless of other characteristics. However, among children aged <6 months, it predicted mortality only among Madhesis, while sociodemographic factors were more strongly associated with mortality than MUAC<11·5cm among Pahadis.
Plasmid-mediated colistin resistance in animals: current status and future directions
Authors: Sun Jian , Zeng Ximin , Li Xing-Ping , Liao Xiao-Ping , Liu Ya-Hong , Lin Jun
Published: April 2018

Colistin, a peptide antibiotic belonging to the polymyxin family, is one of the last effective drugs for the treatment of multidrug resistant Gram-negative infections. Recent discovery of a novel mobile colistin resistance gene,mcr-1, from people and food animals has caused a significant public health concern and drawn worldwide attention. Extensive usage of colistin in food animals has been proposed as a major driving force for the emergence and transmission ofmcr-1; thus, there is a worldwide trend to limit colistin usage in animal production. However, despite lack of colistin usage in food animals in the USA,mcr-1-positiveEscherichia coliisolates were still isolated from swine. In this paper, we provided an overview of colistin usage and epidemiology ofmcr-1in food animals, and summarized the current status of mechanistic and evolutionary studies of the plasmid-mediated colistin resistance. Based on published information, we further discussed several non-colistin usage risk factors that may contribute to the persistence, transmission, and emergence of colistin resistance in an animal production system. Filling the knowledge gaps identified in this review is critical for risk assessment and risk management of colistin resistance, which will facilitate proactive and effective strategies to mitigate colistin resistance in future animal production systems.
THE VIEW FROM THE MOUNTAIN (OROSKOPIA) IN GREEK AND LATIN LITERATURE
Authors: de Jong Irene
Published: April 2018

This paper argues for the existence of the topos oforoskopiain Greek and Latin literature. Gods and mortals are positioned on mountains to watch events or landscapes below. The view from above symbolises power (in the case of the gods) or an attempt at control or desire for power (in the case of mortals). It may also suggest an agreeable and relaxed spectatorship with no active involvement in the events watched, which may metaphorically morph into a historian's objectivity or a philosopher's emotional tranquillity. The elevated position may also have a temporal aspect, gods looking into the future or mortals looking back on their life.