bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The information behaviours of disadvantaged and disengaged adolescents
Authors: Buchanan Steven , Tuckerman Lauren
Published: April 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to evidence and better understand adolescent information behaviours in disadvantaged and disengaged circumstances, and explore issues of social integration.

Design/methodology/approach

– Interdisciplinary theoretical framework bringing together theories of information behaviour with theories of social capital. Mixed method design incorporating observation, interviews, and focus group conducted in areas of multiple deprivations. Participants’ young people aged 16-19 not in education, employment or training (NEET); and their support workers.

Findings

– Heightened access and internalised behavioural barriers found beyond those common to the general adolescent population, the former influenced by technology and literacy issues, the latter by social structures and norms. There is evidence suggestive of deception, risk-taking, secrecy, and situational relevance in information behaviours, and a reliance on bonding social capital characteristically exclusive and inward facing. Low levels of literacy and self-efficacy are significant interrelated issues, with NEET youth dependent upon support workers when seeking and processing information, and demonstrating passive non-motivated information behaviours often abandoned.

Research limitations/implications

– Highlights the need for further interdisciplinary research to explore complex relations between social and affective factors, and that seeks to both understand and influence information behaviours in disadvantaged and disengaged circumstances.

Practical implications

– Remedial literacy education recommended as an immediate priority for public and third sector agencies.

Originality/value

– First study of adolescent information behaviours in disadvantaged and disengaged circumstances. Novel interdisciplinary theoretical framework evidences and draws attention to understudied and enduring information poverty issues of significant societal concern, potentially consigning a significant proportion of the youth population to a stratified existence within an impoverished (small) information world. Sets a focused interdisciplinary research agenda.
(Non-)use of Foucault’sArchaeology of KnowledgeandOrder of Thingsin LIS journal literature, 1990-2015
Authors: Dewey Scott Hamilton
Published: April 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide a close, detailed analysis of the frequency, nature, and depth of visible use of two of Foucault’s classic early works,The Archaeology of KnowledgeandThe Order of Things, by library, and information science/studies (LIS) scholars.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study involved conducting extensive full-text searches in a large number of electronically available LIS journal databases to find citations of Foucault’s works, then examining each citing article and each individual citation to evaluate the nature and depth of each use.

Findings

– Contrary to initial expectations, the works in question are relatively little used by LIS scholars in journal articles, and where they are used, such use is often only vague, brief, or in passing. In short, works traditionally seen as central and foundational to discourse analysis appear relatively little in discussions of discourse.

Research limitations/implications

– The study was limited to a certain batch of LIS journal articles that are electronically available in full text at UCLA, where the study was conducted. The results potentially could change by focussing on a fuller or different collection of journals or on non-journal literature. More sophisticated bibliometric techniques could reveal different relative performance among journals. Other research approaches, such as discourse analysis, social network analysis, or scholar interviews, might reveal patterns of use and influence that are not visible in the journal literature.

Originality/value

– This study’s intensive, in-depth study of quality as well as quantity of citations challenges some existing assumptions regarding citation analysis and the sociology of citation practices, plus illuminating Foucault scholarship.
Widespread correlations between climatic niche evolution and species diversification in birds
Authors: Cooney Christopher R. , Seddon Nathalie , Tobias Joseph A.
Published: April 2016

The adaptability of species' climatic niches can influence the dynamics of colonization and gene flow across climatic gradients, potentially increasing the likelihood of speciation or reducing extinction in the face of environmental change. However, previous comparative studies have tested these ideas using geographically, taxonomically and ecologically restricted samples, yielding mixed results, and thus the processes linking climatic niche evolution with diversification remain poorly understood.

Focusing on birds, the largest and most widespread class of terrestrial vertebrates, we test whether variation in species diversification among clades is correlated with rates of climatic niche evolution and the extent to which these patterns are modified by underlying gradients in biogeography and species' ecology.

We quantified climatic niches, latitudinal distribution and ecological traits for 7657 (˜75%) bird species based on geographical range polygons and then used Bayesian phylogenetic analyses to test whether niche evolution was related to species richness and rates of diversification across genus‐ and family‐level clades.

We found that the rate of climatic niche evolution has a positive linear relationship with both species richness and diversification rate at two different taxonomic levels (genus and family). Furthermore, this positive association between labile climatic niches and diversification was detected regardless of variation in clade latitude or key ecological traits.

Our findings suggest either that rapid adaptation to unoccupied areas of climatic niche space promotes avian diversification, or that diversification promotes adaptation. Either way, we propose that climatic niche evolution is a fundamental process regulating the link between climate and biodiversity at global scales, irrespective of the geographical and ecological context of speciation and extinction.
Recommendations for the optimal care of patients with recent‐onset psychosis in the Asia‐Pacific region
Authors: Lo Tak Lam , Warden Matthew , He Yanling , Si Tianmei , Kalyanasundaram Seshadri , Thirunavukarasu Manickam , Amir Nurmiati , Hatim Ahmad , Bautista Tomas , Lee Cheng , Emsley Robin , Olivares Jose , Yang Yen Kuang , Kongsakon Ronnachai , Castle David
Published: April 2016

Providing optimal care to patients with recent‐onset psychosis can improve outcomes and reduce relapse. However, there is a lack of consistency of the implementation of guidelines for such patients across the Asia‐Pacific region. We determined a pragmatic set of recommendations for use on a day‐to‐day basis to help provide optimal care at this crucial stage of illness. The recommendations were developed over a series of meetings by an international faculty of 15 experts from the Asia‐Pacific region, Europe, and South Africa. A structured search of the PubMed database was conducted. This was further developed based on the faculty's clinical experience and knowledge of the literature into 10 key aspects of optimal care for patients during the first five years of a diagnosis of a psychotic disorder, with particular relevance to the Asia‐Pacific region. Several common principles emerged: adherence to antipsychotic medications is crucial; substance abuse, psychiatric and medical comorbidities should be addressed; psychosocial interventions play a pivotal role; and family members can play a vital role in overall patient care. By following these recommendations, clinicians may improve outcomes for patients with recent‐onset psychosis.
Using Continuous Improvement in Online Program Design: DMAIC as a Tool for Assurance of Learning Assessments
Authors: Carnovale Steven , Allen Cliff , Pullman Madeleine , Wong Daniel
Published: April 2016

The integration of technology into education has forced radical innovations to traditional instructional delivery models. Given its prevalence, a thorough understanding of pedagogical best practices associated with the design and implementation of such programs is critical. Furthermore, the need for an institutional commitment to assessment and a framework to objectively measure student performance against a program's learning goals and objectives is also necessary. The impetus behind this study is to suggest that applying the principles of continuous improvement (CI) to pedagogical assessments can foster institutional commitment and enhance the process by which universities assess student performance. This study applies CI to an Assurance of Learning assessment of two courses in an entirely online supply chain management program by implementing DMAIC as a tool to improve program‐level outcomes. The results show how the course content and program can be continuously improved to enhance student learning and the related outcome measures.
Modeling the effects of temperature on the survival and growth of North Sea cod (Gadus morhua) through the first year of life
Authors: Akimova A. , Hufnagl M. , Kreus M. , Peck M. A.
Published: April 2016

Temperature and body size are widely agreed to be the primary factors influencing vital rates (e.g., growth, mortality) in marine fishes. We created a biophysical individual‐based model which included the effects of body size and temperature on development, growth and mortality rates of eggs, larvae and juveniles of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.) in the North Sea. Temperature‐dependent mortality rates in our model were based on the consumption rate of predators of cod early‐life stages. The model predicted 35%, 53% and 12% of the total mortality to occur during the egg, larval and juvenile stages, respectively. A comparison of modeled and observed body size suggested that the growth of survivors through their first year of life is high and close to the growth rates in ad libitum feeding laboratory experiments. Furthermore, our model indicates that experiencing warmer temperatures during early life only benefits young cod (or theoretically any organism) if a high ratio exists between the temperature coefficients for the rate of growth and the rate of mortality. During the egg stage of cod, any benefit of developing more rapidly at warmer temperatures is largely counteracted by temperature‐dependent increases in predation pressure. In contrast, juvenile (age‐0) cod experiences a higher cumulative mortality at warmer temperatures in the North Sea. Thus, our study adds a new aspect to the ‘growth–survival’ hypothesis: faster growth is not always profitable for early‐life stages particularly if it is caused by warmer temperatures.
Cyclic fluctuations of blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) linked to open‐sea convection processes in the northwestern Mediterranean
Authors: Martin Paloma , Maynou Francesc , Recasens Laura , Sabatés Ana
Published: April 2016

In the Mediterranean, blue whiting, Micromesistius poutassou, constitutes a traditional fisheries resource. Over several decades, blue whiting landings in the Catalan coast (northwestern Mediterranean) have displayed cyclical variations, of c. 6 yrs, slightly decreased to five in the last two decades, as shown through wavelet analysis. These fluctuations have persisted under very different levels of fishing effort. This study evaluates the hypothesis that deep‐water formation in the adjacent Gulf of Lions, and the enhanced primary productivity related to it, determines recruitment strength in blue whiting that results ultimately in the observed periodicity of the blue whiting landings. The link between landings and environmental drivers was explored using lagged cross‐correlations, with 0‐ and 1‐yr lag. The variables considered included large‐scale indices [North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and the Atlantic Multi‐decadal Oscillation (AMO)], Mediterranean climate indices [MO and Western Mediterranean Oscillation (WeMO)], and variables defining the local environmental conditions in the northwestern Mediterranean (sea‐air heat flux, winter air temperature anomaly and Rhône river runoff). Significant correlations were only found between landings (1961–2011) and sea‐air heat flux, which is generally taken as an indicator of processes of deep water convection, at 0 and 1‐yr lag. These results suggest that the observed fluctuations in blue whiting landings respond to oceanographic processes taking place in the Gulf of Lions.
Natal origin and population connectivity of bigeye and yellowfin tuna in the Pacific Ocean
Authors: Rooker Jay R. , David Wells R. J. , Itano David G. , Thorrold Simon R. , Lee Jessica M.
Published: April 2016

Natural chemical markers (stable isotopes and trace elements) in otoliths of bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) and yellowfin tuna (T. albacares) were used to investigate their origin and spatial histories in the western and central Pacific Ocean (WCPO). Otolith chemistry of young‐of‐the‐year (YOY) T. obesus and T. albacares from four regions in the WCPO was first determined and used to establish baseline chemical signatures for each region. Spatial variation in stable isotope ratios of YOY T. obesus and T. albacares was detected, with the most noticeable difference being depleted otolith δ18O values for both species from the far west equatorial and west equatorial regions relative to the central equatorial and Hawaii regions. Elemental ratios in otoliths were also quantified for YOY T. obesus and T. albacares collected in 2008, and several showed promise for distinguishing YOY T. obesus (Mg:Ca, Mn:Ca, and Ba:Ca) and T. albacares (Li:Ca and Sr:Ca). The natal origin of age‐1 to age‐2+ T. obesus and T. albacares was then determined for two regions of the WCPO, and mixed‐stock analysis indicated that T. obesus and T. albacares in our west equatorial sample were almost entirely from local production, with a minor contribution from central equatorial waters. Similarly, T. albacares collected in Hawaii were exclusively from local sources; however, a large fraction of T. obesus in Hawaii were classified to the central equatorial region, suggesting that the movement of migrants from outside production zones (i.e., south of Hawaii) are important to Hawaii's domestic fishery.
Assessment of adult patients with chronic liver failure for liver transplantation in 2015: who and when?
Authors: McCaughan G. W. , Crawford M. , Sandroussi C. , Koorey D. J. , Bowen D. G. , Shackel N. A. , Strasser S. I.
Published: April 2016

In 2015, there are a few absolute contraindications to liver transplantation. In adult patients, survival post‐liver transplant is excellent, with 1‐year survival rate >90% and 5‐year survival rates >80% and predicted median allograft survival beyond 20 years. Patients with a Child‐Turcotte Pugh score ≥9 or a model for end‐stage liver disease (MELD) score >15 should be referred for liver transplantation, with patients who have a MELD score >17 showing a 1‐year survival benefit with liver transplantation. A careful selection of hepatocellular cancer patients results in excellent outcomes, while consideration of extra‐hepatic disease (reversible vs irreversible) and social support structures are crucial to patient assessment. Alcoholic liver disease remains a challenge, and the potential to cure hepatitis C virus infection together with the emerging issue of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease‐associated chronic liver failure will change the landscape of the who in the years ahead. The when will continue to be determined largely by the severity of liver disease based on the MELD score for the foreseeable future.
Are Women Underrepresented in The American Statistics Profession?
Authors: Golbeck Amanda
Published: April 2016

Amanda Golbeck digs into the Annual Survey of the Mathematical Sciences in search of an answer
Expect the Unexpected
Authors: Woo Gordon
Published: April 2016

Egyptian authorities have conceded that October's Sinai plane crash was the work of terrorists. Gordon Woo considers how risk assessors might respond to these and other threats to passenger safety

Catastrophist Gordon Woo considers how airline risk assessors should respond to unusual threats to passenger safety
Flawed Forensics: Statistical Failings of Microscopic Hair Analysis
Authors: Norton Jim , Anderson William E. , Divine George
Published: April 2016

For 20 years, FBI forensic experts gave flawed testimony regarding microscopic hair analysis. Jim Norton, William Anderson and George Divine unpick their mistakes
Closing the Gender Data Gap
Authors: Buvinic Mayra , Levine Ruth
Published: April 2016

World leaders have committed to gender equality with the Sustainable Development Goals, but we currently lack the data that is required to ensure this target is met, say Mayra Buvinic and Ruth Levine
Hypocalcemia presenting with multifocal seizure in a baby with osteopetrosis
Authors: Singh Tarun S , Mehta Bhavesh , Trivedi Amit
Published: April 2016

See Answer
Erythematous plaques on the interphalangeal joints of a 10‐year‐old boy
Authors: Ruiz‐Villaverde Ricardo
Published: April 2016

See Answer
Fluid resuscitation therapy for paediatric sepsis
Authors: Long Elliot , Duke Trevor
Published: April 2016

Sepsis and septic shock are the final common pathway for many decompensated paediatric infections. Fluid resuscitation therapy has been the cornerstone of haemodynamic resuscitation in these children. Good evidence for equivalence between 0.9% saline and 4% albumin, with the relative expense of the latter, has meant that 0.9% saline is currently the most commonly used resuscitation fluid world‐wide. Evidence for harm from the chloride load in 0.9% saline has generated interest in balanced solutions as first line resuscitation fluids. Their safety has been well established in observational studies, and they may well be the most reasonable default fluid for resuscitation. Semi‐synthetic colloids have been associated with renal dysfunction and death and should be avoided. There is evidence for harm from excessive administration of any resuscitation fluid. Resuscitation fluid volumes should be treated in the same way as the dose of any other intravenously administered medication, and the potential benefits versus harms for the individual patient weighed prior to administration.
Brain attacks and stroke in children
Authors: Mackay Mark T , Monagle Paul , Babl Franz E
Published: April 2016

Emergency physicians are often the first point of contact in children presenting with acute neurological disorders. Differentiating serious disorders, such as stroke, from benign disorders, such as migraine, can be challenging. Clinical assessment influences decision‐making, in particular the need for emergent neuroimaging to confirm diagnosis. This review describes the spectrum of disorders causing ‘brain attack’ symptoms, or acute onset focal neurological dysfunction, with particular emphasis on childhood stroke, because early recognition is essential to improve access to thrombolytic treatments, which have improved outcomes in adults. Clues to diagnosis of specific conditions are discussed. Symptoms and signs, which discriminate stroke from mimics, are described, highlighting differences to adults. Haemorrhagic and ischaemic stroke have different presenting features, which influence choice of the most appropriate imaging modality to maximise diagnostic accuracy. Improvements in the care of children with brain attacks require coordinated approaches and system improvements similar to those developed in adults.
Metabolic emergencies and the emergency physician
Authors: Fletcher Janice Mary
Published: April 2016

Fifty percent of inborn errors of metabolism are present in later childhood and adulthood, with crises commonly precipitated by minor viral illnesses or increased protein ingestion. Many physicians only consider IEM after more common conditions (such as sepsis) have been considered. In view of the large number of inborn errors, it might appear that their diagnosis requires precise knowledge of a large number of biochemical pathways and their interrelationship. As a matter of fact, an adequate diagnostic approach can be based on the proper use of only a few screening tests. A detailed history of antecedent events, together with these simple screening tests, can be diagnostic, leading to life‐saving, targeted treatments for many disorders. Unrecognised, IEM can lead to significant mortality and morbidity. Advice is available 24/7 through the metabolic service based at the major paediatric hospital in each state and Starship Children's Health in New Zealand.
Is Philosophy All About the Meaning of Life?
Authors: Tartaglia James
Published: April 2016

This article defends a conception of philosophy popular outside the discipline but unpopular within it: that philosophy is unified by a concern with the meaning of life. First, it argues against exceptionalist theses according to which philosophy is unique among academic disciplines in not being united by a distinctive subject matter. It then presents a positive account, showing that the issue of the meaning of life is uniquely able to reveal unity between the practical and theoretical concerns of philosophy, while meeting a range of desiderata for a typical specification of subject matter. After showing how recent analytic work on “the meaning of life” has conflated the traditional question with issues of social meaningfulness, it offers an explanation of why the traditional question has become marginalised in philosophy. The reasons are not good, however, so it concludes that philosophy should embrace its popular image.
The “Paradox of Self‐Constitution” and Korsgaard's Two Conceptions of Maxims for Action
Authors: Seeman Bradley N.
Published: April 2016

This article argues that Christine Korsgaard gives two accounts of maxims, the identity‐priority account and the form‐priority account. There is a tension between the accounts because (1) Korsgaard's form‐priority maxims account cannot function apart from the identity of a well‐formed agent that precedes and tests maxims to determine if they should count as reasons or laws, and (2) Korsgaard's identity‐priority maxims account needs the form of the maxim to precede, bind, and constitute the well‐formed agent. This tension mirrors the two sides of what Korsgaard has called the “paradox of self‐constitution.” The article concludes that Korsgaard's paradox of self‐constitution leads to an arbitrariness that undermines the formation of moral laws.
Interventions to reduce vasovagal reactions in blood donors: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Fisher S. A. , Allen D. , Dorée C. , Naylor J. , Di Angelantonio E. , Roberts D. J.
Published: April 2016

Vasovagal reactions (VVRs) in blood donors have significant implications for the welfare of donors, donor retention and the management of donor sessions. We present a systematic review of interventions designed to prevent or reduce VVRs in blood donors. Electronic databases were searched for eligible randomised trials to March 2015. Data on study design and outcomes were extracted and pooled using random effects meta‐analyses. Sixteen trials met the inclusion criteria: five trials (12 042 participants) of pre‐donation water, eight trials (3500 participants) of applied muscle tension (AMT) and one trial each of AMT combined with water, caffeine, audio‐visual distraction and/or social support. In donors receiving pre‐donation water, the relative risk (RR) compared with controls for VVRs was 0·79 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0·70–0·89, P < 0·0001] and the mean difference (MD) in severity of VVRs measured with the Blood Donation Reactions Inventory (BDRI) score was −0·32 (95% CI −0·51 to −0·12, P < 0·0001). Excluding trials with a high risk of selection bias, the RR for VVRs was 0·70 (95% CI 0·45–1·11, P = 0·13). In donors who received AMT, there was no difference in the risk of chair recline in response to donor distress from controls (RR 0·76, 95% CI 0·53–1·10, P = 0·15), although the MD in BDRI score was −0·07 (95% CI −0·11 to −0·03, P = 0·0005). There was insufficient data to perform meta‐analysis for other interventions. Current evidence on interventions to prevent or reduce VVRs in blood donors is indeed limited and does not provide strong support for the administration of pre‐donation water or AMT during donation. Further large trials are required to reliably evaluate the effect of these and other interventions in the prevention of VVRs.
Spotlight on platelets: summary of BBTS combined special interest group autumn meeting, November 2015
Authors: Murphy M. F. , Gill R. , Moss R. , Raghavan M. , Stanworth S. J. , Rowley M. , Wallis J.
Published: April 2016

This conference first addressed aspects of component quality, highlighting the role of pathogen inactivation, the role of PAS or plasma in prolonging platelet viability and acceptable storage deviations. A series of talks on the medical use of platelets covered the role of platelet transfusion in preventing intracranial haemorrhage, platelet prophylaxis in haematological patients and the new trial of the HLA Matchmaker programme to provide epitope‐matched platelets. The session on the surgical use of platelets considered the role of platelet transfusions in patients on anti‐platelet agents, major trauma and interventional procedures and also the scope for tests of platelet function to direct therapy. The conference concluded with a panel discussion highlighting key areas of general interest, including the clinical use of platelets and near patient platelet function tests.
The fallopian tube as the origin of non‐uterine pelvic high‐grade serous carcinoma
Authors: Aggarwal Ieera Madan , Lim Yu Hui , Lim Timothy Yong Kuei
Published: April 2016

Key content

Advances in histopathology, immunohistochemistry and molecular genetics have led to evidence that the fimbrial end of the fallopian tube may be the source of origin of non‐uterine high‐grade pelvic serous carcinoma (HGPSC).

Most of the evidence comes from studies in risk‐reducing salpingo‐oophorectomy in BRCA carriers.

A proportion of these high‐grade tumours have been proven to develop from specific precursor lesions, such as serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC), before transformation into invasive high‐grade pelvic serous carcinoma.

Detailed sectioning of the fallopian tube is suggested using the SEE‐FIM protocol (Sectioning and Extensively Examining the Fimbriated end of the fallopian tube).

Clinical management of STIC in the absence of malignancy is not yet clearly defined.

Learning objectives

To review the various theories of pathogenesis of non‐uterine HGPSC.

To discuss the clinical management of STIC.

Preventative strategies for HGPSC.

Ethical issues

Role for salpingectomy as a mode of sterilisation in women with completed family and salpingectomy during hysterectomy for benign cases.

Could risk‐reducing salpingectomy be recommended instead of risk‐reducing salpingo‐oophorectomy in young women, to avoid menopausal side effects?
Preimplantation genetic diagnosis: an overview and recent advances
Authors: Ben‐Nagi Jara , Serhal Paul , SenGupta Sioban , Doye Karen , Wells Dagan
Published: April 2016

Key content

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) was developed for couples at risk of transmitting a genetic disorder to their children.

Before PGD, options available to these couples were remaining childless, prenatal diagnosis, gamete donation or adoption.

Couples requesting PGD have in vitro fertilisation (IVF) to produce embryos for biopsy, even if they are fertile.

Learning objectives

To understand indications for PGD.

To learn about the genetic work up required prior to undergoing IVF.

To learn about IVF, embryogenesis, the biopsy process and when to transfer disease‐free/carrier embryo(s).

Ethical issues

PGD for ‘saviour sibling’: should couples be offered human leucocyte antigen (HLA) matched treatment for a child who is in remission or who may develop the late onset condition?

PGD for sex selection: should we offer sex selection for ‘family balancing’?
INTERGROWTH‐21st: a new paradigm for fetal growth in the 21stcentury
Authors: Hirst Jane E , Papageorghiou Aris T ,   for the International Fetal and Newborn Growth Consortium for the 21 Century (INTERGROWTH‐21)
Published: April 2016

Key content

There are currently more than 100 different population‐based and customised charts in use, hence definitions of small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) are inconsistent.

Over 130 countries have adopted the World Health Organization Child Growth Standards. These standards recognise that all children can achieve similar growth if environment, nutrition and health are optimal.

The INTERGROWTH‐21stProject was a large‐scale, multicountry study that measured fetal growth of babies in utero and at birth in mothers in whom environmental, social, medical and pregnancy conditions were optimal.

International standards for fetal measurement and the assessment of newborn size at birth will enable continuity of measurement from the pregnancy to childhood.

Learning objectives

Understand that 97% of variation in fetal growth is caused by factors unrelated to ethnicity.

When conditions for growth are optimal, fetal growth is strikingly similar around the world.

Ethical issues

Consider poor fetal growth as a human rights issue: what is the legacy for individuals and societies where undernutrition has occurred in the first 1000 days of life?

Recognise that, as obstetricians, we have a duty to help the most disadvantaged. The practice of ‘customising’ for ethnicity could normalise suboptimal growth.
Dual processing of visual rotation for bipedal stance control
Authors: Day Brian L. , Muller Timothy , Offord Joanna , Di Giulio Irene
Published: April 2016

Key points

When standing, the gain of the body‐movement response to a sinusoidally moving visual scene has been shown to get smaller with faster stimuli, possibly through changes in the apportioning of visual flow to self‐motion or environment motion.

We investigated whether visual‐flow speed similarly influences the postural response to a discrete, unidirectional rotation of the visual scene in the frontal plane.

Contrary to expectation, the evoked postural response consisted of two sequential components with opposite relationships to visual motion speed.

With faster visual rotation the early component became smaller, not through a change in gain but by changes in its temporal structure, while the later component grew larger.

We propose that the early component arises from the balance control system minimising apparent self‐motion, while the later component stems from the postural system realigning the body with gravity.

The source of visual motion is inherently ambiguous such that movement of objects in the environment can evoke self‐motion illusions and postural adjustments. Theoretically, the brain can mitigate this problem by combining visual signals with other types of information. A Bayesian model that achieves this was previously proposed and predicts a decreasing gain of postural response with increasing visual motion speed. Here we test this prediction for discrete, unidirectional, full‐field visual rotations in the frontal plane of standing subjects. The speed (0.75–48 deg s–1) and direction of visual rotation was pseudo‐randomly varied and mediolateral responses were measured from displacements of the trunk and horizontal ground reaction forces. The behaviour evoked by this visual rotation was more complex than has hitherto been reported, consisting broadly of two consecutive components with respective latencies of ∼190 ms and >0.7 s. Both components were sensitive to visual rotation speed, but with diametrically opposite relationships. Thus, the early component decreased with faster visual rotation, while the later component increased. Furthermore, the decrease in size of the early component was not achieved by a simple attenuation of gain, but by a change in its temporal structure. We conclude that the two components represent expressions of different motor functions, both pertinent to the control of bipedal stance. We propose that the early response stems from the balance control system attempting to minimise unintended body motion, while the later response arises from the postural control system attempting to align the body with gravity.
Serum alkalinisation is the cornerstone of treatment for amitriptyline poisoning
Authors: Ramasubbu Benjamin , James David , Scurr Andrew , Sandilands Euan A
Published: April 2016

A 28-year-old woman was admitted in a comatose state following ingestion of 5 g of amitriptyline. On arrival, there was intermittent seizure activity and a broad complex tachycardia on the ECG. Immediate resuscitation included 8 mg lorazepam, 2 L crystalloid fluid, 100 mL 8.4% sodium bicarbonate, 2 g of magnesium sulphate and lipid emulsion infusion. Despite this, the broad complex tachycardia persisted with haemodynamic instability. The case was discussed with the National Poisons Information Service, which advised further 8.4% sodium bicarbonate to achieve serum alkalinisation. Following this, the QRS duration reduced and haemodynamic stability was achieved. Serum alkalinisation continued in the intensive treatment unit before the patient was successfully extubated on day 5 and discharged on day 7 with no neurological sequelae. To our knowledge, this case is the largest recorded overdose of amitriptyline to have survived to discharge. The importance of serum alkalinisation in the management of tricyclic antidepressant poisoning is highlighted.
Assessing feasibility and acceptability of a brief intervention for risky alcohol consumption in sexual health clinic attendees: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Roderick Paul , S Sundaram Sangeetha , Dimitrov Borislav D , Dewhirst Susan , Tucker Linda J , Leydon Geraldine , Sheron Nick , Frater Alison , Harindra Veerakathy
Published: April 2016

Objectives

To assess the feasibility and acceptability of screening attendees at a sexual health clinic (SHC) for alcohol misuse, and delivering a brief intervention (BI). To explore the effect of this BI on drinking and sexual behaviour.

Methods

A consecutive sample of consenting SHC attendees aged ≥16 years were screened using Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test Consumption (AUDIT-C). Men scoring ≥5 and women scoring ≥4 were invited to complete the full AUDIT, alcohol diary and baseline questionnaire.

Interventions

Participants were randomised to receive BI by a trained sexual health professional or a standard alcohol leaflet (usual care, UC). All were followed up for changes in alcohol and sexual behaviour at 6 weeks and 6 months. A fidelity check and staff focus group were undertaken.

Results

Of 664 participants screened, 215 (32%) were eligible for randomisation and 207 were included in the final analysis: 103 (BI) and 104 (UC). Follow-up rates were 54% and 47% at 6 weeks and 6 months, respectively. Both groups reduced alcohol consumption though the degree of change did not differ between them. There was some evidence of positive changes in sexual health risk in both groups. BI was delivered as intended, adding 5 minutes to the consultation, and staff feedback was positive.

Conclusions

Alcohol misuse was common in SHC attendees. Systematic assessment and BI for alcohol misuse was feasible and acceptable to staff and patients. Identification and provision of standard information alone appeared to influence drinking and sexual behaviour.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN19452424.
Watershed-scale forest biomass distribution in a perhumid temperate rainforest as driven by topographic, soil, and disturbance variables
Authors: Buma Brian , Krapek John , Edwards Rick T.
Published: April 2016

Temperate rainforests are the most carbon dense forest ecosystem on the planet, with C stocks several times higher than most other forested biomes. While climatic and disturbance drivers of these C stocks are relatively well explored, the spatial distribution of those stocks at the scale of entire watersheds is less well known, particularly in perhumid rainforests where research has been minimal. This study explored biomass distributions across an entire watershed simultaneously, from ocean to glacial icefields, in Southeast Alaska. Utilizing LiDAR and ground surveys, biomass was modelled throughout the landscape and distributions are described statistically. The dominant driver of biomass distributions at this scale (controlling for elevation) was the flow of water through the landscape: areas of higher water accumulation typically had low biomass (often <10 Mg·ha–1), whereas well-drained areas supported biomass approaching 950 Mg·ha–1. This relationship was strong at all elevations; only riparian locations (typically well-drained soils) maintained high biomass at low slopes. Exposure to stand-replacing disturbances, often a dominant driver, was only a minor factor. This work emphasizes the importance of water in temperate rainforests and the potentially significant impacts of changes to biomass given changes in precipitation (both increasing and decreasing) due to global climate change.
Experimental study on the mechanism governing spectral shifts in low power 670 nm AlGaInP multiple quantum well (MQW) laser diodes over temperature range 5–45 °C
Authors: Chackrabarti Santosh , Sharma Dhrub , Joseph Shereena , Zaker Tho-alfiqar A. , Hafiz A.K. , Kafle Ram
Published: April 2016

We report on the temperature-dependent spectral shifts in low power 670 nm AlGaInP multiple quantum well red laser diodes due to band gap narrowing at room temperatures (5–45 °C). The spectral shift mechanism is explored with a threshold current density of 11.41 kA/cm2 and a good characteristic temperature of 114 K. The photoluminescence peak intensity shifts towards higher wavelengths and the full width at half maximum increases with increase in temperature from 5 to 45 °C. We use a Hamiltonian system considering the effective mass approximation to formulate the carrier concentrations. The band gap narrowing value determined by a simple formula amounts to 59.15 meV and displays N1/3 dependence at higher densities. The carrier density dependence conveys that the redshift of the spectral emission is due to band gap narrowing.
Exact dynamics of two ultra-cold bosons confined in a one-dimensional double-well potential
Authors: Dobrzyniecki Jacek , Sowiński Tomasz
Published: April 2016

The dynamics of two ultra-cold bosons confined in a one-dimensional double-well potential
is studied. We compare the exact dynamics governed by a full two-body Hamiltonian with the
dynamics obtained in a two-mode model approximation. We show that for sufficiently large
interactions the two-mode model breaks down and higher single-particle states have to be
taken into account to describe the dynamical properties of the system correctly.

Graphical abstract
The control method for the multi-phase traffic model
Authors: Liu Yi , Cheng Rong-Jun , Ma Yan-Qiang , Ge Hong-Xia
Published: April 2016

Based on multi-phase car-following model proposed by Nagatani, the control theory method is used to analyze the stability of the model. The optimal velocity function is improved to have more turning points. The original optimal velocity with one turning point shows two-phase traffic, while the improved model with [Formula: see text] turning points exhibits [Formula: see text] phase traffic. Control signal is added into the model. Numerical simulation is conducted to show the results for the stability of the model with and without control signal.
Design of Efficient Reversible BCD Adder–Subtractor Architecture and Its Optimization Using Carry Skip Logic
Authors: Murugesan Praveena , Keppanagounder Thanushkodi , Natarajan Vijeyakumar
Published: April 2016

In the present era, reversible logic designs play a very critical role in nanotechnology, low power complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) designs, optical computing and, especially, in quantum computing. High power dissipation and leakage current in deep submicron technologies is a severe threat in applications created today. As a consequence, design of datapath elements in reversible logic has gained much importance. In this study, a novel design of binary coded decimal (BCD) adder/subtractor in reversible logic has been proposed. As a further optimization of the proposed reversible decimal design, carry skip (CSK) logic is used for reversible ripple carry adder stages. This reduces delay but at the expense of little hardware. The proposed BCD adder/subtractor and its optimized version are designed using structural VHDL and simulated using ModelSim 6.3f. Performance analysis reveals that the proposed BCD design demonstrates reductions in gate count, garbage outputs and constant inputs of 30.5%, 46% and 28%, respectively, and its optimized version exhibits 19.4%, 32.4% and 16% reductions in gate count, garbage outputs and constant inputs compared to the design in Ref. 14 [V. Rajmohan, V. Renganathan and M. Rajmohan, A novel reversible design of unified single digit BCD adder–subtractor, Int. J. Comput. Theor. Eng. 3 (2011) 697–700].
CONIC PORTFOLIO THEORY
Authors: MADAN DILIP B.
Published: April 2016

Portfolios are designed to maximize a conservative market value or bid price for the portfolio. Theoretically this bid price is modeled as reflecting a convex cone of acceptable risks supporting an arbitrage free equilibrium of a two price economy. When risk acceptability is completely defined by the risk distribution function and bid prices are additive for comonotone risks, then these prices may be evaluated by a distorted expectation. The concavity of the distortion calibrates market risk attitudes. Procedures are outlined for observing the economic magnitudes for diversification benefits reflected in conservative valuation schemes. Optimal portfolios are formed for long only, long short and volatility constrained portfolios. Comparison with mean variance portfolios reflects lower concentration in conic portfolios that have comparable out of sample upside performance coupled with higher downside outcomes. Additionally the optimization problems are robust, employing directionally sensitive risk measures that are in the same units as the rewards. A further contribution is the ability to construct volatility constrained portfolios that attractively combine other dimensions of risk with rewards.
A Subject-Specific EMG-Driven Musculoskeletal Model for Applications in Lower-Limb Rehabilitation Robotics
Authors: Ai Qingsong , Ding Bo , Liu Quan , Meng Wei
Published: April 2016

Robotic devices have great potential in physical therapy owing to their repeatability, reliability and cost economy. However, there are great challenges to realize active control strategy, since the operator’s motion intention is uneasy to be recognized by robotics online. The purpose of this paper is to propose a subject-specific electromyography (EMG)-driven musculoskeletal model to estimate subject’s joint torque in real time, which can be used to detect his/her motion intention by forward dynamics, and then to explore its potential applications in rehabilitation robotics control. The musculoskeletal model uses muscle activation dynamics to extract muscle activation from raw EMG signals, a Hill-type muscle-tendon model to calculate muscle contraction force, and a proposed subject-specific musculoskeletal geometry model to calculate muscular moment arm. The parameters of muscle activation dynamics and muscle-tendon model are identified by off-line optimization methods in order to minimize the differences between the estimated muscular torques and the reference torques. Validation experiments were conducted on six healthy subjects to evaluate the proposed model. Experimental results demonstrated the model’s ability to predict knee joint torque with the coefficient of determination ([Formula: see text] value of [Formula: see text] and the normalized root-mean-square error (RMSE) of [Formula: see text].
A Multiscale Computational Formulation for Gradient Elasticity Problems of Heterogeneous Structures
Authors: Fu Ping , Liu Hui , Chu Xihua , Xu Yuanjie
Published: April 2016

In this paper, a multiscale computational formulation is developed for modeling two- and three-dimensional gradient elasticity behaviors of heterogeneous structures. To capture the microscopic properties at the macroscopic level effectively, a numerical multiscale interpolation function of coarse element is constructed by employing the oversampling element technique based on the staggered gradient elasticity scheme. By virtue of these functions, the equivalent quantities of the coarse element could be obtained easily, resulting in that the material microscopic characteristics are reflected to the macroscopic scale. Consequently, the displacement field of the original boundary value problem could be calculated at the macroscopic level, and the corresponding microscopic gradient-enriched solutions could also be evaluated by adopting the downscaling computation on the sub-grids of each coarse element domain, which will reduce the computational cost significantly. Furthermore, several representative numerical experiments are performed to demonstrate the validity and efficiency of the proposed multiscale formulation.
Design and Verification of Minimum Length Nozzles with Specific/Variable Heat Ratio Based on Method of Characteristics
Authors: Fu Lei , Zhang Shuai , Zheng Yao
Published: April 2016

Two-dimensional (2D) and axisymmetric minimum length nozzles (MLN) with constant and variable specific heat were strictly designed using the method of characteristics. Requirements for the exit Mach number and flow field uniformity were proposed for the nozzles design. In solutions to kernel zone flow field reported previously, violent vibrations of upper wall discrete points at the inlet were observed. Meanwhile, slight compressions could be observed in the flow field of axisymmetric nozzles designed by those methods. In this study, we proposed a novel technique in which the inlet grid is intensified to overcome the limitations mentioned above. Additionally, methods based on conservation of mass and eliminating wave theory were proposed to determine the contour of the nozzle’s upper wall. Inviscid numerical simulations by CFD revealed that the proposed nozzle could meet the requirements for exit Mach number and flow field uniformity in various situations, and axisymmetric nozzles designed from eliminating wave theory exhibited better flow field compared with those designed from conservation of mass.
Classical r-matrices of real low-dimensional Jacobi–Lie bialgebras and their Jacobi–Lie groups
Authors: Rezaei-Aghdam Adel , Sephid Mehdi
Published: April 2016

In this paper, we obtain the classical [Formula: see text]-matrices of real two- and three-dimensional Jacobi–Lie bialgebras. In this way, we classify all non-isomorphic real two- and three-dimensional coboundary Jacobi–Lie bialgebras and their types (triangular and quasi-triangular). Also, we obtain the generalized Sklyanin bracket formula by use of which, we calculate the Jacobi structures on the related Jacobi–Lie groups. Finally, we present a new method for constructing classical integrable systems using coboundary Jacobi–Lie bialgebras.
Dynamics of a stage-structured single population system with winter hibernation and impulsive effect in polluted environment
Authors: Jiao Jianjun , Cai Shaohong , Zhang Yujuan , Li Limei
Published: April 2016

In this work, we construct a stage-structured single population system with winter hibernation and impulsive effect in polluted environment. All solutions of the investigated system are proved to be uniformly ultimately bounded. The conditions of the population-extinction solution of the investigated system are obtained. The permanent condition of the investigated system is also obtained. Finally, numerical analysis is inserted to illustrate the results. Our results indicate that the environmental pollution will reduce biological diversity of the natural world. Our results also provide reliable tactic basis for the practical biological resource management.