bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transnational links in rhino poaching and the black‐market price of rhino horns
Authors: Lopes Adrian A.
Published: December 2018

Rhino poaching in South Africa and India's major range states have been remarkably similar over time. Organised criminal syndicates manage an illegal supply chain of rhino horns from poachers, middlemen and corrupt authorities to East Asian black‐markets. In this paper, we use rhino poaching data from South Africa and India to examine the plausibility of transnational links and coordination in their supplies of rhino horns. We develop an innovative model of oligopolistic collusion in supply and find empirical evidence to support the theory, while controlling for rhino horn demand features, corruption, governance quality, and conservation policy. Furthermore, we propose an inventory management model of a criminal syndicate that controls the horn supply chain. The method retraces and forecasts black‐market prices and has potential applicability in estimating supply or demand elasticities. This paper is the first to suggest an oligopolistic feature of the poaching industry. It highlights the need to reorient conservation policy to account for possible coordination of rhino horn supplies between range states.
Recruiting young women to weight management programs: Barriers and enablers
Authors: Crino Natalie D. , Parker Helen M. , Gifford Janelle A. , Lau K.Y. Karen , Greenfield Eliya M. , Donges Cheyne E. , O'Dwyer Nicholas J. , Steinbeck Katharine S. , O'Connor Helen T.
Published: December 2018

Aim

Recruiting young women to weight management research programs is difficult. The purpose of this study was to gain insights into the barriers and motivators that influence participation and to explore effective methods of recruitment from the perspective of young women with obesity living in both urban and regional areas.

Methods

Semi‐structured interviews were used to elicit information from focus groups. The interviews were transcribed, coded and analysed qualitatively. Eight focus groups, which included a total of 27 women, were conducted. Participants had a mean age of 29.1 (±5.1) years and a mean body mass index of 35.8 (±2.9) kg/m2.

Results

The barriers to participation were multifaceted and largely similar across urban and regional participants. Fear of judgement and uncertainty about the process were major psychosocial barriers. A lack of tailoring of program content was an important program‐related barrier. Physical barriers such as time commitment, cost and access were discussed extensively, particularly in urban groups. The provision of incentives and the use of positive language that focusses on the benefits of the intervention were viewed positively. Physical and virtual methods of recruitment were identified as potentially effective provided they were presented in media that this group is likely to use and can access in a private location.

Conclusions

The results of this study provide a greater understanding of the challenges faced by young women in relation to participation in weight management programs and some of the potential methods that could be utilised to facilitate participation.
Improvement of Biological Activity of Morchella esculenta Protein Hydrolysate by Microwave‐Assisted Selenization
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Wu Caie , Wang Tao , Sun Yujun , Li Tingting , Fan Gongjian
Published: December 2018

Morchella esculenta protein hydrolysate (MPH) from a valued medicinal and edible fungus M. esculenta (L.) is an excellent material for functional food development. To promote MPH utilization, selenization of MPH was performed by applying a simple and environmentally friendly microwave irradiation procedure. The physicochemical characteristics of selenized MPH (Se‐MPH) were investigated by SEM‐EDX, FTIR, CD, and amino acid analyzer, and its biological activity were assessed by ABTS, DPPH, H2O2 scavenging, and reducing power assays, as well as α‐glucosidase, α‐amylase, and tyrosinase inhibition tests. The results showed that MPH was successfully selenized, Se content in Se‐MPH reached 59.0 ± 0.64 mg/g, and amino groups, hydroxyl groups, and sulfur atoms of methionine residues in the MPH molecule may participate in selenization. Furthermore, Se‐MPH exhibited significantly enhanced antioxidant, antidiabetic, and tyrosinase inhibitory activities, compared with the native MPH and microwave‐irradiated MPH. Thus, the microwave‐assisted selenization is a feasible strategy for preparing organic Se and improving the biological activity of MPH.

Practical Application

In this study, selenized Morchella esculenta protein hydrolysate (Se‐MPH) was successfully prepared via conjugation with sodium selenite using the microwave‐assisted method. The results showed that Se‐MPH, synthesized with the aid of microwave, exhibited favorable selenium content and improved antioxidant, antidiabetic, and tyrosinase inhibitory activities. Therefore, microwave can be employed as an innovative and effective avenue for the production of organic selenium in nutraceutical and functional food industry.
Cell‐free DNA as a biomarker of aging
Authors: Teo Yee Voan , Capri Miriam , Morsiani Cristina , Pizza Grazia , Faria Ana Maria Caetano , Franceschi Claudio , Neretti Nicola
Published: December 2018

Cell‐free DNA (cfDNA) is present in the circulating plasma and other body fluids and is known to originate mainly from apoptotic cells. Here, we provide the first in vivo evidence of global and local chromatin changes in human aging by analyzing cfDNA from the blood of individuals of different age groups. Our results show that nucleosome signals inferred from cfDNA are consistent with the redistribution of heterochromatin observed in cellular senescence and aging in other model systems. In addition, we detected a relative cfDNA loss at several genomic locations, such as transcription start and termination sites, 5′UTR of L1HS retrotransposons and dimeric AluY elements with age. Our results also revealed age and deteriorating health status correlate with increased enrichment of signals from cells in different tissues. In conclusion, our results show that the sequencing of circulating cfDNA from human blood plasma can be used as a noninvasive methodology to study age‐associated changes to the epigenome in vivo.
Effects of Antidesma thwaitesianum Muell. Arg. pomace as a source of plant secondary compounds on digestibility, rumen environment, hematology, and milk production in dairy cows
Authors: Gunun Pongsatorn , Gunun Nirawan , Khejornsart Pichad , Ouppamong Thanaporn , Cherdthong Anusorn , Wanapat Metha , Sirilaophaisan Srisuda , Yuangklang Chalermpon , Polyorach Sineenart , Kenchaiwong Wootichai , Kang Sungchhang
Published: December 2018

Mao pomace meal (MPM) contains condensed tannins and saponins at 92 and 98 g/kg, respectively, and these substances can be used to manipulate ruminal fermentation in ruminant. Four multiparous lactating Holstein cows with 45 ± 5 days in milk were randomly assigned according to a 4 × 4 Latin square design to receive four different levels of MPM supplementation at 0, 100, 200, and 300 g/head/day, respectively. Cows were fed with concentrate diets at 1:1.5 of concentrate to milk yield ratio and urea‐treated (3%) rice straw was fed ad libitum. The results revealed that feed intake, nutrient digestibility, blood urea nitrogen, and hematological parameters were not affected by MPM supplementation (p > 0.05). However, ruminal pH and propionate were increased quadratically (p < 0.05) in cows receiving MPM whereas acetate, acetate to propionate ratio and estimate methane production were decreased (p < 0.05). Supplementation of MPM linearly decreased ruminal ammonia nitrogen and protozoal population at 4 hr postfeeding (p < 0.05). Milk production and milk composition were similar among treatments (p > 0.05). In conclusion, supplementation of MPM at 200 g/head/day could modify ruminal fermentation and reduce methane production without adverse effect on feed intake, digestibility, hematological parameters, and milk production in dairy cows.
Rates of abnormal aldosterone/renin ratio in African‐origin compared to European‐origin patients: A retrospective study
Authors: Ahmed Khalid S. , Bogdanet Delia , Abadi Sorresa , Dineen RoseMary , Boran Gerald , Woods Conor P. , Behan Lucy Ann , Sherlock Mark , Gibney James
Published: December 2018

Introduction

The aldosterone/renin ratio is the initial screening test for primary hyperaldosteronism (PHA), but little data exists regarding ethnic variations in this.

Methods

Following clinical observation of a high prevalence of abnormal aldosterone/renin ratio (ARR) in patients of African‐origin, we retrospectively reviewed all ARR measurements in a single centre over 10 years. Rates of hypokalaemia, intraventricular septal thickness (IVS, by echocardiography) and adrenal imaging were recorded when available.

Results

Aldosterone/renin ratio was available in 1473 patients, and abnormal in 374 (25.4%). Abnormal ARR was observed in 305/1349 (22.6%) of European‐origin and 69/124 (55.6%) of African‐origin patients (P < 0.001). Among those with abnormal ARR, hypokalaemia (<3.5 mmol/L) was documented on at least one occasion in 171/305 (56.1%) European‐origin and 43/69 (62.3%) African‐origin patients (P = 0.35). Median (range) IVS was 1.57 (0.78‐2.80) cm in African‐origin and 1.20 (0.69‐2.18) cm in European‐origin patients (P < 0.002); IVS did not correlate with aldosterone or ARR however. Adrenal adenoma was identified in 41/170 (24.1%) of European‐origin and 4/29 (13.7%) African‐origin patients (P = 0.15), while hyperplasia was identified in 35/170 (20.5%) of European and 8/29 (27.5%) African patients (P = 0.39).

Conclusion

In summary, ARR was abnormal in 55.6% of African‐origin patients screened at an Irish hospital. Rates of hypokalaemia were similar between European‐origin and African‐origin patients. These findings have implications for the use of current screening guidelines for ARR in African‐origin patients and also for the mechanistic role of aldosterone in hypertensive complications in African‐origin patients.
Mortality among people who inject drugs: Ten‐year follow‐up of the hepatitis C virus cohort
Authors: Kimber Jo , Stoové Mark , Maher Lisa
Published: December 2018

Introduction and Aims

Mortality studies of people who inject drugs (PWID) are mostly of older people and drug treatment cohorts. We estimate mortality rates, describe causes of death, and years of potential life lost in a community‐recruited cohort of young PWID characterised by high incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

Design and Methods

Participant identifiers of 215 PWID from the south‐western Sydney sub‐cohort of the HCV Cohort were linked to National Death Index records from 1999 to 2010 and crude mortality rates and standardised mortality ratios estimated. Australian life tables were used to calculate years of potential of life lost.

Results

Fifteen participants died (7.0%) in 2095 person years (PY) of follow‐up. Median age at death was 30.6 years (interquartile range 24.9–32.2). The crude mortality rate was 0.72 per 100PY (95% confidence interval 0.29–0.79) with a standardised mortality ratio of 11.09 (95% confidence interval 6.68–18.39). One‐third of deaths were due to accidental drug overdose (5/15) and one‐fifth were suicides (3/15). All deaths from defined causes (13/15) were potentially avoidable. Decedents lost on average 49.8 years of potential life.

Discussion and Conclusions

Mortality and potential life lost further highlight the impact of accidental overdose deaths and suicide among young PWID. Integration of overdose and suicide prevention into youth‐orientated outreach, including innovation in online and mobile technology should be evaluated.
Disease Detection Analytics: A Simple Linear Convex Programming Algorithm for Breast Cancer and Diabetes Incidence Decisions
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Somnath , Samaddar Subhashish , Solis Adriano O. , Roy Asim
Published: December 2018

In the last couple of decades, data analytics‐based pattern classification methods for disease detection have gained much traction in healthcare research and applications. The current study builds linear programming (LP) models for detecting disease incidence. We propose sequential steps of a convex programming algorithm to construct decision boundary functions to classify patterns in disease detection data. We compare the performance of our LP‐based classifier with others (neural network, decision tree, k‐nearest‐neighbor, logistic regression, naïve‐Bayes, and support‐vector‐machine) on four datasets: two different ones for breast cancer, and one each for diabetes and diabetic retinopathy. Statistical tests reveal that the LP classifier did significantly better than the other methods in five out of eight false‐positive and false‐negative test cases. There is not a statistically significant difference in performance in the remaining three tests between the LP classifier and the best alternative method. Most importantly, the LP classifier has significantly superior performance in both diabetes detection and diabetic retinopathy data. The success of the proposed LP classifier results from avoiding “modeling noise” and “memorization of training data.” We recommend that our proposed LP classifier be among the set of classifiers for use in disease detection analytics.
Postictal clinical and electroencephalographic activity following intracranially recorded bilateral tonic–clonic seizures
Authors: Bateman Lisa M. , Mendiratta Anil , Liou Jyun‐You , Smith Elliot J. , Bazil Carl W. , Choi Hyunmi , McKhann Guy M. , Pack Alison , Srinivasan Shraddha , Schevon Catherine A.
Published: December 2018

Objective

The dynamics of the postictal period, which may demonstrate such dramatic clinical phenomena as focal neurological deficits, prolonged coma and immobility, and even sudden death, are poorly understood. We sought to classify and characterize postictal phases of bilateral tonic–clonic seizures based on electroencephalographic (EEG) criteria and associated clinical features.

Methods

We performed a detailed electroclinical evaluation of the postictal period in a series of 31 bilateral tonic–clonic seizures in 16 patients undergoing epilepsy surgery evaluations for focal pharmacoresistant epilepsy with intracranial electrodes and time‐locked video.

Results

The postictal EEG demonstrated three clearly differentiated phases as follows: attenuation, a burst‐attenuation pattern, and a return to continuous background, with abrupt, synchronized transitions between phases. Postictal attenuation was common, occurring in 84% of seizures in 94% of patients in this study. There was increased power in gamma frequencies (>25 Hz) during postictal attenuation periods relative to preictal baseline in 88% of seizures demonstrating the attenuation pattern (n = 25 seizures, P < 0.002). Such increases were seen in >90% of channels in 13 seizures (52%) and <10% of channels in three seizures (12%). Postictal immobility was seen in 87% of seizures, with either a flaccid (58%) or rigid/dystonic (29%) appearance. Clinical motor manifestations, including focal dystonic posturing, automatisms, head and eye deviation, and myoclonic jerking, continued or emerged within the first minute following seizure termination in 48% of seizures, regardless of EEG appearance.

Significance

Intracranial postictal attenuation, which may be diffuse or focal, is so common that it should be regarded as a ubiquitous feature of bilateral tonic‐clonic seizures, rather than an unusual event. The prominence of high‐frequency activity coupled with emerging clinical features, including rigid immobility and semiologies such as automatisms, during the postictal period supports the presence of ongoing seizure‐related neuronal activity in unrecorded brain regions.
Spontaneous adverse event notifications by patients subsequent to the marketing of a new formulation of Levothyrox® amidst a drug media crisis: atypical profile as compared with other drugs
Authors: Viard Delphine , Parassol‐Girard Nadège , Romani Serena , Van Obberghen Elise , Rocher Fanny , Berriri Sofia , Drici Milou‐Daniel
Published: December 2018

Since patients may report spontaneously adverse events associated with their medications, such notifications are constantly on the rise. In 2017, an unexpected rise of notifications associated with the marketing of a new formula of Levothyrox, differing from the 30‐year‐old drug only by minor elements, occurred in France amidst widespread media coverage. Not much, if any, scientific or pharmacological rationale was identified to explain that signal. This led us to focus on the profile and the clinical characteristics of these notifications and compare them to those associated with other drugs. We gathered all the spontaneous drug adverse event notifications associated with either Levothyrox® or other drugs, that we received from patients in 2017, in the sanitary territory of ~2.3 M people we surveyed. Each notification was assessed by a multidisciplinary team. We compared the number of notifications, the number of symptoms described and their clinical characteristics. A total of 1 544 patient notifications were evaluated: 1 372 cases totaling 7 342 adverse events concerned Levothyrox® new formula, as compared with 172 cases reporting 528 adverse events for all other drugs. The number of symptoms reported per notification was significantly higher for Levothyrox® (5.4) than for other drugs (3.1, P < 0.001). Symptoms associated with Levothyrox® belonged to more System Organ Classes and were often unrelated to the disease or treatment, as compared with those associated with other drugs. The distribution of the cases according to the number of symptoms described was starkly different, the Levothyrox® distribution being unimodal. Health authorities must address this issue as such large atypical reporting disproportionally affects the European pharmacovigilance database.
Moving for a ‘better welfare’? The case of transnational Sudanese families
Authors: SERRA MINGOT ESTER , MAZZUCATO VALENTINA
Published: December 2018

The burgeoning literature on welfare migration, or on the likelihood of migrants moving to countries with more generous welfare states, yields mixed results. In this article, we aim to disentangle what kinds of considerations underlie the decisions that migrants and their families make to address their social protection needs when they move to certain places. We explain how Sudanese extended families, with members scattered across multiple countries, draw on formal and informal institutions to meet their needs for social protection. Through a transnational approach, we analyse the mechanisms guiding the access, circulation and coordination of resources to cover different but related social protection domains. We contribute to current debates on transnational social protection by drawing on the life stories of members of a Sudanese transnational family and by expanding on the concept of ‘resource environment’. We based this article on 14 months of multi‐sited ethnographic fieldwork with Sudanese migrants and their families in the Netherlands, the UK and Sudan.
Les inégalités entre les sexes sur les marchés du travail européens: comparaison entre la situation des hommes et celle des femmes
Authors: CASTELLANO Rosalia , ROCCA Antonella
Published: December 2018

Malgré l'explosion de l'activité féminine et les nouveaux débouchés qui s'offrent aux femmes depuis quelques décennies, les inégalités entre les sexes persistent à bien des égards sur les marchés du travail. Dans une analyse limitée aux salariés de l'Union européenne, les auteures s'interrogent sur la relation entre le degré d'inégalité et la santé économique du pays. Grâce à un indicateur synthétique, proposé dans l'une de leurs études précédentes, qu'elles mettent à jour et complètent par trois autres indices, elles analysent la situation sur le marché du travail des salariés hommes et femmes ainsi que les différentiels entre les sexes, faisant émerger des scénarios contrastés.
Les migrations internes et leur incidence sur l'accès au premier emploi: illustration par le cas ougandais
Authors: BOUTIN Delphine
Published: December 2018

L'auteure étudie l'effet de la migration interne sur l'accès au premier emploi à partir d'un exemple ougandais, en comparant la durée de transition vers un premier emploi entre migrants et non‐migrants. Avec des modèles de Cox à hasards proportionnels, elle montre que l'insertion des migrants est plus rapide, à l'exception de la transition de l'école à l'emploi ou lorsque les individus ayant commencé à travailler enfants sont exclus. Un exercice de décomposition montre qu'il faut tenir compte de l'hétérogénéité parmi les migrants et met en évidence le rôle considérable de facteurs, observables ou non, relatifs à la région d'origine, au sexe et au niveau d'études.
Patience Is a Virtue: In Value Investing*
Authors: Hens Thorsten , Schenk‐Hoppé Klaus R.
Published: December 2018

This note illustrates a simple but important insight for financial investment. In a heterogeneous agent‐based evolutionary finance market model with long‐lived assets, markets are stable if clients of fundamental (“value”) investment funds are more patient than clients of other funds.
Moral reasoning explained by personality traits and moral disengagement: A study among Dutch nurse practitioners and physician assistants
Authors: Kuilman Luppo , Jansen Gerard J. , Middel Berrie , Mulder Laetitia B. , Roodbol Petrie F.
Published: December 2018

Aim

To explore the direct and indirect effect of the personality meta‐traits ‘Stability’ and ‘Plasticity’ on moral reasoning among nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs).

Background

Moral reasoning is influenced by being prone to moral disengagement and personality traits. Moral disengagement is observed among professionals in many fields, including healthcare providers. Moral disengagement is known to be provoked by environmental stressors and influenced by certain personality traits.

Design

A cross‐sectional approach was used including self‐report questionnaires.

Methods

A convenience sample of Dutch NPs (N = 67) and PAs (N = 88) was surveyed via online questionnaires between January and March 2015, using (a) the Defining Issues Test; (b) the BIG five inventory; and (c) the Moral Disengagement Scale. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was employed for estimating the construct validity of two meta‐traits of personality and to test unidirectional influences on moral reasoning.

Results

Only the Stability trait was a direct predictor of moral reasoning whereas both Stability and Plasticity were precursors of moral disengagement. Both personality meta‐traits had statistically significant indirect effects on moral reasoning through a low level of moral disengagement. The influence of both personality traits on the level of moral reasoning was increased by strong self‐censure on entering into morally disengaged interactions.

Conclusion

The personality meta‐trait ‘Stability’ is an indicator of moral reasoning and is explained by a lower propensity to morally disengage among highly stable people. Although the meta‐trait Plasticity exerts an indirect effect through moral disengagement on moral reasoning, it is not a direct indicator of moral reasoning.
Optimization of extruder cooking conditions for the manufacture of fish feeds using response surface methodology
Authors: Irungu Francis Gichuho , Mutungi Christopher , Faraj Abdul , Affognon Hippolyte , Ekesi Sunday , Nakimbugwe Dorothy , Fiaboe Komi K. M.
Published: December 2018

A composite blend consisting of sunflower cake, maize germ, wheat bran, fresh water shrimps and cassava flour was extruded using a single‐screw extruder to produce expanded fish feed pellets. The effects of temperature (80–120 °C), die diameter (2–4 mm), and feed pre‐conditioning time (50–150 s; steam 400 kPa) on properties of the pellets (expansion ratio, bulk density, floatability, durability, water absorption, water solubility, water stability, and in‐vitro protein digestibility) were investigated using response surface methodology. Regression equations describing the effect of each variable on the product responses were obtained. The pellets extruded using a factor combination of 120 °C extruder barrel temperature, 2 mm die diameter, and 100 s of feed pre‐conditioning time gave most desirable pellet floatability (100%), durability index (99%), expansion ratio (2.64), water absorption index (4.12), water solubility index (9.31), water stability (87%), bulk density (479 g/L), and in vitro protein digestibility (69.97%) with a composite desirability of 0.88.

Practical applications

Extrusion is a modern feed processing method whose use is fast gaining popularity among small feed processors in developing countries. However, extrusion is a process that involves many parameters that need to be optimized for desirable end properties. These findings guide fish feed manufacturers on the optimum conditions for single screw extruders for production of feeds with desirable properties especially for the fish types that are top feeders. In addition, the results offer important insights on how temperature, die diameter, and feed pre‐conditioning, may be manipulated to influence properties of extruded aquafeed when using simple low‐cost small‐scale extruders.
Novel prediction of heavy metal residues in fish using a low‐cost optical electronic tongue system based on colorimetric sensors array
Authors: Han Fangkai , Huang Xingyi , Teye Ernest
Published: December 2018

For simultaneous and quantitative prediction of three toxic heavy metal residues (Pb, Cd and Hg) in fish, the novel and low‐cost colorimetric sensors array was fabricated. Forty eight fish samples (Carassius carassius) retailed in Zhenjiang, China, were used. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was employed as the reference analytical method. The partial least square regression (PLS) and extreme learning machine (ELM) respectively were comparatively used for data modeling. Results showed that the ELM models built were better than the PLS models with correlation coefficient in the prediction set for Pb, Cd, and Hg as 0.854, 0.83, and 0.845 respectively; while, the corresponding root mean squares error were 0.102 mg/kg, 0.026 mg/kg, and 0.016 mg/kg respectively. This work demonstrates that the developed artifical gustatory system has a great potential in the simultaneous and quantitative prediction of heavy metal residues in fish and could be used perhaps for other fish products.

Practical applications

Fish is an important food commodity worldwide. It is very vital to monitor heavy metals residues in raw fishes to guarantee food safety. Traditional analytical methods for heavy metals determination in fish are quite cumbersome and usually expensive. The novel low‐cost and simple colorimetric sensors array based on pyridylazo and porphyrin indicators has been developed in the present study. Results showed that, photoelectric electronic tongue based on colorimetric sensors coupled with extreme learning machine model has a great potential in the simultaneous and quantitative prediction of toxic heavy metal residues in fish.
Racial and ethnic disparities in birth outcomes and labour and delivery‐related charges among women with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Authors: Akobirshoev I. , Mitra M. , Parish S. L. , Moore Simas T. A. , Dembo R. , Ncube C. N.
Published: December 2018

Background

Women with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in the USA are bearing children at increasing rates. However, very little is known whether racial and ethnic disparities in birth outcomes and labour and delivery‐related charges exist in this population. This study investigated racial and ethnic disparities in birth outcomes and labour and delivery‐related charges among women with IDD.

Methods

The study employed secondary analysis of the 2004–2011 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project National Inpatient Sample, the largest all‐payer, publicly available US inpatient healthcare database. Hierarchical mixed‐effect logistic and linear regression models were used to compare the study outcomes.

Results

We identified 2110 delivery‐associated hospitalisations among women with IDD including 1275 among non‐Hispanic White women, 527 among non‐Hispanic Black women and 308 among Hispanic women. We found significant disparities in stillbirth among non‐Hispanic Black and Hispanic women with IDD compared with their non‐Hispanic White peers [odds ratio = 2.50, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.16–5.28, P < 0.01 and odds ratio = 2.53, 95% CI: 1.08–5.92, P < 0.01, respectively]. There were no racial and ethnic disparities in caesarean delivery, preterm birth and small‐for‐gestational‐age neonates among women with IDD. The average labour and delivery‐related charges for non‐Hispanic Black and Hispanic Women with IDD ($18 889 and $22 481, respectively) exceeded those for non‐Hispanic White women with IDD ($14 886) by $4003 and $7595 or by 27% and 51%, respectively. The significant racial and ethnic differences in charges persisted even after controlling for a range of individual‐level and institutional‐level characteristics and were 6% (ln(β) = 0.06, 95% CI: 0.01–0.11, P < 0.05) and 9% (ln(β) = 0.09, 95% CI: 0.03–0.14, P < 0.01) higher for non‐Hispanic Black and Hispanic Women with IDD compared with non‐Hispanic White women with IDD.

Conclusions

Our findings highlight the need for an integrated approach to the delivery of comprehensive perinatal services for racial and ethnic minority women with IDD to reduce their risk of having a stillbirth. Additionally, further research is needed to examine the causes of racial and ethnic disparities in hospital charges for labour and delivery admission among women with IDD and ascertain whether price discrimination exists based on patients' racial or ethnic identities.
Long‐term albumin administration in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. It is time for a reappraisal
Authors: Bañares Rafael , Bernardi Mauro
Published: December 2018

See Article on Page 98
The specificity of Burkholderia symbionts in the social amoeba farming symbiosis: Prevalence, species, genetic and phenotypic diversity
Authors: Haselkorn Tamara S. , DiSalvo Susanne , Miller Jacob W. , Bashir Usman , Brock Debra A. , Queller David C. , Strassmann Joan E.
Published: December 2018

The establishment of symbioses between eukaryotic hosts and bacterial symbionts in nature is a dynamic process. The formation of such relationships depends on the life history of both partners. Bacterial symbionts of amoebae may have unique evolutionary trajectories to the symbiont lifestyle, because bacteria are typically ingested as prey. To persist after ingestion, bacteria must first survive phagocytosis. In the social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum, certain strains of Burkholderia bacteria are able to resist amoebal digestion and maintain a persistent relationship that includes carriage throughout the amoeba's social cycle that culminates in spore formation. Some Burkholderia strains allow their host to carry other bacteria, as food. This carried food is released in new environments in a trait called farming. To better understand the diversity and prevalence of Burkholderia symbionts and the traits they impart to their amoebae hosts, we first screened 700 natural isolates of D. discoideum and found 25% infected with Burkholderia. We next used a multilocus phylogenetic analysis and identified two independent transitions by Burkholderia to the symbiotic lifestyle. Finally, we tested the ability of 38 strains of Burkholderia from D. discoideum, as well as strains isolated from other sources, for traits relevant to symbiosis in D. discoideum. Only D. discoideum native isolates belonging to the Burkholderia agricolaris, B. hayleyella, and B. bonniea species were able to form persistent symbiotic associations with D. discoideum. The Burkholderia–Dictyostelium relationship provides a promising arena for further studies of the pathway to symbiosis in a unique system.
Developing a video‐based method to compare and adjust examiner effects in fully nested OSCEs
Authors: Yeates Peter , Cope Natalie , Hawarden Ashley , Bradshaw Hannah , McCray Gareth , Homer Matt
Published: December 2018

Background

Although averaging across multiple examiners’ judgements reduces unwanted overall score variability in objective structured clinical examinations (OSCE), designs involving several parallel circuits of the OSCE require that different examiner cohorts collectively judge performances to the same standard in order to avoid bias. Prior research suggests the potential for important examiner‐cohort effects in distributed or national examinations that could compromise fairness or patient safety, but despite their importance, these effects are rarely investigated because fully nested assessment designs make them very difficult to study. We describe initial use of a new method to measure and adjust for examiner‐cohort effects on students’ scores.

Methods

We developed video‐based examiner score comparison and adjustment (VESCA): volunteer students were filmed ‘live’ on 10 out of 12 OSCE stations. Following the examination, examiners additionally scored station‐specific common‐comparator videos, producing partial crossing between examiner cohorts. Many‐facet Rasch modelling and linear mixed modelling were used to estimate and adjust for examiner‐cohort effects on students’ scores.

Results

After accounting for students’ ability, examiner cohorts differed substantially in their stringency or leniency (maximal global score difference of 0.47 out of 7.0 [Cohen's d = 0.96]; maximal total percentage score difference of 5.7% [Cohen's d = 1.06] for the same student ability by different examiner cohorts). Corresponding adjustment of students’ global and total percentage scores altered the theoretical classification of 6.0% of students for both measures (either pass to fail or fail to pass), whereas 8.6–9.5% students’ scores were altered by at least 0.5 standard deviations of student ability.

Conclusions

Despite typical reliability, the examiner cohort that students encountered had a potentially important influence on their score, emphasising the need for adequate sampling and examiner training. Development and validation of VESCA may offer a means to measure and adjust for potential systematic differences in scoring patterns that could exist between locations in distributed or national OSCE examinations, thereby ensuring equivalence and fairness.
Contrasting responses of intertidal microphytobenthos and phytoplankton biomass and taxonomic composition to the nutrient loads in the Jiulong River Estuary
Authors: Xie Yuyuan , Wang Lei , Liu Xin , Li Xin , Wang Yuanyong , Huang Bangqin
Published: December 2018

Microphytobenthos (MPB) and phytoplankton are important primary producers in the estuarial ecosystem, and their functions are critical to the ecosystem's biodiversity and environmental safety. The aim of this study was to compare the response of MPB and phytoplankton to the nutrient loads in a eutrophic estuary, which has seldom been studied. We used high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and CHEMTAX software to examine the biomass and taxonomic composition of both MPB and phytoplankton at Da‐yu Island (DYI) and Ji‐yu Island (JYI) in the Jiulong River Estuary from July 2010 to March 2012. The results showed that MPB chlorophyll a was low in the summer and high in the winter at both DYI and JYI, indicating a unimodal pattern. However, the phytoplankton chlorophyll a showed a mirrored pattern. Diatoms were the dominant class in both benthic and pelagic environments. Although redundancy analysis indicated that the effects of different environmental factors could not be easily separated, it is likely that phosphate and temperature were the most important factors regulating the seasonal patterns of MPB and phytoplankton diatoms, respectively. MPB and phytoplankton cyanobacteria was co‐limited by salinity and temperature. The high N/P ratio and low phosphate favored chlorophytes and cyanobacteria. Our study demonstrates the use of HPLC and CHEMTAX in an integrated survey of the spatial and temporal distribution patterns of MPB and phytoplankton in an estuarial ecosystem. The contrasting responses of MPB and phytoplankton to nutrient loads indicate the critical role of MPB in subtropical estuarial ecosystem function. The relationship between nutrients and MPB may indicate a significant contribution to carbon and nutrient cycling.
Improving gender outcomes in social security retirement systems
Authors: Brimblecombe Simon , McClanahan Shea
Published: December 2018

Assessing whether retirement systems meet their varying objectives requires analysing outcomes across different categories of beneficiaries with different working, financial, demographic, and family situations. Policymakers should therefore assess systems on the distribution of outcomes rather than average outcomes.

Much has been written about the gender inequalities inherent in labour markets and how these are reflected and reproduced in pension systems, and there is growing evidence that recent reforms have exacerbated these trends. Recent research has turned to the policy measures available to policymakers to forestall or reverse these trends, but this literature tends to overlook important administrative measures that have the potential to reduce inequalities in access that could improve pension outcomes for women within the current policy framework. This paper examines the main issues surrounding gender inequality in retirement outcomes; explores the implications of recent reform trends in light of the differential outcomes for women, including policy options to mitigate the negative impacts; and concludes with a review of key administrative measures, including streamlining affiliation procedures, improving information, and simplifying payment of contributions and receipt of benefits and better compliance of employers.
Who benefits from partial tax coordination?
Authors: Han Yutao , Wan Xi
Published: December 2018

In this paper, we investigate whether partial tax coordination is beneficial to countries within and outside a tax union, in which countries are supposed to compete in taxes and infrastructure. Our results demonstrate that a subgroup of countries agreeing on a common tax rate can harm both member and nonmember states. This is in contrast to the classical findings that partial tax harmonisation is Pareto improving. When a minimum tax rate is imposed within a tax union, we demonstrate that it does not necessarily improve the welfare of the member countries. Moreover, both the high‐tax and low‐tax countries can be worse off. This conclusion is at odds with the classical result that a high‐tax country benefits from the imposition of a lower tax bound.
Making MNC Competitive Through Effective Cross Cultural Negotiations
Authors: Godiwalla Yezdi H.
Published: December 2018

An organization exists in the context of other entities (such as other organizations and governmental, political and social entities) in its organizational environments. The organization’s focal entities become its task environments that require its immediate attention and it has to interact with all such entities so that it is able to satisfy their expectations from it, and, in turn, by pursuing its strategy, it achieves its own goals. This is the model that describes the situation of any organization, including a multinational corporation (MNC) in its international and multi-cultural setting. Often, the negotiation process for meeting an organization’s needs may involve managing inherent conflict, disagreement or competing for constrained resources, thus making negotiation an arduous process. The very basis of give-and-take interactions and negotiations across different cultures, that typify an MNC in its multi-cultural setting, becomes the foundation for cross cultural negotiations. Such negotiations provide the MNC the method of communicating with its diverse entities and seek the services from them for it to achieve its goals. Because an MNC operates in an international and multi-cultural setting, its many entities are of diverse nature and cross cultural communication and negotiation skills become the critical. The inter-organizational interactions of an MNC in its international and multicultural setting become the basis of its day-to-day operations.
Analysis of the Relationship Between Stress and Organizational Commitment in Employees: A Meta-Analysis Study
Authors: Ateş Öznur Tulunay , İhtiyaroğlu Neslin
Published: December 2018

This research aims to investigate the relationship of stress and organizational commitment in employees with meta-analysis method. In the literature review, 22 studies and 42 comparisons were found which meet the determined criteria. “Fisher z” value was used to calculate impact size values and impact direction and overall impact of the research were analysed with random impact model. As a result of the analysis; it was determined that stress have a weak positive relationship impact on organizational commitment. In addition, it was also determined that there is a negative and weak relationship impact between stress and affective commitment; positive and weak relationship impact between stress and normative commitment and positive and small relationship impact between stress and continuance commitment in employees. In the research, it was seen that the impact of stress on organizational commitment vary according to the sector that employees work in. ın the analyses, it was determined that there is a positive impact in health and tourism and a negative impact in education and the impact size is weak in health and small in tourism and education. Based on the research results, it can be said that new researches are required about how and why the relationships between stress and organizational commitment in employees vary.
Electrical Power System Modeling of Atucha II Nuclear Power Plant Using etap
Authors: Malinovsky Nicolás Alejandro
Published: December 2018

This work shows the introduction of the Electrical Power System Analysis (etap) software as a calculation and analysis tool for power electrical systems of the nuclear power plants (NPP) under the orbit of Nucleoeléctrica Argentina S.A (NASA). Through the use of the software, the model of the electrical power system of the Atucha II NPP was developed. To test the functionality of the modeled electrical power circuit, studies of load flow and short-circuit analysis were conducted, yielding satisfactory results, which were contrasted with the plant design values. Once the model has been validated, this will be the basis for carrying out different studies in the plant through simulation. Furthermore, with the incorporation of etap as a fundamental calculation and analysis tool for power electrical systems at the company's engineering departments, it is expected to improve the safety, operation, quality, reliability, and maintenance of both the Atucha II NPP electrical power system and the other nuclear power plants operated by Nucleoeléctrica Argentina S.A.
LIGO analogy lab—A set of undergraduate lab experiments to demonstrate some principles of gravitational wave detection
Authors: Ugolini Dennis , Rafferty Hanna , Winter Max , Rockstuhl Carsten , Bergmann Antje
Published: December 2018

The first direct detection of gravitational waves by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) in September 2015 proved their existence, as predicted by Einstein's General Theory of Relativity, and ushered in the era of gravitational-wave interferometry. In this article, we present a set of lab course experiments at different levels of advancement, which give students insight into the basic LIGO operating principle and advanced detection techniques. Starting with methods for folding an optical cavity, we advance to analogy experiments with sound waves that can be detected with a Michelson interferometer with an optical cavity arm. In that experiment, students also learn how the sensitivity of the device can be tuned. In a last step, we show how optical heterodyne detection (the mixing of a signal with a reference oscillator) was used in Initial LIGO. We hope these experiments not only give students an understanding of some LIGO techniques but also awaken a fascination for how unimaginably tiny signals, created by powerful cosmic events a billion years ago or earlier, can be detected today here on Earth.
Exploring Negative Absolute Temperature Using NetLogo
Authors: Browning Fred , Moore Kaitlyn , Campos Jennifer
Published: December 2018

The possibility of negative temperatures on the Kelvin scale is intriguing and confusing simultaneously. This is because students are used to thinking of temperature as a measure of the internal energy of a system. While this concept is good for many systems, it does not work for all systems. Nuclear and electron spin systems, along with lasers and other energy-bound systems, have negative absolute temperature. These systems have an upper limit to their energy, which arises out of the quantum nature of these systems. This is what gives rise to the negative absolute temperature. Temperature in the broadest sense is related to the change of the entropy of a system for a given change in the internal energy of the system. To help students understand this concept, we have developed a NetLogo model simulation of a binary spin lattice system using the 2D Ising model. For example, imagine a grid of tiny suspended bar magnets, with each magnet only allowed one of two orientations: north pole up or south pole up. NetLogo is a software tool that allows users to program agents that can interact with each other and the environment. Through using this simulation, students in a calculus-based physics or thermodynamics class will get a visual and hands-on experience of the full range of temperatures possible.
Teaching Mechanics Using Kinesthetic Learning Activities
Authors: Richards AJ
Published: December 2018

As students learn physics, they are often required to reason about the behavior of macroscopic and microscopic phenomena, and to synthesize prior knowledge from several different areas of physics to construct understanding of new ideas. This can be a tremendously difficult cognitive task for novice students, especially when the unfamiliar phenomena described are potentially microscopic or abstract. Therefore, it can be very helpful for physics instructors to develop and employ pedagogical techniques that help students to visualize and to reason productively about these concepts. A particularly effective strategy uses Kinesthetic Learning Activities (KLAs).
Hints of young planets puzzle theorists
Authors: Clery Daniel
Published: December 2018

Astronomical survey finds telltale gaps in dusty disks around newborn stars.
The sex robots are here
Turned On: Science, Sex and Robots
Kate Devlin
Bloomsbury, 2018. 288 pp.
Authors: Frank Lily
Published: December 2018

Advances in robotics and AI bring new concerns to age-old questions about human intimacy
Beyond blood
Random Families: Genetic Strangers, Sperm Donor Siblings, and the Creation of New Kin
Rosanna Hertz and Margaret K. Nelson
Oxford University Press, 2018. 312 pp.
Authors: Zadeh Sophie
Published: December 2018

Strangers conceived via the same sperm donor reveal the role of choice in how we think about kin
Hydropatterning—how roots test the waters
Authors: Giehl Ricardo F. H. , von Wirén Nicolaus
Published: December 2018

Local water cues modulate auxin signaling to instruct root developmental decisions
Public Health Efforts Can Impact Adoption of Current Susceptibility Breakpoints, but Closer Attention from Regulatory Bodies Is Needed
Authors: McKinnell James A. , Bhaurla S. , Marquez-Sung P. , Pucci A. , Baron M. , Kamali T. , Bugante J. , Schwartz B. , Balter S. , Terashita D. , Butler-Wu S. , Gunzenhauser J. , Hindler J. , Humphries R. M.
Published: December 2018

Microbiological testing, including interpretation of antimicrobial susceptibility testing results using current breakpoints, is crucial for clinical care and infection control. Continued use of obsolete
Enterobacteriaceae
carbapenem breakpoints is common in clinical laboratories.