bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Primer registro e histología básica del anfípodo terrestre Talitroides topitotum (Amphipoda: Talitridae), introducido en las zonas montañosas de Heredia, Costa Rica
Authors: Alfaro Montoya Jorge , Umaña Castro Rodolfo
Published: March 2017

Este estudio documenta por primera vez la introducción del anfípodo terrestre, Talitroides topitotum (Talitridae) en diversas zonas montañosas de los cantones de San Rafael y Barva, Heredia, Costa Rica, con predominio de juveniles y hembras adultas con y sin huevos. La especie es de origen asiático y podría haber sido introducida asociada con plantas exóticas. Se describen aspectos básicos de la histología de la especie, incluyendo la estructura celular de los principales órganos: corazón, intestino, hepatopáncreas, ovario, cordón nervioso, branquia y oosteguito. Las hembras adultas presentan masivas formaciones de tejido conectivo esponjoso rodeando el sistema digestivo y ovarios; los oocitos aparecen en diversas fases de vitelogénesis, produciendo pocos oocitos de enorme tamaño.PALABRAS CLAVECrustacea, Amphipoda, Talitridae, Talitroides topitotum, histología
Presentation of sex work in two Costa Rican newspapers: a multivariate analysis of the roles of patriarchal prejudice and reporter gender
Authors: Monge-Nájera Julián , Vega Corrales Karla , González Lutz María Isabel
Published: March 2017

Tradicionalmente, las sociedades patriarcales reprimen a las mujeres que practican el trabajo sexual y en ello participan hoy los medios de comunicación masiva. Aquí analizamos el tratamiento dado a la cobertura del tema en dos de los principales periódicos impresos de Costa Rica: Diario Extra y La Nación. Recopilamos todas las noticias en las que se mencionó el trabajo sexual en ambos periódicos durante el año 2010 y aplicamos una regresión logística de indicadores. Aplicamos tablas de contingencia y cocientes de probabilidad para medir la asociación de los indicadores con el periódico y el sexo de quien escribe. La mayoría de los 56 periodistas eran hombres y la mayoría de las noticias tuvo un enfoque social (seguidos por los enfoques criminal y moral). A pesar de que el trabajo sexual es legal en Costa Rica, los artículos tienden a presentar a las trabajadoras sexuales como fuera de la ley y "en conflicto" con otros actores sociales. Aunque los hallazgos científicos muestran lo contrario, estos diarios siguen generalizando mitos acerca de la frecuente "explotación" y "prostitución infantil".PALABRAS CLAVEInfluencia de los medios de comunicación en la opinión pública, discriminación de minorías, falta de objetividad.
Sexual videos in Internet: a test of 11 hypotheses about intimate practices and gender interactions in Latin America
Authors: Monge-Nájera Julián , Vega Corrales Karla
Published: March 2017

Existe muy poca literatura sobre causas biológicas de expresiones culturales relacionadas con la sexualidad en Internet, y aun menos sobre videos sexuales latinoamericanos. Aquí presentamos una evaluación estadística de once hipótesis basada en 214 videos disponibles en 2010 en el sitio Nereliatube. En la mayoría de los videos ambas partes estaban conscientes de la grabación y el hombre operaba la cámara. La práctica más frecuente fue la felación, seguida de penetración vaginal. La mayoría presentaban una mujer y un hombre, siendo escasos los videos de sexo en grupo. También fueron escasas la violencia y las manifestaciones de poder, pero cuando hubo violencia en general era simulada. En conclusión, estos videos latinoamericanos reflejan una sociedad en la que hay variedad de prácticas sexuales de mutuo acuerdo que no difieren de lo esperado según el modelo biológico.PALABRAS CLAVEVideos caseros, videos aficionados, videos de internet, patrones sexuales, papeles sexuales.
Asthma knowledge among primary and secondary school teachers in rural northern Costa Rica
Authors: Pitstick Claire
Published: March 2017

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways. It is very common among children and is a major cause for emergency room visits and missed school days. Costa Rica has one of the highestrates of childhood asthma in the world; so it is important for teachers to know how to prevent and treat asthma attacks in the classroom. Since schools in rural Costa Rica had not yet been studied, teachers were sampled from six schools in Venecia and Aguas Zarcas, San Carlos. During March and April 2014, 185 asthma questionnaires were collected.Among these teachers, 51% were aware of asthmatic students in their classes, and 19% recalled witnessing an asthma attack in the classroom. Interest in asthma training was high among 85% of the teachers,and the preferred format was a lecture or workshop. Greater asthma knowledge was significantly related to living with an asthmatic person (p=0,014), but not with being asthmatic, having asthmatic students,witnessing an asthma attack in the classroom, sex, age, education level, or teaching experience. Greater interest in asthma training was related to awareness of asthmatic students (p=0,031), prior experience with an asthma attack in the classroom (p=0,033), and greater asthma knowledge (p=0,022). Primary school teachers were more likely to be aware of asthmatic students in their classes compared to secondary school teachers (p=0,002)
Length-weight relationships of the Indian Major Carp, Labeo rohita (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from six drainages of Ganga basin, India
Authors: Iqbal Mir Javaid , Kumar Sarkar Uttam , Prakash Gusain Om , Kumar Dwivedi Arvind
Published: March 2017

The Indian Major Carp, Labeo rohita, is a geographically widespread and economically important food fish species in tropical freshwater of India and adjacent countries. We studied the lengthweightrelationships of 1 033 specimens collected from the main channel of Ganga river and its five major drainages from March 2009 to July 2012. The length of males ranged from 16 to 92cm (females: 16to 94cm). The growth is allometric positive (b>3) for males, females and pooled sexes. The coefficient of determination (r2) in males ranged from 0,978 to 0,989 and for females from 0,958 to 0,985. Data from field populations are scarce and our results will be useful in the management and conservation of L. rohita populations in its natural range.
Size, sex and maturity of the squid Lolliguncula diomedeae (Cephalopoda: Loliginidae) in the Gulf of Tehuantepec, México.
Authors: Alejo-Plata María del Carmen , Gómez-Márquez José Luis , Herrera-Galindo Jorge Eduardo
Published: March 2017

There is practically no information on the biology of Lolliguncula (Loliolopsis) diomedeae. We analyzed specimens caught in four shrimp fishing trips in the Gulf of Tehuantepec in 1999-2001, 2004 and 2006.Sexual maturity and gonadosomatic index (GSI) were used as indicators of reproductive activity. A total of 1 200 individuals were captured, 89% female. Females ranged from 35 to 97mm in mantle length (LDM),with a mode at 80mm and weights 2 to 30,9g; males 20,7 to 65mm LDM with a mode at 35-40mm and weights from 0,4 to 12g. Differences in the LDM and the PT between males and females were significant (KS, p<0,05). The sex ratio was 8:1 H:M (p <0,05). The weight-length relationship type is potential for both sexes, with a negative allometric growth.83% of mature females had high IGS values, in contrast to less than 20% of mature males. The size at first maturity (L50) indicates that males (42,7mm LDM) mature when shorter than females (74,5mm LDM). Maturity, IGS and oceanographic features of the Gulf of Tehuantepec indicate that L. diomedeae spawn there.
Wealth of water resources and its relation to vegetation cover in the Forest Reserve Greece, Alajuela, Costa Rica.
Authors: Barrantes Barrantes Edwin Alberto , Méndez Estrada Víctor Hugo
Published: March 2017

Ecosystems provide various environmental services such as key recharge and ow of the water resource, but they can be damaged by human activity. Understanding vegetation cover allows administrators to predict the effects of such changes on groundwater and the actions needed in ad- ministration. Grecia Forest Reserve is a 2000-hectare zone in Costa Rica that affects eleven settlements in the region. There we measured vegetation cover and water volume in all water springs (N=70). We identified four vegetation groups: secondary forest, scrubland, pasture and pine forest; and an overall mean ow of 1,12 l/s/ha. Most water springs were found in secondary forest, which had the highest vegetation cover; however, scrublands had higher flows.
Tourist activity in coral reefs of the Natural National Park Corals of Rosario and San Bernardo, Colombia.
Authors: Castro Triana Luz Ayda , Pereira Chaves José Miguel
Published: March 2017

slas del Rosario and San Bernardo is a National Nature Park that protects coral reefs and mangroves but is increasingly affected by tourism. Between April 2011 and January 2013 we interviewed users of the 16 main submarine trails. The most frequented trail was Ministerio / Acuario mío (23,7 ± 5,7 %); Open Water scuba diving was the main diving certificate among tourists (63,5 ± 4,5 %); 58.6% lacked basic diving experience, and 74% had some type of contact with the corals (mostly hard coral: 0,9 ± 0,05). An average there were 5,39 contacts per diver (scuba). For basic diving there was an average of 0.18 contacts/ min/ diver. Diving causes direct and indirect damages to these ecosystems. Most coral contacts are from inexperienced divers: training the tourists is fundamental.
Environmental perception by urban school children: influence of green areas, financing and sex in Costa Rica
Authors: Durán López María Elisa , Barrientos Llosa Zaidett , Charpentier Esquivel Claudia
Published: March 2017

Currently, two main environmental perceptions are recognized: anthropocentrism and ecocentrism. An ecocentric view is associated with childhood, gender and adolescence; nevertheless, there are not studies regarding the effect of school green areas and budget on environmental perception. We analyze the influence of those elements on the environmental perception of 8-9 year old children from eight urban schools in Heredia (Costa Rica). Our survey had 28 statements and questions evaluating contact with green areas, and environmental values, knowledge, attitude and behavior. Ecocentrism dominated in schools with female students or more than 30% green area (X2= 18,5; p=0,002; X2= 14,8, p=0,011). However, boys and girls are both mostly ecocentric, they differ only on the intensity. Budget and total green area were not significant. To encourage sustainable development, an ecocentric perception must be strengthened; green areas must be improved and more attention should be paid to boys’ environmental perception.
Knowledge and beliefs about the Red Cross: Perspectives of community members and Red Cross workers in San Ramón, Alajuela, Costa Rica
Authors: Ebersole Tela , Alfaro Obando Anabelle
Published: March 2017

In Costa Rica, the Red Cross provides most pre-hospital emergency care and transport. Very few studies have investigated extra-hospital emergency care in Costa Rica so this study aimed to fill this gap through interviews with community members, surveys of Red Cross workers and volunteers, and observations of the daily functioning of the Red Cross Committee in San Ramón, Alajuela, Costa Rica. Over the course of 7 weeks of observation at the Red Cross office of San Ramón, 136 interviews and surveys were collected. The study found a well-equipped organization that provides many emergency and non-emergency services for the community. People, mostly over 45 years old, interviewed at the Red Cross were more likely to believe that the community uses the Red Cross’s services rationally than people interviewed at other locations. Community members and Red Cross workers strongly differed in whether or not the community uses the services appropriately; community members felt that they did, while Red Cross workers felt that the usage was often inappropriate and for non-emergency cases, which would be better suited to a clinic. Educating the public about appropriate use of Red Cross services would save money and resources for true emergencies.
Geophysical characterization of the habitat of Patagioenas fasciata (Columbiformes: Columbidae) in Costa Rica
Authors: Méndez Solano Rodrigo Alberto , Salazar Chacón Marlon
Published: March 2017

In Costa Rica, Patagioenas fasciata is distributed in forested areas of the highlands, from 900 m above sea level to the top of the ridges. We identified the main habitats of this species with thematic maps in GIS and did a geophysical analysis. The species is found in the highlands of Rincon de la Vieja, SanIgnacio de Acosta and San Vito de Coto Brus. Our information about possible migration routes, altitudes, weather elements and geomorphology of the sites where it moves and lives is relevant to the species’ management and conservation.
Comunidades de arañas en dos localidades del sitio RAMSAR Humedales Chaco, Argentina
Authors: Achitte Schmutzler Helga Cecilia , Avalos Gilberto , Oscherov Elena Beatriz
Published: March 2017

En este estudio comparamos las comunidades de arañas de bosques y pastizales en la Estancia San Francisco y la Estancia San Carlos; Sitio RAMSAR, Humedales Chaco. Recolectamos los ejemplares de arañas mediante las técnicas de captura golpeteo de follaje, tamizado de hojarasca, captura directa y aspirado del pastizal. Se obtuvieron 1 477 arañas, 34 familias y 261 especies/morfoespecies de Araneomorphae. 18 son nuevos registros para Argentina. Araneidae fue la más abundante en los dos sitios, Araneidae, Theridiidae y Salticidae las de mayor riqueza específica. Las curvas de rango-abundancia marcaron que las comunidades se estructuran de manera diferente en ambos sitios, en cuanto a las abundancias, el tipo de especie dominante, la composición de especies y la proporción de especies raras. La comparación de la diversidad verdadera mostró que el bosque y pastizal de San Carlos fueron más diversos, lo cual podría estar relacionada a la estructura del bosque y a un mayor grado de conservación del mismo. Este estudio mostró una importante riqueza y abundancia de arañas que componen comunidades diferentes en estas áreas del sitio RAMSAR, y sugiere profundizar en investigaciones futuras abarcando otras unidades ambientales de dicho sitio.
Capacidad de identificar mamíferos nativos y exóticos entre los habitantes de San Ramón, Costa Rica: papel de edad, sexo, educación y origen (rural o urbano)
Authors: Cartín Núñez Melvin , Sánchez Acuña Verónica , Abarca Segura Gladis
Published: March 2017

Costa Rica es un país con alta diversidad biológica y mantiene una cuarta parte de su territorio bajo alguna categoría de protección. Por ello, se podría esperar que los costarricenses conozcan y aprecien la biodiversidad local. Por lo que a una muestra de ciudadanos del cantón de San Ramón, provincia de Alajuela, les solicitamos identificar una serie de fotografías de mamíferos, nativos y exóticos. Encontramos que el número de especies nativas identificadas fue menor que el número de especies exóticas. Los hombres reconocieron más especies nativas que las mujeres. Las personas más jóvenes identificaron más especies exóticas, pero no hallamos diferencias significativas en el número de especies identificadas según el origen de la persona (rural o urbano), o el nivel de escolaridad. Los medios de comunicación masiva, como la televisión o el internet, juegan un papel fundamental en la transmisión de conocimientos sobre la biodiversidad, lo que explica porqué las especies exóticas, con mayor cobertura y difusión que especies locales, son mejor conocidas.
El efecto de la retroalimentación en el rendimiento y motivación de los estudiantes de Métodos de investigación para ciencias de la salud en la UNED, Costa Rica
Authors: Andrés Jiménez Carmen , González Zúñiga Rebeca
Published: March 2017

La retroalimentación es una herramienta muy importante en la enseñanza y aprendizaje de los estudiantes a distancia por cuanto los hace ser más críticos y reflexivos y la estrategia utilizada para generar este conocimiento es la clave para el éxito del estudiante. El objetivo de esta investigación fue medir el efecto que tiene la retroalimentación sobre el rendimiento y motivación de los estudiantes y se logró mediante una prueba t que evalúo el rendimiento en cuatro tareas a las cuales se les dio retroalimentación y una encuesta en donde se midió su grado de satisfacción con respecto a la retroalimentación. Se encontró que hubo una mejora significativa entre la tercera y cuarta tarea, no así entre las dos primeras, lo cual se puede atribuir tanto a que los estudiantes esperan al final para aplicar lo que se les enseña así como a una retroalimentación no siempre positiva, falta de claridad en las instrucciones sobre uso de APA y falta de tiempo entre tareas. Se recomienda utilizar diferentes estrategias para realizar una retroalimentación más efectiva como el uso de la voz en vez de la forma escrita, la coevaluación y por último, la explicación de los temas haciendo reflexionar al discente sobre qué se puede mejorar, en vez de sólo dar la respuesta correcta.
Analysis of inpatient costs in patients with knee osteoarthritis treated by implantation of total condylar knee endoprosthesis
Authors: Pejcic Ana , Radunovic Aleksandar , Vulovic Maja
Published: March 2017

Background/Aim. Total knee replacement is an elective and high cost surgical procedure which is performed more frequently as a result of increasing prevalence of knee osteoarthritis. The aim of this study was to provide insight into the value and structure of inpatient costs associated with total knee replacement in Serbia. Methods. This study was conducted as an in-depth, bottom-up, retrospective, case series analysis of services consumption patterns and costs associated with inpatient treatment of patients with knee osteoarthritis by implantation of primary total condylar knee endoprosthesis from perspective of the national Republic Health Insurance Fund. We obtained data on 97 patients treated with primary unilateral or bilateral total knee replacement in 2014 at the Clinic for Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology of the Military Medical Academy in Belgrade, a tertiary health care university hospital. Results. Mean age of entire study sample was 67.89 years. Majority of patients (60 patients; 61.9%) had unilateral implantation of total condylar knee endoprosthesis. Bilateral implantation was performed in 37 (38.1%) patients. Mean total inpatient cost per patient for both unilateral and bilateral implantation of total condylar knee endoprosthesis was EUR 2,709.1, ranging from EUR 1,685.2 to EUR 5,356.6. Mean total inpatient cost per patient was EUR 2,093.8 for unilateral implantation and EUR 3,706.8 for bilateral implantation. Two major cost drivers were surgery specific material and surgery. Cost of implants was the highest single cost driver in all observed groups of patients. Conclusion. Our findings imply that inpatient costs associated with implantation of primary total condylar knee endoprosthesis are substantial. It seems that the most important cost drivers are surgery and surgery specific material, with implants being the highest single cost driver. Further research should be focused on analyzing factors that influence these costs in order to develop effective strategies which could contribute to substantial savings in the future.
Tick-borne lymphadenopathy acquired in Serbia: Report of two cases
Authors: Gajinov Zorica , Ros Tatjana , Ivkov-Simic Milana , Gajic Branislava , Prcic Sonja , Matic Milan
Published: March 2017

Introduction. Acronym tick-borne lymphoadenoathy (TIBOLA (Dermacentor-borne necrosis erythema and lymphoadenopathy ? DEBONEL, scalp eschar associated with neck lymphoadenopathy ? SENLAT) comprises clinical diagnosis of tick-borne symptoms of cervical or occipital lymphadenopathy with inoculation eschar at the site of tick bite on scalp. Since the first description, it was proved to be associated with several infectious agents, most frequently Rickettsia slovaca, or less often other spotted fever group Rickettsiae (Rickettsia raoulti and Rickettsia rioja), and gained an emerging infectious disease status in Europe. Dermacentor ticks serve as vectors and possible natural reservoir. The course is in most cases benign and infection is limited. Doxicycline is the recommended initial treatment, both for adult and most cases in children. Case report. Two subjects who acquired the desease caused by tick bites in Vojvodina region of Serbia are presented. Both patients are females. A tick was removed from the scalp, and several days later doxicycline treatment started because of the inflammatory symptoms of lymph node enlargement. Diagnostic eschar appeared in both patients during doxicycline treatment. After a switch to ciprofloxacine, inflammatory symptoms subsided, but the complete healing of scalp necrosis took longer than one month, with residual cicatricial alopecia. Conclusion. Although rare, it is necessary to include TIBOLA in a spectrum of epidemiologic risks in cases of tick bites.

 This article has been corrected. Link to the correction 10.2298/VSP2007765E
The Effect of Industry Co-Location on Analysts' Information Acquisition Costs
Authors: Jennings Jared , Lee Joshua , Matsumoto Dawn A.
Published: March 2017

We examine how the co-location of firms in the same industry affects analysts' cost of gathering and processing information. We find that when the firms in an analyst's portfolio are located farther away from other firms in the same industry, the analyst's portfolio size is smaller and average forecast accuracy is lower. We further find that the additional costs that analysts incur to follow distant firms are amplified when earnings are more difficult to forecast. Last, we provide some evidence that managers are more knowledgeable about other firms in the same geographic area. Specifically, managers are more likely to reference firms in their industry that are geographically closer during conference calls. This paper provides additional evidence that the co-location of firms in the same industry not only affects operating and strategic decisions (as documented in the existing literature), but also analysts' costs of gathering and analyzing information about the firm.

JEL Classifications: D83; M40; M41; R10; R12.
ERRORS ANALYSIS IN SHORT BIOGRAPHY TEXT WRITTEN BY THE 11th GRADE STUDENTS OF A VOCATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL IN SINGARAJA
Authors: Suwastini N.K.A , Yukti W.G.S.
Published: March 2017

This study was a descriptive qualitative study aimed at analysing types of error and sources of error in the short biography text writings in English language teaching (ELT) context. The subject of this study was 11th Grade of Accounting Department Students of a Vocational High School in Singaraja in the academic year 2015/2016. The instruments in the study were researcher, tabulation table, and interview guide. The textual analysis design was used in this study to gather the data. The students’ errors were analysed according to surface strategy taxonomy by Dulay et al. (1982). This study revealed that misformation was the most frequent errors occurred in the students’ writings, followed by omission, addition, and misordering. Furthermore, the sources of error were identified according to four sources of error by Brown (2007). This study found that interlingual transfer was the main sources of students’ errors, followed by context of learning, interlingual transfer, and communication strategy. Related to these findings, the present study suggested that teachers pay more serious attention to students’ errors by comparing the students’ first language system and the target language system in order to avoid errors.
DEVELOPING DIFFERENTIATED ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY READING EXERCISE FOR THE SLOW LEARNERS OF SEVENTH YEAR STUDENTS AT SMP N 2 SINGARAJA
Authors: Dewi N.N.A.U.
Published: March 2017

Integrating ICT in learning has become the demands of Curriculum 2013. Yet, not all of the teacher have media to support the integration of ICT in learning. Whereas, the integration of ICT may help the teachers to accomodate students’ diversity by using differentiated instruction. Thus, this study aimed at: (1) identifying kinds of supplementary reading exercises are needed by the Seventh Year Students at SMP N 2 Singaraja; (2) identifying the design of the electronic supplementary reading exercises for the slow learners of seventhyear students at SMP N 2 Singaraja; (3) measuring the quality of the electronic supplementary reading exercises for the slow learners of seventhyear students at SMP N 2 Singaraja. This study was conducted based on the research and development design proposed by Sugiono (2011).  The data of the study were collected through questionnaire, interview, observation, expert judge and field study. The results of the data were further analyzed by using descriptive analysis and interrater agreement model from by Gregory (2000). The result of the study showed that (1) the supplementary reading exercise needed by the seventh year students at SMP N 2 Singaraja was supplementary reading exercise which was integrated with ICT; (2) the design of the electronic supplementary reading exercise for the slow learners was developed based on the needs; (3) the electronic supplementary reading exercise for the slow learners was categorized as high quality exercises based on content validity, empirical validity, quality of the media and field test.
AN ANALYSIS OF CLASSROOM STUDENTS’ MISBEHAVIORS IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT CLASS OF GRADE XI IN SMK NEGERI 3 SINGARAJA
Authors: Wedhanti N.K , Sasih L.L.
Published: March 2017

This descriptive qualitative research was aimed at finding out the kinds of students’ misbehavior in the classroom of Mechanical Engineering Department of grade 11 in SMK Negeri 3 Singaraja, knowing the students’ reasons for doing misbehaviors in the classroom, and also the aim at knowing the teacher’s responses towards the students’ misbehaviors happened in the classroom. The subject of this research was all students in the classroom of Mechanical Engineering Department of grade11 and their English teacher. Observation and interview were the techniques used to collect the data of this research. Descriptive qualitative techniques were then used to analyze the data that was gathered. The result of this research showed that there were ten kinds of students’ misbehavior happened in the classroom of Mechanical Engineering Department grade 11 in SMK Negeri 3 Singaraja. Those misbehaviors were inattention, apathy, needless talk, moving about the room, annoying others, disruption, lying, cheating, aggression and fighting, and also defiance of authority. Six of those misbehaviors happened consistently and four of those misbehaviors happened inconsistently in the classroom. There were found six students’ reasons for doing those ten kinds of misbehavior in the classroom. After that, there were found five teacher’s responses towards misbehaviors done by the students in the classroom of Mechanical Engineering Department of grade 11 in SMK Negeri 3 Singaraja.
Status report - Childhood overweight and obesity in Canada: an integrative assessment
Authors: Rao Deepa , Kropac Erin , Do Minh , Roberts Karen , Jayaraman Gayatri
Published: March 2017

Introduction

Obesity is a complex risk factor for chronic disease that is associated with a number of socioecological determinants. In this status report, we provide anoverview of the socioecological framework that is now guiding our ongoing surveillance efforts in the area of childhood overweight and obesity. This framework considers individual risk and protective factors (sociodemographic, lifestyle, psychosocial and earlylife) through the lens of the life stage, levels of influence and environments in which these factors play a role.

Methods

Using data from the Canadian Community Health Survey and the Canadian Health Measures Survey, univariate and bivariate analyses were used to report on behavioural, psychosocial, and early life factors associated with excess weight among Canadian children.

Results

Estimates of early-life (e.g. breastfeeding), behavioural (e.g. physical activity), and psychosocial factors (e.g. sense of community) are presented as they relate to age group, sex, income adequacy and weight status.

Conclusion

Building upon our recent reporting on trends in and sociodemographic factors associated with childhood obesity in Canada, this work illustrates the remaining risk and protective factors shown in our surveillance framework. This analysis supports the shift towards a holistic appraisal of determinants related to healthy weights.
Board Composition and Innovation
Authors: Sharma Zenu
Published: March 2017

Corporate boards make key economic and financial decisions. Diversity in the boardroom, on hand can lead to higher innovation by increasing interaction between heterogeneous agents; on the other hand it can lead to more conflict based on the predictions of social identity theory. In an examination of US firms from 1999 to 2006, this study finds that demographic diversity; directors’ individual characteristics and affiliation are associated with higher innovation in form of patents and quality of innovation in form of citations.
Multidimensional Liquidity: Evidences from Indian Stock Market
Authors: Bhattacharya Sharad Nath , Sengupta Pramit , Bhattacharya Mousumi , Roychoudhury Basav
Published: March 2017

Various dimensions of liquidity including breadth, depth, resiliency, tightness, immediacy are examined using BSE 500 and NIFTY 500 indices from Indian Equity market. Liquidity dynamics of the stock markets were examined using trading volume, trading probability, spread, Market Efficiency coefficient, and turnover rate as they gauge different dimensions of market liquidity. We provide evidences on the order of importance of these liquidity measures in Indian stock market using machine learning tools like Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Random Forest (RF). Findings reveal that liquidity variables collectively explains the movements of stock markets. Both these machine learning tools performs satisfactorily in terms of mean absolute percentage error. We also evidenced lower level of liquidity in Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) than National Stock Exchange (NSE) and findings supports the liquidity enhancement program recently initiated by BSE.
Mid-season real-time estimates of seasonal influenza vaccine effectiveness in persons 65 years and older in register-based surveillance, Stockholm County, Sweden, and Finland, January 2017
Authors: Hergens Maria-Pia , Baum Ulrike , Brytting Mia , Ikonen Niina , Haveri Anu , Wiman Åsa , Nohynek Hanna , Örtqvist Åke
Published: March 2017

Systems for register-based monitoring of vaccine effectiveness (VE) against laboratory-confirmed influenza (LCI) in real time were set up in Stockholm County, Sweden, and Finland, before start of the 2016/17 influenza season, using population-based cohort studies. Both in Stockholm and Finland, an early epidemic of influenza A(H3N2) peaked in week 52, 2016. Already during weeks 48 to 50, analyses of influenza VE in persons 65 years and above showed moderately good estimates of around 50%, then rapidly declined by week 2, 2017 to 28% and 32% in Stockholm and Finland, respectively. The sensitivity analyses, where time since vaccination was taken into account, could not demonstrate a clear decline, neither by calendar week nor by time since vaccination. Most (68%) of the samples collected from vaccinated patients belonged to the 3C.2a1 subclade with the additional amino acid substitution T135K in haemagglutinin (64%) or to subclade 3C.2a with the additional haemagglutinin substitutions T131K and R142K (36%). The proportion of samples containing these alterations increased during the studied period. These substitutions may be responsible for viral antigenic change and part of the observed VE drop. Another possible cause is poor vaccine immunogenicity in older persons. Improved influenza vaccines are needed, especially for the elderly.
Iterative Method for Predicting Uneven Settlement Caused by High-Speed Train Loads in Transition-Zone Subgrade
Authors: Shan Yao , Zhou Shunhua , Zhou Hechao , Wang Binglong , Zhao Zhongcheng , Shu Yao , Yu Zheng
Published: March 2017

Uneven subgrade settlement associated with rail deflection occurs mainly in the bridge–embankment transition zones of high-speed railways. An iterative method of computation is proposed for studying such uneven settlement in these zones. A vehicle–track–subgrade model is used to investigate the vehicle–track interactions and the deviator stress field of the transition zone, and a soil cumulative plastic strain model is used to obtain the deterioration process of uneven settlement in the transition zone. Results indicate that uneven settlement caused by train loads in the transition zone tends to plateau at 40,000 repeated load applications. Sub-grade settlement changes abruptly in the first measured 5 m, as well as from 25 to 30 m from the abutment; these two regions should be adequately strengthened and should receive more attention for track maintenance.
Railway Ballast Permeability and Cleaning Considerations
Authors: Schmidt Scott , Shah Sagar , Moaveni Maziar , Landry Blake J. , Tutumluer Erol , Basye Colin , Li Dingqing
Published: March 2017

The unbound aggregate ballast layer is a major structural and drainage component of railroad track that is known to degrade over time. Progressive degradation increases the fine-grained content of the ballast layer through particle breakage and abrasion or from external sources, such as subgrade or foreign material. The point at which ballast should be cleaned of these materials to avoid significant problems for drainage, track geometry, or ride quality is not well known. This paper attempts to ascertain the current state of the art on ballast permeability by reviewing previous studies, to fill any gaps by generating new laboratory test data, and to begin developing ballast cleaning considerations. A new and relatively simple test apparatus, the University of Illinois Constant Head Aggregate Permeameter, was used to study railroad ballast permeability as a function of degradation. Results of tests performed indicate that the cleaner the ballast, the more nonlinear the relationship between discharge velocity and hydraulic gradient, contrary to the findings of previous studies. In addition, flow decreased greatly after small increases in ballast degradation. Detailed findings related to the characteristics of flow—other than whether flow is impeded by in-service ballast condition—may not be extremely useful for rail practitioners because the amount of ballast degradation is difficult to determine in the field. However, the emerging ballast imaging technology described may be able to provide railroad personnel with a threshold for when ballast should be cleaned.
Finite Element Analysis of Rail-End Bolt Hole and Fillet Stress on Bolted Rail Joints
Authors: Zhu Kaijun , Qian Yu , Edwards J. Riley , Andrawes Bassem O.
Published: March 2017

A rail joint typically is one of the weakest elements of a track superstructure, primarily because of discontinuities in its geometric and mechanical properties and the high-impact loads induced by these discontinuities. The development of continuously welded rail has significantly reduced the number of rail joints, but many bolted joints remain installed in rail transit systems. Because of the unique loading environment of a rail transit system (especially high-frequency, high-repetition loads), defects related to bolted rail joints (e.g., joint bar failures, bolt hole cracks, and cracks in the upper fillet) continue to cause service failures and can pose derailment risks. Recent research in the Rail Transportation and Engineering Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign has focused on investigating crack initiation in the bolt hole and fillet areas of bolted rail joints. Stress distribution was investigated at the rail-end bolt hole and upper fillet areas of standard, longer, and thicker joint bars under static loading conditions. Numerical simulations were organized into a comprehensive parametric analysis performed with finite element modeling. Preliminary results indicated that the longer joint bar performed similarly to the standard joint bar but the thicker joint bar reduced rail vertical displacement and rail upper fillet stresses compared with the standard joint bar. However, the thicker joint bar also may generate higher stresses at the rail-end bolt hole. Additionally, joint bar performance was dependent on the rail profile and bolt hole location.
Deformation and Dynamic Load Amplification Trends at Railroad Bridge Approaches
Authors: Mishra Debakanta , Boler Huseyin , Tutumluer Erol , Hou Wenting , Hyslip James P.
Published: March 2017

Railroad track transitions such as bridge approaches may experience differential movements due to variations in track stiffness; impact loads due to train speed and excessive vibration; ballast settlement from fouling, degradation, or both; tie–ballast contact condition and gap; and settlement of fill, subgrade, and foundation layers. A research study completed recently at the University of Illinois focused on identifying the major causes of this differential movement and implementing suitable rehabilitation measures to mitigate recurrent problems with settlement and geometry. Transient and permanent deformation trends were observed in track substructure layers at two instrumented bridge approaches along the Amtrak Northeast Corridor. Multidepth deflectometer systems installed through crossties successfully recorded both permanent (plastic) and transient deformations of individual track substructure layers. Strain gauges mounted on the rail effectively measured vertical wheel loads applied during train passage and monitored the support conditions under the instrumented crossties. Track settlement (or permanent deformation) data revealed that the ballast layer was the primary source of differential movement contributing to recurrent settlement and geometry problems. Transient layer deformations recorded under train passage were higher in the ballast than in any other substructure layer. Transient displacement and wheel load data were consistently higher at near-bridge locations than at open-track locations. Rail-mounted strain gauges indicated that load amplification levels were significantly higher at near-bridge locations than at open-track locations.
Effects of Varied Shear Correction on the Thermal Vibration of Functionally-Graded Material Shells in an Unsteady Supersonic Flow
Authors: Hong Chih
Published: March 2017

A model is presented for functionally-graded material (FGM), thick, circular cylindrical shells under an unsteady supersonic flow, following first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT) with varied shear correction coefficients. Some interesting vibration results of the dynamics are calculated by using the generalized differential quadrature (GDQ) method. The varied shear correction coefficients are usually functions of FGM total thickness, power law index, and environment temperature. Two parametric effects of the environmental temperature and FGM power law index on the thermal stress and center deflection are also presented. The novelty of the paper is that the maximum flutter value of the center deflection amplitude can be predicted and occurs at a high frequency of applied heat flux for a supersonic air flow.
Time Series Prediction Based on Adaptive Weight Online Sequential Extreme Learning Machine
Authors: Lu Junjie , Huang Jinquan , Lu Feng
Published: March 2017

A novel adaptive weight online sequential extreme learning machine (AWOS-ELM) is proposed for predicting time series problems based on an online sequential extreme learning machine (OS-ELM) in this paper. In real-world online applications, the sequentially coming data chunk usually possesses varying confidence coefficients, and the data chunk with a low confidence coefficient tends to mislead the subsequent training process. The proposed AWOS-ELM can improve the training process by accessing the confidence coefficient adaptively and determining the training weight accordingly. Experiments on six time series prediction data sets have verified that the AWOS-ELM algorithm performs better in generalization performance, stability, and prediction ability than the OS-ELM algorithm. In addition, a real-world mechanical system identification problem is considered to test the feasibility and efficacy of the AWOS-ELM algorithm.
On the Impact of Particulate Matter Distribution on Pressure Drop of Wall-Flow Particulate Filters
Authors: Bermúdez Vicente , Serrano José , Piqueras Pedro , Sanchis Enrique
Published: March 2017

Wall-flow particulate filters are a required exhaust aftertreatment system to abate particulate matter emissions and meet current and incoming regulations applying worldwide to new generations of diesel and gasoline internal combustion engines. Despite the high filtration efficiency covering the whole range of emitted particle sizes, the porous substrate constitutes a flow restriction especially relevant as particulate matter, both soot and ash, is collected. The dependence of the resulting pressure drop, and hence the fuel consumption penalty, on the particulate matter distribution along the inlet channels is discussed in this paper taking as reference experimental data obtained in water injection tests before the particulate filter. This technique is demonstrated to reduce the particulate filter pressure drop without negative effects on filtration performance. In order to justify these experimental data, the characteristics of the particulate layer are diagnosed applying modeling techniques. Different soot mass distributions along the inlet channels are analyzed combined with porosity change to assess the new properties after water injection. Their influence on the subsequent soot loading process and regeneration is assessed. The results evidence the main mechanisms of the water injection at the filter inlet to reduce pressure drop and boost the interest for control strategies able to force the re-entrainment of most of the particulate matter towards the inlet channels’ end.
Prediction of Critical Currents for a Diluted Square Lattice Using Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: Haider Sajjad , Naqvi Syed , Akram Tallha , Kamran Muhammad
Published: March 2017

Studying critical currents, critical temperatures, and critical fields carries substantial importance in the field of superconductivity. In this work, we study critical currents in the current–voltage characteristics of a diluted-square lattice on an Nb film. Our measurements are based on a commercially available Physical Properties Measurement System, which may prove time consuming and costly for repeated measurements for a wide range of parameters. We therefore propose a technique based on artificial neural networks to facilitate extrapolation of these curves for unforeseen values of temperature and magnetic fields. We demonstrate that our proposed algorithm predicts the curves with an immaculate precision and minimal overhead, which may as well be adopted for prediction in other types of regular and diluted lattices. In addition, we present a detailed comparison between three artificial neural networks architectures with respect to their prediction efficiency, computation time, and number of iterations to converge to an optimal solution.
On the Interpretation of Gravity Wave Measurements by Ground-Based Lidars
Authors: Dörnbrack Andreas , Gisinger Sonja , Kaifler Bernd
Published: March 2017

This paper asks the simple question: How can we interpret vertical time series of middle atmosphere gravity wave measurements by ground-based temperature lidars? Linear wave theory is used to show that the association of identified phase lines with quasi-monochromatic waves should be considered with great care. The ambient mean wind has a substantial effect on the inclination of the detected phase lines. The lack of knowledge about the wind might lead to a misinterpretation of the vertical propagation direction of the observed gravity waves. In particular, numerical simulations of three archetypal atmospheric mountain wave regimes show a sensitivity of virtual lidar observations on the position relative to the mountain and on the scale of the mountain.
Synoptic Conditions Generating Heat Waves and Warm Spells in Romania
Authors: Sfîcă Lucian , Croitoru Adina-Eliza , Iordache Iulian , Ciupertea Antoniu-Flavius
Published: March 2017

Heat waves and warm spells are extreme meteorological events that generate a significant number of casualties in temperate regions, as well as outside of temperate regions. For the purpose of this paper, heat waves and warm spells were identified based on daily maximum temperatures recorded at 27 weather stations located in Romania over a 55-year period (1961–2015). The intensity threshold was the 90th percentile, and the length of an event was of minimum three consecutive days. We analyzed 111 heat wave and warm spell events totaling 423 days. The classification of synoptic conditions was based on daily reanalysis at three geopotential levels and on the online version of a backward trajectories model. The main findings are that there are two major types of genetic conditions. These were identified as: (i) radiative heat waves and warm spells (type A) generated by warming the air mass due to high amounts of radiation which was found dominant in warm season; and (ii) advective heat waves and warm spells (type B) generated mainly by warm air mass advection which prevails in winter and transition seasons. These major types consist of two and three sub-types, respectively. The results could become a useful tool for weather forecasters in order to better predict the occurrence of heat waves and warm spells.
Dealing with an Unconventional Genetic Code in Mitochondria: The Biogenesis and Pathogenic Defects of the 5‐Formylcytosine Modification in Mitochondrial tRNAMet
Authors: Van Haute Lindsey , Powell Christopher A. , Minczuk Michal
Published: March 2017

Human mitochondria contain their own genome, which uses an unconventional genetic code. In addition to the standard AUG methionine codon, the single mitochondrial tRNA Methionine (mt‐tRNAMet) also recognises AUA during translation initiation and elongation. Post‐transcriptional modifications of tRNAs are important for structure, stability, correct folding and aminoacylation as well as decoding. The unique 5‐formylcytosine (f5C) modification of position 34 in mt‐tRNAMet has been long postulated to be crucial for decoding of unconventional methionine codons and efficient mitochondrial translation. However, the enzymes responsible for the formation of mitochondrial f5C have been identified only recently. The first step of the f5C pathway consists of methylation of cytosine by NSUN3. This is followed by further oxidation by ABH1. Here, we review the role of f5C, the latest breakthroughs in our understanding of the biogenesis of this unique mitochondrial tRNA modification and its involvement in human disease.