bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin and voriconazole therapy in lung transplant recipients: a case series
Authors: Neoh Chin Fen , Snell Gregory I. , Levvey Bronwyn , Morrissey Catherine Orla , Slavin Monica A. , Stewart Kay , Kong David C. M.
Published: May 2017

Background

Prolonged voriconazole therapy may be associated with skin squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in lung transplant (LTx) patients. This is of concern given the frequent use of voriconazole in the LTx setting. The impact of voriconazole therapy on the risk of developing skin SCC in an Australian LTx cohort with additional risk due to high levels of sun exposure remains unclear.

Aim

This study described the extent and outcomes of new or recurrent skin SCC among LTx patients receiving voriconazole.

Methods

The present retrospective cohort study was undertaken at The Alfred Hospital, Australia. Adult LTx recipients with skin SCC who had received voriconazole between 1 July 2003 and 30 June 2010 were included. Medical records and histopathology reports were reviewed. Demographics, clinical characteristics, voriconazole exposure (dose and duration), potential risk factors for skin SCC and manifestations of the skin SCC were recorded. The Naranjo algorithm was used to determine the likelihood of skin SCC being due to voriconazole exposure.

Results

Of the 102 LTx patients receiving voriconazole, 14 (13.7%) had at least one episode of skin SCC: seven (Group 1) had skin SCC during or after voriconazole exposure; three (Group 2) had skin SCC before commencing voriconazole therapy, which recurred or worsened subsequently; three (Group 3) had a history of skin SCC prior to voriconazole being prescribed but no skin SCC was noted during or after voriconazole exposure; and one (Group 4) had multiple skin SCCs before LTx and voriconazole use, and developed further skin SCC post voriconazole. The median (interquartile range) of voriconazole exposure in Group 1, 2 and 3 patients was 119 days (79.5, 693), 1127 days (665.5, 1129) and 173 days (135.5, 341), respectively. The Naranjo score indicated a probable association between voriconazole use and skin SCC in three patients and a possible relationship in eight.

Conclusions

Prolonged voriconazole exposure may contribute to the development, recurrence and progression of skin SCC in LTx patients.
Surgical Apgar score (SAS) predicts perioperative morbidity, mortality, and length of stay in patients undergoing esophagectomy at a high‐volume center
Authors: Giugliano Danica N. , Morgan Andrew , Palazzo Francesco , Leiby Benjamin E. , Evans Nathaniel R. , Rosato Ernest L. , Berger Adam C.
Published: May 2017

Background

Esophagectomy carries considerable morbidity. Many studies have evaluated factors to predict patients at risk. This study aimed to determine whether the surgical Apgar score (SAS) predicts complications and length of stay (LOS) for patients undergoing esophagectomy.

Study Design

We evaluated 212 patients undergoing esophagectomy. Postoperative complications were graded using the Clavien‐Dindo scale and the SAS was determined. Association of SAS with incidence of complications was evaluated using the Cochran‐Armitage trend test between grouped SAS scores (0‐2, 3‐4, 5‐6, 7‐8, 9‐10) and each of the outcomes. Correlation of SAS with LOS was evaluated using competing risks proportional hazards regression.

Results

The average patient age was 63.5 years (range 31‐86), and the average blood loss was 284 mL (range 50‐4000). The median LOS was 10 days. There was a significant association between SAS and grade 2 or higher (P = 0.0002) and grade 3 or higher (P < 0.0001) complications. The perioperative mortality rate was 5.2% (n = 11) with lower SAS being associated with greater mortality. LOS was also associated with SAS (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

We demonstrate that SAS is a significant predictor of complications and LOS for patients undergoing esophagectomy. SAS should be used to identify lower risk patients to prioritize use of critical care beds and hospital resources.
On the linear polarization constants of finite dimensional spaces
Authors: Carando Daniel , Pinasco Damián , Rodríguez Jorge Tomás
Published: May 2017

We study the linear polarization constants of finite dimensional Banach spaces. We obtain the correct asymptotic behaviour of these constants for the spaces : they behave as if and as if . For we get the asymptotic behaviour up to a logarithmic factor.
Protein kinase A activity leads to the extension of the acrosomal process in starfish sperm
Authors: Niikura Keisuke , Alam M. Shahanoor , Naruse Masahiro , Jimbo Mitsuru , Moriyama Hideaki , Reich Adrian , Wessel Gary M. , Matsumoto Midori
Published: May 2017

Acrosomal vesicles (AVs) of sperm undergo exocytosis during the acrosome reaction, which is immediately followed by the actin polymerization‐dependent extension of an acrosomal process (AP) in echinoderm sperm. In the starfish Asterias amurensis, a large proteoglycan, acrosome reaction‐inducing substance (ARIS), together with asteroidal sperm‐activating peptide (asterosap) and/or cofactor for ARIS, induces the acrosome reaction. Asterosap induces a transient elevation of intracellular cGMP and Ca2+ levels, and, together with ARIS, causes a sustained increase in intracellular cAMP and Ca2+. Yet, the contribution of signaling molecules downstream of cAMP and Ca2+ in inducing AV exocytosis and AP extension remain unknown. A modified acrosome reaction assay was used here to differentiate between AV exocytosis and AP extension in starfish sperm, leading to the discovery that Protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitors block AP extension but not AV exocytosis. Additionally, PKA‐mediated phosphorylation of target proteins occurs, and these substrates localize at the base of the AP, demonstrating that PKA activation regulates an AP extension step during the acrosome reaction. The major PKA substrate was further identified, from A. amurensis and Asterias forbesi sperm, as a novel protein containing six PKA phosphorylation motifs. This protein, referred to as PKAS1, likely plays a key role in AP actin polymerization during the acrosome reaction.
Wie viel Wasser enthält eine Tablette?
Authors: Winder Lisa , Kuhli Maren , Hofmann Julian , Fleck Christian , Urbanetz Nora Anne
Published: May 2017

Zur Qualitätssicherung in der Pharmaproduktion gehört die Bestimmung des Wassergehalts in Tabletten. Eine Alternative zur Karl‐Fischer‐Titration bietet der Phosphorpentoxidsensor.
Evonik: Bilanz 2016
Authors: Bulmahn Maren
Published: May 2017

Der Essener Konzern Evonik setzte im Jahr 2016 etwa so viel um wie in den Jahren vorm Rekordjahr 2015.
Wasserlabor mit Fischbesatz
Authors: Osterath Brigitte
Published: May 2017

Wer sich ein Aquarium anschafft, mag meinen, von nun an seiner Begeisterung für Biologie nachgehen zu können. Doch um die Wasserwerte stabil und die Fische gesund zu halten, ist vor allem Chemiewissen gefragt.
GDCh digital
Authors: Götzinger Alissa
Published: May 2017

Eine Online‐Umfrage zu den digitalen Angeboten der GDCh liefert ein Stimmungsbild: Das beliebteste digitale Angebot ist demnach die Internetseite www.gdch.de.
The effects of Pilates method on pelvic floor muscle strength in patients with post‐prostatectomy urinary incontinence: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Gomes Cíntia S. , Pedriali Fabiana R. , Urbano Mariana R. , Moreira Eliane H. , Averbeck Marcio A. , Almeida Silvio Henrique M.
Published: May 2017

Aims

To assess the effects of a Pilates exercise program compared to conventional pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) protocol on pelvic floor muscle strength (PFMS) in patients with post‐prostatectomy urinary incontinence.

Methods

Patients were randomized into three treatment groups (G1: Pilates, G2: electrical stimulation combined with PFMT, and G3: control group). Duration of therapy was 10 weeks. Baseline assessment included the 24 h pad‐test and the ICI‐Q questionnaire. PFMS was measured using a manometric perineometry device at baseline and 4 months after radical prostatectomy (RP). The level of significance was P < 0.05.

Results

One hundred twenty three patients were randomized and 104 patients completed the study protocol (G1: n = 34; G2: n = 35; G3: n = 35). Post‐treatment assessment showed statistically significant improvements in maximum strength in G2, increased endurance in G1 and G2, and increment of muscle power in all three groups (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the mean changes of maximum strength, endurance, and muscle power between groups after treatment (P > 0.05). G1 and G2 achieved a higher number of fully continent patients than G3 (P < 0.05). At the end of treatment, 59% of patients in G1, 54% in G2, and 26% in G3 were continent (no pads/day).

Conclusions

Improvements in PFMS parameters were distinct among active treatment groups versus controls, but did not predict recovery of urinary continence at final assessment. The Pilates method promoted similar outcomes in the proportion of fully continent patients when compared to conventional PFMT 4 months after RP.
LOFAR – ein Supercomputer wird zum Radioteleskop
Authors: Hoeft Matthias
Published: May 2017

Das Low Frequency Array (LOFAR) ist ein neuartiges Radioteleskop, das es erstmals erlaubt, den Himmel im Bereich langwelliger Radiostrahlung mit hoher Empfindlichkeit und Auflösung zu kartieren. LOFAR beruht vollständig auf digitaler Elektronik: Signale der Antennen werden digitalisiert, an den Stationen komprimiert, über Breitband‐Internetverbindungen übertragen und von zentralen Supercomputern verarbeitet. Himmelsdurchmusterungen mit LOFAR bieten vollkommen neue Einblicke in die Entwicklung von Radiogalaxien, die Sternentstehungsgeschichte des Universums und erlauben es, rätselhafte Synchrotronemission in Galaxienhaufen aufzuspüren. Die Technologieentwicklung von LOFAR hilft auch, den Weg für ein weitaus größeres Radioteleskop zu ebnen. Dieses Square Kilometre Array (SKA) planen Astronomen für die kommende Dekade.
Wärmefluss durch einzelne Atome
Authors: Matt Manuel , Klöckner Jan C. , Pauly Fabian , Nielaba Peter
Published: May 2017

Der Trend zu immer kleineren und leistungsfähigeren elektronischen Bauelementen wird sich auch zukünftig fortsetzen. Bis zu welchen minimalen Größenordnungen kann man überhaupt noch von elektrischen Leitungen sprechen, die elektronische Bauelemente kontaktieren, und welche physikalischen Phänomene sind dort relevant? Ein internationales Forscherteam mit Beteiligung von theoretischen Physikern der Universität Konstanz hat den elektronischen Leitwert und den Wärmetransport durch atomar dünne Drähte gemessen und erklärt. Erstaunlicherweise behalten auch hier bekannte Gesetze der makroskopischen Physik ihre Gültigkeit.
Phyphox bringt das Smartphone ins Rollen
Authors: Kuhlen Sebastian , Stampfer Christoph , Wilhelm Thomas , Kuhn Jochen
Published: May 2017

In den vergangenen Jahren wurden viele Smartphone‐basierte Experimente vorgestellt, die besonders die Mechanik für jeden greifbar machen. Diese haben jedoch in der Regel einen Nachteil: Das Smartphone kann während des Experiments nicht bedient werden. Diese Einschränkung wird von der Physik‐App phyphox behoben.
Zwischen Quantenmechanik und Konstruktivismus
Authors: Loos Andreas
Published: May 2017

Als Sohn eines Bankiers kann er studieren, was er will – am Geld soll es jedenfalls nicht scheitern. Noch weniger scheitert es am Intellekt. Mit extrem hellem Köpfchen studiert der Gesuchte Mathematik und Physik und interessiert sich nebenher auch noch für Philosophie der Mathematik. Schon als Schüler hatte er Kants „Kritik der reinen Vernunft” durchgeschmökert. Zeit seines Lebens kehrt er immer wieder zu Grundsatzfragen zurück: Was sind Beweise, Zahlen oder die Geometrie? Was ist Mathematik? Und was ist schön daran?
Goethes Wahlverwandtschaften
Authors: Mecke Klaus
Published: May 2017

Um 1800 entsteht die moderne Chemie, was Johann Wolfgang von Goethe veranlasst, mit literarischen Methoden über Naturwissenschaft nachzudenken.
Renal Clearable Luminescent WSe2 for Radioprotection of Nontargeted Tissues during Radiotherapy
Authors: Liu Haixia , Wang Junying , Jing Yaqi , Yang Jiang , Bai Xueting , Mu Xiaoyu , Xu Fujuan , Xue Xuhui , Liu Lingfang , Sun Yuan‐Ming , Liu Qiang , Dai Haitao , Liu Changlong , Zhang Xiao‐Dong
Published: May 2017

High‐energy ionizing radiation is widely used in medical diagnosis and cancer radiation therapy. However, high‐energy radiation can also impose significant damages in healthy tissues during medical treatments via direct DNA damages and indirect damages from production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Therefore, it is urgent to develop highly effective radioprotectants with low toxicities that can meet the increasing needs for alleviating the adverse effects from cancer radiation therapy and nuclear emergency. In this work, strongly catalytic ultrasmall (sub‐5 nm) cysteine‐protected WSe2 dots are employed to protect healthy tissues against radiation via diminishing radiation‐induced free radicals. The WSe2 dots with high surface activities can recover radiation‐induced DNA damages and eliminate the excessive ROS generated from radiation. In vivo experiments confirm that the survival rate of mice treated with WSe2 dots is significantly elevated with radiation damages postponed under exposure to high‐dose ionizing radiation. Furthermore, the free radicals in major organs and hematological system can be appreciably omitted, suggesting their unique role as free radical scavengers. These WSe2 dots in ultrasmall size show rapid renal clearance of ≈74% injection dose via urine excretion in 24 h and do not cause any apparent toxicity in vivo for up to 30 d.
A Ligand‐Exchange Route to Nobel Metal Nanocrystals with a Clean Surface for Enhanced Optical and Catalytic Properties
Authors: Fan Qikui , Liu Kai , Liu Zhaojun , Liu Hongpo , Zhang Lei , Zhong Ping , Gao Chuanbo
Published: May 2017

Noble metal nanocrystals that are free of capping ligands promise significantly enhanced activities in surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and catalytic applications. Conventional physical and chemical processes to remove the capping ligands are usually too harsh to retain the morphology and surface structure of the noble metal nanocrystals. In this work, a mild, effective, and robust strategy is presented to remove the capping ligands from the surface of noble metal nanocrystals. Polyvinylpyrrolidone and oleylamine, which are generally known to adsorb strongly on the metal surface, have been successfully removed from the Au and Pt nanocrystals, respectively, by a convenient ligand‐exchange process with diethylamine. The resulting surface‐clean Au nanospheres and nanoflowers show significantly enhanced activity in SERS with great potential in single‐particle SERS applications. The surface‐clean Pt nanocrystals show highly improved electrocatalytic activity, compared with those cleaned by conventional methods. It is believed that this novel ligand‐exchange strategy opens up new opportunities in eliminating the effect of the capping ligands for optimal activities of colloidal noble metal nanocrystals in a variety of applications.
Electronic, elastic, lattice dynamic and thermal conductivity properties of Na3OBr via first principles
Authors: Lv Zhen‐Long , Cui Hong‐Ling , Wang Hui , Li Xiao‐Hong , Ji Guang‐Fu
Published: May 2017

Na3OBr is expected to be a promising superionic conductor for use as solid state electrolyte in large scale energy storage systems, but its lattice dynamic and thermal conductivity properties have not been well studied till now. In this work, we performed a detailed study on these properties as well as its electronic and elastic properties using first principles method. The results indicate that Na3OBr is a direct band gap crystal. It is mechanically stable but elastically anisotropic. Its phonons at the Brillouin zone center were classified using group theory analysis and its Born effective charges, LO–TO splitting, and dielectric constants were calculated and discussed. Its phonon dispersion curves were obtained and their origins were revealed. Based on the phonon dispersion curves, its thermal conductivity as a function of temperature was predicted, which give a value of 7.30 Wm−1 K−1 at 300 K. Further study reveals that, for Na3OBr, the simple Slack's model can give almost the same thermal conductivity curve as that obtained from the phonon dispersion curves.
Remotely sensed forest habitat structures improve regional species conservation
Authors: Rechsteiner Christian , Zellweger Florian , Gerber Anatole , Breiner Frank T. , Bollmann Kurt
Published: May 2017

Recent studies show that light detection and ranging (LiDAR) derived habitat variables significantly increase the performance and accuracy of species distribution models (SDMs). In particular, the structure of complex habitats such as forest can be accurately parametrized by an area‐wide, LiDAR‐based vegetation profile. However, evidence of specific applications of such models in real‐world conservation management still remains sparse. Here, we developed a resource selection SDM for hazel grouse (Bonasa bonasia L.) in a Swiss nature park with the aim to map habitat suitability and to inform the park management about habitat improvement measures. We used remote sensing, particularly LiDAR to derive ecologically relevant forest vegetation characteristics at the local scale and used them as predictors in an ensemble SDM approach. The predicted habitat suitability was mainly affected by local, fine grained vegetation structure. Average vegetation height, shrub density and canopy height variation contributed most to the habitat quality for hazel grouse. This clearly shows how LiDAR provides the means to develop ecologically interpretable predictor variables of forest habitat structure and that these predictors can be used to reliably map local‐scale habitat quality, indicated by high model performance scores (median AUC of 0.918). This improves spatial conservation planning, and at the same time, provides meaningful information to derive habitat improvement measures that can be implemented in the field by foresters. Hazel grouse occurrence in the park is restricted to a few highly suitable, disjunct habitat patches. Therefore, conservation management should increase the connectivity of suitable habitat with the aim to stimulate an increase and better exchange of individuals in the regional hazel grouse population. Habitat improvements can be achieved by forestry measures that regularly integrate early successional forest stages into production forests. They should contain stands with a shrub density of around 30% as well as heterogeneous stands in terms of vegetation height.
A comparison of risk prediction methods using repeated observations: an application to electronic health records for hemodialysis
Authors: Goldstein Benjamin A. , Pomann Gina Maria , Winkelmayer Wolfgang C. , Pencina Michael J.
Published: May 2017

An increasingly important data source for the development of clinical risk prediction models is electronic health records (EHRs). One of their key advantages is that they contain data on many individuals collected over time. This allows one to incorporate more clinical information into a risk model. However, traditional methods for developing risk models are not well suited to these irregularly collected clinical covariates. In this paper, we compare a range of approaches for using longitudinal predictors in a clinical risk model. Using data from an EHR for patients undergoing hemodialysis, we incorporate five different clinical predictors into a risk model for patient mortality. We consider different approaches for treating the repeated measurements including use of summary statistics, machine learning methods, functional data analysis, and joint models. We follow up our empirical findings with a simulation study. Overall, our results suggest that simple approaches perform just as well, if not better, than more complex analytic approaches. These results have important implication for development of risk prediction models with EHRs. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pattern mixture models for clinical validation of biomarkers in the presence of missing data
Authors: Gao Fei , Dong Jun , Zeng Donglin , Rong Alan , Ibrahim Joseph G.
Published: May 2017

Targeted therapies for cancers are sometimes only effective in a subset of patients with a particular biomarker status. In clinical development, the biomarker status is typically determined by an investigational‐use‐only/laboratory‐developed test. A market ready test (MRT) is developed later to meet regulatory requirements and for future commercial use. In the USA, the clinical validation of MRT showing efficacy and safety profile of the targeted therapy in the biomarker subgroups determined by MRT is needed for pre‐market approval. One of the major challenges in carrying out clinical validation is that the biomarker status per MRT is often missing for many subjects. In this paper, we treat biomarker status as a missing covariate and develop a novel pattern mixture model in the setting of a proportional hazards model for the time‐to‐event outcome variable. We specify a multinomial regression model for the missing biomarker statuses, and develop an expectation–maximization algorithm by the Method of Weights (Ibrahim, Journal of the American Statistical Association, 1990) to estimate the parameters in the regression model. We use Louis' formula (Louis, Journal of the Royal Statistical Society. Series B, 1982) to obtain standard errors estimates. We examine the performance of our method in extensive simulation studies and apply our method to a clinical trial in metastatic colorectal cancer. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The use of permutation tests for the analysis of parallel and stepped‐wedge cluster‐randomized trials
Authors: Wang Rui , De Gruttola Victor
Published: May 2017

We investigate the use of permutation tests for the analysis of parallel and stepped‐wedge cluster‐randomized trials. Permutation tests for parallel designs with exponential family endpoints have been extensively studied. The optimal permutation tests developed for exponential family alternatives require information on intraclass correlation, a quantity not yet defined for time‐to‐event endpoints. Therefore, it is unclear how efficient permutation tests can be constructed for cluster‐randomized trials with such endpoints. We consider a class of test statistics formed by a weighted average of pair‐specific treatment effect estimates and offer practical guidance on the choice of weights to improve efficiency. We apply the permutation tests to a cluster‐randomized trial evaluating the effect of an intervention to reduce the incidence of hospital‐acquired infection. In some settings, outcomes from different clusters may be correlated, and we evaluate the validity and efficiency of permutation test in such settings. Lastly, we propose a permutation test for stepped‐wedge designs and compare its performance with mixed‐effect modeling and illustrate its superiority when sample sizes are small, the underlying distribution is skewed, or there is correlation across clusters. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Photovoltaikkraftwerk am Pitztaler Gletscher
Authors: Klaus Johannes , Weißhaupt Reinhold
Published: May 2017

Die höchstgelegene Photovoltaikanlage Europas befindet sich auf einer Seehöhe von ca. 3 000 m, mitten im Skigebiet am Pitztaler Gletscher und versorgt an Ort und Stelle die Einrichtungen der Pitztaler Gletscherbahnen mit Strom. Zur Aufnahme der 3 504 PV‐Module wurde ein Stahl‐Tragsystem aus 80 Stützböcken und 73 Stahlfachwerken mit einer Spannweite von je 20 m entwickelt. Im felsigen und unzugänglichen Gelände waren für die Umsetzung dieses Systems insgesamt 188 kleinflächige Einzelfundamente mit Mikrobohrpfählen zu errichten. Die gesamte Ausführungs‐ und Werkplanung der Gründung und der Stahlkonstruktion wurde auf Grundlage aktueller Luftbilddaten (3D‐Laserscan) durchgeführt. Die Stahlkonstruktionsteile konnten nur über den bestehenden und extrem steilen Notweg, der teilweise über den Pitztaler Gletscher führt und Steigungen bis zu 30 % aufweist, zur Einbaustelle gebracht werden. Beton, Kleinteile und PV‐Module mussten in unzähligen Fahrten mit der Gletscherbahn nach oben transportiert werden. Die Modultische wurden im Baufeld vormontiert, noch am Boden mit den PV‐Modulen bestückt und mit einem geländegängigen Mobilkran millimetergenau versetzt. Das Gesamtprojekt wurde inkl. der Detailplanungen in einem Zeitraum von nur acht Monaten (Februar bis September 2015) umgesetzt.
Permanent magnet synchronous motor torque control by gain‐scheduled feedback with state resets
Authors: Wada Nobutaka , Li Yi , Miyake Daichi , Khonjun Surajet
Published: May 2017

In this paper, we address the torque control problem of a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) under input voltage limitation. First, a plant model of a PMSM is derived as a linear parameter varying system in which the rotor speed is included as the varying parameter. Second, we show that setpoint tracking control is achievable under the time variation of the rotor speed. Then we show a method of constructing a control law that achieves convergence of the motor torque to a step reference signal under input voltage limitation and time variation of the rotor speed. The proposed control law consists of a gain‐scheduled control law and a servo compensator. In the proposed control method, the scheduling parameter and the controller state are optimally updated so that the transient response is improved. The effectiveness of the method is shown by a numerical example. © 2017 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Developing a Culture of Readers: Complementary Materials That Engage
Authors: Sailors Misty , Kaambankadzanja Davie
Published: May 2017

Many professionals, including members of the International Literacy Association, are concerned with the lack of reading materials in classrooms across the world. In this paper, the authors present the creation of high‐quality, locally produced, complementary reading materials in Malawi, where there are very few children's books and few opportunities to read extended texts. The authors describe their approach to the creation of those materials, using engagement as their theoretical frame. Because many teachers in countries such as Malawi (and in many schools in the United States) often receive books that are culturally and linguistically inappropriate, the authors argue for the importance of local reading materials that take engagement into consideration as teachers make decisions about the reading materials they use in their classrooms.
Guide to Abstract Algebra
Authors: Whitehead Carol , Towers David
Published: May 2017

Guide to Abstract Algebra is a clear and readable text which covers the basic topics of an introductory course in abstract algebra. Guide to Abstract Algebra is a comprehensive and accessible text covering the basic topics of an introductory abstract algebra course.
Public Sector Economics
Authors: Bailey Stephen J.
Published: May 2017

Public Sector Economics provides a comprehensive, wide-ranging treatment of the subject, dealing with theory, policy and practice with the broad context of political economy and gives a more general integration of them than is found in most other texts. It recognises that students invariably study other subjects simultaneously with economics and so attempts to provide more of a multi-disciplinary approach than is usuallly the case. The book reflects the changing nature of ‘public’ in recognising that a textbook in this area has to be made less technical and mechanistic and more appreciative of political economy.

This second edition has retained the structure of the first edition, all chapters having been updated and expanded in terms of coverage of theory, policy and practice. The 1997 Labour Government’s policies and initiatives have been fully incorporated in Parts II and III.
China's Interests in Central and Eastern Europe: Enter the Dragon
Authors: Góralczyk Bogdan
Published: May 2017

China first became an active and visible player in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) in the 1950s, when it worked together with the region to stop a possible Soviet invasion of Poland in October 1956. This strong relationship was later dismantled due to the Sino-Soviet split and the volatile domestic situation in China (the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution). It is only since 2012 that China has become active in the region again, now as an emerging global power with a strategy and new investment initiatives in play: first the 16 + 1 framework and now the Belt and Road Initiative as well. Does China consider the CEE countries to be its new playground, or test area, within the EU? Or does it instead see the region as a gatekeeper that can help it get a foot in the door to the West? China has a vision, a pragmatic approach and political will, but the implementation of this vision has been weak. While several existing mechanisms offer new potential, they have so far only been partially exploited, due to the different business mentalities of both sides, as well as many other obstacles. China is opening up opportunities for CEE, but the latter must be better prepared for China's new activities.
Tenancy, Marriage, and the Boll Weevil Infestation, 1892–1930
Authors: Bloome Deirdre , Feigenbaum James , Muller Christopher
Published: May 2017

In the early twentieth century, the cotton-growing regions of the U.S. South were dominated by families of tenant farmers. Tenant farming created opportunities and incentives for prospective tenants to marry at young ages. These opportunities and incentives especially affected African Americans, who had few alternatives to working as tenants. Using complete-count Census of Population data from 1900–1930 and Census of Agriculture data from 1889–1929, we find that increases in tenancy over time increased the prevalence of marriage among young African Americans. We then study how marriage was affected by one of the most notorious disruptions to southern agriculture at the turn of the century: the boll weevil infestation of 1892–1922. Using historical Department of Agriculture maps, we show that the boll weevil’s arrival reduced the share of farms worked by tenants as well as the share of African Americans who married at young ages. When the boll weevil infestation altered African Americans’ opportunities and incentives to marry, the share of African Americans who married young fell accordingly. Our results provide new evidence about the effect of economic and political institutions on demographic transformations.
EXPLORING THE EXISTENCE OF GRADER BIAS IN BEEF GRADING
Authors: JANG JU WON , ISHDORJ ARIUN , ANDERSON DAVID P. , PUREVJAV TSENGEG , DAHLKE GARLAND
Published: May 2017

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) beef grading system plays an important role in marketing and promoting beef. USDA graders inspect beef carcasses and determine a quality grade within a few seconds. Although the graders are well trained, the nature of this grading process may lead to grading errors. Significant differences in the USDA graders’ “called” and “camera-graded” quality grades were observed, as well as variations in quality grades across seasons and years. Under grid pricing, producers gained financially from grades called by USDA graders rather than grades measured by cameras.
Scholarly productivity and professional advancement of junior researchers receiving KL2, K23, or K08 awards at a large public research institution
Authors: Amory John K. , Louden Diana K. N. , McKinney Christy , Rich Joanne , Long-Genovese Stacy , Disis Mary L.
Published: May 2017

Background

How the productivity and careers of KL2 scholars compare with scholars receiving individual K-awards is unknown.

Methods

The productivity of KL2 scholars (n=21) at our institution was compared with that of K08 (n=34) and K23 (n=26) scholars.

Results

KL2 and K23 scholars had greater productivity than K08 scholars (p=0.01). Professional advancement was similar among groups.

Conclusion

At our institution, scholarly productivity and professional advancement did not differ by type of K-award.
Feasibility of a Novel Combination of Influenza Vaccinations and Child Passenger Safety Seat Fittings in a Drive-through Clinic Setting
Authors: Le Ngoc , Charney Rachel L. , Gerard James
Published: May 2017

Objective

Public health preparedness is an ever-evolving area of medicine with the purpose of helping the masses quickly and efficiently. The drive-through clinic (DTC) model allows the distribution of supplies or services while participants remain in their cars. Influenza vaccination is the most common form of DTC and has been utilized successfully in metropolitan areas.

Methods

We hypothesized that combining influenza vaccinations and child passenger seat fittings in a DTC format would be both feasible and desired by the community. Each driver was verbally surveyed at each DTC station. The project was a combination of patient survey and observation.

Results

In the inaugural 6-hour DTC session, 86 cars were served and contained 161 children, of which 28 also participated in child passenger seat fittings. The median total clinic time regardless of services rendered was 9.0 minutes (interquartile range [IQR]: 6.0, 14.0 minutes). For those who received only an influenza vaccine, the median total time was 7.5 minutes (IQR: 6.0, 10.0 minutes). For those who received both services, the median total time was 27 minutes (IQR: 22.3, 33.5 minutes) with an average of 1.75 child passenger seat fittings per automobile.

Conclusion

This was a pilot study involving 2 different services using the DTC model and the first of its kind in the literature. The DTC was successful in executing both services without sacrificing speed, convenience, or patient satisfaction. Additional studies are needed to further evaluate the efficacy of the multiple-service DTC model. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:647–651)
Traces on topological-graph algebras
Authors: SCHAFHAUSER CHRISTOPHER
Published: May 2017

Given a topological graph $E$, we give a complete description of tracial states on the $\text{C}^{\ast }$-algebra $\text{C}^{\ast }(E)$ which are invariant under the gauge action; there is an affine homeomorphism between the space of gauge invariant tracial states on $\text{C}^{\ast }(E)$ and Radon probability measures on the vertex space $E^{0}$ which are, in a suitable sense, invariant under the action of the edge space $E^{1}$. It is shown that if $E$ has no cycles, then every tracial state on $\text{C}^{\ast }(E)$ is gauge invariant. When $E^{0}$ is totally disconnected, the gauge invariant tracial states on $\text{C}^{\ast }(E)$ are in bijection with the states on $\text{K}_{0}(\text{C}^{\ast }(E))$.
On the ergodicity of hyperbolic Sinaĭ–Ruelle–Bowen measures II: the low-dimensional case
Authors: HIRAYAMA MICHIHIRO , SUMI NAOYA
Published: May 2017

In this paper, we consider diffeomorphisms on a closed manifold $M$ preserving a hyperbolic Sinaĭ–Ruelle–Bowen probability measure $\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}$ having intersections for almost every pair of stable and unstable manifolds. In this context, we show the ergodicity of $\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}$ when the dimension of $M$ is at most three. If $\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}$ is smooth, then it is ergodic when the dimension of $M$ is at most four. As a byproduct of our arguments, we obtain sufficient (topological) conditions which guarantee that there exists at most one hyperbolic ergodic Sinaĭ–Ruelle–Bowen probability measure. Even in higher dimensional cases, we show that every transitive topological Anosov diffeomorphism admits at most one hyperbolic Sinaĭ–Ruelle–Bowen probability measure.
Rigidity for partially hyperbolic diffeomorphisms
Authors: VARÃO RÉGIS
Published: May 2017

In this work we completely classify$C^{\infty }$conjugacy for smooth conservative (pointwise) partially hyperbolic diffeomorphisms homotopic to a linear Anosov automorphism on the 3-torus by its center foliation behavior. We prove that the uniform version of absolute continuity for the center foliation is the natural hypothesis to obtain$C^{\infty }$conjugacy to its linear Anosov automorphism. Avila, Viana and Wilkinson [Absolute continuity, Lyapunov exponents and rigidity I: Geodesic flows.J. Eur. Math. Soc. (JEMS)17(6) (2015), 1435–1462] proved that for a perturbation in the volume preserving case of the time-one map of an Anosov flow absolute continuity of the center foliation implies smooth rigidity. The absolute version of absolute continuity is the appropriate scenario for our context since it is not possible to obtain a result analogous to that of Avila, Viana and Wilkinson for our class of maps, for absolute continuity alone fails miserably to imply smooth rigidity for our class of maps. Our theorem is a global rigidity result as we do not assume the diffeomorphism to be at some distance from the linear Anosov automorphism. We also do not assume ergodicity. In particular, a metric condition on the center foliation implies ergodicity and$C^{\infty }$center foliation.
On mostly expanding diffeomorphisms
Authors: ANDERSSON MARTIN , VÁSQUEZ CARLOS H.
Published: May 2017

In this work, we study the class of mostly expanding partially hyperbolic diffeomorphisms. We prove that such a class is$C^{r}$-open,$r>1$, among the partially hyperbolic diffeomorphisms and we prove that the mostly expanding condition guarantees the existence of physical measures and provides more information about the statistics of the system. Mañé’s classical derived-from-Anosov diffeomorphism on$\mathbb{T}^{3}$belongs to this set.
Joint spectral radius, Sturmian measures and the finiteness conjecture
Authors: JENKINSON OLIVER , POLLICOTT MARK
Published: May 2017

The joint spectral radius of a pair of $2\times 2$ real matrices $(A_{0},A_{1})\in M_{2}(\mathbb{R})^{2}$ is defined to be $r(A_{0},A_{1})=\limsup _{n\rightarrow \infty }\max \{\Vert A_{i_{1}}\cdots A_{i_{n}}\Vert ^{1/n}:i_{j}\in \{0,1\}\}$, the optimal growth rate of the norm of products of these matrices. The Lagarias–Wang finiteness conjecture [Lagarias and Wang. The finiteness conjecture for the generalized spectral radius of a set of matrices. Linear Algebra Appl.214 (1995), 17–42], asserting that $r(A_{0},A_{1})$ is always the $n$th root of the spectral radius of some length-$n$ product $A_{i_{1}}\cdots A_{i_{n}}$, has been refuted by Bousch and Mairesse [Asymptotic height optimization for topical IFS, Tetris heaps, and the finiteness conjecture. J. Amer. Math. Soc.15 (2002), 77–111], with subsequent counterexamples presented by Blondel et al [An elementary counterexample to the finiteness conjecture. SIAM J. Matrix Anal.24 (2003), 963–970], Kozyakin [A dynamical systems construction of a counterexample to the finiteness conjecture. Proceedings of the 44th IEEE Conference on Decision and Control, and the European Control Conference (Seville, Spain, December 2005). IEEE, Piscataway, NJ, pp. 2338–2343] and Hare et al [An explicit counterexample to the Lagarias–Wang finiteness conjecture. Adv. Math.226 (2011), 4667–4701]. In this article, we introduce a new approach to generating finiteness counterexamples, and use this to exhibit an open subset of $M_{2}(\mathbb{R})^{2}$ with the property that each member $(A_{0},A_{1})$ of the subset generates uncountably many counterexamples of the form $(A_{0},tA_{1})$. Our methods employ ergodic theory; in particular, the analysis of Sturmian invariant measures. This approach allows a short proof that the relationship between the parameter $t$ and the Sturmian parameter ${\mathcal{P}}(t)$ is a devil’s staircase.
On the degree of wetting of a slit by a liquid film flowing along an inclined plane
Authors: Pettas D. , Karapetsas G. , Dimakopoulos Y. , Tsamopoulos J.
Published: May 2017

Liquid film flow along an inclined plane featuring a slit, normal to the main direction of flow, creates a second gas–liquid interface connecting the two side walls of the slit. This inner interface forms two three-phase contact lines and supports a widely varying amount of liquid under different physical and geometrical conditions. The exact liquid configuration is determined by employing the Galerkin/finite element method to solve the two-dimensional Navier–Stokes equations at steady state. The interplay of inertia, viscous, gravity and capillary forces along with the substrate wettability and orientation with respect to gravity and the width of the slit determine the extent of liquid penetration and free-surface deformation. Finite wetting lengths are predicted in hydrophilic and hydrophobic substrates for inclination angles more or less than the vertical, respectively. Multiple steady solutions, connected by turning points forming a hysteresis loop, are revealed by pseudo-arclength continuation. Under these conditions, small changes in certain parameter values leads to an abrupt change in the wetting length and the deformation amplitude of the outer film surface. In hydrophilic substrates the wetting lengths exhibit a local minimum for small values of the Reynolds number and a very small range of Bond numbers; when inertia increases, they exhibit the hysteresis loop with the second limit point in a very short range of Weber numbers. Simple force balances determine the proper rescaling in each case, so that critical points in families of solutions for different liquids or contact angles collapse. The flow inside the slit is quite slow in general because of viscous dissipation and includes counter-rotating vortices often resembling those reported by Moffatt (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 18, 1964, pp. 1–18). In hydrophobic substrates, the wetting lengths decrease monotonically until the first limit point of the hysteresis loop, which occurs in a limited range of Bond numbers when the Kapitza number is less than 300 and in a limited range of Weber numbers otherwise. Here additional solution families are possible as well, where one or both contact points (Cassie state) coincide with the slit corners.
On the orientational dependence of drag experienced by spheroids
Authors: Sanjeevi Sathish K. P. , Padding Johan T.
Published: May 2017

The flow around different prolate (needle-like) and oblate (disc-like) spheroids is studied using a multi-relaxation-time lattice Boltzmann method. We compute the mean drag coefficient$C_{D,\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}}$at different incident angles$\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}$for a wide range of Reynolds numbers ($\mathit{Re}$). We show that the sine-squared drag law$C_{D,\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}}=C_{D,\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}=0^{\circ }}+(C_{D,\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}=90^{\circ }}-C_{D,\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}=0^{\circ }})\sin ^{2}\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}$holds up to large Reynolds numbers,$\mathit{Re}=2000$. Further, we explore the physical origin behind the sine-squared law, and reveal that, surprisingly, this does not occur due to linearity of flow fields. Instead, it occurs due to an interesting pattern of pressure distribution contributing to the drag at higher$\mathit{Re}$for different incident angles. The present results demonstrate that it is possible to perform just two simulations at$\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}=0^{\circ }$and$\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}=90^{\circ }$for a given$\mathit{Re}$and obtain particle-shape-specific$C_{D}$at arbitrary incident angles. However, the model has limited applicability to flatter oblate spheroids, which do not exhibit the sine-squared interpolation, even for$\mathit{Re}=100$, due to stronger wake-induced drag. Regarding lift coefficients, we find that the equivalent theoretical equation can provide a reasonable approximation, even at high$\mathit{Re}$, for prolate spheroids.
The Hedonic Approach to Vineyard Site Selection: Adaptation to Climate Change and Grape Growing in Emerging Markets
Authors: Ashenfelter Orley
Published: May 2017

This paper shows how the hedonic approach to vineyard site selection can be used in the adaptation of vineyard land to climate change, natural disasters or other exogenous events. The basic idea is that, if the relation between weather and grape quality is known for each grape type in existing growing areas, then it is possible to predict the quality of grapes that would be produced in other locations, or in the same location with a changed climate. This permits the optimization of grape type selection for a location and also provides an indication of the value that a particular planting should produce. The relation of grape quality to the weather is provided for several well-known viticultural areas, including Burgundy, Bordeaux, Rioja, and the Piedmont. An application of the method to a new vineyard area in the Czech Republic following the demise of Communism is used to demonstrate the method. (JEL Classifications: O21, Q16, Q18, Q54)
-GRAPHS AND GYOJA’S -GRAPH ALGEBRA
Authors: HAHN JOHANNES
Published: May 2017

Let $(W,S)$ be a finite Coxeter group. Kazhdan and Lusztig introduced the concept of $W$-graphs, and Gyoja proved that every irreducible representation of the Iwahori–Hecke algebra $H(W,S)$ can be realized as a $W$-graph. Gyoja defined an auxiliary algebra for this purpose which—to the best of the author’s knowledge—was never explicitly mentioned again in the literature after Gyoja’s proof (although the underlying ideas were reused). The purpose of this paper is to resurrect this $W$-graph algebra, and to study its structure and its modules. A new explicit description of it as a quotient of a certain path algebra is given. A general conjecture is proposed which would imply strong restrictions on the structure of $W$-graphs. This conjecture is then proven for Coxeter groups of type $I_{2}(m)$, $B_{3}$ and $A_{1}$–$A_{4}$.
Exploring factors that impact the decision to use assistive telecare: perspectives of family care-givers of older people in the United Kingdom
Authors: COOK ERICA J. , RANDHAWA GURCH , GUPPY ANDY , SHARP CHLOE , BARTON GARRY , BATEMAN ANDREW , CRAWFORD-WHITE JANE
Published: May 2017

In the United Kingdom (UK), an ageing population met with the reduction of social care funding has led to reduced support for older people marked with an increased demand on family care-givers. Assistive telecare (AT) devices are viewed as an innovative and effective way to support older people. However, there is limited research which has explored adoption of AT from the perspectives of family care-givers. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 family care-givers of patients who used the Assistive Telehealth and Telecare service in Cambridgeshire, UK. Family care-givers were either the spouse (N = 8) or child of the patient (N = 6). The patients' age ranged from 75 to 98, and either received a telecare standalone device or connected service. Framework analysis was used to analyse the transcripts. This study revealed that family care-givers play a crucial role in supporting the patient's decision to adopt and engage with AT devices. Knowledge and awareness, perceived responsibility, usefulness and usability, alongside functionality of the equipment, were influential factors in the decision-making process. AT devices were viewed positively, considered easy to use, useful and functional, with reassurance of the patient's safety being a core reason for adoption. Efforts to increase adoption and engagement should adapt recruitment strategies and service pathways to support both the patient and their care-giver.
“That's really clever!” Ironic hyperbole understanding in children
Authors: AGUERT MARC , LE VALLOIS CORALIE , MARTEL KARINE , LAVAL VIRGINIE
Published: May 2017

Hyperbole supports irony comprehension in adults by heightening the contrast between what is said and the actual situation. Because young children do not perceive the communication situation as a whole, but rather give precedence to either the utterance or the context, we predicted that hyperbole would reduce irony comprehension in six-year-olds (n= 40) by overemphasizing what was said. By contrast, ten-year-olds (n= 40) would benefit from hyperbole in the way that adults do, as they would perceive the utterance and context as a whole, highlighted by the speaker's ironic intent. Short animated cartoons featuring ironic criticisms were shown to participants. We assessed comprehension of the speaker's belief and speaker's intent. Results supported our predictions. The development of mentalization during school years and its impact on the development of irony comprehension is discussed.