bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Aesthetic Politics of Unfinished Media: New Media Activism in Brazil
Authors: Stalcup Meg
Published: November 2016

This article analyzes the role of key visual technologies in contemporary media activism in Brazil. Drawing on a range of media formats and sources, it examines how the aesthetic politics of activists in protests that took place in 2013 opened the way for wider sociopolitical change. The forms and practices of the media activists, it is argued, aimed explicitly at producing transformative politics. New media technologies were remediated as a kind of equipment that could generate new relationships and subjectivities, and thereby access to intentionally undetermined futures.
“What Does It Look Like?”: On the Use of Intermediary Images in Egyptian Film Production
Authors: El Khachab Chihab
Published: November 2016

This article examines the use of intermediary images in the process of commercial film production in Egypt. Without being integrally part of the film product, intermediary images play a vital role in mediating interactions in the production process by anchoring the filmmakers’ multiple and sometimes conflicting representations of “the film” in visual proxies. Focusing on scouting work in two recent Egyptian films, Décor (2014) and Poisonous Roses (in postproduction), I draw attention to the way in which intermediary images allow filmmakers to imagine some aspects of the film‐in‐the‐making while mitigating their mutual misunderstandings.
A Space “In‐Between”: Liminality and Landscape on the Thailand‐Burma (Myanmar) Border
Authors: Wittekind Courtney T.
Published: November 2016

Drawing on ethnographic research along the Thailand‐Burma border, this article analyzes the experiences of migrating youth, asking how their socially ambiguous positioning relates to the “liminal landscapes” in which they move. Analyzing images captured on “photo‐walks” along the border, I argue that young migrants strategically exploit potentialities intrinsic in the liminal landscapes that surround them, coupling their socially uncertain position with a particular flexibility in terms of their vision of space. As such, I propose that “photo‐walks” offer an important means by which to integrate analyses of both the social and spatial elements of a life “in‐between.”
Brazilian SMEs of the Industrial Health Complex: Export Performance from the Resource-Based View
Authors: Mury Luiz G M
Published: November 2016

The present paper analyzes the export performance of the Brazilian industrial health complex based on an exploratory research on small and medium-sized companies that integrate the project known as Brazilian Health Devices - BHD. The paper begins by approaching the Resource-based View theory, a theoretical framework that sees resources as key to superior firm performance. It then follows with a characterization of the health industry in Brazil, and concludes with an analysis of conducted interviews with companies that integrate with the project. Outcome of research made aware that many of the BHD members limit their international operations within the range of the collective operations of the project, thus, they do not develop any differentiated resources that could lead them to a sustainable competitive advantage in the foreign market.
Rigidity of free product von Neumann algebras
Authors: Houdayer Cyril , Ueda Yoshimichi
Published: November 2016

Let $I$ be any nonempty set and let $(M_{i},\unicode[STIX]{x1D711}_{i})_{i\in I}$ be any family of nonamenable factors, endowed with arbitrary faithful normal states, that belong to a large class ${\mathcal{C}}_{\text{anti}\text{-}\text{free}}$ of (possibly type $\text{III}$) von Neumann algebras including all nonprime factors, all nonfull factors and all factors possessing Cartan subalgebras. For the free product $(M,\unicode[STIX]{x1D711})=\ast _{i\in I}(M_{i},\unicode[STIX]{x1D711}_{i})$, we show that the free product von Neumann algebra $M$ retains the cardinality $|I|$ and each nonamenable factor $M_{i}$ up to stably inner conjugacy, after permutation of the indices. Our main theorem unifies all previous Kurosh-type rigidity results for free product type $\text{II}_{1}$ factors and is new for free product type $\text{III}$ factors. It moreover provides new rigidity phenomena for type $\text{III}$ factors.
Potential gold(I) precursors evaluated for atomic layer deposition
Authors: Mäkelä Maarit , Hatanpää Timo , Ritala Mikko , Leskelä Markku , Mizohata Kenichiro , Meinander Kristoffer , Räisänen Jyrki
Published: November 2016

In total, seven Au(I) compounds were synthesized and preliminarily evaluated for atomic layer deposition (ALD). One of the compounds, a liquid (bis(trimethylsilyl)amido)(triethylphosphine)gold(I) (Au(N(SiMe3)2)(PEt3)), was chosen for the ALD growth experiments. It was applied with potential reducing agents and hydrogen sulfide. The best results in respect to growth rate and film properties were achieved when Au(N(SiMe3)2)(PEt3) and dimethylamine borane [BH3(NHMe2)] were applied alternately. No perfect self-limiting growth, characteristic for ALD, was confirmed. However, the process produced polycrystalline, pure, and relatively uniform particulate Au thin films. In general, the process was well controllable, but the reduction power of BH3(NHMe2) was noticed to be dependent on the deposition temperature and on the surface in contact with it.
Individual differences in the perception of regional, nonnative, and disordered speech varieties
Authors: Bent Tessa , Baese-Berk Melissa , Borrie Stephanie A. , McKee Megan
Published: November 2016

Speech perception abilities vary substantially across listeners, particularly in adverse conditions including those stemming from environmental degradation (e.g., noise) or from talker-related challenges (e.g., nonnative or disordered speech). This study examined adult listeners' recognition of words in phrases produced by six talkers representing three speech varieties: a nonnative accent (Spanish-accented English), a regional dialect (Irish English), and a disordered variety (ataxic dysarthria). Semantically anomalous phrases from these talkers were presented in a transcription task and intelligibility scores, percent words correct, were compared across the three speech varieties. Three cognitive-linguistic areas—receptive vocabulary, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control of attention—were assessed as possible predictors of individual word recognition performance. Intelligibility scores for the Spanish accent were significantly correlated with scores for the Irish English and ataxic dysarthria. Scores for the Irish English and dysarthric speech, in contrast, were not correlated. Furthermore, receptive vocabulary was the only cognitive-linguistic assessment that significantly predicted intelligibility scores. These results suggest that, rather than a global skill of perceiving speech that deviates from native dialect norms, listeners may possess specific abilities to overcome particular types of acoustic-phonetic deviation. Furthermore, vocabulary size offers performance benefits for intelligibility of speech that deviates from one's typical dialect norms.
Understanding Budget Models in Higher Education and their Applications to Kinesiology: Strategies for Success
Authors: Willett Michael S. , Andrew Damon P.S. , Rudisill Mary E.
Published: November 2016

Market pressures and external demands to sustain access, improve cost management and accountability, and increase productivity continue to persist in departments and schools of kinesiology. Confidence in the sustainability of an institution’s business model is eroding. To address these challenges, one possible approach for enhancing institutional performance, accountability, and stability is to revise an institution’s management process or budgeting model. Indicators suggest that many institutions are changing budget models to an incentive-based budgeting (IBB) system (i.e., responsibility-centered management [RCM]). The management strategies reviewed in this article are important for higher education budget administrators that implement, or are considering implementing, an IBB system as a means for assessing outcomes or institutional decision-making.
The Healthy DiplomaTM and Healthy Titans: Two Innovative Campus Programs for Progressive Student, Profession, and Community Outcomes
Authors: Hicks Lisa , Schmidt Dan
Published: November 2016

There is a tremendous need for wellness programming at all university levels as well as the United States as a whole. Healthy lifestyles benefit the workplace through lower healthcare costs, lower rates of injury and absenteeism, higher productivity, and improved morale and retention. This paper describes two innovative programs in higher education, the Healthy DiplomaTM and Healthy Titans, which are designed to improve the health and well-being of both students and employees. Two universities addressed the health and wellness of students (Healthy DiplomaTM) and employees (Healthy Titans) by utilizing the strengths of their respective kinesiology department students and faculty members. The Healthy DiplomaTM program was designed to lead university students to a healthy lifestyle while enhancing their postgraduation contributions as healthy entry-level employees. The Healthy Titans program was designed to provide University of Wisconsin Oshkosh employees and their families an affordable fitness program with an onsite clinical setting for kinesiology students to gain practical experience with fitness programming. Students were provided the opportunity to gain personal health and wellness skills and competencies, and practice their future profession in an applied, yet highly-supervised setting. Practitioners were provided current research and best profession practices. These two programs at two different universities further illustrate both the practicality and advantages of faculty and student collaborations for campus-wide wellness. Programs addressing wellness at the university level have demonstrated appropriateness as well as benefits for students, employees, and community members, and suggest expansion of similar programs to other university settings.
Engineered crops could have it made in the shade
Authors: Stokstad Erik
Published: November 2016

Modified tobacco plants quickly speed up photosynthesis when bright light dims, boosting yields.
Where science meets art
Authors: Ploeger Rebecca , Shugar Aaron
Published: November 2016

Scientific methods inform conservation efforts in the quest to preserve cultural heritage
The synthetic diazonamide DZ-2384 has distinct effects on microtubule curvature and dynamics without neurotoxicity
Authors: Wieczorek Michal , Tcherkezian Joseph , Bernier Cynthia , Prota Andrea E. , Chaaban Sami , Rolland Yannève , Godbout Claude , Hancock Mark A. , Arezzo Joseph C. , Ocal Ozhan , Rocha Cecilia , Olieric Natacha , Hall Anita , Ding Hui , Bramoullé Alexandre , Annis Matthew G. , Zogopoulos George , Harran Patrick G. , Wilkie Thomas M. , Brekken Rolf A. , Siegel Peter M. , Steinmetz Michel O. , Shore Gordon C. , Brouhard Gary J. , Roulston Anne
Published: November 2016

A compound that binds to tubulin in an unusual way has superior antitumor efficacy and safety and has a distinctive impact on microtubule curvature and dynamics.
Potential for Low-Pathogenic Avian H7 Influenza A Viruses To Replicate and Cause Disease in a Mammalian Model
Authors: Zanin Mark , Koçer Zeynep A. , Poulson Rebecca L. , Gabbard Jon D. , Howerth Elizabeth W. , Jones Cheryl A. , Friedman Kimberly , Seiler Jon , Danner Angela , Kercher Lisa , McBride Ryan , Paulson James C. , Wentworth David E. , Krauss Scott , Tompkins Stephen M. , Stallknecht David E. , Webster Robert G.
Published: November 2016

H7 subtype influenza A viruses are widely distributed and have been responsible for human infections and numerous outbreaks in poultry with significant impact. Despite this, the disease-causing potential of the precursor low-pathogenic (LP) H7 viruses from the wild bird reservoir has not been investigated. Our objective was to assess the disease-causing potential of 30 LP H7 viruses isolated from wild avian species in the United States and Canada using the DBA/2J mouse model. Without prior mammalian adaptation, the majority of viruses, 27 (90%), caused mortality in mice. Of these, 17 (56.7%) caused 100% mortality and 24 were of pathogenicity similar to that of A/Anhui/1/2013 (H7N9), which is highly pathogenic in mice. Viruses of duck origin were more pathogenic than those of shorebird origin, as 13 of 18 (72.2%) duck origin viruses caused 100% mortality while 4 of 12 (33.3%) shorebird origin viruses caused 100% mortality, despite there being no difference in mean lung viral titers between the groups. Replication beyond the respiratory tract was also evident, particularly in the heart and brain. Of the 16 viruses studied for fecal shedding, 11 were detected in fecal samples. These viruses exhibited a strong preference for avian-type α2,3-linked sialic acids; however, binding to mammalian-type α2,6-linked sialic acids was also detected. These findings indicate that LP avian H7 influenza A viruses are able to infect and cause disease in mammals without prior adaptation and therefore pose a potential public health risk.

IMPORTANCE
Low-pathogenic (LP) avian H7 influenza A viruses are widely distributed in the avian reservoir and are the precursors of numerous outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses in commercial poultry farms. However, unlike highly pathogenic H7 viruses, the disease-causing potential of LP H7 viruses from the wild bird reservoir has not been investigated. To address this, we studied 30 LP avian H7 viruses isolated from wild avian species in the United States and Canada using the DBA/2J mouse model. Surprisingly, the majority of these viruses, 90%, caused mortality in mice without prior mammalian adaptation, and 56.7% caused 100% mortality. There was also evidence of spread beyond the respiratory tract and fecal shedding. Therefore, the disease-causing potential of LP avian H7 influenza A viruses in mammals may be underestimated, and these viruses therefore pose a potential public health risk.
Adeno-associated Virus (AAV) Assembly-Activating Protein Is Not an Essential Requirement for Capsid Assembly of AAV Serotypes 4, 5, and 11
Authors: Earley Lauriel F. , Powers John M. , Adachi Kei , Baumgart Joshua T. , Meyer Nancy L. , Xie Qing , Chapman Michael S. , Nakai Hiroyuki
Published: November 2016

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors have made great progress in their use for gene therapy; however, fundamental aspects of AAV's capsid assembly remain poorly characterized. In this regard, the discovery of assembly-activating protein (AAP) sheds new light on this crucial part of AAV biology and vector production. Previous studies have shown that AAP is essential for assembly; however, how its mechanistic roles in assembly might differ among AAV serotypes remains uncharacterized. Here, we show that biological properties of AAPs and capsid assembly processes are surprisingly distinct among AAV serotypes 1 to 12. In the study, we investigated subcellular localizations and assembly-promoting functions of AAP1 to -12 (i.e., AAPs derived from AAV1 to -12, respectively) and examined the AAP dependence of capsid assembly processes of these 12 serotypes using combinatorial approaches that involved immunofluorescence and transmission electron microscopy, barcode-Seq (i. e., a high-throughput quantitative method using DNA barcodes and a next-generation sequencing technology), and quantitative dot blot assays. This study revealed that AAP1 to -12 are all localized in the nucleus with serotype-specific differential patterns of nucleolar association; AAPs and assembled capsids do not necessarily colocalize; AAPs are promiscuous in promoting capsid assembly of other serotypes, with the exception of AAP4, -5, -11, and -12; assembled AAV5, -8, and -9 capsids are excluded from the nucleolus, in contrast to the nucleolar enrichment of assembled AAV2 capsids; and, surprisingly, AAV4, -5, and -11 capsids are not dependent on AAP for assembly. These observations highlight the serotype-dependent heterogeneity of the capsid assembly process and challenge current notions about the role of AAP and the nucleolus in capsid assembly.

IMPORTANCE
Assembly-activating protein (AAP) is a recently discovered adeno-associated virus (AAV) protein that promotes capsid assembly and provides new opportunities for research in assembly. Previous studies on AAV serotype 2 (AAV2) showed that assembly takes place in the nucleolus and is dependent on AAP and that capsids colocalize with AAP in the nucleolus during the assembly process. However, through the investigation of 12 different AAV serotypes (AAV1 to -12), we find that AAP is not an essential requirement for capsid assembly of AAV4, -5, and -11, and AAP, assembled capsids, and the nucleolus do not colocalize for all the serotypes. In addition, we find that there are both serotype-restricted and serotype-promiscuous AAPs in their assembly roles. These findings challenge widely held beliefs about the importance of the nucleolus and AAP in AAV assembly and show the heterogeneous nature of the assembly process within the AAV family.
The Establishment and Diversification of Epidemic-Associated Serogroup W Meningococcus in the African Meningitis Belt, 1994 to 2012
Authors: Retchless Adam C. , Hu Fang , Ouédraogo Abdoul-Salam , Diarra Seydou , Knipe Kristen , Sheth Mili , Rowe Lori A. , Sangaré Lassana , Ky Ba Absetou , Ouangraoua Soumeya , Batra Dhwani , Novak Ryan T. , Ouédraogo Traoré Rasmata , Wang Xin
Published: November 2016

Meningococcal disease (meningitis and bloodstream infections) threatens millions of people across the meningitis belt of sub-Saharan Africa. A vaccine introduced in 2010 protects against Africa’s then-most common cause of meningococcal disease,
N. meningitidis
serogroup A. However, other serogroups continue to cause epidemics in the region—including serogroup W. The rapid identification of strains that have been associated with prior outbreaks can improve the assessment of outbreak risk and enable timely preparation of public health responses, including vaccination. Phylogenetic analysis of newly sequenced serogroup W strains isolated from 1994 to 2012 identified two groups of strains linked to large epidemics in Burkina Faso, one being descended from a strain that caused an outbreak during the Hajj pilgrimage in 2000. We find that applying whole-genome sequencing to meningococcal disease surveillance collections improves the discrimination among strains, even within a single nation-wide epidemic, which can be used to better understand pathogen spread.
Management of children and young people with vision impairment: diagnosis, developmental challenges and outcomes
Authors: Keil Sue , Fielder Alistair , Sargent Jenefer
Published: November 2016

Vision impairment (VI) has a significant impact on an individual's ability to engage with everyday tasks. Severe early-onset VI presents different challenges to adult onset visual loss since reduced visual input presents a major obstacle to the acquisition and development of fundamental developmental skills in early and later childhood. Early referral of the child with reduced vision is vital to ensure accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment of any modifiable aspects of the condition. Guidance to ensure optimisation of developmental opportunity through adaptation of play and care is vital from the earliest stages. Cognitive and social challenges occur throughout education and need to be understood and addressed through skilled support. Multiagency input, particularly from health and education, is vital to minimise the risk of adverse outcomes and promote successful transition to independent adulthood. VI may also arise in a variety of neurological disorders, and diagnosis and assessment to ensure appropriate adaptations are made is also crucial for this group of children. This review provides the paediatrician with information on diagnosis, assessment, long-term support needs and outcomes.
It is time to revise the international Good Clinical Practices guidelines: recommendations from non-commercial North–South collaborative trials
Authors: Ravinetto Raffaella , Tinto Halidou , Diro Ermias , Okebe Joseph , Mahendradhata Yodi , Rijal Suman , Gotuzzo Eduardo , Lutumba Pascal , Nahum Alain , De Nys Katelijne , Casteels Minne , Boelaert Marleen
Published: November 2016

The Good Clinical Practices (GCP) codes of the WHO and the International Conference of Harmonization set international standards for clinical research. But critics argue that they were written without consideration for the challenges faced in low and middle income countries (LMICs). Based on our field experience in LMICs, we developed a non-exhaustive set of recommendations for the improvement of GCP. These cover 3 domains: ethical, legal and operational, and 8 specific issues: the double ethical review of ‘externally sponsored’ trials; the informed consent procedure in minors and in illiterate people; post-trial access to newly-developed products for the trial communities; the role of communities as key research actors; the definition of sponsor; and the guidance for contractual agreements, laboratory quality management systems, and quality assurance of investigational medicinal products. Issues not covered in our analysis include among others biobanking, standard of care, and study designs. The international GCP codesde factoguide national legislators and funding agencies, so the current shortcomings may weaken the regulatory oversight of international research. In addition, activities neglected by GCP are less likely to be implemented or funded. If GCP are meant to serve the interests of global society, a comprehensive revision is needed. The revised guidelines should be strongly rooted in ethics, sensitive to different sociocultural perspectives, and allow consideration for trial-specific and context-specific challenges. This can be only achieved if all stakeholders, including researchers, sponsors, regulators, ethical reviewers and patients' representatives from LMICs, as well as non-commercial researchers and sponsors from affluent countries, are transparently involved in the revision process. We hope that our limited analysis would foster advocacy for a broad and inclusive revision of the international GCP codes, to make them at the same time ‘global’, ‘context centred’ and ‘patient centred’.
Gender differences in the association of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and metabolic syndrome with erosive oesophagitis: a cross-sectional study in a Taiwanese population
Authors: Hung Wei-Chieh , Wu Jin-Shang , Sun Zih-Jie , Lu Feng-Hwa , Yang Yi-Ching , Chang Chih-Jen
Published: November 2016

Objectives

Although metabolic syndrome correlates with erosive oesophagitis, few studies have examined the association between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), associated with obesity and insulin resistance as metabolic syndrome, and erosive oesophagitis. The possible gender differences in risk factors of erosive oesophagitis should be considered. This study aimed to determine the concomitant effects of NAFLD and metabolic syndrome on erosive oesophagitis with respect to gender.

Design, setting, participants and outcome measures

This cross-sectional study, conducted between January 2000 and August 2009, included 12 090 participants from the health examination center of a tertiary hospital. NAFLD was diagnosed according to ultrasonographic findings after excluding participants with excessive alcohol consumption or other liver diseases. Metabolic syndrome was determined using the revised National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. Erosive oesophagitis was defined according to the Los Angeles classification by oesophagogastroduodenoscopy.

Results

On the basis of the oesophagogastroduodenoscopic findings, the prevalence of erosive oesophagitis was 20.1% (n=1427/7110) and 9.9% (n=477/4842) in males and females, respectively. After adjusting for other variables, metabolic syndrome (OR 1.26; 95% CI 1.09 to 1.45) but not NAFLD (OR 1.14; 95% CI 0.98 to 1.30) significantly correlated with erosive oesophagitis in males, while NAFLD (OR 1.50; 95% CI 1.21 to 1.86) but not metabolic syndrome (OR 1.24; 95% CI 0.94 to 1.63) positively correlated with erosive oesophagitis in females.

Conclusions

The detrimental effect on erosive oesophagitis is greater by metabolic syndrome than by NAFLD in males but greater by NAFLD than by metabolic syndrome in females.
Protocol for using mixed methods and process improvement methodologies to explore primary care receptionist work
Authors: Litchfield Ian , Gale Nicola , Burrows Michael , Greenfield Sheila
Published: November 2016

Introduction

The need to cope with an increasingly ageing and multimorbid population has seen a shift towards preventive health and effective management of chronic disease. This places general practice at the forefront of health service provision with an increased demand that impacts on all members of the practice team. As these pressures grow, systems become more complex and tasks delegated across a broader range of staff groups. These include receptionists who play an essential role in the successful functioning of the surgery and are a major influence on patient satisfaction. However, they do so without formal recognition of the clinical implications of their work or with any requirements for training and qualifications.

Methods and analysis

Our work consists of three phases. The first will survey receptionists using the validated Work Design Questionnaire to help us understand more precisely the parameters of their role; the second involves the use of iterative focus groups to help define the systems and processes within which they work. The third and final phase will produce recommendations to increase the efficiency and safety of the key practice processes involving receptionists and identify the areas and where receptionists require targeted support. In doing so, we aim to increase job satisfaction of receptionists, improve practice efficiency and produce better outcomes for patients.

Ethics and dissemination

Our work will be disseminated using conferences, workshops, trade journals, electronic media and through a series of publications in the peer reviewed literature. At the very least, our work will serve to prompt discussion on the clinical role of receptionists and assess the advantages of using value streams in conjunction with related tools for process improvement.
E-cigarettes, a safer alternative for teenagers? A UK focus group study of teenagers' views
Authors: Hilton Shona , Weishaar Heide , Sweeting Helen , Trevisan Filippo , Katikireddi Srinivasa Vittal
Published: November 2016

Objective

Concerns exist that e-cigarettes may be a gateway to traditional cigarettes and/or (re)normalise teenage smoking. This qualitative study explores how teenagers in the UK currently perceive e-cigarettes and how and why they do or do not use them.

Design

16 focus groups were conducted across the UK between November 2014 and February 2015, with 83 teenagers aged 14–17. All discussions were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim, imported into NVivo 10 and thematically analysed.

Results

Teenagers generally agreed that e-cigarettes are useful products for smokers, including teenage smokers, to quit or reduce traditional cigarette use. Concerns were expressed about lack of information on their precise ingredients and any unknown risks for users and bystanders. However, teenagers typically viewed e-cigarettes as substantially less harmful than traditional cigarettes. They perceived e-cigarettes as attractive, with products described as ‘fun’ and having ‘great flavourings’. Seeing websites or social media featuring e-cigarettes, especially YouTube ‘vaping tricks’, prompted some experimentation and imitation. E-cigarettes were used in a variety of situations, including at parties or when they could not smoke traditional cigarettes. A very few participants suggested covert use was a possibility and that e-cigarettes might help maintain a fledgling nicotine habit.

Conclusions

Teenagers support the use of e-cigarettes as smoking cessation aids for established adult smokers. However, they engage with these products differently from adults, with the novel hypothesis that covert use could potentially reinforce traditional cigarette smoking requiring further investigation. Policy responses should more clearly meet the needs of young people, as well as helping established adult smokers.
Regional versus General Anesthesia for Promoting Independence after Hip Fracture (REGAIN): protocol for a pragmatic, international multicentre trial
Authors: Neuman Mark D , Ellenberg Susan S , Sieber Frederick E , Magaziner Jay S , Feng Rui , Carson Jeffrey L
Published: November 2016

Introduction

Hip fractures occur 1.6 million times each year worldwide, with substantial associated mortality and losses of independence. At present, anaesthesia care for hip fracture surgery varies widely within and between countries, with general anaesthesia and spinal anaesthesia representing the 2 most common approaches. Limited randomised evidence exists regarding potential short-term or long-term differences in outcomes between patients receiving spinal or general anaesthesia for hip fracture surgery.

Methods

The REGAIN trial (Regional vs General Anesthesia for Promoting Independence after Hip Fracture) is an international, multicentre, pragmatic randomised controlled trial. 1600 previously ambulatory patients aged 50 and older will be randomly allocated to receive either general or spinal anaesthesia for hip fracture surgery. The primary outcome is a composite of death or new inability to walk 10 feet or across a room at 60 days after randomisation, which will be assessed via telephone interview by staff who are blinded to treatment assignment. Secondary outcomes will be assessed by in-person assessment and medical record review for in-hospital end points (delirium; major inpatient medical complications and mortality; acute postoperative pain; patient satisfaction; length of stay) and by telephone interview for 60-day, 180-day and 365-day end points (mortality; disability-free survival; chronic pain; return to the prefracture residence; need for new assistive devices for ambulation; cognitive impairment).

Ethics and dissemination

The REGAIN trial has been approved by the ethics boards of all participating sites. Recruitment began in February 2016 and will continue until the end of 2019. Dissemination plans include presentations at scientific conferences, scientific publications, stakeholder engagement efforts and presentation to the public via lay media outlets.

Trial registration number

NCT02507505, Pre-results.
One vaccinology? Overcoming challenges in vaccine development
Authors: Benfield Camilla
Published: November 2016

How might translational vaccinology contribute to tackling some of the greatest global health challenges of modern times? Camilla Benfield, a lecturer in virology at the Royal Veterinary College, recently attended an international conference that considered this question and how some of the key barriers to the development and launch of new global health vaccines might be overcome. Here, she highlights areas where cross‐fertilisation of ideas and techniques between veterinary and human fields could have mutual benefit
Vegetative and floral development in the pistillate plant of Arceuthobium americanum (lodgepole pine dwarf mistletoe): an environmental scanning electron microscopy study of its phenology and shoot organization
Authors: Ziegler Dylan J. , Ross Friedman Cynthia
Published: November 2016

Dwarf mistletoes (DM), genus Arceuthobium, are dioecious parasitic flowering plants having prolonged life cycles lasting six years, culminating with explosive discharge of the single seed from the fruit. Arceuthobium americanum Nutt. ex Engelm., the lodgepole pine dwarf mistletoe, infects lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta subsp. latifolia (Engelm.) Critchfield) in western North America, compromising the forest economy. Highly reduced flowers appear no later than two years following shoot development, with female flowers appearing and persisting for over two years. Development of the pistillate plant, including initiation of floral growth, has not been fully explored. Here, we used environmental scanning electron microscopy to demark phenological waypoints throughout the pistillate plant’s development. As successive crops of female flowers emerged every year, up to three generations of flowers/fruit could be found on a single shoot in late summer; we used these three generations to delineate specific developmental stages. Vegetative shoots could initiate growth at any time within the growing season, could assume a terminal position, could also adopt sympodial branching, but were never whorled or adventitious. Floral branches, however, could initiate adventitiously from older nodes in a whorled pattern, and could house flowers/fruits of any generation. Vegetative and floral units were structurally homogeneous, suggesting shared developmental pathways.
Evaluation of governing parameters on pier scour geometry
Authors: Williams Priscilla , Bolisetti Tirupati , Balachandar Ram
Published: November 2016

Current scour estimation methods typically over-predict scour, resulting in uneconomical design. This tendency is partly due to the complexity of the scouring process, which indicates that some of its aspects are still not well understood, and can also be attributed to scale effects. Here, experiments are conducted to isolate the influence of relative coarseness (D/d50) and flow shallowness (h/D) on scour depth. For the range of D/d50 in the present study, equilibrium scour depth (dse/D) decreases with increasing D/d50 until a limiting value of D/d50 = 175, after which dse/D ≈ 0.75. Furthermore, dse/D is found to depend on h/D when all other scour influencing parameters are held constant. A revised definition of the densimetric Froude number using the velocity along the separating streamline is shown to have an influential role in scour. An improved scour estimation method employing these parameters is presented and compared with current methods.
Vegetation responses to simulated emerald ash borer infestation inFraxinus nigradominated wetlands of Upper Michigan, USA
Authors: Davis Joshua C. , Shannon Joseph P. , Bolton Nicholas W. , Kolka Randall K. , Pypker Thomas G.
Published: November 2016

The invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae)) is a significant threat to biodiversity and ecosystem processes in North American forests. Of particular concern is the fate of Fraxinus nigra (black ash), which is frequently a dominant canopy species across much of its range. To investigate the potential vegetation response to the loss of this foundation species, EAB-induced mortality was simulated in F. nigra dominated wetlands of Upper Michigan, USA. No growth response of residual overstory species occurred over the course of three growing seasons, which may in part be attributed to negative effects of post-treatment growing conditions, including prolonged inundation. A significant increase in non-Fraxinus sapling growth rate was observed, however. Mortality of F. nigra did not impact overall stem recruitment or regeneration, although species composition is shifting towards Acer rubrum (red maple) and Betula alleghaniensis (yellow birch) in the seedling layer. The herbaceous community exhibited the greatest response, nearly doubling in areal cover by the end of the study. Importantly, this expanded cover was not associated with decreased establishment of new woody seedlings, suggesting that increased competition between these functional groups has not yet impacted the potential for future recovery of woody vegetation in these forests.
Spectroscopic study and numerical simulation of low-pressure radio-frequency capacitive discharge with argon downstream
Authors: Tanişli Murat , Rafatov İsmail , Şahin Neslihan , Mertadam Sercan , Demir Süleyman
Published: November 2016

In this study, the characteristic properties and plasma parameters of capacitive radio frequency (RF) argon (Ar) discharge and supplementary discharge at low pressure are investigated with optical emission spectroscopy (OES). The wavelengths of spectral lines from OES are obtained between 650–900 nm. Using OES lines and related experimental data, the electron temperatures for different RF power, flow, and measurement periods are determined. Eventually, the properties of plasma including the electron temperature are identified. In addition, the numerical modelling of the discharge parameters is carried out by using the “extended” fluid model for plasma, and consistency between numerical and experimental results is discussed.
Geography of global change and species richness in the North
Authors: Vilmi Annika , Alahuhta Janne , Hjort Jan , Kärnä Olli-Matti , Leinonen Kirsti , Rocha Mariana Perez , Tolonen Katri E. , Tolonen Kimmo T. , Heino Jani
Published: November 2016

Different components of global change (e.g., climate change, land use, pollution, and introduced species) continue to alter biodiversity worldwide. As northern regions are still relatively undisturbed and will likely face clear increases in temperature in the near-future, we examined the signs of biodiversity change due to anthropogenic stressors using a systematic review of previous studies. Our aim was to map where, in which way, and owing to which stressor biodiversity in northern regions has changed. We made a systematic literature search covering the years between 2000 and 2015 to obtain a comprehensive selection of recent research. As species richness was clearly the most commonly used indicator of biodiversity, we only concentrated on this aspect of biodiversity. We compared different biological groups, regions, and ecosystems. In the majority of the cases, anthropogenic stressors had decreased species richness, or had no effects on it, while increasing or multiple effects of stressors on species richness were less common. Freshwater ecosystems were most sensitive to anthropogenic stressors, as species richness often decreased owing to these stressors. The effects of land use on richness were covered relatively widely in the selected set of articles, but the effects of other components of global change on species richness require further attention. Despite the fact that pollution was not as commonly studied stressor as land use, it was the most harmful stressor type affecting species richness. Geographically, most studies were located in boreal Canada or Fennoscandia, while no studies were executed in vast circumpolar areas where the temperature rise has been greatest and the projected climate change is likely to be fast. Overall, we could find an alarmingly small set of studies that described the effects of actual anthropogenic stressors in real-life circumstances in northern high latitudes.
Changes in the Ginsenoside Content During Fermentation Using an Appliance for the Preparation of Red Ginseng
Authors: Lee So Jin , Ha Na , Kim Yunjeong , Kim Min-Gul
Published: November 2016

The total amount of ginsenoside in fermented red ginseng (FRG) is increased by microbial fermentation. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether fermentation time and temperature affect the ginsenoside content during fermentation using an appliance for the preparation of red ginseng. The FRG and fermented red ginseng extracts (FRG-e) were prepared using an appliance for the preparation of red ginseng. The temperature was recorded and time points for sampling were scheduled at pre-fermentation (0[Formula: see text]h) and 18, 36, 48, 60 and 72[Formula: see text]h after the addition of the microbial strains. Samples of FRG and FRG-e were collected to identify changes in the ginsenoside contents at each time point during the fermentation process. The ginsenoside content was analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The levels of ginsenoside Rh1, Rg3, and compound Y, which are known to have effective pharmacological properties, increased more than three-fold in the final products of FRG relative to samples prior to fermentation. Although the ginsenoside constituents of FRG-e decreased or increased and then decreased during fermentation, the total amount of ginsenoside in FRG-e was even higher than those in FRG; the total amounts of ginsenoside in FRG-e and FRG were 8282.8 and 738.0[Formula: see text]mg, respectively. This study examined the changes in composition of ginsenosides and suggests a method to manufacture high-content total ginsenosides according to the fermentation temperature and process time. Reducing the extraction time is expected to improve the decrease of ginsenosides in FRG-e as a function of the fermentation time.
Artemisia capillaris Alleviates Bone Loss by Stimulating Osteoblast Mineralization and Suppressing Osteoclast Differentiation and Bone Resorption
Authors: Lee Chung-Jo , Shim Ki-Shuk , Ma Jin Yeul
Published: November 2016

Artemisia capillaris has been used to treat jaundice and relieve high liver-heat in traditional medicine. In this study, we found that the administration of a water extract from A. capillaris (WEAC) to the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL)-induced bone loss model significantly prevents osteoporotic bone loss, increasing bone volume/trabecular volume by 22% and trabecular number by 24%, and decreasing trabecular separation by 29%. WEAC stimulated in vitro osteoblast mineralization from primary osteoblasts in association with increasing expression of osterix, nuclear factor of activated T cells cytoplasmic 1, and activator protein-1, as well as phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase. In contrast to the anabolic effect of WEAC, WEAC significantly suppressed in vitro osteoclast formation from bone marrow macrophages by inhibiting the RANKL signaling pathways and bone resorption by downregulating the expression of resorption markers. Therefore, this study demonstrated that WEAC has a beneficial effect on bone loss through the regulation of osteoblast mineralization, as well as osteoclast formation and bone resorption. These results suggest that A. capillaris may be a promising herbal candidate for therapeutic agents to treat or prevent osteoporotic bone diseases.
Representations of virtual braids by automorphisms and virtual knot groups
Authors: Bardakov Valeriy G. , Mikhalchishina Yuliya A. , Neshchadim Mikhail V.
Published: November 2016

In the present paper, a new representation of the virtual braid group [Formula: see text] into the automorphism group of free product of the free group and free abelian group is constructed. This representation generalizes the previously constructed ones. The fact that the previously known representations are not faithful for [Formula: see text] is verified. Using representations of [Formula: see text], a virtual link group is defined. Also representations of the welded braid group [Formula: see text] are constructed and the welded link group is defined.
Evaluating Multiscale Transform Based Image Compression Using Encoding Techniques
Authors: Raja S. P. , Suruliandi A.
Published: November 2016

Image compression is the emerging field to transmit the multimedia products like image, video and audio. Image compression is used to reduce the storage quantity as much as possible. The objective of this paper is to compare the multiscale transform based image compression encoding techniques. The multiscale transforms involved in this paper are wavelet transform, bandelet transform, curvelet transform, ridgelet transform and contourlet transform. Wavelet transform allows good localization both in time and frequency domain. Bandelet transform takes geometric regularity of the natural images to improve the efficiency of representation. Curvelet transform handles curve discontinuities well. Curvelets are the good tool for the analysis and the computation of partial differential equations. Curvelets also have micro local features which make them especially adapted to certain reconstruction problems with missing data. The ridgelet transform is the core idea behind curvelet transform. It is used to represent objects with line singularities. The contourlet transform gets smooth contours and edges at any orientation. It filters noise as well. The Encoding techniques involved in this paper are spatial orientation tree wavelet (STW), set partitioned embedded block (SPECK) and compression with reversible embedded wavelet (CREW). The performance parameters such as peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR), image quality index and structural similarity index (SSIM) are used for the purpose of evaluation. It is found that bandelet transform with all the encoding techniques work well.
Geometrical Features and Active Appearance Model Applied to Facial Expression Recognition
Authors: Maximiano da Silva Flávio Altinier , Pedrini Helio
Published: November 2016

One of the most effective ways of expressing emotion is through facial expressions. This work proposes and discusses a geometrical descriptor based on the calculation of distances from coordinates of facial fiducial points, which are used as features for training support vector machines (SVM) to classify emotions. Three data sets are studied and six basic emotions are considered in our experiments. In comparison to other approaches available in the literature, the results obtained with our geometrical descriptor demonstrated to be very competitive, achieving high classification F-score rates. Additionally, we evaluate whether the combination of our geometrical descriptor with an appearance feature, the Gabor filter, allows emotions to be even more distinguishable for the classifier. The result is positive for two out of three data sets. Finally, to simulate in-the-wild scenarios, an active appearance model (AAM) is trained to position the fiducial points on the correct facial locations, instead of using the ones provided by the data sets. As the fitting error is considered acceptable, the former experiments are also conducted with the new data generated by the AAM. The results show a small drop on the F-score values when compared to the data originally provided by the data sets,but are still satisfactory.
Integrating Global Zernike and Local Discriminative HOG Features for Face Recognition
Authors: Singh Geetika , Chhabra Indu
Published: November 2016

Extraction of global face appearance and local interior differences is essential for any face recognition application. This paper presents a novel framework for face recognition by combining two effective descriptors namely, Zernike moments (ZM) and histogram of oriented gradients (HOG). ZMs are global descriptors that are invariant to image rotation, noise and scale. HOGs capture local details and are robust to illumination changes. Fusion of these two descriptors combines the merits of both local and global approaches and is effective against diverse variations present in face images. Further, as the processing time of HOG features is high owing to its large dimensionality, so, the study proposes to improve its performance by selecting only most discriminative HOG features (named discriminative HOG (DHOG)) for performing recognition. Efficacy of the proposed methods (DHOG, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]) is tested on ORL, Yale and FERET databases. DHOG provides an improvement of 3% to 5% over the existing HOG approach. Recognition results achieved by [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are up to 15% and 18% higher respectively than those obtained with these descriptors individually. Performance is also analyzed on LFW face database and compared with recent and state-of-the-art methods.