bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does idiosyncratic volatility predict future growth of the Australian economy?
Authors: Liu Bin , Di Iorio Amalia
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– This paper aims to examine whether idiosyncratic volatility and other asset pricing factors predict growth rates of the ten Australian economic indicators.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors use the Liew and Vassalou (2000) model augmented with an idiosyncratic volatility factor to investigate the issue.

Findings

– Using regression analysis, the authors find that the asset pricing factors can be used to predict the growth rates for eight out of the ten economic indicators. Moreover, using portfolio performance analysis, the authors find that high returns of size factor and a book-to-market factor portfolios precede periods of good macroeconomic states, whereas high returns of HIMLI portfolios precede periods of bad macroeconomic states.

Originality/value

– To the authors’ knowledge, the relationship between idiosyncratic volatility and Australian economic growth has not been investigated explicitly in the literature.
A hybrid approach to exchange rates
Authors: Zhang Guangfeng , Marsh Ian , MacDonald Ronald
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– This study aims to investigate the impact of information, both public macro news and private information, on exchange rate volatility in an integrated framework.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors apply real-time data of macro announcements and high-frequency trading data (German Deutsche Mark to US dollar, DEM/USD, from 1 May to 31August 1996) to GARCH models and examine various model specifications.

Findings

– Data analysis demonstrates real-time macro news and market makers’ private information both have a significant impact on exchange rate volatility, but there is no interaction between macro and micro information in the information transmission process.

Originality/value

– This study contributes to empirical hybrid studies of examining exchange rates volatility, which is in line with literature that combine both macro and micro fundamentals in examining exchange rates variation. Particularly, a key element of this study is to use a microstructure fundamental variable, namely, order flow, to capture private information in an exchange rate volatility study.
‘Ladd traps’ as a visual trap for male and female Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Authors: Schutze Mark K , W Cribb Bronwen , Cunningham J Paul , Newman Jaye , Peek Thelma , Clarke Anthony R
Published: March 2016

Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) is Australia's major horticultural insect pest, yet monitoring females remains logistically difficult. We trialled the ‘Ladd trap’ as a potential female surveillance or monitoring tool. This trap design is used to trap and monitor fruit flies in countries other (e.g. USA) than Australia. The Ladd trap consists of a flat yellow panel (a traditional ‘sticky trap’), with a three dimensional red sphere (= a fruit mimic) attached in the middle. We confirmed, in field‐cage trials, that the combination of yellow panel and red sphere was more attractive to B. tryoni than the two components in isolation. In a second set of field‐cage trials, we showed that it was the red‐yellow contrast, rather than the three dimensional effect, which was responsible for the trap's effectiveness, with B. tryoni equally attracted to a Ladd trap as to a two‐dimensional yellow panel with a circular red centre. The sex ratio of catches was approximately even in the field‐cage trials. In field trials, we tested the traditional red‐sphere Ladd trap against traps for which the sphere was painted blue, black or yellow. The colour of sphere did not significantly influence trap efficiency in these trials, despite the fact the yellow‐panel/yellow‐sphere presented no colour contrast to the flies. In 6 weeks of field trials, over 1500 flies were caught, almost exactly two‐thirds of them being females. Overall, flies were more likely to be caught on the yellow panel than the sphere; but, for the commercial Ladd trap, proportionally more females were caught on the red sphere versus the yellow panel than would be predicted based on relative surface area of each component, a result also seen the field‐cage trial. We determined that no modification of the trap was more effective than the commercially available Ladd trap and so consider that product suitable for more extensive field testing as a B. tryoni research and monitoring tool.
Teaching and assessment of communication skills in undergraduate dental education – a survey in German‐speaking countries
Authors: Rüttermann S. , Sobotta A. , Hahn P. , Kiessling C. , Härtl A.
Published: March 2016

Introduction

Teaching communication is perceived to be of importance in dental education. Several reports have been published worldwide in the educational literature describing modifications of the dental curriculum by implementing the teaching of communication skills. Surveys which evaluate the current state of training and assessment of communication skills in dental education in different countries exist already in some countries, but little information is available about German‐speaking countries.

Material and Methods

In a cross‐sectional study with the aim of a census, all 36 dental schools in Germany (30), Austria (3), and Switzerland (3) were surveyed.

Results

The present survey revealed that at 26 of the 34 dental schools (76%), communication skills training has been implemented. Training of communication skills mainly takes place between the 6th and the 9th semester. Ten schools were able to implement a partly longitudinal curriculum, while the other sites only offer stand‐alone courses. Of the 34 dental schools, six assess communication skills in a summative way. Three of those schools also use formative assessments for their students. Another seven sites only use formative assessment. From the various formats of assessment, OSCE is mentioned most frequently.

Conclusion

The necessity to train and assess communication skills has reached German‐speaking dental schools. The present survey allows an overview of the training and assessment of communication skills in undergraduate dental education in German‐speaking Europe.
Major and trace element geochemistry of S‐type cosmic spherules
Authors: Rudraswami N. G. , Shyam Prasad M. , Babu E. V. S. S. K. , Vijaya Kumar T.
Published: March 2016

Micrometeorites that pass through the Earth's atmosphere undergo changes in their chemical compositions, thereby making it difficult to understand if they are sourced from the matrix, chondrules, or calcium–aluminum‐rich inclusions (CAIs). These components have the potential to provide evidence toward the understanding of the early solar nebular evolution. The variations in the major element and trace element compositions of 155 different type (scoriaceous, relict bearing, porphyritic, barred, cryptocrystalline, and glass) of S‐type cosmic spherules are investigated with the intent to decipher the parent sources using electron microprobe and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry. The S‐type cosmic spherules appear to show a systematic depletion in volatile element contents, but have preserved their refractory trace elements. The trends in their chemical compositions suggest that the S‐type spherules comprise of components from similar parent bodies, that is, carbonaceous chondrites. Large fosteritic relict grains observed in this investigation appear to be related to the fragments of chondrules from carbonaceous chondrites. Furthermore, four spherules (two of these spherules enclose spinels and one comprised entirely of a Ca‐Al‐rich plagioclase) show enhanced trace element enrichment patterns that are drastically different from all the other 151 cosmic spherules. The information on the chemical composition and rare earth elements (REEs) on cosmic spherules suggest that the partially to fully melted ones can preserve evidences related to their parent bodies. The Ce, Eu, and Tm anomalies found in the cosmic spherules have similar behavior as that of chondrites. Distinct correlations observed between differentREEs and types of cosmic spherules reflect the inherited properties of the precursors.
The effect of multiple particle sizes on cooling rates of chondrules produced in large‐scale shocks in the solar nebula
Authors: Morris Melissa A. , Weidenschilling Stuart J. , Desch Steven J.
Published: March 2016

Chondrules represent one of the best probes of the physical conditions and processes acting in the early solar nebula. Proposed chondrule formation models are assessed based on their ability to match the meteoritic evidence, especially experimental constraints on their thermal histories. The model most consistent with chondrule thermal histories is passage through shock waves in the solar nebula. Existing models of heating by shocks generally yield a good first‐order approximation to inferred chondrule cooling rates. However, they predict prolonged heating in the preshock region, which would cause volatile loss and isotopic fractionation, which are not observed. These models have typically included particles of a single (large) size, i.e., chondrule precursors, or at most, large particles accompanied by micron‐sized grains. The size distribution of solids present during chondrule formation controls the opacity of the affected region, and significantly affects the thermal histories of chondrules. Micron‐sized grains evaporate too quickly to prevent excessive heating of chondrule precursors. However, isolated grains in chondrule‐forming regions would rapidly coagulate into fractal aggregates. Preshock heating by infrared radiation from the shock front would cause these aggregates to melt and collapse into intermediate‐sized (tens of microns) particles. We show that inclusion of such particles yields chondrule cooling rates consistent with petrologic and isotopic constraints.
Regulation of the fetal hemoglobin silencing factor BCL11A
Authors: Basak Anindita , Sankaran Vijay G.
Published: March 2016

The clinical severity of sickle cell disease and β‐thalassemia, the major disorders of β‐globin, can be ameliorated by increased production of fetal hemoglobin (HbF). Here, we provide a brief overview of the fetal‐to‐adult hemoglobin switch that occurs in humans shortly after birth and review our current understanding of one of the most potent known regulators of this switching process, the multiple zinc finger–containing transcription factor BCL11A. Originally identified in genome‐wide association studies, multiple orthogonal lines of evidence have validated BCL11A as a key regulator of hemoglobin switching and as a promising therapeutic target for HbF induction. We discuss recent studies that have highlighted its importance in silencing the HbF‐encoding genes and discuss opportunities that exist to further understand the regulation of BCL11A and its mechanism of action, which could provide new insight into opportunities to induce HbF for therapeutic purposes.
Melting curve analysis in canine lymphoma by calculating maximum fluorescence decrease
Authors: Schöpper I. , Ohmura S. , Rütgen B. , Tsujimoto H. , Weber K. , Hirschberger J.
Published: March 2016

PARR is widely used in the diagnostics of canine lymphoma. In human and veterinary medicine, melting curve analysis (MCA) has successfully been introduced to facilitate the process. Since visual interpretation of melting curves can be rather subjective, the purpose of this study was to develop an objective interpretation of melting curves by calculating the maximum fluorescence decrease (dFmax) within a defined rise of temperature. Lymph node aspirates and blood of 34 dogs with lymphoma and 28 control dogs were tested. 27/34 lymphoma cases were correctly detected to be monoclonal (sensitivity 79%). 2/28 control dogs showed a monoclonal rearrangement (specificity 93%). B‐ and T‐cell neoplasia were still detectable using DNA amount as low as 10 ng. In serial dilutions of tumor DNA with DNA of normal tonsils, the detection limit was 25% for B‐cell lymphomas and 100% for T‐cell lymphoma, suggesting that PCR conditions could still be optimized.
High-Pressure Electronic Fuel Injection for Small-Displacement Single-Cylinder Diesel Engines
Authors: Carpenter Andrew L. , Mayo Robert E. , Wagner Jerald G. , Yelvington Paul E.
Published: March 2016

Small-displacement single-cylinder diesel engines employ mechanically actuated fuel injection systems. These mechanically governed systems, while robust and low cost, lack the ability to fully vary injection parameters, such as timing, pulse duration, and injection pressure. The ability of a particular injection system to vary these injection parameters impacts engine efficiency, power, noise, and emissions. Modern, multicylinder automotive engines employ some form of electronically controlled injection to take advantage of the benefits of fully variable injection, including advanced strategies such as multipulse injections and rate shaping. Modern diesel electronic fuel injection (EFI) systems also operate at considerably higher injection pressures than mechanical fuel systems used in small-bore industrial engines. As the cost of electronic fuel systems continues to decrease and the demand for high-efficiency engines increases, EFI becomes a more viable option for incorporation into small industrial diesel engines. In particular, this technology may be well-suited for demanding and critical applications, such as military power generation. In this study, a small-bore single-cylinder diesel was retrofit with a custom high-pressure EFI system. Compared to the mechanical injector, the electronic, common-rail injector had a 50% smaller orifice diameter and was designed for a fourfold higher injection pressure. The mechanical governor was also replaced with an electronic speed controller. The baseline and modified engines were installed on a dynamometer, and measurements of exhaust emissions, fuel consumption, brake torque, and in-cylinder pressure were made. The electronic injector leads to lower smoke opacity and NOx emissions, while CO and hydrocarbon emissions were observed to increase slightly, likely due to some wall wetting of fuel with the initial prototype injector. Testing with low ignition quality fuels was also performed, and the electronic fuel system enabled the engine to operate with fuel having a cetane number as low as 30.
Study of cholesterol and vitamin E levels in broiler meat from different feeding regimens by TOF-SIMS
Authors: Marzec Magdalena E. , Wojtysiak Dorota , Połtowicz Katarzyna , Nowak Joanna , Pedrys Roman
Published: March 2016

The quality of chicken meat, which is one of the most widely consumed meats in the world, has been the subject of research and studies for many years. There are several ways to improve the quality of this type of meat, including changing the concentrations of individual molecular components. Such important components of meat are inter alia, cholesterol, vitamin E, and some fatty acids such as ω-3 and ω-6. Manipulation of ingredient levels may be achieved by enriching chicken feed with elements of different types such as vegetable oils, garlic, or selenium. Thus far, various biochemical and biophysical methods have been used to study quality of different meat types, especially broiler meat. Here, the authors demonstrate the use of high-resolution time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) mass spectrometry to assess how variations in animal nutrition affect concentrations of specific lipids in the meat, such as cholesterol and vitamin E. In the presented experiment, there were four different dietary treatments. Feed for animals in the first group was supplemented with soy oil in 50%, the second group's feed was supplemented with linseed oil in 50%, a combination of these two oils in the proportion of 44%:56% was used for the third group, and in the reference group, animals were fed with beef tallow. From each group, four individuals were selected for further analysis. Positive and negative ion mass spectra were generated from the pectoralis superficialis muscle tissue of the left carcass side of each one animal. Using TOF-SIMS with a bismuth cluster ion source (Bi3+), and based on characteristic peaks for cholesterol in the positive mode and vitamin E in the negative mode, the authors have illustrated the relationship of these lipids levels to the various feeding regimens. Simultaneously, the authors characterized the varying dependences on the concentrations of measured lipids in fat and muscle fibers. The cholesterol concentration in muscle fibers was the lowest in the group fed with soybean oil and the highest in reference group IV (tallow feed). In the fatty region, the highest level of cholesterol was found in the third group. The highest concentrations of vitamin E were found in the fibers of the first group and the fat region of the second group. The obtained results show that SIMS imaging is a useful approach for assessing changes in lipid concentrations in the meat tissue from animals on different diets and provides a foundation for future research.
Accelerated crystallization of zeolites via hydroxyl free radicals
Authors: Feng Guodong , Cheng Peng , Yan Wenfu , Boronat Mercedes , Li Xu , Su Ji-Hu , Wang Jianyu , Li Yi , Corma Avelino , Xu Ruren , Yu Jihong
Published: March 2016

Radically faster synthesis

Zeolite synthesis normally proceeds under basic conditions that allow the oxide bridges between aluminum and silicon atoms to break and reform. Feng
et al.
show that the formation of hydroxyl radicals, either by irradiation with ultraviolet light or with the Fenton reagent, can speed up the formation of the crystallized zeolite by about a factor of 2.

Science
, this issue p.
1188
The time is right for multiphoton entangled states
Authors: Peacock Anna C. , Steel Michael J.
Published: March 2016

A chip-based microresonator enables time-bin entanglement

[Also see Report by

Reimer
et al.

]
Fosfomycin
Authors: Falagas Matthew E. , Vouloumanou Evridiki K. , Samonis George , Vardakas Konstantinos Z.
Published: March 2016

The treatment of bacterial infections suffers from two major problems: spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) or extensively drug-resistant (XDR) pathogens and lack of development of new antibiotics active against such MDR and XDR bacteria. As a result, physicians have turned to older antibiotics, such as polymyxins, tetracyclines, and aminoglycosides. Lately, due to development of resistance to these agents, fosfomycin has gained attention, as it has remained active against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative MDR and XDR bacteria. New data of higher quality have become available, and several issues were clarified further. In this review, we summarize the available fosfomycin data regarding pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, the
in vitro
activity against susceptible and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, mechanisms of resistance and development of resistance during treatment, synergy and antagonism with other antibiotics, clinical effectiveness, and adverse events. Issues that need to be studied further are also discussed.
Viability and Functionality of Cryopreserved Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells in Pediatric Dengue
Authors: Perdomo-Celis Federico , Salgado Doris M. , Castañeda Diana M. , Narváez Carlos F.
Published: March 2016

Cryopreserved peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are widely used in studies of dengue. In this disease, elevated frequency of apoptotic PBMCs has been described, and molecules such as soluble tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligands (sTRAIL) are involved. This effect of dengue may affect the efficiency of PBMC cryopreservation. Here, we evaluate the viability (trypan blue dye exclusion and amine-reactive dye staining) and functionality (frequency of gamma interferon [IFN-γ]-producing T cells after polyclonal stimulation) of fresh and cryopreserved PBMCs from children with dengue (in acute and convalescence phases), children with other febrile illnesses, and healthy children as controls. Plasma sTRAIL levels were also evaluated. The frequencies of nonviable PBMCs detected by the two viability assays were positively correlated (
r
= 0.74;
P
< 0.0001). Cryopreservation particularly affected the PBMCs of children with dengue, who had a higher frequency of nonviable cells than healthy children and children with other febrile illnesses (
P
≤ 0.02), and PBMC viability levels were restored in the convalescent phase. In the acute phase, an increased frequency of CD3
+
CD8
+
amine-positive cells was found before cryopreservation (
P
= 0.01). Except for B cells in the acute phase, cryopreservation usually did not affect the relative frequencies of viable PBMC subpopulations. Dengue infection reduced the frequency of IFN-γ-producing CD3
+
cells after stimulation compared with healthy controls and convalescent-phase patients (
P
≤ 0.003), and plasma sTRAIL correlated with this decreased frequency in dengue (rho = −0.56;
P
= 0.01). Natural dengue infection in children can affect the viability and functionality of cryopreserved PBMCs.
Development of a Simple, Peripheral-Blood-Based Lateral-Flow Dipstick Assay for Accurate Detection of Patients with Enteric Fever
Authors: Khan Iqbal Hassan , Sayeed M. Abu , Sultana Nishat , Islam Kamrul , Amin Jakia , Faruk M. Omar , Khan Umama , Khanam Farhana , Ryan Edward T. , Qadri Firdausi
Published: March 2016

Enteric fever is a systemic infection caused by typhoidal strains of
Salmonella enterica
and is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in many parts of the world, especially in resource-limited areas. Unfortunately, currently available diagnostic tests for enteric fever lack sensitivity and/or specificity. No true clinically practical gold standard for diagnosing patients with enteric fever exists. Unfortunately, microbiologic culturing of blood is only 30 to 70% sensitive although 100% specific. Here, we report the development of a lateral-flow immunochromatographic dipstick assay based on the detection of
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhi (
S
. Typhi) lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-specific IgG in lymphocyte culture secretion. We tested the assay using samples from 142 clinically suspected enteric fever patients, 28 healthy individuals residing in a zone where enteric fever is endemic, and 35 patients with other febrile illnesses. In our analysis, the dipstick detected all blood culture-confirmed
S
. Typhi cases (48/48) and 5 of 6
Salmonella enterica
serovar Paratyphi A blood cultured-confirmed cases. The test was negative in all 35 individuals febrile with other illnesses and all 28 healthy controls from the zone of endemicity. The test was positive in 19 of 88 individuals with suspected enteric fever but with negative blood cultures. Thus, the dipstick had a sensitivity of 98% compared to blood culture results and a specificity that ranged from 78 to 100% (95% confidence interval [CI], 70 to 100%), depending on the definition of a true negative. These results suggest that this dipstick assay can be very useful for the detection of enteric fever patients especially in regions of endemicity.
Antibodies Elicited by Multiple Envelope Glycoprotein Immunogens in Primates Neutralize Primary Human Immunodeficiency Viruses (HIV-1) Sensitized by CD4-Mimetic Compounds
Authors: Madani Navid , Princiotto Amy M. , Easterhoff David , Bradley Todd , Luo Kan , Williams Wilton B. , Liao Hua-Xin , Moody M. Anthony , Phad Ganesh E. , Vázquez Bernat Néstor , Melillo Bruno , Santra Sampa , Smith Amos B. , Karlsson Hedestam Gunilla B. , Haynes Barton , Sodroski Joseph
Published: March 2016

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) envelope glycoproteins (Env) mediate virus entry through a series of complex conformational changes triggered by binding to the receptors CD4 and CCR5/CXCR4. Broadly neutralizing antibodies that recognize conserved Env epitopes are thought to be an important component of a protective immune response. However, to date, HIV-1 Env immunogens that elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies have not been identified, creating hurdles for vaccine development. Small-molecule CD4-mimetic compounds engage the CD4-binding pocket on the gp120 exterior Env and induce Env conformations that are highly sensitive to neutralization by antibodies, including antibodies directed against the conserved Env region that interacts with CCR5/CXCR4. Here, we show that CD4-mimetic compounds sensitize primary HIV-1 to neutralization by antibodies that can be elicited in monkeys and humans within 6 months by several Env vaccine candidates, including gp120 monomers. Monoclonal antibodies directed against the gp120 V2 and V3 variable regions were isolated from the immunized monkeys and humans; these monoclonal antibodies neutralized a primary HIV-1 only when the virus was sensitized by a CD4-mimetic compound. Thus, in addition to their direct antiviral effect, CD4-mimetic compounds dramatically enhance the HIV-1-neutralizing activity of antibodies that can be elicited with currently available immunogens. Used as components of microbicides, the CD4-mimetic compounds might increase the protective efficacy of HIV-1 vaccines.

IMPORTANCE
Preventing HIV-1 transmission is a high priority for global health. Eliciting antibodies that can neutralize transmitted strains of HIV-1 is difficult, creating problems for the development of an effective vaccine. We found that small-molecule CD4-mimetic compounds sensitize HIV-1 to antibodies that can be elicited in vaccinated humans and monkeys. These results suggest an approach to prevent HIV-1 sexual transmission in which a virus-sensitizing microbicide is combined with a vaccine.
Cyclist's nodule: no smooth ride
Authors: Stoneham Adam , Thway Khin , Messiou Christina , Smith Myles
Published: March 2016

A fit and active amateur cyclist was referred by his general practitioner to a surgical oncology outpatient clinic with a slowly-growing perineal mass. Following clinical examination, the patient underwent imaging and biopsy at a tertiary soft tissue tumour centre, which diagnosed perineal nodular induration: a rare, benign tumour caused by repetitive trauma associated with ‘saddle sports’ such as cycling or horse riding. It is important to consider soft tissue tumours in patients who present with ‘lumps and bumps’; they can occur anywhere in the body including the groin or perineum, where it is sometimes referred to as a ‘third’ or ‘accessory’ testicle in men. Although unusual, the case emphasises the importance of rapid specialist referral from primary care, and consideration of a patient's occupation and hobbies when formulating diagnoses.
Idiopathic female pseudohermaphroditism with urethral duplication and female hypospadias
Authors: D'Cunha Aureen Ruby , Kurian Jujju Jacob , Jacob Tarun John K
Published: March 2016

Female hypospadias is a rare anomaly of the female urethra where it opens on the anterior vaginal wall anywhere between the introitus and the fornix. It is often associated with other genitourinary anomalies such as Cloacal malformation, female pseudohermaphroditism, nonneurogenic neurogenic bladder and urethral duplication. Idiopathic female pseudohermaphroditism is extremely rare, and most cases occur secondary to adrenogenital syndrome or maternal androgen exposure. We report a unique case of a 1-year and 4-month-old girl who presented with ambiguous genitalia and renal failure secondary to a non-neurogenic neurogenic bladder. On further evaluation, she was found to have urethral duplication with a hypospadiac female urethra. She initially underwent a vesicostomy and was further planned to undergo an appendicular Mitrofanoff at an older age. The mainstay of treatment in these cases includes relief of bladder outlet obstruction and recovery of renal function by adequate urinary drainage. Clitoral reduction, if cosmetically warranted, may be planned at puberty.
Assessing the appropriateness of prevention and management of venous thromboembolism in Australia: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Hibbert Peter D , Hannaford Natalie A , Hooper Tamara D , Hindmarsh Diane M , Braithwaite Jeffrey , Ramanathan Shanthi A , Wickham Nicholas , Runciman William B
Published: March 2016

Objectives

The prevention and management of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is often at variance with guidelines. The CareTrack Australia (CTA) study reported that appropriate care (in line with evidence-based or consensus-based guidelines) is being provided for VTE at just over half of eligible encounters. The aim of this paper is to present and discuss the detailed CTA findings for VTE as a baseline for compliance with guidelines at a population level.

Setting

The setting was 27 hospitals in 2 states of Australia.

Participants

A sample of participants designed to be representative of the Australian population was recruited. Participants who had been admitted overnight during 2009 and/or 2010 were eligible. Of the 1154 CTA participants, 481(42%) were admitted overnight to hospital at least once, comprising 751 admissions. There were 279 females (58%), and the mean age was 64 years.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The primary measure was compliance with indicators of appropriate care for VTE. The indicators were extracted from Australian VTE clinical practice guidelines and ratified by experts. Participants’ medical records from 2009 to 2010 were analysed for compliance with 38 VTE indicators.

Results

Of the 35 145 CTA encounters, 1078 (3%) were eligible for scoring against VTE indicators. There were 2–84 eligible encounters per indicator at 27 hospitals. Overall compliance with indicators for VTE was 51%, and ranged from 34% to 64% for aggregated sets of indicators.

Conclusions

The prevention and management of VTE was appropriate for only half of the at-risk patients in our sample; this provides a baseline for tracking progress nationally. There is a need for national and, ideally, international agreement on clinical standards, indicators and tools to guide, document and monitor care for VTE, and for measures to increase their uptake, particularly where deficiencies have been identified.
Ultra-processed foods and added sugars in the US diet: evidence from a nationally representative cross-sectional study
Authors: Martínez Steele Eurídice , Baraldi Larissa Galastri , Louzada Maria Laura da Costa , Moubarac Jean-Claude , Mozaffarian Dariush , Monteiro Carlos Augusto
Published: March 2016

Objectives

To investigate the contribution of ultra-processed foods to the intake of added sugars in the USA. Ultra-processed foods were defined as industrial formulations which, besides salt, sugar, oils and fats, include substances not used in culinary preparations, in particular additives used to imitate sensorial qualities of minimally processed foods and their culinary preparations.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009–2010.

Participants

We evaluated 9317 participants aged 1+ years with at least one 24 h dietary recall.

Main outcome measures

Average dietary content of added sugars and proportion of individuals consuming more than 10% of total energy from added sugars.

Data analysis

Gaussian and Poisson regressions estimated the association between consumption of ultra-processed foods and intake of added sugars. All models incorporated survey sample weights and adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, family income and educational attainment.

Results

Ultra-processed foods comprised 57.9% of energy intake, and contributed 89.7% of the energy intake from added sugars. The content of added sugars in ultra-processed foods (21.1% of calories) was eightfold higher than in processed foods (2.4%) and fivefold higher than in unprocessed or minimally processed foods and processed culinary ingredients grouped together (3.7%). Both in unadjusted and adjusted models, each increase of 5 percentage points in proportional energy intake from ultra-processed foods increased the proportional energy intake from added sugars by 1 percentage point. Consumption of added sugars increased linearly across quintiles of ultra-processed food consumption: from 7.5% of total energy in the lowest quintile to 19.5% in the highest. A total of 82.1% of Americans in the highest quintile exceeded the recommended limit of 10% energy from added sugars, compared with 26.4% in the lowest.

Conclusions

Decreasing the consumption of ultra-processed foods could be an effective way of reducing the excessive intake of added sugars in the USA.
Total glucosides of paeony for rheumatoid arthritis: a protocol for a systematic review
Authors: Luo Jing , Jin Di-Er , Yang Guo-Yan , Zhang Ying-Ze , Wang Jian-Ming , Kong Wei-Ping , Tao Qing-Wen
Published: March 2016

Introduction

Total glucosides of paeony (TGP) is a natural plant extract, which is widely used in China for treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Many relevant randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of TGP for RA are available, but they have not been systematically reviewed. This systematic review aims to examine the effectiveness and safety of TGP in patients with RA.

Methods and analyses

We will search for RCTs of TGP in the treatment of RA, performed up until February 2016, in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and four Chinese databases (Chinese Biomedical Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database and Chinese Scientific Journal Database). Trial registers and reference lists of retrieved articles will also be searched to identify potential articles. RCTs comparing TGP with placebo, no treatment, or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs for patients with RA will be retrieved. The primary outcomes will be disease improvement and disease remission. The secondary outcomes will be surrogate outcomes, symptoms, adverse effects, and quality of life. Two reviewers will independently extract data on participants, interventions, comparisons, outcomes, etc. The methodological quality of each included study will be evaluated using the Cochrane risk of bias tool, and the strength of evidence on prespecified outcomes will be assessed in accordance with the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) approach. Review Manager 5.3 software will be used for data analyses. Meta-analyses will be performed if the data are sufficiently homogeneous, both statistically and clinically. Possible publication bias will also be checked using funnel plots once the number of included studies is sufficient.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval is not required, as this study will not involve patients. The results of this study will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication, to inform both clinical practice and further research.

Trial registration number

CRD42015026345.
Adverse psychosocial work factors, blood pressure and hypertension incidence: repeated exposure in a 5-year prospective cohort study
Authors: Trudel Xavier , Brisson Chantal , Milot Alain , Masse Benoit , Vézina Michel
Published: March 2016

Background

Two main theoretical models have been used to assess the impact of psychosocial work factors on blood pressure (BP): the demand–control (DC) model and the effort–reward imbalance (ERI) model. Previous studies have mostly used a single time point exposure to examine this association.

Objective

To examine the effect of repeated job strain and ERI exposure on (1) ambulatory BP (ABP) evolution over 5 years and (2) hypertension incidence over 5 years.

Method

The design is a prospective cohort study. The study population was composed of 1394 white-collar workers (568 men and 826 women). They were assessed three times during a 5-year period (years 1, 3 and 5). At each time, psychosocial work factors were measured using validated scales and ABP was measured every 15 min during a working day.

Results

Men who were chronically exposed over 5 years to an active job had a higher cumulative incidence of hypertension (RR=2.05, 95% CI 1.36 to 3.09), compared with never-exposed men. In women, ERI exposure onset was associated with higher increases in systolic ABP (+2.5 mm Hg). No association was found between chronic high-strain exposure and ABP.

Conclusions

Chronic exposure to active jobs in men led to a higher risk of hypertension and ERI exposure onset in women led to increases in systolic ABP. Results from the present study highlight the need to consider chronic exposure in order to fully capture the deleterious effect of adverse psychosocial work stressors on cardiovascular health.
Republished: Pipeline embolization device induced collateral channels in elective flow diversion treatment
Authors: Chen Yingming Amy , Drake Brian J , Chiu Albert Ho Yuen , Marotta Thomas R
Published: March 2016

The pipeline embolization device (PED) is a well recognized treatment for intracranial aneurysms. However, uncertainty remains regarding its effects on flow alteration, which is particularly highlighted by persistently perfused aneurysmal remnants and non-regressing, non-perfused aneurysmal masses. Here we present a 68-year-old woman with an incidental giant fusiform right paraophthalmic aneurysm electively treated with a PED. After lowering her antiplatelet therapy to promote aneurysm thrombosis, she was found to have a progressively enlarging perfused aneurysmal remnant. Angiography revealed PED occlusion, but curiously the development of a peri-construct collateral channel which feeds the aneurysmal remnant, and gives rise to distal branches and contributes to middle cerebral artery flow. The large ‘thrombosed’ aneurysmal mass showed tiny internal vessels on cone beam CT angiography as well as florid enhancement on MRI, further confirming that apparently thrombosed remnants are biologically active and may be remodeled depending on flow demand.
Virulence and toxigenicity of coagulase-negative staphylococci in Nigerian traditional fermented foods
Authors: Fowoyo P.T. , Ogunbanwo S.T.
Published: March 2016

The incidence of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) may render food unsafe, as the clinical isolates have been reported to exude virulent traits. A total of 255 CoNS isolates from 6 traditional fermented foods (nono, kunu, wara, iru, ogi, and kindirmo) from North Central Nigeria, identified as Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus simulans, Staphylococcus xylosus, Staphylococcus kloosii, and Staphylococcus caprae, were investigated for virulence traits. The strains were examined for biofilm formation and production of hyaluronidase, DNase, TNase, haemolysins, and superantigenic toxins (SEA, SEB, SEC, SED, and TSST-1) using standard and genotypic methods. The analysis of virulence factors revealed the production of slime in 200 isolates (78.4%); α-haemolysin in 136 (53.3%); β-haemolysin in 43 (16.9%); DNase in 199 (78.0%); TNase in 29 (11.4%); hyaluronidase in 125 (49.0%); TSST-1 in 119 (46.7%); and enterotoxin-producing isolates SEA, SEB, SEC, and SED in 61 (23.9%), 19 (7.5%), 9 (3.5%), and 8 (3.1%), respectively. PCR analysis detected tsst-1, sea, seb, and sec genes. The ability of these microorganisms to exhibit virulence evokes the potential to cause disease especially under determinate conditions or in immune-compromised patients. The occurrence of CoNS in food should not be ignored nor their pathogenic potential considered as insignificant, rather safety measures should be taken to reduce or totally eliminate their occurrence in foods.
Design and field experimentation of a robotic system for tailings characterization
Authors: Olmedo Nicolas A. , Lipsett Michael G.
Published: March 2016

There is an ongoing requirement to conduct ground surveys of engineered mine tailings deposits to monitor dewatering performance and consolidation prior to completing reclamation work. The deposit variability can make such surveys hazardous for humans. A rover is described that has been developed and deployed for characterizing reclaimed soil regions. This paper presents the functional requirements for unmanned ground vehicles used in this application, including the need for low-risk and timely subsurface sampling and terrain parameter estimations on highly uncertain terrains. Developments of the field-ready prototype wheeled rover are summarized, including tooling; and field tests are described in an industrial site at an Athabasca oil sands facility. Experiments on tailings treatment cells showed the feasibility of the sampling technologies and parameter estimation methods based on classical terramechanics models. The rover capabilities were further demonstrated by collecting samples from production treatment cells and estimating the cohesion and internal friction angle of tailings sand used in fluid containment dykes. The limitations of the current system helped identify future work for the design and development of new mobile robot systems for tailings characterization.
Distributed learning automata-based algorithm for community detection in complex networks
Authors: Khomami Mohammad Mehdi Daliri , Rezvanian Alireza , Meybodi Mohammad Reza
Published: March 2016

Community structure is an important and universal topological property of many complex networks such as social and information networks. The detection of communities of a network is a significant technique for understanding the structure and function of networks. In this paper, we propose an algorithm based on distributed learning automata for community detection (DLACD) in complex networks. In the proposed algorithm, each vertex of network is equipped with a learning automation. According to the cooperation among network of learning automata and updating action probabilities of each automaton, the algorithm interactively tries to identify high-density local communities. The performance of the proposed algorithm is investigated through a number of simulations on popular synthetic and real networks. Experimental results in comparison with popular community detection algorithms such as walk trap, Danon greedy optimization, Fuzzy community detection, Multi-resolution community detection and label propagation demonstrated the superiority of DLACD in terms of modularity, NMI, performance, min-max-cut and coverage.
Nonlinear Analysis on Cross-Correlation of Financial Time Series by Continuum Percolation System
Authors: Niu Hongli , Wang Jun
Published: March 2016

We establish a financial price process by continuum percolation system, in which we attribute price fluctuations to the investors’ attitudes towards the financial market, and consider the clusters in continuum percolation as the investors share the same investment opinion. We investigate the cross-correlations in two return time series, and analyze the multifractal behaviors in this relationship. Further, we study the corresponding behaviors for the real stock indexes of SSE and HSI as well as the liquid stocks pair of SPD and PAB by comparison. To quantify the multifractality in cross-correlation relationship, we employ multifractal detrended cross-correlation analysis method to perform an empirical research for the simulation data and the real markets data.
Characterization of the Phase Space Structure of Circular Restricted Three-Body Problem: An Alternative Approach
Authors: Gupta Beena R. , Kumar Vinay
Published: March 2016

In this paper, we have considered Time-Frequency Analysis (TFA) and Poincaré Surface of Section (PSS) for the study of the phase space structure of nonlinear dynamical system. We have examined a sample of orbits taken in the framework of Circular Restricted Three-Body Problem (CRTBP). We have computed ridge-plots (i.e. time-frequency landscape) using the phase of the continuous wavelet transform. Clear visualization of resonance trappings and the transitions is an important feature of this method, which is presented using ridge-plots. The identification between periodic and quasi-periodic, chaotic sticky and nonsticky and regular and chaotic orbits are done in comparatively less time and with less computational effort. The spatial case of Circular Restricted Three-Body problem is considered to show the strength of Time-Frequency Analysis to higher dimensional systems. Also, with the help of ridge-plots, we can visualize the phenomenon of transient chaos.
Low-temperature emplacement of phreatomagmatic pyroclastic flow deposits at the monogenetic Mt Gambier Volcanic Complex, South Australia, and their relevance for understanding some deposits in diatremes
Authors: van Otterloo Jozua , Cas Ray A. F.
Published: March 2016

The occurrence of pyroclastic flow deposits is not restricted to polygenetic and/or felsic volcanic systems, but can also occur at mafic monogenetic volcanic centres. At the
c.
5 ka Mt Gambier Volcanic Complex, Australia, two small-volume pyroclastic flow deposits resulted from phreatomagmatic eruptive phases of the Blue Lake East and the Valley Lake maar craters. The facies descriptions of the two massive, poorly sorted lapilli tuff and tuff breccia deposits are given. Low-grade carbonized wood fragments in the deposits mark low emplacement temperatures (180–270°C) for these deposits with only
c.
12–23% of the total thermal energy of the original magma preserved at the time of deposition. The Blue Lake East vent erupted by forming a short-lived vertical eruption column, which could not be sustained and collapsed. The Valley Lake pyroclastic flow deposit has a highly asymmetric dispersal to the west, indicating that this deposit was formed during an eruptive phase with a large westward-directed lateral component. Such massive, poorly sorted deposits outside the maar crater indicate that some similar deposits in diatremes may have originated from surface eruptions and not just from subsurface debris jets.
Wave Turbulence on Water Surface
Authors: Nazarenko Sergey , Lukaschuk Sergei
Published: March 2016

We overview the wave turbulence approach by example of one physical system: gravity waves on the surface of an infinitely deep fluid. In the theoretical part of our review, we derive the nonlinear Hamiltonian equations governing the water-wave system and describe the premises of the weak wave turbulence theory. We outline derivation of the wave-kinetic equation and the equation for the probability density function, and most important solutions to these equations, including the Kolmogorov-Zakharov spectra corresponding to a direct and an inverse turbulent cascades, as well as solutions for non-Gaussian wave fields corresponding to intermittency. We also discuss strong wave turbulence as well as coherent structures and their interaction with random waves. We describe numerical and laboratory experiments, and field observations of gravity wave turbulence, and compare their results with theoretical predictions.
HDAC2 regulates FoxO1 during RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis
Authors: Dou Ce , Li Nan , Ding Ning , Liu Chuan , Yang Xiaochao , Kang Fei , Cao Zhen , Quan Hongyu , Hou Tianyong , Xu Jianzhong , Dong Shiwu
Published: March 2016

The bone-resorbing osteoclast (OC) is essential for bone homeostasis, yet deregulation of OCs contributes to diseases such as osteoporosis, osteopetrosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Here we show that histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) is a key positive regulator during receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption. Bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) showed increased HDAC2 expression during osteoclastogenesis. HDAC2 overexpression enhanced, whereas HDAC2 deletion suppressed osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption using lentivirus infection. Mechanistically, upon RANKL activation, HDAC2 activated Akt; Akt directly phosphorylates and abrogates Forkhead box protein O1 (FoxO1), which is a negative regulator during osteoclastogenesis through reducing reactive oxygen species. HDAC2 deletion in BMMs resulted in decreased Akt activation and increased FoxO1 activity during osteoclastogenesis. In conclusion, HDAC2 activates Akt thus suppresses FoxO1 transcription results in enhanced osteoclastogenesis. Our data imply the potential value of HDAC2 as a new target in regulating osteoclast differentiation and function.