bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design concepts of low-frequency electromagnetic devices based on a data-driven approach
Authors: Ghorbanian Vahid , Mohammadi Mohammad Hossain , Lowther David
Published: August 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a data-driven approach to determine the design guidelines for low-frequency electromagnetic devices.

Design/methodology/approach

Two different devices, a core-type single-phase transformer and a motor-drive system, are used to show the usefulness and generalizability of the proposed approach. Using a finite element solver, a large database of design possibilities is created by varying design parameters, i.e. the geometrical and control parameters of the systems. Design rules are then extracted by performing a statistical analysis and exploring optimal and sub-optimal designs considering various targets such as efficiency, torque ripple and power factor.

Findings

It is demonstrated that the correlation of the design parameters influences the way the data-driven approach must be made. Also, guidelines for defining new design constraints, which can lead to a more efficient optimization routine, are introduced for both case studies.

Originality/value

Using the proposed approach, new design guidelines, which are generally not obtainable by the classical design methods, are introduced. Also, the proposed approach can potentially deal with different parameter–objective correlations, as well as different number of connected systems. This approach is applicable regardless of the device type.
Role of gender on the performance of Indian microfinance institutions
Authors: Ghosh Chandralekha , Guha Samapti
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Microfinance institutions (MFIs) are known for their contribution to the women empowerment and poverty alleviation but it is not clear about the role of gender on the performance of this industry. It is important to explore the representation of both the gender in three levels, namely, decision-making, day-to-day management and implementation of the micro-financial services. This study aims to examine the impact of female board members, female managers and female field officers on the financial and social performance of the MFIs.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have used random effect panel data analysis. The study covers 104 MFIs operating in India. The time period of the analysis is from 2010 to 2014.

Findings

The study has shown that as the number of female directors within the board increase there is an increase in cost per borrower. This is an indication that more female clients are being targeted. The increase in number of female managers leads to an increase in the number of active borrowers. The increase in the number of female staff members leads to an increase of operational self-sufficiency and yield of the gross portfolio.

Research limitations/implications

The present study has faced a lot of limitation due to the non-availability of the secondary data on the governance system of the microfinance industry. The study could not be undertaken for an extended period because of the unavailability of data for a long period.

Practical implications

This study has highlighted the role of gender in case of performance of microfinance institutions. The gender diversity at the field level has shown to enhance the financial performance of the MFIs. So, the MFIs should try to bring gender diversity at the operation level.

Social implications

This study has shown that an increase of woman directors at the board level increase female clients of MFIs. The increase of female managers also enhances number of female clients. So, the gender diversity at the managerial level and director level help MFIs to meet their social performance by reaching to more number of needy female clients.

Originality/value

The gender diversity at the three levels, namely, board level, managerial level and field operation level has not been analyzed in the Indian context. In India MFIs mainly target the female clients so in this context having gender diversity at the three levels of operation of the MFIs, which can improve both the financial and social performance of the MFIs.
Justification of TPM pillars for enhancing the performance of manufacturing industry of Northern India
Authors: Singh Jagdeep , Singh Harwinder
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess TPM pillars for manufacturing performance improvement in the manufacturing organizations of Northern India and to identify critical and non-critical components based on failure history, to minimize machine downtime, maximize component/machine availability and to identify failure modes, their causes and effects of these failures on machines or components in the case company under study.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, TPM pillars in the paint manufacturing plant have been elaborated to ascertain the tangible and intangible benefits accrued as a result of successful TPM implementation. The approach has been directed toward justification of TPM implementation for its support to competitive manufacturing in the context of Indian manufacturing industries.

Findings

Findings suggest that maintenance planning is more effective than small improvements for achieving benefits from TPM pillars. Moreover, results indicated that critical components show average reliability and failure probability of about 50 percent.

Originality/value

The present study encompasses systematic identification of maintenance-related losses, setting up of targets regarding maintenance performance improvements and developing guidelines for achieving enhanced manufacturing system performance through strategic TPM implementation in the manufacturing plant, which can also be important to all concerned with maintenance in various manufacturing enterprises.
Contract amendments: for better or for worse?
Authors: Malatesta Deanna , Smith Craig
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Public management researchers have successfully leveraged theory to advance the understanding of contracts and the different governance structures that underpin contract relationships. Yet there is still much to learn about the implications for different governance structures. Applying insights from property rights, the purpose of this paper is to examine the substance of initial government contracts and their subsequent amendments in order to determine whether allocation of decision rights leads to better or worse contract amendments.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors evaluate the text of initial contracts and their subsequent amendments in 258 government–business relationships and focus on the implications of assigning key decision rights to the party with most relevant knowledge expertise.

Findings

Two primary findings are presented. First, initial contracts where knowledge expertise and the associated decision rights are co-located (i.e. integrated) are likely to be associated withex postadjustments that benefit both parties to the contract. Second, the authors find that this initial finding is likely a result of government integration as opposed to supplier integration.

Originality/value

Given that we know most professional service contracts require some form of contract amendment over time, this research helps us understand why some amendments will reinforce the collaborative (Pareto enhancing) nature of the relationship, while others may be more one sided (rent seeking). Unlike other theoretical approaches (e.g. transaction cost theory), property rights theory provides guidance for such decision making.
Cutting-edge technology and nocturnal headaches in adolescent smart phone users in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Authors: Chongchitpaisan Wanna , Wiwatanadate Phongtape , Tanprawate Surat , Narkpongphun Assawin , Siripon Nipapon
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Nocturnal headaches among adolescents were reported to be increased with the development of modern technology. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the smartphone electromagnetic radiation related to nocturnal headaches among high school students.

Design/methodology/approach

The time series study of all 12,969 records from 145 high school students Chiang Mai Province was selected from the population in the first phase by setting criteria. The samples completed a headache diary utilizing a smartphone application. The smartphone output power (SOP) was measured and recorded by the smartphone application and transmitted by e-mail to a researcher. The smartphone use, sleep quality, anxiety and depression also were assessed. Data were analyzed using Generalized Estimating Equation adjusting for demographic data, smartphone use, and sleep quality and otherwise.

Findings

The resulted showed the prevalence of repeated headaches to be 13.4 percent, nocturnal headache only 5.3 percent and the strongest effect of day time SOP at a 1.80–1.99×10−5 mW range on nocturnal headaches (ORadj5.18; 95% CI: 3.44–7.81). Meanwhile, Lag_6 of daily SOP exposure produced a nocturnal headache effect in a reverse dose-response manner. Furthermore, the nocturnal headache also had the strongest association with age, internet use and device brand (ORadj2.33; 95% CI: 1.08–5.05, ORadj2.14; 95% CI: 1.07–4.2 and ORadj1.68; 95% CI: 1.1–2.4).

Originality/value

The electromagnetic radiation from a smartphone is the environmental variables influences on headache. The results suggested that there should be limited times for smartphone use and older age to start using a smartphone to prevent headache attacks at night.
A unified simulation for effects of gellan polymer concentrations on large strain elastic behaviors of gellan gels
Authors: Ding Xie-Fei , Zhan Lin , Xi Hui-Feng , Xiao Heng
Published: August 2019

Purpose

A direct and unified approach is proposed toward simultaneously simulating large strain elastic behaviors of gellan gels with different gellan polymer concentrations. The purpose of this paper is to construct an elastic potential with certain parameters of direct physical meanings, based on well-designed invariants of Hencky’s logarithmic strain.

Design/methodology/approach

For each given value of the concentration, the values of the parameters incorporated may be determined in the sense of achieving accurate agreement with large strain uniaxial extension and compression data. By means of a new interpolating technique, each parameter as a function of the concentration is then obtained from a given set of parameter values for certain concentration values.

Findings

Then, the effects of gellan polymer concentrations on large strain elastic behaviors of gellan gels are studied in demonstrating how each parameter relies on the concentration. Plane-strain (simple shear) responses are also presented for gellan gels with different polymer concentrations.

Originality/value

A direct, unified approach was proposed toward achieving a simultaneous simulation of large elastic strain behaviors of gellan gels for different gellan polymer concentrations. Each parameter incorporated in the proposed elastic potential will be derived as a function of the polymer concentration in an explicit form, in the very sense of simultaneously simulating large strain data for different concentrations.
The scaling of fine root nitrogen versus phosphorus in terrestrial plants: A global synthesis
Authors: Wang Zhiqiang , Yu Kailiang , Lv Shiqi , Niklas Karl J. , Mipam Tserang Donko , Crowther Thomas W. , Umaña María N. , Zhao Qi , Huang Heng , Reich Peter B.
Published: August 2019

Leaves and roots may differ in nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and N:P stoichiometry, which can influence plant growth and ecosystem functioning. As compared to leaves, however, relatively little is known about the N versus P scaling relationship and N:P stoichiometry in root systems, particularly in fine roots.

We used a global dataset comprising 1,890 observations for a total of 763 terrestrial plant species in 123 families (spanning 433 sites world‐wide) to examine live fine root N and P concentrations and stoichiometry, and to determine the scaling of N versus P within and across different plant groups and ecosystems.

The global geometric mean values of fine root N and P concentrations and N:P ratios were 10.84 mg/g, 0.94 mg/g and 11.55, respectively. Fine root N and P concentrations and N:P ratios varied both within and across plant groups and ecosystems. A 0.82‐power law described the scaling of fine root N with respect to P across the entire dataset and for major plant phylogenetic and functional groups; however, the numerical value of the N versus P scaling exponent declined from the tropics to higher latitudes and varied significantly at different local sites. Soil nutrient account for much of the variation observed in the scaling of fine root N versus P concentration at different local sites.

This study advances our knowledge about limiting resource allocation strategies in below‐ground organs and has important implications for modelling plant growth at local, regional and global levels.

A freePlain Language Summarycan be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Bayesian data integration and variable selection for pan‐cancer survival prediction using protein expression data
Authors: Maity Arnab Kumar , Bhattacharya Anirban , Mallick Bani K. , Baladandayuthapani Veerabhadran
Published: August 2019

Accurate prognostic prediction using molecular information is a challenging area of research, which is essential to develop precision medicine. In this paper, we develop translational models to identify major actionable proteins that are associated with clinical outcomes, like the survival time of patients. There are considerable statistical and computational challenges due to the large dimension of the problems. Furthermore, data are available for different tumor types; hence data integration for various tumors is desirable. Having censored survival outcomes escalates one more level of complexity in the inferential procedure. We develop Bayesian hierarchical survival models, which accommodate all the challenges mentioned here. We use the hierarchical Bayesian accelerated failure time model for survival regression. Furthermore, we assume sparse horseshoe prior distribution for the regression coefficients to identify the major proteomic drivers. We borrow strength across tumor groups by introducing a correlation structure among the prior distributions. The proposed methods have been used to analyze data from the recently curated “The Cancer Proteome Atlas” (TCPA), which contains reverse‐phase protein arrays–based high‐quality protein expression data as well as detailed clinical annotation, including survival times. Our simulation and the TCPA data analysis illustrate the efficacy of the proposed integrative model, which links different tumors with the correlated prior structures.
Protective support and supportive protection for families “in the middle”: Learning from the Irish context
Authors: McGregor Caroline , Devaney Carmel
Published: August 2019

This paper critically examines the relationship between statutory family support and child protection using the case study of Ireland. It builds on the work of Devaney and McGregor (2017) to offer an additional contribution to existing frameworks for practice through adapting the Hardiker Exton and Barker (1991) model of prevention. Using evidence from current Irish developments, the case for moving away from linear and simplistic differentiation of family support and child protection is made. Evidence from three main sources in Ireland is presented to develop the argument. This evidence includes the Child Care Law Reporting project (Coulter, 2015, 2018); a recent evaluation of a family support practice model called Meitheal (Rodriguez Cassidy and Devaney, 2018) and recent findings about public awareness of family support (McGregor and NicGabhainn, 2018). We argue that special attention should be paid to families “in the middle” who are in need of both support and protection and propose an adapted version of Hardiker et al. model to aid in this work. We identify what should happen at different levels for macrostructural to micropractice levels. We conclude that the learning from the Irish case study can be applied to an international context.
Linear measurements of sinus floor elevation based on voxel‐based superimposition of cone beam computed tomography images
Authors: Huang Jie , Hu Jiahui , Luo Rongchun , Xie Sisi , Wang Zuolin , Ye Ying
Published: August 2019

Background

Postsurgical evaluation of sinus floor elevation regularly involves linear measurements of the elevated volumes in the cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. The accuracy of measurements could be compromised due to ill‐defined sinus floor outline if implants are placed simultaneously.

Purpose

The aim was to examine a CBCT superimposition method to improve the measurement accuracy.

Materials and Methods

Twenty patients who received transalveolar sinus floor elevation with immediate implantation were enrolled. CBCTs before and after surgery were transformed into digital imaging and communications in medicine format and imported into the Dolphin Imaging software. Voxel‐based superimposition was automated to merge the files. In the superimposed image, parameters including alveolar bone height, protruded implant length, and total elevated height were measured. The superimposition and measurements were performed independently by two examiners and in two timepoints with 1‐week time interval. We used intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) to analyze the interexaminer and intraexaminer agreements.

Results

Of measured parameters, the mean of difference between two timepoints ranged from 0.18 to 0.26 mm by examiner 1, and from 0.16 to 0.20 mm by examiner 2. ICCs were equal or greater than 0.98, indicating perfect intraexaminer agreement. For interexaminer reliability, the largest mean of difference was 0.27 mm in measuring alveolar bone height between two examiners. ICCs were greater than 0.98, showing perfect interexaminer agreement.

Conclusions

The voxel‐based superimposition of pre‐ and post‐surgical CBCT images with Dolphin Imaging is an effective and reliable way for linear measurements so as to assess the surgical outcome. There is minimal effect on reproducibility of measured data by different timepoints or performers.
Mesenteric granulomas independently predict long‐term risk of surgical recurrence in Crohn's disease
Authors: Unger L. W. , Argeny S. , Stift A. , Yang Y. , Karall A. , Freilinger T. , Müller C. , Bergmann M. , Stift J. , Riss S.
Published: August 2019

Aim

The risk factors that predict surgical recurrence in Crohn's disease (CD) remain controversial. Postoperative anti‐tumour necrosis factor (anti‐TNF) therapy might lower recurrence rates whilst the presence of mesenteric granulomas has been postulated to increase the risk. We hypothesized that mesenteric granulomas indicate disease severity and might predict the risk of surgical recurrence, irrespective of immunosuppressive therapy.

Method

We performed a retrospective review of all consecutive patients undergoing operations for CD between January 2000 and December 2014 at a single tertiary referral centre and assessed the perioperative factors and histological findings at the time of surgery. Surgical recurrence rates and the immunosuppressive regimen were assessed through retrospective chart review and telephone interviews.

Results

A total of 274 patients were eligible for analysis. Median follow‐up was 8.54 (5.48–14.42) years. A total of 63 patients (23.0%) underwent surgery for recurrent CD after a median of 4.75 (2.10–7.96) years. In final histology, 35 (12.8%) patients had mesenteric granulomas. TNF inhibitors were administered postoperatively in 104 (38.0%) and thiopurines in 137 (50.0%) patients. In univariate analysis, only the presence of mesenteric granulomas [hazard ratio (HR) 1.95; 95% CI 1.05–3.62; P = 0.035] significantly increased the risk for recurrent surgery while postoperative anti‐TNF (HR 0.85; 95% CI 0.49–1.50; P = 0.581) or thiopurine therapy (HR 1.03; 95% CI 0.61–1.73; P = 0.916) did not. In multivariate analysis, only the presence of mesenteric granulomas significantly influenced the risk of surgical recurrence (HR 1.94, 95% CI 1.04–3.60; P = 0.037).

Conclusion

Intestinal and mesenteric granulomas should be differentiated in pathology reports, because mesenteric, but not intestinal, granulomas may be associated with an increased risk of surgical recurrence.
Educational hazards? The politics of disaster risk education in Rio de Janeiro
Authors: Coates Robert
Published: August 2019

Disaster education outcomes are highly dependent on the political context of that education. Based on a rich, in‐depth case study of the creation of community monitors in a landslide and flood‐prone city in southeast Brazil, this paper demonstrates how developmental and political environments add much additional nuance to existing theories of behaviourist and transformative education for disaster preparedness and mitigation. Beyond identifying the benefits of education, it argues that disaster risk reduction outcomes are reliant on governance frameworks that alter over time. The study reveals the political complexity associated with programme implementation and cites the perspectives of a number of participants. Disaster education is shown to be the necessary yet underappreciated twin of the militarised and technical approaches that dominate disaster response in Brazil. Understated, however, is education's situatedness: how it can become an arena of conflict between government and civil actors over matters of state and society in increasingly hazardous urbanisation settings in Latin America.
Time preferences, diabetes self‐management behaviours and outcomes: a systematic review
Authors: Madsen K. P. , Kjær T. , Skinner T. , Willaing I.
Published: August 2019

Aim

Time preferences, i.e. individuals’ degree of patience/impatience in intertemporal choice, have been found to be associated with suboptimal health behaviours and health outcomes such as smoking, physical inactivity, unhealthy food intake and obesity. In this systematic review, we aimed to synthesise reported associations between time preferences, diabetes self‐management behaviours, including use of diabetes technology, and outcomes.

Methods

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, EconLit and all databases in the Web of Science Core Collection. Peer‐reviewed studies of people with diabetes that included at least one diabetes‐related behaviour or outcome and a measure of time preferences were included. Non‐English language studies were excluded.

Results

A total of 961 records were identified, of which 12 articles were included. Three studies analysed both time‐consistent and time‐inconsistent preferences, three studies solely analysed time‐inconsistent preferences and six studies did not explicitly define a time preference model. Measured outcomes across studies included self‐care activities, such as medication‐taking, exercising and eating a healthy diet, and biomedical outcomes, such as HbA1c and diabetes‐related complications. There were 10 cross‐sectional studies and two panel‐data studies. No studies explicitly analysed the relationship between time preferences and diabetes technology use.

Conclusions

Associations between measures of time preferences, diabetes self‐management behaviours and clinical outcomes exist. Higher discount rates determined by both time‐consistent and time‐inconsistent models predict less diabetes‐related self‐care and worse outcomes. These findings may add to explanations of the observed variation in diabetes‐related health and provide new insights for tailoring interventions and policies aimed at improving diabetes self‐management.
Are ants botanists? Ant associative learning of plant chemicals mediates foraging for carbohydrates
Authors: Nelson Annika S. , Zapata Guillermo D. , Sentner Keegan T. , Mooney Kailen A.
Published: August 2019

1. Although associative learning is widespread across animals, its ecological importance is difficult to assess because learning is rarely studied in the field, where informative cues are juxtaposed against complex backgrounds of uninformative noise.

2. Ants rely heavily on chemical cues for foraging and engage in many ecologically important interactions with plants. Nevertheless, little is known about the role of associative learning of plant chemicals in ant foraging for carbohydrates.

3. In a field setting, the present study investigated whether the distantly related ant species Formica podzolica (Formicinae subfamily) and Tapinoma sessile (Dolichoderinae subfamily) exhibited associative learning of the chemical cues from two co‐occurring plant species that are taxonomically and chemically distinct (Asteraceae: Helianthella quinquenervis and Apiaceae: Ligusticum porteri).

4. For two consecutive summers, ants were trained to forage from artificial sugar‐rich baits associated with the leaf chemicals from either H. quinquenervis or L. porteri for 24 h, after which a two‐choice test was deployed to assess whether ants would be more likely to select baits associated with the same (versus different) plant chemicals on which they had been trained.

5. The present study demonstrates associative learning of chemicals from both plant species, and these effects were consistent between ant species and years; training increased bait occupancy from 42% on the untrained scent to 66% on the trained scent. These results indicate that associative odour‐learning may be widespread across ants and serve as an important mechanism mediating ant selection of resources.
Decreased bone mineral density and associated factors in severe haemophilia A patients: A case‐control study
Authors: Ekinci Omer , Demircioglu Sinan , Dogan Ali , Merter Mustafa , Yildiz Saliha , Demir Cengiz
Published: August 2019

Introduction

Haemophilia patients may exhibit lower levels of bone mineral density (BMD) than the general population for a variety of reasons.

Aim

We aimed to investigate decreased BMD in people with severe adult haemophilia A (PWH) living in eastern Turkey, and to evaluate the related potential risk factors.

Methods

The study included 41 PWH and 40 healthy volunteers. Dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to measure the BMD. Blood tests and body mass index (BMI) were recorded. The Functional Independence Score in Hemophilia (FISH) test was used to measure functional ability status.

Results

There was a significant difference between the PWH and control groups with respect to femoral neck and total hip BMD (in g/cm2), but the difference for lumbar spine was not significant (P = .017, P < .001, P = .071, respectively). In PWH, patients under 50 years of age, 19.4% were found to have “lower than expected” BMD levels for their age, while 27.8% showed “low normal” levels. In PWH, osteoporosis was found in 60% of the patients over 50 and osteopenia in 20%. Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency were present in 63.4% of the PWH, significantly higher than the control group (37.5%; P < .001).

Conclusion

The results indicated that the decrease in BMD was significantly greater in patients with severe haemophilia A than in the normal healthy population. This reduction was correlated with BMI, vitamin D and low functional ability status. However, in multivariate analysis, none of these was a strong independent risk factor.
Is increased screening and early antiretroviral treatment for HIV‐1 worth the investment? An analysis of the public health and economic impact of improvement in the UK
Authors: Brogan AJ , Talbird SE , Davis AE , Wild L , Flanagan D
Published: August 2019

Objectives

Early treatment of HIV‐1 infection at all CD4 levels has demonstrated clinical and public health benefits. This analysis examined the costs, health outcomes, and cost‐effectiveness of increased HIV‐1 screening and early treatment initiation in the UK.

Methods

A Markov model followed theoretical cohorts of men who have sex with men (MSM), heterosexuals, and people who inject drugs (PWID) with initially undiagnosed HIV‐1 infection over their remaining lifetimes. The analysis examined increased HIV‐1 screening (resulting in 10–50% improvements in diagnosis rates) versus current screening in sexual health services (SHS) and other settings, with all individuals initiating treatment within 3 months of diagnosis. Health status was modelled by viral load and CD4 cell count as individuals progressed to diagnosis and treatment. Individuals accrued quality‐adjusted life‐years (QALYs), incurred costs for screening and HIV‐related clinical management, and were at risk of transmitting HIV‐1 infection to their partners. Input parameter data were taken primarily from UK‐specific published sources. All outcomes were discounted at 3.5% annually.

Results

The model estimated that increased screening and early treatment resulted in fewer onward HIV transmissions, more QALYs, and higher total costs. For SHS, incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios (ICERs) for heterosexuals (~£22 000/QALY gained) were within typical UK willingness‐to‐pay thresholds and were well below these thresholds for MSM (~£9500/QALY gained) and PWID (~£6500/QALY gained). Sensitivity analysis showed that model results were robust.

Conclusions

Increased HIV‐1 screening and early treatment initiation may be a cost‐effective strategy to reduce HIV transmission and improve health for MSM, heterosexuals, and PWID in the UK.
License and entry strategies for an outside innovator in Stackelberg duopoly with royalty and fixed fee under vertical differentiation**
Authors: Hattori Masahiko , Tanaka Yasuhito
Published: August 2019

We examine a choice of options for an outside innovating firm in Stackelberg duopoly under vertical differentiation. The options for an innovating firm are to enter the market with or without licensing its technology for producing a higher‐quality good by a combination of royalty and fixed license fee, and to license its technology without entry. When the innovating firm licenses its technology to the incumbent firm without entry, its optimal royalty rate is zero. When the innovating firm enters the market with a license to the incumbent firm, and the cost function is strictly concave, its optimal royalty rate is one such that the incumbent firm drops out of the market with a negative fixed license fee. If the cost function is strictly convex, there is an internal solution of the positive optimal royalty rate with positive or negative fixed license fee. Without entry cost, if the cost function is strictly concave, the entry without license and entry with license strategies are optimal, and if it is strictly convex, the entry with license strategy is optimal.
The effect of pulp inflammation and premature extraction of primary molars on the successor permanent teeth. A retrospective study
Authors: van der Weijden Fawn Nitanee , Hesse Daniela , Americano Gabriela Caldeira Andrade , Soviero Vera Mendes , Bonifacio Clarissa Calil
Published: August 2019

Background

Untreated caries on primary molars often leads to pulp inflammation and extraction.

Aim

To retrospectively investigate the effect of pulp inflammation and extraction of primary molars on their successors regarding alignment in the dental arch and developmental enamel defects (DED).

Design

The participants in this study were children at public schools in Petropolis (Brazil), who participated in a 3‐year longitudinal clinical trial. Children (N = 44) were selected for the present study if they had at least one erupted premolar of which the predecessor primary molar presented pulp inflammation at baseline or during any of the 6‐month follow‐up assessments. All premolars were examined for DED and misalignment. Distinction was made between extraction performed before (E <8) or after the age of 8 years (E ≥8). Distinction was also made between pulp inflammation occurred before (P < 7) or after the age of 7 years (P ≥ 7). A logistic regression analysis was performed, and the odds ratio was calculated.

Results and conclusions

Misalignment occurred more frequently in E <8 as compared to E ≥8 (OR = 2.85; P = .03). There was no significant difference in DED between P < 7 and P ≥ 7.

Conclusion

Misalignment of premolars occurs more frequently when the predecessor primary molars are extracted before the age of 8 years.
The effect of ultrasound pretreatment on quality attributes of freeze‐dried quince slices: Physical properties and bioactive compounds
Authors: Yildiz Gulcin , Izli Gokcen
Published: August 2019

The study was conducted to examine the effect of ultrasound (US) pretreatment on physical and chemical/nutritional attributes of freeze‐dried quince slices. The quince fruits were washed, hand‐peeled and cut with a dimension of 1 cm (L) × 0.2 (W) cm × 1 cm (H). The quince samples were treated in an ultrasonic bath in three different times which were 10, 20, and 30 min. Untreated and ultrasonically pretreated quince samples were dried in a freeze dryer. Freeze‐dried samples were analyzed in terms of physical properties such as shrinkage, rehydration, color, water activity, and hardness and bioactive compounds including total phenols, ascorbic acid, and antioxidant capacity. A significant difference was observed among untreated and ultrasonically pretreated quince samples. The freeze‐dried quince slices treated with a US (especially 20 min—treatment) showed a higher preservation of bioactive compounds in addition to improved physical properties compared to the untreated quince samples. In overall, US pretreatment is a promising process as demonstrated in current research by its capability to better retain freeze‐dried quince quality in terms of physical and chemical properties.

Practical Applications

The freeze drying of quince fruit with the aid of US pretreatment was investigated. A significant development in the quality preservation of freeze‐dried of quince slices with an US‐pretreatment was accomplished. This research will contribute a useful technique to produce freeze‐dried quinces with a significantly enhanced product quality. Drying of quince samples with a freeze drying in addition to US‐pretreatment might be applied to get a high‐quality fruit with an improved bioactive compounds and physical property.
Impact of animal burrows on earthen levee body vulnerability to seepage
Authors: Palladino Michela R. , Barbetta Silvia , Camici Stefania , Claps Pierluigi , Moramarco Tommaso
Published: August 2019

A novel procedure for estimation of the vulnerability to seepage inducing piping processes in earthen levees affected by animal burrows is presented. The proposed methodology combines an available procedure of seepage vulnerability assessment for undamaged levees with the result of a finite element analysis software, which is used for identifying the seepage path and hydraulics head profile of both damaged and undamaged levees. The main steps of the procedure for estimating the impact of burrows in increasing the vulnerability of levees are presented. Twenty‐one levees along the Tanaro River (north‐western Italy) are used as a case study, and the results show that the critical conditions for the onset of inner erosion are achieved for shorter flood durations in damaged levees. If burrows occur, the probability of inner erosion (seepage probability) increases resulting in a potential increase of forming longer tunnels. This approach is a first attempt to quantify the seepage probability of extended levee systems affected by burrows and is applied for simplified geometrical and two‐dimensional representation of the cavities. This procedure can be applied by the hydraulic authorities to set the priorities in levees maintenance. Future research would focus on the analysis of more realistic burrows conditions.
Screening of abiotic stress‐responsive cotton genes using a cotton full‐length cDNA overexpressing Arabidopsis library
Authors: Li Shengting , Chen Hao , Hou Zhi , Li Yu , Yang Cuiling , Wang Daojie , Song Chun‐Peng
Published: August 2019

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is a major crop and the main source of natural fiber worldwide. Because various abiotic and biotic stresses strongly influence cotton fiber yield and quality, improved stress resistance of this crop plant is urgently needed. In this study, we used Gateway technology to construct a normalized full‐length cDNA overexpressing (FOX) library from upland cotton cultivar ZM12 under various stress conditions. The library was transformed into Arabidopsis to produce a cotton‐FOX‐Arabidopsis library. Screening of this library yielded 6,830 transgenic Arabidopsis lines, of which 757 were selected for sequencing to ultimately obtain 659 cotton ESTs. GO and KEGG analyses mapped most of the cotton ESTs to plant biological process, cellular component, and molecular function categories. Next, 156 potential stress‐responsive cotton genes were identified from the cotton‐FOX‐Arabidopsis library under drought, salt, ABA, and other stress conditions. Four stress‐related genes identified from the library, designated as GhCAS, GhAPX, GhSDH, and GhPOD, were cloned from cotton complementary DNA, and their expression patterns under stress were analyzed. Phenotypic experiments indicated that overexpression of these cotton genes in Arabidopsis affected the response to abiotic stress. The method developed in this study lays a foundation for high‐throughput cloning and rapid identification of cotton functional genes.
Effects of oxytocin administration on the hydromineral balance of median eminence‐lesioned rats
Authors: Mahía Javier , Bernal Antonio , Puerto Amadeo
Published: August 2019

In the clinical setting, acute injuries in hypothalamic mediobasal regions, along with polydipsia and polyuria, have been observed in patients with cerebral salt wasting (CSW).CSWis also characterised by hypovolaemia and hyponatraemia as a result of an early increase in natriuretic peptide activity. Salt and additional amounts of fluid are the main treatment for this disorder. Similarly, experimental lesions to these brain regions, which include the median eminence (ME), produce a well‐documented neurological model of polydipsia and polyuria in rats, which is preceded by an early sodium excretion of unknown cause. In the present study, oxytocin (OT) was used to increase the renal sodium loss and prolong the hydroelectrolyte abnormalities ofME‐lesioned animals during the first few hours post‐surgery. The objective was to determine whetherOT‐treatedME‐lesioned animals increase their sodium appetite and water intake to restore the volume and composition of extracellular body fluid. Electrolytic lesion of theMEincreased water intake, urinary volume and sodium excretion of food‐deprived rats and also decreased urine osmolality and estimated plasma sodium concentration.OTadministration at 8 hours post‐surgery reduced water intake, urine output and plasma sodium concentration and also increased urine osmolality and urine sodium excretion between 8 and 24 hours post‐lesion. From 24 to 30 hours, more water and hypertonic NaCl was consumed byOT‐treatedME‐lesioned rats than by physiological saline‐treated‐ME‐lesioned animals. Food availability from 30 to 48 hours reduced the intake of hypertonic saline solution byME/OTanimals, which increased their water and food intake during this period.OTadministration therefore appears to enhance the natriuretic effect ofMElesion, producing hydroelectrolyte changes that reduce the water intake of food‐deprived animals. Conversely, the presence of hypertonic NaCl increases the fluid intake of these animals, possibly as a result of the plasma sodium depletion and hypovolaemic states previously generated. Finally, the subsequent increase in food intake byME/OTanimals reduces their need for hypertonic NaCl but not water, possibly in response to osmotic thirst. These results are discussed in relation to a possible transient activation of theMEwith the consequent secretion of natriuretic peptides stored in terminal swellings, which would be augmented byOTadministration. Electrolytic lesion of theMEmay therefore represent a useful neurobiological model ofCSW.
Lysosomal acid lipase activity and liver fibrosis in the clinical continuum of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Baratta Francesco , Pastori Daniele , Tozzi Giulia , D'Erasmo Laura , Di Costanzo Alessia , Arca Marcello , Ettorre Evaristo , Ginanni Corradini Stefano , Violi Francesco , Angelico Francesco , Del Ben Maria
Published: August 2019

Background and Aims

Recent evidence showed a reduced activity of the lysosomal acid lipase (LAL) in patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and cryptogenic cirrhosis (CC). However, the relationship between LAL activity and liver fibrosis has never been investigated.

Methods

Cross‐sectional study including 575 outpatients referred for the management of cardio‐metabolic and liver disease. The absence of liver fibrosis was defined by a FIB‐4 < 1.30 and NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS) <−1.455. LAL activity was measured with dried blood spot technique.

Results

Overall, 515 patients had a diagnosis of NAFLD (454 NAFL and 61 biopsy‐proven NASH) and 60 of CC. The value of LAL activity progressively decreased from healthy subjects to NAFL/NASH patients to CC (P < .001). LAL activity was reduced by 10% in patients with NAFL, by 20% in NASH and by 50% in CC. The prevalence of CC decreased across the tertiles of LAL activity: 22.2% in the lowest, 4.6% in the intermediate and 0.5% in the highest tertile. In NAFLD patients, 69.9% had a FIB4 < 1.30, and 43.1% a NFS <−1.455. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that Log (LAL activity) was associated with FIB‐4 < 1.30 (Odds ratio [OR] 2.19 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.33‐3.62, P = .002) and NFS < −1.455 (OR 2.43, 95% CI 1.51‐3.91, P < .001) after adjustment for confounding factors.

Conclusions

We found a progressive reduction of LAL activity according to liver disease severity. LAL activity was inversely associated with markers of liver fibrosis in patients with NAFLD.
Implicit Theories of Negotiation: Developing a Measure of Agreement Fluidity
Authors: Friedman Raymond A. , Pinkley Robin L. , Bottom William P. , Liu Wu , Gelfand Michele
Published: August 2019

Negotiation scholars generally model agreement as the terminal “endpoint” of the process. From this perspective, parties instantaneously realize their outcomes when agreement is reached. Although this conception may also reflect the understanding of some negotiators (those with what we call a “fixed agreement” mindset), we argue that others actually envision agreement as one step in an ongoing process (what we call a “fluid agreement” mindset). To spur research on this topic, we report initial progress on development of a new measure of agreement fluidity. Basic psychometric properties for this measure were established using six correlational samples that demonstrate aspects of both discriminant and convergent validity. Fixed agreement mindset appears to predict important behaviors during and after the negotiation process.
The role of volatile plant secondary metabolites as pre‐ingestive cues and potential toxins dictating diet selection by African elephants
Authors: Schmitt Melissa H. , Shuttleworth Adam , Shrader Adrian M. , Ward David
Published: August 2019

Understanding the factors driving diet selection represents one of the main thrusts of contemporary foraging ecology. Many studies have focussed on nutritional factors and anti‐nutritional factors (such as tannins) that may describe diet selection of generalist mammalian herbivores, but these often do not explain the observed feeding patterns. Alternatively, generalist herbivores may be influenced by the presence, diversity and/or concentration of toxins. Plant volatiles have been understudied, yet may play an important role in this context. We aimed to determine whether diet selection by African elephants is better correlated with the presence and concentration of toxic plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) than with nutritional or anti‐nutritional factors. We also aimed to identify the specific aspects of the plant‐odour profiles that were correlated with dietary selection, which could be used as a pre‐ingestive cue for food selection. We found that elephant diet selection was not well described by crude protein, in vitro digestibility, tannin concentration and total polyphenol concentration. Instead, the best predictors of elephant diet choice were the number and absolute (total) emissions of potentially toxic volatile PSMs, specifically monoterpenes. Elephants avoided plant species that emitted a wider diversity of volatile PSMs, had higher total emissions, and higher numbers and emissions of monoterpenes. This suggests that PSMs with a high propensity to become toxins, such as monoterpenes, are likely a better indicator for elephant diet avoidance than nutritional or anti‐nutritional factors. Moreover, we demonstrated that elephants can differentiate between food items based on odour alone, specifically volatile monoterpenes, suggesting that these animals are relying on specific volatile cues emitted from plants to direct their foraging choices prior to ingesting selected plants.
Oxygen Isotopic Study on the Date‐Nagai Skarn‐Type Tungsten Deposit, Northeastern Japan
Authors: Oyunjargal Luvsannyam , Matsukura Kei , Hayashi Ken‐ichiro
Published: August 2019

The skarn‐type tungsten deposit of the Date‐Nagai mine is genetically related to the granodiorite batholith of the Iidateyama body. Skarn is developed along the contact between pelitic hornfels and marble that remains as a small roof pendant body directly above the granodiorite batholith. Zonal arrangement of minerals is observed in skarn. The zonation consists of wollastonite, garnet, garnet‐epidote, and vesuvianite‐garnet zones, from marble to hornfels. Sheelite is included in garnet, garnet‐epidote, and vesuvianite‐garnet zones. The oxygen isotope values of skarn minerals were obtained as δ18O = 4.2–7.7‰ for garnet, 5.9–6.9‰ for vesuvianite, −0.3–3.4‰ for scheelite, 6.0–10.9‰ for quartz, and 8.2‰ for muscovite. The temperature of skarn‐formation was calculated from oxygen isotopic values of scheelite‐quartz pairs to be 288°C. Calculated oxygen isotope values of fluid responsible for skarn minerals were 6.1–9.5‰ for garnet, 1.2–4.8‰ for scheelite, −1.3‐3.6‰ for quartz, and 4.5‰ for muscovite. Garnet precipitated from the fluids of different δ18O values from scheelite, quartz, and muscovite. These δ18O values suggest that the origin of fluid responsible for garnet was magmatic water, while evidence for the presence of a meteoric component in the fluids responsible for middle to later stages minerals was confirmed.