bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Regulate me not”: The regulatory failures of taxation: A tale from Greece
Authors: Kottaridi Constantina , Thomakos Dimitrios
Published: September 2018

This paper is a critical review of the problems of the Greek tax system. A well‐structured tax system promotes allocative efficiency and supports economic growth, whereas on the contrary current Greek reality translates to nontransparency, complexity, and tax corruption: all of them constitute regulatory failure. Using data, which refer to detailed tax information on certain years, starting in 2006 and ending in 2011, and data on the total back taxes owed to the Greek state, we highlight both the problems but more importantly the need to restructure the Greek tax system to finally promote economic growth and not crony capitalism.
Economic crisis and export‐oriented entrepreneurship: Evidence from Greece
Authors: Giotopoulos Ioannis , Vettas Nikolaos
Published: September 2018

The main purpose of this paper is to explore the antecedents of export‐oriented entrepreneurship in Greece at times of crisis using micro‐level data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor annual surveys (2008–2014). Such antecedents refer to the demographic characteristics, perceptions, and dynamism of entrepreneurs. The findings of this study suggest that innovativeness drives the export activity of entrepreneurs in the initial and the more recent years of the economic crisis. Fear of failure and necessity motives appear to matter at the beginning of the crisis, whereas education is found to play a crucial role for international entrepreneurship as the crisis deepens.
Estimation of tropical cyclone intensity and location over the north Indian Ocean – a challenge
Authors: Kotal S. D. , Bhattacharya Sumit K. , Roy Bhowmik S. K.
Published: September 2018

Maximum wind speeds associated with tropical cyclones are estimated operationally by a very widely used tool, the satellite‐based Dvorak technique (SDT) of cloud pattern matching and infrared cloud‐top temperature analyses, but it still has its own limitations. To make a good forecast and its proper verification it is essential to estimate the location and current intensity of a cyclone accurately. This study compares intensity estimates of tropical cyclones over the north Indian Ocean by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) and the Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre, New Delhi (RSMCND). The results show that, except for super cyclones, the differences in intensity estimates are a function of intensity, the 12 hr intensity trend and the translation speed. The intensity estimates by the JTWC are often higher than RSMCND estimates. The mean absolute difference (MAD) and the root mean square difference (RMSD) are 9.7 kt and 13.3 kt respectively. The MAD ranges from 5.9 kt to 15.6 kt and the RMSD ranges from 7.6 kt to 19.0 kt. The average difference in location estimation and the corresponding standard deviation are found to be 67 km and 54 km respectively. In view of the subjectivity in SDT‐based intensity estimation which largely depends on the skill of the individual analyst, a robust objective method should be adopted to achieve uniformity in intensity estimates across agencies. The results of this study and the factors affecting intensity estimates quantified in the study will help operational forecasters for better monitoring of tropical cyclones and better post storm best‐track data analysis.
Disclosing accelerated approval on direct‐to‐consumer prescription drug websites
Authors: Sullivan Helen W. , O'Donoghue Amie C. , David Kathleen T. , Patel Nisha J.
Published: September 2018

Purpose

We examined direct‐to‐consumer (DTC) websites for brand‐name accelerated approval prescription drugs to determine whether and how accelerated approval is communicated to consumers.

Methods

From the 34 brand‐name prescription drugs under the Food and Drug Administration's accelerated approval pathway presubmission requirement for promotional materials in December 2016, we identified a sample of 26 that had active DTC websites. Two raters independently coded the websites for the presence, placement, content, and readability of an accelerated approval disclosure.

Results

Most (73%) of the websites contained an accelerated approval disclosure. Most of the disclosures (84%) included the basis for accelerated approval, whereas 68% stated that the clinical benefit of the product was unknown and 47% conveyed the need for additional research to confirm study findings. On average, the disclosures required at least a high school reading level, and most conveyed the information in medical terms.

Conclusions

Direct‐to‐consumer websites for brand‐name accelerated approval prescription drugs do not consistently communicate the accelerated approval information for the product to consumers in a prominent, comprehensive, or readable manner.
The influence of Malay cultural beliefs on breast cancer screening and genetic testing: A focus group study
Authors: Shaw Tarryn , Ishak Diana , Lie Désirée , Menon Sapna , Courtney Eliza , Li Shao‐Tzu , Ngeow Joanne
Published: September 2018

Objective

Malays comprise an Asian cultural group reported to have low breast cancer screening uptake rates and poor cancer outcomes. Little is known about Malay cultural factors influencing beliefs and practice of cancer screening and genetic testing. Our study aims to explore health beliefs of Malay women around breast cancer screening and genetic testing.

Methods

We conducted focus groups among healthy English‐speaking Malay women in Singapore, aged 40 to 69 years, using a structured guide developed through literature review, expertise input and participant refinement. Thematic analysis was conducted to extract dominant themes representing key motivators and barriers to screening and genetic testing. We used grounded theory to interpret results and derive a framework of understanding, with implications for improving uptake of services.

Results

Five focus groups (four to six participants per group) comprising 27 women were conducted to theme saturation. Major themes were (a) spiritual and religious beliefs act as barriers towards uptake of screening and genetic testing; (b) preference for traditional medicine competes with Western medicine recommendations; (c) family and community influence health‐related decisions, complexed by differences in intergenerational beliefs creating contrasting attitudes towards screening and prevention.

Conclusions

Decisions to participate in breast cancer screening and genetic testing are influenced by cultural, traditional, spiritual/religious, and intergenerational beliefs. Strategies to increase uptake should include acknowledgement and integration of these beliefs into counseling and education and collaboration with key influential Malay stakeholders and leaders.
Effective combined therapy with ramucirumab for advanced pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma
Authors: Nishioka Naoya , Kaneko Yoshiko , Yamada Tadaaki , Okura Naoko , Hirai Soichi , Takayama Koichi
Published: September 2018

Pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma (PPC) is a rare disease with a poor prognosis. Most patients with PPC are refractory to chemotherapy, whereas good responses to platinum‐based chemotherapy in combination with the anti‐angiogenesis agent bevacizumab have been reported. An 82‐year‐old man was diagnosed with PPC with a clinical stage of T3N0M0, coincident with primary lung adenocarcinoma in an early stage. We chose single‐agent chemotherapy with docetaxel as an initial treatment, but both the primary adenocarcinoma and two PPC lesions in the right lung were enlarged after one treatment cycle. We subsequently started treatment with ramucirumab and docetaxel, and thereafter, the disease showed a good partial response. Here, we report the first case of advanced PPC that was effectively treated with chemotherapy and the anti‐VEGFR‐2 antibody ramucirumab. These observations suggest a potential therapeutic strategy for patients with PPC.
Bovine sperm sex‐selection technology in Japan
Authors: Naniwa Yousuke , Sakamoto Yoshiya , Toda Syohei , Uchiyama Kyoko
Published: September 2018

Background

In Japan, Livestock Improvement Association of Japan started commercially producing sexed bovine semen 10 years ago, and sexed bovine semen is currently used for the artificial insemination (AI) in the farms. In this review, the authors introduce the technology for sperm sexing by flow cytometry, the efforts at commercializing sexed semen in Japan, and recent field data on artificial insemination of the cattle with sexed semen.

Methods

In the procedures of the flow cytometric method, X‐chromosome‐bearing sperm and Y‐chromosome‐bearing sperm were fluorescently stained, separated from each other by analyzing the difference in the DNA content, and cryopreserved. The authors surveyed the conception rates after AI with these sperm and sex ratios of the offspring with the cooperation from livestock associations, AI technicians, and farmers.

Main findings (Results)

Although AI with sexed semen was associated with lower conception rates in comparison with AI with conventional semen, the accuracy of sex selection using AI with sexed semen was beyond >90%.

Conclusion

Sexed semen produced by flow cytometry has the potential to produce offspring of the preferred sex with high accuracy and reliability. Thus, it is expected that sexed semen is used for AI more frequently in the farms.
Updating the markers for oocyte quality evaluation: intracellular temperature as a new index
Authors: Hoshino Yumi
Published: September 2018

Background

The developmental competence of an embryo is principally dictated by the oocyte. Usually, oocyte selection is based on morphological properties; however, all morphological criteria that are currently used for the grading and screening of oocytes are not able to eliminate the subjectivity. Despite recent studies of the molecular factors related to oocyte quality, it is technically difficult to develop an index based on these factors, and new indices that reflect intracellular conditions are necessary.

Methods

Morphological and molecular factors influencing developmental competence were comprehensively reviewed, and intracellular temperature was evaluated as a new marker of oocyte quality.

Main findings

The intracellular temperature of mature oocytes was high in fresh oocytes and decreased with time after polar body release. Under the same conditions, the intracellular temperature and its distribution differed among oocytes, suggesting that temperature represents the state of each oocyte.

Conclusion

Intracellular temperature is advantageous as an objective and quantitative indicator of oocyte quality. Further studies should evaluate the link between temperature and cellular phenomena to establish its use as an indicator of quality.
Post‐yield deformation parameters of reinforced concrete beam with corroded reinforcement
Authors: Yadav Divyashree , Kwatra Naveen , Agarwal Pankaj
Published: September 2018

This paper represents the post‐yield behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) beams with corroded reinforcement. In order to assess the seismic suitability of existing structures, effect of corrosion in reinforcement on the behavior of various structural elements should be studied. Strong column weak beam behavior should occur in seismically efficient structure which ensures maximum plastic hinges to form in the beams. Plastic hinge parameters in RC beams should be clearly identified for repair and retrofitting of the old buildings and seismic analysis of new buildings too. As the concept of plastic hinges are extremely important in seismic analysis of existing RC structures which defines the deformation and load‐carrying capacities of the RC beam. Sixteen simply supported beam types (three samples of each type) are tested with varying grade of concrete and type of reinforcement along with the condition of reinforcement (10, 20, and 30% corroded reinforcement) by applying two point loading (approximately one‐third and two‐third of span). Test results show that the RC beams with bars corroded to 30% have undesirable shear failure though have been designed to fail in flexure. The plastic hinge length (denoted as lp) increases with the increase in concrete grade and decreases with the increase in yield strength of reinforcement. The increase in the corrosion percentage of reinforcement bars from 10 to 30% decreases the plastic hinge length, making it undesirable as a seismic member.
Mechanical and physical behavior of cement paste and mortar incorporating nano‐CaO
Authors: Polat Rıza , Demirboğa Ramazan , Karagöl Fatma
Published: September 2018

The aim of this work is to experimentally investigate the effect of properties of nano‐CaO in cement‐based materials. Mortars and paste samples were produced by using nano‐CaO in 2.5, 5, and 7.5% ratios instead of cement. The initial and final setting times and volumetric autogenous shrinkage tests of paste samples and 7, 28, and 360 days’ compressive strength, the ultrasonic pulse velocity, heat of hydration, and linear autogenous shrinkage of mortar samples were determined. In addition, the micro‐structures of paste samples were characterized by X‐ray‐diffraction and SEM. As a result, the shrinkage and setting times were reduced with the increase of nano‐CaO content. CaO with nano size increased the compressive strength (about 10–22%) and the heat of hydration. The compressive strength of mixture containing 7.5% nano‐CaO was lower than that of 2.5 and 5% nano‐CaO at 360 days of curing duration. The heat of hydration increased for all the mixtures containing nano‐CaO at an early stage and very rapidly between 4 and 16 hr.
Photon isolation and jet substructure
Authors: Hall Zachary , Thaler Jesse
Published: September 2018

Abstract

We introduce soft drop isolation, a new photon isolation criterion inspired by jet substructure techniques. Soft drop isolation is collinear safe and is equivalent to Frixione isolation at leading non-trivial order in the small R limit. However, soft drop isolation has the interesting feature of being democratic, meaning that photons can be treated equivalently to hadrons for initial jet clustering. Taking advantage of this democratic property, we define an isolated photon subjet: a photon that is not isolated from its parent jet but is isolated within its parent subjet after soft drop declustering. The kinematics of this isolated photon subjet can be used to expose the QED splitting function, in which a quark radiates a photon, and we verify this behavior using both a parton shower generator and a perturbative calculation in the collinear limit.
Sensorimotor expectations and the visual field
Authors: Cavedon-Taylor Dan
Published: September 2018

Sensorimotor expectations concern how visual experience covaries with bodily movement. Sensorimotor theorists argue from such expectations to the conclusion that the phenomenology of vision is constitutively embodied: objects within the visual field are experienced as 3-D because sensorimotor expectations partially constitute our experience of such objects. Critics argue that there are (at least) two ways to block the above inference: to explain how we visually experience objects as 3-D, one may appeal to such non-bodily factors as (1) expectations about movements of objects, not the perceiver, or to (2) the role of mental imagery in visual experience. But instead of using sensorimotor expectations to explain how objects are experienced within the visual field, we can instead use them to explain our experience of the visual field itself and, in particular, our experience of its limits; that is, our ever-present visual sense of there being more to see, beyond what’s currently within the visual field. Crucially, this inference from sensorimotor expectations to the constitutive embodiment of visual phenomenology is not threatened by the above two challenges. I thus present here a sensorimotor theory of the phenomenology of the visual field, that is, our experience of our visual fieldsas such.
Antidepressant-Like Activity of Typical Antidepressant Drugs in the Forced Swim Test and Tail Suspension Test in Mice Is Augmented by DMPX, an Adenosine A2A Receptor Antagonist
Authors: Poleszak Ewa , Szopa Aleksandra , Bogatko Karolina , Wyska Elżbieta , Wośko Sylwia , Świąder Katarzyna , Doboszewska Urszula , Wlaź Aleksandra , Wróbel Andrzej , Wlaź Piotr , Serefko Anna
Published: September 2018

Unsatisfactory therapeutic effects of currently used antidepressants force to search for new pharmacological treatment strategies. Recent research points to the relationship between depressive disorders and the adenosinergic system. Therefore, the main goal of our studies was to evaluate the effects of DMPX (3 mg/kg, i.p.), which possesses selectivity for adenosine A2A receptors versus A1 receptors, on the activity of imipramine (15 mg/kg, i.p.), escitalopram (2.5 mg/kg, i.p.), and reboxetine (2 mg/kg, i.p.) given in subtherapeutic doses. The studies carried out using the forced swim and tail suspension tests in mice showed that DMPX at a dose of 6 and 12 mg/kg exerts antidepressant-like effect and does not affect the locomotor activity. Co-administration of DMPX at a dose of 3 mg/kg with the studied antidepressant drugs caused the reduction of immobility time in both behavioral tests. The observed effect was not associated with an increase in the locomotor activity. To evaluate whether the observed effects were due to a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic interaction, the levels of the antidepressants in blood and brain were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. It can be assumed that the interaction between DMPX and imipramine was exclusively pharmacodynamic in nature, whereas an increased antidepressant activity of escitalopram and reboxetine was at least partly related to its pharmacokinetic interaction with DMPX.
Law’s Financialization: Litigation Finance and Multilayer Access to Justice in Canada
Authors: Molavi Michael
Published: September 2018

In the aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis, states around the world have experienced sustained growth in the emerging industry of litigation finance in light of the perceived insularity of courtrooms from the instabilities and fluctuations of financial markets. In Canada, this nascent industry has been dominated by class actions given the high costs, risk exposures, and attractive rewards associated with collective redress. Such investments have been legitimated as promoting access to justice, a fundamental human right. This paper traces the historical and contemporary development of this legal dynamic of financialization by documenting the progressive liberalization of maintenance and champerty laws from the nineteenth century to the current period through a series of case studies, before exploring the legal economics of the emerging industry in Canada. In so doing, this paper critically examines the impacts of law’s financialization on multilayer access to justice.
Blood culture utilization at an academic hospital: Addressing a gap in benchmarking
Authors: Chen Annie I. , Bilker Warren B. , Hamilton Keith W. , O’Donnell Judith A. , Nachamkin Irving
Published: September 2018

Objective

To describe the pattern of blood culture utilization in an academic university hospital setting.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

A 789-bed tertiary-care university hospital that processes 40,000+blood cultures annually.

Methods

We analyzed blood cultures collected from adult inpatients at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania between July 1, 2014, and June 30, 2015. Descriptive statistics and regression models were used to analyze patterns of blood culture utilization: frequency of blood cultures, use of repeat cultures following a true-positive culture, and number of sets drawn per day.

Results

In total, 38,939 blood culture sets were drawn during 126,537 patient days (incidence rate, 307.7 sets per 1,000 patient days). The median number of blood culture sets drawn per hospital encounter was 2 (range, 1–76 sets). The median interval between blood cultures was 2 days (range, 1–71 days). Oncology services and cultures with gram-positive cocci were significantly associated with greater odds of having repeat blood cultures drawn the following day. Emergency services had the highest rate of drawing single blood-culture sets (16.9%), while oncology services had the highest frequency of drawing ≥5 blood culture sets within 24 hours (0.91%). Approximately 10% of encounters had at least 1 true-positive culture, and 89.2% of those encounters had repeat blood cultures drawn. The relative risk of a patient having repeat blood cultures was lower for those in emergency, surgery, and oncology services than for those in general medicine.

Conclusions

Ordering practices differed by service and culture results. Analyzing blood culture utilization can contribute to the development of guidelines and benchmarks for appropriate usage.
Topographic effect on oblique internal wave–wave interactions
Authors: Yuan C. , Grimshaw R. , Johnson E. , Wang Z.
Published: September 2018

Based on a variable-coefficient Kadomtsev–Petviashvili (KP) equation, the topographic effect on the wave interactions between two oblique internal solitary waves is investigated. In the absence of rotation and background shear, the model set-up featuring idealised shoaling topography and continuous stratification is motivated by the large expanse of continental shelf in the South China Sea. When the bottom is flat, the evolution of an initial wave consisting of two branches of internal solitary waves can be categorised into six patterns depending on the respective amplitudes and the oblique angles measured counterclockwise from the transverse axis. Using theoretical multi-soliton solutions of the constant-coefficient KP equation, we select three observed patterns and examine each of them in detail both analytically and numerically. The effect of shoaling topography leads to a complicated structure of the leading waves and the emergence of two types of trailing wave trains. Further, the case when the along-crest width is short compared with the transverse domain of interest is examined and it is found that although the topographic effect can still modulate the wave field, the spreading effect in the transverse direction is dominant.
On the role of return to isotropy in wall-bounded turbulent flows with buoyancy
Authors: Bou-Zeid Elie , Gao Xiang , Ansorge Cedrick , Katul Gabriel G.
Published: September 2018

High Reynolds number wall-bounded turbulent flows subject to buoyancy forces are fraught with complex dynamics originating from the interplay between shear generation of turbulence ($S$) and its production or destruction by density gradients ($B$). For horizontal walls, $S$ augments the energy budget of the streamwise fluctuations, while $B$ influences the energy contained in the vertical fluctuations. Yet, return to isotropy remains a tendency of such flows where pressure–strain interaction redistributes turbulent energy among all three velocity components and thus limits, but cannot fully eliminate, the anisotropy of the velocity fluctuations. A reduced model of this energy redistribution in the inertial (logarithmic) sublayer, with no tuneable constants, is introduced and tested against large eddy and direct numerical simulations under both stable ($B<0$) and unstable ($B>0$) conditions. The model links key transitions in turbulence statistics with flux Richardson number (at $Ri_{f}=-B/S\approx$$-2$, $-1$ and $-0.5$) to shifts in the direction of energy redistribution. Furthermore, when coupled to a linear Rotta-type closure, an extended version of the model can predict individual variance components, as well as the degree of turbulence anisotropy. The extended model indicates a regime transition under stable conditions when $Ri_{f}$ approaches $Ri_{f,max}\approx +0.21$. Buoyant destruction $B$ increases with increasing stabilizing density gradients when $Ri_{f}<Ri_{f,max}$, while at $Ri_{f}\geqslant Ri_{f,max}$ limitations on the redistribution into the vertical component throttle the highest attainable rate of buoyant destruction, explaining the ‘self-preservation’ of turbulence at large positive gradient Richardson numbers. Despite adopting a ‘framework of maximum simplicity’, the model results in novel and insightful findings on how the interacting roles of energy redistribution and buoyancy modulate the variance budgets and the energy exchange among the components.
Estimation of Multivariate Asset Models with Jumps
Authors: Ballotta Laura , Fusai Gianluca , Loregian Angela , Perez M. Fabricio
Published: September 2018

We propose a consistent and computationally efficient 2-step methodology for the estimation of multidimensional non-Gaussian asset models built using Lévy processes. The proposed framework allows for dependence between assets and different tail behaviors and jump structures for each asset. Our procedure can be applied to portfolios with a large number of assets because it is immune to estimation dimensionality problems. Simulations show good finite sample properties and significant efficiency gains. This method is especially relevant for risk management purposes such as, for example, the computation of portfolio Value at Risk and intra-horizon Value at Risk, as we show in detail in an empirical illustration.
Early life history traits of the blenny Auchenionchus crinitus (Teleostei: Labrisomidae) off northern Chile
Authors: Landaeta Mauricio F. , Nowajewski Valentina , Paredes Lissette D. , Bustos Claudia A.
Published: September 2018

The early life history traits of the labrisomid blenny Auchenionchus crinitus (Jenyns, 1842) from subtidal rocky reefs were studied, based on microstructure analysis of sagittae of their pelagic larvae (4.01 mm NL −12.50 mm SL). Ichthyoplankton was collected in shallow (<20 m) nearshore waters off Isla Santa María, Antofagasta, northern Chile every 15 days during austral autumn–winter 2014 (five sampling days). During late May and early June, larval abundance was low (median ± MAD, 39.06 ± 5.08 ind. 100 m−3), increasing significantly during mid-June to early August (110.98 ± 47.66 ind. 100 m−3). Using 354 sagittae, the back-calculated hatch dates indicated the occurrence of three hatching events, two in autumn and one in winter. Hatching occurred mainly during the illuminated phases of the lunar cycle. All three batches had similar estimated larval sizes at hatch (3.2–3.7 mm SL), as well as similar growth rates (0.19–0.22 mm day−1) during the first 30 days of life. During the study period, shallow waters were well mixed, with seawater temperature of 14.73 ± 0.58°C and salinity of 34.84 ± 0.04. This is the first estimation of early life history traits of this cryptobenthic species from rocky reefs of Chile.
Improved RBF network torque control in flexible manipulator actuated by PMAs
Authors: Liu Kai , Wu Yang , Zhu Tianming , Chen Yining , Lu Yonghua , Zhao Dongbiao
Published: September 2018

A Pneumatic Muscle Actuator (PMA) is a new pneumatic component sharing similar characteristics with biological muscles, and the flexible manipulator actuated by PMAs can better reflect the flexibility of the mechanism. First and foremost, based on the study of the characteristics of human shoulder joints, the configuration design of the flexible manipulator is analyzed, and its kinematics and dynamics models are established. Furthermore, with regard to the nonlinearity, time-invariance and uncertainty of the control system, three aspects of improvement are proposed, which are based on the Radial Basis Function (RBF) network torque control algorithm. The Genetic Algorithm is used to optimize the initial values of RBF network parameters; RBF network parameters are adjusted dynamically by using the additional momentum method; the Levenberg--Marquardt (LM) algorithm, instead of the gradient descent method, is adopted to adjust Proportion Integration Differentiation (PID) parameters online in real time. At last, to test the effects that the improved algorithm exerts on the flexible manipulator control system, some physical platform experiments are carried out. It turns out that the control accuracy and robustness of the improved algorithm are well improved, and the mechanism can be controlled better to track the circular arc trajectory. It lays fundamental importance to the practical application for the working environment.
Laboratory capacity of Greek hospitals for diagnosis of salmonellosis and surveillance systems’ performance in the years of economic crisis, 2010–2016
Authors: Mellou K. , Saranti-Papasaranti E. , Mandilara G. , Georgakopoulou T.
Published: September 2018

Austerity might have affected the capacity of public hospitals in Greece to diagnose salmonellosis (laboratory capacity) over the period 2010–2016, as well as the performance of the existing surveillance systems. The scope of this paper is to present data on laboratory capacity over these years, as well as the results of a two-source capture-recapture study (data from Mandatory Notification System and National Reference Laboratory System for Salmonella). The main findings were that: (a) laboratory capacity was high and steady besides the financial crisis, (b) the estimated number of laboratory-confirmed cases (n = 6017, 95% CI 5892–6142) resulted in an incidence rate (7.9 cases/100 000 population) almost twice than that reported by the two systems Mandatory Notification System (MNS); 4.1 and National Reference Laboratory System (NRLS); 4.5 cases/100 000 population, (c) underreporting was high for both systems (MNS; 47.5% and NRLS; 42.8%) and (d) differences by geographical region, size and type of hospital were identified. We suggest that (a) specific interventions are needed to increase completeness of the systems by type of hospital and geographical region, (b) record linkage can help in estimating the disease burden in a more valid way than each system separately and (c) a common electronic database in order to feed one system to the other could significantly increase completeness of both systems.
HOW MANY SPECIES OF ETLINGERA (ZINGIBERACEAE) ARE THERE IN THE PHILIPPINES?
Authors: POULSEN A. D. , DOCOT R. V. A.
Published: September 2018

Based on studies of types and recent collections, the number of species of Etlingera Giseke in the Philippines is doubled from eight to 16. Three species (Etlingera alba, E. brevilabrum and E. sessilanthera) are reported here for the first time, E. pandanicarpa is synonymised with the Bornean E. fimbriobracteata, and four new combinations (E. bulusanensis, E. linearifolia, E. pubimarginata and E. subviridis) and one new name (E. pilosa) are published here. Nine lectotypifications are proposed, of which three represent second-step designations. About two-thirds of the species are currently thought to be endemic, but future fieldwork is likely to result in more species of Etlingera in the Philippines, either endemic or as new records from neighbouring islands.
A novel perimeter-based index for evaluating the similarity of structure contours
Authors: Wong King Hang Wicger , Leung Lucullus HT , Kwong Dora LW
Published: September 2018

Introduction

The authors proposed a novel perimeter-based index (PBI) that was capable of evaluating the accuracy in the appraisal of auto-segmentation software. A quantitative value, that is time saved in editing the auto-segmented contours, was used to compare the effectiveness of two other commonly used indices in this study.

Methods

The relationship between the proposed index and the amount of the contouring time that could be saved was studied. The performances of two other commonly used similarity indices, namely Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and the modified normalised average Hausdorff distance (MNAHD), were also evaluated. Ten nasopharyngeal cases and ten prostate cases that were previously treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy technique were recruited as the validation cases in this study. Three observers were invited to contour four structures (bladder, rectum, brain stem and parotid gland) on computed tomography images of the validation cases without any aids. The time taken for contouring was recorded as the manual contouring time. By using an atlas-based auto-segmentation software, three sets of contours were generated for each validation case with different library sizes to produce different degrees of similarity level. The values of the three similarity indices of the auto-segmented contours were calculated. The observers were asked to edit the auto-segmented contours and the editing time was recorded.

The correlation between the editing time and the similarity indices was studied. The amount of time saved was calculated by subtracting the editing time from the manual contouring time. The performances of PBI, DSC and MNAHD were evaluated using Pearson correlation coefficient and receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis.

Results

The PBI showed a positive linear relationship with the amount of contouring time saved. Pearson correlation coefficient ranged from 0·73 to 0·86 for the four structures. The PBI had a stronger correlation than the DSC in bladder and parotid gland, while there was no significant difference between the two indices in rectum and brain stem. The MNAHD had an inferior correlation than the proposed index. For the ROC analysis, the cut-off values for the PBI were 0·549, 0·401 and 0·301 for the three levels of contouring time saved, namely 50, 25 and 0%, respectively. The accuracy of PBI was over 77% and the Youden index was >0·6 for all three levels.

Conclusions

The proposed index showed a stronger relationship to the amount of contouring time saved. It was a simple tool that could be used to evaluate the performance of different segmentation algorithms.
AMERICAN WAR RELIEF, CULTURAL MOBILIZATION, AND THE MYTH OF IMPARTIAL HUMANITARIANISM, 1914–17
Authors: Piller Elisabeth
Published: September 2018

This paper reassesses American opinions and sentiments during the period of neutrality in light of the one endeavor that involved millions of Americans in the European conflict long before official U.S. belligerency: war relief. Tracing some of the “humanitarian narratives” employed in the relief campaigns for the Central Powers, the Allies, and neutral Belgium, humanitarian involvement, it will be argued, not only expressed prevalent ethnic, cultural, and political affinities, but shaped American attitudes toward the different belligerents. Contrary to contemporary claims, humanitarian pursuits were never even remotely impartial, but drew Americans onto the different sides of the war like few other endeavors. Indeed, relief work must be taken serious as a force of “cultural mobilization” (Horne), which affected American “visions of the war and its outcome.” By involving Americans actively on the different sides of the European war, it helped forge discrete moral and emotional alliances across the Atlantic. In trying to understand the complicated and acrimonious process by which Americans moved from peace to war, their relief work thus deserves attention.
Telematische Anwendungen in der ambulanten Pflege: Die Perspektive von Pflegekräften
Authors: Dockweiler Christoph , Diedrich Leonie , Palmdorf Sarah , Beier Dina , Ilic Jonas , Kibbert Marius , Kirsch Joeline , Hannemann Niels , Prisett Frederike , Schmitke Viktoria , Schmidt Charline , Spindeler Teresa , Sommer Lara , Sommer Samira , Stark Anna Lea , Steinkühler Chris , Stolte Johanna , Hornberg Claudia
Published: September 2018

Zusammenfassung. Hintergrund: Der Einsatz von Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologien in der ambulanten Pflege erfolgt vor dem Hintergrund des demografischen Wandels mit dem Ziel, auch in Zukunft die Qualität der pflegerischen Versorgung sicherzustellen. Die Akzeptanz der telematischen Anwendungen ist dabei entscheidend für die erfolgreiche Implementation. Ziel: Das Ziel der Untersuchung war eine Erfassung der subjektiven Haltungen und Einstellungen sowie der Nutzungsintention der Pflegekräfte hinsichtlich telematischer Anwendungen in der ambulanten Pflege. Methoden: Auf der theoretischen Grundlage der „Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology“ (UTAUT) wurde eine Onlineumfrage erstellt, anhand derer deutschlandweit ambulante Alten- und Krankenpflegekräfte sowie Auszubildende in Pflegeschulen befragt wurden. Insgesamt konnten 371 Befragte in die Analyse eingeschlossen werden. Ergebnisse: Der Informationsstand zur Telematik und die eigenen technischen Kompetenzen werden als gering eingeschätzt. Es wird eine verbesserte Transparenz des Pflegeprozesses erhofft; genauso wie eine Erleichterung des Austausches sektorintern und -übergreifend. Dagegen wird befürchtet, dass die telematischen Anwendungen mit erhöhten Kosten, Schulungsaufwand und Technikabhängigkeit einhergehen. Schlussfolgerungen: Die Ergebnisse zeigen die Relevanz der Einstellungen und Bedürfnisse von Nutzerinnen und Nutzern für eine erfolgreiche Implementierung. Aus-, Fort- und Weiterbildungen sollten in Zukunft verstärkt die technologische Kompetenz der Pflegekräfte fördern.
Comparing the Performance of Agree/Disagree and Item-Specific	Questions Across PCs and Smartphones
Authors: Höhne Jan Karem , Revilla Melanie , Lenzner Timo
Published: September 2018

Abstract. The use of agree/disagree (A/D) questions is a common technique to measure attitudes. For instance, this question format is employed frequently in the Eurobarometer and International Social Survey Programme (ISSP). Theoretical considerations, however, suggest that A/D questions require a complex processing. Therefore, many survey researchers have recommended the use of item-specific (IS) questions, since they seem to be less burdensome. Parallel to this methodological discussion is the discussion around the use of mobile devices for responding to surveys. However, until now, evidence has been lacking as to whether the use of mobile devices for survey response affects the performance of established question formats. In this study, implemented in the Netquest panel in Spain (N = 1,476), we investigated the cognitive effort and response quality associated with A/D and IS questions across PCs and smartphones. For this purpose, we applied a split-ballot design defined by device type and question format. Our analyses revealed longer response times for IS questions than A/D questions, irrespective of the device type and scale length. Also, the IS questions produced better response quality than their A/D counterparts. All in all, the findings indicate a more conscientious response to IS questions compared to A/D questions.
Statistical Correlation Analysis of Field‐Aligned Currents Measured by Swarm
Authors: Yang J. ‐Y. , Dunlop M. W. , Lühr H. , Xiong C. , Yang Y.‐Y. , Cao J. ‐B. , Wild J. A. , Li L.‐Y. , Ma Y.‐D. , Liu W.‐L. , Fu H.‐S. , Lu H.‐Y. , Waters C. , Ritter P.
Published: September 2018

We investigate the statistical, dual‐spacecraft correlations of field‐aligned current (FAC) signatures between two Swarm spacecraft. For the first time, we infer the orientations of the current sheets of FACs by directly using the maximum correlations obtained from sliding data segments. The current sheet orientations are shown to broadly follow the mean shape of the auroral boundary for the lower latitudes and that these are most well ordered on the dusk side. Orientations at higher latitudes are less well ordered. In addition, the maximum correlation coefficients are explored as a function of magnetic local time and in terms of either the time shift (δt) or the shift in longitude (δlon) between Swarms A and C for various filtering levels and choice of auroral region. We find that the low‐latitude FACs show the strongest correlations for a broad range of magnetic local time centered on dawn and dusk, with a higher correlation coefficient on the dusk side and lower correlations near noon and midnight. The positions of maximum correlation are sensitive to the level of low‐pass filter applied to the data, implying temporal influence in the data. This study clearly reflects the two different domains of FACs: small‐scale (some tens of kilometers), which are time variable, and large‐scale (>50 km), which are rather stationary. The methodology is deliberately chosen to highlight the locations of small‐scale influences that are generally variable in both time and space. We may fortuitously find a potential new way to recognize bursts of irregular pulsations (Pi1B) using low‐Earth orbit satellites.
Comparison of the Thermospheric Nitric Oxide Emission Observations and the GITM Simulations: Sensitivity to Solar and Geomagnetic Activities
Authors: Lin Cissi Y. , Deng Yue , Venkataramani Karthik , Yonker Justin , Bailey Scott M.
Published: September 2018

An accurate estimate of the energy budget (heating and cooling) of the ionosphere and thermosphere, especially during space weather events, has been a challenge. The abundance of nitric oxide (NO), a minor species in the thermosphere, is an important component of energy balance here because its production comes from energy sources able to break the strong bond of molecular nitrogen, and infrared emissions from NO play an important role in thermospheric cooling. Recent studies have significantly improved our understanding of NO chemistry and its relationship to energy deposition in the thermospheric photochemical reactions. In this study, the chemical scheme in the Global Ionosphere‐Thermosphere Model (GITM) is updated to better predict the lower thermospheric NO responses to solar and geomagnetic activity. We investigate the sensitivity of the 5.3‐μm NO emission to F10.7 and Ap indices by comparing the global integrated emission from GITM with an empirical proxy derived from the Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry measurements. GITM's total emission agrees well within ±20% of the empirical values. The updated chemistry scheme significantly elevates the level of integrated emission compared to the previous scheme. The inclusion of N2(A)‐related production of NO contributes an additional 5–25% to the emission. Localized enhancement of ~70% in column density and a factor of 3 in column emission are simulated at a moderate geomagnetic level.
Nonlobe Reconnection at the Earth's Magnetopause for Northward IMF
Authors: Fuselier S. A. , Trattner K. J. , Petrinec S. M. , Lavraud B. , Mukherjee J.
Published: September 2018

Under northward interplanetary magnetic field conditions, magnetic reconnection at the Earth's magnetopause is usually thought to operate through the merging of magnetosheath magnetic field lines and open magnetic field lines from the magnetospheric lobe. However, reconnection also occurs between magnetosheath field lines and closed magnetic field lines in the magnetosphere. Under certain conditions, this nonlobe field line reconnection has distinct plasma and magnetic field signatures that distinguish it from reconnection of lobe field lines. A survey of these conditions suggests that nonlobe reconnection at the Earth's magnetopause may be common even for relatively strong northward IMF.
Localized Slip and Associated Fluidized Structures Record Seismic Slip in Clay‐Rich Fault Gouge
Authors: French Melodie E. , Chester Judith S.
Published: September 2018

Fault rocks can weaken dramatically with increasing slip rate, which results in localization of slip and earthquakes. Exhumed fault zones and fault rocks deformed at seismic rates in the laboratory both show that deformation can become extremely localized to zones less than or equal to millimeters thick. However, localization can occur during aseismic slip, so evidence of localization cannot necessarily be interpreted as having occurred coseismically. Dynamic weakening that occurs during earthquakes is the result of processes that are unique to seismic slip rates, and previous results from carbonates show that these processes produce unique microstructures. We evaluate whether coseismic deformation at low normal stress produces unique structures within the localized slip zones and adjacent gouge that develop in clay‐rich gouge from the Central Deforming Zone of the San Andreas fault. We measured the thickness and orientations of localized slip zones and their internal lamina, particle orientations, and particle size distributions of gouge sheared from 0.35 to 1.3 m/s velocity, up to 25‐m displacement, and 1‐MPa normal stress, under water‐wet and room‐dry conditions. We find that the thicknesses of localized slip zones and their internal laminae are consistent with numerical formulations for thermal pressurization in wet gouge and both thermal decomposition and cataclastic deformation in dry gouge. Localized zones form coincident with a zone of fluidized gouge that accommodates at most 10% of the shear strain. We conclude that the combined occurrence of foliated localized shear zones with a zone of fluidized gouge may provide a record of seismicity in clay‐rich gouges.
Interpreting Granitic Fabrics in Terms of Rhyolitic Melt Segregation, Accumulation, and Escape Via Tectonic Filter Pressing in the Huemul Pluton, Chile
Authors: Garibaldi Nicolas , Tikoff Basil , Schaen Allen J. , Singer Brad S.
Published: September 2018

The physical process of rhyolite segregation from crystal mushes remains elusive as microstructural evidence of conventional segregation mechanisms is not available. This study provides direct fabric evidence for deformation‐assisted segregation of eruptible rhyolite in the Chilean Andean arc. The shallow (<7 km), 6.4–6.2 Ma Huemul pluton comprises domains of quartz monzonite, granite, and high‐silica granite. Compositional modeling shows that rhyolitic melt (high‐silica granite) was extracted from a granitic parent, leaving behind silicic cumulates (quartz monzonite). To understand mechanisms of rhyolite segregation, we investigate magmatic fabrics in the pluton. Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility analyses reveal oblate magnetic fabrics and NNW‐striking, subvertical magnetic foliations throughout Huemul. Within the high‐silica granite, magnetic lineations are subvertical and parallel to elongate miarolitic cavities. Magnetic lineations in the quartz monzonite plunge moderately to the NNW, away from the high‐silica granite. In the quartz monzonite, the Shape‐Preferred Orientation of early feldspars is parallel to the magnetic lineation and developed while suspended in melt. Estimations of early feldspar clustering and crystallinity yield ~38% of interstitial volume loss in the quartz monzonite and no volume loss in the granite. These fabric data suggest ENE tectonic shortening coeval with rhyolite extraction. We explain these observations with a model of tectonic filter pressing in which shortening is accommodated by interstitial melt flow at slow (10−5 km3/yr) rates, segregating moderate volumes of rhyolite in Myr time scales. These interactions link plutonism, tectonic deformation, and upward mobility of eruptible rhyolite in tectonically active margins.
Present‐Day Deformations of the Jura Arc Inferred by GPS Surveying and Earthquake Focal Mechanisms
Authors: Rabin Mickael , Sue Christian , Walpersdorf Andrea , Sakic Pierre , Albaric Julie , Fores Benjamin
Published: September 2018

This study presents a compilation of more than 40 years of seismotectonic data, including 54 computed focal mechanisms, combined with 15 years of GPS data coming from a dense network of 35 permanent GPS stations within the Jura arc and its vicinity. These data are compared to previous available geomorphological, geophysical, and structural studies in order to discuss the 3D distribution of the deformation within the Jura arc. GPS data show coherent schemes in terms of velocities and allowed to discriminate between two provinces (NE of the belt and in its front/foreland). They also constrain a low but significant overall strain tensor with a NNW‐SSE shortening of 2.16 nanostrain/year associated with an ENE‐WSW extension of 0.44 nanostrain/year. The seismotectonic approach is based on a data set of 2,400 events and 54 focal mechanisms. Inversions of the focal mechanisms both globally and in homogeneous sectors highlight a general strike‐slip deformation regime, with sigma1 oriented NW‐SE and sigma3 oriented NE‐SW. We discriminate two different sectors in terms of basement/cover (un)coupling: (1) potentially decoupled deformation between the basement and the sedimentary cover in the NE part; and (2) coupled deformation in the sedimentary cover and its basement in the Jura foreland.