bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Honey bee‐collected pollen in agro‐ecosystems reveals diet diversity, diet quality, and pesticide exposure
Authors: Colwell Megan J. , Williams Geoffrey R. , Evans Rodger C. , Shutler Dave
Published: August 2017

European honey bees Apis mellifera are important commercial pollinators that have suffered greater than normal overwintering losses since 2007 in North America and Europe. Contributing factors likely include a combination of parasites, pesticides, and poor nutrition. We examined diet diversity, diet nutritional quality, and pesticides in honey bee‐collected pollen from commercial colonies in the Canadian Maritime Provinces in spring and summer 2011. We sampled pollen collected by honey bees at colonies in four site types: apple orchards, blueberry fields, cranberry bogs, and fallow fields. Proportion of honey bee‐collected pollen from crop versus noncrop flowers was high in apple, very low in blueberry, and low in cranberry sites. Pollen nutritional value tended to be relatively good from apple and cranberry sites and poor from blueberry and fallow sites. Floral surveys ranked, from highest to lowest in diversity, fallow, cranberry, apple, and blueberry sites. Pesticide diversity in honey bee‐collected pollen was high from apple and blueberry sites and low from cranberry and fallow sites. Four different neonicotinoid pesticides were detected, but neither these nor any other pesticides were at or above LD50 levels. Pollen hazard quotients were highest in apple and blueberry sites and lowest in fallow sites. Pollen hazard quotients were also negatively correlated with the number of flower taxa detected in surveys. Results reveal differences among site types in diet diversity, diet quality, and pesticide exposure that are informative for improving honey bee and land agro‐ecosystem management.
A Utopian Commentary on the Plight of Nigeria: Ken Saro-Wiwa’s “Africa Kills Her Sun”
Authors: Rodrigues Angela L.
Published: August 2017

This article investigates the presence of utopian elements in Ken Saro-Wiwa’s short story “Africa Kills Her Sun,” and the extent to which they dismantle an otherwise bleak commentary on the protagonist’s reality. Ernst Bloch’s notions of “pre-illumination,” “daydreaming,” and “not-yet” are employed as analytical tools in order to unravel the narrative’s utopian content.
DYNAMIC PREDICTOR SELECTION AND ORDER SPLITTING IN A LIMIT ORDER MARKET
Authors: Yamamoto Ryuichi
Published: August 2017

Recent empirical research has documented the clustered volatility and fat tails of return distribution in stock markets, yet returns are uncorrelated over time. Certain agent-based theoretical models attempt to explain the empirical features in terms of investors' order-splitting or dynamic switching strategies, both of which are frequently used by actual stock investors. However, little theoretical research has discriminated among the behavioral assumptions within a model and compared the impacts of the assumptions on the empirical features. Nor has the research simultaneously replicated the return features and empirical features on market microstructure, such as patterns of order choice. This study constructs an artificial limit order market in which investors split orders into small pieces or use fundamental and trend-following predictors interchangeably over time. We demonstrate that, on one hand, the market that features strategies with order splitting and dynamic predictor selection can independently replicate clustered volatility and fat tails with near-zero return autocorrelations. However, we also show that patterns of order choice do not match those found in certain previous empirical studies in both types of economies. Thus, we conclude that, in reality, the two strategies can work to generate the empirical return features but that investors may also use other strategies in actual stock markets. We also demonstrate that the impact of both strategies on the volatility persistence tends to be greater as the number of traders increases in the market; this finding implies that the order-splitting strategy and dynamic predictor selection are more crucial for the empirical phenomena pertaining to larger capital stocks.
Relationship between physical activity and physical performance in later life in different birth weight groups
Authors: Jantunen H. , Wasenius N. S. , Salonen M. K. , Perälä M.-M. , Kautiainen H. , Simonen M. , Pohjolainen P. , Kajantie E. , von Bonsdorff M. B. , Eriksson J. G.
Published: August 2017

There is strong evidence that physical activity (PA) has an influence on physical performance in later life. Also, a small body size at birth has been associated with lower physical functioning in older age and both small and high birth weight have shown to be associated with lower leisure time physical activity. However, it is unknown whether size at birth modulates the association between PA and physical performance in old age. We examined 695 individuals from the Helsinki Birth Cohort Study born in Helsinki, Finland between 1934 and 1944. At a mean age of 70.7 years PA was objectively assessed with a multisensory activity monitor and physical performance with the Senior Fitness Test (SFT). Information on birth weight and gestational age was retrieved from hospital birth records. The study participants were divided in three birth weight groups, that is <3000 g, 3000–3499 g and ⩾3500 g. The volume of PA was significantly associated with the physical performance in all birth weight groups. However, the effect size of the association was large and significant only in men with a birth weight <3000 g (β 0.59; 95% confidence interval 0.37–0.81, P<0.001). Our study shows that the association between PA and physical performance is largest in men with low birth weight. Our results suggest that men with low birth weight might benefit most from engaging in PA in order to maintain a better physical performance.
Is More than One Hour of Selective Antegrade Cerebral Perfusion in Moderate-to-Mild Systemic Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest for Surgery of Acute Type A Aortic Dissection Safe?
Authors: Papadopoulos Nestoras , Risteski Petar , Hack Theresa , Ay Mahmut , Moritz Anton , Zierer Andreas , El-Sayed Ahmad Ali
Published: August 2017

Objectives Surgery for acute type A aortic dissection (AAD) remains a surgical challenge with considerable risk of morbidity and mortality. Antegrade cerebral perfusion (ACP) has been popularized, offering a more physiologic method of brain perfusion during complex aortic arch repair, often necessary in setting of AAD. The safe limits of this approach under moderate-to-mild systemic hypothermic circulatory arrest (≥ 28°C) are yet to be defined. Thus, the current study investigates our clinical results after surgical treatment for AAD in patients with a selective ACP and systemic circulatory arrest time of ≥ 60 minutes in moderate-to-mild hypothermia (≥ 28°C).

Methods Between January 2000 and April 2016, 63 consecutive patients underwent surgical treatment for AAD employing selective ACP during moderate-to-mild systemic hypothermia (≥ 28°C) with prolonged ACP and circulatory arrest times. Patients' mean age was 59 ± 15 years, and 39 patients (62%) were men. Hemiarch replacement and total arch replacement were performed in 13 (21%) and 50 (79%) patients, respectively. Frozen elephant trunk, arch light, and elephant trunk technique were performed in nine (14%), six (10%), and three patients (5%), respectively. Clinical data were prospectively entered into our institutional database. Mean late follow-up was 6 ± 4 years and was 98% complete.

Results Cardiopulmonary bypass time accounted for 245 ± 81 minutes and the myocardial ischemic time accounted for 140 ± 43 minutes. Mean duration of ACP was 74 ± 12 minutes. The mean lowest core temperature accounted for 28.9 ± 0.8°C. Unilateral ACP was performed in 44 patients (70%); bilateral ACP was used in the remaining 19 patients (30%). Intensive care unit stay reached 6 ± 5 days. New onset of acute renal failure requiring hemofiltration was observed in 8% of patients (n = 5). New postoperative permanent neurologic deficits were found in five patients (8%) and transient neurologic deficits in six patients (10%). There was one case of paraplegia. Thirty-day mortality and in-hospital mortality were 8 (n = 5) and 11% (n = 7), respectively. Overall survival at 5 years was 76 ± 9%.

Conclusion Our preliminary data suggest that selective ACP during moderate-to-mild systemic hypothermic circulatory arrest (≥ 28°C) can safely be applied for more than 1 hour even in the setting of AAD.
Anxiety and Depression in Patients Undergoing Mitral Valve Surgery: A Prospective Clinical Study
Authors: Botzet Katrin , Dalyanoglu Hannan , Schäfer Ralf , Lichtenberg Artur , Schipke Jochen , Korbmacher Bernhard
Published: August 2017

Background Impending cardiac surgery presents an existential experience that may induce psychological trauma. Moreover, quality of life long after successful coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) can be impaired.

Aim The aim of this study was to describe the time course of anxiety and depression in patients undergoing mitral valve surgery and compare it with our earlier results of patients undergoing CABG, a disease that is likely to be related to psychosomatic disorders. We hypothesized that patients undergoing mitral valve surgery can better manage stresses of cardiac surgery than patients undergoing CABG.

Patients and Methods Of 117 patients undergoing mitral valve surgery, 100 patients (22 to 87 years; 53 females) completed the study and were interviewed before (pre), 1 week after (early), and 6 months after (late) surgery. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was employed.

Results The proportion of patients with elevated anxiety scores (AS ≥ 8) was higher than normal (19.8%): pre, 33.0%; early, 28.0%; and was normalized late (18.0%). Similarly, depression scores (DS ≥ 8) were increased: pre, 15.0%; early, 20.0%; and late 14.0%, respectively (normal: 3.2%).

Conclusion Coronary heart disease of CABG patients is presented as a systemic disorder, associated with both higher and postoperatively increased distress levels than in mitral valve patients. Anxiety and depression should be recognized as possible symptoms of psychosomatic disorders necessitating psychotherapeutic intervention to prevent postoperative depression and warrant patient-perceived surgical outcome that is additionally affected by expectations with respect to treatment and individual coping capacities. HADS is recommended to screen for vulnerable patients in the clinical routine, and psychosomatic support should be provided.
Human–dingo interactions on Fraser Island: an analysis of serious incident reports
Authors: Appleby Rob , Mackie Jess , Smith Bradley , Bernede Lilia , Jones Darryl
Published: August 2017

Wild predators that attack people represent a significant challenge to the management authorities charged with conserving populations whilst minimising human safety risk. Fraser Island is home to an iconic population of dingoes (Canis dingo). However, conflict stemming from negative human–dingo interactions (incidents), some resulting in serious human injury and in one case, a fatality, is an ongoing concern. In an effort to highlight important factors influencing incident dynamics, we investigated the most serious incident reports gathered by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service for the period 2001–15. We found a consistent pattern of incidents peaking in March/April and also July, corresponding with dingo breeding and whelping seasons (respectively). Monthly vehicle permit numbers (a proxy for visitation) were not positively correlated with incident rates, except during the breeding season. Male dingoes, particularly subadult males, featured heavily in incidents. Despite the fatality being highly publicised and the advent of copious on-site warning messages and other management interventions, serious incidents continue to occur annually, including some involving children. This suggests that risks are either not always understood, or are otherwise being ignored. While our results demonstrate that dingoes generally pose minimal risk to humans, some risk remains, particularly where poorly supervised children are concerned.
CBFβ initiates the hematopoietic stem cell program without obligatory binding to RUNX
Authors: Ciau-Uitz Aldo , Pinheiro Philip , Kirmizitas Arif , Fernandez Claire , Patient Roger
Published: August 2017

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) emerge from hemogenic endothelium (HE) localised in the embryonic dorsal aorta (DA). Here we show that Runx1, a transcription factor essential for HSC emergence, controls HE establishment in the absence of its non-DNA-binding partner, CBFβ, and that a CBFβ-binding-deficient Runx1 mutant form can activate the HE program in the DA. Nevertheless, CBFβ is also essential for HSC emergence by regulating the specification of definitive hemangioblasts (DHs), the precursors of the DA and HE, in the lateral plate mesoderm where it mediates VEGFA induction by BMP signalling. Surprisingly, no Runx gene is expressed in DHs and the pharmacological inhibition of CBFβ binding to Runx is not detrimental for DH, confirming that CBFβ functions independently of Runx. Thus, we have uncovered, for the first time, that CBFβ regulates gene expression without Runx, breaking the dogma in which CBFβ ‘s gene regulatory functions are strictly dependent on its binding to Runx.

HIGHLIGHTS

Runx1 and CBFβ play independent roles in the establishment of the HSC lineage

Runx1 binding to CBFβ is not required for HE establishment

CBFβ is downstream of BMP and regulates endogenous VEGFA expression in DH

Binding to Runx is not obligatory for CBFβ function
Birth weight trends in England and Wales (1986–2012): babies are getting heavier
Authors: Ghosh Rebecca Elisabeth , Berild Jacob Dag , Sterrantino Anna Freni , Toledano Mireille B , Hansell Anna L
Published: August 2017

Introduction

Birth weight is a strong predictor of infant mortality, morbidity and later disease risk. Previous work from the 1980s indicated a shift in the UK towards heavier births; this descriptive analysis looks at more recent trends.

Methods

Office for National Statistics (ONS) registration data on 17.2 million live, single births from 1986 to 2012 were investigated for temporal trends in mean birth weight, potential years of birth weight change and changes in the proportions of very low (<1500 g), low (<2500 g) and high (≥4000 g) birth weight. Analysis used multiple linear and logistic regression adjusted for maternal age, marital status, area-level deprivation and ethnicity. Additional analyses used the ONS NHS Numbers for Babies data set for 2006–2012, which has information on individual ethnicity and gestational age.

Results

Over 27 years there was an increase in birth weight of 43 g (95% CI 42 to 44) in females and 44 g (95% CI 43 to 45) in males, driven by birth weight increases between 1986–1990 and 2007–2012. There was a concurrent decreased risk of having low birth weight but an 8% increased risk in males and 10% increased risk in females of having high birth weight. For 2006–2012 the birth weight increase was greater in preterm as compared with term births.

Conclusions

Since 1986 the birth weight distribution of live, single births in England and Wales has shifted towards heavier births, partly explained by increases in maternal age and non-white ethnicity, as well as changes in deprivation levels. Other potential influences include increases in maternal obesity and reductions in smoking prevalence particularly following the introduction of legislation restricting smoking in public places in 2007.
Nursing home Facebook reviews: who has them, and how do they relate to other measures of quality and experience?
Authors: Gaudet Hefele Jennifer , Li Yue , Campbell Lauren , Barooah Adrita , Wang Joyce
Published: August 2017

Background

The growing use of social media creates opportunities for patients and families to provide feedback and rate individual healthcare providers. Whereas previous studies have examined this emerging trend in hospital and physician settings, little is known about user ratings of nursing homes (NHs) and how these ratings relate to other measures of quality.

Objective

To examine the relationship between Facebook user-generated NH ratings and other measures of NH satisfaction/experience and quality.

Methods

This study compared Facebook user ratings of NHs in Maryland (n=225) and Minnesota (n=335) to resident/family satisfaction/experience survey ratings and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) 5-star NH report card ratings.

Results

Overall, 55 NHs in Maryland had an official Facebook page, of which 35 provided the opportunity for users to rate care in the facility. In Minnesota, 126 NHs had a Facebook page, of which 78 allowed for user ratings. NHs with higher aid staffing levels, not affiliated with a chain and located in higher income counties were more likely to have a Facebook page. Facebook ratings were not significantly correlated with the CMS 5-star rating or survey-based resident/family satisfaction ratings.

Conclusions

Given the disconnect between Facebook ratings and other, more scientifically grounded measures of quality, concerns about the validity and use of social media ratings are warranted. However, it is likely consumers will increasingly turn to social media ratings of NHs, given the lack of consumer perspective on most state and federal report card sites. Thus, social media ratings may present a unique opportunity for healthcare report cards to capture real-time consumer voice.
Developing a shared decision support framework for aortic root surgery in Marfan syndrome
Authors: Treasure Tom , King Annette , Hidalgo Lemp Loreto , Golesworthy Tal , Pepper John , Takkenberg Johanna JM
Published: August 2017

Objective

The study is an early phase of development of a decision support framework for people with Marfan syndrome who are anticipating prophylactic aortic root surgery. Implications of the timing and the nature of the operation chosen were previously elicited in focus groups. In this step, we explored the range of relative values placed by individuals on the implications of decisions made about surgery.

Methods

Following the principles of the Ottawa Decision Support Framework, eight questions in the general form ‘How important is it to you …’ were framed by a panel. Marfan people, families and specialist doctors answered online. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed.

Results

Worldwide, 142 responses were received including 25 specialist doctors. Respondents were 55% female and 46% had previous aortic root surgery. Overall, active lifestyle was more important to males (p=0.03). Patients placed more importance than doctors on not deferring surgery (p=0.04) and on avoidance of anticoagulation in the interests of childbearing (p=0.009). Qualitative analysis showed differing but cogently reasoned values that were sometimes polarised, and mainly driven by the wish to maintain a good quality of life and active lifestyle.

Conclusions

Given the cogency of these viewpoints, people anticipating root replacement surgery should have ample opportunity to express them and to have them acknowledged ahead of a consultation when they can then be fully explored in a mutually informed forum. If they differ from local medical practice, they can then be discussed in the process of reaching shared and individualised decisions.
Establishment of a comprehensive drug overdose fatality surveillance system in Kentucky to inform drug overdose prevention policies, interventions and best practices
Authors: Hargrove Sarah L , Bunn Terry L , Slavova Svetla , Quesinberry Dana , Corey Tracey , Ralston William , Singleton Michael D , Ingram Van
Published: August 2017

Background

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, Kentucky had the third highest drug overdose fatality rate in the nation in 2015 at 29.9 drug overdose fatalities per 100 000 population.

Objective

The elevated drug overdose fatality rate necessitated the development and implementation of a comprehensive multisource drug overdose fatality surveillance system (DOFSS).

Methods

DOFSS stakeholder work group members and data sources were identified, and memorandums of understanding were established. The following data sources were used to establish DOFSS: (1) death certificates; (2) autopsy reports; (3) toxicology result reports; (4) coroner reports; and (5) Kentucky All Schedule Prescription Electronic Reporting (KASPER) (prescription drug monitoring programme) data. Drug overdose poisonings were defined using Injury Surveillance Workgroup 7 definitions. Analyses were performed to investigate possible drug overdose-related health disparities for disabled drug overdose decedents and to characterise gabapentin in drug overdose deaths.

Results

DOFSS identified 2106 drug overdose poisoning fatalities in Kentucky for 2013–2014. Identification of specific drugs involved in drug overdose deaths increased from 75.8% using a single data source to 97.5% using multiple data sources. Disabled drug overdose decedents were significantly more likely to have an active prescription for drugs identified in their system compared with the non-disabled drug overdose decedents. Toxicology data showed increased gabapentin involvement in drug overdose deaths from 2.9% in 2013 to 17% in 2014. Alprazolam was found most often in combination with gabapentin (41%), along with various other benzodiazepines and prescription opioids.

Conclusions

A comprehensive multisource DOFSS improved drug overdose fatality surveillance by increasing completeness of data and data quality. DOFSS is a model that can be considered by other states to enhance their efforts in tracking drug overdose fatalities, identifying new and emerging trends, and informing policies and best practices, to address and reduce drug overdoses.
Applying the health action process approach to bicycle helmet use and evaluating a social marketing campaign
Authors: Karl Florian M , Smith Jennifer , Piedt Shannon , Turcotte Kate , Pike Ian
Published: August 2017

Background

Bicycle injuries are of concern in Canada. Since helmet use was mandated in 1996 in the province of British Columbia, Canada, use has increased and head injuries have decreased. Despite the law, many cyclists do not wear a helmet. Health action process approach (HAPA) model explains intention and behaviour with self-efficacy, risk perception, outcome expectancies and planning constructs. The present study examines the impact of a social marketing campaign on HAPA constructs in the context of bicycle helmet use.

Method

A questionnaire was administered to identify factors determining helmet use. Intention to obey the law, and perceived risk of being caught if not obeying the law were included as additional constructs. Path analysis was used to extract the strongest influences on intention and behaviour. The social marketing campaign was evaluated through t-test comparisons after propensity score matching and generalised linear modelling (GLM) were applied to adjust for the same covariates.

Results

400 cyclists aged 25–54 years completed the questionnaire. Self-efficacy and Intention were most predictive of intention to wear a helmet, which, moderated by planning, strongly predicted behaviour. Perceived risk and outcome expectancies had no significant impact on intention. GLM showed that exposure to the campaign was significantly associated with higher values in self-efficacy, intention and bicycle helmet use.

Conclusion

Self-efficacy and planning are important points of action for promoting helmet use. Social marketing campaigns that remind people of appropriate preventive action have an impact on behaviour.
Future-proofing pathology: the case for clinical adoption of digital pathology
Authors: Williams Bethany Jill , Bottoms David , Treanor Darren
Published: August 2017

This document clarifies the strategic context of digital pathology adoption, defines the different use cases a healthcare provider may wish to consider as part of a digital adoption and summarises existing reasons for digital adoption and its potential benefits. The reader is provided with references to the relevant literature, and illustrative case studies. The authors hope this report will be of interest to healthcare providers, pathology managers, departmental heads, pathologists and biomedical scientists that are considering digital pathology, deployments or preparing business cases for digital pathology adoption in clinical settings. The information contained in this document can be shared and used in any documentation the reader wishes to present for their own institutional case for adoption report or business case.
Do cardiometabolic, behavioural and socioeconomic factors explain the ‘healthy migrant effect’ in the UK? Linked mortality follow-up of South Asians compared with white Europeans in the Newcastle Heart Project
Authors: Hayes Louise , White Martin , McNally Richard J Q , Unwin Nigel , Tran Anh , Bhopal Raj
Published: August 2017

Background

Immigrants are sometimes found to have better health than locally born populations. We examined the mortality experience of South Asian origin and white European origin individuals living in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.

Methods

A linked 17–21 year mortality follow-up of a cross-sectional study of European (n=825) and South Asian (n=709) men and women, aged 25–74 years, recruited between 1993 and 1997. Poisson regression was used to estimate mortality rate ratios (MRRs) for all-cause mortality. Sensitivity analysis explored the possible effect of differences between ethnic groups in loss to follow-up. The impact of adjustment for established risk factors on MRRs was studied.

Results

South Asians had lower all-cause age-adjusted and sex-adjusted mortality than Europeans (MRR 0.70; 95% CI 0.58 to 0.85). There was higher loss to follow-up in South Asians. Sensitivity analyses demonstrated that this did not account for the observed lower mortality. Adjustment for cardiometabolic, behavioural and socioeconomic characteristics attenuated but did not eliminate the mortality differences between South Asians and Europeans, although CIs now cross 1 (MRR 0.79; 95% CI 0.55 to 1.13).

Conclusions

South Asians had lower all-cause mortality compared with European origin individuals living in Newcastle upon Tyne that were not accounted for by incomplete mortality data. It is possible that such migrants to the UK have the resources and motivation to move in search of better opportunities and may be healthier and wealthier than those who remain in their country of origin. These findings challenge us to better understand and measure the factors contributing to their survival advantage.
Informed consent in cluster randomised trials: new and common ethical challenges
Authors: Lignou Sapfo
Published: August 2017

Cluster randomised trials are an increasingly important methodological tool in health research but they present challenges to the informed consent requirement. In the relatively limited literature on the ethics of cluster research there is not much clarity about the reasons for which seeking informed consent in cluster randomised trials may be morally challenging. In this paper, I distinguish between the cases where informed consent in cluster trials may be problematic due to the distinct features of ‘population-based’ interventions, which have not been adequately discussed in the research ethics literature, and the cases where informed consent may be problematic for reasons that investigators also encounter in other research designs. I claim that informed consent requirements in cluster trials should be adjusted to the level of risk involved, arguing for a more comprehensive notion of research risk than that currently found in the research ethics guidelines, and the amount of freedom to be sacrificed in relation to a particular research aim. I conclude that these two factors are the most important to consider when assessing whether a cluster study should proceed when informed consent is infeasible or difficult to obtain.
Survey of prevalence and investigation of predictors and staining patterns of the split upper eyelid defect in Hebridean sheep
Authors: Gascoigne Emily , Williams David L , Reyher Kristen K
Published: August 2017

The split upper eyelid defect (SUED) is a congenital defect of the upper eyelid thought to be exclusive to multihorned sheep. Eleven flocks with a high proportion of multihorned Hebridean sheep were visited in 2011. Statistical analysis was performed generating Pearson's chi‐squared analysis, as well as (1) logistic regression, (2) ordinal logistic regression and (3) linear regression models. Four hundred and seventy‐three pure‐bred Hebridean sheep and one crossbred lamb were examined. Of all the multihorned animals inspected in 2011, 9.7 per cent of adults had evidence of SUED in one or more eyelids, with 17.6 per cent of lambs presented with one or more eyelid affected. Having five or more horns was protective in the linear regression model on eye‐level data (p=0.045). Forward‐facing horns were consistently associated with a ‘worst’ eye score in the eye‐level data, with an odds ratio (OR) as high as 9.4 when compared with a base of backward‐facing horns (p=0.002). Eyes positive for SUED were significantly more likely to be rose bengal stain‐positive in all four analysis, including multilevel mixed effect ordered logistic regression (p<0.001, OR 149.3). A novel lesion was identified during the course of the study, with 3.4 per cent of lambs presented with dermoid. SUED was also identified in a crossbred animal. Further work is needed to quantify the exact cost to animals with unilateral or bilateral SUED with subtle and production cost of SUED.
Rapid Human Finding with Motion Segmentation for Mobile Robot
Authors: Gao Yutong , Lei Weimin , Xie Xie , Fu Yue , Zhang Lu
Published: August 2017

A computer vision method is presented for the mobile robot to find humans in scene. Face detection is used for confirming humans. In order to reduce regions of search, optical flow algorithm is used to segment the image in advance. Asymmetric problems in face detection are explained, and relative solutions are put forward by bootstrapping strategy and asymmetric adaboost algorithm. In addition, fisher discriminant analysis further improves the performance of face detection. Multi-view face models are trained to accommodate practical face detection application. At last, experiments demonstrate that our multi-view face detector achieves high detection accuracy and fast detection speed on both standard testing datasets and real-life images.
Distortion of embeddings of a torsion-free finitely generated nilpotent group into a unitriangular group
Authors: Gul Funda , Myasnikov Alexei G. , Sohrabi Mahmood
Published: August 2017

In this paper, we study distortion of various well-known embeddings of finitely generated torsion-free nilpotent groups [Formula: see text] into unitriangular groups [Formula: see text]. In particular, we show that there is no undistorted embeddings of [Formula: see text]-dimensional Heisenberg group into [Formula: see text]. We also provide a polynomial time algorithm for finding distortion of a given subgroup of [Formula: see text].
A NEW PREDICTION APPROACH FOR THE STRUCTURAL FATIGUE LIFE BASED ON MULTI-FACTOR CORRECTION
Authors: SHI GUANGLIN , ZHU LIN , WEI DONGBIN
Published: August 2017

As the phenomenon of fatigue damage is a common failure mode of equipment, the reliability evaluation and life prediction have become a hot-spot. The precise prediction of fatigue life in the initiation stage has become necessary. The common prediction study for structural fatigue life takes less influence factors into consideration. The common prediction results of fatigue life cannot be quantitatively corrected by the influence factors at the same time. This paper presents a research on the prediction approach for structural fatigue life based on the multi-factor correction. The influence of some factors on the fatigue life was analyzed and the prediction approach for structural fatigue life based on multi-factor correction was raised. Then the fatigue life of axle housing was predicted by using the corrected approach, as the case study. Moreover, the result predicted by the local stress–strain approach and the experimental data were used to verify the accuracy of the corrected approach. It can be clearly demonstrated by the results that the corrected prediction approach can be used to achieve the precision fatigue life for engineering structures. Further, it is also a prediction approach endowed with engineering application prospects.
FRICTION AND WEAR BEHAVIORS OF Ti6Al4V ALLOY TREATED BY PLASMA Ni ALLOYING
Authors: WANG ZHENXIA , CAI WENLAN , WU HAIRUI , LIN NAIMING , YAO XIAOHONG , HE ZHIYONG , LIU XIAOPING
Published: August 2017

The Ni modified layer was prepared on surface of the Ti6Al4V substrate by plasma surface alloying technique (PSAT). The cross-section micro structure, phase structure and microhardness of Ni modified layer were studied. The friction and wear behavior of the Ni modified layer and the Ti6Al4V substrate were analysed. The effects of displacement amplitude, frequency and fretting time on friction coefficient of the Ni modified layer were investigated. The results indicated that the wear rate was lower compared with that of the Ti6Al4V substrate. Friction coefficient of the Ni modified layer increased with the increase of frequency. But it was insensitive to the change of wear time and the displacement amplitude. The wear mechanism of the Ti6Al4V was adhesion and abrasion wear mechanism while the Ni modified layer showed slightly abrasion wear.
FORMATION OF TRIANGULAR Cu MICROCRYSTALS IN Ti/Cu/Si THIN FILMS DURING ANNEALING
Authors: LIN QIJING , JING WEIXUAN , JIANG ZHUANGDE , ZHAO NA , WU ZIRONG , WANG CHENYING , YANG SHUMING
Published: August 2017

Sandwich stacked Ti/Cu/Si thin films were deposited on a single-side polished Si(111) substrate using DC magnetron sputtering system and annealed using a rapid thermal annealing (RTA) system. Complex dendritic patterns, whose branches are composed of Cu rods and triangular Cu microcrystals were obtained on Ti/Cu thin film annealed at 700[Formula: see text]C. The shape of one triangular Cu microcrystal is a truncated equilateral triangular pyramid with a flat top. Triangular Cu microcrystals grow in the number when Ti/Cu thin films are annealed at 800[Formula: see text]C. Experimental results show that anisotropy affects the growth of surface patterns and the top Ti capping layer works as a protection for the underlying Cu layer from oxidation.
LOCALIZED ELECTRONIC SURFACE STATES IN METALLIC STRUCTURES
Authors: BELAYADI A. , BOURAHLA B. , MEKIDECHE-CHAFA F.
Published: August 2017

We present theoretical models to study the localized electronic surface states in metallic structures. The materials under study have been chosen with different types of cubic meshes, fcc, sc and bcc. The calculation method used is closely related to the Linear Combination of Atomic Orbitals (LCAO) in the tight-binding method.

We consider three cases: each of the atoms is described by a single atomic orbital of [Formula: see text]-, [Formula: see text]- and [Formula: see text]-type orbitals. In order to solve the rectangular secular equations of the systems under study, the phase field matching method is involved. In particular, we apply our approach to calculate the localized electronic surface states of some metals: (i) Chromium and Silver having, respectively, bcc and fcc structure and described as [Formula: see text]-type orbital. (ii) Nickel with sc crystallization and described by [Formula: see text]-type orbital. (iii) Palladium (Pd) given in fcc crystallization and described by [Formula: see text]-type orbital. The obtained results illustrate spatial edge effects between the bulk modes and the localized electronic states of the metallic surfaces over the three orientations of high symmetry path. We observe many localized states above and below the bulk band range. In addition, the relaxation effect on the surface layer has been investigated to compute the localized electronic surface state in this case and illustrate the lift of the degeneracy compared to the first calculations based on an ordered surface. The spacing geometry caused by the relaxation on the surface has been determined by using the Molecular dynamic algorithm and Morse interatomic potential.
Gauge fixing invariance and anti-BRST symmetry
Authors: Varshovi Amir Abbass
Published: August 2017

It is shown that anti-BRST invariance in quantum gauge theories can be considered as the quantized version of the symmetry of classical gauge theories with respect to different gauge fixing mechanisms.
Energy bounds in f(R,G) gravity with anisotropic background
Authors: Shamir M. Farasat , Komal Ayesha
Published: August 2017

This paper investigates the energy bounds in modified Gauss–Bonnet gravity with anisotropic background. Locally rotationally symmetric Bianchi type [Formula: see text] cosmological model in [Formula: see text] gravity is considered to meet this aim. Primarily, a general [Formula: see text] model is used to develop the field equations. In this aspect, we investigate the viability of modified gravitational theory by studying the energy conditions. We take in account four [Formula: see text] gravity models commonly discussed in the literature. We formulate the inequalities obtained by energy conditions and investigate the viability of the above-mentioned models using the Hubble, deceleration, jerk and snap parameters. Graphical analysis shows that for first two [Formula: see text] gravity models, null energy condition (NEC), weak energy condition (WEC) and strong energy condition (SEC) are satisfied under suitable values of anisotropy and model parameters involved. Moreover, SEC is violated for the third and fourth models which predicts the cosmic expansion.
Reconfiguration of Distribution Networks with Distributed Generation Using a Dual Hybrid Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Ma Caoyuan , Li Chunxiao , Zhang Xuezi , Li Guoxin , Han Yonggang
Published: August 2017

This paper proposes a reconfiguration strategy of distribution network with distribution generation (DG) based on dual hybrid particle swarm optimization algorithm. By the network structure simplification and branches grouping, network loss was selected as objective function, an improved binary particle swarm optimization algorithm (IBPSO) was used in branch group search, and the proposed group binary particle swarm optimization search algorithm was used in searching within the group to improve search efficiency and avoid early maturing. The proposed algorithm was tested on the IEEE 33‐bus distribution power system and compared with other existing literature methods. The influence on the power flow of distribution network by DG position and capacity was studied. Simulation results illustrate that the proposed algorithm can get the optimal configuration results and significantly reduce system energy losses with fast convergence rate. In order to control the smart grid, using a dual hybrid particle swarm optimization algorithm to reconstruct a model, the result of simulation verifies the validity of the model. At the same time, the distributed power grid after reconstruction after optimization can effectively reduce the network loss and improve power supply quality.
Continuous Analog of Accelerated OS‐EM Algorithm for Computed Tomography
Authors: Tateishi Kiyoko , Yamaguchi Yusaku , Abou Al-Ola Omar M. , Yoshinaga Tetsuya
Published: August 2017

The maximum‐likelihood expectation‐maximization (ML‐EM) algorithm is used for an iterative image reconstruction (IIR) method and performs well with respect to the inverse problem as cross‐entropy minimization in computed tomography. For accelerating the convergence rate of the ML‐EM, the ordered‐subsets expectation‐maximization (OS‐EM) with a power factor is effective. In this paper, we propose a continuous analog to the power‐based accelerated OS‐EM algorithm. The continuous‐time image reconstruction (CIR) system is described by nonlinear differential equations with piecewise smooth vector fields by a cyclic switching process. A numerical discretization of the differential equation by using the geometric multiplicative first‐order expansion of the nonlinear vector field leads to an exact equivalent iterative formula of the power‐based OS‐EM. The convergence of nonnegatively constrained solutions to a globally stable equilibrium is guaranteed by the Lyapunov theorem for consistent inverse problems. We illustrate through numerical experiments that the convergence characteristics of the continuous system have the highest quality compared with that of discretization methods. We clarify how important the discretization method approximates the solution of the CIR to design a better IIR method.
Increased Circulating Levels of Interleukin‐6 Induce Perturbation in Redox‐Regulated Signaling Cascades in Muscle of Dystrophic Mice
Authors: Pelosi Laura , Forcina Laura , Nicoletti Carmine , Scicchitano Bianca Maria , Musarò Antonio
Published: August 2017

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X‐linked genetic disease in which dystrophin gene is mutated, resulting in dysfunctional or absent dystrophin protein. The pathology of dystrophic muscle includes degeneration, necrosis with inflammatory cell invasion, regeneration, and fibrous and fatty changes. Nevertheless, the mechanisms by which the absence of dystrophin leads to muscle degeneration remain to be fully elucidated. An imbalance between oxidant and antioxidant systems has been proposed as a secondary effect of DMD. However, the significance and precise extent of the perturbation in redox signaling cascades is poorly understood. We report that mdx dystrophic mice are able to activate a compensatory antioxidant response at the presymptomatic stage of the disease. In contrast, increased circulating levels of IL‐6 perturb the redox signaling cascade, even prior to the necrotic stage, leading to severe features and progressive nature of muscular dystrophy.
A PLS Approach to Measuring Investor Sentiment in Chinese Stock Market
Authors: He Gang , Zhu Shuzhen , Gu Haifeng
Published: August 2017

We select five objective sentiment indicators and one subjective sentiment indicator to build investor sentiment composite index in Chinese stock market by using the partial least squares. The reason why we do that is to improve the shortcomings of the principal component analysis, which was adopted to build investor sentiment composite index in the pioneering research. Moreover, due to the large proportion of individual investors in Chinese stock market and the rapid change of investor sentiment, we innovatively use the weekly data with smaller information granularity and higher frequency. Through empirical tests for its reasonability and market’s predictive capability, we find that this index appears to fit the data better and improves prediction.
Diagnostic Lessons from a Complex Case of Postintestinal Transplantation Enteropathy
Authors: Wade Cian , Allan Philip , Collantes Elena , Reddy Srikanth R. , Friend Peter J. , Vrakas Georgios
Published: August 2017

Recent advances in the field of intestinal transplantation have been mitigated by the incidence of allograft rejection. In such events, early identification and appropriate timing of antirejection therapy are crucial in retaining graft function. We present the case of a patient who suffered severe postintestinal transplantation allograft enteropathy, primarily characterized by extensive mucosal ulcerations, and was refractory to all conventional therapy. This progressed as chronic rejection; however crucially this was not definitively diagnosed until allograft function had irreversibly diminished. We argue that the difficulties encountered in this case can be attributed to the inability of our current array of investigative studies and diagnostic guidelines to provide adequate clinical guidance. This case illustrates the importance of developing reliable and specific markers for guiding the diagnosis of rejection and the use of antirejection therapeutics in this rapidly evolving field of transplant surgery.
Diazotrophic Bacterial Community of Degraded Pastures
Authors: Oliveira João Tiago Correia , Figueredo Everthon Fernandes , Diniz Williane Patrícia da Silva , Oliveira Lucianne Ferreira Paes de , Andrade Pedro Avelino Maia de , Andreote Fernando Dini , Kuklinsky-Sobral Júlia , Lima Danúbia Ramos de , Freire Fernando José
Published: August 2017

Pasture degradation can cause changes in diazotrophic bacterial communities. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the culturable and total diazotrophic bacterial community, associated with regions of the rhizosphere and roots ofBrachiaria decumbensStapf. pastures in different stages of degradation. Samples of roots and rhizospheric soil were collected from slightly, partially, and highly degraded pastures. McCrady’s table was used to obtain the Most Probable Number (MPN) of bacteria per gram of sample, in order to determine population density and calculate the Shannon-Weaver diversity index. The diversity of total diazotrophic bacterial community was determined by the technique of Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) of thenifH gene, while the diversity of the culturable diazotrophic bacteria was determined by the Polymerase Chain Reaction (BOX-PCR) technique. The increase in the degradation stage of theB. decumbensStapf. pasture did not reduce the population density of the cultivated diazotrophic bacterial community, suggesting that the degradation at any degree of severity was highly harmful to the bacteria. The structure of the total diazotrophic bacterial community associated withB. decumbensStapf. was altered by the pasture degradation stage, suggesting a high adaptive capacity of the bacteria to altered environments.
Recognizing Dew as an Indicator and an Improver of Near-Surface Air Quality
Authors: Xu Yingying , Zhu Xinyue
Published: August 2017

The relationship between dew and airborne particles is important in urban ecosystems, but the capability of dew to remove airborne particles remains unclear. During 2015 in Changchun, China, 74 dew and particle samples were collected simultaneously to investigate their chemical characteristics under normal, fog, and haze conditions. Analyses included measuring total dissolved solids, total suspended particulates, PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations, major cations (NH4+, Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+), major anions (F−, Cl−, SO42-, and NO3-), and organic and elemental carbon. Results showed that air quality deteriorated during haze but improved in fog. The particle size distributions, major cations, and carbonaceous species documented in the dew and airborne particles demonstrated consistent synchronous patterns with values descending in the order haze > normal > fog conditions. We found that dew is a good indicator of near-surface air quality. Specifically, its water-soluble ions and carbonaceous species could be used to distinguish emission sources and to identify the presence of secondary organic carbon. Dew is more effective at removing airborne particles in normal weather than in haze or fog conditions; PM2.5 removal rates were 21.5%, 15.2%, and 13.7% on normal, foggy, and hazy days, respectively. Dew condensation processes reduce concentrations of gaseous and particulate pollutants in the near-surface layer.