bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Beauty in the Eye of the Home‐Owner: Aesthetic Zoning and Residential Property Values
Authors: Lindenthal Thies
Published: May 2017

This article empirically confirms one core motivation for architectural zoning: Shape homogeneity among neighboring homes increases the value of residential buildings. Drawing on large‐scale shape and transaction data, this study first develops a data‐driven measure of architectural similarity, condensing three‐dimensional shapes to univariate shape distributions. These algorithm‐based similarity estimates are good predictors of human perceptions of shape similarity and are linked to property attributes and transaction prices. For the city of Rotterdam, a price premium of approximately 3.5% is estimated for row houses within very homogeneous ensembles over buildings facing heterogeneous neighbors.
Toxicological Analysis of Opiates from Alternative Matrices Collected from an Exhumed Body
Authors: Cippitelli Marta , Mirtella Dora , Ottaviani Giovanni , Tassoni Giovanna , Froldi Rino , Cingolani Mariano
Published: May 2017

In this case study, the body of a 45‐year‐old man was exhumed after 1 year at the request of the public prosecutor to assess whether the death was caused by drug consumption. Toxicological analyses were performed on several matrices, including liver, kidney, and the alternative matrices hair and teeth. The systematic toxicological analysis (STA), which consisted of basic and acid liquid/liquid extraction and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) analysis, showed the presence of opiates in each of the matrices analyzed. Subsequently, to confirm and quantify the presence of opioids, samples of each of the matrices were subjected to solid‐phase extraction and specificGC‐MSanalysis. The case presented demonstrates the possibility of drug detection in an exhumed body that has been buried for 1 year, despite the problems of quantitative interpretation of the data, and that toxicological results could be useful along with other forensic evidence.
Secular trends in Australian school children's sleep and perceived importance of sleep between 1985 and 2013
Authors: Dollman James , Matricciani Lisa , Booth Verity , Blunden Sarah
Published: May 2017

Aim

To examine secular trends in Australian children's actual sleep time as well as the perceived importance of sleep between 1985, 2004 and 2013.

Methods

Secular trends in children's sleep and their perception of the importance of sleep across three time points 1985 (N = 401), 2004 (N = 450) and 2013 (N = 395) were examined according to socio‐economic status (SES), age and sex. The children self‐reported their bedtime, wake‐up time and their perceived importance of sleep, among other questions.

Results

There were no significant differences in sleep duration between boys and girls in any of the survey years, nor were there differences in sleep duration between SES categories at any time point. Independent of survey year, age, sex and SES, there was a graded difference in sleep duration (minutes) across response categories for perceived importance of sleep. Overall, trends in the perceived importance of sleep appeared to match trends in actual sleep time, but not for all subgroups.

Conclusion

This study indicates that the sleep duration of high SES Australian school children is returning to, or near to, baseline sleep duration observed in 1985, while the sleep duration of low SES Australian children has remained at low levels.
Sustainability Reporting by New Zealand's Local Governments
Authors: Othman Radiah , Nath Nirmala , Laswad Fawzi
Published: May 2017

This study examines New Zealand (NZ) local government's sustainability disclosure during the five years prior to changes in the legislative environment through the introduction of the Environmental Reporting Bill. Local councils appeared to persistently increase their social and environmental disclosure practices in view of the forthcoming Bill. This is consistent with the underpinnings of legitimacy theory in that pending legislation may introduce restrictive policies and rules in the future that are not consistent with current reporting practices. The highest reporting categories were public agency and the environment, which indicates councils’ drive to maintain legitimacy. Further, the results show that local government environmental reporting focused on non‐monetary, and to a lesser extent monetary, information. In the absence of mandatory guidelines, the results also indicate that NZ local councils have voluntarily reported sustainability information consistent with GRI indicators.
Unpacking the Ontogeny of Gesture Understanding: How Movement Becomes Meaningful Across Development
Authors: Wakefield Elizabeth M. , Novack Miriam A. , Goldin‐Meadow Susan
Published: May 2017

Gestures, hand movements that accompany speech, affect children's learning, memory, and thinking (e.g., Goldin‐Meadow, 2003). However, it remains unknown how children distinguish gestures from other kinds of actions. In this study, 4‐ to 9‐year‐olds (n = 339) and adults (n = 50) described one of three scenes: (a) an actor moving objects, (b) an actor moving her hands in the presence of objects (but not touching them), or (c) an actor moving her hands in the absence of objects. Participants across all ages were equally able to identify actions on objects as goal directed, but the ability to identify empty‐handed movements as representational actions (i.e., as gestures) increased with age and was influenced by the presence of objects, especially in older children.
Living up to Policy Coherence for Development? The OECD's disciplines on tied aid financing
Authors: Fritz Livia , Raza Werner
Published: May 2017

Tied aid credits are a way for donors to look to boost the international competitiveness of domestic enterprises while simultaneously contributing to development in recipient countries. Though regulated through the Arrangement on Officially Supported Export Credits, tied aid credits claim a place among the instruments of development policy and are eligible as Official Development Assistance (ODA). This raises the question of whether the international regulatory framework is equipped to safeguard the presumed development goals. This article examines the internal coherence of the tied aid disciplines of the Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development (OECD) with the development principles coined by the Development Assistance Committee (DAC). Thereby, the extent to which the OECD lives up to its own promise of Policy Coherence for Development (PCD) is scrutinized.
Forest regeneration on Hinewai Reserve, New Zealand: An interview with Hugh Wilson
Authors: Wilson Hugh , McDonald Tein , Lamb David
Published: May 2017

In 1986 the paths of two men crossed – one who had started a Trust fund to purchase land for conservation and the other who was looking for land to test his hunches about forest regeneration. The two joined forces and the subsequent 30 years saw a growth in both the Trust and the forest such that today it is a 1,500 ha regrowth rainforest with a network of indefatigable supporters.
Retropubic tissue fixation system tensioned mini‐sling carried out under local anesthesia cures stress urinary incontinence and intrinsic sphincter deficiency: 1‐year data
Authors: Nakamura Ryoko , Yao Masahiro , Maeda Yoshiko , Fujisaki Akiko , Sekiguchi Yuki
Published: May 2017

Objectives

To assess the outcomes of the tissue fixation system midurethral sling for the treatment of intrinsic sphincter deficiency.

Methods

We retrospectively studied a total of 96 intrinsic sphincter deficiency patients treated with the tissue fixation system midurethral sling at Yokohama Motomachi Women's Clinic from 2006 to 2015. We evaluated intraoperative and 1‐year postoperative results. Regarding the cure rate, we divided patients into three groups: (i) patients with maximum urethral closure pressure <20 and Valsalva leak point pressure <65 combined (n = 17); (ii) patients with maximum urethral closure pressure <20 (n = 55); and (iii) patients with Valsalva leak point pressure <65 (n = 47).

Results

The median age was 63 years (range 38–89 years). The median operating time including local anesthesia was 24 min (range 12–55 min) and median blood loss was 5.0 mL (range 3–69 mL). All operations were day surgery under local anesthesia. Postoperative pain was minimal. All patients were discharged the same day. There were no intraoperative complications except one bladder perforation. There were no tape rejections. The 1‐year postoperative cure rates were: 88.2% among patients with maximum urethral closure pressure <20 and Valsalva leak point pressure <65, 90.9% for patients with maximum urethral closure pressure <20, and 85.1% among patients with Valsalva leak point pressure <65.

Conclusions

The tissue fixation system midurethral sling operation is a simple, safe and effective operation for older women with intrinsic sphincter deficiency, and it can be carried out under local anesthesia.
Robot‐assisted laparoscopic versus open partial nephrectomy in patients with chronic kidney disease: A propensity score‐matched comparative analysis of surgical outcomes
Authors: Takagi Toshio , Kondo Tsunenori , Tachibana Hidekazu , Iizuka Junpei , Omae Kenji , Kobayashi Hirohito , Yoshida Kazuhiko , Tanabe Kazunari
Published: May 2017

Objectives

To compare surgical outcomes between robot‐assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy and open partial nephrectomy in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Methods

Of 550 patients who underwent partial nephrectomy between 2012 and 2015, 163 patients with T1–2 renal tumors who had an estimated glomerular filtration rate between 30 and 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, and underwent robot‐assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy or open partial nephrectomy were retrospectively analyzed. To minimize selection bias between the two surgical methods, patient variables were adjusted by 1:1 propensity score matching.

Results

The present study included 75 patients undergoing robot‐assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy and 88 undergoing open partial nephrectomy. After propensity score matching, 40 patients were included in each operative group. The mean preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate was 49 mL/min/1.73 m2. The mean ischemia time was 21 min in robot‐assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (warm ischemia) and 35 min in open partial nephrectomy (cold ischemia). Preservation of the estimated glomerular filtration rate 3–6 months postoperatively was not significantly different between robot‐assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy and open partial nephrectomy (92% vs 91%, P = 0.9348). Estimated blood loss was significantly lower in the robot‐assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy group than in the open partial nephrectomy group (104 vs 185 mL, P = 0.0025). The postoperative length of hospital stay was shorter in the robot‐assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy group than in the open partial nephrectomy group (P < 0.0001). The prevalence of Clavien–Dindo grade 3 complications and a negative surgical margin status were not significantly different between the two groups.

Conclusions

In our experience, robot‐assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy and open partial nephrectomy provide similar outcomes in terms of functional preservation and perioperative complications among patients with chronic kidney disease. However, a lower estimated blood loss and shorter postoperative length of hospital stay can be obtained with robot‐assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.
Disturbances in blood flow and ‘medicine's greatest imitator’
Authors: Del Paggio Joseph C. , Bradshaw Scott , Marcotte Laura
Published: May 2017

First described in 1959, intravascular lymphoma (IVL) remains one of the most clinically challenging diagnoses due to its diverse and non‐specific clinical manifestations and evasiveness in detection by standard investigations. Indeed, IVL deserves the title of ‘medicine's greatest imitator’. We highlight a case of IVL where the diagnosis came too late in the clinical course, detected by random skin biopsy. Clinicians should strongly consider this diagnosis in presentations with persistent symptomatology despite appropriate interventions.
Synthetic cannabinoid use in an acute psychiatric inpatient unit
Authors: Clancy Richard Vincent , Hodgson Robert Charles , Kendurkar Arvind , Terry Margarett Ann , Dadd Lawrence , Clancy Donna Maria , Ryan Karen , Hatzistylis Maria , Tinman Benjamin Graham
Published: May 2017

In the present study, we explored the prevalence of new psychoactive substance use by people admitted into an Australian acute public mental health facility specializing in comorbid mental health and substance use. These substances have since been banned from retail outlets, but the pattern of uptake and reasons people use them is informative in terms of motivations and the management of substance use more generally. A cross‐sectional study to explore the use of synthetic cannabis by people admitted to an acute adult mental health unit was undertaken. Associations with diagnostic, service use, and demographic profiles were explored. Fifty‐six percent of people reported having used at least one type of new psychoactive substance, including 53.5% who reported using synthetic cannabis alone, and 18.8% who reported using both synthetic cannabis and other new psychoactive substances. Synthetic cannabis use was not associated with any demographic or diagnostic groups. Legality and availability (43% combined) were common reasons for use, along with the feeling of intoxication (20%). The high prevalence of new psychoactive substance use adds weight to the recommendation that clinicians should routinely screen for substances from the time of admission. Accurate information about these substances is required in order to provide accurate guidance and appropriate interventions to people in their care.
A hybrid heuristic approach to minimize number of tardy jobs in group technology systems
Authors: Bajwa Naeem , Melouk Sharif , Bryant Paul
Published: May 2017

We consider the problem of scheduling jobs on a single machine in a group technology (GT) system with the objective of minimizing the number of tardy jobs without preemption. In this system, we group jobs into families such that jobs within a family have similar processing requirements. Hence, no scheduled setup exists between any two jobs of the same family. However, a sequence‐independent setup time occurs between families. The problem is of practical interest for industries such as plastic manufacturing and metal drawing operations, which often employ a GT setup. This problem has been discussed in the academic literature and shown to be NP‐hard. However, no solution methods have been proposed in the literature. To solve this NP‐hard problem, we develop a hybrid heuristic based on greedy randomized adaptive search procedure (GRASP) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) meta‐heuristics. We conduct extensive experiments with respect to problem size and parameter settings. We benchmark the performance of the hybrid heuristic with a simple GRASP application as well as with optimal solutions. Overall, results show the hybrid heuristic performs very well, finding optimal solutions for 63% of the problem instances.
Short‐term crude oil scheduling with preventive maintenance operations: a fuzzy stochastic programming approach
Authors: Evazabadian Farshid , Arvan Meysam , Ghodsi Reza
Published: May 2017

This paper presents a fuzzy stochastic mathematical model for a short‐term crude oil scheduling problem with preventive maintenance for charging tanks. The objective function of the proposed model minimizes the supply chain total cost. Lost sale is also reflected in the objective function acting as a criterion for the supply chain responsiveness. This study is among the first attempts to consider preventive maintenance operations, unavailability of the charging tanks, and minimizing lost sale for crude oil scheduling problem. The model encounters two types of uncertainty, namely fuzzy and stochastic uncertainty caused by demand, cost, and time parameters. Fuzzy programming and chance constraint method are employed to formulate the nondeterministic model. The model's applicability is illustrated with a case study. Results indicate that in cases where demand is sizable compared to storage volumes and maximum flow rate is sufficiently large, a preventive maintenance system can be scheduled regularly. Furthermore, the performed sensitivity analyses reveal that the problem is more sensitive to demand uncertainty than to cost and time uncertainty.
Contributions of zoos and aquariums to reintroductions: historical reintroduction efforts in the context of changing conservation perspectives
Authors: Gilbert T. , Gardner R. , Kraaijeveld A. R. , Riordan P.
Published: May 2017

The world faces a biodiversity crisis and efforts are needed to protect species from extinction. Reintroductions using source populations from zoos and aquariums offer a technique to re‐establish species in the wild following extinction or population depletion beyond sustainable limits.Ex situpopulations are a potential source for reintroduction projects but many zoos and aquariums do not necessarily maintain globally rare species. We aimed to quantify the contribution zoos and aquariums make to reintroductions, and evaluate how European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) members have contributed to reintroduction projects. Data on the contribution zoos and aquariums make to reintroductions were extracted from theGlobal Re‐introduction Perspectivespublications, and theEAZAmembership was surveyed on historical reintroduction projects. This information was augmented with data fromTheIUCNRed List of Threatened Speciesand Species360 Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS). The majority of species inEAZA‐member institutions were not globally threatened but more than half of the 156 reintroduced species and 260 projects supported byEAZAmembers concerned species that were threatened (i.e. Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable), Near Threatened or Extinct in the Wild. Most species that were not of global conservation concern were locally rare.EAZAmembers provided animals for release, but their greatest contributions to reintroduction projects were funds, staff, expertise and equipment, and project coordination. Zoos and aquariums have an important role to play in reintroductions especially as emphasis shifts away from thein situ–ex situdichotomy and towards integrated conservation management of species.
Thermoregulation in free‐ranging ground woodpeckers Geocolaptes olivaceus: no evidence of torpor
Authors: Kemp Ryno , Noakes Matthew J. , McKechnie Andrew E.
Published: May 2017

Heterothermic responses characterised by pronounced hypometabolism and reductions in body temperature (Tb) are one of the most effective ways in which small endotherms can offset the energetic cost of endothermic homeothermy. It remains unclear, therefore, why daily torpor and hibernation are restricted to only a subset of avian lineages. To further our understanding of the phylogenetic distribution of avian torpor, we investigated winter thermoregulation in the southern African ground woodpecker Geocolaptes olivaceus. We considered this species a good candidate for heterothermy, because it is resident year‐round in mountainous regions with cold winters and reliant on small ectothermic prey. We recorded Tb patterns in free‐ranging individuals and measured Tb and metabolic rates in captive individuals. Neither free‐ranging nor captive woodpeckers showed any indication of daily torpor or even shallow rest‐phase hypothermia. All birds maintained bimodally distributed Tb characteristic of classic endothemic homeothermy, with a mean rest‐phase Tb of 37.9 ± 0.2°C and no data below 37.0°C. The mean circadian amplitude of Tb was 4.2°C, equivalent to approximately twice the expected value. There was some evidence of seasonal acclimatisation in Tb, with a small decrease in rest‐phase Tb with the onset of the austral winter. Captive birds showed patterns of resting metabolic rate and Tb consistent with the classic model of endothermic homeothermy. The apparent absence of torpor in G. olivaceus supports the notion that, unlike the case in mammals, many avian taxa that may a priori be expected to benefit from deep heterothermy do not use it.
A test of the habitat amount hypothesis as an explanation for the species richness of forest bird assemblages
Authors: Torrenta Rémi , Villard Marc‐André
Published: May 2017

Aim

For the past 20 years, researchers have been challenged to demonstrate that the spatial arrangement of habitat patches actually influences the distribution of organisms and the persistence of their populations, beyond the effects of its sheer amount. More recently, it has been argued that habitat amount in the ‘local landscape’ surrounding a site is sufficient to predict species richness (SR) in that site, irrespective of habitat configuration. Here, we tested four predictions derived from the habitat amount hypothesis (HAH).

Location

Eastern Ontario, Canada (c. 44°55′–45°15′ N, 75°10′–75°45′ W).

Methods

Point counts (n = 157) were conducted in five subregions to estimate forest bird SR while accounting for detectability. Surveys were conducted in mature, deciduous‐dominated forest fragments, and landscape structure was quantified at three spatial scales (500, 1000 and 1500 m).

Results

Although we found a significant positive correlation between SR and either fragment area (FA) or habitat amount in the local landscape, predictions emphasizing the dominant influence of habitat amount and the lower influence of FA were either not supported or weakly so.

Main conclusions

Contrary to the HAH, we conclude that habitat amount in the local landscape is not a sufficient predictor of SR on its own. However, we agree with the contention that, in most landscape types, ‘local landscapes’ represent more natural spatial units than habitat fragments or ‘patches’.
Indicators of inappropriate tumour marker use through the mining of electronic health records
Authors: Gion Massimo , Cardinali Giulia , Trevisiol Chiara , Zappa Marco , Rainato Giulia , Fabricio Aline S.C.
Published: May 2017

Rationale, aims, and objectives

Although the issue of monitoring appropriateness of tumour markers (TMs) request in outpatients remains crucial, proper indicators are still demanding. The present study developed and explored indicators of inappropriate TM ordering in outpatients through the data mining of electronic health records (EHRs).

Methods

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), alfa‐fetoprotein (AFP), carbohydrate antigen (CA)125, CA15.3, CA19.9, and prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) ordered in outpatients during a year were examined by mining EHRs of a Local Health Authority in Italy. Evidence‐based criteria were used to develop performance indicators. Demographic and clinical information associated with TM orders were examined.

Results

A total of 80 813 TMs were ordered in 52 536 outpatients (1.54 markers/patient). Indicators related to disease codes, gender, age, and TM repetitions were developed, and their application showed that (1) CA15.3 and CEA are prevalently requested in patients with cancer (79.2% and 65.6%) whereas the other TMs are largely requested also in patients without cancer; (2) requests of PSA in women and of CA125 or CA15.3 in men are negligible; (3) although requests in people older than 80 years are relevant (16.4% of total), the highest rate of request of all markers occurs in patients aged 40 to 79 years; (4) CA15.3 and CEA are mainly requested in cancer cases between 50 and 79 years and AFP, CA19.9, and CA125 in those between 60 and 69 years; (5) <50% of PSA orders are associated with cancer code for all age intervals; and (6) multiple repetitions of AFP, CA125, CA15.3, CA19.9, and CEA are prevalent in cancer patients or benign diseases to which TMs are appropriate, whereas PSA repetitions occur mainly in patients without cancer.

Conclusions

The developed indicators resulted suitable to monitor TM overordering in outpatients through the mining of EHRs. The present study is a first approach towards the use of big‐data mining for TM appropriateness evaluation purposes.
“I Have to Feel Something”: Gringo Love in the Sexual Economy of Tourism in Natal, Brazil
Authors: Carrier‐Moisan Marie‐Eve
Published: May 2017

Baseada em pesquisa etnográfica conduzida em Natal, no nordeste brasileiro, eu examino como o amor com homens estrangeiros, que chamo de amor gringo, foi constituído como um reconhecível tropo emocional de mulheres brasileiras jovens, de baixa renda, negras ou miscigenadas. Eu situo o amor gringo dentro da racializada economia política do amor na região, e demonstro que ele não somente provém de padrões históricos de dependência de amor e sexo para construir elos de reciprocidade para avanços econômicos e sociais, como também sinaliza uma mudança em escala e significado nas práticas sexuais inter‐raciais. Ao contrário de suposições comuns sobre a alienação associada com o trabalho emocional do amor, “sentir algo” proporciona legitimação para engajar com homens estrangeiros e reflete os próprios projetos de auto‐construção das mulheres. Portanto, o amor gringo permite que mulheres se refaçam como sujeitos com mobilidade espacial e vertical, ao mesmo tempo que possibilita perturbar hierarquias locais.
Laser‐preparation of geometrically optimised samples for X‐ray nano‐CT
Authors: BAILEY J.J. , HEENAN T.M.M. , FINEGAN D.P. , LU X. , DAEMI S.R. , IACOVIELLO F. , BACKEBERG N.R. , TAIWO O.O. , BRETT D.J.L. , ATKINSON A. , SHEARING P.R.
Published: May 2017

A robust and versatile sample preparation technique for the fabrication of cylindrical pillars for imaging by X‐ray nano‐computed tomography (nano‐CT) is presented. The procedure employs simple, cost‐effective laser micro‐machining coupled with focused‐ion beam (FIB) milling, when required, to yield mechanically robust samples at the micrometre length‐scale to match the field‐of‐view (FOV) for nano‐CT imaging. A variety of energy and geological materials are exhibited as case studies, demonstrating the procedure can be applied to a variety of materials to provide geometrically optimised samples whose size and shape are tailored to the attenuation coefficients of the constituent phases. The procedure can be implemented for the bespoke preparation of pillars for both lab‐ and synchrotron‐based X‐ray nano‐CT investigations of a wide range of samples.
Therapeutic effect of microneedling and autologous platelet‐rich plasma in the treatment of atrophic scars: A randomized study
Authors: Ibrahim Zeinab A. , El‐Ashmawy Amal A. , Shora Ola A.
Published: May 2017

Background

New treatments and techniques were being added over the last few years to treat atrophic scars with variable results and adverse effects.

Aim of the work

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the therapeutic efficacy and safety of microneedling, autologous platelet‐rich plasma, and combination of both procedures in the treatment of atrophic scars.

Patients and methods

This study included 90 patients with atrophic scars and were classified randomly into three groups: I: 28 patients treated with microneedling, one session every 4 weeks;II: 34 patients treated with intradermal injection of platelet‐rich plasma, one session every 2 weeks; andIII: 28 patients treated with alternative sessions of each microneedling and platelet‐rich plasma, 2 weeks between each session, for a maximum of six sessions.

Results

There was a statistically significant improvement in the appearance of atrophic scars, with reduction in the scores associated with the clinical evaluation scale for atrophic scarring in all groups, but the improvement was more obvious in groupIII.

Conclusions

Although a single treatment may give good results, combination between skin needling and platelet‐rich plasma is more effective, safe with less number of sessions in all types of atrophic scars.
On the Origins of Risk‐Taking in Financial Markets
Authors: BLACK SANDRA E. , DEVEREUX PAUL J. , LUNDBORG PETTER , MAJLESI KAVEH
Published: May 2017

Financial investment behavior is highly correlated between parents and their children. Using Swedish data, we find that the decision of adoptees to hold equities is associated with the behavior of both biological and adoptive parents, implying a role for both genetic and environmental influences. However, we find that nurture has a stronger influence on the share of financial assets invested in equities and on portfolio volatility, suggesting that financial risk‐taking is substantially environmentally determined. The parental investment variables substantially increase the explanatory power of cross‐sectional regressions and so may play an important role in understanding cross‐sectional heterogeneity in investment behavior.
Effects of continuous low dose infusion of lipopolysaccharide on inflammatory responses, milk production and milk quality in dairy cows
Authors: Ning L. T. , Dong G. Z. , Ao C. , Zhang D. G. , Erdene K. , Zhang F. Q. , Wen J. , Zhang T. L.
Published: May 2017

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of continuous low dose infusion of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on inflammatory responses and milk production and quality in lactating dairy cows. Eight Holstein cows were assigned to two treatments in a cross‐over experimental design. Cows were infused intravenously either with saline solution or with saline solution containingLPSfrom Escherichia coli O111:B4 at a dose of 0.01 μgLPS/kg body weight for approximately 6 hr each day during a seven‐day trial. The clinical symptoms and milk production performance were observed. Milk samples were analysed for conventional components, fatty acids and amino acids. And jugular vein and mammary vein plasma samples were analysed for concentrations of cytokines and acute phase proteins.LPSinfusion decreased feed intake and milk yield. An increase in body temperature was observed afterLPSinfusion.LPSinfusion also increased plasma concentrations of interleukin‐1β, serum amyloid A,LPS‐binding protein, C‐reactive protein and haptoglobin.LPSinfusion decreased the contents of some fatty acids, such as C17:1, C18:0, C18:1n9 (trans) and C18:2n6 (trans), and most amino acids except for methionine, threonine, histidine, cysteine, tyrosine and proline in the milk. The results indicated that a continued low dose infusion ofLPScan induce an inflammatory response, decrease milk production and reduce milk quality.
Xanthophylls increased HDLC level and nuclear factor PPARγ, RXRγ and RARα expression in hens and chicks
Authors: Gao Y.‐Y. , Jin L. , Peng H. , Xu L.‐H. , Wang Q.‐X. , Ji J. , Wang C.‐K. , Bi Y.‐Z.
Published: May 2017

This study was designed to investigate effects of xanthophylls on serum lipid profile (triglyceride, TG; cholesterol, CHO; high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, HDLC; and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, LDLC) and nuclear factor (peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma, PPARγ; PPAR gamma coactivator 1 alpha, PGC1α; retinoid X receptor gamma, RXRγ; and retinoic acid receptor alpha, RARα) gene expression of breeding hens and chicks. In experiment 1, 432 hens were divided into three groups and fed diets supplemented with 0 (as control group), 20 or 40 mg/kg xanthophylls. Blood was sampled at 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days of trial. Liver, duodenum, jejunum and ileum were sampled at 35 days of trial. Results showed that serum HDLC level of hens was increased after dietary 40 mg/kg xanthophyll addition for 21, 28 and 35 days, while serum TG, CHO and LDLC were not affected. Xanthophyll addition also increased PPARγ expression in jejunum, RXRγ expression in duodenum and jejunum, and RARα expression in liver and duodenum. Experiment 2 was a 2 × 2 factorial design. Male chicks hatched from 0 or 40 mg/kg xanthophyll diet of hens were fed diet containing either 0 or 40 mg/kg xanthophylls. Liver, duodenum, jejunum and ileum were sampled at 0, 7, 14 and 21 days after hatching. Blood samples were also collected at 21 days. Results showed that in ovo xanthophylls elevated PPARγ in duodenum and jejunum, and RXRγ and RARα in liver of chicks mainly within 1 week after hatching, while dietary xanthophylls increased serum HDLC level and PPARγ and RXRγ in liver from 2 weeks onwards. In conclusion, our research suggested xanthophylls can regulate serum lipid profile and nuclear factor expression in hens and chicks.
On controlling chaos in a discrete‐time Walrasian tâtonnement process
Authors: Naimzada Ahmad K. , Sordi Serena
Published: May 2017

The simple pure exchange model with two individuals and two goods introduced by Day and Pianigiani in 1991, later extensively analyzed by Day and taken up again by Mukherji, is discussed and extended with the purpose of showing that chaos in a discrete tâtonnement process of this kind can be controlled if the auctioneer uses a smooth, non‐linear formulation of the price evolution process such that the price adjustment is a sigmoid‐shaped function of the excess demand, with given lower and upper limits. In particular, we show that, given the price adjustment speed and the excess demand function, the auctioneer can (a) stabilize the dynamics, (b) reduce the complexity of the attractor and (c) increase the economic significance of the adjustment process by simply acting on the lower and/or upper limits that constrain price dynamics.
Controls on upper Campanian–Maastrichtian chalk deposition in the eastern Danish Basin
Authors: Boussaha Myriam , Thibault Nicolas , Anderskouv Kresten , Moreau Julien , Stemmerik Lars
Published: May 2017

Detailed facies analysis of a 350 m long core of upper Campanian–Maastrichtian chalk at Stevns Peninsula, eastern Denmark, shows that four mudstone and wackestone chalk facies account for close to 95% of the succession, and that bioturbated mudstone chalk alone accounts for nearly 55% of the sediment. Sedimentation took place in deep water, below the photic zone and storm‐wave base, and is characterized by decimetre to metre‐scale variations in facies and trace fossil assemblages indicating repeated shifts in depositional environment. Integration of facies with published data on sea‐surface temperature and accumulation rates suggests that sea‐surface temperature is the most important parameter in controlling stratification of the water column and thereby, indirectly, the observed variations in depositional facies. However, bioturbated mudstone chalk occurs in all stratigraphic levels independent of accumulation rates and sea temperatures and is interpreted to represent a very broad set of deep water environmental conditions with an ample supply of calcareous nannofossil debris and intense bioturbation. Longer term shifts in deposition are best expressed by distribution of clay, flint and bioturbated micro‐wackestone, bioturbated wackestone and laminated mudstone chalk facies, whereas the trace fossil assemblages appear less useful. The data set indicates overall shallowing over time with two distinctive events of clay influx to the basin during the late Campanian–earliest Maastrichtian and late Maastrichtian.
Setting Ambitious yet Achievable Targets Using Probabilistic Projections: Meeting Demand for Family Planning
Authors: Kantorová Vladimíra , New Jin Rou , Biddlecom Ann , Alkema Leontine
Published: May 2017

In 2015, governments adopted 17 internationally agreed goals to ensure progress and well‐being in the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. These new goals present a challenge for countries to set empirical targets that are ambitious yet achievable and that can account for different starting points and rates of progress. We used probabilistic projections of family planning indicators, based on a global data set and Bayesian hierarchical modeling, to generate illustrative targets at the country level. Targets were defined as the percentage of demand for family planning satisfied with modern contraceptive methods where a country has at least a 10 percent chance of reaching the target by 2030. National targets for 2030 ranged from below 50 percent of demand satisfied with modern contraceptives (for three countries in Africa) to above 90 percent (for 41 countries from all major areas of the world). The probabilistic approach also identified countries for which a global fixed target value of 75 percent demand satisfied was either unambitious or has little chance of achievement. We present the web‐based Family Planning Estimation Tool (FPET) enabling national decision makers to compute and assess targets for meeting family planning demand.
More Than Words: The Role of Multiword Sequences in Language Learning and Use
Authors: Christiansen Morten H. , Arnon Inbal
Published: May 2017

The ability to convey our thoughts using an infinite number of linguistic expressions is one of the hallmarks of human language. Understanding the nature of the psychological mechanisms and representations that give rise to this unique productivity is a fundamental goal for the cognitive sciences. A long‐standing hypothesis is that single words and rules form the basic building blocks of linguistic productivity, with multiword sequences being treated as units only in peripheral cases such as idioms. The new millennium, however, has seen a shift toward construing multiword linguistic units not as linguistic rarities, but as important building blocks for language acquisition and processing. This shift—which originated within theoretical approaches that emphasize language learning and use—has far‐reaching implications for theories of language representation, processing, and acquisition. Incorporating multiword units as integral building blocks blurs the distinction between grammar and lexicon; calls for models of production and comprehension that can accommodate and give rise to the effect of multiword information on processing; and highlights the importance of such units to learning. In this special topic, we bring together cutting‐edge work on multiword sequences in theoretical linguistics, first‐language acquisition, psycholinguistics, computational modeling, and second‐language learning to present a comprehensive overview of the prominence and importance of such units in language, their possible role in explaining differences between first‐ and second‐language learning, and the challenges the combined findings pose for theories of language.
Determination of threshold concentrations of plant pollens in intradermal testing using fluorescein in clinically healthy nonallergic cats
Authors: Scholz Fiona M. , Burrows Amanda K. , Griffin Craig E. , Muse Russell
Published: May 2017

Background

Currently the same allergen concentrations for canine intradermal testing (IDT) are recommended for felineIDT. Feline skin reactions are subtle and more difficult to read than canine reactions. This difference may be due to suboptimal allergen concentrations used forIDTin cats.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To determine the irritant threshold concentration (ITC) of 16 pollen allergens using serial dilutions of allergen and intravenous fluorescein. The hypothesis tested was that felineIDTcurrently is performed at suboptimal allergen concentrations for pollens.

Animals

Twenty privately owned healthy clinically nonallergic cats.

Methods

IDTwas performed in duplicate using 16 pollen allergens (weeds, grasses and trees) at a dilution of 8000PNU/mL. Two blinded investigators graded the test reactions independently using subjective and objective criteria. Intravenous fluorescein was then administered and the test reactions were re‐evaluated.IDTwas repeated for any allergen that was positive, using serial dilutions of allergen at a concentration of 6000 and 4000PNU/mL.

Results

TheITCfor 2 of 16 of the allergens was determined. TheITCofCynodon dactylon(Bermuda grass) andSchinusspp. (Peppercorn) was determined to be between 6000 and 8000PNU/mL. TheITCof all other allergens tested in this study was >8000PNU/mL.

Conclusions and clinical importance

This study confirms that suboptimal allergen concentrations currently are used for felineIDTas theITCis >8000PNU/mL for 14 of 16 of the grass, weed and tree pollens evaluated. TheITCofCynodon dactylonandSchinusspp. was determined to be between 6000 and 8000PNU/mL.
Do Students Get Enough Information Systems Education in the Business Core?
Authors: Fustos Janos T. , Morris Gerard J. , Haga Wayne A.
Published: May 2017

Information Systems/Technology is a key component in today’s business infrastructures with a myriad of ever-increasing and innovative applications fuelling the drive for competitive advantage. Therefore information systems education should be a critical element in business schools programs today to appropriately prepare students to be competitive. As our university was seeking AACSB accreditation we wanted to investigate what other programs were doing for the information systems area in the business core. Therefore data was acquired from 61 peer institutions, 89% of which are AACSB-accredited. Data about the components of the business core were collected from the university websites and analysed to determine the amount of the business core curriculum devoted to information systems. Analysis indicates that 85% of the peer institutions had one information systems course and only three percent had two information systems courses.
The Effect of Naturally Developing Roughness on the Mass Transfer in Pipes Under Different Reynolds Numbers
Authors: Wang D. , Ewing D. , Ching C. Y.
Published: May 2017

The local mass transfer over dissolving surfaces was measured at pipe Reynolds number of 50,000, 100,000, and 200,000. Tests were run at multiple time periods for each Reynolds number using 203 mm diameter test sections that had gypsum linings dissolving to water in a closed flow loop at a Schmidt number of 1200. The local mass transfer was calculated from the decrease in thickness of the gypsum lining that was measured using X-ray-computed tomography (CT) scans. The range of Sherwood numbers for the developing roughness in the pipe was in good agreement with the previous studies. The mass transfer enhancement (Sh/Shs) was dependent on both the height (ep−v) and spacing (λstr) of the roughness scallops. For the developing roughness, two periods of mass transfer were present: (i) an initial period of rapid increase in enhancement when the density of scallops increases till the surface is spatially saturated with the scallops and (ii) a slower period of increase in enhancement beyond this point, where the streamwise spacing is approximately constant, and the roughness height grows more rapidly. The mass transfer enhancement was found to correlate well with the parameter (ep−v/λstr)0.2, with a weak dependence on Reynolds number.
Ab initio investigation of supported Au–Mn nanowires
Authors: Tsysar K. M. , Kolesnikov S. V. , Sitnikov I. I. , Saletsky A. M.
Published: May 2017

We present an ab initio study of surface supported Au–Mn nanowires. Three different substrates are discussed: Cu(110), stepped Cu(111) and Si(001) surface. The emergence of stable antiferromagnetic (AFM) solutions in Au–Mn nanowires was found in all three cases. We found the nonzero magnetic moments of Mn atoms, however, the bulk of manganese is paramagnetic. The critical temperature of the Au–Mn wires is calculated by means of kinetic Monte Carlo simulation. The strong size-effect of the critical temperature is demonstrated.
Thermo vacuum state for Gaussian-enhanced chaotic light
Authors: Wu Wei-Feng , Fan Hong-Yi
Published: May 2017

In nature, there exists superposition of Gaussian light and chaotic light, so we introduce the density operator for describing the Gaussian-enhanced chaotic light (GECL). By virtue of the method of integration within ordered product (IWOP) of operators, we derive its normalization constant. Then, by virtue of the partial trace method, we derive its thermo vacuum state and this may greatly simplify the calculation of photon number average and quantum fluctuation in GECL. It is demonstrated that the second-order degree of coherence of GECL is larger than 2.
X-ray Guided Steroid Injections for Proximal Interphalangeal Joint Osteoarthritis of the Fingers
Authors: Miller Clare A. , Dalgleish Stephen , Cox Quentin
Published: May 2017

Background: Osteoarthritis of the finger proximal interphalangeal joints (PIPJ's) is common and severely limits hand function. Intra-articular steroid injections are frequently used, but there is little research assessing this treatment option.

Methods: This was a prospective audit of patients undergoing intra-articular steroid injections into the PIPJ under image intensifier guidance. The aims were to assess the duration of pain relief, hand function and range of movement following this procedure. Fifty injected joints were followed up at six weeks, three and six months.

Results: There were significant improvements in both pain scores and the range of movement for up to three months. Analgesia requirements decreased and hand function improved up to three months. By six months, patients were approaching their preinjection scores.

Conclusions: X-ray guided injections are a simple procedure which can be effectively performed in the out- patient setting, resulting in satisfied patients with improved hand function and pain scores.
Fabrication, Structural Characterization and Optical Properties of Oversized ZnO Microwires
Authors: Yan S. S. , Zhang H. , Azad Fahad , Su S. C.
Published: May 2017

In this paper, large-sized ZnO microwires (MWs) were successfully synthesized without using any catalyst, following a simple chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. Highly crystalline ZnO MWs of several hundred micrometers length having diameter in the range of 10–40[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m were obtained. The synthesized MWs showed a hexagonal cross-sectional morphology and the longest MW was found to be 1[Formula: see text]mm long. The structural and optical properties of an individual large sized ZnO MWs were studied. Temperature-dependent photoluminescence (PL) spectra showed emissions for free excitons (FX) and donor-bound excitons (D0X) and decomposition of the D0X into FX was observed beyond 140[Formula: see text]K. The whispering gallery mode (WGM) lasing in an individual ZnO MW was achieved and also confirmed by two-dimensional finite difference time domain (2D-FDTD) method. These oversized ZnO MWs may find potential applications as WGM resonant cavities and optical waveguides.
Dielectric response and percolation behavior of Ni–P(VDF–TrFE) nanocomposites
Authors: Zhang Lin , Bass Patrick , Wang Guan , Tong Yang , Xu Zhuo , Cheng Z.-Y.
Published: May 2017

Conductor–dielectric 0–3 nanocomposites using spherical nickel nanoparticles as filler and poly(vinylidene fluoride–trifluoroethylene) 70/30[Formula: see text]mol.% as matrix are prepared using a newly developed process that combines a solution cast and a hot-pressing method with a unique configuration and creates a uniform microstructure in the composites. The uniform microstructure results in a high percolation threshold [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text] vol.%). The dielectric properties of the nanocomposites at different frequencies over a temperature range from [Formula: see text]70[Formula: see text]C to 135[Formula: see text]C are studied. The results indicate that the composites exhibit a lower electrical conductivity than the polymer matrix. It is found that the nanocomposites can exhibit an ultra-high dielectric constant, more than 1500 with a loss of about 1.0 at 1[Formula: see text]kHz, when the Ni content (53 vol.%) is close to percolation threshold. For the nanocomposites with 50 vol.% Ni particles, a dielectric constant more than 600 with a loss less than 0.2 is achieved. It is concluded that the loss including high loss is dominated by polarization process rather than the electrical conductivity. It is also found that the appearance of Ni particles has a strong influence on the crystallization process in the polymer matrix so that the polymer is converted from a typical ferroelectric to a relaxor ferroelectric. It is also demonstrated that the widely used relationship between the dielectric constant and the composition of the composites may not be valid.