bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cure kinetics characterization of soy‐based epoxy resins for infusion moulding process
Authors: Subbiah Rajkumar , Tjong Jimi , Nayak Sanjay K. , Sain Mohini
Published: April 2016

This study presents the kinetics of the reaction of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) based epoxy resin in the presence of epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) cured with triethylene tetramine (TETA). An isothermal differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) study is carried out to propose a model to analyze the cure kinetics of bio‐based resin. The proposed model is also compared with the Kamal model. The results clearly highlight that the proposed model attains a reasonable percentage of improvement in predicting cure data. Adding ESO to the conventional system decreases the reaction enthalpy and increases the activation energy of the system. The outcome of the study confirms the feasibility of the proposed material system for an infusion process. Further, tensile property improvement is obtained through using an infusion process for the proposed material system.
Trihalomethanes minimization in drinking water by coagulation/flocculation/sedimentation with natural coagulant Moringa oleifera Lam and activated carbon filtration
Authors: dos Santos Tássia Rhuna Tonial , Bongiovani Milene Carvalho , Silva Marcela Fernandes , Nishi Letícia , Coldebella Priscila Ferri , Vieira Marcelo Fernandes , Bergamasco Rosângela
Published: April 2016

Water treatment plants are designed to remove turbidity and apparent colour, and produce safe water from a microbiological and chemical point of view. Disinfection is the step responsible for the microbiological security, for which chlorine is the most widely‐used agent, since it can react with organic matter present in raw water to form total trihalomethanes (TTHM), which are harmful to humans. In this context, it is proposed to evaluate the effectiveness of the combined process of coagulation, flocculation, and sedimentation (C/F/S) followed by an activated carbon column. The water for the tests was from the Pirapó River (Brazil) with low colour and turbidity. In C/F/S tests, natural coagulant solutions from Moringa oleifera (MO) degreased with ethanol (MO(et)) and hexane (MO(hex)) were compared to coagulant aluminum polychloride (PAC) with further filtration in an activated carbon column. For all these tests, removal efficiency of apparent colour, turbidity, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and compounds with UV254nm absorption (UV254nm) were evaluated. The disinfection process was performed and residual chlorine and TTHM formation were evaluated. It was observed that the process of C/F/S using MO(et) followed by filtration through activated carbon was able to reduce the values ​​of physicochemical parameters (96 % removal for turbidity and apparent colour, 93 % for UV254nm, and 99 % for DOC) with reduced formation of TTHM (25.31 μg/L). Moreover, oil extraction with ethanol presents advantages over hexane due to being a solvent with good operational security, low toxicity, and being a bio‐renewable source, all characteristics not present in hexane.
The role of sexuality symptoms in myeloproliferative neoplasm symptom burden and quality of life: An analysis by the MPN QOL International Study Group
Authors: Geyer Holly L. , Andreasson Bjorn , Kosiorek Heidi E. , Dueck Amylou C. , Scherber Robyn M. , Martin Kari A. , Butler Kristina A. , Harrison Claire N. , Radia Deepti H. , Cervantes Francisco , Kiladjian Jean‐Jacques , Reiter Andreas , Birgegard Gunnar , Passamonti Francesco , Senyak Zhenya , Vannucchi Alessandro M. , Paoli Chiara , Xiao Zhijian , Samuelsson Jan , Mesa Ruben A.
Published: April 2016

BACKGROUND

Patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) including polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, and myelofibrosis, are faced with oppressive symptom profiles that compromise daily functioning and quality of life. Among these symptoms, sexuality‐related symptoms have emerged as particularly prominent and largely unaddressed. In the current study, the authors evaluated how sexuality symptoms from MPN relate to other patient characteristics, disease features, treatments, and symptoms.

METHODS

A total of 1971 patients with MPN (827 with essential thrombocythemia, 682 with polycythemia vera, 456 with myelofibrosis, and 6 classified as other) were prospectively evaluated and patient responses to the Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Symptom Assessment Form (MPN‐SAF) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC‐QLQ C30) were collected, along with information regarding individual disease characteristics and laboratory data. Sexuality scores were compared with an age‐matched, healthy control population.

RESULTS

Overall, patients with MPN were found to have greater sexual dysfunction compared with the healthy population (MPN‐SAF score of 3.6 vs 2.0; P<.001), with 64% of patients with MPN describing some degree of sexual dysfunction and 43% experiencing severe symptoms. The presence of sexual symptoms correlated closely with all domains of patient functionality (physical, social, cognitive, emotional, and role functioning) and were associated with a reduced quality of life. Sexual problems also were found to be associated with other MPN symptoms, particularly depression and nocturnal and microvascular‐related symptoms. Sexual dysfunction was more severe in patients aged >65 years and in those with cytopenias and transfusion requirements, and those receiving certain therapies such as immunomodulators or steroids.

Conclusions

The results of the current study identify the topic of sexuality as a prominent issue for the MPN population, and this area would appear to benefit from additional investigation and management. Cancer 2016;122:1888–96. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
Petroleum biomarkers as tracers of Exxon Valdez oil
Authors: Carls Mark G. , Holland Larry , Irvine Gail V. , Mann Daniel H. , Lindeberg Mandy
Published: April 2016

Over the past quarter century, petroleum biomarkers have persisted in sequestered Exxon Valdez oil in Prince William Sound and the Gulf of Alaska (USA), and hence the oil has remained identifiable. These biomarkers are molecular fossils derived from biochemicals in previously living organisms. Novel pattern matching indicated the presence of Alaska North Slope crude oil (ANSCO) over the entire observation period at most sites (7 of 9) and distinguished this source from several other potential sources. The presence of ANSCO was confirmed with Nordtest forensics, demonstrating the veracity of the new method. The principal advantage of the new method is that it provides sample-specific identification, whereas the Nordtest approach is based on multisample statistics. Biomarkers were conserved relative to other constituents, and thus concentrations (per g oil) in initial beach samples were greater than those in fresh oil because they were lost more slowly than more labile oil constituents such as straight-chain alkanes and aromatic hydrocarbons. However, biomarker concentrations consistently declined thereafter (1989–2014), although loss varied substantially among and within sites. Isoprenoid loss was substantially greater than tricyclic triterpane, hopane, and sterane loss. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2683–2690. © 2016 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of SETAC. This article is a US government work and as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.
Antioxidant and detoxification responses of oysters Crassostrea hongkongensis in a multimetal-contaminated estuary
Authors: Liu Xuan , Wang Wen-Xiong
Published: April 2016

The contaminated oysters discovered in the Pearl River Estuary (Guangdong province, China) contained high levels of metals in their tissues, especially Cu and Zn, indicating that this large and densely urbanized estuary in Southern China suffers from serious metal pollution. The present study aimed to investigate the impacts of multimetal pollution in the Pearl River Estuary on oyster antioxidant and detoxification systems. The responses of various biochemical biomarkers in the ecologically important oyster Crassostrea hongkongensis collected from 7 sites in the Pearl River Estuary were quantified. Significant correlations were demonstrated between the accumulation of Cu and Zn and oxidative stress (lipid peroxidation) and oxidative stress defenses (catalase, glutathione peroxidase) in the oyster gills. Significant correlations between the accumulation of Cd and Cu and detoxification (glutathione and glutathione transferase) in the gills were also documented. Interestingly, metallothionein concentrations were positively correlated with Cd, but negatively correlated with Cu, Ni, and Zn concentrations in the gills. These measurements indicated that Cu in the Pearl River Estuary induced various biochemical responses in the oysters and influenced the susceptibility of oysters to environmental stress. The present study has provided the first evidence of antioxidant and detoxification responses in native contaminated oysters from a field environment seriously contaminated by metals. Coupling biomarkers with tissue metal concentration measurements was a promising approach to identify the metals causing biological impacts in a multimetal-contaminated estuary. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2798–2805. © 2016 SETAC
Assessment of hazard metrics for predicting field benthic invertebrate toxicity in the Detroit River, Ontario, Canada
Authors: McPhedran Kerry N , Grgicak-Mannion Alice , Paterson Gord , Briggs Ted , Ciborowski Jan JH , Haffner G Douglas , Drouillard Ken G
Published: April 2016

Numerical sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) are frequently used to interpret site-specific sediment chemistry and predict potential toxicity to benthic communities. These SQGs are useful for a screening line of evidence (LOE) that can be combined with other LOEs in a full weight of evidence (WOE) assessment of impacted sites. Three common multichemical hazard quotient methods (probable effect concentration [PEC]-Qavg, PEC-Qmet, and PEC-Qsum) and a novel (hazard score [HZD]) approach were used in conjunction with a consensus-based set of SQGs to evaluate the ability of different scoring metrics to predict the biological effects of sediment contamination under field conditions. Multivariate analyses were first used to categorize river sediments into distinct habitats based on a set of physicochemical parameters to include gravel, low and high flow sand, and silt. For high flow sand and gravel, no significant dose–response relationships between numerically dominant species and various toxicity metric scores were observed. Significant dose–response relationships were observed for chironomid abundances and toxicity scores in low flow sand and silt habitats. For silt habitats, the HZD scoring metric provided the best predictor of chironomid abundances compared to various PEC-Q methods according to goodness-of-fit tests. For low flow sand habitats, PEC-Qsum followed by HZD, provided the best predictors of chironomid abundance. Differences in apparent chironomid toxicity between the 2 habitats suggest habitat-specific differences in chemical bioavailability and indicator taxa sensitivity. Using an IBI method, the HZD, PEC-Qavg, and PEC-Qmet approaches provided reasonable correlations with calculated IBI values in both silt and low flow sand habitats but not for gravel or high flow sands. Computation differences between the various multi-chemical toxicity scoring metrics and how this contributes to bias in different estimates of chemical mixture toxicity scores are discussed and compared. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2017;13:410–422. © 2016 SETAC

Key Points

Field assessment of multichemical hazard metrics for predicting benthic invertebrate toxicity in the Detroit River, Ontario, Canada. Multivariate analyses were used to categorize river sediments into distinct habitats based on various physicochemical parameters. Significant dose-response relationships were observed for Chironomid abundances and toxicity scores in 2 habitats. Differences in Chironomid toxicity suggest habitat specific differences in chemical bioavailability and indicator taxa sensitivity.
Prenatal caprine milk oligosaccharide consumption affects the development of mice offspring
Authors: Thum Caroline , McNabb Warren C. , Young Wayne , Cookson Adrian L. , Roy Nicole C.
Published: April 2016

Scope

The composition of the gastrointestinal (GIT) microbiota, particularly in early life, influences the development of metabolic diseases later in life. The maternal microbiota is the main source of bacteria colonising the infant GIT and can be modified by dietary prebiotics. Our objective was to determine the effects of prenatal consumption of prebiotic caprine milk oligosaccharides (CMO) on the large intestine of female mice, milk composition, and offspring's development.

Methods and results

C57BL/6 mice were fed either a control diet, CMO diet, or galacto‐oligosaccharide diet from mating to weaning. From weaning, some pups nursed by CMO, GOS, and control‐dams were fed the control diet for 30 days. CMO or GOS‐fed dams had increased colon length and milk protein concentration compared to control‐fed dams. At weaning, pups from CMO‐fed dams had increased body weight and colon length and increased proportions of colonic Bifidobacterium spp compared to the pups from control‐fed dams. Thirty days after weaning, pups from CMO‐fed dams had increased visceral fat weight compared to pups from control‐fed dams.

Conclusion

Consumption of CMO by the dams during gestation and lactation improved the development of the pups, and the relative abundance of bifidobacteria and butyric acid in the colon, at weaning.
Basis mapping methods for forward and inverse problems
Authors: Schweiger Martin , Arridge Simon
Published: April 2016

This paper describes a novel method for mapping between basis representation of a field variable over a domain in the context of numerical modelling and inverse problems. In the numerical solution of inverse problems, a continuous scalar or vector field over a domain may be represented in different finite‐dimensional basis approximations, such as an unstructured mesh basis for the numerical solution of the forward problem, and a regular grid basis for the representation of the solution of the inverse problem. Mapping between the basis representations is generally lossy, and the objective of the mapping procedure is to minimise the errors incurred. We present in this paper a novel mapping mechanism that is based on a minimisation of theL2orH1norm of the difference between the two basis representations. We provide examples of mapping in 2D and 3D problems, between an unstructured mesh basis representative of an FEM approximation, and different types of structured basis including piecewise constant and linear pixel basis, and blob basis as a representation of the inverse basis. A comparison with results from a simple sampling‐based mapping algorithm shows the superior performance of the method proposed here. © 2016 The Authors. International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
An interpolation‐based fast multipole method for higher‐order boundary elements on parametric surfaces
Authors: Dölz Jürgen , Harbrecht Helmut , Peters Michael
Published: April 2016

In this article, a black‐box higher‐order fast multipole method for solving boundary integral equations on parametric surfaces in three spatial dimensions is proposed. Such piecewise smooth surfaces are the topic of recent studies in isogeometric analysis. Due to the exact surface representation, the rate of convergence of higher‐order methods is not limited by approximation errors of the surface. An element‐wise clustering strategy yields a balanced cluster tree and an efficient numerical integration scheme for the underlying Galerkin method. By performing the interpolation for the fast multipole method directly on the reference domain, the cost complexity in the polynomial degree is reduced by one order. This gain is independent of the application of either
‐ or
‐matrices. In fact, several simplifications in the construction of
‐matrices are pointed out, which are a by‐product of the surface representation. Extensive numerical examples are provided in order to quantify and qualify the proposed method. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structures, Challenges, and Successes of Volunteer Programs Co‐managed by Nonprofit and Public Organizations
Authors: Follman Joe , Cseh Maria , Brudney Jeffrey L.
Published: April 2016

This article presents a mixed‐methods, multicase study and comparison of volunteer programs in US national parks that have evolved, in response to growth and fiscal pressures, to be co‐managed by national park staff and their nonprofit support partners. Findings detail why and how the expanded partnerships were formed; how they operate; challenges they face; ways in which they adhere to, stretch, and depart from theories of nonprofit management, collaboration, and program institutionalization; and the significant—even exponential—volunteer program growth that resulted in each case.

These nonprofit−public volunteer program partnerships—at Acadia, Arches and ­Canyonlands, Cuyahoga Valley, Golden Gate, the National Mall, and Yosemite national park sites—employ many standard forms of interorganizational relations, even though in these cases the nonprofits give money to the government organization instead of the reverse. Their volunteer program and management structures also share similar elements because of coercive, normative, and mimetic pressures. At the same time, each volunteer program partnership is a distinct blend of collaboration and management practices because of the unique natural features, climate, needs, adjacent populations, and personalities of leaders at each site. The cases employ innovative strategies to substantially increase the number of staff who lead volunteer programs. Recommendations are offered for nonprofit management research and practice, and findings are instructive for organizations that utilize volunteers either as a single entity or as part of a collaboration.
The involvement of erythrocyte metabolism in organismal homeostasis in health and disease
Authors: Bosman Giel J. C. G. M.
Published: April 2016

Historically, study of erythrocyte homeostasis has focussed on the survival of erythrocytes in the blood bank and, especially in pathological circumstances, on the mechanisms leading to accelerated aging and removal from the circulation. Recent proteomic and metabolomic data suggest that erythrocyte metabolism involves more than ATP production and transport of oxygen and carbondioxide; is subject to regulation; and is likely to reflect organismal metabolism. Also, it has become clear that systemic diseases affect erythrocyte homeostasis. The perspectives emerging from these data include new possibilities to manipulate erythrocyte function and survival in vivo, and thereby organismal homeostasis.
A miR-372/let-7 Axis Regulates Human Germ Versus Somatic Cell Fates
Authors: Tran Nam D. , Kissner Michael , Subramanyam Deepa , Parchem Ronald J. , Laird Diana J. , Blelloch Robert H.
Published: April 2016

The embryonic stem cell cycle (ESCC) and let-7 families of miRNAs function antagonistically in the switch between mouse embryonic stem cell self-renewal and somatic differentiation. Here, we report that the human ESCC miRNA miR-372 and let-7 act antagonistically in germline differentiation from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). hESC and iPSC-derived primordial germ cell-like cells (PGCLCs) expressed high levels of miR-372 and conversely, somatic cells expressed high levels of let-7. Manipulation of miRNA levels by introduction of miRNA mimics or knockdown with miRNA sponges demonstrated that miR-372 promotes whereas let-7 antagonizes PGCLC differentiation. Knockdown of the individual miR-372 targets SMARCC1, MECP2, CDKN1, RBL2, RHOC, and TGFBR2 increased PGCLC production, whereas knockdown of the let-7 targets CMYC and NMYC suppressed PGCLC differentiation. These findings uncover a miR-372/let-7 axis regulating human primordial germ cell (PGC) specification.
Detection of Alzheimer's disease at mild cognitive impairment and disease progression using autoantibodies as blood‐based biomarkers
Authors: DeMarshall Cassandra A. , Nagele Eric P. , Sarkar Abhirup , Acharya Nimish K. , Godsey George , Goldwaser Eric L. , Kosciuk Mary , Thayasivam Umashanger , Han Min , Belinka Benjamin , Nagele Robert G. ,   Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: April 2016

Introduction

There is an urgent need to identify biomarkers that can accurately detect and diagnose Alzheimer's disease (AD). Autoantibodies are abundant and ubiquitous in human sera and have been previously demonstrated as disease‐specific biomarkers capable of accurately diagnosing mild‐moderate stages of AD and Parkinson's disease.

Methods

Sera from 236 subjects, including 50 mild cognitive impairment (MCI) subjects with confirmed low CSF Aβ42 levels, were screened with human protein microarrays to identify potential biomarkers for MCI. Autoantibody biomarker performance was evaluated using Random Forest and Receiver Operating Characteristic curves.

Results

Autoantibody biomarkers can differentiate MCI patients from age‐matched and gender‐matched controls with an overall accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of 100.0%. They were also capable of differentiating MCI patients from those with mild‐moderate AD and other neurologic and non‐neurologic controls with high accuracy.

Discussion

Autoantibodies can be used as noninvasive and effective blood‐based biomarkers for early diagnosis and staging of AD.
“It's about the Why”: Social Studies Teachers’ Perceptions and Pedagogy of Common Core Literacy Integration
Authors: Nowell Shanedra D.
Published: April 2016

This qualitative research study explores how social studies teachers in one urban Oklahoma school district perceived Common Core State Standards (CCSS) by examining the ways they implemented the new Common Core-based state social studies curriculum standards and exploring the perceived outcomes from new standards and teaching strategies. Through stories and classroom observations, three social studies teachers shared thoughts on the newly adopted curriculum standards, their concerns over testing and other planned assessments, and the activities they do in their social studies classes in order to meet the increased expectations of writing and analysis under Common Core.
Provoked Vestibulodynia: Does Pain Intensity Correlate with Sexual Dysfunction and Dissatisfaction?
Authors: Aerts Leen , Bergeron Sophie , Pukall Caroline F. , Khalifé Samir
Published: April 2016

Introduction

Provoked vestibulodynia (PVD) is suspected to be the most frequent cause of vulvodynia in premenopausal women. Previous research has been inconclusive as to whether higher vulvovaginal pain ratings are associated with lower sexual function and satisfaction in women with PVD. Whether pain intensity correlates with sexual impairment is an important question given its implications for treatment recommendations.

Aim

To examine the associations among self-reported and objective pain measurements, sexual function, and sexual satisfaction in a large combined clinical and community sample of premenopausal women diagnosed with PVD.

Methods

Ninety-eight women with PVD underwent a cotton-swab test, a vestibular friction pain measurement, and a vestibular pressure-pain threshold measurement. In addition to sociodemographics, participants completed measurements of pain, sexual function, and sexual satisfaction.

Main Outcome Measures

Self-report measurements were the pain numerical rating scale (0–10), the McGill-Melzack Pain Questionnaire, the Female Sexual Function Index, and the Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction. Objective measurements were pain during a cotton-swab test, pain during a vestibular friction procedure, and the vestibular pressure-pain threshold measurement.

Results

Age and relationship duration were significantly correlated with the Female Sexual Function Index total score (r = −0.31, P < .01; and r = −0.22, P < .05, respectively). When controlling for age, intercourse-related pain intensity, pain during the cotton-swab test, pain during vestibular friction, the vestibular pressure-pain threshold, and the McGill-Melzack Pain Questionnaire sensory and affective subscale scores were not significantly associated with sexual function and satisfaction in women with PVD.

Conclusion

The findings show that in women with PVD, self-report and objective pain ratings are not associated with sexual function and satisfaction. The results support the biopsychosocial nature of PVD and underscore the importance of a patient-focused multidisciplinary treatment approach for PVD
Ansiedad y fuentes de estrés académico en estudiantes de carreras de la salud
Authors: Castillo Pimienta Carlos , Chacón de la Cruz Tomás , Díaz-Véliz Gabriela
Published: April 2016

Introducción: Diversos estudios han encontrado altos niveles de ansiedad en estudiantes de carreras de la salud, principalmente, en estudiantes de medicina.
Objetivo: Determinar los niveles de ansiedad e identificar las fuentes generadoras de estrés académico existente entre los estudiantes de 2.◦ año de Enfermería y Tecnología Médica de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de Chile.
Método: Se utilizó el Cuestionario de Ansiedad Estado-Rasgo para evaluar el nivel de ansiedad y el Inventario de Estrés Académico para discriminar diferentes situaciones académicas que provocan un mayor nivel de estrés en estudiantes universitarios.
Resultados: Los estudiantes de Enfermería mostraron mayores niveles de ansiedad estado y ansiedad rasgo que los estudiantes de Tecnología Médica. Solo para ansiedad estado se observó una frecuencia significativamente diferente, encontrándose las diferencias en los grupos que manifiestan un nivel de ansiedad leve (Enfermería 32.1% y Tecnología Médica 56.6%) y ansiedad severa (Enfermería 20.5% y Tecnología Médica 9.2%). Aunque las situaciones generadoras de estrés fueron similares para ambos grupos, varias de ellas fueron percibidas como estresores significativamente mayores por los estudiantes de Enfermería. Las tres principales fuentes de estrés resultaron ser: sobrecarga académica, falta de tiempo para cumplir con las actividades académicas y realización de un examen.
Conclusiones: Los estudiantes de Enfermería presentan altos índices de ansiedad. Resulta necesario analizar la planificación curricular de estos cursos, así como implementar consejerías y talleres para enseñar a los estudiantes afrontar las situaciones estresantes.
Key influences in the design and implementation of mental health information systems in Ghana and South Africa
Authors: Ahuja S. , Mirzoev T. , Lund C. , Ofori-Atta A. , Skeen S. , Kufuor A.
Published: April 2016

Introduction

Strengthening of mental health information systems (MHIS) is essential to monitor and evaluate mental health services in low and middle-income countries. While research exists assessing wider health management information systems, there is limited published evidence exploring the design and implementation of MHIS in these settings. This paper aims to identify and assess the key factors affecting the design and implementation of MHIS, as perceived by the key stakeholders in Ghana and South Africa.

Methods

We report findings from the Mental Health and Poverty Project, a 5-year research programme implemented within four African countries. The MHIS strengthening in South Africa and Ghana included two related components: intervention and research. The intervention component aimed to strengthen MHIS in the two countries, and the research component aimed to document interventions in each country, including the key influences. Data were collected using semi structured interviews with key stakeholders and reviews of key documents and secondary data from the improved MHIS. We analyzed the qualitative data using a framework approach.

Results

Key components of the MHIS intervention involved the introduction of a redesigned patient registration form, entry into computers for analysis every 2 months by clinical managerial staff, and utilization of data in hospital management meetings in three psychiatric hospitals in Ghana; and the introduction of a new set of mental health indicators and related forms and tally sheets at primary care clinics and district hospitals in five districts in the KwaZulu-Natal and Northern Cape provinces in South Africa. Overall, the key stakeholders perceived the MHIS strengthening as an effective intervention in both countries with an enhanced set of indicators in South Africa and introduction of a computerized system in Ghana.

Discussion

Influences on the design and implementation of MHIS interventions in Ghana and South Africa relate to resources, working approaches (including degree of consultations during the design stage and communication during implementation stage) and the low priority of mental health. Although the influencing factors represent similar categories, more influences were identified on MHIS implementation, compared with the design stage. Different influences appear to be related within, and across, the MHIS design and implementation and may reinforce or negate each other thus leading to the multiplier or minimization effects. The wider context, similar to other studies, is important in ensuring the success of such interventions.

Conclusion

Future MHIS strengthening interventions can consider three policy implications which emerged from our analysis and experience: enhancing consultations during the intervention design, better consideration of implementation challenges during design, and better recognition of relations between different influences.
Human rights principles in developing and updating policies and laws on mental health
Authors: Schulze M.
Published: April 2016

The World Health Organization's Mental Health Action Plan 2013–2020 stipulates human rights as a cross-cutting principle (WHO, 2013) and foresees global targets to update policies as well as mental health laws in line with international and regional human rights instruments. The international human rights agreements repeatedly refer to health, including mental health. The most pertinent provisions related to mental health are enshrined in the 2006 Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which sets out human rights in an accessible and inclusive fashion to ensure the equal participation of persons with disabilities. The inconclusive description of disability in the treaty overtly refers to ‘mental impairment’ as part of an explicitly evolving understanding of disability. This text sketches some of the underlying concepts as they apply to the realm of mental health: non-discrimination of persons with disabilities and measures that should be taken to ensure accessibility in a holistic understanding; removal of social and attitudinal barriers as much as communication and intellectual barriers but also institutional hurdles. The CRPD's paradigm shift away from framing disability mainly through deficits towards a social understanding of disability as the result of interaction and focusing on capacity is the core on which the provision of mental health services at community level to enable participation in society shall be ensured. Questions of capacity, also to make decisions and the possible need for support in so doing, are sketched out.
Conceptualising and Facilitating Success in Interagency Collaborations: Implications for Practice from the Literature
Authors: Herlihy Miriam
Published: April 2016

Collaboration between normally separate agencies involved in cases of child mental health, and those supporting their participation and inclusion in school settings, is being increasingly promoted as the answer to intervening in a more ecologically valid and responsive manner. Yet a clear-cut evidence base supporting interagency collaboration in practice is hindered by wide variation in how collaboration is defined, how collaborative initiatives are established and run, and how the success of widely varying programs is interpreted or evaluated. Despite this variation, some strong indicators of success continue to appear. An overview of the literature on interagency collaboration in the context of child mental health, special education, and wellbeing is presented, including risks, benefits, and indicators of success.
Formation, vegetation succession and acidification of a Mid-Holocene moorland pool in the western Netherlands
Authors: van Geel B. , Brinkkemper O. , Weeda E.J. , Sevink J.
Published: April 2016

We studied a Holocene peat fill of a small depression in Pleistocene coversand, in the western border zone of Het Gooi, to assess the early local and regional vegetation history in relation to sea-level rise, soil development and potential human impact. In the fourth millenium BC, a podzol which had formed in the depression became stagnative, leading to the development of a moorland pool. The local vegetation changed from dry heathland, through an amphibic vegetation type with, among others, Littorella uniflora and Lycopodiella inundata, to a permanently moist Sphagnum-dominated vegetation. The existence of moorland pools and the development of such habitats into Sphagnum-dominated vegetation are known from Late-Holocene anthropogenic, more or less open landscapes that were formed on a podzolising sandy soil under ericaceous vegetation. However, the recorded vegetation succession did not show any recognisable local human impact and therefore is attributed to natural succession. In the period concerned, sea level was still about 4 m below the land surface in the depression, implying that water logging occurred independent from a rise in sea level and associated groundwater level. It took until the Late Middle Ages before such rise led to significant water logging and peat growth in this border zone, but the mean groundwater level never reached to above NAP (Dutch Ordnance Datum).
Federal Democracy in the Laboratory: Power Decentralization and Democratic Incentives Against Corruption
Authors: Bernabel Rodolpho
Published: April 2016

In this paper I borrow Roger Myerson’s game-theoretic model on incentives for the success of democracy, adapt the model to an experimental setting, derive testable predictions from it, and test those predictions in the laboratory. Results show that (i) corrupt leaders are replaced more often in federal democracies than in centralized ones; (ii) in the centralized case subjects converged to an equilibrium in which leaders act responsively and are reelected; (iii) honest presidents are reelected at the same rate in both institutional designs, and (iv) the president acted less responsively in the decentralized case. I also run robustness checks and test for the effect of the language used in the experiment. The data show that the results are robust with regards to experimental choices.
Raised serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in patients with active diabetic foot ulcers
Authors: Afarideh Mohsen , Ghanbari Parvaneh , Noshad Sina , Ghajar Alireza , Nakhjavani Manouchehr , Esteghamati Alireza
Published: April 2016

Studies have emerged to demonstrate bidirectional changes in circulating cytokines of inflammation in active diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). To further expand the understanding of inflammatory status present in chronic active DFU, we comparatively assessed the associations of selected pro-inflammatory cytokines and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) with the presence of DFU. In a cross-sectional setting, thirty patients with type 2 diabetes and active DFU matched with thirty control non-ulcerative patients with type 2 diabetes and twenty-eight healthy subjects underwent anthropometric and biochemical assessment of study parameters. Recruited patients with DFU were selected from the grade II active chronic DFU at the time of hospitalisation according to the University of Texas wound classification system. Patients with DFU and controls had comparable age, sexual distribution, diastolic blood pressure and TAG, LDL-cholesterol and glycated Hb. The trend changes from healthy controls towards DFU showed a significant increase for serum monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, IL-6, 25(OH)D and highly sensitive C-reactive protein and a decrease for IL-8. In the multivariate adjusted logistic regression model, 25(OH)D emerged as the only independent correlate of DFU (OR 2·194; 95 % CI 1·003, 4·415). Unprecedented increase of serum 25(OH)D in chronic active DFU is possibly related to a selective alteration in the inflammatory status. In particular, 25(OH)D and IL-8 seem to share a common pathway in the pathogenesis of diabetic foot.
MORPHOGENETIC AND STRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF GUINEA GRASS PASTURES UNDER ROTATIONAL STOCKING STRATEGIES
Authors: DE MOURA ZANINE ANDERSON , NASCIMENTO DOMICIO , DA SILVA WILTON LADEIRA , DE LANA SOUSA BRAULIO MAIA , FERREIRA DANIELE DE JESUS , DA SILVEIRA MÁRCIA CRISTINA TEIXEIRA , PARENTE HERIQUE NUNES , SANTOS MANOEL EDUARDO ROZALINO
Published: April 2016

The objective of this study was to evaluate morphogenetic and structural characteristics of Guinea grass pastures subjected to two grazing frequencies (90 and 95% light interception) and two post-grazing heights (30 and 50 cm), during the rainy season and dry year. The leaf appearance rate varied only in the summer, the grazing pastures managed at 90/50 (light interception/post-grazing height) presented higher values in the leaf appearance rate (0.440 leaf/tiller.day), compared with those managed at 90/30 (0.275 leaf/tiller.day) and 95/50 (0.228 leaf/tiller.day), respectively. In the winter/beginning of the spring, pastures managed at 90/30 (0.03 cm/tiller.day) presented lower stem elongation rate in comparison with those managed at 90/50 (0.19 cm/tiller.day) and 95/30 (0.16 cm/tiller.day). Management strategies do not compromise the tissue flow in tillers and, consequently, can be utilized for the management of Guinea grass.
Gambling and Comovement
Authors: Kumar Alok , Page Jeremy K. , Spalt Oliver G.
Published: April 2016

This study shows that correlated trading by gambling-motivated investors generates excess return comovement among stocks with lottery features. Lottery-like stocks comove strongly with one another, and this return comovement is strongest among lottery stocks located in regions where investors exhibit stronger gambling propensity. Looking directly at investor trades, we find that investors with a greater propensity to gamble trade lottery-like stocks more actively and that those trades are more strongly correlated. Finally, we demonstrate that time variation in general gambling enthusiasm and income shocks from fluctuating economic conditions induce a systematic component in investors’ demand for lottery-like stocks.
Hedge Fund Performance Evaluation under the Stochastic Discount Factor Framework
Authors: Li Haitao , Xu Yuewu , Zhang Xiaoyan
Published: April 2016

We study hedge fund performance evaluation under the stochastic discount factor framework of Farnsworth, Ferson, Jackson, and Todd (FFJT). To accommodate dynamic trading strategies and derivatives used by hedge funds, we extend FFJT’s approach by considering models with option and time-averaged risk factors and incorporating option returns in model estimation. A wide range of models yield similar conclusions on the performance of simulated long/short equity hedge funds. We apply these models to 2,315 actual long/short equity funds from the Lipper TASS database and find that a small portion of these funds can outperform the market.
Business Microloans for U.S. Subprime Borrowers
Authors: Fracassi Cesare , Garmaise Mark J. , Kogan Shimon , Natividad Gabriel
Published: April 2016

We show that business microloans to U.S. subprime borrowers have a very large impact on subsequent firm success. Using data on startup loan applicants from a lender that employed an automated algorithm in its application review, we implement a regression discontinuity design assessing the causal impact of receiving a loan on firms. Startups receiving funding are dramatically more likely to survive, enjoy higher revenues, and create more jobs. Loans are more consequential for survival among subprime business owners with more education and less managerial experience.
Brian Roberts and the origins of the 1959 Antarctic Treaty
Authors: Heavens Steve
Published: April 2016

During his lifetime and beyond, Brian Roberts was often thought to be theéminence griseof the UK's Antarctic policy and also of the founding of the 1959 Antarctic Treaty. Documentary evidence of his influence has, however, been conspicuously absent, due in part to the closure of relevant files in the UK's National Archives. Using Roberts’ personal files in the archives of the Scott Polar Research Institute in Cambridge, files in the UK National Archives that remained closed for 50 years but have recently been released, and the recollections of surviving contemporaries of Roberts, it has been possible to establish the extent of his involvement in the evolution of the treaty and to add new elements that may contribute towards a reconstruction of its complex history. From 1956 Roberts developed a productive relationship with the UK Foreign Office's Head of American Department Henry Hankey that enabled them to influence the UK policy on Antarctica and to make a significant contribution towards the political settlement represented by the treaty. For Roberts and his colleagues in the Foreign Office the main purpose of the treaty was not primarily the promotion of international scientific collaboration but was essentially a means of addressing a political situation that had become otherwise intractable.
Abnormalities in left inferior frontal gyral thickness and parahippocampal gyral volume in young people at high genetic risk for bipolar disorder
Authors: Roberts G. , Lenroot R. , Frankland A. , Yeung P. K. , Gale N. , Wright A. , Lau P. , Levy F. , Wen W. , Mitchell P. B.
Published: April 2016

Background

Fronto-limbic structural brain abnormalities have been reported in patients with bipolar disorder (BD), but findings in individuals at increased genetic risk of developing BD have been inconsistent. We conducted a study in adolescents and young adults (12–30 years) comparing measures of fronto-limbic cortical and subcortical brain structure between individuals at increased familial risk of BD (at risk; AR), subjects with BD and controls (CON). We separately examined cortical volume, thickness and surface area as these have distinct neurodevelopmental origins and thus may reflect differential effects of genetic risk.

Method

We compared fronto-limbic measures of grey and white matter volume, cortical thickness and surface area in 72 unaffected-risk individuals with at least one first-degree relative with bipolar disorder (AR), 38 BD subjects and 72 participants with no family history of mental illness (CON).

Results

The AR group had significantly reduced cortical thickness in the left pars orbitalis of the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) compared with the CON group, and significantly increased left parahippocampal gyral volume compared with those with BD.

Conclusions

The finding of reduced cortical thickness of the left pars orbitalis in AR subjects is consistent with other evidence supporting the IFG as a key region associated with genetic liability for BD. The greater volume of the left parahippocampal gyrus in those at high risk is in line with some prior reports of regional increases in grey matter volume in at-risk subjects. Assessing multiple complementary morphometric measures may assist in the better understanding of abnormal developmental processes in BD.
Understanding tourist behaviour of senior citizens: lifecycle theory, continuity theory and a generational approach
Authors: ALÉN ELISA , LOSADA NIEVES , DE CARLOS PABLO
Published: April 2016

Global demographic changes and the increasing participation of senior citizens in leisure tourism activities have prompted governments and tourism providers in many developed regions to identify seniors as a priority market. Yet the lack of theory related to senior tourism poses a major hurdle to continued research in this field, especially with regard to the application of evolving age theories. Few studies analyse the relevance or motivations of senior tourists. Therefore, this study investigates the tourism behaviour of Spanish senior travellers, including both their motivations and their tendency to travel. To develop a theoretical framework, this article relies on three theories to explicate the travel behaviour of senior citizens: lifecycle theory, continuity theory and generational theory.
The use of syndromic surveillance to monitor the incidence of arthropod bites requiring healthcare in England, 2000–2013: a retrospective ecological study
Authors: NEWITT S. , ELLIOT A. J. , MORBEY R. , DURNALL H. , PIETZSCH M. E. , MEDLOCK J. M. , LEACH S. , SMITH G. E.
Published: April 2016

Climate change experts predict the number of nuisance-biting arthropods in England will increase but there is currently no known surveillance system in place to monitor or assess the public health impact of arthropod bites. This retrospective ecological study utilized arthropod bites requiring healthcare from five national real-time syndromic surveillance systems monitoring general practitioner (GP) consultations (in-hours and out-of-hours), emergency department (ED) attendances and telephone calls to remote advice services to determine baseline incidence in England between 2000 and 2013 and to assess the association between arthropod bites and temperature. During summer months (weeks 20–40) we estimated that arthropod bites contribute a weekly median of ~4000 GP consultations, 750 calls to remote advice services, 700 ED and 1300 GP out-of-hours attendances. In all systems, incidence was highest during summer months compared to the rest of the year. Arthropod bites were positively associated with temperature with incidence rate ratios (IRRs) that ranged between systems from 1·03 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1·01–1·06] to 1·14 (95% CI 1·11–1·16). Using syndromic surveillance systems we have established and described baseline incidence of arthropod bites and this can now be monitored routinely in real time to assess the impact of extreme weather events and climate change.
Linguistic convergence/divergence or degree of bilingualism?
Authors: TREMBLAY ANNIE
Published: April 2016

In their article, Mougeon, Hallion, Bigot, and Papen attempt to explain the similarities and differences among four varieties of Canadian French spoken outside Quebec (and New Brunswick) in the use of the restriction formsrien que, juste, seulement (que), andne . . . que. Mougeon and colleagues focused on the French varieties spoken in Welland (Ontario), Saint-Boniface (Manitoba), Saint-Laurent (i.e., Mitchif French, Manitoba) and Bonnyville (Alberta) (see also Nadasdi & Keppie 2004). Using a variationist sociolinguistic framework, they examined the effect of linguistic and extralinguistic factors on speakers’ use of the aforementioned restriction forms, and compared their results to those reported in previous studies of the French varieties spoken in Montreal (Quebec) (Massicotte 1984, 1986; Thibault & Daveluy 1989) and in Hawkesbury, Cornwall, Northbay, and Pembroke (Ontario) (Rehner & Mougeon 1998). Based on their results, Mougeon and colleagues made hypotheses regarding linguistic convergence/divergence and raise relevant questions for future research. In this commentary, I briefly assess some of the contributions made by this research from a psycholinguistic perspective. In doing so, I raise additional questions concerning the source of the effects reported in the study.