bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Roles of the Griot in the Future of Mali: A Twenty-First-Century Institutionalization of a Thirteenth-Century Traditional Institution
Authors: Hoffman Barbara G.
Published: April 2017

Every ethnic group in Mali has at least one social category of specialists in conflict mediation and resolution. These are casted groups whose duties include the maintenance of a moral as well as structural social order, even in times of great turmoil. Recent research on the activities of these actors shows that the role of traditional mediator has not vanished, but it has evolved through bureaucratic institutionalization. A thickly described case study of the formation of RECOTRADE, the largest nongovernmental organization of traditional communicators in West Africa, demonstrates how this traditional institution is keeping pace with the political and civil development of the country.
The effect of step stool use and provider height on CPR quality during pediatric cardiac arrest: A simulation-based multicentre study
Authors: Cheng Adam , Lin Yiqun , Nadkarni Vinay , Wan Brandi , Duff Jonathan , Brown Linda , Bhanji Farhan , Kessler David , Tofil Nancy , Hecker Kent , Hunt Elizabeth A.
Published: April 2017

Objectives

We aimed to explore whether a) step stool use is associated with improved cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) quality; b) provider adjusted height is associated with improved CPR quality; and if associations exist, c) determine whether just-in-time (JIT) CPR training and/or CPR visual feedback attenuates the effect of height and/or step stool use on CPR quality.

Methods

We analysed data from a trial of simulated cardiac arrests with three study arms: No intervention; CPR visual feedback; and JIT CPR training. Step stool use was voluntary. We explored the association between 1) step stool use and CPR quality, and 2) provider adjusted height and CPR quality. Adjusted height was defined as provider height + 23 cm (if step stool was used). Below-average height participants were ≤ gender-specific average height; the remainder were above average height. We assessed for interaction between study arm and both adjusted height and step stool use.

Results

One hundred twenty-four subjects participated; 1,230 30-second epochs of CPR were analysed. Step stool use was associated with improved compression depth in below-average (female, p=0.007; male, p<0.001) and above-average (female, p=0.001; male, p<0.001) height providers. There is an association between adjusted height and compression depth (p<0.001). Visual feedback attenuated the effect of height (p=0.025) on compression depth; JIT training did not (p=0.918). Visual feedback and JIT training attenuated the effect of step stool use (p<0.001) on compression depth.

Conclusions

Step stool use is associated with improved compression depth regardless of height. Increased provider height is associated with improved compression depth, with visual feedback attenuating the effects of height and step stool use.
Cocycle and orbit equivalence superrigidity for coinduced actions
Authors: DRIMBE DANIEL
Published: April 2017

We prove a cocycle superrigidity theorem for a large class of coinduced actions. In particular, if $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}$ is a subgroup of a countable group $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}$, we consider a probability measure preserving action $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}\curvearrowright X_{0}$ and let $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}\curvearrowright X$ be the coinduced action. Assume either that $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}$ has property (T) or that $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}$ is amenable and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}$ is a product of non-amenable groups. Using Popa’s deformation/rigidity theory we prove $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}\curvearrowright X$ is ${\mathcal{U}}_{\text{fin}}$-cocycle superrigid, that is any cocycle for this action to a ${\mathcal{U}}_{\text{fin}}$ (e.g. countable) group ${\mathcal{V}}$ is cohomologous to a homomorphism from $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}$ to ${\mathcal{V}}.$
Minimal interval exchange transformations with flips
Authors: LINERO BAS ANTONIO , SOLER LÓPEZ GABRIEL
Published: April 2017

We consider interval exchange transformations of$n$intervals with$k$flips, or$(n,k)$-IETs for short, for positive integers$k,n$with$k\leq n$. Our main result establishes the existence of minimal uniquely ergodic$(n,k)$-IETs when$n\geq 4$; moreover, these IETs are self-induced for$2\leq k\leq n-1$. This result extends the work on transitivity in Gutierrezet al[Transitive circle exchange transformations with flips.Discrete Contin. Dyn. Syst. 26(1) (2010), 251–263]. In order to achieve our objective we make a direct construction; in particular, we use the Rauzy induction to build a periodic Rauzy graph whose associated matrix has a positive power. Then we use a result in the Perron–Frobenius theory [Pullman, A geometric approach to the theory of non-negative matrices.Linear Algebra Appl. 4(1971) 297–312] which allows us to ensure the existence of these minimal self-induced and uniquely ergodic$(n,k)$-IETs,$2\leq k\leq n-1$. We then find other permutations in the same Rauzy class generating minimal uniquely ergodic$(n,1)$- and$(n,n)$-IETs.
Large-scale geometry of homeomorphism groups
Authors: MANN KATHRYN , ROSENDAL CHRISTIAN
Published: April 2017

Let $M$ be a compact manifold. We show that the identity component $\operatorname{Homeo}_{0}(M)$ of the group of self-homeomorphisms of $M$ has a well-defined quasi-isometry type, and study its large-scale geometry. Through examples, we relate this large-scale geometry to both the topology of $M$ and the dynamics of group actions on $M$. This gives a rich family of examples of non-locally compact groups to which one can apply the large-scale methods developed in previous work of the second author.
What influences postgraduate psychiatric trainees’ attitudes to clinical audit?
Authors: McWilliams S. , Schofield S.
Published: April 2017

Introduction

Clinical audit is an important component of safe and ethical practice but many clinicians cite barriers to engagement in audit.

Methodology

A total of 81 basic specialist trainees in psychiatry were surveyed in terms of their basic demographic details and their knowledge, direct experience and attitudes in relation to clinical audit.

Results

Among the 49 (60.5%) who responded, 57.1% had received formal training in audit, but only 20.4% had received more than four hours of training in their whole career. The median positivity score was 30 out of a possible 54 (range 12–40), suggesting that participating trainees were barely more than ‘undecided’ overall when it comes to positive attitudes to clinical audit. Age, nationality and specific training did not predict attitudes to clinical audit. Gender, years of clinical experience and direct experience of clinical audit did not significantly predict attitudes to clinical audit, but these findings are at odds with some previous research.

Discussion

Much work is needed in improving postgraduate trainees’ attitudes to clinical audit, given that clinical audit is essential for good medical practice. Ours is an initial study of this area of training limited by sample size and the narrowness of the group tested. Further study of other specialities, higher trainees and consultant trainers would further enhance our understanding.
New ventures’ collaborative linkages and innovation performance: Exploring the role of distance
Authors: Bolívar–Ramos María Teresa
Published: April 2017

In an era of globalization, new ventures have become especially active in collaborations with external partners worldwide to overcome the liability of newness and to obtain the resources required to innovate. In this context, this study conceptually analyzes how the geographical and institutional distances between a new venture and its international partners may influence the venture’s ability to benefit from broad external linkages for innovation purposes. It proposes that the interplay of these factors affects not only knowledge transfer, but also business relations. The study advances theory on international collaborative linkages and innovation, by providing a novel framework that explains how contextual factors associated with distance affect the relation between new ventures’ collaborations and their ability to develop innovations.
Strategic investment in protection in networked systems
Authors: LEDUC MATT V. , MOMOT RUSLAN
Published: April 2017

We study the incentives that agents have to invest in costly protection against cascading failures in networked systems. Applications include vaccination, computer security, and airport security. Agents are connected through a network and can fail either intrinsically or as a result of the failure of a subset of their neighbors. We characterize the equilibrium based on an agent's failure probability and derive conditions under which equilibrium strategies are monotone in degree (i.e. in how connected an agent is on the network). We show that different kinds of applications (e.g. vaccination, malware, airport/EU security) lead to very different equilibrium patterns of investments in protection, with important welfare and risk implications. Our equilibrium concept is flexible enough to allow for comparative statics in terms of network properties, and we show that it is also robust to the introduction of global externalities (e.g. price feedback, congestion).
“The framily plan”: Characteristics of ties described as both “friend” and “family” in personal networks
Authors: BUSH AMY N. , WALKER ALICIA M. , PERRY BREA L.
Published: April 2017

Despite the growing potential for multiplexity in our complex social world, social network methodology often does not adequately capture this phenomenon. Most commonly in research on egocentric social networks, when respondent designate a tie as both family member and friend, the tendency is to default to “family” prior to aggregation for analysis, potentially ignoring important and meaningful variation. As a result, relatively little is known about multiplexity in personal social networks, and particularly about individuals who are simultaneously kin and friends. To address this gap, we assess the rate of occurrence of kinship/friendship multiplexity, and examine characteristics of alters nominated as friends and kin in comparison to those with unidimensional functionality. We find that this kind of multiplexity is fairly common–comprising about one-fifth of kinship ties and one-fourth of friendship ties. Moreover, cross–listed alters are significantly different from those characterized in one function, serving in greater capacity in terms of provision of support, frequency of contact, closeness, and as resources for discussion of important matters. Our findings underscore the critical need to appropriately classify multiplex kinship/friendship ties to avoid making incorrect inferences about support processes and their effects on outcomes across different relationship types.
How small is it? Comparing indices of small worldliness
Authors: NEAL ZACHARY P.
Published: April 2017

Many studies have attempted to determine whether an observed network exhibits a so-called “small-world structure.” Such determinations have often relied on a conceptual definition of small worldliness proposed by Watts and Strogatz in their seminal 1998 paper, but recently several quantitative indices of network small worldliness have emerged. This paper reviews and compares three such indices—the small-world quotient (Q), a small-world metric (ω), and the small-world index(SWI)—in the canonical Watts–Strogatz re-wiring model and in four real-world networks. These analyses suggest that researchers should avoid Q, and identify considerations that should guide the choice between ω and SWI.
Bayesian model selection for the latent position cluster model for social networks
Authors: RYAN CAITRÍONA , WYSE JASON , FRIEL NIAL
Published: April 2017

The latent position cluster model is a popular model for the statistical analysis of network data. This model assumes that there is an underlying latent space in which the actors follow a finite mixture distribution. Moreover, actors which are close in this latent space are more likely to be tied by an edge. This is an appealing approach since it allows the model to cluster actors which consequently provides the practitioner with useful qualitative information. However, exploring the uncertainty in the number of underlying latent components in the mixture distribution is a complex task. The current state-of-the-art is to use an approximate form of BIC for this purpose, where an approximation of the log-likelihood is used instead of the true log-likelihood which is unavailable. The main contribution of this paper is to show that through the use of conjugate prior distributions, it is possible to analytically integrate out almost all of the model parameters, leaving a posterior distribution which depends on the allocation vector of the mixture model. This enables posterior inference over the number of components in the latent mixture distribution without using trans-dimensional MCMC algorithms such as reversible jump MCMC. Our approach is compared with the state-of-the-artlatentnet(Krivitsky & Handcock, 2015) andVBLPCM(Salter-Townshend & Murphy, 2013) packages.
Disasters and Elections: Estimating the Net Effect of Damage and Relief in Historical Perspective
Authors: Heersink Boris , Peterson Brenton D. , Jenkins Jeffery A.
Published: April 2017

Do natural disasters help or hurt politicians’ electoral fortunes? Research on this question has produced conflicting results. Achen and Bartels (2002, 2016) find that voters punish incumbent politicians indiscriminately after such disasters. Other studies find that voters incorporate the quality of relief efforts by elected officials. We argue that results in this literature may be driven, in part, by a focus on contemporary cases of disaster and relief. In contrast, we study a case of catastrophic flooding in the American South in 1927, in which disaster aid was broadly and fairly distributed and Herbert Hoover (the 1928 Republican presidential candidate) was personally responsible for overseeing the relief efforts. Despite the distribution of unprecedented levels of disaster aid, we find that voters punished Hoover at the polls: in affected counties, Hoover’s vote share decreased by more than 10 percentage points. Our results are robust to the use of synthetic control methods and suggest that—even if voters distinguish between low- and high-quality responses—the aggregate effect of this disaster remains broadly negative. Our findings provide some support for Achen and Bartels’ idea of blind retrospection, but also generate questions about the precise mechanisms by which damage and relief affect vote choice.
Fruit and vegetable intake and breast cancer prognosis: a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies
Authors: Peng Chen , Luo Wei-Ping , Zhang Cai-Xia
Published: April 2017

The effect of fruit and vegetable intake on breast cancer prognosis is controversial. Thus, a meta-analysis was carried out to explore their associations. A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, OVID, ProQuest and Chinese databases from inception to April 2016. The summary hazard ratios (HR) and 95 % CI were estimated using a random effects model if substantial heterogeneity existed and using a fixed effects model if not. Subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses were also performed. In total, twelve studies comprising 41 185 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Comparing the highest with the lowest, the summary HR for all-cause mortality were 1·01 (95 % CI 0·72, 1·42) for fruits and vegetables combined, 0·96 (95 % CI 0·83, 1·12) for total vegetable intake, 0·99 (95 % CI 0·89, 1·11) for cruciferous vegetable intake and 0·88 (95 % CI 0·74, 1·05) for fruit intake; those for breast cancer-specific mortality were 1·05 (95 % CI 0·77, 1·43) for total vegetable intake and 0·94 (95 % CI 0·69, 1·26) for fruit intake; and those for breast cancer recurrence were 0·89 (95 % CI 0·53, 1·50) for total vegetable intake and 0·98 (95 % CI 0·76, 1·26) for cruciferous vegetable intake. This meta-analysis found no significant associations between fruit and vegetable intake and breast cancer prognosis.
A comparison of heart rate variability,n-3 PUFA status and lipid mediator profile in age- and BMI-matched middle-aged vegans and omnivores
Authors: Pinto Ana M. , Sanders Thomas A. B. , Kendall Alexandra C. , Nicolaou Anna , Gray Robert , Al-Khatib Haya , Hall Wendy L.
Published: April 2017

Low heart rate variability (HRV) predicts sudden cardiac death. Long-chain (LC)n-3 PUFA (C20–C22) status is positively associated with HRV. This cross-sectional study investigated whether vegans aged 40–70 years (n23), whose diets are naturally free from EPA (20 : 5n-3) and DHA (22 : 6n-3), have lower HRV compared with omnivores (n24). Proportions of LCn-3 PUFA in erythrocyte membranes, plasma fatty acids and concentrations of plasma LCn-3 PUFA-derived lipid mediators were significantly lower in vegans. Day-time interbeat intervals (IBI), adjusted for physical activity, age, BMI and sex, were significantly shorter in vegans compared with omnivores (mean difference −67 ms; 95 % CI −130, −3·4,P<0·05), but there were no significant differences over 24 h or during sleep. Vegans had higher overall HRV, measured as 24 h standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN) (mean adjusted difference 27 ms; 95 % CI 1, 52,P=0·039). Conversely, vegans presented with decreased 8 h day-time HRV: mean adjusted difference in SDNN −20 ms; 95 % CI −37, −3,P=0·021, with no differences during nocturnal sleep. Day-time parameters of beat-to-beat HRV (root of the mean of the sum of the squares of differences between adjacent normal-to-normal intervals, percentage of adjacent normal-to-normal intervals that differ by >50 % and high-frequency power) were similarly lower in vegans, with no differences during sleep. In conclusion, vegans have higher 24 h SDNN, but lower day-time HRV and shorter day-time IBI relative to comparable omnivores. Vegans may have reduced availability of precursor markers for pro-resolving lipid mediators; it remains to be determined whether there is a direct link with impaired cardiac function in populations with low-n-3 status.
MULTILATERAL DISPUTES IN BILATERAL SETTINGS: INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE LAGS BEHIND THEORY
Authors: Paddeu Federica I.
Published: April 2017

ON 5 October 2016, the International Court of Justice handed down its decision in the three parallel proceedings involving the Marshall Islands (as applicant) and India, Pakistan and the UK (as respondents): Obligations concerning Negotiations relating to Cessation of the Nuclear Arms Race and to Nuclear Disarmament (Marshall Islands v India). The Marshall Islands claimed that the respondent states had failed to meet their obligation to negotiate the cessation of the nuclear arms race and nuclear disarmament in good faith, either under Article VI of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (claim against the UK) and/or customary law (against all three respondents). All three respondents formulated objections to jurisdiction and admissibility. In all three cases, they objected that a “dispute” did not exist between them and the applicant. The Court, by a narrow majority (extremely narrow in the case against the UK: by the casting vote of the President), declined to exercise jurisdiction on the basis that no dispute existed between the parties.
REPUDIATORY BREACH: INABILITY, ELECTION AND DISCHARGE
Authors: Morgan Jonathan
Published: April 2017

STUDENTS – and indeed judges – of the law of contract have been sorely tried by White & Carter (Councils) Ltd. v McGregor [1962] A.C. 413. Mercifully, other propositions about the breach and discharge of contracts seem elementary.
HYPERLINKS AND COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT
Authors: Angelopoulos Christina
Published: April 2017

DOES the posting of a hyperlink to somebody else's work that has been uploaded onto the Internet infringe their copyright? Although dissenters did exist, most copyright lawyers long assumed that the answer to that question was an obvious “no”. In 2014, this nonchalant approach was rejected by the CJEU in Svensson (Case C-466/12, EU:C:2014:76) in favour of a more complex analysis. More recently, the CJEU's approach to hyperlinks has been further developed in GS Media (Case C-160/15, EU:C:2016:644).
TEACHING LANGUAGE THROUGH VIRGIL IN LATE ANTIQUITY
Authors: Foster Frances
Published: April 2017

Romanmagistriandgrammaticitaught their students a wide range of subjects, primarily through the medium of Latin and Greek literary texts. A well-educated Roman in the Imperial era was expected to have a good knowledge of the literary language of Cicero and Virgil, as well as a competent command of Greek. By the late fourth and early fifth centuries, this knowledge had to be taught actively, as everyday Latin usage had changed during the intervening four centuries. After the reign of Theodosius the division between the Eastern and the Western Empires meant that knowledge of Greek was no longer as common as it had once been in the West. At the same time, by Late Antiquity, migration increased and foreigners as well as provincials moved within the empire, for example, in search of military promotion. There is evidence that recruitment to official or public careers was based less on birth than on education. These ambitious newcomers sent their children to Roman schools, which would facilitate their access to public office. Receipt of this education provided a means by which men from less privileged backgrounds could achieve promotion to such office and become prominent and influential individuals. At the same time a late Roman education also produced a high level of cultural homogeneity among those who had experienced it. So what might we learn about how language was taught—and what kinds of language were valued—in a late-antique Roman school? How might this contribute to our understanding of late-antique Roman elite society?
Ecclesiastical Politics in the Regnum Chramni: Contextualising Baudonivia's Vita Radegundis, ch. 15
Authors: HALFOND GREGORY
Published: April 2017

In her seventh-century vita of St Radegund, Baudonivia refers in passing to the attendance of a layman named Leo at an Aquitanian ecclesiastical council. This Leo may be identifiable with the ‘Leo of Poitiers’ named by Gregory of Tours as a partisan of Chramn, the rebellious son of King Chlothari(r. 511–61). If so, then Leo's attendance suggests that the council assembled during the brief period of alliance between Chramn and Childeberti, 555/8. This long-neglected council thus provides insight into one of the major events of a comparatively obscure decade in the history of the regnum Francorum.
Diet of the Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus) in Belize, Central America
Authors: Allen Aarin Conrad , Beck Cathy A. , Bonde Robert K. , Powell James A. , Gomez Nicole Auil
Published: April 2017

Belize contains important habitat for Antillean manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus) and provides refuge for the highest known population density of this subspecies. As these animals face impending threats, knowledge of their dietary habits can be used to interpret resource utilization. The contents of 13 mouth, six digestive tract (stomach, duodenum and colon) and 124 faecal samples were microscopically examined using a modified point technique detection protocol to identify key plant species consumed by manatees at two important aggregation sites in Belize: Southern Lagoon and the Drowned Cayes. Overall, 15 different items were identified in samples from manatees in Belize. Five species of seagrasses (Halodule wrightii, Thalassia testudinum, Ruppia maritima, Syringodium filiformeandHalophilasp.) made up the highest percentage of items. The red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) was also identified as an important food item. Algae (Ulvasp.,Charasp.,Lyngbyasp.) and invertebrates (sponges and diatoms) were also consumed. Variation in the percentage of seagrasses, other vascular plants and algae consumption was analysed as a 4-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) with main effects and interactions for locality, sex, size classification and season. While sex and season did not influence diet composition, differences for locality and size classification were observed. These results suggest that analysis of diet composition of Antillean manatees may help to determine critical habitat and use of associated food resources which, in turn, can be used to aid conservation efforts in Belize.
Polymastiidae (Porifera: Demospongiae) of the Nordic and Siberian Seas
Authors: Plotkin Alexander , Gerasimova Elena , Rapp Hans Tore
Published: April 2017

Polymastiidae (Porifera: Demospongiae) of the Nordic and Siberian Seas are revised and compared with the related species of the North Atlantic based on the morphological data from the type and comparative material and the molecular data from fresh samples. Twenty species from six polymastiid genera are recorded. Two species,Polymastia svensenifrom Western Norway andSpinularia njordifrom the Norwegian Sea, are new to science. One species,Polymastia andrica, is new to the Nordic Seas and two species,Polymastiacf.bartlettiandP. penicillus, are new to the Scandinavian Coast. Distribution of the polymastiids in the North Atlantic and Arctic is discussed and the allegedly wide distribution ofSpinularia sarsiiandS. spinulariais questioned.
Spatial confinement effects employed by metallic blocker and Ar gas pressures on laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy and surface modifications of laser-irradiated Mg
Authors: Hayat A. , Bashir S. , Rafique M. S. , Ahmed R. , Akram M. , Mahmood K. , Zaheer A. , Hussain T. , Dawood A.
Published: April 2017

Spatial confinement effects on plasma parameters and surface morphology of laser-ablated Mg are studied by introducing a metallic blocker as well as argon (Ar) gas at different pressures. Nd: YAG laser at various fluences ranging from 7 to 28 J/cm2 was employed to generate Mg plasma. Confinement effects offered by metallic blocker are investigated by placing the blocker at different distances of 6, 8, and 10 mm from the target surface; whereas spatial confinement offered by environmental gas is explored under four different pressures of 5, 10, 20, and 50 Torr. Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy analysis revealed that both plasma parameters, that is, excitation temperature and electron number density initially are strongly dependent upon both pressures of environmental gases and distances of blockers. The maximum electron temperature of Mg plasma is achieved at Ar gas pressure of 20 Torr, whereas maximum electron number density is achieved at 50 Torr. It is also observed that spatial confinement offered by metallic blocker is responsible for the significant enhancement of both electron temperature and electron number density of Mg plasma. Maximum values of electron temperature and electron number density without blocker are 8335 K and 2.4 × 1016 cm−3, respectively, whereas these values are enhanced to 12,200 K and 4 × 1016 cm−3 in the presence of blocker. Physical mechanisms responsible for the enhancement of Mg plasma parameters are plasma compression, confinement and pronounced collisional excitations due to reflection of shock waves. Scanning electron microscope analysis was performed to explore the surface morphology of laser-ablated Mg. It reveals the formation of ripples and channels that become more distinct in the presence of blocker due to plasma confinement. The optimum combination of blocker distance, fluence and Ar pressure can identify the suitable conditions for defining the role of plasma parameters for surface structuring.
Neural network formation control of a team of tractor–trailer systems
Authors: Shojaei Khoshnam
Published: April 2017

This paper addresses the formation tracking control of a group of tractor–trailer systems in the presence of model uncertainties. A virtual leader–follower formation technique is used to design a controller in order to force a team of tractor–trailer systems to construct a desired formation configuration. Since tractor–trailer systems have a nonlinear multi-input multi-output model with strong couplings, multi-layer neural networks are employed to overcome unknown nonlinearities and uncertain parameters by using on-line weight tuning algorithms. Neural network approximation errors and external disturbances are also compensated with adaptive robust signals. The dynamic surface control approach has been used to reduce the complexity of the proposed controller effectively. Lyapunov’s direct method proves that all signals in the closed-loop formation control system are bounded and tracking errors converge to a neighborhood of the origin whose size is adjustable. Finally, simulation results will be provided to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed controller.
Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 outbreak detected in inter-seasonal months during the surveillance of influenza-like illness in Pune, India, 2012–2015
Authors: GURAV Y. K. , CHADHA M. S. , TANDALE B. V. , POTDAR V. A. , PAWAR S. D. , SHIL P. , DEOSHATWAR A. R. , AARTHY R. , BHUSHAN A.
Published: April 2017

An outbreak of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 was detected during the ongoing community-based surveillance of influenza-like illness (ILI). Among reported 119 influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 cases (59 cases in the year 2012 and 60 cases in 2015) in summer months, common clinical features were fever (100%), cough (90·7%), sore throat (85·7%), nasal discharge (48·7%), headache (55·5%), fatigue (18·5%), breathlessness (3·4%), and ear discharge (1·7%). Rise in ILI cases were negatively correlated with the seasonal factors such as relative humidity (Karl Pearson's correlation coefficient, i.e. r = −0·71 in the year 2012 and r = −0·44 in the year 2015), while rise in ILI cases were positively correlated with the temperature difference (r = 0·44 in the year 2012 and r = 0·77 in the year 2015). The effective reproduction number R, was estimated to be 1·30 in 2012 and 1·64 in 2015. The study highlights the rise in unusual influenza activity in summer month with high attack rate of ILI among children aged ⩽9 years. Children in this age group may need special attention for influenza vaccination. Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 outbreak was confirmed in inter-seasonal months during the surveillance of ILI in Pune, India, 2012–2015.
The emergence of enterovirus D68 in England in autumn 2014 and the necessity for reinforcing enterovirus respiratory screening
Authors: CARRION MARTIN A. I. , PEBODY R. G. , DANIS K. , ELLIS J. , NIAZI S. , DE LUSIGNAN S. , BROWN K. E. , ZAMBON M. , ALLEN D. J.
Published: April 2017

In autumn 2014, enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) cases presenting with severe respiratory or neurological disease were described in countries worldwide. To describe the epidemiology and virological characteristics of EV-D68 in England, we collected clinical information on laboratory-confirmed EV-D68 cases detected in secondary care (hospitals), between September 2014 and January 2015. In primary care (general practitioners), respiratory swabs collected (September 2013–January 2015) from patients presenting with influenza-like illness were tested for EV-D68. In secondary care 55 EV-D68 cases were detected. Among those, 45 cases had clinical information available and 89% (40/45) presented with severe respiratory symptoms. Detection of EV-D68 among patients in primary care increased from 0.4% (4/1074; 95% CI 0.1–1.0) (September 2013–January 2014) to 0.8% (11/1359; 95% CI 0.4–1.5) (September 2014–January 2015). Characterization of EV-D68 strains circulating in England since 2012 and up to winter 2014/2015 indicated that those strains were genetically similar to those detected in 2014 in USA. We recommend reinforcing enterovirus surveillance through screening respiratory samples of suspected cases.
Impact of self-financed rotavirus vaccines on hospital stays and costs in Spain after a 3-year introductory period
Authors: REDONDO-GONZÁLEZ O. , TENÍAS-BURILLO J.M. , RUIZ-GONZALO J.
Published: April 2017

Vaccination has reduced rotavirus hospitalizations by 25% in European regions with low–moderate vaccine availability. We aimed to quantify the reduction in hospital costs after the longest period in which Rotarix® and Rotateq® were simultaneously commercially available in Spain. Cases, length of stay (LOS), and diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) were retrieved from the Minimum Basic Data Set. Healthcare expenditure was estimated through the cost accounting system Gescot®. DRGs were clustered: I, non-bacterial gastroenteritis with complications; II, without complications; III, requiring surgical/other procedures or neonatal cases (highest DRG weights). Comparisons between pre (2003–2005)- and post-vaccine (2007–2009) hospital stays and costs by DRG group were made. Rotaviruses were the most common agents of specific-coded gastroenteritis (N = 1657/5012). LOS and extended LOS of rotaviruses fell significantly in 2007–2009 (β-coefficient = −0·43, 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) −0·68 to −0·17; and odds ratio 0·62, 95% CI 0·50–0·76, respectively). Overall, costs attributable to rotavirus hospitalizations fell approximately €244 per patient (95% CI −365 to −123); the decrease in DRG group III was €2269 per patient (95% CI −4098 to −380). We concluded modest savings in hospital costs, largely attributable to cases with higher DRG weights, and a faster recovery. A universal rotavirus vaccination program deserves being re-evaluated, regarding its potential high impact on both at-risk children and societal costs.
Habitat selection, home range and population size of Baillon’s CrakeZapornia pusillain the Senegal Delta, north-west Senegal
Authors: SEIFERT NINA , TEGETMEYER COSIMA , SCHMITZ ORNÉS ANGELA
Published: April 2017

Knowledge of a species’ ecological requirements is a prerequisite for effective conservation, particularly if the species is assumed to be declining due to modification of its primary habitats. Information about habitat suitability allows both the inference of specific habitat management measures as well as population size estimates which can facilitate the setting up of conservation priorities. As one of the least known Palaearctic breeding birds, the current knowledge of Baillon’s CrakeZapornia pusillacomprises only very general information about the species’ ecological requirements, habitat selection, extent and dynamics of home ranges or population densities within its Palaearctic-Afrotropical range. We used a multi-scale approach to assess the species’ habitat requirements in the Senegal River Delta, north-west Senegal. At the individual level, we calculated Manly selection indices for 17 radio-tracked Baillon’s Crakes, allowing for different levels of resource availability. Considering the entire Djoudj area including the Parc National des Oiseaux du Djoudj (PNOD), we modelled presence probability as well as population density of Baillon’s Crakes based on high-resolution satellite images and capture data from field surveys in 2009–2013. Using 95% kernels, home range size was on average 1.77 ± 0.86 ha with significant differences between habitats. Both at the individual as well as population level, Baillon’s Crakes preferred edge structures, selecting for trampling paths and edges along open water bodies as well as boundaries of specific vegetation stands while species composition was of less importance. Based on the regression models, we identified 9,516 ha of suitable habitat within the Djoudj area and a potential population size of 10,714 individuals (range 3,146–17,408). Although global population estimates are highly tentative, we assume the Senegal River Delta and the PNOD of outstanding significance for African and possibly also European populations of Baillon’s Crake.
A field perspective on effects of fire and temperature fluctuation on Cerrado legume seeds
Authors: Daibes L. Felipe , Zupo Talita , Silveira Fernando A.O. , Fidelis Alessandra
Published: April 2017

Information from a field perspective on temperature thresholds related to physical dormancy (PY) alleviation and seed resistance to high temperatures of fire is crucial to disentangle fire- and non-fire-related germination cues. We investigated seed germination and survival of four leguminous species from a frequently burned open Neotropical savanna in Central Brazil. Three field experiments were conducted according to seed location in/on the soil: (1) fire effects on exposed seeds; (2) fire effects on buried seeds; and (3) effects of temperature fluctuations on exposed seeds in gaps and shaded microsites in vegetation. After field treatments, seeds were tested for germination in the laboratory, together with the control (non-treated seeds). Fire effects on exposed seeds decreased viability in all species. However, germination of buried Mimosa leiocephala seeds was enhanced by fire in an increased fuel load treatment, in which we doubled the amount of above-ground biomass. Germination of two species (M. leiocephala and Harpalyce brasiliana) was enhanced with temperature fluctuation in gaps, but this condition also decreased seed viability. Our main conclusions are: (1) most seeds died when exposed directly to fire; (2) PY could be alleviated during hotter fires when seeds were buried in the soil; and (3) daily temperature fluctuations in gaps also broke PY of seeds on the soil surface, so many seeds could be recruited or die before being incorporated into the soil seed banks. Thus seed dormancy-break and germination of legumes from Cerrado open savannas seem to be driven by both fire and temperature fluctuations.
Dietary patterns and non-communicable disease risk in Indian adults: secondary analysis of Indian Migration Study data
Authors: Joy Edward JM , Green Rosemary , Agrawal Sutapa , Aleksandrowicz Lukasz , Bowen Liza , Kinra Sanjay , Macdiarmid Jennie I , Haines Andy , Dangour Alan D
Published: April 2017

Objective

Undernutrition and non-communicable disease (NCD) are important public health issues in India, yet their relationship with dietary patterns is poorly understood. The current study identified distinct dietary patterns and their association with micronutrient undernutrition (Ca, Fe, Zn) and NCD risk factors (underweight, obesity, waist:hip ratio, hypertension, total:HDL cholesterol, diabetes).

Design

Data were from the cross-sectional Indian Migration Study, including semi-quantitative FFQ. Distinct dietary patterns were identified using finite mixture modelling; associations with NCD risk factors were assessed using mixed-effects logistic regression models.

Setting

India.

Subjects

Migrant factory workers, their rural-dwelling siblings and urban non-migrants. Participants (7067 adults) resided mainly in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.

Results

Five distinct, regionally distributed, dietary patterns were identified, with rice-based patterns in the south and wheat-based patterns in the north-west. A rice-based pattern characterised by low energy consumption and dietary diversity (‘Rice & low diversity’) was consumed predominantly by adults with little formal education in rural settings, while a rice-based pattern with high fruit consumption (‘Rice & fruit’) was consumed by more educated adults in urban settings. Dietary patterns met WHO macronutrient recommendations, but some had low micronutrient contents. Dietary pattern membership was associated with several NCD risk factors.

Conclusions

Five distinct dietary patterns were identified, supporting sub-national assessments of the implications of dietary patterns for various health, food system or environment outcomes.
Development and validation of the Perceived Food Environment Questionnaire in a French-Canadian population
Authors: Carbonneau Elise , Robitaille Julie , Lamarche Benoît , Corneau Louise , Lemieux Simone
Published: April 2017

Objective

The present study aimed to develop and validate a questionnaire assessing perceived food environment in a French-Canadian population.

Design

A questionnaire, the Perceived Food Environment Questionnaire, was developed assessing perceived accessibility to healthy (nine items) and unhealthy foods (three items). A pre-test sample was recruited for a pilot testing of the questionnaire. For the validation study, another sample was recruited and completed the questionnaire twice. Exploratory factor analysis was performed on the items to assess the number of factors (subscales). Cronbach’s α was used to measure internal consistency reliability. Test–retest reliability was assessed with Pearson correlations.

Setting

Online survey.

Subjects

Men and women from the Québec City area (n 31 in the pre-test sample; n 150 in the validation study sample).

Results

The pilot testing did not lead to any change in the questionnaire. The exploratory factor analysis revealed a two-subscale structure. The first subscale is composed of six items assessing accessibility to healthy foods and the second includes three items related to accessibility to unhealthy foods. Three items were removed from the questionnaire due to low loading on the two subscales. The subscales demonstrated adequate internal consistency (Cronbach’s α=0·77 for healthy foods and 0·62 for unhealthy foods) and test–retest reliability (r=0·59 and 0·60, respectively; both P<0·0001).

Conclusions

The Perceived Food Environment Questionnaire was developed for a French-Canadian population and demonstrated good psychometric properties. Further validation is recommended if the questionnaire is to be used in other populations.
Street Music in the Nineteenth Century: Histories and Historiographies
Authors: Watt Paul
Published: April 2017

This article highlights the paucity of musicological scholarship on street music in the nineteenth century but examines narratives of noise, music and morality that are situated in studies of street music in related literature. The article argues that a new history of street music in the nineteenth century is overdue and charts ways in which such studies may be undertaken given the substantial primary source material to work with and the proliferation and usefulness of theoretical studies in related disciplines.
Inorganic nitrogen losses to groundwater are minimal from two management-intensive grazing dairy farms in Maryland
Authors: Gilker Rachel E. , Weil Ray R.
Published: April 2017

With the advent of confined feeding systems and associated herd size increases, dairy farms have had to import more feed from off the farm, leading to on farm nutrient surpluses. Management-intensive grazing (MIG) is an alternative to confined feeding. Under MIG, the herd is rotated among small paddocks every 12–24 h for efficient conversion of forage into milk using grass pasture to provide most of the herd's nutritional needs. Previous research on MIG reported high concentrations of nitrate under grassed monolith lysimeters and grazed pastures. However, because of the high levels of nitrogen (N) fertilization and ponding of cow urine in lysimeters, these previous studies may have overestimated nitrate leaching losses from MIG systems as practiced in the mid-Atlantic region. To determine the extent of nitrate losses to groundwater under MIG in the mid-Atlantic, we sampled shallow groundwater biweekly for 3 yrs on six watersheds in three Maryland dairy farms, one confined and two MIG-based farms. Transects of nested piezometers and ceramic tipped suction lysimeters were installed in each watershed. Seasonal mean nitrate-N concentrations under the four grazed watersheds were generally lower than under the confined feeding farm watersheds and were generally below the widely used drinking water standard of 10 mg L−1. Average nitrate-N concentrations for all four grazed watersheds were between 4 and 7 mg L−1, while the two confined feeding farm watersheds averaged 7 and 11 mg L−1, indicating that the MIG system did not cause excessive nitrate leaching.
Demographic risk in deep-deferred annuity valuation
Authors: Ji Min , Zhou Rui
Published: April 2017

A deep-deferred annuity is a deferred annuity where payments start very late in life, i.e. well after the normal retirement age. This annuity has received much attention lately as it was made accessible to 401(k) plans in the United States in 2014. By transferring the risk of outliving retirement savings at high ages to annuity providers, deep-deferred annuities provide annuitants with enhanced later-life financial security. However, the valuation of this annuity suffers from high uncertainty because the mortality data at high ages are sparse and possibly unreliable. In this paper, we use risk ratio to measure demographic risk in the valuation. Demographic risk is decomposed into the following four components: (1) mortality tail curve risk, (2) mortality improvement model risk, (3) parameter risk in mortality tail curves, and (4) parameter risk in mortality improvement rate models. Our quantitative analysis aims to provide insights into the development and risk management of deep-deferred annuities.
Does living in remote Australia lessen the impact of hardship on psychological distress?
Authors: Butterworth P. , Kelly B. J. , Handley T. E. , Inder K. J. , Lewin T. J.
Published: April 2017

Aims.

Rural and remote regions tend to be characterised by poorer socioeconomic conditions than urban areas, yet findings regarding differences in mental health between rural and urban areas have been inconsistent. This suggests that other features of these areas may reduce the impact of hardship on mental health. Little research has explored the relationship of financial hardship or deprivation with mental health across geographical areas.

Methods.

Data were analysed from a large longitudinal Australian study of the mental health of individuals living in regional and remote communities. Financial hardship was measured using items from previous Australian national population research, along with measures of psychological distress (Kessler-10), social networks/support and community characteristics/locality, including rurality/remoteness (inner regional; outer regional; remote/very remote). Multilevel logistic regression modelling was used to examine the relationship between hardship, locality and distress. Supplementary analysis was undertaken using Australian Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey data.

Results.

2161 respondents from the Australian Rural Mental Health Study (1879 households) completed a baseline survey with 26% from remote or very remote regions. A significant association was detected between the number of hardship items and psychological distress in regional areas. Living in a remote location was associated with a lower number of hardships, lower risk of any hardship and lower risk of reporting three of the seven individual hardship items. Increasing hardship was associated with no change in distress for those living in remote areas. Respondents from remote areas were more likely to report seeking help from welfare organisations than regional residents. Findings were confirmed with sensitivity tests, including replication with HILDA data, the use of alternative measures of socioeconomic circumstances and the application of different analytic methods.

Conclusions.

Using a conventional and nationally used measure of financial hardship, people residing in the most remote regions reported fewer hardships than other rural residents. In contrast to other rural residents, and national population data, there was no association between such hardship and mental health among residents in remote areas. The findings suggest the need to reconsider the experience of financial hardship across localities and possible protective factors within remote regions that may mitigate the psychological impact of such hardship.