bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Change You Can Believe In? Hedge Fund Data Revisions
Authors: PATTON ANDREW J. , RAMADORAI TARUN , STREATFIELD MICHAEL
Published: January 2015

We analyze the reliability of voluntary disclosures of financial information, focusing on widely‐employed publicly‐available hedge fund databases. Tracking changes to statements of historical performance recorded between 2007 and 2011, we find that historical returns are routinely revised. These revisions are not merely random or corrections of earlier mistakes; they are partly forecastable by fund characteristics. Funds that revise their performance histories significantly and predictably underperform those that have never revised, suggesting that unreliable disclosures constitute a valuable source of information for investors. These results speak to current debates about mandatory disclosures by financial institutions to market regulators.
Learning about Consumption Dynamics
Authors: JOHANNES MICHAEL , LOCHSTOER LARS A. , MOU YIQUN
Published: January 2015

This paper characterizes U.S. consumption dynamics from the perspective of a Bayesian agent who does not know the underlying model structure but learns over time from macroeconomic data. Realistic, high‐dimensional macroeconomic learning problems, which entail parameter, model, and state learning, generate substantially different subjective beliefs about consumption dynamics compared to the standard, full‐information rational expectations benchmark. Beliefs about long‐run dynamics are volatile, with counter‐cyclical conditional volatility, and drift over time. Embedding these beliefs in a standard asset pricing model significantly improves the model's ability to match the stylized facts, as well as the sample path of the market price‐dividend ratio.
Is tooth loss associated with irritable bowel syndrome?
Authors: Esmaillzadeh A. , Keshteli A. H. , Saneei T. , Saneei P. , Savabi O. , Adibi P.
Published: January 2015

Although the relationship between number of teeth and gastric disturbances has been recognised, limited data are available linking tooth loss and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This study aimed to investigate the relation between dental status and IBS among Iranian adults. In a cross‐sectional study on 4669 Iranian adults, dental status was evaluated using a self‐administered questionnaire. Participants were categorised into five main groups: those with full dentition (without denture), those with denture, individual who had lost 1–2 teeth, 3–5 teeth and half of one jaw or more. IBS and its subtypes were defined using Rome III criteria. After adjusting for different confounding variables, those who had lost 1–2 and 3–5 teeth had 1·35 and 1·33 times greater odds for IBS than fully dentate subjects, respectively. After controlling for different confounders, individuals who had denture had 103% greater odds to have constipation‐predominant IBS than those with full dentition (95% confidence interval: 1·29–3·21). Neither in crude nor in adjusted models were any significant association between dental status and other subtypes of IBS. In addition, we did not find any association between losing half of one jaw or more and IBS. We found that losing 1–2 or 3–5 teeth might significantly be associated with increased risk of IBS. Having denture might be related to constipation‐predominant IBS. There should be further prospective studies to confirm these findings.
How Ethical is Islamic Banking in the Light of the Objectives of Islamic Law?
Authors: Mansour Walid , Ben Jedidia Khoutem , Majdoub Jihed
Published: January 2015

Islamic banking is based on moral foundations that make it distinct from conventional banking. Some argue that because of its foundation in Islam, Islamic banking may represent a more morally appealing alternative. Yet, evidence shows that this is not the case. Indeed, the current practice of Islamic banking has not been able to achieve its goals which are based on Islam's moral values: to enhance justice, equitability, and social well‐being. This essay examines the extent to which Islamic banking is ethical and concludes that the practice of the industry does not seem to be de facto ethical from the Islamic perspective of ethical values. It only consists in trading the same instruments of conventional banks without genuinely enforcing Islam's ethical vision. The practice of Islamic banking misrepresents Islam and does not contribute to solving social problems. The interaction between maqasid al‐shari᾽a (objectives of Islamic law) and qiyās (deductive analogy) provides a supplementary tool for interpreting the failure of the prior in terms of the practical misuse of the latter by Islamic banks. This essay provides an interpretive approach to the current debate about why Islamic banking has failed and suggests ways to move cautiously in the future.
Yeshayahu Leibowitz's Axiology
Authors: Brafman Yonatan
Published: January 2015

This essay explicates and assesses Yeshayahu Leibowitz's axiology, and its relation to the value he claims halakhic (Jewish legal) practice instantiates: service of God. It argues that, while Leibowitz often affirms a relativist “polytheism of values,” he sometimes implies that the religious value is the “most valuable value.” However, this is not due to its material content, because serving God is objectively best; rather it is because, consonant with his negative theology, it most fully instantiates the formal properties of a value. The essay concludes by assessing the tenability of Leibowitz's metaethics as well as the argument for positing this contentless value as an intention and reason for halakhic practice.
Deliberating Just War
Authors: Norris Kristopher
Published: January 2015

This essay responds to James Turner Johnson's critiques of my argument in “‘Never Again War’: Recent Shifts in the Roman Catholic Just War Tradition and the Question of ‘Functional Pacifism.’” (2014). It attends specifically to three of Johnson's objections and offers accounts of the meaning and use of the term “functional pacifism,” an understanding of classic just war thought as a tradition, and the concepts of peace and authority within just war and pacifist thought. It argues that my analysis of the Catholic Church's movement toward pacifism but ultimate theological inability to embrace a functional pacifism still stands in spite of Johnson's critiques. In addition, it suggests that Johnson offers a thin pacifistic conception of peace and promotes a restricted notion of ecclesial authority and democratic government.
Comparison of endoscopy and sonography findings in dogs and cats with histologically confirmed gastric neoplasia
Authors: Marolf A. J. , Bachand A. M. , Sharber J. , Twedt D. C.
Published: January 2015

OBJECTIVE

To compare sonographic and endoscopic findings in a group of dogs and cats with histologically confirmed gastric neoplasia.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of cases with concurrent abdominal ultrasound and endoscopy to evaluate the presence of gastric wall abnormalities, location and tumour appearance between the two examinations. Sonographic findings of the small intestines, liver, spleen and lymph nodes were recorded. Comparison of the findings from each test and assessment of predictive characteristics for neoplasia was evaluated.

RESULTS

In total 17 dogs and 5 cats were included, Sonography identified 50% and endoscopy identified 95% of all gastric neoplasms. Lymphoma was the most commonly missed tumour by sonography. There was sonographic and endoscopic tumour location agreement in 36% of cases (Cohen's kappa = 0 · 25). Animals with sonographically normal small intestines had a statistically greater probability of gastric neoplasia (P = 0 · 035). All cats had lymphoma (P < 0 · 001).

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Sonography and endoscopy are useful for the diagnosis of gastric neoplasia. Endoscopy is more accurate in identifying gastric neoplasia; however, sonography can raise the clinical suspicion for gastric neoplasia and may provide a less invasive means of gathering information before endoscopy. Intraluminal gastric gas or fluid may limit diagnostic capabilities of sonographic evaluation.
Adenosquamous carcinoma of the oesophagus in a dog
Authors: Okanishi H. , Shibuya H. , Miyasaka T. , Asano K. , Sato T. , Watari T.
Published: January 2015

A six‐year‐old mixed‐breed male dog weighing 7.0 kg was presented with chronic vomiting and regurgitation. Endoscopic examination revealed prominent oesophageal dilation in the thoracic region, multiple small greyish‐white nodules over the oesophageal lumen and cauliflower‐like masses in the caudal oesophagus. Histopathological studies revealed a characteristic pattern of coexisting elements of infiltrating adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Immunohistochemical staining with anti‐cytokeratin AE1 + AE3 was positive in both types of neoplastic cells. Neoplastic glandular cells stained positively for cytokeratin 8 while neoplastic squamous cells stained positively for cytokeratin 5/6. On the basis of these findings, the dog was diagnosed with oesophageal adenosquamous carcinoma. The case history and findings suggest that the malignancy might have developed from Barrett's oesophagus following irritation of the oesophageal mucosa due to chronic vomiting and regurgitation.
Effects of food intake on pharmacokinetics of mosapride in beagle dogs
Authors: Chae J.‐W. , Song B.‐J. , Baek I.‐H. , Yun H.‐Y. , Ma J. Y. , Kwon K.‐I.
Published: January 2015

This study was performed to determine the pharmacokinetic profile of mosapride in fasting and fed states. A single 5‐mg oral dose of mosapride was administered to fasted (n = 15) and fed (n = 12) beagle dogs, and the plasma concentrations of mosapride were measured by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The resultant data were analyzed by noncompartmental analysis (NCA). Mosapride was absorbed in fasted and fed dogs with similar Tmax. Both Cmax and AUC were significantly higher in the fasting group than in fed dogs, being four times (10.51 μg/mL vs. 2.76 μg/mL) and 3.5 times higher (38.53 h·μg/mL vs. 10.22 h·μg/mL), respectively. These findings suggest that food intake affects the pharmacokinetics of mosapride and that the dosage regimen for this drug need to be reconsidered.
Compositional stability of boreal understorey vegetation after overstorey harvesting across a riparian ecotone
Authors: MacDonald Rebecca L. , Chen Han Y.H. , Bartels Samuel F. , Palik Brian J. , Prepas Ellie E.
Published: January 2015

Questions

Understanding factors that contribute to the stability of an ecosystem following harvesting is central to predicting responses of boreal ecosystems to increasing human disturbances. While the response of understorey vegetation to harvesting is well understood for upland sites, little is known about compositional stability of riparian understorey vegetation. We examined how compositional stability changes with or without harvesting along an upland to streamside gradient and tested whether compositional stability is affected by pre‐harvest species diversity and composition.

Location

Lower Foothills sub‐region of the Boreal Plain, ca. 20 km northwest of Whitecourt, Alberta, CA.

Methods

We repeatedly sampled understorey vegetation of four winter‐harvested and four unharvested sites in western Canadian boreal forest. Species covers were measured during the summer prior to harvesting in 2003 (year 0) and in 2004, 2008 and 2010 (1, 5 and 7 yrs after, respectively). We used non‐metric multidimensional scaling to ordinate plots using species covers, and measured vector length in the ordination space to quantify floristic dissimilarity of each plot between year 0 and years 1, 5 and 7, an inverse measure of compositional stability.

Results

Floristic dissimilarity between year 0 and subsequent years was significantly greater in harvested than unharvested sites for all subsequent sampling years. Furthermore, along the upland to stream gradient, floristic dissimilarity was larger on upland than stream sites. Additional analyses revealed that floristic dissimilarity was related negatively to pre‐harvesting species richness and evenness, but positively to bryophyte cover.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that understorey compositional stability is strongly influenced by harvesting, and streamside communities are more stable than upland communities. Our results indicate that compositional stability of understorey vegetation in response to harvesting is associated positively with pre‐disturbance species richness and evenness, but negatively with bryophyte dominance.
Using parentage analysis to estimate rates of straying and homing in Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Authors: Ford Michael J. , Murdoch Andrew , Hughes Michael
Published: January 2015

We used parentage analysis based on microsatellite genotypes to measure rates of homing and straying of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) among five major spawning tributaries within the Wenatchee River, Washington. On the basis of analysis of 2248 natural‐origin and 11594 hatchery‐origin fish, we estimated that the rate of homing to natal tributaries by natural‐origin fish ranged from 0% to 99% depending on the tributary. Hatchery‐origin fish released in one of the five tributaries homed to that tributary at a far lower rate than the natural‐origin fish (71% compared to 96%). For hatchery‐released fish, stray rates based on parentage analysis were consistent with rates estimated using physical tag recoveries. Stray rates among major spawning tributaries were generally higher than stray rates of tagged fish to areas outside of the Wenatchee River watershed. Within the Wenatchee watershed, rates of straying by natural‐origin fish were significantly affected by spawning tributary and by parental origin: progeny of naturally spawning hatchery‐produced fish strayed at significantly higher rates than progeny whose parents were themselves of natural origin. Notably, none of the 170 offspring that were products of mating by two natural‐origin fish strayed from their natal tributary. Indirect estimates of gene flow based on FST statistics were correlated with but higher than the estimates from the parentage data. Tributary‐specific estimates of effective population size were also correlated with the number of spawners in each tributary.
Tissue‐specific FLAGELLIN‐SENSING 2 (FLS2) expression in roots restores immune responses in Arabidopsis fls2 mutants
Authors: Wyrsch Ines , Domínguez‐Ferreras Ana , Geldner Niko , Boller Thomas
Published: January 2015

The flagellin receptor of Arabidopsis, At‐FLAGELLIN SENSING 2 (FLS2), has become a model for mechanistic and functional studies on plant immune receptors. Responses to flagellin or its active epitope flagellin 22 (flg22) have been extensively studied in Arabidopsis leaves. However, the perception of microbe‐associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) and the immune responses in roots are poorly understood.

Here, we show that isolated root tissue is able to induce pattern‐triggered immunity (PTI) responses upon flg22 perception, in contrast to elf18 (the active epitope of elongation factor thermo unstable (EF‐Tu)). Making use of fls2 mutant plants and tissue‐specific promoters, we generated transgenic Arabidopsis lines expressing FLS2 only in certain root tissues. This allowed us to study the spatial requirements for flg22 responses in the root.

Remarkably, the intensity of the immune responses did not always correlate with the expression level of the FLS2 receptor, but depended on the expressing tissue, supporting the idea that MAMP perception and sensitivity in different tissues contribute to a proper balance of defense responses according to the expected exposure to elicitors.

In summary, we conclude that each investigated root tissue is able to perceive flg22 if FLS2 is present and that tissue identity is a major element of MAMP perception in roots.
Mycorrhizal type determines the magnitude and direction of root‐induced changes in decomposition in a temperate forest
Authors: Brzostek Edward R. , Dragoni Danilo , Brown Zachary A. , Phillips Richard P.
Published: January 2015

Although it is increasingly being recognized that roots play a key role in soil carbon (C) dynamics, the magnitude and direction of these effects are unknown. Roots can accelerate soil C losses by provisioning microbes with energy to decompose organic matter or impede soil C losses by enhancing microbial competition for nutrients.

We experimentally reduced belowground C supply to soils via tree girdling, and contrasted responses in control and girdled plots for three consecutive growing seasons. We hypothesized that decreases in belowground C supply would have stronger effects in plots dominated by ectomycorrhizal (ECM) trees rather than arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) trees.

In ECM‐dominated plots, girdling decreased the activity of enzymes that break down soil organic matter (SOM) by c. 40%, indicating that, in control plots, C supply from ECM roots primes microbial decomposition. In AM‐dominated plots, girdling had little effect on SOM‐degrading enzymes, but increased the decomposition of AM leaf litter by c. 43%, suggesting that, in control plots, AM roots may intensify microbial competition for nutrients.

Our findings indicate that root‐induced changes in soil processes depend on forest composition, and that shifts in the distribution of AM and ECM trees owing to climate change may determine soil C gains and losses.
Leaf expansion in Arabidopsis is controlled by a TCP‐NGA regulatory module likely conserved in distantly related species
Authors: Ballester Patricia , Navarrete‐Gómez Marisa , Carbonero Pilar , Oñate‐Sánchez Luis , Ferrándiz Cristina
Published: January 2015

The NGATHA (NGA) clade of transcription factors (TFs) forms a small subfamily of four members in Arabidopsis thaliana. NGA genes act redundantly to direct the development of apical tissues in the gynoecium, where they have been shown to be essential for style and stigma specification. In addition, NGA genes have a more general role in controlling lateral organ growth. The four NGA genes in Arabidopsis are expressed in very similar domains, although little is known about the nature of their putative regulators. Here, we have identified a conserved region within the four NGA promoters that we have used as a bait to screen a yeast library, aiming to identify such NGA regulators. Three members of the TCP family of TFs, named after the founding factors TEOSINTE BRANCHED 1, CYCLOIDEA and PROLIFERATING CELL FACTOR 1 AND 2), were recovered from this screening, of which two [TCP2 and TCP3, members of the CINCINNATA (CIN) family of TCP genes (CIN‐TCP) subclade] were shown to activate the NGA3 promoter in planta. We provide evidence that support that CIN‐TCP genes are true regulators of NGA gene expression, and that part of the CIN‐TCP role in leaf development is mediated by NGA upregulation. Moreover, we have found that this TCP‐NGA regulatory interaction is likely conserved in angiosperms, including important crop species, for which the regulation of leaf development is a target for biotechnological improvement.
Distribution Pattern(s) of Sperm Protein at 22 kDa (SP22) on Fresh, Cooled and Frozen/Thawed Equine Spermatozoa and Expression of SP22 in Tissues from the Testes and Epididymides of Normal Stallions
Authors: Miller LMJ , Woodward EM , Campos JR , Squires EL , Troedsson MHT
Published: January 2015

Contents

The objectives of this study were to (i) verify localization of SP22 on fresh, cooled, and frozen/thawed equine spermatozoa and to (ii) determine SP22 mRNA and protein expression in equine testicular and epididymal tissues. Immunocytochemistry and Western blots were performed on the spermatozoa samples. Northern blots and Western blots were performed on the tissue samples. The immunocytochemistry revealed the presence of SP22 in all samples tested. The fresh spermatozoa stained predominantly over the equatorial segment as did the samples cooled for 1 and 2 days. The samples cooled for 3 days, and the frozen/thawed samples had an increased proportion of no staining. The Western blots revealed SP22 was present on all semen samples tested. The Northern blot of the tissues revealed a 1.0 kb mRNA transcript present in each of the tissues, and the Western blot revealed the presence of SP22 in each of the tissues. As expected, SP22 was found to be altered on cooled and frozen/thawed spermatozoa. Our results suggest that the equatorial pattern is the normal pattern in spermatozoa, while a complete loss of SP22 from the surface of spermatozoa seems to be the staining pattern indicating the most extreme abnormality with scattered staining of the head indicating intermediate damage.
Insulin‐Like Growth Factor‐1 Regulates the Expression of Luteinizing Hormone Receptor and Steroid Production in Bovine Granulosa Cells
Authors: Rawan AF , Yoshioka S , Abe H , Acosta TJ
Published: January 2015

Contents

Luteinizing hormone LH plays important roles in follicular maturation and ovulation. The effects of LH are mediated by LH receptor (LHR) in the ovary. However, the factors that regulate the expression of LHR in bovine granulosa cells (GCs) are not well known. Insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) is known to play a key role in the acquisition and maintenance of functional dominance. To better understand the roles of LHR expression and IGF‐1, we conducted three experiments to determine (i) mRNA expression of LHR in the GCs of developing follicles, (ii) the effects of IGF‐1 on LHR mRNA expression in cultured GCs and (iii) the effects of IGF‐1 on estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4) and androstenedione (A4) production by non‐luteinized GCs. In experiment 1, small follicles (<6 mm Ø) expressed lower levels of LHR than mid‐sized follicles (6–8 mm Ø) and large follicles (≥9 mm Ø) expressed the highest levels of LHR mRNA (p < 0.05). In experiment 2, IGF‐1 (1 and 100 ng/ml) increased (p < 0.05) the expression of LHR mRNA in GCs from small and large follicles. In experiment 3, IGF‐1 (0.1–100 ng/ml) increased A4 and E2 in GCs from both small and large follicles but increased P4 only in large follicles. IGF‐1 in combination with LH (0.1 and 1 ng/ml) increased P4 and A4 in large follicles, and increased E2 and A4 in GCs of small follicles. These findings strongly support the concept that IGF‐1 upregulates LHR mRNA expression as well as A4 and E2 production in GCs and that IGF‐1 is required for determining which follicle becomes dominant and acquires ovulatory capacity.
Relationship between blood and bronchial submucosal eosinophilia and reticular basement membrane thickening in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Eltboli Osama , Mistry Vijay , Barker Bethan , Brightling Chris E.
Published: January 2015

A sputum eosinophilia is observed in 10–40% of COPD subjects. The blood eosinophil count is a biomarker of sputum eosinophilia, but whether it is associated with bronchial submucosal eosinophils is unclear. In 20 COPD subjects and 21 controls we assessed the number of bronchial submucosal eosinophils and reticular basement membrane thickening and found these were positively correlated with the blood eosinophil percentage. In COPD, blood eosinophils are a good biomarker of bronchial eosinophilia and remodelling.
The Cry Wolf Effect and Weather‐Related Decision Making
Authors: LeClerc Jared , Joslyn Susan
Published: January 2015

Despite improvements in forecasting extreme weather events, noncompliance with weather warnings among the public remains a problem. Although there are likely many reasons for noncompliance with weather warnings, one important factor might be people's past experiences with false alarms. The research presented here explores the role of false alarms in weather‐related decision making. Over a series of trials, participants used an overnight low temperature forecast and advice from a decision aid to decide whether to apply salt treatment to a town's roads to prevent icy conditions or take the risk of withholding treatment, which resulted in a large penalty when freezing temperatures occurred. The decision aid gave treatment recommendations, some of which were false alarms, i.e., treatment was recommended but observed temperatures were above freezing. The rate at which the advice resulted in false alarms was manipulated between groups. Results suggest that very high and very low false alarm rates led to inferior decision making, but that lowering the false alarm rate slightly did not significantly affect compliance or decision quality. However, adding a probabilistic uncertainty estimate in the forecasts improved both compliance and decision quality. These findings carry implications about how weather warnings should be communicated to the public.
Parental expectations and school enrolment decisions: Evidence from rural Ghana
Authors: Ahiakpor Ferdinand , Swaray Raymond
Published: January 2015

We use field data to investigate factors that influence parents' decisions to enrol children in schools in rural Ghana. The empirical results identified a host of socio‐economic and household‐level factors including remittances parents expect from investing in education, parents perception of a child's desirable professions, cost of schooling and discount rate as significant determinants of parental school enrolment decision. When gender of the child and remittances are taken into account, we show male parents are more likely to invest in education of boys than girls because they expect significantly higher returns from their investment in boys. Female parents do not show such gender preference. The proportion of children enrolled in school is positively related to average cost of schooling for male parents Gender of parent plays a significant role in school enrolment decision making.
Optimal Two Sector Growth Models with Three Factors
Authors: Sanderson W. , Tarasyev A. , Usova A.
Published: January 2015

The paper is devoted to construction of optimal trajectories in the model, which balances growth trends of investments in capital and labor efficiency. The model is constructed within the framework of classical approaches of the growth theory. It is based on three production factors: capital, educated labor and useful work. GDP level is described by a production function of the Cobb–Douglas type. The utility function of the growth process is given by an integral consumption index discounted on the infinite horizon. The optimal control problem is posed to balance investments in capital and labor efficiency. The problem is solved on the basis of dynamic programming principles. A novelty of the solution consists in constructing nonlinear stabilizers constructed on the feedback principle, which leads the system from any current position to a steady state. Growth and decline trends of the simulated trajectories are studied for all components included in the model.
Financial Deepening and Economic Growth in Advanced and Emerging Economies
Authors: Bhattarai Keshab
Published: January 2015

While over‐financing caused crises and slow growth in advanced economies including Germany, France and the UK after 2008, more prudent financial deepening sustained higher economic growth in China and India—two major emerging economies in the world. The actual financial deepening ratios (AFDR) observed in the non‐consolidated balance sheet from the OECD exceeded by factors of 3.5, 2.4 and 5.1 the optimal financial deepening ratios (OFDR) obtained from the solutions of dynamic general equilibrium (DGE) models of those three advanced economies. The corresponding factors were 2.3 and 0.49 for China and India respectively. Labor intensive production technology and a low OFDR relative to a high AFDR in China allowed it to grow at 10% between 1990 and 2010 period that ended with the global financial crisis. With a reasonable OFDR and low AFDR India also managed to grow at 6.5%. Thus huge gaps between the optimal and actual financial deepening ratios led to massive macroeconomic consequences as observed after the crises in 2008. Smooth, sustainable and efficient economic growth requires adoption of strategies for separating equilibria in line of Miller–Stiglitz–Roth mechanisms avoiding problems of asymmetric information in the process of financial intermediation with as narrower gaps as possible between the AFDRs and OFDRs.
A New Method for Protecting Interrelated Time Series with Bayesian Prior Distributions and Synthetic Data
Authors: Schneider Matthew J. , Abowd John M.
Published: January 2015

Organizations disseminate statistical summaries of administrative data via the Web for unrestricted public use. They balance the trade-off between protection of confidentiality and quality of inference. Recent developments in disclosure avoidance techniques include the incorporation of synthetic data, which capture the essential features of underlying data by releasing altered data generated from a posterior predictive distribution. The US Census Bureau collects millions of interrelated time series microdata that are hierarchical and contain many 0s and suppressions. Rule-based disclosure avoidance techniques often require the suppression of count data for small magnitudes and the modification of data based on a small number of entities. Motivated by this problem, we use zero-inflated extensions of Bayesian generalized linear mixed models with privacy-preserving prior distributions to develop methods for protecting and releasing synthetic data from time series about thousands of small groups of entities without suppression based on the magnitudes or number of entities. We find that, as the prior distributions of the variance components in the Bayesian generalized linear mixed model become more precise towards zero, protection of confidentiality increases and the quality of inference deteriorates. We evaluate our methodology by using a strict privacy measure, empirical differential privacy and a newly defined risk measure, the probability of range identification, which directly measures attribute disclosure risk. We illustrate our results with the US Census Bureau's quarterly workforce indicators.
Selection Error in Single- and Mixed Mode Surveys of the Dutch General Population
Authors: Klausch Thomas , Hox Joop , Schouten Barry
Published: January 2015

This study compares the extent of selection error (non-response and coverage error) evoked by the four major contemporary modes of data collection (face to face, telephone, mail and Web) and three sequential mixed mode designs (telephone, mail and Web with face-to-face follow-up) for the case of the Dutch Crime Victimization Survey. Sociodemographic characteristics and target variables from the survey serve as benchmark variables. A special two-wave experimental design allows studying design differences in selection error on Crime Victimization Survey variables independently from differences in measurement error. Despite large differences in response rates, only small or no differences in selection error between the four single-mode designs are found on both types of variable. We observe cases when the error is enlarged or mitigated in the mixed mode designs despite the fact that the designs yielded large response increases. Our results question the use of response rates to motivate the choice of mode and use of mixed mode surveys.
Bayesian Hierarchical Models for Smoothing in Two-Phase Studies, with Application to Small Area Estimation
Authors: Ross Michelle , Wakefield Jon
Published: January 2015

Two-phase study designs are appealing since they allow for the oversampling of rare subpopulations, which improves efficiency. We describe a Bayesian hierarchical model for the analysis of two-phase data. Such a model is particularly appealing in a spatial setting in which random effects are introduced to model between-area variability. In such a situation, one may be interested in estimating regression coefficients or, in the context of small area estimation, in reconstructing the population totals by strata. The gains in efficiency of the two-phase sampling scheme are compared with standard approaches by using 2011 birth data from the research triangle area of North Carolina. We show that the method proposed can overcome small sample difficulties and improve on existing techniques. We conclude that the two-phase design is an attractive approach for small area estimation.
Group home caregivers' comfort levels regarding physical resistance during oral hygiene care
Authors: Risma Kayla M. , Weber‐Gasparoni Karin , Swenson Sarah E. , Ettinger Ronald L. , Qian Fang
Published: January 2015

The purpose of this study was to investigate perceived comfort levels, behaviors, and barriers reported by group home caregivers who provide oral hygiene measures to consumers with special health care needs (SHCN) who physically resist the care. A 24‐item survey was sent to 884 caregivers employed at six care facilities in Iowa. Bivariate analyses and logistic regression models were used to analyze the data (alpha = 0.05). The overall response rate was 52%. An analysis of the data indicated that caregivers who felt more comfortable providing oral hygiene for consumers who physically resisted the care experienced a higher frequency of consumers not opening their mouths (p = 0.0003), pushing the caregiver away (p = 0.0002), moving their heads uncontrollably (p = 0.0004), spitting at (p = 0.0099), hitting and/or kicking the caregiver (p = 0.0011). Furthermore, these caregivers provided weekly direct care for a greater number of consumers (p = 0.0044), received oral care training from their current facility (p = 0.0424), brushed the teeth of uncooperative consumers at least 75% of the time (p < 0.0001), and felt “somewhat comfortable to very comfortable” flossing their teeth (p < 0.0001). The caregivers’ comfort level in providing oral hygiene measures to those consumers with SHCN who physically resist the care appears to be significantly associated with their training and experience working with this population.
Evaluating a bereavement follow‐up intervention for grieving mothers after the death of a child
Authors: Raitio Katja , Kaunonen Marja , Aho Anna Liisa
Published: January 2015

Aim

The aim of this study was to produce information about parental grief intervention and its impacts on maternal grief.

Background

The grief after death of a child is a lifelong process. Social support is often stated as the most important factor in coping after the death of a child.

Design

A single measure post‐test control group design was used to evaluate whether there are differences in the grief reactions between the mothers in the intervention program (n = 83) and the mothers in the control group (n = 53).

Method

The data were collected by using a questionnaire which included background variables and Hogan Grief Reactions Checklist 6 months after the child's death. The data were analysed by statistical methods.

Results

There were no significant differences in the grief reactions between the intervention group and the control group. However, greater support from the healthcare professionals was associated with stronger personal growth. The mothers' age, self‐perceived health status and the age of deceased child were associated with the grief reactions. This study emphasises the importance of social support to grieving mothers.

Conclusion

Health care professionals are in an important role when considering support for grieving mothers; the given support may relieve the mothers' grief reactions.
Traces of historical tropical cyclones and tsunamis in the Ashburton Delta (north‐west Australia)
Authors: May Simon Matthias , Brill Dominik , Engel Max , Scheffers Anja , Pint Anna , Opitz Stephan , Wennrich Volker , Squire Peter , Kelletat Dieter , Brückner Helmut
Published: January 2015

Although the north‐western coast of Western Australia is highly vulnerable to tropical cyclones and tsunamis, little is known about the geological imprint of historic and prehistoric extreme wave events in this particular area. Despite a number of site‐specific difficulties such as post‐depositional changes and the preservation potential of event deposits, both tropical cyclones and tsunamis may be inferred from the geomorphology and the stratigraphy of beach ridge sequences, washover fans and coastal lagoons or marshes. A further challenge is the differentiation between tsunami and storm deposits in the geological record, particularly where modern deposits and/or historical reports on the event are not available. This study presents a high‐resolution sedimentary record of washover events from the Ashburton River delta (Western Australia) spanning approximately the last 150 years. A detailed characterization of event deposits is provided, and a robust chronostratigraphy for the investigated washover sequence is established based on multi‐proxy sediment analyses and optically stimulated luminescence dating. Combining sedimentological, geochemical and high‐resolution optically stimulated luminescence data, event layers are assigned to known historical events and tropical cyclone deposits are separated from tsunami deposits. For the first time, the 1883 Krakatoa and 1977 Sumba tsunamis are inferred from sedimentary records of the north‐western part of Western Australia. It is demonstrated that optically stimulated luminescence applied in coastal sedimentary archives with favourable luminescence characteristics can provide accurate chronostratigraphies even on a decadal timescale. The results contribute to the data pool of tropical cyclone and tsunami deposits in Holocene stratigraphies; however, they also demonstrate how short‐lived sediment archives may be in dynamic sedimentary environments.
Empirical Likelihood for Censored Linear Regression and Variable Selection
Authors: Wu Tong Tong , Li Gang , Tang Chengyong
Published: January 2015

The linear regression model for right censored data, also known as the accelerated failure time model using the logarithm of survival time as the response variable, is a useful alternative to the Cox proportional hazards model. Empirical likelihood as a non‐parametric approach has been demonstrated to have many desirable merits thanks to its robustness against model misspecification. However, the linear regression model with right censored data cannot directly benefit from the empirical likelihood for inferences mainly because of dependent elements in estimating equations of the conventional approach. In this paper, we propose an empirical likelihood approach with a new estimating equation for linear regression with right censored data. A nested coordinate algorithm with majorization is used for solving the optimization problems with non‐differentiable objective function. We show that the Wilks' theorem holds for the new empirical likelihood. We also consider the variable selection problem with empirical likelihood when the number of predictors can be large. Because the new estimating equation is non‐differentiable, a quadratic approximation is applied to study the asymptotic properties of penalized empirical likelihood. We prove the oracle properties and evaluate the properties with simulated data. We apply our method to a Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results small intestine cancer dataset.
Optimization of the contour ridge system for controlling nitrogen and phosphorus losses under seepage condition
Authors: Juan A. N. , QianJin L. I. U. , YuanZhi W. U.
Published: January 2015

Contour ridging can enhance the occurrence of deep seepage because more rainwater concentrates in the low areas along furrows when soil is saturated. Greater seepage could significantly increase nonpoint source pollution. To optimize the contour ridge system to effectively control nutrient losses under seepage condition, 23 treatments with three variables (row grade, field slope and ridge height) in five levels were arranged in a quadratic orthogonal rotation combination design. Results showed that field slope and interactions between the three factors did not significantly influence NO3‐N and PO4‐P losses. The dominant factor that controlled NO3‐N loss was ridge height, followed by row grade. The smallest NO3‐N loss was obtained at a ridge height of 8.72 cm and a row grade of 7.05°. The dominant factor that controlled PO4‐P loss was ridge height. The optimal ridge height for efficiently controlling PO4‐P loss was 9.79 cm. For simultaneously maximally controlling NO3‐N and PO4‐P losses, a ridge height of 9.26 cm, a row grade of 7.05° and a field slope of 5° were optimum. This study provides guidance for implementing the contour ridge system.
Laboratory blood analysis in Strigiformes—Part I: hematologic reference intervals and agreement between manual blood cell counting techniques
Authors: Ammersbach Mélanie , Beaufrère Hugues , Gionet Rollick Annick , Tully Thomas
Published: January 2015

Background

While hematologic reference intervals (RI) are available for multiple raptorial species of the order Accipitriformes and Falconiformes, there is a lack of valuable hematologic information in Strigiformes that can be used for diagnostic and health monitoring purposes.

Objectives

The objective was to report RI in Strigiformes for hematologic variables and to assess agreement between manual cell counting techniques.

Methods

A multi‐center prospective study was designed to assess hematologic RI and blood cell morphology in owl species. Samples were collected from individuals representing 13 Strigiformes species, including Great Horned Owl, Snowy Owl, Eurasian Eagle Owl, Barred Owl, Great Gray Owl, Ural Owl, Northern Saw‐Whet Owls, Northern Hawk Owl, Spectacled Owl, Barn Owl, Eastern Screech Owl, Long‐Eared Owl, and Short‐Eared Owl. Red blood cell count was determined manually using a hemocytometer. White blood cell count was determined using 3 manual counting techniques: (1) phloxine B technique, (2) Natt and Herrick technique, and (3) estimation from the smear. Differential counts and blood cell morphology were determined on smears. Reference intervals were determined and agreement between methods was calculated.

Results

Important species‐specific differences were observed in blood cell counts and granulocyte morphology. Differences in WBC count between species did not appear to be predictable based on phylogenetic relationships. Overall, most boreal owl species exhibited a lower WBC count than other species. Important disagreements were found between different manual WBC counting techniques.

Conclusions

Disagreements observed between manual counting techniques suggest that technique‐specific RI should be used in Strigiformes.
Unilateral persistent hyperplastic tunica vasculosa lentis and persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous in a rabbit
Authors: Boillot Thomas , Graille Mélanie , Williams David , Rosolen Serge G.
Published: January 2015

A 3‐month wild rabbit was presented for examination of ocular opacities in the left eye. A complete bilateral ocular examination including slit‐lamp examination, indirect ophthalmoscopy, tonometry, and ultrasound biomicroscopy was performed. Biomicroscopy of the lens of the left eye showed a retrolental fibrovascular membrane causing leukocoria. The opacity prevented biomicroscopy of the vitreous and funduscopyOS. No other disorder was present in either eye. Ultrasound examination did not show any difference between the right and left eye. Histopathological examination showed a 50‐μm thick, preretinal, retrolental, nonpigmented, fibrovascular tissue. Posterior synechiae were present, but no other lesion of the posterior segment was found in this eye. These ocular abnormalities are consistent with a persistent hyperplastic tunica vasculosa lentis and persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (PHTVL/PHPV), similar to those described in other species.
Central corneal thickness measurements and ultrasonographic study of the growing equine eye
Authors: Herbig Lena E. , Eule J. Corinna
Published: January 2015

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine the central corneal thickness (CCT) of healthy equine eyes with high‐frequency ultrasound (HF) and ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) and to measure the axial dimensions with B‐mode ultrasound. Additionally, the influence of the age on the measured dimensions of the globe was analyzed.

Animals studied

Fifty warm blood horses (mean age 23.0 ± 21.12 months) were divided into 3 age groups (group 1: 0–6 months; group 2: ≥7–30 months; and group 3: ≥31–78 months).

Procedure

Corneal measurements were performed with a 22‐MHz and a 50‐MHz transducer. Crystalline lens thickness (CLT), vitreous chamber depth (VCD), and axial globe length (AGL) were measured at a frequency of 10MHz. Anterior chamber depth (ACD) was calculated. The eyes were measured under general anesthesia nonrelated to this study.

Results

The meanCCTof 50 eyes was 818 ± 41 μm. The mean values ± SDin mm for axial dimensions wereAGL34.7 ± 2.7,ACD3.4 ± 0.7,CLT10.0 ± 0.9, andVCDof 20.4 ± 1.5. A positive correlation with increasing age was found for all dimensions. No significant differences were found between the gender and the left or right eye.

Conclusion

HFandUBMare valuable high‐resolution imaging tools forCCTmeasurements in horses. The here‐obtained values support previous findings that a positive correlation with increasing age exists forCCT,ACD,CLT,VCD, andAGLin horse.
Molecular phylogeny of the genus Helix (Pulmonata: Helicidae)
Authors: Korábek Ondřej , Petrusek Adam , Neubert Eike , Juřičková Lucie
Published: January 2015

The vast diversity of land snail forms is insufficiently understood even in seemingly familiar taxa. This holds for Helix Linnaeus, 1758, a genus with several common edible species which comprises the largest Western Palearctic snails. The taxonomy of this genus, which has a centre of diversity in the eastern Mediterranean, has recently undergone significant changes, in both the delimitation of the genus itself and its species‐level systematics. Here, we compare the lineage diversity of Helix, as revealed by two mitochondrial markers, with the conclusions of the recently published morphology‐based taxonomic revision. For the molecular analysis, we assembled a representative data set covering almost all species of the genus as recognized by the mentioned revision. We obtained sequences not only from fresh and preserved soft tissues but also from dried tissue remains (some of them decades old) from shell collections. Our results show that the genus Helix, in the narrow sense proposed by recent studies, is paraphyletic because the genus Tacheopsis was unambiguously revealed as one of the tip branches of Helix. The monophyly of several species, as presently recognized, was not supported; partly, this may be attributed to a lineage diversity overlooked so far. This holds also for the type species of the genus, H. pomatia, which comprises at least one additional lineage. Greece, the Aegean and western Turkey is the core area for the diversity of Helix and its relatives, and the region is probably a major long‐term refuge for large Helicidae. The highest species diversity is found along the Alpide belt from the western Balkans to southern Turkey. The diversity of Helix in Europe, north of Greece and the Apennines, is a result of a single European radiation. Our data also suggest that past human activities likely influenced the present‐day distributions of some species.