bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fermented barley extract supplementation ameliorates metabolic state in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats
Authors:   Ardiansyah, Shirakawa Hitoshi , Giriwono Puspo E , Oguchi Kazuki , Ueda Kazuma , Hokazono Hideki , Hiwatashi Kazuyuki , Takahashi Saori , Sato Shoko , Komai Michio
Published: June 2015

We studied the effects of fermented barley extract P (FBEP) in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP). Male 10-week-old SHRSP were divided into three groups that were fed: an AIN-93M diet (control), a low dose of FBEP (4 g/kg; FBEP1), and a high dose of FBEP (20 g/kg; FBEP2) for three weeks. Hypertension was significantly improved by the use of FBEP supplementation. The FBEP diet improved plasma triglyceride, insulin sensitivity, enhanced plasma catalase, and superoxide dismutase activities, and decreased plasma 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine levels. In addition, the FBEP diet upregulated hepatic antioxidative genes and modulated Nrf2 protein levels in the liver. Furthermore, a single oral dose of FBEP (2 g/kg body weight) was able to lower blood pressure in SHRSP. In conclusion, our data suggest that increased expression of hepatic antioxidative genes and modulation of Nrf2 may play a role in the regulation of metabolic diseases in SHRSP consuming a FBEP diet.
Rethinking Palestine: settler-colonialism, neo-liberalism and individualism in the West Bank and Gaza Strip
Authors: Hilal Jamil
Published: June 2015

The 1967 occupied Palestinian territories have undergone three major types of development since the Oslo agreement between the Palestinian Liberation Organization and Israel was signed in 1993 and the Palestinian Authority was established in 1994. These developments have brought far-reaching structural changes in Palestinian politics and society. They have rendered Palestinian communities – inside historic Palestine and outside - very vulnerable, and made collective action against collective colonial repression (including a third intifada) more difficult. The three developments are identified as: the emergence of a political discourse that evicts Palestinians from history and geography and denies them a national identity; the escalation of collective repression, and settler-colonization; and the localization of Palestinian politics and the atomization of Palestinian society (in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and probably elsewhere) under the impact of settler-colonialism and neo-liberalism.
Characterization of Bycatch in the Cannonball Jellyfish Fishery in the Coastal Waters off Georgia
Authors: Page James West
Published: June 2015

Studies have been conducted in Georgia to examine bycatch in many fisheries, but none has focused on the trawl fishery for cannonball jellyfish Stomolophus meleagris. Although this fishery is relatively new, it presently ranks in the top three by weight (kg) in Georgia, along with the food shrimp and blue crab Callinectes sapidus fisheries. The purpose of this study was to characterize and quantify the finfish and invertebrate bycatch species in the cannonball jellyfish trawl fishery in Georgia. Between December 2005 and December 2012, observers accompanied commercial fishers utilizing trawl gear to target cannonball jellyfish in the coastal waters off Georgia; a total of 133 tows were sampled. Observed tow duration ranged from 0.15 to 1.22 h, averaging 0.55 h/tow. During the study period, 1,488 finfish and 150 invertebrates were collected, and 13 individuals representing four species of concern were present in the bycatch. The most numerous species were the Harvestfish Peprilus paru (n = 677), Cownose Ray Rhinoptera bonasus (n = 185), Atlantic Bumper Chloroscombrus chrysurus (n = 179), Butterfish Peprilus triacanthus (n = 175), and blue crab (n = 114). The estimated numbers of captured cannonball jellyfish and bycatch varied monthly and yielded an overall cannonball jellyfish : bycatch ratio of 291:1. Results suggest that bycatch in the cannonball jellyfish fishery is nominal in comparison with other Georgia trawl fisheries (e.g., shrimp trawl fishery) and is dominated by a few species that are known to associate with jellyfish. Information gained in the present study provides fishery managers with the knowledge necessary to better understand the impacts of Georgia's commercial cannonball jellyfish trawl fishery on other species.

Received September 3, 2014; accepted March 10, 2015
Curve counting invariants for crepant resolutions
Authors: Bryan Jim , Steinberg David
Published: June 2015

We construct curve counting invariants for a Calabi-Yau threefold

Y
Y

equipped with a dominant birational morphism

π
:
Y
→
X

\pi :Y \to X

. Our invariants generalize the stable pair invariants of Pandharipande and Thomas which occur for the case when

π
:
Y
→
Y

\pi :Y\to Y

is the identity. Our main result is a PT/DT-type formula relating the partition function of our invariants to the Donaldson-Thomas partition function in the case when

Y
Y

is a crepant resolution of

X
X

, the coarse space of a Calabi-Yau orbifold

X

\mathcal {X}

satisfying the hard Lefschetz condition. In this case, our partition function is equal to the Pandharipande-Thomas partition function of the orbifold

X

\mathcal {X}

. Our methods include defining a new notion of stability for sheaves which depends on the morphism

π
\pi

. Our notion generalizes slope stability which is recovered in the case where

π
\pi

is the identity on

Y
Y

.
Physicochemical Changes in Nontraditional Pasta During Cooking
Authors: de la Peña Elena , Ohm Jae‐Bom , Simsek Senay , Manthey Frank A.
Published: June 2015

Physicochemical changes in the components of nontraditional spaghetti during cooking were reflected in the quality of the cooked product. Spaghetti formulations used were semolina (100%), whole wheat flour (100%), semolina/whole wheat flour (49:51), semolina/flaxseed flour (90:10), whole wheat flour/flaxseed flour (90:10), and semolina/whole wheat flour/flaxseed flour (39:51:10). Spaghetti quality was determined as cooking loss, cooked weight, and cooked firmness. Physicochemical analyses included total starch, starch damage, pasting properties, and protein quality and quantity of the flour mixes and spaghetti cooked for 0, 2, 4, 10, and 18 min. As cooking time progressed, total starch content decreased up to 5.7% units, starch damage increased up to 11.7% units, and both pasting parameters and protein solubility decreased significantly in all six formulations. Changes in the starch damage level, total starch content, and pasting properties of spaghetti correlated significantly (P < 0.05) with the cooking loss, cooked weight, and cooked firmness values recorded for the spaghetti. High levels of glutenin polymers and low levels of the albumin and globulin fractions were associated with low cooking losses and cooked weight and with high cooked firmness, indicating the involvement of these proteins in the cooked quality of nontraditional spaghetti.
Psychrotolerant Endophytic Pseudomonas sp. Strains OB155 and OS261 Induced Chilling Resistance in Tomato Plants (Solanum lycopersicum Mill.) by Activation of Their Antioxidant Capacity
Authors: Subramanian Parthiban , Mageswari Anbazhagan , Kim Kiyoon , Lee Yi , Sa Tongmin
Published: June 2015

Studies on chilling stress damage and its mitigation through microorganisms in members of family Solanaceae is limited, despite their economic importance. We studied chilling stress alleviation in tomato plants colonized by psychrotolerant bacterial strains Pseudomonas vancouverensis OB155-gfp and P. frederiksbergensis OS261-gfp. Log phase cultures of bacterial strains were coated on surface-sterilized seeds (bacterization) before sowing and nonbacterized (control) seeds were coated with sterile bacterial growth medium. All plants were grown at temperatures of 30 and 25°C and at the end of 4 weeks, chilling treatment (12 and 10°C) was imposed for 1 week on half of the bacterized and control plants. Under normal conditions (30 and 25°C), no significant difference was observed in antioxidant activity, proline accumulation, and expression of cold acclimation genes in tomato leaf tissues of both control and bacterized plants. However, plants exposed to temperatures of 12 and 10°C were found to decrease in robustness and nutrient uptake, accompanied by increased membrane damage. Chilling resistance in bacterized plants was evident from reduced membrane damage and reactive oxygen species levels, improved antioxidant activity in leaf tissues, and high expression of cold acclimation genes LeCBF1 and LeCBF3 compared with control plants. Confocal microscopy confirmed effective colonization and intercellular localization of cold-adapted bacterial strains OB155-gfp and OS261-gfp.
Putative Serine Protease Effectors of Clavibacter michiganensis Induce a Hypersensitive Response in the Apoplast of Nicotiana Species
Authors: Lu You , Hatsugai Noriyuki , Katagiri Fumiaki , Ishimaru Carol A. , Glazebrook Jane
Published: June 2015

Clavibacter michiganensis subspp. michiganensis and sepedonicus cause diseases on solanaceous crops. The genomes of both subspecies encode members of the pat-1 family of putative serine proteases known to function in virulence on host plants and induction of hypersensitive responses (HR) on nonhosts. One gene of this family in C. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus, chp-7, is required for triggering HR in Nicotiana tabacum. Here, further investigation revealed that mutation of the putative catalytic serine residue at position 232 to threonine abolished the HR induction activity of Chp-7, suggesting that enzymatic activity is required. Purified Chp-7 triggered an HR in N. tabacum leaves in the absence of the pathogen, indicating Chp-7 itself is the HR elicitor from C. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus. Ectopic expression of chp-7 constructs in N. tabacum leaves revealed that Chp-7 targeted to the apoplast triggered an HR while cytoplasmic Chp-7 did not, indicating that Chp-7 induces the HR in the apoplast of N. tabacum leaves. Chp-7 also induced HR in N. sylvestris, a progenitor of N. tabacum, but not in other Nicotiana species tested. ChpG, a related protein from C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis, also triggered HR in N. tabacum and N. sylvestris. Unlike Chp-7, ChpG triggered HR in N. clevelandii and N. glutinosa.
Resistance to Cucurbit aphid-borne yellows virus in Melon Accession TGR-1551
Authors: Kassem Mona A. , Gosalvez Blanca , Garzo Elisa , Fereres Alberto , Gómez-Guillamón Maria Luisa , Aranda Miguel A.
Published: June 2015

The genetic control of resistance to Cucurbit aphid-borne yellows virus (CABYV; genus Polerovirus, family Luteoviridae) in the TGR-1551 melon accession was studied through agroinoculation of a genetic family obtained from the cross between this accession and the susceptible Spanish cultivar ‘Bola de Oro’. Segregation analyses were consistent with the hypothesis that one dominant gene and at least two more modifier genes confer resistance; one of these additional genes is likely present in the susceptible parent ‘Bola de Oro’. Local and systemic accumulation of the virus was analyzed in a time course experiment, showing that TGR-1551 resistance was expressed systemically as a significant reduction of virus accumulation compared with susceptible controls, but not locally in agroinoculated cotyledons. In aphid transmission experiments, CABYV inoculation by aphids was significantly reduced in TGR-1551 plants, although the virus was acquired at a similar rate from TGR-1551 as from susceptible plants. Results of feeding behavior studies using the DC electrical penetration graph technique suggested that viruliferous aphids can salivate and feed from the phloem of TGR-1551 plants and that the observed reduction in virus transmission efficiency is not related to reduced salivation by Aphis gossypii in phloem sieve elements. Since the virus is able to accumulate to normal levels in agroinoculated tissues, our results suggest that resistance of TGR-1551 plants to CABYV is related to impairment of virus movement or translocation after it reaches the phloem sieve elements.
Laue pattern analysis for two-dimensional strain mapping in light-ion-implanted polycrystals
Authors: Ibrahim M. , Castelier É. , Palancher H. , Bornert M. , Caré S. , Micha J.-S.
Published: June 2015

In polycrystals implanted by light ions, a thin layer close to the surface is deformed. X-ray microdiffraction in Laue mode is used to measure the induced strain. In the resulting Laue patterns, the diffraction spots are observed to split, forming double spots, one corresponding to the nondeformed substrate and the other to the deformed layer. A specific image analysis, using bi-Gaussian shape functions, has been developed to improve diffraction spot detection. This is used in association with several numerical tools (conditioning, goodness-of-fit, hat matrix etc.), based on least-squares techniques and statistics, for detecting incorrect data and estimating the accuracy of the result. The use of these tools is not restricted to the study of ion-implanted polycrystals but should find a systematic application for strain analysis from Laue patterns.
Experimental and theoretical studies of the products of addition–elimination reactions between benzil dihydrazone and three isomeric chlorobenzaldehydes
Authors: Liu Yun-Na , Cheng Shuang-Shuang , Wang Chao , Xing Dian-Xiang , Liu Yun , Tan Xue-Jie
Published: June 2015

A series of mono- and di-Schiff bases formed between benzil dihydrazone {BDH; systematic name: (1Z)-[(2E)-2-hydrazinylidene-1,2-diphenylethylidene]hydrazine} and three isomeric chlorobenzaldehydes were designed and synthesized to be used as model compounds to help to explain the reaction mechanisms for the formation of Schiff bases. These compounds are 1-(2-chlorobenzylidene)-2-{2-[2-(2-chlorobenzylidene)hydrazin-1-ylidene]-1,2-diphenylethylidene}hydrazine (BDHOCB), and the 3-chloro (BDHMCB) and 4-chloro (BDHPCB) analogues, all having the formula C28H20Cl2N4. Surprisingly, only di-Schiff bases were obtained; our attempts to push the reaction in favour of the mono-Schiff bases all failed. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to explain the trend in the experimental results. In the case of the systems studied, the type of Schiff base produced exhibits a clear dependence on the HOMO–LUMO energy gaps (ΔEHOMO–LUMO),i.e.the product is mainly governed by its stability. The compounds were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffractometry, elemental analysis, melting point,1H NMR and13C NMR spectroscopy. The structural features of the three new Schiff bases are similar. For instance, they have the same chemical formula, all the molecules have a symmetrical double helix structure, with each Ph—C=N—N=C—Ph arm exhibiting ananticonformation, and their supramolecular interactions include intermolecular π–π and weak C—H...π stacking interactions. The crystal systems are different, however,viz.triclinic (space groupP\overline{1}) for BDHPCB, monoclinic (space groupP21/n) for BDHOCB and orthorhombic (space groupPnna) for BDHMCB.
Synthesis, structure and characterization of two copper(II) supramolecular coordination polymers based on a multifunctional ligand 2-amino-4-sulfobenzoic acid
Authors: Wei Yan , Zhang Lei , Wang Meng-Jie , Chen Si-Chun , Wang Zi-Hao , Zhang Kou-Lin
Published: June 2015

Copper(II) coordination polymers have attracted considerable interest due to their catalytic, adsorption, luminescence and magnetic properties. The reactions of copper(II) with 2-amino-4-sulfobenzoic acid (H2asba) in the presence/absence of the auxiliary chelating ligand 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) under ambient conditions yielded two supramolecular coordination polymers, namely (3-amino-4-carboxybenzene-1-sulfonato-κO1)bis(1,10-phenanthroline-κ2N,N′)copper(II) 3-amino-4-carboxybenzene-1-sulfonate monohydrate, [Cu(C7H6N2O5S)(C12H8N2)2](C7H6N2O5S)·H2O, (1), andcatena-poly[[diaquacopper(II)]-μ-3-amino-4-carboxylatobenzene-1-sulfonato-κ2O4:O4′], [Cu(C7H6N2O5S)(H2O)2]n, (2). The products were characterized by FT–IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), solid-state UV–Vis spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, as well as by variable-temperature powder X-ray diffraction analysis (VT-PXRD). Intermolecular π–π stacking interactions in (1) link the mononuclear copper(II) cation units into a supramolecular polymeric chain, which is further extended into a supramolecular double chain through interchain hydrogen bonds. Supramolecular double chains are then extended into a two-dimensional supramolecular double layer through hydrogen bonds between the lattice Hasba−anions, H2O molecules and double chains. Left- and right-handed 21helices formed by the Hasba−anions are arranged alternately within the two-dimensional supramolecular double layers. Complex (2) exhibits a polymeric chain which is further extended into a three-dimensional supramolecular network through interchain hydrogen bonds. Complex (1) shows a reversible dehydration–rehydration behaviour, while complex (2) shows an irreversible dehydration–rehydration behaviour.
Application of the 3D common‐reflection‐surface stack workflow in a crystalline rock environment
Authors: Ahmed K. A. , Schwarz B. , Gajewski D.
Published: June 2015

Seismic data from crystalline or hardrock environments usually exhibit a poor signal‐to‐noise ratio due to low impedance contrasts in the subsurface. Moreover, instead of continuous reflections, we observe a lot of steeply dipping events resembling parts of diffractions. The conventional seismic processing (common midpoint stack and dip moveout) is not ideally suited for imaging such type of data. Common‐reflection‐surface stack processing considers more traces during the stack than common midpoint processing, and the resulting image displays a better signal‐to‐noise ratio. In the last decade, the common‐reflection‐surface stack method was established as a powerful tool to provide improved images, especially for low‐fold or noise‐contaminated data. The common‐reflection‐surface stack and all attributes linked to it are obtained using a coherence‐based automatic data‐driven optimization procedure. In this work we applied the common‐reflection‐surface stack workflow to 3D crystalline rock seismic data, which were acquired near Schneeberg, Germany, for geothermal exploration. The common‐reflection‐surface stack itself provided an image of good signal‐to‐noise ratio. However, for data from environments with low acoustic impedance and poor velocity information, coherence, which is automatically obtained in the optimization procedure, provides an alternative way to image the subsurface. Despite the reduced resolution, for these data, the coherence image provided the best results for an initial analysis. Utilized as a weight, the coherence attribute can be used to further improve the quality of the stack. By combining the benefits of a decreased noise level with the high‐resolution and high‐interference properties of waveforms, we argue that these results may provide the best images in an entirely data‐driven processing workflow for the Schneeberg data.
Microhabitat and body size effects on heat tolerance: implications for responses to climate change (army ants: Formicidae, Ecitoninae)
Authors: Baudier Kaitlin M. , Mudd Abigail E. , Erickson Shayna C. , O'Donnell Sean
Published: June 2015

Models that predict organismal and population responses to climate change may be improved by considering ecological factors that affect species thermal tolerance. Species differences in microhabitat use can expose animals to diverse thermal selective environments at a given site and may cause sympatric species to evolve different thermal tolerances.

We tested the hypothesis that species differences in body size and microhabitat use (above‐ vs. below‐ground activity) would correspond to differences in thermal tolerance (maximum critical temperatures: CTmax). Thermal buffering effects of soil can reduce exposure to extreme high temperatures for below‐ground active species. We predicted larger‐bodied individuals and species would have higher CTmax and that species mean CTmax would covary positively with degree of above‐ground activity. We used Neotropical army ants (Formicidae: Ecitoninae) as models. Army ants vary in microhabitat use from largely subterranean to largely above‐ground active species and are highly size polymorphic.

We collected data on above‐ and below‐ground temperatures in habitats used by army ants to test for microhabitat temperature differences, and we conducted CTmax assays for army ant species with varying degrees of surface activity and with different body sizes within and between species. We then tested whether microhabitat use was associated with species differences in CTmax and whether microhabitat was a better predictor of CTmax than body size for species that overlapped in size.

Microhabitat use was a highly significant predictor of species' upper thermal tolerance limits, both for raw data and after accounting for the effects of phylogeny. Below‐ground species were more thermally sensitive, with lower maximum critical temperatures (CTmax). The smallest workers within each species were the least heat tolerant, but the magnitude of CTmax change with body size was greater in below‐ground species. Species‐typical microhabitat was a stronger predictor of CTmax than body size for species that overlapped in size. Compared to the soil surface, 10‐cm subsoil was a significantly moderated thermal environment for below‐ground army ants, while maximum surface raid temperatures sometimes exceeded CTmax for the most thermally sensitive army ant castes.

We conclude sympatric species differences in thermal physiology correspond to microhabitat use. These patterns should be accounted for in models of species and community responses to thermal variation and climate change.
Understanding the resource curse (or blessing) across national and regional scales: Theory, empirical challenges and an application
Authors: Fleming David A. , Measham Thomas G. , Paredes Dusan
Published: June 2015

The relationship between resource extraction activity and economic growth has been widely studied in the literature, and the resource curse hypotheses emerged as a theory to explain the effects of resource windfalls on national economies. However, within countries, resource booms and busts can have distinctive effects across local economies, as extractive regions face particular economic consequences unlikely to be observed in nonresource regions. Empirically, most studies analysing the resource curse have relied on cross‐country models to estimate effects and inform policy; however, the use of regional – within‐country – analysis has gained attention from scholars lately, promoted by two advantages: it avoids unobserved country heterogeneities confounding economic outcomes caused by resources and exploits the subnational quasi‐natural experimental conditions generated by endowments. This paper contributes to the resource curse literature by discussing its theoretical causes across scale (regional vs. national effects) and highlighting the empirical challenges involved in the analysis of mining economic impacts across regions. We complement the discussions by econometrically modelling economic growth across nonmetropolitan substate regions of Australia during a period of resource windfalls, finding that in most cases, resources have been a blessing for local economies, although negative effects have also been experienced in parts of the country.
Can Civic Education Make a Difference for Democracy? Hungary and Poland Compared
Authors: Fesnic Florin N
Published: June 2015

Civic education can have a significant impact on democracy. This article offers evidence for this assertion by comparing the effects of the widely different choices made in the early 1990s by two post-communist countries: Poland and Hungary. Initially, the effects of civic education were confined to teenagers; later, as generational replacement started to have an effect, one can see an impact on the politics of the two countries. The success of civic education in Poland and its failure in Hungary is illustrated by the differences in young people’s voting patterns: throughout the last decade, the vote of Polish youth has consistently been less authoritarian than the vote of older Poles, unlike in Hungary, where the pattern is reversed. Ultimately, these developments likely had an impact on democracy: one sees democratic progress in Poland and democratic regression in Hungary.
Syringe sociology
Authors: Vitellone Nicole
Published: June 2015

In this article I consider the impact of social epistemologies for understanding the object of the syringe. My aim is to examine the process through which the syringe transforms from an injecting device to a tool of social and political inquiry. Paying particular attention to the uses ofFoucault,Becker,Bourdieu,Freud andLatour in empirical studies of injecting heroin use, I examine the sociology of the syringe through the lens of habit and habitus, discourse and deviance, mourning and melancholia, attachment and agencement. In pursuing the theory behind the object my goal is to address a sociological object in the making. In so doing I show how the syringe has been significant for social research, social theory, and sociology. It is the difference the object makes that this article seeks to describe. In tracing the epistemology of the syringe I show how the object is important not just for knowledge of addiction but sociology itself.
Incorporating the Last Four Digits of Social Security Numbers Substantially Improves Linking Patient Data from De‐identified Hospital Claims Databases
Authors: Naessens James M. , Visscher Sue L. , Peterson Stephanie M. , Swanson Kristi M. , Johnson Matthew G. , Rahman Parvez A. , Schindler Joe , Sonneborn Mark , Fry Donald E. , Pine Michael
Published: June 2015

Objective

Assess algorithms for linking patients across de‐identified databases without compromising confidentiality.

Data Sources/Study Setting

Hospital discharges from 11 Mayo Clinic hospitals during January 2008–September 2012 (assessment and validation data). Minnesota death certificates and hospital discharges from 2009 to 2012 for entire state (application data).

Study Design

Cross‐sectional assessment of sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) for four linking algorithms tested by identifying readmissions and posthospital mortality on the assessment data with application to statewide data.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

De‐identified claims included patient gender, birthdate, and zip code. Assessment records were matched with institutional sources containing unique identifiers and the last four digits of Social Security number (SSNL4).

Principal Findings

Gender, birthdate, and five‐digit zip code identified readmissions with a sensitivity of 98.0 percent and a PPV of 97.7 percent and identified postdischarge mortality with 84.4 percent sensitivity and 98.9 percent PPV. Inclusion of SSNL4 produced nearly perfect identification of readmissions and deaths. When applied statewide, regions bordering states with unavailable hospital discharge data had lower rates.

Conclusion

Addition of SSNL4 to administrative data, accompanied by appropriate data use and data release policies, can enable trusted repositories to link data with nearly perfect accuracy without compromising patient confidentiality. States maintaining centralized de‐identified databases should add SSNL4 to data specifications.
Interrater agreement between expert and novice in measuring inferior vena cava diameter and collapsibility index
Authors: Bowra Justin , Uwagboe Victor , Goudie Adrian , Reid Cliff , Gillett Mark
Published: June 2015

Background

In critical care medicine, US views of the inferior vena cava (IVC) and its change with respiration are used to estimate the intravascular volume status of unwell patients and, in particular, to answer the question: ‘Is this patient likely to be fluid responsive?’ Most commonly in the literature, the subxiphisternal (SX) window in the longitudinal plane is utilised. To date, no study has specifically assessed interrater agreement in estimating IVC diameter between emergency medicine specialists (experts) and trainees (learners).

Objectives

To determine the interrater agreement between an expert (senior emergency specialist with US qualifications) and learner (emergency medicine trainee) when measuring IVC diameter (IVCD) and IVC collapsibility index (IVCCI) in the SX longitudinal US window in healthy volunteers.

Methods

Healthy volunteers (ED staff) were scanned in the supine position using a sector (cardiac) probe of a portable US machine, in the SX longitudinal position. The maximum and minimum diameters of the IVC were measured in each of these positions and the IVCCI calculated. Results were analysed using Bland–Altman plots.

Results

In the longitudinal SX window, the operators' measurements of maximum IVCD differed by an average of 1.9 mm (95% limits of agreement −9.4 mm to +5.5 mm) and their measurement of IVCCI differed by an average of 4% (95% limits of agreement −30% to 38%).

Conclusions

The wide 95% limits of agreement demonstrate a poor interrater agreement between the IVC US measurements obtained by expert and learner users in the assessment of fluid status. These ranges are greater than clinically acceptable.
Characterization, Stability, and In Vitro Release Evaluation of Carboxymethyl Chitosan Coated Liposomes Containing Fish Oil
Authors: Wang Qianqian , Lv Shun , Lu Jianfeng , Jiang Shaotong , Lin Lin
Published: June 2015

Fish oil was extracted and refined from Nile tilapia viscera. Uncoated liposomes (un‐L) and carboxymethylchitosan (CMCS)‐coated liposomes (CM‐L) containing fish oil were prepared, and their characteristics, stability, and release in vitro were studied. The CMCS coating increased the mean diameter of liposomes but there was no effect on entrapment efficiency. The surface structure and characteristics of liposomes were determined. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that the hydrogen bonding formed between the CMCS and the carbonyl region of the liposomes’ bilayer. The transition temperature of CM‐L was higher than un‐L. The stabilities of un‐L and CM‐L stored at 4 °C were better than 25 °C. Moreover, the CM‐L was significantly more stable than un‐L when stored at 25 °C. The release behaviors of un‐L and CM‐L were governed by 2 distinct stages and the first‐order model was the most suitable model for the whole release procedure. The diffusion and erosion may be the main release mechanisms for the full controlled release of fish oil from the liposomes. This study can provide theories and practice information for further applications of fish oil from tilapia viscera.
Flagellar region 3b supports strong expression of integrated DNA and the highest chromosomal integration efficiency of the Escherichia coli flagellar regions
Authors: Juhas Mario , Ajioka James W.
Published: June 2015

The Gram‐negative bacterium Escherichia coli is routinely used as the chassis for a variety of biotechnology and synthetic biology applications. Identification and analysis of reliable chromosomal integration and expression target loci is crucial for E. coli engineering. Chromosomal loci differ significantly in their ability to support integration and expression of the integrated genetic circuits. In this study, we investigate E. coli K12 MG1655 flagellar regions 2 and 3b. Integration of the genetic circuit into seven and nine highly conserved genes of the flagellar regions 2 (motA, motB, flhD, flhE, cheW, cheY and cheZ) and 3b (fliE, F, G, J, K, L, M, P, R), respectively, showed significant variation in their ability to support chromosomal integration and expression of the integrated genetic circuit. While not reducing the growth of the engineered strains, the integrations into all 16 target sites led to the loss of motility. In addition to high expression, the flagellar region 3b supports the highest efficiency of integration of all E. coli K12 MG1655 flagellar regions and is therefore potentially the most suitable for the integration of synthetic genetic circuits.
Projected Changes in Discharge in an Agricultural Watershed in Iowa
Authors: Villarini Gabriele , Scoccimarro Enrico , White Kathleen D. , Arnold Jeffrey R. , Schilling Keith E. , Ghosh Joyee
Published: June 2015

Our improved capability to adapt to the future changes in discharge is linked to our capability to predict the magnitude or at least the direction of these changes. For the agricultural United States Midwest, too much or too little water has severe socioeconomic impacts. Here, we focus on the Raccoon River at Van Meter, Iowa, and use a statistical approach to examine projected changes in discharge. We build on statistical models using rainfall and harvested corn and soybean acreage to explain the observed discharge variability. We then use projections of these two predictors to examine the projected discharge response. Results are based on seven global climate models part of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 and two representative concentration pathways (RCPs 4.5 and 8.5). There is not a strong signal of change in the discharge projections under the RCP 4.5. However, the results for the RCP 8.5 point to a stronger changing signal related to larger projected increases in rainfall, resulting in increased trends, in particular, in the upper part of the discharge distribution (i.e., 60th percentile and above). Examination of two hypothetical agricultural scenarios indicates that these increasing trends could be alleviated by decreasing the extent of the agricultural production. We also discuss how the methodology presented in this study represents a viable approach to move forward with the concept of return period for engineering design and management in a nonstationary world.
A Comparison of Bayesian Methods for Uncertainty Analysis in Hydraulic and Hydrodynamic Modeling
Authors: Camacho René A. , Martin James L. , McAnally William , Díaz‐Ramirez Jairo , Rodriguez Hugo , Sucsy Peter , Zhang Song
Published: June 2015

We evaluate and compare the performance of Bayesian Monte Carlo (BMC), Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC), and the Generalized Likelihood Uncertainty Estimation (GLUE) for uncertainty analysis in hydraulic and hydrodynamic modeling (HHM) studies. The methods are evaluated in a synthetic 1D wave routing exercise based on the diffusion wave model, and in a multidimensional hydrodynamic study based on the Environmental Fluid Dynamics Code to simulate estuarine circulation processes in Weeks Bay, Alabama. Results show that BMC and MCMC provide similar estimates of uncertainty. The posterior parameter densities computed by both methods are highly consistent, as well as the calibrated parameter estimates and uncertainty bounds. Although some studies suggest that MCMC is more efficient than BMC, our results did not show a clear difference between the performance of the two methods. This seems to be due to the low number of model parameters typically involved in HHM studies, and the use of the same likelihood function. In fact, for these studies, the implementation of BMC results simpler and provides similar results to MCMC. The results of GLUE are, on the other hand, less consistent to the results of BMC and MCMC in both applications. The posterior probability densities tend to be flat and similar to the uniform priors, which can result in calibrated parameter estimates centered in the parametric space.
Hydrologic Effects of Surface Coal Mining in Appalachia (U.S.)
Authors: Evans Daniel M. , Zipper Carl E. , Hester Erich T. , Schoenholtz Stephen H.
Published: June 2015

Surface coal mining operations alter landscapes of the Appalachian Mountains, United States, by replacing bedrock with mine spoil, altering topography, removing native vegetation, and constructing mine soils with hydrologic properties that differ from those of native soils. Research has demonstrated hydrologic effects of mining and reclamation on Appalachian landscapes include increased peakflows at newly mined and reclaimed watersheds in response to strong storm events, increased subsurface void space, and increased base flows. We review these investigations with a focus on identifying changes to hydrologic flow paths caused by surface mining for coal in the Appalachian Mountains. We introduce two conceptual control points that govern hydrologic flow paths on mined lands, including the soil surface that partitions infiltration vs. surface runoff and a potential subsurface zone that partitions subsurface storm flow vs. deeper percolation. Investigations to improve knowledge of hydrologic pathways on reclaimed Appalachian mine sites are needed to identify effects of mining on hydrologic processes, aid development of reclamation methods to reduce hydrologic impacts, and direct environmental mitigation and public policy.
Combination of Biological and Habitat Indices for Assessment of Idaho Streams
Authors: Jessup Benjamin , Pappani Jason
Published: June 2015

States and tribes are encouraged to use multiple biological assemblages in assessment of water bodies. An assessment index for each assemblage provides information on aspects of the aquatic resource that may be unique in terms of stressor sensitivity, stressor type, or ecological scale. However, assessment results relative to impairment thresholds can disagree among indices for an individual water body, leading to uncertain overall water‐body assessments. We explored options for combining stream indices for macroinvertebrates, fish, and habitat in ways that would yield the most consistent and sensitive results relative to established disturbance categories. Methods varied in the scoring or rating scales used to standardize each index value, the thresholds used to define impairment of aquatic life uses, and the ways of synthesizing multiple indices. The index compositing method that scores each index on a continuous scale and averages the scores after standardizing had superior accuracy, sensitivity, and precision. In addition, using the 25th quantile of reference sites instead of the 10th quantile resulted in a more balanced error rate among reference and degraded site categories.
Stream Temperature Patterns over 35 Years in a Managed Forest of Western Washington
Authors: Reiter Maryanne , Bilby Robert E. , Beech Storm , Heffner John
Published: June 2015

Stream temperature changes as a result of forest practices have been a concern in the Pacific Northwest for several decades. As a result of this concern, stream protection requirements for forest lands were first adopted in the early 1970s and have become progressively more stringent. While there have been multiple studies examining the effects of stream protection buffers on water temperature, there are few studies examining temperature patterns over long periods on intensively managed forests. Water temperature in the upper Deschutes River watershed, Washington has been monitored since 1975 and represents one of the longest studies of water quality on managed forests in the Pacific Northwest. This data record, collected from basins of varying sizes, has enabled us to examine the combined effects of hydro‐climatic patterns and forest management on stream temperature. Effects of harvest conducted prior to buffer regulations were clearly identifiable and most pronounced on smaller streams. We were not able to detect any response on larger channels to more recent timber harvest where riparian buffers were required. This analysis also emphasizes that it is critical to account for changing climate when examining long‐term temperature patterns. We found that in many cases the temperature improvements associated with more stringent buffer requirements implemented over the last 35 years in the Deschutes watershed have been offset by warming climatic conditions.
Barriers to radiotherapy utilisation in New South Wales Australia: Health professionals' perceptions of impacting factors
Authors: Sundaresan Puma , King Madeleine T , Stockler Martin R , Costa Daniel SJ , Milross Christopher G
Published: June 2015

Introduction

Utilisation of radiation therapy (RT) in Australia is below recommended evidence‐based benchmarks. Barriers to the referral of patients for RT and the uptake of RT by patients may be affecting RT utilisation. The current study aimed to examine health professionals' (HPs) perceptions of potential barriers to RT referral and uptake.

Methods

A custom survey was developed to assess perceptions regarding the degree to which a range of issues affect decisions regarding RT. Hard copy surveys were disseminated to HPs involved in the care of cancer patients across New South Wales (NSW): medical, radiation and surgical oncologists, physicians (including palliative care), and general practitioners with an interest in oncology. Electronic versions of the survey were disseminated via oncology multidisciplinary teams and professional networks at participating hospitals.

Results

Two hundred fifty‐three HPs participated via hard copy (n = 208) or electronic (n = 45) surveys. Two‐thirds of HPs perceived acute side effects of RT, their management and impact on daily commitments, as well as fear and anxiety about RT, to exert moderate to significant influence on RT decisions. Treatment‐related travel, need for accommodation and relocation were also perceived by 64% of HPs to do the same. Over half of HPs rated concern regarding late effects of RT, disruption to family and work life, and the ability to organise family and work commitments around RT, as moderate to significant influences on RT uptake.

Conclusion

Perceptions of HPs in NSW reveal potential important influencers of RT decisions by patients and clinicians. An understanding of these additional issues and their actual impact on RT‐related decisions may inform future interventions to improve RT access and utilisation.
Do Market Dominant Fund Distributors Provide Better Performing Funds To Investors?
Authors: Baek Kang , Park Young S.
Published: June 2015

Uninformed investors preferentially select distribution companies to purchase funds that suit their investment objectives, as they cannot evaluate each product themselves. Thus, their performance depends significantly on the quality of their fund distributors' product portfolios. This study examines whether fund distributors provide better performing funds to investors in return for distribution fees and, whether market‐dominant companies outperform the others. It differs from previous studies by applying distributor‐level as well as fund‐level analyses by calculating the equal‐ and sales‐weighted averages of the funds sold by each distribution company for all performance measures. The results demonstrate that fund distributors do not generate positive abnormal returns against the market; moreover, distributors with superior market power are inferior, except in market timing abilities.
Estimation of Risk and Return of Venture Capital Investments in an Emerging Market: An Iterative Generalized Method of Moments Approach
Authors: Kim Myung‐Jig , Kim Sang‐Soo , Lee Sang‐Heon
Published: June 2015

This paper examines the risks and returns of venture capital investments using the Fama–French (Journal of Financial Economics, 1993; 33: 3) factor model and cash flow data. In doing so, this paper extends the single‐stage generalized method of moments (GMM) estimation approach proposed by Driessen et al. (Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, 2012; 47: 511) to iterative GMM estimation by explicitly introducing the heteroskedasticity consistent covariance estimator. The iterative GMM method is simpler and faster to implement, it allows for a formal test for over‐identifying restrictions, and it seems to perform well in the small sample herein. Using the venture capital cash flow data of all liquidated funds incepted from 1999 to 2006 compiled by the Korea Venture Capital Association (KVCA), this paper finds that both market and high‐minus‐low (HML) factors are important. Unlike experiences in the United States market, however, the contribution of market factors is small and positive, whereas the contribution of HML factors is large and negative in the emerging market in Korea. This means that Korean venture capital strategies take a short position in value stocks and a long position in growth stocks. Because growth stocks lag while value stocks perform well during the sample period herein, the cost of capital turns out to be nearly zero. This is compensated for by a large positive abnormal return, yielding the expected return of 11.05% per year on venture capital investments in the Korean market.
Backing Out or Backing In? Commitment and Consistency in Audience Costs Theory
Authors: Levy Jack S. , McKoy Michael K. , Poast Paul , Wallace Geoffrey P.R.
Published: June 2015

Audience costs theory posits that domestic publics punish leaders for making an external threat and then backing down. One key mechanism driving this punishment involves the value the public places on consistency between their leaders’ statements and actions. If true, this mechanism should operate not only when leaders fail to implement threats, but also when they fail to honor promises to stay out of a conflict. We use a survey experiment to examine domestic responses to the president's decision to “back down” from public threats and “back into” foreign conflicts. We find the president loses support in both cases, but suffers more for “backing out” than “backing in.” These differential consequences are partially explained by asymmetries in the public's treatment of new information. Our findings strongly suggest that concerns over consistency undergird audience costs theory and that punishment for inconsistency will be incurred, regardless of the leader's initial policy course.
Clinical evaluation of a novel technology for non‐invasive and continuous measurement of plasma haemoglobin concentration
Authors: Broderick A. J. , Desmond F. , Leen G. , Shorten G.
Published: June 2015

We undertook the first clinical evaluation of a novel, non‐invasive device for the continuous measurement of plasma haemoglobin concentration in 25 patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery. At four pre‐determined intervals, samples of blood were taken for plasma haemoglobin estimation on a blood gas analyser and a laboratory device and were compared with the plasma haemoglobin estimation on the novel device using the Bland–Altman method. The 95% limits of agreement for estimation of plasma haemoglobin concentration for the device vs. laboratory, the device vs. the blood gas analyser and the blood gas analyser vs. the laboratory were 101.3 g.l−1, 103.1 g.l−1 and 14.5 g.l−1, respectively. The bias (mean difference) in each case was 27.4 g.l−1, 25.1 g.l−1 and 2.4 g.l−1, respectively. We conclude that the novel device in its current form is not a suitable replacement for more invasive methods of determining plasma haemoglobin concentration in patients in the setting of cardiac surgery; however, lessons learnt from the study will help to improve the device's future performance.
Psychological aspects in pre‐transplantation assessments of patients prior to entering the first uterus transplantation trial
Authors: Järvholm Stina , Johannesson Liza , Brännström Mats
Published: June 2015

Uterus transplantation is a treatment of uterine factor infertility. It raises questions of psychological aspects and well‐being among the participants, which is of great importance as this is a new type of a major surgical procedure. This commentary focuses on the psychology surrounding this novel type of transplantation and the importance of patient selection. In addition, psychological aspects of events during the first postoperative year and the follow‐up are discussed.