bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Relationship between Earnings Management and Stock Price Liquidity
Authors: Arar Shehadeh S. , Al-Sheikh Emad , Hardan Abdullah S.
Published: March 2018

This study aimed to examine the relationship between Earning's Management and the Stock Price Liquidity for a selected sample of (49) Jordanian Service Companies listed on Amman stock market for The period of (2010-2015), the importance of this study comes from The Obvious effect of Earning's Management on the Companies Performances by manipulating the Financial reports in Positive or Negative way, therefore this study attempted to examine such impact or Relationship between the dependent variable (Stock Liquidity) and The independent variable (Earning's Management), Using the Jones Modified Model (1995) through the description.Analysis to find out The Earning's Management Practice and using The (SPSS) analysis System to Prove The study assumption.The outcomes of this study indicated a non-significant relationship between the Earning's Management and the Stock Price Liquidity in The Jordanian Service Companies. In addition there were the Recommendation of using a concept of linking the corporate Governance with some Earning’s Management, through some Accounting application approved by the international financial Standards to attain the use of positive Earning’s Management within Companies to improve the overall performance and serve all the Users of the financial reports.
Home-made silver ion solid-phase extraction system for the analysis of trans fatty acids: comparison with commercial Discovery Ag-Ion SPE
Authors: Poškus Vilius , Vičkačkaitė Vida , Dargytė Julita , Brimas Gintautas
Published: March 2018

A home-made silica-based silver ion solid-phase extraction (Ag+-SPE) system for the fractionation and subsequent gas chromatographic analysis of trans fatty acids in human adipose tissue is developed and examined. Analytical characteristics of the home-made Ag+-SPE column were compared with those of the commercial Discovery Ag-Ion SPE column and it was demonstrated that the both columns can be applied for the fractionation of fatty acid methyl esters.
The Utilitarian Aspect of the Philosophy of Ecology: The Case of Corporate Social Responsibility
Authors: Saeidi Sayedeh Parastoo , Othman Mohd Shahwahid Haji , Štreimikienė Dalia , Saeidi Sayyedeh Parisa , Mardani Abbas , Stasiulis Nerijus
Published: March 2018

This study aims to combine the philosophical perspective and the practical ethics of ecology in the everyday with a more pragmatic concept of corporate social responsibility. The importance of the latter is shown to be based in the abandonment of the distinction of subject and object and the development of personal as well as cultural ecological consciousness embedded in the notion of unity between man and nature. This philosophical shift in the consciousness is also reflected in terms of utility. Hence, the study examines whether the relationship between corporate social responsibility and firm’s sales growth is mediated by competitive advantage, and whether employees’ individual perception in the everyday and beliefs of social responsibility can play a moderating role on CSR-sales growth relationship. The analysis revealed that there is the link between CSR and sales growth and that there is a positive effect of CSR on sales growth which is positively moderated by employees’ individual beliefs of social responsibility which has been implied by the ecological consciousness.
Dynamics of Zika virus outbreaks: an overview of mathematical modeling approaches
Authors: Wiratsudakul Anuwat , Suparit Parinya , Modchang Charin
Published: March 2018

Background

The Zika virus was first discovered in 1947. It was neglected until a major outbreak occurred on Yap Island, Micronesia, in 2007. Teratogenic effects resulting in microcephaly in newborn infants is the greatest public health threat. In 2016, the Zika virus epidemic was declared as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Consequently, mathematical models were constructed to explicitly elucidate related transmission dynamics.

Survey Methodology

In this review article, two steps of journal article searching were performed. First, we attempted to identify mathematical models previously applied to the study of vector-borne diseases using the search terms “dynamics,” “mathematical model,” “modeling,” and “vector-borne” together with the names of vector-borne diseases including chikungunya, dengue, malaria, West Nile, and Zika. Then the identified types of model were further investigated. Second, we narrowed down our survey to focus on only Zika virus research. The terms we searched for were “compartmental,” “spatial,” “metapopulation,” “network,” “individual-based,” “agent-based” AND “Zika.” All relevant studies were included regardless of the year of publication. We have collected research articles that were published before August 2017 based on our search criteria. In this publication survey, we explored the Google Scholar and PubMed databases.

Results

We found five basic model architectures previously applied to vector-borne virus studies, particularly in Zika virus simulations. These include compartmental, spatial, metapopulation, network, and individual-based models. We found that Zika models carried out for early epidemics were mostly fit into compartmental structures and were less complicated compared to the more recent ones. Simple models are still commonly used for the timely assessment of epidemics. Nevertheless, due to the availability of large-scale real-world data and computational power, recently there has been growing interest in more complex modeling frameworks.

Discussion

Mathematical models are employed to explore and predict how an infectious disease spreads in the real world, evaluate the disease importation risk, and assess the effectiveness of intervention strategies. As the trends in modeling of infectious diseases have been shifting towards data-driven approaches, simple and complex models should be exploited differently. Simple models can be produced in a timely fashion to provide an estimation of the possible impacts. In contrast, complex models integrating real-world data require more time to develop but are far more realistic. The preparation of complicated modeling frameworks prior to the outbreaks is recommended, including the case of future Zika epidemic preparation.
Piezoresistivity, Strain, and Damage Self‐Sensing of Polymer Composites Filled with Carbon Nanostructures
Authors: Avilés Francis , Oliva‐Avilés Andrés I. , Cen‐Puc Marco
Published: March 2018

Previous and current research on piezoresistivity of polymer composites filled with carbon nanostructures is reviewed. The review covers the use of the coupled electro‐mechanical response of these materials to self‐sense their strain and damage during mechanical loading. The mechanisms yielding changes in electrical resistance upon mechanical loading in polymer composites filled with carbon nanostructures are first discussed. Published knowledge is then summarized, starting with framework literature on carbon black and graphite and then moving to more recent research on carbon nanotubes, exfoliated graphite, and few‐layer graphene sheets. Piezoresistive studies of polymer nanocomposites with aligned carbon fillers are also reviewed. It is aimed that this review contributes in collecting, organizing, and summarizing the knowledge, foundations, and state of the art on the piezoresistive response of polymer composites filled with different carbon allotropes, providing new perspectives and advancing towards the fast development of smart self‐sensing carbon filled nanocomposites.
Dental size variability in Central African Pygmy hunter‐gatherers and Bantu‐speaking farmers
Authors: Romero Alejandro , Ramirez‐Rozzi Fernando V. , Pérez‐Pérez Alejandro
Published: March 2018

Objectives

Odontometric studies of African populations show high within‐group variation in tooth size. Overall, North Africans exhibit smaller dimensions than groups from eastern and southern sub‐Saharan regions, but no previous studies have analyzed the full dental metrics among extant African Pygmy hunter‐gatherers and Bantu‐speaking farmers. Furthermore, the population variability in tooth crown sizes from equatorial rainforest regions remains to be elucidated.

Materials and Methods

The mesiodistal and buccolingual diameters of the permanent teeth (I1‐M2) were measuredin vivousing high‐resolution replicas from Baka Pygmies and Mvae and Yassa Bantu‐speakers from Cameroon (western Africa). Analyses of variance were used to record sex‐related and population‐level differences in tooth sizes, and a principal component analysis of geometrically scaled measures was used to plot the odontometric variability among groups.

Results

Cameroonian Baka Pygmies differ in dental size from their Bantu‐speaking neighbors. Molar teeth are larger in Pygmies than in Bantu individuals, while the anterior dentition is larger in the Bantu. Baka males exhibit significantly larger teeth than females, whereas sexual dimorphism in non‐Pygmies is only present in the anterior dentition.

Discussion

Odontometric patterns and the degree of sexual dimorphism in dental size differ among Central African groups, indicating adaptation to their different forager and farmer lifestyles. In particular, the admixture of Bantu‐speakers in Baka populations is smaller than that in other western Pygmy groups. The greater dental phenetic diversity in Baka compared to that of the smaller‐toothed farmers suggests that ecogenetic and microevolutionary factors are influencing a particular divergence scenario.
Visible‐Light‐Induced Nickel‐Catalyzed Negishi Cross‐Couplings by Exogenous‐Photosensitizer‐Free Photocatalysis
Authors: Abdiaj Irini , Fontana Alberto , Gomez M. Victoria , de la Hoz Antonio , Alcázar Jesús
Published: March 2018

The merging of photoredox and transition‐metal catalysis has become one of the most attractive approaches for carbon–carbon bond formation. Such reactions require the use of two organo‐transition‐metal species, one of which acts as a photosensitizer and the other one as a cross‐coupling catalyst. We report herein an exogenous‐photosensitizer‐free photocatalytic process for the formation of carbon–carbon bonds by direct acceleration of the well‐known nickel‐catalyzed Negishi cross‐coupling that is based on the use of two naturally abundant metals. This finding will open new avenues in cross‐coupling chemistry that involve the direct visible‐light absorption of organometallic catalytic complexes.
A Suboptimal Dual Control Method for the Stochastic Systems with Parameters Drifting
Authors: Yang Hengzhan , Gao Song , Qian Fucai , Huang Jiaoru
Published: March 2018

This paper proposed a suboptimal dual control method for the stochastic systems with parameters drifting. Based on the consideration of the performance index control and the parameter estimation, the minimum variance of the system output and the estimated covariance matrix of the parameters estimation are both put into the performance index to evaluate the control quality. Furthermore, a dual control strategy is designed which is of the property of learning and control. Simulation results illustrate the effectiveness of the algorithm.
NNs‐Based Event‐Triggered Consensus Control of a Class of Uncertain Nonlinear Multi‐Agent Systems
Authors: Yang Yang , Yue Dong
Published: March 2018

We are concerned with the consensus problem for a class of uncertain nonlinear multi‐agent systems (MASs) connected through an undirected communication topology via event‐triggered approaches in this paper. Two distributed control strategies, the adaptive centralized event‐triggered control one and adaptive distributed event‐triggered control one, are presented utilizing neural networks (NNs) and event‐driven mechanisms, where the advantages of the proposed control laws lie that they remove the requirement for exact priori knowledge about parameters of individual agents by taking advantage of NNs approximators and they save computing and communication resources since control tasks only execute at certain instants with respect to predefined threshold functions. Also, the trigger coefficient can be regulated adaptively with dependence on state errors to ensure not only the control performance but also the efficiency of the network interactions. It is proven that all signals in the closed‐loop system are bounded and the Zeno behavior is excluded. Finally, simulation examples are presented for illustration of the theoretical claims.
Non‐Uniform and Absolute Minimal Sampling for High‐Throughput Multidimensional NMR Applications
Authors: Li Dawei , Hansen Alexandar L. , Bruschweiler‐Li Lei , Brüschweiler Rafael
Published: March 2018

Many biomolecular NMR applications can benefit from the faster acquisition of multidimensional NMR data with high resolution and their automated analysis and interpretation. In recent years, a number of non‐uniform sampling (NUS) approaches have been introduced for the reconstruction of multidimensional NMR spectra, such as compressed sensing, thereby bypassing traditional Fourier‐transform processing. Such approaches are applicable to both biomacromolecules and small molecules and their complex mixtures and can be combined with homonuclear decoupling (pure shift) and covariance processing. For homonuclear 2D TOCSY experiments, absolute minimal sampling (AMS) permits the drastic shortening of measurement times necessary for high‐throughput applications for identification and quantification of components in complex biological mixtures in the field of metabolomics. Such TOCSY spectra can be comprehensively represented by graphic theoretical maximal cliques for the identification of entire spin systems and their subsequent query against NMR databases. Integration of these methods in webservers permits the rapid and reliable identification of mixture components. Recent progress is reviewed in this Minireview.
Ion‐Molecule Reaction for the Selective Detection of Hydrocarbons in Diesel Exhaust Gas
Authors: Kaspar Marcel , Rabl Hans‐Peter , Mayer Wolfgang
Published: March 2018

The hydrocarbons present in the diesel exhaust gas are analyzed. A mass spectrometer is used for the measurements, and it operates on the basis of an ion‐molecule reaction. This method is especially suitable because it is selective, is as free of fragments as possible, and is highly sensitive to the species that need to be measured. The study shows that numerous hydrocarbons in diesel exhaust gas can be identified. In particular, three molecules, ethyne, ethene and propene, were analyzed online in‐depth on an engine test bench under different engine operating conditions.
Development of aqueous two‐phase systems comprising poly ethylene glycol and dextran for purification of pullulan: Phase diagrams and fiscal analysis
Authors: Badhwar Parul , Kumar Punit , Dubey Kashyap Kumar
Published: March 2018

Pullulan is a commercially important Exopolysaccharide (EPS) with wide‐spread applications which is produced by Aureobasidium pullulans. The alternative α (1 4) & α (1 6) configuration in pullulan provides it the specific structural and conformational properties. Pullulan is currently being exploited in food, health care, pharmacy, lithography, cosmetics. The fermented broth is processed by organic solvent precipitation for isolation and purification of pullulan. In this study, we have tried to analyze the potential of aqueous two phase system as an alternate technique to extract pullulan from fermented broth. Including this viability of ATPS was also compared with conventional organic solvent precipitation system in terms of cost and time. It was found that ATPS process produced a higher yield of pullulan (80.56%) than organic solvent precipitation method (71.6%). ATPS was also found more economical and less time consuming method.
Phenotypic spectrum and diagnostic pitfalls of ABCB4 deficiency depending on age of onset
Authors: Schatz Stephanie Barbara , Jüngst Christoph , Keitel‐Anselmo Verena , Kubitz Ralf , Becker Christina , Gerner Patrick , Pfister Eva‐Doreen , Goldschmidt Imeke , Junge Norman , Wenning Daniel , Gehring Stephan , Arens Stefan , Bretschneider Dirk , Grothues Dirk , Engelmann Guido , Lammert Frank , Baumann Ulrich
Published: March 2018

Genetic variants in the adenosine triphosphate‐binding cassette subfamily B member 4 (ABCB4) gene, which encodes hepatocanalicular phosphatidylcholine floppase, can lead to different phenotypes, such as progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) type 3, low phospholipid‐associated cholelithiasis, and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. The aim of this multicenter project was to collect information on onset and progression of this entity in different age groups and to assess the relevance of this disease for the differential diagnosis of chronic liver disease. Clinical and laboratory data of 38 patients (17 males, 21 females, from 29 families) with homozygous or (compound) heterozygous ABCB4 mutations were retrospectively collected. For further analysis, patients were grouped according to the age at clinical diagnosis of ABCB4‐associated liver disease into younger age (<18 years) or adult age (≥18 years). All 26 patients diagnosed in childhood presented with pruritus (median age 1 year). Hepatomegaly and splenomegaly were present in 85% and 96% of these patients, respectively, followed by jaundice (62%) and portal hypertension (69%). Initial symptoms preceded diagnosis by 1 year, and 13 patients received a liver transplant (median age 6.9 years). Of note, 9 patients were misdiagnosed as biliary atresia, Alagille syndrome, or PFIC type 1. In the 12 patients with diagnosis in adulthood, the clinical phenotype was generally less severe, including intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, low phospholipid‐associated cholelithiasis, or (non)cirrhotic PFIC3. Conclusion: ABCB4 deficiency with onset in younger patients caused a more severe PFIC type 3 phenotype with the need for liver transplantation in half the children. Patients with milder phenotypes are often not diagnosed before adulthood. One third of the children with PFIC type 3 were initially misdiagnosed, indicating the need for better diagnostic tools and medical education. (Hepatology Communications 2018;2:504‐514)
Ring‐Opening Metathesis Copolymerization of Cyclopentene Above and Below Its Equilibrium Monomer Concentration
Authors: Torre Michael , Mulhearn William D. , Register Richard A.
Published: March 2018

Cyclopentene (C) and norbornene (N) may both be enchained by ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). N homopolymerizes to essential completion, but C has a significant equilibrium monomer concentration, [C]eq = 1.17 m at 30 °C. While C cannot homopolymerize below [C]eq, it can still be enchained in copolymerizations with N. A terminal kinetic model, where one monomer shows depropagation competitive with propagation, well represents experimental data for the “living” ROMP copolymerization of C and N with a Mo‐based “Schrock‐type” initiator, covering a broad range of monomer feed ratios, both above and below [C]eq. Incorporating a penultimate unit effect on C depropagation increases the model's accuracy when both the monomers are dilute. Below [C]eq, polymerization halts when all N is consumed; above [C]eq, a C homopolymer block forms once all N is consumed. As polycyclopentene may be hydrogenated to linear polyethylene, such copolymerizations offer a facile route to polyethylene‐containing block copolymers from a single charge of mixed‐monomer feed.
Tadalafil attenuates hypotonicity‐induced Ca2+ influx via TRPV2 and TRPV4 in primary rat bladder urothelial cell cultures
Authors: Dong Xiao , Nakagomi Hiroshi , Miyamoto Tatsuya , Ihara Tatsuya , Kira Satoru , Sawada Norifumi , Mitsui Takahiko , Takeda Masayuki
Published: March 2018

Aims

To investigate the localization of phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) and the molecular mechanism underlying the effect of the PDE5 inhibitor tadalafil in signal transduction in the bladder urothelium.

Methods

PDE5 expression in rat bladder tissues and cultured primary rat bladder urothelial cells was evaluated using immunochemistry and western blot assays. Ca2+ influx in cells exposed to isotonic solution, hypotonic solution, a selective transient receptor potential vanilloid 2 (TRPV2) channel agonist (cannabidiol), a selective TRPV4 channel agonist (GSK1016790A), a TRP cation channel melastatin 7 (TRPM7) channel agonist (PIP2), or a purinergic receptor agonist (ATP) in the presence or absence of 10 µM tadalafil was evaluated using calcium imaging techniques. We also evaluated stretch‐induced changes in ATP concentration in the mouse bladder in the presence or absence of 100 µM tadalafil.

Results

Immunochemistry and western blot analyses demonstrated that PDE5 is abundantly expressed in the bladder urothelium and in primary rat urothelial cells. Ca2+ influx induced by hypotonic stimulation, GSK1016790A, or cannabidiol was significantly inhibited by tadalafil, whereas ATP‐induced Ca2+ influx was unaffected by tadalafil. PIP2 did not induce Ca2+ influx. ATP release in tadalafil‐pretreated bladders significantly decreased compared to control bladders.

Conclusions

Tadalafil attenuates Ca2+ influx via TRPV4 and TRPV2, and inhibits ATP release in the bladder urothelium. These findings indicate that tadalafil functions as an inhibitor of urothelial signal transduction.
Chronic Stress and Impulsive Risk‐Taking Predict Increases in Visceral Fat over 18 Months
Authors: Mason Ashley E. , Schleicher Samantha , Coccia Michael , Epel Elissa S. , Aschbacher Kirstin
Published: March 2018

Objective

The aim of this study was to examine whether baseline chronic stress and impulsive risk‐taking synergistically predict changes in visceral fat among healthy mothers in an observational, longitudinal, 18‐month study.

Methods

A prospective cohort of 113 adult women (age, mean ± SD: 42.83 ± 4.70; BMI, mean ± SD: 24.86 ± 4.32; 74%,n = 84 white) completed assessments at baseline and 18‐month follow‐up. Chronically stressed mothers caring for a child with an autism spectrum disorder (“caregivers”;n = 72 participants) were compared with lower stress mothers caring for a neurotypical child (“controls”;n = 41). This study objectively assessed impulsive risk‐taking by using the Behavioral Analog Risk Task at baseline and assessed visceral fat at baseline and 18‐month follow‐up by using bioelectrical impedance (ViScan; Tanita Corporation, Tokyo, Japan).

Results

The interaction of baseline chronic caregiving stress and impulsive risk‐taking predicted an 18‐month change in visceral fat, such that greater impulsive risk‐taking was associated with greater 18‐month increases in visceral fat among caregivers (ß = 0.423;P = 0.005) but not among controls (ß = −0.030;P = 0.802), both in unadjusted models and after accounting for covariates. Neither chronic stress nor impulsive risk‐taking independently predicted 18‐month changes in visceral fat.

Conclusions

The combination of high chronic stress and high impulsive risk‐taking may increase risk for visceral fat gain over time and therefore may be an important intervention target in obesity prevention.
Surfactant deficiency syndrome in an infant with a C‐terminal frame shift in ABCA3: A case report
Authors: Akil Nour , Fischer Anthony J.
Published: March 2018

Deficiency in ATP binding cassette A3 (ABCA3) causes neonatal respiratory distress, hypoxemic respiratory failure, and interstitial lung disease. ABCA3 transports phospholipids into the lamellar bodies of type II alveolar cells, a critical step in alveolar surfactant production. We report a term infant with ABCA3 surfactant deficiency syndrome with the E292V (c.875A>T; p.Glu292Val) mutation in trans with a novel C‐terminal frame shift mutation (c.4938delC; p.Met1647fs). This mutation removes the final 58 amino acids and substitutes 33 incorrect amino acids. The frame shift spares membrane spanning and nucleotide binding domains, but disrupts a highly conserved C‐terminal domain, which includes sequence motifs necessary for the function of human paralogs ABCA1, ABCA4, and the bacterial homolog DrrA. This observation suggests the C‐terminal domain is also required for normal function of ABCA3.
Microfinance institutions fostering sustainable development
Authors: García‐Pérez Icíar , Muñoz‐Torres María Jesús , Fernández‐Izquierdo María Ángeles
Published: March 2018

The microfinance sector is considered an important contributor to the expansion of formal financial systems. It plays a significant role in sustainable development. Microfinance institutions (MFIs) as key actors in the microfinance sector require an organizational management framework that facilitates sustainable growth. The objective of this study is to define a balanced MFI sustainability approach that considers financial, environmental, social and governance dimensions as equally important. Through a clustering process, this research establishes the relationship between the various sustainability indicators provided by MixMarket, and it determines different MFI sustainability profiles. This research uses the Kruskal–Wallis method to characterize each group based on outreach, financial and risk indicators. The results show that there is no balance between the different sustainability areas, and lead to the conclusion that it is necessary to promote an integrative approach to foster sustainability management practices in the microfinance industry.
Highly‐Stable Organo‐Lead Halide Perovskites Synthesized Through Green Self‐Assembly Process
Authors: Wu Congcong , Li Haijin , Yan Yongke , Chi Bo , Felice Kristen M. , Moore Robert B. , Magill Brenden A. , Mudiyanselage Rathsara R. H. H. , Khodaparast Giti A. , Sanghadasa Mohan , Priya Shashank
Published: March 2018

Although unprecedented conversion efficiency has been achieved in organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs), their long‐term stability has remained a major issue in their transition. Here, we demonstrate a highly‐stable CH3NH3PbI3 (MAPbI3) perovskite using a green self‐assembly (SA) process that provides a major breakthrough in resolving this issue. In this process, the hydrophobic polymer, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), is introduced into the 2D layered MAPbI3 perovskite intermediates, resulting in chemical coordination and self‐assembly into 3D perovskite grains with PMMA coated along the grain boundaries. The bilayer grain boundary effectively blocks moisture corrosion thereby significantly improving the stability of MAPbI3 perovskite. Further, PMMA is found to reduce the trap density by electronically compensating the iodide vacancy along the boundary, which decreases the charge recombination and improves the open circuit voltage of PSCs. The PSCs comprising the MAPbI3−PMMA layer show excellent stability under high moisture conditions, exhibiting no phase change under ≈70% humidity for over 31 days (approximately 500% higher compared to state‐of‐the‐art) and excellent performance in 50–70% humidity for over 50 days.
A Systematic Review of Sexual Distress Measures
Authors: Santos-Iglesias Pablo , Mohamed Bijan , Walker Lauren M.
Published: March 2018

Background

Sexual distress is an important component of sexual dysfunction and quality of life and many different measures have been developed for its assessment.

Aim

To conduct a literature review of measures for assessing sexual distress and to list, compare, and highlight their characteristics and psychometric properties.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted using Scopus and PubMed databases to identify studies that developed and validated measures of sexual distress. The main characteristics and psychometric properties of each measure were extracted and examined.

Outcomes

Psychometrically validated measures of sexual distress and a summary of relative strengths and limitations.

Results

We found 17 different measures for the assessment of sexual distress. 4 were standalone questionnaires and 13 were subscales included in questionnaires that assessed broader constructs. Although 5 measures were developed to assess sexual distress in the general population, most were developed and validated in very specific clinical groups. Most followed adequate steps in the development and validation process and have strong psychometric properties; however, several limitations were identified.

Clinical Translation

This literature review offers researchers and clinicians a list of sexual distress measures and relevant characteristics that can be used to select the best assessment tool for their objectives.

Strengths and Limitations

A thorough search procedure was used; however, there is still a chance that relevant articles might have been missed owing to our search methodology and inclusion criteria.

Conclusion

This is a novel and state-of-the-art review of assessment tools for sexual distress that includes valuable information measure selection in the study of sexual distress and sexual dysfunction.
The Public Life of Private Law: Tort Law as a Risk Regulation Mechanism
Authors: KYSAR Douglas A
Published: March 2018

Against the backdrop of contemporary climate change lawsuits, this article presents preliminary research findings regarding a remarkable and underappreciated moment in the common law pre-history of modern environmental, health, and safety regulation. The findings complicate the conventional academic story about the limited capabilities of tort law and its inevitable displacement by more institutionally robust and sophisticated forms of regulation. Section I offers a brief introduction, followed in Section II by a review of existing academic literature on the pros and cons of utilising tort law as a regulatory device. As will be seen, the consensus view seems to be that tort law is a clumsy and imperfect mechanism for addressing most environmental, health, and safety risks. Section III argues that the debate over tort law’s potential as a risk regulation mechanism ignores the distinctively private law history and character of that body of law, essentially asking tort to serve a purpose for which it was neither intended nor designed. Section IV then presents a case study of nuisance litigation in which the tort system achieves a remarkable and underappreciated risk regulation effect precisely by focusing narrowly on the traditional task of adjudicating alleged wrongs between private parties. Section V concludes.
Long-Term Impact of Universal Contact Precautions on Rates of Multidrug-Resistant Organisms in ICUs: A Comparative Effectiveness Study
Authors: Furuya E. Yoko , Cohen Bevin , Jia Haomiao , Larson Elaine L.
Published: March 2018

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of universal contact precautions (UCP) on rates of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) in intensive care units (ICUs) over 9 years

DESIGN

Retrospective, nonrandomized observational study

SETTING

An 800-bed adult academic medical center in New York City

PARTICIPANTS

All patients admitted to 6 ICUs, 3 of which instituted UCP in 2007

METHODS

Using a comparative effectiveness approach, we studied the longitudinal impact of UCP on MDRO incidence density rates, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant enterococci, and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. Data were extracted from a clinical research database for 2006–2014. Monthly MDRO rates were compared between the baseline period and the UCP period, utilizing time series analyses based on generalized linear models. The same models were also used to compare MDRO rates in the 3 UCP units to 3 ICUs without UCPs.

RESULTS

Overall, MDRO rates decreased over time, but there was no significant decrease in the trend (slope) during the UCP period compared to the baseline period for any of the 3 intervention units. Furthermore, there was no significant difference between UCP units (6.6% decrease in MDRO rates per year) and non-UCP units (6.0% decrease per year; P=.840).

CONCLUSION

The results of this 9-year study suggest that decreases in MDROs, including multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacilli, were more likely due to hospital-wide improvements in infection prevention during this period and that UCP had no detectable additional impact.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2018;39:534–540
Surface wave effects on submesoscale fronts and filaments
Authors: McWilliams James C.
Published: March 2018

A diagnostic analysis is made for the ageostrophic secondary circulation, buoyancy flux and frontogenetic tendency (SCFT) in upper-ocean submesoscale fronts and dense filaments under the combined influences of boundary-layer turbulent mixing, surface wind stress and surface gravity waves. The analysis is based on a momentum-balance approximation that neglects ageostrophic acceleration, and the surface wave effects are represented with a wave-averaged asymptotic theory based on the time scale separation between wave and current evolution. The wave’s Stokes-drift velocity $\boldsymbol{u}_{st}$ induces SCFT effects that are dominant in strong swell with weak turbulent mixing, and they combine with Ekman and turbulent thermal wind influences in more general situations near wind–wave equilibrium. The complementary effect of the submesoscale currents on the waves is weak for longer waves near the wind–wave or swell spectrum peak, but it is strong for shorter waves.
Settling-driven instability in two-component stably stratified Hele-Shaw flows
Authors: Oliveira Rafael M. , Meiburg Eckart
Published: March 2018

We investigate the onset of instability in a stably stratified two-component fluid in a vertical Hele-Shaw cell when the unstably stratified scalar has a settling velocity. This linear stability problem is analysed on the basis of Darcy’s law, for constant-gradient base states. The settling velocity is found to trigger a novel instability mode characterized by pairs of inclined waves. For unequal diffusivities, this new settling-driven mode competes with the traditional double-diffusive mode. Below a critical value of the settling velocity, the double-diffusive elevator mode dominates, while, above this threshold, the inclined waves associated with the settling-driven instability exhibit faster growth. The analysis yields neutral stability curves and allows for the discussion of various asymptotic limits.
The neuropathological study of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein in the temporal lobe of schizophrenia patients
Authors: Marui Tomoyasu , Torii Youta , Iritani Shuji , Sekiguchi Hirotaka , Habuchi Chikako , Fujishiro Hiroshige , Oshima Kenichi , Niizato Kazuhiro , Hayashida Shotaro , Masaki Katsuhisa , Kira Junichi , Ozaki Norio
Published: March 2018

Objective

Recent studies based on the neuroimaging analysis, genomic analysis and transcriptome analysis of the postmortem brain suggest that the pathogenesis of schizophrenia is related to myelin-oligodendrocyte abnormalities. However, no serious neuropathological investigation of this protein in the schizophrenic brain has yet been performed. In this study, to confirm the change in neuropathological findings due to the pathogenesis of this disease, we observed the expression of myelin-oligodendrocyte directly in the brain tissue of schizophrenia patients.

Methods

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) was evaluated in the cortex of the superior temporal gyrus (STG) and the hippocampus in 10 schizophrenic and nine age- and sex-matched normal control postmortem brains.

Results

The expression of MOG was significantly lower in the middle layer of the neocortex of the STG and stratum lucidum of CA3 in the hippocampus in the long-term schizophrenic brains (patients with ≥30 years of illness duration) than in the age-matched controls. Furthermore, the thickness of MOG-positive fibre-like structures was significantly lower in both regions of the long-term schizophrenic brains than in the age-matched controls.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that a long duration of illness has a marked effect on the expression of MOG in these regions, and that myelin-oligodendrocyte abnormalities in these regions may be related to the progressive pathophysiology of schizophrenia.
Nuclear transport inEntamoeba histolytica: knowledge gap and therapeutic potential
Authors: Gwairgi Marina A. , Ghildyal Reena
Published: March 2018

Entamoeba histolyticais the protozoan parasite that causes human amoebiasis. It is one of the leading parasitic disease burdens in tropical regions and developing countries, with spread to developed countries through migrants from and travellers to endemic regions.

UnderstandingE. histolytica’s invasion mechanisms requires an understanding of how it interacts with external cell components and how it engulfs and kills cells (phagocytosis). Recent research suggests that optimal phagocytosis requires signalling events from the cell surface to the nucleusviathe cytoplasm, and the induction of several factors that are transported to the plasma membrane. Current research in other protozoans suggests the presence of proteins with nuclear localization signals, nuclear export signals and Ran proteins; however, there is limited literature on their functionality and their functional similarity to higher eukaryotes.

Based on learnings from the development of antivirals, nuclear transport elements inE. histolyticamay present viable, specific, therapeutic targets.

In this review, we aim to summarize our limited knowledge of the eukaryotic nuclear transport mechanisms that are conserved and may function inE. histolytica.
Leg structure explains host site preference in bat flies (Diptera: Streblidae) parasitizing neotropical bats (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae)
Authors: Hiller Thomas , Honner Benjamin , Page Rachel A. , Tschapka Marco
Published: March 2018

Bat flies (Streblidae) are diverse, obligate blood-feeding insects and probably the most conspicuous ectoparasites of bats. They show preferences for specific body regions on their host bat, which are reflected in behavioural characteristics. In this study, we corroborate the categorization of bat flies into three ecomorphological groups, focusing only on differences in hind leg morphology. As no detailed phylogeny of bat flies is available, it remains uncertain whether these morphological differences reflect the evolutionary history of bat flies or show convergent adaptations for the host habitat type. We show that the division of the host bat into three distinct habitats contributes to the avoidance of interspecific competition of bat fly species. Finally, we found evidence for density-dependent competition between species belonging to the same ecomorphological group.
Synthesis and X-ray diffraction data of N1,N2-di(2-hydroxy)benzylidenbenzene-1,2-di-imine, C20H16N2O2
Authors: Camargo H. A. , Rosas C. C. , Henao J. A. , Castellanos N. J.
Published: March 2018

The Schiff base N1,N2-di(2-hydroxy)benzylidenebenzene-1,2-di-imine was prepared from salicylaldehyde and 1,2-diaminobenzene by reflux in ethanol for 6 h obtaining an orange crystalline solid. The Schiff base solid was separated by filtration and washed with ethanol and ethylic ether, and finally, it was dried in a vacuum system for 2 h. The X-ray powder diffraction pattern for this new compound showed that the crystalline compound belongs to the monoclinic system and space group P21/c (No. 14) with refined unit-cell parameters a = 5.9672 (7) Å, b = 16.561 (1) Å, c = 16.337 (2) Å, β = 91.41° (1). The volume of the unit cell is V = 1614.1 (2) Å3.
Allocation of attention to scenes of peer harassment: Visual–cognitive moderators of the link between peer victimization and aggression
Authors: Troop-Gordon Wendy , Gordon Robert D. , Schwandt Bethany M. , Horvath Gregor A. , Ewing Lee Elizabeth , Visconti Kari J.
Published: March 2018

As approximately one-third of peer-victimized children evidence heightened aggression (Schwartz, Proctor, & Chien, 2001), it is imperative to identify the circumstances under which victimization and aggression co-develop. The current study explored two potential moderators of victimization–aggression linkages: (a) attentional bias toward cues signaling threat and (b) attentional bais toward cues communicating interpersonal support. Seventy-two fifth- and sixth-grade children (34 boys; Mage = 11.67) were eye tracked while watching video clips of bullying. Each scene included a bully, a victim, a reinforcer, and a defender. Children's victimization was measured using peer, parent, and teacher reports. Aggression was measured using peer reports of overt and relational aggression and teacher reports of aggression. Victimization was associated with greater aggression at high levels of attention to the bully. Victimization was also associated with greater aggression at low attention to the defender for boys, but at high attention to the defender for girls. Attention to the victim was negatively correlated with aggression regardless of victimization history. Thus, attentional biases to social cues integral to the bullying context differentiate whether victimization is linked to aggression, necessitating future research on the development of these biases and concurrent trajectories of sociobehavioral development.
TAXONOMY OF BEGONIA WOLLNYI HERZOG AND BEGONIA ARROGANS IRMSCH.
Authors: Tebbitt M. C. , Andrada A. R. , Kollmann L. J. C. , Moonlight P. W.
Published: March 2018

Descriptions of two sister species, Begonia wollnyi Herzog and Begonia arrogans Irmsch., are provided and their distributions mapped and discussed. Begonia wollnyi is newly recorded from Peru and Argentina. Begonia parodiana L.B.Sm. & B.G.Schub. is newly synonymised with B. wollnyi. Begonia arrogans Irmsch. and two existing synonyms of B. wollnyi Herzog, Begonia acrensis Irmsch. and Begonia williamsii Rusby & Nash, are lectotypified. Begonia wollnyi and B. arrogans are both assessed as Least Concern (LC), according to IUCN criteria.
PROJECTIVE STRUCTURES AND -CONNECTIONS
Authors: Pantilie Radu
Published: March 2018

We extend T. Y. Thomas’s approach to projective structures, over the complex analytic category, by involving the$\unicode[STIX]{x1D70C}$-connections. This way, a better control of projective flatness is obtained and, consequently, we have, for example, the following application: if the twistor space of a quaternionic manifold$P$is endowed with a complex projective structure then$P$can be locally identified, through quaternionic diffeomorphisms, with the quaternionic projective space.
Wideband low-profile aperture-coupled circularly polarized antenna based on metasurface
Authors: Zheng Qi , Guo Chenjiang , Ding Jun
Published: March 2018

In this paper, a metasurface-based aperture-coupled circularly polarized (CP) antenna with wideband and high radiation gain is proposed and analyzed. The proposed antenna is comprised of coplanar waveguide coupling with 4 × 4 corner truncated square patches, which show compact size and low profile. The mechanism of the CP antenna is analyzed theoretically based on the mode analysis and equivalent circuit analysis. The parameters of feeding structure and truncated corner are studied and optimized to achieve wide impedance bandwidth (BW) and axial ratio (AR) BW. Finally, an overall size of 38.8 mm × 38.8 mm × 3.5 mm (0.71λ0 × 0.71λ0 × 0.064λ0 at 5.5 GHz) CP antenna is proposed and fabricated. The simulated results demonstrate that over 41.7% impedance BW (S11 < −10 dB) of 4.55–6.95 GHz and 3 dB AR BW of 5.05–6.15 GHz (fractional BW is about 19.6%) are achieved. In addition, the antenna yielded a broadside CP radiation with a high gain average about 7.5 dBic. Experimental results are in good agreement with the simulated ones.
Compact microstrip bandpass filter using dual closed-loop stepped impedance resonator
Authors: Dembele Salif N. , Zhang Ting , Bao Jingfu , Bukuru Denis
Published: March 2018

A dual closed-loop stepped impedance resonator (DCLSIR) is investigated and used in designing a compact microstrip bandpass filter (BPF). The proposed DCLSIR is symmetrical; as a result, the symmetric characteristics of the resonator have been used. The design equations are derived and used to support the circuit design. The center frequency, position of transmission zeros, and fractional bandwidth (FBW) are easily tuned by changing the physical dimensions of the resonator. Three transmission zeros are generated to improve the performance in the upper stopband. A DCLSIR prototype BPF is fabricated with a center frequency of 9.3 GHz, and evaluated to validate the design concept. The measured FBW is 9.25%, the insertion loss is 1.58 dB, and the return loss is over 17 dB. The measurement results agree well with the simulation results.
Increasing the bandwidth of cavity-backed SIW antennas by using stacked cavities
Authors: Ali Hiba Abdel , Massoni Enrico , Silvestri Lorenzo , Bozzi Maurizio , Perregrini Luca , Gharsallah Ali
Published: March 2018

This paper presents a technique to increase the bandwidth in substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) cavity-backed antennas, inspired by the design of cavity filters. The proposed structure consists of a slot antenna backed by two cavities, located one on top of the other and coupled through a slot. To demonstrate the bandwidth increase, a standard cavity-backed SIW antenna, with a rectangular slot etched in the top metal plane, has been designed, manufactured, and measured. Subsequently, a similar antenna was developed, by doubling the substrate thickness with the aim to improve the bandwidth. Finally, the new topology of two-cavity SIW antenna has been implemented and compared with the two previous ones. Simulation and experimental results show that the proposed two-cavity antenna exhibits a bandwidth twice as large as the standard SIW cavity-backed antenna.
British Red Cross response to young migrants in Calais, France
Authors: Busler Debbie
Published: March 2018

In 2016, thousands of young migrants were stranded in Calais, France, in the “Jungle” refugee camp. This paper aims to provide an overview of the British Red Cross's response and of how the organization engaged in numerous activities to secure their safety, culminating in a transfer of children to the United Kingdom.
Spotting the differences in two-dimensional materials – the Raman scattering perspective
Authors: Zhang Shishu , Zhang Na , Zhao Yan , Cheng Ting , Li Xiaobo , Feng Rui , Xu Hua , Liu Zhirong , Zhang Jin , Tong Lianming
Published: March 2018

This review discusses the Raman spectroscopic characterization of 2D materials with a focus on the “differences” from primitive 2D materials.
Two-dimensional halide perovskite nanomaterials and heterostructures
Authors: Shi Enzheng , Gao Yao , Finkenauer Blake P. , Akriti Akriti , Coffey Aidan H. , Dou Letian
Published: March 2018

Novel two-dimensional halide perovskite nanomaterials and heterostructures enable next generation high performance electronics and photonics.
Prebiotic effects of resistant starch from purple yam (Dioscorea alataL.) on the tolerance and proliferation ability ofBifidobacterium adolescentis in vitro
Authors: Li Tao , Chen Lei , Xiao Jianbo , An Fengping , Wan Cheng , Song Hongbo
Published: March 2018

Thein vitroprebiotic effects of resistant starch (RS), prepared by different treatments from purple yam, onBifidobacterium adolescentiswere investigated.
Stir bar sorptive extraction and thermal desorption – gas chromatography/mass spectrometry for determining phosphorus flame retardants in air samples
Authors: Matsiko Julius , Li Honghua , Wang Pu , Sun Huizhong , Zheng Shucheng , Wang Dou , Zhang Weiwei , Hao Yanfen , Li Yingming , Zhang Qinghua , Jiang Guibin
Published: March 2018

A rapid, single step sample extraction and high extraction efficiency method for determining gaseous phase PFRs in air is demonstrated.
Manipulating crystallization in lysozyme and supramolecular self-arrangement in solution using ionic liquids
Authors: Wang Zhanzhong , Liu Tiankuo , Lu Chao , Dang Leping
Published: March 2018

It was found that ILs exerted impact on intermolecular interactions for lysozyme in solution and brought about distinct evolution in secondary structures of supermolecules during self-assembly in this work.
A lead-iodide based single crystal semiconductor: exploring multi-orientation photoconductive behaviour via intervening isopropyl viologen component between the inorganic [Pb2I6]2−n wires
Authors: Wang Yifang , Zhang Jie , Huang Jia , Zhang Haoyu , Fu Zhiyong
Published: March 2018

A lead-iodide single crystal semiconductor with multi-orientation photoconductive property and broad spectrum absorption has been designed and constructed by crystal engineering technique.