bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surface Properties of an Alcohol Alkoxylate in the Presence of a Cationic Surfactant
Authors: Vafakish Bahareh , Barari Mohammad
Published: October 2016

Alcohol alkoxylate was prepared via propoxylation of an industrial alcohol ethoxylate. The chemical structure of the prepared compound was confirmed using FT‐IR and the physical properties were evaluated by the usual methods according to ASTM. The surface properties of the aqueous solution of alcohol alkoxylate were determined with or without addition of a cationic surfactant in comparison to the corresponding alcohol ethoxylate. The measured parameters were surface tension, CMC, maximum surface excess, minimum surface area and the interaction parameter (β). These data indicate that surface properties changed due to the attractive complex formation in the mixed system.
A comparative study of patient characteristics, opinions, and outcomes, for patients who leave the emergency department before medical assessment
Authors: Fraser Jacqueline , Atkinson Paul , Gedmintas Audra , Howlett Michael , McCloskey Rose , French James
Published: October 2016

Objective

The emergency department (ED) left-without-being-seen (LWBS) rate is a performance indicator, although there is limited knowledge about why people leave, or whether they seek alternate care. We studied characteristics of ED LWBS patients to determine factors associated with LWBS.

Methods

We collected demographic data on LWBS patients at two urban hospitals. Sequential LWBS patients were contacted and surveyed using a standardized telephone survey. A matched group of patients who did not leave were also surveyed. Data were analysed using the Fisher exact test, chi-square test, and student t-test.

Results

The LWBS group (n=1508) and control group (n=1504) were matched for sex, triage category, recorded wait times, employment and education, and having a family physician. LWBS patients were younger, more likely to present in the evening or at night, and lived closer to the hospital. A long wait time was the most cited reason for leaving (79%); concern about medical condition was the most common reason for staying (96%). Top responses for improved likelihood of waiting were shorter wait times (LWBS, 66%; control, 31%) and more information on wait times (41%; 23%). A majority in both groups felt that their condition was a true emergency (63%; 72%). LWBS patients were more likely to seek further health care (63% v. 28%; p<0.001) and sooner (median time 1 day v. 2-4 days; p=0.002). Among patients who felt that their condition was not a true emergency, the top reason for ED attendance was the inability to see their family doctor (62% in both groups).

Conclusion

LWBS patients had similar opinions, experiences, and expectations as control patients. The main reason for LWBS was waiting longer than expected. LWBS patients were more likely to seek further health care, and did so sooner. Patients wait because of concern about their health problem. Shorter wait times and improved communication may reduce the LWBS rate.
Rural Childhood in New Zealand: A Unique Site of Children's Agency and Social Participation
Authors: Powell Mary Ann , Smith Anne B. , Taylor Nicola
Published: October 2016

This article reports on a qualitative research study that explored the perspectives and lived experiences of children in a range of New Zealand rural environments. Thirty-six children, aged between 6 and 11 years, were interviewed about living in the country and also contributed artwork and photographs. They came from four specific rural locations, ranging from ‘rural with high urban influence’ to ‘highly rural/remote’. Children expressed positive views about aspects of rural living, such as opportunities for being outdoors and participating in social relationships, confirming a positive discourse of the rural idyll. Their accounts highlighted children's agency under complex and sometimes challenging conditions. Children also, however, experienced some aspects of rural life as dull, dangerous or difficult. The complex and nuanced constructions of rural childhood uncovered in this study point to the critical importance of consulting with children in order to understand their experiences and best meet the needs of rural children and families.
ACCESSIBILISM DEFINED
Authors: Hatcher Michael
Published: October 2016

Accessibilism is a version of epistemic internalism on which justification is determined by what is accessible to the subject. I argue that misunderstandings of accessibilism have hinged on a failure to appreciate an ambiguity in the phrase ‘what is accessible to the subject’. I first show that this phrase may either refer to the very things accessible to the subject, or instead to the facts about which things are accessible to her. I then discuss Ralph Wedgwood's (2002: 350–2) argument that accessibilism absurdly implies that an infinite regress of facts, each more complex than the last, must be accessible to the subject. I show that this regress objection only threatens the ‘very things’ disambiguation of accessibilism, not the ‘facts about’ disambiguation. After this, I discuss the relationships between the motivations for accessibilism and these two disambiguations. We will see that these motivations appear to support each disambiguation. But I will argue this appearance depends on a mistake. Just as only the ‘facts about’ disambiguation escapes the regress objection, it is also the only disambiguation which enjoys genuine support from the motivations for accessibilism. For these reasons, I recommend that future discussions of accessibilism focus on the ‘facts about’ disambiguation.
An Evaluation of Food as a Potential Source forClostridium difficileAcquisition in Hospitalized Patients
Authors: Kwon Jennie H. , Lanzas Cristina , Reske Kimberly A. , Hink Tiffany , Seiler Sondra M. , Bommarito Kerry M. , Burnham Carey-Ann D. , Dubberke Erik R.
Published: October 2016

OBJECTIVE

To determine whetherClostridium difficileis present in the food of hospitalized patients and to estimate the risk of subsequent colonization associated withC. difficilein food.

METHODS

This was a prospective cohort study of inpatients at a university-affiliated tertiary care center, May 9, 2011–July 12, 2012. Enrolled patients submitted a portion of food from each meal. Patient stool specimens and/or rectal swabs were collected at enrollment, every 3 days thereafter, and at discharge, and were cultured forC. difficile. Clinical data were reviewed for evidence of infection due toC. difficile.A stochastic, discrete event model was developed to predict exposure toC. difficilefrom food, and the estimated number of new colonization events from food exposures per 1,000 admissions was determined.

RESULTS

A total of 149 patients were enrolled and 910 food specimens were obtained. Two food specimens from 2 patients were positive forC. difficile(0.2% of food samples; 1.3% of patients). Neither of the 2 patients was colonized at baseline withC. difficile. Discharge colonization status was available for 1 of the 2 patients and was negative. Neither was diagnosed withC. difficileinfection while hospitalized or during the year before or after study enrollment. Stochastic modeling indicated contaminated hospital food would be responsible for less than 1 newly colonized patient per 1,000 hospital admissions.

CONCLUSIONS

The recovery ofC. difficilefrom the food of hospitalized patients was rare. Modeling suggests hospital food is unlikely to be a source ofC. difficileacquisition.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol2016;1401–1407
Comparison of a web-based food record tool and a food-frequency questionnaire and objective validation using the doubly labelled water technique in a Swedish middle-aged population
Authors: Nybacka Sanna , Bertéus Forslund Heléne , Wirfält Elisabet , Larsson Ingrid , Ericson Ulrika , Warensjö Lemming Eva , Bergström Göran , Hedblad Bo , Winkvist Anna , Lindroos Anna Karin
Published: October 2016

Two web-based dietary assessment tools have been developed for use in large-scale studies: the Riksmaten method (4-d food record) and MiniMeal-Q (food-frequency method). The aim of the present study was to examine the ability of these methods to capture energy intake against objectively measured total energy expenditure (TEE) with the doubly labelled water technique (TEEDLW), and to compare reported energy and macronutrient intake. This study was conducted within the pilot study of the Swedish CArdioPulmonary bioImage Study (SCAPIS), which included 1111 randomly selected men and women aged 50–64 years from the Gothenburg general population. Of these, 200 were enrolled in the SCAPIS diet substudy. TEEDLWwas measured in a subsample (n40). Compared with TEEDLW, both methods underestimated energy intake: −2·5 (sd 2·9) MJ with the Riksmaten method; −2·3 (sd3·6) MJ with MiniMeal-Q. Mean reporting accuracy was 80 and 82 %, respectively. The correlation between reported energy intake and TEEDLWwasr0·4 for the Riksmaten method (P < 0·05) andr0·28 (non-significant) for MiniMeal-Q. Women reported similar average intake of energy and macronutrients in both methods whereas men reported higher intakes with the Riksmaten method. Energy-adjusted correlations ranged from 0·14 (polyunsaturated fat) to 0·77 (alcohol). Bland–Altman plots showed acceptable agreement for energy and energy-adjusted protein and carbohydrate intake, whereas the agreement for fat intake was poorer. According to energy intake data, both methods displayed similar precision on energy intake reporting. However, MiniMeal-Q was less successful in ranking individuals than the Riksmaten method. The development of methods to achieve limited under-reporting is a major challenge for future research.
Does concurrent breastfeeding alongside the introduction of solid food prevent the development of food allergy?
Authors: Venter Carina , Maslin Kate , Dean Taraneh , Arshad Syed Hasan
Published: October 2016

The timing of introduction of solid food on the subsequent development of food allergy is under debate and the role of concurrent breastfeeding is unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of solid food introduction whilst concurrently breastfeeding on food allergy outcome, with a specific focus on cows’ milk allergy. Prospectively collected infant feeding data from a birth cohort were analysed. Participants with histories suggestive of food allergy underwent diagnostic food challenges. Children with food allergy were matched to control participants for age and sex. Mann–Whitney U tests, χ2, Fisher exact tests and logistic regression calculations were undertaken. A total of thirty-nine food-allergic children and seventy-eight matched controls were identified, including twenty-two cows’ milk-allergic children and forty-four matched controls. The control group introduced solid food earlier than the food-allergic group (P < 0·05). There was no effect of concurrent breastfeeding alongside cows’ milk introduction or other food allergens on the development of food allergy. Due to small numbers, it was not possible to explore differences for food allergy phenotype. We have therefore found no evidence that introducing solids, or food allergens, whilst breastfeeding has an allergy-preventative effect; however, the results should be interpreted with caution due to sample size. Recommendations regarding infant feeding and food allergy should be carefully considered. Although breastfeeding should be promoted for many health reasons, larger studies looking at the introduction of food allergens on the development of food allergy are needed to make a final conclusion.
When Richard met CG: reference-point and English copy-raising
Authors: PARK CHONGWON , TURNER DANIEL
Published: October 2016

abstract

The aim of this paper is to develop a Cognitive Grammar-based analysis of English Copy-raising (CR) constructions such asRichard seems like he is dancing. We argue that the notion of reference-point plays a crucial role in licensing the matrix-subject of the construction. In CR, with the epistemic verbsseemandappear, the matrix-subject functions as a reference-point in relation to the pronominal copy (if a copy exists) in the embedded clause. The aboutness topicality of the matrix-subject in CR is expected, owing to its reference-point property. The epistemic CR construction is acceptable without a pronominal copy if the matrix-subject functions as a reference-point in relation to the complement clause. The same type of analysis is applied to the CR construction with perceptual resemblance (PR) verbs –sound,look,feel, andsmell– leading to the conclusion that the strong dichotomy between epistemic and PR verbs is illusory. It is further demonstrated that expletivethere-raising in CR is motivated by the same reference-point phenomenon. The difference betweenthere-raising and other CR examples stems from the role ofthereas a setting subject. Our reference-point-based analysis predicts a metonymic interpretation of the matrix-subject, which we attribute to the connection between reference-point and metonymy.
Strategies for Finding Prompt Radio Counterparts to Gravitational Wave Transients with the Murchison Widefield Array
Authors: Kaplan D. L. , Murphy T. , Rowlinson A. , Croft S. D. , Wayth R. B. , Trott C. M.
Published: October 2016

Wepresent and evaluate several strategies to search for prompt, low-frequency radio emission associated with gravitational wave transients using the Murchison Widefield Array. As we are able to repoint the Murchison Widefield Array on timescales of tens of seconds, we can search for the dispersed radio signal that has been predicted to originate along with or shortly after a neutron star-neutron star merger. We find that given the large, 600 deg2instantaneous field of view of the Murchison Widefield Array, we can cover a significant fraction of the predicted gravitational wave error region, although due to the complicated geometry of the latter, we only cover > 50% of the error region for approximately 5% of events, and roughly 15% of events will be located < 10° from the Murchison Widefield Array pointing centre such that they will be covered in the radio images. For optimal conditions, our limiting flux density for a 10-s long transient would be 0.1 Jy, increasing to about 1 Jy for a wider range of events. This corresponds to luminosity limits of 1038−39erg s−1based on expectations for the distances of the gravitational wave transients, which should be sufficient to detect or significantly constrain a range of models for prompt emission.
Characterisation of equine satellite cell transcriptomic profile response toβ-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB)
Authors: Szcześniak Katarzyna A. , Ciecierska Anna , Ostaszewski Piotr , Sadkowski Tomasz
Published: October 2016

β-Hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) is a popular ergogenic aid used by human athletes and as a supplement to sport horses, because of its ability to aid muscle recovery, improve performance and body composition. Recent findings suggest that HMB may stimulate satellite cells and affect expressions of genes regulating skeletal muscle cell growth. Despite the scientific data showing benefits of HMB supplementation in horses, no previous study has explained the mechanism of action of HMB in this species. The aim of this study was to reveal the molecular background of HMB action on equine skeletal muscle by investigating the transcriptomic profile changes induced by HMB in equine satellite cellsin vitro. Upon isolation from thesemitendinosusmuscle, equine satellite cells were cultured until the 2nd day of differentiation. Differentiating cells were incubated with HMB for 24 h. Total cellular RNA was isolated, amplified, labelled and hybridised to microarray slides. Microarray data validation was performed with real-time quantitative PCR. HMB induced differential expressions of 361 genes. Functional analysis revealed that the main biological processes influenced by HMB in equine satellite cells were related to muscle organ development, protein metabolism, energy homoeostasis and lipid metabolism. In conclusion, this study demonstrated for the first time that HMB has the potential to influence equine satellite cells by controlling global gene expression. Genes and biological processes targeted by HMB in equine satellite cells may support HMB utility in improving growth and regeneration of equine skeletal muscle; however, the overall role of HMB in horses remains equivocal and requires further proteomic, biochemical and pharmacokinetic studies.
Reproductive efficiency of the bethylid waspCephalonomia tarsalis:the influences of spatial structure and host density
Authors: Eliopoulos P.A. , Kapranas A. , Givropoulou E.G. , Hardy I.C.W.
Published: October 2016

The parasitoid waspCephalonomia tarsalis(Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) is commonly present in stored product facilities. While beneficial, it does not provide a high degree of biological pest control against its host, the saw-toothed beetleOryzaephilus surinamensis(L.) (Coleoptera: Silvanidae). A candidate explanation for poor host population suppression is that adult females interfere with each other's foraging and reproductive behavior. We used simple laboratory microcosms to evaluate such mutual interference in terms of its overall effects on offspring production. We varied the density of the hosts and also the spatial structure of the environment, via the extent of population sub-division and the provision of different substrates. Production ofC. tarsalisoffspring was positively influenced by host density and by the isolation of females. With incomplete sub-division within microcosms offspring production was, in contrast, low and even zero. The provision of corrugated paper as a substrate enhanced offspring production and partially mitigated the effects of mutual interference. We recommend simple improvements to mass rearing practice and identify promising areas for further behavioral and chemical studies towards a better understanding of the mechanisms of mutual interference.
The future of Earth's oceans: consequences of subduction initiation in the Atlantic and implications for supercontinent formation
Authors: DUARTE JOÃO C. , SCHELLART WOUTER P. , ROSAS FILIPE M.
Published: October 2016

Subduction initiation is a cornerstone in the edifice of plate tectonics. It marks the turning point of the Earth's Wilson cycles and ultimately the supercycles as well. In this paper, we explore the consequences of subduction zone invasion in the Atlantic Ocean, following recent discoveries at the SW Iberia margin. We discuss a buoyancy argument based on the premise that old oceanic lithosphere is unstable for supporting large basins, implying that it must be removed in subduction zones. As a consequence, we propose a new conceptual model in which both the Pacific and the Atlantic oceans close simultaneously, leading to the termination of the present Earth's supercycle and to the formation of a new supercontinent, which we name Aurica. Our new conceptual model also provides insights into supercontinent formation and destruction (supercycles) proposed for past geological times (e.g. Pangaea, Rodinia, Columbia, Kenorland).
One century of Nordic barley breeding: nitrogen use efficiency, agronomic traits and genetic diversity
Authors: RAJALA A. , PELTONEN-SAINIO P. , JALLI M. , JAUHIAINEN L. , HANNUKKALA A. , TENHOLA-ROININEN T. , RAMSAY L. , MANNINEN O.
Published: October 2016

The current study aimed to evaluate breeding effect on nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), its components and some agronomic traits and disease resistance in barley by using extensive germplasm covering 72 landraces and 123 cultivars released since 1910. Trials were established in southern Finland with a modified strip-plot experimental design. Prior to sowing, blocks were placement fertilized with compound nitrogen : phosphorus : potassium (NPK) fertilizer (N-P-K: 20–3–8) at the rate of 35 and 70 kg N/ha and unfertilized plots were placed at the other end of the fertilization block. The germplasm collection was genotyped with 1536 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers and phenotyped during a 2-year field experiment in 2011/12. Independent of row type, a positive breeding effect was evident in NUE and for other plant N traits, except that grain N slightly decreased. Breeding has improved NUE by 0·08 kg/year (26% over the century). Nitrogen utilization and N uptake efficiencies were also improved by breeding as were straw length, lodging tolerance, grain yield and yield components, without any sign of levelling-off. Bred cultivars were more resistant to leaf-damaging diseases, especially to net blotch. The SNP data indicated no reduction in overall genetic diversity. However, genetic diversity differed along the barley chromosomes showing either reduced or increased diversity in certain regions when landraces were compared with modern varieties.
SURVEY OF SEXUAL ACTIVITY AND CONTRACEPTIVE USE AMONG UNMARRIED YOUNG SCHOOL AND COLLEGE DROP-OUTS IN A DEFINED NIGERIAN POPULATION
Authors: Adanikin Abiodun Idowu , Adanikin Pipeloluwa Oluwayemisi , Orji Ernest Okechukwu , Adeyanju Benedict Tolulope
Published: October 2016

This study sought to characterize sexual behaviour, contraceptive use and contributory upbringing factors among young people who had dropped out of school or college in a Nigerian setting. A community-based, cross-sectional sexual survey of 161 young people aged between 15 and 35 who had dropped out of school or college was performed in Ado-Ekiti, south-west Nigeria, in April 2015. One hundred and nineteen of the respondents (73.9%) had had sexual intercourse. Mean age at sexual debut was 19.08±3.5 years. Of those with sexual experience, 79 (66.4%) had their sexual debut with a previous boy/girlfriend and 33 (27.7%) had it in their current relationship. Three (2.5%) respondents had first sex with a stranger. About 90% were still having sexual intercourse within 12 months of the survey; more males had had sex than females (81.1% versus 67.8%). Around 80% of those with sexual exposure practised a form of contraception, mainly use of the male condom, but fewer than 25% were all-time contraceptive users. Coming from a single-parent family (p=0.04) or from a family of poor economic status (AOR: 7.41; 95% CI: 0.69–0.83) were found to be associated with sexual debut by the age of 19 and premarital sex, respectively, in these young people. Unprotected sexual intimacy was found to be high among young school/college drop-outs in this region of Nigeria. This group of young people need targeted reproductive health intervention as they represent a potent route for HIV transmission in the region.
REPRODUCTIVE AND CHILD HEALTH SERVICES AND DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGE IN THE DISTRICTS OF UTTAR PRADESH, 2002–13
Authors: Rajbhar Mamta , Mohanty Sanjay K.
Published: October 2016

This study examined the effect of reproductive and child health (RCH) services on fertility and child mortality in the districts of Uttar Pradesh. It specifically measured the effect of antenatal care, medical assistance at birth, child immunization and use of modern methods of contraception on Total Fertility Rate (TFR), Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Under-five Morality Rate (U5MR) before and after the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) period. Data from the 2002–04 District Level Household Survey (DLHS-2), 2012–13 Annual Health Survey (AHS) and the 2001 and 2011 Censuses of India were used. The TFR and U5MR were estimated from the Census of India with district as the unit of analysis. Descriptive statistics, composite indices, random- and fixed-effects models and difference-in-difference models were used to understand the effect of RCH services on the reduction in TFR, IMR and the U5MR. The results suggest large inter-district variations in the coverage of RCH services in the state. During the post-NRHM period, improvement was highest in safe delivery followed by immunization coverage and antenatal care and least for contraceptive use in most districts. The relative ranking of districts has not changed much over time. In 2002–04, the RCH Index was highest in Lucknow (0.442) followed by Ballia and least in Kaushambi (0.115). By 2012–13, it was highest in Jhansi (0.741) and lowest in Shrawasti (0.241). The districts of Kaushambi, Unnao, Mahoba, Banda and Hardoi performed better in the RCH Index over time, while Ballia, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Kanpur Nagar, Pratapgarh and Sonbhadra remained poor. The RCH service coverage and demographic outcomes were poor in seven districts, particularly those in eastern and western Uttar Pradesh. The regression analyses suggest that the RCH Index exerts greater influence on the reduction in IMR and U5MR, while female literacy exerts greater influence on the reduction in TFR. The results of the hybrid model suggest that a 10% change in RCH Index would lead to a 3 point decline in IMR, and a 10% increase in female literacy would lead to a 0.2 point decline in TFR. The study suggests continuing investment in female education and RCH services with a greater focus on poor-performing districts to realize demographic and health targets.
Haplotypic variation in the UCP1 gene is associated with milk traits in dairy cows
Authors: Zhou Huitong , Cheng Long , Byun Seung Ok , Aizimu Wumaierjiang , Hodge Miriam C , Edwards Grant R. , Hickford Jon GH
Published: October 2016

Uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1) plays a role in the regulation of body temperature, metabolic rate and energy expenditure in animals. While variation in UCP1 and its phenotypic effect has been investigated in humans and sheep, little is known about this gene in cattle. In this study, four regions of bovine UCP1 were investigated in 612 Holstein-Friesian × Jersey (HF × J) dairy cows using polymerase chain reaction-single stranded conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analyses. In the four regions of the gene analysed, a total of 13 SNPs were detected. Three sequences (a, b and c) were found in Region-2 and three sequences (A, B and C) were found in Region-4, and these were assembled into three (a-B, b-B and c-A) common and three (b-C, c-B and c-C) rare haplotypes. Of the three common haplotypes, b-B and c-A were associated (P < 0·007 and P < 0·043, respectively) with increased milk yield and tended to be associated (P < 0·085 and P < 0·070, respectively) with decreased fat percentage. Cows with genotype b-B/a-B produced more milk (P < 0·004), but with a lower percentage of fat (P < 0·035) and protein (P < 0·038) than cows with genotype a-B/a-B. Cows of genotype a-B/c-A had milk of low fat percentage (P < 0·017), but tended to produce more milk (P < 0·059) than cows of genotype a-B/a-B. This suggests that UCP1 affects milk yield, milk fat percentage and milk protein percentage.
Thomson linac-based X-ray generator: a primer for theory and design
Authors: Artyukov I.A. , Bessonov E.G. , Gorbunkov M.V. , Maslova Y.Y. , Popov N.L. , Vinogradov A.V.
Published: October 2016

The paper presents a general theoretical framework and related Monte Carlo simulation of novel type of the X-ray sources based on relativistic Thomson scattering of powerful laser radiation. Special attention is paid to the linac X-ray generators by way of two examples: conceptual design for production of 12.4 keV photons and presently operating X-ray source of 29.4 keV photons. Our analysis shows that state-of-the-art laser and accelerator technologies enable to build up a compact linac-based Thomson source for the same X-ray imaging and diffraction experiments as in using of a large-scale X-ray radiation facility like a synchrotron or Thomson generator based on electron storage ring.
On redundancy resolution of the human thumb, index and middle fingers in cooperative object translation
Authors: Joseph Felix Orlando Maria , Behera Laxmidhar , Tamei Tomoya , Shibata Tomohiro , Dutta Ashish , Saxena Anupam
Published: October 2016

Redundancy in motion, and synergy in neuromuscular coordination provides significant versatility to the human fingers while performing coordinated grasping and manipulation tasks in several ways. This paper explores how humans may resolve the redundancy in their thumb, index and middle fingers when these digits flex to cooperatively translate a small object toward the palm. It is observed that humans actively employ a secondary subtask of maximizing instantaneous manipulability that helps determine all intermediate finger configurations when performing the primary subtask of following a tip trajectory. This behavior is accurately captured by an inverse kinematic model based on aredundancyparameter. The joint angles get determined unambiguously though the redundancy parameter is shown to depend on the instantaneous finger configurations and also, to attain negative values. Further, this parameter is noted to vary significantly across subjects performing the same kinematic task. The findings, that are based on the experimental finger motion data garnered from 12 subjects, are reckoned to be of significant importance, especially in reference to the challenges in design and control of finger exoskeletons for cooperative manipulation.
A gaze control of socially interactive robots in multiple-person interaction
Authors: Yun Sang-Seok
Published: October 2016

This paper proposes a computational model for selecting a suitable interlocutor of socially interactive robots in a situation interacting with multiple persons. To support this, a hybrid approach incorporating gaze control criteria and perceptual measurements for social cues is applied to the robot. For the perception part, representative non-verbal behaviors indicating human-interaction intent are designed based on the psychological analysis of human–human interaction, and these behavioral features are quantitatively measured by core perceptual components including visual, auditory, and spatial modalities. In addition, each aspect of recognition performance is improved through temporal confidence reasoning as a post-processing step. On the other hand, two factors of the physical space and conversational intimacy are tactically applied to the model calculation as a way of strengthening social gaze control effect of the robot. Interaction experiments with performance evaluation are given to verify that the proposed model is suitable to assess intended behaviors of individuals and perform gaze behavior about multiple persons. By showing a success rate of 93.3% in human decision-making criteria, it confirms a potential to establish socially acceptable gaze control in multiple-person interaction.
TESTING MULTI-CRITERIA DECISION ANALYSIS FOR MORE TRANSPARENT RESOURCE-ALLOCATION DECISION MAKING IN COLOMBIA
Authors: Castro Jaramillo Hector Eduardo , Goetghebeur Mireille , Moreno-Mattar Ornella
Published: October 2016

Objectives: In 2012, Colombia experienced an important institutional transformation after the establishment of the Health Technology Assessment Institute (IETS), the disbandment of the Regulatory Commission for Health and the reassignment of reimbursement decision-making powers to the Ministry of Health and Social Protection (MoHSP). These dynamic changes provided the opportunity to test Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) for systematic and more transparent resource-allocation decision-making.

Methods: During 2012 and 2013, the MCDA framework Evidence and Value: Impact on Decision Making (EVIDEM) was tested in Colombia. This consisted of a preparatory stage in which the investigators conducted literature searches and produced HTA reports for four interventions of interest, followed by a panel session with decision makers. This method was contrasted with a current approach used in Colombia for updating the publicly financed benefits package (POS), where narrative health technology assessment (HTA) reports are presented alongside comprehensive budget impact analyses (BIAs).

Results: Disease severity, size of population, and efficacy ranked at the top among fifteen preselected relevant criteria. MCDA estimates of technologies of interest ranged between 71 to 90 percent of maximum value. The ranking of technologies was sensitive to the methods used. Participants considered that a two-step approach including an MCDA template, complemented by a detailed BIA would be the best approach to assist decision-making in this context. Participants agreed that systematic priority setting should take place in Colombia.

Conclusions: This work may serve as the basis to the MoHSP on its interest of setting up a systematic and more transparent process for resource-allocation decision-making.
CONVERGENCE RATES OF SUMS OF α-MIXING TRIANGULAR ARRAYS: WITH AN APPLICATION TO NONPARAMETRIC DRIFT FUNCTION ESTIMATION OF CONTINUOUS-TIME PROCESSES
Authors: Kanaya Shin
Published: October 2016

The convergence rates of the sums of α-mixing (or strongly mixing) triangular arrays of heterogeneous random variables are derived. We pay particular attention to the case where central limit theorems may fail to hold, due to relatively strong time-series dependence and/or the nonexistence of higher-order moments. Several previous studies have presented various versions of laws of large numbers for sequences/triangular arrays, but their convergence rates were not fully investigated. This study is the first to investigate the convergence rates of the sums of α-mixing triangular arrays whose mixing coefficients are permitted to decay arbitrarily slowly. We consider two kinds of asymptotic assumptions: one is that the time distance between adjacent observations is fixed for any sample size n; and the other, called the infill assumption, is that it shrinks to zero as n tends to infinity. Our convergence theorems indicate that an explicit trade-off exists between the rate of convergence and the degree of dependence. While the results under the infill assumption can be seen as a direct extension of those under the fixed-distance assumption, they are new and particularly useful for deriving sharper convergence rates of discretization biases in estimating continuous-time processes from discretely sampled observations. We also discuss some examples to which our results and techniques are useful and applicable: a moving-average process with long lasting past shocks, a continuous-time diffusion process with weak mean reversion, and a near-unit-root process.
The presence of fever in adults with influenza and other viral respiratory infections
Authors: CHUGHTAI A. A. , WANG Q. , DUNG T. C. , MACINTYRE C. R.
Published: October 2016

We compared the rates of fever in adult subjects with laboratory-confirmed influenza and other respiratory viruses and examined the factors that predict fever in adults. Symptom data on 158 healthcare workers (HCWs) with a laboratory-confirmed respiratory virus infection were collected using standardized data collection forms from three separate studies. Overall, the rate of fever in confirmed viral respiratory infections in adult HCWs was 23·4% (37/158). Rates varied by virus: human rhinovirus (25·3%, 19/75), influenza A virus (30%, 3/10), coronavirus (28·6%, 2/7), human metapneumovirus (28·6%, 2/7), respiratory syncytial virus (14·3%, 4/28) and parainfluenza virus (8·3%, 1/12). Smoking [relative risk (RR) 4·65, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·33–16·25] and co-infection with two or more viruses (RR 4·19, 95% CI 1·21–14·52) were significant predictors of fever. Fever is less common in adults with confirmed viral respiratory infections, including influenza, than described in children. More than 75% of adults with a viral respiratory infection do not have fever, which is an important finding for clinical triage of adult patients with respiratory infections. The accepted definition of ‘influenza-like illness’ includes fever and may be insensitive for surveillance when high case-finding is required. A more sensitive case definition could be used to identify adult cases, particularly in event of an emerging viral infection.
Why is the topic of the biological embedding of experiences important for translation?
Authors: Rutter Michael
Published: October 2016

Translational research focuses on innovation in healthcare settings, but this is a two-way process that may have implications for either treatment or prevention. Smoking and lung cancer and the fetal alcohol syndrome are used as examples. Experimental medicine that budges basic and clinical science often constitutes a key way forward. Areas of scientific progress and challenge are discussed in relation to drug action, social cognition, cognitive neuroscience, molecular genetics, gene–environment interaction, and epigenetics. Key concepts and challenges in relation to stress include toxicity, allostatic load, the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis, and objectives versus subjective stress. The reasons for the need to test causal inferences are discussed. Various kinds of “natural experiments” are discussed in illustration using the assisted conception design, the discordant monozygotic twin design, and the study of universal exposure. Animal models are discussed in relation to enrichment and deprivation effects and the effects of infant separation experiences, epigenetic effects, and the biological embedding of experiences. Translational issues are discussed in relation to the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, epigenetics, and inflammation. In conclusion, it is suggested that there are immediate possibilities for experimental medicine but caution is needed with respect to moving into translation too quickly.
Testing the biological embedding hypothesis: Is early life adversity associated with a later proinflammatory phenotype?
Authors: Ehrlich Katherine B. , Ross Kharah M. , Chen Edith , Miller Gregory E.
Published: October 2016

Accumulating evidence suggests that the experience of early life adversity is a risk factor for a range of poor outcomes across development, including poor physical health in adulthood. The biological embedding model of early adversity (Miller, Chen, & Parker, 2011) suggests that early adversity might become embedded within immune cells known as monocytes/macrophages, programming them to be overly aggressive to environmental stimuli and insensitive to inhibitory signals, creating a “proinflammatory phenotype” that increases vulnerability to chronic diseases across the life span. We tested this hypothesis in the present study. Adolescent girls (n = 147) had blood drawn every 6 months across a 2.5-year period. To assess inflammatory responses to challenge, their monocytes were stimulated in vitro with a bacterial product, and production of the cytokine interleukin-6 was quantified. Hydrocortisone was added to cultures to assess the cells’ sensitivity to glucocorticoids’ anti-inflammatory signal. Using cluster analyses, we found that early life adversity was associated with greater odds of displaying a proinflammatory phenotype characterized by relatively larger interleukin-6 responses and relatively less sensitivity to glucocorticoids. In contrast, ongoing social stress was not associated with increasing odds of being categorized in the proinflammatory cluster. These findings suggest that early life adversity increases the probability of developing a proinflammatory phenotype, which, if sustained, could forecast risk for health problems later in life.
Epigenetic regulation of cognition: A circumscribed review of the field
Authors: Grigorenko Elena L. , Kornilov Sergey A. , Naumova Oksana Yu.
Published: October 2016

The last decade has been marked by an increased interest in relating epigenetic mechanisms to complex human behaviors, although this interest has not been balanced, accentuating various types of affective and primarily ignoring cognitive functioning. Recent animal model data support the view that epigenetic processes play a role in learning and memory consolidation and help transmit acquired memories even across generations. In this review, we provide an overview of various types of epigenetic mechanisms in the brain (DNA methylation, histone modification, and noncoding RNA action) and discuss their impact proximally on gene transcription, protein synthesis, and synaptic plasticity and distally on learning, memory, and other cognitive functions. Of particular importance are observations that neuronal activation regulates the dynamics of the epigenome's functioning under precise timing, with subsequent alterations in the gene expression profile. In turn, epigenetic regulation impacts neuronal action, closing the circle and substantiating the signaling pathways that underlie, at least partially, learning, memory, and other cognitive processes.
Resilience to adversity and the early origins of disease
Authors: Brody Gene H. , Yu Tianyi , Beach Steven R. H.
Published: October 2016

For the past quarter century, scientists at the Center for Family Research at the University of Georgia have conducted research designed to promote understanding of normative developmental trajectories among low socioeconomic status African American children, youths, and young adults. In this paper, we describe a recent expansion of this research program using longitudinal, epidemiological studies and randomized prevention trials to test hypotheses about the origins of disease among rural African American youths. The contributions of economic hardship, downward mobility, neighborhood poverty, and racial discrimination to allostatic load and epigenetic aging are illustrated. The health benefits of supportive family relationships in protecting youths from these challenges are also illustrated. A cautionary set of studies is presented showing that some psychosocially resilient youths demonstrate high allostatic loads and accelerated epigenetic aging, suggesting that, for some, “resilience is just skin deep.” Finally, we end on an optimistic note by demonstrating that family-centered prevention programs can have health benefits by reducing inflammation, helping to preserve telomere length, and inhibiting epigenetic aging.
Frailty and adverse outcomes: impact of multiple bed moves for older inpatients
Authors: Ranasinghe Champa , Fleury Aisling , Peel Nancye M. , Hubbard Ruth E.
Published: October 2016

Background:

A consequence of pressure on hospitals to accommodate care needs of older patients is “boarding” or out-lying from their home ward. This may have greater adverse effects on older inpatients who are frail.

Methods:

A retrospective matched cohort study was conducted in an outer metropolitan general hospital. Randomly selected patients hospitalized between July 2012 and June 2013 under the care of an Older Person Evaluation Review and Assessment (OPERA) team (n = 300) were age and sex matched with patients under the care of general physicians (n = 300). Frequency of boarding and number of bed moves were recorded for all patients. For patients who had three or more moves, adverse outcomes were compared between the two groups.

Results:

A higher proportion of OPERA patients (n = 143; 47.7%) were out-lied from medical wards compared with 94 (31.3%) General Medicine patients (p < 0.001). Three or more bed moves were recorded for 67 (22.3%) OPERA and 24 (8%) General Medicine patients (p < 0.001). Of those with multiple moves, OPERA patients were more likely to have pre-morbid cognitive impairment (p = 0.005), to be moderately to severely frail (p = 0.016) and to suffer acute delirium and falls during admission (p = 0.03), compared with General Medicine patients. OPERA patients were also more at risk of adverse outcomes such as increased dependence, discharge to residential care or death (p = 0.023).

Conclusion:

Compared with age- and sex-matched General Medicine patients, OPERA patients were more likely to undergo multiple bed moves and out-lying, which may have contributed to negative outcomes for these patients.
Evaluating the Posthuman Future – Some Philosophical Problems
Authors: Holm Søren
Published: October 2016

Imagining a future scenario where human beings have evolved in ways so that they are no longer human but post- or transhuman has been a recurrent trope in science fiction literature since the very inception of the genre. More recently, the possibility of a future including posthumans has received significant philosophical attention due to the emergence of activist ‘transhumanism’. This paper will analyse some of the philosophical problems in evaluating whether a posthuman future is a good future that we ought to pursue. It will first briefly describe the transhumanist conception of the posthuman, and the different routes envisaged from the current human condition to the future posthuman condition. The second part will then present and analyse some fundamental philosophical problems we encounter when we try to assess whether and to what extent the posthuman future is good and/or desirable; and it will be concluded that assessing the ethical desirability of the posthuman future is close to impossible.
Variability and its limits in bilingual language production
Authors: ABUTALEBI JUBIN , CLAHSEN HARALD
Published: October 2016

Experimental and other empirical research on language is faced with the fact that language performance exhibits a high degree of variability at all linguistic levels. Variability is found across languages, across speech communities within one language, across individuals within one speech community and even within the same individual. Bilingual language use adds a further source of variability to this already complicated picture. On the other hand, there are aspects of language and language use that are constrained, stable, or robust and that are less (or not at all) subject to variability, for example, possible options that are not chosen in any language or kinds of error that are never produced. Several familiar ways of dealing with the variability of language use and its limits have turned out to be unsatisfactory. One approach has been to simply abstract away from variability with constructs such as the ‘ideal speaker–hearer’ (who – to our knowledge – nobody has met so far). Another strategy is to average across individuals, which sometimes results in arbitrary mean scores or mean activation patterns that are hard to replicate for individuals, even for those who took part in a given study. A third solution when confronted with variability in language use is to take it at face value, positing that every language, every speech community, and even every individual is different, an approach that essentially gives up on discovering any kind of generalizations. While none of these strategies appears to us to be particularly fruitful, the problem of how to deal with variability in language performance and its limits remains.