bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of nutraceuticals on sexual satisfaction and lower urinary tract symptoms in a cohort of young–old men
Authors: Perri Anna , Ilacqua Alessandro , Valenti Marina , Aversa Antonio
Published: November 2017

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of nutraceuticals containing multiple supplemental facts (Virherbe®/Rekupros®) on sexual satisfaction and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in young–old men. In an open‐label trial, 40 males (mean age 66 ± 13) with sexual disturbances and mild LUTS but without cognitive/motor impairment and clinical hypogonadism were enrolled. Sexual desire (SD; IIEF‐SD domain) and satisfaction (Global Assessment Question; GAQ), the capacity to perform daily activities (evaluated by 6‐min walking test [6MWT]), and International Prostate Symptoms Scores (IPSS) were evaluated before and after oral administration of 2 capsules/day of each supplement for 8 weeks. The difference from baseline for SD was +2.6 (p < .05) and −4.2 points for IPSS (p < .05), with significance in subscales of urinary streaming/nocturia (p < .01), respectively; 6MWT increased from 507 ± 44 versus 527 ± 58 meters (p < .001). GAQ scale‐responses showed overall improvement in overall 75% population, with a significant improvement in QoL (p < .01). These changes returned to baseline at 1‐month withdrawal follow‐up. No adverse events were reported. These supplemental facts improved sexual desire, satisfaction with sex life, physical performance, and LUTS in young–old men, suggesting that they may be effective in patients in whom standard treatments are not suitable.
Cannabinoids for nausea and vomiting related to chemotherapy: Overview of systematic reviews
Authors: Schussel Victor , Kenzo Lucas , Santos Andreia , Bueno Júlia , Yoshimura Ellen , de Oliveira Cruz Latorraca Carolina , Pachito Daniela Vianna , Riera Rachel
Published: November 2017

Nausea and vomiting are common and distressing adverse events of chemotherapy. This review focuses on the findings and quality of systematic reviews (SRs) of cannabinoids for chemotherapy‐induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). Review of SRs, a systematic literature search, was conducted in several electronic databases and included SRs evaluating cannabinoids for CINV in cancer patients. Methodological quality and quality of reporting were evaluated by AMSTAR and PRISMA, respectively. Initial search retrieved 2,206 records, and 5 SRs were included. On the basis of findings of the sole SR judged as high methodological quality, cannabinoids seem to be more effective than placebo, equal to prochlorperazine for reducing CINV, and to be preferred by patients. The response to different combinations of antiemetic agents seems to be equal to 1 antiemetic alone. The average of AMSTAR score was 5, and the average of PRISMA score was 13.2. Cannabinoids represent a valuable option for treating CINV, despite the adverse events related to treatment, such as drowsiness and cognitive impairment. There is no good quality evidence to recommend or not the use of cannabinoids for CINV. More studies are still needed to evaluate the effectiveness of cannabinoids when compared with modern antiemetics.
Ethanol Iris tenuifolia extract reduces brain damage in a mouse model of cerebral ischaemia
Authors: Jalsrai Aldarmaa , Reinhold Annegret , Becker Axel
Published: November 2017

In the previous experiments, the neuroprotective role of Iris tenuifolia Pall. (IT) in the model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was investigated. In addition, the concentrations of the cytokines tumour necrosis factor‐alpha and interleukin‐6 in blood plasma were measured. It was found that IT administered 1 hr prior to MCAO or immediately after MCAO reduced infarct volume significantly. IT application 1 and 4 hr after MCAO, respectively, was without any effect on infarct volume. There were no significant changes as regards tumour necrosis factor‐alpha, whereas interleukin‐6 concentrations were increased in blood plasma. This is the first evidence that flavonoids from Iris tenuifolia exert protective effects in the in vivo MCAO model. Our results suggest that these flavonoids are likely to be beneficial to humans by virtue of their ability to reduce infarct volume.
Curcumin mediated down‐regulation of αVβ3 integrin and up‐regulation of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4) in Erlotinib resistant SW480 colon cancer cells
Authors: Javadi Samira , Rostamizadeh Kobra , Hejazi Jalal , Parsa Maliheh , Fathi Mojtaba
Published: November 2017

Erlotinib is a potent, selective, and orally active inhibitor of the epidermal growth factor receptor, but the development of erlotinib resistance during chemotherapy can lead to treatment failure. To shed light on the erlotinib‐resistant pathway, this study investigated the effect of combination therapy using curcumin‐ and erlotinib‐loaded nanoparticles on the expression of αvβ3 integrin and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4) in an erlotinib‐resistant SW480 colon cancer cell line. An erlotinib‐resistant SW480 colon cancer cell line was produced by long‐term exposure to erlotinib. Curcumin‐loaded Methoxy poly ethylene glycol Poly caprolactone (cur/mPEG‐PCL) and erlotinib‐loaded mPEG‐PCL (erl/mPEG‐PCL) micelles were provided using a single step nanoprecipitation method and used as combination therapy of resistant SW480 cancer cells. After that, gene expression levels of PDK4, αv, and β3 mRNA were determined by the semiquantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction. Protein levels of whole αvβ3 integrin were evaluated using the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay method. In SW480 cell line, the IC50 of nonresistant and resistant cells was 87.6 ± 1.2 nM and 19.1 ± 0.14 μM, for erlotinib and it was about 21.8 and 30 μM for curcumin, respectively. Although PDK4 expression was not significantly different in resistant and nonresistant cells, its expression was up regulated (1.4 fold) in resistant cells by a combination therapy of cur/mPEG‐PCL at a dose of 3 μM and erl/mPEG‐PCL at a dose of 5 μM. β3 mRNA and the protein level of whole αvβ3 integrin was significantly higher in resistant SW480 cells as compared with those in nonresistant cells. In terms of treatment, a combination of 6‐μM cur/mPEG‐PCL and 5‐μM erl/mPEG‐PCL down regulated β3 gene expression 6.6‐fold in resistant cells as compared with nonresistant cells. At the protein level, a combination of 3‐μM‐cur/mPEG‐PCL and 10‐μM erl/mPEG‐PCL reduced αvβ3 protein in resistant cells. The results indicated that combination therapy using cur/mPEG‐PCL and erl/mPEG‐PCL could decrease αvβ3 integrin expression and increase PDK4 gene expression in resistant colon cancer cells, which may have effects on drug resistance signaling pathways.
Effects of clay and surface plasma‐treated carbon fiber on wear behavior of thermoplastic POM composites
Authors: Niu Fenglian , He Runqin , Li Jian
Published: November 2017

In engineering applications, experimental data and insight from scientific investigations on wear properties of polyoxymethylene (POM) composites are important for engineers to understand how to design and formulate POM materials with high resistance to wear. In this work, clay and carbon fiber were utilized and incorporated into POM and the mechanical and wear properties, in specific wear rate, were then assessed. The experimental results suggested that the addition of clay increased the tensile modulus and strength. The mechanical and wear properties of POM composites were found to improve with the addition of the carbon fiber. Carbon fiber/clay/POM composite exhibited the lowest specific wear rate and friction coefficient.
The influence of polypyrrole coatings on the mechanical and friction and wear properties of bamboo fiber filled PA6 composites
Authors: Niu Fenglian , He Runqin , Li Jian
Published: November 2017

The effects of polypyrrole coatings on the tensile and tribological properties of bamboo fiber reinforced polyamide 6 (PA6) composites were studied. Tribological tests were conducted using a block‐on‐ring arrangement. It was observed that the polypyrrole coatings played a main role in the tensile‐resistant and wear‐resistant properties of the PA6 composites. The tensile properties were ruled by the fiber‐matrix adhesion. And the excellent tribological performance of the fillers improved the tribological properties of PA6 composites. The optimum content of polypyrrole coating concentration is 7vol%.
Antibacterial and physicochemical properties of co‐sputtered CuSn thin films
Authors: Kang Yujin , Park Juyun , Kim Dong‐Woo , Kim Hakjun , Kang Yong‐Cheol
Published: November 2017

Copper‐tin thin films (CT TFs) were deposited on p‐type Si(100) by radio frequency (RF) magnetron co‐sputtering method. The atomic ratio of Cu and Sn showed complementary tendency with various RF powers on metal targets. Antibacterial test was conducted with Gram‐negative Escherichia coli. The ratio of Cu and Sn ions and the contact time with E. coli affected the antibacterial efficiency. Increasing the ratio of Cu ions and contact time showed higher antibacterial activity. Cu20Sn6 called as bronze structure, metallic Cu, and copper oxide phases were identified from X‐ray diffraction data after sterilization. The lattice strain that was changed due to the substitution of Cu and Sn was also calculated. The surface morphology of CT TFs was entirely grown to round shape when the dominant element was Sn. But, as the content of Cu increased, the surface morphology was changed from ball shape to sharp column shape. When fixed contact time, the intensities of Cu 2p increased but the intensities of Sn 3d decreased as increasing the atomic ratio of Cu. The oxidation of Cu was more sharply progressed as the RF power on Cu target increased. When fixed CT TFs, the intensities of Cu 2p were consistent but the intensities of Sn 3d3/2 decreased as increasing contact time between CT TF and E. coli.
Flexible Metal–Air Batteries: Progress, Challenges, and Perspectives
Authors: Liu Qingchao , Chang Zhiwen , Li Zhongjun , Zhang Xinbo
Published: November 2017

Flexible metal–air batteries, which are a promising candidate for implantation in wearable or rolling‐up electronic devices, have attracted much attention recently due to their relatively high energy density. Various flexible metal–air batteries have been developed recently, including flexible nonaqueous lithium–air batteries, aqueous zinc–air batteries, and aqueous aluminum–air batteries. Although various viable configurations of flexible metal–air batteries have been proposed, challenges regarding electrode design, electrolyte exploitation, and low practical energy density, still exist. Here, a brief introduction is presented as to the recent development of flexible metal–air batteries, regarding the electrodes, electrolyte, and prototype devices. Also, a general perspective on the current challenges and recommended future research directions for the practical use of metal–air batteries is provided.
Recent Progress in Black‐Phosphorus‐Based Heterostructures for Device Applications
Authors: Yang Zhibin , Hao Jianhua
Published: November 2017

The rise of 2D layered materials has inspired luxuriant research interests in the development of novel nanodevices. Thanks to van der Waals interlayer forces and being free of dangling surface bonds, 2D materials are favorable for constructing vertical heterostructures by combining materials with different features. In recent years, ultrathin black phosphorus (BP) has been rediscovered as a new member of the 2D family and is attracting significant research attention due to its outstanding electronic properties and tunable bandgaps, which offers a new avenue for the creation of novel 2D heterostructures. Here, the recent development of heterostructured architectures based on 2D BP nanosheets is summarized with an emphasis on device characterizations. Stacks of phosphorene with graphene, semiconductors, or insulators are reviewed, along with methods to characterize the corresponding proof‐of‐concept devices, as well as potential opportunities for applications in the 2D limit, including transistors, optoelectronic devices, and sensors, with unprecedented functionalities. Finally, the challenges ahead of BP heterostructures are discussed and some future outlooks are suggested.
Photocatalytic Behavior of Fluorinated Rutile TiO2(110) Surface: Understanding from the Band Model
Authors: Gao Huimin , Zhang Daoyu , Yang Minnan , Dong Shuai
Published: November 2017

Surface fluorination of TiO2 (F‐TiO2) has complicate photocatalytic behavior in degradation of organic compounds. This work attempts to establish an elegant scenario based on the band model to understand this behavior. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that fluorination of the rutile TiO2(110) surface (F‐TiO2110) results in the falling of band edges. The falling of valence band edge (VBE) facilitates production of free ·OH radicals, whereas the falling of conduction band edge (CBE) lowers the reducing power of photo‐electrons and inhibits reductive reactions mediated by them. As a result, the photo‐electrons are built up in the conduction band which depresses photo‐holes in the valence band to produce ·OH radicals due to the requirement of electrical neutrality and thus leads to a low degradation rate of organic compounds. Even though, our model suggests a route to improve the degradation efficiency, by introducing a scavenger of photo‐electrons to promote formation of ·OH radicals.
Experimental investigation on the compressive behavior of short‐term preloaded carbon fiber reinforced polymer‐confined concrete columns
Authors: Ferrotto Marco Filippo , Fischer Oliver , Niedermeier Roland
Published: November 2017

Strengthening of concrete columns with fiber reinforced polymer sheets provides a good improvement to the existing structural members in terms of load and strain capacity due to the properties of the composite jacket. A proper knowledge of the load–strain response of the composite members is necessary to design retrofitting intervention of existing structures; however, so far the available design methods do not allow to take into account the effect of the possible presence of service loads on the compressive behavior of the reinforced columns. An experimental investigation on the compressive behavior of preloaded circular concrete columns reinforced with carbon fiber reinforced polymer was carried out to determine the load and deformational capacity of confined concrete subjected to short‐terms loads. Nineteen compression tests were performed to underline the difference respect to the standard compressive stress–strain response of the confined specimens. The results indicate that the compressive behavior seems to be not particularly influenced by the preloading. As the preloading level increases, ultimate axial load and axial strain do not have significant change respect to the test performed without preloading; however, the load–strain response of the confined concrete is affected by a reduction of the secant stiffness.
Variations of in situ concrete strength by European Standard and American Code
Authors: Gavilan Sergio , Da S. Filho Luiz Carlos Pinto
Published: November 2017

Europe and United States exert a worldwide influence in the field of concrete control, proof of this is that many countries adopt their regulations, due to lack of own regulations. When there are problems with concrete strength, cores are used, and this situation usually involves two or more parties with different views on the proper interpretation of the core results. An experimental study was carried out, with five lots of prototypes concrete slabs of 20, 30, and 35 MPa specified strength, 210 cylinders of 10 × 20 cm, 296 cores of 10 cm diameter, and slenderness 2, as well as temperature and maturity control. Estimated strength of cores and cylinders was compared according to the criteria of European standards UNE‐EN 13791 and the American code ACI 318. Tests were performed at 3, 5, 7, and 28 days. It is concluded that the European and American regulations present similar results for concretes with specified strength between 30 and 35 MPa, whereas in the range of 16–30 MPa, the European standard is more rigorous than the American Code, being the latter more favorable to the concrete producer.
Attaching transmitters to waterbirds using one versus two subcutaneous anchors: Retention and survival trade‐offs
Authors: Lewis Tyler L. , Esler Daniel , Uher‐Koch Brian D. , Dickson Rian D. , Anderson Eric M. , Evenson Joseph R. , Hupp Jerry W. , Flint Paul L.
Published: November 2017

A major challenge of wildlife telemetry is choosing an attachment technique that maximizes transmitter retention while minimizing negative side effects. For waterbirds, attachment of transmitters with subcutaneous anchors has been an effective and well‐established technique, having been used on >40 species. This method was recently modified to include a second subcutaneous anchor, presumably increasing transmitter retention beyond that of single‐anchor attachments. This putative benefit may be offset, however, by increased health risks related to additional incisions and subcutaneous protrusions. To test this potential trade‐off, we attached radiotransmitters to molting and wintering surf (Melanitta perspicillata) and white‐winged scoters (M. fusca) during 2008 and 2009 in Washington State and southeast Alaska, USA, using single‐ (121 scoters) and double‐anchor (128 scoters) attachment techniques. We estimated daily probabilities of survival and radio retention for each group, this being apparent retention for wintering scoters because we could not differentiate shed transmitters from flighted emigration. For scoters during the flightless remigial molt, we found that addition of a second anchor increased cumulative retention probability (±SE) over a 49‐day period from 0.69 ± 0.11 for single‐anchor to 0.88 ± 0.07 for double‐anchor attachments, while having no effect on survival. However, during winter, scoters with double‐anchor attachments experienced no improvement in apparent retention, while having significantly lower survival during their first 14 days following transmitter attachment; of 15 mortalities during this period, 11 had 2 subcutaneous anchors. From day 15 onward, winter survival rates were nearly identical for single‐ versus double‐anchor attachments, indicating that adverse effects of subcutaneous anchors were mainly limited to the 14‐day postattachment period. Overall, given that the survival cost of adding a second subcutaneous anchor was substantial for wintering scoters—decreasing 14‐day survival by 12% for adults and 23% for juveniles—we recommend that researchers opt for single‐anchor attachments under most circumstances, especially during winter when birds may be energetically challenged. Published 2017. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Researching Individuals’ Media Repertoires: Challenges of Qualitative Interviews on Cross-Media Practices
Authors: Klein Juliane , Walter Michael , Schimank Uwe
Published: November 2017

Researching individuals’ media repertoires is challenged by the problem that respondents are often unaware of their media use because it is part of their daily routines. In an exploratory study, we consider different interviewing strategies that represent varying degrees of explicitness when stating our media-related research interest, different levels of detail in interview questions targeted at individuals’ changing media repertoires and different points in the course of the interview when we state the respective questions. We compare four different strategies based on ten semi-structured interviews with members of the middle class. An interviewing strategy which implicitly states the interest in the respondents’ media repertoires and follows up on this with the help of related enquiries at the end of each sub-theme appears to be the strategy that best suits the purposes. The set stimulus is subtle and, thus, does not dominate the interviewees’ response behaviour; yet it is strong enough to contain the presence of the media topic throughout the interview. Most importantly, this interviewing strategy allows us to capture the respondents’ individual relevance structures with respect to media and media use as part of their daily routines.
Researching Transforming Communications in Times of Deep Mediatization: A Figurational Approach
Authors: Hepp Andreas , Hasebrink Uwe
Published: November 2017

The purpose of this chapter is to outline the concept ‘figurational approach’ as one possible way of researching transforming communications. To do this, the authors reflect on our changing media environment, which is understood as being marked by deep mediatization. Second, they develop the argument that mediatization research is right to emphasize the domain specificity of (deep) mediatization. However, there is a need to sharpen the idea of social domain. With this in mind, the chapter demonstrates how it can be a help to investigate transforming communications by analyzing changing ‘communicative figurations’. Finally, in the conclusion, some remarks are made about what this means for practical empirical research.
Repair Cafés as Communicative Figurations: Consumer-Critical Media Practices for Cultural Transformation
Authors: Kannengießer Sigrid
Published: November 2017

Repair Cafés are new events in which people meet to work together on repairing their objects of everyday life such as electronic devices, textiles or bicycles—media technologies being among the goods which are brought most often to these events. In this chapter, results of a qualitative study are presented in which Repair Cafés have been analyzed from a perspective of media and communication studies. Choosing this approach, the focus of the study was on the people repairing media technologies as well as the organizers of the events. Following a figurational perspective, the actor constellation, the frames of relevance as well as the communicative and media practices are analyzed. Thereby, not only the mediated communication processes were defined as media practices but also the act of repairing media technologies itself. Understanding these repairs as media practice, it is argued that the term media practice has to be understood in a broad sense in media and communication studies, not only taking into account what people do with media content but also what they do with media technologies.
Networked Media Collectivities. The Use of Media for the Communicative Construction of Collectivities Among Adolescents
Authors: Friemel Thomas N. , Bixler Matthias
Published: November 2017

People use media to communicate and thereby create and maintain social relations in two ways. First, media provide technological means to bypass time and space and enable otherwise unconnected individuals to interact. Second, media provide topics for communication. To capture these communicative constructed relations and the emerging social patterns, we propose the theoretical concept of networked media collectivities. In order to analyze these networked media collectivities and their relevance in mediatization research, we follow a social network analytic approach. We identify the relative importance of various media and the structures of media-related communication networks among adolescents. By comparing these networks with the friendship networks among the adolescents, we are able to assess the relevance of media for creating and maintaining social ties. Our results show that correlations between media use, media-related interpersonal communication and friendship are strong and highly significant. This supports the assumption that networked media collectivities are likely to be a resource of social capital. Since the causal effect may also be in the opposite direction (from friendship to interpersonal communication to media use), this suggests at the same time that social patterns need to be taken into account when studying processes of individual media use.
Future distributions of warm‐adapted evergreen trees, Neolitsea sericea and Camellia japonica under climate change: ensemble forecasts and predictive uncertainty
Authors: Koo Kyung Ah , Park Seon Uk , Hong Seungbum , Jang Inyoung , Seo Changwan
Published: November 2017

The prediction of the climate change effect on plant distribution has become a primary research field for conservation practices and planning. The present research predicted future distributions of warm‐adapted evergreen trees, Neolitsea sericea (Blume) Koidz. and Camellia japonica L., under climate change in the Korean Peninsula (KP) using an ensemble approach and quantified the predictive uncertainty. For these purposes, we used nine modeling algorithms and the pre‐evaluation weighted ensemble method in modelling the current distributions of those evergreen trees; furthermore, we predicted their future distributions under 20 climate change scenarios and averaged the future predictions for ensemble forecasts. The results suggest that both species would expand to the northern part of KP under climate changes; however, the spatial pattern and rate of expansions would be different. C. japonica showed a faster expansion than N. sericea. While C. japonica showed both inland and northward expansions under climate change, N. sericea was mostly distributed in coastal areas. In addition, the highly suitable habitats of N. sericea and C. japonica will decline or shift to the north under climate change. This may indicate that climate change will degrade habitat suitability of those species within the distribution boundary and may restrict their continuous range expansions under further climate changes. Considering the lack of research on the climate‐related range shifts of plants in Asia including KP, the present study provides fundamental and practical knowledge for a better understanding of climate‐related vegetation changes in Asia as well as in KP.
Bariatric Surgery Following Total Shoulder Arthroplasty Increases the Risk for Mechanical Complications Including Instability and Prosthetic Loosening
Authors: Cancienne J. M. , Camp Christopher L. , Brockmeier Stephen F. , Gulotta Lawrence V. , Dines David M. , Werner B. C.
Published: November 2017

Background

While extensive literature has been published on the risks and benefits of bariatric surgery (BS) prior to and following lower-extremity arthroplasty, no similar investigations have been performed on the impact of BS prior to total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA).

Purpose

The objective of the present study was to compare the incidence of mechanical complications in morbidly obese patients who undergo TSA: those who undergo BS following TSA compared with those who do not undergo BS, and those who undergo BS after TSA compared with those who undergo BS prior to TSA.

Methods

A Medicare database was queried for morbidly obese patients who underwent BS either before or after TSA, as well as those who underwent TSA but no BS. Of 12, 277 morbidly obese patients who underwent TSA between 2005 and 2014, 304 underwent BS (165 of them prior to TSA and 139 following TSA) and 11, 923 did not undergo BS. Rates of mechanical complications were then compared between groups using a logistic regression analysis.

Results

Patients who underwent BS after TSA had significantly higher rates of mechanical complications (12.9%) compared to controls (8.8%) or patients who underwent prior BS (7.9%). Patients who underwent BS after TSA had higher rates of both instability (7.9%) and loosening (8.6%) than did controls (5.1 and 4.9%, respectively) or patients who underwent BS before TSA (4.8 and 4.2%, respectively).

Conclusions

BS following TSA is associated with increased rates of mechanical complications, including instability and loosening, compared to BS prior to TSA. These findings suggest that it may be prudent to consider performing BS prior to TSA in morbidly obese patients, rather than waiting until after TSA is performed.
Medical students’ intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation to engage in research as preparation for residency
Authors: Ommering Belinda W. C. , Dekker Friedo W.
Published: November 2017

None
The impact of the package opening process on product returns
Authors: Zhou Wenyan , Hinz Oliver , Benlian Alexander
Published: November 2017

High product return rates are an increasingly pressing challenge for many e-retailers around the world. To address this problem, this paper offers a new perspective by focusing on the critical moment of the package-opening process. Going beyond previous research, which has primarily focused on website information and the product itself, we examine the effects of the outside appearance (i.e., the color of the delivery package) and contents of the delivery package (i.e., extra gifts, coupons, and preprinted return labels) on consumer return behavior. Our findings across two experimental studies and an observational field study show that a well-considered package design, including colorful packaging and extra gifts, significantly lowers consumers’ return intentions and actual returns. We also explore the process of consumers’ cognitive–affective reactions after opening a delivery package. During this two-stage reaction process, pleasure plays a crucial role in the consumer’s return choice.
Consumption experience, choice experience and the endowment effect
Authors: Humphrey Steven J. , Lindsay Luke , Starmer Chris
Published: November 2017

We report experiments investigating how experience influences the endowment effect. Our experiments feature endowments which are bundles of unfamiliar consumption goods. We examine how a subject’s willingness to swap items from their endowment is influenced by prior experiences of tasting the goods in question and by prior experiences of choosing between them. We do not find a statistically significant endowment effect in our baseline treatment and, because of this, we are unable to test for an effect of consumption experience. We do find an endowment effect when the endowment is acquired in two instalments and, in this setting, we find some evidence that choice experience increases trading. In a follow-up experiment, we find evidence that the absence of an endowment effect in our baseline treatment is due to subjects being more willing to swap when they do not have to give up the last unit of their endowment.
Pathobiological expression of the brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in cerebellar cortex of sudden fetal and infant death victims
Authors: Lavezzi Anna M. , Ferrero Stefano , Lattuada Debora , Piscioli Francesco , Alfonsi Graziella , Matturri Luigi
Published: November 2017

Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a neurotrophin of the central nervous system, is able to regulate neuronal differentiation and modulate synaptic plasticity, being particularly involved in the development of the cerebellar cortical structure. The main aim of this study was to delineate, by immunohistochemistry, the BDNF expression in human cerebellar cortex of victims of fetal and infant death. The study was performed on a total of 45 cases, aged between 25 gestational weeks and 6 postnatal months, including 29 victims of sudden fetal and infant death and 16 age‐matched subjects who died of known causes (Controls). We observed, in sudden death groups compared with Controls, a significantly higher incidence of defective BDNF expression in granule layers of the cerebellar cortex, which was particularly evident in the posterior lobule, a region that participates in respiratory control. These results were related to maternal smoking, allowing to speculate that nicotine, in addition to the well‐known damages, can exert adverse effects during cerebellar cortex development, in particular in hindering the BDNF expression in the posterior lobule. This implies modifications of synaptic transmission in the respiratory circuits, with obvious deleterious consequences on survival.
Adaptive, connected production of hybrid thermoplastic prototypes
Authors: Schulz Malena , Janssen Henning , Brecher Christian
Published: November 2017

From a production engineering perspective, the freedom of design with composite materials offers an interesting possibility of product customization. The material varieties of each constituent, matrix and fiber, as well as the different fiber orientations and layups are some parameters which can be applied to the individual needs of the application. However, this high degree of freedom in design results in the need for more complex and novel production technologies. During the last decades, more and more machines were developed which enable cost efficient production of composites in shorter production times. These technologies mainly focus on mass production of a single optimized composite part in order to fulfill the high demands of industry. Thus, production machines do not utilize the full diversity of composite materials. In order to exploit this diversity, the production machines have to be flexible as well.
Climate Change, Salinization and High-Yield Rice Production in Coastal Bangladesh
Authors: Dasgupta Susmita , Hossain Md. Moqbul , Huq Mainul , Wheeler David
Published: November 2017

Progressive salinization of water and soil will be increasingly severe in low-lying coastal areas as climate change proceeds. Thus, understanding the economic impacts of salinity intrusion will be essential for effective adaptation planning. This paper uses econometric analysis to predict the impact of climate-induced increases in soil salinity on high-yielding-variety rice production in coastal Bangladesh. Findings indicate an output decline of 15.6 percent in nine subdistricts where soil salinity will exceed 4 deciSiemens per meter before 2050. Without new adaptation strategies, the predicted changes will result in 7.7 and 5.6 percent losses in the Barisal and Chittagong regions, respectively.
One by One: Accumulating Evidence by using Meta-Analytical Procedures for Single-Case Experiments
Authors: Onghena Patrick , Michiels Bart , Jamshidi Laleh , Moeyaert Mariola , Van den Noortgate Wim
Published: November 2017

This paper presents a unilevel and multilevel approach for the analysis and meta-analysis of single-case experiments (SCEs). We propose a definition of SCEs and derive the specific features of SCEs’ data that have to be taken into account when analysing and meta-analysing SCEs. We discuss multilevel models of increasing complexity and propose alternative and complementary techniques based on probability combining and randomisation test wrapping. The proposed techniques are demonstrated with real-life data and corresponding R code.
Ergodic properties of bimodal circle maps
Authors: CROVISIER SYLVAIN , GUARINO PABLO , PALMISANO LIVIANA
Published: November 2017

We give conditions that characterize the existence of an absolutely continuous invariant probability measure for a degree one$C^{2}$endomorphism of the circle which is bimodal, such that all its periodic orbits are repelling, and such that both boundaries of its rotation interval are irrational numbers. Those conditions are satisfied when the boundary points of the rotation interval belong to a Diophantine class. In particular, they hold for Lebesgue almost every rotation interval. By standard results, the measure obtained is a global physical measure and it is hyperbolic.
SYMMETRIC AND ASYMMETRIC RAMSEY PROPERTIES IN RANDOM HYPERGRAPHS
Authors: GUGELMANN LUCA , NENADOV RAJKO , PERSON YURY , ŠKORIĆ NEMANJA , STEGER ANGELIKA , THOMAS HENNING
Published: November 2017

A celebrated result of Rödl and Ruciński states that for every graph $F$, which is not a forest of stars and paths of length 3, and fixed number of colours $r\geqslant 2$ there exist positive constants $c,C$ such that for $p\leqslant cn^{-1/m_{2}(F)}$ the probability that every colouring of the edges of the random graph $G(n,p)$ contains a monochromatic copy of $F$ is $o(1)$ (the ‘0-statement’), while for $p\geqslant Cn^{-1/m_{2}(F)}$ it is $1-o(1)$ (the ‘1-statement’). Here $m_{2}(F)$ denotes the 2-density of $F$. On the other hand, the case where $F$ is a forest of stars has a coarse threshold which is determined by the appearance of a certain small subgraph in $G(n,p)$. Recently, the natural extension of the 1-statement of this theorem to $k$-uniform hypergraphs was proved by Conlon and Gowers and, independently, by Friedgut, Rödl and Schacht. In particular, they showed an upper bound of order $n^{-1/m_{k}(F)}$ for the 1-statement, where $m_{k}(F)$ denotes the $k$-density of $F$. Similarly as in the graph case, it is known that the threshold for star-like hypergraphs is given by the appearance of small subgraphs. In this paper we show that another type of threshold exists if $k\geqslant 4$: there are $k$-uniform hypergraphs for which the threshold is determined by the asymmetric Ramsey problem in which a different hypergraph has to be avoided in each colour class. Along the way we obtain a general bound on the 1-statement for asymmetric Ramsey properties in random hypergraphs. This extends the work of Kohayakawa and Kreuter, and of Kohayakawa, Schacht and Spöhel who showed a similar result in the graph case. We prove the corresponding 0-statement for hypergraphs satisfying certain balancedness conditions.
UNRAMIFIEDNESS OF GALOIS REPRESENTATIONS ARISING FROM HILBERT MODULAR SURFACES
Authors: EMERTON MATTHEW , REDUZZI DAVIDE , XIAO LIANG
Published: November 2017

Let$p$be a prime number and$F$a totally real number field. For each prime$\mathfrak{p}$of$F$above$p$we construct a Hecke operator$T_{\mathfrak{p}}$acting on$(\text{mod}\,p^{m})$Katz Hilbert modular classes which agrees with the classical Hecke operator at$\mathfrak{p}$for global sections that lift to characteristic zero. Using these operators and the techniques of patching complexes of Calegari and Geraghty we prove that the Galois representations arising from torsion Hilbert modular classes of parallel weight$\mathbf{1}$are unramified at$p$when$[F:\mathbb{Q}]=2$. Some partial and some conjectural results are obtained when$[F:\mathbb{Q}]>2$.
Effectiveness of a Behavioral Approach to Improve Healthcare Worker Compliance With Hospital Dress Code
Authors: Dekker Mireille , Caris Martine G. , van Gunsteren Anne M. , van Mansfeld Rosa , Lucas Cees , Vandenbroucke-Grauls Christina M.J.E.
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUND

The VU University Medical Center, a tertiary-care hospital in the Netherlands, has adopted a dress code based on national guidelines. It includes uniforms provided by the hospital and a ‘bare-below-the-elbow’ policy for all healthcare workers (HCWs) in direct patient care. Because compliance was poor, we sought to improve adherence by interventions targeted at the main causes of noncompliance.

OBJECTIVE

To measure compliance with the dress code, to assess causes of noncompliance and to assess whether a behavioral approach (combing a nominal group technique with participatory action) is effective in improving compliance

METHODS

Between March 2014 and June 2016, a total of 1,920 HCWs were observed in hospital hallways for adherence to the policy, at baseline, and at follow-up measurements. Based on the outcome of the baseline measurement, a nominal group technique was applied to assess causes of noncompliance. The causes revealed served as input for interventions that were developed, prioritized, and tailored to specific groups of HCWs and specific departments through participatory action.

RESULTS

We identified lack of knowledge, lack of facilities, and negative attitudes as the main causes of noncompliance. The importance of each cause varied for different groups of HCWs. Tailored interventions targeted at these causes increased overall compliance by 39.6% (95% CI, 31.7–47.5).

CONCLUSION

The combination of a nominal group technique and participatory action approach is an effective method to increase and sustain compliance with hospital dress code. This combined approach may also be useful to improve adherence to other guidelines.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:1435–1440
Change in Settlement Distribution and the Emergence of an Early State: A Spatial Analysis of Radiocarbon Dates from Southwestern Korea
Authors: Park Jiyoung , Wright David K , Kim Jangsuk
Published: November 2017

Archaeologists have long examined how the emergence of core polities prompts changes in the settlement patterns of peripheral regions through various processes like warfare, patronage claims, control of ritual rites, and unequal balances of trade. According to historical records, there were 54 small Mahan polities in southwestern Korea, and one of these polities,Baekje,grew to become an ancient state by unifying other polities in the 4th century AD. It is assumed that subsequent changes in the settlement patterns of southwestern Korea were caused directly or indirectly by the expansion of Baekje, but the nature of this presumed influence is not fully explained due to difficulties in establishing chronologies and the limited application of spatial analyses. In this paper, radiocarbon (14C) dates, kernel density estimates, and spatial autocorrelation analyses are used to compare Mahan settlement distributions before and after the rise of the Baekje kingdom. The results demonstrate that the spatial distribution of Mahan settlements changed over time, correlating with the emergence of Baekje statehood, but detailed aspects of the settlement patterns observed in each region were not uniform. Baekje applied various expansion strategies and exerted asymmetrical hegemony based on the conditions and responses of peripheral communities.
Secular Party Rule and Religious Violence in Pakistan
Authors: NELLIS GARETH , SIDDIQUI NILOUFER
Published: November 2017

Does secular party incumbency affect religious violence? Existing theory is ambiguous. On the one hand, religiously motivated militants might target areas that vote secularists into office. On the other hand, secular party politicians, reliant on the support of violence-hit communities, may face powerful electoral incentives to quell attacks. Candidates bent on preventing bloodshed might also sort into such parties. To adjudicate these claims, we combine constituency-level election returns with event data on Islamist and sectarian violence in Pakistan (1988–2011). For identification, we compare districts where secular parties narrowly won or lost elections. We find that secularist rule causes a sizable reduction in local religious conflict. Additional analyses suggest that the result stems from electoral pressures to cater to core party supporters and not from politician selection. The effect is concentrated in regions with denser police presence, highlighting the importance of state capacity for suppressing religious disorder.
Dietary supplementation with cysteine prevents adverse metabolic outcomes of repeated cures with paracetamol in old rats
Authors: Mast Carole , Pourpe Charlène , Voyard Guillaume , Rémond Didier , Migné Carole , Centeno Delphine , Dardevet Dominique , Savary-Auzeloux Isabelle , Papet Isabelle
Published: November 2017

Cysteine (Cys), a conditionally indispensable amino acid, is required for the detoxification of paracetamol (acetaminophen,N-acetyl-para-aminophenol, 4-hydroxy-acetanilide, APAP), a drug of widespread use in older persons. We recently reported that repeated APAP cures could worsen sarcopenia in old rats, likely to be due to the impairment of Cys/GSH homoeostasis. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether a dietary Cys supplementation during APAP cures could improve Cys/GSH homoeostasis and thus preserve skeletal muscle. Male 21·5-month-old Wistar rats received three 2-week-long cures of APAP (1 % of diet) alone or with extra Cys (0·5 % of diet), intercalated with washout periods of 2 weeks (APAP and APAP–Cys groups, respectively). They were compared with untreated control rats (CT group). CT and APAP–Cys groups were pair-fed to the APAP group. Dietary Cys supplementation was efficient to prevent increase in liver mass (P<0·0001), decrease in liver GSH (P<0·0001), increase in blood GSH concentration (P<0·0001), and to some extent, decrease in plasma free Cys concentration (P<0·05), all induced by repeated APAP cures. The addition of Cys to APAP cures decreased plasma alanine transaminase (P<0·05), the fractional synthesis rate of liver proteins (P<0·01), and increased masses of extensor digitorum longus (P<0·01), and soleus (P<0·05), compared with the APAP group. Cys supplementation prevented alteration in Cys/GSH homoeostasis and increased some muscle masses in old rats under repeated cures with a non-toxic dose of APAP.
Effects of dietary live yeast supplementation on growth performance, diarrhoea severity, intestinal permeability and immunological parameters of weaned piglets challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli K88
Authors: Che Lianqiang , Xu Qin , Wu Cheng , Luo Yuheng , Huang Xiaobo , Zhang Bo , Auclair Eric , Kiros Tadele , Fang Zhengfeng , Lin Yan , Xu Shengyu , Feng Bin , Li Jian , Wu De
Published: November 2017

This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary live yeast (LY) supplementation on growth, intestinal permeability and immunological parameters of piglets challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli K88 (ETEC). Piglets weaned at 21 d were allocated into three treatments with six pens and six piglets per pen, receiving the control diet (CON), diets supplemented with antibiotics plus zinc oxide (ANT–ZnO) and LY (Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain CNCM I-4407), respectively, for a period of 2 weeks. On day 8, thirty-six piglets were selected as control without ETEC (CON), CON–ETEC, ANT–ZnO–ETEC and LY–ETEC groups challenged with ETEC until day 10 for sample collections. Piglets fed ANT–ZnO diet had the highest average daily gain and average daily feed intake (P<0·05) during the 1st week, but ADG of piglets fed the ANT–ZnO diet was similar as piglets fed LY diet during the second week. Piglets with LY–ETEC or ANT–ZnO–ETEC had markedly lower diarrhoea score (P<0·05) than piglets with CON–ETEC during the 24 h after ETEC challenge. Relative to piglets with CON, the counts of E. coli, urinary ratio of lactulose to mannitol, plasma IL-6 concentration, mRNA abundances of innate immunity-related genes in ileum and mesenteric lymph node tissues were increased (P<0·05), whereas the villous height of jejunum and relative protein expression of ileum claudin-1 were decreased (P<0·05) in piglets with CON–ETEC; however, these parameters did not markedly change in piglets with LY–ETEC or ANT–ZnO–ETEC. In summary, dietary LY supplementation could alleviate the severity of diarrhoea in piglets with ETEC, which may be associated with the improved permeability, innate immunity and bacterial profile.
Beyond the Hazard Ratio: Generating Expected Durations from the Cox Proportional Hazards Model
Authors: Kropko Jonathan , Harden Jeffrey J.
Published: November 2017

The Cox proportional hazards model is a commonly used method for duration analysis in political science. Typical quantities of interest used to communicate results come from the hazard function (for example, hazard ratios or percentage changes in the hazard rate). These quantities are substantively vague, difficult for many audiences to understand and incongruent with researchers’ substantive focus on duration. We propose methods for computing expected durations and marginal changes in duration for a specified change in a covariate from the Cox model. These duration-based quantities closely match researchers’ theoretical interests and are easily understood by most readers. We demonstrate the substantive improvements in interpretation of Cox model results afforded by the methods with reanalyses of articles from three subfields of political science.