bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Supporting Diverse Data Providers in the Open Water Data Initiative: Communicating Water Data Quality and Fitness of Use
Authors: Larsen Sara , Hamilton Stuart , Lucido Jessica , Garner Bradley , Young Dwane
Published: March 2016

Shared, trusted, timely data are essential elements for the cooperation needed to optimize economic, ecologic, and public safety concerns related to water. The Open Water Data Initiative (OWDI) will provide a fully scalable platform that can support a wide variety of data from many diverse providers. Many of these will be larger, well‐established, and trusted agencies with a history of providing well‐documented, standardized, and archive‐ready products. However, some potential partners may be smaller, distributed, and relatively unknown or untested as data providers. The data these partners will provide are valuable and can be used to fill in many data gaps, but can also be variable in quality or supplied in nonstandardized formats. They may also reflect the smaller partners' variable budgets and missions, be intermittent, or of unknown provenance. A challenge for the OWDI will be to convey the quality and the contextual “fitness” of data from providers other than the most trusted brands. This article reviews past and current methods for documenting data quality. Three case studies are provided that describe processes and pathways for effective data‐sharing and publication initiatives. They also illustrate how partners may work together to find a metadata reporting threshold that encourages participation while maintaining high data integrity. And lastly, potential governance is proposed that may assist smaller partners with short‐ and long‐term participation in the OWDI.
Early radiation‐induced liver toxicities are associated with poor survival in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Lai Yo‐Liang , Kuo Yu‐Cheng , Lai Hsueh‐Chou , Peng Cheng‐Yuan , Wang Yao‐Ching , Liang Ji‐An , Chen Shang‐Wen
Published: March 2016

Aim

Little is known about the impact of radiotherapy associated early hepatic toxicities. This study is to investigate the risk factors and outcome of early radiation‐induced liver disease (early‐RILD) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Methods

One hundred patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma receiving hepatic radiotherapy were included in this retrospective analysis. All had no evidence of intrahepatic tumor progression within 3 months after initiating radiotherapy. The toxicities were graded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for adverse events version 4.0. Early‐RILD was defined as any detectable events of RILD occurring during or within 2 weeks after the ending of radiotherapy. Patient‐ and radiotherapy‐related data, and several staging/scoring parameters were retrieved for analysis. Logistic regression analysis was used to find risk factors for early‐RILD. Cox regression model was performed to explore prognosticators for survival.

Results

Child‐Turcotte‐Pugh (CTP) score >5 was the predictor for early‐RILD (odds ratio 5.38, P = 0.004). The incidence of early‐RILD in patients with CTP scores 6/7 and 5 was 34% and 13.2%, respectively. Early‐RILD and a Cancer of the Liver Italian Program (CLIP) score > 2 were the two prognostic factors associated with inferior overall survival (hazard ratio 2.79, P = 0.04; hazard ratio = 3.79, P = 0.04, respectively). The median overall survival for patients with early‐RILD was 3.5 months compared with 12.7 months in those without this event.

Conclusion

The occurrence of early‐RILD is associated with high mortality. A CTP score >5 is the most informative factor predicting early‐RILD.
Identification and characterization of DC‐SIGN‐binding glycoproteins in allergenic foods
Authors: Kamalakannan M. , Chang L. M. , Grishina G. , Sampson H. A. , Masilamani M.
Published: March 2016

Background

DC‐SIGN (dendritic cell‐specific intercellular adhesion molecule‐3‐grabbing nonintegrin) is a C‐type lectin receptor expressed on macrophages and dendritic cells. DC‐SIGN has high affinity for fucosylated glycans in several plant glycoproteins and pathogens. DC‐SIGN is thought to be crucial for the development of allergic sensitization. However, the precise role of DC‐SIGN in food allergy pathogenesis is not yet understood.

Objective

We sought to characterize DC‐SIGN‐binding glycoproteins in a panel of allergenic and non‐allergenic foods.

Methods

Fluorescent‐labeled peanut and soy extracts were used to test protein binding to human monocyte‐derived dendritic cells (DCs) by flow cytometry. DC‐SIGN‐blocking assays were performed by incubating DCs with food extracts followed by staining with anti‐DC‐SIGN antibody. Using a DC‐SIGN‐Fc chimera, food extracts were tested for binding by ELISA and autoradiography. IgE immunoblotting was performed with pooled sera from food‐allergic subjects. DC activation and maturation were assessed by flow cytometry.

Results and Conclusions

We demonstrate that peanut agglutinin, a minor peanut allergen, is a novel ligand for DC‐SIGN. Peanut agglutinin activates DCs to induce the expression of costimulatory molecules in vitro. We present a comprehensive report on the characterization of DC‐SIGN‐binding proteins in common allergenic foods such as peanut, soy, tree nuts, egg, and milk. Foods that rarely induce allergy, such as pine nuts, chickpea, and corn, showed no binding to DC‐SIGN. Several DC‐SIGN‐binding proteins show reactivity in serum IgE immunoblots. We have also identified novel non‐IgE‐binding proteins that interact with DC‐SIGN; these proteins may be important for regulating immune responses to these foods.
Challenges of kidney paired donation transplants involving multiple donor and recipient surgeons across Australia
Authors: Allen Richard D. M. , Pleass Henry C. C. , Woodroffe Claudia , Clayton Philip A. , Ferrari Paolo
Published: March 2016

Background

The Australian kidney paired donation program adopted the principles of within‐chain simultaneous live donor surgery and of organ transport, with the requirement of keeping cold ischemia time (CIT) to <12 h. Whether these principles could be adhered to and what impact on transplant outcome they might have is unknown.

Methods

We evaluated the logistic challenges and outcomes of the first 100 kidney transplants performed in the Australian kidney paired donation program.

Results

Within 4 years, 17 donor surgeons at 12 centres were involved in 37 chain exchange surgeries. Sixteen kidneys were transplanted at the same hospital and 84 required transport to the recipient hospital. Mean (±SD) within chain anaesthetic induction time variability was 8 ± 18 min and mean individual surgeon operating time was 115 ± 44 min. In two cases, delays during donor surgery resulted in increased CIT by 1 h because of deferred transport. CIT was 2.6 ± 0.6 h for non‐shipped and 6.8 ± 2.8 h for shipped kidneys, four kidneys had CIT of 12–14 h. Immediate allograft function was observed in 85% of recipients, with no difference between shipped and non‐shipped kidneys. There were only two cases of delayed graft function requiring temporary dialysis; both had CIT <7 h. There was no difference in serum creatinine at 1 month between non‐shipped and shipped kidneys (105 ± 26 versus 112 ± 50 µmol/L) and allograft survival at 1 year was 97%.

Conclusion

The study provided a favourable audit of kidney transplant activity, despite challenges of simultaneous surgery, organ transport coordination and prolonged CIT. The decision to ship donor kidneys rather than the donor was demonstrated to be feasible and safe.
Post‐transplantation cyclophosphamide versus conventional graft‐versus‐host disease prophylaxis in mismatched unrelated donor haematopoietic cell transplantation
Authors: Mehta Rohtesh S. , Saliba Rima M. , Chen Julianne , Rondon Gabriela , Hammerstrom Aimee E. , Alousi Amin , Qazilbash Muzaffar , Bashir Qaiser , Ahmed Sairah , Popat Uday , Hosing Chitra , Khouri Issa , Shpall Elizabeth J. , Champlin Richard E. , Ciurea Stefan O.
Published: March 2016

Post‐transplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCy) is an effective strategy to prevent graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) after haploidentical haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). We determined the efficacy of PTCy‐based GVHD prophylaxis in human leucocyte antigen (HLA)‐mismatched unrelated donor (MMUD) HCT. We analysed 113 adult patients with high‐risk haematological malignancies who underwent one‐antigen MMUD transplantation between 2009 and 2013. Of these, 41 patients received PTCy, tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) for GVHD prophylaxis; 72 patients received conventional prophylaxis with anti‐thymocyte globulin, tacrolimus and methotrexate. Graft source was primarily bone marrow (83% PTCy vs. 63% conventional group). Incidence of grade II–IV (37% vs. 36%, P = 0·8) and grade III–IV (17% vs. 12%, P = 0·5) acute GVHD was similar at day 100. However, the incidence of grade II‐IV acute GVHD by day 30 was significantly lower in the PTCy group (0% vs. 15%, P = 0·01). Median time to neutrophil (18 days vs. 12 days, P < 0·001) and platelet (25·5 days vs. 18 days, P = 0·05) engraftment was prolonged in PTCy group. Rates of graft failure, chronic GVHD, 2‐year non‐relapse mortality, relapse, progression‐free survival or overall survival were similar. Our results demonstrate that PTCy, tacrolimus and MMF for GVHD prophylaxis is safe and produced similar results as conventional prophylaxis in patients with one antigen HLA‐MMUD HCT.
PnPP‐19, a spider toxin peptide, induces peripheral antinociception through opioid and cannabinoid receptors and inhibition of neutral endopeptidase
Authors: Freitas A C N , Pacheco D F , Machado M F M , Carmona A K , Duarte I D G , de Lima M E
Published: March 2016

Background and Purpose

The synthetic peptide PnPP‐19 has been studied as a new drug candidate to treat erectile dysfunction. However, PnTx2–6, the spider toxin from which the peptide was designed, induces hyperalgesia. Therefore, we intended to investigate the role of PnPP‐19 in the nociceptive pathway.

Experimental Approach

Nociceptive thresholds were measured by paw pressure test. PnPP‐19 was administered intraplantarly alone or with selective cannabinoid or opioid receptor antagonists. The hydrolysis of PnPP‐19 by neutral endopeptidase (NEP) (EC 3.4.24.11), an enzyme that cleaves enkephalin, was monitored by HPLC and the cleavage sites were deduced by LC–MS. Inhibition by PnPP‐19 and Leu‐enkephalin of NEP enzyme activity was determined spectrofluorimetrically.

Key Results

PnPP‐19 (5, 10 and 20 μg per paw) induced peripheral antinociception in rats. Specific antagonists of μ opioid receptors (clocinnamox), δ opioid receptors (naltrindole) and CB1 receptors (AM251) partly inhibited the antinociceptive effect of PnPP‐19. Inhibition of fatty acid amide hydrolase by MAFP or of anandamide uptake by VDM11 enhanced PnPP‐19‐induced antinociception. NEP cleaved PnPP‐19 only after a long incubation, and Ki values of 35.6 ± 1.4 and 14.6  ± 0.44 μmol·L−1 were determined for PnPP‐19 and Leu‐enkephalin respectively as inhibitors of NEP activity.

Conclusions and Implications

Antinociception induced by PnPP‐19 appears to involve the inhibition of NEP and activation of CB1, μ and δ opioid receptors. Our data provide a greater understanding of the antinociceptive effects of PnPP‐19. This peptide could be useful as a new antinociceptive drug candidate.
Brain responses reveal that infants' face discrimination is guided by statistical learning from distributional information
Authors: Altvater‐Mackensen Nicole , Jessen Sarah , Grossmann Tobias
Published: March 2016

Infants' perception of faces becomes attuned to the environment during the first year of life. However, the mechanisms that underpin perceptual narrowing for faces are only poorly understood. Considering the developmental similarities seen in perceptual narrowing for faces and speech and the role that statistical learning has been shown to play for speech, the current study examined whether and how learning from distributional information impacts face identity discrimination. We familiarized 6.5‐month‐old infants with exemplars of female faces taken from a morphed continuum going from one identity to another. Using event‐related brain potentials (ERPs), we show that only infants who were familiarized with a bimodal frequency distribution, but not infants familiarized with a unimodal frequency distribution, discriminated between identities. These results are the first to demonstrate the influence of probabilistic information on infants' face identity discrimination, suggesting that statistical learning contributes to perceptual attunement for both faces and language.
6‐hydroxydopamine‐induced Parkinson's disease‐like degeneration generates acute microgliosis and astrogliosis in the nigrostriatal system but no bioluminescence imaging‐detectable alteration in adult neurogenesis
Authors: Fricke Inga B. , Viel Thomas , Worlitzer Maik M. , Collmann Franziska M. , Vrachimis Alexis , Faust Andreas , Wachsmuth Lydia , Faber Cornelius , Dollé Frédéric , Kuhlmann Michael T. , Schäfers Klaus , Hermann Sven , Schwamborn Jens C. , Jacobs Andreas H.
Published: March 2016

Parkinson's disease is a slowly progressing neurodegenerative disorder caused by loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN), leading to severe impairment in motor and non‐motor functions. Endogenous subventricular zone (SVZ) neural stem cells constantly give birth to new cells that might serve as a possible source for regeneration in the adult brain. However, neurodegeneration is accompanied by neuroinflammation and dopamine depletion, potentially compromising regeneration. We therefore employed in vivo imaging methods to study striatal deafferentation (N‐ω‐fluoropropyl‐2β‐carbomethoxy‐3β‐(4‐[123I]iodophenyl)nortropane single photon emission computed tomography, DaTscan™) and neuroinflammation in the SN and striatum (N,N‐diethyl‐2‐(2‐(4‐(2‐[18F]fluoroethoxy)phenyl)‐5,7‐dimethylpyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidin‐3‐yl)acetamide positron emission tomography, [18F]DPA‐714 PET) in the intranigral 6‐hydroxydopamine Parkinson's disease mouse model. Additionally, we transduced cells in the SVZ with a lentivirus encoding firefly luciferase and followed migration of progenitor cells in the SVZ–olfactory bulb axis via bioluminescence imaging under disease and control conditions. We found that activation of microglia in the SN is an acute process accompanying the degeneration of dopaminergic cell bodies in the SN. Dopaminergic deafferentation of the striatum does not influence the generation of doublecortin‐positive neuroblasts in the SVZ, but generates chronic astrogliosis in the nigrostriatal system.
Genetic effects on sleep/wake variation of seizures
Authors: Winawer Melodie R. , Shih Jerry , Beck Erin S. , Hunter Jessica E. , Epstein Michael P. ,   the EPGP Investigators
Published: March 2016

Objective

There is a complex bidirectional relationship between sleep and epilepsy. Sleep/wake timing of seizures has been investigated for several individual seizure types and syndromes, but few large‐scale studies of the timing of seizures exist in people with varied epilepsy types. In addition, the genetic contributions to seizure timing have not been well studied.

Methods

Sleep/wake timing of seizures was determined for 1,395 subjects in 546 families enrolled in the Epilepsy Phenome/Genome Project (EPGP). We examined seizure timing among subjects with different epilepsy types, seizure types, epilepsy syndromes, and localization. We also examined the familial aggregation of sleep/wake occurrence of seizures.

Results

Seizures in nonacquired focal epilepsy (NAFE) were more likely to occur during sleep than seizures in generalized epilepsy (GE), for both convulsive (odds ratio [OR] 5.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.59–7.52) and nonconvulsive seizures (OR 4.2, 95% CI 2.48–7.21). Seizures occurring within 1 h of awakening were more likely to occur in patients with GE than with NAFE for both convulsive (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.54–3.39) and nonconvulsive (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.04–2.66) seizures. Frontal onset seizures were more likely than temporal onset seizures to occur during sleep. Sleep/wake timing of seizures in first‐degree relatives predicted timing of seizures in the proband.

Significance

We found that sleep/wake timing of seizures is associated with both epilepsy syndrome and seizure type. In addition, we provide the first evidence for a genetic contribution to sleep/wake timing of seizures in a large group of individuals with common epilepsy syndromes.
BRECHT AND GREEK TRAGEDY: RE‐THINKING THE DIALECTICS OF UTILISING THE TRADITION OF THEATRE
Authors: Revermann Martin
Published: March 2016

Brecht's interactions with Greek tragedy are central and illuminating indicators of his self‐positioning relative to the Western theatre tradition that preceded him. Part of the appeal to Brecht is the status of Greek tragedy as a particularly prominent manifestation of Tragedy, a cultural universal with a distinct set of ideological assumptions (political, social, religious and philosophical) that Brecht opposed vigorously. Brecht's relationship with Greek tragedy, and Tragedy, is both dialogical and dialectical: he needed Greek theatre, both its theatrical product tragedy and the theorising that came with it in the form of Aristotle's Poetics, as vehicles for opposition. As a result, Brecht's reception of Greek tragedy is (characteristically) utilitarian. This article examines various key aspects of this relationship: Brecht's educational background and predisposition towards Graeco‐Roman antiquity; his points of contact with Greek tragedy; the use of the mask, a fundamental device of the ancient theatre, in Brecht's work; his ambivalent response to tragic situations and suffering as exemplified in Helene Weigel's ‘silent scream’ as Mother Courage; and the important methodological distinction between ‘genealogical’ and ‘functional’ equivalence. I conclude by setting out why this topic is an important part of any project which attempts to ‘re‐think Brecht’.

Brechts Auseinandersetzungen mit der griechischen Tragödie sind zentrale und erhellende Indizien seiner Selbstpositionierung gegenüber der vorausgehenden westlichen Theatertradition. Ein Teil der Anziehungskraft kommt vom Status der griechischen Tragödie als einer besonders bekannten und ungewöhnlich exponierten Form von Tragödie im allgemeinen Sinn, d. h. einer universalen Kulturform mit einer Anzahl von speziellen ideologischen Annahmen (politisch, sozial, religiös und philosophisch), zu denen Brecht in völliger Opposition stand. Brechts Verhältnis zur griechischen Tragödie, und zur Tragödie im allgemeinen, ist dialogisch und dialektisch zugleich. Er benötigte das griechische Theater, sowohl dessen Produkt Tragödie als auch dessen Theorie in Form der aristotelischen Poetik, als Vehikel und Anlass zum Widerspruch. Infolgedessen ist Brechts Rezeption der griechischen Tragödie, wie nicht anders zu erwarten, utilitaristisch. Der Aufsatz untersucht folgende Aspekte des Themas: Brechts Bildungshintergrund und seine Grundeinstellung zur griechisch‐römischen Antike; seine Berührungspunkte mit der griechischen Tragödie; den brechtschen Gebrauch der Maske, eines fundamentalen Bühnenmittels im antiken Theater; seine ambivalente Reaktion auf tragische Situationen und das daraus entstehende Leid, wie es am Beispiel des ‘stillen Schreis’ von Helene Weigel als Mutter Courage besonders deutlich hervortritt; und die wichtige methodische Unterscheidung zwischen ‘genealogischer’ und ‘funktionaler’ Äquivalenz. Im Schlussteil lege ich dar, warum dieses Thema ein wichtiger Bestandteil jeden Projektes sein muss, das sich ein ‘Neu‐Denken von Brecht’ zum Ziel setzt.
MIT, GEGEN UND NACH BRECHT: HEINER MÜLLERS FATZER
Authors: Schütte Uwe
Published: March 2016

Heiner Müller has often been described as the only rightful (literary) heir and flag‐bearer of Bertolt Brecht in German drama of the late twentieth century. This article first examines the critical position that Müller took towards his predecessor. The essay will then focus on the Fatzer complex which Müller considered to be by far the most important work by Brecht. Next, I will discuss the relationship between Fatzer and Müllerʼs synthesised stage version FATZER from 1978, followed by a brief assessment of the various ways in which Müller treated Brechtʼs Fatzer material over the next two decades. Special attention will be paid to the radio play that Müller produced of his version of Fatzer during the final years of the GDR; I argue that it represents an exemplary engagement with Brecht's fragment because, rather than aiming for a standard illusionistic radio play, Müller's intention is to allow his FATZER version, as it were, to speak for itself. To conclude, the essay undertakes a brief and inevitably speculative discussion of the influence of Brechtʼs unfinished drama project on Müller's works.

Ausgehend von der weitverbreiteten Zuschreibung, derzufolge Heiner Müller als primärer Erbe und einziger Fortführer von Bertolt Brecht in der dramatischen Literatur des 20. Jahrhunderts in Deutschland gilt, beleuchtet dieser Aufsatz zunächst die durchaus kritische Haltung, die Müller gegenüber Brecht eingenommen hat. Danach richtet sich der Fokus auf den Fatzer‐Komplex, welchen Müller für das mit Abstand wichtigste Werk seines Vorgängers gehalten hat. Es wird diskutiert, in welcher Beziehung Müllers 1978 angefertigte Bühnenfassung FATZER zur Vorlage von Brecht steht und welche vielfältigen Auseinandersetzungen mit dem Stoff im Verlauf der nächsten zwei Jahrzehnte stattgefunden haben. Ein besonderes Augenmerk richtet sich dann auf die von Müller kurz vor dem Ende der DDR produzierte Hörspielfassung seiner FATZER‐Bearbeitung, die als exemplarische Umsetzung der Brecht‐Vorlage gelten darf, weil sie auf illusionistische Effekte verzichtet, um einen quasi ʻausgekaltetenʼ Text auszustellen. Zuletzt wird knapp nachgezeichnet, welchen Einfluss Brechts unvollendetes Dramenprojekt auf das schriftstellerische Werk von Müller genommen hat.
Association of prenatal antibiotics with foetal size and cord blood leptin and adiponectin
Authors: Mueller N. T. , Rifas‐Shiman S. L. , Blaser M. J. , Gillman M. W. , Hivert M.‐F.
Published: March 2016

Background

Early postnatal antibiotic use has been shown to promote excess weight gain, but it is unclear whether intrauterine exposure to antibiotics is associated with foetal growth and adiposity. The objective of this study was to examine associations of antibiotic prescription in each trimester of pregnancy with foetal size and adipokine levels at birth.

Methods

In 2128 pregnant women from the pre‐birth Project Viva cohort, from electronic medical records, we estimated antibiotic prescribing by timing during pregnancy. Outcomes were sex‐specific birth weight‐for‐gestational‐age z‐score (BW/GA‐z) and levels of umbilical cord leptin and adiponectin. We used linear regression models adjusted for maternal age, pre‐pregnancy body mass index, parity, race/ethnicity, education, smoking during pregnancy, household income and child sex and additionally adjusted cord blood leptin and adiponectin models for gestation length.

Results

Of the 2128 women in our sample, 643 (30.2%) were prescribed with oral antibiotics during pregnancy. Mean (standard deviation) BW/GA‐z was 0.17 (0.97), cord blood leptin was 9.0 ng mL−1 (6.6) and cord blood adiponectin was 28.8 ng mL−1 (6.8). Overall, antibiotic prescription in pregnancy was associated with lower BW/GA‐z [multivariable adjusted β −0.11; 95% confidence interval {CI} −0.20, −0.01]. In trimester‐specific analyses, only second trimester antibiotic prescription was associated with lower BW/GA‐z (β −0.23; 95% CI −0.37, −0.08). Overall, antibiotic prescription in pregnancy was not associated with cord blood leptin or adiponectin levels. However, in trimester‐specific analyses, third trimester antibiotic prescription was associated with higher cord blood leptin (β 2.28 ng mL−1; 95% CI 0.38, 4.17).

Conclusions

Antibiotics in mid‐pregnancy were associated with lower birth weight for gestational age, whereas third trimester antibiotics were associated with higher cord blood leptin.
Faecal calprotectin: current usage and perceived beneficial effects of third‐party funding on rates of colonoscopy by Australian gastroenterologists
Authors: Elnawsra O. , Fok I. , Sparrow M. , Gibson P. , Andrews J. , Connor S.
Published: March 2016

Background

Studies have suggested a diagnostic role for faecal calprotectin (FC) in patients with gastroenterological disorders.

Aim

To investigate Australian gastroenterologists’ (GE) views on FC use and to elicit factors that affect physicians’ choices.

Methods

Electronic surveys were sent out to 405 consultants and 34 registrars in Australia. Respondents who answered <50% of the survey were excluded.

Results

In all, 140 participants provided a >50% response; 73% reported using FC in their clinical practice. Factors cited by non‐users in restricting their FC use included cost (24%), availability (47%) and familiarity (18%). Even among users, 69% cited funding as a major deciding factor; 98 and 86% of FC users believed that the test is a reliable method of differentiating between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and assessing for mucosal healing in IBD respectively. Of non‐users, 78 and 58%, respectively, would use FC to differentiate IBD from IBS and assess for mucosal healing in IBD, if FC testing was Medical Benefits Schedule (MBS) listed. Both users (79%) and non‐users (68%) reported that use of FC to defer or avoid colonoscopies was likely if the test was MBS funded.

Conclusion

Australian GE endorse the use of FC to discriminate between IBD and IBS, to check for mucosal healing in IBD and to reduce colonoscopy rates. Absence of MBS funding is an important factor contributing to the lack of usage of FC, in addition to the lack of familiarity with FC testing and availability.
S&P 500 Membership and Managers’ Supply of Conservative Financial Reports
Authors: Martin Gregory W. , Thomas Wayne B. , Wieland Matthew M.
Published: March 2016

Our study is motivated by economic theory and the debate among practitioners, standard setters, and academics on the role of conditional conservatism in financial reporting. We find that managers provide less conditionally conservative financial reports after their firms are added to the Standard and Poor's (S&P) 500 index. S&P 500 membership is expected to reduce information asymmetry between managers and outside stakeholders due to an increased flow of public and private information. As a result, the contracting benefits of conservative accounting choices are reduced, and managers are less willing to provide conditionally conservative reports. In contrast, we find that managers provide more conditionally conservative financial reports after their firms are deleted from the index. Firms being deleted from the S&P 500 index probably incur an increase in information asymmetry. Overall, our results provide evidence consistent with conditional conservatism being a response by managers to the information needs of financial statements users.
Consumer Behaviors Toward Novel Functional and Convenient Meat Products in Poland
Authors: Olewnik‐Mikołajewska Anna , Guzek Dominika , Głąbska Dominika , Gutkowska Krystyna
Published: March 2016

The aim of the presented study was to evaluate consumer behaviors towards novel meat products in Poland. The research was conducted using PAPI method on a group of 559 Polish respondents purchasing meat and meat products. The highest share of declared “innovators” or “early adopters” was observed among respondents purchasing meat and sausages in natural food shops (75%, 83%), supermarkets (59%, 58%) and specialist meat stores (50% for sausages), whereas the lowest interest in novelty was expressed by the respondents purchasing meat and sausages in the local grocery shops (35%, 26%) and discount stores (29%, 36%). In the case of cold cuts deluxe the highest interest in novelty was observed among respondents purchasing in discount stores (71%), while the lowest – among respondents purchasing in supermarkets (27%) and natural food shops (17%). The identified trend suggesting that customers are willing to buy various novel meat products in the different places may be a contribution to the formulation of the modern marketing strategies.

Practical Applications

The major achievement of this study is a new insight into market strategies for novel functional meat products. It was observed that customers are willing to buy various novel meat products in the different places (cold cuts deluxe in discount stores, sausages in natural food shops). The presented study may be a valuable contribution to the recognition of the effective marketing strategies, especially in terms of distribution.
Effects of fenugreek seed extract supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, diarrhoea scores, blood profiles, faecal microflora and faecal noxious gas emission in weanling piglets
Authors: Begum M. , Hossain M. M. , Kim I. H.
Published: March 2016

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary fenugreek seed extract (FSE) on growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD), diarrhoea scores, blood profiles, faecal microflora and faecal gas emission in weanling pigs. A total of 135 weanling pigs [(Yorkshire × Landrace)  × Duroc] with an average BW of (7.96 ± 1.03 kg; 28 days of age) were used in a 42‐day study. Piglets were randomly allotted to three experimental diets with nine replicate pens and five pigs per pen. Dietary treatments were as follows: CON, basal diet; FSE1, basal diet + 0.1% FSE; FSE2, basal diet + 0.2% FSE. Pigs were fed with phase 1 (0–14 days) and phase 2 (14–42 days) diets in the form of mash. Average daily gain (ADG) was linearly increased (p = 0.031) by FSE supplementation compared with CON diet during days 0–14. From days 14–42, FSE2 diet had increased ADG and growth efficiency (G/F) compared with the CON diet (p = 0.014 and 0.026 respectively). Moreover, ADG and G/F were increased by FSE supplementation during days 0–42 (linear, p = 0.037 and 0.014 respectively). Energy digestibility was higher (linear, p = 0.030) by FSE supplementation at 6 weeks. On day 42, dietary supplementation of FSE linearly increased red blood cells (RBC) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration (p = 0.042 and 0.038 respectively). Piglets fed FSE2 diet had higher (linear, p = 0.025) serum high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) concentration compared with those fed CON diet. However, piglets fed FSE2 diet had linearly reduced faecal ammonia (NH3) and hydrogen sulphide (H2S) gas emission compared with those fed the CON diet (p = 0.018 and 0.010 respectively). In conclusion, FSE supplementation increased the performance and reduced faecal gas emission in weanling pigs.
Optimization of the HyPer sensor for robust real‐time detection of hydrogen peroxide in the rice blast fungus
Authors: Huang Kun , Caplan Jeff , Sweigard James A. , Czymmek Kirk J. , Donofrio Nicole M.
Published: March 2016

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and breakdown have been studied in detail in plant‐pathogenic fungi, including the rice blast fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae; however, the examination of the dynamic process of ROS production in real time has proven to be challenging. We resynthesized an existing ROS sensor, called HyPer, to exhibit optimized codon bias for fungi, specifically Neurospora crassa, and used a combination of microscopy and plate reader assays to determine whether this construct could detect changes in fungal ROS during the plant infection process. Using confocal microscopy, we were able to visualize fluctuating ROS levels during the formation of an appressorium on an artificial hydrophobic surface, as well as during infection on host leaves. Using the plate reader, we were able to ascertain measurements of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels in conidia as detected by the MoHyPer sensor. Overall, by the optimization of codon usage for N. crassa and related fungal genomes, the MoHyPer sensor can be used as a robust, dynamic and powerful tool to both monitor and quantify H2O2 dynamics in real time during important stages of the plant infection process.
Is high‐intensity interval training more effective on improving cardiometabolic risk and aerobic capacity than other forms of exercise in overweight and obese youth? A meta‐analysis
Authors: García‐Hermoso A. , Cerrillo‐Urbina A. J. , Herrera‐Valenzuela T. , Cristi‐Montero C. , Saavedra J. M. , Martínez‐Vizcaíno V.
Published: March 2016

Background

The scientific interest in high‐intensity interval training (HIIT) has greatly increased during recent years.

Objective

The objective of this meta‐analysis was to determine the effectiveness of HIIT interventions on cardio‐metabolic risk factors and aerobic capacity in overweight and obese youth, in comparison with other forms of exercise.

Data sources

A computerized search was made using seven databases.

Study eligibility criteria

The analysis was restricted to studies that examined the effect of HIIT interventions on cardio‐metabolic and/or aerobic capacity in pediatric obesity (6–17 years old).

Participants and interventions

Nine studies using HIIT interventions were selected (n = 274).

Study appraisal and synthesis methods

Standarized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. The DerSimonian–Laird approach was used.

Results

HIIT interventions (4–12 week duration) produced larger decreases in systolic blood pressure (SMD = 0.39; −3.63 mmHg) and greater increases in maximum oxygen uptake (SMD = 0.59; 1.92 ml/kg/min) than other forms of exercise. Also, type of comparison exercise group and duration of study were moderators.

Conclusions

HIIT could be considered a more effective and time‐efficient intervention for improving blood pressure and aerobic capacity levels in obese youth in comparison to other types of exercise. © 2016 World Obesity
The Experience Machine
Authors: Bramble Ben
Published: March 2016

In this paper, I reconstruct Robert Nozick's experience machine objection to hedonism about well‐being. I then explain and briefly discuss the most important recent criticisms that have been made of it. Finally, I question the conventional wisdom that the experience machine, while it neatly disposes of hedonism, poses no problem for desire‐based theories of well‐being.
The Nature of Properties: Causal Essentialism and Quidditism
Authors: Wang Jennifer
Published: March 2016

Properties seem to play an important role in causal relations. But philosophers disagree over whether or not properties play their causal or nomic roles essentially. Causal essentialists say that they do, while quidditists deny it. This article surveys these two views, as well as views that try to find a middle ground.
Investigating the preservation of orbital forcing in peritidal carbonates
Authors: Kemp David B. , Van Manen Saskia M. , Pollitt David A. , Burgess Peter M.
Published: March 2016

Metre‐scale cycles in ancient peritidal carbonate facies have long been thought to represent the product of shallow water carbonate accumulation under orbitally controlled sea‐level oscillations. The theory remains somewhat controversial, however, and a contrasting view is that these cycles are the product of intrinsic, and perhaps random, processes. Owing to this debate, it is important to understand the conditions that do, or do not, favour the preservation of orbital forcing, and the precise stratigraphic expression of that forcing. In this work, a one‐dimensional forward model of carbonate accumulation is used to test the ability of orbitally paced sea‐level changes to reconstruct cyclicities and cycle stacking patterns observed in greenhouse peritidal carbonate successions. Importantly, the modelling specifically tests insolation‐based sea‐level curves that probably best reflect the pattern and amplitude of sea‐level change in the absence of large‐scale glacioeustasy. This study found that such sea‐level histories can generate precession and eccentricity water depth/facies cycles in models, as well as eccentricity‐modulated cycles in precession cycle thicknesses (bundles). Nevertheless, preservation of orbital forcing is highly sensitive to carbonate production rates and amplitudes of sea‐level change, and the conditions best suited to preserving orbital cycles in facies/water depth are different to those best suited to preserving eccentricity‐scale bundling. In addition, it can be demonstrated that the preservation of orbital forcing is commonly associated with both stratigraphic incompleteness (missing cycles) and complex cycle thickness distributions (for example, exponential), with corresponding implications for the use of peritidal carbonate successions to build accurate astronomical timescales.
Social Victimization Trajectories From Middle Childhood Through Late Adolescence
Authors: Rosen Lisa H. , Beron Kurt J. , Underwood Marion K.
Published: March 2016

Social victimization refers to being targeted by behaviors intended to harm one's social status or relationships (Underwood, 2003), including malicious gossip, friendship manipulation, and social exclusion (both verbal and non‐verbal). The current study examined social victimization experiences longitudinally from middle childhood through late adolescence. Participants (N = 273, 139 females) reported on their social victimization experiences in grades 4–11 (ages 9 to 16 years). Using mixture (group‐based) modeling, four social victimization trajectories were identified: low, medium decreasing, medium increasing, and elevated. High parent‐child relationship quality decreased the odds of being in the elevated group compared to the low group; however, parent‐child relationship quality was no longer a significant predictor when emotional dysfunction was added to the model. Higher emotional dysfunction and male gender increased the odds of being in the elevated group and medium increaser group relative to the low group even after controlling for parent‐child relationship quality. Implications for intervention and future research directions are discussed.
Homaloidal nets and ideals of fat points I
Authors: Ramos Zaqueu , Simis Aron
Published: March 2016

We consider plane Cremona maps with proper base points and the base ideal generated by the linear system of forms defining the map. The object of this work is to study the link between the algebraic properties of the base ideal and those of the ideal of these points fattened by the virtual multiplicities arising from the linear system. We reveal conditions which naturally regulate this association, with particular emphasis on the homological side. While most classical numerical inequalities concern the three highest virtual multiplicities, here we emphasize also the role of one single highest multiplicity. In this vein we describe classes of Cremona maps for large and small values of the highest virtual multiplicity. We also deal with the delicate question as to when is the base ideal non-saturated and consider the structure of its saturation.
Mechanics of Cell Mechanosensing on Patterned Substrate
Authors: Liu Chenglin , He Shijie , Li Xiaojun , Huo Bo , Ji Baohua
Published: March 2016

It has been recognized that cells are able to actively sense and respond to the mechanical signals through an orchestration of many subcellular processes, such as cytoskeleton remodeling, nucleus reorientation, and polarization. However, the underlying mechanisms that regulate these behaviors are largely elusive; in particular, the quantitative understanding of these mechanical responses is lacking. In this study, combining experimental measurement and theoretical modeling, we studied the effects of rigidity and pattern geometry of substrate on collective cell behaviors. We showed that the mechanical force took pivotal roles in regulating the alignment and polarization of cells and subcellular structures. The cell, cytoskeleton, and nucleus preferred to align and polarize along the direction of maximum principal stress in cell monolayer, and the driving force is the in-plane maximum shear stress. The higher the maximum shear stress, the more the cells and their subcellular structures preferred to align and polarize along the direction of maximum principal stress. In addition, we proved that in response to the change of in-plane shear stresses, the actin cytoskeleton is more sensitive than the nucleus. This work provides important insights into the mechanisms of cellular and subcellular responses to mechanical signals. And it also suggests that the mechanical force does matter in cell behaviors, and quantitative studies through mechanical modeling are indispensable in biomedical and tissue engineering applications.
Application of Quasi-Monte Carlo Method Based on Good Point Set in Tolerance Analysis
Authors: Cao Yanlong , Yan Huiwen , Liu Ting , Yang Jiangxin
Published: March 2016

Tolerance analysis is increasingly becoming an important tool for mechanical design, process planning, manufacturing, and inspection. It provides a quantitative analysis tool for evaluating the effects of manufacturing variations on performance and overall cost of the final assembly. It boosts concurrent engineering by bringing engineering design requirements and manufacturing capabilities together in a common model. It can be either worst-case or statistical. It may involve linear or nonlinear behavior. Monte Carlo simulation is the simplest and the most popular method for nonlinear statistical tolerance analysis. Monte Carlo simulation offers a powerful analytical method for predicting the effects of manufacturing variations on design performance and production cost. However, the main drawbacks of this method are that it is necessary to generate very large samples to assure calculation accuracy, and that the results of analysis contain errors of probability. In this paper, a quasi-Monte Carlo method based on good point (GP) set is proposed. The difference between the method proposed and Monte Carlo simulation lies in that the quasi-random numbers generated by Monte Carlo simulation method are replaced by ones generated by the method proposed in this paper. Compared with Monte Carlo simulation method, the proposed method provides analysis results with less calculation amount and higher precision.
Synthesis of a Planar Five-Bar Mechanism Consisting of Two Binary Links Having Two Offset Tracing Points for Motion Between Two Extreme Positions
Authors: Nafees Khalid , Mohammad Aas
Published: March 2016

A vast number of mechanisms have been synthesized to augment the requirements of automation industry, but still there is need to invent useful mechanisms. To bridge this gap and to fulfill the requirement of motion between two extreme positions, various planar kinematic linkage mechanisms have been proposed by different researchers. In this paper, an effort has been made to propose a mechanism along with its analytical dimensional synthesis that makes use of two binary links having two offset tracing points. The proposed mechanism transmits motion between two extreme positions by alternately temporarily fixing a different binary link in two distinct stages. The analytical equations have been written using dyadic and triadic approach of mechanism synthesis for common standard kinematic task of path generation. The proposed method is noniterative and reduces the solution space.
Heat Gain Through Window With an Incompletely Closed External Shutter
Authors: Alawadhi Esam M.
Published: March 2016

Wndows are account for the most of the heat gain in buildings, and to reduce the heat gain, exterior metallic shutters are commonly installed in residential buildings in hot climates. The shutter is typically partially opened to illuminate the indoor space, but potentially reduces the thermal effectiveness of the shutter. Since the temperature difference between the window glass and shutter is high, natural convection, flow in induced in the space between the window and shutter. Experimental measurements are employed to study the effect of the shatter on the heat gain through the window during the month of June. The results indicate that when the shutter is partially opened, the heat gain through window is increased significantly, depending on the shutter opening distance.
Estimation of the Geometric Parameters of a Front Double Wishbone Suspension Based on Geometry Formulation
Authors: Silva R. C. , Nunes M. A. A. , Oliveira A. B. S. , Andrade G. O.
Published: March 2016

Vehicle suspension stands out as an important subsystem, which allows vertical compliance to the wheels following an uneven road; keeps the proper steer and camber attitudes, resist roll of the chassis and provides comfort for passengers. The suspension subsystem needs to comply with stability, handling and optimum steering based on an appropriate suspension geometry.

Nowadays, the use of simulation software in automotive design has increased. However, the cost and complexity of such software can make them unavailable to those working in the domain, especially the young designers working in vehicle’s student competition (Baja SAE®).

Thus, this paper aims to propose a methodology for assessing a frontal Double Wishbone suspension, which is based on a set of analytical equations implemented computationally at Matlab®. The formulae are developed considering simple concepts of algebra, trigonometry and geometry.

The input data are the Cartesian coordinates (x, y, z) of predefined points, which are obtained from the CAD design and the bound/rebound travel.

The main results are the simple analytical formulae, for the most important suspension’s geometric parameters: caster, camber and toe angles.

These analytical results are validated with MSC ADAMS®, particularly its add-on specialized for the automotive industry ADAMS/Car®, showing good agreement.
Analysis of Two-Phase Stratified Flow and Liquid Hold Up at Dead Ends of T-Sectioned Natural Gas Pipelines
Authors: Das Kaushik , Basu Debashis , He Xihua , Stothoff Stuart , Supak Kevin , Owston Rebecca
Published: March 2016

T-sectioned configurations with a deadleg at the stopple are present in natural gas pipelines, where liquid water may accumulate, increasing the potential for internal corrosion. The objectives of the present study are to explore the pipeline operating conditions under which water enters the deadleg and define an operating protocol to prevent water accumulation in deadlegs. A combined computational fluid dynamics (CFD) experimental and analytical study was conducted to understand the behavior of liquid slugs at the T-junctions with dead ends. The flow equations were solved as an unsteady multiphase (gas and water) incompressible flow problem using the Volume of Fluid (VoF) Method. The analytical calculations were based on a modified form of the macroscopic mechanical energy balance equation. In order to computationally simulate the critical velocity at which water enters the deadleg, the inlet gas flow rate was specified to be a fixed value, while the water flow rate was gradually increased. The liquid entirely bypasses the deadleg until the liquid water velocity exceeds a critical value, which was noted as the critical superficial liquid velocity. The experimental study was conducted using a flow loop to understand the behavior of liquid water at the T-junction and determine the condition when liquid enters the deadleg. The analytical and computed solutions were compared with experimental observations. The computed results follow the same pattern as the experimental and analytical data. Solutions indicate that critical superficial liquid velocity is linearly dependent on superficial inlet gas velocity.