bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distinct Developmental Trends in Sleep Duration During Early Childhood
Authors: Magee Christopher A. , Gordon Ross , Caputi Peter
Published: May 2014

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Sleep is important to child development, but there is limited understanding of individual developmental patterns of sleep, their underlying determinants, and how these influence health and well-being. This article explores the presence of various sleep patterns in children and their implications for health-related quality of life.

METHODS:

Data were collected from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. Participants included 2926 young children followed from age 0 to 1 years to age 6 to 7 years. Data on sleep duration were collected every 2 years, and covariates (eg, child sleep problems, maternal education) were assessed at baseline. Growth mixture modeling was used to identify distinct longitudinal patterns of sleep duration and significant covariates. Linear regression examined whether the distinct sleep patterns were significantly associated with health-related quality of life.

RESULTS:

The results identified 4 distinct sleep duration patterns: typical sleepers (40.6%), initially short sleepers (45.2%), poor sleepers (2.5%), and persistent short sleepers (11.6%). Factors such as child sleep problems, child irritability, maternal employment, household financial hardship, and household size distinguished between the trajectories. The results demonstrated that the trajectories had different implications for health-related quality of life. For instance, persistent short sleepers had poorer physical, emotional, and social health than typical sleepers.

CONCLUSIONS:

The results provide a novel insight into the nature of child sleep and the implications of differing sleep patterns for health-related quality of life. The findings could inform the development of effective interventions to promote healthful sleep patterns in children.
Controlled Release of Natural Polyphenols in Oral Cavity Using Starch Pickering Emulsion
Authors: Wang Min S. , Chaudhari Amol , Pan Yuanjie , Young Stephen , Nitin Nitin
Published: May 2014

The goal of this study was to determine the potential use of starch Pickering emulsion as a vehicle to deliver a natural phenolic compound, curcumin in the oral cavity. To this end, an oil-in-water (o/w) emulsion was prepared using starch molecules as the stabilizer/emulsifier. The physical stability, oxygen permeability and release of curcumin from the starch Pickering emulsion in simulated saliva fluid (SSF) were determined. The results of this study showed that the starch stabilized o/w emulsions were stable for up to 2 weeks. The starch Pickering emulsion also provided better protection against oxidation than a surfactant-stabilized emulsion, and the digestion of the starch Pickering emulsion using amylase led to the complete disruption and phase separation of the emulsion.
A micromechanical model for concrete under static loading
Authors: Teng Susanto , Li Qingliu , Liu Yu
Published: May 2014

A micromechanical model is developed to describe the stress–strain behaviours of concrete under uniaxial compression. Two kinds of defects are considered, namely microcracks around the mortar–coarse aggregate interface or the interfacial transition zone and aligned coalesced cracks in the concrete. The mortar–coarse aggregate interfaces (interfacial transition zone) are modelled as spring layers between the mortar matrix and the inclusions (aggregates) and the existences of the microcracks in the interfacial transition zone are considered as reductions of the spring parameters under the frame of the Mori–Tanaka method. The aligned coalesced cracks in concrete (mortar + aggregate) are treated as void inclusions in the matrix of concrete using the Mori–Tanaka scheme as well. Stochastic evolution rules are adopted for both defects. The numerical examples are worked out and the proposed model is shown to be capable of estimating the moduli of concrete under its whole loading process.
Ecosystem properties self‐organize in response to a directional fog–vegetation interaction
Authors: Stanton Daniel E. , Armesto Juan J. , Hedin Lars O.
Published: May 2014

Feedbacks between vegetation and resource inputs can lead to the local, self‐organization of ecosystem properties. In particular, feedbacks in response to directional resources (e.g., coastal fog, slope runoff) can create complex spatial patterns, such as vegetation banding. Although similar feedbacks are thought to be involved in the development of ecosystems, clear empirical examples are rare. We created a simple model of a fog‐influenced, temperate rainforest in central Chile, which allows the comparison of natural banding patterns to simulations of various putative mechanisms. We show that only feedbacks between plants and fog were able to replicate the characteristic distributions of vegetation, soil water, and soil nutrients observed in field transects. Other processes, such as rainfall, were unable to match these diagnostic distributions. Furthermore, fog interception by windward trees leads to increased downwind mortality, leading to progressive extinction of the leeward edge. This pattern of ecosystem development and decay through self‐organized processes illustrates, on a relatively small spatial and temporal scale, the patterns predicted for ecosystem evolution.
Spatial variation in life‐history trade‐offs results in an ideal free distribution in Black Brant Geese
Authors: Nicolai Christopher A. , Sedinger James S. , Ward David H. , Boyd W. Sean
Published: May 2014

Ideal free distribution theory predicts that individuals distribute themselves so fitness is equal among patches. In this paper we evaluate all components of adult fitness to assess the hypothesis that individuals distribute themselves among seven brood‐rearing areas so that trade‐offs among different life history traits result in equal mean fitness among individuals using different areas. We used estimates of vital rates (clutch size, nest survival, pre‐fledging survival, post‐fledging survival, juvenile survival, and breeding probability) to estimate brood‐rearing‐area‐specific per capita recruitment rates and survival for adult females. We summed brood‐rearing‐area‐specific per capita recruitment and adult survival to calculate brood‐rearing‐area‐specific estimates of λ. We found little variation in λ among brood‐rearing areas and lifetime fitness implications of changing brood‐rearing area were negligible (<1% brood‐rearing area mean fitness). We conclude that adult female Black Brant distribute themselves in an ideal free manner, resulting in equal fitness among females using these areas.
The effects of black‐tailed prairie dogs on plant communities within a complex urban landscape: An ecological surprise?
Authors: Beals Stower C. , Hartley Laurel M. , Prevéy Janet S. , Seastedt Timothy R.
Published: May 2014

Historically, prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.) have been considered essential keystone species of western United States grassland ecosystems because they provide unique services and increase vegetation community richness, evenness, and diversity. However, the effects of black‐tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) on lands adjacent to or surrounded by urban areas may not result in the same ecosystem benefits historically associated with their presence. An urban landscape presents prairie dogs with movement challenges unparalleled in natural landscapes, as well as suites of nonnative plant species that are more common in disturbed areas. This study examined a complex ecosystem where vegetation communities are being influenced by directional environmental change, and quantified the synergistic effects resulting from the protective management of a native keystone species. The data set for this analysis was comprised of 71 paired (occupied by prairie dogs vs. unoccupied) vegetation surveys and 156 additional unpaired surveys collected from around the city of Boulder, Colorado, USA for 14 yr. Linear mixed models were used to compare data from transects occupied and unoccupied by prairie dogs, as well as to evaluate the effect of prairie dog occupation duration. In the absence of prairie dogs, vegetation in this region exhibited declines in native grasses, no changes in introduced grasses, and increases in native and nonnative forbs and bare soil over the study interval. In the presence of prairie dogs, these observed directional changes were nearly all amplified at rates four to 10 times greater than when prairie dogs were absent. Areas in Boulder occupied by prairie dogs also had significantly lower richness, evenness, and diversity of plant species, compared to unoccupied areas. Analysis of plant functional groups revealed the significant reduction of perennial native grasses, as well as a significantly higher cover of introduced forbs in occupied areas. Prairie dogs amplified the effects of low‐impact environmental directional changes, creating more novel vegetation communities than the environmental factors alone. Results from this research provide insight regarding the synergistic effects of a native keystone species within a complex human‐impacted 21st century landscape.
Who eats whom in the Barents Sea: a food web topology from plankton to whales
Authors: Planque Benjamin , Primicerio Raul , Michalsen Kathrine , Aschan Michaela , Certain Grégoire , Dalpadado Padmini , Gjøsæater Harald , Hansen Cecilie , Johannesen Edda , Jørgensen Lis Lindal , Kolsum Ina , Kortsch Susanne , Leclerc Lise-Marie , Omli Lena , Skern-Mauritzen Mette , Wiedmann Magnus
Published: May 2014

A food web is an ecological network and its topological description consists of the list of nodes, i.e., trophospecies, the list of links, i.e., trophic interactions, and the direction of interactions (who is the prey and who is the predator). Food web topologies are widely used in ecology to describe structural properties of communities or ecosystems. The selection of trophospecies and trophic interactions can be realized in different manners so that many different food webs may be constructed for the same community. In the Barents Sea, many simple food webs have been constructed. We present a comprehensive food web topology for the Barents Sea ecosystem, from plankton to marine mammals. The protocol used to compile the data set includes rules for the selection of taxa and for the selection and documentation of the trophic links. The resulting topology, which includes 244 taxa and 1589 trophic links, can serve as a basis for topological analyses, comparison with other marine ecosystems, or as a basis to build simulation models of the Barents Sea ecosystem. The data set consists of three related tables: (1) the list of taxa, (2) the list of pairwise interactions, and (3) the list of bibliographical references.
An approximate Bayesian computation approach to parameter estimation in a stochastic stage‐structured population model
Authors: Scranton Katherine , Knape Jonas , de Valpine Perry
Published: May 2014

Complex population processes may require equally complex models, which can lead to analytically intractable estimation problems. Approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) is a computational tool for parameter estimation in situations where likelihoods cannot be computed. Instead of using likelihoods, ABC methods quantify the similarities between an observed data set and repeated simulations from a model. A practical obstacle to implementing an ABC algorithm is selecting summary statistics and distance metrics that accurately capture the main features of the data. We demonstrate the application of a sequential Monte Carlo ABC sampler (ABC SMC) to parameter estimation of a general stochastic stage‐structured population model with ongoing reproduction and heterogeneity in development and mortality. Individual variation in demographic traits has considerable consequences for population dynamics in many systems, but including it in a population model by explicitly allowing stage durations to follow a realistic distribution creates a complex model. We applied the ABC SMC to fit the model to a simulated representative data set with known underlying parameters to evaluate the performance of the algorithm. We also introduced a systematic method for selecting summary statistics and distance metrics, using simulated data and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves from classification theory. Evaluations suggest that the approach is promising for model inference in our example of realistic stage‐structured population models.
Lack of eutrophication in a tallgrass prairie ecosystem over 27 years
Authors: McLauchlan Kendra K. , Craine Joseph M. , Nippert Jesse B. , Ocheltree Troy W.
Published: May 2014

Many North American grasslands are receiving atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition at rates above what are considered critical eutrophication thresholds. Yet, potential changes in grassland function due to anthropogenic N deposition are poorly resolved, especially considering that other dynamic factors such as land use and precipitation can also affect N availability. To better understand whether elevated N deposition has altered ecosystem structure or function in North American grasslands, we analyzed a 27‐year record of ecophysiological, community, and ecosystem metrics for an annually burned Kansas tallgrass prairie. Over this time, despite increasing rates of N deposition that are within the range of critical loads for grasslands, there was no evidence of eutrophication. Plant N concentrations did not increase, soil moisture did not decline, forb diversity did not decline, and the relative abundance of dominant grasses did not shift toward more eutrophic species. Neither aboveground primary productivity nor N availability to plants increased. The fates of deposited N in grasslands are still uncertain, and could include management losses through burning and grazing. However, evidence from this grassland indicates that eutrophication of North American grassland ecosystems is not an inevitable consequence of current levels of N deposition.
Variacion mensual del uso del territorio por el mono choro Lagothrix cana en el Parque Nacional Yanachaga Chemillen, Peru
Authors: Celino Deisi Vanessa Luna
Published: May 2014

No abstract
Uso do chão por Brachyteles arachnoides no Parque Nacional Serra dos Órgãos, Teresópolis, Brasil
Authors: Breves Paula , Dias Austem Stravs Andrade , Pissinatti Alcides , Boubli Jean Philippe
Published: May 2014

No abstract
Agonistic competition for fruit among members of a titi monkey (Callicebus coimbrai) group during a severe drought
Authors: Correia Fernanda B. A. , Baião Sirley A. A. , Ferrari Stephen F.
Published: May 2014

No abstract
Occurrence of Microthrix parvicella in sequencing batch reactors
Authors: Mallouhi Lana , Austermann-Haun Ute
Published: May 2014

Sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) are known for high process stability and usually have a good sludge volume index (SVI). Nevertheless, in many SBRs in Germany for municipal wastewater treatment, scum and foam problems can occur, and SVI can be larger than 200 mL/g. The microscopic investigations of the activated sludge from plants with nitrogen and phosphorus removal have shown that Microthrix parvicella is dominant in the activated sludge in most of them. Studies showed that the optimum growth of M. parvicella is performed at a high sludge age (>20 d) and low sludge load in the range of 0.05–0.2 kg of biochemical oxygen demand per kg of total suspended solids per day (kg BOD5/(TSS·d)). The investigations in 13 SBRs with simultaneous aerobic sludge stabilization (most of them are operated with a system called differential internal cycle strategy sequential batch reactor (DIC-SBR)) show that M. parvicella is able to grow in sludge loads less than 0.05 kg BOD5/(kg TSS·d) as well. To optimize the operation of those SBRs, long cycle times (8–12 h) and dosing of iron salts to eliminate long-chain fatty acids are both recommended. This leads to better SVI and keeps M. parvicella at a low frequency.
Mechanisms and strategies of microbial cometabolism in the degradation of organic compounds – chlorinated ethylenes as the model
Authors: Luo Wei , Zhu Xiangcheng , Chen Wenting , Duan Zhibing , Wang Lin , Zhou Ya
Published: May 2014

The universal microbial cometabolism provides us with an effective approach to remove man-made xenobiotics. However, the cometabolic bioremediation of toxic organic compounds has not been widely initiated due to the obscure underlying fundamentals in the studies or applications of microbial cometabolism. This review summarizes the current research trends in mechanistic understanding of microbial cometabolism, especially with regard to its potential applications. The crucial factors including key enzyme, enzyme inhibition, toxic effects and energy regulation are discussed, which all significantly contribute to the cometabolic bioremediation of pollutants. The presented review of chlorinated ethylene cometabolism in this overview has further confirmed the fundamentals and hypotheses mentioned above, and thus cometabolism of chlorinated ethylenes has been regarded as a role model of pollution remediation technology using microbial cometabolism. The subsequent prospective research should provide insights into the ambiguous mechanism of microbial cometabolism and help us to develop more efficient bioremediation of progressive pollution.
Analysis of Turkish groundwater legislation and policy regarding international principles and conventions
Authors: Elvan Osman Devrim , Turker Y. Ozhan
Published: May 2014

Water resources have shaped the destinies of societies and affected settlement choice of civilizations for centuries. Demand for them is constantly increasing and this surge has become an important threat for water resources due to those excessive demands and variety of usage types; at the same time, balancing the protection and use of ground and surface waters has become more difficult. The progress in legal and corporate structures for water management has been too slow for a long time. In this study, principles of international conventions on groundwater are compared with the relevant Turkish groundwater legislation, which is in the process of harmonization with European Union (EU) acquis under the scope of Turkey's nomination for EU membership. The purpose of this study is to measure the compliance of Turkish legislation on groundwater with the relevant international principles and conventions, and also to analyze legal loopholes in Turkish legislation in accordance with the international principles and conventions to be determined.
Impacts of different draw solutions on a novel anaerobic forward osmosis membrane bioreactor (AnFOMBR)
Authors: Tang Melvin Kai Yin , Ng How Yong
Published: May 2014

Two anaerobic forward osmosis (FO) membrane bioreactors (AnFOMBRs), Rchloride and Rsulfate, were operated for 100 days using NaCl and Na2SO4 as the draw solution, respectively. The operating conditions were identical for both systems, with a solids retention time of 30 d, hydraulic retention time of 8 h and using cellulose triacetate FO membrane. High rejection performance of FO membranes resulted in salinity accumulation in the bioreactors. Rchloride and Rsulfate reached a stable conductivity of about 35 and 11 mS/cm, respectively, at the end of the experimental run. Hypersalinity of Rchloride undesirably impacted biological growth; mixed liquor volatile suspended solids in Rchloride was much lower at 376 mg/L, whereas that of Rsulfate was 1,170 mg/L. Organic removals were excellent due to reduced organic loadings at low fluxes and thus, Rsulfate and Rchloride achieved secondary total organic carbon (TOC) removal efficiencies of at least 75%. Both AnFOMBRs started with an initial flux of 5 LMH. Flux for Rchloride stabilized at 0.25 LMH, while Rsulfate at 0.96 LMH. The high salinities of both reactors negatively impacted methanogenic growth. Application of the fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) technique confirmed the ousting of methanogens by sulfate reducing bacteria from the anaerobic consortium. Sparsely located methanogens were detected in Rchloride but none were detected in Rsulfate.
pH-adjustment strategy for volatile fatty acid production from high-strength wastewater for biological nutrient removal
Authors: Xie Li , Liu Hui , Chen Yin-guang , Zhou Qi
Published: May 2014

Volatile fatty acid (VFA) production from three types of high-strength organic wastewater (cassava thin stillage, starch wastewater and yellow-wine processing wastewater) were compared. The results showed that cassava thin stillage was the most suitable substrate, based on its high specific VFA production (0.68 g chemical oxygen demand (COD)/g initial soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD)) and yield (0.72 g COD/g SCOD) as well as low nutrient content in the substrate and fermented liquid. The acid fermented cassava thin stillage was evaluated and compared with sodium acetate in a sequencing batch reactor system. Total nitrogen removal efficiency was higher with fermented cassava thin stillage than with the sodium acetate. The effects of pH and a pH-adjustment strategy on VFA production and composition were determined using cassava thin stillage. At an initial pH range of 7–11, a relatively high VFA concentration of about 9 g COD/L was obtained. The specific VFA production (g COD/g initial SCOD) increased from 0.27 to 0.47 to 0.67 at pH 8 and from 0.26 to 0.68 to 0.81 at pH 9 (initial pH, interval pH, and constant pH adjustment, respectively). The dominant VFA species changed significantly with the increasing frequency of the pH adjustment. Further studies will examine the metabolic pathways responsible for VFA composition.
Improving sediment removal in standard stormwater sumps
Authors: Ma Yiyi , Zhu David Z.
Published: May 2014

Standard sumps are an important component of our stormwater drainage system. Recently they have received significant attention as a stormwater pre-treatment device to remove sediment from stormwater runoff. The objective of this research is to explore some simple structures to be installed inside standard sumps to improve sediment removal efficiency. A number of structures were tested and two structures were found to be most effective in sediment removal. Both structures can increase the sediment removal rate by around 20–25% for sediment sizes of 80–140 μm and 110–170 μm under all tested flowrates, and 10–20% for sediment of 160–240 μm. The flow patterns in these structures were simulated using a numerical model, and the energy loss was also examined. The results of this study offer a new direction for the development of stormwater treatment devices.
Energy-efficient stirred-tank photobioreactors for simultaneous carbon capture and municipal wastewater treatment
Authors: Mohammed K. , Ahammad S. Z. , Sallis P. J. , Mota C. R.
Published: May 2014

Algal based wastewater treatment (WWT) technologies are attracting renewed attention because they couple energy-efficient sustainable treatment with carbon capture, and reduce the carbon footprint of the process. A low-cost energy-efficient mixed microalgal culture-based pilot WWT system, coupled with carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration, was investigated. The 21 L stirred-tank photobioreactors (STPBR) used light-emitting diodes as the light source, resulting in substantially reduced operational costs. The STPBR were operated at average optimal light intensity of 582.7 μmol.s−1.m−2, treating synthetic municipal wastewater containing approximately 250, 90 and 10 mg.L−1 of soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD), ammonium (NH4-N), and phosphate, respectively. The STPBR were maintained for 64 days without oxygen supplementation, but had a supply of CO2 (25 mL.min−1, 25% v/v in N2). Relatively high SCOD removal efficiency (>70%) was achieved in all STPBR. Low operational cost was achieved by eliminating the need for mechanical aeration, with microalgal photosynthesis providing all oxygenation. The STPBR achieved an energy saving of up to 95%, compared to the conventional AS system. This study demonstrates that microalgal photobioreactors can provide effective WWT and carbon capture, simultaneously, in a system with potential for scaling-up to municipal WWT plants.
Effects of organic carbon source, chemical oxygen demand/N ratio and temperature on autotrophic nitrogen removal
Authors: Sánchez Guillén J. A. , Yimman Y. , Lopez Vazquez C. M. , Brdjanovic D. , van Lier J. B.
Published: May 2014

To assess the feasibility of the Anammox process as a cost-effective post-treatment step for anaerobic sewage treatment, the simultaneous effects of organic carbon source, chemical oxygen demand (COD)/N ratio, and temperature on autotrophic nitrogen removal was studied. In batch experiments, three operating conditions were evaluated at 14, 22 and 30 °C, and at COD/N ratios of 2 and 6. For each operating condition, containing 32 ± 2 mg NH4+-N/L and 25 ± 2 mg NO2−-N/L, three different substrate combinations were tested to simulate the presence of readily biodegradable and slowly biodegradable organic matter (RBCOD and SBCOD, respectively): (i) acetate (RBCOD); (ii) starch (SBCOD); and (iii) acetate + starch. The observed stoichiometric NO2−-N/NH4+-N conversion ratios were in the range of 1.19–1.43, and the single or simultaneous presence of acetate and starch did not affect the Anammox metabolism. High Anammox nitrogen removal was observed at 22 °C (77–84%) and 30 °C (73–79%), whereas there was no nitrogen removal at 14 °C; the Anammox activity was strongly influenced by temperature, in spite of the COD source and COD/N ratios applied. These results suggest that the Anammox process could be applied as a nitrogen removal post-treatment for anaerobic sewage systems in warm climates.
Anaerobic fermentation of organic solid wastes: volatile fatty acid production and separation
Authors: Yesil H. , Tugtas A. E. , Bayrakdar A. , Calli B.
Published: May 2014

Anaerobic fermentation of organic municipal solid waste was investigated using a leach-bed reactor (LBR) to assess the volatile fatty acid (VFA) production efficiency. The leachate recycle rate in the LBR affected the VFA composition of the leachate. A six-fold increase in the recycle rate resulted in an increase of the acetic acid fraction of leachate from 24.7 to 43.0%. The separation of VFAs via leachate replacement resulted in higher total VFA production. VFA separation from synthetic VFA mix and leachate of a fermented organic waste was assessed via a counter-current flow polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane contactor. Acetic and propionic acid permeation fluxes of 13.12 and 14.21 g/m2.h were obtained at low feed pH values when a synthetic VFA mix was used as a feed solution. The highest selectivity was obtained for caproic acid compared to that of other VFAs when synthetic VFA mix or leachate was used as a feed solution. High pH values and the presence of suspended solids in the leachate adversely affected the permeation rate.
Study of a Functional Polymorphism in the PER3 Gene and Diurnal Preference in a Colombian Sample
Authors: Perea Claudia S , Niño Carmen L , López-León Sandra , Gutiérrez Rafael , Ojeda Diego , Arboleda Humberto , Camargo Andrés , Adan Ana , Forero Diego A
Published: May 2014

Polymorphisms in human clock genes have been evaluated as potential factors influencing circadian phenotypes in several populations. There are conflicting results for the association of a VNTR in the PER3 gene and diurnal preference in different studies. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between diurnal preference and daytime somnolence with the PER3 VNTR polymorphism (rs57875989) in healthy subjects from Colombia, a Latin American population.A total of 294 undergraduate university students from Bogotá, Colombia participated in this study. Two validated self-report questionnaires, the Composite Scale of Morningness (CSM) and the Epworth Sleep Scale (ESS) were used to assess diurnal preference and daytime somnolence, respectively. Individuals were genotyped for the PER3 VNTR using conventional PCR. Statistical comparisons were carried out with PLINK and SNPStats programs.

The PER3 VNTR polymorphism was not associated with either diurnal preference or daytime somnolence in this population. No significant differences in mean scores for those scales were found between PER3 VNTR genotypes. In addition, there were no differences in allelic or genotypic frequencies between chronotype categories. This is consistent with several negative findings in other populations, indicating that the proposed influence of this polymorphism in diurnal preference, and related endophenotypes of neuropsychiatric importance, needs further clarification. This is the first report of molecular genetics of human circadian phenotypes in a Spanish-speaking population.
Risk of Lactic Acidosis or Elevated Lactate Concentrations in Metformin Users With Renal Impairment: A Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Eppenga Willemijn L. , Lalmohamed Arief , Geerts Arjen F. , Derijks Hieronymus J. , Wensing Michel , Egberts Antoine , De Smet Peter A.G.M. , de Vries Frank
Published: May 2014

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to determine whether treatment with metformin in patients with renal impairment is associated with a higher risk of lactic acidosis or elevated lactate concentrations compared with users of a noninsulin antidiabetic drug (NIAD) who had never used metformin.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A cohort of 223,968 metformin users and 34,571 diabetic patients who had never used metformin were identified from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD).The primary outcome was defined as either a CPRD READ code lactic acidosis or a record of a plasma lactate concentration >5 mmol/L. The associations between renal impairment, dose of metformin, and the risk of lactic acidosis or elevated lactate concentrations were determined with time-dependent Cox models and expressed as hazard ratios (HRs).

RESULTS

The crude incidence of lactic acidosis or elevated lactate concentrations in current metformin users was 7.4 per 100,000 person-years (vs. 2.2 per 100,000 person-years in nonusers). Compared with nonusers, risk of lactic acidosis or elevated lactate concentrations in current metformin users was significantly associated with a renal function <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (adjusted HR 6.37 [95% CI 1.48–27.5]). The increased risk among patients with impaired renal function was further increased in users of ≥730 g of metformin in the preceding year (adjusted HR 11.8 [95% CI 2.27–61.5]) and in users of a recent high daily dose (>2 g) of metformin (adjusted HR 13.0 [95% CI 2.36–72.0]).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study is consistent with current recommendations that the renal function of metformin users should be adequately monitored and that the dose of metformin should be adjusted, if necessary, if renal function falls below 60 mL/min/1.73 m2.
Partial resection of the hyoid apparatus during surgical treatment of ectopic thyroid carcinomas in dogs: 5 cases (2011–2013)
Authors: Milovancev Milan , Wilson David M. , Monnet Eric , Seguin Bernard
Published: May 2014

Objective—To assess perioperative findings and postoperative complications and outcomes in dogs that had ectopic thyroid carcinomas with invasion into the hyoid apparatus and underwent tumor excision with partial hyoidectomy.

Design—Retrospective case series.

Animals—5 client-owned dogs.

Procedures—Medical records of dogs that had an ectopic neuroendocrine tumor with invasion into the hyoid apparatus and underwent tumor excision with partial hyoidectomy were reviewed for information regarding perioperative and postoperative findings and outcome. During surgery in each case, the thyrohyoid and ceratohyoid or epihyoid bones (depending on degree of hyoid apparatus involvement) were sharply transected, allowing en bloc removal of the tumor. The ipsilateral cut ends of the thyrohyoid and ceratohyoid or epihyoid bones (depending on which was cut) were sutured together with polypropylene suture in a simple interrupted pattern.

Results—All partial hyoidectomy procedures were completed without surgical or anesthetic complications. All 5 dogs were able to eat and drink between 7 and 24 hours after surgery, with no signs of dysphagia, ptyalism, or abnormal tongue carriage. Follow-up information was obtained over a period of 173 to 587 days after surgery for all 5 dogs; 4 dogs were still alive at last follow-up. One dog was euthanized 587 days after surgery because of lethargy, inappetence, and hypercalcemia.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—From this limited series of cases, results suggested that partial resection of the hyoid apparatus during removal of ectopic thyroid carcinoma may be tolerated well and be associated with very good functional outcomes in dogs. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2014;245:1319–1324)
Metric Characterizations of Superreflexivity in Terms of Word Hyperbolic Groups and Finite Graphs
Authors: Ostrovskii Mikhail
Published: May 2014

We show that superreflexivity can be characterized in terms of bilipschitz embeddability of word hyperbolic groups.We compare characterizations of superrefiexivity in terms of diamond graphs and binary trees.We show that there exist sequences of series-parallel graphs of increasing topological complexitywhich admit uniformly bilipschitz embeddings into a Hilbert space, and thus do not characterize superrefiexivity.
Individual and Organizational Approaches to Overcoming Stress
Authors: Šarotar-Žižek Simona , Treven Sonja , Čančer Vesna
Published: May 2014

Stress greatly affects not only people but also organizations. Therefore it is very important to prevent and manage stress and at the same time maintain well-being of employees. This paper presents two main groups of approaches: the organizational and the individual ones, with which individuals (managers/employees) can manage stress.

The paper also presents the results of the empirical research on stress, which was conducted among managers and employees in Slovenian organizations in 2011. The analysis shows which individual and organizational approaches to overcoming stress are most commonly used. The highest percentage of employees implement the following techniques of individual approaches: physical activity, followed by eating healthy food and getting a massage. However, the research results about organizational approaches show that the highest attention was devoted to organization of work and the lowest to physical activities, stimulated by the firm. Furthermore, intergenerational adaptation is not widely used to prevent and overcome stress.
Impact of IFRS on Accounting Data – Gray Index of Conservatism Applied to Some European Listed Companies
Authors: Istrate Costel
Published: May 2014

The Gray index of conservatism (also called index of comparability) is a good instrument to assess differences between two or more sets of accounting standards. We use this index to measure the impact of the compulsory application of IFRS in Europe, in 2005. The sample contains data from almost 600 companies listed on Euronext markets in 2005 (Amsterdam, Brussels, Lisbon, and Paris). The paper analyzes some accounting figures such as equity, net income, leverage, return on equity and return on assets. The results confirm that former Belgian, French, and Portugal GAAP were more conservative than IFRS. In some cases, for all the countries the IFRS numbers seem to be much less conservative.
Defining the Public Interest in Relation to the Accountancy Profession: Some Perspectives
Authors: Ardelean Alexandra
Published: May 2014

Confidence in accounting is conditional to justifying the legitimacy of the accountancy profession. To reinforce this confidence, IFAC issued a framework whose applicability is proposed to be verified through three criteria: a cost benefit analysis, adherence to democratic principles and processes, as well as the respect of cultural and ethical diversity. Hereby we analyzed the comments issued and found out that the complexity of the public interest notion makes it difficult to define, given its international reach. However, such a framework constitutes a step further to reinforcing the public's confidence. We conducted a complex analysis and pointed out the relevant aspects regarding the axiom of public interest, arguing that the commitment to society is the highest responsibility of the profession. As a conclusion, since accountants have a responsibility to protect the public interest while striving to progress with the interests of the profession, a concession between the two is indispensable.
Searching for A Restraint on the European Leviathan
Authors: Patonov Nikolay Andonov
Published: May 2014

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effect of fiscal decentralization on the government size in the European Union member states. The Two-Stage Least squares procedure is applied on the panel data for the period 2000-2010. The regression model which is constructed includes the total amount of government tax revenue as a dependent variable. The revenue and expenditure variable for fiscal decentralization are put as main explanatory variables. The empirical results support the theoretical assumptions for the restrictive influence of the revenue decentralization as well as the increasing effect of the expenditure decentralization on the government intrusion into economy measured via the amount of tax revenue.
Examining Eurozone Crisis and Unemployment Relationship Using Var Models
Authors: Dapontas Dimitrios
Published: May 2014

This work examines the relationship between the Eurozone crisis and unemployment. We deploy distributed lag model using two binary (Crisis and crisis in another country) along with three (Government spending to GDP, Labor freedom, and urbanization) variables working as a long term factors applied on a six countries set (Cyprus, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain respectively) spanning the period January1995-May 2012 in order to explain the unemployment change using VAR models on monthly data in contrast to longer frequency analyses. This innovative approach is determining the optimal lag length between unemployment and crises determining the time between turbulence and its effect to unemployment. The results show that optimal lag varies among two and eight months. Two variables seem to have negative effect on unemployment (Government spending to GDP, labor freedom) and one positive (urbanization).
Quality of Laying Hen Eggs During Storage Depending on Egg Weight and Type of Cage System (Conventional vs. Furnished Cages)
Authors: Batkowska Justyna , Brodacki Antoni , Knaga Sebastian
Published: May 2014

The aim of the study was to demonstrate the relationship of egg weight and egg quality traits with storage time and type of cages in which the laying hens were kept. The material consisted of 960 eggs from same age Hy-Line Brown hens kept in conventional and furnished cages at the same time in one building. The eggs were randomly collected, sorted by weight (S, M, L and XL), and stored under controlled temperature and humidity conditions. All eggs were weighed on days 1 (day of laying) and 28 of the experiment. During the same time they were candled to determine depth of the air cell, and 60 eggs from each subgroup were chosen to evaluate quality traits (egg weight and egg specific gravity), shell characteristics (shell strength, weight, thickness and density), and interior quality of eggs (albumen height and pH, yolk colour, weight and pH). The eggs (especially those from the heavier weight classes, XL and L) from hens reared in furnished cages were characterized by significantly smaller quality changes (egg weight loss, yolk proportion, albumen height, Haugh units) due to storage time in relation to those from hens kept in conventional cages. This fact could point to their better suitability for consumption. In addition to the housing system, changes occurring in eggs during storage should also be considered in terms of their weight class. Economically important egg traits (e.g. egg weight, shell strength) were better in eggs from furnished compared to conventional cages.
Effect of Breed on Microstructure and Tenderness of Porcine Semimembranosus Muscle
Authors: Wojtysiak Dorota
Published: May 2014

The objective of the study was to analyse the effect of breed on characteristics of muscle fibres, parameters of intramuscular connective tissue, collagen content, intramuscular fat (IMF) content and tenderness of semimembranosus muscle in pigs. The study was conducted with 16 Złotnicka Spotted (ZS) and 23 Polish Landrace (PL) fattening pigs slaughtered at 210 days of age. The current study showed that compared to the PL breed, the semimembranosus muscle from the local breed of ZS pigs was characterized by a greater percentage of type I fibres, a smaller percentage of type IIB fibres and a smaller diameter of all the three muscle fibre types analysed, while the muscles of PL pigs had significantly thinner endomysium and perimysium and a more compact arrangement of collagen fibres, with a significantly lower percentage of collagen in the muscle and a lower content of total and soluble collagen compared to the muscles of ZS pigs. Furthermore, meat from ZS pigs was more tender (lower shear force value) and had a significantly higher IMF content compared to meat from PL pigs.
Influence of Origin of Laying Hens on the Quality of Their Carcasses and Meat After the First Laying Period
Authors: Puchała Michał , Krawczyk Józefa , Calik Jolanta
Published: May 2014

The aim of the study was to assess the quality of carcasses and meat from selected native breeds and breeding lines of hens after using them for laying eggs in terms of their usefulness as raw material in traditional old polish cuisine. hens included in the programme for the protection of genetic resources were the object of this study. they belonged to the following breeds/breeding lines: greenleg partridge (Z-11), rhode Island red (r-11), new hampshire (n-11) and Barred rock (WJ-44) – 30 hens from each line. the hens were kept in a closed hen house under standard raising conditions. eight hens were selected from 56-week-old hens of each line which were subjected to analysis after being slaughtered. as a result of the research conducted, it was found that:

– Among the hens under study, heavier layers, i.e. Barred rock (WJ-44), new hampshire (n-11) and rhode Island red (r-11), which are characterized by good muscling and dressing percentage similar to that of broiler chickens, proved to be most suitable for use as meat.

– The meat from WJ-44 hens contained most cholesterol and least protein, and the meat from Z-11 birds had the least fat compared to the other lines.

– At the end of the laying period, meat and broth from WJ-44, n-11 and r-11 hens obtained better sensory scores than those from the carcasses of Z-11 hens, which makes them an attractive raw material for traditional polish cuisine.
Methodological Background of Post-Soviet Regionalism: The Case of Ukraine
Authors: Chuzhykov Viktor , Fedirko Oleksandr , Chuzhykov Andrii
Published: May 2014

The transformational 1990s significantly differentiated the regional model of Ukraine, which eventually began to resemble a system of uncontrolled chronic economic decline, as the existing planning and regulatory methods had become redundant, the market-based approaches being not actualized. The methodological vacuum in which Ukraine found itself did not allow regions to solve the existing problems by means of European economic convergence instruments. Despite the fact that more and more theories and concepts appeared in the leading developed countries (regional competitiveness, city- region, beautiful places, creative city, localization, etc.), national science used outdated ideas of planned regulation, inappropriate in market economy. The effect of government policies resembled core measures of the neoliberal model, while maintaining a high degree of administrative centralization.

FDI inflow fundamentally altered the regional landscape. The leading position in accumulating the FDI stock belonged to Kyiv, which also produced the largest per capita GDP. In the last five years a revival of innovation activity took place in the Ukrainian regions. Eventually it obtained an undulating character, moving basically along two axes: Lviv-Kviv and Kyiv-Kharkiv. However, low FDI level in the worst performing regions could create an erroneous impression about the positive impact of FDI on regional economy.

A region's development trajectory> might also be affected by the mentality of its inhabitants, as well as the media, whose impact can convey either a cohesive or disintegrating character. This was evidenced by the recent events in Ukraine, as well as the "East versus West” confrontation, which resulted in frustration, whereas the lack of tolerance among the population of certain regions provoked the bloodshed. Thus, identification of methodological background of post-Soviet regionalism on the example of Ukraine is an important scientific task, which may explain the essence of regional asymmetries in the post-Soviet states.
A Critical Assessment of a Eurosceptic Party Group on European Integration: A Case Study of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group
Authors: Akbaba Sertan
Published: May 2014

The article explores Euroscepticism and the way it is utilized within the politics of Europe, analyzed upon evidence from a Eurosceptic Euro-party located in the European Parliament, namely the European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR). The aim of this article is to clarify that the selected party> disproves the argument of EU- criticism being an unfavourable condition, and, more importantly, its contribution to the political contestation in the EU. For such an assessment, a survey of the party> manifesto, party working documents, as well as the discourses of the Member of the European Parliament (MEPs) will be analyzed, and the concept of Euroscepticism will be once again in the centre of this analysis. This argument is evaluated based on the transnational-level analysis of the aforementioned party, focusing primarily on three specific issues-the democratic deficit, the issue of sovereignty! and anti-immigration rhetoric.
The MODUS Approach to Formal Verification
Authors: Brewka Lukasz , Soler José , Berger Michael
Published: May 2014

Background: Software reliability is of great importance for the development of embedded systems that are often used in applications that have requirements for safety. Since the life cycle of embedded products is becoming shorter, productivity and quality simultaneously required and closely in the process of providing competitive products Objectives: In relation to this, MODUS (Method and supporting toolset advancing embedded systems quality) project aims to provide small and medium-sized businesses ways to improve their position in the embedded market through a pragmatic and viable solution Methods/Approach: This paper will describe the MODUS project with focus on the technical methodologies that can assist formal verification and formal model checking. Results: Based on automated analysis of the characteristics of the system and by controlling the choice of the existing opensource model verification engines, model verification producing inputs to be fed into these engines. Conclusions: The MODUS approach is aligned with present market needs; the familiarity with tools, the ease of use and compatibility/interoperability remain among the most important criteria when selecting the development environment for a project