bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outcomes of matched sibling donor bone marrow transplantation in children using single‐agent calcineurin inhibitors as prophylaxis for graft versus host disease
Authors: Elgarten Caitlin W. , Arnold Danielle E. , Bunin Nancy J. , Seif Alix E.
Published: July 2017

Background

Optimal graft versus host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis prevents severe manifestations without excess immunosuppression. Standard prophylaxis includes a calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) with low‐dose methotrexate. However, single‐agent CNI may be sufficient prophylaxis for a defined group of patients. Single‐agent CNI has been used for GVHD prophylaxis for human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐matched sibling donor (MSD) bone marrow transplants (BMTs) in young patients at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for over 20 years. Here, we describe outcomes using this prophylactic strategy in a recent cohort.

Procedure

We performed a single‐institution chart review and retrospective analysis of consecutive children undergoing MSD BMT who received single‐agent CNI for GVHD prophylaxis between January 2002 and December 2014.

Results

Fifty‐two children with a median age of 6.1 years (interquartile range [IQR] 2.5–8.3) and donor age of 6 years (IQR 3–10), with malignant and nonmalignant diseases (n = 35 and 17, respectively) were evaluated. Forty‐three (82.6%) received oral prophylaxis with single‐agent tacrolimus after initial intravenous therapy. Rates of GVHD were consistent with reported rates on dual prophylaxis: the overall incidence of grades 2–4 acute GVHD was 25.5%, grades 3–4 GVHD 9.8%, and chronic GVHD 10.4%. The cumulative incidence of relapse among children with malignancy was 20% at a median of 237 days (IQR 194–318) post‐transplant. Two‐year overall survival was 82.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 69.4–90.6%) and event‐free survival was 78.9% (95% CI: 65.1–87.7%). No patient experienced graft failure.

Conclusions

Single‐agent CNI is a safe, effective approach to GVHD prophylaxis in young patients undergoing HLA‐identical sibling BMT. Additionally, single‐agent oral tacrolimus is a reasonable alternative to cyclosporine in this population.
Communication in pediatric oncology: State of the field and research agenda
Authors: Sisk Bryan A. , Mack Jennifer W. , Ashworth Rachel , DuBois James
Published: July 2017

From the time of diagnosis through either survivorship or end of life, communication between healthcare providers and patients or parents can serve several core functions, including fostering healing relationships, exchanging information, responding to emotions, managing uncertainty, making decisions, and enabling patient/family self‐management. We systematically reviewed all studies that focused on communication between clinicians and patients or parents in pediatric oncology, categorizing studies based on which core functions of communication they addressed. After identifying gaps in the literature, we propose a research agenda to further the field.
VIncristine, irinotecan, and temozolomide in children and adolescents with relapsed rhabdomyosarcoma
Authors: Setty Bhuvana A. , Stanek Joseph R. , Mascarenhas Leo , Miller Alexandra , Bagatell Rochelle , Okcu Fatih , Nicholls Lauren , Lysecki David , Gupta Abha A.
Published: July 2017

Background

The combination of vincristine, irinotecan, and temozolomide (VIT) is often used to treat children and adolescents with relapsed rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS); however, the outcome of these patients has not been previously described.

Procedures

We sought to determine the response rate (RR) and progression‐free survival (PFS) for patients with relapsed RMS treated with VIT by retrospective review of patients treated at five tertiary care hospitals. Prior treatment with irinotecan was permitted.

Results

Among 19 patients with a median age of 8 years (range 2–17 years), 12 (63%) were males and 12 (63%) had embryonal histology. Median time to relapse from initial diagnosis was 16 months (range 2.8‐45 months). VIT was used as first, second, third, or fourth line of therapy in four (21%), seven (37%), six (32%), and two (10%) patients, respectively. Four patients received VIT as adjuvant therapy following radiation and/or surgery. Therefore, among 15 evaluable patients, the best response to VIT was 0 (complete response, CR), 0 (partial response, PR), 4 (stable disease, SD), and 11 (progressive disease, PD) for an overall clinical benefit rate (CR + PR + SD) of 26.7% (95% CI: 7.8–55.1%). After a median follow‐up of 8 months, 2 (10%) patients were alive without disease, 3 (16%) were alive with disease, and 14 (74%) patients died of PD. PFS at 3 months was 23% (95% CI: 5.7–46.7%).

Conclusions

VIT therapy in combination with adequate local control is associated with some disease control in patients with first relapse RMS and may be another reasonable option to offer patients as salvage therapy.
Transverse myelitis as an unexpected complication following treatment with dinutuximab in pediatric patients with high‐risk neuroblastoma: A case series
Authors: Ding Yang‐Yang , Panzer Jessica , Maris John M , Castañeda Alicia , Gomez‐Chiari Marta , Mora Jaume
Published: July 2017

Immunotherapy with the anti‐GD2 monoclonal antibody ch14.18, or dinutuximab, represents an important therapeutic advance in the treatment of pediatric high‐risk neuroblastoma and is now considered part of standard of care in this patient population. To date, transverse myelitis as a result of dinutuximab therapy has not been reported in clinical trials or in the published literature. We describe three patients with clinical symptoms of transverse myelitis, confirmed via magnetic resonance imaging, shortly following initiation of dinutuximab. All patients were discontinued from dinutuximab treatment and received urgent treatment, with rapid improvement in symptoms and resultant functional recovery.
Identification of a dimeric KDG aldolase from Agrobacterium tumefaciens
Authors: Soares da Costa Tatiana P. , Patel Madhvi , Desbois Sebastien , Gupta Ruchi , Faou Pierre , Perugini Matthew A.
Published: July 2017

Agrobacterium tumefaciens is a Gram‐negative bacterium and causative agent of Crown Gall disease that infects a variety of economically important plants. The annotated A. tumefaciens genome contains 10 putative dapA genes, which code for dihydrodipicolinate synthase (DHDPS). However, we have recently demonstrated that only one of these genes (dapA7) encodes a functional DHDPS. The function of the other nine putative dapA genes is yet to be determined. Here, we demonstrate using bioinformatics that the product of the dapA5 gene (DapA5) possesses all the catalytic residues canonical to 2‐keto‐3‐deoxygluconate (KDG) aldolase, which is a class I aldolase involved in glucose metabolism. We therefore expressed, purified, and characterized recombinant DapA5 using mass spectrometry, circular dichroism spectroscopy, analytical ultracentrifugation, and enzyme kinetics. The results show that DapA5 (1) adopts an α/β structure consistent with the TIM‐barrel fold of KDG aldolases, (2) possesses KDG aldolase enzyme activity, and (3) exists as a tight dimer in solution. This study shows for the first time that dapA5 from A. tumefaciens encodes a functional dimeric KDG aldolase.
Photonic Reactions Leading to Fluorescence in a Polymeric System Induced by the Photothermal Effect of Magnetite Nanoparticles Using a 780 nm Multiphoton Laser
Authors: Park Bum Chul , Kim Hee‐Dae , Park June , Kim Yu Jin , Kim Young Keun
Published: July 2017

Recently, polymer‐coated magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles (NPs) are extensively studied for applications in therapeutics or diagnostics using photothermal effect. Therefore, it is essential to understand the interactions between Fe3O4 NPs and polymers when optical stimuli are applied. Herein, the photonic reactions of Fe3O4 NPs and polymer composites upon application of a 780 nm multiphoton laser are analyzed. The photonic reactions produce unique results including fluorescence from conformationally changed polymer and low‐temperature phase transformation of Fe3O4 NPs. Typically, π‐conjugated chains are formed, inducing fluorescence through a series of main and side‐chain cleavage reactions of polymers with the aliphatic chain. In addition, fluorescence is detected in the cellular system by photonic reactions between Fe3O4 NPs and biomolecules. After multiphoton laser irradiation, light emission is detected near the intracellular Fe3O4 NPs, and a stronger intensity is observed in large‐sized NPs.
Study and Application of a Simplified Soft Reduction Amount Model for Improved Internal Quality of Continuous Casting Bloom
Authors: Li Yujun , Li Liang , Zhang Jiaquan
Published: July 2017

On the basis of overall mass balance in the casting direction, a simplified soft reduction amount model is mathematically derived for bloom continuous casting production. The reasonable soft reduction amounts of special steels with different carbon and alloy contents under given casting speeds are theoretically analyzed. It is found that the soft reduction amount under each reduction roll should increase upon approaching the crater end due to the increase final solidification and decrease reduction efficiency. For a given format of continuous casting bloom, however, the effect of carbon and alloy contents, and casting speed on the effective total reduction amount is rather limited, although the strand crater end is prolonged remarkably with increase of the alloy content and casting speed. According to the model, a series of plant trials are conducted in the soft reduction practice of bloom continuous casting for bearing steel GCr15 with format of 250 × 280 mm. It is shown that the bloom chemical homogeneity and center quality defects including shrinkage cavity, porosity, and macrosegeregation can be effectively improved to meet the required quality standard.
Synthesis, characterization, and antioxidant activity of caffeic‐acid‐grafted corn starch
Authors: Liu Jun , Wang Xingchi , Bai Ruyu , Zhang Nianfeng , Kan Juan , Jin Changhai
Published: July 2017

The antioxidant molecule of caffeic acid was grafted onto corn starch by an N,N′‐carbonyl diimidazole‐mediated reaction. The structural, crystalline, thermal, and antioxidant properties of caffeic‐acid‐grafted starch (caffeic acid‐g‐starch) were investigated. The grafting ratio of caffeic acid‐g‐starch was determined as 66.1 mg/g by the Folin–Ciocalteu method. The Fourier‐transform infrared spectrum of caffeic acid‐g‐starch exhibited a band at 1720 cm−1 attributed to the vibration of the esterified carboxyl group, and bands from 1440 to 1633 cm−1 attributed to the stretching of the aromatic ring. The 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum of caffeic acid‐g‐starch showed all the characteristic signals of starch at δ 3.30–5.47 ppm, and methine protons of caffeic acid moieties at δ 6.77–7.33 ppm. Caffeic acid‐g‐starch was piece or virgate in shape with a rough surface as observed by scanning electron microscopy. The X‐ray diffraction pattern of caffeic acid‐g‐starch showed an amorphous character. The small‐angle X‐ray scattering pattern further indicated the semi‐crystalline growth rings in native starch were disrupted during the synthetic processes. Thermogravimetric analysis showed caffeic acid‐g‐starch had a higher thermal stability than native starch. Moreover, the reducing power and free‐radical scavenging activity of native starch were greatly enhanced after grafting with caffeic acid. These results suggest the potential of caffeic acid‐g‐starch as a novel antioxidant agent.
Metal(II) Ion Complexes with 5‐(Pyrazin‐2‐yl)‐2,4‐dihydro‐3H‐1,2,4‐triazole‐3‐thione; Synthesis, Structural Characterization, Acid‐base, and Complexing Properties in Solution
Authors: Kufelnicki Aleksander , Jaciubek‐Rosińska Jolanta , Sobiesiak Marta , Paneth Agata , Jezierska Julia , Budzisz Elzbieta
Published: July 2017

The study reports the synthesis of complexes Co(HL)Cl2 (1), Ni(HL)Cl2 (2), Cu(HL)Cl2 (3), and Zn(HL)3Cl2 (4) with the title ligand, 5‐(pyrazin‐2‐yl)‐1,2,4‐triazole‐5‐thione (HL), and their characterization by elemental analyses, ESI‐MS (m/z), FT‐IR and UV/Vis spectroscopy, as well as EPR in the case of the CuII complex. The comparative analysis of IR spectra of the metal ion complexes with HL and HL alone indicated that the metal ions in 1, 2, and 3 are chelated by two nitrogen atoms, N(4) of pyrazine and N(5) of triazole in the thiol tautomeric form, whereas the ZnII ion in 4 is coordinated by the non‐protonated N(2) nitrogen atom of triazole in the thione form. pH potentiometry and UV/Vis spectroscopy were used to examine CoII, NiII, and ZnII complexes in 10/90 (v/v) DMSO/water solution, whereas the CuII complex was examined in 40/60 (v/v) DMSO/water solution. Monodeprotonation of the thione triazole in solution enables the formation of the L:M = 1:1 species with CoII, NiII and ZnII, the 2:1 species with CoII and ZnII, and the 3:1 species with ZnII. A distorted tetrahedral arrangement of the CuII complex was suggested on the basis of EPR and Vis/NIR spectra.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Likelihood-based GNSS positioning using LOS/NLOS predictions from 3D mapping and pseudoranges
Authors: Groves Paul D. , Adjrad Mounir
Published: July 2017

The accuracy of conventional global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) positioning in dense urban areas is severely degraded due to blockage and reflection of the signals by the surrounding buildings. By using 3D mapping of the buildings to aid GNSS positioning, the accuracy can be substantially improved. However, positioning performance must be balanced against computational load. Here, a likelihood-based 3D-mapping-aided (3DMA) GNSS ranging algorithm is demonstrated that enables signals predicted to be non-line-of-sight (NLOS) to contribute to the position solution without explicitly computing the additional path delay due to NLOS reception, which is computationally expensive. Likelihoods for an array of candidate positions are computed based on the difference between the measured and predicted pseudoranges. However, a skewed distribution is assumed for those signals predicted to be NLOS on the basis that the ensuing ranging errors are always positive. An overall position solution is then extracted from the likelihood surface. GNSS measurement data have been collected at several locations in both traditional and modern dense urban environments. Horizontal root-mean-square single-epoch position accuracies of 4.7, 5.6 and 6.5 m are obtained using, respectively, a Leica Viva geodetic receiver, a u-blox EVK M8T consumer-grade receiver and a Nexus 9 tablet incorporating a smartphone GNSS antenna and a GNSS chipset that outputs pseudoranges. The corresponding accuracies using single-epoch conventional GNSS positioning are 20.5, 23.0 and 28.4 m, about a factor of four larger. The 3DMA GNSS algorithms have also been implemented in real time on a Raspberry Pi 3 at a 1-Hz update rate.
Ecological Instability and Children’s Classroom Behavior in Kindergarten
Authors: Fomby Paula , Mollborn Stefanie
Published: July 2017

We engage the concept of ecological instability to assess whether children’s exposure to frequent change in multiple contexts is associated with teacher reports of students’ overall behavior, externalizing behavior, and approach to learning during kindergarten. We operationalize multiple dimensions of children’s exposure to repeated change—including the frequency, concurrency, chronicity, timing, and types of changes children experience—in a nationally representative longitudinal cohort of U.S.-born children (Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Birth Cohort, N ~ 4,750). We focus on early childhood, a period of substantial flux in children’s family and neighborhood contexts. Predicted behavior scores differ by approximately one-fifth of a standard deviation for children who experienced high or chronic exposure to ecological change compared with those who experienced little or no change. These findings emphasize the distinctiveness of multidomain ecological instability as a risk factor for healthy development that should be conceptualized differently from the broader concept of normative levels of change in early childhood environments.
Tests of linear and nonlinear relations between cumulative contextual risk at birth and psychosocial problems during adolescence
Authors: Parra Gilbert R. , Smith Gail L. , Mason W. Alex , Savolainen Jukka , Chmelka Mary B. , Miettunen Jouko , Järvelin Marjo‐Riitta
Published: July 2017

This study tested whether there are linear or nonlinear relations between prenatal/birth cumulative risk and psychosocial outcomes during adolescence. Participants (n = 6963) were taken from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort Study 1986. The majority of participants did not experience any contextual risk factors around the time of the target child's birth (58.1%). Even in this low‐risk sample, cumulative contextual risk assessed around the time of birth was related to seven different psychosocial outcomes 16 years later. There was some evidence for nonlinear effects, but only for substance‐related outcomes; however, the form of the association depended on how the cumulative risk index was calculated. Gender did not moderate the relation between cumulative risk and any of the adolescent psychosocial outcomes. Results highlight the potential value of using the cumulative risk framework for identifying children at birth who are at risk for a range of poor psychosocial outcomes during adolescence.
Professional Development Strategies to Enhance Nurses’ Knowledge and Maintain Safe Practice
Authors: Bindon Susan L.
Published: July 2017

Maintaining competence is a professional responsibility for nurses. Individual nurses are accountable for their practice, as outlined in the American Nurses Association's Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice. Nurses across clinical settings face the sometimes daunting challenge of staying abreast of regulatory mandates, practice changes, equipment updates, and other workplace expectations. In the complex, evolving perioperative setting, professional development is a priority, and the need for ongoing education is critical. However, nurses’ efforts to engage in their own development can be hampered by a lack of time, limited access to educational resources, or cost concerns. This article provides an overview of nursing professional development and offers some resources to help individual nurses maintain or enhance their knowledge, skills, and attitudes.
Introducing Perioperative Nursing as a Foundation for Clinical Practice
Authors: Tschirch Poldi , Leyden Kristina , Dufrene Claudine , Land Sharon
Published: July 2017

This article describes one school's experience in providing a perioperative nursing course as a first clinical course in a bachelor of science in nursing curriculum. This innovation reframes the perspective on perioperative nursing from that of an elective clinical specialty that is not essential to basic nursing education to a practice setting that provides key foundational clinical learning experiences for the novice nursing student. A strong academic‐practice partnership; effective preparation for key stakeholders including nursing staff members, preceptors, and students; and collaboration with AORN were essential elements in the success of this clinical learning innovation. We describe learning outcomes, lessons learned, and future plans for enhancing and expanding this course.
Transitioning From Perioperative Staff Nurse to Perioperative Educator
Authors: Mower Juliana
Published: July 2017

Perioperative nurses who enjoy teaching may wish to become staff development educators. The shift to this new role requires a transition period during which the new educator acquires the knowledge, skills, and attitudes integral to mastering the job. A systematic approach to achieving baseline competencies in the educator role helps to ensure a successful conversion from providing direct patient care to supporting the educational needs of staff members.
Clinical Issues—August 2017
Authors: Van Wicklin Sharon A.
Published: July 2017

This Month

Caring for patients with tattoos undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures

Key words: magnetic resonance imaging, tattoos.

Reducing slips, trips, and falls caused by electrical cords on the procedure room floor

Key words: slips, trips, falls, electrical cords, equipment booms.

Classifying surgical limb amputation wounds

Key words: wound classification, documentation, amputation.

Preventing postoperative pressure alopecia

Key words: alopecia, occipital neuropathy, scalp massage.

Using prophylactic dressings to prevent pressure injury

Key words: prophylactic dressings, silicone foam dressings, sacral dressings, heel dressings, pressure injury.
Colonial Archives or Archival Colonialism?
Authors: Whittington Stephen L.
Published: July 2017

Documents from Oaxaca, Mexico, in archives and museums in Mexico, the United States, and former European colonial powers are stimulating archaeological projects and other research in the areas where they originated. The Teozacoalco Archaeological Project was inspired by colonial-period documents housed in the Nettie Lee Benson Latin American Library at the University of Texas at Austin. Chiyo Cahnu, a Mixtec kingdom better known as Teozacoalco, was the scene of Aztec and Spanish colonial incursions. The archiving in Texas of the famous Mapa de Teozacoalco and associated documents pertaining to the kingdom/municipality, as well as other documents related to Teozacoalco, neighboring Mixtec kingdoms, and other indigenous Oaxacan communities housed in libraries, archives, and museums distant from those communities, invites us to consider some important issues: how and why they left their original homes and arrived in their present locations and legal and ethical ramifications of housing them outside of their homeland. Included in the latter topic are questions about decolonizing documents, whether documents should be repatriated, and best practices for archaeologists whose projects are inspired by them.
From Archaeologist to Archivist
Authors: Wiltshire Kelly
Published: July 2017

Moving image archives—like many other archives—are considered a passive repository of knowledge extraction, rather than an active site of knowledge production. Following the premise that archives are indeed a source of knowledge production, this article explores how moving image archives have the potential to produce new and alternative knowledges by bringing to light factors that may have influenced archaeological practice, factors captured within a moving image archive but obscured or marginalized within linear accounts of this practice. While such an archive may exist unevenly, the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) has been historically positioned to develop a moving image archive that features a number of well-known archaeological investigations. Yet this archive and similar moving image archives remain overlooked and underutilized resources. In order to address this, emphasis is placed on producing detailed, searchable, and retrievable content description for moving image archives. In doing so, this article maintains that the knowledge and experience brought to the management of this archive following the author's transition “from archaeologist to archivist,” is key to promoting the discoverability and accessibility of this archive with potential clients in the archaeological, academic, and broader community.
The Role of Victimization in Shaping Households’ Preparedness for Armed Conflicts in Israel
Authors: Bodas Moran , Siman-Tov Maya , Kreitler Shulamith , Peleg Kobi
Published: July 2017

Objectives

One of the most prominent threats to the Israeli population is the risk from armed conflicts. Yet, promoting preparedness behavior proves to be highly difficult. Arguably, this is partially due to the chronic exposure of the Israeli public to this threat, a.k.a. “Victimization.” The purpose of this study was to examine whether victimization plays a prominent role in shaping preparedness behavior toward armed conflicts in Israel.

Methods

An online survey of 502 participants representing the adult Jewish population in Israel was carried out. A set of questionnaires designed to assess public perception of preparedness-affecting factors was used. The list of preparedness-affecting factors was conceptualized by an expert panel before the survey.

Results

The results suggest that low prioritization and ignoring of civil-defense instructions during routine times are leading causes for non-compliance with preparedness recommendations. Ignoring instructions is also negatively correlated with reported preparedness. Misunderstanding the threat and fearing it also seem to be important factors.

Conclusions

The results of this study support the hypothesis that victimization plays an important role in shaping preparedness behavior toward armed conflicts among Jews in Israel. The findings demonstrate the complexity of the socio-psychological perspective of preparedness behavior in victimized populations. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:67–75)
The long road to elimination: malaria mortality in a South African population cohort over 21 years
Authors: Byass P. , Collinson M. A. , Kabudula C. , Gómez-Olivé F. X. , Wagner R. G. , Ngobeni S. , Silaule B. , Mee P. , Coetzee M. , Twine W. , Tollman S. M. , Kahn K.
Published: July 2017

Background

Malaria elimination is on global agendas following successful transmission reductions. Nevertheless moving from low to zero transmission is challenging. South Africa has an elimination target of 2018, which may or may not be realised in its hypoendemic areas.

Methods

The Agincourt Health and Demographic Surveillance System has monitored population health in north-eastern South Africa since 1992. Malaria deaths were analysed against individual factors, socioeconomic status, labour migration and weather over a 21-year period, eliciting trends over time and associations with covariates.

Results

Of 13 251 registered deaths over 1.58 million person-years, 1.2% were attributed to malaria. Malaria mortality rates increased from 1992 to 2013, while mean daily maximum temperature rose by 1.5 °C. Travel to endemic Mozambique became easier, and malaria mortality increased in higher socioeconomic groups. Overall, malaria mortality was significantly associated with age, socioeconomic status, labour migration and employment, yearly rainfall and higher rainfall/temperature shortly before death.

Conclusions

Malaria persists as a small but important cause of death in this semi-rural South African population. Detailed longitudinal population data were crucial for these analyses. The findings highlight practical political, socioeconomic and environmental difficulties that may also be encountered elsewhere in moving from low-transmission scenarios to malaria elimination.
Prioritizing Management of the Invasive Grass Common Reed (Phragmites australis) in Great Salt Lake Wetlands
Authors: Long A. Lexine , Kettenring Karin M. , Toth Richard
Published: July 2017

Nonnative invasive species are one of the biggest threats to biodiversity worldwide. In many cases the extent of the area invaded by an invasive species is so substantial that there are simply insufficient resources to control and manage the full extent of the invasion. Efficient use of resources and best management practices are critical for achieving invasive species management goals. Systematic regional planning is one way to quantitatively prioritize different management actions across the landscape, and is a tool that could be applied to large-scale invasive species management. Spatial prioritization has been used in several wetland restoration planning studies, in forest restoration, and in riparian and watershed restoration. Spatial prioritization has not been used as extensively in invasive species management, yet there are clear opportunities for spatial prioritization methods to inform invasive species management. Here we apply results from species distribution models to create a prioritization framework for control of the invasive wetland grass common reed, one of the most problematic invasive plants in North American wetlands.
Effects of dietary supplementation of organic minerals on the performance of broiler chicks fed oxidised soybean oil
Authors: Ao T. , Macalintal L.M. , Paul M.A. , Pescatore A.J. , Delles R.M. , Cantor A.H. , Ford M.J. , Dawson K.A.
Published: July 2017

The oxidation (rancidity) of fat is a very common feed quality issue, which can negatively affect growth performance and meat quality of broilers. Besides other factors, metal ions such as Zn, Cu and Fe can facilitate lipid peroxidation in feed. The objective of the current study was to investigate the effect of feeding corn soy diets containing fresh or oxidised soybean oil with different forms of microminerals on production performance of broiler chicks. Dietary treatments consisted of a 2 × 2 factorial structure with two kinds of soybean oil (oxidised or fresh) and two forms of microminerals (inorganic or organic). Mineral proteinate (Bioplex®, Alltech Inc.) including Zn, Mn, Cu and Fe was used as the organic source and was supplemented at the level equivalent to 25% of an inorganic source in the control diets. Organic selenium (Sel-Plex®, Alltech Inc.) at 0.3 mg/kg of diet was used to replace sodium selenite used at 0.3 mg/kg of diet in control diet. Oxidised soybean oil was prepared by convection heat (90°C for a period of seven days in a convection oven). A total of 1152 one-day old chicks were allotted randomly to the four dietary treatments using 12 replicates of 24 chicks per pen. Chicks were raised in floor pens for 42 days in an environmentally controlled room with free access to feed and water. There was no statistical interaction between oil source and mineral form on performance or mineral content of breast meat. Feeding oxidised oil increased (P < 0.05) feed intake and decreased gain to feed ratio (FCE) of chicks. Supplementation with organic minerals improved (P < 0.05) weight gain and FCE of chicks. The breast meat of chicks fed organic mineral had higher (P < 0.01) Se content than those from the control group. The results indicated that the addition of organic minerals to broiler diets can minimise the negative impact of oxidised oil on the performance of broiler chicks.
Acoustic resonance in the potential core of subsonic jets
Authors: Towne Aaron , Cavalieri André V. G. , Jordan Peter , Colonius Tim , Schmidt Oliver , Jaunet Vincent , Brès Guillaume A.
Published: July 2017

The purpose of this paper is to characterize and model waves that are observed within the potential core of subsonic jets and relate them to previously observed tones in the near-nozzle region. The waves are detected in data from a large-eddy simulation of a Mach 0.9 isothermal jet and modelled using parallel and weakly non-parallel linear modal analysis of the Euler equations linearized about the turbulent mean flow, as well as simplified models based on a cylindrical vortex sheet and the acoustic modes of a cylindrical soft duct. In addition to the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability waves, three types of waves with negative phase velocities are identified in the potential core: upstream- and downstream-propagating duct-like acoustic modes that experience the shear layer as a pressure-release surface and are therefore radially confined to the potential core, and upstream-propagating acoustic modes that represent a weak coupling between the jet core and the free stream. The slow streamwise contraction of the potential core imposes a frequency-dependent end condition on the waves that is modelled as the turning points of a weakly non-parallel approximation of the waves. These turning points provide a mechanism by which the upstream- and downstream-travelling waves can interact and exchange energy through reflection and transmission processes. Paired with a second end condition provided by the nozzle, this leads to the possibility of resonance in limited frequency bands that are bound by two saddle points in the complex wavenumber plane. The predicted frequencies closely match the observed tones detected outside of the jet. The vortex-sheet model is then used to systematically explore the Mach number and temperature ratio dependence of the phenomenon. For isothermal jets, the model suggests that resonance is likely to occur in a narrow range of Mach number,$0.82<M<1$.
Identification and characterization of ace1-type acetylcholinesterase in insecticide-resistant and -susceptible Propylaea japonica (Thunberg)
Authors: Wang M.M. , Xing L.Y. , Ni Z.W. , Wu G.
Published: July 2017

Characterization and gene cloning of acetylecholinesterase (AChE) in the insecticide-resistant (R) and -susceptible (S) insects have been reported in the past. However, the studies focused mostly on herbivorous pests, rather than predacious species, such as ladybird beetles. Using R and S Propylaea japonica (thunberg), a full-length cDNA sequence (2928 bp) of the ace1-type AChE gene was determined for the first time. The ace1 encoding a protein of 645 amino acids contained typical conserved motifs, such as FGESAG domains, catalytic triad, acyl pocket, oxyanino hole, choline binding site, peripheral anionic site, omega loop and conserved aromatic residues. R P. japonica displayed 50-times greater resistance to chlorpyrifos or mathamidophos with a significantly lower AChE sensitivity to paraoxon, malaoxon, chlorpyrifos or methamidophos than its S counterpart. Five amino acids in the ace1 of R P. japonica differed from those found in S P. japonica. One of them, F358S, located in the acyl-binding pocket, might play a crucial role in the resistance of the insect to organophosphates (OPs). Whereas, K493E and I538V, which were close to some of the conserved aromatic amino acids (i.e., H509, Y511, and W499) in the gorge, and G571R and T576A near C593 that formed the disulfide bonds with C471, might also involve in the change of insecticide resistance in P. japonica. AChE insensitivity and amino acid replacements, particularly F358S, might be the determining factors in the alteration of OPs-resistance in P. japonica.
“Is Peking Man Still Our Ancestor?”—Genetics, Anthropology, and the Politics of Racial Nationalism in China
Authors: Cheng Yinghong
Published: July 2017

In 1993, in response to the international Human Genome Project pioneered by the United States, the Chinese government began to sponsor national projects in conjunction with the international effort. The result of this scientific endeavor confirmed international geneticists’ conclusions regarding a very recent “African origin” of all modern humans, or Homo sapiens. This scientific development confronted the longstanding nationalist belief that the “Chinese” had lived in “China” as an independent human group since Homo erectus, represented by the 700,000-year-old Peking Man. By examining the still pervasive political uses of a presumed prehistoric ancestor of the people as well as the controversy sparked by the scientific challenge that has provoked public discussions, this article identifies a potent racial discourse in contemporary Chinese nationalism and connects it to a broader international context.
Simulation study of Landau damping near the persisting to arrested transition
Authors: Klimas Alexander J. , Viñas Adolfo F. , Araneda Jaime A.
Published: July 2017

A one-dimensional electrostatic filtered Vlasov–Poisson simulation study is discussed. The transition from persisting to arrested Landau damping that is produced by increasing the strength of a sinusoidal perturbation on a background Vlasov–Poisson equilibrium is explored. Emphasis is placed on observed features of the electron phase-space distribution when the perturbation strength is near the transition value. A single ubiquitous waveform is found perturbing the space-averaged phase-space distribution at almost any time in all of the simulations; the sole exception is the saturation stage that can occur at the end of the arrested damping scenario. This waveform contains relatively strong, very narrow structures in velocity bracketing $\pm v_{\text{res}}$ – the velocities at which electrons must move to traverse the dominant field mode wavelength in one of its oscillation periods – and propagating with $\pm v_{\text{res}}$ respectively. Local streams of electrons are found in these structures crossing the resonant velocities from low speed to high speed during Landau damping and from high speed to low speed during Landau growth. At the arrest time, when the field strength is briefly constant, these streams vanish. It is conjectured that the expected transfer of energy between electrons and field during Landau growth or damping has been visualized for the first time. No evidence is found in the phase-space distribution to support recent well-established discoveries of a second-order phase transition in the electric field evolution. While trapping is known to play a role for larger perturbation strengths, it is shown that trapping plays no role at any time in any of the simulations near the transition perturbation strength.
The status of snow leopards Panthera uncia, and high altitude use by common leopards P. pardus, in north-west Yunnan, China
Authors: Buzzard Paul J. , Li Xueyou , Bleisch William V.
Published: July 2017

The Endangered snow leopard Panthera uncia is a flagship species of mountainous Asia and a conservation priority. China is the most important country for the species’ conservation because it has the most potential habitat and the largest population of snow leopards. North-west Yunnan province in south-west China is at the edge of the snow leopard's range, and a biodiversity hotspot, where three major Asian rivers, the Yangtze, Mekong and Salween, flow off the Tibetan plateau and cut deep valleys through the Hengduan Mountains. The snow leopard's status in north-west Yunnan is uncertain. We conducted interviews and camera-trapping surveys to assess the species’ status at multiple sites: two east of the Yangtze River and two between the Yangtze and Mekong Rivers. Thirty-eight herders/nature reserve officials interviewed claimed that snow leopards were present, but in 6,300 camera-trap days we did not obtain any photographs of snow leopards, so if the species is present, it is rare. However, we obtained many photographs of potential prey, such as blue sheep Pseudois nayaur, as well as photographs of common leopards Panthera pardus, at high elevations (3,000–4,500 m). More study is necessary in Yunnan and other areas of south-west China to investigate the status and resource overlap of snow leopards and common leopards, especially as climate change is resulting in increases in common leopard habitat and decreases in snow leopard habitat.
Maritime Traffic Analysis of the Strait of Istanbul based on AIS data
Authors: Altan Yigit C. , Otay Emre N.
Published: July 2017

The Strait of Istanbul is one of the most congested and risky waterways in the world. Navigation patterns have been investigated using Automatic Indentification System (AIS) data collected over a long period. 1·5 billion AIS messages, gathered over a year from 309,000 moving vessels in the Strait were stored in a Structured Query Language (SQL) database. Grid-based analysis is used to track the time, number, position, type, dimension, heading, speed and course over ground of ships. Local traffic, whose effect on maritime risk has often been neglected, is found to dominate transit traffic by a ratio of eight to one. Vessel distributions indicate that the most common lengths of vessels are 100 m and 170 m. Draught analysis shows a net transfer of goods from north to south. Southbound vessels are more likely to exceed the enforced speed limit due to predominant currents. Courses indicate that the local traffic strongly affects navigation patterns, especially at sectors with sharp turns. All these results help to understand the navigation patterns of ships and give the necessary input to assist in predicting maritime risk.
Cu K-edge XANES: polymer, organic, inorganic spectra, and experimental considerations
Authors: Larsson Mikael , Lindén Johan B. , Kaur Simarpreet , Le Cerf Brock , Kempson Ivan
Published: July 2017

In pursuit of design and characterisation of Cu adsorbing in thin films, we present data from a large variety of Cu-K edge X-ray Absorption Near Edge Spectroscopy (XANES) spectra obtained from organic and inorganic standards. Additionally, we have explored the impact of beam damage inducing redox alterations. Polymer nanoparticles were tested against films to produce higher concentration samples while maintaining high surface area to bulk effects. Spectra from nanoparticles were highly comparable to thin films of ~8 nm thickness, implying comparable contributions by surface effects on copper association. Finally, we observed no impact on Cu XANES spectra from vitrification with dimethyl sulfoxide to produce amorphous frozen, hydrated samples. The spectra should act as a valuable resource in assisting the design of experiments and identification of copper associations.
INTERNATIONAL GREAT INFLATION AND COMMON MONETARY POLICY
Authors: Suda Jacek , Zervou Anastasia S.
Published: July 2017

We study whether monetary authorities in the G7 countries were changing their responses to inflation in a similar manner during and following the Great Inflation era. We find that the common to the G7 countries inflation pattern during the Great Inflation period could be associated with a common pattern in the monetary policy response to inflation: we find that until the early 1980s monetary authorities in the G7 countries responded mildly to inflation, systematically fought it throughout the 1980s and lessened again their response during the 2000s. The estimated Taylor rule coefficients on inflation are co-integrated, implying the existence of a long-run relationship in the responses to inflation during and after the Great Inflation period. At the same time, principal component analysis of the residuals of the estimated Taylor rules indicates that the shocks' structure cannot account enough for the monetary policies' co-movements. We interpret these findings as suggestive of common monetary policy patterns.
THE OPPORTUNITY COST(S) OF EMPLOYMENT AND SEARCH INTENSITY
Authors: Garín Julio , Lester Robert
Published: July 2017

The flow utility of unemployment plays a crucial role in labor search and matching models. Recent evidence by Chodorow-Reich and Karabarbounis suggests that the flow utility is high on average, volatile, and strongly procyclical. Taken together, these facts imply that labor search and matching models perform worse than prevailing conventional wisdom. In contrast, we build a model where unemployed workers choose between home production and job search. Procyclical job search implies that the effective unemployment benefit is countercyclical. Our results suggest that omitting endogenous search will upwardly bias the measured correlation between effective unemployment benefits and productivity.
HOME TO MARKET: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE CONSUMPTION TO OUTPUT RATIO
Authors: Forrester Kellie
Published: July 2017

The United States' postwar period has seen an increase in aggregate market hours worked, a decline in home production hours, and an increase in the consumption to output ratio. A multisector growth model that allows for an increase in total factor productivity in the market sector relative to the home sector can account for these phenomena. Households shift hours to the more productive market sector and purchase measured market goods in favor of unmeasured home goods. This channel accounts for a quarter of the increase in the consumption to output ratio observed in the data from 1950 to 2007.
THE ROLE OF US-BASED FDI FLOWS FOR GLOBAL OUTPUT DYNAMICS
Authors: Huber Florian , Fischer Manfred M. , Piribauer Philipp
Published: July 2017

This paper uses a global vector autoregressive (GVAR) model to analyze the relationship between foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows and output dynamics in a multicountry context. The GVAR model enables us to make two important contributions: First, to model international linkages among a large number of countries, which is a key asset given the diversity of countries involved, and second, to model foreign direct investment and output dynamics jointly. The country-specific small-dimensional vector autoregressive submodels are estimated utilizing a Bayesian version of the model coupled with stochastic search variable selection priors to account for model uncertainty. Using a sample of 15 emerging and advanced economies over the period 1998:Q1–2012:Q4, we find that US outbound FDI exerts a positive long-term effect on output. Asian and Latin American economies tend to react faster and also stronger than Western European countries. Forecast error variance decompositions indicate that FDI plays a prominent role in explaining gross domestic product fluctuations, especially in emerging market economies.
ASYMMETRIES IN BUSINESS CYCLES AND THE ROLE OF OIL PRICES
Authors: Daniel Betty C. , Hafner Christian M. , Simar Léopold , Manner Hans
Published: July 2017

We estimate asymmetries in innovations to Solow residuals for 11 Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries using stochastic frontier analysis. Likelihood ratio statistics and variance ratios imply that all countries with net energy imports have significant negative asymmetries, whereas other countries do not. We construct a simple theoretical model in which the measured Solow residual combines effects from technology, factor utilization, and the terms of trade. For oil importers, the model implies an asymmetric response of measured total factor productivity to oil price increases and decreases. When we condition Solow residuals separately on positive and negative oil price changes to allow asymmetric responses, evidence for remaining negative asymmetric innovations to the Solow residuals vanishes for all countries except Switzerland. Switzerland's relatively dominant financial sector suggests that their asymmetries could be due to a financial crisis, a hypothesis that we test and fail to reject.
Exploratory factor analysis and reliability of the Primary Health Care Engagement (PHCE) Scale in rural and remote nurses: findings from a national survey
Authors: Kosteniuk Julie G. , Stewart Norma J. , Karunanayake Chandima P. , Wilson Erin C. , Penz Kelly L. , Kulig Judith C. , Kilpatrick Kelley , Martin-Misener Ruth , Morgan Debra G. , MacLeod Martha L.P.
Published: July 2017

Aim

The study purpose was to provide evidence of validity for the Primary Health Care Engagement (PHCE) Scale, based on exploratory factor analysis and reliability findings from a large national survey of regulated nurses residing and working in rural and remote Canadian communities.

Background

There are currently no published provider-level instruments to adequately assess delivery of community-based primary health care, relevant to ongoing primary health care (PHC) reform strategies across Canada and elsewhere. The PHCE Scale reflects a contemporary approach that emphasizes community-oriented and community-based elements of PHC delivery.

Methods

Data from the pan-Canadian Nursing Practice in Rural and Remote Canada II (RRNII) survey were used to conduct an exploratory factor analysis and evaluate the internal consistency reliability of the final PHCE Scale.

Findings

The RRNII survey sample included 1587 registered nurses, nurse practitioners, licensed practical nurses, and registered psychiatric nurses residing and working in rural and remote Canada. Exploratory factor analysis identified an eight-factor structure across 28 items overall, and good internal consistency reliability was indicated by an α estimate of 0.89 for the final scale. The final 28-item PHCE Scale includes three of four elements in a contemporary approach to PHC (accessibility/availability, community participation, and intersectoral team) and most community-oriented/based elements of PHC (interdisciplinary collaboration, person-centred, continuity, population orientation, and quality improvement). We recommend additional psychometric testing in a range of health care providers and settings, as the PHCE Scale shows promise as a tool for health care planners and researchers to test interventions and track progress in primary health care reform.