bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
VARIATIONS IN THE PRECURSORS OF PLAIN BLACK TEA QUALITY PARAMETERS DUE TO LOCATION OF PRODUCTION AND NITROGEN FERTILIZER RATES IN EASTERN AFRICAN CLONAL TEA LEAVES
Authors: KWACH BOWA O. , OWUOR P. OKINDA , KAMAU DAVID M. , MSOMBA SOLOMON W. , UWIMANA MARY A.
Published: May 2015

Theaflavins contribute to astringency and brightness while thearubigins contribute to colour and mouth feel of black tea. Green leaf flavan-3-ols influence levels and distribution of theaflavins and thearubigins in black tea and are black tea quality precursor compounds. Caffeine also contributes to tea quality. Although location of production and nitrogenous fertilizer rates influence black tea quality, it is not known if the variations arise from the levels and distribution of the precursor compounds in green leaf or other factors. The variations and distribution of the flavan-3-ols and caffeine in young green leaves of clone TRFK 6/8 due to nitrogen fertiliser rates in seven locations within Eastern Africa were evaluated. Green leaf comprising two leaves and a bud were harvested from each plot, and subjected to HPLC analysis for caffeine, total polyphenol, dihydroxyflavan-3-ols, trihydroxyflavan-3-ols, ratios of trihydroxyflavan-3-ols to dihydroxyflavan-3-ols and total catechins levels. Results were subjected to statistical analysis using split plot design, with locations as main treatments and nitrogen rates as the sub-treatment. Caffeine and flavan-3-ols levels changed (p ≤ 0.05) with location of production, demonstrating that even with use of same cultivar and similar agronomic management quality of tea from one location cannot be replicated in another location. Caffeine levels increased (p ≤ 0.05) with rise in nitrogen fertilizer rate in all locations, but the extent depended on location. Total polyphenols and individual flavan-3-ols showed an inverse quadratic response, except EGCG that linearly decreased (p ≤ 0.05) in some locations, due to increasing rates of nitrogen fertilizer. Similar responses in the black tea quality parameters had been observed in previous studies. The black tea quality results were therefore directly influenced by the green leaf precursor compound patterns. Region specific nitrogenous fertilizer rates need development to ensure high tea quality.
GREM1 germline mutation screening in Ashkenazi Jewish patients with familial colorectal cancer
Authors: LAITMAN YAEL , JAEGER EMMA , KATZ LIOR , TOMLINSON IAN , FRIEDMAN EITAN
Published: May 2015

Background: A 40 kb ancestral germline duplication upstream of the GREM1 gene was reported in Ashkenazi families with hereditary mixed polyposis syndrome (HMPS). Objective: Assess the contribution of the GREM1 mutation to familial colorectal cancer (CRC) in Ashkenazim. Methods: Jewish Ashkenazi individuals (n = 472 155 males, 317 females) were genotyped for the GREM1 duplication, 194 with CRC, 131 had other cancer types (endometrial, pancreatic and ovarian) that show a syndromic association with CRC, and 147 were cancer-free with a suggestive family history of CRC. Results: One mutation carrier was found who fulfills the Amsterdam criteria for Lynch Syndrome (LS). The prevalence of this mutation amongst LS Ashkenazim is 0·7%. Conclusion: If validated in additional studies it seems rational to recommend to look for the GREM1 founder mutation in Ashkenazi individuals with multiple colorectal polyps and/or fulfill the criteria for LS.
Common bean canopy characteristics and N assimilation as affected by weed pressure and nitrogen rate
Authors: SABERALI S. F. , MODARRES-SANAVY S. A. M. , BANNAYAN M. , AGHAALIKHANI M. , HAGHAYEGH G. , HOOGENBOOM G.
Published: May 2015

Crop canopy characteristics and management factors that affect the canopy structure can influence crop competitive ability against weeds. The goal of the current study was to understand the interaction between nitrogen (N) fertilizer rate and redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus) density on common bean (Phaseolus vulgarisL.) canopy characteristics and N assimilation. Experiments were conducted to determine the growth responses of two bean genotypes with contrasting growth habits to different N fertilizer rates under no, low and high redroot pigweed pressure. Nitrogen was applied at rates of 0, 50, 100 and 200 kg/ha for a semi-erect variety and 0, 35, 70 and 140 kg/ha for an erect bean variety. Leaf area index (LAI), leaf area duration (LAD), leaf chlorophyll, N assimilation and N assimilation rate for both bean growth habits increased with N application rate at no and low weed density. The negative effect of redroot pigweed competition on LAI, LAD, N assimilation and N assimilation rate increased with redroot pigweed density, and with N application rate for the high weed density. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that N assimilation and chlorophyll concentration accounted for 0·73–0·87, overall, of the variation in yield loss due to weed competition. It is concluded that greater N assimilation in the semi-erect growth habit compared with the erect growth habit is the cause of its higher competitive ability against the weed, as it improves the effective canopy traits that confer potential for resource pre-emption.
Transoral robotic resection of an adult laryngeal haemangioma and review of the literature
Authors: Wang W-H , Tsai K-Y
Published: May 2015

Background:

Haemangioma of the adult larynx is an uncommon, benign lesion. The optimal surgical method of treating these lesions is controversial because only very limited case series are available. This paper reports the results of transoral robotic resection of a supraglottic haemangioma in an adult and reviews the literature.

Methods and results:

A 58-year-old woman presented having experienced a lump-in-the-throat sensation for 1 year. Investigations on laryngoscopy revealed a lobulated, dark red mass in the region of the supraglottis. This was successfully excised by transoral robotic excision without complications.

Conclusion:

Adult supraglottic haemangiomas can be treated successfully with transoral robotic excision; this potentially allows more of the surrounding mucosal tissue to be spared and enables easy control of bleeding.
A constructional account of the ‘optional’ quotative marking on Japanese mimetics
Authors: AKITA KIMI , USUKI TAKESHI
Published: May 2015

This paper proposes a constructional account of the longstanding issue of the optional quotativeto-marking on manner-adverbial mimetics (or ideophones) in Japanese. We argue that this optionality comes from the availability of two morphological constructions – the bare-mimetic predicate construction and the quotative-adverbial construction – to a set of mimetics. On the one hand, the bare-mimetic predicate construction incorporates previously identified phonological, syntactic, and semantic conditions of the bare realization of mimetics. This construction is instantiated by bare mimetics (e.g.pyókopyoko‘jumping around quickly’) in combination with their typical host predicates (e.g.hane-‘jump’), and they behave as loose complex predicates with more or less abstract meanings. As with ‘say’- and ‘do’-verbs, these complex predicates involve quasi-incorporation, which is a constructional strategy for the morphosyntactic integration of mimetics into sentence structures. On the other hand, the quotative-adverbial construction introduces mimetics to sentences with a minimal loss of their imitative semiotics. This fundamental function is consistent with the wide distribution of quotative-marked mimetics.
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in dogs: is high seroprevalence indicative of a reservoir role?
Authors: CALZADA JOSÉ E. , SALDAÑA AZAEL , GONZÁLEZ KADIR , RIGG CHYSTRIE , PINEDA VANESSA , SANTAMARÍA ANA MARÍA , RODRÍGUEZ INDRA , GOTTDENKER NICOLE L. , LAURENTI MARCIA D. , CHAVES LUIS F.
Published: May 2015

American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) is a complex disease with a rich diversity of animal host species. This diversity imposes a challenge, since understanding ACL transmission requires the adequate identification of reservoir hosts, those species able to be a source of additional infections. In this study we present results from an ACL cross-sectional serological survey of 51 dogs (Canis familiaris), where we used diagnostic tests that measure dog's exposure toLeishmaniaspp. parasites. We did our research in Panamá, at a village that has undergone significant ecosystem level transformations. We found an ACL seroprevalence of 47% among dogs, and their exposure was positively associated with dog age and abundance of sand fly vectors in the houses of dog owners. Using mathematical models, which were fitted to data on the proportion of positive tests as function of dog age, we estimated a basic reproductive number (R0±s.e.) of 1·22 ± 0·09 that indicates the disease is endemically established in the dogs. Nevertheless, this information by itself is insufficient to incriminate dogs as ACL reservoirs, given the inability to find parasites (or their DNA) in seropositive dogs and previously reported failures to experimentally infect vectors feeding on dogs with ACL parasites.
The relationship between parental depressive symptoms and offspring psychopathology: evidence from a children-of-twins study and an adoption study
Authors: McAdams T. A. , Rijsdijk F. V. , Neiderhiser J. M. , Narusyte J. , Shaw D. S. , Natsuaki M. N. , Spotts E. L. , Ganiban J. M. , Reiss David , Leve L. D. , Lichtenstein P. , Eley T. C.
Published: May 2015

Background

Parental depressive symptoms are associated with emotional and behavioural problems in offspring. However, genetically informative studies are needed to distinguish potential causal effects from genetic confounds, and longitudinal studies are required to distinguish parent-to-child effects from child-to-parent effects.

Method

We conducted cross-sectional analyses on a sample of Swedish twins and their adolescent offspring (n = 876 twin families), and longitudinal analyses on a US sample of children adopted at birth, their adoptive parents, and their birth mothers (n = 361 adoptive families). Depressive symptoms were measured in parents, and externalizing and internalizing problems measured in offspring. Structural equation models were fitted to the data.

Results

Results of model fitting suggest that associations between parental depressive symptoms and offspring internalizing and externalizing problems remain after accounting for genes shared between parent and child. Genetic transmission was not evident in the twin study but was evident in the adoption study. In the longitudinal adoption study child-to-parent effects were evident.

Conclusions

We interpret the results as demonstrating that associations between parental depressive symptoms and offspring emotional and behavioural problems are not solely attributable to shared genes, and that bidirectional effects may be present in intergenerational associations.
Cost-effectiveness of the Mental Health and Development model for schizophrenia-spectrum and bipolar disorders in rural Kenya
Authors: de Menil V. , Knapp M. , McDaid D. , Raja S. , Kingori J. , Waruguru M. , Wood S. K. , Mannarath S. , Lund C.
Published: May 2015

Background

The treatment gap for serious mental disorders across low-income countries is estimated to be 89%. The model for Mental Health and Development (MHD) offers community-based care for people with mental disorders in 11 low- and middle-income countries.

Method

In Kenya, using a pre-post design, 117 consecutively enrolled participants with schizophrenia-spectrum and bipolar disorders were followed-up at 10 and 20 months. Comparison outcomes were drawn from the literature. Costs were analysed from societal and health system perspectives.

Results

From the societal perspective, MHD cost Int$ 594 per person in the first year and Int$ 876 over 2 years. The cost per healthy day gained was Int$ 7.96 in the first year and Int$ 1.03 over 2 years – less than the agricultural minimum wage. The cost per disability-adjusted life year averted over 2 years was Int$ 13.1 and Int$ 727 from the societal and health system perspectives, respectively, on par with antiretrovirals for HIV.

Conclusions

MHD achieved increasing returns over time. The model appears cost-effective and equitable, especially over 2 years. Its affordability relies on multi-sectoral participation nationally and internationally.
Overvaluation of body shape/weight and engagement in non-compensatory weight-control behaviors in eating disorders: is there a reciprocal relationship?
Authors: Tabri N. , Murray H. B. , Thomas J. J. , Franko D. L. , Herzog D. B. , Eddy K. T.
Published: May 2015

Background.

Overvaluation of body shape/weight is thought to be the core psychopathology underlying eating disorders, which propels engagement in non-compensatory weight-control behaviors. In turn, these behaviors lead to binge eating and/or maintenance of low weight thereby reinforcing overvaluation. The present study investigated the reciprocal relationship between overvaluation and engagement in non-compensatory weight-control behaviors (defined in two ways: restrictive eating and compulsive exercise) among women diagnosed with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa (N= 237).

Method.

Participants completed clinical interviews in which weekly eating disorder symptoms and behaviors were assessed over 2 years.

Results.

Overvaluation on a given week was associated with greater engagement in non-compensatory weight-control behaviors during the following week. Further, engagement in non-compensatory weight-control behaviors on a given week was associated with greater overvaluation during the following week. These findings held true regardless of participants’ shape/weight concerns (feelings of fatness and fat phobia), and eating disorder diagnosis.

Conclusions.

Our data provide empirical support for key aspects of the transdiagnostic cognitive-behavioral model of eating disorders and suggest that targeting non-compensatory weight-control behaviors in treatment may help alleviate overvaluation and shape/weight concerns.
DEVELOPING AN IPAD® APPLICATION FOR DATA COLLECTION IN A RHEUMATOLOGY RESEARCH CLINIC
Authors: Kaka Hussam , Ayearst Renise , Tran Maithy , Touma Zahi , Bagovich Maria , Vinik Ophir , Somaily Mansour , Haddad Amir , Gladman Dafna D. , Chandran Vinod
Published: May 2015

Objectives: Clinical research data are often collected on paper and later inputted onto an electronic database. This method is time consuming and potentially introduces errors. Therefore, to make primary data collection more efficient and less error prone we aimed to develop a touch-screen application for data collection in a psoriatic arthritis research clinic and compared it with the pre-existing paper-based system.

Methods: We developed a Web application using Java and optimized it for the iPad®. It highlights missing fields for physicians in real time, and only permits submission of data collection form after corrections are made. For its evaluation, seven physicians participated, and before each patient visit they were randomly assigned paper or iPad® data entry. Number of errors, length of visit, and time between clinic visit and completion of data entry were measured.

Results: A total of 106 patients seen in the clinic who agreed to participate were randomly assigned to be evaluated by clinic physicians using the iPad® (fifty-three patients) or a paper protocol (fifty-three patients). On average, 3.34 omissions were found per paper form, of which 2.24 would have been detected on the iPad®. The iPad® increased the mean patient encounter time from 37.2 minutes to 46.5 minutes, but eliminated delay between a clinic visit and its data entry.

Conclusions: Entering data using the iPad® application makes the patient encounter slightly longer, but reduces “missing fields.” It also eliminates the delay between clinic visit and data entry thus improving the efficiency of clinical data capture in a research setting.
IMPLICATIONS OF GLOBAL PRICING POLICIES ON ACCESS TO INNOVATIVE DRUGS: THE CASE OF TRASTUZUMAB IN SEVEN LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES
Authors: Pichon-Riviere Andres , Garay Osvaldo Ulises , Augustovski Federico , Vallejos Carlos , Huayanay Leandro , Bueno Maria del Pilar Navia , Rodriguez Alarico , de Andrade Carlos José Coelho , Buendía Jefferson Antonio , Drummond Michael
Published: May 2015

Objectives:Differential pricing, based on countries’ purchasing power, is recommended by the World Health Organization to secure affordable medicines. However, in developing countries innovative drugs often have similar or even higher prices than in high-income countries. We evaluated the potential implications of trastuzumab global pricing policies in terms of cost-effectiveness (CE), coverage, and accessibility for patients with breast cancer in Latin America (LA).

Methods:A Markov model was designed to estimate life-years (LYs), quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), and costs from a healthcare perspective. To better fit local cancer prognosis, a base case scenario using transition probabilities from clinical trials was complemented with two alternative scenarios with transition probabilities adjusted to reflect breast cancer epidemiology in each country.

Results:Incremental discounted benefits ranged from 0.87 to 1.00 LY and 0.51 to 0.60 QALY and incremental CE ratios from USD 42,104 to USD 110,283 per QALY (2012 U.S. dollars), equivalent to 3.6 gross domestic product per capita (GDPPC) per QALY in Uruguay and to 35.5 GDPPC in Bolivia. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed 0 percent probability that trastuzumab is CE if the willingness-to-pay threshold is one GDPPC per QALY, and remained so at three GDPPC threshold except for Chile and Uruguay (4.3 percent and 26.6 percent, respectively). Trastuzumab price would need to decrease between 69.6 percent to 94.9 percent to became CE in LA.

Conclusions:Although CE in other settings, trastuzumab was not CE in LA. The use of health technology assessment to prioritize resource allocation and support price negotiations is critical to making innovative drugs available and affordable in developing countries.
MEDICAL DEVICE PRICES IN ECONOMIC EVALUATIONS
Authors: Akpinar Ilke , Jacobs Philip , Husereau Don
Published: May 2015

Objectives:Economic evaluations, although not formally used in purchasing decisions for medical devices in Canada, are still being conducted and published. The aim of this study was to examine the way that prices have been included in Canadian economic evaluations of medical devices.

Methods:We conducted a review of the economic concepts and implications of methods used for economic evaluations of the eleven most implanted medical devices from the Canadian perspective.

Results:We found Canadian economic studies for five of the eleven medical devices and identified nineteen Canadian studies. Overall, the device costs were important components of total procedure cost, with an average ratio of 44.1 %. Observational estimates of the device costs were obtained from buyers or sellers in 13 of the 19 studies. Although most of the devices last more than 1 year, standard costing methods for capital equipment was never used. In addition, only eight studies included a sensitivity analysis for the device cost. None of the sensitivity analyses were based on actual price distributions.

Conclusions:Economic evaluations are potentially important for policy making, but although they are being conducted, there is no standardized approach for incorporating medical device prices in economic analyses. Our review provides suggestions for improvements in how the prices are incorporated for economic evaluations of medical devices.
Crystal structure of rilpivirine, C22H18N6
Authors: Kaduk James A. , Zhong Kai , Blanton Thomas N.
Published: May 2015

The crystal structure of rilpivirine has been solved and refined using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data, and optimized using density functional techniques. Rilpivirine crystallizes in space groupP21/c(#14) witha= 8.39049(3),b= 13.89687(4),c= 16.03960(6) Å,β= 90.9344(3)°,V= 1869.995(11) Å3, andZ= 4. The most prominent features of the structure are N–H···N hydrogen bonds. These form aR2,2(8) pattern which, along withC1,1(12) and longer chains, yield a three-dimensional hydrogen bond network. The powder pattern has been submitted to International Centre for Diffraction Data, ICDD, for inclusion in future releases of the Powder Diffraction File™.
A new methodical approach based on Compton scattering and XRF: quantitative analysis of CO2 and loss on ignition in quicklime
Authors: Inoue Minoru , Yamada Yasujiro , Kitamura Mao , Gotoh Norifumi , Kawahara Naoki , Mantler Michael
Published: May 2015

The authors present and discuss a method for simultaneous quantitative analysis of total loss on ignition (LOI) (CO2 + H2O) and CO2 content separate from the LOI, in an industrial environment of quicklime production. Total LOI is determined by the Compton scattered RhKα tube radiation which is used directly in the calibration equation. The resulting calibration curve for LOI, including matrix correction shows an accuracy of 0.15 mass%. The carbon content (CO2) is distinguished from total LOI by measuring CKα radiation, which is possible with the required accuracy by employing a new multilayer analyzer with greatly improved background characteristics. The method aims at high reliability and sample throughput and at becoming a less time-consuming alternative to the conventional method of LOI determination by weighing sequences before and after “ignition” at 1050 °C.
Estimated hospitalizations attributed to norovirus and rotavirus infection in Canada, 2006–2010
Authors: MORTON V. K. , THOMAS M. K. , McEWEN S. A.
Published: May 2015

Enteric viruses including norovirus and rotavirus are leading causes of gastroenteritis in Canada. However, only a small number of clinical cases are actually tested for these pathogens leading to systematic underestimation of attributed hospitalizations in administrative databases. The objective of this analysis was to estimate the number of hospitalizations due to norovirus and rotavirus in Canada. Hospitalization records for acute gastroenteritis-associated discharges at all acute-care hospitals in Canada between 2006 and 2011 were analysed. Cause-unspecified gastroenteritis hospitalizations were modelled using age-specific negative binomial models with cause-specified gastroenteritis admissions as predictors. The coefficients from the models were used to estimate the number of norovirus and rotavirus admissions. The total annual hospitalizations for rotavirus were estimated to be between 4500 and 10 000. Total annual hospitalizations for norovirus were estimated to be between 4000 and 11 000. The mean total annual cost associated with these hospitalizations was estimated to be at least $16 million for rotavirus and $21 million for norovirus (all figures in Canadian dollars). This study is the first comprehensive analysis of norovirus and rotavirus hospitalizations in Canada. These estimates provide a more complete assessment of the burden and economic costs of these pathogens to the Canadian healthcare system.
The zoonotic potential ofMycobacterium aviumssp.paratuberculosis: a systematic review and meta-analyses of the evidence
Authors: WADDELL L. A. , RAJIĆ A. , STÄRK K. D. C. , McEWEN S. A.
Published: May 2015

This systematic review–meta-analysis appraises and summarizes all the available research (128 papers) on the zoonotic potential ofMycobacterium aviumssp.paratuberculosis.The latter has been debated for a century due to pathogenic and clinical similarities between Johne's disease in ruminants and Crohn's disease (108 studies) in humans and recently for involvement in other human diseases; human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection (2), sarcoidosis (3), diabetes mellitus type 1 (T1DM) (7) and type 2 (3), multiple sclerosis (5) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (2). Meta-analytical results indicated a significant positive association, consistently across different laboratory methods for Crohn's disease [odds ratio (OR) range 4·26–8·44], T1DM (OR range 2·91–9·95) and multiple sclerosis (OR range 6·5–7·99). The latter two and the thyroiditis hypothesis require further investigation to confirm the association. Meta-regression of Crohn's disease studies using DNA detection methods indicated that choice of primers and sampling frame (e.g. general populationvs. hospital-based sample) explained a significant proportion of heterogeneity. Other epidemiological studies demonstrated a lack of association between high-risk occupations and development of Crohn's disease. Due to knowledge gaps in understanding the role ofM. paratuberculosisin the development or progression of human disease, the evidence at present is not strong enough to inform the potential public health impact ofM. paratuberculosisexposure.
Adélie penguin population changes at Stranger Point: 19 years of monitoring
Authors: Juáres Mariana A. , Santos Mercedes , Negrete Javier , Mennucci Jorge A. , Perchivale Pablo J. , Casaux Ricardo , Coria Néstor R.
Published: May 2015

The Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) breeding population at Stranger Point, King George Island (25 de Mayo), increased in number from 1965/66 until 1980/81 after which it started to decrease almost continuously up to the present. A significant decrease in the number of breeding pairs and chicks crèched was observed between 1995/96 and 2013/14 (75% and 78%, respectively), although the rate of this decrease has slowed since 2006/07. Over the last seven years, larger interannual fluctuations were recorded in the number of breeding pairs and chicks in crèches, as well in the breeding success. The values for the index of breeding success during 2007/08, 2009/10 and 2012/13 were low and this parameter showed higher temporal fluctuation in the period 2007/08 to 2013/14. The reduction in breeding success and the number of chicks reared to crèche will unfavourably impact on future population size at Stranger Point through the reduction of new recruits. Although Adélie penguin population trends on the Antarctic Peninsula are linked to the marine environment variability (i.e. reduction in sea ice affecting the availability of prey), breeding success is also influenced by the amount of snow fall which has increased in recent years.
Waist circumference to height ratio and left ventricular mass in children and adolescents
Authors: Mehta Sudhir Ken
Published: May 2015

Objectives

Waist circumference to height ratio, a measure of central obesity, is a better predictor of cardiovascular risk than body mass index in the paediatric population. Increased left ventricular mass secondary to obesity and hypertension increases the risk for death and cardiovascular disease in adults. Similar data on left ventricular mass are lacking among young patients with central obesity, as defined by waist circumference/height. The present study evaluates left ventricular mass in young patients with central obesity as defined by waist circumference/height.

Methods

A total of 156 patients, 2- to 20-years old, without evidence of structural heart disease were studied. As the left ventricular mass is related to age and gender, 52 patients with central obesity – waist circumference/height ⩾0.55 – were randomly matched for age and gender with 52 patients at risk for central obesity – waist circumference/height ⩾0.5 to <0.55 – and 52 patients with no central obesity – waist circumference/height <0.5. The left ventricular mass parameters measured by echocardiography were compared across the three groups.

Results

Patients with central obesity had significantly (p<0.05) increased Z scores for left ventricular mass, left ventricular mass/height2.7, and left ventricular mass/height1.7 compared with patients at risk for central obesity and patients with no central obesity. Z scores for left ventricular mass were higher among patients at risk for central obesity compared with patients with no central obesity.

Conclusions

Left ventricular mass data of the present study support maintaining an ideal waist circumference/height <0.5. Aggressive efforts to identify and manage patients with central obesity are warranted.
History and legend in the Jāmi` al-tawārikh: Abraham, Alexander, and Oghuz Khan
Authors: KAMOLA STEFAN
Published: May 2015

This article explores the historical writings of Rashid al-Din Tabib (d. 1318) as part of a programme of political legitimisation for the Mongol Ilkhans of Iran. By considering both volumes of the Jami` al-tawārikh alongside one another and in their political context, it reveals aspects of the text that get lost when the dynastic and world history are treated in isolation. Rashid al-Din's presentation of legendary figures of communal identity from Perso-Islamic and Turko-Mongol traditions responds to immediate political conflicts between his patrons and their neighbours, the Jochid Mongols of the Volga region and the Mamluks of Egypt. In the relative absence of documentary evidence, court-sponsored narrative chronicles can in this way inform our understanding of ruling ideology during the period.
Ultimate attainment in the use of collocations among heritage speakers of Turkish in Germany and Turkish–German returnees
Authors: TREFFERS-DALLER JEANINE , DALLER MICHAEL , FURMAN REYHAN , ROTHMAN JASON
Published: May 2015

In this paper we show that heritage speakers and returnees are fundamentally different from the majority of adult second language learners with respect to their use of collocations (Laufer & Waldman, 2011). We compare the use of lexical collocations involvingyap- “do” andet- “do” among heritage speakers of Turkish in Germany (n = 45) with those found among Turkish returnees (n = 65) and Turkish monolinguals (n = 69). Language use by returnees is an understudied resource although this group can provide crucial insights into the specific language ability of heritage speakers. Results show that returnees who had been back for one year avoid collocations withyap- and use some hypercorrect forms inet-, whilst returnees who had been back for seven years at the time of recording produce collocations that are quantitatively and qualitatively similar to those of monolingual speakers of Turkish. We discuss implications for theories of ultimate attainment and incomplete acquisition in heritage speakers.
Dishware size and snack food intake in a between-subjects laboratory experiment
Authors: Robinson Eric , Sheen Florence , Harrold Jo , Boyland Emma , Halford Jason CG , Masic Una
Published: May 2015

Objective

The use of smaller dishware as a way of reducing food consumption has intuitive appeal and is recommended to the general public. Recent experimental studies have failed to find an effect of plate size on food intake, although the methods used across studies have varied. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect that bowl size had on snack food consumption in a ‘typical’ snacking context (snacking while watching television).

Design

Between-subjects.

Setting

Laboratory experiment.

Subjects

Sixty-one adult participants served themselves and ate popcorn while watching television. Participants were randomly assigned to serve themselves with and eat from either a small or a large bowl.

Results

The use of a smaller bowl size did not reduce food consumption. Unexpectedly, participants in the small bowl condition tended to consume more popcorn (34·0 g) than participants in the large bowl condition (24·9 g; 37 % increase, d=0·5), although the statistical significance of this difference depended on whether analyses were adjusted to account for participant characteristics (e.g. gender) associated with food intake (P=0·02) or not (P=0·07).

Conclusions

Counter to widely held belief, the use of a smaller bowl did not reduce snack food intake. Public health recommendations advising the use of smaller dishware to reduce food consumption are premature, as this strategy may not be effective.
Consumption of fruits and vegetables and probabilistic assessment of the cumulative acute exposure to organophosphorus and carbamate pesticides of schoolchildren in Slovenia
Authors: Blaznik Urška , Yngve Agneta , Eržen Ivan , Hlastan Ribič Cirila
Published: May 2015

Objective

Adequate consumption of fruits and vegetables is a part of recommendations for a healthy diet. The aim of the present study was to assess acute cumulative dietary exposure to organophosphorus and carbamate pesticides via fruit and vegetable consumption by the population of schoolchildren aged 11–12 years and the level of risk for their health.

Design

Cumulative probabilistic risk assessment methodology with the index compound approach was applied.

Setting

Slovenia, primary schools.

Subjects

Schoolchildren (n1145) from thirty-one primary schools in Slovenia. Children were part of the PRO GREENS study 2009/10 which assessed 11-year-olds’ consumption of fruit and vegetables in ten European countries.

Results

The cumulative acute exposure amounted to 8·3 (95 % CI 7·7, 10·6) % of the acute reference dose (ARfD) for acephate as index compound (100 µg/kg body weight per d) at the 99·9th percentile for daily intake and to 4·5 (95 % CI 3·5, 4·7) % of the ARfD at the 99·9th percentile for intakes during school time and at lunch. Apples, bananas, oranges and lettuce contributed most to the total acute pesticides intake.

Conclusions

The estimations showed that acute dietary exposure to organophosphorus and carbamate pesticides is not a health concern for schoolchildren with the assessed dietary patterns of fruit and vegetable consumption.
Evaluation outcomes of a long-running adult nutrition education programme
Authors: Pettigrew Simone , Moore Sarah , Pratt Iain S , Jongenelis Michelle
Published: May 2015

Objective

For more than 20 years, the FOODcents adult nutrition education programme has been delivered to Western Australians. The aim of the programme is to provide disadvantaged individuals with the knowledge, skills and motivation to buy healthy foods on a limited budget. The present study evaluated whether the FOODcents curriculum and the way it is delivered are effective in improving participants’ nutrition-related knowledge and behaviours.

Design

Evaluation data were collected via in-session pre–post questionnaires and a post-course online questionnaire.

Setting

Western Australia.

Subjects

Data were collected from participants attending just over one-half (54 %) of the FOODcents courses conducted over the two-year evaluation period. In total, 927 course participants provided usable data.

Results

After exposure to the course, respondents demonstrated an improved ability to: (i) categorize foods according to the frequency with which they should be consumed and the proportion of the food budget that should be allocated to them; (ii) correctly interpret nutrition labels on food products; and (iii) appreciate the link between diet/obesity and a range of diseases. Improvements in the latter were especially pronounced among participants of low socio-economic status. In terms of behaviour change, significant improvements in fruit and vegetable consumption were reported, along with reductions in the consumption of fast food. Participants of low socio-economic status reported the greatest changes.

Conclusions

The results indicate that the FOODcents nutrition education programme improves participants’ nutrition-related knowledge and behaviours.
A Refined Single-Particle Reconstruction Procedure to Process Two-Dimensional Crystal Images from Transmission Electron Microscopy
Authors: Kuang Qie , Purhonen Pasi , Pattipaka Thirupathi , Ayele Yohannes H. , Hebert Hans , Koeck Philip J.B.
Published: May 2015

Single-particle reconstruction (SPR) and electron crystallography (EC), two major applications in electron microscopy, can be used to determine the structure of membrane proteins. The three-dimensional (3D) map is obtained from separated particles in conventional SPR, but from periodic unit cells in EC. Here, we report a refined SPR procedure for processing 2D crystal images. The method is applied to 2D crystals of melibiose permease, a secondary transporter inEscherichia coli. The current procedure is improved from our previously published one in several aspects. The “gold standard Fourier shell correlation” resolution of our final reconstruction reaches 13 Å, which is significantly better than the previously obtained 17 Å resolution. The choices of different refinement parameters for reconstruction are discussed. Our refined SPR procedure could be applied to determine the structure of other membrane proteins in small or locally distorted 2D crystals, which are not ideal for EC.
Rethinking Social Policy and Society
Authors: Deeming Christopher
Published: May 2015

Political and administrative processes are leading to collectively undesirable and intolerable societal outcomes in the advanced liberal democracies, as policymakers seek to address social issues in the design and implementation of new social policies that actively govern conduct. Behavioural regulation is the order of the day. For scholars interested in the development of social policy and the idea of a society as a whole, it is timely to begin the revaluation of the very notion of social policy and society beyond the ‘active’ neoliberal policy paradigm. Here we are particularly concerned with the ends and means of the coercive policy instruments and the active ethical issues arising from their use.
Can eco-labels reduce carbon emissions? Market-wide analysis of carbon labeling and locally grown fresh apples
Authors: Onozaka Yuko , Hu Wenjing , Thilmany Dawn D.
Published: May 2015

Despite the heightened efforts to implement eco-labeling schemes as the market-based vehicle for improving environmental quality, the overall effectiveness of eco-labels are still uncertain due to complex and sometimes unexpected market responses. In this paper, we assess the overall changes in carbon emissions resulting from two types of labeling on fresh apples, carbon labels and location designation labels (e.g., locally grown), both of which can have mixed implications for carbon emissions due to fluctuating supply chain factors. We employ an equilibrium displacement model that integrates existing estimates of differences across production systems, and our own estimates of consumer responses to labels in order to simulate the changes in prices, trade flows and estimate carbon impacts across several scenarios in the US fresh apple market. We find that both labels ultimately affect market outcomes and overall carbon emissions. With location designation labels, consumers’ preference for local products leads to a net decrease in carbon emissions during the local growing season, while the interaction of various market dynamics results in a subsequent net increase in carbon emissions during the local off-season. The interaction of a carbon label with the location label lowers the overall attractiveness of products and reduces the quantity demanded, and thus, reduces the carbon emissions in both seasons. Overall, providing the location designation label increases annual carbon emissions, whereas providing both the location designation and carbon labeling decreases annual emissions. In short, the dynamics and interdependency of labeling strategies are important to consider in the context of eco-labeling.
Coping with food poverty in cities: The case of urban agriculture in Glen Norah Township in Harare
Authors: Masvaure Steven
Published: May 2015

The focus of this study is on urban agriculture which is a common informal sector activity across most sub-Saharan African cities. Urban agriculture is more common among poor urban households, and acts as a poverty coping mechanism. Poor households often spend more than 60% of their income on food alone. The major thrust of this study was to understand the underlying mechanisms driving farming in cities. A mixed method research approach was adopted and data was collected from 103 households in Glen Norah Township in Harare, Zimbabwe through semi-structured interviews, questionnaires and observations. Arising from analysis of the data, the Urban Livelihoods Coping Model (ULCM) is proposed in order to explain the phenomenon of urban agriculture in African cities. This model acknowledges the fact that the socio-economic conditions and the socio-historical context of Zimbabwe and other African countries today is as a result of the influence of ‘Western leaning’ development policies influenced by modernization and associated theories. These theories combined with cultural factors and the impact of Structural Adjustment Policies resulted in the present situation where urban agriculture plays a critical role in the survival of the urban poor as a coping mechanism against food poverty. The ULCM ascribes the emergence of urban agriculture to necessity, ability and opportunity. The significance of this study is that it will contribute to understanding the socio-economic role of urban agriculture and how it can be factored into the urban planning systems of developing countries.
Winter legume cover-crop root decomposition and N release dynamics under disking and roller-crimping termination approaches
Authors: Jani Arun D. , Grossman Julie , Smyth Thomas J. , Hu Shuijin
Published: May 2015

Several approaches can be used to terminate legume cover crops in the spring prior to planting summer crops, but the effect that these methods have on decomposition and nitrogen (N) release dynamics of legume cover-crop roots is poorly understood. The main objectives of this study were to: (i) quantify decomposition and N release of roots from pea (Pisum sativum), clover (Trifolium incarnatum) and vetch (Vicia villosa Roth); (ii) determine if roots decompose and release N faster when cover crops are terminated by disking compared with roller-crimping; and (iii) determine if roots decompose and release N faster under higher soil inorganic N levels. Two field experiments were conducted in Goldsboro and Kinston, North Carolina in the summer of 2012. Cover crops at these sites were terminated in spring by disking or roller-crimping and planted to unirrigated corn. Air-dried roots placed in litterbags were buried in their corresponding cover-crop plots and in plots where cover crops had not been grown that had either synthetic N fertilizer added at burial or had no fertilizer addition. Root litterbags were collected over 16 weeks at both sites. Cover-crop plots terminated by disking had up to 117 and 49% higher soil inorganic N than roller-crimped plots in Goldsboro and Kinston, respectively. However, roots did not appear to contribute significantly to these increases, as measured root decomposition and N release was not affected by termination approach at either site. Roots decomposed rapidly at both sites, losing up to 65% of their original biomass within 4 weeks after burial. Root N release was also rapid at both sites, with vetch generally releasing N fastest and clover slowest. It was estimated that cover-crop roots supplied 47–62 and 19–33 kg N ha−1 during the corn cycle in Goldsboro and Kinston, respectively. Our results indicate that under the warm, humid summer conditions of the Southeastern USA, legume cover-crop roots decompose and release N rapidly.
A novel wide band-gap structure for improved signal integrity
Authors: Appasani B. , Gupta N.
Published: May 2015

In this paper, a simple and novel electromagnetic band gap (EBG) structure is proposed which offers a wide band gap and improved signal integrity. The unit cell of the structure consists of three square patches arranged in a particular fashion and connected by L-shaped bridges. Two of the square patches are shorted to the ground plane using vias. The unit-cell dimensions were taken to be less than half the operating wavelength at 2 and 2.5 GHz, at which the structure has been analyzed for signal integrity. A single unit cell of the proposed EBG structure is analyzed using IE3D, a method of moments based simulation tool. A single unit cell provides a band gap of 20 GHz starting from 10 MHz to 20 GHz. The prototype model for the unit cell is developed. A comparison between the simulation and measured results shows a good agreement. The improved signal integrity of the proposed structure is demonstrated both in terms of S-parameters and the eye diagram.
The placental mTOR-pathway: correlation with early growth trajectories following intrauterine growth restriction?
Authors: Fahlbusch F. B. , Hartner A. , Menendez-Castro C. , Nögel S. C. , Marek I. , Beckmann M. W. , Schleussner E. , Ruebner M. , Huebner H. , Dörr H.-G. , Schild R. L. , Dötsch J. , Rascher W.
Published: May 2015

Idiopathic intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a result of impaired placental nutrient supply. Newborns with IUGR exhibiting postnatal catch-up growth are of higher risk for cardiovascular and metabolic co-morbidities in adult life. Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) was recently shown to function as a placental nutrient sensor. Thus, we determined possible correlations of members of the placental mTOR signaling cascade with auxologic parameters of postnatal growth. The protein expression and activity of mTOR-pathway signaling components, Akt, AMP-activated protein kinase α, mTOR, p70S6kinase1 and insulin receptor substrate-1 were analysed via western blotting in IUGR v. matched appropriate-for-gestational age (AGA) placentas. Moreover, mTOR was immunohistochemically stained in placental sections. Data from western blot analyses were correlated with retrospective auxological follow-up data at 1 year of age. We found significant catch-up growth in the 1st year of life in the IUGR group. MTOR and its activated form are immunohistochemically detected in multiple placental compartments. We identified correlations of placental mTOR-pathway signaling components to auxological data at birth and at 1 year of life in IUGR. Analysis of the protein expression and phosphorylation level of mTOR-pathway components in IUGR and AGA placentas postpartum, however, did not reveal pathognomonic changes. Our findings suggest that the level of activated mTOR correlates with early catch-up growth following IUGR. However, the complexity of signals converging at the mTOR nexus and its cellular distribution pattern seem to limit its potential as biomarker in this setting.
A Portuguese Version of the Student-Teacher Relationship Scale – Short Form
Authors: Patrício Joana Nunes , Barata M. Clara , Calheiros M. Manuela , Graça João
Published: May 2015

Research consistently demonstrates that positive student-teacher relationships are fundamental to the healthy development of all students. However, we lack a Portuguese-validated measure of student-teacher relationships. In this article we present the adaptation procedures and the psychometric properties of a Portuguese version of the Student-Teacher Relationship Scale – Short Form (Pianta, 1992). Five hundred and thirty five teachers from 127 schools completed the STRS-SF. The results demonstrate that this adapted version of the STRS-SF has good psychometric properties, namely high reliability (α = .84 to .87) and expected construct validity, which were tested through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (χ2/df= 1.65, CFI = .96, GFI = .93, RMSEA = 0.05). This study also showed that the correlations of student-teacher relationship with students' demographic variables are consistent with the evidence in the literature about this construct. Finally, the study indicated that female teachers reported more closeness,t(530) = 4.06,p< .001 and better overall student-teacher relationships,t(530) = 4.90,p< .001. In the discussion, we analyze the implications of these results.