bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impacts of beaversCastorspp. on biodiversity and the ecological basis for their reintroduction to Scotland,UK
Authors: Stringer Andrew P. , Gaywood Martin J.
Published: May 2016

In Scotland,UK, beavers became extinct about 400 years ago. Currently, two wild populations are present in Scotland on a trial basis, and the case for their full reintroduction is currently being considered by Scottish ministers. Beavers are widely considered ‘ecosystem engineers’. Indeed, beavers have large impacts on the environment, fundamentally change ecosystems, and create unusual habitats, often considered unique. In this review, we investigate the mechanisms by which beavers act as ecosystem engineers, and then discuss the possible impacts of beavers on the biodiversity of Scotland.

A meta‐analysis of published studies on beavers’ interactions with biodiversity was conducted, and the balance of positive and negative interactions with plants, invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals recorded.

The meta‐analysis showed that, overall, beavers have an overwhelmingly positive influence on biodiversity. Beavers’ ability to modify the environment means that they fundamentally increase habitat heterogeneity. As beavers are central‐place foragers that feed only in close proximity to watercourses, their herbivory is unevenly spread in the landscape. In addition, beaver ponds and their associated unique successional stages increase habitat heterogeneity both spatially and temporally. Beavers also influence the ecosystems through the creation of a variety of features such as dams and lodges, important habitat features such as standing dead wood (after inundation), an increase in woody debris, and a graded edge between terrestrial and aquatic habitats that is rich in structural complexity.

In Scotland, a widespread positive influence on biodiversity is expected, if beavers are widely reintroduced. For instance, beaver activity should provide important habitat for the otterLutra lutra, great crested newtTriturus cristatusand water voleArvicola amphibious, all species of conservation importance.

Beavers are most likely to have detrimental impacts on certain woodland habitats and species of conservation importance, such as the Atlantic hazelwood climax community and aspenPopulus tremulawoodland. A lack of woodland regeneration caused by high deer abundance could lead to habitat degradation or loss. These are also of particular importance due to the variety of associated dependent species of conservation interest, such as lichen communities in Atlantic hazelwoods.
Can recreational hunting contribute to pest mammal control on public land in Australia?
Authors: Bengsen Andrew J. , Sparkes Jessica
Published: May 2016

Natural resource management agencies in many countries take advantage of recreational hunting to manage the impacts or abundance of mammal populations that damage biodiversity or environmental, economic, or social values. In Australia, public lands are increasingly being made available for recreational hunters to pursue introduced mammals that can cause substantial damage to important resources. There is fervent debate over the role that recreational hunting might play in controlling introduced mammals in Australia, and scant evidence to build management strategies upon.

In this review, we combine information from Australia and elsewhere in a systematic examination of the potential for recreational hunting to contribute to the control of introduced mammals on public lands in Australia. We examine the traits of introduced mammal species and populations, geographical settings, hunters, and management agencies to propose situations where hunting might be most useful, and suggest how current practice could be improved.

We find there is insufficient evidence to support or disprove arguments that contemporary recreational hunting programs are effective at controlling introduced mammal populations on public lands. Moreover, current hunting management programs offer little potential for clarifying the situation or optimizing the value of recreational hunting as a pest animal control tool.

To resolve this problem, we outline a framework of competing models and diagnostic criteria for assessing the effects of recreational hunting on introduced mammal populations. We contend that hunting will continue to be an under‐utilized and over‐politicized resource until management strategy is informed by transparent monitoring based on rational strategic objectives that provide mutual benefits to hunters and public resource managers.
Effect of chlorine on near‐liquidus crystallization of olivine‐phyric shergottite NWA 6234 at 1 GPa: Implication for volatile‐induced melting of the Martian mantle
Authors: Farcy Benjamin J. , Gross Juliane , Carpenter Paul , Hicks Jacob , Filiberto Justin
Published: May 2016

Martian magmas are thought to be rich in chlorine compared with their terrestrial counterparts. Here, we experimentally investigate the effect of chlorine on liquidus depression and near‐liquidus crystallization of olivine‐phyric shergottite NWA 6234 and compare these results with previous experimental results on the effect of chlorine on near‐liquidus crystallization of the surface basalts Humphrey and Fastball. Previous experimental results showed that the change in liquidus temperature is dependent on the bulk composition of the basalt. The effect of chlorine on liquidus depression is greater for lower SiO2 and higher Al2O3 magmas than for higher SiO2 and lower Al2O3 magmas. The bulk composition for this study has lower Al2O3 and higher FeO contents than previous work; therefore, we provide additional constraints on the effect of the bulk composition on the influence of chlorine on near‐liquidus crystallization. High pressure and temperature crystallization experiments were performed at 1 GPa on a synthetic basalt, of the bulk composition of NWA 6234, with 0–4 wt% Cl added to the sample as AgCl. The results are consistent with previous notions that with increasing wt% Cl in the melt, the crystallization temperature decreases. Importantly, our results have a liquidus depression ∆T (°C) from added chlorine that is consistent with the difference in bulk composition and suggest a dependence on both the bulk Al2O3 and FeO content. Our results suggest that the addition of chlorine to the Martian mantle may lower magma genesis temperatures and potentially aid in the petrogenesis of Martian magmas.
Literary Proto‐Humans
Authors: Caracciolo Marco
Published: May 2016

Scholars working in different areas of literary studies have recently developed an interest in how literature deals with the ‘deep’, evolutionary history of humankind. Cross‐fertilizing this line of enquiry with accounts of consciousness representation in cognitive narrative theory, my essay explores literary figurations of prehistoric mentalities and their interpretive ramifications. Through two case studies, Jack London's Before Adam (1906) and William Golding's The Inheritors (1955), I examine how fictional texts may convey the difference between modern‐day cognition and the psychological life of our hominid ancestors. By investigating the narrative strategies employed by London (first‐person narration, embedded narrative) and Golding (internal focalization), I advance hypotheses about how such devices may guide readers’ engagements with the two novellas’ protagonists and shape their interpretations. I argue that, while London renders the cognitive specificity of proto‐humans in purely negative terms – that is, by subtracting capacities that we tend to associate with Homo sapiens – Golding stages a complex trade‐off between archaic and modern mentalities. In different ways, both London's and Golding's novellas can prompt reflection on the cognitive evolution of the Homo genus, potentially involving readers in the challenges of thinking about evolutionary phenomena.
On The Virtue of Judging Others
Authors: Zavaliy Andrei G.
Published: May 2016

An other‐directed moral judgement is contrasted with a moral evaluation of one's own behaviour; it is argued that having a capacity to make self‐directed moral judgements is at the core of being within morality, while a lack of disposition on the part of a mature individual to judge others is indicative of the corresponding lack with regard to the self‐directed evaluations. Our readiness to evaluate the behaviour of others measures the level of our commitment to a system of morality. Consistent nonjudgementalism subverts the interpersonal nature of moral values and points to a deeper issue – an unwillingness of a nonjudgementalist to apply moral categories to her own choices.
Which is safer source plasma for manufacturing in China: apheresis plasma or recovered plasma?
Authors: Liu Yu , Li Changqing , Wang Ya , Zhang Yan , Wu Binting , Ke Ling , Xu Min , Liu Gui , Liu Zhong
Published: May 2016

BACKGROUND

In most countries, the plasma for derivative production includes two types of plasma, apheresis plasma (AP) and recovered plasma (RP). However, the plasma recovered from whole blood is not permitted for manufacture in China. Because of the lack of source plasma and the surplus of RP, the Chinese government is considering allowing RP as an equivalent source for the production of plasma derivatives. It is known that human blood can be contaminated by various infectious agents. The objective of the study was to evaluate if infectious risk would increase by enacting this policy.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

The samples from the two types of blood donors from January 1 to December 31, 2013, were collected. Supplementary testing was conducted and the residual risk (RR) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the two types of blood donors and donations were calculated through the incidence–window period model. Prevalence of the markers of hepatitis E virus, hepatitis A virus, severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome bunyavirus, cytomegalovirus, B19, and West Nile virus was calculated.

RESULTS

No significant difference was found in the RR of the three pathogens in the two types of blood donors. However, after the quarantine period, the RR of HCV and HIV in AP was significantly lower than that in RP. A quarantine period of 2 years will make the infectious risk of RP not significantly different than that of AP.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data demonstrate that allowing RP to be used for the manufacture of plasma derivatives will not increase its infectious disease risk if coupled with a 2‐year inventory hold.
Electromagnetic Shielding Effectiveness of a Hybrid Carbon Nanotube/Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composite
Authors: Boroujeni Ayoub Y. , Tehrani Mehran , Manteghi Majid , Zhou Zhixian , Al-Haik Marwan
Published: May 2016

A relatively low-temperature carbon nanotube (CNT) synthesis technique, graphitic structure by design (GSD), was utilized to grow CNTs over glass fibers. Composite laminates based on the hybrid CNTs–glass fibers were fabricated and examined for their electromagnetic interfering (EMI) shielding effectiveness (SE), in-plane and out-of-plane electrical conductivities and mechanical properties. Despite degrading the strength and strain-to-failure, improvements in the elastic modulus, electrical conductivities, and EMI SE of the glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites were observed.
Experimental Characterizations and Estimation of the Natural Frequency of Nonlinear Rubber-Damped Torsional Vibration Absorbers
Authors: Shangguan Wen-Bin , Guo Yiming , Wei Yuming , Rakheja Subhash , Zhu Weidong
Published: May 2016

The natural frequency of a rubber-damped torsional vibration absorber (TVA) depends on the excitation amplitudes and frequencies in a highly nonlinear manner. This is due to nonlinear shear properties of the rubber ring. In this study, the nonlinear static and dynamic shear characteristics of a rubber ring, and the natural frequency of a nonlinear TVA are experimentally characterized firstly. Since a rubber ring employed in a rubber-damped TVA is usually in the compression state, its static and dynamic shear properties depend upon the compression ratio and dimensions apart from the chemical ingredients in a highly complex manner. The prediction of the natural frequency of a rubber-ring TVA thus poses considerable complexities. In this study, a special fixture is designed and fabricated for characterizing shear properties of a rubber ring subject to different compression ratios. The shear properties are subsequently characterized using different constitutive models, and a methodology for identifying the model parameters is presented considering the measured properties. Second, a methodology for estimating the natural frequency of the TVA is proposed, and the effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated through comparisons of the estimated natural frequency with the measured values. The results of the study suggest that the model using fractional derivatives to characterize nonlinear shear properties of a rubber ring can be effectively used to obtain accurate estimation of natural frequency of a nonlinear TVA over a wide range of excitations. The natural frequency of a TVA can thus be accurately estimated before prototyping using the experimental and modeling methods developed in this paper.
Design and qualification of an UHV system for operation on sounding rockets
Authors: Grosse Jens , Seidel Stephan Tobias , Becker Dennis , Lachmann Maike Diana , Scharringhausen Marco , Braxmaier Claus , Rasel Ernst Maria
Published: May 2016

The sounding rocket mission MAIUS-1 has the objective to create the first Bose–Einstein condensate in space; therefore, its scientific payload is a complete cold atom experiment built to be launched on a VSB-30 sounding rocket. An essential part of the setup is an ultrahigh vacuum system needed in order to sufficiently suppress interactions of the cooled atoms with the residual background gas. Contrary to vacuum systems on missions aboard satellites or the international space station, the required vacuum environment has to be reached within 47 s after motor burn-out. This paper contains a detailed description of the MAIUS-1 vacuum system, as well as a description of its qualification process for the operation under vibrational loads of up to 8.1 gRMS (where RMS is root mean square). Even though a pressure rise dependent on the level of vibration was observed, the design presented herein is capable of regaining a pressure of below 5 × 10−10 mbar in less than 40 s when tested at 5.4 gRMS. To the authors' best knowledge, it is the first UHV system qualified for operation on a sounding rocket.
A beam hardening and dispersion correction for x‐ray dark‐field radiography
Authors: Pelzer Georg , Anton Gisela , Horn Florian , Rieger Jens , Ritter André , Wandner Johannes , Weber Thomas , Michel Thilo
Published: May 2016

Purpose:

X‐ray dark‐field imaging promises information on the small angle scattering properties even of large samples. However, the dark‐field image is correlated with the object's attenuation and phase‐shift if a polychromatic x‐ray spectrum is used. A method to remove part of these correlations is proposed.

Methods:

The experimental setup for image acquisition was modeled in a wave‐field simulation to quantify the dark‐field signals originating solely from a material's attenuation and phase‐shift. A calibration matrix was simulated for ICRU46 breast tissue. Using the simulated data, a dark‐field image of a human mastectomy sample was corrected for the finger print of attenuation‐ and phase‐image.

Results:

Comparing the simulated, attenuation‐based dark‐field values to a phantom measurement, a good agreement was found. Applying the proposed method to mammographic dark‐field data, a reduction of the dark‐field background and anatomical noise was achieved. The contrast between microcalcifications and their surrounding background was increased.

Conclusions:

The authors show that the influence of and dispersion can be quantified by simulation and, thus, measured image data can be corrected. The simulation allows to determine the corresponding dark‐field artifacts for a wide range of setup parameters, like tube‐voltage and filtration. The application of the proposed method to mammographic dark‐field data shows an increase in contrast compared to the original image, which might simplify a further image‐based diagnosis.
Technical Note: A fast online adaptive replanning method for VMAT using flattening filter free beams
Authors: Ates Ozgur , Ahunbay Ergun E. , Moreau Michel , Li X. Allen
Published: May 2016

Purpose:

To develop a fast replanning algorithm based on segment aperture morphing (SAM) for online replanning of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) with flattening filter free (FFF) beams.

Methods:

A software tool was developed to interface with a VMAT research planning system, which enables the input and output of beam and machine parameters of VMAT plans. The SAM algorithm was used to modify multileaf collimator positions for each segment aperture based on the changes of the target from the planning (CT/MR) to daily image [CT/CBCT/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)]. The leaf travel distance was controlled for large shifts to prevent the increase of VMAT delivery time. The SAM algorithm was tested for 11 patient cases including prostate, pancreatic, and lung cancers. For each daily image set, three types of VMAT plans, image‐guided radiation therapy (IGRT) repositioning, SAM adaptive, and full‐scope reoptimization plans, were generated and compared.

Results:

The SAM adaptive plans were found to have improved the plan quality in target and/or critical organs when compared to the IGRT repositioning plans and were comparable to the reoptimization plans based on the data of planning target volume (PTV)‐V100 (volume covered by 100% of prescription dose). For the cases studied, the average PTV‐V100 was 98.85% ± 1.13%, 97.61% ± 1.45%, and 92.84% ± 1.61% with FFF beams for the reoptimization, SAM adaptive, and repositioning plans, respectively. The execution of the SAM algorithm takes less than 10 s using 16‐CPU (2.6 GHz dual core) hardware.

Conclusions:

The SAM algorithm can generate adaptive VMAT plans using FFF beams with comparable plan qualities as those from the full‐scope reoptimization plans based on daily CT/CBCT/MRI and can be used for online replanning to address interfractional variations.
The need for global regulatory harmonization: A public health imperative
Authors: Zerhouni Elias , Hamburg Margaret
Published: May 2016

Because public health and innovation are no longer national issues, regulatory authorities must apply a global view to oversight.
Science Alive!: Connecting with Elementary Students through Science Exploration
Authors: Raja Aarti , Lavin Emily Schmitt , Gali Tamara , Donovan Kaitlin
Published: May 2016

A novel program called Science Alive! was developed by undergraduate faculty members, K–12 school teachers, and undergraduate students to enrich science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) literacy at community schools located near the university. The ultimate goal of the program is to bolster the scientific knowledge and appreciation of local area students and community members and serve as a model for similar programs. Through the program, we observed that elementary school students made gains toward learning their grade-level science curricula after a hands-on learning experience and had fun doing these hands-on activities. Through the program, undergraduate students, working with graduate students and alumni, build scientific learning modules using explanatory handouts and creative activities as classroom exercises. This helps better integrate scientific education through a collaborative, hands-on learning program. Results showed that elementary school students made the highest learning gains in their performance on higher-level questions related to both forces and matter as a result of the hands-on learning modules. Additionally, college students enjoyed the hands-on activities, would consider volunteering their time at such future events, and saw the service learning program as a benefit to their professional development through community building and discipline-specific service. The science modules were developed according to grade-level curricular standards and can be used year after year to teach or explain a scientific topic to elementary school students via a hands-on learning approach.
Use of Computer Models and Animations to Teach about B Cell (antibody) and T Cell Recombination (TCR)
Authors: Norflus Fran , Allen Neil Charles
Published: May 2016

This manuscript presents a technique on how to use both computer models and animations to teach about the process of recombination. This is a traditionally difficult topic taught in both microbiology and immunology classes. Active learning techniques are presented to help teach the students about this process. In more introductory classes, the instructor can teach the students about how antibody molecules are made. In more advanced classes, this topic can be expanded and the students can also learn how T cell receptors are made. Initially, the students are shown an animation of antibody recombination where they can select to see the different segments coming together which are randomly generated. Then, they look at their computers to see the different segments of antibodies shown in different colors and they can select one fragment from the different sections. We feel that the use of these different techniques is important in reinforcing the topic.
Modeling Influenza Antigenic Shift and Drift with LEGO Bricks
Authors: Marintcheva Boriana
Published: May 2016

The concepts of antigenic shift and drift could be found in almost every microbiology and virology syllabus, usually taught in the context of Influenza virus biology. They are central to understanding viral diversity and evolution and have direct application to anti-flu vaccine design and effectiveness. To aid student understanding of the concepts, I have developed an exercise to visualize the mechanistic aspects of antigenic shift and drift using LEGO bricks. This hands-on/minds-on exercise asks students to replicate viruses taking into account the error-prone nature of Influenza RNA polymerase and to package model virions from a host cell infected with two different Influenza strains, while keeping track of the level of diversity of newly propagated viral particles. The exercise can be executed in any type of classroom for about 10 minutes and if desired, extended to emphasize quantitative skills, molecular biology concepts, or to trigger discussion of key issues in vaccine design.
Journal Watch
Authors: Herzog Jennifer A.
Published: May 2016

Articles on recent developments and new technology used in microbiology and related fields, as well as pedagogical papers to enhance science education.
MPLEx: a Robust and Universal Protocol for Single-Sample Integrative Proteomic, Metabolomic, and Lipidomic Analyses
Authors: Nakayasu Ernesto S. , Nicora Carrie D. , Sims Amy C. , Burnum-Johnson Kristin E. , Kim Young-Mo , Kyle Jennifer E. , Matzke Melissa M. , Shukla Anil K. , Chu Rosalie K. , Schepmoes Athena A. , Jacobs Jon M. , Baric Ralph S. , Webb-Robertson Bobbie-Jo , Smith Richard D. , Metz Thomas O.
Published: May 2016

In systems biology studies, the integration of multiple omics measurements (i.e., genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics) has been shown to provide a more complete and informative view of biological pathways. Thus, the prospect of extracting different types of molecules (e.g., DNAs, RNAs, proteins, and metabolites) and performing multiple omics measurements on single samples is very attractive, but such studies are challenging due to the fact that the extraction conditions differ according to the molecule type. Here, we adapted an organic solvent-based extraction method that demonstrated broad applicability and robustness, which enabled comprehensive proteomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics analyses from the same sample.
The use, appropriateness and outcomes of outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy
Authors: Hodgson Kate A , Huynh Julie , Ibrahim Laila F , Sacks Bronwyn , Golshevsky Daniel , Layley Michael , Spagnolo Mark , Raymundo Chin-Mae , Bryant Penelope A
Published: May 2016

Objective

Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) is increasingly used to treat children at home, but studies in children are scarce. We aimed to describe the use, appropriateness and outcomes of OPAT in children.

Design

This was a 12-month prospective observational study.

Setting

The hospital-in-the-home programme of The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne.

Patients

All patients receiving OPAT.

Interventions

Data were collected including demographics, diagnosis, type of venous access and antibiotic choice.

Main outcome measures

Length of stay, adverse events, readmission rate and appropriateness of antibiotic use.

Results

228 patients received OPAT in 251 episodes. The median age was 7.4 years (range 1 week to 21 years), with 22 patients (10%) under 1 year. The most frequent diagnoses were exacerbation of cystic fibrosis (17%), urinary tract infection (12%) and cellulitis (9%). Most patients were transferred from the ward, but 18% were transferred directly from the emergency department, the majority with skin and soft-tissue infection (66%). Venous access was most commonly peripherally inserted central catheter (29%) and peripheral cannula (29%). 309 parenteral antibiotics were prescribed, most frequently ceftriaxone (28%) and gentamicin (19%). The majority of antibiotics (72%) were prescribed appropriately. However, 6% were deemed an inappropriate choice for the indication and 26% had inappropriate dose or duration. The incidence of central line-associated bloodstream infections was 0.9%. The unplanned readmission rate was 4%, with low rates of OPAT-related adverse events. Three children (1%) had an inadequate clinical response.

Conclusions

OPAT is a safe and effective way of providing antibiotics to children. Despite high rates of appropriate antibiotic use, improvements can still be made.
Trends in suicidal behaviour in Dutch general practice 1983–2013: a retrospective observational study
Authors: de Beurs Derek P , Hooiveld Mariette , Kerkhof Ad J F M , Korevaar Joke C , Donker Gé A
Published: May 2016

Objectives

To analyse trends in suicidal behaviour as reported by the Dutch sentinel general practices from 1983 to 2013. Second, to examine the relationship between suicidal behaviour and several patient characteristics. Finally, to compare the relationship between suicidal behaviour and patient characteristics before (1983–2007) and after (2008–2013) the start of the crisis.

Setting

40 general practices in the Netherlands during the period 1983–2013.

Participants

Patients with an ICPC code of P77 (suicide attempt).

Primary and secondary outcomes

Primary outcomes were age-adjusted and gender-specific trends in reported suicides (342) and suicide attempts (1614). Secondary outcomes were the relationship between suicidal behaviour and age, household composition, history of depression, recognition of suicide ideation, treatment before the suicidal behaviour and contact within the past month before suicidal behaviour for the period 1983–2013. Additionally, separate frequencies for the periods 1983–2007 and 2008–2013 were presented.

Results

Join-point analyses revealed a significant rise in male suicides from 2008 (b=0.32, SE=0.1, p=0.008), and an increase in male suicide attempts since 2009 (b=0.19, SE=0.04, p<0.001). Female suicidal behaviour showed a steady decrease from 1989 to 2013(b=−0.03, SE=0.007, p<0.0001 for female suicide, b=−0.02, SE=0.002, p<0.001 for female attempts). Before 2007, a history of depression was reported in 65% (168/257) of the suicides. After the start of the recession, a depression was recognised in 44% (22/50) of the patients who died by suicide.

Conclusions

Since 2008, there was a rise in the male suicide rate while female suicide behaviour has continued to decline. General practitioners less often reported a history of depression within patients who died due to suicide after 2007 than before. Training in the early recognition of suicide ideation in depressive patients might improve suicide prevention in primary care.
Effects of closure of an urban level I trauma centre on adjacent hospitals and local injury mortality: a retrospective, observational study
Authors: Crandall Marie , Sharp Douglas , Wei Xiong , Nathens Avery , Hsia Renee Y
Published: May 2016

Objective

To determine the association of the Martin Luther King Jr Hospital (MLK) closure on the distribution of admissions on adjacent trauma centres, and injury mortality rates in these centres and within the county.

Design

Observational, retrospective study.

Setting

Non-public patient-level data from the state of California were obtained for all trauma patients from 1999 to 2009. Geospatial analysis was used to visualise the redistribution of trauma patients to other hospitals after MLK closed. Variance of observed to expected injury mortality using multivariate logistic regression was estimated for the study period.

Participants

A total of 37 131 trauma patients were admitted to the five major south Los Angeles trauma centres from the MLK service area between 1999 and 2009.

Main outcome measures

(1) Number and type of trauma admissions to trauma centres in closest proximity to MLK; (2) inhospital injury mortality of trauma patients after the trauma centre closure.

Results

During and after the MLK closure, trauma admissions increased at three of the four nearby hospitals, particularly admissions for gunshot wounds (GSWs). This redistribution of patient load was accompanied by a dramatic change in the payer mix for surrounding hospitals; one hospital's share of uninsured more than tripled from 12.9% in 1999 to 44.6% by 2009. Overall trauma mortality did not significantly change, but GSW mortality steadily and significantly increased after the closure from 5.0% in 2007 to 7.5% in 2009.

Conclusions

Though local hospitals experienced a dramatic increase in trauma patient volume, overall mortality for trauma patients did not significantly change after MLK closed.
Harmonising summary measures of population health using global survey instruments
Authors: Berger Nicolas , Robine Jean-Marie , Ojima Toshiyuki , Madans Jennifer , Van Oyen Herman
Published: May 2016

Summary measures of population health—health expectancies in particular—have become a standard for quantifying and monitoring population health. To date, cross-national comparability of health expectancies is limited, except within the European Union (EU). To advance international comparability, the European Joint Action on Healthy Life Years (JA: EHLEIS) set up an international working group. The working group discussed the conceptual basis of summary measures of population health and made suggestions for the development of comparable health expectancies to be used across the EU and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) members. In this paper, which summarises the main results, we argue that harmonised health data needed for health expectancy calculation can best be obtained from ‘global’ survey measures, which provide a snapshot of the health situation using 1 or a few survey questions. We claim that 2 global measures of health should be pursued for their high policy relevance: a global measure of participation restriction and a global measure of functional limitation. We finally provide a blueprint for the future development and implementation of the 2 global measures. The blueprint sets the basis for subsequent international collaboration, having as a core group Member States of the EU, the USA and Japan. Other countries, in particular OECD members, are invited to join the initiative.
Constructing PbS quantum dot sensitized ZnO nanorod array photoelectrodes for highly efficient photovoltaic devices
Authors: Mehrabian Masood , Ghasemian Naser
Published: May 2016

Solar cells with ZnO film/ZnO nanorods (NRs)/PbS quantum dot (QD) photoelectrodes were constructed and various properties were studied. The ZnO NRs were grown for different periods varying from 0 (ZnO film) to 30 min (ZnO NR30) and the effect of growth period on the photovoltaic properties was investigated. The cell with ZnO film/PbS QD as photoelectrode showed the open circuit voltage VOC of 0.59 V, short circuit current density JSC of 10.06 mAcm−2, and the power conversion efficiency of 3.29% under one sun illumination (air mass 1.5 global illumination at 100 mWcm−2). In a device containing of ZnO film/ZnO NR10/PbS QD (as photoelectrode), mentioned photovoltaic parameters increased to 0.61 V, 10.47 mAcm−2 and 3.81%, respectively.
Responses of natural 15N abundance in cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis) and soil to the application of organic and chemical fertilizers
Authors: Wang Hui , Hu Guoqing , Lou Yanhong , Su Zhihui , Zhuge Yuping , Meng Fanqiao
Published: May 2016

Natural nitrogen isotope abundance (δ15N) has been suggested as a potential indicator for discriminating organic vegetables from their conventional counterparts. However, little is known about the δ15N characteristic of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis) under organic production and how the application of chemical fertilizers could affect this characteristic. In this study, δ15N characteristics of cauliflower (including the intra-plant δ15N characteristic) and soil under different fertilization treatments were investigated under field conditions. Five treatments were laid out: control, chemical fertilizers (F4M0), organic fertilizer (F0M4), and chemical fertilizer in combination with organic fertilizer at the ratio of 3:1 (F3M1) and 1:3 (F1M3). Results showed that plant δ15N was positively correlated with fertilizer δ15N and plant root/flower was more sensitive to changes of fertilizer δ15N and soil δ15N than leaf/stem. Distribution of δ15N in different plant parts (especially in flower and leaf) was significantly changed when organic fertilizers were partially or totally substituted by chemical fertilizers, suggesting a comparison of flower δ15N and leaf δ15N might be applicable for the organic identification of marketed cauliflowers. Our results provide fundamental data for the soil- and fertilizer-specific crop δ15N database and indicate that the intra-plant δ15N characteristic could be helpful for organic cauliflower identification.
Dielectric properties of (Na0.5Bi0.5)TiO3–Ba0.7Sr0.3Sn0.02Ti0.98O3 composite ceramics
Authors: Wang Jing , Rong Guijuan , Liu Lei , Cheng Haiyan , Jiang Qi , Li Chuangchuang , Wang Mengmeng
Published: May 2016

Lead-free [Formula: see text]Na[Formula: see text]Bi[Formula: see text]TiO3–[Formula: see text]Ba[Formula: see text]Sr[Formula: see text]Sn[Formula: see text]Ti[Formula: see text]O3 (NBT–BSST) ceramics are prepared by a wet solid-phase reaction method. The effect of NBT/BSST ratio on phase structure, microstructure and dielectric properties has been investigated in detail. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis illustrates that the composites are composed of tetragonal perovskite. With increasing NBT content, the ceramic capacitors display stronger temperature stability in its dielectric behavior. A great enhance of dielectric properties and other electric parameters is obtained in this system by properly modulating the compositions. For example, the composite ceramics with 30% NBT content possess a large dielectric constant [Formula: see text] of 3200 and a low dielectric loss [Formula: see text] of 0.09. The temperature coefficient of capacitance of NBT–BSST varies from −50% to 20% while the NBT content is 30% at the whole range of measured temperature. The results show that NBT–BSST ceramics are a good candidate of lead-free dielectric materials.
Structural stability, electronic, mechanical and thermodynamical properties of CaNi2P2and CaNi2Sb2compounds by band structure calculation
Authors: Harish R. Sugan , Jayalakshmi D. S. , Viswanathan E. , Sundareswari M.
Published: May 2016

The mechanical, electronic, thermodynamic properties and structural stability of tetragonal structured CaNi2P2and CaNi2Sb2intermetallic compounds has been studied using the FP-LAPW method based on density functional theory. The PBE–GGA exchange correlation has been applied. Using the computed elastic constants, various elastic moduli such as bulk, shear, Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio and anisotropy constant are calculated and discussed. Stability of the compounds is confirmed by using their elastic constants. Pugh’s ratio is calculated to analyze the mechanical nature of the compound.
Radiation from a D-dimensional collision of shock waves: Two-dimensional reduction and Carter–Penrose diagram
Authors: Coelho Flávio S. , Sampaio Marco O. P.
Published: May 2016

We analyze the causal structure of the two-dimensional (2D) reduced background used in the perturbative treatment of a head-on collision of two [Formula: see text]-dimensional Aichelburg–Sexl gravitational shock waves. After defining all causal boundaries, namely the future light-cone of the collision and the past light-cone of a future observer, we obtain characteristic coordinates using two independent methods. The first is a geometrical construction of the null rays which define the various light cones, using a parametric representation. The second is a transformation of the 2D reduced wave operator for the problem into a hyperbolic form. The characteristic coordinates are then compactified allowing us to represent all causal light rays in a conformal Carter–Penrose diagram. Our construction holds to all orders in perturbation theory. In particular, we can easily identify the singularities of the source functions and of the Green’s functions appearing in the perturbative expansion, at each order, which is crucial for a successful numerical evaluation of any higher order corrections using this method.
THE EFFECTS OF ALLIANCE PORTFOLIO DIVERSITY ON INNOVATION PERFORMANCE: A STUDY OF PARTNER AND ALLIANCE CHARACTERISTICS IN THE BIO-PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
Authors: MARHOLD KLAUS , JINHWAN KIM MARCO , KANG JINA
Published: May 2016

This study investigates the effects of alliance portfolio diversity on the innovation performance of firms. Alliance portfolio diversity is defined using partner characteristics (partner industrial background) and alliance characteristics (alliance objective). We also investigate the interaction between these two measures of diversity on innovation performance. The hypotheses are tested on a dataset of R&D alliances in the US biopharmaceutical industry from 1998–2002. We find an inverted U-shape relationship between the diversity of alliance partners’ industrial background and innovation performance, and a negative interaction of partner diversity and the diversity of the alliance objectives. This study contributes to the growing field of alliance portfolio diversity research by introducing a new alliance characteristic-based dimension of diversity and testing the interaction of different diversities. Our findings imply that firms with diverse alliance partners in particular need to be careful not to focus on too many objectives at the same time.
Participant Privacy in Mobile Crowd Sensing Task Management
Authors: Pournajaf Layla , Garcia-Ulloa Daniel A. , Xiong Li , Sunderam Vaidy
Published: May 2016

Mobile crowd sensing enables a broad range of novel applications by leveraging mobile devices and smartphone users worldwide. While this paradigm is immensely useful, it involves the collection of detailed information from sensors and their carriers (i.e. participants) during task management processes including participant recruitment and task distribution. Such information might compromise participant privacy in various regards by identification or disclosure of sensitive attributes -- thereby increasing vulnerability and subsequently reducing participation. In this survey, we identify different task management approaches in mobile crowd sensing, and assess the threats to participant privacy when personal information is disclosed. We also outline how privacy mechanisms are utilized in existing sensing applications to protect the participants against these threats. Finally, we discuss continuing challenges facing participant privacy-preserving approaches during task management.
Fate Mapping and Quantitation of Hematopoiesis In Vivo
Authors: Höfer Thomas , Busch Katrin , Klapproth Kay , Rodewald Hans-Reimer
Published: May 2016

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and downstream progenitors have long been studied based on phenotype, cell purification, proliferation, and transplantation into myeloablated recipients. These experiments, complemented by data on expression profiles, mouse mutants, and humans with hematopoietic defects, are the foundation for the current hematopoietic differentiation tree. However, there are fundamental gaps in our knowledge of the quantitative and qualitative operation of the HSC/progenitor system under physiological and pathological conditions in vivo. The hallmarks of HSCs, self-renewal and multipotency, are observed in in vitro assays and cell transplantation experiments; however, the extent to which these features occur naturally in HSCs and progenitors remains uncertain. We focus here on work that strives to address these unresolved questions, with emphasis on fate mapping and modeling of the hematopoietic flow from stem cells toward myeloid and lymphoid lineages during development and adult life.
Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies to HIV and Their Role in Vaccine Design
Authors: Burton Dennis R. , Hangartner Lars
Published: May 2016

HIV employs multiple means to evade the humoral immune response, particularly the elicitation of and recognition by broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs). Such antibodies can act antivirally against a wide spectrum of viruses by targeting relatively conserved regions on the surface HIV envelope trimer spike. Elicitation of and recognition by bnAbs are hindered by the arrangement of spikes on virions and the relatively difficult access to bnAb epitopes on spikes, including the proximity of variable regions and a high density of glycans. Yet, in a small proportion of HIV-infected individuals, potent bnAb responses do develop, and isolation of the corresponding monoclonal antibodies has been facilitated by identification of favorable donors with potent bnAb sera and by development of improved methods for human antibody generation. Molecular studies of recombinant Env trimers, alone and in interaction with bnAbs, are providing new insights that are fueling the development and testing of promising immunogens aimed at the elicitation of bnAbs.
Give Me Attitudes
Authors: Hatemi Peter K. , McDermott Rose
Published: May 2016

Explorations of political attitudes and ideologies have sought to explain where they come from. They have been presumed to be rooted in processes of socialization; to be imposed by elites through partisan affiliations, the social milieu, and experiences; or to result from psychological traits. Far less attention has been focused on the inherent component of attitudes and where attitudes lead. Synthesizing research across academic fields, we propose that attitudes are a core constituent element of individual temperament, with far-reaching influence on many aspects of psychological and social functioning. Once instantiated, political values guide human behavior across domains, including affiliation into social networks, mate selection, physiological perception, psychological disposition, personality characteristics, morality construction, decision making, and selection into the very environments that influence political preferences. Here, we reconceptualize the ontology of political attitudes and ideologies from both a top-down and bottom-up perspective and as a combination of biological and environmental processes that drive an entire suite of coordinated downstream effects across the life course.
Hypothalamic roles of mTOR complex I: integration of nutrient and hormone signals to regulate energy homeostasis
Authors: Hu Fang , Xu Yong , Liu Feng
Published: May 2016

Mammalian or mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) senses nutrient, energy, and hormone signals to regulate metabolism and energy homeostasis. mTOR activity in the hypothalamus, which is associated with changes in energy status, plays a critical role in the regulation of food intake and body weight. mTOR integrates signals from a variety of “energy balancing” hormones such as leptin, insulin, and ghrelin, although its action varies in response to these distinct hormonal stimuli as well as across different neuronal populations. In this review, we summarize and highlight recent findings regarding the functional roles of mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) in the hypothalamus specifically in its regulation of body weight, energy expenditure, and glucose/lipid homeostasis. Understanding the role and underlying mechanisms behind mTOR-related signaling in the brain will undoubtedly pave new avenues for future therapeutics and interventions that can combat obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes.
Influence of the Culture Medium in Dose-Response Effect of the Chlorhexidine onStreptococcus mutansBiofilms
Authors: Queiroz Vanessa Salvadego de , Ccahuana-Vásquez Renzo Alberto , Tedesco Alcides Fabiano , Lyra Luzia , Cury Jaime Aparecido , Schreiber Angélica Zaninelli
Published: May 2016

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of culture medium on dose-response effect of chlorhexidine (CHX) onStreptococcus mutansUA159 biofilm and validate the use of the cation-adjusted-Müller-Hinton broth (MH) for the evaluation of antibacterial activity. Ultrafiltered Tryptone-Yeast Extract Broth (UTYEB) was compared against MH and MH with blood supplementation (MHS). For each medium, six groups (n=4) were assessed: two negative control groups (baseline 48 and 120 h) and four experimental groups (0.0001, 0.001, 0.012, and 0.12% CHX).S. mutansbiofilm grew on glass slides of each media containing 1% sucrose. After 48 h of growth, biofilms of baseline 48 h were collected and the other groups were treated for 1 min, twice a day, for 3 days, with their respective treatments. The media were changed daily and pH was measured. After 120 h, biofilms were collected and dry weight and viable microorganisms were determined. Results showed CHX dose-response effect being observed in all media for all the variables. However, MH and MHS showed higher sensitivity than UTYEB (p<0.05). We can conclude that the culture medium does influence dose-response effect of CHX onStreptococcus mutansbiofilm and that MH can be used for antibacterial activity.
Extended Ellipsoidal Outer-Bounding Set-Membership Estimation for Nonlinear Discrete-Time Systems with Unknown-but-Bounded Disturbances
Authors: Liu Yushuang , Zhao Yan , Wu Falin
Published: May 2016

This paper develops an extended ellipsoidal outer-bounding set-membership estimation (EEOB-SME) algorithm with high accuracy and efficiency for nonlinear discrete-time systems under unknown-but-bounded (UBB) disturbances. The EEOB-SME linearizes the first-order terms about the current state estimations and bounds the linearization errors by ellipsoids using interval analysis for nonlinear equations of process and measurement equations, respectively. It has been demonstrated that the EEOB-SME algorithm is stable and the estimation errors of the EEOB-SME are bounded when the nonlinear system is observable. The EEOB-SME decreases the computation load and the feasible sets of EEOB-SME contain more true states. The efficiency of the EEOB-SME algorithm has been shown by a numerical simulation under UBB disturbances.