bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social Memory and the Resilience of Communities Affected by Land Degradation
Authors: Wilson Geoff A. , Kelly Claire L. , Briassoulis Helen , Ferrara Agostino , Quaranta Gianni , Salvia Rosanna , Detsis Vassilis , Curfs Michiel , Cerda Artemio , El‐Aich Ahmed , Liu Honghu , Kosmas Costas , Alados Concepción L. , Imeson Anton , Landgrebe‐Trinkunaite Ruta , Salvati Luca , Naumann Sandra , Danwen Hu , Iosifides Theodoros , Kizos Thanassis , Mancino Giuseppe , Nolè Angelo , Jiang Min , Zhang Pingcang
Published: November 2016

Based on evidence collected in 22 village communities from nine study sites situated in Spain, Italy, Greece, Morocco and China, this study analyses the complex interlinkages between social memory, community resilience and land degradation. Social memory is seen as an important explanation regarding the ability of a local community to manage and cope with land degradation. Emphasis is placed on the importance of three components of social memory—rites, traditions and social learning processes—for shaping community resilience in coping with land degradation processes. The study argues that although there are subtle differences between the 22 village communities, the loss of social memory and learning pathways associated with managing land degradation is emerging as a critical factor constraining stakeholders from effectively responding to land degradation issues. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Childhood macrophagic myofasciitis: A series from the Indian subcontinent
Authors: Kakkar Aanchal , Rajeshwari Madhu , Nalwa Aasma , Suri Vaishali , Sarkar Chitra , Chakrabarty Biswaroop , Gulati Sheffali , Sharma Mehar C.
Published: November 2016

Introduction

Macrophagic myofasciitis (MMF) is a rare disorder, reported mainly in European adults, with occasional childhood cases. We report a series of 6 patients with pediatric MMF from the Indian subcontinent.

Methods

Clinical details, creatine kinase levels, and results of electromyography are described for patients diagnosed with MMF. Fresh‐frozen and formalin‐fixed muscle biopsies were evaluated by hematoxylin‐eosin staining, histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy.

Results

Six of 2,218 muscle biopsies were diagnosed as MMF; patient charts were reviewed. The 6 patients were all children; all presented with hypotonia and/or motor delay. Mean age at diagnosis was 16.2 months. There were 4 boys and 2 girls. All had a history of hepatitis B vaccination. Histopathology revealed infiltration by sheets of large periodic acid–Schiff stain‐positive histiocytes. Ultrastructural examination demonstrated needle‐shaped crystals within histiocytes. One patient had a co‐existent neuromuscular disorder, merosin‐deficient congenital muscular dystrophy.

Conclusions

MMF is a rare inflammatory myopathy that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of congenital myopathies in children. Muscle Nerve 56: 71–77, 2017.
Accelerated ferumoxytol‐enhanced 4D multiphase, steady‐state imaging with contrast enhancement (MUSIC) cardiovascular MRI: validation in pediatric congenital heart disease
Authors: Zhou Ziwu , Han Fei , Rapacchi Stanislas , Nguyen Kim‐Lien , Brunengraber Daniel Z. , Kim Grace‐Hyun J. , Finn J. Paul , Hu Peng
Published: November 2016

The purpose of this work was to validate a parallel imaging (PI) and compressed sensing (CS) combined reconstruction method for a recently proposed 4D non‐breath‐held, multiphase, steady‐state imaging technique (MUSIC) cardiovascular MRI in a cohort of pediatric congenital heart disease patients. We implemented a graphics processing unit accelerated CS‐PI combined reconstruction method and applied it in 13 pediatric patients who underwent cardiovascular MRI after ferumoxytol administration. Conventional breath‐held contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CE‐MRA) was first performed during the first pass of ferumoxytol injection, followed by the original MUSIC and the proposed CS‐PI MUSIC during the steady‐state distribution phase of ferumoxytol. Qualities of acquired images were then evaluated using a four‐point scale. Left ventricular volumes and ejection fractions calculated from the original MUSIC and the CS‐PI MUSIC were also compared with conventional multi‐slice 2D cardiac cine MRI. The proposed CS‐PI MUSIC reduced the imaging time of the MUSIC acquisition to 4.6 ± 0.4 min from 8.9 ± 1.2 min. Computationally intensive image reconstruction was completed within 5 min without interruption of sequential clinical scans. The proposed method (mean 3.3–4.0) provided image quality comparable to that of the original MUSIC (3.2–4.0) (all P ≥ 0.42), and better than conventional breath‐held first‐pass CE‐MRA (1.1–3.3) for 13 anatomical structures (all P ≤ 0.0014) with good inter‐observer agreement (κ > 0.46). The calculated ventricular volumes and ejection fractions from both original MUSIC (r > 0.90) and CS‐PI MUSIC (r > 0.85) correlated well with 2D cine imaging. In conclusion, PI and CS were successfully incorporated into the 4D MUSIC acquisition to further reduce scan time by approximately 50% while maintaining highly comparable image quality in a clinically practical reconstruction time.
Preparation and performance study on P(St‐MMA)‐SiO2 doped P(VDF‐HFP) based composite polymer electrolyte
Authors: Wang Zhiyan , Miao Chang , Yan Xuemin , Mei Ping , Xiao Wei
Published: November 2016

The organic–inorganic hybrid material poly(styrene‐methyl methacrylate)‐silica (P(St‐MMA)‐SiO2) was successfully prepared by in situ polymerization confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and was employed to fabricate poly(vinylidene fluoride‐hexafluoropropylene) (P(VDF‐HFP)) based composite polymer electrolyte (CPE) membrane. Desirable CPEs can be obtained by immersing the CPE membranes into 1.0 mol L−1 LiPF6‐EC/DMC/EMC (LiPF6 ethylene carbonate + dimethyl carbonate + ethylmethyl carbonate) liquid electrolyte for about 0.5 h for activation. The corresponding physicochemical properties were characterized by SEM, XRD, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and charge–discharge cycle testing measurements. The results indicate that the as‐prepared CPEs have excellent properties when the mass ratio of the hybrid P(St‐MMA)‐SiO2 particles to polymer matrix P(VDF‐HFP) reaches 1:10, at which point the SEM analyses show that the as‐prepared P(St‐MMA)‐SiO2 particles are uniformly dispersed in the membrane and the CPE membrane presents a homogeneous surface with abundant interconnected micropores. The XRD results show that there may exist interaction forces between the P(St‐MMA)‐SiO2 particles and the polymer matrix, which can obviously decrease the crystallinity of the composite membrane. Moreover, the ionic conductivity at room temperature and the electrochemical working window of the CPE membrane can reach 3.146 mS cm−1 and 4.7 V, respectively. The assembled LiCoO2/CPE/Li coin cell with the CPE presents excellent charge–discharge and C‐rate performance, which indicates that P(St‐MMA)‐SiO2 hybrid material is a promising additive for the P(VDF‐HFP) based CPE of the lithium ion battery. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Photovoltaics literature survey (no. 130)
Authors: Hameiri Ziv
Published: November 2016

In order to help readers stay up‐to‐date in the field, each issue of Progress in Photovoltaics will contain a list of recently published journal articles that are most relevant to its aims and scope. This list is drawn from an extremely wide range of journals, including IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics, Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Renewable Energy, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Journal of Applied Physics, and Applied Physics Letters. To assist readers, the list is separated into broad categories, but please note that these classifications are by no means strict. Also note that inclusion in the list is not an endorsement of a paper's quality. If you have any suggestions please email Ziv Hameiri at ziv.hameiri@unsw.edu.au.
Resistance evolution in Drosophila: the case of CYP6G1
Authors: Le Goff Gaelle , Hilliou Frédérique
Published: November 2016

The massive use of DDT as an insecticide between 1940 and 1970 has resulted in the emergence of a resistant population of insects. One of the main metabolic mechanisms developed by resistant insects involves detoxification enzymes such as cytochrome P450s. These enzymes can metabolise the insecticide to render it less toxic and facilitate its elimination from the organism. The P450 Cyp6g1 was identified as the major factor responsible for DDT resistance in Drosophila melanogaster field populations. In this article, we review the data available for this gene since it was associated with resistance in 2002. The knowledge gained on Cyp6g1 allows a better understanding of the evolution of insecticide resistance mechanisms and highlights the major role of transposable elements in evolutionary processes. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
On physical properties of nanoparticles: size effect and scale of nanoobjects
Authors: Uglov V. V. , Doroshevich I. L. , Kvasov N. T. , Remnev G. E. , Shymanski V. I.
Published: November 2016

A transition border between macroscopic and nanoscale states of solids associated with change of its physical properties is certain to exist. The change of mechanical, magnetic, thermal and other properties of nanoparticles may be due to the surface tension, decrease in coordination number in the top‐surface layer, rebuilding of the electron shell structure, change of the symmetry group of the crystal lattice and the binding energy. Different defects of the structure can also have significant influence on the physical properties of nanoparticles. A violation of the Neumann principle with decrease of the crystal sized is constant discussed in the literature. In the present work the dependence of elastic module, Debye's temperature, melting point, thermal expansion coefficient, magnetic structure on a size of metal nanoparticles (first of all iron nanoparticles) is discussed. On the basis of the obtained results the scale border between nano‐ and macroscopic states is justified. In the present work the peculiarity of the physical processes (melting, diffusion, defects complexes formation) occurring in nanoparticles and nanomaterials is discussed. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Infrared defect dynamics – radiation induced complexes in silicon crystals grown by various techniques
Authors: Inoue Naohisa , Sugiyama Takahide , Goto Yasunori , Watanabe Kaori , Seki Hirofumi , Kawamura Yuichi
Published: November 2016

Radiation induced point defect‐light element impurity complexes, basically CiOi, are used widely for lifetime control in power devices for hybrid cars. Recently, not only CZ, but also FZ and epitaxial wafers have been examined as candidates. It has been suggested by luminescence study that CiOi behaved differently during annealing in crystals from different origins. The behavior of CiOi (and VO) during annealing was examined by highly sensitive infrared absorption spectroscopy (IR). CiOi concentration ([CiOi]) after irradiation depended strongly on the growth techniques and as‐grown carbon ([C]) and oxygen ([O]) concentrations. In the basic C‐rich MCZ case, CiOi and VO reacted with each other and decreased steadily with annealing temperature increase. They mostly disappeared at 400 °C. In low [C] CZ case, CiOi residual ratio (RR = α400°C/αRT, α is the absorption coefficient) was higher, probably due to low reaction probability of much lower [CiOi] with VO. In FZ silicon, CiOi residual ratio was low, probably due to rapid break. Thus, IR made systematic and quantitative analysis compared to the luminescence study. In nitrogen‐doped FZ silicon, NV was observed in as‐grown crystals. N2 was modified by irradiation and complicated reaction took place with V or I by annealing. This would affect the CiOi behavior. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Influence of Urbach tail on the refractive index of p‐SnS thin films
Authors: Gupta Yashika , Arun P.
Published: November 2016

Tin sulphide thin films of p‐type conductivity were grown on glass substrates. The refractive index of the as grown films were calculated using both transmission and spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) data. The SE data was fit using Tauc Lorentz model which showed that the films did not absorb for λ > 700 nm. The variation in all the films refractive index with respect to wave‐ length, i.e. the dispersion behaviour of the films in region 700 < λ < 1000 nm were found to follow the Wemple‐Dedomenico (WDD) single oscillator model. The optical properties of the films were found to be closely related to the structural properties of the films. Intrinsic crystal disorders, tin vacancies in p‐SnS thin films leads to ap‐ pearance of defect levels (Urbach tail) within the band‐ gap. The band‐gap and the band tail's spread, intimately controls the refractive index of the films.
Analysis of the experimental data for impurity‐band conduction in Mn‐doped InSb
Authors: Kajikawa Yasutomo
Published: November 2016

The experimental data of the temperature‐dependent Hall‐effect measurements on Mn‐doped p ‐type InSb samples, which exhibit the anomalous sign reversal of the Hall coefficient to negative at low temperatures, have been analyzed on the basis of the nearest‐neighbor hopping model in an impurity band. It is shown that the anomalous sign reversal of the Hall coefficient to negative can be well explained with assuming the hopping Hall factor in the form of Ahop = (kBT /J3) exp (KNNHT3/T) with the negative sign of J3.
Vortex splitting on a planetary scale in the stratosphere by cyclogenesis on a subplanetary scale in the troposphere
Authors: O'Neill A. , Oatley C. L. , Charlton‐Perez A. J. , Mitchell D. M. , Jung T.
Published: November 2016

It is hypothesized that a splitting of the stratospheric polar vortex and a sudden warming can result when the polar vortex is elongated and a closed cyclonic circulation develops on a subplanetary scale in the troposphere beneath one of its tips. The hypothesis is supported by studying the splitting event in the Southern Hemisphere during spring 2002. Potential vorticity inversion and an inverse modelling technique using the adjoint of a fully nonlinear dynamical model are used to confirm that splitting is sensitive to subplanetary‐scale cyclogenesis when it is strong. Examples of stratospheric vortex‐splitting events in the Northern Hemisphere are consistent with the hypothesis. The proposed mechanism for splitting contrasts with the commonly accepted one that it is caused by the upward propagation of a planetary wave from the troposphere. It is suggested that the phenomenon is better understood as an example of a vortex interaction rather than as a wave–mean flow interaction.
Calculating the millimetre‐wave scattering phase function of snowflakes using the self‐similar Rayleigh–Gans Approximation
Authors: Hogan Robin J. , Honeyager Ryan , Tyynelä Jani , Kneifel Stefan
Published: November 2016

Exploitation of millimetre‐wave radiometer and radar observations of ice clouds and snow requires the ability to model the scattering properties of snowflakes. This article extends the Self‐Similar Rayleigh–Gans Approximation (SSRGA) for rapid computation of the backscatter cross‐section of ice aggregates, to compute the full scattering phase function, the scattering and absorption cross‐sections and the asymmetry factor. We also show that the Rayleigh–Gans Approximation (RGA) may be improved to represent the enhanced scattering and absorption when the monomers from which the aggregate is composed are non‐spherical. The new model is shown to perform well when compared to benchmark 94 and 183 GHz Discrete Dipole Approximation (DDA) calculations of the scattering by simulated unrimed aggregates of maximum dimension up to 1 cm that have a mass–size relationship in the range observed from aircraft. For denser particles, such as would result from riming, the validity of the underlying RGA becomes questionable and both the backscatter and scattering cross‐sections can be underestimated by a factor of 2.
Role of ammonium in the ionization of phosphatidylcholines during electrospray mass spectrometry
Authors: Rush Michael D. , van Breemen Richard B.
Published: November 2016

Rationale

Electrospray mass spectrometry methods for the analysis of phosphatidylcholines (PCs) routinely include ammonium acetate or ammonium formate in the mobile phase. In an effort to justify and optimize the use of these additives, we investigated possible functions of ammonium compounds in the ionization of PCs.

Methods

Because PCs contain a quaternary amine, the role of ammonium in neutralizing the negatively charged phosphate group was investigated by using deuterated ammonium acetate, adjusting the pH, varying the organic solvent composition, and by comparing the additives ammonium acetate, ammonium formate and ammonium bicarbonate. Seven PC standards were measured ranging from lyso 1‐palmitoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholine to 1,2‐dieicosapentaenoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholine as well as a mixture of PCs in a krill oil dietary supplement.

Results

Under all conditions tested, aqueous acetonitrile provided more abundant formation of protonated PCs than did aqueous methanol. Regardless of the mobile phase composition and electrospray ion source parameters, no [M + NH4]+ ions were detected. Adding deuterated ammonium acetate to the mobile phase failed to form deuterated PCs, indicating that ammonium is not the source of the proton that neutralizes the phosphate negative charge. Instead, water was the source of the proton as deuterated water resulted in the formation of [M + D]+ ions. Addition of organic acids, ammonium formate, ammonium acetate, or ammonium bicarbonate to the mobile phase did not enhance and in most cases suppressed PC ionization.

Conclusions

Ammonium compounds and organic acids can suppress ionization of PCs when using an aqueous acetonitrile mobile phase during electrospray. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Effects of Rapid Water Level Changes on Fish Assemblages: The Case of a Spillway Gate Collapse in a Neotropical Reservoir
Authors: Baumgartner M. T. , Baumgartner G. , Gomes L. C.
Published: November 2016

River damming and associated reservoir causes intense and dramatic changes that create new environments, with particular structure and functioning. In these systems, flow control and artificial variations in water level are important determinants of the structure of fish assemblages. Planned reduction in water level (drawdown) is used to manage productivity in reservoirs. However, the effects of non‐planned reductions, such as those related to the collapse of spillway gates, are rarely studied. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a rapid reservoir drawdown, because of the collapse of a gate, on the structure of fish assemblage in a Neotropical reservoir, in Southern Brazil, operated as run‐of‐the‐river. Water level variation because of the collapse reached up to 20 m. A canonical analysis of principal coordinates (CAP) was used to summarize the structure of fish assemblage. Spearman rank correlations were performed between each CAP axes retained for interpretation and fish species abundances, to assess the ones that most contributed to observed patterns. The first CAP axis identified strong variations in the spatial scale, while the third axis identified variations in the time scale (before and after the collapse). The most notable negative effect was the loss of several fish that perished during the reservoir drawdown, probably because of adverse limnological conditions. Results showed significant benefits of water level variation on the entire fish assemblage, and we suggest that, observed some peculiarities, this variation can be used to manage reservoirs, as a tool to enhance fish abundances. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Late Oligocene caviomorph rodents from Contamana, Peruvian Amazonia
Authors: Boivin Myriam , Marivaux Laurent , Candela Adriana M. , Orliac Maëva J. , Pujos François , Salas‐Gismondi Rodolfo , Tejada‐Lara Julia V. , Antoine Pierre‐Olivier
Published: November 2016

The Deseadan South American Land Mammal Age (late Early Oligocene – Late Oligocene) attests to a time of great diversification in the caviomorph rodent fossil record. Nevertheless, Deseadan rodent‐bearing localities in Neotropical lowlands are few and poorly known. Here we describe the rodent assemblages from two Late Oligocene localities, near Contamana, Loreto, Peru. Seven taxa are new to science: Palaeosteiromys amazonensis gen. et sp. nov., Plesiosteiromys newelli gen. et sp. nov., Loretomys minutus gen. et sp. nov., Scleromys praecursor sp. nov, Ucayalimys crassidens gen. et sp. nov., Chambiramys sylvaticus gen. et sp. nov. and Chambiramys shipiborum gen. et sp. nov. These rodent faunas show that caviomorphs were relatively diverse in Peruvian Amazonia during the Late Oligocene, with the co‐occurrence of at least three extant superfamilies: Erethizontoidea, Octodontoidea and Chinchilloidea. Additionally, they mark the earliest known occurrences of Scleromys, of a small erethizontid closely related to Microsteiromys and of an adelphomyine closely reminiscent of Ricardomys (all taxa previously restricted to Miocene localities thus far). They also document a form potentially related to Eosallamys (previously known from around the Eocene–Oligocene transition at Santa Rosa in Peruvian Amazonia). Finally, the geographical range of Adelphomyinae and of Deseadomys is widely expanded to the lower latitudes of South America for the Deseadan interval. The latter elements, in addition to the record of a very primitive species of Scleromys, suggest the absence of palaeogeographical and palaeoenvironmental barriers within the southern cone of South America before the Oligocene–Miocene transition.
Modelling interdecadal climate variability and the role of the ocean
Authors: Farneti Riccardo
Published: November 2016

To estimate the anthropogenic contribution to climate signals in the recent past and future decades implies a certain degree of confidence in both understanding and simulating natural internal variability at interdecadal time scales. If we are to embark on the challenge of decadal prediction, we must be able to mechanistically attribute events to known processes and phenomena, and reproduce their features and statistics within our models. To date, models have succeeded in reproducing only partially spatial patterns, statistics and climatic impacts of interdecadal modes of variability. Reasons for the partial success and agreement among models are to be attributed to the short observational record, the different and complex flavours of coupling between the many subcomponents of the climate system, and the present inability to resolve all climate processes. At an even more fundamental level, this difficulty is aggravated by the limited understanding of the physical mechanisms involved. Here, we review the proposed mechanisms giving rise to interdecadal climate variability, we discuss the hypotheses explaining the main interdecadal modes of variability, and present an overview on the ability and level of agreement in their simulation by the latest generation of coupled climate models. To achieve any progress, the modeling community should focus on both improving the representation and parameterization of key ocean physical processes and obtaining a firmer grasp on the physical mechanisms generating the variability. Both goals can benefit from process studies, intercomparisons with perturbation experiments to study model's sensitivities, and the use of a hierarchy of climate models. WIREs Clim Change 2017, 8:e441. doi: 10.1002/wcc.441

This article is categorized under:

Climate Models and Modeling > Earth System Models
Predicting Rights-Only Score Distributions from Data Collected Under Formula Score Instructions
Authors: Guo Hongwen
Published: November 2016

Under a formula score instruction (FSI), test takers omit items. If students are encouraged to answer every item (under a rights-only scoring instruction, ROI), the score distribution will be different. In this paper, we formulate a simple statistical model to predict the score ROI distribution using the FSI data. Estimation error is also provided. In addition, a preliminary investigation of the probability of guessing correctly on omitted items and its sensitivity is presented in the paper. Based on the data used in this paper, the probability of guessing correctly may be close or slightly greater than the chance score.
PUSH, PULL, AND POPULATION SIZE EFFECTS IN STRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT: LONG-RUN TRADE-OFFS
Authors: Leukhina Oksana M. , Turnovsky Stephen J.
Published: November 2016

The process of structural transformation from the farm to a nonfarm sector is accompanied by technological change in both sectors and massive population growth. We investigate the effects of increasing population size (the population effect) and sector-specific productivity (the push and pull effects), both factor-neutral and factor-biased, in a parsimonious general equilibrium model under general forms of utility and production functions. All three effects may co-exist and interact in important ways. Generalizing the agricultural sector production function to CES is crucial for the population growth effect. Our analysis highlights how the relative importance of the three effects changes as the country develops and production and consumption conditions become more flexible.
A CULTURE OF KINSHIP: CHINESE GENEALOGIES AS A SOURCE FOR RESEARCH IN DEMOGRAPHIC ECONOMICS
Authors: Shiue Carol H.
Published: November 2016

This paper discusses the use of Chinese genealogies for research on economic demography. I focus both on what is known about the genealogy as a data source, and what are the open questions for future research. Chinese genealogies contain records at the individual level. With the publication of new catalogs and efforts to collect genealogies, the number of genealogies is even larger than previously thought, with most dating to the late Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1911) Dynasties. These records contain a rich source of information about the Chinese population history, over a period for which there is no alternative source of information. Yet, the source still remains largely unexploited. Although the work of transcribing the data is significant, and selection biases need to be carefully considered, preliminary analysis of the data for a sample of married men for Tongcheng County in Anhui Province suggests these data are a rich source of information for demographic and economics research.
Construction and Grouping of a Chinese People’s Armed Police Forces Provincial-Level Mobile Rescue Hospital System
Authors: Yu Baoguo , Yang Zhen , Bai Song , Shan Xuexian , Lv Qi , Ding Hui , Hou Shike
Published: November 2016

In recent years, with the increasingly frequent variety of large-scale disasters that have happened in China, the Chinese People’s Armed Police Forces (PAP) has undertaken increasingly frequent and diversified tasks, which has led to greater requirements for the construction of emergency medical rescue equipment. Therefore, as determined by the characteristics of the PAP’s tasks and based on the construction of special boxes and frame tent equipment, a new PAP mobile rescue hospital system was successfully developed, and all PAP provincial-level medical rescue teams have been equipped with this system. In the present article, we describe this mobile rescue hospital system, which is mainly composed of professional emergency vehicles, frame-type tents, and advanced medical equipment. The system has the following characteristics: significant integration, a fast response, flexibility, and practicability. The mobile rescue system is generally used as the army’s own health service support system and to provide certain emergency medical rescue services to disaster-stricken people. The successful construction and further application of this system have significance in terms of accelerating the response of rescue teams and the emergency treatment ability of the PAP’s provincial-level emergency medical rescue teams. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:455–459)
Developing a Home-Based Primary Care Disaster Preparedness Toolkit
Authors: Wyte-Lake Tamar , Claver Maria , Der-Martirosian Claudia , Davis Darlene , Dobalian Aram
Published: November 2016

Objective

Health agencies working with the homebound play a vital role in bolstering a community’s resiliency by improving the preparedness of this vulnerable population. Nevertheless, this role is one for which agencies lack training and resources, which leaves many homebound at heightened risk. This study examined the utility of an evidence-based Disaster Preparedness Toolkit in Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) programs.

Methods

We conducted an online survey of all VHA HBPC program managers (N=77/146; 53% response rate).

Results

Respondents with fewer years with the HBPC program rated the toolkit as being more helpful (P<0.05). Of those who implemented their program’s disaster protocol most frequently, two-thirds strongly agreed that the toolkit was relevant. Conversely, of those who implemented their disaster protocols very infrequently or never, 23% strongly agreed that the topics covered in the toolkit were relevant to their work (P<0.05).

Conclusion

This toolkit helps support programs as they fulfill their preparedness requirements, especially practitioners who are new to their position in HBPC. Programs that implement disaster protocols infrequently may require additional efforts to increase understanding of the toolkit’s utility. Engaging all members of the team with their diverse clinical expertise could strengthen a patient’s personal preparedness plan. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:56–63)
Mycobacterium chimaera Outbreak Associated With Heater-Cooler Devices: Piecing the Puzzle Together
Authors: Sommerstein Rami , Schreiber Peter W. , Diekema Daniel J. , Edmond Michael B. , Hasse Barbara , Marschall Jonas , Sax Hugo
Published: November 2016

An outbreak of invasive Mycobacterium chimaera infections associated with heater-cooler devices (HCDs) has now affected patients in several countries on different continents. Clinical infections are characterized by delayed diagnosis, inadequate treatment response to antimicrobial agents, and poor prognosis. Outbreak investigators found M. chimaera in HCD water circuits and air samples while HCDs were running, suggesting that transmission from the HCD to the surgical site occurs via the airborne route. New HCDs at the manufacturing site were also contaminated with M. chimaera, and recent whole-genome sequencing data suggest a point source. Some guidance on screening for M. chimaera colonization in HCD water and exhaust air is available. In contrast, reliable disinfection procedures are not well described, and it is not yet known whether eradication of M. chimaera from a contaminated HCD can be achieved. Meanwhile, strict separation of the HCD from operating room air is necessary to ensure patient safety, and these efforts may require engineering solutions. While our understanding of the causes and the extent of the M. chimaera outbreak is growing, several aspects of patient management, device handling, and risk mitigation still require clarification.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;1–6
Do We Really Know the WTO Cures Cancer?
Authors: Chaudoin Stephen , Hays Jude , Hicks Raymond
Published: November 2016

This article uses a replication experiment of ninety-four specifications from sixteen different studies to show the severity of the problem of selection on unobservables. Using a variety of approaches, it shows that membership in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade/World Trade Organization has a significant effect on a surprisingly high number of dependent variables (34 per cent) that have little or no theoretical relationship to the WTO. To make the exercise even more conservative, the study demonstrates that membership in a low-impact environmental treaty, the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species, yields similarly high false positive rates. The authors advocate theoretically informed sensitivity analysis, showing how prior theoretical knowledge conditions the crucial choice of covariates for sensitivity tests. While the current study focuses on international institutions, the arguments also apply to other subfields and applications.
On Groups with Slow Intersection Growth
Authors: Kassabov Martin , Matucci Francesco
Published: November 2016

Intersection growth concerns the asymptotic behaviour of the index of the intersection of all subgroups of a group that have index at most n. In this paper we show that the intersection growth of some groups may not be a nicely behaved function by showing the following seemingly contradictory results: (a) for any group G the intersection growth function iG(n) is super linear infinitely often, and (b) for any non-decreasing unbounded function f there exists a group G such that the graph of iG is below the one of f infinitely often.
Spectral Curve of the Halphen Operator
Authors: Mironov Andrey E. , Zuo Dafeng
Published: November 2016

The Halphen operator is a third-order operator of the form

where g ≠ 2 mod(3), where the Weierstrass ℘-function satisfies the equation

In the equianharmonic case, i.e. g2 = 0, the Halphen operator commutes with some ordinary differential operator Ln of order n ≠ 0 mod(3). In this paper we find the spectral curve of the pair L3, Ln.
Race, Mobility, and Fantasy: Afromobiling in Tropical Florida
Authors: LOZANO HENRY KNIGHT
Published: November 2016

This article explores a popular tourist vehicle in early twentieth-century Florida: the Afromobile. Beginning in the 1890s, Afromobiling referred to the white tourist experience in south Florida of travelling in a wheelchair propelled by an African American hotel employee. Most prominent in Palm Beach, these wheelchairs developed into a heavily promoted tourist activity in the region. Using promotional imagery and travel literature this paper traces the development of Afromobiling as a tourist vehicle that played upon south Florida's tropical environs. It argues that the vehicle's popularity related to its enactment of benign racial hierarchy and controlled black mobility. Moreover, the Afromobile infused US fantasies about south Florida as a tropical and “oriental” paradise for white leisure.
“Stern Champion of the Human Race, of Man as Human”: Alexander F. Chamberlain and Reform in the Age of Imperialism and Jim Crow
Authors: SMITH JOHN DAVID
Published: November 2016

This essay examines the broad and understudied contributions of pioneer American anthropologist Alexander Francis Chamberlain (1865–1914), who earned America's first PhD in anthropology at Clark University under the legendary anthropologist Franz Boas. Before his untimely death on the eve of World War I, and Boas's rise as a leading scientific spokesman of antiracism at Columbia University, Chamberlain contributed as significantly as Boas to the fields of linguistic and cultural anthropology, cross-cultural psychology, child development, comparative folklore, and Native American and African American culture, and to the cause of equality and justice for all humans. Chamberlain subscribed to an antiracist cultural evolutionism, frequently and passionately condemning ethnocentrism and insisting on the “generic humanity” of all persons, of all races. Close reading of Chamberlain's work suggests not that Boas's work mattered less, but rather that both men participated in an emerging debate on the nature and meaning of race that informed social policy and shaped academic interests during the Progressive Era.
Cervical lymph node metastasis in adenoid cystic carcinoma of the sinonasal tract, nasopharynx, lacrimal glands and external auditory canal: a collective international review
Authors:   INTERNATIONAL HEAD AND NECK SCIENTIFIC GROUP
Published: November 2016

Objective:

To review reports of adenoid cystic carcinomas arising in the head and neck area outside of the major salivary glands, in order to enhance the care of patients with these unusual neoplasms.

Methods:

An international team of head and neck surgeons, pathologists, oncologists and radiation oncologists was assembled to explore the published experience and their own working experience of the diagnosis and treatment of adenoid cystic carcinomas arising in the vicinity of the sinonasal tract, nasopharynx, lacrimal glands and external auditory canal.

Results:

The behaviour of adenoid cystic carcinoma arising in head and neck sites exclusive of the major salivary glands parallels that of tumours with a similar histology arising in the major salivary glands – these are relentless, progressive tumours, associated with high rates of mortality. Of 774 patients reviewed, at least 41 (5.3 per cent) developed documented regional node metastases.

Conclusion:

The relatively low overall incidence of nodal metastases in adenoid cystic carcinomas arising in the head and neck region outside of the major salivary glands suggests that routine elective regional lymph node dissection might not be indicated in most patients with these tumours.
Distribution and habitat associations of the critically endangered bird species of São Tomé Island (Gulf of Guinea)
Authors: DE LIMA RICARDO F. , SAMPAIO HUGO , DUNN JONATHON C. , CABINDA GABRIEL , FONSECA RICARDO , OQUIONGO GABRIEL , OQUIONGO JOEL , SAMBA SEDNEY , SANTANA ARISTIDES , SOARES ESTEVÃO , VIEGAS LEONEL , WARD-FRANCIS ALICE , COSTA LUÍS T. , PALMEIRIM JORGE M. , BUCHANAN GRAEME M.
Published: November 2016

São Tomé holds 20 endemic bird species, including the little known and ‘Critically Endangered’ Dwarf Olive IbisBostrychia bocagei, São Tomé FiscalLanius newtoniand São Tomé GrosbeakNeospiza concolor. We conducted a systematic survey of the core forest area, performing 1,680 point counts and compiling occasional observations, which enabled the identification of new areas of occurrence for the target species. MaxEnt distribution modelling suggested that the ibis and fiscal have roughly half of the potential area of occurrence that had been assumed (127 and 117 km2, respectively), while it more than doubled that of the grosbeak (187 km2). The south-west central region of the island, most of which is included in the São Tomé Obô Natural Park, has the highest potential for the Critically Endangered birds. We confirmed the association of all target species with native forest. The ibis preferred high tree density, while the fiscal selected low tree density and intermediate altitudes. Despite very restricted ranges, population sizes seem to be larger than previously assumed. These results suggest that the fiscal and grosbeak might be better classified as ‘Endangered’, while the ibis should maintain its status under different criteria, due to a very restricted range during the breeding season. This work provides vital ecological knowledge to support conservation action focusing on these species and their habitats, highlighting the need to improve the effectiveness of the São Tomé Obô Natural Park in protecting its unique biodiversity.
Impact of sickle cell anaemia on cardiac chamber size in the paediatric population
Authors: Adjagba Philippe M. , Habib Gaston , Robitaille Nancy , Pastore Yves , Raboisson Marie-Josée , Curnier Daniel , Dahdah Nagib
Published: November 2016

Purpose

Sickle cell disease is known to cause various degrees of vasculopathy, including impact on heart function. The aims of this single-centre, retrospective study were to assess cardiac chamber size and function and the relationship with haematological indices such as haemoglobin, aspartate aminotransferase, reticulocytosis and bilirubin, lactate dehydrogenase in sickle cell disease.

Methods

Right ventricle and left ventricle diastolic diameters, left ventricle mass estimate, left ventricle shortening fraction, myocardial performance index, and an index of myocardial relaxation (E/E’) were calculated and correlated with haematological parameters.

Results

A total of 110 patients (65% haemoglobin SS, 29% haemoglobin SC) were studied at a mean age of 12.14±5.26 years. Right ventricle dilatation and left ventricle dilatation were present in 61.5 and 42.9%, respectively. Left ventricle mass was abnormal in 21.9%; all patients had normal myocardial performance index, 31.4% had abnormal E/E’, and left ventricle shortening fraction was low in 38.1%. Cardiac dilatation was best correlated with haemoglobin, aspartate aminotransferase, reticulocytosis and bilirubin. Best subset regression analysis yielded significant additional prediction for right ventricle or left ventricle dilatation with haemoglobin, bilirubin, and lactate dehydrogenase. Abnormal E/E’ was solely predictable with haemoglobin level. Hydroxyurea-treated patients had improved diastolic function.

Conclusion

Right ventricle dilatation was more prevalent than left ventricle dilatation. The long-term consequences of right ventricular dilatation, clinical consequences, and association with pulmonary vasculopathy need to be further determined.
Thymidine kinase 2 and alanyl-tRNA synthetase 2 deficiencies cause lethal mitochondrial cardiomyopathy: case reports and review of the literature
Authors: Mazurova Stella , Magner Martin , Kucerova-Vidrova Vendula , Vondrackova Alzbeta , Stranecky Viktor , Pristoupilova Anna , Zamecnik Josef , Hansikova Hana , Zeman Jiri , Tesarova Marketa , Honzik Tomas
Published: November 2016

Cardiomyopathy is a common manifestation in neonates and infants with mitochondrial disorders. In this study, we report two cases manifesting with fatal mitochondrial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which include the third known patient with thymidine kinase 2 deficiency and the ninth patient with alanyl-tRNA synthetase 2 deficiency. The girl with thymidine kinase 2 deficiency had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy together with regression of gross motor development at the age of 13 months. Neurological symptoms and cardiac involvement progressed into severe myopathy, psychomotor arrest, and cardiorespiratory failure at the age of 22 months. The imaging methods and autoptic studies proved that she suffered from unique findings of leucoencephalopathy, severe, mainly cerebellar neuronal degeneration, and hepatic steatosis. The girl with alanyl-tRNA synthetase 2 deficiency presented with cardiac failure and underlying hypertrophic cardiomyopathy within 12 hours of life and subsequently died at 9 weeks of age. Muscle biopsy analyses demonstrated respiratory chain complex I and IV deficiencies, and histological evaluation revealed massive mitochondrial accumulation and cytochromecoxidase-negative fibres in both cases. Exome sequencing in the first case revealed compound heterozygozity for one novel c.209T>C and one previously published c.416C>T mutation in theTK2gene, whereas in the second case homozygozity for the previously described mutation c.1774C>T in theAARS2gene was determined. The thymidine kinase 2 mutations resulted in severe mitochondrial DNA depletion (to 12% of controls) in the muscle. We present, for the first time, severe leucoencephalopathy and hepatic steatosis in a patient with thymidine kinase 2 deficiency and the finding of a ragged red fibre-like image in the muscle biopsy in a patient with alanyl-tRNA synthetase 2 deficiency.
A rare cause of cardiomyopathy in an infant: middle aortic syndrome
Authors: Mir Arshid , Stam Benjamin , Sperrazza Charles
Published: November 2016

Coarctation of the abdominal aorta is a rare condition with a handful of cases reported in infancy. We report the case of a 4-month-old infant with severe abdominal coarctation who presented with dilated cardiomyopathy. Following successful transcatheter-based stenting of her abdominal aorta, her cardiomyopathy resolved.
A new efficient and proper modeling of isotropic/uniaxial anisotropic substrate specifications in design procedures of metasurfaces
Authors: Moinzad Sara , Abdolali Ali , Noorbakhsh Bagher
Published: November 2016

Specifications of the substrates are among the most important and problematic parameters that still do not have proper models in the design procedures of metasurfaces. In this paper, a new fast and exact algorithm based on artificial neural networks (ANNs) is presented, which makes it possible to design frequency-selective surfaces (FSSs) on various kinds of standard substrates. Also for the first time, designing FSSs on uniaxial anisotropic substrates can be easily done in short time and without any optimization algorithms. During this paper, first equivalent geometry approach (EGA) is demonstrated as a new method of preparation the ANNs. Then EGA is used to train geometry transformation ANNs. The advantage of this approach is to reduce the size of training datasets by about 98% and prevent from superfluous simulations. Hence, the time needed for training of the networks is much less than before. Numerical results are used to show that the required time for developing FSSs is <200 ms on average, and errors are <2%. For the final validation, a prototype sample of FSS is fabricated on the RO4003 substrate with 20 mil thickness. Both analytical and experimental results confirm the correctness of the predicted values.
Capital Transitioning: An International Human Capital Strategy for Climate Innovation
Authors: Hsu Shi-Ling
Published: November 2016

One question left unanswered by the 2015 Paris Agreement is exactly how the world will meet the daunting technological challenges that lie ahead. This article proposes a global strategy to build up human capital oriented towards two bodies of knowledge: alternative, non-fossil systems of energy generation, delivery and consumption; and a deeper understanding of climate systems that might be geoengineered to reduce atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases. Simply committing funding to climate technology is insufficient; a global climate technology policy must take into account the unique growth properties of human capital, and the conditions under which it can grow.

Human capital should be the focus of an international climate agreement for three reasons. Firstly, the wrong kind of human capital (attached to fossil fuel-related methods of energy generation and consumption) has helped to create an unfavourable political economy for climate policy. Secondly, the right kind of human capital (broader, and building on fundamental understandings of energy systems and climate systems) can create a more favourable political economy for climate policy. Thirdly, the technological changes needed for both mitigation and geoengineering technologies are so profound that a human capital stock must be developed with a conscious focus on radical technological change that can be delivered quickly. While individual countries may pursue an enlightened human capital policy on their own, cooperation at the international level would maximize the scale economies of inventive effort.
Deoxyfluorination of alcohols with 3,3-difluoro-1,2-diarylcyclopropenes
Authors: Li Lingchun , Ni Chuanfa , Wang Fei , Hu Jinbo
Published: November 2016

Aromatic cation activation is a useful strategy to promote deoxyfunctionalization; however, the deoxyfluorination of alcohols with cyclopropenium cation remains an unsolved problem due to the weak nucleophilicity of fluoride ion. Here we report the use of 3,3-difluoro-1,2-diarylcyclopropenes (CpFluors) as easily accessible and reactivity-tunable deoxyfluorination reagents. The electronic nature of CpFluors is critical for fluorination of monoalcohols via alkoxycyclopropenium cations, and CpFluors with electron-rich aryl substituents facilitate the transformation with high efficiency; however, selective monofluorination of 1,2- and 1,3-diols, which proceeds via cyclopropenone acetals, is less dependent on the electronic nature of CpFluors. Moreover, CpFluors are more sensitive to the electronic nature of alcohols than many other deoxyfluorination reagents, thus fluorination of longer diols can be achieved selectively at the relatively electron-rich position. This research not only unveils the first example of deoxyfluorination reagents that contain an all-carbon scaffold, but also sheds light on the divergent reactivity of cyclopropenium cation in deoxyfunctionalization of alcohols.