bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Local Capitalism and Civic Engagement: The Potential of Locally Facing Firms
Authors: Clark Jill K. , Record Matthew
Published: June 2017

The twin forces of globalization and devolution have created administrative circumstances that strain the problem‐solving capacity of local governments and increase the importance of nongovernmental processes and institutions. The literature suggests that locally owned firms are more likely to engender higher levels of civic engagement critical to buttressing that problem‐solving capacity. This research adds an additional dimension, investigating to whom those firms sell and through which supply channels. Using survey results from hundreds of local firms across five study sites, this research demonstrates that locally facing firms—that is, firms that intentionally interface with community members and other local businesses—are associated with greater levels of civic and political engagement compared with locally owned firms that sell their products to customers elsewhere. Findings suggest that local governments should look beyond the local/nonlocal ownership binary to consider how private firms can be partners in serving and supporting their communities.
Commentary: Kaufman's Paradox
Authors: Iverson David C.
Published: June 2017

Related Content: Fleischman (PAR September/October 2017)

Related Content: Kaufman (PAR September/October 2017)
Rare plant translocation between mineral islands in Biebrza Valley (northeastern Poland): effectiveness and recipient site selection
Authors: Brzosko Emilia , Jermakowicz Edyta , Ostrowiecka Beata , Tałałaj Izabela , Wróblewska Ada , Mirski Paweł
Published: June 2017

We carried out translocations of three rare plants that inhabit mineral islands in the marshy Biebrza Valley in order to create alternative populations and facilitate connectivity between existing subpopulations. The species chosen were Iris aphylla and two orchids: Cypripedium calceolus and Cephalanthera rubra. Thirty soil monoliths with vegetative orchid plants or parts of I. aphylla rhizomes were dug out and transplanted to three different sites on new mineral islands (half in 2012 and half in 2013). Prior to translocation, we measured soil moisture and pH and took phytosociological characteristics in 68 potential recipient sites for orchids and 15 for I. aphylla. Then, we monitored the number of shoots for 4 years and retrospectively conducted principal component analysis (PCA) in order to compare the similarity of donor sites and chosen recipient sites. Three years after transplantation we found new C. calceolus populations in good condition, I. aphylla populations in moderate, while C. rubra transplants emerged only in the first and second season. All newly established populations of C. calceolus and I. aphylla survived. In the case of the first species, fruiting was observed in two populations, while a marked increase in shoot number was observed in one population. The most successful C. calceolus translocation site was also the most similar to the donor sites according to PCA.
Long‐term dental management of a patient with features of Schöpf–Schulz–Passarge syndrome
Authors: Manchanda Nandika , Anthonappa Robert , Al‐Mulla Hessa , King Nigel
Published: June 2017

Schöpf–Schulz–Passarge syndrome (SSPS) is thought to be a rare autosomal recessive condition similar to many other ectodermal dysplasias. Diagnosis is difficult, with many possible differential diagnoses; however, eyelid cysts are a commonly seen feature. This clinical report aims to highlight this and describe the dental features and management of this syndrome, which existing literature has not previously described.
Nonlinear Change Processes During Psychotherapy Characterize Patients Who Have Made Multiple Suicide Attempts
Authors: Bryan Craig J. , Rudd M. David
Published: June 2017

Research suggests that multiple suicide attempters experience considerable variability in suicide ideation and longer‐duration suicidal crises, which suggests the possibility of two states of stability (one low risk and one high risk). To date, however, few studies have examined nonlinear change processes in suicide ideation among patients. In a sample of 76 active duty U.S. Army soldiers receiving brief cognitive behavioral therapy for acute suicide risk, we examined differences in the ebb and flow of suicide ideation among multiple attempters, first‐time attempters, and ideators. Results indicated that multiple attempters were characterized by two states of stability corresponding to low and high intensity suicide ideation; these states were separated by a region of instability corresponding to moderate intensity suicide ideation. In contrast, ideators and first‐time attempters were characterized by only a single state of stability corresponding to low intensity suicide ideation. Among patients who have made multiple suicide attempts, suicide ideation may function as a bimodal rather than a continuous construct.
Place and city: Operationalizing sense of place and social capital in the urban context
Authors: Acedo Albert , Painho Marco , Casteleyn Sven
Published: June 2017

The academic interest in social concepts in city contexts, such as sense of place and social capital, has been growing in the last decades. We present a systematic literature review that confirms the strong relationship between sense of place and social capital, from a social sciences point‐of‐view. It also reveal that little attention has been paid to their spatial dimensions at the urban level, thereby missing the chance to exploit socio‐spatial knowledge to improve the day‐to‐day life in and functioning of the city (e.g. in planning processes, citizen participation, civic engagement). We therefore examine sense of place and social capital from a Geographic Information Science (GISc) viewpoint, and present a formal conceptualization and initial theoretical framework which explicitly describes both concepts, and the relation between them, within the context of a city and from a spatial point of view.
Corneal sensitivity and tear production in 108 horses with ocular disease
Authors: Knickelbein Kelly E. , Scherrer Nicole M. , Lassaline Mary
Published: June 2017

Purpose

To compare corneal sensitivity and tear production in horses with keratitis to horses with other ocular disease.

Method

Retrospective medical record review was used to identify equine patients presented during a 1‐year period for an ocular complaint who had Schirmer Tear Test (STT) or Corneal Touch Threshold (CTT) measured. Variables studied included patient age and sex; affected eye; category of presenting ocular complaint (keratitis vs. other ocular complaint); STT; and CTT. Patients with a complaint of ulcerative keratitis, immune‐mediated keratitis, and stromal abscess were categorized in the keratitis group. Patients with a complaint of uveitis, as well as lid, lens, or retinal disease, were categorized in the group having other ocular disease. For patients presenting more than once in 2013, only the first visit at which STT or CTT was measured was included. For patients with bilateral disease, STT and CTT of both eyes were averaged.

Results

A total of 108 patients were included, 45 with keratitis and 63 with other ocular disease. Average age was 13.65 years, with more males (77) than females (31). Adjusted for age, STT in affected eyes did not differ significantly between the two groups (keratitis = 29.92 mm/min; other ocular disease = 27.96 mm/min), but CTT was significantly lower in patients with keratitis (33.78 mm) than in patients with other ocular disease (40.10 mm).

Conclusions

Corneal sensitivity may be decreased in patients with keratitis. It is not known whether this is a cause or an effect of corneal disease.
Optimal Design of an Autotensioner in an Automotive Belt Drive System Via a Dynamic Adaptive PSO-GA
Authors: Zhu Hao , Hu Yumei , Zhu W. D. , Pi Yangjun
Published: June 2017

Noise, vibration, and harshness performances are always concerns in design of an automotive belt drive system. The design problem of the automotive belt drive system requires the minimum transverse vibration of each belt span and minimum rotational vibrations of each pulley and the tensioner arm at the same time, with constraints on tension fluctuations in each belt span. The autotensioner is a key component to maintain belt tensions, avoid belt slip, and absorb vibrations in the automotive belt drive system. In this work, a dynamic adaptive particle swarm optimization and genetic algorithm (DAPSO-GA) is proposed to find an optimum design of an autotensioner to solve this design problem and achieve design targets. A dynamic adaptive inertia factor is introduced in the basic particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm to balance the convergence rate and global optimum search ability by adaptively adjusting the search velocity during the search process. genetic algorithm (GA)-related operators including a selection operator with time-varying selection probability, crossover operator, and n-point random mutation operator are incorporated in the PSO algorithm to further exploit optimal solutions generated by the PSO algorithm. These operators are used to diversify the swarm and prevent premature convergence. The objective function is established using a weighted-sum method, and the penalty function method is used to deal with constraints. Optimization on an example automotive belt drive system shows that the system vibration is greatly improved after optimization compared with that of its original design.
The Revised Universal Slope Method to Predict the Low-Cycle Fatigue Lives of Elbow and Tee Pipes
Authors: Nagamori Hiun , Takahashi Koji
Published: June 2017

The stress states of elbow and tee pipes are complex and different from those of straight pipes. The low-cycle fatigue lives of elbows and tees cannot be predicted by Manson's universal slope method; however, a revised universal method proposed by Takahashi et al. was able to predict with high accuracy the low-cycle fatigue lives of elbows under combined cyclic bending and internal pressure. The objective of this study was to confirm the validity of the revised universal slope method for the prediction of low-cycle fatigue behaviors of elbows and tees of various shapes and dimensions under conditions of in-plane bending and internal pressure. Finite element analysis (FEA) was carried out to simulate the low-cycle fatigue behaviors observed in previous experimental studies of elbows and tees. The low-cycle fatigue behaviors, such as the area of crack initiation, the direction of crack growth, and the fatigue lives, obtained by the analysis were compared with previously obtained experimental data. Based on this comparison, the revised universal slope method was found to accurately predict the low-cycle fatigue behaviors of elbows and tees under internal pressure conditions regardless of differences in shape and dimensions.
Experimentally Infused Plant and Controller Optimization Using Iterative Design of Experiments—Theoretical Framework and Airborne Wind Energy Case Study
Authors: Deodhar Nihar , Deese Joseph , Vermillion Christopher
Published: June 2017

This research presents an iterative framework for optimizing the plant and controller for complex systems by fusing expensive but valuable experiments with cheap yet less accurate simulations. At each iteration, G-optimal design is used to generate experiments and simulations within a prescribed design space that is shrunken in size after each successful iteration. The shrinking of the design space is determined through statistical characterization of a response surface model, and further shrinking is achieved at successive iterations through a numerical model correction factor that is driven by the results of experiments. An initial validation of this iterative design optimization framework was performed on an airborne wind energy (AWE) system, where tethers and an aerostat are used in place of a tower to elevate the turbine to high altitudes. Using a unique lab-scale setup for the experiments, the aforementioned iterative methodology was used to optimize the center of mass location and pitch angle set point for the airborne wind energy system. The optimum configuration yielded a substantial improvement in system responses as compared to a numerically optimized configuration. The framework was recently extended to include four variables (horizontal and vertical stabilizer areas, center of mass location, and pitch angle set point).
Residual Stress From Cold Expansion of Fastener Holes: Measurement, Eigenstrain, and Process Finite Element Modeling
Authors: Ribeiro Renan L. , Hill Michael R.
Published: June 2017

Cold expansion (CX) is a material processing technique that has been widely used in the aircraft industry to enhance fatigue life of structural components containing holes. CX introduces compressive hoop residual stresses that slow crack growth near the hole edge. The objective of this paper is to predict residual stresses arising from cold expansion using two different finite element (FE) approaches, and compare the results to measurement data obtained by the contour method. The paper considers single-hole, double-hole, and triple-hole configurations with three different edge margins. The first FE approach considers process modeling, and includes elastic–plastic behavior, while the second approach is based on the eigenstrain method, and includes only elastic behavior. The results obtained from the FE models are in good agreement with one another, and with measurement data, especially close to the holes, and with respect to the effect of edge margin on the residual stress distributions. The distribution of the residual stress and equivalent plastic strain around the holes is also explored, and the results are discussed in detail. The eigenstrain method was found to be very useful, providing generally accurate predictions of residual stress.
Non-negative intensity for coupled fluid–structure interaction problems using the fast multipole method
Authors: Wilkes Daniel R. , Peters Herwig , Croaker Paul , Marburg Steffen , Duncan Alec J. , Kessissoglou Nicole
Published: June 2017

The non-negative intensity (NNI) method is applied to large-scale coupled fluid–structure interaction (FSI) problems using the fast multipole boundary element method (FMBEM). The NNI provides a field on the radiating structure surface that consists of positive-only contributions to the radiated sound power, thus avoiding the near-field cancellation effects that otherwise occur with the sound intensity field. Thus far the NNI has been implemented with the boundary element method (BEM) for relatively small problem sizes to allow for the full BEM coefficient and inverse matrices to be explicitly constructed and stored. In this work, the FMBEM is adapted to the NNI by calculating the eigenvalue solution of the symmetric acoustic impedance matrix using the FMBEM via a two-stage solution method. The FMBEM implementation of the NNI is demonstrated for a large-scale model of a submerged cylindrical shell. The coupled FSI problem is first solved using a finite element–FMBEM model and the resulting surface fields are then used in the FMBEM calculation of the NNI. An equivalent reactive NNI field representing the evanescent near-field radiation is demonstrated and the effect of the chosen number eigenvectors on the NNI field is investigated.
Convolutional neural network-based automatic classification of midsagittal tongue gestural targets using B-mode ultrasound images
Authors: Xu Kele , Roussel Pierre , Csapó Tamás Gábor , Denby Bruce
Published: June 2017

Tongue gestural target classification is of great interest to researchers in the speech production field. Recently, deep convolutional neural networks (CNN) have shown superiority to standard feature extraction techniques in a variety of domains. In this letter, both CNN-based speaker-dependent and speaker-independent tongue gestural target classification experiments are conducted to classify tongue gestures during natural speech production. The CNN-based method achieves state-of-the-art performance, even though no pre-training of the CNN (with the exception of a data augmentation preprocessing) was carried out.
Complete Genome Sequence of an Aquaculture-Associated Phage, FL-1, Infecting
Flavobacterium
spp
Authors: Laanto Elina , Ravantti Janne J. , Sundberg Lotta-Riina
Published: June 2017

FL-1, a myophage of
Flavobacterium
, was found to have a 53-kb genome with 87 putative coding sequences.
Genome Sequence of Serratia marcescens Phage BF
Authors: Casey Eoghan , Fitzgerald Brian , Mahony Jennifer , Lugli Gabriele Andrea , Ventura Marco , van Sinderen Douwe
Published: June 2017

Phages infectingSerratia marcescens, a common causative agent of nosocomial infections, have potential therapeutic applications. Here, we report the complete genome of the novelS. marcescensphage BF, representing the third-largest phage genome sequenced to date.
Draft Genome Sequences of Two Staphylococcus aureus Strains Isolated in Succession from a Case of Bacteremia
Authors: Basco M. D. S. , Revollo J. R. , McKinzie P. B. , Agnihothram S. , Kothari A. , Saccente M. , Hart M. E.
Published: June 2017

Staphylococcus aureus
strains MEH1 and MEH7 were successively isolated from the blood of a patient with recurrent bacteremia. The submitted draft genomes of strains MEH1 and MEH7 are 2,914,972 and 2,911,704 bp, respectively.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Novel Goose Parvovirus Isolated in Sichuan Province, China, in 2016
Authors: Ge Zhiqi , Chen Shun , Wang Mingshu , Cheng Anchun
Published: June 2017

Here, we report the complete genome sequence of the novel goose parvovirus (NGPV) strain SC16 (NGPV-SC16), which was isolated from Sichuan Province, China, in 2016 and is a cause of the newly emerging beak atrophy and dwarfism syndrome in ducklings and a moderately pathogenic GPV-related parvovirus. The whole genome of strain NGPV-SC16 was 5,109 nucleotides long.
First Detection of Avian Lineage H7N2 in Felis catus
Authors: Newbury Sandra P. , Cigel Francine , Killian Mary Lea , Leutenegger Christian M. , Seguin M. Alexis , Crossley Beate , Brennen Robin , Suarez David L. , Torchetti Mia , Toohey-Kurth Kathy
Published: June 2017

In December 2016, influenza A (H7N2) was first detected among cats in the New York City shelter system with subsequent widespread transmission. The sequence of the first clinical isolate, A/feline/New York/16-040082-1/2016(H7N2), and its genetic similarity to the live bird market lineage of H7N2 low-pathogenicity avian influenza are described.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Colonizing Strain M92
Authors: McClure Jo-Ann , Zhang Kunyan
Published: June 2017

M92 is a methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) colonizing strain belonging to ST239-MRSA-III. It frequently shows local nasal colonization in our hospital staff, but has never been associated with infection. We sequenced the complete genome of M92, in order to compare it to highly virulent MRSA strains to gain insight into MRSA virulence factors.
Three Draft Genome Sequences of the Bacterial Plant Pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum, Isolated in Georgia
Authors: Kotorashvili Adam , Meparishvili Galina , Gogoladze Giorgi , Kotaria Nato , Muradashvili Maka , Zarandia Maia , Tsaguria Daviti
Published: June 2017

Ralstonia solanacearum
, the causative agent of bacterial wilt, is a devastating bacterial plant pathogen with a wide range of hosts. We report here the first draft genome sequences for three strains of
Ralstonia solanacearum
isolated from infected potato, tomato, and pepper plants in Georgia.
Complete Genome Sequence of Human Echovirus 20 Strain 812/YN/CHN/2010, Associated with Severe Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease
Authors: Zhao Yilin , Zhang Haihao , Liu Hongbo , Sun Hao , Huang Xiaoqin , Yang Zhaoqing , Ma Shaohui
Published: June 2017

Human echovirus 20 (E-20) belongs to the
Human enterovirus B
(HEV-B) species and is often detected in nonpolio enterovirus cases of acute flaccid paralysis. We determined the complete genome of strain 812/YN/CHN/2010, isolated from a child with severe hand-foot-and-mouth disease in Yunnan, China, in 2010.
Draft Genome Sequence of a Sequence Type 398 Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Isolate from a Danish Dairy Cow with Mastitis
Authors: Ronco Troels , Stegger Marc , Pedersen Karl
Published: June 2017

Livestock-associated (LA) methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) strains of sequence type 398 (ST398) colonize both humans and various livestock species. In 2016, an ST398 LA-MRSA isolate (Sa52) was collected from a Danish dairy cow with mastitis, and here, we report the draft genome sequence of strain Sa52.
Genome Sequences for
Streptomyces
spp. Isolated from Disease-Suppressive Soils and Long-Term Ecological Research Sites
Authors: Heinsch Stephen C. , Otto-Hanson Lindsey , Hsu Szu-Yi , Kinkel Linda , Smanski Michael J.
Published: June 2017

We report here the high-quality genome sequences of three
Streptomyces
spp. isolated as part of a long-term study of microbial soil ecology.
Streptomyces
sp. strain GS93-23 was isolated from naturally disease-suppressive soil (DSS) in Grand Rapids, MN, and
Streptomyces
sp. strains S3-4 and 3211-3 were isolated from experimental plots in the Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve (CCESR).
Draft Genome Sequence of
Leifsonia
sp. Strain NCR5, a Rhizobacterium Isolated from Cadmium-Contaminated Soil
Authors: Egidi Eleonora , Wood Jennifer L. , Fox Edward M. , Liu Wuxing , Franks Ashley E.
Published: June 2017

We report here the draft genome sequence of
Leifsonia
sp. strain NCR5, a Gram-positive actinomycete isolated from
Carpobrotus rossii
(Haw.) Schwantes rhizosphere. The
de novo
genome of
Leifsonia
sp. strain NCR5 was assembled with 69 scaffolds and a G+C content of 69%, was 4.2 Mb in length, and contained 3,952 coding sequences.
Survey on advance care planning of Italian outpatients on chronic haemodialysis
Authors: Panocchia Nicola , Tonnara Giuseppe , Minacori Roberta , Sacchini Dario , Bossola Maurizio , Tazza Luigi , Gambaro Giovanni , Spagnolo Antonio Gioacchino
Published: June 2017

Objectives

The clinical practice guidelines published by the Renal Physicians Association (USA) recommend instituting advance care planning (ACP) for patients with end-stage renal disease. Studies on this issue are lacking in Italy. Our aim was to determine the attitudes of patients on ACP in our dialysis centre.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional survey. We recruited patients on maintenance haemodialysis (HD) at Hemodialysis Center of Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, from 1 March 2014 to 31 March 2015. The only exclusion criterion was inability to give an informed consent. Patients completed a questionnaire concerning their treatment preferences in three hypothetical disease scenarios: persistent vegetative state, advanced dementia, severe terminal illness; for each patients, we also collected clinical, functional and socioeconomic data.

Results

Thirty-four HD outpatients completed the study questionnaire. The majority of respondents (85%) considered information about prognosis, health conditions and treatment options, including withdrawing dialysis, as very important and 94% of respondents considered treatment of uraemic/dialytic symptoms the most important issue. In the health scenarios provided, dialysis was the treatment least withheld. Dependence on instrumental activities of daily living (0.048) and higher Charlson Comorbidity Index scores (p=0.035) were associated with continuing dialysis in at least one scenario.

Conclusions

ACP should be tailored to patients’ value, culture and preferences. A significant proportion of patients, however, do not want to be involved in end of life decisions. Frail elderly patients, in particular, are not inclined to interrupt dialysis, despite poor quality of life or a poor prognosis.
Grading evidence from test accuracy studies: what makes it challenging compared with the grading of effectiveness studies?
Authors: Rogozińska Ewelina , Khan Khalid
Published: June 2017

Guideline panels need to process a sizeable amount of information to issue a decision on whether to recommend a health technology or not. Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) is being frequently applied in guideline development to facilitate this task, typically for the synthesis of effectiveness research. Questions regarding the accuracy of medical tests are ubiquitous, and they temporally precede questions about therapy. However, literature summarising the experience of applying GRADE approach to accuracy evaluations is not as rich as one for effectiveness evidence. Type of study design (cross-sectional), two-dimensional nature of the performance measures (sensitivity and specificity), propensity towards a higher level of between-study heterogeneity, poor reporting of quality features and uncertainty about how best to assess for publication bias among other features make this task challenging. This article presents solutions adopted to addresses above challenges for judicious estimation of the strength of test accuracy evidence used to inform evidence syntheses for guideline development.
Pattern of medication errors among inpatients in a resource-limited hospital setting
Authors: Thirumagal M , Ahamedbari M A R , Samaranayake N R , Wanigatunge C A
Published: June 2017

Purpose of the study

There are limited studies on medication errors in South Asian and South East Asian regions. To bridge this gap, we assessed prescribing errors and selected medicine administration errors among inpatients, and the level of acknowledgement of prescribing errors by specialist physicians in a resource-limited hospital setting.

Study design

The study was conducted in two medical wards of a hospital in Sri Lanka. Prescribing errors were identified among medicines prescribed in the latest prescription of randomly selected inpatients. Medical notes, medication histories and clinic notes were information sources. Consistency of medicine administration according to prescribing instructions was assessed by matching prescriptions with medicine charts. The level of acknowledgement of prescribing errors by specialist physicians of study wards was assessed by questionnaire.

Results

Prescriptions of 400 inpatients (2182 medicines) were analysed. There were 115 patients with at least one medication error. Among the 400 patients, 32.5% (n=130) were prescribing errors. The most frequent types of prescribing errors were ‘wrong frequency’ (10.3%, n=41), ‘prescribing duplications’ (10%, n=40), ‘prescribing unacceptable medicine combinations’ (6%, n=24) and ‘medicine omissions’ (4.3%, n=17). Medicine charts of 10 patients were inconsistent with prescribing instructions. Wrong medicine administration frequencies were common. The levels of acknowledgment of prescribing errors by the two specialist physicians were 75.5% and 90.9%, respectively.

Conclusions

Prescribing and medicine administration errors happen in resource-limited hospitals. Errors related to dosing regimen and failing to document medicines prescribed or administered to patients in their records were particularly high.
HIV prevalence and related risk behaviours in female seasonal farm workers in Souss Massa Draa, Morocco: results from a cross-sectional survey using cluster-based sampling
Authors: Bozicevic Ivana , Guezzar Fatiha , Stulhofer Aleksandar , Bennani Aziza , Handanagic Senad , Barbaric Jelena , El Rhilani Houssine , Alami Kamal , Khattabi Hamida , Riedner Gabriele , Maaroufi Abderrahmane
Published: June 2017

Objectives

To determine prevalence of HIV and HIV-related behaviours in female seasonal farm workers (FSFWs) in two provinces of Souss Massa Draa (SMD) region in Morocco. SMD has a higher burden of HIV compared with other parts of Morocco and is characterised by a substantial aggregation of FSFW.

Methods

We carried out a cross-sectional HIV biobehavioural survey using cluster-based sampling of farms in the provinces Chtouka Aït Baha and Taroudant Ouled Teïma in 2014. HIV testing was done using the Determine HIV-1/2 rapid test and reactive specimens were tested using ELISA and western blot. Collected data were post hoc weighted for region-based stratification and adjusted for clustering effects using complex survey functions of SPSS (V.21).

Results

Among those eligible to participate, the response rate was 92.8%. HIV prevalence was 0.9% (95% CI 0.4% to 2.4%) among 520 recruited participants. A high proportion of respondents (67.7%) had no education. Ever having sex was reported by 79.8% and among these, 12.7% ever exchanged sex for money or goods. Sixty-one per cent reported condom use at most recent commercial vaginal sex in the past 12 months. STI symptom recognition was found to be low because 62.4% and 46.8% of FSFW could not report any STI symptoms in men and women, respectively. Twenty-seven per cent of respondents had an HIV test in the past 12 months. In multivariable analysis, those with primary or higher education (adjusted OR (aOR)=2.38, 95% CI 1.33 to 4.27) and those who participated in an HIV educational session at their workplace (aOR=11.00, 95% CI 3.99 to 30.31) had higher odds of ever been tested for HIV.

Conclusions

Although we found a relatively low HIV prevalence among FSFW in SMD, HIV interventions should be intensified, in particular, in a subgroup of women who are involved in sex work.
Comparing the cytotoxicity of electronic cigarette fluids, aerosols and solvents
Authors: Behar Rachel Z , Wang Yuhuan , Talbot Prue
Published: June 2017

Background

As thousands of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) refill fluids continue to be formulated and distributed, there is a growing need to understand the cytotoxicity of the flavouring chemicals and solvents used in these products to ensure they are safe. The purpose of this study was to compare the cytotoxicity of e-cigarette refill fluids/solvents and their corresponding aerosols using in vitro cultured cells.

Methods

E-cigarette refill fluids and do-it-yourself products were screened in liquid and aerosol form for cytotoxicity using the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)−2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. The sensitivity of human pulmonary fibroblasts, lung epithelial cells (A549) and human embryonic stem cells to liquids and aerosols was compared. Aerosols were produced using Johnson Creek’s Vea cartomizer style e-cigarette.

Results

A hierarchy of potency was established for the aerosolised products. Our data show that (1) e-cigarette aerosols can produce cytotoxic effects in cultured cells, (2) four patterns of cytotoxicity were found when comparing refill fluids and their corresponding aerosols, (3) fluids accurately predicted aerosol cytotoxicity 74% of the time, (4) stem cells were often more sensitive to aerosols than differentiated cells and (5) 91% of the aerosols made from refill fluids containing only glycerin were cytotoxic, even when produced at a low voltage.

Conclusions

Our data show that various flavours/brands of e-cigarette refill fluids and their aerosols are cytotoxic and demonstrate the need for further evaluation of e-cigarette products to better understand their potential health effects.
Magnetized strange quark model with Big Rip singularity in f(R, T) gravity
Authors: Sahoo P. K. , Sahoo Parbati , Bishi Binaya K. , Aygün S.
Published: June 2017

Locally rotationally symmetric (LRS) Bianchi type-I magnetized strange quark matter (SQM) cosmological model has been studied based on f(R, T) gravity. The exact solutions of the field equations are derived with linearly time varying deceleration parameter, which is consistent with observational data (from SNIa, BAO and CMB) of standard cosmology. It is observed that the model begins with big bang and ends with a Big Rip. The transition of the deceleration parameter from decelerating phase to accelerating phase with respect to redshift obtained in our model fits with the recent observational data obtained by Farook et al. [Astrophys. J. 835, 26 (2017)]. The well-known Hubble parameter H(z) and distance modulus [Formula: see text](z) are discussed with redshift.
Implications of Higgs’ universality for physics beyond the Standard Model
Authors: Goldman T. , Stephenson G. J.
Published: June 2017

We emulate Cabibbo by assuming a kind of universality for fermion mass terms in the Standard Model. We show that this is consistent with all current data and with the concept that deviations from what we term Higgs’ universality are due to corrections from currently unknown physics of nonetheless conventional form. The application to quarks is straightforward, while the application to leptons makes use of the recognition that Dark Matter can provide the “sterile” neutrinos needed for the seesaw mechanism. Requiring agreement with neutrino oscillation results leads to the prediction that the mass eigenstates of the sterile neutrinos are separated by quadratically larger ratios than for the charged fermions. Using consistency with the global fit to LSND-like, short-baseline oscillations to determine the scale of the lowest mass sterile neutrino strongly suggests that the recently observed astrophysical 3.55 keV [Formula: see text]-ray line is also consistent with the mass expected for the second most massive sterile neutrino in our analysis.
Texture zero mass matrices and CP violation
Authors: Ahuja Gulsheen , Sharma Samandeep
Published: June 2017

Within the Standard Model, using the facility of making Weak Basis transformations, attempt has been made to examine the most general mass matrices within the texture zero approach. For the case of quarks, interestingly, one finds a particular set of texture four zero quark mass matrices emerging out to be a unique viable option for the description of quark mixing data as well as for accommodation of CP violation. Similarly, general lepton mass matrices, essentially considered as texture zero mass matrices, yield interesting bounds on the CP violating Jarlskog’s rephasing invariant parameter in the leptonic sector.
Optical, mechanical and thermal behaviors of Nitrilotriacetic acid single crystal
Authors: Deepa B. , Philominathan P.
Published: June 2017

An organic nonlinear single crystal of Nitrilotriacetic acid (NTAA) was grown for the first time by employing a simple slow evaporation technique. Single crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis reveals that the grown crystal belongs to the monoclinic system with noncentrosymmetric space group [Formula: see text]. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectral study ascertains the presence of functional groups in NTAA. The molecular structure of the grown crystal was confirmed by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectral analysis. The optical parameters such as transmittance, absorption coefficient and band gap were calculated from UV–Visible and fluorescence studies. Dielectric measurements were carried out for different frequency and temperature. The mechanical strength of the grown crystal was measured using Vickers microhardness test. The high thermal stability and the melting point of the grown crystal were also estimated using thermogravimetric (TGA) and differential thermal analyses (DTA). The confirmation of the grown crystals belonging to nonlinear optical crystals was performed by Kurtz–Perry technique and found as suitable candidate for optoelectronics applications.
Coherence resonance induced by cross-correlated sine-Wiener noises in the FitzHugh–Nagumo neurons
Authors: Yao Yuangen , Yi Ming , Hou Dejia
Published: June 2017

We study coherence resonance (CR) in the FitzHugh–Nagumo (FHN) neurons under cross-correlated sine-Wiener (CCSW) noises. It is numerically demonstrated that the reciprocal coefficient of variance of inter-spike intervals (R) increases with increasing amplitude or correlation time of CCSW noises, reaches the maximum at proper amplitude or correlation time, and then decreases, suggesting the appearance of CR phenomenon. In addition, the occurrence of CR is sensitive to a parameter range of amplitudes and correlation times of CCSW noises. Thus, CR can be controlled by regulating the amplitudes and correlation times of CCSW noises in the FHN excitable systems.
Mixed Mode Oscillations and Synchronous Activity in Noise Induced Modified Morris–Lecar Neural System
Authors: Upadhyay Ranjit Kumar , Mondal Argha , Teka Wondimu W.
Published: June 2017

The modified three-dimensional (3D) Morris–Lecar (M–L) model is very useful to understand the spiking activities of neurons. The present article addresses the random dynamical behavior of a modified M–L model driven by a white Gaussian noise with mean zero and unit spectral density. The applied stimulus can be expressed as a random term. Such random perturbations are represented by a white Gaussian noise current added through the electrical potential of membrane of the excitatory principal cells. The properties of the stochastic system (perturbed one) and noise induced mixed mode oscillation are analyzed. The Lyapunov spectrum is computed to present the nature of the system dynamics. The noise intensity is varied while keeping fixed the predominant parameters of the model in their ranges and also observed the changes in the dynamical behavior of the system. The dynamical synchronization is studied in the coupled M–L systems interconnected by excitatory and inhibitory neurons with noisy electrical coupling and verified with similarity functions. This result suggests the potential benefits of noise and noise induced oscillations which have been observed in real neurons and how that affects the dynamics of the neural model as well as the coupled systems. The analysis reports that the modified M–L system which has the limit cycle behavior can show a type of phase locking behavior which follows either period adding (i.e. 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1) sequences or Farey sequences. For the coupled neural systems, complete synchronization is shown for sufficient noisy coupling strength.
A New Hypersensitive Hyperchaotic System with No Equilibria
Authors: Hamdi Bouslahi , Hassen Seddik
Published: June 2017

In this paper, we propose a new four-dimensional hyperchaotic system derived from the chaotic maps of Peter de Jong’s simple attractor and the discrete iterative function. In this work, our main motivation is to explore a link that can be developed to generate hyperchaos from 2D chaotic system. An association between 2D system and a higher order one was not studied in the previous literature. In fact, in the literature, there is no two-dimensional systems from which we are able to associate a four-dimensional one. In this context, a special interest is reserved to Peter de Jong system due to its exceptional advantages such as hypersensitivity and velocity. The challenge in this paper is the development of a four-dimensional hyperchaotic system associated to the Peter de Jong one while conserving its important characteristics such as hypersensitivity, velocity and the lack of equilibrium. The system structure that we will detail is different from other hyperchaotic systems widely suggested in the literature. In fact, the proposed attractor does not display any equilibrium point. A mathematical study is carried out in order to obtain time plots, Lyapunov exponents spectrum and bifurcation diagram. Finally, we will prove the high sensitivity of this system relative to its initial condition by simulations and experimental observations.
Degenerate Fold–Hopf Bifurcations in a Rössler-Type System
Authors: Tigan G. , Llibre J. , Ciurdariu L.
Published: June 2017

We study the Hopf and the fold–Hopf bifurcations of the Rössler-type differential system [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text]. We show that the classical Hopf bifurcation cannot be applied to this system for detecting the fold–Hopf bifurcation, which here is studied using the averaging theory. Our results show that a Hopf bifurcation takes place at the equilibrium [Formula: see text] when [Formula: see text]. This Hopf bifurcation becomes a fold–Hopf bifurcation when [Formula: see text].
On the Homoclinic Orbits of the Lü System
Authors: Alvarez-Ramírez M. , García-Saldaña J. D.
Published: June 2017

In this paper, the existence of homoclinic orbits of the equilibrium point [Formula: see text] is demonstrated in the case of the Lü system for parameter values not reported by G. A. Leonov. In addition, some simulations are shown that agree with our theoretical analysis.
Limit Cycle Bifurcations Near a Piecewise Smooth Generalized Homoclinic Loop with a Saddle-Fold Point
Authors: Liang Feng , Wang Dechang
Published: June 2017

In this paper, we suppose that a planar piecewise Hamiltonian system, with a straight line of separation, has a piecewise generalized homoclinic loop passing through a Saddle-Fold point, and assume that there exists a family of piecewise smooth periodic orbits near the loop. By studying the asymptotic expansion of the first order Melnikov function corresponding to the period annulus, we obtain the formulas of the first six coefficients in the expansion, based on which, we provide a lower bound for the maximal number of limit cycles bifurcated from the period annulus. As applications, two concrete systems are considered. Especially, the first one reveals that a quadratic piecewise Hamiltonian system can have five limit cycles near a generalized homoclinic loop under a quadratic piecewise smooth perturbation. Compared with the smooth case [Horozov & Iliev, 1994; Han et al., 1999], three more limit cycles are found.
Dynamical Behaviors of a Modified Lorenz–Stenflo Chaotic System
Authors: Zhang Fuchen , Wang Xingyuan , Liao Xiaofeng , Zhang Guangyun , Mu Chunlai
Published: June 2017

In this paper, the ultimate bound and globally exponentially attractive sets of a modified Lorenz–Stenflo system are studied based on the Lyapunov stability theory and optimization theory. Comparing with the best results in the current literature, our new results include the existing results as special cases. Furthermore, the new results offer a theoretical support to studying the Hausdorff dimension of attractor of this modified Lorenz–Stenflo system. These theoretical results are also important and useful for chaos control and chaos synchronization.
Secure Communication Based on Hyperchaotic Chen System with Time-Delay
Authors: Ren Hai-Peng , Bai Chao , Huang Zhan-Zhan , Grebogi Celso
Published: June 2017

An experimental secure communication method based on the Chen system with time-delay is being proposed in this paper. The Chen system with time-delay is an infinite-dimensional system having more than one positive Lyapunov exponent. The message to be transmitted is encrypted using an hyperchaotic signal generated by the Chen system with time-delay and multishift cipher function. This encryption makes difficult for an eavesdropper to reconstruct the attractor by using time-delay embedding techniques, return map reconstruction, or spectral analysis, consequently, improving the security. Simulations and experiments on TI TMS320C6713 Digital Signal Processor (DSP) show improved resilience against attack and the feasibility of the proposed scheme.
Necessary and Sufficient Conditions for the Occurrence of Bisecting Bifurcations in the General 2D Piecewise-Linear Mapping
Authors: Fareh Hannachi , Elhadj Zeraoulia
Published: June 2017

In this work, we focus on the conditions for the occurrence of a special type of bifurcations in the general 2D piecewise-linear mapping called bisecting bifurcations. This kind of bifurcation is mediated by an infinite set of neutrally stable periodic orbits, i.e. cycles with multiplier unity. We used the definition of the rank of both coefficient and augmented matrices based on minors to find the necessary and sufficient conditions in which the bisecting bifurcation occurs.
Stability and Stochastic Resonance for a Time-Delayed Cancer Development System Subjected to Noises and Multiplicative Periodic Signal
Authors: Wang Kang-Kang , Wang Ya-Jun , Li Sheng-Hong
Published: June 2017

In this paper, the stability and the phenomenon of stochastic resonance (SR) for a stochastic time-delayed cancer development system that is induced by the multiplicative periodic signal, the multiplicative and the additive noises are investigated. By using the fast descent method, small time delay method and the two-state theory, the expressions of the steady state probability distribution function and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) are obtained. Numerical results reflect that the multiplicative and additive noise always restrain the diffusion of the cancer cells. Whereas, the time delay can not only control the spread of the tumor cells, but also suppress the extinction of cancer cells. Meanwhile, the conventional SR occurs in the tumor cell growth model under the excitation of different noises and time delay. In conclusion, the multiplicative noise always plays a critical role in restraining SR, a smaller additive noise can stimulate the SR, but the larger additive noise can weaken the SR and SNR. In particular, the time delay displays relatively complicated effects on the SR phenomenon of the system. It plays different roles in motivating or suppressing SR under the different conditions of parameters.
Impacts of a Knowledge Sharing Climate and Interdisciplinary Knowledge Integration on Innovation
Authors: Yoo Dong Kyoon
Published: June 2017

Interdisciplinary teams are often employed with the expectation of sparking innovation in their diverse range of knowledge. Empirical studies on functional diversity, however, have shown inconclusive results. The literature also illustrates that the secret, competitive, and multi-disciplinary atmosphere makes individuals reluctant to share their knowledge. To fill these research gaps, this study is to explore how innovation can be more effectively facilitated despite different mental models of interdisciplinary team members. By drawing upon social capital theory, this study presents a knowledge sharing climate (i.e. trusting relationships, openness, and learning orientations) and how the three dimensions differently influence innovation. This study also shows how interdisciplinary knowledge integration mediates between functional diversity and innovation to reconcile the mixed signal of the literature. Data were collected from 202 individual team members, and structure equation modelling was employed to test the research model. Empirical results indicate that innovation is significantly affected by interdisciplinary knowledge integration and openness. Functional diversity and trusting relationships do not have direct impacts on innovation, but they are mediated by interdisciplinary knowledge integration. The findings of this study have theoretical and practical implications which are discussed in the paper.
DOES THE ADVERSE ANNOUNCEMENT EFFECT OF CLIMATE POLICY MATTER? — A DYNAMIC GENERAL EQUILIBRIUM ANALYSIS
Authors: RIEKHOF MARIE-CATHERINE , BRÖCKER JOHANNES
Published: June 2017

We consider a carbon emissions tax announced today, but implemented after a known time-lag. Before implementation, the announcement induces higher emissions than without intervention. In welfare terms, this adverse announcement effect could more than outweigh the gain after tax implementation. We quantify a “critical lag” such that a shorter (longer) implementation lag is a welfare gain (loss) over no-intervention. We identify resource scarcity as the main driver for a short critical lag. The model is a global Ramsey Model extended by an exhaustible carbon resource and linked to a climate model.