bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Confidence in the police among immigrants in South Korea
Authors: Jang Hyunseok , Shin Songyon , Hong Myonggi , Choi Young-Shin
Published: April 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to test the dual frames of reference theory. For the test, the reference point hypothesis examines whether the difference in the quality of social conditions between the home and host countries determines the variations of immigrants’ trust in the institutions of their host country.

Design/methodology/approach

By using hierarchical linear modeling analysis, the current study examines whether “difference of homicide rate from South Korea” or “difference of level of democracy from South Korea” influences immigrants’ confidence in the police. Using data collected from nine different immigrant groups in South Korea, the current study examined both country-level factors as well as individual-level factors.

Findings

According to the analysis results, the difference of level of democracy from South Korea significantly influenced immigrants’ confidence in the South Korean police. Specifically, when immigrants came from democratically under-developed countries, they showed a relatively high level of confidence in the South Korean police.

Originality/value

Confidence in the police among the first generation of immigrants has recently attracted increasing attention. However, no previous studies have examined immigrants’ confidence in the police within an Asian country. Thus, the current study might contribute to generating better police performances toward first-generation immigrants who tend to be discriminated against and are also vulnerable to various forms of victimization because of their new status in a new society.
Evaluating the combustion and emission phenomenon of algal and cotton seed biodiesel as fuel for compression ignition engine
Authors: Venkatesan Hariram , J. Godwin John , Sivamani Seralathan
Published: April 2019

Purpose

Vast areas have been studied toward combustion and emission analysis in vegetable oil methyl esters and quite a few in algal oil biodiesel. To analyze the better alternate source for diesel engine, this study aims to investigate the combustion behavior and emission characteristics between cottonseed biodiesel and algal oil biodiesel on comparison with mineral diesel in a compression ignition engine.

Design/methodology/approach

The fuel properties like density, kinematic viscosity, calorific value and Cetane number have met the biodiesel standards for both algal and cottonseed biodiesel. At rated power, engine was operated on all three test fuels, where combustion analysis describing in-cylinder pressure, peak pressure, rate of pressure rise and rate of heat release and emission characteristics including hydrocarbon (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and smoke for both biodiesel comparing mineral diesel.

Findings

Algal and cottonseed biodiesel showed up to 2-3°CA delayed start of combustion comparing mineral diesel curve. The in-cylinder pressure of algal biodiesel was found to be 68 bar, whereas cottonseed biodiesel exhibited 65 bar at full load condition. Similarly, the rate of pressure rise and rate of heat release of algal biodiesel depicted 7.9 and 10.7 per cent rise than cottonseed biodiesel, respectively. As the load increased, ignition delay showed decreasing trend, while combustion duration showed an increasing trend. HC, CO and smoke emissions were seen to be lower than mineral diesel with noticeable increase in NOx emission.

Originality/value

In this present investigation, biodiesel from Stoechospermum Marginatum, a marine marco algae, was used to fuel the compression ignition engine. Its combustion behavior and emission characteristics are compared with cottonseed biodiesel, a vegetable oil-based biodiesel having similar physio-chemical characteristics to understand the suitability of algal biodiesel in compression ignition engine. This study involves the assessment of straight biodiesel from macro algae and cottonseed oil on standard operating conditions.
Frequency‐domain double‐plane‐wave least‐squares reverse time migration
Authors: Zhao Zeyu , Sen Mrinal K.
Published: April 2019

Least‐squares reverse time migration is often formulated as an iterative updating process, where estimating the gradient of the misfit function is necessary. Traditional time domain shot‐profile least‐squares reverse time migration is computationally expensive because computing the gradient involves solving the two‐way wave equation several times in every iteration. To reduce the computational cost of least‐squares reverse time migration, we propose a double‐plane‐wave least‐squares reverse time migration method based on a misfit function for frequency‐domain double‐plane‐wave data. In double‐plane‐wave least‐squares reverse time migration, the gradient is computed by multiplying frequency‐domain plane‐wave Green's functions with the corresponding double‐plane‐wave data residual. Because the number of plane‐wave Green's functions used for migration is relatively small, they can be pre‐computed and stored in a computer's discs or memory. We can use the pre‐computed plane‐wave Green's functions to obtain the gradient without solving the two‐way wave equation in each iteration. Therefore, the migration efficiency is significantly improved. In addition, we study the effects of using sparse frequency sampling and sparse plane‐wave sampling on the proposed method. We can achieve images with correct reflector amplitudes and reasonable resolution using relatively sparse frequency sampling and plane‐wave sampling, which are larger than that determined by the Nyquist theorem. The well‐known wrap‐around artefacts and linear artefacts generated due to under‐sampling frequency and plane wave can be suppressed during iterations in cases where the sampling rates are not excessively large. Moreover, implementing the proposed method with sparse frequency sampling and sparse plane‐wave sampling further improves the computational efficiency. We test the proposed double‐plane‐wave least‐squares reverse time migration on synthetic models to show the practicality of the method.
Shifting up a gear with iDNA: From mammal detection events to standardised surveys
Authors: Abrams Jesse F. , Hörig Lisa A. , Brozovic Robert , Axtner Jan , Crampton‐Platt Alex , Mohamed Azlan , Wong Seth T. , Sollmann Rahel , Yu Douglas W. , Wilting Andreas
Published: April 2019

Invertebrate‐derived DNA (iDNA), in combination with high throughput sequencing, has been proposed as a cost‐efficient and powerful tool to survey vertebrate species. Previous studies, however, have only provided evidence that vertebrates can be detected using iDNA, but have not taken the next step of placing these detection events within a statistical framework that allows for robust biodiversity assessments.

Here, we compare concurrent iDNA and camera‐trap surveys. Leeches were repeatedly collected in close vicinity to 64 camera‐trap stations in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. We analyse iDNA‐derived mammalian detection events in a modern occupancy model that accounts for imperfect detection and compare the results with those from occupancy models parameterised with camera‐trap‐derived detection events. We also combine leech‐iDNA and camera‐trap data in a single occupancy model.

We found consistent estimates of occupancy probabilities produced by our camera‐trap and leech datasets. This indicates that the metabarcoding of leech‐iDNA method provides reasonable estimates of occupancy and may be a suitable method for studying and monitoring mammal species in tropical rainforests. However, we also show that a more extensive collection of leeches would be needed to assess mammal biodiversity with a robustness similar to that of camera traps. As certain taxa were only detected in leeches, we see great potential in complementing camera‐trap studies with the iDNA approach, as long as the collection of leeches follows a robust and standardised sampling scheme.

Synthesis and applications. Here, we describe an approach to analyse detection records of mammals derived from leech samples using an occupancy framework that accounts for leech‐specific factors influencing the detection probability. We further combined camera trap and leech data, which lead to increased confidence in occupancy estimates. Our approach is not restricted to the processing of leech samples, but can be used for the analysis of other invertebrate DNA and environmental DNA data. Our study is the first step to shift the application of invertebrate DNA studies from opportunistic ad‐hoc collections to the systematic surveys required for long‐term management of wildlife populations.
Capturing pests and releasing ecosystem engineers: translocation of common but diminished species to re‐establish ecological roles
Authors: Swaisgood R. R. , Montagne J.‐P. , Lenihan C. M. , Wisinski C. L. , Nordstrom L. A. , Shier D. M.
Published: April 2019

Translocation of abundant but declining ecologically important species for re‐establishing more sustainable ecosystem function is a neglected but promising form of conservation intervention. Here, we developed a translocation program in which we capture pests and release ecosystem engineers, by relocating California ground squirrels Otospermophilus beecheyi from areas where they are unwanted to conserved lands where they can perform ecosystem services such as burrowing and vegetation alteration. We accomplished this using an experimental approach in which some factors were measured or experimentally manipulated, while others were held constant. We translocated 707 squirrels and examined survival and movement patterns as a function of several translocation tactics and ecological factors. We released squirrels at 9 different plots with varying ecological contexts and at each plot experimentally manipulated post‐release habitat using mowing, mowing plus the use of augers to establish starter burrows, and controls that remained unmanipulated. The most influential variables affecting short‐term survival, dispersal, and long‐term persistence were factors relating to soils and vegetation structure. Translocated squirrels had higher initial survival on plots where dense exotic grasses were experimentally altered, greater dispersal when released at sites with less friable clay soils, and improved long‐term persistence at sites characterized by more friable soils associated with metavolcanic than alluvial geological layers. Squirrel persistence was also improved when translocations supplemented previous translocation sites than during initial translocations to sites containing no resident squirrels. Our results demonstrate how California ground squirrels can be successfully translocated as part of a larger objective to favorably alter ecological function in novel grassland ecosystems dominated by non‐native vegetation. In broader context, our study highlights the importance of testing release strategies, and examining habitat variables and restoration techniques more closely when selecting release sites to improve translocation outcomes.
Increased early enteral zinc intake improves weight gain in hospitalised preterm infants
Authors: Harris Tracey , Gardner Fumiyuki , Podany Abigail , Kelleher Shannon L. , Doheny Kim K.
Published: April 2019

Aim

To test the hypothesis that enteral zinc intake is associated with improved preterm infant growth during neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) hospitalisation.

Methods

This prospective cohort study enrolled 105 preterm infants at a tertiary referral centre. Enteral zinc intake was calculated at day of life 14, and growth was measured as change in weight, length and head circumference from birth to discharge. Nonparametric tests assessed the contribution of breast milk vs formula and enteral zinc intake on weight, length and head circumference growth. Partial correlations evaluated the impact of baseline health status and caloric intake on growth. Multiple regression analysis was then completed to determine the unique contribution of zinc intake to weight gain and head circumference growth.

Results

Total enteral zinc intake was positively associated with weight gain (r = 0.4, p < 0.01) and head circumference growth (r = 0.3, p < 0.01) during NICU hospitalisation. Further, multiple regression analysis showed higher zinc intake is linked to weight gain during NICU hospitalisation after accounting for postmenstrual age at birth.

Conclusion

Increased early enteral zinc intake is linked to weight gain during NICU hospitalisation, highlighting the importance of enteral zinc intake in early infant nutrition.
Reactive oxygen species and cyclooxygenase products explain the majority of hypoxic cerebral vasodilation in healthy humans
Authors: Harrell John W. , Peltonen Garrett L. , Schrage William G.
Published: April 2019

Aim

The role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human cerebral blood flow (CBF) during hypoxia is largely unknown. Additionally, it is unknown whether ROS interact with cyclooxygenase‐derived signals during hypoxia to increase CBF. We hypothesized ROS inhibition would reduce hypoxic CBF, and combined inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX) and ROS would decrease hypoxic CBF more than ROS suppression alone.

Methods

We measured middle cerebral artery velocity with transcranial Doppler ultrasound in 12 healthy adults during normoxia and 2 isocapnic hypoxia trials. Intravenous ascorbic acid infusion during the first hypoxia trial suppressed ROS. Oral indomethacin inhibited COX between hypoxia trials. The second bout of hypoxia tested the combined effects of ROS and COX inhibition. Middle cerebral artery velocity was normalized for blood pressure as cerebrovascular conductance index.

Results

Hypoxia increased cerebrovascular conductance index in both trials (P < 0.05). Ascorbic acid infusion did not alter cerebrovascular conductance index during hypoxia. Combined ascorbic acid and indomethacin significantly reduced hypoxia‐mediated increases in cerebrovascular conductance index from 17 ± 2 to 4 ± 1 cm s−1 100 mm Hg−1 (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

ROS are not obligatory for hypoxic cerebral vasodilation. Current data indicate ROS and COX together may account for the majority of the increase in CBF through the middle cerebral artery during hypoxia. These data are the first to demonstrate compensatory hypoxic vasodilatory signalling in human cerebral circulation.
Anorexia nervosa, advance directives, and the law: A British perspective
Authors: Ip Eric C.
Published: April 2019

This article will explore whether the law should allow people with anorexia nervosa to refuse nutrition and hydration with special reference to the English decision in Re E (Medical Treatment: Anorexia). It argues that the judge in that case made the correct decision in holding that the patient, who suffered from severe anorexia nervosa, lacked capacity to make valid advance directives under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 of the United Kingdom, and that medical procedures that are apparently against her wishes should be carried out for the sake of preserving her life. The law should generally not permit patients with anorexia nervosa to decline nutrition and hydration, precisely because their autonomous ability to make such decisions has been substantially circumscribed by this psychiatric condition.
Deep brain stimulation in post‐traumatic dystonia: A case series study
Authors: Li Hong‐Xia , He Lu , Zhang Chen‐Cheng , Eisinger Robert , Pan Yi‐Xin , Wang Tao , Sun Bo‐Min , Wu Yi‐Wen , Li Dian‐You
Published: April 2019

Aims

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been proposed as an effective treatment for drug‐intolerant isolated dystonia, but whether it is also efficacious for posttraumatic dystonia (PTD) is unknown. Reports are few in number and have reached controversial conclusions regarding the efficacy of DBS for PTD treatment. Here, we report a case series of five PTD patients with improved clinical benefit following DBS treatment.

Methods

Five patients with disabling PTD underwent DBS therapy. The clinical outcomes were assessed with the Burke–Fahn–Marsden dystonia rating scale (BFMDRS) at baseline and the last follow‐up visit (at more than 12 months).

Results

Patients 1 and 3 received unilateral globus pallidus internus (GPi) DBS for contralateral dystonia. The subthalamic nucleus (STN) was chosen as target for patients 2 and 4, due to a lesion located in the globus pallidus. Patient 5 had an electrode in the ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) for treating predominant tremor of left upper extremity, with unexpected improvement of focal hand dystonia. The scores of BFMDRS movement exhibited favorable improvement in all five patients at the last follow‐up, ranging from 52.4% to 78.6%.

Conclusions

Deep brain stimulation may be an effective and safe treatment for medically refractory PTD, but this needs to be confirmed by further studies.
Relational database security using digital watermarking and evolutionary techniques
Authors: Tufail Hina , Zafar Kashif , Baig Abdul Rauf
Published: April 2019

Advancement in the field of communication facilitates the world for electronic sharing of huge amount of data. Relational databases most widely used and shared through Internet by the communities and organizations. They work in collaborative environment for sharing of knowledge and for applying data mining techniques for finding different market trends and interests for research groups. Proof of ownership and database security are major issues related to online sharing of database. Watermarking facilitates solution for ownership protection and reversible watermarking ensures data recovery in case of any kind of malicious cyberattacks. The major challenge of watermarking are (1) imperceptibility of watermark, (2) robustness of watermark against any kind of data alteration attacks, and (3) data recovery. In this research, a reversible watermarking technique for numerical relational databases by using evolutionary techniques has been proposed that ensures the integrity of underlying data and robustness of watermark. Moreover, maximum Relevance and Minimum Redundancy (mRMR) technique has been used for feature subset selection. Binary Bat Algorithm (BBA) as constraints optimization technique used for watermark creation. Result shows effectiveness of the proposed scheme against data tempering attacks. The proposed BBA provides better results as compare to Genetic Algorithm.
Reducing correlation of random forest–based learning‐to‐rank algorithms using subsample size
Authors: Ibrahim Muhammad
Published: April 2019

Learning‐to‐rank (LtR) has become an integral part of modern ranking systems. In this field, the random forest–based rank‐learning algorithms are shown to be among of the top performers. Traditionally, each tree of a random forest is learnt using a bootstrapped copy of the training set, where approximately 63% of the examples are unique. The goal of using a bootstrapped copy instead of the original training set is to reduce the correlation between individual trees, thereby making the prediction of the ensemble more accurate. In this regard, the following question may be raised: how can we leverage the correlation between the trees in favor of performance and scalability of a random forest–based LtR algorithm? In this article, we investigate whether we can further decrease the correlation between the trees while maintaining or possibly improving accuracy. Among several potential options to achieve this goal, we investigate the size of the subsamples used for learning individual trees. We examine the performance of a random forest–based LtR algorithm as we control the correlation using this parameter. Experiments on LtR data sets reveal that for small‐ to moderate‐sized data sets, substantial reduction in training time can be achieved using only a small amount of training data per tree. Moreover, due to the positive correlation between the variability across the trees and performance of a random forest, we observe an increase in accuracy while maintaining the same level of model stability as the baseline. For big data sets, although our experiments did not observe an increase in accuracy (because, with larger data sets, the individual tree variance is already comparatively smaller), our technique is still applicable as it allows for greater scalability.
Gaps to bridge: Misalignment between perception, reality and actions in obesity
Authors: Caterson Ian D. , Alfadda Assim A , Auerbach Pernille , Coutinho Walmir , Cuevas Ada , Dicker Dror , Hughes Carly , Iwabu Masato , Kang Jae‐Heon , Nawar Rita , Reynoso Ricardo , Rhee Nicolai , Rigas Georgia , Salvador Javier , Sbraccia Paolo , Vázquez‐Velázquez Verónica , Halford Jason C.G.
Published: April 2019

Aims

Despite increased recognition as a chronic disease, obesity remains greatly underdiagnosed and undertreated. We aimed to identify international perceptions, attitudes, behaviours and barriers to effective obesity care in people with obesity (PwO) and healthcare professionals (HCPs).

Materials and methods

An online survey was conducted in 11 countries. Participants were adults with obesity and HCPs who were primarily concerned with direct patient care.

Results

A total of 14 502 PwO and 2785 HCPs completed the survey. Most PwO (68%) and HCPs (88%) agreed that obesity is a disease. However, 81% of PwO assumed complete responsibility for their own weight loss and only 44% of HCPs agreed that genetics were a barrier. There was a median of three (mean, six) years between the time PwO began struggling with excess weight or obesity and when they first discussed their weight with an HCP. Many PwO were concerned about the impact of excess weight on health (46%) and were motivated to lose weight (48%). Most PwO (68%) would like their HCP to initiate a conversation about weight and only 3% were offended by such a conversation. Among HCPs, belief that patients have little interest in or motivation for weight management may constitute a barrier for weight management conversations. When discussed, HCPs typically recommended lifestyle changes; however, more referrals and follow‐up appointments are required.

Conclusions

Our international dataset reveals a need to increase understanding of obesity and improve education concerning its physiological basis and clinical management. Realization that PwO are motivated to lose weight offers an opportunity for HCPs to initiate earlier weight management conversations.
Antimicrobial resistance in bacteria isolated from diseased horses in France
Authors: Bourély C. , Cazeau G. , Jarrige N. , Haenni M. , Gay E. , Leblond A.
Published: April 2019

Background

Horses are one of the potential reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) determinants that could be transferred to human subjects.

Objective

To describe the AMR patterns of major bacteria isolated from diseased horses in France.

Study design

Retrospective observational study.

Methods

Data collected between 2012 and 2016 by RESAPATH, the French national surveillance network for AMR, were analysed. Only antimicrobials relevant in veterinary and human medicine for the isolated bacteria were considered. Mono‐ and multidrug resistance were calculated. The resistance proportions of major equine diseases were assessed and compared. Where data permitted, resistance trends were investigated using nonlinear analysis (generalised additive models).

Results

A total of 12,695 antibiograms were analysed. The five most frequently isolated bacteria were Streptococcus spp., Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Pantoea spp. and Klebsiella spp. The highest proportions of resistance to gentamicin were found for S. aureus (22.1%) and Pseudomonas spp. (26.9%). Klebsiella spp. and E. coli had the highest proportions of resistance to trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole (15.5 and 26.2%, respectively). Proportions of resistance to tetracycline were among the highest for all the bacteria considered. Resistance to third‐generation cephalosporins was below 10% for all Enterobacteriaceae. The highest proportions of multidrug resistance (22.5%) were found among S. aureus isolates, which is worrying given their zoonotic potential. From 2012 to 2016, resistance proportions decreased in Pseudomonas spp. isolates, but remained the same for S. aureus. For Streptococcus spp. and E. coli, resistance proportions to trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole increased.

Main limitations

Since antibiograms are not systematic analyses, any selection bias could impact the results.

Conclusions

Such studies are essential to estimate the magnitude of the potential threat of AMR to public health, to design efficient control strategies and to measure their effectiveness. These findings may also guide the initial empirical treatment of horse diseases.
Evolution of illicit opioid use among people with HIV infection in St Petersburg, Russia, in the period 2004–2015
Authors: Blokhina E , Krupitsky EM , Cheng DM , Walley AY , Toussova O , Yaroslavtseva T , Gnatienko N , Bridden C , Forman LS , Bendiks S , Samet JH
Published: April 2019

Objectives

In the late 1990s, when the current Russian opioid epidemic began, illicit opioids used in Russia consisted almost exclusively of heroin. The type of opioids used has evolved in the early 21st Century. The objective of this study was to describe the evolution of illicit opioid use among people living with HIV (PLWH) reporting recent opioid use in St Petersburg, Russia.

Methods

We examined baseline data from four research studies conducted in the period 2004–2015 that included PLWH who used opioids [Partnership to Reduce the Epidemic Via Engagement in Narcology Treatment (PREVENT; 2004–2005; n = 17), HIV Evolution in Russia–Mitigating Infection Transmission and Alcoholism in a Growing Epidemic (HERMITAGE; 2007–2010; n = 281), Linking Infectious and Narcology Care (LINC; 2013–2014; n = 119) and Russia Alcohol Research Collaboration on HIV/AIDS (Russia ARCH; 2012–2015; n = 121)] and reported recent use of heroin and other opioids.

Results

Although these studies spanned more than a decade, the participants represented similar birth cohorts; the mean age was 24.5 years in 2004 and 33.3 years in 2014. The use of opioid types, however, evolved across cohorts, with the use of any illicit drug other than heroin increasing from 6% [95% confidence interval (CI) 000.2, 29%] in PREVENT (2004–2005) to 30% (95% CI 25, 36%) in HERMITAGE (2007–2010) to 70% (95% CI 61, 78%) in LINC (2013–2014) to 77% (95% CI 68, 84%) in ARCH (2012–2015). Any heroin use consistently decreased over the 10‐year period in the cohorts, from 100% (95% CI 80, 100%) in 2004–2005 to 54% (95% CI 44, 63%) in 2012–2015.

Conclusions

Among PLWH who use opioids in St Petersburg, Russia, illicit use of opioids other than heroin appears to be more common than heroin use.
A linear viscoelastic model to understand skin mechanical behaviour and for cosmetic formulation design
Authors: Jayabal H. , Dingari N. N. , Rai B.
Published: April 2019

Objectives

Skin is arguably one of the most important organs that plays an active role in our everyday biological functions after brain. Owing to the wide range of applications in medicine, cosmetics industry and more recently robotics, skin research has gained tremendous attention with respect to its mechanical behaviour. Various macro modelling approaches are available for modelling skin's mechanical behaviour. The objective of this paper is to study skin's mechanical property change with age and demonstrate anti‐ageing effects of cosmetic formulations from skin mechanical property change perspective.

Methods

In this study, skin's mechanical behaviour was modelled using a 1D linear viscoelastic phenomenological model and the model was validated using two sets of experimentally observed skin data (strain, stress relaxation and cyclical loading). The model was further modified to study the effect of the presence of a thin layer of cosmetic polymer and to demonstrate anti‐ageing effects of the cosmetic polymer from the perspective of change in the mechanical behaviour of skin with cosmetic layer.

Results

The estimated values of skin mechanical properties from the model agree with those in literature. The extracted model features show good correlation with skin age (viscosity and time constant). The results from our model indicate that the cosmetic polymers enhance the mechanical properties of skin significantly.

Conclusions

This work will find its applications in designing and testing anti‐ageing formulations. This model can be used to filter various combinations of cosmetic formulations by knowing the mechanical response of polymer on skin, thereby accelerating the product development.
Employer‐oriented labour market policies in Sweden: Creating jobs and the division of labour in the public sector
Authors: Castillo Daniel
Published: April 2019

In many European countries, greater importance is accorded to labour market policies in which employers are involved in activating unemployed people. Such employer‐oriented policies target employers’ demand for labour and attempt to influence their willingness to hire, train or guide (often disadvantaged) unemployed groups. Using data from a qualitative interview study of an employer‐oriented programme in a medium‐size city in Sweden, the present article aims to develop knowledge about how these policies are used to influence employers to hire unemployed workers and how jobs created in this context differ from regular jobs. The article argues that creating jobs through new arrangements for the division of labour, with the promise of relieving regular staff of unskilled tasks, may influence employers’ willingness to hire the unemployed when used alongside other kinds of policy instruments. However, the article also shows that this new division of labour, with programme participants performing mainly unskilled tasks, has been difficult to realize, as new staff gradually come to perform an increasing number of regular working tasks.
How fair are unemployment benefits? The experience of East Asia
Authors: Hwang Gyu‐Jin
Published: April 2019

Despite an increasing emphasis on active labour market measures, unemployment benefits still remain a focal point of employment protection. This article takes the cases of four East Asian economies – China, Japan, Republic of Korea, Taiwan (China) –, which are often characterized as having welfare states with a strong developmental and productivist orientation, to investigate whether, as is sometimes argued, unemployment benefits are restrictive and exclusionary. In doing so, it examines the logic behind the design of unemployment benefits and argues that they are in fact progressive in design and fair when they pay out. Nonetheless, low effective coverage and low benefit rates weaken their redistribution and compensation objectives.
Polar lipids from wheat extract oil improve skin damages induced by aging: Evidence from a randomized, placebo‐controlled clinical trial in women and an ex vivo study on human skin explant
Authors: Boisnic Sylvie , Keophiphath Mayoura , Serandour Anne‐Laure , Branchet Marie‐Christine , Le Breton Stéphanie , Lamour Irène , Gaillard Emmanuelle
Published: April 2019

Background

Polar lipids from wheat (Triticum vulgare/aestivum) extract oil (WEO) are known to improve skin hydration.

Aims

These studies aimed to assess WEO benefits on the skin appearance of middle‐aged women.

Methods

A double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled clinical study was carried out on 64 healthy women, aged from 45 to 60 years, to investigate antiaging effects and benefits for the skin. The study lasted 20 weeks including 12 weeks of oral supplementation with WEO or placebo and 8 weeks of follow‐up. Wrinkles in the “crow's‐feet” area were evaluated by the Lemperle score. Skin hydration was measured using a corneometer, while roughness and radiance were determined by clinical scoring. Collagen content was quantified in human skin explants exposed to ultraviolet (UV) irradiations and treated with WEO or vehicle control.

Results

Compared to the placebo group, the Lemperle score was significantly reduced in the WEO group between W0 and W8 to reach a clinically significant 1 grade at W12. Facial hydration was significantly improved in the WEO group from W0 to W12, whereas leg hydration was significantly increased after 4 weeks and lasted throughout the supplementation period. Skin roughness and radiance were also significantly improved from W0 to W8 in the WEO group compared to placebo group. A higher collagen content was measured in the UV‐irradiated skin explants treated with WEO compared to the untreated ones.

Conclusion

These results confirmed the moisturizing effect of WEO and, for the first time, revealed its potential antiaging properties.
Substrate switches, phenotypic innovations and allopatric speciation formed taxonomic diversity within the lichen genus Blastenia
Authors: Vondrák Jan , Frolov Ivan , Košnar Jiří , Arup Ulf , Veselská Tereza , Halıcı Gökhan , Malíček Jiří , Søchting Ulrik
Published: April 2019

Blastenia is a widely distributed lichen genus in Teloschistaceae. We reconstructed its phylogeny in order to test species delimitation and to find evolutionary drivers forming recent Blastenia diversity. The origin of Blastenia is dated to the early Tertiary period, but later diversification events are distinctly younger. We recognized 24 species (plus 2 subspecies) within 6 infrageneric groups. Each species strongly prefers a single type of substrate (17 species occur on organic substrates, 7 on siliceous rock), and most infrageneric groups also show a clear substrate preference. All infrageneric groups tend to have the Mediterranean and Macaronesian distribution, but some epiphytic species have much larger geographic ranges and some evolved after a long‐distance dispersal outside the region. Chlorinated and nonchlorinated anthraquinone chemosyndromes co‐occur in apothecia of most species, but the chemotype has been secondarily reduced in some lineages. One infrageneric group has a marked reduction in apothecial size, associated with a substrate shift to twigs. Only seven species have vegetative diaspores; they also produce apothecia but have smaller ascospores. Genome sizes (22‐35 Mb in Blastenia) are significantly higher in epilithic species. Within‐species genetic variation is low in widely distributed species but high in some epilithic species with small geographical ranges. New taxa are: B. afroalpina, B. anatolica, B. caucasica, B. gennargentuae, B. herbidella subsp. acidophila, B. lauri, B. monticola, B. palmae, B. psychrophila, B. purpurea, B. relicta, B. remota, B. xerothermica, and B. xerothermica subsp. macaronesica. New combinations are: B. festivella and B. subathallina; both names and B. catalinae are lectotypified.
Petrogenesis of ungrouped enstatite meteorite Zakłodzie: Fabric, texture, and nanostructure analysis for identification of mechanisms responsible for chondrite–achondrite transition
Authors: Krzesińska Agata M. , Wirth Richard , Kusiak Monika A.
Published: April 2019

Zakłodzie is an enstatite meteorite of unknown petrogenesis. Chemically, it resembles enstatite chondrites, but displays an achondrite‐like texture. Here we report on fabric and texture analyses of Zakłodzie utilizing X‐ray computed tomography and scanning electron microscopy and combine it with a nanostructural study of striated pyroxene by transmission electron microscopy. With this approach we identify mechanisms that led to formation of the texture and address the petrogenesis of the rock. Zakłodzie experienced a shock event in its early evolution while located at some depth inside a warm parent body. Shock‐related strain inverted pyroxene to the observed mixture of intercalated orthorhombic and monoclinic polymorphs. The heat that dissipated after the peak shock was added to primary, radiogenic‐derived heat and led to a prolonged thermal event. This caused local, equilibrium‐based partial melting of plagioclase and metal‐sulfide. Partial melting was followed by two‐stage cooling. The first phase of annealing (above 500 °C) allowed for crystallization of plagioclase and for textural equilibration of metal and sulfides with silicates. Below 500 °C, cooling was faster and more heterogeneous at cm scale, allowing retention of keilite and quenching of K‐rich feldspathic glass in some parts. Our study indicates that Zakłodzie is neither an impact melt rock nor a primitive achondrite, as suggested in former studies. An impact melt origin is excluded because enstatite in Zakłodzie was never completely melted and partial melting occurred during equilibrium‐based postshock conditions. Texturally, the rock represents a transition of chondrite and achondrite and was formed when early impact heat was added to internal radiogenic heat.
Spatial targeting of payments for ecosystem services to achieve conservation goals and promote social equity and economic impact
Authors: Soh Moonwon , Cho Seong‐Hoon
Published: April 2019

The objective of this research was to identify optimal spatial targeting and distributions of a fixed PES (payment systems for ecosystem services) budget that achieves the three objectives of maximizing forest‐based carbon storage to improve cost efficiency, maximizing poverty alleviation to promote equity, and maximizing economic impact to encourage economic development. We used the Central and Southern Appalachian Region as a case study to develop a county‐level framework for identifying optimal county targets and optimal budget allocations for forest‐based carbon sequestration that addresses the three objectives. The results show that optimal budgets are more geographically widespread under the multiple‐objective priority scenarios than under the single‐objective of maximizing carbon cost efficiency, and the optimal spatial distributions of the four priority scenarios do not change appreciably across priority scenarios. The quantified relationships reveal that different priority weights among the priority scenarios yield both competitive trade‐offs and synergistic relationships between the objectives.
World Workshop on Oral Medicine VII: Relative frequency of oral mucosal lesions in children, a scoping review
Authors: Hong Catherine H. L. , Dean David R. , Hull Katrusha , Hu Shi Jia , Sim Yu Fan , Nadeau Christine , Gonçalves Sandra , Lodi Giovanni , Hodgson Tim A.
Published: April 2019

Objective

To detail a scoping review on the global and regional relative frequencies of oral mucosal disorders in the children based on both clinical studies and those reported from biopsy records.

Materials and Methods

A literature search was completed from 1 January 1990 to 31 December 2018 using PubMed and EMBASE.

Results

Twenty clinical studies (sample size: 85,976) and 34 studies from biopsy services (40,522 biopsies) were included. Clinically, the most frequent conditions were aphthous ulcerations (1.82%), trauma‐associated lesions (1.33%) and herpes simplex virus (HSV)‐associated lesions (1.33%). Overall, the most commonly biopsied lesions were mucoceles (17.12%), fibrous lesions (9.06%) and pyogenic granuloma (4.87%). By WHO geographic region, the pooled relative frequencies of the most common oral lesions were similar between regions in both clinical and biopsy studies. Across regions, geographic tongue (migratory glossitis), HSV lesions, fissured tongue and trauma‐associated ulcers were the most commonly reported paediatric oral mucosal lesions in clinical studies, while mucoceles, fibrous lesions and pyogenic granuloma were the most commonly biopsied lesions.

Conclusions

The scoping review suggests data from the clinical studies and biopsy records shared similarities in the most commonly observed mucosal lesions in children across regions. In addition, the majority of lesions were benign in nature.
Parasites and stable isotopes: a comparative analysis of isotopic discrimination in parasitic trophic interactions
Authors: Thieltges David W. , Goedknegt M. Anouk , O'Dwyer Katie , Senior Alistair M. , Kamiya Tsukushi
Published: April 2019

Stable isotopes are widely used to identify trophic interactions and to determine trophic positions of organisms in food webs. Comparative studies have provided general insights into the variation in isotopic composition between consumers and their diet (discrimination factors) in predator–prey and herbivore–plant relationships while other major components of food webs such as host–parasite interactions have been largely overlooked. In this study, we conducted a literature‐based comparative analysis using phylogenetically‐controlled mixed effects models, accounting for both parasite and host phylogenies, to investigate patterns and potential drivers in Δ13C and Δ15N discrimination factors in metazoan parasitic trophic interactions. Our analysis of 101 parasite–host pairs revealed a large range in Δ13C (–8.2 to 6.5) and Δ15N (–6.7 to 9.0) among parasite species, with no significant overall depletion or enrichment of 13C and 15N in parasites. As previously found in other trophic interactions, we identified a scaling relationship between the host isotopic value and both discrimination factors with Δ13C and Δ15N decreasing with increasing host δ13C and δ15N, respectively. Furthermore, parasite phylogenetic history explained a large fraction (>60%) of the observed variation in the Δ15N discrimination factor. Our findings suggest that the traditional isotope ecology framework (using an average Δ15N of 3.4‰) applies poorly to parasitic trophic interactions. They further indicate the need for a scaled rather than a fixed trophic discrimination factor framework along gradients of host δ15N. We also identified several conceptual and methodological issues which should to be considered in future research to help integrate parasitic interactions into a holistic isotope ecology framework across diverse trophic interactions.
Do Competitive Examinations Promote Diversity in Civil Service?
Authors: Greenan Nathalie , Lanfranchi Joseph , L'Horty Yannick , Narcy Mathieu , Pierné Guillaume
Published: April 2019

The representative bureaucracy literature provides a growing body of empirical evidence that a representative public workforce enhances the efficacy and legitimacy of public services. However, little attention has been paid to the capacity of civil service competitive examinations to give equal opportunity of access to public jobs to equally competent citizens. To fill this gap, the authors use French databases to analyze whether competitive examinations comprising both written and oral tests ensure equality of treatment for all candidates regardless of gender, place of residence, or place of birth. The results challenge the capacity of these examinations to treat candidates equally, identifying inequalities in the written tests as well as evaluation biases in the oral tests. However, oral evaluation biases tend to offset inequalities in the written tests. Therefore, selection boards take a sort of affirmative action toward the sole successful members of groups suffering such inequalities.
CRISPR‐Cas9 technology: A new direction for personalized medicine in respiratory disease?
Authors: Vaughan Annalicia , Yang Ian A.
Published: April 2019

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Investigating Growing Inequality in Mozambique
Authors: Gradín Carlos , Tarp Finn
Published: April 2019

In this paper, we investigate the long‐term trend of consumption inequality in Mozambique. We show that an imbalanced growth path disproportionally benefited the better‐off and caused increasing inequality, especially in more recent years, curbing the necessary reduction in poverty. Using a regression decomposition technique, our results suggest that this trend was strongly associated with the higher attained education of household heads and with the changes in the structure of the economy (with less workers in the public and subsistence sectors). The trend was, however, mitigated by the tendency for the higher level of attained education and the smaller public sector to become associated with less inequality over time. These results point to the importance of accelerating the expansion of education and improving the productivity of the large subsistence sector to lower inequality in line with the sustainable development goals.
Experiences of family members supporting a relative with substance use problems: a qualitative study
Authors: McCann Terence V. , Polacsek Meg , Lubman Dan I.
Published: April 2019

Background

Affected family members (AFMs) play an important role in supporting relatives with alcohol and/or other drug (AOD) misuse. However, they frequently lack support and experience considerable challenges to their own well‐being.

Aim

To explore the experience of AFMs who support a close relative with AOD misuse.

Method

Thirty‐one AFMs were recruited through AOD helplines and through their social media accounts in the Australian state of Victoria. A semi‐structured interview guide was used to inform data collection, focusing on their general experiences, impact of support‐giving and support options. Interviews were audio‐recorded and conducted by telephone.

Results

One overarching theme and six related subthemes were abstracted from the data. The overarching theme was conceptualised as Feeling overwhelmed by, and struggling with, the experience. Subthemes were as follows: Emotionally draining and exhausting, Maintaining constant vigilance: curbing social activities, Grappling with the financial impact, Struggling to cope with harmful family dynamics, Avoiding and containing aggression and Fearfulness and hopelessness about the future.

Conclusion

Affected family members experienced wide‐ranging harms, which affected their emotional, social and financial well‐being, safety and family dynamics, and instilled a persistent sense of fearfulness and hopelessness about the future. The findings have implications for mental health nurses and other clinicians in AOD services to identify AFMs’ needs and provide them with timely, accessible and appropriate support to help sustain their important role.
Governing the future: perspectives from literary studies – commentary to Jones
Authors: Ameel Lieven
Published: April 2019

Taking its cue from Rhys Jones’s article “Governing the future and the search for spatial justice: Wales’ Well-being of Future Generations Act”, this commentary reflects on some of the challenges attached to attempts to govern the future. It proposes perspectives from literature and literary studies to enrich how we imagine the future. This commentary maps out how literary fiction and other forms of future storytelling associated with qualia – the “how it feels” of future possible worlds – may provide an important complementary to other, more distancing, modes of envisioning the future.
Auditory motion tracking ability of adults with normal hearing and with bilateral cochlear implants
Authors: Moua Keng , Kan Alan , Jones Heath G. , Misurelli Sara M. , Litovsky Ruth Y.
Published: April 2019

Adults with bilateral cochlear implants (BiCIs) receive benefits in localizing stationary sounds when listening with two implants compared with one; however, sound localization ability is significantly poorer when compared to normal hearing (NH) listeners. Little is known about localizing sound sources in motion, which occurs in typical everyday listening situations. The authors considered the possibility that sound motion may improve sound localization in BiCI users by providing multiple places of information. Alternatively, the ability to compare multiple spatial locations may be compromised in BiCI users due to degradation of binaural cues, and thus result in poorer performance relative to NH adults. In this study, the authors assessed listeners' abilities to distinguish between sounds that appear to be moving vs stationary, and track the angular range and direction of moving sounds. Stimuli were bandpass-filtered (150–6000 Hz) noise bursts of different durations, panned over an array of loudspeakers. Overall, the results showed that BiCI users were poorer than NH adults in (i) distinguishing between a moving vs stationary sound, (ii) correctly identifying the direction of movement, and (iii) tracking the range of movement. These findings suggest that conventional cochlear implant processors are not able to fully provide the cues necessary for perceiving auditory motion correctly.