bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adaptation to resistant hosts increases fitness on susceptible hosts in the plant parasitic nematode Globodera pallida
Authors: Fournet Sylvain , Eoche‐Bosy Delphine , Renault Lionel , Hamelin Frédéric M. , Montarry Josselin
Published: March 2016

Trade‐offs between virulence (defined as the ability to infect a resistant host) and life‐history traits are of particular interest in plant pathogens for durable management of plant resistances. Adaptation to plant resistances (i.e., virulence acquisition) is indeed expected to be associated with a fitness cost on susceptible hosts. Here, we investigated whether life‐history traits involved in the fitness of the potato cyst nematode Globodera pallida are affected in a virulent lineage compared to an avirulent one. Both lineages were obtained from the same natural population through experimental evolution on resistant and susceptible hosts, respectively. Unexpectedly, we found that virulent lineages were more fit than avirulent lineages on susceptible hosts: they produced bigger cysts, containing more larvae and hatching faster. We thus discuss possible reasons explaining why virulence did not spread into natural G. pallida populations.
Revision of echinoids from the Tournaisian (Mississippian) of Belgium and the importance of disarticulated material in assessing palaeodiversity
Authors: Thompson Jeffrey R. , Denayer Julien
Published: March 2016

Articulated echinoids are rare in Palaeozoic strata. In order to gain a better understanding of palaeodiversity and community composition, it is more than useful to incorporate disarticulated specimens into estimates of such metrics. It has been demonstrated that disarticulated ossicles of echinoids from the post‐Palaeozoic can be diagnostic at the species level and can be used to bolster analyses of diversity. Although usually not identifiable to the species level, many families, and some genera, of Palaeozoic echinoids have diagnostic properties that can be recognized from disarticulated plates. Herein, it is demonstrated that such diagnostic properties exist for plates of the Palaechinidae, Archaeocidaridae and Proterocidaridae, and that the utility of using disarticulated echinoid ossicles to aid in palaeodiversity studies extends back into the Palaeozoic. Portions of the echinoid fauna from Tournai, Belgium, are revised and disarticulated plates of echinoids from two upper Tournaisian localities in Belgium, Pair and Petit‐Modave, are examined and described. The fauna of Pair yielded an indeterminate palaechinid and Hyattechinus sp., while the fauna from Petit‐Modave yielded only indeterminate palaechinid plates. Although no articulated specimens are known from these localities, when disarticulated plates are taken into account, a more accurate estimate of palaeodiversity becomes clear. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of Hemogram of Radiation Workers in Tangshan, China
Authors: Qian Qing‐Zeng , Cao Xiang‐Ke , Liu Hai‐Yan , Shen Fu‐Hai , Wang Qian , Tong Jun‐Wang , Qian Qing‐Qiang
Published: March 2016

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate changes in peripheral blood cells of radiation workers and explore the impact of long‐term ionizing radiation (IR) on human peripheral hemogram.

Methods

With a cohort method, we selected 1,392 radiation workers (case group) and 1,430 non‐health‐ray‐exposure history persons (control group) to detect and analyze their peripheral hemogram. FAITH3000 automatic biochemical analyzer was used for blood testing. Examination of peripheral hemogram includes the examination of white blood cells (WBCs), platelet (PLTs), red blood cells (RBCs), hemoglobin (Hb), lymphocytes (LYMs), and mononuclear cells (MOs). The data analysis was conducted with software SPSS19.0.

Results

All the peripheral hemogram indicators (WBCs, RBCs, Hb, PLTs, LYMs, and MOs) in the case group, in accordance with the order of radiology diagnostic medical group, industrial inspection group, petroleum logging group, and radiotherapy medical group, showed a significant decreasing trend and were lower than those in the control group (all P < 0.05). Besides, with the increase of radiation seniority and accumulative radiation dose, all the peripheral hemogram indicators (WBCs, RBCs, Hb, PLTs, LYMs, and MOs) in the case group dramatically decreased and were lower than those in the control group (all P < 0.05). Seniority was in negative association with the expressions of WBCs, PLTs, RBCs, Hb, LYMs, and MOs and radiation dose with Hb, LYMs, and MOs (all P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Long‐term IR has some effects on the health of radiation workers, thus protective measures should be further strengthened.
Anti‐Mitotic Spindle Apparatus Antoantibodies: Prevalence and Disease Association in Chinese Population
Authors: Xi Qian , Wu Yongkang , Li Lixin , Cai Bei , Zhang Junlong , Yang Bin , Wang Lanlan
Published: March 2016

Background

Mitotic spindle apparatus (MSA) antibodies are rare findings with undefined clinical significance in clinical research. We aimed at investigating the prevalence and clinical significance of anti‐MSA antibodies in Chinese population.

Methods

Between 2008 and 2013, a total of 180,180 patients were studied for the presence of anti‐MSA antibodies. The clinical details and laboratory data of anti‐MSA‐positive patients were retrospectively collected and analyzed.

Results

Of the 180,180 patients tested, 68,640 patients presented with positive antinuclear antibodies (ANAs, 38.10%), but only 32 patients with positive anti‐MSA antibodies (0.018%). Diagnoses were established in 22 of 32 patients: 16 connective tissue diseases (CTDs), mainly Sjogren syndrome (SS, 5/16), rheumatoid arthritis (RA, 4/16), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, 3/16), and 6 nonautoimmune conditions. The most frequent clinical symptoms of the anti‐MSA‐positive patients were arthralgia and eyes and mouth drying. Additionally, 70% of anti‐MSA antibodies were not associated with other ANAs, however, when associated, the most frequent ANA was anti‐SSA.

Conclusions

Anti‐MSA antibodies have a low prevalence and female gender predominance. Anti‐MSA antibodies are primarily associated with CTDs, mainly SS, RA, and SLE. The presence of anti‐MSA antibodies might be the unique serological markers of the CTDs, especially when anti‐SSA, SSB, and dsDNA antibodies are negative, or the level of RF is low.
Concurrent sorafenib therapy extends the interval to subsequent TACE for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Yao Xuesong , Yan Dong , Zeng Huiying , Liu Dengzhong , Li Huai
Published: March 2016

Background and Objectives

To compare the impact of concurrent TACE + sorafenib versus TACE alone on overall survival (OS) and time to progression (TTP) in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC). A secondary goal was to determine if sorafenib use increases the interval between courses of TACE.

Methods

This study enrolled 150 patients with uHCC from June 2011 to June 2014, including 50 treated with TACE + sorafenib and 100 treated with TACE alone. Factors associated with OS and TTP were identified by univariate and multivariate Cox‐regression model analyses. Average TACE interval was defined as TTP/TACE frequency.

Results

The median OS (21.7 vs. 11.5 months) and TTP (10.2 vs. 6.7 months) were longer in the TACE + sorafenib group compared to the TACE group. Patients receiving combination therapy had higher survival rate (P < 0.032) and longer average interval to TACE (P < 0.001), but lower progression rate (P < 0.001). TACE + sorafenib therapy was associated with improved OS (P ≤ 0.009) and TTP (P ≤ 0.021). The majority of AEs identified in patients receiving the combination therapy were classified as Grades 1 and 2, and skin‐related reactions and fatigue were the most common.

Conclusion

Concurrent sorafenib with TACE provides survival benefits over TACE monotherapy, which may be related to a prolonged interval between subsequent TACE courses. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;113:672–677. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Kilohertz Pulsed‐Laser‐Polymerization: Simultaneous Determination of Backbiting, Secondary, and Tertiary Radical Propagation Rate Coefficients for tert‐Butyl Acrylate
Authors: Wenn Benjamin , Junkers Tanja
Published: March 2016

For the first time, a 1000 Hz pulse laser has been applied to determine detailed kinetic rate coefficients from pulsed laser polymerization–size exclusion chromatography experiments. For the monomer tert‐butyl acrylate, apparent propagation rate coefficients kpapp have been determined in the temperature range of 0–80 °C. kpapp in the range of few hundreds to close to 50 000 L·mol–1·s–1 are determined for low and high pulse frequencies, respectively. The apparent propagation coefficients show a distinct pulse‐frequency dependency, which follows an S‐shape curve. From these curves, rate coefficients for secondary radial propagation (kpSPR), backbiting (kbb), midchain radical propagation (kptert), and the (residual) effective propagation rate (kpeff) can be deduced via a herein proposed simple Predici fitting procedure. For kpSPR, the activation energy is determined to be (17.9 ± 0.6) kJ·mol–1 in excellent agreement with literature data. For kbb, an activation energy of (25.9 ± 2.2) kJ·mol–1 is deduced.

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Membrane Hydrodynamics and Black Soap Bubbles
Authors: Armas Jay
Published: March 2016

The surface transport properties of stationary relativistic lumps of fluid are presented to first order in a derivative expansion based on an effective action approach. In the context of AdS/CFT, these lumps are known as plasma‐balls and describe finite temperature configurations of compactified Super Yang Mills.
Formalizing and testing the consistency of DSL transformations
Authors: Keshishzadeh Sarmen , Mooij Arjan J.
Published: March 2016

A domain specific language (DSL) focuses on the essential concepts in a specific problem domain, and abstracts from low-level implementation details. The development of DSLs usually centers around the meta-model, grammar and code generator, possibly extended with transformations to analysis models. Typically, little attention is given to the formal semantics of the language, whereas this is essential for reasoning about DSL models, and for assessing the correctness of the generated code and analysis models. We argue that the semantics of a DSL should be defined explicitly and independently of any code generator, to avoid all kinds of complexities from low-level implementation details. As the generated analysis models must reflect some of these implementation details, we propose to formalize them separately. To assess the correctness and consistency of the generated code and analysis models in a practical way, we use conformance testing. We extensively illustrate this general approach using specific formalizations for an industrial DSL on collision prevention. We do not aim for a generic semantic model for any DSL, but this specific DSL indicates the potential of a modular semantics to facilitate reuse among DSLs.
The Efficacy of Bisphosphonates with Core Decompression and Mesenchymal Stem Cells Compared with Bisphosphonates Alone in the Treatment of Osteonecrosis of the Hip: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Gianakos Arianna L. , Moya-Angeler Joaquin , Duggal Shivi , Zambrana Lester , Fields Kara G. , Mintz Douglas N. , Cornell Charles N. , Lane Joseph M.
Published: March 2016

Introduction

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a devastating disease with complete collapse of the femoral head often reported in greater than 70% of patients within 3 to 4 years of diagnosis. Early intervention prior to collapse may improve the chance of success of joint preserving procedures.

Questions/Purposes

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether core decompression with mesenchymal stem cells combined with bisphosphonate therapy can improve the clinical outcomes and reduce the risk of hip replacement when compared to treatment with bisphosphonate therapy alone.

Methods

Between 2006 and 2014, 84 consecutive patients who were diagnosed with ONFH were identified from our institution's registry. Of these 84 patients, 49 patients (62 hips), fit inclusion/exclusion criteria. Twenty-nine patients (40 hips) were treated with bisphosphonate therapy only. Twenty patients (20 hips) were treated with bisphosphonates, core decompression, and mesenchymal stem cells. Functional outcomes were assessed using the Modified Harris Hip Score (MHHS), the visual analog score (VAS), and evaluation of support system. Clinical failure was defined as deterioration of the MHHS/VAS scores and support system used severe enough to require THR. Radiologic outcome measures included the XR and MR imaging staging of the hip. Survival analysis was performed with total hip replacement as the end point failure. Collapse was defined as progression from Ficat stage I or II to stage III and from Steinberg I, II, III to IV, V, VI.

Results

Failure requiring THR occurred in 21/40 (52.5%) of bisphosphonates (BP)-treated hips at a mean follow-up of 25.3 ± 11.5 months and 5/22 (22.73%) of BP + CD + MSC-treated hips at a mean follow-up of 22.7 ± 19.5 months. The median (Q1, Q3) time to collapse was 24.9 (7.4, 33.0) months in BP-treated hips and 27.3 (27.3) months in BP + CD + MSC-treated hips. There was no evidence of a difference in functional outcomes between the two treatment groups. After adjusting for baseline Ficat stage, age, and sex, an unreplaced hip treated with BP + CD + MSC had 0.42 (95% CI 0.11, 1.57) times the risk of being replaced in the next moment compared to an unreplaced hip treated with bisphosphonates only ( P = 0.196).

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate that treatment with BP alone or BP + CD + MSC can postpone the need for total hip arthroplasty (THA) in the first 24 months in patients with ONFH compared to previously reported data, but there is no statistically significant difference between the two treatment groups. Combination therapy of BP + CD + MSC may be more effective in delaying the progression of collapse in early stage ONFH. Future prospective studies are warranted to determine the efficacy of these treatment strategies in the long term.
The Effectiveness of Hot Isostatic Pressing for Closing Porosity in Titanium Parts Manufactured by Selective Electron Beam Melting
Authors: Tammas-Williams Samuel , Withers Philip J. , Todd Iain , Prangnell Philip B.
Published: March 2016

Ti-6Al-4V parts, produced by selective electron beam melting additive manufacturing, have been studied by X-ray computed tomography (XCT) to track pore closure during a standard hot isostatic pressing (HIPing) cycle. Comparison of repeated XCT scans before and after HIPing, on worst-case samples with different geometries, confirmed that all internal porosity was shrunk to below the resolution limit of the equipment used (~5 µm) following the HIPing cycle, apart from defects with surface connected ligaments.
A Fossil Coconut Fruit from the Early Eocene of Gujarat
Authors: Singh Hukam , Shukla Anumeha , Mehrotra R. C.
Published: March 2016

A fossil fruit resembling extant Cocos nucifera of the family Arecaceae is reported for the first time from the early Eocene sediments of Gujarat. The fossil was collected from the Tarkeshwar lignite mine of the Surat District which belongs to the Cambay Shale Formation. Its occurrence indicates coastal conditions in the region during the depositional period in contrast to arid to semi-arid climate prevailing there at present. The present fossil, along with the previously published palyno-assemblages from the mine supports the equatorial position of the Indian subcontinent at the time of deposition i.e. during the early Eocene.
Rock Slope Stability Analysis along NH-44 in Sonapur Area, Jaintia Hills District, Meghalaya
Authors: Sarkar Kripamoy , Buragohain Bhritashree , Singh T. N.
Published: March 2016

Occurrences of landslide are most common and critical issue in North-East India. The various types of slope failures have been affected most part of slopes and road section between Malidor to Sonapur area (approx 30 Km) along NH-44 within Jaintia hills district, Meghalaya, India. These slope failures causes considerable loss of life and property along with many inconveniences such as disruption of traffic along highways. The unscientific excavations of rock slopes for road widening or construction purposes may weaken the stability of the slopes. The rocks exposed in the area are highly jointed sandstone and shale of Barail Group of Oligocene age. The Sonapur landslide is most dangerous and destructive rock fall-cum debris flow. The present study includes the kinematic analysis of the slope to assess the potential failure directions as the rocks are highly jointed in some parts of road cut sections. The continuous slope mass rating (CSMR) technique has been applied for slope stability analysis at five vulnerable locations. Kinematic analysis indicates mainly wedge type of failure along with few toppling and planar failures. These failure required immediate treatment to prevent the slide and long term stability of the slope.
Diagenetic Alterations of the Upper Jurassic Scleractinian Corals, Hanifa Formation, Jabal Al-Abakkayn, Central Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al-Dabbagh Mohammad E. , El-Sorogy Abdelbaset S.
Published: March 2016

During diagenetic stages, the aragonitic skeletons and the inter/intra-corallite cement of the upper Jurassic corals of Hanifa Formation either dissolved or subjected to diagenetic alterations including cementation, micritization, recrystallization, silicification, dolomitization and dedolomitization. The proposed sequence of diagenetic stages is as follows: early marine diagenesis, early meteoric and mixing zone diagenesis, late meteoric diagenesis, and shallow burial diagenesis. Each stage is characterized by certain diagenetic processes. The source of sulfate solutions for dedolomitization in the studied corals is the dissolved anhydrite deposits of the Arab–Hith Formations, sometime before their erosion. A possible source of silica, needed for the formation of chert and chalcedony, is the sponge spicules dispersed in many carbonates of the Hanifa Formation.
Joining, Leaving, and Staying in the American Indian/Alaska Native Race Category Between 2000 and 2010
Authors: Liebler Carolyn A. , Bhaskar Renuka , Porter (née Rastogi) Sonya R.
Published: March 2016

Conceptualizing and operationalizing American Indian populations is challenging. Each census for decades has seen the American Indian population increase substantially more than expected, with indirect and qualitative evidence that this is due to changes in individuals’ race responses. We apply uniquely suited (but not nationally representative) linked data from the 2000 and 2010 decennial censuses (N = 3.1 million) and the 2006–2010 American Community Survey (N = 188,131) to address three research questions. First, to what extent do American Indian people have different race responses across data sources? We find considerable race response change, especially among multiple-race and/or Hispanic American Indians. Second, how are people who change responses different from or similar to those who do not? We find three sets of American Indians: those who (1) had the same race and Hispanic responses in 2000 and 2010, (2) moved between single-race and multiple-race American Indian responses, and (3) added or dropped the American Indian response, thus joining or leaving the enumerated American Indian population. People in groups (1) and (2) were relatively likely to report a tribe, live in an American Indian area, report American Indian ancestry, and live in the West. Third, how are people who join a group different from or similar to those who leave it? Multivariate models show general similarity between joiners and leavers in group (1) and in group (2). Population turnover is hidden in cross-sectional comparisons; people joining each subpopulation of American Indians are similar in number and characteristics to those who leave it.
Developing an appreciation of patient safety: analysis of interprofessional student experiences with health mentors
Authors: Langlois Sylvia
Published: March 2016

Introduction A critical task for health profession educators is to foster student appreciation of patient quality and safety issues. Although instructional methods vary, few focus on the direct communication of the patient experience to students. This qualitative study explores the experiences and learning of health profession students participating in a Safety Module in the Health Mentor Programme. Methods Small interprofessional groups of students were paired with a health mentor, an individual experiencing chronic health challenges. Students followed a 90-minute, semi-structured interview format exploring issues regarding quality care and safety. Following the interviews, students participated in a facilitated asynchronous online discussion and completed a reflective practice paper. An inductive thematic analysis of both of these text-based datasets revealed emerging themes. Results Themes identified in the data included: Patient partnerships as critical to optimal care; consideration of a variety of safety issues; importance of advocacy in promoting safety; improvement of future practice enabled through patient perspectives on clinical error; and embracing of interprofessional communication and collaboration. Conclusions The findings suggest that engagement with the health mentor narratives facilitated students’ appreciation of quality and safety issues related to patient care.
Tablet versus paper marking in assessment: feedback matters
Authors: Denison Alan , Bate Emily , Thompson Jessica
Published: March 2016

Background The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is a cornerstone in healthcare assessment. As a potential tool for providing learner-centred feedback on a large scale, the use of tablet devices has been proposed for the recording of OSCE marks, moving away from the traditional, paper-based checklist.

Methods Examiner-recorded comments were collated from successive first year formative and summative OSCE examinations, with paper-based checklists used in 2012 and iPad-based checklists used in 2013. A total of 558 and 498 examiner-candidate interactions took place in the January OSCE examinations, and 1402 and 1344 for the May OSCE examination for 2012 and 2013 respectively. Examiner comments were analyzed for quantity and quality. A tool was developed and validated to assess the quality of the comments left by examiners for use as feedback (Kappa = 0.625).

Results A direct comparison of paper-based checklists and iPad-recorded examinations showed an increase in the quantity of comments left from 41 to 51 % (+ 10 %). Furthermore, there was an increase in the number of comments left for students deemed ‘borderline’: + 22 %. In terms of the quality of the comments for feedback, there was a significant improvement (p < 0.001) between comments left in written-recorded and iPad-recorded examinations.

Conclusions iPad-marked examinations resulted in a greater quantity and quality of examiner comment for use as feedback, particularly for students performing less well, enabling tutors to direct further learning for these students.
A review of ‘Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English’ (6th edition)
Authors: Chi Amy
Published: March 2016

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English (6th edition) for advanced learners (LDOCE6), published by Pearson Education 2014, is the latest edition of this reputable dictionary for foreign learners of English. To increase its competitiveness, LDOCE6 includes new features like the Longman Communication 9000 to provide users with assistance on vocabulary acquisition, and the Grammar Guide to give information on major grammar topics and grammar notes that illustrate common grammar mistakes made by learners. This review examines whether the dictionary satisfies the needs and expectations of the users (in this case, advanced level EFL students); and if it rightly pitches at the level of their English proficiency and reference skills for ease of use and acquiring linguistic knowledge/
Paramedics assessing Elders at Risk for Independence Loss (PERIL): Derivation, Reliability and Comparative Effectiveness of a Clinical Prediction Rule
Authors: Lee Jacques S. , Verbeek P. Richard , Schull Michael J. , Calder Lisa , Stiell Ian G. , Trickett John , Morrison Laurie J. , Nolan Michael , Rowe Brian H. , Sookram Sunil , Ryan David , Kiss Alex , Naglie Gary
Published: March 2016

Objectives

We conducted a program of research to derive and test the reliability of a clinical prediction rule to identify high-risk older adults using paramedics’ observations.

Methods

We developed the Paramedics assessing Elders at Risk of Independence Loss (PERIL) checklist of 43 yes or no questions, including the Identifying Seniors at Risk (ISAR) tool items. We trained 1,185 paramedics from three Ontario services to use this checklist, and assessed inter-observer reliability in a convenience sample. The primary outcome, return to the ED, hospitalization, or death within one month was assessed using provincial databases. We derived a prediction rule using multivariable logistic regression.

Results

We enrolled 1,065 subjects, of which 764 (71.7%) had complete data. Inter-observer reliability was good or excellent for 40/43 questions. We derived a four-item rule: 1) “Problems in the home contributing to adverse outcomes?” (OR 1.43); 2) “Called 911 in the last 30 days?” (OR 1.72); 3) male (OR 1.38) and 4) lacks social support (OR 1.4). The PERIL rule performed better than a proxy measure of clinical judgment (AUC 0.62 vs. 0.56, p=0.02) and adherence was better for PERIL than for ISAR.

Conclusions

The four-item PERIL rule has good inter-observer reliability and adherence, and had advantages compared to a proxy measure of clinical judgment. The ISAR is an acceptable alternative, but adherence may be lower. If future research validates the PERIL rule, it could be used by emergency physicians and paramedic services to target preventative interventions for seniors identified as high-risk.
Prediction of noise from serrated trailing edges
Authors: Lyu B. , Azarpeyvand M. , Sinayoko S.
Published: March 2016

A new analytical model is developed for the prediction of noise from serrated trailing edges. The model generalizes Amiet’s trailing-edge noise theory to sawtooth trailing edges, resulting in a complicated partial differential equation. The equation is then solved by means of a Fourier expansion technique combined with an iterative procedure. The solution is validated through comparison with the finite element method for a variety of serrations at different Mach numbers. The results obtained using the new model predict noise reduction of up to 10 dB at 90$^{\circ }$ above the trailing edge, which is more realistic than predictions based on Howe’s model and also more consistent with experimental observations. A thorough analytical and numerical analysis of the physical mechanism is carried out and suggests that the noise reduction due to serration originates primarily from interference effects near the trailing edge. A closer inspection of the proposed mathematical model has led to the development of two criteria for the effectiveness of the trailing-edge serrations, consistent but more general than those proposed by Howe. While experimental investigations often focus on noise reduction at 90$^{\circ }$ above the trailing edge, the new analytical model shows that the destructive interference scattering effects due to the serrations cause significant noise reduction at large polar angles, near the leading edge. It has also been observed that serrations can significantly change the directivity characteristics of the aerofoil at high frequencies and even lead to noise increase at high Mach numbers.
Influence of flow topology and dilatation on scalar mixing in compressible turbulence
Authors: Danish Mohammad , Suman Sawan , Girimaji Sharath S.
Published: March 2016

The kinematics of passive scalar mixing and its relation to local flow topology and dilatation in compressible turbulence are examined using direct numerical simulations (DNS) of decaying isotropic turbulence. The main objective of this work is to characterize the dependence of various evolution mechanisms of scalar dissipation on local streamline topology and normalized dilatation. The DNS results indicate that the topology has a stronger influence on the nonlinear amplification mechanism than the dilatation level of a fluid element. In its appropriately normalized form, the amplification mechanism is found to be fairly independent of the Mach and Reynolds numbers. Non-focal topologies (the so called unstable-node/saddle/saddle and stable-node/saddle/saddle) are found to be associated with more intense mixing than the focal topologies at almost all dilatation levels. Alignment tendencies (jointly conditioned upon topology and dilatation) between the scalar-gradient vector and the strain-rate eigenvectors are shown to play a key role in shaping the observed behaviour in compressible turbulence. Finally, some modelling implications of these findings are discussed.
The Mental Effort-Reward Imbalances Model and Its Implications for Behaviour Management
Authors: Poulton Alison , Whale Samina , Robinson Joanne
Published: March 2016

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is frequently associated with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). The Mental Effort Reward Imbalances Model (MERIM) explains this observational association as follows: in ADHD a disproportionate level of mental effort is required for sustaining concentration for achievement; in ODD the subjective experience of reward for achievement is less than normal. In combination, these mechanisms predispose to reductions in motivation and achievement, and to low mood, oppositional behaviour, and reward seeking. Self-regulation has been used as a management strategy in ADHD, with interventions directed towards encouraging individuals to evaluate and reinforce positive behaviour. Using the logic of the MERIM, self-management strategies would be directed towards encouraging the individual to attribute value to a task or activity with the goal of obtaining the emotional outcome of feeling good about themselves through their achievement. We describe the use of two such strategies: positive rumination and positive reappraisal. These could potentially lead to improvements in functioning, enhancing the quality of life of affected individuals and resulting in fewer incidents of destructive, reward-seeking behaviour in relation to those around them.
Burning Off: Indigenising the Discipline of English
Authors: Collins-Gearing Brooke , Smith Rosalind
Published: March 2016

With the push towards ‘Indigenisation’ in Australian tertiary institutes, the discipline of English at the University of Newcastle undertook a pilot project to investigate what this could look like and what it meant for staff and students. This paper reflects our efforts to engage with notions of ‘Indigenisation’, based on national and international exemplars and presents one of our efforts to indigenise our discipline of English. We argue that our shifting and changing understanding of integrating Aboriginal ways of knowing into mainstream English courses is both difficult and essential.
Promoting Tobacco Cessation in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Authors: Lando Harry A.
Published: March 2016

The tobacco epidemic is increasingly concentrated in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) (WHO, 2008). These countries often have very limited resources and infrastructure to confront this epidemic. Public knowledge of tobacco health harms may be quite limited and, unfortunately, this is often true for health professionals as well (Nichter, 2006). Clinical practice guidelines have identified effective tobacco cessation interventions (Clinical Practice Guideline, 2008), but these have been focused primarily upon high-income countries. Approaches that have been successful in high-income countries may not be directly applicable in low-resource settings. Thus, for example, medications may not be readily accessible and infrastructure to support quit line programs may be minimal or non-existent.
Measuring Elite Personality Using Speech
Authors: Ramey Adam J. , Klingler Jonathan D. , Hollibaugh Gary E.
Published: March 2016

We apply recent advances in machine learning to measure Congressmember personality traits using floor speeches from 1996 to 2014. We also demonstrate the superiority of text-based measurement over survey-based measurement by showing that personality traits are correlated with survey response rates for members of Congress. Finally, we provide one empirical application showcasing the importance of personality on congressional behavior.
A prospective cohort study on the association between coffee drinking and risk of non-gallstone-related acute pancreatitis
Authors: Oskarsson Viktor , Sadr-Azodi Omid , Orsini Nicola , Wolk Alicja
Published: March 2016

Only one previous study has examined the association between coffee consumption and risk of acute pancreatitis, and it found a reduced risk for alcohol-related episodes among high consumers of coffee. Therefore, we examined (1) the association between coffee consumption and risk of non-gallstone-related acute pancreatitis and (2) whether this association was modified by alcohol intake. Data were obtained from two prospective cohorts, the Cohort of Swedish Men and the Swedish Mammography Cohort, including 76 731 men and women (born 1914–1952). Coffee consumption was assessed at baseline with a FFQ, and the cohorts were followed up between 1998 and 2012 via linkage to national health registries. Hazard ratios were estimated using Cox models, with adjustment for potential confounding factors. During 1 035 881 person-years of total follow-up, 383 cases (246 in men and 137 in women) of incident non-gallstone-related acute pancreatitis were identified. Overall, and irrespective of whether a categorical or a continuous exposure model was used, we observed no association between coffee consumption and risk of non-gallstone-related acute pancreatitis (e.g. the multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio for each 1 cup/d increase in coffee consumption was 0·97; 95 % CI 0·92, 1·03). There was no evidence of effect modification by alcohol intake (Pinteraction=0·77). In conclusion, coffee consumption was not associated with risk of non-gallstone-related acute pancreatitis in this large prospective cohort study. Because of the limited number of epidemiological studies and their conflicting results, further research is needed to elucidate this potential association.
Associations of serum n-3 and n-6 PUFA and hair mercury with the risk of incident stroke in men: the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study (KIHD)
Authors: Daneshmand Roya , Kurl Sudhir , Tuomainen Tomi-Pekka , Virtanen Jyrki K.
Published: March 2016

PUFA have been associated with lower risk of CVD, but less is known about their association with stroke risk. Fish, a major source of n-3 PUFA, may also contain methylmercury, which has been associated with higher risk of CVD and attenuation of the benefits of long-chain n-3 PUFA. We investigated the associations of serum n-3 and n-6 PUFA and hair Hg with risk of stroke in men. A total of 1828 men from the prospective, population-based Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study, aged 42–60 years and free of CVD at baseline in 1984–1989 were studied. Cox regression models were used for the analyses. During the mean follow-up of 21·2 years, 202 stroke cases occurred, of which 153 were ischaemic strokes. After adjustment for age and examination year, the only statistically significant association among the n-3 and n-6 PUFA was observed between the n-3 PUFA α-linolenic acid and risk of haemorrhagic stroke (hazard ratio in the highest v. the lowest quartile 0·33; 95 % CI 0·13, 0·86; Ptrend=0·03). However, further adjustments attenuated the association to statistically non-significant. Hair Hg was not associated with stroke risk, but among those with hair Hg above the median level, higher serum long-chain n-3 PUFA concentrations were associated with a higher risk of ischaemic stroke. In our cohort of men, serum n-3 or n-6 PUFA or hair Hg were not associated with stroke risk; however, the interaction between Hg and long-chain n-3 PUFA with regard to ischaemic stroke risk warrants further investigation.
Comparison of Carina active middle-ear implant with conventional hearing aids for mixed hearing loss
Authors: Savaş V A , Gündüz B , Karamert R , Cevizci R , Düzlü M , Tutar H , Bayazit Y A
Published: March 2016

Objective:

To compare the auditory outcomes of Carina middle-ear implants with those of conventional hearing aids in patients with moderate-to-severe mixed hearing loss.

Methods:

The study comprised nine patients (six males, three females) who underwent middle-ear implantation with Carina fully implantable active middle-ear implants to treat bilateral moderate-to-severe mixed hearing loss. The patients initially used conventional hearing aids and subsequently received the Carina implants. The hearing thresholds with implants and hearing aids were compared.

Results:

There were no significant differences between: the pre-operative and post-operative air and bone conduction thresholds (p> 0.05), the thresholds with hearing aids and Carina implants (p> 0.05), or the pre-operative (mean, 72.8 ± 19 per cent) and post-operative (mean, 69.9 ± 24 per cent) speech discrimination scores (p> 0.05). One of the patients suffered total sensorineural hearing loss three months following implantation despite an initial 38 dB functional gain. All except one patient showed clinical improvements after implantation according to quality of life questionnaire (Glasgow Benefit Inventory) scores.

Conclusion:

Acceptance of Carina implants is better than with conventional hearing aids in patients with mixed hearing loss, although both yield similar hearing amplification. Cosmetic reasons appear to be critical for patient acceptance.
International teaching assistants at universities: A research agenda
Authors: Gorsuch Greta
Published: March 2016

International teaching assistants (ITAs) are Indian, Chinese, Korean, Turkish, etc. international students who have been admitted to graduate study at universities in the U.S.A. and Canada, and are being supported as instructors of undergraduate-level classes and labs in biology, chemistry, physics, and math. For the past 30 years, the number of ITAs has been increasing, and many departments at universities have come to rely largely on ITAs to cover their undergraduate teaching needs. As high-intermediate and low-advanced second language learners who must use their second language for professional purposes, ITAs face linguistic, social, professional, and cultural challenges. This is a learner population that deserves more attention, as I hope to establish here with this presentation of six research tasks. I have organized proposed research projects in such a way as to increase readers’ familiarity with this little publicized field, and also to relate the projects to different contexts of inquiry. By ‘contexts’ I mean ‘who is asking what and for what reasons.’ The two contexts of inquiry are: (1) Established areas of ITA program concern, including acquisition of fluency, prosody, and vocabulary; and (2) Working with ‘outside’ theories, such as the Output Hypothesis, and deliberate practice theory.
Dictionaries for learners of English
Authors: Lew Robert
Published: March 2016

The Department of Lexicography and Lexicology at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań has done extensive research on dictionary use in the context of language teaching and learning. The department forms part of the Faculty of English, which is the largest institution in continental Europe educating teachers of English at the B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. levels. Therefore, it is only natural that the language-teaching potential of dictionaries is the main focus of the studies undertaken in the Department.
A functional equation related to a repairable system subjected to priority rules
Authors: VANDERPERRE E. J. , MAKHANOV S. S.
Published: March 2016

We analyse the survival time of a general duplex system sustained by an auxiliary cold standby unit and subjected to priority rules. The duplex system is attended by two general repairmenRpandRh. RepairmanRphas priority in repairing failed units with regard to repairmanRhprovided that both repairmen are jointly idle. Otherwise, the priority is overruled. The auxiliary unit has its own repair facility. The duplex system has overall, break-in priority (often called pre-emptive priority) in operation and in standby with regard to the auxiliary unit. The analysis of the survival time is based on advanced complex function theory (sectionally holomorphic functions). The main problem is to convert a functional equation into a (parameter dependent) Sokhotski–Plemelj problem.
Multivariate Eulerian Polynomials and Exclusion Processes
Authors: BRÄNDÉN P. , LEANDER M. , VISONTAI M.
Published: March 2016

We give a new combinatorial interpretation of the stationary distribution of the (partially) asymmetric exclusion process on a finite number of sites in terms of decorated alternative trees and coloured permutations. The corresponding expressions of the multivariate partition functions are then related to multivariate generalisations of Eulerian polynomials for coloured permutations considered recently by N. Williams and the third author, and others. We also discuss stability and negative dependence properties satisfied by the partition functions.
Capitalising on the Irish land question: land reform and state banking in Ireland, 1891–1938
Authors: Foley-Fisher Nathan , McLaughlin Eoin
Published: March 2016

Land reform and its financial arrangements are central elements of modern Irish history. Yet to date, the financial mechanisms underpinning Irish land reform have been overlooked. The article outlines the mechanisms of land reform in Ireland and the importance of land bonds to the process. Advances worth over £127 million were made to tenant farmers to purchase their holdings. These schemes enabled the transfer of over three-quarters of land on the island of Ireland. The article introduces a new database on Irish land bonds listed on the Dublin Stock Exchange from 1891 to 1938. It illustrates the nature of these bonds and presents data on their size, liquidity and market returns. The article finds a high level of state banking in Ireland: large issues of land bonds were held by state-owned savings banks.
Facial emotion recognition and its relationship to cognition and depressive symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease
Authors: Pietschnig J. , Schröder L. , Ratheiser I. , Kryspin-Exner I. , Pflüger M. , Moser D. , Auff E. , Pirker W. , Pusswald G. , Lehrner J.
Published: March 2016

Background:

Impairments in facial emotion recognition (FER) have been detected in patients with Parkinson disease (PD). Presently, we aim at assessing differences in emotion recognition performance in PD patient groups with and without mild forms of cognitive impairment (MCI) compared to healthy controls.

Methods:

Performance on a concise emotion recognition test battery (VERT-K) of three groups of 97 PD patients was compared with an age-equivalent sample of 168 healthy controls. Patients were categorized into groups according to two well-established classifications of MCI according to Petersen's (cognitively intact vs. amnestic MCI, aMCI, vs. non-amnestic MCI, non-aMCI) and Litvan's (cognitively intact vs. single-domain MCI, sMCI, vs. multi-domain MCI, mMCI) criteria. Patients and controls underwent individual assessments using a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery examining attention, executive functioning, language, and memory (Neuropsychological Test Battery Vienna, NTBV), the Beck Depression Inventory, and a measure of premorbid IQ (WST).

Results:

Cognitively intact PD patients and patients with MCI in PD (PD-MCI) showed significantly worse emotion recognition performance when compared to healthy controls. Between-groups effect sizes were substantial, showing non-trivial effects in all comparisons (Cohen's ds from 0.31 to 1.22). Moreover, emotion recognition performance was higher in women, positively associated with premorbid IQ and negatively associated with age. Depressive symptoms were not related to FER.

Conclusions:

The present investigation yields further evidence for impaired FER in PD. Interestingly, our data suggest FER deficits even in cognitively intact PD patients indicating FER dysfunction prior to the development of overt cognitive dysfunction. Age showed a negative association whereas IQ showed a positive association with FER.
Tiny Accelerometers Create Europe's First Urban Seismic Network
Authors: D’Alessandro Antonino
Published: March 2016

The system, under development in Acireale, Italy, could be used to monitor earthquakes in real time and help rescue workers focus efforts where they’re needed most.
miR-203 and miR-221 regulate SOCS1 and SOCS3 in essential thrombocythemia
Authors: Navarro A , Pairet S , Álvarez-Larrán A , Pons A , Ferrer G , Longarón R , Fernández-Rodríguez C , Camacho L , Monzó M , Besses C , Bellosillo B
Published: March 2016

The biological basis of essential thrombocythemia (ET) patients lacking known mutations is still unknown. MicroRNAs (miRNA) regulate hematopoietic differentiation and are deregulated in several hematopoietic malignancies. However, miRNA expression in ET patients has been poorly explored. We performed miRNA profiling in platelets from 19 ET patients and 10 healthy controls. Hierarchical cluster analysis showed two well-separated clusters between patients and controls, indicating that ET platelets had a characteristic 70-miRNA signature (P<0.0001), 68 of which were downregulated. According to the mutational status, three differentially expressed miRNAs, miR-15a (P=0.045), miR-150 (P=0.001) and miR-519a (P=0.036), were identified. A 40-miRNA signature was identified characterizing JAK2V617F-positive ET patients. Eight genes, whose interaction with the miRNAs could activate the JAK/STAT pathway were identified. An inverse correlation was observed between miRNAs expression and their target genes for SOCS1 and miR-221, SOCS3 and miR-221, SOCS3 and miR-203, and PTPN11 and miR-23a. All three miRNAs were upregulated in JAK2V617F-negative ET patients. SOCS1 and SOCS3 were validated as targets of miR-221 and miR-203, respectively. In summary, our study shows that platelets from JAK2V617F-negative ET patients harbor a specific miRNA signature that can participate in the modulation of the JAK/STAT pathway through regulation of key genes as SOCS1 and SOCS3.