bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do the risk factors for developmental dysplasia of the hip differ according to gender? A look from another perspective
Authors: Onay Tolga , Gumustas Seyit A , Cagirmaz Talat , Aydemir Ahmet N , Orak Mehmet M
Published: August 2018

Aim

The aim of the present study was to examine if there were gender differences in risk factors in 4415 infants who were evaluated through a physical examination and hip ultrasonography (USG).

Methods

Physical examination of the hip and hip USG were performed on 4415 infants by the same paediatric orthopaedics specialist. Barlow and Ortolani tests were performed together with the evaluation for the limitation of abduction. Ultrasonographic hip examination was performed according to the Graf technique. The birth records of all the infants were examined, and anamneses (genetic disease, maternal age, delivery type, swaddling, multiple pregnancies, duration of gestation period, gravida, birthweight, breech presentation, oligohydramnios and family history) were obtained from the families. Any accompanying musculoskeletal (torticollis, pes equinovarus, congenital knee dislocation) abnormality was recorded.

Results

Pathological hip was determined in 149 (3.37%) of 4415 infants. In males, gestational week, family history, breech presentation, swaddling, congenital knee dislocation and limited abduction were observed to be significant for the presence of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). In females, significant factors for the presence of DDH were determined to include birthweight, gestational week, breech presentation, multiple pregnancy, accompanying oligohydramnios, torticollis, pes equinovarus and limited abduction.

Conclusion

Risk factors for DDH can differ according to gender.
Rapid evolution and the genomic consequences of selection against interspecific mating
Authors: Burford Reiskind Martha O. , Labadie Paul , Bargielowski Irka , Lounibos L. Philip , Reiskind Michael H.
Published: August 2018

While few species introduced into a new environment become invasive, those that do provide critical information on ecological mechanisms that determine invasions success and the evolutionary responses that follow invasion. Aedes albopictus (the Asian tiger mosquito) was introduced into the naturalized range of Aedes aegypti (the yellow fever mosquito) in the United States in the mid‐1980s, resulting in the displacement of A. aegypti in much of the south‐eastern United States. The rapid displacement was likely due to the superior competitive ability of A. albopictus as larvae and asymmetric mating interference competition, in which male A. albopictus mate with and sterilize A. aegypti females, a process called “satyrization.” The goal of this study was to examine the genomic responses of a resident species to an invasive species in which the mechanism of character displacement is understood. We used double‐digest restriction enzyme DNA sequencing (ddRADseq) to analyse outlier loci between selected and control lines of laboratory‐reared A. aegypti females from two populations (Tucson, AZ and Key West, Florida, USA), and individual females classified as either “resisted” or “mated with” A. albopictus males via mating trials of wild‐derived females from four populations in Florida. We found significant outlier loci in comparing selected and control lines and between mated and nonmated A. aegypti females in the laboratory and wild‐derived populations, respectively. We found overlap in specific outlier loci between different source populations that support consistent genomic signatures of selection within A. aegypti. Our results point to regions of the A. aegypti genome and potential candidate genes that may be involved in mating behaviour, and specifically in avoiding interspecific mating choices.
The molecular basis for the intramolecular migration (NIH shift) of the carboxyl group during para‐hydroxybenzoate catabolism
Authors: Zhao Huan , Xu Ying , Lin Shuangjun , Spain Jim C. , Zhou Ning‐Yi
Published: August 2018

The NIH shift is a chemical rearrangement in which a substituent on an aromatic ring undergoes an intramolecular migration, primarily during an enzymatic hydroxylation reaction. The molecular mechanism for the NIH shift of a carboxyl group has remained a mystery for 40 years. Here, we elucidate the molecular mechanism of the reaction in the conversion of para‐hydroxybenzoate (PHB) to gentisate (GA, 2, 5‐dihydroxybenzoate). Three genes (phgABC) from the PHB utilizer Brevibacillus laterosporus PHB‐7a encode enzymes (p‐hydroxybenzoyl‐CoA ligase, p‐hydroxybenzoyl‐CoA hydroxylase and gentisyl‐CoA thioesterase, respectively) catalyzing the conversion of PHB to GA via a route involving CoA thioester formation, hydroxylation concomitant with a 1, 2‐shift of the acetyl CoA moiety and thioester hydrolysis. The shift of the carboxyl group was established rigorously by stable isotopic experiments with heterologously expressed phgABC, converting 2, 3, 5, 6‐tetradeutero‐PHB and [carboxyl‐13C]‐PHB to 3, 4, 6‐trideutero‐GA and [carboxyl‐13C]‐GA respectively. This is distinct from the NIH shifts of hydrogen and aceto substituents, where a single oxygenase catalyzes the reaction without the involvement of a thioester. The discovery of this three‐step strategy for carboxyl group migration reveals a novel role of the CoA thioester in biochemistry and also illustrates the diversity and complexity of microbial catabolism in the carbon cycle.
Communication with patients in intensive care units: a scoping review
Authors: Karlsen Marte‐Marie Wallander , Ølnes Mia Alexandra , Heyn Lena Güntenberg
Published: August 2018

Background

Patients in intensive care units are generally more conscious and alert when they are on mechanical ventilation than in previous years because of the many potential benefits of being under less sedation. The endotracheal tube blocks the vocal cords when patients are on ventilation, thus making it impossible to speak. Many patients report that they struggle to make themselves understood.

Aim

The aim of this study was to assess previous knowledge about interaction and communication between health care personnel and conscious and alert patients under mechanical ventilation in intensive care units.

Design and methods

A literature review was performed following the steps of a scoping review. Studies published between 1998 and 2017 were identified in several databases: Cinahl, Embase, Medline, PsycINFO and Scopus. The first search returned 7386 unique references. The inclusion criteria consisted of empirical studies or studies related to interactions between health care personnel and patients over 18 years of age on mechanical ventilation. The relevant studies were summarized in a standardized data‐charting sheet.

Results

The inclusion criteria were met by 46 articles; 16 were qualitative studies, 17 were quantitative, 6 were mixed‐methods studies, and 7 were pilot or feasibility studies. Of the studies, 37 were from nurses, 4 from physicians, 4 from speech language pathologists and 1 from psychologists. The most common topics investigated in the studies were ‘experiences with communication on mechanical ventilation’ and ‘communication exchanges’.

Conclusions

A variety of communication aids that appear to have some effect on patients should be made available in intensive care units. More multidisciplinary approaches in future studies could enhance the knowledge in the field.

Relevance to clinical practice

The education of intensive care unit personnel in the use of such aids should be a prioritized field, as should be the implementation of a variety of communication aids.
Oxidative stress in asthma: Part of the puzzle
Authors: Sahiner Umit M. , Birben Esra , Erzurum Serpil , Sackesen Cansin , Kalayci Ömer
Published: August 2018

An imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species and the capacity of antioxidant defense mechanisms favoring oxidants is called oxidative stress and is implicated in asthmatic inflammation and severity. Major reactive oxygen species that are formed endogenously include hydrogen peroxide, superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical, and hypohalite radical; and the major antioxidants that fight against the endogenous and environmental oxidants are superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione. Despite the well‐known presence of oxidative stress in asthma, studies that target oxidative burden using a variety of nutritional, pharmacological, and environmental approaches have generally been disappointing. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on oxidative stress and antioxidant imbalance in asthma. In addition, we focus on possible biomarkers of oxidative stress in asthma and on current and future treatment strategies using the modulation of oxidative stress to treat asthma patients.
Development of a Person‐Centered Family Planning Scale in India and Kenya
Authors: Sudhinaraset May , Afulani Patience A. , Diamond‐Smith Nadia , Golub Ginger , Srivastava Aradhana
Published: August 2018

Despite recognition that person‐centered care is a critical component to providing high quality family planning services, there lacks consensus on how to operationalize and measure it. This paper describes the development and validation of a person‐centered family planning (PCFP) scale in India and Kenya. Cross‐sectional data were collected from 522 women in Kenya and 225 women in India who visited a health facility providing family planning services. Psychometric analyses, including exploratory factor analysis, were employed to assess the validity and reliability of the PCFP scale. Separate scales were developed for India and Kenya due to context‐specific items. We assessed criterion validity by examining the association between PCFP and global measures of quality and satisfaction with family planning care. The analysis resulted in a multidimensional PCFP scale, including 20 items in Kenya and 22 items in India. Through iterative factor analysis, two subscales were identified for both countries: “autonomy, respectful care, and communication” and “health facility environment.” This scale may be used to evaluate quality improvement interventions and experiences of women globally to support women in achieving their reproductive health goals.
The Faxinal System: Forest fragmentation and soil degradation on the communal grazing land
Authors: Antoneli Valdemir , Thomaz Edivaldo Lopes , Bednarz João Anésio
Published: August 2018

The Brazilian faxinal is a traditional agrosilvopastoral system, which combines extensive grazing, subsistence cropping and low impact forest extraction, managed within a communal property system. Today it is at serious risk of disappearing due to increasing grazing pressure and logging activities that are leading to environmental problems such as forest fragmentation and soil degradation. The objectives of the study were to: a) evaluate soil physical degradation levels in different grazing areas within the faxinal system; and b) correlate soil degradation, fodder quantity and livestock dynamics in different pasture areas according to the household's location. Landscape mapping, vegetation surveys, and livestock grazing dynamics were assessed. In addition, soil physical parameters were evaluated for each land use (e.g., resistance, bulk density, porosity, moisture, and water infiltration rates). Results showed that livestock grazing and household locations are the main driving forces that lead to forest fragmentation. The household location creates three interrelated gradients in the communal grazing land: 1) soil physical degradation decreases from the pasture areas to araucaria forests; 2) fodder quantity decreases from pastures to araucaria forests; and 3) the livestock grazing intensity decreases from pastures to araucaria forests. In addition, some management practices to mitigate land degradation, including improvement of pastures, installation of removable troughs for drinking water in the upland areas and restriction of livestock from the riparian zone, have been proposed.
The Effects of Whole Body Vibration Treatments on Lower Body Muscular Activity in Well-Trained Athletes from Different Sports Branches
Authors: Özsu İlbilge , Ertan Hayri , Şimşek Deniz , Özçaldiran Bahtiyar , Kurt Cem
Published: August 2018

A limited number of acute whole body vibration (WBV) studies have investigated the effects of WBV treatments which were applied with different vibration frequencies and amplitude combinations on lower extremity muscle activation of well-trained athletes from different sports branches. To compare the effects of WBV on lower extremity muscle activation via Surface Electromyography (sEMG) of well-trained athletes from different sports branches (soccer, basketball and swimming) during static and dynamic squat exercises. sEMG activities of Tibialis Anterior (TA), Gastrocnemius Medialis (GM), Vastus Medialis (VM), Rectus Femoris (RF), Vastus Lateralis (VL) and Biceps Femoris (BF) muscles of 7 male soccer players, 7 male basketball players, and 6 male swimmers were recorded during WBV applied in static squat and dynamic squat positions with different frequencies (30-35-40 Hz) and amplitude (2-4 mm) combinations separated from each other by 5 min passive rest periods. Each combination was applied for 30 sec. The highest muscle activation was determined in TA of the swimmers compared to soccer players during static squat with 4mm-30Hz WBV application (p=0.027). The lowest muscle activation was also determined in VL of the swimmers compared to soccer players during static squat with 2mm-40Hz WBV (p=0.049). During dynamic squat with 4mm-40Hz WBV, the highest muscle activity was determined in RF of the basketball players compared to swimmers (p=0.030). However, dynamic squat with 2mm-40Hz WBV application gave rise to the lowest muscle activation in VL of the basketball players compared to soccer players (p=0.042). Well-trained athletes from different sports branches demonstrated different neuromuscular responses to acute WBV treatments. WBV during dynamic squatting which was applied with 4mm-40 Hz may be more beneficial in enhancing neuromuscular performance acutely for well-trained male athletes since it resulted in higher levels of muscular activation responses according to the present study.
Ausência de Humanização na “Revitalização” do Centro Histórico de Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brasil
Authors: Pertile Perini Krisciê , Sardá Vieira Marcos , Guivant Julia Silvia
Published: August 2018

Este artigo apresenta o contexto atual de transformação urbana da área central e histórica de Florianópolis (Santa Catarina, Brasil), como medida de controle social e exploração do potencial turístico e imobiliário. Para compreender este processo são considerados os conceitos de “revitalização” e “humanização” a partir da análise do projeto “Feira Permanente Viva a Cidade”, desenvolvido pela Prefeitura Municipal em parceria com a Câmara de Dirigentes Lojistas (CDL). Na discussão desta problemática de reforma urbana, diante do interesse pela revitalização desta área degradada, consideramos que a prerrogativa de fomentar atividades de cultura e lazer como instrumento gradual de apropriação do espaço público surge para atender interesses particulares de especulação, utilizando o conceito de “revitalização” como justificativa para o controle territorial. Por outro lado, a demanda pelo conceito de “humanização”, voltada para os interesses públicos e sociais, seria uma alternativa mais democrática na reformulação da função dos espaços públicos, sem transformá-los em meros receptáculos da espetacularização e do consumo
Entre cuatro ruedas: lógica automovilística y barrios semicerrados en la ciudad de Cali (Colombia)
Authors: García Jerez Francisco Adolfo
Published: August 2018

Partiendo de la premisa de que el automóvil ha transmutado sustancialmente la vida urbana, este artículo tiene como objetivo indagar sobre la dimensión ideacional que los residentes de dos barrios de la ciudad colombiana de Cali poseen acerca de su movilidad y de los medios de transporte. Para ello, el análisis se basará en una interpretación durkheimiana de la representación social, entendiendo que esta última no es una dimensión autónoma que se configura de espalda a la realidad fáctica sino, muy al contrario, que esta interactúa, estructura y es estructurada por las prácticas sociales. Tres son las representaciones que, finalmente, confluirán en la configuración de una lógica automovilística en los residentes de los dos barrios de clases medias analizados, y que podrían sintetizarse del siguiente modo: la del desiderátum de la movilidad sostenible, la del automóvil como dispositivo eficiente y la de la mixtificación de la conducción.
Fanatismo y voracidad cultural. Una relectura de los debates sobre el omnivorismo
Authors: Álvarez Gandolfi Federico
Published: August 2018

La consigna que orientará este trabajo consiste en reflexionar de modo exploratorio sobre las experiencias culturales e identitarias a partir del consumo en la época actual, tomando como caso a los otakus o fans argentinos del manga y del animé. Teniendo en cuenta conceptualizaciones sobre el periodo histórico “posmoderno” y los acelerados procesos de “mercantilización” que atravesarían las sociedades, se planteará un cruce entre las siguientes dimensiones de problematización: cómo se vinculan los patrones de consumo fan con ciertos mecanismos de distinción, y en qué sentidos el fanatismo cobra una importancia para orientar prácticas de socialización y significación. El propósito teórico general reside en articular las discusiones sociológicas entre la corriente bourdiana de la homología y las tendencias al omnivorismo cultural con los planteos realizados desde los estudios sobre fans, contemplando el despliegue de jerarquías intragrupales que constituyen una zona de vacancia en los abordajes existentes sobre los otakus.
Revoluciones y Conectividad. De la Bastilla a la Plaza Tahrir. Boris Salazar
Authors: Pinto Carmine
Published: August 2018

Boris SalazarCali: Universidad del Valle,2016. 302 pp.
Transculturación narrativa: la clave wayúu en Gabriel García Márquez. Juan Moreno Blanco
Authors: Cáceres Domínguez Claudia Teresa
Published: August 2018

Juan Moreno BlancoCali: Universidad del Valle, 2015.168 pp.
Methadone Prescription Patterns among Pain Physicians in Colombia
Authors: Moreno Martínez Diego Alberto , Ilva Enríquez Paola Natyaly , Moyano Acevedo Jairo Ricardo
Published: August 2018

Background: Chronic pain is a disease with serious consequences for people, physicians, and health care systems. Chronic opioid usage is one of the therapy strategies. Methadone is among the available opioids in Colombia and it is characterized by unique pharmacological properties and increased mortality reports because of overdose and cardiovascular complications. Appropriate monitoring and prescribing patterns of methadone are associated with complications similar to chronic management with other opioids. Aim: To describe methadone prescribing patterns among Colombian pain physicians and compare them to the accepted recommendations by the international scientific community. Materials and Methods: An electronic structured survey was applied to pain specialist physicians identified through major pain study associations and national training programs. Results: Respondents of the survey are mostly experienced university certified physicians and anesthesiologists with clinical training working at university hospitals. Most of them perceive chronic opioid therapy as an effective strategy for pain relief and functional outcomes despite the lack of empirical support. Most of them know clinical practice guidelines but are not applying them despite this matter. Conclusions: We must enhance education for prescribers in order to improve patient safety. The recommended clinical practice guidelines are poorly applied by Colombian doctors. The results of this study must be cautiously assessed.
El derecho humano al agua potable en Colombia: Decisiones del Estado y de los particulares
Authors: Echeverría Molina Judith , Anaya Morales Shirley
Published: August 2018

Este artículo presenta reflexiones alrededor de las discusiones que se suscitan desde el pronunciamiento de la ONU A/64/L.63/Rev.1, resolución del 26 de julio de 2010, que declara el agua potable y el saneamiento como un derecho humano esencial, lo cual genera para los Estados obligaciones exigibles por parte de los particulares.

A partir de lo anterior, surge para los Estados miembro de las Naciones Unidas, entre ellos Colombia, la tarea de garantizar el servicio de acueducto con calidad y cobertura al 100 % a todos sus habitantes pero, a la vez, el Gobierno enfrenta el reto de conservar las fuentes de agua, que son el insumo para garantizar los derechos que la ONU ha considerado exigibles para todo ser humano.

 Es por ello que se plantean en este artículo los interrogantes e inquietudes en torno a las tareas que deben emprender el Estado colombiano y los particulares para el cumplimiento de las directivas de la ONU, sin detrimento de las fuentes de agua y la sostenibilidad del medio ambiente.
Oxygen-free palladium/titanium coating, a novel nonevaporable getter coating with an activation temperature of 133 °C
Authors: Miyazawa Tetsuya , Kurihara Masashi , Ohno Shinya , Terashima Naoya , Natsui Yuto , Kato Hiroo , Kato Yoshihiro , Hashimoto Ayako , Kikuchi Takashi , Mase Kazuhiko
Published: August 2018

A novel nonevaporable getter (NEG) coating was developed with an activation temperature as low as 133 °C, that is, a palladium/titanium coating with extremely low oxygen concentration (oxygen-free Pd/Ti coating). The substrate was coated with Ti and then overcoated with Pd using sublimation under ultrahigh vacuum conditions. The morphology and surface elemental composition of the Pd/Ti thin film were investigated with electron microscopes and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively. The thicknesses of Ti and Pd films were approximately 1.3 μm and 50 nm, and the Ti film was completely overcoated by the Pd film. Ti and oxygen were found to be negligible on the oxygen-free Pd/Ti surface. The oxygen-free Pd/Ti coating was applied to the formed bellows. The bellows was successively baked at 133 °C for 12 h, 176 °C for 3.5 h, and 200 °C for 3.5 h. After sealing off a turbomolecular pump from the vacuum system containing the bellows, the pressure reached values of 4.6 × 10−6, 1.7 × 10−7, and 6.1 × 10−8 Pa, respectively. The pumping speeds of the bellows were estimated to be 0.028, 0.23, and 0.23 l s−1, respectively. These results demonstrate that oxygen-free Pd/Ti deposition can be used as a new NEG coating for vacuum systems with a baking temperature of 133 °C or higher.
Young and restless killer T cells keep infections at bay
Authors: Murphy Samuel , Pillai Shiv
Published: August 2018

CD8
+
T cells formed early in life respond more rapidly to infection, and this appears to be the result of a pre-programmed effector-like chromatin landscape.
Discovering Invisible Truths
Authors: Capua Ilaria
Published: August 2018

The rise of populist movements worldwide is challenging science and motivating scientists to join the debate and enter politics. Based on my experience, taking a public stand will not come without slanderous personal and institutional attacks as an attempt to shake scientific credibility.
Substrate Binding by the Second Sialic Acid-Binding Site of Influenza A Virus N1 Neuraminidase Contributes to Enzymatic Activity
Authors: Du Wenjuan , Dai Meiling , Li Zeshi , Boons Geert-Jan , Peeters Ben , van Kuppeveld Frank J. M. , de Vries Erik , de Haan Cornelis A. M.
Published: August 2018

Avian and human influenza A viruses (IAVs) preferentially bind α2,3- and α2,6-linked sialic acids (SIAs), respectively. A functional balance between the hemagglutinin (HA) attachment and neuraminidase (NA) proteins is thought to be important for host tropism. What this balance entails at the molecular level is, however, not well understood. We now show that N1 proteins of both avian and human viruses prefer cleaving avian- over human-type receptors although human viruses were relatively better in cleavage of the human-type receptors. In addition, we show that substitutions at different positions in the second SIA-binding site found in NA proteins of human IAVs have a profound effect on binding and cleavage of multivalent, but not monovalent, receptors and affect virus replication. Our results indicate that the HA-NA balance can be tuned via modification of substrate binding via this site and suggest an important role of the second SIA-binding site in host tropism.
Patterns of uncertainty in life-history and extinction risk for Arctic vertebrates
Authors: Dey Cody J. , Yurkowski David J. , Schuster Richard , Shiffman David S. , Bittick Sarah Joy
Published: August 2018

Conserving Arctic wildlife will be challenging given the ongoing environmental changes in the region. In addition, there is a lack of fundamental biological information for many Arctic species, including a dearth of knowledge surrounding conservation threats and the risk of extinction. In this study, we gather all available data on research effort and life-history traits to assess the current state of scientific knowledge surrounding 389 Arctic vertebrate species. We also quantify patterns of species evaluation by the IUCN Red List, a global database of conservation risk used to measure success and prioritize resources in many conservation programs. We find that 10% of Arctic vertebrates have been the subject of no peer-reviewed studies during the last 30 years, and that we have little life history knowledge for many species. Arctic marine fishes are especially poorly known with an average of 3.5 (out of six) key life-history traits unknown. In a multivariate analysis, whether an Arctic species had been evaluated by the IUCN Red List was most strongly predicted by research effort and varied among taxonomic groups. In addition, we found that species that have been evaluated by the IUCN Red List continue to receive more research attention than species which have not been evaluated. Protecting all Arctic species may, therefore, require research programs and methods to halt research inertia and shift more attention onto species that are poorly known.
Biphasic effect of abscisic acid on plants: an hormetic viewpoint
Authors: Agathokleous Evgenios , Kitao Mitsutoshi , Calabrese Edward J.
Published: August 2018

Abscisic acid (ABA) is a major phytohormone that regulates development and growth. Increasingly, the literature indicates that ABA enhances and inhibits a spectrum of plant responses within an hormetic-like biphasic dose–response manner. A recent extensive study on the response of a variety of Arabidopsis lines to ABA suggested the widespread occurrence of hormetic dose responses. Our independent reassessment of these data reveals the occurrence of more than 30 hormetic dose–response relationships with quantitative features fully consistent with the substantial and extensively assessed literature on plant hormesis. This analysis significantly extends earlier findings indicating that ABA mediates a broad spectrum of hormetic dose responses in plants. ABA-induced hormesis provides a novel framework for research with the potential to advance the current scientific bases of plant ecology, physiology, and toxicology and to enhance agricultural yields and productivity.
The role of waves on mixing in shallow waters
Authors: Karimpour Shooka , Chu Vincent H.
Published: August 2018

The role of waves on mixing is examined in a transverse shear flow in shallow waters for sub-critical, trans-critical, and super-critical flow over a range of convective Froude numbers. At low convective Froude numbers, the rollup of the vortex sheet to form an eddy defines the mixing. The mixing at higher convective Froude numbers, on the other hand, is affected by the shock waves and the radiation of the wave energy from an elongated vorticity element. Significant structural changes of the shear flow occur as the shock waves become discernible in the trans-critical and super-critical range of the convective Froude number. The shear layer growth is restrained while the momentum-thickness to vorticity-thickness ratio increases by a factor greater than 3. The fractional growth rate of the mixing layer in shallow waters and its dependence on the convective Froude number follows analogously the observed Mach-number dependence in gas dynamics.
S-type granites in the western Superior Province: a marker of Archean collision zones
Authors: Yang Xue-Ming , Drayson Derek , Polat Ali
Published: August 2018

Detailed field observations indicate that Neoarchean S-type granites were emplaced along and (or) proximal to some terrane (tectonic) boundary zones in the western Superior Province, southeastern Manitoba. These S-type granites are characterized by the presence of at least one diagnostic indicator mineral, such as sillimanite, cordierite, muscovite, garnet, and tourmaline. They are medium- to high-K calc-alkaline, moderately to strongly peraluminous (ANKC >1.1), and contain >1% CIPW normative corundum. Compared with more voluminous, older I-type granitoids in tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite suites in the region, the S-type granites occur as relatively small intrusions and have high (SiO2 >72 wt.%) contents with a small silica range (SiO2 = 72.2–81.2 wt.%), but a large range of Zr/Hf (17.1–43.8) and Nb/Ta (0.3–16.0) ratios. These geochemical characteristics suggest that the S-type granites were derived from partial melting of heterogeneous sedimentary rocks deposited as synorogenic flysch that underwent burial and crustal thickening during terrane collision. Although the S-type granites display geochemical variations in individual and between different plutons, their low Sr (<400 ppm) and Yb (<2 ppm) contents and low Sr/Y (<40) and La/Yb (<20) ratios are consistent with a partial melting process that left a granulite-facies residue consisting of plagioclase, pyroxene, and ± garnet. The S-type granites display low zircon saturation temperatures (mostly <800 °C) and low emplacement pressures (<300 MPa), similar to strongly peraluminous leucogranites formed in the Himalayas. Therefore, we propose that the Neoarchean S-type granites in the western Superior Province, whose source rocks were deposited between colliding tectonic blocks between 2720 and 2680 Ma, may serve as a geological marker of some Archean terrane boundary zones.
Influence of the timing of weaning on growth and survival of juvenile winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectesamericanus)
Authors: Bélanger M. , Turcotte F. , Tremblay R. , Lambert Y. , Litvak M.K. , Audet C.
Published: August 2018

Metamorphosis is a critical developmental stage that presents particular challenges in fish aquaculture. The sharp increase in mortality that accompanies this transformation has often been attributed to nutritional deficiencies. Providing live feed (the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis Müller, 1786 and the brine shrimp Artemia salina (Linnaeus, 1758)) during the larval stages is costly and labour intensive, which explains why much effort has been put on early weaning. However, previous observations in winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus (Walbaum, 1792)) indicate that juveniles weaned after settlement had better survival than those weaned at the larval stage. In this study, we tested whether late weaning (at settlement (W0) and groups maintained on co-feeding for 1 month (W1), two months (W2), or 3 months (W3) after settlement) could improve juvenile survival and lipid composition. Our results demonstrated that maintaining co-feeding beyond the larval stage was essential for after-settlement survival. Juveniles co-fed until 90 days after settlement were 32.5% heavier. Analyses of fatty acid trophic markers suggested that juveniles preferentially fed on enriched rotifers rather than inert food. No pigmentation or fin erosion problems were observed in any of the weaning treatments, which indicates good rearing conditions.
A new routing strategy limited by heterogeneous link bandwidth
Authors: Wang Xin , Chen Feng , Zhang Tao , Qin Ning , Jiang Zhong-Yuan
Published: August 2018

Traffic capacity of a network is very vital to a variety of complex networks, such as communication networks and road networks, in which the bandwidth of every link is limited or finite. In this work, inspired by the deployment process of nodes and links in real networks, we assume the bandwidth of every link is composed of a constant part and a degree-related one that can be updated iteratively with the network hardware update. We propose a link bandwidth-based routing mechanism to enhance the network traffic capacity. Extensive simulations in both scale-free networks and random networks are done to confirm the effectiveness of our proposed method. Comparing results with the shortest path routing and a weighted routing, our method achieves better network traffic capacity among all used routing strategies without obvious extra cost including the network diameter, average path length and average packet traveling time. Our work studies network routing from a very new perspective and might have potential applications in real network systems such as the communication networks.
A 0.55 V Bandgap Reference with a 59 ppm/°C Temperature Coefficient
Authors: Nagulapalli R. , Hayatleh K. , Barker S. , Tammam A. A. , Georgiou P. , Lidgey F. J.
Published: August 2018

This paper presents a novel low power, low voltage CMOS bandgap reference (BGR) that overcomes the problems with the existing BJT-based reference circuits by using a MOS transistor operating in sub-threshold region. A proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) voltage is generated by exploiting the self-bias cascode branch, while a Complementary to Absolute Temperature (CTAT) voltage is generated by using the threshold voltage of the transistor. The proposed circuit is implemented in 65[Formula: see text]nm CMOS technology. Post-layout simulation results show that the proposed circuit works with a supply voltage of 0.55[Formula: see text]V, and generates a 286[Formula: see text]mV reference voltage with a temperature coefficient of 59[Formula: see text]ppm/∘C. The circuit takes 413[Formula: see text]nA current from 0.55[Formula: see text]V supply and occupies 0.00986[Formula: see text]mm2 of active area.
Nonlinear Dynamics of Three-Neurons-Based Hopfield Neural Networks (HNNs): Remerging Feigenbaum Trees, Coexisting Bifurcations and Multiple Attractors
Authors: Njitacke Z. T. , Kengne J.
Published: August 2018

In this work, the dynamics of a simplified model of three-neurons-based Hopfield neural networks (HNNs) is investigated. The simplified model is obtained by removing the synaptic weight connection of the third and second neuron in the original Hopfield networks introduced in Ref. 11 . The investigations have shown that the simplified model possesses three equilibrium points among which origin of the systems coordinates. It is found that the origin is always unstable while the symmetric pair of fixed points with conditional stability has values depending on synaptic weight between the second and the first neuron that is used as bifurcation control parameter. Numerical simulations, carried out in terms of bifurcation diagrams, graph of Lyapunov exponents, phase portraits, Poincaré section, time series and frequency spectra are employed to highlight the complex dynamical behaviors exhibited by the model. The results indicate that the modified model of HNNs exhibits rich nonlinear dynamical behaviors including symmetry breaking, chaos, periodic window, antimonotonicity (i.e., concurrent creation and annihilation of periodic orbits) and coexisting self-excited attractors (e.g., coexistence of two, four and six disconnected periodic and chaotic attractors) which have not been reported in previous works focused on the dynamics of HNNs. Finally, PSpice simulations verify the results of theoretical analyses of the simplified model of three-neurons-based HNNs.
Action of endomorphism semigroups on definable sets
Authors: Mashevitzky G. , Plotkin B. , Plotkin E.
Published: August 2018

The aim of the paper is to construct, discuss and apply the Galois-type correspondence between subsemigroups of the endomorphism semigroup [Formula: see text] of an algebra [Formula: see text] and sets of logical formulas. Such Galois-type correspondence forms a natural frame for studying algebras by means of actions of different subsemigroups of [Formula: see text] on definable sets over [Formula: see text]. We treat some applications of this Galois correspondence. The first one concerns logic geometry. Namely, it gives a uniform approach to geometries defined by various fragments of the initial language. The next prospective application deals with effective recognition of sets and effective computations with properties that can be defined by formulas from a fragment of the original language. In this way, one can get an effective syntactical expression by semantic tools. Yet another advantage is a common approach to generalizations of the main model theoretic concepts to the sublanguages of the first-order language and revealing new connections between well-known concepts. The fourth application concerns the generalization of the unification theory, or more generally Term Rewriting Theory, to the logic unification theory.
Does quantum gravity relate the constants of nature?
Authors: Husain Viqar , Singh Suprit
Published: August 2018

The central equation of quantum gravity is the Wheeler–DeWitt equation. We give an argument suggesting that exact solutions of this equation give a surface in the space of coupling constants. This provides a mechanism for determining the cosmological constant as a function of the gravitational and other interaction constants. We demonstrate the idea by computing one such surface in a cosmological model.
STUDY ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WALL SHEAR STRESS AND ASPECT RATIO OF CEREBRAL ANEURYSMS WITH DIFFERENT PRESSURE DIFFERENCES USING CFD SIMULATIONS
Authors: ARANDA ALFREDO , VALENCIA ALVARO
Published: August 2018

CFD simulations were performed for 60 human cerebral aneurysms (30 previously ruptured and 30 previously unruptured) to study the behavior of the time-averaged wall shear stress (TAWSS) with respect to the aspect ratio (AR), implementing a set of low, normal, and high-pressure differences between the inlet and the outlets of each artery. It is well known that there exists a direct relationship between TAWSS and the rupture. In this investigation, we presented an important result because the condition of the pressure among the branches and the AR may be measured in any patient, then a slope may be associated, and finally a TAWSS may be estimated. We found that when the pressure difference increased, the absolute slopes between TAWSS and AR increased as well. Also, the magnitude of the slope in the previously unruptured aneurysms was 4.7 times the slope in the previously ruptured aneurysms. On the other hand, TAWSS was higher in the previously unruptured aneurysm than previously ruptured aneurysms due to the unruptured aneurysms that have a smaller surface area. Furthermore, we analyzed the relationship between TAWSS and other geometric parameters of the aneurysm, such as bottleneck and non-sphericity index; however, no correlation was found for either cases.
Block kernel nonnegative matrix factorization for face recognition
Authors: Chen Wen-Sheng , Liu Jingmin , Pan Binbin , Li Yugao
Published: August 2018

Nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) is a linear approach for extracting localized feature of facial image. However, NMF may fail to process the data points that are nonlinearly separable. The kernel extension of NMF, named kernel NMF (KNMF), can model the nonlinear relationship among data points and extract nonlinear features of facial images. KNMF is an unsupervised method, thus it does not utilize the supervision information. Moreover, the extracted features by KNMF are not sparse enough. To overcome these limitations, this paper proposes a supervised KNMF called block kernel NMF (BKNMF). A novel objective function is established by incorporating the intra-class information. The algorithm is derived by making use of the block strategy and kernel theory. Our BKNMF has some merits for face recognition, such as highly sparse features and orthogonal features from different classes. We theoretically analyze the convergence of the proposed BKNMF. Compared with some state-of-the-art methods, our BKNMF achieves superior performance in face recognition.
FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS MATTER: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE ON BORROWING BEHAVIOR, MICROFINANCE AND FIRM PRODUCTIVITY
Authors: BOERMANS MARTIJN A. , WILLEBRANDS DAAN
Published: August 2018

This paper examines the effect of financial constraints on firm performance using a sample of small business owners who are clients at a microfinance institution (MFI). In developing countries, a lack of access to finance is seen as a key obstacle to successful entrepreneurship and economic growth. However, empirical evidence on this is still fragmented and sparse. This study contributes to the literature by applying an alternative measure of financial constraints based on actual lending and borrowing behavior to test how borrowing affects firm productivity. We use survey data of 615 entrepreneurs from Tanzania to analyze the relationship between financial constraints and labor productivity. Using OLS regression and propensity score matching techniques the results show that financial constraints impede labor productivity and are important barriers to successful entrepreneurship. Further tests suggest financial constraints matter regardless of the measurement method used, thereby comforting researchers in a fragmented field that applies a wide range of financial constraints variables.
USING PLATFORM STRATEGIES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF INTEGRATED PRODUCT-SERVICE SOLUTIONS
Authors: JAGSTEDT SIRI , PERSSON MAGNUS
Published: August 2018

Providers of product-service solutions find it challenging to simultaneously manage an increasing need for customised offerings along with internal demands for efficiency. To manage this balance, this paper explores the utilisation of platform strategies in the development of integrated product-service solutions. While platform strategies have been employed for many years in the development of physical products, this paper focuses on platform strategies in the development of solutions that combine both products and services. Based on a case study, we identify different assets that can be shared by these integrated product-service solutions and provide rationales for using platform strategies for solutions. We emphasise the potential of applying platform strategies while acknowledging the need for a holistic perspective on what assets to share among solutions. In particular, we draw attention to knowledge platforms as a basis for development of product-service solutions. The potential from using technology and usage knowledge platforms is highlighted in particular.
Facile Synthesis of Ag/AgCl Grafted AgBi(MoO4)2 with Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance Under Visible Light
Authors: Yan Xu , Wu Ziyang , Zhao Yong , Liu Biao , Tang Yubin
Published: August 2018

Silver nanoparticles (NPs) and related semiconductors are a family of very important and widely applied photocatalysts. However, the preparation of high stability and activity of this photocatalyst is still a challenge. In this work, we report a stable Ag/AgCl/AgBi(MoO[Formula: see text] heterojunction photocatalyst fabricated via a simple in situ anion-exchange reaction followed by the photoreduction treatment. In the treatment of tetracycline (TC) wastewater under visible light, the AC-0.4 sample (prepared with 0.4[Formula: see text]mmol KCl) exhibits the significantly improved activity (degradation ratio, DR of 71.3%) compared with the pristine AgBi(MoO[Formula: see text] (30% DR) and Ag/AgCl sample (synthesized by the photoreduction of AgCl) (37% DR) under identical experimental conditions. This activity promotion is from the fast interfacial electron transfer between the heterojunction phases of AgCl/AgBi(MoO[Formula: see text] and the SPR effect of Ag NPs. After five successive recycles, the AC-0.4 sample still maintains good stability and activity for TC degradation, which shows a great potential to be used in practical application. Through the ESR and controlled scavenged experiments, we found the [Formula: see text]OH and [Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text] are the major reactive intermediate species in the TC photodegradation reaction. Our work provides a new insight into the synthesis of stable and high efficient Ag-based heterojunction photocatalysts for the application of wastewater treatment.
The essential element graph of a lattice
Authors: Nimbhorkar Shriram , Deshmukh Vidya
Published: August 2018

Let [Formula: see text] be a lattice. The essential element graph of [Formula: see text], denoted by [Formula: see text], is a graph whose vertex set is the set of all nonzero proper elements of [Formula: see text] and two vertices [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are adjacent whenever [Formula: see text] is an essential element. In this paper, we study the essential element graph of a lattice and we investigate its properties. A necessary condition for regular [Formula: see text] graph to be complete is proved. Also characterization for [Formula: see text] to be complete and completely bipartite are established.
A Computational Study of the Electronic and Magnetic Properties of Rare Earth (Er)-Doped InGaN
Authors: Belhachi S. , Lazreg A. , Bouhafs B.
Published: August 2018

The electronic structure and magnetic stability of substitutional rare-earth (Er) impurities in InGaN are calculated using the full potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method with local density approximation functional (LSDA[Formula: see text]U). The calculation of formation energy shows that it is more energetically favorable for a substitutional rare earth (Er) atom to replace the In atom than the Ga atom. A semiconductor behavior with a direct band gap is predicted for the concentration InGaN:Er, which is the favored semiconductor when fabricating light emitting devices, with magnetic moment of 3.02 [Formula: see text]. The top of the valence band is formed predominantly with hybridized [Formula: see text]-states of Er and [Formula: see text]-states of N, while the bottom of the conduction band is formed by the hybrid Ga-s/Ga-p states with a small contribution of N-s states. Our calculations reveal that the coupling between rare earth-impurity atoms is ferromagnetic. We discuss the bands, total and partial densities of states.
Uses and Misuses of Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Science and Conservation
Authors: Cristescu Melania E. , Hebert Paul D.N.
Published: August 2018

The study of environmental DNA (eDNA) has the potential to revolutionize biodiversity science and conservation action by enabling the census of species on a global scale in near real time. To achieve this promise, technical challenges must be resolved. In this review, we explore the main uses of eDNA as well as the complexities introduced by its misuse. Current eDNA methods require refinement and improved calibration and validation along the entire workflow to lessen false positives/negatives. Moreover, there is great need for a better understanding of the “natural history” of eDNA—its origins, state, lifetime, and transportation—and for more detailed insights concerning the physical and ecological limitations of eDNA use. Although eDNA analysis can provide powerful information, particularly in freshwater and marine environments, its impact is likely to be less significant in terrestrial settings. The broad adoption of eDNA tools in conservation will largely depend on addressing current uncertainties in data interpretation.