bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of antireflux treatment on the frequency of awakenings from sleep in patients with Gastroesophageal reflux disease
Authors: Jha L. K. , Maradey‐Romero C. , Gadam R. , Hershcovici T. , Fass O. Z. , Quan S. F. , Guillen J. , Fass R.
Published: December 2014

Background

Up to half of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients report having heartburn that awakens them from sleep during the night. Recumbent‐awake and conscious awakenings from sleep during the night are commonly associated with acid reflux events. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of esomeprazole 40 mg once daily on nighttime acid reflux, frequency of conscious awakenings associated with acid reflux and the recumbent‐awake period.

Methods

Patients with heartburn and/or regurgitation at least three times a week were eligible for this study. All patients underwent upper endoscopy and were evaluated by demographic, Epworth Sleepiness scale, Berlin and GERD symptom checklist questionnaires. Subjects then underwent esophageal pH testing concomitantly with an actigraphy. All subjects were given esomeprazole 40 mg once daily for 7 days and completed a daily symptom record diary. On day 7, subjects repeated the pH test with actigraphy.

Key Results

Twenty patients (mean age of 48.95 ± 18.69, age range 20–81 years) were enrolled. Esophageal acid exposure parameters, during recumbent‐awake, recumbent‐asleep, and conscious awakenings were significantly improved on last day of treatment as compared to baseline (p < 0.05). However, the frequency and duration of conscious awakenings and duration of recumbent‐awake period did not improve as compared to baseline (p > 0.05).

Conclusions & Inferences

While esomeprazole significantly reduced esophageal acid exposure during conscious awakenings and recumbent‐awake and asleep periods, it did not decrease the number and duration of conscious awakening or duration of recumbent‐awake period.
Development and pilot testing of an integrated, web‐based self‐management program for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Authors: Dorn S. D. , Palsson O. S. , Woldeghebriel M. , Fowler B. , McCoy R. , Weinberger M. , Drossman D. A.
Published: December 2014

Background

Although essential, many medical practices are unable to adequately support irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patient self‐management. Web‐based programs can help overcome these barriers.

Methods

We developed, assessed, and refined an integrated IBS self‐management program (IBS Self‐care). We then conducted a 12‐week pilot test to assess program utilization, evaluate its association with patients' self‐efficacy and quality of life, and collect qualitative feedback to improve the program.

Key Results

40 subjects with generally mild IBS were recruited via the Internet to participate in a 12‐week pilot study. Subjects found the website easy to use (93%) and personally relevant (95%), and 90% would recommend it to a friend. Self‐rated IBS knowledge increased from an average of 47.1 on a 100‐point VAS scale (SD 22.1) at baseline to 77.4 (SD: 12.4) at week 12 (p < 0.0001). There were no significant changes in patient self‐efficacy (Patient Activation Measure) or quality of life (IBS ‐Quality of Life Scale).

Conclusions & Inferences

The IBS Self‐Care program was well received by users who after 12 weeks reported improved knowledge about IBS, but no significant changes in self‐efficacy or quality of life. If applied to the right population, this low cost solution can overcome some of the deficiencies of medical care and empower individuals to better manage their own IBS.
The IBO germination quantitative trait locus encodes a phosphatase 2C‐related variant with a nonsynonymous amino acid change that interferes with abscisic acid signaling
Authors: Amiguet‐Vercher Amélia , Santuari Luca , Gonzalez‐Guzman Miguel , Depuydt Stephen , Rodriguez Pedro L. , Hardtke Christian S.
Published: December 2014

Natural genetic variation is crucial for adaptability of plants to different environments. Seed dormancy prevents precocious germination in unsuitable conditions and is an adaptation to a major macro‐environmental parameter, the seasonal variation in temperature and day length.

Here we report the isolation of IBO, a quantitative trait locus (QTL) that governs c. 30% of germination rate variance in an Arabidopsis recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from the parental accessions Eilenburg‐0 (Eil‐0) and Loch Ness‐0 (Lc‐0).

IBO encodes an uncharacterized phosphatase 2C‐related protein, but neither the Eil‐0 nor the Lc‐0 variant, which differ in a single amino acid, have any appreciable phosphatase activity in in vitro assays. However, we found that the amino acid change in the Lc‐0 variant of the IBO protein confers reduced germination rate. Moreover, unlike the Eil‐0 variant of the protein, the Lc‐0 variant can interfere with the activity of the phosphatase 2C ABSCISIC ACID INSENSITIVE 1 in vitro.

This suggests that the Lc‐0 variant possibly interferes with abscisic acid signaling, a notion that is supported by physiological assays. Thus, we isolated an example of a QTL allele with a nonsynonymous amino acid change that might mediate local adaptation of seed germination timing.
Relations and Balances: Self‐restraint and Democratic Governability under Confucianism
Authors: Shih Chih‐yu
Published: December 2014

This article attempts to create a theory of relations and balances (RaB) in order to understand the systemic stability of democracy. It draws on Confucianism and compares Confucian self‐restraint with liberal self‐restraint. Empirical evidence suggests that on the one hand a Confucian constituency dislikes challenges to the authorities for the sake of systemic stability, but on the other it disapproves of authoritarian control in order to maintain a harmonious system. Evidence likewise suggests that if the systemic identity is weak, the constituency of RaB shows higher support for inclusive, not enforcive, leadership to restore governability. The RaB support for systemic inclusiveness can be mistaken as liberalism. Coupled with the idea of civic nationalism, contemporary constitutionalism of checks and balances neglects systemic stability and fails to explain the spread of illiberal democracy. The RaB theory provides an explanation on a systemic level of how a democracy can maintain or lose stability.
Metabolic Acidosis in an Infant Associated with Permethrin Toxicity
Authors: Goksugur Sevil B. , Karatas Zehra , Goksugur Nadir , Bekdas Mervan , Demircioglu Fatih
Published: December 2014

Pyrethroids are broad‐spectrum insecticides. Permethrin intoxication due to topical application has not been documented in humans. We report a 20‐month‐old infant who had used 5% permethrin lotion topically for scabies treatment. Approximately 60 mL (20 mL/day) was used and after the third application he developed agitation, nausea, vomiting, respiratory distress, tachycardia, and metabolic acidosis. His clinical symptoms and metabolic acidosis normalized within 20 hours. His follow‐up was unremarkable. Toxicity of permethrin is rare, and although permethrin is a widely and safely used topical agent in the treatment of scabies and lice, inappropriate use may rarely cause toxicity. Moreover, in cases of unexplained metabolic acidosis, topically applied medications should be carefully investigated.
Depressive Symptoms and Walking in African‐Americans
Authors: Torres Elisa R. , Sampselle Carolyn M. , Neighbors Harold W. , Ronis David L. , Gretebeck Kimberlee A.
Published: December 2014

Objective

Although increased frequency of physical activity is associated with fewer depressive symptoms in African‐Americans, most studies do not focus on a specific type of activity. Identifying the activity can provide helpful information for designing interventions that focus on depressive symptoms. The objective of this study was to examine the odds of depressive symptoms in relation to walking in African‐Americans.

Design and Sample

A secondary analysis was performed on the National Survey of American Life. The sample was made up of community‐dwelling African‐American women (n = 1,903) and men (n = 1,075) who did not meet the DSM‐IV‐TR criteria for depression.

Measures

Walking was measured by self‐reported frequency (i.e., never, rarely, sometimes, often). Depressive symptoms were measured with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale. Logistic regression for complex samples was used to examine the odds of depressive symptoms in relation to walking.

Results

Women who reported often walking had lower odds for depressive symptoms than women who reported never walking (OR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.38–0.82). Walking frequency was not related to depressive symptoms in men.

Conclusions

Walking frequency is a modifiable risk factor for elevated depressive symptoms in African‐American women.
Improved Efficiency and Stability of Flexible Dye Sensitized Solar Cells on ITO/PEN Substrates Using an Ionic Liquid Electrolyte
Authors: Han Yu , Pringle Jennifer M. , Cheng Yi‐Bing
Published: December 2014

Flexible dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) built on plastic substrates have attracted great interest as they are lightweight and can be roll‐to‐roll printed to accelerate production and reduce cost. However, plastic substrates such as PEN and PET are permeable to water, oxygen and volatile electrolyte solvents, which is detrimental to the cell stability. Therefore, to address this problem, in this work, an ionic liquid (IL) electrolyte is used to replace the volatile solvent electrolyte. The initial IL‐based devices only achieved around 50% of the photovoltaic conversion efficiency of the cells using the solvent electrolyte. Current‐voltage and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis of the cells in the dark indicated that this lower efficiency mainly originated from (i) a lack of blocking layer to reduce recombination, and (ii) a lower charge collection efficiency. To combat these problems, cells were developed using a 12 nm thick blocking layer, produced by atomic layer deposition, and 1 μm thick P25 TiO2 film sensitized with the hydrophobic MK‐2 dye. These flexible DSSCs utilizing an IL electrolyte exhibit significantly improved efficiencies and a <10% drop in performance after 1000 h aging at 60°C under continuous light illumination.
The Effect of Electoral Competitiveness on Ideological Voting Patterns in the U.S. House, 2002‐10
Authors: Lindgren Eric , Southwell Priscilla
Published: December 2014

This research examines the 2002‐10 U.S. House elections, using cross‐sectional time series analysis to test the relationship between the closeness of elections, district partisanship, and the subsequent ideological stances of winning candidates in Congress. Using the Poole and Rosenthal DW‐nominate scores, the Cook Partisan Voter Index, and the election results, we find evidence that the more competitive the race, the more moderate is the voting record of the winning candidate in the next session of Congress. We also find the same effect with regard to the heterogeneity of the partisan balance in the district.
Coping with Gray Markets: The Impact of Market Conditions and Product Characteristics
Authors: Ahmadi Reza , Iravani Foad , Mamani Hamed
Published: December 2014

Gray markets, also known as parallel imports, have created fierce competition for manufacturers in many industries. We analyze the impact of parallel importation on a price‐setting manufacturer that serves two markets with uncertain demand, and characterize her policy against parallel importation. We show that ignoring demand uncertainty can take a significant toll on the manufacturer's profit, highlighting the value of making price and quantity decisions jointly. We find that adjusting prices is more effective in controlling gray market activity than reducing product availability, and that parallel importation forces the manufacturer to reduce her price gap while demand uncertainty forces her to lower prices. Furthermore, we explore the impact of market conditions (such as market base, price sensitivity, and demand uncertainty) and product characteristics (“fashion” vs. “commodity”) on the manufacturer's policy towards parallel importation. We also provide managerial insights about the value of strategic decision‐making by comparing the optimal policy to the uniform pricing policy that has been adopted by some companies to eliminate gray markets entirely. The comparison indicates that the value of making price and quantity decisions strategically is highest for moderately different market conditions and non‐commodity products.
Strategic Inventory and Supply Chain Behavior
Authors: Hartwig Robin , Inderfurth Karl , Sadrieh Abdolkarim , Voigt Guido
Published: December 2014

Based on a serial supply chain model with two periods and price‐sensitive demand, we present the first experimental test of the effect of strategic inventories on supply chain performance. In theory, if holding costs are sufficiently low, the buyer builds up a strategic inventory (even if no operational reasons for stock‐holding exist) to limit the supplier's market power, and to increase the own profit share. As it turns out, this enhances the overall supply chain performance. The supplier anticipates the effect of the strategic inventory and differentiates prices to capture a part of the increased supply chain profits. Our results show that the positive effects of strategic inventories are even more pronounced than theoretically predicted, because strategic inventories empower buyers by shifting the perception of the fair split. Overall, strategic inventories have a double positive effect, a strategic and a behavioral, both reducing the average wholesale prices and dampening the double marginalization effect. The latter effect leads to more equitable payoffs.
Competition and Coordination in a Two‐Channel Supply Chain
Authors: David Amy , Adida Elodie
Published: December 2014

We study competition and coordination in a supply chain in which a single supplier both operates a direct channel and sells its product through multiple differentiated retailers. We study analytically the supply chain with symmetric retailers and find that the supplier prefers to have as many retailers as possible in the market, even if the retailers' equilibrium retail price is lower than that of the supplier, and even if the number of retailers and their cost or market advantage prevent sales through the direct channel. We find that the two‐channel supply chain may be subject to inefficiencies not present in the single‐channel supply chain. We show that several contracts known to coordinate a single‐channel supply chain do not coordinate the two‐channel supply chain; thus we propose a linear quantity discount contract and demonstrate its ability to perfectly coordinate the two‐channel supply chain with symmetric retailers. We provide some analytical results for the supply chain with asymmetric retailers and propose an efficient solution approach for finding the equilibrium. We find numerically that the supplier still benefits from having more retailers in the market and that linear quantity discount contracts can mitigate supply chain inefficiency, though they no longer achieve perfect coordination.
Maternal Age and Preterm Births in Singleton and Twin Pregnancies Conceived By In Vitro Fertilisation in the United States
Authors: Xiong Xu , Dickey Richard P. , Pridjian Gabriella , Buekens Pierre
Published: December 2014

Background

Among natural conceptions, advanced maternal age (≥35 years) is associated with an increased risk of preterm birth. However, few studies have specifically examined this association in births resulting from in vitro fertilisation (IVF).

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted in 97 288 singleton and 40 961 twin pregnancies resulting from fresh non‐donor IVF cycles using 2006–10 data from the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology Clinic Online Reporting System.

Results

Rates of very early preterm (<28), early preterm (<32), and preterm birth (<37 completed weeks) decreased with increasing maternal age in both singleton and twin births (PTrend <0.01). With women aged 30–34 years as the reference, those aged <30 years were at an increased risk of all types of preterm births. The adjusted odd ratio (95% confidence interval [CI]) for very early preterm birth, early preterm birth, and preterm birth in women aged 25–29 years were 1.3 [95% CI 1.1, 1.5], 1.2 [95% CI 1.1, 1.4], and 1.1 [95% CI 1.02, 1.2] in singletons. This increased risk of preterm births among younger women was even more significant in twin births. However, women aged ≥35 years were not at an increased risk of any type of preterm births in both singleton and twin births.

Conclusions

In contrast to natural conception, advanced maternal age is not associated with an increased risk of preterm births in pregnancies conceived by IVF. Women who seek IVF treatments before 30 years old are at higher risk of all stages of preterm births.
From Participatory Reform to Social Capital: Micro‐Motives and the Macro‐Structure of Civil Society Networks
Authors: Musso Juliet Ann , Weare Christopher
Published: December 2014

Although a wide‐ranging literature explores the favorable effects of social capital, it is only relatively recently that systematic attention has been directed to the manner in which social networks emerge and the consequent implications for civic engagement and collaborative governance. This article employs advanced social network statistical models to examine civic network emergence following a participatory reform in Los Angeles. Findings suggest that the reform fostered a number of favorable network attributes supportive of democratic participation. At the same time, subtle but ubiquitous effects of socioeconomic sorting had the unintended and undesirable effect of elevating higher‐status actors within the emergent civic network. These findings suggest that macro‐level policy interventions are required to foster the development of ties that promote cross‐talk among socioeconomically distinct community groups.
Mineral requirements of fish: a systematic review
Authors: Antony Jesu Prabhu P. , Schrama Johan W. , Kaushik Sadasivam J.
Published: December 2014

Meta‐analysis of literature data on mineral and trace element requirements of fish was performed with the major objectives of identifying appropriate response criteria and the factors affecting the minimal dietary inclusion levels. The primary data set included 25 studies on available P, 20 on Ca, 24 on Mg, 5 on K, 37 for Zn, 23 for Se, 19 for Mn, 16 for Fe and 13 for Cu. Broken line regression analysis with linear plateau model (P, Ca, Mg and K) or two‐linear line model (Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn and Se) was used for determining the minimal dietary inclusion levels. Vertebral mineral concentration (P, Ca, Zn and Mn), whole‐body mineral levels (Mg, K and Fe) and hepatic enzyme activity (Se) were found to be the most appropriate criteria for the respective minerals analysed. In general, weight gain as the criterion resulted in a lower estimate (by 18–42%) than those obtained using whole‐body or vertebral mineral concentrations as response criteria. The analysis also showed that different fish species do not show large variations in the mineral and trace element concentrations in the whole body and tissues. Factors such as species group and digestive physiology, type of experimental diet used and dietary interactions, type of mineral source and mineral concentration of water were found to affect the minimal dietary inclusion levels of certain minerals. Besides the meta‐analysis, research needs in mineral nutrition of fish with reference to growing changes in dietary strategies and rearing systems are discussed.
Bird responses to riparian management of degraded lowland streams in southeastern Australia
Authors: Hale Robin , Reich Paul , Johnson Matthew , Hansen Birgita D. , Lake Phillip S. , Thomson James R. , Mac Nally Ralph
Published: December 2014

We assessed the degree to which fencing, livestock exclusion, and replanting of riparian zones affected avian assemblages in massively cleared landscapes. Measurements were made at three creeks in the southern Murray–Darling Basin in southeastern Australia, each of which had circa 1‐km long treated sections and paired “untreated” circa 1‐km sections, where no fencing, planting, or stock exclusion was done. We measured the change in vegetation characteristics and abundances of native birds for up to 8 years after works were completed. Prior to data collection, we developed expected responses of bird species based on the anticipated time‐courses of change in vegetation structure. We used hierarchical Bayesian models to explore the effects of the management actions, and to account for within‐site variation in vegetation characteristics. There were major changes in vegetation structure (reductions in bare ground and increases in shrubs and tree recruitment) but avian responses generally were small and not as expected. There are at least four possible reasons for the limited avian responses: (1) there has been a long‐term decline in woodland birds across the region; (2) the study was conducted during the longest drought in the instrumental record in the study region; (3) the total amount of replanted vegetation was small in a massively denuded region; and (4) monitoring may have been over too short a term to detect responses to longer‐term changes in structural vegetation.
The Evolution of the Right to Water and Sanitation: Differentiating the Implications
Authors: Obani Pedi , Gupta Joyeeta
Published: December 2014

Since 1980, the right to water has been seen mainly as implicitly subsumed under other social human and political rights. The global recognition of the need for access to sanitation services has led to formulations of a right to sanitation that emphasizes both the responsibilities of States and the rights of individuals. However, efforts to prioritize access to water and sanitation services have led to a gradual merger of these ideas in the human right to water and sanitation as adopted by the United Nations General Assembly and the United Nations Human Rights Council in 2010. Much of the literature on this subject focuses on water and sanitation simultaneously. This article fills a gap in knowledge by examining the different evolution of the human right(s) to water and sanitation at the international and national levels. It argues that the practical and social requirements for an environmentally sustainable and cost‐effective implementation of access to water and sanitation are so different that, even if there is a combined right, the implementation may call for separating these two issues in some cases.
Transnational private governance between the logics of empowerment and control
Authors: Auld Graeme , Renckens Stefan , Cashore Benjamin
Published: December 2014

Transnational private governance initiatives that address problems of social and environmental concern now pervade many sectors. In tackling distinct substantive problems, these programs have, however, prioritized different problem‐oriented logics in their institutionalized rules and procedures. One is a “logic of control” that focuses on ameliorating environmental and social externalities by establishing strict and enforceable rules; another is a “logic of empowerment” that concentrates on remedying the exclusion of marginalized actors in the global economy. Examining certification programs in the areas of fair trade, organic agriculture, fisheries, and forest management, we assess the evolutionary effects of programs prioritizing one logic and then having to accommodate the other. The challenges programs face when balancing between the two logics, we argue, elucidate specific distributional consequences for wealth, power, and regulatory capabilities that private governance programs seek to overcome.
Development of Economic Consequence Methodology for Process Risk Analysis
Authors: Zadakbar Omid , Khan Faisal , Imtiaz Syed
Published: December 2014

A comprehensive methodology for economic consequence analysis with appropriate models for risk analysis of process systems is proposed. This methodology uses loss functions to relate process deviations in a given scenario to economic losses. It consists of four steps: definition of a scenario, identification of losses, quantification of losses, and integration of losses. In this methodology, the process deviations that contribute to a given accident scenario are identified and mapped to assess potential consequences. Losses are assessed with an appropriate loss function (revised Taguchi, modified inverted normal) for each type of loss. The total loss is quantified by integrating different loss functions. The proposed methodology has been examined on two industrial case studies. Implementation of this new economic consequence methodology in quantitative risk assessment will provide better understanding and quantification of risk. This will improve design, decision making, and risk management strategies.
Impact of Taxes and Benefits on Inequality among Groups of Income Units
Authors: Urban Ivica
Published: December 2014

This paper analyzes the redistributive impact of the fiscal system and simultaneously explains how each tax and benefit instrument satisfies the principles of vertical and horizontal equity within and across different groups of income units. The decompositions of the redistributive effect are based on new axioms concerning the vertical and horizontal equity of the overall fiscal system, including taxes and benefits. The method is based on pairwise comparisons of income units and the “micro” concepts of income supremacy change, deprivation from reranking, and income distance change. The decomposition results provide more detailed insights into the income redistribution process than is typical in the literature. This is illustrated by an empirical application of the method to the Croatian scheme of personal income taxes and non‐pension social benefits, in which households are divided into two groups, those with and those without children.
Neointimal Hyperplasia and Calcification in Medium Sized Arteries in Adult Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Chitalia Nihil , Ross Louise , Krishnamoorthy Mahesh , Kapustin Alexander , Shanahan Catherine M , Kaski Juan Carlos , Roy‐Chaudhury Prabir , Chemla Eric , Banerjee Debasish
Published: December 2014

The nature of arterial changes resulting in cardiovascular events and dialysis vascular access failures in adult predialysis patients is not well known. This study examined intimal changes, calcium deposition, and consequent stiffness in brachial and radial arteries of adult CKD patients. Ten brachial‐artery and seven radial‐artery specimens were obtained during fistula creation from nine predialysis and eight dialysis‐dependent, nondiabetic patients; and age‐gender matched controls undergoing coronary bypass grafts (6 radial) or kidney donation (6 renal). Arterial stiffness was measured at baseline. Vessel histology, morphometric analysis of intima‐media, and direct quantification of calcium load was performed using standard techniques. Both predialysis and dialysis patients demonstrated significant arterial intimal hyperplasia with intima:media ratio higher than controls (0.13 ± 0.12 vs. 0.02 ± 0.05, p = 0.01). Calcium deposition was demonstrated on histology and the calcium content in patients was higher than controls (34.68 ± 26.86 vs. 10.95 ± 9.18 μg/μg, p = 0.003). The blood vessel calcium content correlated with arterial stiffness (r = 0.64, p = 0.018). This study for the first time describes, and suggests mechanistic linkage between, intimal hyperplasia, pathological calcium deposition, and increased functional arterial stiffness in dialysis and predialysis patients. Our research could serve as a unique window into the in vivo status of the uremic vasculature impacting fistula maturation and cardiovascular disease.
Community size and sport participation across 22 countries
Authors: Balish S. M. , Rainham D. , Blanchard C.
Published: December 2014

The objective of this study was to examine, across 22 countries, the association between community size and individual sport, team sport, and exercise participation. Hierarchal non‐linear Bernoulli modeling is used to examine the association between community size (100 000–10 000; <10 000) and (a) individual sport, (b) team sport, and (c) exercise participation. After controlling for country‐level clustering and demographic variables, those residing a community with between 100 000 and 10 000 residents are more likely to participate in individual sport [odds ratio (OR) = 1.14; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.05–1.23] while residing in a community with less than 10 000 residents is unrelated (OR = 1.06; 95% CI = 0.96–1.19). Those residing in communities with between 100 000 and 10 000 residents were more likely to participate in team sport (OR = 1.21; 95% CI = 1.01–1.45) while residing in a community with less than 10 000 residents is unrelated (OR = 1.02; 95% CI = 0.88–1.18). Residing in a community with between 100 000 and 10 000 residents is unrelated to exercise participation (OR = 0.97; 95% CI = 0.89–1.7), while residing in a community with less than 10 000 residents is negatively related to exercise participation (OR = 0.86; 95% CI = 0.79–0.93). These findings provide novel evidence that communities between 100 000 and 10 000 residents are related to increased sport participation, particularly team sport participation.
Is Housing First for Mental Health Community Support Possible During a Housing Shortage?
Authors: Bullen Jane , Fisher Karen R.
Published: December 2014

Supported housing programmes for people with chronic mental health needs have shifted towards approaches that rely on housing first, which prioritizes access to a permanent home in the community. How do support programmes with this assumption manage the market constraints of a shortage of affordable housing? The article examines empirical mixed method data (interviews and programme data) about the experience of managing this problem in the Mental Health Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative (HASI) in New South Wales, Australia. HASI provides clinical mental health services, housing support and housing if needed, for people who are not yet living independently in the community.

It found that the housing shortage affected the ability of the providers to implement the intended programme design at three early steps in the support: determining eligibility; prioritizing access between people with and without housing; and managing entry to the programme when they did not have housing. As a result, some otherwise suitable applicants were not prioritized for entry into the programme or their entry was delayed until they were housed.

The providers adjusted the programme to the housing market realities, which compromised the programme intentions. The policy lessons are that programmes need strategies to provide housing for people who require it; assist people to find or apply for housing; and support people while they wait for housing. These approaches enhance the coherence of programmes, build on integration mechanisms and respond to the housing context.
Monetary, Financial and Fiscal Stability in the East African Community: Ready for a Monetary Union?
Authors: Lepetit Laetitia , Rugemintwari Clovis , Strobel Frank
Published: December 2014

We examine prospects for a monetary union in the East African Community (EAC) by developing a stylised model of policymakers' decision problem that allows for uncertain benefits derived from monetary, financial and fiscal stability and then calibrating the model for the EAC for the period 2003–10. When policymakers properly allow for uncertainty, none of the countries wants to pursue a monetary union based on either monetary or financial stability grounds, and only Rwanda might favour it on fiscal stability grounds; we argue that robust institutional arrangements assuring substantial improvements in monetary, financial and fiscal stability are needed to compensate.
Reticulocytosis in nonanemic dogs: increasing prevalence and potential etiologies
Authors: Pattullo Kimberly M. , Kidney Beverly A. , Taylor Susan M. , Jackson Marion L.
Published: December 2014

Background

An increasing prevalence of reticulocytosis in the absence of anemia (RAA) in dogs has been suspected in recent years.

Objectives

The objectives were to determine whether prevalence ofRAAin our canine population has been increasing over the last years, and to identify potential predisposing factors.

Methods

The annual prevalence ofRAAin adult dogs was determined between 2000 and 2012. Clinical histories andCBCdata were analyzed for all dogs, as well as owner response to a questionnaire including information on nutrition and supplements was conducted for dogs withRAAidentified between 2011 and 2012. In addition, serum iron concentration (Fe), total iron‐binding capacity (TIBC), and percent transferrin saturation (%TS) were determined in 14 dogs withRAAand compared with 8 healthy control dogs.

Results

Reticulocytosis in the absence of anemia was identified in 1035 dogs, with the prevalence increasing since 2006. Dogs withRAAevaluated after 2006 (n = 853) had significantly lowerMCVand were more likely to have microcytosis than those prior to 2006 (n = 182). Increased incidence of osteoarthritis was observed in dogs evaluated after 2006, including the dogs studied between 2011 and 2012 (n = 31), and administration of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, omega‐3 fatty acids, and glucosamine was more common in the latter. Significantly lower mean Fe and %TS, and higherTIBCwere found in dogs withRAAcompared to unaffected dogs.

Conclusions

Prevalence ofRAAhas increased in recent years in our canine population. More ubiquitous use of anti‐inflammatory medications and nutraceuticals, associated with increased diagnosis of osteoarthritis should be considered as contributing factors.
The utility of reticulocyte indices in distinguishing iron deficiency anemia from anemia of inflammatory disease, portosystemic shunting, and breed‐associated microcytosis in dogs
Authors: Schaefer Deanna M. W. , Stokol Tracy
Published: December 2014

Background

Indices of reticulocyte cell size and hemoglobin content show promise for diagnosing iron deficiency (FeDef), but have not been evaluated in other causes of canine anemia or microcytosis.

Objectives

The aims of this study were to establish reference intervals (RI) for reticulocyte indices in dogs, and to compare results from dogs with FeDef anemia to dogs with 3 conditions that may mimic FeDef on hematologic and biochemical testing, including anemia of inflammatory disease (AID), portosystemic shunting (PSS), or breed‐associated microcytosis (BAM).

Methods

Reticulocyte indices were measured using theADVIA2120. Reference intervals were determined prospectively in 122 healthy dogs, and retrospectively compared between dogs with FeDef (n = 11),AID(n = 12),PSS(n = 12), andBAM(n = 7).

Results

Almost all dogs had at least one reticulocyte index outside theRI. The most discriminating reticulocyte indices were reticulocyte hemoglobin concentration (CHCMr) (FeDef ≤ 26 g/dL,AID ≥ 26 g/dL,PSS ≥ 24.1 g/dL, andBAM ≥ 27.7 g/dL), reticulocyte hemoglobin content (CHr) (FeDef ≤ 20.1 pg,AID ≥ 21.8 pg,PSS ≥ 19.2 pg,BAM ≥ 21 pg), percentage of reticulocytes with low CHCMr (%Hypo‐r) (FeDef ≥ 74.2%, AID ≤ 80.1%,PSS ≤ 91.5%,BAM ≤ 61.6%,), and percentage of reticulocytes with low CHr (%LowCHr) (FeDef ≥ 50.7%,AID ≤ 31.3%,PSS ≤ 63.2%,BAM ≤ 34.1%).

Conclusions

Reticulocyte indices can be altered in dogs with various conditions, and are not specific for FeDef. Dogs with CHCMr, CHr, %Hypo‐r, and %LowCHr beyond the above cutoffs are suspicious for FeDef. Dogs withAID,PSS, orBAMwith reticulocyte indices altered beyond the ranges reported for those subgroups warrant evaluation for concurrent iron deficiency.
Probabilistic Solution of a Duffing-Type Energy Harvester System Under Gaussian White Noise
Authors: Zhu H. T.
Published: December 2014

This paper proposes a solution procedure to formulate an approximate joint probability density function (PDF) of a Duffing-type energy harvester system under Gaussian white noise. The joint PDF solution of displacement, velocity, and an electrical variable is governed by the Fokker-Planck (FP) equation. First, the FP equation is reduced to a lower-dimensional FP equation only about displacement and velocity by a state-space-split (SSS) method. The stationary joint PDF of displacement and velocity can be solved exactly. Then, the joint PDF of displacement, velocity, and the electrical variable can be approximated by the product of the obtained exact PDF and the conditional Gaussian PDF of the electrical variable. A parametric study is further conducted to show the effectiveness of the proposed solution procedure. The study considers weak nonlinearity, strong nonlinearity, high excitation level, and a bistable oscillator. Comparison with the simulated results shows that the proposed solution procedure is effective in obtaining the joint PDF of the energy harvester system in the examined examples.
Disturbance Compensation Using Feedforward and Feedback for Scanner Direct Current Motor Mechanism Low Speed Regulation
Authors: Wu Wei
Published: December 2014

For finer scan resolutions, the scan bar is required to move at slower speeds. Speed regulation at such low speeds presented a challenge for control. An approach successfully addressed this issue was developed. The disturbance torque in the direct current (DC) motor drive of a scan unit was calculated using the known voltage input to the motor and the measured motor speed response. The cogging torque of the motor and the friction in the mechanism can then be estimated from the calculated disturbance torque. The calculated disturbance torque was further utilized to reduce the speed ripples in speed regulation applications. A combined feedforward and feedback configuration was used to reject the disturbance based on both the offline calculated disturbance and the online estimated disturbance. This scheme was successfully implemented in consumer/commercial scan devices. Data obtained under real operating conditions demonstrated the effectiveness and robustness of this disturbance compensation scheme.
Extensional Waves in a Sandwich Plate With Interface Slip
Authors: Li Peng , Jin Feng , Chen Weiqiu , Yang Jiashi
Published: December 2014

The two-dimensional (2D) equations for thin elastic plates are used to study extensional motions of a sandwich plate with weak interfaces. The interfaces are governed by the shear-slip model that possesses interface elasticity and allows for a discontinuity of the tangential displacements at the interfaces. Equations for the individual layers of the sandwich plate are coupled by the interface conditions. Through a procedure initiated by Mindlin, the layer equations can be written into equations for the collective motion of the layers representing the extensional motion of the sandwich plate, and equations for the relative motions of the layers with respect to each other representing the symmetric thickness-shear motion of the sandwich plate. The use of plate equations results in relatively simpler models compared to the equations of three-dimensional (3D) elasticity. Solutions to a few useful problems are presented. These include the propagation of straight-crested waves in an unbounded plate with weak interfaces, the reflection of extensional waves at the joint between a perfectly bonded sandwich plate and a sandwich plate with weak interfaces, and the vibration of a finite sandwich plate with weak interfaces.
Hinge-Free Compliant Mechanism Design Via the Topological Level-Set
Authors: Krishnakumar Anirudh , Suresh Krishnan
Published: December 2014

The objective of this paper is to introduce and demonstrate a new method for the topology optimization of compliant mechanisms. The proposed method relies on exploiting the topological derivative, and exhibits numerous desirable properties including: (1) the mechanisms are hinge-free; (2) mechanisms with different geometric and mechanical advantages (GA and MA) can be generated by varying a single control parameter; (3) a target volume fraction need not be specified, instead numerous designs, of decreasing volume fractions, are generated in a single optimization run; and (4) the underlying finite element stiffness matrices are well-conditioned. The proposed method and implementation are illustrated through numerical experiments in 2D and 3D.
Limit Cycles to Enhance Human Performance Based on Phase Oscillators
Authors: Sugar Thomas G. , Bates Andrew , Holgate Matthew , Kerestes Jason , Mignolet Marc , New Philip , Ramachandran Ragesh K. , Redkar Sangram , Wheeler Chase
Published: December 2014

Wearable robots including exoskeletons, powered prosthetics, and powered orthotics must add energy to the person at an appropriate time to enhance, augment, or supplement human performance. This “energy pumping” at resonance can reduce the metabolic cost of performing cyclic tasks. Many human tasks such as walking, running, and hopping are repeating or cyclic tasks where assistance is needed at a repeating rate at the correct time. By utilizing resonant energy pumping, a tiny amount of energy is added at an appropriate time that results in an amplified response. However, when the system dynamics is varying or uncertain, resonant boundaries are not clearly defined. We have developed a method to add energy at resonance so the system attains the limit cycle based on a phase oscillator. The oscillator is robust to disturbances and initial conditions and allows our robots to enhance running, reduce metabolic cost, and increase hop height. These methods are general and can be used in other areas such as energy harvesting.
Controlled ASSCI With Moderate Auto-Ignition for Engine Knock Suppression in a GDI Engine With High Compression Ratio
Authors: Liu Hui , Wang Zhi , Wang Jianxin , Wang Mengke , Yang Wanli
Published: December 2014

This paper presents an experimental study on controlled ASSCI (Assisted Spark Stratified Compression Ignition) for engine knock suppression in a GDI engine with high compression ratio. The direct injection is used for forming desired stoichiometric stratified mixture at WOT condition without turbo-charging. The engine is filled with 20% cooled external EGR and the ignition timing is maintained at MBT point. The combustion characteristics of the desired stoichiometric stratified mixture show two-stage heat release, where the first stage is caused by spark ignition and the second stage is due to moderate auto-ignition. Compared with engine knock, the second stage heat release of controlled ASSCI shows smooth pressure curve without pressure oscillation. This is due to the low energy density mixture around the cylinder wall caused by cooled external EGR. The stratified mixture could suppress knock. Fuel economy and combustion characteristics of the baseline and the controlled ASSCI combustion were compared. The baseline GDI engine reaches a maximum of 8.9 bar BMEP with BSFC of 291 g/(kWh), the controlled ASSCI combustion achieves a maximum of 8.3 bar BMEP with BSFC of 256 g/(kWh), improving the fuel economy over 12% while maintaining approximately the same power. CA50 (the crank angle of 50% heat release) of the controlled ASSCI is detected at 8.4° CA ATDC, which is 17.4° CA advanced than that of the baseline while the combustion duration of the controlled ASSCI is 52.84dG CA, 16.6° CA longer than that of the baseline caused by diluted mixture and two-stage heat release. The COV of the controlled ASSCI is 1.4%, 2.1% lower than that of the baseline. The peak pressure (Pmax) and the maximum pressure rise rate (PRRmax) of the controlled ASSCI are 59.7 bar and 2.2 bar/° CA, 22.9 bar and 1.5 bar/° CA higher than that of the baseline respectively. The crank angle of Pmax and PRRmax of the controlled ASSCI are 11° CA ATDC and −1° CA ATDC, 15.4° CA and 17.2° CA earlier than that of the baseline. The results show that controlled ASSCI with two-stage heat releases is a potential combustion strategy to suppress engine knock while achieving high efficiency of the high compression ratio gasoline engine.
Connecting Rod Dynamics
Authors: Doughty Samuel
Published: December 2014

The complex motion of a slider-crank connecting rod has motivated analysts to work in terms of an “equivalent link,” comprised of two point masses at the ends of a massless link, where one end is located at the crank pin and the other end is at the wrist pin. It has long been known that this limited model is not fully equivalent in the dynamic sense, but the practice persists and errors are routinely introduced into torsional vibration and shaking force calculations. The purpose of this paper is to expose this error and show the nature of its effects. This is accomplished by means of a fully correct analysis, based on the two point mass model extended to include a massless additional mass moment of inertia, and then examining the terms that the usual model omits. Numerical results are given for several actual automotive engines.
The Effects of Fuel Injection Pressure and Fuel Type on the Combustion Characteristics of a Diesel Engine
Authors: Cowart Jim , Prak Dianne Luning , Hamilton Len
Published: December 2014

In an effort to understand the effects of injection system pressure on alternative fuel performance, a single cylinder diesel engine was outfit with a modern common rail fuel injection system and piezoelectric injector. As future new fuels will likely be used in both older mechanical injected engines as well as newer high pressure common rail engines, the question as to the sensitivity of a new fuel type across a range of engines is of concern. In this study conventional diesel fuel (Navy NATO F76) was compared with the new Navy HRD (Hydro-processed Renewable Diesel) fuel from algal sources, as well as the high cetane reference fuel nC16 (n-hexadecane CN=100). It was seen that in general, IGD (Ignition Delay) was shortened for all fuels with increasing fuel injection pressure, and was shortened with higher CN fuels. The combustion duration for all fuels was also significantly reduced with increasing fuel injection pressure, however, longer durations were seen for higher CN fuels at the same fuel pressure due to less pre-mixing before the start of combustion. Companion modeling using the LLNL (Lawrence Livermore National Lab) heavy hydro-carbon and diesel PRF chemical kinetic mechanisms for HRD and nC16 was applied to understand the relative importance of the physical and chemical delay periods of the IGD. It was seen that at low fuel injection pressures, the physical and chemical delay times are of comparable duration. However, as injection pressure increases the importance of the chemical delay times increases significantly (longer), especially with the lower CN fuel.
Light Weight Pistons for Friction Optimized Spark Ignition Engines
Authors: Gabriel Dieter , Adelmann Jochen , Hettich Thomas , Hammen Andreas
Published: December 2014

This article describes the development of MAHLE piston technology with the goal of meeting increasing requirements of advanced, highly efficient gasoline engines. The new EVOLITE® lightweight piston from MAHLE is a continuation of the development of its predecessor, the EVOTEC® 2, and is based on the EVOTEC® design concept.

This concept differs from the design approach of previous decades in that the piston geometry has inverted asymmetry on the thrust and antithrust side. A narrow thrust side is combined with a wide, elastic antithrust side for skirt guidance.

The light, robust EVOTEC® 2 piston is available with ring carrier or cooling gallery - Figure 1.

The EVOLITE® concept represents further refinement of the EVOTEC® design concept by increasing asymmetry further. By geometrically optimizing the box wall connection between the skirt and crown, the lifetime has been increased by up to 8 times in comparison with the EVOTEC® 2, depending on stress location, while the weight has been reduced by up to 5%. Friction, which is critical for low CO2 emissions, is also reduced with this new piston type.