bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology of children with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (stage 3): A referral hospital‐based study in Iran
Authors: Movahedi Zahra , Mahmoudi Shima , Pourakbari Babak , Keshavarz Valian Nasrin , Sabouni Farah , Ramezani Amitis , Bahador Abbas , Mamishi Setareh
Published: October 2015

Lack of recognition of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection especially in children and delayed implementation of effective control programs makes HIV infection as a major cause for concern. Information on HIV epidemiology in Iran as well as other Islamic countries is limited. The aim of our study was to describe the clinical manifestation and laboratory finding of HIV infected children who were admitted to a referral Children Medical Center (CMC) in Tehran, Iran, during 11 years from January 2002 to January 2013. This was a retrospective study carried out over a period of 11 years. The records of all patients attending to the CMC with confirmed acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) were screened. The patients were evaluated for social circumstance, family history, age, gender, clinical, and laboratory features. Clinical data including fever, respiratory distress, diarrhea, rash, etc. as well as laboratory tests including complete blood count, serum glucose level, electrolytes, liver function test, cultures, CD4 lymphocyte count were evaluated. During the study period, 32 HIV positive children were enrolled. The majority of patients were presented with weight loss, prolonged fever, respiratory infection and chronic diarrhea. In this study, salmonella infections as well as streptococcal pneumonia and candida infections followed by, tuberculosis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections were the predominant opportunistic infections. Since the number of HIV‐positive children has been alarmingly increasing in recent years and perinatal transmission is the most common route of HIV infection in children, essential recommendations for prenatal HIV testing as well as appropriate antiretroviral therapy by HIV infected mothers are needed. J. Med. Virol. 88:64–68, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy in art and archaeology
Authors: Pozzi Federica , Leona Marco
Published: October 2015

Since its introduction in the cultural heritage field, nearly 30 years ago, surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has emerged as a promising analytical technique that is particularly suitable for the detection and identification of organic colorants. Its great molecular selectivity and specificity, and unparalleled sensitivity compared to other instrumental methods, have allowed researchers to successfully characterize a wide number of natural dyes and a few synthetic ones in microscopic samples from objects of artistic, historical, and archaeological significance. Continued research over the course of the past decade has led to the construction of comprehensive databases of dyes, whose adsorption and spectral properties have been investigated at length; to the comparative study of the efficiency and performance of various metal substrates; and to the evaluation of several sample treatment methods andad‐hocanalytical protocols. In addition, recent literature in the field of SERS for art and archaeology has described instrumentation and technique advancements aimed at solving the unique challenges posed by the analysis of irreplaceable objects, namely, quasi non‐destructive sampling, spatial resolution improvement, examination of insoluble compounds, and resolution of dye mixtures. Reviewing the most salient methodological and technological milestones that have traced the history of SERS for cultural heritage to date, the present article is intended as a practical resource for those researchers who would like to undertake systematic characterization of organic colorants from artworks using this powerful technique. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gastric remnant cancer: A distinct entity or simply another proximal gastric cancer?
Authors: Tran Thuy B. , Hatzaras Ioannis , Worhunsky David J. , Vitiello Gerardo A. , Squires Malcolm Hart , Jin Linda X. , Spolverato Gaya , Votanopoulos Konstantinos I. , Schmidt Carl , Weber Sharon , Bloomston Mark , Cho Clifford S. , Levine Edward A. , Fields Ryan C. , Pawlik Timothy M. , Maithel Shishir K , Norton Jeffrey A. , Poultsides George A.
Published: October 2015

Background

The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes following resection of gastric remnant (GRC) and conventional gastric cancer.

Methods

Patients who underwent resection for gastric cancer in 8 academic institutions from 2000–2012 were evaluated to compare morbidity, mortality, and survival based on history of prior gastrectomy.

Results

Of the 979 patients who underwent gastrectomy with curative‐intent during the 12‐year study period, 55 patients (5.8%) presented with GRC and 924 patients (94.4%) presented with conventional gastric cancer. Patients with GRC were slightly older (median 69 vs. 66 years). GRC was associated with higher rates of complication (56% vs. 41%, P = 0.028), longer operative times (301 vs. 237 min, P < 0.001), higher intraoperative blood loss (300 vs. 200 ml, P = 0.012), and greater need for blood transfusion (43% vs. 23%, P = 0.001). There were no significant differences in 30‐day (3.6% vs. 4%) or 90‐day mortality (9% vs. 8%) between the two groups. Overall survival rates were similar between GRC and conventional gastric cancer (5‐year 20.3% vs. 38.6%, P = 0.446). Multivariate analysis revealed that history of gastrectomy was not predictive of survival while established predictors (older age, advanced T‐stage, nodal involvement, blood transfusion, multivisceral resection, and any complication) were associated with poor survival.

Conclusions

Despite higher morbidity, prognosis after resection of gastric remnant cancer is similar to conventional gastric cancer. J. Surg. Oncol. 2015;112:877–882. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Survival of female mallards along the Vermont–Quebec border region
Authors: Longcore Jerry R. , Mcauley Daniel G. , Heisey Dennis M. , Bunck Christine M. , Clugston David A.
Published: October 2015

Understanding effects of location and timing of harvest seasons on mortality of ducks and geese from hunting is important in forming regulations that sustain viable waterfowl populations throughout their range. During 1990 and 1991 we alternately marked 80 hatching year (HY), female mallards along the Vermont–Quebec border; half with radio‐transmitters and bands and half with only aluminum leg bands. We monitored radio‐marked ducks daily and recorded survival status weekly for 15 weeks from August until December each year. Mallard mortalities began 25 September when the hunting season opened in the Province of Quebec, Canada. Overall survival of mallards at week 10 did not differ between years (0.51 in 1990 vs. 0.43 in 1991) or differ from that of HY American black ducks (0.44 females, 0.42 males) based on proportional hazard analysis in a Bayesian framework. The mortality rates for mallards from hunting (0.47) and causes unrelated to hunting (0.06) were similar between years and to those rates for HY black ducks at that same site. Hunter harvest accounted for most of the mortality recorded during this study and illegal feeding (i.e., baiting) at sites just before and during the hunting season was observed. Females with lower body condition index had greater mortality rates; a 1‐standard‐deviation increase in condition index would reduce mortality hazard by about 29%. Management options that may increase mallard survival in the area include lowering daily bag limit in Quebec and suspending split hunting seasons in Vermont that increase harvest, delaying opening date of hunting in Quebec to allow for increased body condition before hunting season opens, and improving enforcement of baiting restrictions. Published 2015. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Oxidation‐related life‐time assessment using the new ISO standards ISO 21608:2012 and ISO 26146:2012
Authors: Schütze M. , Schmidt G. T. , Naji A.
Published: October 2015

Life‐time extrapolation has often been performed based on a parabolic oxidation law. The new standards, ISO 21608 and ISO 26146, aim at determining the actual oxidation rate constant and exponent in order to describe the oxidation behavior as closely as possible to the observed situation. The present paper extends this approach by the kinetics of subsurface zone depletion of the protective scale‐forming alloying element (for example, chromium). Four different types of characteristic depletion kinetics are combined with considerations on the minimum amount of chromium necessary to maintain the protective situation in order to define the extrapolation basis for oxidation‐related life‐time assessment. This approach is applied to experimental data from exposure in simulated coal combustion environments at temperatures of 550–750 °C and exposure times up to 15 000 h. The materials ranged from low‐alloy steel to high‐alloy austenitic steels and nickel‐base alloys. As a result, it is proposed to use data from metallographic investigations rather than mass change data for life‐time assessment together with the respective kinetics approaches. Furthermore, it is recommended to base life‐time extrapolation on experimental data from tests of at least 10 000 h duration. The investigated materials were categorized with regard to their potential of oxidation‐related life‐time assessment.
Electrochemistry of carbon dioxide corrosion mitigation using tall oil diethylenetriamine imidazoline as corrosion inhibitor for mild steel
Authors: Jevremović I. , Singer M. , Nešić S. , Mišković‐Stanković V.
Published: October 2015

The inhibition effect of tall oil diethylenetriamine imidazoline (TOFA/DETA imidazoline) on corrosion of mild steel in CO2‐saturated 3 wt% NaCl solution was investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), potentiodynamic sweep (PDS), cyclic voltammetry (CV), quartz crystal microbalance measurements (QCM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). TOFA/DETA imidazoline is a mixed‐type corrosion inhibitor with the predominant anodic effect. The results of CV measurements indicate inhibited electrode processes in the presence of TOFA/DETA imidazoline and the absence of the rapid degradation of TOFA/DETA imidazoline in the range of mild steel corrosion potential. The corrosion rate of mild steel significantly decreased in the presence of TOFA/DETA imidazoline, while the inhibition efficiency increased up to 92%. It was found that the adsorption of studied imidazoline compound on steel surface followed both Langmuir and Temkin adsorption isotherms. The value of molecular interaction constant calculated from Temkin adsorption isotherm implied the existence of lateral repulsion between adsorbed inhibitor molecules.
Lentiviral vector‐mediated insertional mutagenesis screen identifies genes that influence androgen independent prostate cancer progression and predict clinical outcome
Authors: Nalla Arun K. , Williams Theodore F. , Collins Casey P. , Rae Dustin T. , Trobridge Grant D.
Published: October 2015

Prostate cancer (PC) is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in US men. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) improves clinical outcome, but tumors often recur and progress to androgen independent prostate cancer (AIPC) which no longer responds to ADT. The progression to AIPC is due to genetic alterations that allow PC cancer cells to grow in the absence of androgen. Here we performed an insertional mutagenesis screen using a replication‐incompetent lentiviral vector (LV) to identify the genes that promote AIPC in an orthotopic mouse model. Androgen sensitive PC cells, LNCaP, were mutagenized with LV and injected into the prostate of male mice. After tumor development, mice were castrated to select for cells that proliferate in the absence of androgen. Proviral integration sites and nearby dysregulated genes were identified in tumors developed in an androgen deficient environment. Using publically available datasets, the expression of these candidate androgen independence genes in human PC tissues were analyzed. A total of 11 promising candidate AIPC genes were identified: GLYATL1, FLNA, OBSCN, STRA13, WHSC1, ARFGAP3, KDM2A, FAM83H, CLDN7, CNOT6, and B3GNT9. Seven out the 11 candidate genes; GLYATL1, OBSCN, STRA13, KDM2A, FAM83H, CNOT6, and B3GNT6, have not been previously implicated in PC. An in vitro clonogenic assay showed that knockdown of KDM2A, FAM83H, and GLYATL1 genes significantly inhibited the colony forming ability of LNCaP cells. Additionally, we showed that a combination of four genes, OBSCN, FAM83H, CLDN7, and ARFGAP3 could significantly predicted the recurrence risk in PC patients after prostatectomy (P = 5.3 × 10−5). © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Diverse routes to liver regeneration
Authors: Alison Malcolm R , Lin Wey‐Ran
Published: October 2015

The liver's ability to regenerate is indisputable; for example, after a two‐thirds partial hepatectomy in rats all residual hepatocytes can divide, questioning the need for a specific stem cell population. On the other hand, there is a potential stem cell compartment in the canals of Hering, giving rise to ductular reactions composed of hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) when the liver's ability to regenerate is hindered by replicative senescence, but the functional relevance of this response has been questioned. Several papers have now clarified regenerative mechanisms operative in the mouse liver, suggesting that the liver is possibly unrivalled in its versatility to replace lost tissue. Under homeostatic conditions a perivenous population of clonogenic hepatocytes operates, whereas during chronic damage a minor population of periportal clonogenic hepatocytes come to the fore, while the ability of HPCs to completely replace the liver parenchyma has now been shown. Copyright © 2015 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Use of macrolides during pregnancy and the risk of birth defects: a population‐based study
Authors: Bérard Anick , Sheehy Odile , Zhao Jin‐Ping , Nordeng Hedvig
Published: October 2015

Purpose

Macrolides have been linked to the occurrence of congenital heart defects, but findings are inconsistent. We therefore aimed to estimate the risk of major congenital malformations (MCMs) after fetal exposure to macrolides, focusing on cardiac malformations.

Methods

From the Quebec Pregnancy Cohort (1998–2008), women exposed to a macrolide or penicillin in the first trimester and unexposed women were studied. There were 135 859 pregnancies included; 914 were exposed to azithromycin, 734 to erythromycin, 686 to clarithromycin, and 9106 to penicillin during the first trimester. Cases of MCMs were identified within the first year of life.

Results

After adjusting for potential confounders, azithromycin (RR = 1.19, 95%CI: 0.98, 1.44; 120 exposed cases), erythromycin (RR = 0.96, 95%CI: 0.74, 1.24; 66 exposed cases) and clarithromycin use (RR = 1.12, 95%CI: 0.99, 1.42; 79 exposed cases) during the first trimester of pregnancy were not statistically significantly associated with the risk of MCMs; no associations were observed for cardiac malformations.

Conclusions

First trimester exposure to any of the macrolides was not associated with an increased risk of overall MCMs or cardiac malformations specifically. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In‐plane and out‐of‐plane defectivity in thin films of lamellar block copolymers
Authors: Mahadevapuram Nikhila , Mitra Indranil , Bozhchenko Alona , Strzalka Joseph , Stein Gila E.
Published: October 2015

We investigate the ordering of poly(styrene‐b‐methyl methacrylate) (PS‐PMMA) lamellar copolymers (periodicityL0 = 46 nm) confined between a free surface and brushed poly(styrene‐r‐methyl methacrylate) silicon substrate. The processing temperature was selected to eliminate wetting layers at the top and bottom interfaces, producing approximately neutral boundaries that stabilize perpendicular domain orientations. The PS‐PMMA film thickness (t = 0.5L0 − 2.5L0) and brush grafting density (Σ = 0.2–0.6 nm−2) were systematically varied to examine their impacts on in‐plane and out‐of‐plane ordering. Samples were characterized with a combination of high‐resolution microscopy, X‐ray reflectivity, and grazing‐incidence small‐angle X‐ray scattering. In‐plane order at the top of the film (quantified through calculation of orientational correlation lengths) improved withtn, where the exponentnincreased from 0.75 to 1 as Σ decreased from 0.6 to 0.2 nm−2. Out‐of‐plane defects such as tilted domains were detected in all films, and the distribution of domain tilt angles was nearly independent oftand Σ. These studies demonstrate that defectivity in perpendicular lamellar phases is three‐dimensional, comprised of in‐plane topological defects and out‐of‐plane domain tilt, with little or no correlation between these two types of disorder. Strong interactions between the block copolymer and underlying substrate may trap both kinds of thermally generated defects. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016, 54, 339–352
Type II superstring in doubled superspace
Authors: Bandos Igor
Published: October 2015

The covariant and kappa–symmetric action for superstring in direct product of two flat , superspaces is constructed with the use of the PST formalism. It is manifestly T‐duality invariant in the sense that the fields describing oscillating and winding modes enter it on equal footing.
Outdoor efficiency analyses and comparison of on‐grid CdTe and µc‐Si/a‐Si thin‐film PV systems for three years in Ankara – Turkey
Authors: Ozden Talat , Yardım Ugur , Akinoglu Bulent G. , Turan Rasit
Published: October 2015

The present paper is mainly a comparison of the performances of two PV systems under outdoor conditions in Ankara. The systems are grid connected and consist of two PV arrays. The types of these PV arrays are CdTe thin film and amorphous silicon/micro‐crystalline‐based (µc‐Si/a‐Si) arrays. They are operated for 3 years; 2012‐2014. Yearly averages of monthly efficiencies of these two systems working under the same ambient conditions are 6.88%, 6.65%, 6.80% and 6.64%, 5.86%, 5.25% for µc‐Si/a‐Si and CdTe, respectively. Using these values, simple calculation results for the degradation rates per year are about 0.39%/year and 6.98%/year, respectively for these two types of systems. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Impact of seasonal variations in weekday electricity use on urban air temperature observed in Osaka, Japan
Authors: Ohashi Yukitaka , Suido Makoto , Kikegawa Yukihiro , Ihara Tomohiko , Shigeta Yoshinori , Nabeshima Minako
Published: October 2015

Seasonal variations in the human activity signal (HAS) affecting the urban temperature were analysed in districts with offices and commercial buildings, apartment buildings, and single‐family households in the urban area of Osaka, Japan. Temperatures were observed at building rooftops and at ground level in 14 districts. Spatial and temporal patterns of HAS were identified for a combined spring and autumn intermediate season, the summer cooling season, and the winter heating season by observing the temperature differences between weekdays and weekends after discounting the naturally induced temperature signal. A positive HAS (higher weekday temperatures) was observed during daytime hours in summer and the values around 1200 h JST (UTC + 9 h) exceeded 1 °C at the downtown office and mixed‐building districts and 0.5–0.7 °C in the surrounding inland residential districts. However, a negative HAS (lower weekday temperatures) extended throughout all districts during daytime hours in winter. The maximum negative values ranged from −0.3 to −0.4 °C between 1200 and 1500 h. Statistical analyses of 30‐year HAS data provided sufficient evidence that an increase in heat pump air‐conditioning caused negative HAS in winter daytime hours as well as positive HAS in summer daytime hours. While HAS was not observed at night‐time in all districts during summer, positive HAS in winter had values of 0.3–0.4 °C between 0000 and 0200 h and was especially prominent at inland residential districts. This night‐time positive HAS in the heating season was most likely due to a gradual ventilation of heated indoor air and an outgoing sensible heat transfer from the walls of buildings where heating systems were operated. Seasonal variation of HAS was related to the energy consumption due to air‐conditioning, and the expected temperature increase due to the waste heat was predicted using a simple one‐dimensional mixing‐layer model.
Stagewise pseudo‐value regression for time‐varying effects on the cumulative incidence
Authors: Zöller Daniela , Schmidtmann Irene , Weinmann Arndt , Gerds Thomas A. , Binder Harald
Published: October 2015

In a competing risks setting, the cumulative incidence of an event of interest describes the absolute risk for this event as a function of time. For regression analysis, one can either choose to model all competing events by separate cause‐specific hazard models or directly model the association between covariates and the cumulative incidence of one of the events. With a suitable link function, direct regression models allow for a straightforward interpretation of covariate effects on the cumulative incidence. In practice, where data can be right‐censored, these regression models are implemented using a pseudo‐value approach. For a grid of time points, the possibly unobserved binary event status is replaced by a jackknife pseudo‐value based on the Aalen–Johansen method. We combine a stagewise regression technique with the pseudo‐value approach to provide variable selection while allowing for time‐varying effects. This is implemented by coupling variable selection between the grid times, but determining estimates separately. The effect estimates are regularized to also allow for model fitting with a low to moderate number of observations. This technique is illustrated in an application using clinical cancer registry data from hepatocellular carcinoma patients. The results are contrasted with traditional hazard‐based modeling. In addition to a more straightforward interpretation, when using the proposed technique, the identification of time‐varying effect patterns on the cumulative incidence is seen to be feasible with a moderate number of observations. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electoral Mobilization and Authoritarian Elections: Evidence from Post-Soviet Russia
Authors: Saikkonen Inga A-L.
Published: October 2015

Despite extensive research on electoral turnout in developed democracies, we know relatively little about the determinants of electoral participation in (electoral) autocracies. Yet, electoral mobilization is crucial to understanding electoral authoritarian regime dynamics and democratic regression. This article studies the ‘socioeconomic roots’ of electoral authoritarianism by using original local-level data from a prominent contemporary electoral authoritarian regime, Russia. The article shows how the electoral mobilization of certain institutionally and socioeconomically state-dependent demographic sectors was a key part in Russia’s transition from a competitive to hegemonic authoritarian regime between 2000 and 2004. An original local-level data set allows us to test the hypotheses using multilevel models, controlling for several socioeconomic and contextual variables at both regional and local levels. The results support the hypotheses of electoral mobilization in specific demographic areas and show interesting variations in turnout patterns between the subnational units.
Disease, danger and death: illness and injuries among staff of Monaghan District Asylum (1869–1950)
Authors: Mac Lellan Anne
Published: October 2015

Objective

The purpose of this paper has been to investigate the vulnerability of staff in an Irish district lunatic asylum (1869–1950) to infection and injury as exemplified by the records of Monaghan District Asylum (renamed Monaghan Mental Hospital in 1924 and St Davnet’s Hospital in 1954). Some comparisons with other Irish district asylums are included.

Methods

The Minutebooks of Monaghan District Asylum, located in St Davnet’s Complex, Monaghan, were sampled in December of each year from 1869 to 1950 with the sampling extended outwards as required. In addition, the reports on the District, Criminal and Lunatic Asylums in Ireland (1869–1921) and the annual reports of the Inspector of Mental Hospitals (1923–2013) were surveyed for comparisons.

Conclusions

Staff in Monaghan District Asylum were vulnerable to infection from contagious diseases including typhoid, tuberculosis and Spanish influenza. As with other Irish district asylums, overcrowding was the norm and isolation facilities were either absent or inadequate. The close proximity of staff to patients in an overcrowded and frequently insanitary institution placed them at increased risk of contracting disease. Moreover, staff at all levels, from resident medical superintendent to attendant, were, on occasion, at risk of injury from patients. The Monaghan experience would seem to indicate that any consideration of staff patient relationships within asylums should be nuanced by a consideration of the risks posed to staff due to their occupation.
The jaw apparatus of the Late Cretaceous heteromorph ammonoidPravitoceras
Authors: Tanabe Kazushige , Tsujino Yasuyuki , Okuhira Kosuke , Misaki Akihiro
Published: October 2015

Well-preserved upper and lower jaws of the aptychus-type found inside the body chambers of two specimens of the heteromorph ammonoidPravitoceras sigmoidaleYabe, 1902 (Nostoceratidae, Ancyloceratina) are described from the Upper Cretaceous Izumi Group in Southwest Japan. They are similar in overall morphology to those of other nostoceratid and diplomoceratid ammonoids currently known, suggesting the morphological stability of the jaw features among these taxa. The equal size of the upper and lower jaws with beak-like rostral projection suggests that the jaw apparatus of this species might function to bite and cut up prey.
Increased serum levels of serine enantiomers in patients with depression
Authors: Hashimoto Kenji , Yoshida Taisuke , Ishikawa Masatomo , Fujita Yuko , Niitsu Tomihisa , Nakazato Michiko , Watanabe Hiroyuki , Sasaki Tsuyoshi , Shiina Akihiro , Hashimoto Tasuku , Kanahara Nobuhisa , Hasegawa Tadashi , Enohara Masayo , Kimura Atsushi , Iyo Masaomi
Published: October 2015

Objective

Glutamatergic neurotransmission via the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor is integral to the pathophysiology of depression. This study was performed to examine whether amino acids related to NMDA receptor neurotransmission are altered in the serum of patients with depression.

Method

We measured the serum levels of d-serine, l-serine, glycine, glutamate and glutamine in patients with depression (n=70), and age-matched healthy subjects (n=78).

Results

Serum levels of d-serine and l-serine in patients with depression were significantly higher than those of healthy controls (p<0.001). In contrast, serum levels of glycine, glutamate and glutamine did not differ between the two groups. Interestingly, the ratio of l-serine to glycine in patients was significantly higher than that of healthy controls (p<0.001).

Conclusion

This study suggests that serine enantiomers may be peripheral biomarkers for depression, and that abnormality in the d-serine-l-serine-glycine cycle plays a role in the pathophysiology of depression.
Oatmeal porridge: impact on microflora-associated characteristics in healthy subjects
Authors: Valeur Jørgen , Puaschitz Nathalie G. , Midtvedt Tore , Berstad Arnold
Published: October 2015

Oatmeal porridge has been consumed for centuries and has several health benefits. We aimed to investigate the effect of oatmeal porridge on gut microflora functions. A total of ten healthy subjects ingested 60 g oatmeal porridge daily for 1 week. The following microflora-associated characteristics were assessed before and after the intervention: intestinal gas production following lactulose ingestion, faecal excretion of SCFA and faecal levels of urease andβ-galactosidase. In addition, rectal levels of PGE2were measured. Microbial fermentation as evaluated by intestinal gas production and excretion of SCFA did not change significantly following the dietary intervention. However, faecal levels ofβ-galactosidase and urease decreased after eating oatmeal porridge (P=0·049 and 0·031, respectively). Host inflammatory state, as measured by rectal levels of PGE2, also decreased, but the change was not significant (P=0·168). The results suggest that oatmeal porridge has an effect on gut microbial functions and may possess potential prebiotic properties that deserve to be investigated further.
Active Controllers or Wealthy Rentiers? Large Shareholders in Victorian Public Companies
Authors: Acheson Graeme G. , Campbell Gareth , Turner John D.
Published: October 2015

This article addresses the issue of whether large shareholders in Victorian public companies were active in the control of companies or were simply wealthy rentiers. Using ownership records for 890 firm-years, we examine the control rights, socio-occupational background, and wealth of large shareholders. We find that many large shareholders had limited voting rights and neither they nor family members were directors. This implies that the majority of public companies in the second half of the nineteenth century cannot be characterized as family companies and that large shareholders are better viewed as wealthy gentlemen capitalists rather than entrepreneurs.
Harvest date does not influence variety ranking in Belgian forage maize variety trials
Authors: SWANCKAERT J. , PANNECOUCQUE J. , VAN WAES J. , DE CAUWER B. , LATRE J. , HAESAERT G. , REHEUL D.
Published: October 2015

Silage maize variety testing systems usually evaluate new varieties within properly defined maturity groups; within a maturity group, all varieties are harvested on a single harvest date. In a small country like Belgium where growing conditions are similar across the maize growing areas, all tested silage maize varieties, comprising different maturity groups, are harvested on a single date. Under this testing system, only few varieties are harvested at the physiological stage where they theoretically show their optimal performance. In the current research, eight silage maize varieties were monitored from 25 to 40% whole-crop dry matter (DM) content at three locations in Belgium during the period 2007–2009. The optimal harvest date was calculated as the date where whole-crop DM yield, ear DM yield and organic matter digestibility were maximal. The variety rank at the optimal harvest date was compared with the variety rank at any studied single harvest date. Harvest dates where the variety rank was not statistically different to the rank at the optimal harvest date were pooled in a ‘harvest window’. Based on the current data, the harvest window comprised a flexible harvest period of about 14 days. It was therefore concluded that applying a single harvest date is scientifically justified for the ranking of silage maize varieties in Belgium, when the whole-crop DM content is between 28·1 and 40·6% with a maximum difference of 7·2% between all compared varieties.
Qualitative variations on Calabrian Provola cheeses stored under different packaging conditions
Authors: Piscopo Amalia , Zappia Angela , de Bruno Alessandra , Poiana Marco
Published: October 2015

Calabrian Provola cheese, anItaliantypical dairy product, is commonly sold unwrapped with an expiry date of 45 d. The influence of different packagings and subsequent storage at 4 and 7 °C on maintaining cheese quality and prolonging its shelf life was evaluated. The following packaging systems were used: Polyamide/Polyethylene pouch under vacuum; Polyethylene/Polyethylene terephthalate lid over a Polyethylene/Ethylene vinyl alcohol/Polyvinyl Chloride + Polyvinyl alcohol thermoformed tray; Polyethylene/Ethylene vinyl alcohol/Polyamide/Polyethylene pouch. Concerning the two last systems, cheeses were packaged in a modified atmosphere (70:30 N2:CO2). All studied packaging prolonged Calabrian Provola cheese shelf life to 65 d. In particular, the packaging in modified atmosphere with Polyethylene/Ethylene vinyl alcohol/Polyamide/Polyethylene pouch preserved Provola cheeses best, not only showing a decrease of the original total microbial count but also showing the lowest peroxide value and hardness at both temperatures of storage. The results of this study will help local Italian firms to expand their business in more distant markets.
Variation of milk components in the Italian Brown cattle
Authors: Frigo Erika , Samorè Antonia B , Reghenzani Liliana , Bergomi Nicola , Strillacci Maria G , Schiavini Fausta , Prinsen Raphaelle TMM , Cozzi Maria C , Serra Marco , Rossoni Attilio , Bagnato Alessandro
Published: October 2015

The aim of this study was to evaluate the variations of protein, casein, saturated (SFA), unsaturated (UFA), monounsaturated (MUFA), polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acids contents and cheese yield in the milk of two groups of Italian Brown cows conventionally reared in indoor period of housing or consuming pasture during the summer months in 2008 and 2013. Milk components were obtained from samples collected during the national routine (conventionally reared) and ‘extraordinary’ (pasture period) milk recording scheme in herds located near Sondrio (Lombardia, Italy). Milk samples were processed with the MilkoScanTM FT6000 for the identification of milk casein, SFA, UFA, MUFA and PUFA composition. The groups were analysed separately per year and the environmental factors affecting milk protein, casein, and fatty acids contents (pasture/indoor, parity, data of sampling, days in milk, days from collection to analysis) were included in the MIXED procedure of SAS 9.3. A total of 778 milk samples were available, including 234 records from indoor and 544 observations from pasture feeding. Pasture intake affected the content of casein (%) and the proportion of fat in milk (g/100 g), enhancing milk casein levels (from 2·90 to 3) and reducing the concentration of milk SFA in milk from grazing cows (from 2·29 to 1·92). Additionally, the cheese yield was calculated as ‘kg of cheese per 100 kg of milk’ and resulted to be 10·4 and 12 in 2008 from milk of cows reared indoor and with pasture based diet, respectively. The dairy industry should take advantage of the milk production during grazing periods from which high quality products may be obtained.
The epidemiology of traumatic event exposure worldwide: results from the World Mental Health Survey Consortium
Authors: Benjet C. , Bromet E. , Karam E. G. , Kessler R. C. , McLaughlin K. A. , Ruscio A. M. , Shahly V. , Stein D. J. , Petukhova M. , Hill E. , Alonso J. , Atwoli L. , Bunting B. , Bruffaerts R. , Caldas-de-Almeida J. M. , de Girolamo G. , Florescu S. , Gureje O. , Huang Y. , Lepine J. P. , Kawakami N. , Kovess-Masfety Viviane , Medina-Mora M. E. , Navarro-Mateu F. , Piazza M. , Posada-Villa J. , Scott K. M. , Shalev A. , Slade T. , ten Have M. , Torres Y. , Viana M. C. , Zarkov Z. , Koenen K. C.
Published: October 2015

Background

Considerable research has documented that exposure to traumatic events has negative effects on physical and mental health. Much less research has examined the predictors of traumatic event exposure. Increased understanding of risk factors for exposure to traumatic events could be of considerable value in targeting preventive interventions and anticipating service needs.

Method

General population surveys in 24 countries with a combined sample of 68 894 adult respondents across six continents assessed exposure to 29 traumatic event types. Differences in prevalence were examined with cross-tabulations. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted to determine whether traumatic event types clustered into interpretable factors. Survival analysis was carried out to examine associations of sociodemographic characteristics and prior traumatic events with subsequent exposure.

Results

Over 70% of respondents reported a traumatic event; 30.5% were exposed to four or more. Five types – witnessing death or serious injury, the unexpected death of a loved one, being mugged, being in a life-threatening automobile accident, and experiencing a life-threatening illness or injury – accounted for over half of all exposures. Exposure varied by country, sociodemographics and history of prior traumatic events. Being married was the most consistent protective factor. Exposure to interpersonal violence had the strongest associations with subsequent traumatic events.

Conclusions

Given the near ubiquity of exposure, limited resources may best be dedicated to those that are more likely to be further exposed such as victims of interpersonal violence. Identifying mechanisms that account for the associations of prior interpersonal violence with subsequent trauma is critical to develop interventions to prevent revictimization.
The incarnation, soul-free: physicalism, kind membership, and the incarnation
Authors: SHARPE KEVIN W.
Published: October 2015

Animalists, those who hold that human persons are identical to human animals, seem committed to holding that, in becoming incarnate, the Son of God became a human animal. Unsurprisingly, a number of philosophers have argued that this is impossible. In this article, I consider several objections to an animalist account of the incarnation based on kind membership, viz. objections drawing on kind essentialism, constitution essentialism, and the persistence conditions of animals. After developing each objection in detail, I respond by drawing on my preferred formulation of animalism. My goal in addressing these objections is to take the first steps toward demonstrating the compatibility of animalism and the incarnation.
Dynamic Ship Domain Models for Capacity Analysis of Restricted Water Channels
Authors: Liu Jingxian , Zhou Feng , Li Zongzhi , Wang Maoqing , Liu Ryan Wen
Published: October 2015

Developing adequate ship domain models may significantly benefit vessel navigation safety. In essence, navigation safety is collectively affected by the navigable waterway condition, the size and shape of the ship, and operators' skills. The existing ship domains mainly use constant values for the model input parameters, making them incapable of handling site-specific conditions. This study proposes dynamic ship domain models that take into consideration navigable waterway conditions, ship behaviours, ship types and sizes, and operators' skills in a holistic manner. Specifically, the conditions of restricted waterways are classified into navigating along the channel, crossing the channel, joining another flow and turning. The ship types considered include ships that transport non-hazardous goods and Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) ships that are in need of additional security zones. A computational experiment is conducted for model application using data on water channel design and ship traffic volumes related to navigating along the channel, joining another flow and turning. Comparisons of results obtained between the proposed dynamic models with real ship traffic counts reveal that the proposed models could achieve a higher level of accuracy in estimating the capacity of restricted water channels. It therefore could potentially deliver safety enhancements of waterway transportation.
The potential therapeutic value for bereaved relatives participating in research: An exploratory study
Authors: Germain Alison , Mayland Catriona R. , Jack Barbara A.
Published: October 2015

Objective:

Conducting research with the bereaved presents an immediate ethical challenge, as they are undoubtedly a vulnerable group, associated with high levels of distress and susceptible to both physical and mental health issues. A comprehensive understanding of the potential therapeutic benefits for bereaved relatives participating in palliative care research is limited, and therefore the ethics of engaging this group remain questionable.

Method:

This paper describes a secondary analysis of qualitative data collected in the Care of the Dying Evaluation (CODE) project, examining the experiences of patients who died at home. It explores the motivations and potential benefits for bereaved relatives participating in research with reference to the recently developed concepts in bereavement theory. Cognitive interviews were conducted with 15 bereaved relatives and secondary analysis using a content analysis framework was employed to classify the data.

Results:

The results center around six recurring concepts identified as adaptive in current bereavement theory: an opportunity to share the narrative accounts of the final hours of their relative's life; a search for sense and meaning in loss; an ongoing bond/attachment with the deceased; altruistic motivations; oscillation between loss and restorative orientations; and a sense of resilience. Overall, the participants found that taking part in the research was valuable and that it could be described as offering therapeutic benefits.

Significance of results:

The need for bereaved relatives to take part in research studies should be encouraged, as they provide an accurate proxy for the patient's experience of end-of-life care while also providing a valuable account of their own perspective as family member and carer. In addition, we highlight the need for ethics committees to be aware of the potential benefits for bereaved relatives participating in research of this kind.
Predicting the effect of rotation design on N, P, K balances on organic farms using the NDICEA model
Authors: Smith Laurence G. , Tarsitano Davide , Topp Cairistiona F. E. , Jones Stephanie K. , Gerrard Catherine L. , Pearce Bruce D. , Williams Adrian G. , Watson Christine A.
Published: October 2015

The dynamic model Nitrogen Dynamics in Crop rotations in Ecological Agriculture (NDICEA) was used to assess the nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) balance of long-term organic cropping trials and typical organic crop rotations on a range of soil types and rainfall zones in the UK. The measurements of soil N taken at each of the organic trial sites were also used to assess the performance of NDICEA. The modeled outputs compared well to recorded soil N levels, with relatively small error margins. NDICEA therefore seems to be a useful tool for UK organic farmers. The modeling of typical organic rotations has shown that positive N balances can be achieved, although negative N balances can occur under high rainfall conditions and on lighter soil types as a result of leaching. The analysis and modeling also showed that some organic cropping systems rely on imported sources of P and K to maintain an adequate balance and large deficits of both nutrients are apparent in stockless systems. Although the K deficits could be addressed through the buffering capacity of minerals, the amount available for crop uptake will depend on the type and amount of minerals present, current cropping and fertilization practices and the climatic environment. A P deficit represents a more fundamental problem for the maintenance of crop yields and the organic sector currently relies on mined sources of P which represents a fundamental conflict with the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements organic principles.
The benefits of crops and field management practices to wintering waterbirds in the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta of California
Authors: David Shuford W. , Reiter Matthew E. , Strum Khara M. , Gilbert Michelle M. , Hickey Catherine M. , Golet Gregory H.
Published: October 2015

Agricultural intensification has been a major factor in the loss of global biodiversity. Still, agricultural landscapes provide important habitat for many bird species, particularly in the Central Valley of California, USA, where >90% of the natural wildlife habitat has been lost. As wildlife professionals increasingly work with agricultural producers to promote ‘wildlife-friendly’ farming, it is important to understand the relative value of specific crops and field management practices to birds. The value to wintering waterbirds of seven treatments (crop and management practice combinations) across two crops (corn and winter wheat) was assessed at Staten Island in the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta of the Central Valley. Significant variation in the relative abundance of waterbirds was found among management practices, and post-harvest flooding and chopping and rolling (mulching) of corn were most beneficial to waterbirds. As expected, most waterbirds were common in flooded treatments, but geese, cranes and long-legged waders also were numerous in some dry treatments. Our data suggest that a greater waterbird species richness and abundance can be achieved by maintaining a mosaic of dry and flooded crop types, varying water depths and continuing the chop-and-roll practice for flooded corn. The observed benefits of particular crops and field management practices in this study should aid in the development of incentive-based programs to improve the habitat value of other working lands both within, and outside, the Delta.
Angst vor negativer sozialer Bewertung: Übersetzung und Validierung der Furcht vor negativer Evaluation–Kurzskala (FNE-K)
Authors: Reichenberger Julia , Schwarz Melanie , König Dorothea , Wilhelm Frank H. , Voderholzer Ulrich , Hillert Andreas , Blechert Jens
Published: October 2015

Zusammenfassung. Die Furcht vor negativer sozialer Evaluation durch andere Menschen ist ein zentrales Diagnosekriterium der sozialen Phobie. Die Skala Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation–Revised (BFNE-R) ist in der englischen Literatur ein sehr häufig verwendetes, valides und reliables Instrument. Ziel dieser Studie ist die Validierung der deutschen Übersetzung der BFNE-R anhand 4 verschiedener Studien. Neben einem einfaktoriellen Messmodell konnte eine exzellente interne Konsistenz gezeigt werden. Zudem demonstrierte die Skala eine angemessene Test-Retest-Reliabilität, konvergente und divergente Validität, Kriteriumsvalidität sowie eine sehr gute Sensitivität bei sozial phobischen Patientinnen und Patienten. Zusammenfassend verfügt die deutsche Version Furcht vor negativer Evaluation–Kurzskala (FNE-K) über gute psychometrische Eigenschaften zur Erfassung der Angst vor negativer sozialer Evaluation und wird für die Anwendung im Forschungsbereich genauso wie für den Klinikalltag empfohlen.
Entwicklung und Validierung des Fragebogen-Inventars für Freizeitinteressen (FIFI)
Authors: Piepenburg Annika , Kandler Christian
Published: October 2015

Zusammenfassung. Jüngste Ergebnisse konnten zeigen, dass Freizeitinteressen relativ wenig mit Berufsinteressen konvergieren, und dass die Ausübung von Freizeitinteressen positive Konsequenzen nach sich ziehen (z. B. steigende Lebenszufriedenheit). Leider existierte bisher kein entsprechendes Messinstrument, welches eine breite, aber auch ökonomische Messung von Freizeitinteressen sowie für einen breiten Erwachsenenaltersbereich differenzierte Untersuchungen von Freizeitinteressen im deutschen Sprachraum erlaubt. Aus diesem Grund wurde das Fragebogen-Inventar für Freizeitinteressen (FIFI) für Erwachsene entwickelt. Anhand exploratorischer Faktorenanalysen ließen sich 21 primäre und 5 sekundäre Freizeitinteressendimensionen an einer Stichprobe von 836 Erwachsenen (18 – 94 Jahre) extrahieren. Mithilfe konfirmatorischer Faktorenanalysen wurden die 5 übergeordneten Dimensionen zweiter Ordnung bestätigt. Darauf aufbauend wurden 21 Primärskalen und 5 Sekundärskalen gebildet, welche befriedigende bis gute interne Konsistenzen und gute bis sehr gute Retest-Reliabilitäten aufwiesen. Weiterhin konnte konvergente Validität der Skalen (hohe Korrelationen zwischen dem Interesse an einer Freizeitaktivität und der Häufigkeit der Ausübung) sowie divergente Validität (relativ geringe Konvergenz zwischen Freizeit- und Berufsinteressen) bestätigt werden.