bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Continuously forced transient growth in oblique breakdown for supersonic boundary layers
Authors: Laible Andreas C. , Fasel H. F.
Published: September 2016

The early nonlinear transition process initiated by a small-amplitude pair of oblique waves is studied using both temporal numerical simulation and theoretical considerations. This investigation is performed under the flow conditions of the experiments by Corke et al. (AIAA J., vol. 40, 2002, pp. 1015–1018) who investigated a sharp $7^{\circ }$ cone in the NASA Mach 3.5 Quiet Tunnel. In particular, both the linear and the nonlinear mechanisms prior to transition onset are investigated in great detail as the physics of this regime predetermine the flow topology of the nonlinear transition zone. The objective of this study is (i) to advance the understanding of the underlying physical mechanisms relevant for the early nonlinear transition regime of oblique breakdown and (ii) to make the connection to oblique transition, the incompressible scenario for bypass transition investigated by Schmid & Henningson (Phys. Fluids A, vol. 4, 1992, pp. 1986–1989). The dominance of the longitudinal vortex mode in oblique breakdown is shown to be a consequence of a constantly forced transient growth instability. In particular, the primary pair of oblique waves serves as an ‘actuator’ that is permanently introducing disturbances into the longitudinal mode where these disturbances exhibit transient growth. The effect of the transient growth instability on the longitudinal mode is to raise its amplitude rather than change the growth rate of this mode.
Dense granular flow rheology in turbulent bedload transport
Authors: Maurin Raphael , Chauchat Julien , Frey Philippe
Published: September 2016

The local granular rheology is investigated numerically in turbulent bedload transport. Considering spherical particles, steady uniform configurations are simulated using a coupled fluid–discrete-element model. The stress tensor is computed as a function of the depth for a series of simulations varying the Shields number, the specific density and the particle diameter. The results are analysed in the framework of the $\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}(I)$ rheology and exhibit a collapse of both the shear to normal stress ratio and the solid volume fraction over a wide range of inertial numbers. Contrary to expectations, the effect of the interstitial fluid on the granular rheology is shown to be negligible, supporting recent work suggesting the absence of a clear transition between the free-fall and turbulent regimes. In addition, data collapse is observed up to unexpectedly high inertial numbers $I\sim 2$, challenging the existing conceptions and parametrisation of the $\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}(I)$ rheology. Focusing upon bedload transport modelling, the results are pragmatically analysed in the $\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}(I)$ framework in order to propose a granular rheology for bedload transport. The proposed rheology is tested using a 1D volume-averaged two-phase continuous model, and is shown to accurately reproduce the dense granular flow profiles and the sediment transport rate over a wide range of Shields numbers. The present contribution represents a step in the upscaling process from particle-scale simulations towards large-scale applications involving complex flow geometry.
Elliptic instability of a curved Batchelor vortex
Authors: Blanco-Rodríguez Francisco J. , Le Dizès Stéphane
Published: September 2016

The occurrence of the elliptic instability in rings and helical vortices is analysed theoretically. The framework developed by Moore & Saffman (Proc. R. Soc. Lond. A, vol. 346, 1975, pp. 413–425), where the elliptic instability is interpreted as a resonance of two Kelvin modes with a strained induced correction, is used to obtain the general stability properties of a curved and strained Batchelor vortex. Explicit expressions for the characteristics of the three main unstable modes are obtained as a function of the axial flow parameter of the Batchelor vortex. We show that vortex curvature adds a contribution to the elliptic instability growth rate. The results are applied to a single vortex ring, an array of alternate vortex rings and a double helical vortex.
Linear modal instabilities of hypersonic flow over an elliptic cone
Authors: Paredes Pedro , Gosse Ryan , Theofilis Vassilis , Kimmel Roger
Published: September 2016

Steady laminar flow over a rounded-tip $2\,:\,1$ elliptic cone of 0.86 m length at zero angle of attack and yaw has been computed at Mach number $7.45$ and unit Reynolds number $Re^{\prime }=1.015\times 10^{7}~\text{m}^{-1}$. The flow conditions are selected to match the planned flight of the Hypersonic Flight Research Experimentation HIFiRE-5 test geometry at an altitude of 21.8 km. Spatial linear BiGlobal modal instability analysis of this flow has been performed at selected streamwise locations on planes normal to the cone symmetry axis, resolving the entire flow domain in a coupled manner while exploiting flow symmetries. Four amplified classes of linear eigenmodes have been unravelled. The shear layer formed near the cone minor-axis centreline gives rise to amplified symmetric and antisymmetric centreline instability modes, classified as shear-layer instabilities. At the attachment line formed along the major axis of the cone, both symmetric and antisymmetric instabilities are also discovered and identified as boundary-layer second Mack modes. In both cases of centreline and attachment-line modes, symmetric instabilities are found to be more unstable than their antisymmetric counterparts. Furthermore, spatial BiGlobal analysis is used for the first time to resolve oblique second modes and cross-flow instabilities in the boundary layer between the major- and minor-axis meridians. Contrary to predictions for the incompressible regime for swept infinite wing flow, the cross-flow instabilities are not found to be linked to the attachment-line instabilities. In fact, cross-flow modes peak along most of the surface of the cone, but vanish towards the attachment line. On the other hand, the leading oblique second modes peak near the leading edge and their associated frequencies are in the range of the attachment-line instability frequencies. Consequently, the attachment-line instabilities are observed to be related to oblique second modes at the major-axis meridian. The linear amplification of centreline and attachment-line instability modes is found to be strong enough to lead to laminar–turbulent flow transition within the length of the test object. The predictions of global linear theory are compared with those of local instability analysis, also performed here under the assumption of locally parallel flow, where use of this assumption is permissible. Fair agreement is obtained for symmetric centreline and symmetric attachment-line modes, while for all other classes of linear disturbances use of the proposed global analysis methodology is warranted for accurate linear instability predictions.
Macro-scale conjugate heat transfer in periodically developed flow through solid structures
Authors: Buckinx G. , Baelmans M.
Published: September 2016

This paper treats the macro-scale description of the periodically developed conjugate heat transfer regime, in which heat transfer takes place between an incompressible viscous flow and spatially periodic solid structures through a spatially periodic interfacial heat flux. The macro-scale temperature of the fluid and the solid structures are defined through a spatial averaging operator with a specific weighting function. It is shown that a double volume average is necessary in order to have a linearly changing macro-scale temperature in response to a constant macro-scale heat flux. Furthermore, with the aid of a double volume average, the thermal dispersion source, the thermal tortuosity and the interfacial heat transfer coefficient all become spatially constant in the developed regime. That way, these closure terms of the macro-scale temperature equations can be exactly determined from the periodic temperature part on a unit cell of the solid structures without taking the spatial moments of the solid into account. The theoretical derivations of this paper are illustrated for a case study describing the heat transfer between a fluid flow and an array of solid squares with a uniform volumetric heat source.
Validity of a web-based dietary questionnaire designed especially to measure the intake of phyto-oestrogens
Authors: Nybacka Sanna , Bertéus Forslund Heléne , Hedelin Maria
Published: September 2016

A diet questionnaire (DQ) designed to assess habitual diet and phyto-oestrogen intake was developed. This study aimed to examine the validity of the DQ in men, with and without having prostate cancer. The DQ was validated against alkylresorcinol metabolites measured in urine as objective biomarkers of whole grain wheat and rye (WG) intake, and a 4-d estimated food record (FR) was used for relative comparison. Participants (n 61) completed both methods and provided spot urine samples. We found a statistically significant correlation between the DQ and FR for reported whole grain intake and isoflavonoids, as well as for intake of macronutrients, except protein. The correlation coefficient between the two methods was on average r 0·30, lowest for lignans (r −0·11) and highest for alcohol (r 0·65). Reported energy intake was lower in the DQ compared with FR (8523 v. 9249 kJ (2037 v. 2211 kcal), respectively; P = 0·014). Bland–Altman plots showed an acceptable agreement; most cases were within the limits (95 % CI) of agreement on reported energy intake, as well as intake of macronutrients, except protein (which was underestimated in the DQ compared with the FR). The correlation of alkylresorcinol with WG intake was statistically significant in the DQ (r 0·31, P = 0·015), but not in the FR (r 0·18, P = 0·12) and the weighted κ was 0·29 and 0·11, respectively. In conclusion, the results showed that the DQ have a reasonable validity for measuring WG intake and most nutrients, and, after some adjustments regarding protein intake assessment have been made, the DQ will be a promising tool.
Soya milk exerts different effects on plasma amino acid responses and incretin hormone secretion compared with cows’ milk in healthy, young men
Authors: Sun Lijuan , Tan Kevin Wei Jie , Siow Phei Ching , Henry Christiani Jeyakumar
Published: September 2016

Apart from the well-known action of insulin, the mechanism by which soya and cows’ milk improve postprandial glycaemia control was examined. In total, twelve healthy, young, Chinese men were studied on three separate occasions, in random order with isovolumetric (322 ml) control water, soya milk and cows’ milk. Plasma total amino acid concentrations increased 30 min after test meals consumption and were higher after soya milk (230 %) and cow milk (240 %) consumption compared with water. Cows’ milk ingestion induced higher branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) (40 %) than soya milk. Postprandial incretin concentrations increased after meal consumption. Cows’ milk meal was accompanied by higher incremental AUC (iAUC) (170 %) for glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) compared with soya milk and control (P=0·06). However, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) concentrations increased to significantly greater levels after soya milk consumption (iAUC 60 % higher) compared with cows’ milk and control. Consumption of both soya and cows’ milk with carbohydrates induced a similar reduction in glycaemic response through a different mechanism, beyond insulin action. Plasma amino acids (alanine and arginine), and incretins in particular (GIP was stimulated), may be involved in the hyperinsulinaemia after soya milk meals. However, BCAA and GLP-1 release may be responsible for the reduced glycaemia after cows’ milk consumption by delaying gastric emptying. This could be the result of different milk protein/amino acid composition, but also differences in milk carbohydrate composition (i.e. lactose v. sucrose). It can be concluded that soya milk is a good alternative to cows’ milk with regard to glycaemic regulation, with different mechanisms involved.
Fasciolosis in South America: epidemiology and control challenges
Authors: Carmona C. , Tort J.F.
Published: September 2016

Fasciolosis caused byFasciola hepaticaseverely affects the efficiency of livestock production systems worldwide. In addition to the economic impact inflicted on livestock farmers, fasciolosis is an emergent zoonosis. This review emphasizes different aspects of the disease in South America. Available data on epidemiology in bovines and ovines in different countries, as well as a growing body of information on other domestic and wildlife definitive hosts, are summarized. The issue of drug resistance that compromises the long-term sustainability of current pharmacological strategies is examined from a regional perspective. Finally, efforts to develop a single-antigen recombinant vaccine in ruminants are reviewed, focusing on the cases of leucine aminopeptidase or thioredoxin glutathione reductase.
Effectiveness of the removal of coral-eating predator Acanthaster planci in Pulau Tioman Marine Park, Malaysia
Authors: Chak Solomon T. C. , Dumont Clement P. , Adzis Kee-Alfian Abd. , Yewdall Katie
Published: September 2016

Population outbreaks of the coral-eating predator crown of thorns starfish (COTS), Acanthaster planci are responsible for large-scale disturbance of coral reefs throughout the Indo-Pacific. In response, attempts are often made to control COTS outbreaks in protected areas. For instance, volunteers remove thousands of sea stars every year in Malaysia. This study reports the status of the COTS population in the Pulau Tioman Marine Park and examines the effectiveness of the seasonal sea star removal programme. After the 2009 removal season, we monitored COTS densities and coral assemblages before and after a 6-month no-removal season at sites with and without COTS removal efforts. We recorded high COTS densities up to 330 ind. ha−1 at a few sites independent of removal effort. In fact, removal only temporarily reduced large individuals from local populations. Moreover, after the no-removal season, sites with COTS removal had increased live coral cover, but sites without COTS removal had a drastic decrease in live coral cover, with Acropora spp. being most affected. Therefore, this study suggests that the current seasonal removals could promote coral health, despite the high density of COTS.
Novel genotype ofTritrichomonas foetusfrom cattle in Southern Africa
Authors: CASTERIANO ANDREA , MOLINI UMBERTO , KANDJUMBWA KORNELIA , KHAISEB SIEGFRIED , FREY CAROLINE F. , ŠLAPETA JAN
Published: September 2016

Bovine trichomonosis caused byTritrichomonas foetusis a significant reproductive disease of cattle. Preputial samples were collected using sheath washing technique in bulls in Namibia. Thirty-six trichomonad cultures were characterized using the TaqMan-probe commercial real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) diagnostic assay (VetMAX™-Gold Trich Detection Kit) and CYBR real-time PCR assay based on TFR3/4 primers. Diagnostic real-time PCRs and DNA sequencing of the internal transcribed region confirmed presence ofT. foetusin 35 out of 36 samples. Multilocus genotyping using cysteine proteases (CP1, CP2, CP4, CP5, CP6, CP7, CP8, CP9) and malate dehydrogenase (MDH1) gene sequences demonstrate that theT. foetusin Namibia are genetically distinct from those characterized elsewhere. We report the discovery of a novel genotype ofT. foetusin Namibian cattle, distinct from otherT. foetusgenotypes in Europe, South and North America and Australia. We suggest recognition of a ‘Southern African’ genotype ofT. foetus. Identification of the new genotype ofT. foetusdemonstrates the need for wider global sampling to fully understand the diversity and origin ofT. foetuscausing disease in cattle or cats.
Valuable Asymmetrical Friendships
Authors: Mooney T. Brian , Williams John N.
Published: September 2016

Aristotle distinguishes friendships of pleasure or utility from more valuable ‘character friendships’ in which the friend cares for the otherquaperson for the other's own sake. Aristotle and some neo-Aristotelians require such friends to be fairly strictly symmetrical in their separateness of identity from each other, in the degree to which they identify with each other, and in the degree to which they are virtuous. We argue that there is a neglected form of valuable friendship – neither of pleasure nor utility – that allows significant asymmetries. We know of no sustained discussion of such ‘asymmetrical’ friendships in the literature.
Prevalence of serum anti-neuronal autoantibodies in patients admitted to acute psychiatric care
Authors: Schou M. , Sæther S. G. , Borowski K. , Teegen B. , Kondziella D. , Stoecker W. , Vaaler A. , Reitan S. K.
Published: September 2016

Background

Autoimmune encephalitis associated with anti-neuronal antibodies may be challenging to distinguish from primary psychiatric disorders. The significance of anti-neuronal antibodies in psychiatric patients without clear evidence of autoimmune encephalitis is unknown. We investigated the serum prevalence of six anti-neuronal autoantibodies in a cohort of unselected patients admitted to acute psychiatric care.

Method

Serum was drawn from 925 patients admitted to acute psychiatric in-patient care. Psychiatric diagnoses were set according to International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 criteria. Antibody analysis was performed with an indirect immunofluorescence test for N-methyl d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antibodies and five other anti-neuronal autoantibodies of the immunoglobulin (Ig) classes IgA, IgG and IgM isotype.

Results

Anti-neuronal autoantibodies were found in 11.6% of patients: NMDAR antibodies in 7.6%, contactin-associated protein-like 2 (CASPR2) antibodies in 2.5%, glutamic acid decarboxylase-65 (GAD65) antibodies in 1.9%, and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor antibodies in 0.1%. Leucine-rich glioma-inactivated protein-1 (LGI1) and γ-aminobutyric acid B (GABAB) receptor antibodies were not detected. NMDAR antibodies of class IgG were present in five patients only (0.5%). NMDAR antibodies of all Ig classes were equally prevalent in patients with and without psychosis. There were no significant differences in antibody prevalence in the different diagnostic categories, except for a higher odds ratio of being NMDAR antibody positive for patients without a specific psychiatric diagnosis.

Conclusions

NMDAR IgG autoantibodies, which are known to be strongly associated with anti-NMDAR encephalitis, were rarely found. CASPR2 and GAD65 antibodies were more frequently encountered in the present study than previously reported. Further research on the clinical significance of anti-neuronal autoantibodies in patients with acute psychiatric symptoms is needed.
Recent trends in primary-care antidepressant prescribing to children and young people: an e-cohort study
Authors: John A. , Marchant A. L. , Fone D. L. , McGregor J. I. , Dennis M. S. , Tan J. O. A. , Lloyd K.
Published: September 2016

Background

Concerns relating to increased use of psychotropic medication contrast with those of under-treatment and under-recognition of common mental disorders in children and young people (CYP) across developed countries. Little is known about the indications recorded for antidepressant prescribing in primary care in CYP.

Method

This was an electronic cohort study of routinely collected primary-care data from a population of 1.9 million, Wales, UK. Poisson regression was undertaken to model adjusted counts of recorded depression symptoms, diagnoses and antidepressant prescriptions. Associated indications were explored.

Results

3 58 383 registered patients aged 6–18 years between 1 January 2003 and 31 December 2013 provided a total of 19 20 338 person-years of follow-up. The adjusted incidence of antidepressant prescribing increased significantly [incidence rate ratio (IRR) for 2013 = 1.28], mainly in older adolescents. The majority of new antidepressant prescriptions were for citalopram. Recorded depression diagnoses showed a steady decline (IRR = 0.72) while depression symptoms (IRR = 2.41) increased. Just over half of new antidepressant prescriptions were associated with depression (diagnosis or symptoms). Other antidepressant prescribing, largely unlicensed, was associated with diagnoses such as anxiety and pain.

Conclusion

Antidepressant prescribing is increasing in CYP while recorded depression diagnoses decline. Unlicensed citalopram prescribing occurs outside current guidelines, despite its known toxicity in overdose. Unlicensed antidepressant prescribing is associated with a wide range of diagnoses, and while accepted practice, is often not supported by safety and efficacy studies. New strategies to implement current guidance for the management of depression in CYP are required.
Interventions for enhancing return to work in individuals with a common mental illness: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Nigatu Y. T. , Liu Y. , Uppal M. , McKinney S. , Rao S. , Gillis K. , Wang J.
Published: September 2016

Common mental disorders (CMDs) are highly prevalent in the working population, and are associated with long-term sickness absence and disability. Workers on sick leave with CMDs would benefit from interventions that enable them to successfully return to work (RTW). However, the effectiveness of RTW interventions for workers with a CMD is not well studied. The objective of this review is to assess the effectiveness of existing workplace and clinical interventions that were aimed at enhancing RTW. A systematic review of studies of interventions for improving RTW in workers with a CMD was conducted. The main outcomes were proportion of RTW and sick-leave duration until RTW. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified from Medline/PubMed, PsycINFO, EMBASE, SocINDEX, and Human resource and management databases from January 1995 to 2016. Two authors independently selected studies, assessed risk of bias and extracted data. We pooled studies that we deemed sufficiently homogeneous in different comparison groups and assessed the overall quality of the evidence. We reviewed 2347 abstracts from which 136 full-text articles were reviewed and 16 RCTs were included in the analysis. Combined results from these studies suggested that the available interventions did not lead to improved RTW rates over the control group [pooled risk ratio 1.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.97–1.12], but reduced the number of sick-leave days in the intervention group compared to the control group, with a mean difference of −13.38 days (95% CI −24.07 to −2.69).
Effect of self-focused cosh Gaussian laser beam on the excitation of electron plasma wave and particle acceleration
Authors: Gaur B. , Rawat P. , Purohit G.
Published: September 2016

This work presents an investigation of the self-focusing of a high-power laser beam having cosh Gaussian intensity profile in a collissionless plasma under weak relativistic-ponderomotove (RP) and only relativistic regimes and its effect on the excitation of electron plasma wave (EPW), and particle acceleration process. Nonlinear differential equations have been set up for the beam width and intensity of cosh Gaussian laser beam (CGLB) and EPW using the Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin and paraxial-ray approximations as well as fluid equations. The numerical results are presented for different values of decentered parameter ‘b’ and intensity parameter ‘a’ of CGLB. Strong self-focusing is observed in RP regime as compared with only relativistic nonlinearity. Numerical analysis shows that these parameters play crucial role on the self-focusing of the CGLB and the excitation of EPW. It is also found that the intensity/amplitude of EPW increases withbanda. Further, nonlinear coupling between the CGLB and EPW leads to the acceleration of electrons. The intensity of EPW and energy gain by electrons is significantly affected by including the ponderomotive nonlinearity. The energy of the accelerated electrons is increased by increasing the value of ‘b’. The results are presented for typical laser and plasma parameters.
Coherency, free inverse monoids and related free algebras
Authors: GOULD VICTORIA , HARTMANN MIKLÓS
Published: September 2016

A monoidSisright coherentif every finitely generated subact of every finitely presented rightS-act is finitely presented. This is the non-additive notion corresponding to that for a ringRstating that every finitely generated submodule of every finitely presented rightR-module is finitely presented. For monoids (and rings) right coherency is an important finitary property which determines, amongst other things, the existence of amodel companionof the class of rightS-acts (rightR-modules) and hence that the class of existentially closed rightS-acts (rightR-modules) is axiomatisable.

Choo, Lam and Luft have shown that free rings are right (and left) coherent; the authors, together with Ruškuc, have shown that (free) groups, free commutative monoids and free monoids have the same properties. It is then natural to ask whether other free algebras in varieties of monoids, possibly with an augmented signature, are right coherent. We demonstrate that free inverse monoids are not.

Munn described the free inverse monoid FIM(Ω) on Ω as consisting of birooted finite connected subgraphs of the Cayley graph of the free group on Ω. Sitting within FIM(Ω) we have free algebras in other varieties and quasi-varieties, in particular the free left ample monoid FLA(Ω) and the free ample monoid FAM(Ω). The former is the free algebra in the variety of unary monoids corresponding to partial maps with distinguished domain; the latter is the two-sided dual. For example, FLA(Ω) is obtained from FIM(Ω) by considering only subgraphs with vertices labelled by elements of the free monoid on Ω.

The main objective of the paper is to show that FLA(Ω)isright coherent. Furthermore, by making use of the same techniques we show that FIM(Ω), FLA(Ω) and FAM(Ω) satisfy (R), (r), (L) and (l), related conditions arising from the axiomatisability of certain classes of rightS-acts and of leftS-acts.
Portugal and Angola: similarities and differences inToxoplasma gondiiseroprevalence and risk factors in pregnant women
Authors: LOBO M. L. , PATROCINIO G. , SEVIVAS T. , DE SOUSA B. , MATOS O.
Published: September 2016

In this study we determined the presence of IgM/IgG antibodies toToxoplasma gondiiin sera of 155 and 300 pregnant women from Lisbon (Portugal) and Luanda (Angola), respectively, and evaluated the potential risk factors associated with this infection. DNA detection was performed by PCR assays targetingT. gondiiregions (RE/B1). Overall, 21·9% (10·9% IgG, 10·9% IgG/IgM) of the Lisbon women and 27·3% (23·7%, IgG, 2% IgM, 1·7% IgG/IgM) of the Luanda women had antibodies toT. gondii. Single variable and binary logistic regression analyses were conducted. Based on the latter, contacts with cats (family/friends), and having more than two births were identified as risk factors forToxoplasmainfection in Lisbon women. In Luanda, the risk factors forT. gondiiinfection suggested by the single variable analysis (outdoor contact with cats and consumption of pasteurized milk/dairy products) were not confirmed by binary logistic regression. This study shows original data from Angola, and updated data from Portugal in the study of infection byT. gondiiin pregnant women, indicating that the prevalence of anti-Toxoplasmaantibodies is high enough to alert the government health authorities and implement appropriate measures to control this infection.
A geostatistical investigation of agricultural and infrastructural risk factors associated with primary verotoxigenicE. coli(VTEC) infection in the Republic of Ireland, 2008–2013
Authors: ÓHAISEADHA C. , HYNDS P. D. , FALLON U. B. , O'DWYER J.
Published: September 2016

Ireland reports the highest incidence of verotoxigenicEscherichia coli(VTEC) infection in Europe. This study investigated potential risk factors for confirmed sporadic and outbreak primary VTEC infections during 2008–2013. Overall, 989 VTEC infections including 521 serogroup O157 and 233 serogroup O26 were geo-referenced to 931 of 18 488 census enumeration areas. The geographical distribution of human population, livestock, unregulated groundwater sources, domestic wastewater treatment systems (DWWTS) and a deprivation index were examined relative to notification of VTEC events in 524 of 6242 rural areas. Multivariate modelling identified three spatially derived variables associated with VTEC notification: private well usage [odds ratio (OR) 6·896,P< 0·001], cattle density (OR 1·002,P< 0·001) and DWWTS density (OR 0·978,P= 0·002). Private well usage (OR 18·727,P< 0·001) and cattle density (OR 1·001,P= 0·007) were both associated with VTEC O157 infection, while DWWTS density (OR 0·987,P= 0·028) was significant within the VTEC O26 model. Findings indicate that VTEC infection in the Republic of Ireland is particularly associated with rural areas, which are associated with a ubiquity of pathogen sources (cattle) and pathways (unregulated groundwater supplies).
Epidemiological profile and genetic diversity of sapoviruses (SaVs) identified in children suffering from acute gastroenteritis in Pune, Maharashtra, Western India, 2007–2011
Authors: LASURE N. , GOPALKRISHNA V.
Published: September 2016

Sapoviruses (SaVs) are responsible for sporadic cases and outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis. Despite this, few studies in India have focused on the epidemiological investigation of SaV in cases of acute gastroenteritis. The aim of this study was to understand the molecular epidemiology, genetic diversity and clinical impact of SaV in diarrhoeic children from Pune, Western India. Between 2007 and 2011, a total of 985 faecal samples from diarrhoeic cases and non-diarrhoeic controls were collected and examined for the presence of SaV by nested RT–PCR. SaV was detected in 2·7% (21/778) of the cases and 1·9% (4/207) of the controls. We observed that the majority of SaV mono-infections caused severe gastroenteritis (67%) with clinical manifestations of diarrhoea (100%), vomiting (73%) and dehydration (80%). All known human SaV genogroups were detected in the study. At least eight genotypes were identified from cases and controls. Genogroups GIV and GV, along with genotypes GI.5, GII.4 and GII.6, were discovered for the first time in India. Two GII.4 study strains were found to be 98·5–99% identical, having a novel intra-genogroup recombinant (GII.1/GII.4) recently reported from the Philippines, suggesting probable evidence of recombination. The circulation pattern of SaV genotypes varied during the study period, with GII.1 being predominant in 2007 and 2009, GIV.1 in 2008, and GV.1 in 2011.
Rapid mortality transition of Pacific Islands in the 19th century
Authors: PENMAN B. S. , GUPTA S. , SHANKS G. D.
Published: September 2016

The depopulation of Pacific islands during the 16th to 19th centuries is a striking example of historical mass mortality due to infectious disease. Pacific Island populations have not been subject to such cataclysmic infectious disease mortality since. Here we explore the processes which could have given rise to this shift in infectious disease mortality patterns. We show, using mathematical models, that the population dynamics exhibited by Pacific Island populations are unlikely to be the result of Darwinian evolution. We propose that extreme mortality during first-contact epidemics is a function of epidemiological isolation, not a lack of previous selection. If, as pathogens become established in populations, extreme mortality is rapidly suppressed by herd immunity, Pacific Island population mortality patterns can be explained with no need to invoke genetic change. We discuss the mechanisms by which this could occur, including (i) a link between the proportion of the population transmitting infectious agents and case-fatality rates, and (ii) the course of infection with pathogens such as measles and smallpox being more severe in adults than in children. Overall, we consider the present-day risk of mass mortality from newly emerging infectious diseases is unlikely to be greater on Pacific islands than in other geographical areas.
Exact inference for the risk ratio with an imperfect diagnostic test
Authors: REICZIGEL J. , SINGER J. , LANG ZS.
Published: September 2016

The risk ratio quantifies the risk of disease in a study population relative to a reference population. Standard methods of estimation and testing assume a perfect diagnostic test having sensitivity and specificity of 100%. However, this assumption typically does not hold, and this may invalidate naive estimation and testing for the risk ratio. We propose procedures that control for sensitivity and specificity of the diagnostic test, given the risks are measured by proportions, as it is in cross-sectional studies or studies with fixed follow-up times. These procedures provide an exact unconditional test and confidence interval for the true risk ratio. The methods also cover the case when sensitivity and specificity differ in the two groups (differential misclassification). The resulting test and confidence interval may be useful in epidemiological studies as well as in clinical and vaccine trials. We illustrate the method with real-life examples which demonstrate that ignoring sensitivity and specificity of the diagnostic test may lead to considerable bias in the estimated risk ratio.
DYNAMIC ANALYSIS OF REDUCTIONS IN PUBLIC DEBT IN AN ENDOGENOUS GROWTH MODEL WITH PUBLIC CAPITAL
Authors: Maebayashi Noritaka , Hori Takeo , Futagami Koichi
Published: September 2016

We construct an endogenous growth model that includes productive public capital and government debt. We assume that the government debt-to-GDP ratio is gradually adjusted to a target level, reflecting the permanent commitment rules in the Stability and Growth Pact or the Maastricht Treaty in the European Union (i.e., the well-known 60% rule). These rules affect government borrowing and public investment. Here, we examine the welfare implications of the permanent commitment rules. We find that fiscal consolidation based on the rules improves social welfare. Moreover, the improvement in welfare accelerates as fiscal consolidation progresses more rapidly. Last, we also discuss and derive the optimal long-run debt-to-GDP ratio.
Bilingualism enhances attentional control in non-verbal conflict tasks – evidence from ex-Gaussian analyses
Authors: ZHOU BEINAN , KROTT ANDREA
Published: September 2016

Bilinguals have been found to possess cognitive advantages. But the nature of this advantage is unclear. While some evidence suggests that bilinguals have developed enhanced inhibitory control abilities, other evidence suggests that they possess enhanced attentional control abilities. In the current study, English monolingual and English–Chinese bilingual young adults were tested in three non-verbal conflict tasks (Flanker task, Spatial Stroop task and Simon task). Ex-Gaussian analyses were utilized to inspect response time distributions. The two participant groups showed comparable effects of stimulus-response congruency on the Gaussian part of response distributions (μ), but different effects on the distribution tails (τ), with reduced tails for bilingual speakers particularly in the more demanding incongruent condition. These results suggest that bilingual advantage emerges from better sustained attention and attentional monitoring rather than inhibition. We also discuss the usefulness of ex-Gaussian analyses.
The contribution of at-home and away-from-home food to dietary intake among 2–13-year-old Mexican children
Authors: Taillie Lindsey Smith , Afeiche Myriam C , Eldridge Alison L , Popkin Barry M
Published: September 2016

Objective

Away-from-home foods have been shown to have lower nutritional quality and larger portion sizes than many foods prepared at home. We aimed to describe energy and nutrient intakes among 2–13-year-old Mexican children by eating location (at home and away from home), overall, by socio-economic status (SES) and by urbanicity.

Design

Dietary intake was collected via one 24 h recall in the 2012 Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT). Location was reported for each food consumed. Results were adjusted for sex, day of recall, region, weight status, SES and urbanicity.

Setting

Mexico (nationally representative).

Subjects

Children aged 2–5 years (n1905) and 6–13 years (n2868).

Results

Children consumed the majority of daily energy at home (89% of 2–5-year-olds; 82 % of 6–13-year-olds). The most common away-from-home eating location was school (22 % of 2–5-year-olds; 43 % of 6–13-year-olds), followed by the street (14 % of 2–5-year-olds; 13 % of 6–13-year-olds). The most common foods consumed away from home were wheat/rice and corn mixed dishes, sugar-sweetened beverages, pastries/candy/desserts, milk (2–5-year-olds only) and salty snacks (6–13-year-olds). Multivariate models showed that high-SES 2–5-year-olds consumed 14 % of daily energy away from homev. 8 % among low-SES 2–5-year-olds, and high-SES 6–13-year-olds consumed 21 % of daily energy away from homev. 14 % among low-SES 6–13 year-olds. There were no differences by urban residence.

Conclusions

Among Mexican children, most foods and beverages were consumed at home. However, the percentage of foods consumed or purchased away from home increased with age and with SES.
Association between high-risk fertility behaviours and the likelihood of chronic undernutrition and anaemia among married Bangladeshi women of reproductive age
Authors: Rahman Mosiur , Islam Md Jahirul , Haque Syed Emdadul , Saw Yu Mon , Haque Md Nurruzzaman , Duc Nguyen Huu Chau , Al-Sobaihi Saber , Saw Thu Nandar , Mostofa Md Golam , Islam Md Rafiqul
Published: September 2016

Objective

To explore the association between high-risk fertility behaviours and the likelihood of chronic undernutrition, anaemia and the coexistence of anaemia and undernutrition among women of reproductive age.

Design

The 2011 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey, conducted from 8 July to 27 December 2011.

Setting

Selected urban and rural areas of Bangladesh.

Subjects

A total of 2197 ever-married women living with at least one child younger than 5 years. Exposure was determined from maternal reports of high-risk fertility behaviours. We considered three parameters, maternal age at the time of delivery, birth order and birth interval, to define the high-risk fertility behaviours. Chronic undernutrition, anaemia and the coexistence of anaemia and undernutrition among women were the outcome variables.

Results

A substantial percentage of women were exposed to have a high-risk fertility pattern (41·8 %); 33·0 % were at single high-risk and 8·8 % were at multiple high-risk. After adjusting for relevant covariates, high-risk fertility behaviours were associated with increased likelihood of chronic undernutrition (adjusted relative risk; 95 % CI: 1·22; 1·03, 1·44), anaemia (1·12; 1·00, 1·25) and the coexistence of anaemia and undernutrition (1·52; 1·17, 1·98). Furthermore, multiple high-risk fertility behaviours appeared to have more profound consequences on the outcome measured.

Conclusions

Maternal high-risk fertility behaviours are shockingly frequent practices among women in Bangladesh. High-risk fertility behaviours are important predictors of the increased likelihood of women’s chronic undernutrition, anaemia and the coexistence of anaemia and undernutrition.
Food and drink consumption among 1–5-year-old Los Angeles County children from households receiving dual SNAP and WIC v. only WIC benefits
Authors: Liu Jane , Kuo Tony , Jiang Lu , Robles Brenda , Whaley Shannon E
Published: September 2016

Objective

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) are two of the more well-known food assistance programmes in the USA. The current study describes food consumption patterns of children aged 1–5 years living in households dually enrolled in these two programmes v. households enrolled only in WIC.

Design

Food consumption and SNAP participation were assessed using data from the 2014 Survey of Los Angeles County (LAC) WIC Participants and the Follow-Up Survey of the same households that were also SNAP beneficiaries. Telephone interviews were conducted with WIC parents regarding each child’s (i.e. beneficiary’s) food consumption patterns. Follow-up interviews were conducted with those who reported receiving SNAP. Multivariable regression analyses were performed to assess the relationships between food and beverage consumption and dual v. single food assistance programme participation.

Setting

LAC, California.

Subjects

Children of WIC-enrolled households in LAC during 2014 (n 3248). This included a sub-sample of dual WIC- and SNAP-enrolled households (n 1295). Survey participants were the beneficiaries’ parents.

Results

Children from dually enrolled households consumed 1·03 (P<0·05) and 1·04 (P<0·01) more servings of fruits and vegetables daily respectively, 1·07 more sugar-sweetened beverages daily (P<0·001) and ate sweets/sweetened foods 1·04 more times daily (P<0·001) than children from households participating only in WIC.

Conclusions

Results suggest that SNAP+WIC enrolment is associated with increased consumption of both healthy foods and foods containing minimal nutritional value. Complementary nutrition education efforts across the two programmes may help beneficiaries maximize healthful food purchases with SNAP dollars.
Annular Focused Electron/Ion Beams for Combining High Spatial Resolution with High Probe Current
Authors: Khursheed Anjam , Ang Wei Kean
Published: September 2016

This paper presents a proposal for reducing the final probe size of focused electron/ion beam columns that are operated in a high primary beam current mode where relatively large final apertures are used, typically required in applications such as electron beam lithography, focused ion beams, and electron beam spectroscopy. An annular aperture together with a lens corrector unit is used to replace the conventional final hole-aperture, creating an annular ring-shaped primary beam. The corrector unit is designed to eliminate the first- and second-order geometric aberrations of the objective lens, and for the same probe current, the final geometric aberration limited spot size is predicted to be around a factor of 50 times smaller than that of the corresponding conventional hole-aperture beam. Direct ray tracing simulation is used to illustrate how a three-stage core lens corrector can be used to eliminate the first- and second-order geometric aberrations of an electric Einzel objective lens.
VARIETIES OF SKEW BOOLEAN ALGEBRAS WITH INTERSECTIONS
Authors: LEECH JONATHAN , SPINKS MATTHEW
Published: September 2016

Skew Boolean algebras for which pairs of elements have natural meets, called intersections, are studied from a universal algebraic perspective. Their lattice of varieties is described and shown to coincide with the lattice of quasi-varieties. Some connections of relevance to arbitrary skew Boolean algebras are also established.
Coronal quasi-periodic fast-propagating magnetosonic waves observed by SDO/AIA
Authors: Shen Yuandeng
Published: September 2016

Coronal quasi-periodic fast-propagating (QFP) magnetosonic waves are scare in previous studies due to the relative low temporal and spatial resolution of past telescopes. Recently, they are detected by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). Here, two cases of QFP waves are presented. The analysis results indicate that QFP waves are tightly associated with the associated flares. It is indicate that QFP waves and the associated flares are possibly driven by the same physic process such as quasi-periodic magnetic reconnection process in producing flares.
Temporal solar irradiance variability analysis using neural networks
Authors: Tebabal Ambelu , Damtie Baylie , Nigussie Melessew
Published: September 2016

A feed-forward neural network which can account for nonlinear relationship was used to model total solar irradiance (TSI). A single layer feed-forward neural network with Levenberg-marquardt back-propagation algorithm have been implemented for modeling daily total solar irradiance from daily photometric sunspot index, and core-to-wing ratio of Mg II index data. In order to obtain the optimum neural network for TSI modeling, the root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute error (MAE) have been taken into account. The modeled and measured TSI have the correlation coefficient of about R=0.97. The neural networks (NNs) model output indicates that reconstructed TSI from solar proxies (photometric sunspot index and Mg II) can explain 94% of the variance of TSI. This modeled TSI using NNs further strengthens the view that surface magnetism indeed plays a dominant role in modulating solar irradiance.
Progress of site survey for large solar telescopes in western China
Authors: Liu Yu , Song Tengfei , Zhang Xuefei , Liu Shunqing , Zhao Mingyu , Tian Zhanjun , Miao Yuhu , Li Hongbo , Huang Jing , Su Baoyu , Lu Yongyin , Li Xiaobo , Song Qiwu
Published: September 2016

Excellent sites are necessary for developing and installing ground-based large telescopes. For very-high-resolution solar observations, it had been unclear whether there exist good candidate sites in the west areas in China, including the Tibetan Plateau and the Pamirs Plateau. The project of solar site survey for the next-generation large solar telescopes, i.e., the Chinese Giant Solar Telescope (CGST) and the large coronagraph, has been launched since 2011. Based on the close collaboration among Chinese solar society and the scientists from NSO, HAO and other institutes, we have successfully developed the standard instruments for solar site survey and applied them to more than 50 different sites distributed in Xinjiang, Tibet, Qinghai, Sichuan, Yunnan and Ningxia provinces. We have built two long-term monitoring sites in Tibet and the large Shangri-La to take systematic site data. Clear evidence, including the key parameters of seeing factor, sky brightness and water vapor content, has indicated that a few potential sites in the large Tibetan areas should obtain the excellent astronomical conditions for our purpose to develop CGST and large coronagraph. We introduce the fresh site survey results in this report.
Nonlinear force-free modeling of magnetic fields in flare-productive active regions
Authors: Wheatland M. S. , Gilchrist S. A.
Published: September 2016

We review nonlinear force-free field (NLFFF) modeling of magnetic fields in active regions. The NLFFF model (in which the electric current density is parallel to the magnetic field) is often adopted to describe the coronal magnetic field, and numerical solutions to the model are constructed based on photospheric vector magnetogram boundary data. Comparative tests of NLFFF codes on sets of boundary data have revealed significant problems, in particular associated with the inconsistency of the model and the data. Nevertheless NLFFF modeling is often applied, in particular to flare-productive active regions. We examine the results, and discuss their reliability.
Solar diameter measurements from eclipses as a solar variability proxy
Authors: Dunham David W. , Sofia Sabatino , Guhl Konrad , Herald David
Published: September 2016

The widths of total solar eclipse paths depends on the diameter of the Sun, so if observations are obtained near both the northern and southern limits of the eclipse path, in principle, the angular diameter of the Sun can be measured. Concerted efforts have been made to obtain contact timings from locations near total solar eclipse path edges since the mid 19th century, and Edmund Halley organized a rather successful first effort in 1715. Members of IOTA have been making increasingly sophisticated observations of the Baily's bead phenomena near central solar eclipse path edges since 1970.