bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of reported physical health problems in people with severe or profound intellectual and motor disabilities: a cross‐sectional study of medical records and care plans
Authors: van Timmeren E. A. , van der Putten A. A. J. , van Schrojenstein Lantman‐de Valk H. M. J. , van der Schans C. P. , Waninge A.
Published: May 2016

Background

People with severe or profound intellectual and motor disabilities (SPIMD) experience numerous serious physical health problems and comorbidities. Knowledge regarding the prevalence of these problems is needed in order to detect and treat them at an early stage. Data concerning these problems in individuals with SPIMD are limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of reported physical health problems in adults with SPIMD through a review of medical records and care plans.

Method

We conducted a cross‐sectional study employing data obtained from medical and support records. A sample of adults with SPIMD was recruited in eight residential care settings. Physical health problems that had occurred during the previous 12 months or were chronic were recorded.

Results

The records of 99 participants were included. A wide range of physical health problems were found with a mean of 12 problems per person. Very high prevalence rates (>50%) were found for constipation, visual impairment, epilepsy, spasticity, deformations, incontinence and reflux.

Conclusions

The results suggest that people with SPIMD simultaneously experience numerous, serious physical health problems. The reliance on reported problems may cause an underestimation of the prevalence of health problems with less visible signs and symptoms such as osteoporosis and thyroid dysfunction.
Serial block face scanning electron microscopy and the reconstruction of plant cell membrane systems
Authors: KITTELMANN M. , HAWES C. , HUGHES L.
Published: May 2016

Serial block face imaging with the scanning electron microscope has been developed as an alternative to serial sectioning and transmission electron microscopy for the ultrastructural analysis of the three‐dimensional organization of cells and tissues. An ultramicrotome within the microscope specimen chamber permits sectioning and imaging to a depth of many microns within resin‐embedded specimens. The technology has only recently been adopted by plant microscopists and here we describe some specimen preparation procedures suitable for plant tissue, suggested microscope imaging parameters and discuss the software required for image reconstruction and analysis.
Combining Stress Exposure and Stress Generation: Does Neuroticism Alter the Dynamic Interplay of Stress, Depression, and Anxiety Following Job Loss?
Authors: Howe George W. , Cimporescu Maria , Seltzer Ryan , Neiderhiser Jenae M. , Moreno Francisco , Weihs Karen
Published: May 2016

Objective

Emerging models of stress point to a dynamic formulation where stressors and internalizing symptoms reciprocally influence each other. This study tested whether this dynamic interplay is the result of a general internalizing process underlying both depression and anxiety, and whether it varies with neuroticism.

Method

A total of 426 adults (51% female; 47% White, 42% African American) were assessed five times over 6 months following loss of employment, using repeated measurements of stressors, depression, anxiety, and neuroticism.

Results

Latent growth across 6 months and multilevel cross‐lagged regressions across 6 weeks supported the hypothesis that stressors and internalizing symptoms have reciprocal effects after job loss. Findings for unique variation in depression paralleled those for general internalizing, whereas few findings emerged for general or social anxiety after controlling for internalizing. Neuroticism strengthened the association of change in stressors with change in symptoms across 6 months. Those with high neuroticism showed less reduction in internalizing following reemployment and were less likely to be reemployed when starting with higher internalizing.

Conclusions

The moderated reciprocal effects model helps account for onset, maintenance, and resolution of symptoms following job loss. We speculate that these findings may be due in part to differential emotion regulation and reductions in motivation.
Bacterial Cholangitis, Cholecystitis, or both in Dogs
Authors: Tamborini A. , Jahns H. , McAllister H. , Kent A. , Harris B. , Procoli F. , Allenspach K. , Hall E.J. , Day M.J. , Watson P.J. , O'Neill E.J.
Published: May 2016

Background

Bacterial cholangitis and cholecystitis are rarely reported, poorly characterized diseases in the dog.

Objectives

To characterize the clinical features of these conditions.

Animals

Twenty‐seven client‐owned dogs with bacterial cholangitis, cholecystitis, or both.

Methods

Multicenter, retrospective cases series of dogs with bacterial cholangitis, cholecystitis, or both, presenting January 2000 to June 2011 to 4 Veterinary Schools in Ireland/United Kingdom. Interrogation of hospital databases identified all cases with the inclusion criteria; histopathologically confirmed cholangitis or cholecystitis and bile culture/cytology results supporting a bacterial etiology.

Results

Twenty‐seven dogs met the inclusion criteria with approximately 460 hepatitis cases documented over the same study period. Typical clinical pathology findings were increases in liver enzyme activities (25/26), hyperbilirubinemia (20/26), and an inflammatory leukogram (21/24). Ultrasound findings, although nonspecific, aided decision‐making in 25/26 cases. The most frequent hepatobiliary bacterial isolates wereEscherichia coli(n = 17; 16 cases),Enterococcusspp. (n = 8; 6 cases), andClostridiumspp. (n = 5; 5 cases). Antimicrobial resistance was an important feature of aerobic isolates; 10/16E. coliisolates resistant to 3 or more antimicrobial classes. Biliary tract rupture complicated nearly one third of cases, associated with significant mortality (4/8). Discharged dogs had a guarded to fair prognosis; 17/18 alive at 2 months, although 5/10 re‐evaluated had persistent liver enzyme elevation 2–12 months later.

Conclusion and Clinical Significance

Bacterial cholangitis and cholecystitis occur more frequently than suggested by current literature and should be considered in dogs presenting with jaundice and fever, abdominal pain, or an inflammatory leukogram or with ultrasonographic evidence of gallbladder abnormalities.
Same Difference: The “Dilemma of Difference” and the Incarceration of Transgender Prisoners
Authors: Sumner Jennifer , Sexton Lori
Published: May 2016

This article examines the “dilemma of difference” transgender prisoners pose and face within a sex-segregated prison system organized around the pursuit of safety and security. Our analysis uses data from a study of the culture and experiences of transgender prisoners in four men's prisons. Using qualitative data from interviews with transgender prisoners, focus groups with prisoners, and focus groups with staff, our findings reveal a common contention that transgender prisoners are (according to staff) and should be (according to prisoners) treated like everyone else, despite their unique situations. This further demonstrates the stakes that this dilemma carries for the prison regime and transgender prisoners' roles in challenging it without engaging in overt resistance—which carries high stakes for them. Accordingly, we elucidate how the rigidity of an institutional structure built on inherent contradictions can have the potential to complicate the achievement of institutional goals.
DENSITY OF SKEW BROWNIAN MOTION AND ITS FUNCTIONALS WITH APPLICATION IN FINANCE
Authors: Gairat Alexander , Shcherbakov Vadim
Published: May 2016

We derive the joint density of a Skew Brownian motion, its last visit to the origin, its local and occupation times. The result enables us to obtain explicit analytical formulas for pricing European options under both a two‐valued local volatility model and a displaced diffusion model with constrained volatility.
Communication sounds of Commerson's dolphins (Cephalorhynchus commersonii) and contextual use of vocalizations
Authors: Reyes Reyes M. Vanesa , Tossenberger Vanesa P. , Iñiguez Miguel A. , Hildebrand John A. , Melcón Mariana L.
Published: May 2016

Cetaceans produce a variety of vocalizations to communicate; however, little information exists on the acoustic behavior displayed by Commerson's dolphins (Cephalorhynchus commersonii) in the wild other than their echolocation behavior. Most available literature suggests that Commerson's dolphins do not produce any other sound type besides narrow‐band high‐frequency (NBHF) clicks, such that no signals are emitted below 100 kHz. We conducted acoustic recordings together with sightings to study the acoustic behavior of Commerson's dolphins in Bahia San Julian, Argentina. This is the first study that provides evidence that this species produces a variety of acoustic signals, including whistles and broad‐band clicks (BBC), with frequency content well below 100 kHz. Whistles were recorded mostly in the presence of mother and calf and were associated with parental behavior. BBC may be used for communication purposes by adults. These vocalizations are within the hearing range of killer whales and so could pose a risk of predation for Commerson's dolphins. Whether this population of Commerson's dolphins produce all these types of signals while they are in the open sea out of the waters of Bahía San Julián, which are apparently safe from predation, remains unknown.
Novel COL6A2 mutation in a case of limb girdle muscular dystrophy phenotype with autosomal recessive inheritance
Authors: Mitsui Jun , Ishiura Hiroyuki , Yoshimura Jun , Doi Koichiro , Morishita Shinichi , Shoji Hiroshi , Arimori Yojiro , Matsumoto Takafumi , Shimizu Jun , Tsuji Shoji
Published: May 2016

We describe sibling cases presenting with long‐standing, slowly progressive proximal muscle weakness without joint contractures or hyperlaxity. Whole‐exome sequence analysis showed compound heterozygous mutations including a novel stop codon mutation of p.*1020Yext*86 (c.3060G > C) in COL6A2 as the causative mutations, establishing the diagnosis of COL6A2‐related myopathy presenting with limb girdle muscular dystrophy phenotype with autosomal recessive inheritance. Collagen VI‐related myopathies should be considered in patients with early childhood‐onset, slowly progressive proximal weakness even without joint contractures.
In defense of a supernatural foundation to morality: reply to Shermer
Authors: Miller Christian B.
Published: May 2016

In my original paper, I claimed that our moral obligations are real, objective, and grounded in the supernatural. In particular, I endorsed the claim that God's will is the basis or source of our moral obligations, where “God” is to be understood as the theistic being who is omnibenevolent, omniscient, and omnipotent, who created the universe, and who is still actively involved in the universe after creating it. In his critical article, Michael Shermer has raised a number of important challenges to my view. Here I try to defend the position and respond to at least his most serious objections.
Morality is real, objective, and supernatural
Authors: Miller Christian B.
Published: May 2016

The goal of this paper is to briefly introduce and defend the idea that God is the source of our moral obligations. In contrast to Michael Shermer's paper, which defends a naturalistic position about the foundations of morality, this approach is explicitly supernaturalistic. The paper begins by defining how “God” will be understood, and then spells out some of the details of how, on the proposed view, moral obligations are to depend upon God. The third section briefly reviews some of the leading arguments for this view, before the paper concludes with a discussion of the Euthyphro dilemma.
Creating Public Value and Institutional Innovations across Boundaries: An Integrative Process of Participation, Legitimation, and Implementation
Authors: Yang Kaifeng
Published: May 2016

Public value creation has become a critical challenge, but existing approaches have limitations and it is unclear how they can be integrated. This article addresses this issue by analyzing four best‐practice cases in which public value was created through the integration of community indicators and government performance management. It identifies an iterative process of participation, legitimation, and implementation, with institutional innovations across boundaries between civil society, politics, and administration. These institutional innovations help integrate the often fragmented arenas of participation, legitimation, and implementation.
TNF and IL‐1β exposure increases airway narrowing but does not alter the bronchodilatory response to deep inspiration in airway segments
Authors: Ansell Thomas K. , Mitchell Howard W. , McFawn Peter K. , Noble Peter B.
Published: May 2016

Background and objective

While chronic inflammation of the airway wall and the failure of deep inspiration (DI) to produce bronchodilation are both common to asthma, whether pro‐inflammatory cytokines modulate the airway smooth muscle response to strain during DI is unknown. The primary aim of the study was to determine how an inflammatory environment (simulated by the use of pro‐inflammatory cytokines) alters the bronchodilatory response to DI.

Methods

We used whole porcine bronchial segments in vitro that were cultured in medium containing tumour necrosis factor and interleukin‐1β for 2 days. A custom‐built servo‐controlled syringe pump and pressure transducer was used to measure airway narrowing and to simulate tidal breathing with intermittent DI manoeuvres.

Results

Culture with tumour necrosis factor and interleukin‐1β increased airway narrowing to acetylcholine but did not affect the bronchodilatory response to DI.

Conclusion

The failure of DI to produce bronchodilation in patients with asthma may not necessarily involve a direct effect of pro‐inflammatory cytokines on airway tissue. A relationship between inflammation and airway hyper‐responsiveness is supported, however, regulated by separate disease processes than those which attenuate or abolish the bronchodilatory response to DI in patients with asthma.
Son Preference, Number of Children, Education and Occupational Choice in Rural Nepal
Authors: Hatlebakk Magnus
Published: May 2016

A unique family survey was conducted in Nepal to investigate the economic consequences of having a first‐born girl. Women have more children, but we find no causal effect of number of children on economic outcomes, but independently of the number of children there is a positive effect on boys’ education of having a first‐born sister, who presumably takes care of household work so the boys can focus on school. This indicates a stronger son preference in Nepal than that found in studies from neighboring countries.
Decomposing Global Inequality
Authors: Modalsli Jørgen
Published: May 2016

This paper provides an intuitive additive decomposition of the global income Gini coefficient with respect to differences within and between countries. In 2005, nearly half the total global income inequality is due to income differences between Europeans and North Americans on the one side and inhabitants of Asia on the other, with the China‐USA income differences alone accounting for six percent of global inequality. Historically, income differences between Asia and Europe have driven a large part of global inequality, but the quantitative importance of within‐Asia income inequality has increased substantially since 1950.
Optimal Designs for Thermal Spraying
Authors: Dette Holger , Hoyden Laura , Kuhnt Sonja , Schorning Kirsten
Published: May 2016

We consider the problem of designing additional experiments to update statistical models for latent day specific effects. The problem appears in thermal spraying, where particles are sprayed on surfaces to obtain a coating. The relationships between in-flight properties of the particles and the controllable variables are modelled by generalized linear models. However, there are also non-controllable variables, which may vary from day to day and are modelled by day-specific additive effects. Existing generalized linear models for properties of the particles in flight must be updated on a limited number of additional experiments on a different day. We develop robust D-optimal designs to collect additional data for an update of the day effects, which are efficient for the estimation of the parameters in all models under consideration. The results are applied to the thermal spraying process and a comparison of the statistical analysis based on a reference design as well as on a selected Bayesian D-optimal design is performed.
Rural Agricultural Change and Individual Out‐migration
Authors: Bhandari Prem , Ghimire Dirgha
Published: May 2016

We investigate the impact of household use of labor‐saving farm technologies on first‐time out‐migration after the household agriculture and consumption survey was conducted in 1996. Building on the labor substitution framework, we hypothesize that household use of labor‐saving technologies (e.g., tractors, farm implements, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides) increases individual out‐migration. To estimate the effects of the use of labor‐saving farm technologies on out‐migration, we use uniquely detailed panel data from the rapidly changing rural agrarian, migrant‐sending setting of Nepal. The results of our multilevel, discrete‐time, event history models suggest that net of other known factors associated with out‐migration, household use of farm technology—particularly the use of tractors—significantly increases out‐migration.
Child‐caregiver Attachment Representations in a Non‐Western Context: The Feasibility and Cultural Equivalence of Story Stems in Urban Ghana
Authors: Wan Ming Wai , Danquah Adam Nyarkoh , Mahama Sheriffa
Published: May 2016

Story stem measures are an increasingly popular method for assessing the attachment representations of young children, but little is known of their cross‐cultural applicability. This study aimed to characterise the attachment representations in 73 five‐ to eight‐year‐old children in urban Ghana, West Africa, using the Manchester Child Attachment Story Task (MCAST) to test its feasibility, psychometric characteristics and concurrent associations with caregiver‐ and teacher‐rated child behaviour, and to conduct a qualitative thematic analysis of methodological observations. Among the classifiable cases (92 percent), all attachment classifications were observed, yielding a higher rate of secure attachment than in European samples. Inter‐rater reliability, internal consistency, and internal structure were reasonable and largely similar to European studies, although one structural difference was the separation of ‘child assuagement of distress’ from other secure‐related items. MCAST narratives were associated with teacher‐ and caregiver‐rated hyperactivity, but internal consistency was low in most Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire scales. Possible culturally‐sensitive explanations for our psychometric and qualitative findings are discussed. Overall, story stems are a promising tool for accessing attachment representations in non‐Western samples, although modifications are likely to improve cross‐cultural equivalence when applied to non‐Western cultures. Further investigation is needed to link MCAST outcomes to parenting and socio‐emotional development.
Alloimmunisation rates of sickle cell disease patients in the United States differ from those in other geographical regions
Authors: Zheng Y. , Maitta R. W.
Published: May 2016

Objectives

Comparison of the alloimmunisation rates of patients with sickle cell disease in the Unites States versus other countries.

Background

Sickle cell disease (SCD) patients treated with chronic transfusion therapy are at a high risk of red blood cell (RBC) alloimmunisation.

Materials and Methods

We reviewed published literature describing alloimmunisation rates of SCD patients. Average alloimmunisation rates and number of alloantibodies per transfused patient in the United States and other countries were evaluated.

Results

Twenty‐four studies on alloimmunisation of SCD patients were found, 15 studies with 3,708 patients in the US and 9 studies with 2203 patients from other regions, including South America, the Caribbean, Middle East, Africa and Europe. The United States has a higher alloimmunisation rate (22·33 ± 0·13% versus 16·25 ± 0·35%, p < 0·0001) and a higher number of alloantibodies per transfused patient (0·45 ± 0·003 versus 0·20 ± 0·005, p < 0·0001) than other countries. Brazil with a higher proportion of multi‐ethnic donors demonstrated a lower alloimmunisation rate compared to the United States (14·60 ± 0·40% versus 22·33 ± 0·13%, p < 0·0001) and fewer alloantibodies per transfused patient (0·20 ± 0·02 versus 0·45 ± 0·003, p < 0·0001) than the United States.

Conclusion

SCD patients in the United States had a higher alloimmunisation rate, which could be reduced by a more ethnically diverse donor pool and a more conservative transfusion strategy in non‐critical conditions.
A resistance locus in the American heirloom rice variety Carolina Gold Select is triggered by TAL effectors with diverse predicted targets and is effective against African strains of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola
Authors: Triplett Lindsay R. , Cohen Stephen P. , Heffelfinger Christopher , Schmidt Clarice L. , Huerta Alejandra I. , Tekete Cheick , Verdier Valerie , Bogdanove Adam J. , Leach Jan E.
Published: May 2016

The rice pathogens Xanthomonas oryzae pathovar (pv.) oryzae and pv. oryzicola produce numerous transcription activator‐like (TAL) effectors that increase bacterial virulence by activating expression of host susceptibility genes. Rice resistance mechanisms against TAL effectors include polymorphisms that prevent effector binding to susceptibility gene promoters, or that allow effector activation of resistance genes. This study identifies, in the heirloom variety Carolina Gold Select, a third mechanism of rice resistance involving TAL effectors. This resistance manifests through strong suppression of disease development in response to diverse TAL effectors from both X. oryzae pathovars. The resistance can be triggered by an effector with only 3.5 central repeats, is independent of the composition of the repeat variable di‐residues that determine TAL effector binding specificity, and is independent of the transcriptional activation domain. We determined that the resistance is conferred by a single dominant locus, designated Xo1, that maps to a 1.09 Mbp fragment on chromosome 4. The Xo1 interval also confers complete resistance to the strains in the African clade of X. oryzae pv. oryzicola, representing the first dominant resistance locus against bacterial leaf streak in rice. The strong phenotypic similarity between the TAL effector‐triggered resistance conferred by Xo1 and that conferred by the tomato resistance gene Bs4 suggests that monocots and dicots share an ancient or convergently evolved mechanism to recognize analogous TAL effector epitopes.
Geography and the new social contract for global change research
Authors: Castree Noel
Published: May 2016

Anxious about the failure of decisionmakers to significantly reduce ‘the human impact’ on Earth, many global change researchers are looking for ways and means to influence public policy, business strategy and civil society more strongly. As part of this, there is a greater emphasis on understanding and altering the ‘human dimensions’ of global environmental change. A number of physical and society‐environment geographers are involved in this endeavour, building on some valuable past achievements. But what lies ahead? I address this question by examining the rich idea of a ‘social contract’ – one little used in disciplinary debates about Geography's past, present and future, but now relatively common in certain wider discussions of anthropogenic global change. I suggest that there are currents of thinking in contemporary Geography that can offer something both new and much needed in the world of global change research. That ‘something’ is not ever more integrated, accurate analysis of dynamic, coupled human–environment interactions – as if we live in just one world requiring ever more ‘joined‐up’ and granular description, explanation and prediction. Instead, it is an approach to research that eschews ontological holism, epistemological monism and the fact–value dualism. This approach suggests that taking the human dimensions of environmental change seriously requires a new kind of global change research that is at once overtly political and intellectually plural. Far from being a charter for ‘bias’ or ‘relativism’, I show that this approach expresses the rich senses of responsibility, accountability and representation contained in the version of a new social contract I advocate here. A wider implication of my argument is that Geography needs new stories about the nature and merits of ‘intra‐disciplinarity’, ones better attuned to the role of research in fostering democracy in our ‘post‐normal’ times. Thinking afresh about how research should influence society promises to alter many geographers’ sense of self while usefully repurposing global change research across several disciplines.
The Skill Structure of Export Wage Premium: Evidence from Chinese Matched Employer–Employee Data
Authors: Dai Mi , Xu Jianwei
Published: May 2016

We study how the wage gap between exporting and non‐exporting firms (export wage premium) differs across skill groups, using unique matched employer–employee data from China. We find robust evidence that exporters pay relatively higher wages than non‐exporters to more educated workers. The differences in export wage premium across education groups are sizable. Further investigations show that the positive correlation between export wage premium and education is more pronounced in sectors with higher scope for quality differentiation. This is consistent with the theory that exporters produce relatively higher quality goods which require relatively higher quality skilled workers.
The Flint Animal Cancer Center (FACC) Canine Tumour Cell Line Panel: a resource for veterinary drug discovery, comparative oncology and translational medicine
Authors: Fowles J. S. , Dailey D. D. , Gustafson D. L. , Thamm D. H. , Duval D. L.
Published: May 2016

Mammalian cell tissue culture has been a critical tool leading to our current understanding of cancer including many aspects of cellular transformation, growth and response to therapies. The current use of large panels of cell lines with associated phenotypic and genotypic information now allows for informatics approaches and in silico screens to rapidly test hypotheses based on simple as well as complex relationships. Current cell line panels with large amounts of associated drug sensitivity and genomics data are comprised of human cancer cell lines (i.e. NCI60 and GDSC). There is increased recognition of the contribution of canine cancer to comparative cancer research as a spontaneous large animal model with application in basic and translational studies. We have assembled a panel of canine cancer cell lines to facilitate studies in canine cancer and report here phenotypic and genotypic data associated with these cells.
A Data-Driven Model for Energy Consumption in the Sintering Process
Authors: Wang Junkai , Qiao Fei , Zhao Fu , Sutherland John W.
Published: May 2016

As environmental performance becomes increasingly important, the sintering process is receiving more attention since it consumes large amounts of energy. This paper proposes a data-driven model for sintering energy consumption, which considers both model accuracy and time efficiency. The proposed model begins with removing data anomalies using a local outlier factor (LOF) algorithm and an attribute selection module using the RReliefF method. Then, to accurately predict sintering energy consumption, an integrated predictive model is employed that uses bagging-enhanced extreme learning machine (ELM) and support vector regression (SVR) machine, combined with an entropy weight method. A case study is used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed model using actual production data for a year. Results show that the proposed model outperforms other models and is computationally efficient. Optimal parameters of the LOF (1.3) and number of attributes (30) were identified. It was found that coke powder has the most significant impact on the solid energy consumption (SEC), while cooling water flow rate provides the most significant impact on the gas energy consumption (GEC) within each recorded attribute variation. Parametric analysis further revealed the relationships between energy consumption and the significant attributes mentioned above. It is suggested that the proposed model could effectively reduce the energy consumption by attaining more efficient attribute settings.
Part-Worth Utilities of Gestalt Principles for Product Esthetics: A Case Study of a Bottle Silhouette
Authors: Valencia-Romero Ambrosio , Lugo José E.
Published: May 2016

Reaching a balance between product form and function is one of the main challenges of design teams. When users make choices among products with similar functionality and price, esthetics becomes a decisive factor, and understanding how they are perceived through the product form can allow designers to create new designs with more appealing shapes. Gestalt principles explain how subjects group elements of a shape and devise them as a whole, and recent research has proposed their quantification for evaluation of esthetics. This work examines a previous methodology to quantify Gestalt principles of 2D product representations, in particular, expressions to measure the principles of symmetry, parallelism, and continuity are applied to parameterized forms, with a generic bottle silhouette as case study. First, the representation is divided into key atomistic elements, which are generated through cubic Bézier curves. Then, the quantifications of symmetry, parallelism, and continuity, in conjunction with gradient-based optimization, are used on these forms to generate bottle silhouettes with combinations of high and low levels of each principle. The resulting designs were submitted to a discrete choice study in which respondents selected the bottle silhouettes they found more appealing. The preference data were analyzed with both fixed and random coefficients multinomial logistic regression (mixed logit) to determine the part-worth utility of each Gestalt principle over esthetic preferences. In conclusion, the results show differences in the utility estimates of symmetry, parallelism, and continuity, and implications for designers are discussed.
Changes in the Supplementation Practices of Elite Australian Swimmers Over 11 Years
Authors: Shaw Gregory , Slater Gary , Burke Louise M.
Published: May 2016

Thirty nine elite Australian swimmers (13 AIS, 26 OTHER) completed a standardized questionnaire regarding their supplement use during a pre competition camp. The data were compared with a similar study conducted 11 years earlier (11 AIS, 23 OTHER) and framed around the classification system of the Sport Supplement Program of the Australian Institute of Sport. The prevalence of supplement use remained constant over time (2009: 97%, 1998: 100%). However, the current swimmers used a greater number of dietary supplements (9.2 ± 3.7 and 5.9 ± 2.9; p = .001), accounted for by an increase in the reported use of supplements with a greater evidence base (Sports Foods, Ergogenics, and Group B supplements). In contrast, fewer supplements considered less reputable (Group C and D) were reported by the 2009 cohort (0.7 ± 1.0 and 1.6 ± 1.3; p = .003). AIS swimmers reported a greater use of Ergogenics (4.3 ± 1.8 and 3.1 ± 1.7; p = .002), and less use of Group C and D supplements overall (0.8 ± 1.2 and 1.3 ± 1.2; p = .012), which was explained primarily by a smaller number of these supplements reported by the 2009 group (1998 AIS: 1.5 ± 1.4, 2009 AIS: 0.2 ± 0.6; p = .004). Although the prevalence of supplement use has not changed over time, there has been a significant increase in the number and type of products they are using. The potential that these changes can be attributed to a Sports Supplement Program merit investigation.
ANALYSIS OF CAPILLARY RISE IN ASYMMETRIC BRANCH-LIKE CAPILLARY
Authors: LI CAOXIONG , SHEN YINGHAO , GE HONGKUI , YANG ZHIHUI , SU SHUAI , REN KAI , HUANG HEYU
Published: May 2016

Transport in porous media is common in nature, attracting many attentions for a long time. Tree-like network model is often used as a simplification for porous space, expressing the complexity of pore spaces instead of capillary bundle. To investigate spontaneous imbibition characteristics in this network, a dynamic asymmetric branch-like capillary model is used to represent basic network structure, using fractal method to represent tortuosity. This work investigates the influence of parameters on imbibition process in the branch-like capillary model. An analytical equation for the imbibition mass versus time is derived. Parameters from capillary structures to liquid properties are taken into account and analyzed based on the numerical solution of the equation. It is found that the imbibition process in asymmetric branch-like capillary model can be recognized by four sections and brunching tubes are positive for imbibition process. Concomitantly, meniscus arrest event is simulated and discussed. Moreover, the influence of parameters on imbibition process is discussed. These parameters can be classified as static and dynamic. Static parameters mainly change the capillary force, which are related to the ultimate imbibition mass or imbibition ability, while dynamic parameters mainly have influence on resistance of flowing fluid, which are related to the imbibition speed in the imbibition process.
Valuation of CMS range notes in a multifactor LIBOR market model
Authors: Wu Ping , Elliott Robert J.
Published: May 2016

In the framework of a multifactor LIBOR market model (LMM), this paper presents a new approach for finding an approximate distribution of constant maturity swap (CMS) rates under the terminal martingale measure. With this approach, we derive an analytical pricing formula for CMS range notes, which is both intuitive and tractable. Many exotic CMS rate derivatives are widely traded in the marketplace or embedded in structure notes.
A sharp approximation for ATM-forward option prices and implied volatilites
Authors: Stefanica Dan , Radoičić Radoš
Published: May 2016

In this paper, we provide an approximation formula for at-the-money forward options based on a Pólya approximation of the cumulative density function of the standard normal distribution, and prove that the relative error of this approximation is uniformly bounded for options with arbitrarily large (or small) maturities and implied volatilities. This approximation is viable in practice: for options with implied volatility less than 95% and maturity less than three years, which includes the large majority of traded options, the values given by the approximation formula fall within the tightest typical implied vol bid–ask spreads. The relative errors of the corresponding approximate option values are also uniformly bounded for all maturities and implied volatilities. The error bounds established here are the first results in the literature holding for all integrated volatilities, and are vastly superior to those of two other approximation formulas analyzed in this paper, including the Brenner–Subrahmanyam formula.
Tilewise Accumulated Cost Surface Computation with Graphics Processing Units
Authors: Kovanen Janne , Sarjakoski Tapani
Published: May 2016

Accumulated cost surfaces are used in a variety of fields that employ spatial analysis. Several algorithms have been suggested in the past for solving them efficiently or with minimal errors. Meanwhile, a new wave on the technological frontier has brought about general-purpose computing on GPUs. In this article, we describe how accumulated cost surfaces can be solved with CUDA. To verify the performance of our solution, we performed an experimental comparison against implementations run on a CPU. Our results with realistic cost models indicate that the move to GPUs can engender a speed-up of an order of magnitude.
Dealing with Dead Ends
Authors: Roos Stefanie , Strufe Thorsten
Published: May 2016

Darknets, membership-concealing peer-to-peer networks, suffer from high message delivery delays due to insufficient routing strategies. They form topologies restricted to a subgraph of the social network of their users by limiting connections to peers with a mutual trust relationship in real life. Whereas centralized, highly successful social networking services entail a privacy loss of their users, Darknets at higher performance represent an optimal private and censorship-resistant communication substrate for social applications.

Decentralized routing so far has been analyzed under the assumption that the network resembles a perfect lattice structure. Freenet, currently the only widely used Darknet, attempts to approximate this structure by embedding the social graph into a metric space. Considering the resulting distortion, the common greedy routing algorithm is adapted to account for local optima. Yet the impact of the adaptation has not been adequately analyzed.

We thus suggest a model integrating inaccuracies in the embedding. In the context of this model, we show that the Freenet routing algorithm cannot achieve polylog performance. Consequently, we design
NextBestOnce
, a provable poylog algorithm based only on information about neighbors. Furthermore, we show that the routing length of
NextBestOnce
is further decreased by more than a constant factor if neighbor-of-neighbor information is included in the decision process.
Alterações hematológicas e cardíacas em cavalos Árabes submetidos ao teste de esforço crescente em esteira rolante
Authors: Ferraz Guilherme De Camargo , Teixeira-Neto Antônio Raphael , D'Angelis Flora Helena de Freitas , Lacerda-Neto José Corrêa de , Queiroz-Neto Antonio De
Published: May 2016

Estudaram-se alterações na freqüência cardíaca e variáveis hematológicas de eqüinos Puro Sangue Árabe (PSA), submetidos a exercício intenso em esteira rolante sob condições tropicais. Para tanto, 24 eqüinos, treinados, realizaram exercício teste de intensidade crescente e amostras de sangue foram obtidas durante as etapas de esforço 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 9 e 10 m.s-1, com 10% de inclinação. As colheitas de sangue foram realizadas 15 segundos antes do término de cada etapa. A freqüência cardíaca foi obtida em cada etapa do exercício teste. Com as amostras de sangue foram obtidos, hematócrito, hemácias, hemoglobina e leucócitos totais. Foram calculados índices hematimétricos absolutos, volume corpuscular médio (VCM), hemoglobina corpuscular média (HCM) e a concentração de hemoglobina corpuscular média (CHCM). Os resultados mostram que houve variação significativa (p < 0,05), a partir do repouso, entre os valores médios da freqüência cardíaca e das variáveis hematimétricas. Destaque para o VCM e HCM que aumentaram significativamente (p < 0,05) na etapa de esforço máximo (10m/s) demonstrando haver anisocitose durante o exercício intenso. Desta forma, o grau das alterações destas variáveis fisiológicas está relacionado com a intensidade e duração do exercício teste.
Estudo comparativo de três métodos de diagnóstico para detecção de anticorpos anti-Theileria equi em eqüinos de áreas endêmicas do estado do Rio de Janeiro
Authors: Santos Tiago Marques dos , Ferraz Priscila Nogueira , Almeida Fernando Queiroz de , Massard Carlos Luiz , Baldani Cristiane Divan , Botteon Paulo De Tarso Landgraf , Santos Huarrisson Azevedo , Machado Rosangela Zacarias , Andrade Cláudio De Moraes
Published: May 2016

Este trabalho teve o objetivo de avaliar a reação de imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI), ensaio imunoenzimático (ELISA) e a reação de fixação do complemento (RFC) no diagnóstico de Theileria equi em amostras de soro de 79 equinos na Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), Seropédica, RJ, Brasil. Houve reação positiva para Theileria equi em 74,7, 75,9 e 60,8% das amostras testadas pela RIFI, ELISA e RFC, respectivamente. Observou-se discrepância em 16,45% (n=13) das amostras de soro testadas pelo ELISA indireto e RIFI. Quando comparado a RIFI e a RFC, a discrepância observada entre os soros testados foi de 36,70% (n=29). O teste ELISA indireto e a RFC apresentaram discordância em 37,97% (n=30) das amostras de soros. Os resultados do presente estudo sugerem que a melhor alternativa para o diagnóstico sorológico de T. equi em eqüinos portadores é a associação dos testes de RIFI e ELISA indireto, especialmente para a realização de estudos soroepidemiológicos.
Ancient states and ordinary people: A feminist re-imagining of ancient Maya power and the everyday
Authors: Blackmore Chelsea
Published: May 2016

Maya archaeology continues to be defined by a schism between ‘politic/s and state’ and ‘everyday life and ordinary people.’ Using feminist theory, this paper deconstructs this dichotomy by considering the intellectual history and theoretical perspectives that continue to reify these boundaries and its connections to modern neoliberal discourses. How we conceive of the state – of what it is, and how it interacts with the rest of society – is at the heart of neo-evolutionary models of state formation; these impact our understanding of how ancient Maya society operated and the ways in which power, politics and class function. Archaeological fascination with elites and rulers, both in scholarly and public circles, creates a narrative focused on individual achievement, and a quest for wealth and material access; values lauded by the neoliberal state. Alternative readings of complexity illustrate that everyday life of ordinary people is nuanced, intentional, and inherently political. Such work forces us to reconsider this dichotomy and recognize it as a dialectical and mutually constitutive process.
The rise and fall of nodding syndrome in public discourse: An analysis of newspaper coverage in Uganda
Authors: van Bemmel Karin
Published: May 2016

Nodding syndrome is an unexplained affliction that has affected thousands of children in post-conflict northern Uganda, South Sudan and in Tanzania. This study focuses on the sudden rise of nodding syndrome in the Ugandan public discourse, based on 369 newspaper reports over a timespan of 4.5 years and interviews with journalists, politicians, caretakers and health workers during 15 months of fieldwork in Kitgum district. The news coverage of nodding syndrome follows a non-linear trajectory, increasing at the end of 2011 and declining a year later. Attention is paid to the conceptualization of nodding syndrome in media reports, linked to the formation of public opinion and management of the affliction. Different settings elicit different concepts and it is therefore necessary to contextualize illness and focus on processes of formation.
Mortgage indebtedness and home repossessions as symptoms of the financialisation of housing provisioning in Spain
Authors: Sabaté Irene
Published: May 2016

This paper addresses a particular aspect of financialisation: how mortgages taken out by ordinary people in order to become home owners have been the object of securitisation processes, that is to say, have been used by banking institutions to issue financial derivatives that are then sold to investors. Despite taking place on the abstract arena of financial markets, this process has crucial consequences for people's livelihoods, as it is anchored on a material resource: housing. The world of finance has thus an impact on the satisfaction of a basic human need.

Drawing on an ethnographic research among those affected by home repossessions in Spain, it will be examined 1) how financialisation has a direct impact on the lives of mortgage borrowers, especially as they face economic hardship, and 2) how ‘folk’ understandings of financial products, and the practical knowledge associated to it, are challenging expert discourses, while claiming for the restoration of moral principles under financial capitalism.
Frequency cycling for compensation of undesired off-resonance effects in surface nuclear magnetic resonance
Authors: Grombacher Denys , Müller-Petke Mike , Knight Rosemary
Published: May 2016

To produce reliable estimates of aquifer properties using surface nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), an accurate forward model is required. The standard surface NMR forward model assumes that excitation occurs through a process called on-resonance excitation, which occurs when the transmit frequency is set to the Larmor frequency. However, this condition is often difficult to satisfy in practice due to the challenge of accurately determining the Larmor frequency within the entire volume of investigation. As such, in situations where an undesired offset is present between the assumed and true Larmor frequency, the accuracy of the forward model is degraded. This is because the undesired offset leads to a condition called off-resonance excitation, which impacts the signal amplitude, phase, and spatial distribution in the subsurface, subsequently reducing the accuracy of surface NMR estimated aquifer properties. Our aim was to reduce the impact of an undesired offset between the assumed and true Larmor frequency to ensure an accurate forward model in the presence of an uncertain Larmor frequency estimate. We have developed a methodology where data are collected using two different transmit frequencies, each an equal magnitude above and below the assumed Larmor frequency. These data are combined, through a method we refer to as frequency cycling, in a manner that allow the component well-described by our estimate of the Larmor frequency to be stacked coherently, whereas the component related to the presence of an undesired offset is combined destructively. In synthetic and field studies, we have determined that frequency cycling is able to mitigate the influence of an undesired offset providing more accurate estimates of aquifer properties. Furthermore, the frequency-cycling method stabilized the complex inversion of surface NMR data, allowing advantages associated with complex inversion to be exploited.
Toxic epidermal necrolysis
Authors: Hoetzenecker Wolfram , Mehra Tarun , Saulite Ieva , Glatz Martin , Schmid-Grendelmeier Peter , Guenova Emmanuella , Cozzio Antonio , French Lars E.
Published: May 2016

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a rare, life-threatening drug-induced skin disease with a mortality rate of approximately 30%. The clinical hallmark of TEN is a marked skin detachment caused by extensive keratinocyte cell death associated with mucosal involvement. The exact pathogenic mechanism of TEN is still uncertain. Recent advances in this field have led to the identification of several factors that might contribute to the induction of excessive apoptosis of keratinocytes. In addition, specific human leukocyte antigen types seem to be associated with certain drugs and the development of TEN. As well-controlled studies are lacking, patients are treated with various immunomodulators (e.g. intravenous immunoglobulin) in addition to the best supportive care.