bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring academic e-book use: part II through focus groups and interviews
Authors: Goertzen Melissa , Bakkalbasi Nisa
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– In two previous papers, the authors discussed a text analysis method utilized to explore e-book usage across disciplines at Columbia University. To verify the method, the authors conducted focus group and interviews sessions with faculty members and graduate students to understand when and why e-books are used in conjunction with scholarly activities. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– Participants answered eight pre-determined questions during one-on-one interviews and dual moderator focus group sessions. They were also invited to complete a questionnaire regarding e-book discovery, access, and use. All sessions were transcribed and the data were analyzed using grounded theory approach to examine emerging themes.

Findings

– The findings suggest that faculty and graduate students use e-books for discontinuous reading and quick reference purposes. They value the ability to customize learning environments to suit immediate circumstances and needs. Frustration occurs when availability and accessibility are hindered by limitations imposed by platforms or licenses. Participants believe the library can advocate for users and work with vendors to develop business models that promote greater convenience and flexibility online.

Originality/value

– The study complements and extends existing findings reported in earlier research utilizing a text analysis method. The results indicate that text analysis is a reliable assessment method in the examination of usage trends across e-book collections. Also, the study brings a human sentiment to the discussion of e-book discovery, access, and use. It provides the user community with a voice and left the authors with a deeper understanding of existing information needs on campus.
Why Cities? A Response
Authors: Walker Richard A.
Published: May 2016

Why do cities exist? Geographers Allen Scott and Michael Storper recently put the question before the field of urban studies and provided a clear and concise answer in terms of economies of agglomeration and the urban land nexus. I argue that two other basic elements must be added to this duo: the spatial concentration of economic surplus by ruling classes and states and the creation of a built environment or urban landscape. In addition, I take issue with Scott and Storper's neglect of the problem of scale in urban theory and their overly tidy sense of what constitutes a scientific approach to complex phenomena like cities.
Application of SPARROW Modeling to Understanding Contaminant Fate and Transport from Uplands to Streams
Authors: Ator Scott W. , Garcia Ana Maria
Published: May 2016

Understanding spatial variability in contaminant fate and transport is critical to efficient regional water‐quality restoration. An approach to capitalize on previously calibrated spatially referenced regression (SPARROW) models to improve the understanding of contaminant fate and transport was developed and applied to the case of nitrogen in the 166,000 km2 Chesapeake Bay watershed. A continuous function of four hydrogeologic, soil, and other landscape properties significant (α = 0.10) to nitrogen transport from uplands to streams was evaluated and compared among each of the more than 80,000 individual catchments (mean area, 2.1 km2) in the watershed. Budgets (including inputs, losses or net change in storage in uplands and stream corridors, and delivery to tidal waters) were also estimated for nitrogen applied to these catchments from selected upland sources. Most (81%) of such inputs are removed, retained, or otherwise processed in uplands rather than transported to surface waters. Combining SPARROW results with previous budget estimates suggests 55% of this processing is attributable to denitrification, 23% to crop or timber harvest, and 6% to volatilization. Remaining upland inputs represent a net annual increase in landscape storage in soils or biomass exceeding 10 kg per hectare in some areas. Such insights are important for planning watershed restoration and for improving future watershed models.
Dentistry's social contract and the loss of professionalism
Authors: Holden ACL
Published: May 2016

The social contract between society and the dental profession is essential to the ability to provide high quality dental care to patients. The social contract defines the profession and its place in society, giving the profession its legitimacy. Society bestows benefits upon the dental profession in exchange for our ability to alleviate pain and suffering caused by oral disease. This article seeks to explore the nature of this social contract in the provision of oral health care and what may become of the profession should the expectations of either party not be met. Changing beliefs within society and within the profession have led to new concepts of professionalism that focus upon alternative values to what is termed ‘nostalgic professionalism’. It is concerning when these new values begin to focus upon financial reward built upon commercial practices, with patients slipping away to be replaced with clients; the dentist–patient relationship lacking in any degree of altruism. This article will argue that breaches in the social contract are not to the benefit of patients or the profession and that whilst specifics of the contract will inevitably change, the nature of this should not.
Entry of FinTech Firms and Competition in the Retail Payments Market
Authors: Jun Jooyong , Yeo Eunjung
Published: May 2016

We investigate the effects of entry of financial technology (FinTech) based firms on competition in the retail payments market. With a model of two‐sided market with vertical restraints, we derive the following results. When only the entry of a vertically integrated (or end‐to‐end service) provider is allowed, either all merchants opt for multi‐homing or no entry occurs, regardless of the regulatory requirement. On the other hand, if the entry of a downstream‐only (or front‐end service) provider is allowed, a partial multi‐homing equilibrium could emerge under certain conditions, in which the entry of an end‐to‐end service provider does not occur. Without regulation, however, the vertically integrated incumbent does not voluntarily provide the back‐end service to the entrant in general. This suggests the need for proper regulatory measures to reach a socially desirable outcome from the new entry in the retail payments market.
A New Relationship between Ownership–Control Wedge and Overinvestment Practices: Evidence from Korean Business Groups (Chaebol)
Authors: Goh Jaimin , Lee Jaehong , Cho Jungeun
Published: May 2016

This study examines the effects of controlling shareholders’ ownership–control wedge on firms’ overinvestment practices. In addition, it further investigates the incentive effects of controlling shareholders’ cash flow rights on firms’ overinvestment. We find a non‐monotonic relation between controlling shareholders’ ownership–control wedge and a firm's overinvestment. Specifically, the relation between controlling shareholders’ wedge and overinvestment is significant for certain wedge levels. Thus we conclude that controlling shareholders with certain levels of wedge expropriate minority shareholders’ benefits since the marginal benefit exceeds the marginal cost. We also document that cash flow rights are effective to reduce a firm's overinvestment to certain levels.
Opportunistic Stock Repurchases for Owner–Manager Control: Evidence from the Korean Stock Market
Authors: Kim Kyung Soon , Chung Chune Young , Lee Jin Hwon , Park Seun Young
Published: May 2016

We examine whether opportunistic earnings management before a repurchase and long‐term performance after a repurchase depend on repurchase options and insider ownership. We find that the negative association between pre‐stock repurchase earnings management and abnormal long‐term performance after stock repurchase is more pronounced when firms choose the direct stock repurchase method over an indirect repurchase through a trust fund. Our findings also show that the negative association between pre‐repurchase accruals and long‐term performance under direct stock repurchases is only evident when the ownership percentage of managers and their affiliates is less than 50%. In addition, our main findings are more pronounced in firms with a high degree of corporate information asymmetry.
Informational Lobbying and Legislative Voting
Authors: Schnakenberg Keith E.
Published: May 2016

I analyze a model of interest group influence on legislative voting through information transmission. The model shows how interest groups may craft different messages to target different winning coalitions in order to influence the outcome. If access to legislators is costly, then interest groups prefer to coordinate with allied legislators by providing them with information that helps them to persuade less sympathetic legislators. The model reconciles informational theories of lobbying with empirical evidence suggesting that interest groups predominantly lobby those who already agree with them. The model also makes new predictions about the welfare effects of interest group influence: From an ex ante perspective, informational lobbying negatively affects the welfare of legislators. The results highlight the need for more theories of persuasion that take collective choice institutions into account.
Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting among Women of Somali and Kurdish Origin in Finland
Authors: Koukkula Mimmi , Keskimäki Ilmo , Koponen Päivikki , Mölsä Mulki , Klemetti Reija
Published: May 2016

Background

The tradition of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) has spread in Europe as a result of immigration. Although it is known to have negative health impacts, the exact prevalence of FGM/C and its health effects in Finland are unknown. This study explores the prevalence of FGM/C, the sociodemographic characteristics associated with it, and its health effects among women of Somali and Kurdish origin in Finland.

Methods

Data were obtained from the Migrant Health and Well Being Study carried out in 2010–2012. This study uses data from interviews with Somali (N = 165) and Kurdish origin (N = 224) women. The participation rate was 37 percent for Somali and 54 percent for Kurdish origin women.

Results

The prevalence of FGM/C was 69 percent among those of Somali origin and 32 percent among those of Kurdish origin. Having no education and older age were significantly associated with FGM/C, as was marriage amongst women of Somali origin, and the practice of Islam among women of Kurdish origin. Reporting good self‐perceived health was more common among women without FGM/C. Outpatient visits to medical doctors were less common among women of Somali origin with FGM/C, compared with women without FGM/C. About 26 percent of Somali origin and 39 percent of Kurdish origin women with FGM/C reported reproductive or other health problems because of FGM/C.

Discussion

FGM/C is more common in Finland than previously assumed, particularly among women of Kurdish origin. Women with FGM/C need improved access to culturally competent health services to address the health impacts of FGM/C. Education and outreach to immigrant communities to prevent future FGM/C are also urgently needed.
Incorporating husband influences into a model of physical activity among older women
Authors: Ranby Krista W. , Aiken Leona S.
Published: May 2016

Background

Health behaviour models focus primarily on intrapersonal constructs (e.g., self‐efficacy) which are good predictors of intention but less so of actual behaviour. Influences from the social environment, namely from close others, may improve prediction of engagement in ongoing behaviour.

Objectives

This study sought to broadly assess husband influence on physical activity and to determine whether a multidimensional assessment of husband influence would improve prediction of wives’ physical activity.

Design

A two‐wave (separated by 4 months) observational study of married women was employed.

Method

Women (n = 160, Mage = 63 years) reported intention, planning, and self‐efficacy for physical activity as well as previous month physical activity through Wave 1 mailed surveys. In Wave 2 telephone interviews conducted 4 months later, women reported on their perception of husband influences and their own physical activity in the previous month.

Results

Psychometric analyses supported five components of social support along with social control, injunctive norms, and descriptive norms as a broad assessment of husband social influence on physical activity. Husband influences significantly improved prediction of wives’ physical activity, over and above intrapersonal predictors (ΔR2 = .09). Social control related negatively to behaviour; moderation analyses revealed a strong negative association when women's intentions were low.

Conclusions

This work highlights the interpersonal social context and post‐intentional influences on daily health behaviour and offers guidance on the expansion of models of health behaviour as well as potential targets for intervention.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Behavioural intentions are the best predictors of behaviour; however, much variability in actual behaviour remains to be explained. Romantic partners are frequent providers of health‐related social support and social control.

What does this study add?

Provides multidimensional assessment of husband influence.

Improves prediction of behaviour using husband influences.

Demonstrates moderator of social control on behaviour.
Dendritic cells in inflammatory sinonasal diseases
Authors: Cao P.‐P. , Shi L.‐L. , Xu K. , Yao Y. , Liu Z.
Published: May 2016

Dendritic cells (DCs) are critical in linking the innate and adaptive immune responses, which have been implicated in the pathogenesis of many immune and inflammatory diseases as well as the development of tumours. The role of DCs in the pathophysiology of lung diseases has been widely studied. However, the phenotype, subset and function of DCs in upper airways under physiological or pathological conditions remain largely undefined. Allergic rhinitis (AR) and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) are two important upper airway diseases with a high worldwide prevalence. Aberrant innate and adaptive immune responses have been considered to play an important role in the pathogenesis of AR and CRS. To this end, understanding the function of DCs in shaping the immune responses in sinonasal mucosa is critical in exploring the pathogenic mechanisms underlying AR and CRS as well as in developing novel therapeutic strategies. This review summarizes the phenotype, subset, function and regulation of DCs in sinonasal mucosa, particularly in the setting of AR and CRS. Furthermore, this review discusses the perspectives for future research and potential clinical utility focusing on DC pathways in the context of AR and CRS.
Increase in pollen sensitization in Swedish adults and protective effect of keeping animals in childhood
Authors: Bjerg A. , Ekerljung L. , Eriksson J. , Näslund J. , Sjölander S. , Rönmark E. , Dahl Å. , Holmberg K. , Wennergren G. , Torén K. , Borres M. P. , Lötvall J. , Lundbäck B.
Published: May 2016

Background

To date, most studies of the ‘allergy epidemic’ have been based on self‐reported data. There is still limited knowledge on time trends in allergic sensitization, especially among adults.

Objective

To study allergic sensitization, its risk factors and time trends in prevalence.

Methods

Within West Sweden Asthma Study (WSAS), a population‐based sample of 788 adults (17–60 years) underwent skin prick tests (SPTs) for 11 aeroallergens 2009–2012. Specific IgE was analysed in 750 of the participants. Those aged 20–46 years (n = 379) were compared with the European Community Respiratory Health Survey sample aged 20–46 year from the same area (n = 591) in 1991–1992.

Results

Among those aged 20–46 years, the prevalence of positive SPT to pollen increased, timothy from 17.1% to 29.0% (P < 0.001) and birch from 15.6% to 23.7% (P = 0.002) between 1991–1992 and 2009–2012. Measurements of specific IgE confirmed these increases. Prevalence of sensitization to all other tested allergens was unchanged. In the full WSAS sample aged 17–60 years, any positive SPT was seen in 41.9%, and the dominating sensitizers were pollen (34.3%), animals (22.8%) and mites (12.6%). Pollen sensitization was strongly associated with rhinitis, whereas indoor allergens were more associated with asthma. Growing up with livestock or furred pets decreased the risk of sensitization, adjusted odds ratio 0.53 (0.28–0.995) and 0.68 (0.47–0.98), respectively.

Conclusion

Pollen sensitization has increased in Swedish adults since the early 1990s, while the prevalence of sensitization to other allergens has remained unchanged. This is one plausible explanation for the increase in rhinitis 1990–2008 in Swedish adults, during which time the prevalence of asthma, which is more associated with perennial allergens, was stable. Contact with animals in childhood seems to reduce the risk of sensitization well into adulthood. One major factor contributing to the rise in pollen allergy is a significant increase in levels of birch and grass pollen over the past three decades.
Infliximab therapy balances regulatory T cells, tumour necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2) expression and soluble TNFR2 in sarcoidosis
Authors: Verwoerd A , Hijdra D , Vorselaars A D M , Crommelin H A , van Moorsel C H M , Grutters J C , Claessen A M E
Published: May 2016

Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease of unknown aetiology that most commonly affects the lungs. Although elevated levels of regulatory T cells (Tregs) have been reported, the extent to which they play a role in sarcoidosis pathogenesis remains unclear. Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) is thought to be one of the driving forces behind granuloma formation, illustrated by the efficacy of infliximab in severe sarcoidosis. Tregs express TNF receptor 2 (TNFR2) highly. Here, we examined the influence of infliximab therapy on Tregs and (soluble) TNFR2 levels in sarcoidosis, and correlated these with response to therapy. We observed that relative frequencies of Tregs were significantly higher in patients (n = 54) compared to healthy controls (n = 26; median 6·73 versus 4·36%; P < 0·001) and decreased following therapy (4·95; P < 0·001). Baseline TNFR2 expression on Tregs was increased significantly in patients versus controls (99·4 versus 96·2%; P = 0·031), and also in responders to therapy versus non-responders (99·6 versus 97·3%; P = 0·012). Furthermore, baseline soluble TNFR2 (sTNFR2) was higher in responders than in non-responders (mean 174 versus 107 pg/ml; P = 0·015). After treatment, responders showed a significant reduction in sTNFR2 levels in peripheral blood (−44·7 pg/ml; P < 0·001), in contrast to non-responders (+3·59 pg/ml). Our results demonstrated that Treg frequencies and TNFR2 expression on Tregs are increased in sarcoidosis, followed by a decline during infliximab therapy, suggesting a pathophysiological role of this T cell subset. Interestingly, sTNFR2 levels at baseline differed significantly between responders and non-responders, making it a potential marker in predicting which patients might benefit from infliximab.
Which molecular markers for assessing which taxonomic level? The case study of the mite family Phytoseiidae (Acari: Mesostigmata)
Authors: Vicente dos Santos Victor , Tixier Marie‐Stephane
Published: May 2016

The use of molecular markers for resolving systematics issues has improved our knowledge of life history. However, for the taxa studied herein—the predatory mite family Phytoseiidae—molecular phylogeny is impeded by a lack of suitable markers for deeper taxonomic levels. This study aims (i) to establish DNA amplification protocols for molecular markers known to resolve supraspecific nodes in other taxa, (ii) to determine their individual performance in assessing the clustering of species, genera, tribes and subfamilies, and (iii) to characterize the additional information provided when markers are concatenated. A new phylogenetic index is proposed based on ecological concepts, considering trees as a community of nodes. New and efficient protocols for DNA amplification of six molecular markers are provided. The concatenated tree globally provides more robust and reliable information, especially for deeper nodes. However, for assessing species identification and within‐genera phylogenies, the combined use of six markers does not seem necessary, underlining the need to resize experiments depending on their taxonomic objectives. Finally, this study lays the methodological foundations with which to test the present Phytoseiidae classification as the first phylogeny obtained shows incongruence with the present morphological classification.
THE IMPACT OF LOW‐PRIORITY LAWS ON CRIMINAL ACTIVITY: EVIDENCE FROM CALIFORNIA
Authors: Ross Amanda , Walker Anne
Published: May 2016

We examine the impact of low‐priority initiatives on criminal activity. Low‐priority initiatives mandate that minor marijuana possession offenses be the lowest enforcement priority for police. Localities pass these laws because they believe if officers devote fewer resources toward minor marijuana crimes, more resources will be available to deter more serious crimes. Using data from California, we find that jurisdictions that adopted low‐priority laws experienced a reduction in arrests for misdemeanor marijuana offenses. However, we do not find evidence of a consistent effect of enacting a low‐priority initiative on the crime or clearance rate of other felonies. (JEL H1, H4, K4)
MOVIES, MASS CONSUMERS, AND CRITICS: ECONOMICS AND POLITICS OF A TWO‐SIDED MARKET
Authors: Goff Brian , Wilson Dennis , Zimmer David
Published: May 2016

Most analyses of the film market treat it as a single entity where producers make films based on average consumer interest while critics serve as forecasters or signalers of film quality to these consumers. We describe the film market as two‐sided—a mass market (average consumer) side and a high quality/artistic (cineaste) side—that each influence film maker production decisions and critical reviews as critics balance the preferences of mass market consumers and their own more artistic inclination. Using 1,824 films released during 2000–2014, we examine determinants of box office revenues and critical reviews, while addressing the overlap between them. Our results indicate that consumers and critics respond differently not only to film rating but also to film budgets, story sources, genre, and political content. We then use the dichotomy between average and high quality, artistic film consumers as a basis for understanding the normative views of the film markets relative to other two‐sided markets as well as the political economy of film regulation. (JEL C30, D10, Z11)
The Multimodality Imaging of Primary Cardiac Hydatid Cyst Located in the Right Ventricular Free Wall
Authors: Celik Murat , Yıldırım Erkan , Yuksel Uygar Cagdas , Bozlar Ugur , Karabacak Kubilay , Erol Gokhan
Published: May 2016

Mini‐Abstract

Primary cardiac hydatid cyst seen in the right ventricle is an infrequent appearance of disease. An immediate and precise identification of cystic lesion is critical, especially if a surgery is planned. In this context, the multimodality imaging can give precious knowledge on both the lesion and its relation to other cardiac and extracardiac structures and thereby can guide the surgery.
In vitro and in vivo effects of JAK2 inhibition in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia
Authors: Geissler Klaus , Jäger Eva , Barna Agnes , Sliwa Thamer , Knöbl Paul , Schwarzinger Ilse , Gisslinger Heinz , Valent Peter
Published: May 2016

In chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), colony‐forming units granulocyte/macrophage (CFU‐GM), which grow in vitro in the absence of exogenous growth factors, arise from the abnormal clone that is responsible for the overproduction of granulomonocytic cells. Previous in vitro findings including ours suggest that divergent molecular aberrations in CMML seem to converge within the GM‐CSF signaling pathway. As JAK2 is a sentinel kinase in this pathway, JAK2 inhibition may be an attractive treatment approach in CMML. We investigated the in vitro effects of the specific JAK2 inhibitor TG101209 on the autonomous CFU‐GM formation from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with CMML. TG101209 was found to either block or strongly inhibit spontaneous CFU‐GM growth in all 10 patients tested. This inhibitory effect was dose dependent and significantly more pronounced as compared to the inhibitory effect on stimulated CFU‐GM growth from normal individuals. In a CMML patient with splenomegaly, who was treated with the JAK1/2 inhibitor ruxolitinib off label, we can demonstrate a spleen response and the disappearance of constitutional symptoms which was associated with a decrease in autonomous CFU‐GM formation ex vivo. Pharmacological JAK2 inhibition may be an interesting approach to be systematically studied in patients with CMML.
A Multi‐Family Group Intervention for Adolescent Depression: TheBEST MOODProgram
Authors: Poole Lucinda A. , Lewis Andrew J. , Toumbourou John W. , Knight Tess , Bertino Melanie D. , Pryor Reima
Published: May 2016

Depression is the most common mental disorder for young people, and it is associated with educational underachievement, self‐harm, and suicidality. Current psychological therapies for adolescent depression are usually focused only on individual‐level change and often neglect family or contextual influences. The efficacy of interventions may be enhanced with a broader therapeutic focus on family factors such as communication, conflict, support, and cohesion. This article describes a structured multi‐family group approach to the treatment of adolescent depression: Behaviour Exchange Systems Therapy for adolescent depression (BEST MOOD).BEST MOODis a manualized intervention that is designed to address both individual and family factors in the treatment of adolescent depression.BEST MOODadopts a family systems approach that also incorporates psychoeducation and elements of attachment theories. The program consists of eight multifamily group therapy sessions delivered over 2 hours per week, where parents attend the first four sessions and young people and siblings join from week 5. The program design is specifically aimed to engage youth who are initially resistant to treatment and to optimize youth and family mental health outcomes. This article presents an overview of the theoretical model, session content, and evaluations to date, and provides a case study to illustrate the approach.
Genetic variation but weak genetic covariation between pre‐ and post‐copulatory episodes of sexual selection inDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Travers L. M. , Garcia‐Gonzalez F. , Simmons L. W.
Published: May 2016

When females mate polyandrously, male reproductive success depends both on the male's ability to attain matings and on his ability to outcompete rival males in the fertilization of ova post‐copulation. Increased investment in  ejaculate components may trade off with investment in precopulatory traits due to resource allocation. Alternatively, pre‐ and post‐copulatory traits could be positively related if individuals can afford to invest heavily in traits advantageous at both episodes of selection. There is empirical evidence for both positive and negative associations between pre‐ and post‐copulatory episodes, but little is known about the genetic basis of these correlations. In this study, we measured morphological, chemical and behavioural precopulatory male traits and investigated their relationship with measures of male fitness (male mating success, remating inhibition and offensive sperm competitiveness) across 40 isofemale lines ofDrosophila melanogaster. We found significant variation among isofemale lines, indicating a genetic basis for most of the traits investigated. However, we found weak evidence for genetic correlations between precopulatory traits and our indices of male fitness. Moreover, pre‐ and post‐copulatory episodes of selection were uncorrelated, suggesting selection may act independently at the different episodes to maximize male reproductive success.
Carry‐over effects of conditions at the wintering grounds on breeding plumage signals in a migratory bird: roles of phenotypic plasticity and selection
Authors: Järvistö P. E. , Calhim S. , Schuett W. , Sirkiä P. M. , Velmala W. , Laaksonen T.
Published: May 2016

To understand the consequences of ever‐changing environment on the dynamics of phenotypic traits, distinguishing between selection processes and individual plasticity is crucial. We examined individual consistency/plasticity in several male secondary sexual traits expressed during the breeding season (white wing and forehead patch size, UV reflectance of white wing patch and dorsal melanin coloration) in a migratory pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca) population over an 11‐year period. Furthermore, we studied carry‐over effects of three environmental variables (NAO, a climatic index; NDVI, a vegetation index; and rainfall) at the wintering grounds (during prebreeding moult) on the expression of these breeding plumage traits of pied flycatcher males at individual and population levels. Whereas NAO correlates negatively with moisture in West Africa, NDVI correlates positively with primary production. Forehead patch size and melanin coloration were highly consistent within individuals among years, whereas the consistency of the other two traits was moderate. Wing patch size decreased with higher NAO and increased with higher rainfall and NDVI at the individual level. Interestingly, small‐patched males suffered lower survival during high NAO winters than large‐patched males, and vice versa during low NAO winters. These counteracting processes meant that the individual‐level change was masked at the population level where no relationship was found. Our results provide a good example of how variation in the phenotypic composition of a natural population can be a result of both environment‐dependent individual plasticity and short‐term microevolution. Moreover, when plasticity and viability selection operate simultaneously, their impacts on population composition may not be evident.
Preoperative platelet lymphocyte ratio is superior to neutrophil lymphocyte ratio to be used as predictive marker for lymph node metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Acharya Swetha , Rai Pragati , Hallikeri Kaveri , Anehosur Venkatesh , Kale Jyoti
Published: May 2016

Objective

To assess whether the neutophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) before complete surgical staging will provide information on lymph node metastasis (LNM) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients and to evaluate the relation of NLR and PLR with the various clinicopathologic characteristics.

Methods

The clinicopathological data and the preoperative complete blood investigation details were obtained from 68 OSCC patients who underwent surgical treatment. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate cut‐off, sensitivity, and specificity values for preoperative NLR and PLR in order to predict LNM.

Results

Lymph node involvement was detected in 24 (35%) patients. The best cut‐off value for predicting LNM was 128.5 for the PLR, with 75% sensitivity and 70.45% specificity (P < 0.05). Fifty‐five percent of patients had PLR ≤ 128.5 and 45% had PLR > 128.5. The PLR was higher in the lymph‐node‐positive group than in the negative group (147.63 ± 35.49 vs. 120.51 ± 42.5) (P < 0.05). There was an association between PLR cut‐off and tumor stage. The best cut‐off value for predicting LNM was 1.77 for NLR, with sensitivity of 87.5% and 25% specificity (P = 0.92).

Conclusion

Preoperative PLR is directly associated with nodal involvement status of OSCC. Preoperative PLR is superior to NLR for predicting LNM in OSCC.
STATISTICAL ARBITRAGE PAIRS TRADING STRATEGIES: REVIEW AND OUTLOOK
Authors: Krauss Christopher
Published: May 2016

This survey reviews the growing literature on pairs trading frameworks, i.e., relative‐value arbitrage strategies involving two or more securities. Research is categorized into five groups: The distance approach uses nonparametric distance metrics to identify pairs trading opportunities. The cointegration approach relies on formal cointegration testing to unveil stationary spread time series. The time‐series approach focuses on finding optimal trading rules for mean‐reverting spreads. The stochastic control approach aims at identifying optimal portfolio holdings in the legs of a pairs trade relative to other available securities. The category “other approaches” contains further relevant pairs trading frameworks with only a limited set of supporting literature. Finally, pairs trading profitability is reviewed in the light of market frictions. Drawing from a large set of research consisting of over 100 references, an in‐depth assessment of each approach is performed, ultimately revealing strengths and weaknesses relevant for further research and for implementation.
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AND THE GREENED SAMUELSON RULE
Authors: Chen Yunmin , Lin Brian Chi‐ang , Anderson John E.
Published: May 2016

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the implementation of green government spending as an effective instrument for enhancing both environmental sustainability and economic efficiency. Utilizing a model with two types of households examined in the optimal taxation literature, this paper analyzes the impact of green spending, the properties of optimal tax rates, and the optimal provision of the public good. We derive a modified greened version of the Samuelson rule, that is, the optimal provision of the public good in connection with environmental sustainability. Our results indicate that the overall effect of green spending measured in terms of government revenue is subject to several factors such as the influence of green spending on environmental sustainability, the cost of green spending, pollution effects, and so on. To determine the optimal provision of public goods, the aforementioned factors have to be taken into account. For instance, if the pollution effect is stronger, the individual marginal effective tax rate and the commodity tax rate on the polluting good will increase to discourage the demand for consuming polluting commodities.
STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODELLING AND THE CAUSAL EFFECT OF PERMANENT INCOME ON LIFE SATISFACTION: THE CASE OF AIR POLLUTION VALUATION IN SWITZERLAND
Authors: Giovanis Eleftherios , Ozdamar Oznur
Published: May 2016

This study examines the relationship between air quality and life satisfaction. Moreover, a panel structural equation modelling (SEM) is applied in order to capture the causal effect of permanent income on life satisfaction. Swiss Household Panel (SHP) Survey (2000–2013), which is a detailed micro level survey, is used for the analysis controlling for personal and household characteristics. Five air pollutants are examined in the entire analysis; ozone (O3), particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Furthermore, the marginal willingness‐to‐pay (MWTP) values for reducing air pollution are calculated. For the robustness checks, the SEM estimates are compared with those derived by the adapted Probit Fixed Effects (FE) model. Overall results show that MWTP values are higher for SO2 followed by O3 and NO2, while the lowest values are reported for CO and PM10. Moreover, it is found that the permanent income has a positive significant effect on life satisfaction. However, considering the SEM estimations, findings for the income effects on life satisfaction are stronger than those found from the adapted Probit FE estimates that lead to lower MWTP values.
Immunohistochemical expression of DNA methyltransferases 1, 3a, and 3b in actinic cheilitis and lip squamous cell carcinomas
Authors: Daniel Filipe I. , Alves Soraia R. , Vieira Daniella S. C. , Biz Michelle T. , Daniel Inah W. B. S. , Modolo Filipe
Published: May 2016

Background

Epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation of tumor suppressor genes carried out by DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), are important events in carcinogenesis. Although there are studies concerning to its expression in several cancer types, DNMTs expression pattern is not known in photoinduced lip carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the immunoexpression of DNMTs 1, 3a, and 3b in lip precancerous lesion (actinic cheilitis) and cancer.

Methods

Thirty cases of actinic cheilitis (AC), thirty cases of lip squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), and twenty cases of non‐neoplastic tissue (NNT) were selected for immunohistochemical investigation of DNMTs 1, 3a, and 3b.

Results

Nuclear DNMT 1 immunoreactivity was significantly higher in the LSCC group (68.6%) compared with NNT (47%), and nuclear DNMT 3b was higher in LSCC (70.9%) than in NNT (37.9%) and in AC (44%). Only DNMT 3a showed both higher nuclear and cytoplasmic expression in AC (35.9% and 35.5%, respectively) than in NNT (4.4% and 16.1%, respectively) and LSCC (8.8% and 13.2%, respectively) (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The results suggested that DNMT 3a could play a key role in the methylation process of initial steps of UV carcinogenesis present in AC while DNMT 3b could be responsible for de novo methylation in already established lip cancer.
An In Vitro Investigation of Veneered Zirconia‐Based Restorations Shade Reproducibility
Authors: Al‐Wahadni Ahed , Shahin Ahmad , Kurtz Kenneth S.
Published: May 2016

Purpose

To examine the effects of the veneering technique on the shade reproducibility of zirconia‐based crowns.

Materials and Methods

An artificial tooth was prepared with a 1.2 mm heavy chamfer finish line and 8° taper. The prepared tooth was scanned using CAD/CAM technology to fabricate 45 cobalt chromium (CoCr) testing dies. One CoCr die was scanned, and 45 zirconia copings were milled and devided according to the veneering technique into 3 groups of 15 specimens each: layering veneering (LV) using Vita Vm9, overpressing veneering (OV) using Vita Pm9, and digital veneering (DV) using Vita Triluxe forte. All veneering layers had the same shade (A2). The specimens were cemented onto the testing dies using glass inomer cement. A spectrophotometer was used to measure the shade coordinates (L, C, h, a, b) for a Vita A2 shade tab and for each specimen. Both the CIE Lab (ΔEab) and the CIE DE2000 (ΔE00) color difference formulas were applied to compare the shade tab and the study groups. One‐way ANOVA and multiple comparison Bonferroni tests were applied for statistical analysis of the results.

Results

Means and standard deviations (SDs) of ΔEab were 2.3 ± 1.3 for LV, 3.5 ± 0.8 for OV, and 4.0 ± 0.7 for DV. Means and SDs of ΔE00 were 1.4 ± 0.8 for LV, 2.1 ± 0.5 for OV, and 3.1 ± 0.4 for DV. ΔEab of LV group was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than both OV and DV groups, whereas the difference in ΔEab between OV and DV groups was not significant (p = 0.39). The differences in ΔE00 between all groups were significant (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

LV group was superior to other groups in terms of shade reproducibility. The ΔEab and the ΔE00 values of LV and OV groups were within clinically acceptable ranges; however, the ΔEab and the ΔE00 values of group DV were beyond the clinically acceptable ranges. The ΔE00 formula demonstrated a statistically significant difference between OV and the DV groups, while the ΔEab formula did not. The zirconia veneering technique had a significant influence on the shade reproducibility of zirconia‐based crowns.
Mixed Duopoly with a Partial‐Delegated‐Public Firm
Authors: Shuai Jie
Published: May 2016

We compare the welfare results of mixed duopoly model where a firm can be private, public or partial‐delegated‐public. We consider two types of partial‐delegated‐public firms. In partial‐delegated‐public with location delegation, the firm chooses location to maximize its profit while the social planner chooses price to maximize social surplus. Partial‐delegated‐public firm with price delegation is the opposite where the firm chooses price to maximize its profit. We find significant differences in equilibrium outcomes both between the two types of partial‐delegated‐public firms, and between the partial‐delegated‐public firms and the purely private/public firms. While equilibrium prices in the partial‐delegated‐public firm cases lie in between those in the pure cases (purely private or purely public), the private firm's profit may be higher when its rival is a partial‐delegated‐public firm rather than a purely private/public firm. We also find a ‘trade‐off’ within the two partial‐delegated‐public firm cases: social surplus is higher under location delegation, but consumer surplus and profit of the partial‐delegated‐public firm are higher under price delegation.
Cosmic‐ray exposure ages of chondrules
Authors: Roth Antoine S. G. , Metzler Knut , Baumgartner Lukas P. , Leya Ingo
Published: May 2016

If chondrules were exposed to cosmic rays prior to meteorite compaction, they should retain an excess of cosmogenic noble gases. Beyersdorf‐Kuis et al. (2015) showed that such excesses can be detected provided that the chemical composition of each individual chondrule is precisely known. However, their study was limited to a few samples as they had to be irradiated in a nuclear reactor for instrumental neutron activation analysis. We developed a novel analytical protocol that combines the measurements of He and Ne isotopic concentrations with a fast method to correct for differences in chemical composition using micro X‐ray computed tomography. Our main idea is to combine noble gas, nuclear track, and petrography data for numerous chondrules to understand the precompaction exposure history of the chondrite parent bodies. Here, we report our results for a total of 77 chondrules and four matrix samples from NWA 8276 (L3.00), NWA 8007 (L3.2), and Bjurböle (L/LL4). All chondrules from the same meteorite have within uncertainty identical 21Ne exposure ages, and all chondrules from Bjurböle have within uncertainty identical 3He exposure ages. However, most chondrules from NWA 8276 and a few from NWA 8007 show small but resolvable differences in 3He exposure age that we attribute to matrix contamination and/or gas loss. The finding that none of the chondrules has noble gas excesses is consistent with the uniform track density found for each meteorite. We conclude that the studied chondrules did not experience a precompaction exposure longer than a few Ma assuming present‐day flux of galactic cosmic rays. A majority of chondrules from L and LL chondrites thus rapidly accreted and/or was efficiently shielded from cosmic rays in the solar nebula.
A Computationally Efficient Algorithm for Real‐Time Tracking the Abrupt Stiffness Degradations of Structural Elements
Authors: Lei Ying , Zhou Huan , Lai Zhi‐Lu
Published: May 2016

Real‐time structural identification and damage detection are necessary for on‐line structural damage detection and optimal structural vibration control during severe loadings. Frequently, structural damage can be reflected in the stiffness degradation of structural elements. In this article, a time‐domain three‐stage algorithm with computational efficiency is proposed for real‐time tracking the onsets, locations, and extents of abrupt stiffness degradations of structural elements using measurements of structural acceleration responses. Structural dynamic parameters before damage are recursively estimated in stage I. Then, the time instants and possible locations of degraded structural elements are detected by tracking the errors between the measured data and the corresponding estimated values in stage II. Finally, the exact locations and extents of stiffness degradations of structural elements are determined by solving simple constrained optimization problems in stage III. Both numerical examples and an experimental test are used to validate the proposed algorithm for real‐time tracking the abrupt stiffness degradations of structural elements in linear or nonlinear structures using measurements of structural acceleration responses polluted by noises.
Request Modification in Synchronous Computer‐Mediated Communication: The Role of Focused Instruction
Authors: CUNNINGHAM D. JOSEPH
Published: May 2016

The pairing of telecollaboration and focused instruction can lead to measurable gains in second language learners’ pragmatic competence (Belz & Vyatkina, , ; Vyatkina & Belz, ). This article examines speech act production in telecollaborative exchange, focusing on the requesting behavior of American learners of German for professional purposes as they interacted with German‐speaking professionals in Germany via synchronous Web conferences. Drawing on quantitative and qualitative methods, the study investigated the effect of interaction with expert speakers and the implementation of focused instruction on learners’ pragmatic development. Whereas quantitative analysis showed no change between experimental conditions, qualitative analysis of 4 learners’ request production over the course of 4 online discussions revealed idiosyncratic developmental pathways and the emergence of a common strategy for managing participation in oral synchronous computer‐mediated communication. The findings provide new insight regarding the nature of second language request production and confirm the utility of pragmatics instruction in telecollaboration. At the same time, the study calls for more refined analytical tools when investigating language development in extended telecollaborative discourse.
Evolutionary trade‐offs in stomatal spacing
Authors: Lawson Tracy , McElwain Jennifer C.
Published: May 2016

This article is a commentary on de Boer et al. 210: 1219–1228.
A Method for Matching Crowd‐sourced and Authoritative Geospatial Data
Authors: Du Heshan , Alechina Natasha , Jackson Michael , Hart Glen
Published: May 2016

A method for matching crowd‐sourced and authoritative geospatial data is presented. A level of tolerance is defined as an input parameter as some difference in the geometry representation of a spatial object is to be expected. The method generates matches between spatial objects using location information and lexical information, such as names and types, and verifies consistency of matches using reasoning in qualitative spatial and description logic. We test the method by matching geospatial data from OpenStreetMap and the national mapping agencies of Great Britain and France. We also analyze how the level of tolerance affects the precision and recall of matching results for the same geographic area using 12 different levels of tolerance within a range of 1 to 80 m. The generated matches show potential in helping enrich and update geospatial data.