bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and diversity of rotavirus A genotypes cirulating in Turkey during a 2‐year sentinel surveillance period, 2014‐2016
Authors: Durmaz Riza , Bakkaloglu Zekiye , Unaldi Ozlem , Karagoz Alper , Korukluoglu Gulay , Kalaycioglu Atila T. , Acar Sumeyra , Kilic Selcuk ,   The Turkish Rotavirus Surveillance Network
Published: September 2017

Human rotavirus A (RVA) is the main etiological agent of watery diarrhea among children under 5 years of age worldwide. The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence and diversity of RVA genotypes circulating in Turkey during a 2‐year sentinel surveillance study. A total of 1639 rotavirus antigen‐positive stool samples were obtained from children younger than 5 years of age hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis. Rotavirus G and P genotypes were determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) with consensus primers for the VP7 and VP4 genes, followed by semi‐nested type‐specific multiplex PCR. Rotavirus RNA was detected in 1396 (85.3%) of the samples tested. The highest detection rate (38.2%) was obtained among children in the 0‐12 months age group, followed by children in the 13‐24 months age group (36.2%). The most prevalent genotype was G1P[8] (24.6%) followed by G3P[8] (19.6%), G9P[8] (12.2%), G2P[4] (9.5%), G2P[8] (6.5%), and G4P[8] (4.8%). The proportions of uncommon and mixed genotypes were 21.5% and 1.14%, respectively. The large number of genotypes observed, including common, uncommon, and mixed types, indicates a high heterogeneity of RVA strains circulating in Turkey. The current study also exhibited dramatic fluctuations on the prevalences of the common genotypes, with increases in G3 and G1 and decreases in G9 and G2 from 2014‐2016.
Robust model order reduction of an electrical machine at startup through reduction error estimation
Authors: Montier Laurent , Henneron Thomas , Clénet Stéphane , Goursaud Benjamin
Published: September 2017

In the field of electrical machines, the finite element method provides accurate results but requires a high computational cost to perform, with sometimes weeks of computations. Therefore, model order reduction methods such as the proper orthogonal decomposition combined with the discrete empirical interpolation method are able to speed up the solution of the finite element problem. To use the obtained results for predictive computations, an error estimator is required. However, the different estimators found in the literature do not apply to our problem. Therefore, a simple error indicator that can be applied to a wide range of problems is proposed in this paper.
Cross‐Seasonal Influence of the SAM on Southern Hemisphere Extratropical SST and its Relationship with Meridional Circulation in CMIP5 models
Authors: Zheng Fei , Li Jianping , Ding Ruiqiang , Feng Juan
Published: September 2017

Using outputs from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) models, the influence of the December–February (DJF) Southern Hemisphere Annular Mode (SAM) on March–May (MAM) zonal‐mean meridional circulation found in reanalysis data is assessed. Considering that the DJF Southern Hemisphere extratropical SST pattern associated with the SAM (SESST hereafter) acts as an important ‘bridge’ in the cross‐seasonal influence of the DJF SAM on MAM meridional circulation, model performance in simulating the influence of the DJF SAM on SESST and in capturing the connection between SESST and MAM meridional circulation are investigated. Most of the models are equipped to capture the influence of the DJF SAM on SESST. However, the model‐simulated influence is stronger than the observations, which is partially attributed to an overestimation of the association between the SAM and surface zonal wind by these models. The simulated cross‐seasonal influence of the DJF SAM on MAM meridional circulation tends to be closer to the observations in models with high performance in depicting the influence of MAM SESST on MAM meridional circulation than in models with relatively low performance.
Annual and seasonal tornado trends in the contiguous United States and its regions
Authors: Moore Todd W.
Published: September 2017

Previous studies provide evidence of possible changes to the climatology of tornadoes in the United States. These include a decrease in the number of tornado days per year, but an increase in the number of days per year with a large number of tornadoes; an increase in the mean number of tornadoes per tornado day; a spatial shift in tornado activity, generally towards the Southeast United States. Most of these studies, however, tend to examine trends at the annual (or spring) and contiguous United States scales. Using tornado data over the period 1954–2016, this study analyses various tornado metrics to determine whether trends are consistent throughout the year and across the United States. Trends are assessed with the Mann–Kendall test and their slopes with the Theil–Sen estimator. The annual analyses indicate that the number of tornadoes per year declined in the West, North Great Plains, South Great Plains, and Midwest regions, but increased in the Southeast. The decreasing/increasing tendencies in the South Great Plains/Southeast led to a reversal of the most active region – the South Great Plains had the greatest median tornado frequency early in the study period whereas the Southeast had the greatest in the middle and late periods. Annual analyses also indicate that the previously reported decline in the number of tornado days per year and the increase in the mean number of tornadoes per tornado day per year are generally present across the United States. Seasonal analyses suggest that the proportion of tornadoes occurring in the contiguous United States in summer is decreasing whereas the proportion occurring in fall is increasing. This is especially apparent in the Southeast.
How patients use repeat antibiotic prescriptions: the impact of dosing directions
Authors: Thompson Angus , Peterson Gregory , Bindoff Ivan , Stafford Andrew
Published: September 2017

Background

Repeat prescribing of antibiotics is widespread in Australia. This may be associated with risks to individual patients and contribute to inappropriate antibiotic use.

Aim

To characterise the time intervals between dispensing of initial and repeat antibiotic prescriptions, and identify any associations between these intervals and information on treatment duration included in dosing directions.

Method

A retrospective study of de‐identified antibiotic repeat dispensing records from 186 Australian pharmacies.

Results

A total of 12 516 repeat dispensings for amoxicillin/amoxycillin (5198, 41.5%) and cefalexin/cephalexin (7318, 58.5%) were analysed. Of these, 50.7% (6340) and 78.8% (9863) were collected within 2 and 30 days of the date on which the original supply should have been completed, respectively. The remainder were dispensed throughout the following 11 months. Compared to prescriptions with no reference to duration or a generic statement regarding course completion, specifying a course length exceeding that provided by the initial pack was associated with a significantly shorter interval between the dispensing of original and repeat prescriptions.

Conclusion

Around half of all supplied repeats appear to be used to extend initial courses, while around 1 in 5 repeat dispensings occur at least 1 month after the initial prescription, suggesting that they may be used to treat separate episodes of infection. The inclusion of specific information regarding treatment durations on prescriptions and in dispensing directions appears to influence patient behaviour. While addressing the whole practice of issuing antibiotic repeats remains desirable, these findings may be relevant for prescribers and pharmacists, and help efforts to extend antimicrobial stewardship principles to the community.
Co‐occurrence of citrinin and ochratoxin A in rice in Asia and its implications for human health
Authors: Ali Nurshad
Published: September 2017

Citrinin (CIT) and ochratoxin A (OTA) are nephrotoxic mycotoxins, produced by several Aspergillus and Penicillium species and their co‐occurrence in rice may cause health effects in humans. Rice is an important food crop worldwide and is a major staple food in Asia which may be invaded by CIT and OTA producing fungal spores in the field, during harvest and storage. Humans are exposed to these mycotoxins through ingestion of contaminated rice and other food commodities. Yet, data on the combined presence to these food contaminants are still insufficient to estimate human exposure in Asia. This review describes the prevalence of CIT and OTA in rice in Asia and its implications on human health, which may help in establishing and carrying out proper management strategies against mould development on rice. From the health point of view, combined exposition of CIT and OTA should be a public concern as both are nephrotoxic and long‐term exposure can pose detrimental health effects. Thus, it is necessary for local farmers and food factories to implement strict measures and to improve methods for rice preservation during the distribution to consumers, particularly in the markets. Moreover, regular surveys for CIT and OTA occurrence in rice and human biomonitoring are recommended to reduce the health effects in Asian population. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Pore Size Distribution and Blend Composition Affect In Vitro Prevascularized Bone Matrix Formation on Poly(Vinyl Alcohol)/Gelatin Sponges
Authors: De la Ossa Jose Gustavo , Trombi Luisa , D'Alessandro Delfo , Coltelli Maria Beatrice , Serino Lorenzo Pio , Pini Roberto , Lazzeri Andrea , Petrini Mario , Danti Serena
Published: September 2017

This study aims at identifying compositional and architectural (pore size and distribution) parameters of biocompatible scaffolds, which can be best suitable for both osteoblasts and endothelial cells to produce optimized 3D cocultured constructs. Spongy scaffolds are prepared using poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and gelatin (G) at different weight compositions (PVA/G range: 100/0–50/50, w/w) via emulsion and freeze‐drying. The higher the gelatin content, the larger is the volume occupied by higher size pores. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells and human mesenchymal stromal cells are independently differentiated on the scaffolds to select the best candidate for the coculture. The results of metabolic activity and histology on single platforms show both cell‐ and material‐type dependent outcomes. PVA/G 80/20 scaffolds are finally selected and allow the formation of mineralized matrix containing organized endothelial‐like structures. This study highlights the need for systematic investigations on multifactorial parameters of scaffolds to improve vascularized bone substitutes.
Why do consumers recycle? A holistic perspective encompassing moral considerations, affective responses, and self‐interest motives
Authors: Onel Naz , Mukherjee Avinandan
Published: September 2017

In this study, the recycling behavior of consumers is examined using a model developed based on the goal framing theory (GFT). The GFT provides a holistic comprehensive framework amalgamating three popular psychological theories—theory of planned behavior (TPB), values‐beliefs‐norms (VBNs) theory, and theory on affect (TA). The purpose of this study is to analyze the factors that predict recycling behavior of consumers by examining the extent to which such behavior depends on moral considerations, affective responses, or self‐interest motives. A comprehensive multivariate model with 12 formulated hypotheses is tested with structural equation modeling (SEM) using survey data from 206 individuals. The results of the study indicate that GFT is an appropriate framework in explaining recycling behavior of consumers. The findings of the combined model suggest that while values (biospheric, egoistic), environmental concern, awareness of destructive consequences, ascription of responsibility to self, personal norms, subjective norms, attitudes toward behavior, perceived behavioral control, and intention do significantly predict recycling behavior, altruistic values do not explain behavior‐related intention. In particular, perceived behavioral control seems to be the strongest predictor of recycling intention. Variables of the TPB, which assess gain motives, seem to have the greatest explanatory power for recycling behavior of consumers when the combined model is examined. However, further comparative theory analysis indicates that the recycling behavior of consumers could be better explained by the VBN theory relative to the TPB or TA. The study offers important implications pertaining to environmentally sensitive consumer behavior that would be relevant for marketing managers and policymakers.
Control of Head/Tail Isomeric Structure in Polyimide and Isomerism‐Derived Difference in Molecular Packing and Properties
Authors: Luo Longbo , Dai Yu , Yuan Yihao , Wang Xu , Liu Xiangyang
Published: September 2017

Two sequence isomeric poly(amic acid)s (PAAs) are successfully synthesized from 3,3′,4,4′‐biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride and unsymmetrical 5(6)‐amino‐2‐(4‐aminobenzene) benzimidazole (PABZ). The syntheses are based on the site‐selective reactivity of head/tail amino groups of PABZ and solubility differences of PABZ in good solvent (dimethyl sulfoxide, DMSO) and poor solvent (N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone, NMP). The proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H‐NMR) results reveal that the content of head tail–head tail (HTHT) bonding units in PAA‐DMSO (PAA synthesized in DMSO) is 37%, while this content increases to 54% in PAA‐NMP (PAA synthesized in NMP). The wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) results indicate polyimide (PI)‐NMP film with high HTHT content exhibits a semicrystalline structure, while PI‐DMSO film is amorphous. Moreover, PI‐NMP also shows higher in‐plane orientation than PI‐DMSO. The ordered molecular packing and higher in‐plane orientation of PI‐NMP lead to an increase in mechanical properties and a decrease in in‐plane thermal expansion coefficient.
Salt Responsive Morphologies of ssDNA‐Based Triblock Polyelectrolytes in Semi‐Dilute Regime: Effect of Volume Fractions and Polyelectrolyte Length
Authors: Li Nan K. , Kuang Huihui , Fuss William H. , Zauscher Stefan , Kokkoli Efrosini , Yingling Yaroslava G.
Published: September 2017

A comprehensive study is reported on the effect of salt concentration, polyelectrolyte block length, and polymer concentration on the morphology and structural properties of nanoaggregates self‐assembled from BAB single‐strand DNA (ssDNA) triblock polynucleotides in which A represents polyelectrolyte blocks and B represents hydrophobic neutral blocks. A morphological phase diagram above the gelation point is developed as a function of solvent ionic strength and polyelectrolyte block length utilizing an implicit solvent ionic strength method for dissipative particle dynamics simulations. As the solvent ionic strength increases, the self‐assembled DNA network structures shrinks considerably, leading to a morphological transition from a micellar network to worm‐like or hamburger‐shape aggregates. This study provides insight into the network morphology and its changes by calculating the aggregation number, number of hydrophobic cores, and percentage of bridge chains in the network. The simulation results are corroborated through cryogenic transmission electron microscopy on the example of the self‐assembly of ssDNA triblocks.
The placebo effect on bradykinesia in Parkinson's disease with and without prior drug conditioning
Authors: Frisaldi Elisa , Carlino Elisa , Zibetti Maurizio , Barbiani Diletta , Dematteis Francesca , Lanotte Michele , Lopiano Leonardo , Benedetti Fabrizio
Published: September 2017

Background: Placebo effects represent a major drawback in clinical trials, and their magnitude hampers the development of new treatments. Previous research showed that prior exposure to active treatments increases the placebo response for muscle rigidity in Parkinson's disease.

Methods: We investigated the effects of prior exposure to apomorphine on the placebo response of another cardinal symptom of Parkinson's disease, bradykinesia, by a movement time analyzer.

Results: We found no placebo response if the placebo was given for the first time, whereas the placebo response was substantial after prior pharmacological conditioning with apomorphine.

Conclusions: These findings indicate that prior exposure to drugs is a critical factor in the occurrence and magnitude of placebo effects. These learning effects should be carefully assessed in clinical trials in which patients receive the active treatment first and then are randomized. Indeed, this sequence may generate high placebo responders. © 2017 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
A self‐adaptive intelligence gray prediction model with the optimal fractional order accumulating operator and its application
Authors: Zeng Bo , Liu Sifeng
Published: September 2017

The self‐adaptive intelligence gray predictive model (SAIGM) has an alterable‐flexible model structure, and it can build a dynamic structure to fit different external environments by adjusting the parameter values of SAIGM. However, the order number of the raw SAIGM model is not optimal, which is an integer. For this, a new SAIGM model with the fractional order accumulating operator (SAIGM_FO) was proposed in this paper. Specifically, the final restored expression of SAIGM_FO was deduced in detail, and the parameter estimation method of SAIGM_FO was studied. After that, the Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm was used to optimize the order number of SAIGM_FO, and some steps were provided. Finally, the SAIGM_FO model was applied to simulate China's electricity consumption from 2001 to 2008 and forecast it during 2009 to 2015, and the mean relative simulation and prediction percentage errors of the new model were only 0.860% and 2.661%, in comparison with the ones obtained from the raw SAIGM model, the GM(1, 1) model with the optimal fractional order accumulating operator and the GM(1, 1) model, which were (1.201%, 5.321%), (1.356%, 3.324%), and (2.013%, 23.944%), respectively. The findings showed both the simulation and the prediction performance of the proposed SAIGM_FO model were the best among the 4 models.
Exact algorithms and bounds for the dynamic assignment interdiction problem
Authors: Sefair Jorge A. , Smith J. Cole
Published: September 2017

We study a multi‐stage dynamic assignment interdiction (DAI) game in which two agents, a user and an attacker, compete in the underlying bipartite assignment graph. The user wishes to assign a set of tasks at the minimum cost, and the attacker seeks to interdict a subset of arcs to maximize the user's objective. The user assigns exactly one task per stage, and the assignment costs and interdiction impacts vary across stages. Before any stage commences in the game, the attacker can interdict arcs subject to a cardinality constraint. An interdicted arc can still be used by the user, but at an increased assignment cost. The goal is to find an optimal sequence of assignments, coupled with the attacker's optimal interdiction strategy. We prove that this problem is strongly NP‐hard, even when the attacker can interdict only one arc. We propose an exact exponential‐state dynamic‐programming algorithm for this problem as well as lower and upper bounds on the optimal objective function value. Our bounds are based on classical interdiction and robust optimization models, and on variations of the DAI game. We examine the efficiency of our algorithms and the quality of our bounds on a set of randomly generated instances. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 64: 373–387, 2017
Animal Remains from Ritual Sites: A Cautionary Tale from the Eastern Adriatic
Authors: Gaastra J. S.
Published: September 2017

This article assesses the potential pitfalls of extant methods and criteria used for identifying the ritual use and consumption of animals. Previous analysis of the Late Iron Age sanctuary assemblage from Spila Nakovana identified the ritual consumption of domestic animals in the sanctuary through comparison with a common set of criteria for the identification of ritual patterning in faunal assemblages. A recent analysis of a larger sample from Spila Nakovana has overturned this original determination, leading to a re‐evaluation of the ranked importance of the common criteria utilised for ritual patterning identification. The importance of context is addressed in the determination of ritual patterning within archaeological faunal assemblages, with regard to both the direct and wider context of the sample. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Emerging technologies for diabetes
Authors: Kennedy Eleanor D , Oliver Nick
Published: September 2017

The lives of people with diabetes may be revolutionised by an explosion of new product developments and launches. These emerging technologies include new continuous blood glucose monitoring, innovative insulin delivery techniques and novel data and decision support mechanisms that could improve HbA1c levels. In addition, to potentially decreasing the time spent either in hypoglycaemia or hyperglycaemia, these new technologies also have the potential to improve a patient's quality of life as well as to reduce the burden of self‐management. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons.
A Novel Use of Olaparib for the Treatment of Metastatic Castration‐Recurrent Prostate Cancer
Authors: Martin Grace A. , Chen Adrienne H. , Parikh Kinjal
Published: September 2017

Although mortality from prostate cancer has declined over the past 20 years as a result of early detection and treatment, the 5‐year survival rate for men with prostate cancer who develop metastatic disease is only 29%. Current treatment options for metastatic castration‐recurrent prostate cancer (mCRPC) are associated with toxicity and a limited durable response; therefore, additional lines of efficacious and minimally toxic therapy are needed. Olaparib, a poly(adenosine 5′‐diphosphate) ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, received a U.S. Food and Drug Administration breakthrough therapy designation in January 2016 for the treatment of patients with BRCA1/2 or ATM gene‐mutated mCRPC based on results of a compelling phase II trial of olaparib in patients with advanced castration‐resistant prostate cancer (TOPARP‐A). This study found that men with mCRPC and genetic mutations in DNA damage repair genes had an overall response rate of nearly 90% with olaparib treatment. In this review, we describe current therapies for mCRPC, the rationale for anti‐PARP therapies, the pharmacology of olaparib for prostate cancer, clinical trials of olaparib for mCRPC, our clinical experience with olaparib for prostate cancer at a comprehensive cancer center, and future directions of olaparib for the treatment of mCRPC. Olaparib may constitute a promising treatment to prolong survival in patients with mCRPC, with an acceptable adverse effect profile. As the role of PARP inhibition in prostate cancer and other malignancies becomes further elucidated, olaparib may be shown to be beneficial for other patient populations.
Cognitive reactions of nurses exposed to cancer patients' traumatic experiences: A qualitative study to identify triggers of the onset of compassion fatigue
Authors: Fukumori Takaki , Miyazaki Atsuko , Takaba Chihiro , Taniguchi Saki , Asai Mariko
Published: September 2017

Objective

Nurses in cancer care are considered to be at risk for compassion fatigue because they are frequently exposed to patients' traumatic experiences. However, only a few effective empirical studies have been conducted in this field, and cognitive factors in particular have not been sufficiently studied. This study aims to describe the components of nurses' cognitive reactions from their exposure to cancer patients' traumatic experience to the onset of compassion fatigue.

Methods

In this qualitative study, 30 nurses in cancer care were purposively selected. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and analyzed by using content analysis and the constant comparative method.

Results

Forty attributes were identified from 613 statements and classified into 11 categories: sense of professional inadequacy, compassion for patients and their families, desire to support patients and their families, rumination on oneself or one's family, sense of professional mission, dissatisfaction with medical staff, desire to integrate with colleagues, desire to avoid one's duties, conflict between one's belief and reality, reconsideration of the meaning of life, and sense of powerlessness over cancer.

Conclusions

This study identified important components of cognitive reactions of nurses who encounter the traumatic experiences of cancer patients in Japan. This information can contribute to the understanding of the onset of compassion fatigue and provide the foundation for nurses in cancer care to avoid and recover from compassion fatigue.
Filamin A (FLNA) mutation—A newcomer to the childhood interstitial lung disease (ChILD) classification
Authors: Shelmerdine Susan C. , Semple Thomas , Wallis Colin , Aurora Paul , Moledina Shahin , Ashworth Michael T. , Owens Catherine M.
Published: September 2017

Aim

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) in infants represents a rare and heterogenous group of disorders, distinct from those occurring in adults. In recent years a new entity within this category is being recognized, namely filamin A (FLNA) mutation related lung disease. Our aims are to describe the clinical and radiological course of patients with this disease entity to aid clinicians in the prognostic counseling and management of similar patients they may encounter.

Method

A retrospective case note review was conducted of all patients treated at our institution (a specialist tertiary referral childrens’ center) for genetically confirmed FLNA mutation related lung disease. The clinical presentation, evolution, management and radiological features were recorded and a medical literature review of Medline indexed articles was conducted.

Results

We present a case series of four patients with interstitial lung disease and genetically confirmed abnormalities within the FLNA gene. Their imaging findings all reveal a pattern of predominantly upper lobe overinflation, coarse pulmonary lobular septal thickening and diffuse patchy atelectasis. The clinical outcomes of our patients have been variable ranging from infant death, lobar resection and need for supplemental oxygen and bronchodilators.

Conclusion

The progressive nature of the pulmonary aspect of this disorder and need for early aggressive supportive treatment make identification crucial to patient management and prognostic counseling.
Effect of Temperature and Doping on Plasmon Excitations for an Encapsulated Double‐Layer Graphene Heterostructure
Authors: Gumbs Godfrey , Dahal Dipendra , Balassis Antonios
Published: September 2017

We perform a comprehensive analysis of the spectrum of graphene plasmons which arise when a pair of sheets are confined between conducting materials. The associated enhanced local fields may be employed in the manipulation of light on the nanoscale by adjusting the separation between the graphene layers, the energy band gap as well as the concentration of charge carriers in the conducting media surrounding the two‐dimensional (2D) layers. We present a theoretical formalism, based on the calculation of the surface response function, for determining the plasmon spectrum of an encapsulated pair of 2D layers and apply it to graphene. We solve the coupled equations involving the continuity of the electric potential and discontinuity of the electric field at the interfaces separating the constituents of the hybrid structure. We have compared the plasmon modes for encapsulated gapped and gapless graphene. The associated nonlocal graphene plasmon spectrum coupled to the “sandwich” system show a linear acoustic plasmon mode as well as a low‐frequency mode corresponding to in‐phase oscillations of the adjacent 2D charge densities. These calculations are relevant to the study of energy transfer via plasmon excitations when graphene is confined by a pair of thick conducting materials.
Identifying unusual commits on GitHub
Authors: Goyal Raman , Ferreira Gabriel , Kästner Christian , Herbsleb James
Published: September 2017

Transparent environments and social‐coding platforms as GitHub help developers to stay abreast of changes during the development and maintenance phase of a project. Especially, notification feeds can help developers to learn about relevant changes in other projects. Unfortunately, transparent environments can quickly overwhelm developers with too many notifications, such that they lose the important ones in a sea of noise. Complementing existing prioritization and filtering strategies based on binary compatibility and code ownership, we develop an anomaly detection mechanism to identify unusual commits in a repository, which stand out with respect to other changes in the same repository or by the same developer. Among others, we detect exceptionally large commits, commits at unusual times, and commits touching rarely changed file types given the characteristics of a particular repository or developer. We automatically flag unusual commits on GitHub through a browser plug‐in. In an interactive survey with 173 active GitHub users, rating commits in a project of their interest, we found that, although our unusual score is only a weak predictor of whether developers want to be notified about a commit, information about unusual characteristics of a commit changes how developers regard commits. Our anomaly detection mechanism is a building block for scaling transparent environments.
Analysis of government policies, institutions, and inward foreign direct investment: Evidence from sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Emudainohwo Ochuko B. , Boateng Agyenim , Brahma Sanjukta , Ngwu Franklin
Published: September 2017

This article examines the effects of government policies and institutions on foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in sub‐Saharan African context using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. On the quantitative approach, we analyzed the effects of institutions on FDI using two statistical techniques—canonical cointegration regression (CCR) and fully modified ordinary least square (FMOLS)—over the period of 1984–2012. We find that political instability, democratic accountability, and investment risk have significant impact on inward FDI in Nigeria. Using a trend analysis, our results provide evidence to suggest that liberal government investment policies have positive influence on FDI inflows. Our qualitative analysis over the 1962–2012 period supports the results of the quantitative analysis.
A hindsight reflection on the clinical studies of poly(l‐glutamic acid)‐paclitaxel
Authors: Zhao Jun , Koay Eugene J. , Li Tingting , Wen Xiaoxia , Li Chun
Published: September 2017

Chemotherapy for cancer treatment is limited by the excessive toxicity to normal tissues. The design of chemodrug‐loaded nanoformulations provides a unique approach to improve the treatment efficacy while minimizing toxicity. Despite the numerous publications of nanomedicine for the last several decades, however, only a small fraction of the developed nanoformulations have entered clinical trials, with even fewer being approved for clinical application. Poly(l‐glutamic acid)‐paclitaxel (PG‐TXL) belongs to the few formulations that reached phase III clinical trials. Unfortunately, the development of PG‐TXL stopped in 2016 due to the inability to show significant improvement over current standard care. This review will provide an overview of the preclinical and clinical evaluations of PG‐TXL, and discuss lessons to be learned from this ordeal. The precise identification of suitable patients for clinical trial studies, deep understanding of the mechanisms of action, and an effective academic‐industry partnership throughout all phases of drug development are important for the successful bench‐to‐bedside translation of new nanoformulations.

This article is categorized under:

Implantable Materials and Surgical Technologies > Nanomaterials and Implants

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease

Biology-Inspired Nanomaterials > Peptide‐Based Structures
Pigments characterization of polychrome vases production at Lipára: New insights by noninvasive spectroscopic methods
Authors: Barone G. , Di Bella M. , Mastelloni M.A. , Mazzoleni P. , Quartieri S. , Raneri S. , Sabatino G.
Published: September 2017

One of the most impressive Sicilian pottery production is attributed to the so‐called Lipari Painter and his followers, whose vessels—found in the archeological site of Lipari (Aeolian Island, Sicily)—are decorated with characteristic blue, red, and white figures. From the archeological point of view, these artworks keep open many questions concerning dating, production technique, and cultural background. In this context, new data on the manufacture procedures and on the raw materials used for the pigments may contribute to a deeper comprehension of this early Hellenistic vase tradition. The preciousness of the vessels, exhibited at the Archeological Museum of Lipari, imposed the use of in situ nondestructive methods to address new insights on the nature of the colored layers. Thus, analyses by Raman and X‐ray fluorescence spectroscopy have been performed with portable instruments on a selection of vessels certainly attributed to Lipari Painter and to some others of his followers. The results of this study testify the use of different pigments: kaolin and gypsum, probably supplied locally, for white layers; Egyptian blue for blue hues; red ochre for brown‐reddish hues; and cinnabar for pink and red‐purple nuances. The identification of both Egyptian blue and cinnabar opens an interesting discussion about dating and circulation of the raw materials.
The yeasts of the genus Spathaspora: potential candidates for second‐generation biofuel production
Authors: Cadete Raquel M. , Rosa Carlos A.
Published: September 2017

Yeasts of the Spathaspora clade have the ability to convert d‐xylose to ethanol and/or xylitol. This is an important trait, as these yeasts may be used to produce bioethanol from lignocellulosic biomass or as a source of new d‐xylose metabolism genes for recombinant industrial strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The core group of the genus Spathaspora has 22 species, both formally described and not yet described. Other species, such as Sp. allomyrinae, Candida alai, C. insectamans, C. lyxosophila, C. sake, Sp. boniae and C. subhashii are weakly associated with this clade, based on LSU rRNA gene D1/D2 sequence analyses. Spathaspora passalidarum, Sp. arborariae, Sp. gorwiae and Sp. hagerdaliae produce mostly ethanol from d‐xylose, whereas the remaining species within the Spathaspora clade already tested for this property may be considered xylitol producers. Among the d‐xylose‐fermenting Spathaspora species, Sp. passalidarum is the best ethanol producer, displaying high ethanol yields and productivities when cultured in media supplemented with this pentose under oxygen‐limited or anaerobic conditions. The species also exhibits rapid d‐xylose consumption and the ability to ferment glucose, xylose and cellobiose simultaneously. These characteristics suggest that Sp. passalidarum is a potential candidate for domestication and use in the fermentation of lignocellulosic materials. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spin-label Order Parameter Calibrations for Slow Motion
Authors: Marsh Derek
Published: September 2017

Calibrations are given to extract orientation order parameters from pseudo-powder electron paramagnetic resonance line shapes of 14N-nitroxide spin labels undergoing slow rotational diffusion. The nitroxide z-axis is assumed parallel to the long molecular axis. Stochastic-Liouville simulations of slow-motion 9.4-GHz spectra for molecular ordering with a Maier–Saupe orientation potential reveal a linear dependence of the splittings,

$$2A_{\hbox{max} }$$

2

A
max

and

$$2A_{\hbox{min} }$$

2

A
min

, of the outer and inner peaks on order parameter

$$S_{zz}$$

S

z
z

that depends on the diffusion coefficient

$$D_{{{\text{R}} \bot }}$$

D

R
⊥

which characterizes fluctuations of the long molecular axis. This results in empirical expressions for order parameter and isotropic hyperfine coupling:

$$S_{zz} = s_{1} \times \left( {A_{\hbox{max} } - A_{\hbox{min} } } \right) - s_{o}$$

S

z
z

=

s
1

×

A
max

-

A
min

-

s
o

and

$$a_{o}^{{}} = \tfrac{1}{3}\left( {f_{\hbox{max} } A_{\hbox{max} } + f_{\hbox{min} } A_{\hbox{min} } } \right) + \delta a_{o}$$

a

o

=

1
3

f
max

A
max

+

f
min

A
min

+
δ

a
o

, respectively. Values of the calibration constants

$$s_{1}$$

s
1

,

$$s_{\text{o}}$$

s
o

,

$$f_{\hbox{max} }$$

f
max

,

$$f_{\hbox{min} }$$

f
min

and

$$\delta a_{o}$$

δ

a
o

are given for different values of

$$D_{{{\text{R}} \bot }}$$

D

R
⊥

in fast and slow motional regimes. The calibrations are relatively insensitive to anisotropy of rotational diffusion

$$(D_{{{\text{R}}//}} \ge D_{{{\text{R}} \bot }} )$$

(

D

R
/
/

≥

D

R
⊥

)

, and corrections are less significant for the isotropic hyperfine coupling than for the order parameter.
Preoperative Valgus Alignment Does Not Predict Inferior Outcome of Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Kahlenberg Cynthia A. , Trivellas Myra , Lee Yuo-yu , Padgett Douglas E.
Published: September 2017

Background

Preoperative valgus deformity is present in an estimated 10–20% of patients undergoing total knee replacement (TKR).

Questions/Purposes

The objective of this study was to compare the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) scores after TKR in a matched cohort of patients with preoperative valgus and varus deformities.

Methods

This is a matched cohort study of 162 patients with varus native knees and 162 patients with valgus native knees who underwent TKR and were prospectively followed in our institutional registry. Patients matched were based on age, BMI, sex, and severity of preoperative knee deformity, which was classified as mild, moderate, severe varus or valgus, or no deformity. Outcomes were evaluated using the WOMAC preoperatively and at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively.

Results

No significant difference was found between the matched varus and valgus cohorts in all WOMAC subdomain scores except for a marginally worse stiffness at 1 year in patients with valgus deformity (WOMAC stiffness, 75.1 varus vs. 70.1 valgus; P = 0.049). This is below the minimal clinically important difference for WOMAC scores. There was no significant difference in postoperative varus/valgus alignment between the two groups ( P = 0.092)

Conclusion

We found no clinically significant difference in any of the WOMAC domains in patients with preoperative varus deformity versus valgus deformity within the first year after TKR. These findings may allow surgeons to more appropriately counsel patients with osteoarthritis with valgus deformity that they can expect similar outcomes compared to patients with varus deformity.
INTERSUBJECTIVE BELIEF
Authors: Brown Vivienne
Published: September 2017

This paper proposes a new model of shared belief amongst individual subjects based on a new approach to theorising individual subjects in social context. In this approach, which I term the intersubjective approach, individual subjects are modelled in terms of the standpoint of each of us, thereby incorporating the phenomenological standpoint of an individual subject's inclusion of herself within the plurality, ‘us’ (a class in the distributive sense). This provides resources for a new model of shared belief, including common belief, in terms of intersubjective belief, which is an individual subject's belief that ‘each of us has the same belief that p’. The paper argues that the intersubjective model of shared belief provides a non-reductive alternative to the standard interactive model of mutual belief and common belief, and so provides a non-individualistic framework for analysing shared belief in social contexts. As an illustration, the intersubjective model of common belief is applied to the Hi-Lo game; the solution is (High, High).
How to View the Parthenon through the Camera Obscura of the Tortoise
Authors: Shaw Wendy
Published: September 2017

Visiting ruins, I enjoy the texture of the weathered stones. The wide space, colored in spring by wildflowers. Open space and vistas, the heady smell of grasses drying in the hot sun. Birds sing as they have since Plato's cicadas. Once, alone near the ruins, I heard a strange rhythmic clicking in the grass: two tortoises making love. The ruins that I visit remind me of antiquity not because I picture Socrates walking through the Stoa, but because I picture him walking along the still undeveloped riverbank, smelling these grasses, listening to these birds. The simplicity that I long for, however, is not millennia away, but only centuries. It is almost at arms’ length, but just out of view. What I find there is nature in a frame of culture. Like most tourists, I cannot transform the stones into the imaginary film of antiquity that the European brain of the nineteenth century, steeped in a classical education, projected onto them. Yet their vision was no more authentic than mine: in order to project the past onto stones, they had to erase the present.
Heritage Studies and Islam: A Crisis of Representation
Authors: Rico Trinidad
Published: September 2017

It is perhaps not surprising that discussions on the topic of destruction gain the most traction in the work of heritage in public and academic discourses alike, since this is an instrumental part of the epistemology that constructs heritage as a subject of study—what is heritage if not a subject “at risk”? Concordantly, discussions of heritage destruction are a dominant theme in contemporary conversations and concerns for the fate and management of cultural heritage in the Middle East overall (i.e. Exell and Rico 2013), a tendency that is associated with the persistence and visibility of conflict in the region during a time when heritage concerns are significantly shaped by various global “observers.” What is problematic, however, is first the way that the inherently negative mantle of destruction dominateseveryconversation about the heritage of the Middle East, and how easily academic debates have incorporated institutional and public discourses about destruction, empowering a monolithic debate that would benefit from a more critical—and ethical—analysis. Secondly, what is also alarming is the degree to which destruction is often associated with specific perpetrators in this region, notably, a caricaturized Islam whose main feature is a dislike for preservation that articulates through scandalous acts of iconoclasm across the broad Middle East region (witnessed through highly circulated vignettes of destruction in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Mali, and other countries and regions). Yet, the representation of an Islam that is at odds with global heritage constructs has been extensively challenged academically, considering the varied and changing attitudes to non-Muslim forms of representation through time (Elias 2012), individual variations (Flood 2002), and their relationship to changes in political regimes (Elias 2007; Flood 2002), in such a way that a consistent or universal attitude to this type of representation cannot be supported. But, as I argue in this essay, the specter of the iconoclast unfortunately remains firmly established in popular discourse—and surprisingly, in some disciplinary discourses. But what happens outside of the realm of destruction in the heritage of the Middle East? Further, how can heritage studies support the integration of Islam in the heritage debates for the region in a way that circumvents the current misrepresentation?
No nutritional benefits of egg cannibalism forColeomegilla maculata(Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) on a high-quality diet
Authors: Abdelwahab A.H. , Michaud J.P. , Bayoumy M.H. , Awadalla S.S. , El-Gendy M.
Published: September 2017

Egg cannibalism serves various functions in the Coccinellidae. Here we examined the fitness consequences of egg cannibalism by neonates, fourth instar larvae, and prereproductive adults ofColeomegilla maculataDeGeer, with beetles fed a diet ofEphestia kuehniellaZeller eggs. Cannibalism of two eggs by neonates had no effect on development, and cannibalism of five eggs by fourth instars did not benefit any aspect of reproduction, but delayed pupation slightly. Cannibalism of eggs by pre-reproductive adults had no effect on reproductive success in any combination of reciprocal crosses of cannibals and non-cannibals. Females did not recognize, nor avoid consuming, their own clutches, and cannibalism propensity did not change following mating and onset of oviposition in either sex. These results contrast with those for more strictly aphidophagous species in which larvae gain developmental benefits, and females may recognize and avoid filial egg clusters while using cannibalism to interfere with conspecific females, whereas males reduce egg cannibalism after mating because they cannot recognize filial clusters. Egg cannibalism may confer developmental benefits toC. maculatawhen diet is suboptimal, as previously shown, but no such benefits were evident on the high-qualityE. kuehniellaegg diet. FemaleC. maculatado not require aphids to reproduce and distribute their eggs broadly in the environment, given that larvae can develop on pollen and non-aphid prey. Thus,C. maculatais not subject to the intraspecific competition that selects for cannibalism in more aphidophagous species, and also lacks many secondary adaptations associated with the behaviour.
Direct cost comparison of totally endoscopic versus open ear surgery
Authors: Patel N , Mohammadi A , Jufas N
Published: September 2017

Objective:

Totally endoscopic ear surgery is a relatively new method for managing chronic ear disease. This study aimed to test the null hypothesis that open and endoscopic approaches have similar direct costs for the management of attic cholesteatoma, from an Australian private hospital setting.

Methods:

A retrospective direct cost comparison of totally endoscopic ear surgery and traditional canal wall up mastoidectomy for the management of attic cholesteatoma in a private tertiary setting was undertaken. Indirect and future costs were excluded. A direct cost comparison of anaesthetic setup and resources, operative setup and resources, and surgical time was performed between the two techniques.

Results:

Totally endoscopic ear surgery has a mean direct cost reduction of AUD$2978.89 per operation from the hospital perspective, when compared to canal wall up mastoidectomy.

Conclusion:

Totally endoscopic ear surgery is more cost-effective, from an Australian private hospital perspective, than canal wall up mastoidectomy for attic cholesteatoma.
The genetic divergence ofOratosquilla oratoriabetween the East China Sea and Yellow Sea: physical barrier and possible local adaptation
Authors: Zhu Wenbin , Du Xinwei , Han Zhiqiang , Xu Hanxiang
Published: September 2017

In order to confirm the genetic relationship between the Yellow Sea and East China Sea populations of mantis shrimpsOratosquilla oratoria, fragments of mitochondrial DNA COI gene samples were analysed. A total of 212 individuals from nine localities in the East China Sea and Yellow Sea were collected and 108 haplotypes were detected. Neighbour-joining analysis revealed a complete genetic break between the Yellow Sea and East China Sea, which was consistent with the previous mtDNA 16S rRNA. Pleistocene isolation and the current physical barrier were responsible for the complete genetic break between the East China Sea and Yellow Sea. Furthermore, local adaptation in the COI gene may also be contributed to by the genetic differentiation between the populations of the Yellow Sea and East China. The different Ka/Ks ratios between the two clades may reflect different selection pressures and local adaptation on the fragment of COI gene.