bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Current status of the Dutch elm disease pathogen populations affecting Ulmus minor in Greece
Authors: Tziros G. T. , Nakopoulou Z. G. , Perlerou C. , Diamandis S.
Published: November 2016

One hundred and eightOphiostoma ulmisensulatoisolates were collected from field elm trees with symptoms in 14 Prefectures of Greece. The purpose of this study was to assign Greek isolates to species and afterwards subspecies of theDEDfungi and to analyse the genetic variability within the Greek populations of these pathogens. Isolates were compared with six reference strains belonging toO. ulmiand the two subspecies ofO. novo‐ulmi. The structure of the population has been analysed by means of morpho‐physiological features (growth rates, colony morphology and fertility responses) and byDNAsequencing andPCR‐RFLPamplification of the cerato‐ulmin (cu) and the colony type (col1) gene regions. According to fertility tests, both subspecies ofO. novo‐ulmiwere detected in Greece, but none of the isolates collected was identified asO. ulmi.O. novo‐ulmissp.novo‐ulmioccurred more frequently than ssp.americana(73 and 35 isolates, respectively) and their ranges overlapped. All isolates that behaved as ssp.novo‐ulmiin the fertility tests had thecu, as well as thecol1profile of ssp.novo‐ulmi. Surprisingly, all isolates that behaved asO. novo‐ulmissp.americanain the fertility test had thecu, as well as thecol1(with one exception) profile ofO. novo‐ulmissp.novo‐ulmi. A possible explanation for this inconsistency could be the occurrence of hybridization between the two subspecies in Greece.
Peripheral Nerve Blocks for the Treatment of Headache in Older Adults: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Hascalovici Jacob R. , Robbins Matthew S.
Published: November 2016

Objective

The objective of this study is to provide demographical and clinical descriptions of patients age 65 years old and older who were treated with peripheral nerve blocks (PNBs) at our institution and evaluate the safety and efficacy of this treatment.

Background

Headache disorders are common, disabling chronic neurological diseases that often persist with advancing age. Geriatric headache management poses unique therapeutic challenges because of considerations of comorbidity, drug interactions, and adverse effects. Peripheral nerve blocks are commonly used for acute and short‐term prophylactic treatment for headache disorders and may be a safer alternative to standard pharmacotherapy in this demographic.

Design

We performed a single center, retrospective chart review of patients at least 65 years of age who received peripheral nerve blocks for headache management over a 6 year period.

Results

Sixty‐four patients were mostly female (78%) with an average age of 71 years (range 65‐94). Representative headache diagnoses were chronic migraine 50%, episodic migraine 12.5%, trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia 9.4%, and occipital neuralgia 7.8%. Average number of headache days/month was 23. Common comorbidities were hypertension 48%, hyperlipidemia 42%, arthritis 27%, depression 47%, and anxiety 33%. Eighty‐nine percent were prescribed at least 1 medication fulfilling the Beers criteria. The average number of peripheral nerve blocks per patient was 4. Peripheral nerve blocks were felt to be effective in 73% for all headaches, 81% for chronic migraine, 75% for episodic migraine, 67% for chronic tension type headache, 67% for new daily persistent headache, and 60% for occipital neuralgia. There were no adverse events related to PNBs reported.

Conclusions

PNBs might be a safe and effective alternative headache management strategy for older adults. Medical and psychiatric comorbidities, medication overuse, and Beers list medication rates were extraordinarily high, giving credence to the use of peripherally administered therapies in the geriatric population that may be better tolerated and safer.
Association of ultrasound‐based measures of fetal body composition with newborn adiposity
Authors: Ikenoue S. , Waffarn F. , Sumiyoshi K. , Ohashi M. , Ikenoue C. , Buss C. , Gillen D. L. , Simhan H. N. , Entringer S. , Wadhwa P. D.
Published: November 2016

Background

Newborns exhibit substantial variation in gestational age‐adjusted and sex‐adjusted fat mass proportion. The antecedent characteristics of fetal body composition that are associated with newborn fat mass proportion are poorly understood.

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine whether a composite measure of fetal fat mass is prospectively associated with newborn adiposity.

Methods

In a longitudinal study of 109 low‐risk pregnancies, fetal ultrasonography was performed at approximately 12, 20 and 30 weeks gestation. Estimated fetal adiposity (EFA) was derived by integrating cross‐sectional arm and thigh per cent fat area and anterior abdominal wall thickness. Newborn per cent body fat was quantified by Dual Energy X‐Ray Absorptiometry. The association between EFA and newborn per cent body fat was determined by multiple linear regression.

Results

After controlling for confounding factors, EFA at 30 weeks was significantly associated with newborn per cent body fat (standardized β = 0.41, p < 0.001) and explained 24.0% of its variance, which was substantially higher than that explained by estimated fetal weight (8.1%). The observed effect was driven primarily by arm per cent fat area.

Conclusions

A composite measure of fetal adiposity at 30 weeks gestation may constitute a better predictor of newborn per cent body fat than estimated fetal weight by conventional fetal biometry. Fetal arm fat deposition may represent an early indicator of newborn adiposity. After replication, these findings may provide a basis for an improved understanding of the ontogeny of fetal fat deposition, thereby contributing to a better understanding of its intrauterine determinants and the development of potential interventions.
Combined use of a wristband and a smartphone to reduce body weight in obese children: randomized controlled trial
Authors: Mameli C. , Brunetti D. , Colombo V. , Bedogni G. , Schneider L. , Penagini F. , Borsani B. , Zuccotti G. V.
Published: November 2016

Background

Technological instruments may help control paediatric obesity.

Objective

We tested whether a personalized programme based on the energy expenditure obtained from a wristband (WB) and the energy intake obtained from a smartphone application (APP) is superior to a standard approach at promoting weight loss.

Methods

We performed a randomized controlled trial in obese children aged 10–17 years. The experimental (EXP) and control (CTR) groups were given a low‐energy diet and a prescription for physical activity. The EXP group was equipped with a WB and an APP and given personalized feedback every 7 days. The main outcome was weight loss at 3 months.

Results

The mean (standard deviation) z‐score of body mass index at the enrollment was 2.20 (0.47) in the EXP (n = 16 out of 23) and 2.09 (0.34) in the CTR group (n = 14 out of 20) of children who completed the trial. The mean (95%CI) difference in weight loss at 3 months was 0.07 kg (95%CI: 2.81 to 2.96) for EXP vs. the CTR.

Conclusion

A personalized lifestyle programme based on a WB and an APP was not superior to a standard lifestyle programme at promoting weight loss in obese children.
Diagnostic Masking and Overshadowing in Intellectual Disability—How Structured Evaluation Helps
Authors: Manohar Harshini , Subramanian Karthick , Kandasamy Preeti , Penchilaiya Venkatalakshmi , Arun Anandbabu
Published: November 2016

PROBLEM

Comorbid psychiatric diagnoses tend to be underdiagnosed in patients with intellectual disability. Diagnosing anxiety disorders in such patients can pose challenges, in particular with regard to obsessive and compulsive disorder (OCD).

METHODS

We present the case of an adolescent diagnosed with intellectual disability with poor expressive language skills who presented with nonspecific mood and behavioral symptoms, not improving with routine clinical evaluations and treatment. A structured assessment was done to decipher the psychopathology.

FINDINGS

The structured evaluation was able to diagnose OCD, and the treatment response was accentuated, bringing about a significant reduction in patient and caregiver distress. Psychosocial interventions through nurses played a significant role.

CONCLUSIONS

The case highlights the need for a systematic assessment of patients with intellectual disability to arrive at reliable diagnoses and to plan appropriate treatment strategies.
Team‐Based Interprofessional Competency Training for Dementia Screening and Management
Authors: Tan Zaldy S. , Damron‐Rodriguez JoAnn , Cadogan Mary , Gans Daphna , Price Rachel M. , Merkin Sharon S. , Jennings Lee , Schickedanz Heather , Shimomura Sam , Osterweil Dan , Chodosh Joshua
Published: November 2016

As many as 50% of people satisfying diagnostic criteria for dementia are undiagnosed. A team‐based training program for dementia screening and management was developed targeting four professions (medicine, nursing, pharmacy, social work) whose scope of practice involves dementia care. An interprofessional group of 10 faculty members was trained to facilitate four interactive competency stations on dementia screening, differential diagnoses, dementia management and team care planning, and screening for and managing caregiver stress. Registrants were organized into teams of five members, with at least one member of each profession per team. The teams rotated through all stations, completing assigned tasks through interprofessional collaboration. A total of 117 professionals (51 physicians, 11 nurses, 20 pharmacists, 24 social workers, 11 others) successfully completed the program. Change scores showed significant improvements in overall competence in dementia assessment and intervention (very low = 1; very high = 5; average change 1.12, P < .001), awareness of importance of dementia screening (average change 0.85, P < .001), and confidence in managing medication (average change 0.86, P < .001). Eighty‐seven participants (82.9%) reported feeling confident or very confident using the dementia toolkit at their home institution. In a survey administered 3 months after the session, 48 respondents reported that they had changed their approach to administering the Mini‐Cog test (78%), differential diagnosis (49%), assessment of caregiver stress (74%), and accessing community support and services (69%). In conclusion, team‐based interprofessional competency training is a team teaching model that can be used to enhance competency in dementia screening and management in medical, nursing, pharmacy, and social work practitioners.
Physical Activity and Other Determinants of Survival in the Oldest Adults
Authors: Muscari Antonio , Bianchi Giampaolo , Forti Paola , Giovagnoli Marco , Magalotti Donatella , Pandolfi Paolo , Zoli Marco ,   the Pianoro Study Group
Published: November 2016

Objectives

To determine the role of physical activity as a possible survival determinant in the oldest adults.

Design

Prospective, longitudinal, population‐based cohort.

Setting

The Pianoro Study of community‐dwelling older adults in three towns in northern Italy.

Participants

Noninstitutionalized individuals aged 85 and older (n = 500; mean age 89.6 ± 3.1, 65% female).

Measurements

Participants provided information on marital status, educational level, previous work activity, cardiovascular risk factors, previous cardiovascular events, self‐rated health, joint pain, and functional status. Physical activity was quantified using the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly. Seven‐year mortality was known for all subjects.

Results

During the 7 years of follow‐up, 365 subjects died. According to Cox proportional hazards regression, the following factors were found to be independently associated with mortality: PASE score (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.987, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.981–0.993, P < .001), male sex (HR = 1.642, 95% CI = 1.411–2.068, P < .001), age in years (HR = 1.077, 95% CI = 1.040–1.116, P < .001), previous stroke (HR = 1.908, 95% CI = 1.362–2.673, P < .001), poor self care (HR = 1.662, 95% CI = 1.231–2.246, P < .001), neck pain (HR = 0.649, 95% CI = 0.497–0.849, P = .002), self rated health (HR = 0.991, 95% CI = 0.985–0.997, P = .002).

Conclusion

In the oldest adults, accurate quantification of physical activity may provide important prognostic information. The predictive value of cardiovascular risk factors, except age, male sex, and prior stroke, was confirmed to be negligible. An unexpected inverse association between neck pain and mortality may require further investigation.
Cape Town’s Metabolism: Insights from a Material Flow Analysis
Authors: Hoekman Paul , von Blottnitz Harro
Published: November 2016

This work aims to contribute to the number of urban metabolism case studies using a standardized methodology. An economy‐wide material flow analysis (EW‐MFA) was conducted on the Metropolitan Municipality of Cape Town (South Africa) for the year 2013, using the Eurostat framework. The study provides insights into the city's metabolism through various indicators including direct material input (DMI), domestic material consumption (DMC), and direct material output (DMO), among others. In order to report on the uncertainty of the data, a set of data quality indicators originating from the life cycle assessment literature was used.

The results show that domestic extraction involves significant quantities of non‐metallic minerals, and that imports consist primarily of biomass and fossil fuels. The role of the city as a regional hub is also made clear from this study and illustrated by large quantities of food and other materials flowing through the city on their way to or from international markets. The results are compared with indicators from other cities and with previous metabolism work done on Cape Town.

To fully grasp the impacts of the city's metabolism, more work needs to be done. It will be necessary to understand the upstream impact of local consumption, and consumption patterns should be differentiated on a more nuanced level (taking into account large differences between household income levels as well as separating the metabolism of industry and commerce from residential consumption).
Optimising qualitative longitudinal analysis: Insights from a study of traumatic brain injury recovery and adaptation
Authors: Fadyl Joanna K , Channon Alexis , Theadom Alice , McPherson Kathryn M ,   the TBI Experiences Research Group
Published: November 2016

Knowledge about aspects that influence recovery and adaptation in the postacute phase of disabling health events is key to understanding how best to provide appropriate rehabilitation and health services. Qualitative longitudinal research makes it possible to look for patterns, key time points and critical moments that could be vital for interventions and supports. However, strategies that support robust data management and analysis for longitudinal qualitative research in health‐care are not well documented in the literature. This article reviews three challenges encountered in a large longitudinal qualitative descriptive study about experiences of recovery and adaptation after traumatic brain injury in New Zealand, and the strategies and technologies used to address them. These were (i) tracking coding and analysis decisions during an extended analysis period; (ii) navigating interpretations over time and in response to new data; and (iii) exploiting data volume and complexity. Concept mapping during coding review, a considered combination of information technologies, employing both cross‐sectional and narrative analysis, and an expectation that subanalyses would be required for key topics helped us manage the study in a way that facilitated useful and novel insights. These strategies could be applied in other qualitative longitudinal studies in healthcare inquiry to optimise data analysis and stimulate important insights.
Photoperiod‐ and temperature‐mediated control of phenology in trees – a molecular perspective
Authors: Singh Rajesh Kumar , Svystun Tetiana , AlDahmash Badr , Jönsson Anna Maria , Bhalerao Rishikesh P.
Published: November 2016

Trees growing in boreal and temperate regions synchronize their growth with seasonal climatic changes in adaptive responses that are essential for their survival. These trees cease growth before the winter and establish a dormant state during which growth cessation is maintained by repression of responses to growth‐promotive signals. Reactivation of growth in the spring follows the release from dormancy promoted by prolonged exposure to low temperature during the winter. The timing of the key events and regulation of the molecular programs associated with the key stages of the annual growth cycle are controlled by two main environmental cues: photoperiod and temperature. Recently, key components mediating photoperiodic control of growth cessation and bud set have been identified, and striking similarities have been observed in signaling pathways controlling growth cessation in trees and floral transition in Arabidopsis. Although less well understood, the regulation of bud dormancy and bud burst may involve cell–cell communication and chromatin remodeling. Here, we discuss current knowledge of the molecular‐level regulation of the annual growth cycle of woody trees in temperate and boreal regions, and identify key questions that need to be addressed in the future.

Contents

Summary
511

I.
Introduction
511

II.
Key developmental stages of the annual growth cycle
512

III.
Control of growth cessation and bud set by seasonal cues
513

IV.
How does photoperiod control developmental transitions?
513

V.
The role of temperature in growth cessation and bud set
517

VI.
Establishment and release of bud dormancy
517

VII.
Natural variation in the regulation of distinct stages of annual growth cycles in trees
521

VIII.
Conclusions
521

Acknowledgements
521

References
521
Environmental and evolutionary effects on horn growth of male bighorn sheep
Authors: Douhard Mathieu , Pigeon Gabriel , Festa‐Bianchet Marco , Coltman David W. , Guillemette Simon , Pelletier Fanie
Published: November 2016

The development of male secondary sexual characters such as antlers or horns has substantial biological and socio‐economic importance because in many species these traits affect male fitness positively through sexual selection and negatively through trophy hunting. Both environmental conditions and selective hunting can affect horn growth but their relative importance remains unexplored. We first examined how a large‐scale climate index, the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), local weather and population density influenced both absolute and relative annual horn growth from birth to three years of male bighorn sheep Ovis canadensis over 42 years. We then examined the relative influence of environmental conditions and evolution mainly driven by trophy hunting on male horn length at three years of age. Horn growth was positively influenced by low population density and warm spring temperature, suggesting that ongoing climate change should lead to larger horns. Seasonal values of PDO were highly correlated. Horn growth increased with PDO in spring or summer at low density, but was weak at high density regardless of PDO. The interaction between population density and PDO in spring or summer accounted for a similar proportion of the observed annual variation in horn growth (32% or 37%) as did the additive effects of spring temperature and density (34%). When environmental conditions deteriorated, males allocated relatively more resources to summer mass gain than to horn growth, suggesting a conservative strategy favoring maintenance of condition over allocation to secondary sexual characters. Population density explained 27% of the variation in horn length, while evolutionary effects explained 9% of the variance. Thus, our study underlines the importance of both evolution and phenotypic plasticity on the development of a secondary sexual trait.
Anesthesia maintenance with ‘induction dose only’ sevoflurane during pediatric ophthalmic examination: comparison with standard low‐flow technique through a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Datta Priyankar K. , Sinha Renu , Ray Bikash Ranjan , Jambunathan Venkateswaran , Kundu Riddhi
Published: November 2016

Background

Sevoflurane is preferred for pediatric day care procedures. However, financial and environmental costs remain major limitations. Induction dose of sevoflurane could itself be sufficient for maintaining anesthesia with low fresh gas flow during short noninvasive procedures.

Methods

Fifty children, aged 1–5 years, scheduled for ophthalmic examination under anesthesia, were randomized into two groups. All children were induced with 8% sevoflurane in O2 : N2O (40 : 60). In the Group S, anesthesia was maintained with 2% sevoflurane at 1 l·min−1 fresh gas flow [O2 : N2O = 50 : 50]. In Group L, the sevoflurane vaporizer was turned off and fresh gas flow was reduced to 0.5 l·min−1 [O2 : N2O = 50 : 50]. HR, BP, MAC, BIS, total sevoflurane consumption, ocular deviation, body movement, time to laryngeal mask airway removal (TWO), and airway complications were compared between the groups. Rescue propofol bolus was used, if needed.

Results

Median duration of examination was 14 min (IQR = 9–17) in Group S and 15 min (IQR = 10–17) in Group L. Sevoflurane consumption was lower in the Group L (7 ml) compared to Group S (9 ml) [median difference = 2 ml, P < 0.001, 95% CI = 0.96–3.04]. TWO was lower in Group L (86 s) compared to Group S (131 s) [median difference = 45 s, P = 0.002, 95% CI = 19.85–70.15]. There was no difference in hemodynamic parameters, incidence of ocular deviation, movement or airway complications, and need for rescue propofol.

Conclusion

Induction dose of sevoflurane is, in itself, adequate for maintaining anesthesia for short noninvasive ophthalmic examinations lasting approximately 15 min. This method significantly reduces sevoflurane consumption and cost.
First steps in validating the pediatric anesthesia parent satisfaction (PAPS) survey
Authors: Milliken‐Glabe Sarah J. , Zuk Jeannie , Ziniel Sonja I. , Bjur Kara A. , Alvarez Monica , Szolnoki Judit M. , Janosy Norah R.
Published: November 2016

Background

In the last few decades, patient satisfaction has become a critical component of quality assessment and is being incorporated into payment for performance plans. However, assessment of satisfaction with anesthesia services is problematic and few validated satisfaction tools have been published. Assessing parent satisfaction with pediatric anesthesia services is even more challenging.

Objective

Our aim was to develop, implement, and start validating a set of survey questions that evaluate parental satisfaction with the pediatric anesthesia services in order to identify strengths and potential areas for improvement.

Methods

The Pediatric Anesthesia Parent Satisfaction (PAPS) survey contained 17 questions adapted from the American Society of Anesthesiologists Committee on Outcomes and Performance Measures. With consent of the hospital quality improvement committee, the PAPS survey was randomly administered on iPads to 250 English‐speaking parents in the main operating room and procedure center postanesthesia care units prior to discharge. Statistical analyses including descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, Cronbach's alpha and Raykov's rho coefficients, composite scale creation, correlations between items, composite scores, and overall satisfaction measures were used to provide evidence for a subset of validity and reliability types.

Results and Conclusions

The PAPS survey is a short and simple tool for evaluation of parent satisfaction with pediatric anesthesia services and provides some evidence for validity and reliability. The majority (greater than 95%) of parents reported were satisfied or very satisfied with the care provided by the pediatric anesthesia department.
Facilitators and Repressors of Transcription‐coupled DNA Repair in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Li Wentao , Li Shisheng
Published: November 2016

Nucleotide excision repair is a well‐conserved DNA repair pathway that removes bulky and/or helix‐distorting DNA lesions, such as UV‐induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and pyrimidine (6‐4) pyrimidone photoproducts. Transcription‐coupled repair (TCR) is a subpathway of nucleotide excision repair that is dedicated to rapid removal of DNA lesions in the transcribed strand of actively transcribed genes. In eukaryotic cells, TCR is triggered by RNA polymerase II (RNAP II). Rad26, a DNA‐dependent ATPase, Rpb9, a nonessential subunit of RNAP II, and Sen1, a 5′ to 3′ RNA/DNA and DNA helicase, have been shown to facilitate TCR in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In contrast, a number of factors have also been found to repress TCR in the yeast. These TCR repressors include Rpb4, another nonessential subunit of RNAP II, Spt4/5, a transcription elongation factor complex, and the RNAP II‐associated factor 1 complex (PAFc). It appears that the eukaryotic TCR process involves intricate interplays of RNAP II with TCR facilitators and repressors. In this minireview, we summarize recent advances in TCR in S. cerevisiae.
Firefly Luciferase‐based Fusion Proteins and their Applications in Bioanalysis
Authors: Smirnova Daria V. , Ugarova Natalia N.
Published: November 2016

Firefly luciferase is widely used in molecular biology and bioanalytical systems as a reporter molecule due to the high quantum yield of the bioluminescence, availability of stable mutant forms of the enzyme with prescribed spectral characteristics and abundance of bacterial expression systems suitable for production of recombinant proteins in limitless quantities. In this review, we described fusion proteins of luciferase with biotin‐binding domain and streptavidin, with proteins A and G, antibodies, with DNA‐ and RNA‐binding proteins, as well as fusion proteins designed for BRET systems. The firefly luciferase‐based fusion proteins are represented as an effective tool for the development of different bioanalytical systems such as (1) systems in which luciferase is attached to the surface of the target and the bioluminescence signal is detected from the specific complexes formed; (2) BRET‐based systems, in which the specific interaction induces changes in the bioluminescence spectrum; and (3) systems that use modified or split luciferases, in which the luciferase activity changes under the action of the analyte. All these systems have wide application in biochemical analysis of physiologically important compounds, for the detection of pathogenic bacteria and viruses, for evaluation of protein–protein interactions, assaying of metabolites involved in cell communication and cell signaling.
A meta‐analysis of integrated multitrophic aquaculture: extractive species growth is most successful within close proximity to open‐water fish farms
Authors: Kerrigan Daniel , Suckling Coleen C.
Published: November 2016

Fish farming in open water releases dissolved and particulate waste (inorganic and organic) into the surrounding marine environment. To reduce this environmental impact, commercial extractive species can be grown alongside to utilize and reduce this waste, a technique known as integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA). Information is lacking on whether (i) IMTA is generally successful with respect to extractive species growth responses and (ii) at what spatial scale they can be cultivated from fish cage nutrient sources. Focussing on bivalves and macroalgae as extractive species, this study uses a meta‐analysis approach to summarize and conclude peer‐reviewed data on IMTA to address these information gaps. We show that there are clear benefits to integrating bivalves and macroalgae with fish farms. Bivalves grown within, and relatively near, fish cages (0 m and 1–60 m distance categories, respectively) showed significantly higher biomass production relative to controls compared to those grown at larger spatial scales (61+ m). However, biomass production of macroalgae was significantly higher than controls only within close proximity to fish cages (0 m). This information shows increased extractive species production is generally greatest at relatively small spatial scales. It also highlights the need for more site‐specific information (e.g. seawater parameters, hydrodynamics, food supply, farm capacity) in future studies. The allocation of control sites and locating these at suitable distances (>1–8 km) from fish farm effluent sources to avoid fish farm nutrient contamination are also recommended.
Fields of Study and the Earnings Gap by Race in Brazil
Authors: Reis Mauricio
Published: November 2016

Workers with tertiary education in Brazil earn three times more than those with a lower level of schooling. Thus, the attainment of a bachelor's or graduate degree by a black worker usually provides important benefits at the individual level. However, an educational improvement of this type does not assure equal labor market outcomes relative to white workers with the same level of education. The labor earnings differential by race in Brazil is high even among individuals who completed at least a bachelor's degree. This paper investigates this labor earnings gap, emphasizing the unequal distribution of whites and blacks across fields of study. Evidence indicates that disparities in the distribution of racial groups across fields of study help explain 18% of the total median earnings differential in 2000 and 33% in 2010, accounting for most of the gap between white and black workers due to characteristic effects in this latter period.
The Impact of Ageing and the Speed of Ageing on the Economic Growth of Least Developed, Emerging and Developed Countries, 1990–2013
Authors: Teixeira Aurora A. C. , Renuga Nagarajan N. , Silva Sandra T.
Published: November 2016

Studies relating ageing and countries’ economic performance address mostly developed economies. However, extant studies demonstrate that less developed countries (LDC) and emerging economies (EE) are reaching the transition process faster than those from developed regions, which renders the speed of ageing, besides ageing, a critical variable to explore in this context. Comparing system dynamic panel data estimations for 40 LDC, 19 EE and 28 developed countries (DC), between 1990 and 2013, we uncovered that ageing is detrimental to countries’ economic growth, with noticeable nuances depending on countries’ development level. The current level of ageing significantly and negatively impacts on DC's growth but not on that of LDC or EE. For these latter groups, the most relevant issue is the speed of ageing. The current annual growth of old age dependency ratio significantly diminishes EE's growth prospects whereas the lagged annual growth of the ageing index and the old age dependency ratio significantly curtails LDC's growth. Such results emphasize the need for urgent public policies that might mitigate the imbalance in LDCs’ age structure before the speed of ageing leads LDCs to become even much poorer.
Accountability Challenges in the Transnational Regime Complex for Climate Change
Authors: Widerberg Oscar , Pattberg Philipp
Published: November 2016

This article discusses challenges to accountability in the context of transnational climate governance. It argues that the emergence of a distinct transnational regime complex and the increasingly integrated structure of international and transnational climate governance create new challenges for using established analytical frameworks that rely on accountability regimes for individual actor types. Instead, studying accountability requires a system‐level conceptualization and a revisiting of accountability regimes, taking diversity and networked governance structures into account. Using data from the CONNECT‐project on the transnational regime complex for climate change, the article uses a framework of six elements of an accountability regime to identify three overarching accountability challenges. First, the expanding borders of the transnational regime complex for climate change are starting to shift accountability from the multilateral level (the UNFCCC) to a networked and more intricate structure. Second, transparency, monitoring, and reporting remain an urgent challenge despite a rapidly increasing flow of data and repositories in particular concerning ex‐post impacts. Third, the availability and utility of sanctions are poorly understood in the context of transnational climate governance.
From Falsemakers to Negative Properties
Authors: Paolini Paoletti Michele
Published: November 2016

I shall argue in this article that, if we need to admit of negative facts in our ontology as falsemakers of false propositions (as I try to demonstrate in a 2014 article by a falsemaker argument), then it is plausible to accept that there are also negative properties conceived of as modes. After having briefly recalled the falsemaker argument, I shall explore five different alternative interpretations of negative facts and I shall demonstrate that each alternative – except for the one involving negative properties – is affected by some problems. Later on, I shall deal with a number of objections against negative properties and I shall demonstrate that they can be overcome without much difficulty. Eventually, I shall tackle Nick Zangwill's argument against the thesis that negative properties are as real as positive ones. Among other things, I shall argue that Zangwill's argument is at least limited in its scope, since it only works with negative and positive determinates within some common determinable.
Deferral for low hemoglobin is not associated with increased risk of infection in Danish blood donors
Authors: Kotzé Sebastian R. , Pedersen Ole B. , Petersen Mikkel S. , Sørensen Erik , Manh Dinh Khoa , Agergård Kaspersen Kathrine , Rigas Andreas S. , Hjalgrim Henrik , Rostgaard Klaus , Edgren Gustaf , Ullum Henrik , Erikstrup Christian
Published: November 2016

BACKGROUND

Low hemoglobin (Hb) is associated with poor general health and adverse outcomes in a wide range of diseases. However, a link between Hb levels and the risk of infection among healthy individuals has yet to be investigated.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Using data from the Scandinavian Donations and Transfusions database, 497,390 donors were followed after 5,458,499 donations in health registers. With 1,339,362 person‐years of follow‐up, Andersen‐Gill Cox regression was used to study the association of Hb levels below deferral thresholds, very low Hb levels (in the lowest 0.1 percentile), and declining Hb levels with the risk of infection as measured by hospital or outpatient contact for infection and filling of prescription for antimicrobials, respectively, within 3 months of donation. Analyses were stratified by sex, menopausal status, and frequency of donation.

RESULTS

Hb levels below deferral thresholds were not associated with a risk of hospital contact for infection among premenopausal women (hazard ratio [HR], 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.95‐1.14), postmenopausal women (HR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.54‐1.11), or men (HR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.81‐1.16), nor was there any association with hospital contact for very low Hb levels or patterns of declining Hb levels. However, subthreshold Hb levels were associated with a reduced risk of antimicrobial prescriptions among premenopausal women (HR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.91‐0.93), postmenopausal women (HR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.89‐0.97), and men (HR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.88‐0.94).

CONCLUSIONS

Neither Hb levels below deferral thresholds nor very low or declining Hb levels were associated with an increased risk of infection. This is reassuring, because blood donation can lead to lower Hb levels.
What do Unions Do? Media Framing of the Two‐Faces of Labor
Authors: Brimeyer Ted , Silva Eric O. , Byrne R. Jolene
Published: November 2016

In What Do Unions Do? Freeman and Medoff argued that researchers need to focus on both the collective voice face (positive) and monopoly face (negative) of unions in their analyses of organized labor. While economists have used this typology in their research, other fields have generally ignored it. This research explores media coverage of organized labor using an original coding scheme based on the work of Freeman and Medoff. The New York Times’, Washington Post's, and Wall Street Journal's coverage of the Employee Free Choice Act were analyzed to determine if the two‐face typology is evident in media coverage of unions, if the articles could be coded reliability using the scheme, and how the results compared to previous content analyses of labor. Results show that the scheme can be used reliably and that, similar to other studies, unions are portrayed negatively. We conclude with suggestions for further research using the two‐face typology in the analysis of organized labor.
Vagal denervation inhibits the increase in pulmonary blood flow during partial lung aeration at birth
Authors: Lang Justin A. R. , Pearson James T. , Binder‐Heschl Corinna , Wallace Megan J. , Siew Melissa L. , Kitchen Marcus J. , te Pas Arjan B. , Lewis Robert A. , Polglase Graeme R. , Shirai Mikiyasu , Hooper Stuart B.
Published: November 2016

Key points

Lung aeration at birth significantly increases pulmonary blood flow, which is unrelated to increased oxygenation or other spatial relationships that match ventilation to perfusion.

Using simultaneous X‐ray imaging and angiography in near‐term rabbits, we investigated the relative contributions of the vagus nerve and oxygenation to the increase in pulmonary blood flow at birth.

Vagal denervation inhibited the global increase in pulmonary blood flow induced by partial lung aeration, although high inspired oxygen concentrations can partially mitigate this effect.

The results of the present study indicate that a vagal reflex may mediate a rapid global increase in pulmonary blood flow in response to partial lung aeration.

Air entry into the lungs at birth triggers major cardiovascular changes, including a large increase in pulmonary blood flow (PBF) that is not spatially related to regional lung aeration. To investigate the possible underlying role of a vagally‐mediated stimulus, we used simultaneous phase‐contrast X‐ray imaging and angiography in near‐term (30 days of gestation) vagotomized (n = 15) or sham‐operated (n = 15) rabbit kittens. Rabbits were imaged before ventilation, when one lung was ventilated (unilateral) with 100% nitrogen (N2), air or 100% oxygen (O2), and after all kittens were switched to unilateral ventilation in air and then ventilation of both lungs using air. Compared to control kittens, vagotomized kittens had little or no increase in PBF in both lungs following unilateral ventilation when ventilation occurred with 100% N2 or with air. However, relative PBF did increase in vagotomized animals ventilated with 100% O2, indicating the independent stimulatory effects of local oxygen concentration and autonomic innervation on the changes in PBF at birth. These findings demonstrate that vagal denervation inhibits the previously observed increase in PBF with partial lung aeration, although high inspired oxygen concentrations can partially mitigate this effect.
Reducing Fatigue Loading due to Pressure Shift in Discrete Fluid Power Force Systems
Authors: Hansen Anders Hedegaard , Pedersen Henrik C.
Published: November 2016

Discrete Fluid Power Force Systems is one of the topologies gaining focus in the pursuit of lowering energy losses in fluid power transmission systems.

The cylinder based Fluid Power Force System considered in this article is constructed with a multi-chamber cylinder, a number of constant pressure lines and a valve manifold. The valve manifold is used to control the connections between the cylinder chambers and the pressure lines and hereby the resulting force form the cylinder.

The valve manifold is equipped with fast on/off valves. However, shifting between pressure lines may yield pressure oscillations in the cylinder chamber, especially for systems with long connections between the cylinder and the valve manifold. Hose pressure oscillations will induce oscillations in the produced piston force. Hence, pressure oscillations may increase the fatigue loading on systems employing a discrete fluid power force system.

The current paper investigates the correlation between pressure oscillations in the cylinder chambers and valve flow in the manifold. Furthermore, the correlation between the pressure shifting time and the pressure overshoot is investigated. The study therefore focus on how to shape the valve flow in the manifold to reduce the added fatigue loads.

A simple transmission line model is developed for the analysis. Two inputs are given in the Laplace domain and the time domain solution of the cylinder pressure to the given inputs are derived through inverse Laplace transformation. Based on the time domain solutions the pressure overshoot for various pressure shifting times is investigated.

With the two input functions defined by the pressure shifting time, T, the main results of the current paper show the correlation between the minimum shifting time and the pressure overshoot in a given cylinder chamber with a given line connection.
Investigation of Thermal Effects in Direct Driven Hydraulic System for Off-Road Machinery
Authors: Karlén Niko , Minav Tatiana , Pietola Matti
Published: November 2016

Several types of off-road machinery, such as industrial trucks, forklifts, excavators, mobile cranes, and wheel loaders, are set to be operated in environments which can differ considerably from each other. This sets certain limits for both the drive transmissions and working hydraulics of these machines. The ambient temperature must be taken into account when selecting the hydraulic fluid since the viscosity and density of the fluid are changing at different operating temperatures.

In addition to the temperature, energy efficiency can also be a problem in off-road machinery. In most off-road machines, diesel engines are employed to produce mechanical energy. However, there are energy losses during the working process, which causes inefficiency in produced energy. For better energy efficiency, hybridization in off-road machinery is an effective method to decrease fuel consumption and increase energy savings. One of the possible methods to save energy with hybrids is energy regeneration. However, it means that the basic hydraulic system inside off-road machinery needs to be modified. One solution for this is to utilize zonal or decentralized approach by means of direct driven hydraulic (DDH) system.

This paper aims to investigate a DDH system for off-road machinery by means of modelling and analyzing the effect of the temperature. In the direct-driven hydraulic system, the actuator is controlled directly by the hydraulic pump which is operated by the electric motor. Specifically, it is a valveless closed-loop hydraulic system. Thus, there will be no energy losses caused by the valves, and the total efficiency is assumed to be significantly higher.

In order to examine the DDH system, a thermo-hydraulic model was created. Additionally, a thermal camera was utilized in order to illustrate the temperature changes in the components of the DDH system. To reproduce the action of the system in different circumstances DDH system was run at different ambient temperatures, and the component temperatures in the system were measured and saved for the analysis. The thermo hydraulic model was proven capable to follow the general trend of heating up.
Controller Design for Precise and Efficient Industrial Cylinder Drives Using Independent Metering Valves
Authors: Kolks Giacomo , Weber Jürgen
Published: November 2016

Valve controlled cylinder drives are an obvious choice whenever high loads are manipulated in translational motion with demanding requirements in terms of dynamic properties, accuracy, and costs. Improvements of energetic efficiency of valve control can be achieved by separating metering edges, allowing for different operating modes and thus adapting to different load scenarios.

In this paper, multiple-input-multiple-output closed loop control approaches are investigated in order to control cylinder speed and pressure in one cylinder chamber for a configuration with five 2/2-directional valves. By utilizing the flatness property of the system, the flatness-based tracking controller and the flatness based internal model controller will be described, developed and tested. They are adapted to the excessive number of command variables by introducing extended input. Based on validation on a test rig, the characteristics of both control approaches are pointed out.

The control strategy is fitted to a smooth mode switching algorithm published by the authors previously. It is shown that by making use of the degrees of freedom involved in the presented system, different operating modes can be switched smoothly in closed loop control. This contributes to the applicability of energetic potentials of independent metering.
Nonsymmetrical Flow Compensation Using Hydraulic Accumulator in Direct Driven Differential Cylinder Application
Authors: Järf Alexander , Minav Tatiana , Pietola Matti
Published: November 2016

This paper presents a novel hydraulic setup, direct driven hydraulics (DDH), which consists of two pumps on a common axis driven by a servomotor. These pumps are directly connected to each chamber of a differential hydraulic cylinder. The pumps are dimensioned so that the respective nominal sizes corresponds to the expected flows of each cylinder chamber. However, the dimensioning of the pumps are slightly off, leading to an excess rise of pressure in the B-chamber. This paper investigates if the implementation of a hydraulic accumulator can mitigate this mismatch problem. A Matlab/Simulink model was created and utilized for simulating the optimal accumulator parameters for energy efficiency. The optimal alternative was implemented to the research setup and energy efficiency measurements are performed with various loads and different ambient temperatures. The results shows that this solution was a viable alternative and that the energy efficiency of this setup was improved.
Thermal Impact of Different Cooling Sleeve’s Flow Geometries in Motorized High-Speed Spindles of Machine Tools
Authors: Weber Juliane , Shabi Linart , Weber Jürgen
Published: November 2016

This paper presents an experimental investigation and computer simulation of motor cooling sleeves in machine tools’ spindles in order to examine their thermo-energetic behavior. First of all, most typical designs of cooling sleeves are identified, e. g. the single helical and the double helical channel structure. The paper highlights the simulation of these different cooling sleeve designs by means of network models with lumped parameters and computational fluid dynamics (CFD). With the help of CFD analyses, which can also take the conjugate heat transfer (CHT) into account, a profound understanding of the flow effects and the complex thermo-energetic exchange processes between the body and the flowing inside can be achieved. Because these very exacting CFD models require lengthy computation times, they have to be reduced to time-saving calculation models like network models. This step is essential for the planned integration in the control of the machine tool in order to correct the tool center point (TCP) errors due to thermo-elastic deformations. Finally, the developed thermo-hydraulic models are validated against measurements on a developed test rig utilizing thermocouples and a thermographic camera to capture temperatures. The results demonstrate that the presented models allow a sufficiently accurate characterization of the thermo-energetic behavior of motor spindles’ cooling sleeves in order to achieve enhanced prediction of the temperature distribution as well as an increase in manufacturing accuracy.

In conclusion, it is shown how the resulting network calculation models can be used within the project group by integrating them into the complete model of the virtual machine tool in order to predict and correct its thermo-elastic deformations that will be part of the ongoing investigations.