bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seguridad social y rendimiento empresarial. El caso de las pymes vietnamitas
Authors: LEE Sangheon , TORM Nina
Published: September 2017

Se investiga cómo la provisión de cobertura social –un factor clave de la formalidad– afecta al rendimiento de las pymes en Viet Nam. Con datos censales de todas las empresas declaradas de 2006 a 2011, los autores encuentran que las que aumentan su cobertura social en un 10 por ciento experimentan un aumento del ingreso por trabajador del 1,4 al 2 por ciento y un incremento del beneficio de hasta el 1,8 por ciento, dependiendo del tiempo de supervivencia. Sin embargo, dado el desfase entre la «inversión» y sus retornos (mejora del rendimiento), medidas como la subvención de las cotizaciones iniciales podrían incentivar la participación en los regímenes obligatorios.
Initial Assessment of the Weavability of Monazite‐Coated Oxide Fibers
Authors: Boakye Emmanuel E. , Mah Tail , Cooke Charles M. , Keller Kristin , Kerans Ronald J.
Published: September 2017

A preliminary assessment was made of the viability of weaving cloth from LaPO4 (monazite) coated Nextel™ 720 and Nextel 610 fiber tows. As part of the assessment, the effect of coating speed on coating uniformity was evaluated. The results enabled the selection of a higher coating speed (6 cm·s−1) for the coating and sizing of Nextel 610 tow. Sizing the coated tow with polyvinyl alcohol/polyethylene glycol dissolved in water was found to be effective. The coatings remained on the fibers, and the fiber strength was retained following the weaving process.
Scope of Nursing Practice in a Tertiary Pediatric Setting: Associations With Nurse and Job Characteristics and Job Satisfaction
Authors: Déry Johanne , Clarke Sean P. , D'Amour Danielle , Blais Régis
Published: September 2017

Purpose

While professional nursing, like other health professions, has a recognized educational base and a legal scope of practice that is remarkably consistent across societies, there are important variations even within the same institution or organization in the extent to which professional nurses engage in the full range of activities for which they are qualified. There has been limited study of enacted (actual) scope of nursing practice (ESOP) or of its impacts on nurse job outcomes, such as job satisfaction. The aim of this study is to measure ESOP, as well as its predictors and impact on job satisfaction, in a specialty university‐affiliated tertiary referral center in one of the few remaining jurisdictions outside the United States that continue to educate registered nurses at multiple educational levels.

Methods

This was a correlational cross‐sectional design using structural equation modeling. Self‐administered questionnaires were completed by 301 registered nurses holding permanent positions in specific clinical areas for 6 months or longer in a pediatric hospital in the province of Quebec, Canada.

Findings

ESOP or actual scope of practice was low—on average, nurses applied the range of skills within their theoretical scopes of practice only occasionally or “less than frequently” in their daily work (3.21 out of a possible 6 points). ESOP was strongly related to decision latitude (β = 0.319; p  = .012), role ambiguity (β = 0.297; p  = .011), and role overload (β  =  0.201; p  = .012). The personal characteristics that exerted the greatest direct influence on ESOP were education level (β  =  0.128; p  = .015) and growth need strength (β  =  0.151; p  = .008). Results also showed that ESOP exerts a direct positive influence on nurses’ job satisfaction (β  =  0.118; p  = .006). Structural equation modeling analyses revealed a good fit of the data to the hypothesized conceptual model (χ²/df ratio index =  1.68, root mean square error of approximation  =  0.049, confirmatory fit index  =  0.985).

Conclusions

Specific aspects of nurses’ jobs are closely related to ESOP. ESOP is limited by certain job and personal characteristics and appears to affect nurses’ job satisfaction.

Clinical Relevance

Results suggest that ESOP might be improved by adjusting nursing job characteristics and practice environments and that expanding ESOP increases nurse job satisfaction and may improve other health system outcomes as well.
Associations of attachment orientation with early generative concern across adolescence
Authors: Lawford Heather L. , Doyle Anna‐Beth , Markiewicz Dorothy
Published: September 2017

Objective

Researchers have begun to find evidence that generativity, defined as concern for future generations as a legacy of the self, has relevance prior to midlife. Examination of predictors of generativity in adolescence contributes to an overall model of positive development in youth. Bowlby's theory of attachment, a well‐established framework for understanding close relationships, was applied in this study of how adolescents' approach to close relationships predicts early generativity.

Method

Approximately 190 adolescents (Mage = 15) completed self‐report measures of attachment (anxiety and avoidance) and generativity across a 4‐year period. Additionally, a subsample of 73 adolescents completed the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI).

Results

Results indicate a transactional relationship whereby self‐reported avoidance of closeness and generativity were negatively related across time. AAI dismissing attachment was negatively associated with generativity only for female participants.

Conclusion

These findings support Erikson's original psychosocial theory highlighting the importance of intimate relationships in developing the capacity to care for future generations.
Inhibition of human cytochromes P450 in vitro by ritonavir and cobicistat
Authors: Hossain Md Amin , Tran Timothy , Chen Tianmeng , Mikus Gerd , Greenblatt David J
Published: September 2017

Objectives

Ritonavir and cobicistat are strong inhibitors of human cytochrome P450-3A (CYP3A) isoforms, and are used clinically as pharmacokinetic boosting agents for other antiretroviral drugs. Data reported by the manufacturer suggest that cobicistat is a more selective inhibitor of CYP3A than ritonavir. However, this claim has not been validated in clinical studies. This study evaluated the in-vitro inhibitory potency of ritonavir and cobicistat vs a series of human CYP isoforms.

Method

The model system utilized human liver microsomes and isoform-selective index substrates.

Key findings

Ritonavir and cobicistat both were strong inhibitors of CYP3A4, with IC50 values of 0.014 and 0.032 μm, respectively. A component of inhibition was time-dependent (mechanism-based). Neither drug meaningfully inhibited CYP1A2 (IC50 > 150 μm). CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19 and CYP2D6 were inhibited by both drugs, but with IC50 values exceeding 6 μm.

Conclusions

Consistent with previous reports, both ritonavir and cobicistat were highly potent inhibitors of CYP3A. Both drugs were weaker inhibitors of other human CYPs, with IC50 values at least two orders of magnitude higher. There was no evidence of a meaningful difference in selectivity between the two drugs.
Habilitation Service Utilization Patterns Among Children With Mild Intellectual Disability
Authors: Olsson Lena M. , Elgmark Andersson Elisabeth , Granlund Mats , Huus Karina
Published: September 2017

Background

There is a need for more knowledge about the utilization of habilitation services outside school among children with mild intellectual disability (ID). Specific aims. The aim of this study was to describe the patterns of habilitation service utilization among children with mild ID living in Sweden.

Method

A quantitative cross‐sectional total population study was performed using data from service providers’ existing records.

Findings

The most common types of services utilized were those by physicians, counselors, and psychologists. Compared with children with mild ID who were in special classes, children with mild ID who were integrated into mainstream classes utilized significantly fewer types of services. Increasing age of the child was associated with a lower number of service types utilized. Children integrated into mainstream classes were significantly less likely to utilize habilitation services than children attending special classes. The likelihood of utilizing habilitation services decreased with age. Approximately two‐thirds of the children utilized habilitation services.

Discussion

It is urgent that integration/inclusion in one organizational system, that is, school, does not result in exclusion in another system, such as pediatric habilitation services, which also aim to promote active participation in society. Pediatric habilitation professionals, teachers, and health units at schools need to interact in a manner so that children with mild ID, independent of type of school setting, have access to disability‐related services outside school.
A School‐Based Case Study: Developing Interprofessional Competencies to Support Students With Dual Diagnosis
Authors: Salm Twyla
Published: September 2017

This case study provides insight into the ways an interprofessional team developed collaborative competencies to enhance school‐based mental health support for students with a dual diagnosis of intellectual disabilities and mental health illness. The team was anchored by the school division coordinator, two resource teachers, a social worker, and a psychologist. It is also a site for preservice nursing, social work, recreational therapy, and psychology students who were completing their senior practicum in their respective programs. The purpose of this study is to develop a deeper understanding of how preservice and in‐service professionals experience interprofessional collaboration and competency development as a means to support students with dual diagnosis. Interviews were conducted with 21, preservice practicum students and in‐service professionals who participated on the team. Data were recorded, transcribed verbatim and manually aggregated, coded, and themed using two complementary strategies, constant comparison method and initial and focused coding. The Canadian Interprofessional Health Collaborative (CIHC) (Gilbert, ) framework helped illuminate the fundamental components, that is, the competencies, needed to be an effective collaborator. The findings suggest that four of the six CIHC competencies, role clarification, student centeredness, communication and team functioning emerged as core competencies. The practicum students described their experience on the team as an enriching way to develop specialized knowledge, skills, and attitudes with students with dual diagnosis and they continue to serve as advocates in their current positions. Reciprocally, the permanent structure of the interprofessional practicum offered a unique professional development strategy for in‐service professionals. This study queries the need to refine the CIHC model for school‐based mental health settings. It is suggested that the model would be enhanced by a greater emphasis on culturally responsible practice and a greater integration of inclusive education competencies for professionals who work with students who have dual diagnosis in schools.
Fluoroscopic Estimation of Thoracic Dimensional Changes in Healthy Dogs
Authors: Chan J.C. , Johnson L.R. , Brown C.S. , Pollard R.E.
Published: September 2017

Background

Current methods available for assessing alterations in lung mechanics require sophisticated equipment and are of limited availability. A method that could assess lung area change with respiration might be a clinically useful surrogate for assessing lung compliance.

Objective

To use fluoroscopy to determine percent change in thoracic and lung areas in healthy dogs.

Animals

Forty‐four client‐owned dogs with no evidence of respiratory disease.

Methods

Prospective study. Resting respiration was recorded fluoroscopically, and peak inspiratory and expiratory frames were captured for 3 typical respiratory cycles. The number of intrathoracic pixels in the entire thoracic cavity was measured for both inspiration and expiration, and the average percent change in intrathoracic area was determined for each dog. This process was repeated by a hemithorax measurement of lung area that excluded the mediastinum and cardiac silhouette. Proposed reference ranges (and 95% confidence intervals [CI]) were computed by a nonparametric percentile distribution.

Results

Median percent change in thoracic dimension for the total thorax measurement was 12.5% (CI, 8.9–24.0%). Median percent change for the hemithorax measurement was significantly (P< 0.001) larger (20.8%,CI, 14.3–37.6%). Both measurement techniques were correlated with body weight but not with age, sex, thoracic conformation, body condition score (BCS), or breed.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Fluoroscopy allows a noninvasive and repeatable measure of lung area changes during respiration that must be corrected for body weight. Additional studies in dogs with respiratory diseases are needed to determine its utility in detecting clinically useful alterations in lung area changes.
Effects of magnetic stimulation on urodynamic stress incontinence refractory to pelvic floor muscle training in a randomized sham‐controlled study
Authors: Yamanishi Tomonori , Suzuki Tsuneki , Sato Ryo , Kaga Kanya , Kaga Mayuko , Fuse Miki
Published: September 2017

Objective

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of magnetic stimulation on urodynamic stress incontinence refractory to pelvic floor muscle training in a randomized sham‐controlled study.

Methods

Female patients with urodynamic stress incontinence who had not been cured by pelvic floor muscle training were randomly assigned at a ratio of 2 : 1 to either active treatment or sham treatment for 10 weeks. The randomization was made using magnetic cards for individuals indicating active or sham stimulation. The primary endpoint was changes in the number of incontinence episodes/week, with secondary endpoints of the degree of incontinence (in g/day; determined using the pad test), the total score on the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire – Short Form (ICIQ‐SF), the ICIQ quality of life (QOL) score, and the abdominal leak point pressure (ALPP) on urodynamic study.

Results

Although 39 patients were enrolled in the study, 9 dropped out, leaving a total patients for analysis (18 in the active treatment group, 12 in the sham treatment group). The number of incontinence episodes/week, the degree of incontinence, total ICIQ‐SF score, ICIQ‐QOL score, and ALPP were significantly improved after active treatment compared with baseline (all P < .05), but did not change significantly after sham treatment. There was a significant intergroup difference with regard to changes from baseline in the ICIQ‐SF and ALPP in favor of the active treatment group (P < .05). There were no significant differences in any other parameters between the 2 groups. Treatment‐related adverse events were not found in both groups.

Conclusion

Magnetic stimulation was effective in treating urodynamic stress incontinence.
Resveratrol and inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Shi Yaning , Zhou Jie , Jiang Bo , Miao Ming
Published: September 2017

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract, comprising ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). Progression of IBD leads to long‐term impairment of intestinal structure and function. The pathogenesis of IBD is complex, involving environmental, immunological, genetic, microbial, and psychological factors. The conventional therapies and many existing biopharmaceuticals for IBD have limited efficacy or adverse effects. As a promising safe and effective therapy for IBD, resveratrol has been studied widely, as it has shown anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant activity. Resveratrol's mechanism of action involves multiple immune responses and signaling pathways; it is absorbed quickly and metabolized into various derivatives. However, the poor water solubility and low bioavailability of resveratrol limit its clinical applications. Further research should attempt to improve the stability and oral bioavailability of resveratrol by modification and various delivery systems.
A statistics‐based approach for crude oil supply risk assessment
Authors: Hassani Hossein , Danesh Mohammad Ali , Javan Afshin , Pospiech Ryszard , Odulaja Adedapo
Published: September 2017

This paper presents two approaches towards quantifying short‐term crude oil supply uncertainty. It provides some background information on the oil market and discusses different methods used in forecasting supply. Both approaches—semiquantitative (SQ) and Monte Carlo (MC)—are based on a risk matrix with likelihood and severity scores assigned. The result of the SQ approach is a risk band presented in percentage terms, whereas the MC method yields a probability distribution. The differences, advantages and disadvantages, as well as the potential expansions of both approaches are discussed. Both methods are applied to a set of major non‐OPEC oil producing countries, and the obtained results are compared.
Biomechanical Stability Analysis of a Stand‐alone Cage, Static and Rotational‐dynamic Plate in a Two‐level Cervical Fusion Construct
Authors: Tsitsopoulos Parmenion P , Voronov Leonard I , Zindrick Michael R , Carandang Gerard , Havey Robert M , Ghanayem Alexander J , Patwardhan Avinash G
Published: September 2017

Objective

To test the following hypotheses: (i) anterior cervical discetomy and fusion (ACDF) using stand‐alone interbody spacers will significantly reduce the range of motion from intact spine; and (ii) the use of a static or a rotational‐dynamic plate will significantly augment the stability of stand‐alone interbody spacers, with similar beneficial effect when compared to each other.

Methods

Eleven human cadaveric subaxial cervical spines (age: 48.2 ± 5.4 years) were tested under the following sequence: (i) intact spine; (ii) ACDF at C4–C5 using a stand‐alone interbody spacer; (iii) ACDF at C5–C6 and insertion of an interbody spacer (two‐level construct); and (iv) randomized placement of either a two‐level locking static plate or a rotational‐dynamic plate.

Results

Insertion of stand‐alone cage at C4–C5 and C5–C6 caused a significant decrease in the range of motion compared to intact spine (P < 0.05). Placement of both the locking and the rotational dynamic plate further reduced the range of motion at C4–C5 and C5–C6 compared to stand‐alone cage (P < 0.01). No significant differences in range of motion restriction at either C4–C5 or C5–C6 were found when the two plating systems were compared (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Cervical stand‐alone interbody spacers caused significant restriction in the range of motion. Both plates significantly augmented the stability of stand‐alone interbody spacers, with similar stabilizing effect.
Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion and Unilateral Fixation for Degenerative Lumbar Disease
Authors: Wang Hui‐wang , Hu Yong‐cheng , Wu Zhan‐yong , Wu Hua‐rong , Wu Chun‐fu , Zhang Lian‐suo , Xu Wei‐kun , Fan Hui‐long , Cai Jin‐sheng , Ma Jian‐qing
Published: September 2017

Objective

To evaluate the clinical effect of the minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion combined with posterolateral fusion and unilateral fixation using a tubular retractor in the management of degenerative lumbar disease.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted to analyze the clinical outcome of 58 degenerative lumbar disease patients who were treated with minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion combined with posterolateral fusion and unilateral fixation during December 2012 to January 2015. The spine was unilaterally approached through a 3.0‐cm skin incision centered on the disc space, located 2.5 cm lateral to the midline, and the multifidus muscles and longissimus dorsi were stripped off. After transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion and posterolateral fusion the unilateral pedicle screw fixation was performed. The visual analogue scale (VAS) for back and leg pain, the Oswestry disability index (ODI), and the MacNab score were applied to evaluate clinical effects. The operation time, peri‐operative bleeding, postoperative time in bed, hospitalization costs, and the change in the intervertebral height were analyzed. Radiological fusion based on the Bridwell grading system was also assessed at the last follow‐up. The quality of life of the patients before and after the operation was assessed using the short form‐36 scale (SF‐36).

Results

Fifty‐eight operations were successfully performed, and no nerve root injury or dural tear occurred. The average operation time was 138 ± 33 min, intraoperative blood loss was 126 ± 50 mL, the duration from surgery to getting out of bed was 46 ± 8 h, and hospitalization cost was 1.6 ± 0.2 ten thousand yuan. All of the 58 patients were followed up for 7–31 months, with an average of 14.6 months. The postoperative VAS scores and ODI score were significantly improved compared with preoperative data (P < 0.05). The evaluation of the MacNab score was excellent in 41 patients, good in 15, and fair in 2, suggesting an effective rate of 96.6%. The intervertebral height had reduced 0.2 ± 1.2 mm by the last follow‐up, and there were 55 Grade I and II cases based on the Bridwell evaluation criterion. The fusion rate was 94.8%, and no screw breakage and loosening occurred. The scores of physical pain, general health, social, and emotional functioning were significantly increased at the last follow‐up.

Conclusion

Minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion combined with posterolateral fusion and unilateral fixation provide a new choice for degenerative lumbar disease, and the short‐term clinical outcome is satisfactory.
Place Image Formation and Cross‐Border Shopping: German Shoppers in the Polish Bazaar in Słubice
Authors: Szytniewski Bianca B. , Spierings Bas
Published: September 2017

This study focuses on differences in place image formation between cross‐border shoppers who visit the bazaar in the Polish part of the border‐crossing town of Frankfurt–Oder/Słubice. By examining the German–Polish border context and the historical and regional particularities of this shopping destination, our qualitative analysis reveals differences in place image formation between two groups of German border crossers: locals from Frankfurt–Oder and visitors from other parts of the borderland. It turns out that the locals regarded the border‐crossing town as part of daily life and had lost interest in the bazaar, while cross‐border shoppers from further afield visited the bazaar regularly, were motivated by leisure, and assessed the bazaar more positively. These differences in place image formation between the two groups resulted from differences in mind‐set and motivation, influencing not only the knowledge and experiences of the border crossers, but also the likelihood of visiting this specific shopping destination again.
Contextual Effects on Crowding Perception: An Analysis of Antwerp and Amsterdam
Authors: Neuts Bart , Vanneste Dominique
Published: September 2017

Crowding studies have a long history in urban geography and environmental psychology, although results are mixed at best. While crowding is found to influence residential quality and visitor experience and crowding perception models show some agreement on influential determinants, research is typically limited to a single setting, therefore minimising generalisability. To account for contextual effects, this paper tested a crowding perception model in two study areas: Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and Antwerp, Belgium. The results confirm that while most variables from earlier studies are significant, their effect on crowding perception depends largely on environmental context, with elements such as street layout, primary functionality of the area, and local culture affecting strength and direction of the relationship. The study reveals the importance of a case based approach to crowding perception, while demonstrating the overall applicability of the methodology and the possibilities of comparative analyses to suggest policy recommendations for specific areas.
Factor allocation, economic growth and unbalanced regional development in China
Authors: Liu Guanchun , Liu Yuanyuan , Zhang Chengsi
Published: September 2017

On the basis of development accounting techniques and a factor misallocation framework, we use panel data of 30 Chinese provinces from 2000 to 2013 to assess how factor allocation affects economic growth and unbalanced regional development in China. In particular, we decompose economic growth into three parts, namely sector productivity (SP), factor market efficiency (FME) and factor endowment (FE). We then conduct counterfactual analyses to investigate the short and long‐run roles of factor allocation in the income distribution across provinces. The results show that SP, FME and FE can explain 23%, 8.5% and 68.5% of economic growth, while labour, capital and energy reallocation account for aggregate productivity growth of about 47%, −4.8% and −0.1%. Furthermore, when the factors are efficiently allocated, transferring labour (capital, energy) from agriculture (service, industry) to the other sectors will increase the income per capita by 29.5% and 42.5% in the short and long term. Meanwhile, efficient factor allocation accounts for 32% and 29.7% of aggregate productivity and reduces the income variation across provinces by 25.5% and 23% in the short and long run, respectively.
Consensus guidelines for the identification and treatment of biofilms in chronic nonhealing wounds
Authors: Schultz Gregory , Bjarnsholt Thomas , James Garth A. , Leaper David J. , McBain Andrew J. , Malone Matthew , Stoodley Paul , Swanson Theresa , Tachi Masahiro , Wolcott Randall D. ,   for the Global Wound Biofilm Expert Panel
Published: September 2017

Background: Despite a growing consensus that biofilms contribute to a delay in the healing of chronic wounds, conflicting evidence pertaining to their identification and management can lead to uncertainty regarding treatment. This, in part, has been driven by reliance on in vitro data or animal models, which may not directly correlate to clinical evidence on the importance of biofilms. Limited data presented in human studies have further contributed to the uncertainty. Guidelines for care of chronic wounds with a focus on biofilms are needed to help aid the identification and management of biofilms, providing a clinical focus to support clinicians in improving patient care through evidence‐based medicine. Methods: A Global Wound Biofilm Expert Panel, comprising 10 clinicians and researchers with expertise in laboratory and clinical aspects of biofilms, was identified and convened. A modified Delphi process, based on published scientific data and expert opinion, was used to develop consensus statements that could help identify and treat biofilms as part of the management of chronic nonhealing wounds. Using an electronic survey, panel members rated their agreement with statements about biofilm identification and treatment, and the management of chronic nonhealing wounds. Final consensus statements were agreed on in a face‐to‐face meeting. Results: Participants reached consensus on 61 statements in the following topic areas: understanding biofilms and the problems they cause clinicians; current diagnostic options; clinical indicators of biofilms; future options for diagnostic tests; treatment strategies; mechanical debridement; topical antiseptics; screening antibiofilm agents; and levels of evidence when choosing antibiofilm treatments. Conclusion: This consensus document attempts to clarify misunderstandings about the role of biofilms in clinical practice, and provides a basis for clinicians to recognize biofilms in chronic nonhealing wounds and manage patients optimally. A new paradigm for wound care, based on a stepped‐down treatment approach, was derived from the consensus statements.
Covariation between voice quality and pitch: Revisiting the case of Mandarin creaky voice
Authors: Kuang Jianjing
Published: September 2017

This study investigates the interaction between voice quality and pitch by revisiting the well-known case of Mandarin creaky voice. This study first provides several pieces of experimental data to assess whether the mechanism behind allophonic creaky voice in Mandarin is tied to tonal categories or is driven by phonetic pitch ranges. The results show that the presence of creak is not exclusively limited to tone 3, but can accompany any of the low pitch targets in the Mandarin tones; further, tone 3 is less creaky when the overall pitch range is raised, but more creaky when the overall pitch range is lowered. More importantly, tone 3 is not unique in this regard, and other tones such as tone 1 are also subject to similar variations. In sum, voice quality is quite systematically tied to F0 in Mandarin. Results from a pitch glide experiment further suggest that voice quality overall covaries with pitch height in a wedge-shaped function. Non-modal voice tends to occur when pitch production exceeds certain limits. Voice quality, thus, has the potential to enhance the perceptual distinctiveness of extreme pitch targets.
Sloppy reporting on animal studies proves hard tochange
Authors: Enserink Martin
Published: September 2017

Scientists appear to ignore guidelines adopted 7 years ago.
U.S.-Cuba scientific collaboration advances
Authors: Jarvis Michaela
Published: September 2017

Havana symposium co-organized by AAAS leads to promising research partnerships
Spin-imbalance in a 2D Fermi-Hubbard system
Authors: Brown Peter T. , Mitra Debayan , Guardado-Sanchez Elmer , Schauß Peter , Kondov Stanimir S. , Khatami Ehsan , Paiva Thereza , Trivedi Nandini , Huse David A. , Bakr Waseem S.
Published: September 2017

Imaging a microscopic power struggle

Strongly interacting fermions in a two-dimensional lattice form a checkerboard pattern, with spins of opposite directions occupying neighboring sites of the lattice. When an external magnetic field is applied, the situation becomes more complicated—should the spins align with the field, or try to preserve the checkerboard order? Brown
et al.
studied this problem using
6
Li atoms in an optical lattice with unequal numbers of two spin components; the imbalance between the two played the role of an effective magnetic field. With the field applied, the checkerboard pattern correlations of the spin component perpendicular to the field became stronger than those of the spin component parallel to the field, indicating that the system was approaching the so-called canted antiferromagnetic state.

Science
, this issue p.
1385
Tsunami-driven rafting: Transoceanic species dispersal and implications for marine biogeography
Authors: Carlton James T. , Chapman John W. , Geller Jonathan B. , Miller Jessica A. , Carlton Deborah A. , McCuller Megan I. , Treneman Nancy C. , Steves Brian P. , Ruiz Gregory M.
Published: September 2017

Long-distance life rafting

When coastal ecosystems are affected by storms or tsunamis, organisms can be rafted across oceans on floating debris. However, such events are rarely observed, still less quantified. Carlton
et al.
chart the rafting journeys of coastal marine organisms across the Pacific Ocean after the 2011 East Japan earthquake and tsunami (see the Perspective by Chown). Of the nearly 300 mainly invertebrate species that reached the shores of the U.S. Pacific Northwest, most arrived attached to the remains of manmade structures.

Science
, this issue p.
1402
; see also p.
1356
Use of Traditional and Genetically Modified Probiotics in Human Health: What Does the Future Hold?
Authors: Bermúdez-Humarán Luis G. , Langella Philippe
Published: September 2017

Probiotics are live, nonpathogenic microorganisms that confer benefits to human health when administered in adequate amounts. Among the frequent proposed health benefits attributed to probiotics, their ability to interact with the host immune system is now well demonstrated. Although history has revealed that probiotics were part of fermented foods in the past, clinicians have started to use them therapeutically in regular diets. Moreover, the use of genetically modified probiotics to deliver molecules of therapeutic interest is gaining importance as an extension of the probiotic concept. This chapter summarizes some of the recent findings and perspectives on the use of both traditional and genetically modified probiotics to treat human diseases as well as what the future may hold concerning the use of these probiotics in humans.
Impact of intradialytic exercise intensity on urea clearance in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Brown Paul David Stuart , Rowed Kylie , Shearer Jane , MacRae Jennifer M. , Parker Kristen
Published: September 2017

Intradialytic exercise (IDE) has been shown to benefit dialysis efficacy; however, the effect of IDE intensity is unknown. Dialyzer urea clearance (K urea, mL/min) was significantly greater during both IDE protocols (55% and 70% maximal heart rate, HRmax), compared with no IDE (p < 0.05). No significant difference in K urea was found between IDE protocols (55% vs. 70% HRmax) (p > 0.05). Results show that higher intensity IDE has no additional benefit on K urea.
The effects of bark quality on corticolous lichen community composition in urban parks of southern Ontario
Authors: McDonald L. , Van Woudenberg M. , Dorin B. , Adcock A.M. , McMullin R.T. , Cottenie K.
Published: September 2017

Tree bark characteristics influence lichen colonization. To better understand how urban parks can be managed to maximize lichen biodiversity, we examined trees in seven parks throughout the City of Guelph in southern Ontario. We measured bark characteristics and lichen communities on four common tree species that have a wide range of pH: Acer platanoides L., Acer × freemanii E. Murray, Pinus resinosa Aiton, and Pinus strobes L. We recorded the lichen species on 99 trees, calculated the pH and fissuring of the bark, and determined the diameter at breast height (DBH) as a proxy for age. Gamma diversity on all trees included 18 lichen taxa. We used graphite bark rubbings analyzed in ImageJ 1.47v to calculate the degree of bark fissuring. We collected bark samples from each tree trunk and determined the acidity with a pH meter. Using multivariate analyses we show that lichen community composition is positively correlated with DBH and tree species, but the degree of fissuring did not have a significant effect. We could not statistically analyze pH independent of tree species, but our results suggest pH is not a significant variable. We show lichen biodiversity in urban parks can be increased by planting a variety of tree species at different ages.
Detection of breed-specific copy number variations in domestic chicken genome
Authors: Sohrabi Saeed S. , Mohammadabadi Mohammadreza , Wu Dong-Dong , Esmailizadeh Ali
Published: September 2017

Copy number variations (CNVs) are important large-scale variants. They are widespread in the genome and may contribute to phenotypic variation. Detection and characterization of CNVs can provide new insights into the genetic basis of important traits. Here, we perform whole-genome short read sequence analysis to identify CNVs in two indigenous and commercial chicken breeds to evaluate the impact of the identified CNVs on breed-specific traits. After filtration, a total of 12 955 CNVs spanning (on average) about 9.42% of the chicken genome were found that made up 5467 CNV regions (CNVRs). Chicken quantitative trait loci (QTL) datasets and Ensembl gene annotations were used as resources for the estimation of potential phenotypic effects of our CNVRs on breed-specific traits. In total, 34% of our detected CNVRs were also detected in earlier CNV studies. These CNVRs partly overlap several previously reported QTL and gene ontology terms associated with some important traits, including shank length QTL in Creeper-specific CNVRs and body weight and egg production characteristics, as well as muscle and body organ growth, in the Arian commercial breed. Our findings provide new insights into the genomic structure of the chicken genome for an improved understanding of the potential roles of CNVRs in differentiating between breeds or lines.
The tuning effect of the electric field on the physical properties of some typical wurtzite semiconductors
Authors: Li Jia-Ning , Hu San-Lue , Dong Hao-Yu , Xu Xiao-Ying , Wang Jia-Fu , Li Ang , Wang Qing-Guo , Li Yan-Li
Published: September 2017

Under the tuning of an external electric field, the variation of the geometric structures and the band gaps of the wurtzite semiconductors ZnS, ZnO, BeO, AlN, SiC and GaN have been investigated by the first-principles method based on density functional theory. The stability, density of states, band structures and the charge distribution have been analyzed under the electric field along (001) and (00[Formula: see text]) directions. Furthermore, the corresponding results have been compared without the electric field. According to our calculation, we find that the magnitude and the direction of the electric field have a great influence on the electronic structures of the wurtzite materials we mentioned above, which induce a phase transition from semiconductor to metal under a certain electric field. Therefore, we can regulate their physical properties of this type of semiconductor materials by tuning the magnitude and the direction of the electric field.
DIFFERENTIABILITY OF BSVIEs AND DYNAMIC CAPITAL ALLOCATIONS
Authors: KROMER EDUARD , OVERBECK LUDGER
Published: September 2017

Capital allocations have been studied in conjunction with static risk measures in various papers. The dynamic case has been studied only in a discrete-time setting. We address the problem of allocating risk capital to subportfolios for the first time in a continuous-time dynamic context. For this purpose, we introduce a differentiability result for backward stochastic Volterra integral equations and apply this result to derive continuous-time dynamic capital allocations. Moreover, we study a dynamic capital allocation principle that is based on backward stochastic differential equations and derive the dynamic gradient allocation for the dynamic entropic risk measure.
Hybris
Authors: Viotti Paolo , Dobre Dan , Vukolić Marko
Published: September 2017

Besides well-known benefits, commodity cloud storage also raises concerns that include security, reliability, and consistency. We present Hybris key-value store, the first
robust
hybrid cloud storage system, aiming at addressing these concerns leveraging both private and public cloud resources.

Hybris robustly replicates metadata on trusted private premises (private cloud), separately from data, which are dispersed (using replication or erasure coding) across multiple untrusted public clouds. Hybris maintains metadata stored on private premises at the order of few dozens of bytes per key, avoiding the scalability bottleneck at the private cloud. In turn, the hybrid design allows Hybris to efficiently and robustly tolerate cloud outages but also potential malice in clouds without overhead. Namely, to tolerate up to
f
malicious clouds, in the common case of the Hybris variant with data replication, writes replicate data across
f
+1 clouds, whereas reads involve a single cloud. In the worst case, only up to
f
additional clouds are used. This is considerably better than earlier multi-cloud storage systems that required costly 3
f
+1 clouds to mask
f
potentially malicious clouds. Finally, Hybris leverages strong metadata consistency to guarantee to Hybris applications strong data consistency without any modifications to the eventually consistent public clouds.

We implemented Hybris in Java and evaluated it using a series of micro and macro-benchmarks. Our results show that Hybris significantly outperforms comparable multi-cloud storage systems and approaches the performance of bare-bone commodity public cloud storage.
Grid-Based Method for GPS Route Analysis for Retrieval
Authors: Mariescu-Istodor Radu , Fränti Pasi
Published: September 2017

Grids are commonly used as histograms to process spatial data in order to detect frequent patterns, predict destinations, or to infer popular places. However, they have not been previously used for GPS trajectory similarity searches or retrieval in general. Instead, slower and more complicated algorithms based on individual point-pair comparison have been used. We demonstrate how a grid representation can be used to compute four different route measures: novelty, noteworthiness, similarity, and inclusion. The measures may be used in several applications such as identifying taxi fraud, automatically updating GPS navigation software, optimizing traffic, and identifying commuting patterns. We compare our proposed route similarity measure, C-SIM, to eight popular alternatives including Edit Distance on Real sequence (EDR) and Frechet distance. The proposed measure is simple to implement and we give a fast, linear time algorithm for the task. It works well under noise, changes in sampling rate, and point shifting. We demonstrate that by using the grid, a route similarity ranking can be computed in real-time on the Mopsi2014
1
route dataset, which consists of over 6,000 routes. This ranking is an extension of the most similar route search and contains an ordered list of all similar routes from the database. The real-time search is due to indexing the cell database and comes at the cost of spending 80% more memory space for the index. The methods are implemented inside the Mopsi
2
route module.
Are All Classes Created Equal? Increasing Precision of Conceptual Modeling Grammars
Authors: Lukyanenko Roman , Samuel Binny M.
Published: September 2017

Recent decade has seen a dramatic change in the information systems landscape that alters the ways we design and interact with information technologies, including such developments as the rise of business analytics, user-generated content, and NoSQL databases, to name just a few. These changes challenge conceptual modeling research to offer innovative solutions tailored to these environments. Conceptual models typically represent classes (categories, kinds) of objects rather than concrete specific objects, making the class construct a critical medium for capturing domain semantics. While representation of classes may differ between grammars, a common design assumption is what we term different semantics same syntax (D3S). Under D3S, all classes are depicted using the same syntactic symbols. Following recent findings in psychology, we introduce a novel assumption semantics-contingent syntax (SCS) whereby syntactic representations of classes in conceptual models may differ based on their semantic meaning. We propose a core SCS design principle and five guidelines pertinent for conceptual modeling. We believe SCS carries profound implications for theory and practice of conceptual modeling as it seeks to better support modern information environments.
Repairing Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Disease
Authors: Sorrentino Vincenzo , Menzies Keir J. , Auwerx Johan
Published: September 2017

Mitochondria are essential organelles for many aspects of cellular homeostasis, including energy harvesting through oxidative phosphorylation. Alterations of mitochondrial function not only impact on cellular metabolism but also critically influence whole-body metabolism, health, and life span. Diseases defined by mitochondrial dysfunction have expanded from rare monogenic disorders in a strict sense to now also include many common polygenic diseases, including metabolic, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and neuromuscular diseases. This has led to an intensive search for new therapeutic and preventive strategies aimed at invigorating mitochondrial function by exploiting key components of mitochondrial biogenesis, redox metabolism, dynamics, mitophagy, and the mitochondrial unfolded protein response. As such, new findings linking mitochondrial function to the progression or outcome of this ever-increasing list of diseases has stimulated the discovery and development of the first true mitochondrial drugs, which are now entering the clinic and are discussed in this review.
Teorias e métodos em melhoramento genético animal: sistemas de acasalamento
Authors:   Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Eler Joanir Pereira
Published: September 2017

Composta de três volumes, a coleção Teorias e métodos em melhoramento genético animal tem como principal objetivo servir como material básico para as disciplinas de Melhoramento Genético Animal, ministradas aos alunos de graduação e pós-graduação em Zootecnia e Medicina Veterinária, possibilitando o embasamento necessário. A coleção abarca, dentre outras discussões, os conceitos mais importantes de genética populacional e quantitativa, conceitos de predição do mérito genético e seleção utilizando diversas fontes de informação, e salienta alguns sistemas de acasalamento que levam ao aumento de produtividade sem onerar demasiadamente os custos, ou seja, sistemas que resultam em maior retorno econômico
MORFOLOGIA URBANA E CORREDORES DE VENTILAÇÃO COMO SUBSÍDIO À RESILIÊNCIA URBANA
Authors: Santos Rafael Gonçalves , Prata-Shimomura Alessandra Rodrigues , Correia Ezequiel , Franco Maria De Assunção Ribeiro , Lopes António Saraiva
Published: September 2017

Este artigo apresenta a análise de corredores de ventilação para um trecho da cidade de São Paulo. Este trecho é parte integrante do projeto de Infraestrutura Verde que contempla quatro parques da cidade de São Paulo: Parque Estadual da Cantareira, Parque Dr. Fernando Costa (Água Branca), Parque do Ibirapuera, e Parque Tenente Siqueira Campos (Trianon); formando um retângulo com configurações urbanas diferenciadas no eixo norte-sul. Este eixo percorre áreas da cidade ao longo de avenidas importantes, que interligam os quatro parques, a qual recebeu o nome de “Trilha Norte-Sul”. O objetivo, aqui, é a elaboração de cartografias de classificação morfológica utilizando variáveis que descrevem a morfologia urbana. É apresentado, também, um método simplificado de análise e mapeamento dos corredores de ventilação, cujos resultados poderão servir de insumo tanto para orientações climáticas ao planejamento urbano como para intervenções urbanísticas.
O POTENCIAL DAS AVENIDAS DE FUNDO DE VALE PARA RECEBER A INFRAESTRUTURA VERDE-AZUL
Authors: Marques Taícia Helena Negrin
Published: September 2017

Muitas das avenidas de São Paulo foram instaladas em áreas de fundo de vale. Frente aos atuais desafios ambientais, essas áreas surgem como potenciais para receber Infraestruturas Verde- Azuis, capazes de fornecer diversos serviços ecossistêmicos à cidade. O presente artigo apresenta os resultados de análises geoespaciais das bases de dados fornecidas pelo município de São Paulo (Geosampa), quanto à proporção de rios e córregos canalizados e vias em áreas de várzea na cidade. Além disso, apresenta o método multicriterial que vem sendo construído para a análise das avenidas em fundo de vale compreendidas no Transecto de Estudo delimitado pelo projeto aprovado pela Fapesp: “Infraestrutura Verde para a Resiliência Urbana às Mudanças Climáticas da cidade de São Paulo” (FRANCO, M.A.R., 2015), quanto ao seu potencial para receber as intervenções de Infraestrutura Verde- Azul. O estudo apresentando faz parte das primeiras análises elaboradas para o desenvolvimento da tese doutoral da autora (em andamento).