bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An isolation system for limited seismic gaps in near‐fault zones
Authors: Ismail Mohammed
Published: October 2014

The ability of a recently proposed seismic isolation system, with inherent self‐stopping mechanism, to mitigate or even eliminate seismic pounding of adjacent structures is investigated under severe near‐fault earthquakes. The isolation system is referred to as roll‐in‐cage (RNC) isolator. It is a rolling‐based isolator that provides in one unit the necessary functions of vertical rigid support, horizontal flexibility with enhanced stability, hysteretic energy dissipation, and resistance to minor vibration loads. In addition, the RNC isolator is distinguished by a self‐stopping (buffer) mechanism to limit the bearing displacement under excitations stronger than a design earthquake or at limited seismic gaps, and a linear gravity‐based self‐recentering mechanism to prevent permanent bearing displacement without causing vertical fluctuation of the isolated structure. A previously developed multifeature SAP2000 model of the RNC isolator is improved in this paper to account for the inherent buffer mechanism's damping. Then, the effectiveness of the isolator's buffer mechanism in limiting peak bearing displacements is studied together with its possibly arising negative influence on the isolation efficiency. After that, the study investigates how to alleviate or even eliminate those possibly arising drawbacks, due to the developed RNC isolator's inner pounding as a result of its buffer activation, to achieve efficient seismic isolation with no direct structure‐to‐structure pounding, considering limited seismic gaps with adjacent structures and near‐fault earthquakes. The results show that the RNC isolator could be an efficient solution for aseismic design in near‐fault zones considering limited seismic gaps. Earthquake Engineering and Structural Dynamics. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Record selection for aftershock incremental dynamic analysis
Authors: Goda Katsuichiro
Published: October 2014

The back‐to‐back application of mainshock records as aftershock is often considered in conducting aftershock incremental dynamic analysis. In such an approach, the characteristics of mainshock records are considered to be similar to those of major aftershock records within the same mainshock–aftershock sequences. The underlying assumption is that the characteristics of selected mainshocks, other than those used for record selection, are not significant in the assessment of structural responses. A case study is set up to investigate the effects of aftershock record selection on the collapse vulnerability assessment. The numerical results for a specific wood‐frame structure indicate that the aftershock fragility can be affected by the aftershock record characteristics, particularly response spectral shape. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Miniature Direct Electron Transfer Based Enzymatic Fuel Cell Operating in Human Sweat and Saliva
Authors: Falk M. , Pankratov D. , Lindh L. , Arnebrant T. , Shleev S.
Published: October 2014

We present data on operation of a miniature membrane‐less, direct electron transfer based enzymatic fuel cell in human sweat and saliva. The enzymatic fuel cell was fabricated following our previous reports on miniature biofuel cells, utilizing gold nanoparticle modified gold microwires with immobilized cellobiose dehydrogenase and bilirubin oxidase. The following average characteristics of miniature glucose/oxygen biodevices operating in human sweat and saliva, respectively, were registered: 580 and 560 mV open‐circuit voltage, 0.26 and 0.1 μW cm–2 power density at a cell voltage of 0.5 V, with up to ten times higher power output at 0.2 V. When saliva collected after meal ingestion was used, roughly a two‐fold increase in power output was obtained, with a further two‐fold increase by addition of 500 μM glucose. Likewise, the power generated in sweat at 0.5 V increased two‐fold by addition of 500 μM glucose.
Latest Tournaisian–late Viséan foraminiferal biozonation (MFZ8–MFZ14) of the Valiabad area, northwestern Alborz (Iran): geological implications
Authors: Zandkarimi Keyvan , Najafian Bahram , Vachard Daniel , Bahrammanesh Maryamnaz , Vaziri Seyed Hamid
Published: October 2014

The Mobarak Formation in the Valiabad area (northwestern Alborz, Iran) is composed of bioclastic, oolitic and sandy limestone interbedded with black shale, and is disconformably underlain and overlain by the Cambrian Lalun and Permian Dorud formations, respectively. In this study, 104 foraminiferal species belonging to 12 families and 33 genera were determined. Among them, six genera and nine species are reported for the first time in Iran. Analysis of the foraminiferal assemblages has identified eight local biozones, which can be correlated with the MFZ8 to MFZ14 zones of the Viséan stratotypes in Belgium. The Valiabad equivalents of these biozones are essentially characterized by (1) Eoparastaffella ex gr. rotunda‐‘florigena’–Lysella cf. gadukensis; (2) Eoparastaffella simplex–Lapparentidiscus bokanensis; (3) Ammarchaediscus; (4) Uralodiscus–Glomodiscus; (5) Glomodiscus–Archaediscus; (6) Pojarkovella–Mstinia fallax; (7) Mstinia bulloides–Pseudoendothyra; and (8) Howchinia gibba–Howchinia bradyana–Tubispirodiscus attenuatus. Consequently, the Valiabad section appears to be one of the most complete Viséan sections in Iran. Some taxonomic precisions are provided about the principal taxa. Biogeographically, (1) the MFZ8–MFZ11 biozones are extended to all the shelves of the Palaeotethys (from Ireland to South China) and Urals oceans; nevertheless, due to the complete evolution of archaediscoids, they seem more related to the Perigondwanan assemblages from Sinai and Taurus (including the Antalya Nappes); (2) the MFZ12 assemblage appears relatively endemic; and (3) the impoverished assemblages of the biozones MFZ13‐14 have marked affinities with the Kazakhstan Block. It is currently impossible to indicate precisely if these variations are related with a drift of the Alborz region to the north, or to a change of oceanic currents. Moreover, the double affinity highlights the narrowness of the Palaeotethys in Iran during the Viséan. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Namaste Care programme can reduce behavioural symptoms in care home residents with advanced dementia
Authors: Stacpoole Miranda , Hockley Jo , Thompsell Amanda , Simard Joyce , Volicer Ladislav
Published: October 2014

Objective

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of the Namaste Care programme on the behavioural symptoms of residents with advanced dementia in care homes and their pain management.

Methods

Six dementia care homes collaborated in an action research study—one withdrew. Inclusion criteria were a dementia diagnosis and a Bedford Alzheimer's Nursing Severity Scale score of >16. Primary research measures were the Neuropsychiatric Inventory—Nursing Homes (NPI‐NH) and Doloplus‐2 behavioural pain assessment scale for the elderly. Measures were recorded at baseline and at three 1–2 monthly intervals after Namaste Care started.

Results

Management disruption occurred across all care homes. The severity of behavioural symptoms, pain and occupational disruptiveness (NPI‐NH) decreased in four care homes. Increased severity of behavioural symptoms in one care home was probably related to poor pain management, reflected in increased pain scores, and disrupted leadership. Comparison of NPI‐NH scores showed that severity of behavioural symptoms and occupational disruptiveness were significantly lower after initiation of Namaste Care (n = 34, p < 0.001) and after the second interval (n = 32, p < 0.001 and p = 0.003). However, comparison of these measures in the second and third intervals revealed that both were slightly increased in the third interval (n = 24, p < 0.001 and p = 0.001).

Conclusions

Where there are strong leadership, adequate staffing, and good nursing and medical care, the Namaste Care programme can improve quality of life for people with advanced dementia in care homes by decreasing behavioural symptoms. Namaste is not a substitute for good clinical care Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
LIM mineralization protein‐1 suppresses TNF‐α induced intervertebral disc degeneration by maintaining nucleus pulposus extracellular matrix production and inhibiting matrix metalloproteinases expression
Authors: Liu Hui , Pan Hehai , Yang Hao , Wang Jianru , Zhang Kuibo , Li Xiang , Wang Hua , Ding Wenbin , Li Bingxue , Zheng Zhaomin
Published: October 2014

Imbalanced metabolism of Nucleus pulposus (NP) extracellular matrix (ECM) is closely correlated to Intervertebral Disc Degenerative Disease. LIM mineralization protein‐1 (LMP‐1) has been proven to induce sulfated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) production in NP and have an anti‐inflammatory effect in pre‐osteoclast. However, whether it has any effect on the NP ECM production and degradation under inflammatory stimulation has not been studied. In the current study, a TNF‐α induced cell model was established in vitro. Lentivirus encoding LMP‐1 (LV‐LMP‐1) and short heparin LMP‐1 (LV‐shLMP‐1) were constructed to overexpress and knockdown LMP‐1 expression in NP cells. LMP‐1 mRNA level was regulated in a dose‐dependent manner after transfection. LV‐LMP‐1 increased whereas LV‐shLMP‐1 decreased collagen II, aggrecan, versican expression, and sGAG production. LV‐LMP‐1 abolished while LV‐shLMP‐1 aggravated TNF‐α mediated down‐regulation of the above matrix genes via ERK1/2 activation. Moreover, LV‐LMP‐1 abrogated TNF‐α induced MMP‐3 and MMP‐13 expression via inhibiting p65 translocation and MMP‐3 and MMP‐13 promoter activity. These results indicated that LMP‐1 had an ECM production maintenance effect under inflammatory stimulation. This effect was via up‐regulation of matrix genes expression at least partially through ERK1/2 activation, and down‐regulation of MMPs expression through NF‐κB inhibition. © 2014 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 33:???–???, 2015.
Associations between ALOX, COX, and CRP polymorphisms and breast cancer among Hispanic and non‐Hispanic white women: The breast cancer health disparities study
Authors: Connor Avonne E. , Baumgartner Richard N. , Baumgartner Kathy B. , Pinkston Christina M. , Boone Stephanie D. , John Esther M. , Mejía Gabriela Torres‐ , Hines Lisa M. , Giuliano Anna R. , Wolff Roger K. , Slattery Martha L.
Published: October 2014

Chronic inflammation is suggested to be associated with specific cancer sites, including breast cancer. Recent research has focused on the roles of genes involved in the leukotriene/lipoxygenase and prostaglandin/cyclooxygenase pathways in breast cancer etiology. We hypothesized that genes in ALOX/COX pathways and CRP polymorphisms would be associated with breast cancer risk and mortality in our sample of Hispanic/Native American (NA) (1430 cases, 1599 controls) and non‐Hispanic white (NHW) (2093 cases, 2610 controls) women. A total of 104 Ancestral Informative Markers was used to distinguish European and NA ancestry. The adaptive rank truncated product (ARTP) method was used to determine the significance of associations for each gene and the inflammation pathway with breast cancer risk and by NA ancestry. Overall, the pathway was associated with breast cancer risk (PARTP = 0.01). Two‐way interactions with NA ancestry (Padj < 0.05) were observed for ALOX12 (rs2292350, rs2271316) and PTGS1 (rs10306194). We observed increases in breast cancer risk in stratified analyses by tertiles of polyunsaturated fat intake for ALOX12 polymorphisms; the largest increase in risk was among women in the highest tertile with ALOX12 rs9904779CC (Odds Ratio (OR), 1.49; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.14‐1.94, Padj = 0.01). In a sub‐analysis stratified by NSAIDs use, two‐way interactions with NSAIDs use were found for ALOX12 rs9904779 (Padj = 0.02), rs434473 (Padj = 0.02), and rs1126667 (Padj =  0.01); ORs for ALOX12 polymorphisms ranged from 1.55 to 1.64 among regular users. Associations were not observed with breast cancer mortality. These findings could support advances in the discovery of new pathways related to inflammation for breast cancer treatment. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An unbiased computational contact formulation for 3D friction
Authors: Sauer Roger A. , De Lorenzis Laura
Published: October 2014

A new computational contact formulation is presented and analyzed for large deformation frictional contact. The new formulation uses an unbiased treatment of the two neighboring contact surfaces considering the two‐half‐pass contact algorithm, originally derived for frictionless contact. The presented work thus introduces several novelties to unbiased friction algorithms. The new algorithm does not enforce traction continuity at the contact interface explicitly but rather satisfies it intrinsically to high accuracy, as is shown. A new 3D friction formulation is also proposed, which is a direct extension of the 1D setup, expressing the friction variables in the parameter space used for the curvilinear surface description. The new formulation resorts to classical expressions in the continuum limit. The current approach usesC1‐smooth contact surface representations based on either Hermite or non‐uniform rational B‐spline interpolation. A penalty regularization is considered for the impenetrability and tangential sticking constraints. The new, unbiased friction formulation is illustrated by several 2D and 3D examples, which include an extensive analysis of the model parameters, a convergence study, and the comparison with a classical biased master/slave contact algorithm. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reversible Mechanical Switching of Magnetic Interactions in a Molecular Shuttle
Authors: Bleve Valentina , Schäfer Christian , Franchi Paola , Silvi Serena , Mezzina Elisabetta , Credi Alberto , Lucarini Marco
Published: October 2014

An acid–base switchable molecular shuttle based on a [2]rotaxane, incorporating stable radical units in both the ring and dumbbell components, is reported. The [2]rotaxane comprises a dibenzo[24]crown‐8 ring (DB24C8) interlocked with a dumbbell component that possesses a dialkylammonium (NH2+) and a 4,4′‐bipyridinium (BPY2+) recognition site. Deprotonation of the rotaxane NH2+ centers effects a quantitative displacement of the DB24C8 macroring to the BPY2+ recognition site, a process that can be reversed by acid treatment. Interaction between stable 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐1‐oxyl (TEMPO) radicals connected to the ring and dumbbell components could be switched between noncoupled (three‐line electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrum) and coupled (five‐line EPR spectrum) upon displacement of the spin‐labelled DB24C8 macroring. The complete base‐ and acid‐induced switching cycle of the EPR pattern was repeated six times without an appreciable loss of signal, highlighting the reversibility of the process. Hence, this molecular machine is capable of switching on/off magnetic interactions by chemically driven reversible mechanical effects. A system of this kind represents an initial step towards a new generation of nanoscale magnetic switches that may be of interest for a variety of applications.
Ovarian cancer and antidepressants
Authors: Wu Chi‐Shin , Lu Mong‐Liang , Liao Yin‐To , Lee Charles Tzu‐Chi , Chen Vincent Chin‐Hung
Published: October 2014

Background

The association between antidepressant use and ovarian cancer remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the ovarian cancer risk with antidepressant use in the general population.

Methods

Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database was used to identify 957 patients with ovarian cancer and 9570 controls. We used a conditional logistic regression model for data analysis, excluding a 1‐year latent period before the diagnosis of ovarian cancer to account for the quantification of treatment duration.

Results

We found no increased risk of developing ovarian cancer among antidepressant users. Neither the duration of antidepressant use nor the average dose had a significant effect on the risk of ovarian cancer. In addition, timing of antidepressant use was not linked to ovarian cancer risk. However, we found the estimate of ovarian cancer risk increased slightly among subjects under 50 years (adjusted OR = 2.03, 95% CI [0.82, 5.02]), although this association was still statistically insignificant (p = 0.12).

Conclusions

There was no association between risk of ovarian cancer and use of antidepressant drugs. Whether or not there is possible risk of using antidepressant whose mechanism of action involves dopamine and norepinephrine warrants further investigation. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Yoga and self‐reported cognitive problems in breast cancer survivors: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Derry Heather M. , Jaremka Lisa M. , Bennett Jeanette M. , Peng Juan , Andridge Rebecca , Shapiro Charles , Malarkey William B. , Emery Charles F. , Layman Rachel , Mrozek Ewa , Glaser Ronald , Kiecolt‐Glaser Janice K.
Published: October 2014

Objectives

Cancer survivors often report cognitive problems. Furthermore, decreases in physical activity typically occur over the course of cancer treatment. Although physical activity benefits cognitive function in noncancer populations, evidence linking physical activity to cognitive function in cancer survivors is limited. In our recent randomized controlled trial, breast cancer survivors who received a yoga intervention had lower fatigue and inflammation following the trial compared with a wait list control group. This secondary analysis of the parent trial addressed yoga's impact on cognitive complaints.

Methods

Posttreatment stage 0–IIIA breast cancer survivors (n = 200) were randomized to a 12‐week, twice‐weekly Hatha yoga intervention or a wait list control group. Participants reported cognitive complaints using the Breast Cancer Prevention Trial Cognitive Problems Scale at baseline, immediately postintervention, and 3‐month follow‐up.

Results

Cognitive complaints did not differ significantly between groups immediately postintervention (p = 0.250). However, at 3‐month follow‐up, yoga participants' Breast Cancer Prevention Trial Cognitive Problems Scale scores were an average of 23% lower than wait list participants' scores (p = 0.003). These group differences in cognitive complaints remained after controlling for psychological distress, fatigue, and sleep quality. Consistent with the primary results, those who practiced yoga more frequently reported significantly fewer cognitive problems at 3‐month follow‐up than those who practiced less frequently (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

These findings suggest that yoga can effectively reduce breast cancer survivors' cognitive complaints and prompt further research on mind–body and physical activity interventions for improving cancer‐related cognitive problems. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An Estimate of Basin‐Wide Denitrification Based on Floodplain Inundation in the Atchafalaya River Basin, Louisiana
Authors: Bennett M. G. , Fritz K. A. , Hayden‐Lesmeister A. , Kozak J. P. , Nickolotsky A.
Published: October 2014

Maximizing the reduction of nitrate to dinitrogen gas (denitrification) has been advocated as a means to decrease nitrate pollution that causes eutrophication and hypoxia in estuaries worldwide. Managing this flux in bottomland forest wetlands of the Mississippi River could potentially reduce the world's second largest hypoxic zone. We used published denitrification rates, geospatial data on habitat area and inundation frequency, water level records (1963–2011), and average monthly temperatures to estimate annual denitrification in the Atchafalaya River Basin, the principal distributary of the Mississippi River. Denitrification rates ranged from 5394 kg N year−1(3.07 kg N km−2 year−1) in 1988 to 17 420 kg N year−1(9.92 kg N km−2 year−1) in 1981, and rates were consistently higher in fall compared with those in spring. Total NO3−denitrified in the basin was negligible compared with total NO3−entering the Gulf of Mexico. If all N denitrified in the basin instead entered the Gulf, the hypoxic zone was predicted to increase only 5.07 km2(0.06%). This negligible effect of the basin on N dynamics in the Gulf agrees with other mass balance and isotopic studies in the region. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surgical Outcomes in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Associated with Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Yoshida Naoki , Takayama Tadatoshi , Midorikawa Yutaka , Higaki Tokio , Nakayama Hisashi , Moriguchi Masamichi , Tsuji Shingo
Published: October 2014

Background

Only a few papers have focused on the surgical outcomes of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with the metabolic syndrome. We compared the outcomes of patients with metabolic HCC with those of patients with non‐B, non‐C HCC associated with other etiologies.

Methods

Metabolic HCC was defined as HCC arising in patients with at least three of the following metabolic disorders: central obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. A total of 246 patients with non‐B, non‐C HCC were divided into three groups: metabolic HCC (n = 35), alcoholic HCC (n = 114), and cryptogenic HCC (n = 97). Clinical characteristics, surgical data, and survival were compared among the three groups.

Results

Metabolic HCC was diagnosed at a significantly higher age than alcoholic (75 vs. 68 years, P = 0.004) and cryptogenic HCCs (75 vs. 71 years, P = 0.027). Postoperative complications occurred significantly higher in patients with metabolic HCC compared with those with cryptogenic HCC (40.0 vs. 22.7 %, P = 0.049). Especially, pulmonary complications were significant in metabolic HCC compared with cryptogenic HCC (22.9 vs. 8.2 %, P = 0.023). The overall survival rates in the metabolic, alcoholic, and cryptogenic HCC groups were 96.7 % (95 % CI, 90.5–100), 96.3 % (95 % CI, 92.8–99.9), and 95.6 % (95 % CI, 91.5–99.9) at 1 year, respectively, and 87.2 % (95 % CI, 74.5–100), 82.9 % (95 % CI, 74.6–92.2), and 84.5 % (95 % CI, 75.7–94.3) at 3 years, respectively (P = 0.84). The disease‐free survival rates in each group were 74.4 % (95 % CI, 60.5–91.5), 76.9 % (95 % CI, 69.2–85.5), and 74.3 % (95 % CI, 65.0–84.8) at 1 year, respectively, and 29.3 % (95 % CI, 16.6–51.8), 39.0 % (95 % CI, 29.7–51.2), and 41.1 % (95 % CI, 29.7–56.8) at 3 years, respectively, (P = 0.90).

Conclusions

Metabolic HCC patients have specific risks of postoperative complication related to the metabolic syndrome.
On the analysis of a coupled kinetic-fluid model with local alignment forces
Authors: Carrillo José A. , Choi Young-Pil , Karper Trygve K.
Published: October 2014

This paper studies global existence, hydrodynamic limit, and large-time behavior of weak solutions to a kinetic flocking model coupled to the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations. The model describes the motion of particles immersed in a Navier–Stokes fluid interacting through local alignment. We first prove the existence of weak solutions using energy and

L^{p}

estimates together with the velocity averaging lemma. We also rigorously establish a hydrodynamic limit corresponding to strong noise and local alignment. In this limit, the dynamics can be totally described by a coupled compressible Euler – incompressible Navier–Stokes system. The proof is via relative entropy techniques. Finally, we show a conditional result on the large-time behavior of classical solutions. Specifically, if the mass-density satisfies a uniform in time integrability estimate, then particles align with the fluid velocity exponentially fast without any further assumption on the viscosity of the fluid.
Early versus delayed oral feeding for patients after cesarean
Authors: Guo Jin , Long Shuyu , Li Huafeng , Luo Jinfeng , Han Dongmei , He Teng
Published: October 2014

Background

Early oral feeding (EOF) after cesarean delivery is still controversial.

Objectives

To assess whether EOF is superior to delayed oral feeding (DOF) after cesarean in terms of safety and effectiveness.

Search strategy

PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched for reports related to early feeding and cesarean published in English before June 30, 2014.

Selection criteria

Randomized controlled trials comparing at least one of six outcomes after EOF (≤ 12 hours after surgery) and DOF (after return of bowel sounds/movement or > 12 hours) after cesarean delivery were included.

Data collection and analysis

Data were extracted using a predesigned extraction form. Risk ratios or mean differences were calculated.

Main results

A total of 20 studies were included, including 4584 women who had undergone cesarean. No significant differences were identified in patient satisfaction and frequency of postoperative complications. Compared with DOF, EOF promoted a quicker return of bowel sounds, flatus, bowel movement, and regular diet (P < 0.001 for all). Significant reductions were also noted in duration and amount of intravenous fluids, length of hospital stay, and time to first breastfeeding (P < 0.001 for all).

Conclusions

There are no obvious advantages in withholding fluid and food after cesarean. Indeed, EOF offers some short‐term benefits.
Childhood systemic sarcoid-like necrotizing granulomatous disease
Authors: AlE’ed Ashwaq , AlManea Hadeel , Al-Mayouf Sulaiman M.
Published: October 2014

Necrotizing sarcoid-like granulomatous disease is a disorder of unknown etiology that is rarely described in childhood; it affects various organs and has a diverse clinical course. Here, we report the case of a girl with multisystem recalcitrant necrotizing sarcoid-like gran-ulomatous disease. The diagnosis is based on histopathology and the exclusion of other disease entities known to cause granulomatous disease.
Quality assurance in the European policy arena
Authors: Enders Jürgen , Westerheijden Don F
Published: October 2014

Our paper investigates the emergence, development and contested nature of quality assurance (QA) in the European policy arena as part and parcel of the Bologna Process. We conceptualise our paper on the background of the study of multi-level and multi-actor dynamics between national, inter-governmental and supranational policies; we discuss the changing ideational framing of QA in the European policy arena, and attempts at European norm-setting and standardisation. QA in the Bologna Process moved from a non-binding inter-governmental agreement towards monitored coordination and became embedded in the competitive turn in European higher education policy stressing an instrumental view of the university. QA policies unfold coercive pressure for convergence alongside soft templates and prototypes of ‘best practice’. The impressive architecture of Bologna leaves, however, ample room for national and institutional design in policy implementation and a variety of preferences and interests of actors at different levels.
Health-Related Quality of Life and the Adaptation of Residents to Harsh Post-Earthquake Conditions in China
Authors: Liang Ying , Lu Peiyi
Published: October 2014

Objective

This study assessed the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and the adaptation to harsh conditions (APHC) of residents living in post-earthquake zones in Sichuan Province, China, as well as the effect of HRQOL on APHC.

Methods

A sample survey was conducted in 5 counties in Sichuan in May and June 2013 (N=2000). The 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) was used to measure HRQOL. The APHC scale was self-developed and was based on real-life conditions in China. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation model were used to analyze how HRQOL affected APHC.

Results

Cronbach α coefficients indicated that the internal reliability of both scales were good. Results showed that the physical component summary significantly affected APHC, while the effect of the mental component summary was insignificant. APHC had the greatest effect on the adaptation to poor infrastructures (r=0.721) and the least effect on the adaptation to poor social security systems (r=0.608).

Conclusions

The HRQOL of residents living in post-earthquake zones positively affected APHC, particularly physical health. These findings suggested the need for governmental improvement of infrastructures in post-disaster areas. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2014;0:1-7)
HOSTS, STRANGERS AND THE TENURE POLITICS OF LIVESTOCK CORRIDORS IN MALI
Authors: Brottem Leif
Published: October 2014

In dryland West Africa, policy makers have come to acknowledge livestock mobility as a sound adaptation strategy for variable dryland climate regimes. In Mali, the national government is taking measures to support mobility in the form of grazing zones, conflict management mechanisms and, most notably, livestock passage corridors. These corridors are part of a long and contentious history of territorialization in agrarian West Africa. This paper demonstrates through a comparative case study that livestock corridors can accomplish the agro-ecological objective of improving herd mobility but they also have unforeseen political impacts that depend on socio-spatial relations between farmers and herders. By historicizing corridors and contextualizing them within the host–stranger relationship that is found throughout the region, this paper reveals the different meanings that boundary-making processes take on for autochthonous farmers and mobile herders. In an area where ethnic Fulani herders have settled independently from farming communities, the latter have rejected a proposed corridor. In contrast, farmers in areas where herders are seasonal guests have supported the same measure. These divergent outcomes do not depend simply on different levels of resource competition, but, instead, on the ways in which corridors and their boundaries become inscribed in perceived land claims and power relations between competing groups. These findings have broader implications concerning the interactive changes occurring between autochthonous rights and decentralized democratic institutions in sub-Saharan West Africa.
HARNESSING THE ANCESTORS: MUTUALITY, UNCERTAINTY AND RITUAL PRACTICE IN THE EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA
Authors: Ainslie Andrew
Published: October 2014

In the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, chronic economic uncertainty has seen social relations stretched to breaking point. Informants speak of a ‘war between men and women’. While grinding poverty, death in the shape of HIV/AIDS and suspicion stalk the land, and the project of building theumzi(homestead) falters, hope for the future and, with it, trust between people leach away. One response to such uncertainty is a turn to ritual. Through a nearly relentless schedule of ritual activity that invokes the ancestors and the Christian deity in various forms, Xhosa people attempt to shore up trust, secure ongoing investment in the rural homestead and sustain ties of reciprocity both among rural people and between them and their urban kin. It is also through the staging of these rituals that women, acting together and in support of each other, are increasingly assertive – often in the face of a violent rearguard opposition from men – in their efforts to exercise agency over the differentiated, fragmented and fragile social and economic relationships within their homesteads and across their villages.
A TRICKLE-UP ECONOMY: MUTUALITY, FREEDOM AND VIOLENCE IN CAPE TOWN'S TAXI ASSOCIATIONS
Authors: Bähre Erik
Published: October 2014

Mutuality is at the heart of the continued violence and inequality in South Africa. This historical and anthropological analysis of Cape Town's taxi associations reveals how mutuality has become strongly connected with violence and economic marginalization. The breakdown of apartheid led to new mutualities along the rural–urban divide, which resulted in taxi wars between ‘urban insiders’ and ‘rural outsiders’. After liberation from apartheid, mutuality within Cape Town's taxi associations became a central issue in government policy and commercial interests, which contributed to taxi associations becoming mafia-like organizations. This analysis reveals that taxi owners today find themselves in a trickle-up economy characterized by: violent and shifting mutualities; the embrace of illegality and informality as being vital to doing business; and strong economic intervention by the state.
INTRODUCTION: MUTUAL HELP IN AN ERA OF UNCERTAINTY
Authors: Rodima-Taylor Daivi , Bähre Erik
Published: October 2014

African communities are witnessing a perplexing proliferation of diverse arrangements of mutual security that draw upon old and new solidarities and inventively merge market logic with reciprocal forms of distribution and sharing. The dynamics of such voluntary arrangements and their broader social impacts emerge as increasingly important topics of study. The changing nature of global economies poses challenging questions about the novel relationships between state and market, and the potential of human agency to find alternatives to address growing inequalities. This collection focuses on local institutions of mutual security as alternative – yet also interdependent – forms of distribution that have become particularly relevant in the current era of global financialization and the changing dynamics between private and public social spheres. Various voluntary associations and informal economic networks, financial mutuals and savings/credit groups are becoming central in regulating access to resources and defining patterns of association in African communities. The articles in this themed part-issue explore these social security networks and organizations, concentrating on their ambiguous potential to empower the marginal as well as to contribute to social strife and political conflict. Ethnographic cases from diverse parts of Africa illustrate the impacts of the environments of uncertainty on the emergence of novel forms of association. The contributions suggest that contemporary mutual help arrangements should be seen as being central to the emergence of new social spaces and power configurations in such settings, revealing a broader social dynamic of globalization.
TOPICS AND TANGENTS FOR MUTUAL HELP IN UNCERTAINTY
Authors: Shipton Parker
Published: October 2014

Self-help groups of varied kinds emerge when kinship, territorial governance or other accustomed associations prove unreliable. Interactions that appear helpful and mutual to one party need not always seem so to another. Shaping their character are not just reason and economic or political necessity, but also feelings, some of which humans share with other animals. These feelings often depend, however, on distinctly human symbolic and linguistic contrivances, sometimes of ironic kinds. Mutual help in Africa often spans generations, and by some interpretations both the living and the non-living. Rites and ceremonies can change over time in relation to other ones performed. Whether these conventions strengthen each other, as if by exercise, or substitute for each other in a more hydraulic way as a trade-off is hard to predict or generalize. Input from several sciences, once integrated with humanistic inquiry, may further enrich our understanding.
THE POLITICAL ECOLOGY OF ‘INCURSIONS’: LIVESTOCK, PROTECTED AREAS AND SOCIO-ECOLOGICAL DYNAMICS IN THE MARA REGION OF KENYA
Authors: Butt Bilal
Published: October 2014

Across the world, the presence of domestic animals in protected areas (PAs) is considered an ‘incursion’ that threatens the economic and ecological viability of these areas. Dominant narratives about incursions inaccurately describe the relationships between people and PAs because they lack adequate contextualization. In this paper, I rely on a political-ecological framework to argue for an alternative narrative. Through a case study from a PA in southern Kenya, I demonstrate how incursions are instead modern co-productions that arise from the intersections between changing political geographies of resource control and variable animal geographies of resource utilization – thus clarifying a long-standing debate about the presence of domestic animals in PAs. I rely on direct empirical and supporting evidence from place-based studies to illustrate the spatial and temporal differences in resource access strategies of wildlife and livestock within and outside the PA. I contrast these against changing land tenure and resource management policies to highlight how livestock movements into PAs are patterned in ways that reflect the changing nature of PA management, the material conditions of the landscape, and the agency of animals. Through these investigations, this paper provides a more accurate and nuanced explanation for livestock movements into PAs.
Host-plant dependent population genetics of the invading weevilHypera postica
Authors: Iwase S.-I. , Nakahira K. , Tuda M. , Kagoshima K. , Takagi M.
Published: October 2014

Population genetics of invading pests can be informative for understanding their ecology. In this study, we investigated population genetics of the invasive alfalfa weevilHypera posticain Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. We analyzed mitochondrialtRNALeu-COII, nuclearEF-1αgene fragments, andWolbachiainfection in relation to three leguminous host plants:Vicia angustifolia, Vicia villosa, and a new hostAstragalus sinicuscultivated as a honey source and green manure crop. A parsimony network generated from mitochondrial gene sequences uncovered two major haplotypic groups, Western and Egyptian. In contrast to reportedWolbachiainfection of the Western strain in the United States, none of our analyzed individuals were infected. The absence ofWolbachiamay contribute to the stable coexistence of mitochondrial strains through inter-strain reproductive compatibility.Hypera posticagenetic variants for the mitochondrial and nuclear genes were associated neither with host plant species nor with two geographic regions (Hisayama and Kama) within Fukuoka. Mitochondrial haplogroups were incongruent with nuclear genetic variants. Genetic diversity at the nuclear locus was the highest for the populations feeding onV. angustifolia. The nuclear data forA. sinicus-feeding populations indicated past sudden population growth and extended Bayesian skyline plot analysis based on the mitochondrial and nuclear data showed that the growth ofA. sinicus-feeding population took place within the past 1000 years. These results suggest a shorter history ofA. sinicusas a host plant compared withV. angustifoliaand a recent rapid growth ofH. posticapopulation using the new hostA. sinicus.
Agronomically important thrips: development of species-specific primers in multiplex PCR and microarray assay using internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) sequences for identification
Authors: Yeh W.B. , Tseng M.J. , Chang N.T. , Wu S.Y. , Tsai Y.S.
Published: October 2014

Thrips, the sole vector of plantTospovirus, are major pests of many agricultural crops throughout the world. Molecular approaches have been applied in recent decades to identify these minute and morphologically difficult to distinguish insects. In this study, sequences of internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) region of 15 agronomically important thrips, including several virus transmission species, have been analyzed in order to design species-specific primers for multiplex PCR and probes for microarray assay. That the ITS1 sequence distances within species were smaller than those among species suggests that the ITS1 fragment can be used for thrips species identification. The specificity and stability of these primers, combined with universal paired primers, were tested and verified in multiplex PCR. Using these specific primers as probes, microarray assay showed that PCR products of all thrips species hybridized consistently to their corresponding probes, though some signals were weak. We have demonstrated that multiplex PCR using specific primers based on ITS1 sequences is a simple, reliable, and cost-effective diagnostic tool for thrips species identification. Moreover, the DNA microarray assay is expected to extend into a reliable high-throughput screening tool for the vast numbers of thrips.
Woolly apple aphidEriosoma lanigerumHausmann ecology and its relationship with climatic variables and natural enemies in Mediterranean areas
Authors: Lordan Jaume , Alegre Simó , Gatius Ferran , Sarasúa M. José , Alins Georgina
Published: October 2014

A multilateral approach that includes both biotic and climatic data was developed to detect the main variables that affect the ecology and population dynamics of woolly apple aphidEriosoma lanigerum(Hausmann). Crawlers migrated up and down the trunk mainly from spring to autumn and horizontal migration through the canopy was observed from May to August. Winter temperatures did not kill the canopy colonies, and both canopy and root colonies are the source of reinfestations in Mediterranean areas. Thus, control measures should simultaneously address roots and canopy. European earwigsForficula auricularia(Linnaeus) were found to reduce the survival of overwintering canopy colonies up to June, and this can allow their later control by the parasitoidAphelinus mali(Haldeman) from summer to fall. Preliminary models to predict canopy infestations were developed.
Seasonal trends, sampling plans and parasitoid complex of the Chinese wax scale, Ceroplastes sinensis Del Guercio (Hemiptera: Coccidae), in Mediterranean citrus groves
Authors: Martínez-Ferrer M.T. , Campos-Rivela J.M. , Verdú M.J.
Published: October 2014

Seasonal trends and the parasitoid complex of Chinese wax scale (Ceroplastes sinensis) was studied from July 2010 to February 2013. Six commercial citrus groves located in northeastern Spain were sampled fortnightly. Chinese wax scale completed a single annual generation. Egg oviposition started in May and continued until mid-July. Egg hatching began in mid-June, and in the first quarter of August, the maximum percentage of hatched eggs was reached. In the same groves, the parasitoid species of C. sinensis were determined together with their seasonal trends, relative abundance and occurrence on C. sinensis. Four hymenoptera were found parasitizing C. sinensis, mainly on third instars and females: Coccophagus ceroplastae (Aphelinidae), Metaphycus helvolus (Encyrtidae), Scutellista caerulea (Pteromalidae) and Aprostocetus ceroplastae (Eulophidae). The most abundant species was A. ceroplastae, corresponding to 54% of the parasitoids emerged. Coccophagus ceroplastae and M. helvolus represented 19%, whereas S. caerulea comprised 8% of the total. This study is the first published record of C. ceroplastae in Spain and the first record of M. helvolus on C. sinensis in Spain. Concerning the economical thresholds normally used, sampling plans developed for the management of C. sinensis in citrus groves should target population densities of around 12–20% of invaded twigs, equivalent to 0.2–0.5 females per twig. The sample size necessary to achieve the desired integrated pest management precision is 90–160 twigs per grove for the enumerative plan and about 160–245 twigs per grove for the binomial plan.
To leave or not to leave: retirement intentions and retirement behaviour
Authors: SOLEM PER ERIK , SYSE ASTRI , FURUNES TRUDE , MYKLETUN REIDAR J. , DE LANGE ANNET , SCHAUFELI WILMAR , ILMARINEN JUHANI
Published: October 2014

Research on the correspondence between retirement intentions and subsequent behaviour is scarce. We aimed to explore possible associations between retirement intentions and behaviour, using five-year high-quality quantitative panel data on Norwegian senior workers. Retirement intentions operate at different levels of firmness: (a) considerations; (b) preferences; and (c) decisions. Compared to work continuation considerations, a targeted age for retirement improved predictive power whether the target was preferred or decided, and particularly so if the target (i.e.the preferred or decided age of retirement), corresponded with a normative retirement age. Because more workers are able to state a preferred age of retiring than a decision about when to retire, preferences may be better proxies for retirement behaviour than decisions, when the issue is planning for policies. The correspondence between intentions and behaviour varies primarily by health, education and type of work. Older workers with poor health, and workers with low education, often retire earlier than they prefer. Blue-collar workers often retire earlier than they had decided. These findings illustrate the possible effect of labour market resources, not only for senior workers' labour market participation, but also for their opportunities to work up to the age they prefer or had decided. Even for white-collar workers and those in good health, constraints seem to apply when they wish to retire late.
Technical Development of Milking Machines
Authors: Akam D.N.
Published: October 2014

The milking machine has a unique place in the mechanization of dairy farming. It is, as yet, the only fully successful and almost universally accepted machine used directly with cattle and the rates of its acceptance and development have to a large extent governed the trends in other methods of milk production. The direct effects of machine milking on labour usage are very evident. One milker took an hour to hand-milk about 10 cows whereas he can now machine - milk 60 to 100 in the same time. The indirect effects are less obvious but at least as important. The progress of the mechanization of milking has required changes to be made in cattle housing, bedding methods, effluent handling, cattle feeding and made possible new systems of milk production. In a meeting on the mechanization of livestock production a brief review of the trends in milking machine development is useful. Although the development of mechanical milking has had major far-reaching effects on livestock husbandry the changes are not rapid and major innovations such as the development of milking parlours take many years to become assimilated into farming practice.
Balamuthia mandrillaris therapeutic mud bath in Jamaica
Authors: TODD C. D. , REYES-BATLLE M. , PIÑERO J. E. , MARTÍNEZ-CARRETERO E. , VALLADARES B. , LINDO J. F. , LORENZO-MORALES J.
Published: October 2014

Balamuthia mandrillaris is an emerging cause of encephalitis in humans. The transmission dynamics are poorly understood due to the high fatality rate and the sporadic nature of cases. Seventy-two soil samples were collected from beaches and the banks of lagoons, rivers, ponds, mineral springs and streams from across Jamaica and assayed for the presence of B. mandrillaris. Seventy-nine sites were sampled and the mitochondrial 16S rDNA gene of B. mandrillaris was amplified and sequenced to confirm the presence of the amoeba. One isolate of B. mandrillaris was recovered from soil from mineral spring which hosts an informal therapeutic mud bath business. Although B. mandrillaris is less frequently isolated from soil than other free-living amoebae, rubbing mud containing the organism onto the skin increases the likelihood of exposure and infection. This first report on the isolation of B. mandrillaris in the Caribbean and its presence in soil where human contact is likely warrants further investigation using serological methods to elucidate exposure patterns.
Infantile cardiac vascular tumour: from prenatal diagnosis to postnatal treatment
Authors: Lin Ting-Wei , Wang Jieh-Neng , Kan Chung-Dann
Published: October 2014

Primary vascular tumour of the heart is rare, especially in neonates and infants. We report a male premature newborn with a right atrial tumour associated with a large amount of pericardial effusion detected by screening foetal echography. Diagnosis of capillary haemangioma was confirmed by histopathological examination after complete surgical resection. Other vascular tumours in the neonates and infants reported in the English literatures are reviewed, and one algorithm for both prenatal and postnatal management is proposed.