bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Profile of ethnicity, living arrangements and loneliness amongst older adults in Aotearoa New Zealand: A national cross‐sectional study
Authors: Jamieson Hamish A , Gibson Helen M , Abey‐Nesbit Rebecca , Ahuriri‐Driscoll Annabel , Keeling Sally , Schluter Philip J
Published: December 2017

Objective

To explore the patterns of living arrangements, ethnicity and loneliness amongst older adults (aged 65+ years) living at home.

Methods

National interRAI‐HC (International Residential Assessment Instrument‐Home Care) assessments conducted between 1 September 2012 and 31 January 2016 were analysed. Analysis focused on the associations between loneliness and both ethnic groups and living arrangements.

Results

There were 71 859 eligible participants, with average age 82.7 years, comprising Māori (5%), Pasifika (3%), Asian (2%) and European/Other (89%) ethnic identification. Most stated that they were not lonely (79%), but those living alone were more likely to be lonely (29%) than those living with others (14%) (P < 0.05). Amongst those living alone, significant differences in the likelihood of being lonely emerged between ethnic groups (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Ethnic identification and living arrangements were significantly associated with the likelihood of loneliness for those having an interRAI‐HC assessment. Efforts to reduce the negative impacts of loneliness need a nuanced approach.
Peri‐operative management of patients with type‐2 diabetes mellitus undergoing non‐cardiac surgery using liraglutide, glucose–insulin–potassium infusion or intravenous insulin bolus regimens: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Polderman J. A. W. , van Steen S. C. J. , Thiel B. , Godfried M. B. , Houweling P. L. , Hollmann M. W. , DeVries J. H. , Preckel B. , Hermanides J.
Published: December 2017

In this open‐label multicentre randomised controlled trial, we investigated three peri‐operative treatment strategies to lower glucose and reduce the need for rescue insulin in patients aged 18–75 years with type‐2 diabetes mellitus undergoing non‐cardiac surgery. Patients were randomly allocated using a web‐based randomisation program to premedication with liraglutide (liraglutide group), glucose–insulin–potassium infusion (insulin infusion group) or insulin bolus regimen (insulin bolus group), targeting a glucose < 8.0 mmol.l−1. The primary outcome was the between group difference in median glucose levels 1 h after surgery. We analysed 150 patients (liraglutide group n = 44, insulin infusion group n = 53, insulin bolus group n = 53) according to the intention‐to‐treat principle. Median (IQR[range]) plasma glucose 1 h postoperatively was lower in the liraglutide group compared with the insulin infusion and insulin bolus groups (6.6 (5.6–7.7 [4.2–13.5]) mmol.l−1vs. 7.5 (6.4–8.3 [3.9–16.6]) mmol.l−1(p = 0.026) and 7.6 (6.4–8.9 [4.7–13.2]) mmol.l−1) p = 0.006, respectively). The incidence of hypoglycaemia and postoperative complications did not differ between the groups. Six patients had pre‐operative nausea in the liraglutide group, of which two had severe nausea, compared with no patients in the insulin infusion and insulin bolus groups (p = 0.007). The pre‐operative administration of liraglutide stabilised peri‐operative plasma glucose levels and reduced peri‐operative insulin requirements, at the expense of increased pre‐operative nausea rates.
Copper sulphate forms in piglet diets: Microbiota, intestinal morphology and enteric nervous system glial cells
Authors: Di Giancamillo Alessia , Rossi Raffaella , Martino Piera Anna , Aidos Lucia , Maghin Federica , Domeneghini Cinzia , Corino Carlo
Published: December 2017

The objective of this study was to evaluate dietary supplementation with different copper sulphate (CuSO4) forms on small intestine microanatomy and large intestine microbiota. Ninety weaned piglets were divided into three experimental groups: control diet (CTR), with no added CuSO4 and diets supplemented with 150 ppm of CuSO4 in protected (150P) and unprotected form (150UP). After 18 days of dietary treatment, six piglets per treatment were randomly selected and sacrificed. Duodenum villi length and crypt depths were higher (P < 0.001) in the animals fed 150UP than other groups. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a marker for enteric glial cells, was unaffected by dietary treatments. The total bacteria and Enterobacteriaceae bacteria counts were lower (P < 0.05) in cecum of animals fed 150P in comparison with the other two groups. In the colon the Streptococci spp were lower (P < 0.001) in both CuSO4 supplemented groups than controls. The obtained results revealed a modulation of intestinal structure and microbiota exerted by the studied CuSO4 dietary supplementation. The present data show that dietary supplementation with 150UP in the first period post‐weaning may assist in restoring the gut morphology, improving duodenal structure.
Biology and pathological implications of brown adipose tissue: promises and caveats for the control of obesity and its associated complications
Authors: Tapia Pablo , Fernández‐Galilea Marta , Robledo Fermín , Mardones Pablo , Galgani José E. , Cortés Víctor A.
Published: December 2017

The discovery of metabolically active brown adipose tissue (BAT) in adult humans has fuelled the research of diverse aspects of this previously neglected tissue. BAT is solely present in mammals and its clearest physiological role is non‐shivering thermogenesis, owing to the capacity of brown adipocytes to dissipate metabolic energy as heat. Recently, a number of other possible functions have been proposed, including direct regulation of glucose and lipid homeostasis and the secretion of a number of factors with diverse regulatory actions. Herein, we review recent advances in general biological knowledge of BAT and discuss the possible implications of this tissue in human metabolic health. In particular, we confront the claimed thermogenic potential of BAT for human energy balance and body mass regulation, mostly based on animal studies, with the most recent quantifications of human BAT.
Kin competition accelerates experimental range expansion in an arthropod herbivore
Authors: Van Petegem Katrien , Moerman Felix , Dahirel Maxime , Fronhofer Emanuel A. , Vandegehuchte Martijn L. , Van Leeuwen Thomas , Wybouw Nicky , Stoks Robby , Bonte Dries
Published: December 2017

With ongoing global change, life is continuously forced to move to novel areas, which leads to dynamically changing species ranges. As dispersal is central to range dynamics, factors promoting fast and distant dispersal are key to understanding and predicting species ranges. During range expansions, genetic variation is depleted at the expanding front. Such conditions should reduce evolutionary potential, while increasing kin competition. Organisms able to recognise relatives may be able to assess increased levels of relatedness at expanding range margins and to increase their dispersal in a plastic manner. Using individual‐based simulations and experimental range expansions of a spider mite, we demonstrate that plastic responses to kin structure can be at least as important as evolution in driving range expansion speed. Because recognition of kin or kind is increasingly documented across the tree of life, we anticipate it to be a highly important but neglected driver of range expansions.
Contingent capital with repeated interconversion between debt‐ and equity‐like instruments
Authors: Cai Yanping , Yang Zhaojun , Zhao Zhiming
Published: December 2017

This paper introduces a new form of contingent capital, contingent convertible securities (CCSs), which might repeatedly convert between debt‐ and equity‐like instruments depending on financial conditions. We derive explicit prices of corporate securities, assuming the cash flow is modeled as a geometric Brownian motion. We present an explicit value of the increased tax shields due to CCSs. We provide an explicit optimal capital structure when CCSs are issued and interestingly, the ratio of the optimal straight bond coupon to CCS coupon is constant and independent of the firm's financial conditions. All the conclusions hold true also for contingent convertibles.
Panorama construction for PTZ camera surveillance with the neural gas network
Authors: Thurnhofer‐Hemsi Karl , López‐Rubio Ezequiel , Domínguez Enrique , Luque‐Baena Rafael Marcos , Molina‐Cabello Miguel A.
Published: December 2017

The construction of a model of the background of a scene still remains as a challenging task in video surveillance systems, in particular for moving cameras. This work presents a novel approach for constructing a panoramic background model based on the neural gas network and a subsequent piecewise linear interpolation by Delaunay triangulation. Furthermore, an ensemble model of neural gas networks is also proposed. The approach can handle arbitrary camera directions and zooms for a pan‐tilt‐zoom camera‐based surveillance system. After testing the proposed approach on several indoor sequences, the results demonstrate that the proposed methods are effective and suitable to use for real‐time video surveillance applications.
Schools as workplaces: Intersectional regimes of inequality
Authors: Quinn Johanna S. , Ferree Myra Marx
Published: December 2017

Joan Acker extended her 1990 brilliant and path‐breaking article, ‘Hierarchies, Jobs, Bodies', to address the intersectional effects of gender, race and class as ‘inequality regimes' in her 2006 article of that name. This research picks up her challenge to see embodied workers holding jobs in organizations structured simultaneously and interactively by gender, race and class processes. Rather than studying a corporate regime in which the actors are managers, supervisors and workers, this study looks at the organizational interactions among teachers and paraprofessionals in one large, urban and unionized school district in the United States. We look at skill, care and respect as three dimensions of interaction embedded in the occupational demands and specific job requirements of teachers and paraprofessionals, and some of the tensions this regime produces between the largely White teachers and the women of colour who are the paraprofessionals. By highlighting the largely invisible racialized work of supporting the moral worth of students and staff, we extend the understanding of skill and care beyond a binary model.
RED LEVIATHAN: AUTHORITY AND VIOLENCE IN REVOLUTIONARY POLITICAL CULTURE
Authors: EDELSTEIN DAN
Published: December 2017

As Mao euphemistically remarked, revolutions are not dinner parties. Violence is to be expected when political regimes are overturned. But the violence that accompanied modern revolutions is remarkable for the fact that it targeted fellow revolutionaries almost as often as declared opponents. Why is this? In this essay, I suggest that the reason has to do with a specific feature of revolutions that abandon constitutional forms of political legitimacy. These revolutions, following the precedent of the French “revolutionary government” (1793–94) and Marx's model of a “revolution in permanence,” tend to base the authority of their governments on the fulfillment of revolutionary expectations. This creates a political culture in which authority derives from the power to define what these expectations are, and what “revolution” means (much like Hobbes's sovereign had the power to set the meaning of words). But revolutionary culture does not leave room for Rawlsian pluralism. “There can be no solution to the social problem but mine,” proclaims the revolutionary ideologue in Dostoyevsky's The Possessed, expressing the law of the Red Leviathan. Such a system does not allow for loyal opposition. Accordingly, the specter of counterrevolution always hovers above disagreements between fellow revolutionaries. The purge thus becomes the necessary method for settling ideological differences.
Continuous hydrothermal flow synthesis of Gd‐doped CeO2 (GDC) nanoparticles for inkjet printing of SOFC electrolytes
Authors: Xu Yu , Farandos Nicholas , Rosa Massimo , Zielke Philipp , Esposito Vincenzo , Vang Hendriksen Peter , Jensen Søren Højgaard , Li Tao , Kelsall Geoffrey , Kiebach Ragnar
Published: December 2017

GdxCe1‐xO2‐δ (GDC) nanoparticles were synthesized, using continuous hydrothermal flow synthesis. By varying the synthesis conditions, particle size and morphology could be tailored. Here, particle sizes between 6 and 40 nm with polyhedral or octahedral shape could be obtained. Gd0.2Ce0.8O2‐δ nanoparticles were further processed into inks for inkjet printing. Despite the small particle size/large surface area, inks with excellent printing behavior were formulated. For proof‐of‐concept, thin GDC layers were printed on a) green NiO‐GDC substrates, and on b) presintered NiO‐YSZ substrates. While no dense layers could be obtained on the green NiO‐GDC substrates, GDC nanoparticles printed on NiO‐YSZ substrates formed a dense continuous layer after firing at 1300°C.
SLURP‐1 is mutated in Mal de Meleda, a potential molecular signature for melanoma and a putative squamous lineage tumor suppressor gene
Authors: Bergqvist Christina , Kadara Humam , Hamie Lamiaa , Nemer Georges , Safi Remi , Karouni Mirna , Marrouche Nadine , Abbas Ossama , Hasbani Divina J. , Kibbi Abdul G. , Nassar Dany , Shimomura Yutaka , Kurban Mazen
Published: December 2017

Background

Mal de Meleda (MDM) is a rare inherited autosomal recessive genodermatosis characterized by palmoplantar keratoderma (PPK) with transgrediens and caused by mutations in the SLURP1 gene. Uncommonly, cutaneous tumors have been found at PPK sites in MDM patients.

Objective

To study a Middle Eastern family with MDM with both PPK and skin tumors.

Methods

We studied a Middle Eastern (Palestinian) family with clinical features of MDM and cutaneous tumors. Histopathological analysis was performed on biopsies from skin lesions found in the affected individuals. Direct sequencing of SLURP1 was performed in MDM affected members. In silico analysis of publicly available datasets was used to survey SLURP1 mRNA levels in normal and malignant tissues. Statistical analysis was performed in the R statistical language.

Results

Affected members from the Middle Eastern family displayed severe forms of PPK consistent with MDM. Histopathological analysis of the skin lesions revealed that the examined affected members exhibited skin squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) and melanoma. Sequence analysis revealed homozygous SLURP1 mutations (c.82delT) in the affected members. Following analysis of various publicly available expression datasets, SLURP1 mRNA levels were found to be markedly elevated in tissues of epithelial lineage, relative to tissues of other lineages, and significantly suppressed in malignant tumors of epithelial lineage relative to normal or their premalignant counterparts. There was significant decrease in SLURP‐1 expression in melanomas versus melanocytic nevi as well as a highly significant decrease in SLURP‐1 expression in metastatic melanomas as compared to primary melanoma.

Conclusion

Our study underscores cases of Middle Eastern MDM with SLURP1 mutations and skin malignancies at PPK sites. Our findings also highlight a plausible epithelial lineage‐specific tumor suppressor role for the SLURP1 gene, as well as a role in the development and metastasis of melanoma and thus a potential molecular signature for melanoma.
Molecular Characterization of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Wild Carnivores in Spain
Authors: Santín Mónica , Calero‐Bernal Rafael , Carmena David , Mateo Marta , Balseiro Ana , Barral Marta , Lima Barbero José Francisco , Habela Miguel Ángel
Published: December 2017

Microsporidia comprises a diverse group of obligate intracellular parasites that infect a broad range of invertebrates and vertebrates. Among Microsporidia, Enterocytozoon bieneusi is the most frequently detected species in humans and animals worldwide bringing into question the possible role of animal reservoirs in the epidemiology of this pathogen. Although E. bieneusi is an emerging zoonotic pathogen able to infect many domestic and wild mammals that could act as reservoir of infection for humans and other animals, only few studies have documented its occurrence in wild carnivores. To determine the occurrence of E. bieneusi in wild carnivores, we examined 190 wild carnivores collected from different locations in Spain. Twenty‐five fecal samples (13.2%) from three host species (European badger, beech marten, and red fox) were E. bieneusi‐positive by PCR. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the ITS region revealed a high degree of genetic diversity with a total of eight distinct genotypes including four known (PtEbIX, S5, S9, and WildBoar3) and four novel (EbCar1‐EbCar4) genotypes identified. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the four novel genotypes (EbCar1‐EbCar4), S5, S9, and WildBoar3 clustered within the previously designated zoonotic Group 1. Our results demonstrate that human‐pathogenic genotypes are present in wild carnivores, corroborating their potential role as a source of human infection and environmental contamination.
Christ vs. Communism: Communism as a Religious Social Problem in Finland's Proto‐Fascist Lapua Movement in the 1930s
Authors: Koskelainen Sami , Hjelm Titus
Published: December 2017

This article traces the emergence of religious anti‐communist discourse in Finland's proto‐fascist Lapua Movement in the 1930s. Applying constructionist social problems theory, it discusses the constructions of communism as a religious social problem, Christian piety as a solution to the problem of godless communism, and the religious legitimation of violence. The article argues that by identifying Christianity with the Finnish nation the construction of communism as a religious problem—itself an outcome of the influence of revivalist Lutheran ministers in the leadership of the movement—resonated with the broader audience, but that this indigenous religious nationalism lost support with the increasing belligerence of the movement.
Otitis media with effusion in the boxer: a report of seven cases
Authors: Paterson S.
Published: December 2017

The aim of this study was to describe otitis media with effusion in seven boxers. All dogs presented with a range of clinical signs, which included head shaking, neurological dysfunction, pain on opening of the mouth and reduction in hearing ability. Otitis media was confirmed under general anaesthesia in each case by video‐otoscopic identification of a bulging pars tensa and subsequent myringotomy, which revealed a tenacious mucus plug within the middle ear. Brainstem auditory evoked response thresholds were elevated in all affected ears. In three cases, CT revealed soft tissue opacity in the affected bulla. All of the affected middle ears were flushed using warm sterile saline to remove the mucus. A combination of glucocorticoid and antibiotic in EDTA tris was instilled into the middle ears. After the initial middle ear flush under general anaesthesia, topical therapy was applied into the ear canals daily by the owners using the same combination of drugs. Dembrexine, a systemic mucolytic, was administered with food daily. Six out of seven dogs were also prescribed oral prednisolone. In each case, the middle ear effusion was sterile. All clinical signs resolved with treatment, with the exception of facial paralysis in two dogs. Otitis media with effusion should be considered a cause of otitis media in boxers.
Performance of Mixed Species and Mono‐specific Algal Diets for Culture of Larval Western School Prawns, Metapenaeus dalli
Authors: Crisp Jason A. , D'Souza Frances M. L. , Tweedley James R. , Partridge Gavin J. , Moheimani Navid R.
Published: December 2017

The effect of three mono‐specific and four combinations of the diatoms Chaetoceros muelleri, Chaetoceros calcitrans, and the chlorophyte Tetraselmis suecica on survival, development, and dry weight of the western school prawn, Metapenaeus dalli, was assessed from protozoea I until mysis I. The development and dry weight of larvae were significantly greater when fed diets comprising C. muelleri and/or T. suecica. A fourth diet, consisting of all three microalgal species also performed just as well. Survival alone was a poor measure of the performance of the various diets. Larvae fed with C. calcitrans, either alone or in a mixed diet with either C. muelleri or T. suecica, had significantly slower development and lower dry weight. Overall performance, assessed using the normalized biomass development index, determined that both mono‐specific and mixed diets containing C. muelleri and T. suecica were among the best for M. dalli larvae. These results for M. dalli are consistent with those found for commercially grown penaeid prawns. This study enhances the limited knowledge on the feeding requirements of metapenaeid prawn larvae. Moreover, the results will help improve hatchery methods for the aquaculture‐based enhancement of M. dalli in the Swan‐Canning Estuary and potentially increase the abundance of this iconic recreational species.
Approaching Charlotte Brontë in the 21st century
Authors: Wynne Deborah
Published: December 2017

This essay offers an overview of recent criticism in Charlotte Brontë studies. In the year of Brontë's bicentenary, it takes stock of some of the latest approaches and topics covered, including material culture, disability, screen and stage adaptations, sexuality, regional identity, education, trading networks, the periodical press, and the law. Although much of this new criticism contributes to a fresh understanding of Charlotte Brontë's work and legacy, Jane Eyre continues to dominate most critical discussions, and this essay calls for more attention to be paid to The Professor, Shirley, and Villette. It welcomes those historicist readings that continue the important work of contextualizing Brontë's oeuvre, a project that has transformed her from the reticent provincial writer of semi‐autobiographical fiction presented by early critics into a political and socially engaged writer.
Principled Moderation: Understanding Parties’ Support of Moderate Candidates
Authors: Hassell Hans J. G.
Published: December 2017

Recent scholarship has argued that parties strategically support more moderate, and thus more electable, candidates. Using interviews with party elites and new data on the party support and the ideology of primary candidates for the US Senate, I show that parties do support moderate candidates. However, using evidence from districts with different levels of competitiveness and over time, I find that support of moderate candidates appears not to be strategic. Rather, party support of moderate candidates appears to be the result of the ideological preferences of party leadership rather a strategic effort to win elections.
Estimating a Bilateral J‐curve between the UK and the Euro Area
Authors: Michail Nektarios A.
Published: December 2017

Following the United Kingdom's decision to leave the European Union, the pound has depreciated against the euro. This study aims to examine whether the UK could potentially benefit from this depreciation, that is, improve its trade balance with its euro area counterparts. Theory suggests that this could happen only if the Marshall–Lerner condition holds, i.e. if the sum of import and export elasticities is greater than unity. Due to the fact that the Marshall–Lerner condition is static, a more dynamic estimate, the J‐curve, which allows for a distinction between the short‐run and the long‐run response of the trade balance, is employed using bilateral trade data between the UK and 10‐euro area countries. Results, employing both bilateral ARDL and Pooled Mean Group methods show that, until a new trade agreement is reached, the UK trade balance vis‐à‐vis the euro area is not expected to change significantly in the short‐run, while it should improve in the long‐run. The wide range of bilateral findings underlies the idiosyncrasies between euro area countries and also suggests that there is a rationale for countries to explore different paths such as bilateral agreements with the UK.
Application of protoplast technology to CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis: from single‐cell mutation detection to mutant plant regeneration
Authors: Lin Choun‐Sea , Hsu Chen‐Tran , Yang Ling‐Hung , Lee Lan‐Ying , Fu Jin‐Yuan , Cheng Qiao‐Wei , Wu Fu‐Hui , Hsiao Han C.‐W. , Zhang Yesheng , Zhang Ru , Chang Wan‐Jung , Yu Chen‐Ting , Wang Wen , Liao Li‐Jen , Gelvin Stanton B. , Shih Ming‐Che
Published: December 2017

Plant protoplasts are useful for assessing the efficiency of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR‐associated protein 9 (Cas9) mutagenesis. We improved the process of protoplast isolation and transfection of several plant species. We also developed a method to isolate and regenerate single mutagenized Nicotianna tabacum protoplasts into mature plants. Following transfection of protoplasts with constructs encoding Cas9 and sgRNAs, target gene DNA could be amplified for further analysis to determine mutagenesis efficiency. We investigated N. tabacum protoplasts and derived regenerated plants for targeted mutagenesis of the phytoene desaturase (NtPDS) gene. Genotyping of albino regenerants indicated that all four NtPDS alleles were mutated in amphidiploid tobacco, and no Cas9 DNA could be detected in most regenerated plants.
Applications for kodecytes in immunohaematology
Authors: Henry S. , Perry H. , Bovin N.
Published: December 2017

Red cells used in immunohaematology are mostly limited to those that nature provides. Very few techniques are available for adding new functionalities to cells, without affecting their intrinsic functionality or vitality. Kode Technology is a surface modification technology that uses amphipathic function‐spacer‐lipid constructs to rapidly and harmlessly attach bioactive material to cell surfaces (creating kodecytes) and nonbiological surfaces (koded surfaces). Originally designed to attach blood group glycans onto red blood cells for quality control use, the technology has since expanded to modification of any type of cell, enveloped virus, liposome and nonbiological surfaces (including plastics, metals and glass). Today, Kode Technology and the resultant kodecytes are being used in a range of cell‐based diagnostics, as powerful research tools, and most recently as a potential immuno‐oncotherapeutic agent; soon to enter human trials. Immunohaematology applications and opportunities to use the technology in the form of kodecytes range from quality control kits, competency training panels, diagnostic reagents with synthetic rare blood group antigens or infectious disease markers. The constructs can be used for solid‐phase antibody mapping and also have potential as therapeutics, including in vivo neutralization of ABO antibodies. Together with a large range of R&D constructs, Kode Technology remains the most extensive and easy‐to‐use technology for adding bioactive material onto the surface of cells for research and diagnostics.
Los retornos a la educación en México ante la crisis financiera de 2008. Un análisis desde la teoría de portafolios
Authors: Fernández Domínguez Amilcar Orlian , Gómez Hernández Denise , Banda Ortiz Humberto
Published: December 2017

En este artículo se utilizan métodos de análisis financiero –teoría de portafolios– para examinar cambios estructurales entre 2005 y 2016 en los retornos de inversión en educación de pregrado en México considerando el riesgo. Los resultados del análisis econométrico muestran que antes de la crisis financiera era óptimo diversificar (no enviando a todos los miembros a estudiar el pregrado) dado el nivel de riesgo promedio al que se enfrentaban los hogares. Sin embargo, posterior a la crisis financiera, la diferencia entre los ingresos o utilidad esperada de los hogares diversificados y algunos no diversificados se redujo, de manera que el riesgo pesaría más que el rendimiento en la decisión de los hogares de invertir en educación de pregrado.
Análisis de los determinantes de revelación de instrumentos financieros mediante el uso de componentes principales: el caso de empresas mexicanas
Authors: Vásquez-Quevedo Noemí , Mora-Rivera José Jorge
Published: December 2017

El propósito de esta investigación es identificar las principales características que determinan el nivel de cumplimiento de la IFRS 7 (Instrumentos financieros: información a revelar) para un conjunto de empresas mexicanas. Con la técnica de componentes principales para medir el índice de revelación de las empresas, los resultados econométricos destacan que el tipo de auditor, el nivel de multinacionalidad y, en menor medida, el tamaño de las empresas son los determinantes clave para que las empresas cumplan la norma internacional de información financierarelativa a la revelación de instrumentos financieros. Estos hallazgos son consistentes con los obtenidos con métodos previos para medir el índice de revelación, lo que genera robustez y consistencia a nuestros resultados.
Edificios de apartamentos de altura media en la Habana. Evaluación
Authors: González Couret Dania
Published: December 2017

El edificio de apartamentos de altura media resulta una solución apropiada para la vivienda urbana, ya que sin elevados costos de construcción y mantenimiento permite un buen aprovechamiento del suelo urbano. La redensificación de las áreas urbanas consolidadas mediante la inserción de nuevos edificios de vivienda permite aprovechar la infraestructura y servicios existentes, y reducir las distancias. No obstante, el aumento del uso del suelo y las densidades conspiran en contra del logro de ambientes interiores apropiados. El presente artículo ofrece los principales resultados de una investigación desarrollada entre 2000-2010, encaminada a evaluar las soluciones de diseño de los edificios de apartamentos en La Habana, en particular aquellos ubicados en zonas urbanas compactas, a partir de la integración de requerimientos de economía y calidad, como referencia para los nuevos edificios de vivienda a proyectar y construir en la trama urbana consolidada de la ciudad.
Procesos de construcción de la ciudad, segregación y vivienda en las ciudades medias mexicanas
Authors: Pérez Múzquiz Érika E. , Rodríguez Espinosa Claudia
Published: December 2017

El siguiente trabajo aborda el análisis de la vivienda de interés social en la zona periférica de la ciudad de Morelia, Michoacán, México, que es considerada como una ciudad media por su talla demográfica. El objetivo principal del trabajo es el de revisar la vivienda que se produce en la zona rural-urbana a partir de la metodología de trabajo desarrollada por Zaída Muxí y Joseph María Montaner de la UPC-Barcelona, denominada 14+1, y bajo el concepto de comunidad. Los resultados muestran que los desarrolladores de dichos desarrollos ofertan en el discurso mercantil un lugar idílico que solo queda en retórica, puesto que son en realidad zonas marginadas de la ciudad, ubicadas en áreas de riesgo, con una baja calidad de vida, vivienda y espacio público, en donde la ausencia de lugares para el trabajo reproductivo como productivo, representan solo una parte de las deficiencias.
El arbitraje doméstico colombiano a la sombra de la amigable composición como mecanismo que privilegia la autonomía de la voluntad
Authors: Rey-Vallejo Pablo
Published: December 2017

El presente artículo es una reflexión derivada de una investigación y aborda la problemática de las restricciones impuestas a la autonomía privada para configurar el procedimiento arbitral, derivadas de la fórmula de constitucionalización de esta figura. Para ello, realiza un ejercicio comparativo sobre la amigable composición como un ejemplo de mecanismo de solución de controversias cuyo carácter contractual, reconocido únicamente en el plano legal, privilegia en mayor medida la autonomía de la voluntad en la determinación de su trámite. Así, para demostrar que el constituyente y el legislador colombiano habrían podido privilegiar en mayor medida la autonomía de la voluntad en el arbitraje, se analizan las similitudes de este mecanismo con la amigable composición. De esta manera, mediante una investigación sobre las raíces, la evolución normativa y jurisprudencial de la amigable composición en Colombia y en el derecho comparado, se identifica el porqué de las grandes diferencias prácticas en la forma de llevar a cabo estos dos trámites.
Aplicación de los principios de gobiernos corporativos a sociedades no cotizadas en Chile. Una aproximación desde el derecho societario europeo y comparado
Authors: Vásquez-Palma Maria Fernanda , Vidal-Olivares Álvaro
Published: December 2017

Dada la importancia que han adquirido los principios de buen gobierno corporativo (en adelante, PBGC), que rigen las sociedades que cotizan en bolsa y que operan como regla de conducta comercial y punto de referencia para el fortalecimiento de los mecanismos de control y supervisión de la administración de este tipo societario, este trabajo plantea la posibilidad de extensión de los PBGC a las sociedades que no cotizan en los mercados de valores, juntos a sus respectivos fundamentos.
La responsabilidad del arrendador derivada de daños ambientales indirectos ocasionados por el arrendatario en Argentina
Authors: Ruiz Haraví Eloisa , Gapel-Redcozub Guillermo
Published: December 2017

Las transformaciones productivas ocurridas en las últimas décadas en el sector agropecuario argentino han impulsado una división entre la titularidad de la tierra y su explotación. Este desdoblamiento se instrumenta habitualmente mediante contratos de arrendamiento en los que los dueños transfieren el uso y goce del recurso a nuevas formas de organizaciones empresariales (pools de siembra). En un contexto en el que comienzan a multiplicarse los conflictos ambientales asociados a explotaciones rurales insustentables, el presente trabajo lleva adelante una investigación que tiene por objetivo reinterpretar los derechos y obligaciones de las partes del contrato de arrendamiento, con un enfoque particular en los deberes ambientales del arrendador. Con base en el bloque normativo integrado por la Constitución Nacional, la Ley General del
Ambiente y el Código Civil y Comercial, concluimos que el arrendador está sometido a un verdadero deber de control sobre las actividades que se desarrollan sobre su propiedad, y que en caso de incumplimiento de este deber y frente a daños ambientales indirectos, podrá ser tenido por responsable y obligado a costear las reparaciones correspondientes. 
Characterization of particle generated during plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition on amorphous carbon layer using particle beam mass spectrometer
Authors: Kim Dongbin , Kim TaeWan , Park Sang Hyun , Lim Sung Kyu , Lee Hyo-Chang , Kim Taesung , Kang Sang-Woo
Published: December 2017

Nanoscale particles that can affect the process yield were generated using the plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) process. A particle beam mass spectrometer is remarkably useful to understand particle behavior in a reactor. The properties of nanoscale particles obtained from the exhaust line of PECVD during amorphous carbon layer (ACL) growth under various growth conditions were investigated. The number concentration and the size of the nanoscale particles generated were quite sensitive to growth parameters such as radio frequency (RF) plasma power, C2H2, and dopant (i.e., NH3 and B2H6) gas flow rate. For an ACL growth at higher RF plasma power, the average size of the nanoscale particles decreased as the number concentration of particles increased while they are opposingly increased in particle size and decreased in concentration for a higher C2H2 flow rate. A reduction in both the average nanoscale particle size and their number concentration occurred when NH3 gas was used for nitrogen-doped ACL. By contrast, ACL growth with increasing B2H6 gas flow for boron-doped ACL exhibited a larger average nanoscale particle size and number concentration. The particle number concentration was in the range of 106–108 cm−3 with average particle sizes of 100–400 nm. According to this study, the measurement of real-time particle size distribution can help to minimize the number of generated particles and optimize the ACL deposition process.
All-cause mortality and major cardiovascular outcomes comparing percutaneous coronary angioplasty versus coronary artery bypass grafting in the treatment of unprotected left main stenosis: a meta-analysis of short-term and long-term randomised trials
Authors: Laukkanen Jari A , Kunutsor Setor K , Niemelä Matti , Kervinen Kari , Thuesen Leif , Mäkikallio Timo H
Published: December 2017

Objective

We compared percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for the treatment of left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs).

Methods

RCTs of PCI versus CABG in patients with LMCA stenosis were identified from MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library and search of bibliographies to November 2016. Study-specific HRs with 95% CIs were aggregated for all-cause mortality, major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), and other cardiovascular events at time points of 30 days, 1 year and 3 years and beyond.

Results

Six RCTs comprising 4700 patients were included. There were no significant differences in risk of all-cause mortality in pooled analysis of relevant trials at 30 days (0.61, 95% CI 0.27 to 1.36), 1 year (0.66, 95% CI 0.42 to 1.04), and 3 years and beyond (1.04, 95% CI 0.81 to 1.33), comparing PCI with CABG. There was no significant difference in the risk of MACCE at 30 days (0.72, 95% CI 0.51 to 1.03) and 1 year (1.16, 95% CI 0.94 to 1.44); however, PCI was associated with a higher risk of MACCE compared with CABG during longer-term follow-up (1.27, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.44). Composite outcome of death, stroke or myocardial infarction was lower with PCI at 30 days (0.67, 95% CI 0.49 to 0.92). Repeat revascularisation was increased at 1 year and at 3 years and beyond for PCI.

Conclusions

All-cause mortality rates are not significantly different between PCI and CABG at short-term and long-term follow-up. However, PCI is associated with a reduction in the risk of major cardiovascular outcomes at short-term follow-up in patients with LMCA stenosis; but at long term, MACCE rate is increased for PCI.
Gene expression programming to predict Manning’s n in meandering flows
Authors: Pradhan Arpan , Khatua Kishanjit K.
Published: December 2017

Accurate prediction of Manning’s roughness coefficient is essential for the computation of conveyance capacity in open channels. There are various factors affecting the roughness coefficient in a meandering compound channel and not just the bed material. The factors, geometric as well as hydraulic, are investigated and incorporated in the prediction of Manning’s n. In this study, a new and accurate technique, gene expression programming (GEP) is used to estimate Manning’s n. The estimated value of Manning’s n is used in the evaluation of the conveyance capacity of meandering compound channels. Existing methods on conveyance estimation are assessed to carry out a comparison between them and the proposed GEP model. Results show that the discharge capacity computed by the new model provides far better results than the traditional models. The developed GEP model is validated with three individual sections of a natural river, signifying that the model can be applied to field study of rivers, within the stated range of parameters.
A Class-AB Bulk-Driven Amplifier with Enhanced Transconductance Using Quasi-Floating Gate Method
Authors: Akbari Meysam , Hashemipour Omid
Published: December 2017

This paper presents a supper class-AB adaptive biasing bulk-driven amplifier for ultra-low-power applications. In the proposed structure, two bulk-driven flipped voltage follower (FVF) cells are reconfigured as nonlinear tail currents using quasi-floating gate method to enhance transconductance and slew rate. In addition, two idle current controllers are employed as common source amplifiers to provide a supper class-AB structure without increasing total current consumption. The proposed structure is simulated in 0.18-[Formula: see text]m CMOS technology at 0.5[Formula: see text]V supply with 35[Formula: see text]nW power budget. The results show a 57.9[Formula: see text]dB DC gain, 8.8[Formula: see text]kHz gain bandwidth and 38.2[Formula: see text]V/ms slew rate for the proposed amplifier.
Mathematical aspects of Bose–Einstein condensation in equilibrium and local equilibrium conditions
Authors: Accardi Luigi , Pandiscia Carlo
Published: December 2017

In the paper4 the notion of local KMS condition, introduced in Ref. 3 and extended in Ref. 2, was shown to open new possibilities in the study of the problem of Bose–Einstein Condensation (BEC). In this paper we analyze the general structure of states on the CCR algebra over a pre-Hilbert space that satisfies the local KMS condition with respect to a free Hamiltonian [Formula: see text] and to a given inverse temperature function [Formula: see text].

The replacement of Hilbert space by a pre-Hilbert space allows one to deal with test functions more singular than those usually considered in the theory of distributions (thus allowing e.g., fractal critical surfaces) and is equivalent (in the language of Weyl algebras) to consider a degenerate symplectic form. It is precisely this degeneracy that allows one to introduce in an intrinsic way the notions of [Formula: see text]-critical subspace (resp. [Formula: see text]-critical surface) and of states exhibiting BEC, independently of infinite volume limits and of boundary conditions.

We prove that the covariance of any local KMS state is uniquely determined by the pair [Formula: see text], through a nonlinear extension of the Planck factor. For a large class of such states (including all known examples) the covariance splits into a sum of two mutually singular terms: one corresponding to a regular state, the other one with support on a critical surface (or more generally a critical subspace) uniquely determined by [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. In particular we prove that, if such a state is gauge invariant Gaussian (quasi-free), then the [Formula: see text]-equilibrium condition uniquely determines the regular part of the state, while the singular part is arbitrary.
FRF Sensitivity-Based Damage Identification Using Linkage Modeling for Limited Sensor Arrays
Authors: Nguyen Van Vu , Li Jianchun , Erkmen Emre , Alamdari Mehrisadat Makki , Dackermann Ulrike
Published: December 2017

This paper presents a novel method to localize and quantify damage in a jack arch structure by introducing a linkage modeling technique to overcome issues caused by having limited sensors. The main strategy in the proposed Frequency Response Function (FRF)-based sensitivity model updating approach is to divide the specimen into partitions. The Young’s modulus of each partition is then updated to detect stiffness reduction caused by damage. System Equivalent Reduction Expansion Process (SEREP) is used to reduce the full finite element (FE) model to a linkage model. The number of measured degrees of freedom (DOFs) is then expanded to the linkage model using the mass and stiffness matrices of the linkage model for the synthesis of interpolated FRFs. The FRF sensitivities are then formulated using the linkage model along with the interpolated FRFs to iteratively calculate the values of the updating parameters until convergence is achieved. The methodology and theory behind this procedure are discussed and verified using a numerical and experimental study. The successful implementation of this method has the potential to detect the location and severity of damage where sensor placement is limited.
Effectiveness of Using RFHDS Connected PIP System for Subsea Pipeline Vibration Control
Authors: Bi Kaiming , Hao Hong , Chen Wensu
Published: December 2017

Pipe-in-pipe (PIP) system can be considered as a structure-tuned mass damper (TMD) system by replacing the hard centralizers by the softer springs and dashpots to connect the inner and outer pipes. With properly designed connecting devices, PIP system therefore has the potential to mitigate the subsea pipeline vibrations induced by various sources, such as earthquake or vortex shedding. This study proposes using rotational friction hinge dampers with springs (RFHDSs) to connect the inner and outer pipes. The rotational friction hinge dampers (RFHDs) are used to absorb the energy induced by the external vibration sources and the springs are used to provide the stiffness to the TMD system and to restore the original locations of the inner and outer pipes. To investigate the effectiveness of this new design concept, detailed three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) model of the RFHD is developed in ANSYS and the hysteretic behavior of RFHD is firstly studied. The calculated hysteretic loop is then applied to the 3D PIP FE model to estimate the seismic responses. The effectiveness of the proposed system to mitigate seismic induced vibrations is examined by comparing the seismic responses of the proposed system with the conventional PIP system. The influences of various parameters, such as the preload on the bolt, the friction coefficient and the spring stiffness, on the RFHD hysteresis behavior and on the seismic responses of PIP system are investigated and some suggestions on the RFHDS design are made.
Higher-order squeezing oscillations of the single-mode cavity field interacting with a three-level radiator
Authors: Koroli V. I. , Palistrant S. , Nistreanu A.
Published: December 2017

We study the two-photon interaction between a three-level equidistant radiator (atom, molecule) with different dipole transitions and the single-mode cavity field. It is supposed that the three-level radiator is laser cooled and trapped into the ground vibrational state, in which the vibrational quantum number [Formula: see text]. In the proposed two-photon Jaynes–Cummings model (JCM) of a three-level atom at the initial moment [Formula: see text], the quantized cavity field is prepared in the squeezed vacuum state and the three-level radiator in the first excited state [Formula: see text]. By using the exact analytical solution for the state-vector of the coupled atom-field system, the amplitude-squared squeezing of the quantized cavity field is examined as a function of the [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] parameters. In this situation, higher-order squeezing has the tendency towards oscillations, but the exact periodicity of these oscillations is violated by the analogy with the second-order squeezing.