bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mistargeting and Regressive Take Up of the Indonesian Rice Subsidy Program
Authors: Satriawan Elan , Shrestha Ranjan
Published: January 2019

We evaluate household participation in the Indonesian Raskin program, a national rice price subsidy program for the poor. Using a household panel from the 2000 and 2007 rounds of the Indonesian Family Life Survey (IFLS), we evaluate program participation over the duration of the year prior to the 2007 survey using four different measures of participation. We find that although the poor as a whole are likely to have higher levels of participation compared to the non‐poor, program participation is regressive among the poor. The poorest households are less likely to purchase Raskin rice over the course of a year, and, conditional on participation, they are likely to purchase lower quantities of rice, they purchase rice with lower frequency and they have lower participation relative to the number of community distributions. We also find that this regressive participation among the poorest households is more severe in urban areas.
Firm‐level Inventory Dynamics in Korea: A Production‐augmented (S, s) Inventory Model*
Authors: Suh Sangwon , Chun Bong Geul , Choi Byung Jae
Published: January 2019

In this paper, we extend the conventional (S, s) model by incorporating a production process. This extension allows us to analyze not only retailers' but also manufacturers' inventories. Simulation exercises show that our model can generate stylized facts about inventory behaviors. We use the inventory model to estimate firm‐level inventory dynamics in Korea. The estimation results suggest that the predictions implied by our inventory model are largely consistent with the data. The expected demand for finished goods turns out to be the most important factor contributing to inventory variations at the individual firm level. At the aggregate level, however, heterogeneity across firms also matters.
Interactions between cattle grazing, plant diversity, and soil nitrogen in a northeastern U.S. coastal grassland
Authors: Kinnebrew Eva , Champlin Lena K. , Neill Christopher
Published: January 2019

Questions

Can cattle grazing help maintain plant diversity in coastal grasslands? What is the relationship between soil extractable nitrogen and plant diversity in sandy and infertile soils? How does cattle grazing affect soil extractable nitrogen and how might this indirectly impact plant diversity via the N–plant diversity relationship?

Location

Grazed coastal grasslands on Naushon Island, off of Cape Cod, MA, USA.

Methods

We surveyed summer vegetation from 2014 to 2017 and analyzed soils for extractable nitrogen (N) in two grazed grasslands on Naushon Island. We also set up cattle enclosures and exclosures to manipulate grazing pressure and test how cattle grazing influenced plant diversity (species richness and Shannon's diversity) and extractable NH4+ and NO3−. In the enclosure experiment, cattle were enclosed for up to a week in the mid‐summer of 2014, 2015, and 2016. For the exclosure experiment, we excluded cattle from areas from 2014 to 2017.

Results

In both the enclosure and exclosure experiments, higher grazing pressure corresponded to less negative change of plant species richness and Shannon's diversity from 2014 to 2017. Total extractable N had a weak positive correlation with plant diversity, but increasing extractable NO3− correlated with decreasing species richness (p = 0.001) and Shannon's diversity (p = 0.009). Neither the cattle enclosures nor exclosures were related to soil extractable N.

Conclusions

Cattle grazing may help prevent or slow losses of plant diversity that are occurring in many coastal grasslands, including Naushon Island. This effect does not seem to be regulated by cattle deposition of N in the soil or the N–plant diversity relationship. Our results of the N–plant diversity relationship differ from the mainstream understanding, perhaps due to Naushon's sandy and infertile soils.
How is the ethical dissonance index affected by technology, academic dishonesty type and individual differences?
Authors: Sidi Yael , Blau Ina , Eshet‐Alkalai Yoram
Published: January 2019

Academic dishonesty has been growing in both digital and analog settings. The present study aimed to generalize the ethical dissonance index (EDI), which was established in a sample of Israeli school students as the gap between the pervasiveness of academic dishonesty and its perceived legitimacy. Furthermore, the study examined how technology, dishonesty type and individual differences affect these factors. The study employed a scenario‐based approach – an indirect strategy for deducing academic dishonest behaviors. Participants were 1055 school students from various grade levels, geographic locations and religious/ethnic sectors. Results regarding the role of technology revealed that, overall, digital academic dishonesty was less pervasive and deemed more legitimate compared to analog dishonesty. However, this relationship varied as a function of dishonesty type. Findings confirmed that students experienced some level of ethical dissonance, generalizing the EDI. Notably, individual differences did not affect the relationship between media, dishonesty type and the EDI.
BANKING CONCENTRATION AND FIRM GROWTH: THE ROLE OF SIZE, LOCATION AND FINANCIAL CRISIS
Authors: Dimelis Sophia , Giotopoulos Ioannis , Louri Helen
Published: January 2019

Using conditional quantile regressions for a panel of listed firms from euro‐area countries in the 2005–11 period, we explore the impact of banking concentration on firm growth between smaller and larger firms; core and periphery countries; in pre‐crisis and post‐crisis years. Our findings reveal that increasing banking concentration favours high‐growth larger‐sized firms located in periphery countries pre‐crisis. By contrast in post‐crisis years increasing banking concentration impacts negatively on low‐growth smaller firms irrespective of location, revealing their vulnerability.
Urea treatment in fluid restriction‐refractory hyponatraemia
Authors: Lockett Jack , Berkman Kathryn E. , Dimeski Goce , Russell Anthony W. , Inder Warrick J.
Published: January 2019

Objective

Hyponatraemia in hospitalized patients is common and associated with increased mortality. International guidelines give conflicting advice regarding the role of urea in the treatment of SIADH. We hypothesized that urea is a safe, effective treatment for fluid restriction‐refractory hyponatraemia.

Design

Review of urea for the treatment of hyponatraemia in patients admitted to a tertiary hospital during 2016‐2017. Primary end‐point: proportion of patients achieving a serum sodium ≥130 mmol/L at 72 hours.

Patients

Urea was used on 78 occasions in 69 patients. The median age was 67 (IQR 52‐76), 41% were female. Seventy (89.7%) had hyponatraemia due to SIADH—CNS pathology (64.3%) was the most common cause. The duration was acute in 32 (41%), chronic in 35 (44.9%) and unknown in the rest.

Results

The median nadir serum sodium was 122 mmol/L (IQR 118‐126). Fluid restriction was first‐line treatment in 65.4%. Urea was used first line in 21.8% and second line in 78.2%. Fifty treatment episodes (64.1%) resulted in serum sodium ≥130 mmol/L at 72 hours. In 56 patients who received other prior treatment, the mean sodium change at 72 hours (6.9 ± 4.8 mmol/L) was greater than with the preceding treatments (−1.0 ± 4.7 mmol/L; P < 0.001). Seventeen patients (22.7%) had side effects (principally distaste), none were severe. No patients developed hypernatraemia, overcorrection (>10 mmol/L in 24 hours or >18 mmol/L in 48 hours), or died.

Conclusions

Urea is safe and effective in fluid restriction‐refractory hyponatraemia. We recommend urea with a starting dose of ≥30 g/d, in patients with SIADH and moderate to profound hyponatraemia who are unable to undergo, or have failed fluid restriction.
Bardet‐Biedl syndrome: Antenatal presentation of forty‐five fetuses with biallelic pathogenic variants in known Bardet‐Biedl syndrome genes
Authors: Mary Laura , Chennen Kirsley , Stoetzel Corinne , Antin Manuela , Leuvrey Anne , Nourisson Elsa , Alanio‐Detton Elisabeth , Antal Maria C. , Attié‐Bitach Tania , Bouvagnet Patrice , Bouvier Raymonde , Buenerd Annie , Clémenson Alix , Devisme Louise , Gasser Bernard , Gilbert‐Dussardier Brigitte , Guimiot Fabien , Khau Van Kien Philippe , Leroy Brigitte , Loget Philippe , Martinovic Jelena , Pelluard Fanny , Perez Marie‐Josée , Petit Florence , Pinson Lucile , Rooryck‐Thambo Caroline , Poch Olivier , Dollfus Hélène , Schaefer Elise , Muller Jean
Published: January 2019

Bardet‐Biedl syndrome (BBS) is an emblematic ciliopathy associated with retinal dystrophy, obesity, postaxial polydactyly, learning disabilities, hypogonadism and renal dysfunction. Before birth, enlarged/cystic kidneys as well as polydactyly are the hallmark signs of BBS to consider in absence of familial history. However, these findings are not specific to BBS, raising the problem of differential diagnoses and prognosis. Molecular diagnosis during pregnancies remains a timely challenge for this heterogeneous disease (22 known genes). We report here the largest cohort of BBS fetuses to better characterize the antenatal presentation. Prenatal ultrasound (US) and/or autopsy data from 74 fetuses with putative BBS diagnosis were collected out of which molecular diagnosis was established in 51 cases, mainly in BBS genes (45 cases) following the classical gene distribution, but also in other ciliopathy genes (6 cases). Based on this, an updated diagnostic decision tree is proposed. No genotype/phenotype correlation could be established but postaxial polydactyly (82%) and renal cysts (78%) were the most prevalent symptoms. However, autopsy revealed polydactyly that was missed by prenatal US in 55% of the cases. Polydactyly must be carefully looked for in pregnancies with apparently isolated renal anomalies in fetuses.
Peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer thinning rate as a biomarker discriminating stable and progressing relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis
Authors: Bsteh G. , Hegen H. , Teuchner B. , Berek K. , Wurth S. , Auer M. , Di Pauli F. , Deisenhammer F. , Berger T.
Published: January 2019

Background and purpose

Peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (pRNFL) thickness is a strong candidate as a biomarker of axonal degeneration in multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim was to determine a cut‐off value of pRNFL thinning rates in relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS) to discriminate between stable and progressing patients.

Methods

In this 3‐year prospective longitudinal study on 141 RRMS patients, annual pRNFL thinning rates (aLpRNFL) were determined by individual linear regression models. The best possible cut‐off value discriminating clinically progressing (physical progression or cognitive decline) and stable patients was defined by receiver operating characteristic analysis. Cut‐off values were validated using a multivariate logistic regression model.

Results

Average aLpRNFL in progressing patients (2.4 μm, SD 2.1) was significantly higher compared to stable patients (0.5 μm, SD 1.2, P < 0.001). At a predefined specificity of 90%, aLpRNFL >1.5 μm was able to distinguish between stable and progressing RRMS with a sensitivity of 76.1%. aLpRNFL >1.5 μm was associated with a 15‐fold increased risk of clinically progressing MS (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

A cut‐off of aLpRNFL discriminating clinically progressing and stable RRMS was identified. After validation in independent cohorts, this cut‐off could be used as a biomarker of axonal degeneration supporting disease monitoring in daily clinical routine.
Strengthening Connectedness in Close Relationships: A Model for Applying Contextual Therapy
Authors: van der Meiden Jaap , Verduijn Kees , Noordegraaf Martine , van Ewijk Hans
Published: January 2019

This article presents a model for conducting contextual therapy with the aim of contributing to the further development of contextual therapy. Its founder, Ivan Boszormenyi‐Nagy, introduced the core of this approach, relational ethics, as a new paradigm for family therapy, which has been received well. The authors presume that the training of (upcoming) contextual therapists and conducting contextual therapy itself can benefit from more concrete guidelines and a phased structure. It can also enhance the further development, research, and accountability of this approach. Therefore, using a design‐oriented method, the authors developed a model that helps to shape a contextual therapy process and the applicable contextual interventions. It is based on strengthening connectedness in close relationships, using relational ethics as its compass. The framework of the model consists of three phases: exploring connectedness in close relationships, modifying connectedness in close relationships, and reinforcing connectedness in close relationships, whereby the goals of each of these phases are defined as process elements and expanded into guidelines for 19 interventions. The ingredients for these interventions are derived from two recent studies on the practice of Nagy and on the practice of current contextual therapists. The model is explained and substantiated based on contextual theory and therapy. Final remarks are presented in the conclusion.
Relationship between functional masticatory units and cognitive impairment in elderly persons
Authors: Cardoso Mónica G. , Diniz‐Freitas Márcio , Vázquez Paula , Cerqueiro Sandra , Diz Pedro , Limeres Jacobo
Published: January 2019

Background

Studies on the elderly have reported that the risk of cognitive impairment is affected by chewing difficulty.

Objective

To determine whether there is a relationship between the number of pairs of antagonist teeth that come into contact when the mouth is closed (functional masticatory units [FMUs]) and the level of cognitive impairment.

Methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional observational study with 502 institutionalised White individuals older than 65 years, living in the northwest of Spain and Portugal. Through a direct visual inspection, we recorded the number of FMUs. Cognitive impairment was assessed by applying the Mini‐Cognitive Examination (MCE), a test derived from the Mini‐Mental State Examination. To describe the statistical relationship between the FMUs and the MCE values, a generalised linear model (GLM) was applied. We assessed the GLM predictive capacity for detecting cognitive impairment (MCE ≤23) in a new study group consisting of 156 elderly individuals.

Results

A large number of FMUs was significantly associated with a lower probability of cognitive impairment, regardless of the nature of the contact and its location (explained deviance, 30.1%). The model's discriminatory capacity for cognitive impairment based on the FMUs was “good” (0.820). The model's predictive capacity for cognitive impairment was “acceptable” (sensitivity, 0.786; positive predictive value, 0.900; accuracy, 0.729).

Conclusion

In White, elderly institutionalised individuals, the absolute number of FMUs is significantly related to their MCE scores.
Construction and validation of an questionnaire for evaluating self‐medication practised by patients with temporomandibular disorders
Authors: Dias Isabela M. , Bastos Ronaldo R. , Alves Renata T. , Leite Isabel Cristina G.
Published: January 2019

Aims

Despite the fact that self‐medication associated with temporomandibular disorders is clinically quite common and is considerably harmful, there is no instrument in the literature to assess this practice. The aim of this study was to construct and validate a questionnaire to study this important issue specifically.

Methods

After completing the literature review, semi‐structured interviews, focus group and pretest, the first version of the instrument resulted in 62 questions. After face validity testing, pretest and the necessary corrections and changes, the instrument had 41 questions and was administered for validation to a sample of 110 patients diagnosed with TMD according to the RDC/TMD (1992) criteria.

Results

According to factor analysis, seven questions with loadings below 0.30 were removed, with the final version consisting of 34 questions. The analysis of internal consistency and temporal stability showed values of 0.844 for Cronbach's alpha coefficient and a Kappa coefficient of 0.810, respectively, indicating that the instrument presents sufficient reliability and reproducibility for its proposed objective. After validation, with the ultimate goal of classifying patients according to the degree/intensity of self‐medication, a classification was proposed that allowed the discrimination of results into three distinct groups regarding self‐medication exposure: mild, moderate or severe, based on the self‐medication raw point score.

Conclusion

The results of the instrument validation process showed that it has suitable properties for evaluating the practice of self‐medication in patients with TMD.
Australian children with type 1 diabetes consume high sodium and high saturated fat diets: Comparison with national and international guidelines
Authors: Thomson Rebecca , Adams Lucinda , Anderson Jemma , Maftei Oana , Couper Jennifer , Giles Lynne , Peña Alexia S
Published: January 2019

Aim

We aimed to evaluate the diets of children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) against recommended Australian dietary intakes and international T1D guidelines and compare them to children without T1D.

Methods

A cross‐sectional analysis in 143 children (103 children aged 8–18 years with T1D and 40 age‐ and gender‐matched controls) and longitudinal analysis at 0, 3, 6 and 12 months in 90 T1D children were conducted. Diet was assessed using an Australian validated food frequency questionnaire. Diet quality was assessed against recommended servings and nutrient intakes from Australian Dietary Guidelines and International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD) Nutritional Guidelines.

Results

Diet was evaluated in 478 questionnaires. Diet composition did not differ between T1D and controls, and both groups did not meet the majority of the Australian Dietary Guidelines, except for fruit intake. The majority of T1D children and controls (80–83%) were overconsuming sodium (2837 ± 848 mg/day), discretionary foods (5.9 ± 2.5 serves/day) and saturated fat and trans fatty acids (13.1 ± 2.7% of total daily energy intake) in comparison with Australian and ISPAD guidelines. A total of 84% of T1D children and controls achieved the recommended intake of fibre (34.4 ± 11.0 g/day). Longitudinal analysis in children with T1D showed that total daily energy, macronutrient, micronutrient and food group servings intake did not change over the 12 months. Overconsumption of sodium, discretionary foods and saturated fat persisted over the 12‐month study period.

Conclusions

The majority of Australian children, with and without T1D, is not meeting recommended dietary guidelines. Significant overconsumption of sodium, saturated fat and discretionary foods attracts the most concern.
Bonding in Pursuit of Policy Goals: How MPs Choose Political Parties in the Legislative State of Nature
Authors: Sieberer Ulrich , Herrmann Michael
Published: January 2019

How do MPs in nascent legislatures choose a political party? We argue that MPs self‐select into groups of like‐minded colleagues to achieve favored policy outputs. MPs identify colleagues with similar preferences based on observed behavior and informative signals such as socioeconomic status, cultural background, and previous political experience. We test this explanation in the first democratically elected German parliament, the Frankfurt Assembly of 1848, that developed a differentiated party system in the absence of electoral and career incentives. Our statistical analysis shows that MPs were significantly more likely to join parties that were similar to them with regard to ideology, age, regional provenance, confession, noble status, and previous parliamentary experience. Qualitative evidence suggests that major changes in the party system were driven by disputes over policy. Our findings are particularly important for countries with more turbulent paths towards parliamentarization than those witnessed by archetypical cases like Britain or the United States.
Evolutionary dynamics of hybridization and introgression following the recent colonization of Glossy Ibis (Aves: Plegadis falcinellus) into the New World
Authors: Oswald Jessica A. , Harvey Michael G. , Remsen Rosalind C. , Foxworth DePaul U. , Dittmann Donna L. , Cardiff Steven W. , Brumfield Robb T.
Published: January 2019

Geographic range shifts can cause secondary contact and hybridization between closely related species, revealing mechanisms of species formation and integrity. These dynamics typically play out in restricted geographic regions, but highly vagile species may experience major distributional changes resulting in broad areas of contact. The Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) is a dispersive waterbird of the Old World and Australia that colonized eastern North America in the early 19th century and came into contact with the native White‐faced Ibis (P. chihi). Putative hybrids between the two species have been observed across North America. To examine the population genomic consequences of this natural invasion, we sequenced 4,616 ultraconserved elements from 66 individuals sampled across the distributions of falcinellus, chihi, and the Puna Ibis (P. ridgwayi) of South America. We found genomic differentiation among the three species. Loci with high sequence divergence were often shared across all pairwise species comparisons, were associated with regions of high nucleotide diversity, and were concentrated on the Z chromosome. We detected signals of genetic admixture between chihi and falcinellus in individuals both near and far from their core area of sympatry. Genomic cline analyses revealed evidence of greater introgression into falcinellus from chihi, but we found little evidence for selection against hybrids. We also found signals of admixture between ridgwayi and South American populations of chihi. Our results indicate vagile species can experience pervasive introgression upon secondary contact, although we suggest these dynamics may be more ephemeral than the stable hybrid zones often observed in less dispersive organisms.
Hybrid Cloud Computing Investment Strategies
Authors: Jain Tarun , Hazra Jishnu
Published: January 2019

Cloud providers such as Amazon, IBM, and Microsoft are leasing their computing resources to various businesses providing them an alternative to investing in expensive hardware. Although recent information systems research has examined pricing‐related issues in cloud computing, several important questions still remain. For example, how should buyers decide on the capacity portfolio of private and public clouds? What is the impact of the buyer’s demand uncertainty on the capacity portfolio decision? We address these questions in this study through a stylized model. Our analysis reveals that the investment in cloud infrastructure (private, public or hybrid) is based on the profile of the buyer’s demand. When a buyer faces demand with low mean, she relies on public cloud solutions. If the demand has high mean, then the buyer firm hosts applications on a private cloud. Implementing a hybrid cloud is the optimal strategy when the mean demand is in mid‐range. We find that high demand variability makes businesses to move toward public cloud solutions. We support these insights through examples from practice in the cloud computing industry.
Detraining effect on overweight/obese women after high‐intensity interval training in hypoxia
Authors: Camacho‐Cardenosa Alba , Camacho‐Cardenosa Marta , Olcina Guillermo , Timón Rafael , Brazo‐Sayavera Javier
Published: January 2019

Purpose

Promising benefits on fat mass and biochemical components may be reported after applying programs of cyclic hypoxia and HIIT.

Aim

To investigate the effect of a month of detraining on cardiometabolic risk markers after active hypoxia exposure.

Methods

Participants included 59 overweight/obese women, who started a 12‐week program of 36 sessions, and were randomly divided into four groups: (a) aerobic interval training in hypoxia (AitH; FiO2 = 17.2%; n = 13), (b) aerobic interval training in normoxia (AitN; n = 15), (c) sprint interval training in hypoxia (SitH; FiO2 = 17.2%; n = 15), and (d) sprint interval training in normoxia (SitN; n = 18). Body composition, anthropometric, and biochemical parameters were assessed at baseline (A), after 36 training sessions (B) and after 4 weeks of detraining (C).

Results

Hypoxia conditions showed a significant positive effect on waist circumference (P = 0.01), WHR (P = 0.04), and percentage of trunk fat mass (P < 0.001). The percentage of trunk fat continued to decrease significantly after training cessation in both AitH and SitH groups.

Conclusion

After 4 weeks of detraining with a previous 12 weeks of high‐intensity interval training under cyclic normobaric hypoxia, the percentage of fat mass located in the trunk decreases significantly and this effect was not observed in the normoxia groups.
Toward a comprehensive model of face impressions: What we know, what we do not, and paths forward
Authors: Hehman Eric , Stolier Ryan M. , Freeman Jonathan B. , Flake Jessica K. , Xie Sally Y.
Published: January 2019

A person's impression of another depends upon three sources of variance. The characteristics of the target, the characteristics of the perceiver, and the interplay between the two. Researchers have dedicated different amounts of study to these three sources of variance, and therefore they differ in how well they are understood. The present work will first review the portions of the face impression process that are understood well, then identify and discuss portions of the process less well understood. We will then question to what extent the current state of knowledge will generalize to novel targets and populations. Finally, we will review several modeling approaches that can accommodate relatively unexamined yet important sources of variance in impression formation, suggesting a clear path forward toward a comprehensive understanding of face impressions.
Characteristic findings by phototrichogram in southern Chinese women with Female pattern hair loss
Authors: Mai Weihua , Sun Yixian , Liu Xingwei , Lin Daojian , Lu Dongqing
Published: January 2019

Objectives

To investigate the characteristics of hairs in Female pattern hair loss (FPHL) patients and healthy females in Southern China.

Materials and methods

Three fundamental hair parameters in different scalp areas of 90 Southern Chinese FPHL patients and 83 healthy controls were analyzed by phototrichogram.

Results

Female pattern hair loss patients showed reduced hair density, hair diameter, and terminal/vellus hair ratio. The reduction correlated with the severity of Ludwig staging. Midscalp was the most affected area in FPHL, but occipital and temporal sites were also involved. In normal women, the highest hair density was observed in midscalp, followed by occipital and temporal areas. Peak hair density at midscalp sites was reached at 20s group, then declined with age. Maximum hair diameter at midscalp and occipital sites occurred in 40s group. Terminal/vellus hair ratio tended to increase with age and peak on 50‐60s group.

Conclusion

Reduced hair density and hair diameter, and miniaturization of hair follicles are the characteristics of FPHL in Southern Chinese women. Occipital and temporal sites are also affected in FPHL. Age‐associated changes might have an influence on the hair condition. The values of hair parameters obtained in this study will help to establish reference data for better evaluation of hair disorders.
Identification of the novel HLA allele, HLA‐B*35:03:23, by next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Seshasubramanian Vani , SathishKannan Aruna Devi , Naganathan Chandramouleeswaran , Manisekar Nirmal K. , Narayan Saranya
Published: January 2019

The novel HLA‐B allele, HLA‐B*35:03:23, differs from B*35:03:01 by a single‐nucleotide mismatch in exon 1.
Identification of the novel HLA‐C*02:151 allele in Russian bone marrow donors
Authors: Loginova Maria , Zakharova Victoria , Pavlov Alexandr , Simakova Tamara , Paramonov Igor
Published: January 2019

The novel allele HLA‐C*02:151 showed a single‐nucleotide difference to C*02:02:02:01 at codon −23 (CGG/CCG).
The role of purple pens in learning to prescribe
Authors: Kinston Ruth , McCarville Niamh , Hassell Andrew
Published: January 2019

Background

Medical doctors are required to prescribe drugs safely and effectively upon qualification, a skill that many feel poorly prepared to undertake. To better prepare doctors, a whole‐task approach that develops knowledge and skills, but that also considers the effect of the complex clinical workplace on prescribing, is optimal. We describe an evaluation of an experiential learning programme that allows senior medical students to gain experience with inpatient prescribing during their hospital assistantship.

Methods

A standard operating procedure (SOP) for medical student transcribing was implemented by the teaching hospitals associated with a single medical school. This included medical student prescriptions being written in purple ink. The evaluation consisted of an audit of transcribing activity and a student survey. We evaluated the usage of the initiative, adherence to the SOP and the propensity for error.

Results

The survey was completed by 38 out of a possible 108 fifth‐year students. All respondents agreed that the programme was helpful in aiding them to learn about prescribing. A total of 247 prescriptions for 50 patients were audited: 25.1% of the prescriptions written by students required some form of amendment by the supervising doctor or pharmacist; three (1.2%) prescription errors remained unidentified; and none presented a patient safety risk.

Conclusions

The purple‐pen scheme affords medical students the opportunity to prescribe in the workplace, where they face authentic challenges when safely contributing to patient care. The identification of prescribing errors, feedback and the learners’ own reflections helped the learners to focus on areas for improvement in prescribing prior to qualification.
The Opinions of Primary School Teachers Regarding to the Use of Museums in Science Courses
Authors: Duban Nil
Published: January 2019

Museums provide the opportunity to handle real objects, solve problems, and interact with others. And also they are perfect places to ask our own questions, and try to discover the answer. So in many courses, teachers use museums as a learning environment for teaching the subject matter. The purpose of this research is to determine the opinions of primary school teachers about using museums in science courses. In the current research, the qualitative research method and semi-structured interview technique was used. Participants of the study were identified through intense case sampling. The participants of this research were primary school teachers who enrolled in the master program of The Graduate School of Afyon Kocatepe University. The data were collected through audio-taped semi-structured interviews. A semi-structured interview schedule was developed by the researcher. The credibility of this study was enhanced by expert review. The semi-structured interview schedule was sent to experts for review. The trustworthiness of this study was established by the formula proposed by Miles and Huberman. The data of this research are analyzing through content analysis technique. Findings were supported with direct quotes of participants’ opinions.
The Relationship Between Football Participation Level and Lower Leg Alignment in Youth Males: Genu Varum
Authors: Melekoğlu Tuba , Işın Ali
Published: January 2019

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of football participation levels on genu varum ratings by using Q angle and intercondylar distance. Twenty male football players for each elite and amateur football teams and 20 sedentary young male volunteers participated in this study. The anthropometric variables (body height, body weight, body fat percentage, body mass index) and genu varum levels by evaluating the lower extremity alignment using intercondylar distance, and Q angles for both legs were measured. The intercondylar distance measurements were done by using caliper with the sensitivity of 0.01 mm and Q angle measurements were carried out by the examination of the photographs of participants. One Way ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey test were used to assess statistically intra-group differences. Cohen's Kappa coefficient were used to determine agreement among observers. SPSS v.25 program was used to analyse the data. Intercondylar distance values were found significantly higher in elite group than in amateur and sedentary groups (45.65 ± 13.54; 28.84 ± 14.61; 3.70 ± 5.19 mm, respectively, p<0.001). As a result of this study, it was determined that the participation level of football trainings lead an increase in intercondylar distance significantly. The highest Q-angle values were observed in amateur football players.
Galois theory for general systems of polynomial equations
Authors: Esterov A.
Published: January 2019

We prove that the monodromy group of a reduced irreducible square system of general polynomial equations equals the symmetric group. This is a natural first step towards the Galois theory of general systems of polynomial equations, because arbitrary systems split into reduced irreducible ones upon monomial changes of variables. In particular, our result proves the multivariate version of the Abel–Ruffini theorem: the classification of general systems of equations solvable by radicals reduces to the classification of lattice polytopes of mixed volume 4 (which we prove to be finite in every dimension). We also notice that the monodromy of every general system of equations is either symmetric or imprimitive. The proof is based on a new result of independent importance regarding dual defectiveness of systems of equations: the discriminant of a reduced irreducible square system of general polynomial equations is a hypersurface unless the system is linear up to a monomial change of variables.
Double trouble at the beginning of life
Authors: Zielinska Agata P. , Schuh Melina
Published: January 2019

Dual-spindle assembly in early embryos can compromise mammalian development
Adjuvant β-Lactam Therapy Combined with Vancomycin for Methicillin-Resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
Bacteremia: Does β-Lactam Class Matter?
Authors: Dilworth Thomas J. , Casapao Anthony M. , Ibrahim Omar M. , Jacobs David M. , Bowers Dana R. , Beyda Nicholas D. , Mercier Renee-Claude
Published: January 2019

We analyzed the impact of vancomycin (VAN) combined with adjuvant β-lactam therapy (Combo) on persistent (≥5 days) methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
bacteremia versus VAN alone by using pooled data from two previously published observational studies (
n
 = 156). Combo was inversely associated with persistent bacteremia (adjusted odds ratio, 0.460; 95% confidence interval, 0.229 to 0.923).
A Simpler and More Sensitive Single-Copy HIV-1 RNA Assay for Quantification of Persistent HIV-1 Viremia in Individuals on Suppressive Antiretroviral Therapy
Authors: Tosiano Melissa A. , Jacobs Jana L. , Shutt Kathleen A. , Cyktor Joshua C. , Mellors John W.
Published: January 2019

A real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR assay with single-copy sensitivity targeting the integrase region of HIV-1 (integrase single-copy assay [iSCA] v1.0) has been widely used to quantify plasma viremia in individuals on antiretroviral therapy (ART). iSCA v1.0 requires the use of an ultracentrifuge, and only about half of the nucleic acid extracted from plasma is assayed for HIV-1 RNA.
A woman’s place is in theatre: women’s perceptions and experiences of working in surgery from the Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland women in surgery working group
Authors: Bellini Maria Irene , Graham Yitka , Hayes Catherine , Zakeri Roxanna , Parks Rowan , Papalois Vassilios
Published: January 2019

Objective

Surgery remains an inherently male-dominated profession. The aim of this study was to survey women working within the discipline, to understand their current perceptions, providing insight into their practical day-to-day lives, supporting an action-oriented change.

Design and setting

The link to a confidential, online survey was distributed through the Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland (ASGBI) social media platforms on Facebook and Twitter over a 2-week period in October 2017.

Participants

Women working in surgical specialties and actively responding to the link shared through the ASGBI social media platforms. No patients were involved in the study.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Data were analysed through a mixed-methods approach. The quantitative data were analysed through descriptive statistics and qualitative analysis was undertaken using a constant comparative analysis of the participants’ comments, to identify salient patterns (themes).

Results

A total of 81 female participants replied (42% response rate based on the Facebook group members), with 88% (n=71) perceiving surgery as a male-dominated field. Over half had experienced discrimination (59%, n=47), while 22% (n=18) perceived a ‘glass ceiling’ in surgical training. Orthopaedics was reported as the most sexist surgical specialty by 53% (n=43). Accounts of gendered language in the workplace were reported by 59% (n=47), with 32% (n=25) of surveys participants having used it. Overall, a lack of formal mentorship, inflexibility towards part-time careers, gender stereotypes and poor work–life balance were the main perceived barriers for women in surgical careers.

Conclusion

These findings highlight the implicit nature of the perceived discrimination that women report in their surgical careers. The ASGBI acknowledges these perceptual issues and relative implications as the first of many steps to create an action-oriented change by allowing all staff, regardless of gender, to reflect on their own behaviour, perceptions and the culture in which they work.
Management of benign oesophageal strictures
Authors: Burr Nicholas E , Everett Simon M
Published: January 2019

Benign oesophageal strictures are an important gastrointestinal condition that can cause substantial morbidity. There are many different aetiologies and each case needs careful evaluation and individualised treatment. Management usually involves targeting therapy to the underlying cause, but oesophageal dilatation is an important part of the algorithm. The recent British Society of Gastroenterology guidelines provide advice on the use of dilatation for benign strictures and cover patient preparation, the dilatation procedure and disease-specific considerations. This article provides a summary of the key messages from the guidelines and applies them to routine clinical practice. It also includes practical advice on the clinical assessment, investigation and management of benign oesophageal strictures and gives an approach to the management of refractory strictures. Areas where evidence is sparse and further research is needed are highlighted.
Effects of gravel content on liquefaction resistance and its assessment considering deformation characteristics in gravel – mixed sand
Authors: Toyota Hirofumi , Takada Susumu
Published: January 2019

Many reports describe overestimation of liquefaction resistance based on sounding data related to ground materials containing coarse particles such as gravel and cobbles. Better methods of liquefaction potential estimation must be developed using investigation data other than those from sounding. Gathering perfect and undisturbed samples is difficult, but using seismic methods such as PS logging might be effective for assessing liquefaction potential. For this study, bender element (BE) tests and local small strain (LSS) tests were conducted, respectively, to measure the dynamic and static shear moduli of gravel – mixed sand specimens. Subsequently, relations between liquefaction strength and secant shear moduli were examined to provide reliable estimation of liquefaction in gravel – mixed sand. Although the liquefaction resistance increased considerably with overconsolidation, the initial shear modulus exhibited only a slight change with the same overconsolidation. The experimentally obtained results elucidated that the important shear strain level, for which secant shear modulus has a strong relation with liquefaction strength, was not a linear elastic region of 0.001%: it was about 0.01%.
Dynamical Analysis and Homogenization Process of Unimodal Chaotic Mapping Utilized for Pseudo-Random Sequences
Authors: Xu Hui , Tong Xiao-Jun , Zhang Miao , Liu Yang , Wang Zhu
Published: January 2019

In this paper, a novel unimodal chaotic system is presented which has stable Lyapunov exponents, a wider range of parameters and a larger phase space. In order to generate evenly distributed chaotic sequences, a general homogenization scheme is proposed with a rigorous mathematical proof. To generate high-quality pseudo-random number sequences, a PRNG scheme based on cross-coupling is designed. Theoretical derivation and experimental analysis fully demonstrate that the proposed PRNG has the ability to produce high-security random numbers with excellent random characteristics.
Periodicity of non-autonomous inertial neural networks involving proportional delays and non-reduced order method
Authors: Huang Chuangxia , Zhang Hua
Published: January 2019

This paper, mainly explores a class of non-autonomous inertial neural networks with proportional delays and time-varying coefficients. By combining Lyapunov function method with differential inequality approach, non-reduced order method is used to establish some novel assertions on the existence and generalized exponential stability of periodic solutions for the addressed model. In addition, an example and its numerical simulations are given to support the proposed approach.
Electroanalytical characterization of F-doped MoS2 cathode material for rechargeable magnesium battery
Authors: Venkateswarlu Gundu , Madhu Devarapaga , Rani Jetti Vatsala
Published: January 2019

Fluorine (F)-doped MoS2 was prepared by F-doping into layered MoS2 via chemical solution process with fluoroboric acid. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction were applied to conform the effect of F on the structure. The electrochemical performance was investigated by using cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and galvanostatic charge/discharge studies. The F-doped MoS2 as cathode material for rechargeable Mg battery exhibited a good discharge capacity of 55[Formula: see text]mAhg[Formula: see text], with a good rate capability and good cycling stability when compared to pristine B-MoS2. The effective performance of F-doped MoS2 are attributed to the unique structure and synergetic effect between layered MoS2.
Mineral–fluid interactions in the late Archean Closepet granite batholith, Dharwar Craton, southern India
Authors: Słaby E. , Gros K. , Förster H.-J. , Wudarska A. , Birski Ł. , Hamada M. , Götze J. , Martin H. , Jayananda M. , Moyen J.-F. , Moszumańska I.
Published: January 2019

The chemical composition of different rocks as well as volatile-bearing and volatile-free minerals has been used to assess the presence of fluids in the Closepet batholith and to estimate the intensity of the fluid–rock interactions. The data were processed using polytopic vector analysis (PVA). Additional data include measurements of water content in the structure of volatile-free minerals and an examination of growth textures. The composition of mineral domains indicated formation/transformation processes with common fluid–mineral interactions. In general, the results suggested that the processes occurred in a ternary system. Two end-members were likely magmas and the third was enriched in fluids. In contrast, analysis of the apatite domains indicated that they likely formed/transformed in a more complex, four-component system. This system was fluid-rich and included hybrid magma with a large mafic component. PVA implies that the fluids do not appear to come from one source, given their close affinity and partial association with mantle-derived fluids. A dynamic tectonic setting promoting heat influx and redistribution, and interaction of fluids suggests that the formation/transformation processes of minerals and rocks occurred in a hot-spot like environment.
Lock Contention Management in Multithreaded MPI
Authors: Amer Abdelhalim , Lu Huiwei , Balaji Pavan , Chabbi Milind , Wei Yanjie , Hammond Jeff , Matsuoka Satoshi
Published: January 2019

In this article, we investigate
contention management
in lock-based thread-safe MPI libraries. Specifically, we make two assumptions: (1) locks are the only form of synchronization when protecting communication paths; and (2) contention occurs, and thus serialization is unavoidable. Our work distinguishes between lock acquisitions with respect to work being performed inside a critical section;
productive
vs.
unproductive
. Waiting for message reception without doing anything else inside a critical section is an example of unproductive lock acquisition. We show that the high-throughput nature of modern scalable locking protocols translates into better communication progress for throughput-intensive MPI communication but negatively impacts latency-sensitive communication because of overzealous unproductive lock acquisition. To reduce unproductive lock acquisitions, we devised a method that promotes threads with productive work using a generic two-level priority locking protocol. Our results show that using a high-throughput protocol for productive work and a fair protocol for less productive code paths ensures the best tradeoff for fine-grained communication, whereas a fair protocol is sufficient for more coarse-grained communication. Although these efforts have been rewarding, scalability degradation remains significant. We discuss techniques that diverge from the pure locking model and offer the potential to further improve scalability.
Quantifying the Information Leakage in Cache Attacks via Symbolic Execution
Authors: Chattopadhyay Sudipta , Beck Moritz , Rezine Ahmed , Zeller Andreas
Published: January 2019

Cache attacks allow attackers to infer the properties of a secret execution by observing cache hits and misses. But how much information can actually leak through such attacks? For a given program, a cache model, and an input, our CHALICE framework leverages symbolic execution to compute the amount of information that can possibly leak through cache attacks. At the core of CHALICE is a novel approach to quantify information leakage that can highlight critical cache side-channel leakage on arbitrary binary code. In our evaluation on real-world programs from OpenSSL and Linux GDK libraries, CHALICE effectively quantifies information leakage: For an AES-128 implementation on Linux, for instance, CHALICE finds that a cache attack can leak as much as 127 out of 128 bits of the encryption key.