bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distinctive BOLD Connectivity Patterns in the Schizophrenic Brain: Machine-learning based comparison between various connectivity measures
Authors: Han Hio-Been
Published: October 2016

Recent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have found distinctive functional connectivity in the schizophrenic brain. However, most of the studies focused on the correlation value to define the functional connectivity for BOLD fluctuations between brain regions, which resulted in the limited understanding to the network properties of altered wirings in the schizophrenic brain. Here I characterized the distinctiveness of BOLD connectivity pattern in the schizophrenic brain relative to healthy brain with various similarity measures in the time-frequency domain, while participants are performing the working memory task in the MRI scanner. To assess the distinctiveness of the connectivity pattern, discrimination performances of the pattern classifier machine trained with each similarity measure were compared. Interestingly, the classifier machine trained by time-lagging patterns of low frequency fluctuation (LFF) produced higher classifying sensitivity than the machines trained by other measures. Also, the classifier machine trained by coherence pattern in LFF band also made better performance than the machine trained by correlation-based connectivity pattern. These results indicate that there are unobserved but considerable features in the functional connectivity pattern of schizophrenic brain which traditional emphasis on correlation analysis does not capture.
The need to include phylogeny in trait-based analyses of community composition
Authors: Li Daijiang , Ives Anthony R
Published: October 2016

A growing number of studies incorporate functional trait information to analyse patterns and processes of community assembly. These studies of trait-environment relationships generally ignore phylogenetic relationships among species. When functional traits and the residual variation in species distributions among communities have phylogenetic signal, however, analyses ignoring phylogenetic relationships can decrease estimation accuracy and power, inflate type I error rates, and lead to potentially false conclusions.

Using simulations, we compared estimation accuracy, statistical power, and type I error rates of linear mixed models (LMM) and phylogenetic linear mixed models (PLMM) designed to test for trait-environment interactions in the distribution of species abundances among sites. We considered the consequences of both phylogenetic signal in traits and phylogenetic signal in the residual variation of species distributions generated by an unmeasured (latent) trait with phylogenetic signal.

When there was phylogenetic signal in the residual variation of species among sites, PLMM provided better estimates (closer to the true value) and greater statistical power for testing whether the trait-environment interaction regression coefficient differed from zero. LMM had unacceptably high type I error rates when there was phylogenetic signal in both traits and the residual variation in species distributions. When there was no phylogenetic signal in the residual variation in species distributions, LMM and PLMM had similar performances.

LMMs that ignore phylogenetic relationships can lead to poor statistical tests of trait-environment relationships when there is phylogenetic signal in the residual variation of species distributions among sites, such as caused by unmeasured traits. Therefore, phylogenies and PLMMs should be used when studying how functional traits affect species abundances among communities in response to environmental gradients.
Dual origins of measured phase-amplitude coupling reveal distinct neural mechanisms underlying episodic memory in the human cortex
Authors: Vaz Alex P. , Yaffe Robert B. , Wittig John H. , Inati Sara K. , Zaghloul Kareem A.
Published: October 2016

Phase-amplitude coupling (PAC) is hypothesized to coordinate neural activity, but its role in successful memory formation in the human cortex is unknown. Measures of PAC are difficult to interpret, however. Both increases and decreases in PAC have been linked to memory encoding, and PAC may arise due to different neural mechanisms. Here, we use a waveform analysis to examine PAC in the human cortex as participants with intracranial electrodes performed a paired associates memory task. We found that successful memory formation exhibited significant decreases in left temporal lobe and prefrontal cortical PAC, and these two regions exhibited changes in PAC within different frequency bands. Two underlying neural mechanisms, nested oscillations and sharp waveforms, were responsible for the changes in these regions. Our data therefore suggest that decreases in measured cortical PAC during episodic memory reflect two distinct underlying mechanisms that are anatomically segregated in the human brain.
Leveraging uncertainty information from deep neural networks for disease detection
Authors: Leibig Christian , Allken Vaneeda , Ayhan Murat Seçkin , Berens Philipp , Wahl Siegfried
Published: October 2016

Deep learning (DL) has revolutionized the field of computer vision and image processing. In medical imaging, algorithmic solutions based on DL have been shown to achieve high performance on tasks that previously required medical experts. However, DL-based solutions for disease detection have been proposed without methods to quantify and control their uncertainty in a decision. In contrast, a physician knows whether she is uncertain about a case and will consult more experienced colleagues if needed. Here we evaluate drop-out based Bayesian uncertainty measures for DL in diagnosing diabetic retinopathy (DR) from fundus images and show that it captures uncertainty better than straightforward alternatives. Furthermore, we show that uncertainty informed decision referral can improve diagnostic performance. Experiments across different networks, tasks and datasets show robust generalization. Depending on network capacity and task/dataset difficulty, we surpass 85% sensitivity and 80% specificity as recommended by the NHS when referring 0%–20% of the most uncertain decisions for further inspection. We analyse causes of uncertainty by relating intuitions from 2D visualizations to the high-dimensional image space. While uncertainty is sensitive to clinically relevant cases, sensitivity to unfamiliar data samples is task dependent, but can be rendered more robust.
Genome scale mutational analysis ofGeobacter sulfurreducensreveals distinct molecular mechanisms for respiration of poised electrodes vs. Fe(III) oxides
Authors: Ho Chan Chi , Levara Caleb E. , Jiménez-Oteroa Fernanda , Bond Daniel R.
Published: October 2016

Geobacter sulfurreducensgenerates electricity by coupling intracellular oxidation of organic acids with electron transfer to the cell exterior, while maintaining a conductive connection to electrode surfaces. This unique ability has been attributed to the bacterium’s capacity to also respire extracellular terminal electron acceptors that require contact, such as insoluble metal oxides. To expand the molecular understanding of electricity generation mechanisms, we constructedGeobacter sulfurreducenstransposon mutant (Tn-Seq) libraries for growth with soluble fumarate or an electrode surface as the electron acceptor. Mutant libraries with over 33,000 unique transposon insertions and an average of 9 transposon insertions per kb allowed identification of 1,214 genomic features essential for growth with fumarate, including over 270 genes with one or more functional homologs that could not be resolved by previous annotation orin silicomodeling. Tn-Seq analysis of electrode-grown cells identified mutations in over 50 genes encoding cytochromes, processing systems for proline-rich proteins, sensory systems, extracellular structures, polysaccharides, metabolic enzymes and hypothetical proteins that caused at least a 50% reduction in apparent growth rate. Scarless deletion mutants of genes identified via Tn-Seq revealed a new putativec-type cytochrome conduit complex (extABCD) essential for growth with electrodes, which was not required for Fe(III)-oxide reduction. In addition, mutants lacking components of a putative methyl-accepting chemotaxis/cyclic dinucleotide sensing network (esnABCD) were defective in electrode growth, but grew normally with Fe(III)-oxides. These results suggest thatG. sulfurreducenspossesses distinct mechanisms for recognition, colonization, and reduction of electrodes compared to other environmental electron acceptors.
Genome-wide screen for haploinsufficient cell size genes in the opportunistic yeastCandida albicans
Authors: Chaillot Julien , Cook Michael A , Corbeil Jacques , Sellam Adnane
Published: October 2016

One of the most critical but still poorly understood aspects of eukaryotic cell proliferation is the basis for commitment to cell division in late G1 phase called Start in yeast and the Restriction Point in metazoans. In all species, a critical cell size threshold coordinates cell growth with cell division and thereby establishes a homeostatic cell size. While a comprehensive survey of cell size genetic determinism has been performed in the saprophytic yeastsSaccharomyces cerevisiaeandSchizosaccharomyces pombe, very little is known in pathogenic fungi. As a number of critical Start regulators are haploinsufficient for cell size, we applied a quantitative analysis of the size phenome, using elutriation-barcode sequencing methodology, to 5,639 barcoded heterozygous deletion strains in the opportunistic yeastCandida albicans. Our screen identified conserved known regulators and biological processes required to maintain size homeostasis in addition to novelC. albicansspecific size genes, and provided a conceptual framework for future mechanistic studies. Interestingly, some of the size genes identified were required for fungal pathogenicity suggesting that cell size homeostasis may be elemental toC. albicansfitness or virulence inside the host.
CMPyMOL: An Interactive PyMOL extension for Protein Contact-Map Analysis
Authors: Krishnamani Venkatramanan
Published: October 2016

Contact–maps are reduced 2D representation of the 3D spatial configuration of a protein. Many valuable structural features like secondary structures, inter- and intra-protein interactions,interacting domains, etc., can be readily identified from these maps. However, it is not straightforward and intuitive to reckon the spatial organization of the contact regions from reduced representation. The CMPyMOL extention for molecular visualization software PyMOL attempts to bridge this gap as an interactive graphical tool for protein contact-maps that interfaces with PyMOL for 3D visualization. Specifically, CMPyMOL helps understand the functional importance of contacts by providing visual overlays of various structural and biochemical properties of a protein on top of its contact-map.
Na+/Ca2+exchangers and Orai channels jointly refill endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+via ER nanojunctions in vascular endothelial cells
Authors: Di Giuro Cristiana M. L. , Shrestha Niroj , Malli Roland , Groschner Klaus , van Breemen Cornelis , Fameli Nicola
Published: October 2016

We investigated the role of Na+/Ca2+exchange (NCX) in the refilling of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+in vascular endothelial cells under various conditions of cell stimulation and plasma membrane (PM) polarization. Better understanding of the mechanisms behind basic ER Ca2+content regulation is important, since current hypotheses on the possible ultimate causes of ER stress point to deterioration of the Ca2+transport mechanism to/from ER itself. We measured [Ca2+]itemporal changes by Fura-2 fluorescence under experimental protocols that inhibit a host of transporters (NCX, Orai, non-selective transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels, sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ATPase (SERCA), Na+/K+ATPase (NKA)) involved in the Ca2+communication between the extracellular space and the ER. Following histamine-stimulated ER Ca2+release, blockade of NCX Ca2+-influx mode (by 10µM KB-R7943) diminished the ER refilling capacity by about 40%, while in Orai1 dominant negative-transfected cells NCX blockade attenuated ER refilling by about 60%. Conversely, inhibiting the high-ouabain-affinity NKA (10 nM ouabain), which may be localized in PM-ER junctions, increased the ER Ca2+releasable fraction by about 20%, thereby supporting the hypothesis that this process of privileged ER refilling is junction-mediated. Junctions were observed in the cell ultrastructure and their main parameters of membrane separation and linear extension were (9.6±3.8) nm and (128±63) nm, respectively. Our findings point to a process of privileged refilling of the ER, in which NCX and SOCE via the stromal interaction molecule (STIM)-Orai system are the sole protagonists. These results shed light on the molecular machinery involved in the function of a previously hypothesized subplasmalemmal Ca2+control unit during ER refilling with extracellular Ca2+.
Crystal structure of 7-hydroxy-8-[(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl]-2H-chromen-2-one
Authors: Kubono Koji , Kise Ryuma , Kashiwagi Yukiyasu , Tani Keita , Yokoi Kunihiko
Published: November 2016

In the title compound, C15H18N2O3, the coumarin ring is essentially planar, with an r.m.s. deviation of 0.012 Å. An intramolecular O—H...N hydrogen bond forms anS(6) ring motif. The piperazine ring adopts a chair conformation. In the crystal, a C—H...O hydrogen bond generates aC(4) chain motif running along thecaxis. The chain structure is stabilized by a C—H...π interaction. The chains are linked by π–π interactions [centroid–centroid distance of 3.5745 (11) Å], forming a sheet structure parallel to thebcplane.
Residential property prices’ modeling: evidence from selected European countries
Authors: Boitan Iustina Alina
Published: November 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to contribute to the relatively narrow existing residential real estate literature by developing and validating several univariate forecasting models, to reliably anticipate future house price dynamics across several European Union (EU) countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The research approach relies on the time series analysis, by using the Box–Jenkins autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) methodology to explore the trends of residential property prices in selected EU countries and to obtain a snapshot of the potential signs of change to be witnessed by domestic residential markets on a short time-period. The analysis has been performed distinctly for each country in the sample, to account for country-specific past and future trends as well as similarities in their house price growth rate evolutions. The models were estimated for a broad sample of quarterly observations during 1990-2015, while the forecast horizon ranged between the third quarter of 2015 and the fourth quarter of 2016.

Findings

The findings suggested that residential property prices’ real growth rate can be modeled through the Box–Jenkins method for France, The Netherlands, Sweden and UK. The pattern of Italy’s residential property prices’ real growth rate cannot be explained by means of univariate ARIMA models, being more suited for multivariate models.

Originality/value

The article subscribes to the need for timely, high-frequency and quality data about house price trends in Europe, to increase the accuracy of forecasts and prevent the appearance of bubbles on real estate market. It compares residential property prices’ dynamics across European countries to identify housing markets with similar patterns of their prices.
Real estate research in Europe
Authors: Hoesli Martin
Published: November 2016

Purpose

Against the background of initiatives, which have taken place to foster real estate research in Europe, this article seeks to analyse important dimensions of that research.

Design/methodology/approach

The article investigates the evolution from 2000 to 2015 in the proportion of papers published by authors with a European affiliation in the three main international real estate journals (Real Estate Economics,Journal of Real Estate Finance and EconomicsandJournal of Real Estate Research). Then, focusing on papers with at least one European author and/or concentrating on Europe, the article analyses papers published from 2008 to 2015 in the two main European real estate journals (Journal of European Real Estate ResearchandJournal of Property Research) by authors’ country of affiliation, by country of study and by theme. Finally, we analyse links between author’s country of affiliation and country of study and theme, respectively.

Findings

The results show that the proportion of papers published by European authors in the three main international real estate journals has increased during the 2000-2015 period. The author's analyses of papers published in the two European real estate journals suggest that UK-based researchers are the most prolific. There is also a strong “home bias” in that authors largely focus on the country in which they are based. The interest in housing and valuation increased markedly during the period. Finally, the article reports linkages between country of affiliation and theme.

Originality/value

This paper should provide a much clearer understanding of several aspects of real estate research in Europe.
The articulation of neoliberalism: narratives of experience of chronic illness management in Bulgaria and the UK
Authors: Vassilev Ivaylo , Rogers Anne , Todorova Elka , Kennedy Anne , Roukova Poli
Published: November 2016

The shift from social democratic to a neoliberal consensus in modern welfare capitalist states is characterised by an emphasis on individual responsibility, consumer choice, market rationality and growing social inequalities. There has been little exploration of how neoliberalism has shaped the environment within which chronic illness is experienced and managed. This article explores the different articulations of neoliberalism manifest in the arena of personal illness management in Bulgaria and the UK. People with type 2 diabetes discussed their experiences in terms of struggling with diet, diabetes as a personal failure, integrating illness management and valued activities, and the trustworthiness of the healthcare system. The UK narratives were framed within an individual responsibility discourse while in Bulgaria lack of resources dominated discussions, which were framed as structurally generated and unrelated to individual capabilities and choices. Respondents faced personal management challenges related to consumer and healthcare market failures in both countries. Differences in market regulation and emerging stakeholder and interest coalitions influenced users' expectations and their navigation and adaption to market failures in managing their everyday illnesses. The UK and Bulgarian articulations of neoliberalism can be described differently: the first as a logic of managed choice and the second as a logic of unmanaged consumerism.
Probing the heat‐induced structural changes in bovine serum albumin by fluorescence spectroscopy and molecular modelling
Authors: Ursache Florentina‐Mihaela , Aprodu Iuliana , Nistor Oana‐Viorela , Bratu Mihaela , Botez Elisabeta , Stănciuc Nicoleta
Published: November 2016

The fluorescence spectroscopy and in silico methods were used to evaluate the structural changes in bovine serum albumin (BSA) over a temperature range of 25–70 °C for 15 min. Experimental results indicated that the polypeptide chain rearrangements at temperatures higher than 40 °C lead to a lower exposure of hydrophobic residues causing the decrease in fluorescence intensity. The nonlinearity of the phase diagram indicated a sequential denaturation process involving several molecular species. The molecular dynamics simulations at the single‐molecule level showed the high stability of the BSA structure, compensating for the entropic costs associated with the prevalent helical folding.
BEST USE FOR MILK ‐ A REVIEW I‐Effect of breed variations on the physicochemical properties of bovine milk
Authors: Chen Biye , Grandison Alistair S. , Lewis Michael J.
Published: November 2016

This article reviews the literature underpinning the concept of ‘best use’ for milk. In factories where more than one milk product type is manufactured, there is an opportunity to select milk that would be best suited to that product. Also, for those considering producer processing, there is an opportunity to select the most appropriate breed of cow to produce milk, which is optimal for their selected products. It is the aim of this article to provide a better understanding of the genetic factors that influence the properties of raw milk and processed milk products in order to make best use for milk a more viable proposition.
Resolving Malpractice Claims after Tort Reform: Experience in a Self‐Insured Texas Public Academic Health System
Authors: Sage William M. , Harding Molly Colvard , Thomas Eric J.
Published: November 2016

Objective

To describe the litigation experience in a state with strict tort reform of a large public university health system that has committed to transparency with patients and families in resolving medical errors.

Data Sources/Study Setting

Secondary data collected from The University of Texas System, which self‐insures approximately 6,000 physicians at six health campuses across the state. We obtained internal case management data for all medical malpractice claims closed during 1 year before and 6 recent years following the enactment of state tort reform legislation.

Study Design

We retrospectively reviewed information about malpractice claimants, malpractice claims, and the process and outcome of dispute resolution.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

We accessed an internal case management database, supplemented by both electronic and paper records compiled by the university's Office of General Counsel.

Principal Findings

Closed claims dropped from 244 in 2001–2002 to an annual mean of 96 in 2009–2015, closures following lawsuits from 136 in 2001–2002 to an annual mean of 28 in 2009–2015, and paid claims from 60 in 2001 to an annual mean of 20 in 2009–2015. Patterns of resolution suggest efforts by the university to provide some compensation to injured patients in cases that were no longer economically viable for plaintiffs’ lawyers to litigate. The percentage of payments relating to cases in which lawsuits had been filed decreased from 82 percent in 2001–2002 to 47 percent in 2009–2012 and again to 29 percent in 2012–2015, although most paid claimants were represented by attorneys. Unrepresented patients received payment in 13 cases closed in 2009–2012 (22 percent of payments; mean amount $60,566) and in 24 cases closed in 2012–2015 (41 percent of payments; mean amount $109,410). Even after tort reform, however, claims that resulted in payment remained slow to resolve, which was worsened for claimants subject to Medicare secondary payer rules. Strict confidentiality became a more common condition of settlement, although restrictions were subsequently relaxed in order to further transparency and improve patient safety.

Conclusions

Malpractice litigation risk diminished substantially for a public university health system in Texas following legal changes that reduced rights to sue and available damages. Health systems operating in a low‐tort environment should work with policy makers, plaintiffs’ attorneys, and patient groups to assist unrepresented patients, facilitate early mediation, limit nondisclosure obligations following settlement, and expedite the resolution of Medicare liens.
Market Illiquidity and Conditional Equity Premium
Authors: Guo Hui , Mortal Sandra , Savickas Robert , Wood Robert
Published: October 2016

We examine the time‐series relation between aggregate bid‐ask spreads and conditional equity premium. We document that average marketwide relative effective bid‐ask spreads forecast aggregate market returns only when controlling for average idiosyncratic variance. This control allows us to document the otherwise elusive relation between illiquidity and returns. The reason is that idiosyncratic variance correlates positively with spreads but has a negative effect on conditional equity premium, causing an omitted variable bias. Our results are robust to standard return predictors, alternative illiquidity measures, and out‐of‐sample tests. These findings are important because they provide strong support for the literature's conjecture that marketwide liquidity is an important asset pricing risk factor.
Complications of haemophilia in babies (first two years of life): a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Universal Data Collection System
Authors: Kulkarni R. , Presley R. J. , Lusher J. M. , Shapiro A. D. , Gill J. C. , Manco‐Johnson M. , Koerper M. A. , Abshire T. C. , DiMichele D. , Hoots W. K. , Mathew P. , Nugent D. J. , Geraghty S. , Evatt B. L. , Soucie J. M.
Published: November 2016

Aim

To describe the prevalence and complications in babies ≤2 years with haemophilia.

Methods

We used a standardized collection tool to obtain consented data on eligible babies aged ≤2 years with haemophilia enrolled in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Universal Data Collection System surveillance project at US Hemophilia Treatment Centers (HTCs).

Results

Of 547 babies, 82% had haemophilia A, and 70% were diagnosed within one month of birth. Diagnosis was prompted by known maternal carrier status (40%), positive family history (23%), bleeding (35%) and unknown 2%; 81% bled during the first two years. The most common events were bleeding (circumcision, soft tissue, oral bleeding) and head injury. There were 46 episodes of intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) in 37 babies (7%): 18 spontaneous, 14 delivery related, 11 traumatic, 2 procedure related and 1 unknown cause. Of the 176 central venous access devices (CVADs) in 148 (27%) babies, there were 137 ports, 22 surgically inserted central catheters and 20 peripherally inserted central catheters. Ports had the lowest complication rates. Inhibitors occurred in 109 (20%) babies who experienced higher rates of ICH (14% vs. 5%; P = 0.002), CVAD placement (61% vs. 19%; P < 0.001) and CVAD complications (44% vs. 26%; P < 0.001). The most common replacement therapy was recombinant clotting factor concentrates.

Conclusion

Bleeding events in haemophilic babies ≤2 years were common; no detectable difference in the rates of ICH by the mode of delivery was noted. Neonatal factor exposure did not affect the inhibitor rates. Minor head trauma, soft tissue and oropharyngeal bleeding were the leading indications for treatment.
Performance Evaluations in Audit Firms: Evaluation Foci and Dysfunctional Behaviour
Authors: Johansen Thomas Riise , Christoffersen Jeppe
Published: November 2016

Previous research has only minimally examined the association between the behaviour and performance evaluations of individual auditors beyond the use of efficiency‐focused evaluations. We examine the association between dysfunctional auditor behaviour and three evaluation foci: an efficiency focus, a client focus and a quality focus. Our results, which are based on questionnaire responses from 196 auditors, demonstrate that an efficiency focus is not associated with dysfunctional behaviour. A client focus is found to be associated with dysfunctional behaviour. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, our results show that it seems possible to limit dysfunctional behaviours through a quality focus in performance evaluations. Our results provide insights of use to practitioners and regulators on how performance evaluations may not only induce but also reduce dysfunctional auditor behaviours.
The Impact of Financing Constraints and Agency Costs on Corporate R&D Investment: Evidence from China
Authors: Lin Z. Jun , Liu Shengqiang , Sun Fangcheng
Published: November 2016

This study investigates the association between financing constraints/agency problem (agency costs) and corporate R&D investment in China by using the two‐tier stochastic frontier model initially developed by Kumbhakar and Parmeter (2009) in light of the Euler equation analysis framework. The results show that there is a significantly negative association between financing constraints and firms' R&D investments and a significantly positive relationship between agency costs and R&D investments. Thus, financing constraints lead to R&D underinvestment, while agency costs cause R&D overinvestment by the sample firms. However, government subsidies have a positive moderating effect on the relationships. The impact of financing constraints and agency costs on R&D investment varies slightly by firms in different geographical regions, industries, business ownerships, and years.
Do We Have the Right Performance Indicators for the Circular Economy?: Insight into the Swiss Waste Management System
Authors: Haupt Melanie , Vadenbo Carl , Hellweg Stefanie
Published: October 2016

A material flow analysis of the 2012 Swiss waste management system is presented, highlighting the material content available from waste. Half of municipal solid waste (MSW) is materially recycled and the other half thermally treated with energy recovery. A key component of an industrial ecosystem is increasing the resource efficiency through circulating materials. Recycling rates (RRs), an indicator for the circulating behavior of materials, are often used as measure for the degree of circularity of an economy. This study provides an in‐depth analysis of the recycling of paper, cardboard, aluminum, tinplate, glass, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from MSW in Switzerland by splitting the RRs into closed‐ and open‐loop collection rate (CR) and RRs. Whereas CR refers to collected material that enters the recycling process, RRs measure the available secondary resources produced from recycling processes. For PET, the closed‐loop CR of 45% and the open‐loop CR of 40% compare to an RR of 31% and 37%, respectively (including exports and recycling of polyethylene and metals from collection). Official collection rates for paper and cardboard are very high (97%), whereas CR of 74% and 89% and RR of 59% and 81% for paper and cardboard, respectively, were found in the present study (including export). For a majority of the separately collected materials investigated, the rates that are determined are substantially lower than those that are officially communicated. Furthermore, given that official rates often do not provide information on the availability of secondary materials, the improvement potential for increased resource recovery is hidden.
Commands as Divine Attributes
Authors: Farahat Omar
Published: November 2016

Theories of ethics that attempt to incorporate divine speech or commands as necessary elements in the construction of moral obligations are often viewed as vulnerable to a challenge based on the so‐called Euthyphro dilemma. According to this challenge, opponents of theistic ethics suppose that divine speech either informs one of a preexisting set of values and obligations, which makes it inconsequential, or is entirely arbitrary, which makes it irrational. This essay analyzes some of the debates on the nature of divine commands in eleventh‐century works of Islamic jurisprudence (uṣūl al‐fiqh). I show that Muʿtazilī jurisprudents advanced the view that divine commands were actions performed in time that had concrete manifestations, while Ashʿarīs argued that divine speech in general, and commands in particular, were eternal divine attributes. After exposing certain weaknesses in the Euthyphro‐inspired objections to theistic ethics, I argue that the Ashʿarī idea of commands as divine attributes is a promising move for scholars interested in defending a divine command view of moral obligation.
The Paradox of Inwardness in Kant and Kierkegaard
Authors: Palmquist Stephen R.
Published: November 2016

Aside from bioethics, the main theme of Ronald Green's lifework has been an exploration of the relation between religion and morality, with special emphasis on the philosophies of Immanuel Kant and Søren Kierkegaard. This essay summarizes and assesses his work on this theme by examining, in turn, four of his relevant books. Religious Reason (1978) introduced a new method of comparative religion based on Kant's model of a rational religion. Religion and Moral Reason (1988) expanded on this project, clarifying that religious traditions cannot be reduced to their moral grounding. Kierkegaard and Kant: The Hidden Debt (1992) offered bold new evidence that Kant, not Hegel, was the philosopher whose ideas primarily shaped Kierkegaard's overtly religious philosophy; both philosophers focused on the problem of how to understand the relation between moral reasoning and historical religion. And Kant and Kierkegaard on Time and Eternity (2011) republished ten essays that explore various aspects of this theme in greater depth. I argue that throughout these works Green defends a “paradox of inwardness”: principles or ideals that are by their nature essentially inward end up requiring outward manifestation in order to be confirmed or fully justified as real.
Retracing Augustine's Ethics
Authors: Puffer Matthew
Published: November 2016

Augustine's exposition of the image of God in Book 15 of On The Trinity (De Trinitate) sheds light on multiple issues that arise in scholarly interpretations of Augustine's account of lying. This essay argues against interpretations that posit a uniform account of lying in Augustine—with the same constitutive features, and insisting both that it is never necessary to tell a lie and that lying is absolutely prohibited. Such interpretations regularly employ intertextual reading strategies that elide distinctions and developments in Augustine's ethics of lying. Instead, I show how looking at texts written prior and subsequent to the texts usually consulted suggests a trajectory in Augustine's thought, beginning with an understanding of lies as morally culpable but potentially necessary, and culminating in a vision of lying as the fundamental evil and the origin of every sin.
Italian American literature
Authors: De Marco Alessandra
Published: November 2016

Unlike its African‐American, Jewish‐American, or Irish‐American counterparts, Italian American literature still remains in the margins of mainstream American Studies. Many contemporary Italian American writers are virtually unknown to the general public and field scholars alike, while household names such as Don DeLillo deny the influence of Italianità on their works. Yet, as a number of Italian American scholars have been engaged in demonstrating, the narrative arising from the experiences of three generations of Americans of Italian descent can offer significant insights into American culture and socio‐economic history. The present article aims to offer an overview of Italian American literature and of the existing Italian American literary scholarship. The article wishes to raise awareness around “the emerging canon of Italian American literature”(Bonomo and Russo) and to underscore the potential for new research perspectives and topics within the broader field of American Studies offered by Italian Americana. Ultimately, the article will posit that the narrative produced by Italian American writers can effectively offer a fresh perspective from which to investigate not only American literature but also a new viewpoint from which to reflect upon some of the distinctive traits that have shaped, and continue to shape, American history and culture.
Legitimacy in a Postcolonial Legal System: Public Perception of Procedural Justice and Moral Alignment Toward the Courts in Hong Kong
Authors: Cheng Kevin Kwok-yin
Published: November 2016

Legitimacy is said to be comprised of two underlying constructs: obligation to obey and moral alignment. However, legitimacy studies are mainly derived from contexts where the legal system has evolved naturally and is said to reflect the values of society. There is a paucity of research measuring public perceptions of legitimacy in postcolonial settings such as Hong Kong where the legal system was initially transplanted and many of its values may not reflect those of the local population. Procedural justice has been asserted to be a primary antecedent by which legal authorities improve their legitimacy and moral alignment. This study examines whether procedural justice is positively associated with legitimacy and moral alignment with the courts. Moreover, this study tests whether legitimacy is positively associated with cooperation with the courts. Using a random survey of the Hong Kong general population, both questions are answered in the affirmative. Implications are discussed.
A Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus‐Like Eruption Induced by Hydroxyurea
Authors: Yanes Daniel A. , Mosser‐Goldfarb Joy L.
Published: November 2016

Hydroxyurea is a medication with many well‐described cutaneous side effects, notably the dermatomyositis‐like eruption known as hydroxyurea dermopathy. Although systemic lupus erythematosus has been reported with hydroxyurea use, cutaneous lupus has not. We report a novel case of chronic cutaneous lupus induced by hydroxyurea and propose that this is a side effect that is distinct from hydroxyurea dermopathy.
Reconstructing a Pregnancy Cohort to Examine Potential Selection Bias in Studies on Racial Disparities in Preterm Delivery
Authors: Sapra Katherine J. , Chaurasia Ashok K. , Hutcheon Jennifer A. , Ahrens Katherine A.
Published: October 2016

Background

Epidemiologic studies examining preconception risk factors on perinatal outcomes are typically restricted to livebirths. By including only non‐terminated pregnancies, estimates for the underlying pregnancy cohort may be subject to selection bias. We examined if potential selection bias due to induced termination by maternal race may result in different estimates of the non‐Hispanic black – non‐Hispanic white risk ratio (RR) for preterm delivery (PTD) among a reconstructed pregnancy cohort (‘pseudo‐pregnancy cohort’).

Methods

Using New York City registries of 1.6 million livebirths, spontaneous terminations, and induced terminations among non‐Hispanic black and non‐Hispanic white women (2000–12), we multiply imputed PTD (<37 weeks) and early PTD (<32 weeks) outcomes for induced terminations based on maternal race, age, parity, marital status, nativity, and medical care payer to construct the pseudo‐pregnancy cohort.

Results

Among non‐Hispanic black and non‐Hispanic white women, 55% and 19% of pregnancies ended in induced termination and 13% and 8% resulted in PTD, respectively. Although several factors were associated with both PTD and induced termination, PTD RRs in the birth (RR 1.64, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.62, 1.66) and pseudo‐pregnancy (RR 1.63, 95% CI 1.56, 1.71) cohorts were similar. However, early PTD RR was somewhat larger in the birth (RR 2.80, 95% CI 2.71, 2.89) than pseudo‐pregnancy (RR 2.47, 95% CI 2.23, 2.73) cohort.

Conclusions

Using birth certificate data – thereby excluding induced terminations – to estimate the PTD racial disparity did not produce biased estimates. Our data suggest observed PTD disparities likely are not artefacts of selection bias due to induced termination.
Modeling the Effect of Red Blood Cells Deformability on Blood Flow Conditions in Human Carotid Artery Bifurcation
Authors: Urevc Janez , Žun Iztok , Brumen Milan , Štok Boris
Published: November 2016

The purpose of this work is to predict the effect of impaired red blood cells (RBCs) deformability on blood flow conditions in human carotid artery bifurcation. First, a blood viscosity model is developed that predicts the steady-state blood viscosity as a function of shear rate, plasma viscosity, and mechanical (and geometrical) properties of RBC's. Viscosity model is developed by modifying the well-known Krieger and Dougherty equation for monodisperse suspensions by using the dimensional analysis approach. With the approach, we manage to account for the microscopic properties of RBC's, such as their deformability, in the macroscopic behavior of blood via blood viscosity. In the second part of the paper, the deduced viscosity model is used to numerically predict blood flow conditions in human carotid artery bifurcation. Simulations are performed for different values of RBC's deformability and analyzed by investigating parameters, such as the temporal mean wall shear stress (WSS), oscillatory shear index (OSI), and mean temporal gradient of WSS. The analyses show that the decrease of RBC's deformability decrease the regions of low WSS (i.e., sites known to be prevalent at atherosclerosis-prone regions); increase, in average, the value of WSS along the artery; and decrease the areas of high OSI. These observations provide an insight into the influence of blood's microscopic properties, such as the deformability of RBC's, on hemodynamics in larger arteries and their influence on parameters that are known to play a role in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis.
Design, Analysis, and Optimization of an Acute Stroke Gait Rehabilitation Device
Authors: Kora Kazuto , Stinear James , McDaid Andrew
Published: November 2016

Stroke is one of the leading causes of adult physical disability, and rehabilitation and hospitalization costs for stroke are among the highest for all injuries. Current rehabilitation techniques are labor intensive and time consuming for therapists and difficult to perform effectively. Research suggests that starting rehabilitation during the acute or subacute stage of recovery results in better outcomes than therapy delivered in the chronic stage. To improve the gait rehabilitation process, robot-assisted gait rehabilitation has gained much interest over the past years. However, many robot-assisted rehabilitation devices have limitations; one of which is being bulky and complex to handle. Large and expensive devices that require special training to operate are less attractive to clinics and therapists, and ultimately less likely to be available to patients especially at the early stage of stroke. To address these limitations, this research proposes a new gait rehabilitation device called the linkage design gait trainer (LGT). The device is based on a walking frame design with a simple four-bar linkage “end-effector” mechanism to generate normal gait trajectories during general walking and exercise. The design of the four-bar linkage mechanism was optimized for a particular gait pattern. A prototype of the device was developed and tested. The kinematics of the device itself and gait kinematics with and without assistance from the device were recorded and analyzed using an optical motion capture system. The results show the linkage mechanism is able to guide the leg of the user during over ground walking. There were some differences in the hip (20.5 deg RMS) and knee (14.8 deg RMS) trajectory between the person walking with and without the device assistance. The study demonstrated the concept and feasibility of this novel gait training device.
Energy Footprint of Urban Services Within Building Infrastructure
Authors: Fekete Balázs M. , Kalene Gehan , Cak Anthony D.
Published: November 2016

Energy addiction is regarded as the primary obstacle to humanity's sustainable future. The need to change lifestyles in consumer societies to become more sustainable is advocated without a clear understanding of what elements of modern life must undergo major transformations. One of the most overlooked aspects of this question is the role of buildings that serve as homes and workspaces. The energy use for maintaining such infrastructure, especially in urban areas, and operating key services like heating or cooling, lighting, delivering water, and collecting wastewater will inevitably grow as global population becomes increasing more affluent. This paper investigates the energy costs of several aspects of these key services in urban areas, specifically delivering and heating water and heating residential spaces in the five boroughs of New York City. It provides detailed geospatial calculations as an example of assessing energy costs based on physical principles (e.g., accounting for the effects of topography and building floor elevation to deliver water and heat, and energy losses in the water distribution system). The paper also serves as a demonstration of much-needed research to price out the cost of modern life in energy terms in order to identify major inefficiencies in our current urban infrastructure, as well as the potential for efficiency improvements. While these calculations do not directly incorporate observed data, the principles demonstrated here highlight the use of quantitative geospatial analyses (based on fundamental physics) in order to look at urban infrastructures, particularly for planning and designing new cities or rebuild existing ones.
A dedicated greedy pursuit algorithm for sparse spectral representation of music sound
Authors: Rebollo-Neira Laura , Aggarwal Gagan
Published: October 2016

A dedicated algorithm for sparse spectral representation of music sound is presented. The goal is to enable the representation of a piece of music signal as a linear superposition of as few spectral components as possible, without affecting the quality of the reproduction. A representation of this nature is said to be sparse. In the present context sparsity is accomplished by greedy selection of the spectral components, from an overcomplete set called a dictionary. The proposed algorithm is tailored to be applied with trigonometric dictionaries. Its distinctive feature being that it avoids the need for the actual construction of the whole dictionary, by implementing the required operations via the fast Fourier transform. The achieved sparsity is theoretically equivalent to that rendered by the orthogonal matching pursuit (OMP) method. The contribution of the proposed dedicated implementation is to extend the applicability of the standard OMP algorithm, by reducing its storage and computational demands. The suitability of the approach for producing sparse spectral representation is illustrated by comparison with the traditional method, in the line of the short time Fourier transform, involving only the corresponding orthonormal trigonometric basis.
Discovery of pan-VEGF inhibitory peptides directed to the extracellular ligand-binding domains of the VEGF receptors
Authors: Michaloski Jussara S. , Redondo Alexandre R. , Magalhães Leila S. , Cambui Caio C. , Giordano Ricardo J.
Published: October 2016

Extracellular ligand-binding inhibitors of receptor tyrosine kinases (eTKIs) in angiogenesis.
Control of sexuality by the
sk1
-encoded UDP-glycosyltransferase of maize
Authors: Hayward Andrew P. , Moreno Maria A. , Howard Thomas P. , Hague Joel , Nelson Kimberly , Heffelfinger Christopher , Romero Sandra , Kausch Albert P. , Glauser Gaétan , Acosta Ivan F. , Mottinger John P. , Dellaporta Stephen L.
Published: October 2016

The maize
silkless 1
gene encodes a UDP-glycosyltransferase that protects pistils from elimination by jasmonic acid signaling.