bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Setup for meV-resolution inelastic X-ray scattering measurements and X-ray diffraction at the Matter in Extreme Conditions endstation at the Linac Coherent Light Source
Authors: McBride E. E. , White T. G. , Descamps A. , Fletcher L. B. , Appel K. , Condamine F. P. , Curry C. B. , Dallari F. , Funk S. , Galtier E. , Gauthier M. , Goede S. , Kim J. B. , Lee H. J. , Ofori-Okai B. K. , Oliver M. , Rigby A. , Schoenwaelder C. , Sun P. , Tschentscher Th. , Witte B. B. L. , Zastrau U. , Gregori G. , Nagler B. , Hastings J. , Glenzer S. H. , Monaco G.
Published: August 2018

We describe a setup for performing inelastic X-ray scattering and X-ray diffraction measurements at the Matter in Extreme Conditions (MEC) endstation of the Linac Coherent Light Source. This technique is capable of performing high-, meV-resolution measurements of dynamic ion features in both crystalline and non-crystalline materials. A four-bounce silicon (533) monochromator was used in conjunction with three silicon (533) diced crystal analyzers to provide an energy resolution of ∼50 meV over a range of ∼500 meV in single shot measurements. In addition to the instrument resolution function, we demonstrate the measurement of longitudinal acoustic phonon modes in polycrystalline diamond. Furthermore, this setup may be combined with the high intensity laser drivers available at MEC to create warm dense matter and subsequently measure ion acoustic modes.
Design and measurement methods for a lithium vapor box similarity experiment
Authors: Schwartz J. A. , Emdee E. D. , Jaworski M. A. , Goldston R. J.
Published: August 2018

The lithium vapor box divertor is a concept for handling the extreme divertor heat fluxes in magnetic fusion devices. In a baffled slot divertor, plasma interacts with a dense cloud of Li vapor which radiates and cools the plasma, leading to recombination and detachment. Before testing on a tokamak, the concept should be validated: we plan to study detachment and heat redistribution by a Li vapor cloud in laboratory experiments. Mass changes and temperatures are measured to validate a direct simulation Monte Carlo model of neutral Li. The initial experiment involves a 5 cm diameter steel box containing 10 g of Li held at 650 °C as vapor flows out a wide nozzle into a similarly sized box at a lower temperature. Diagnosis is made challenging by the required material compatibility with lithium vapor. Vapor pressure is a steep function of temperature, so to validate mass flow models to within 10%, absolute temperature to within 4.5 K is required. The apparatus is designed to be used with an analytical balance to determine mass transport. Details of the apparatus and methods of temperature and mass flow measurements are presented.
Wildland fires behaviour: wind effect versus Byram’s convective number and consequences upon the regime of propagation
Authors: Morvan D. , Frangieh N.
Published: August 2018

With fuel moisture content and slope, wind velocity (UW) is one of the major physical parameters that most affects the behaviour of wildland fires. The aim of this short paper was to revisit the relationship between the rate of spread (ROS) and the wind velocity, through the role played by the two forces governing the trajectory of the flame front and the plume, i.e. the buoyancy of the plume and the inertia due to wind. A large set of experimental data (at field and laboratory scale) from the literature was analysed, by introducing the ratio between these two forces, namely Byram’s convective number NC and considering the relationship between the fire ROS/wind speed ratio and Byram’s number. This short note was also an opportunity to make a point on particular issues, such as the existence of two regimes of propagation of surface fires (wind-driven fire vs plume-dominated fire), the relative importance of the two modes of heat transfer (by convection and radiation) on the propagation of a fire front, and others scientific debates animating the wildland fire community.
Social support and mental health
Authors: Ki Eyun-Jung , Jang JooYoung
Published: August 2018

Immigrants experience adversity and hardship in a new environment. These experiences negatively affect their psychological well-being. Online support forums are preferred channels to seek and receive social support for mental health issues. Accordingly, this study analyzed online support forums for Chinese and Korean immigrant women, focusing on different types of mental health problems, support-seeking strategies used, social support received and the relationships between them. Asian immigrant women with mental health problems primarily sought social support by sharing their personal experiences and received informational support “most”. Informational support was most frequently offered for depression, anxiety disorder, and personality disorder, but emotional support was most frequently provided for impulse control. While informational support was most commonly offered with requests for information, emotional support was most repeatedly reported for statements of extreme behavior.
Semantic change through change in non-linguistic practice
Authors: Ponsford Dan
Published: August 2018

This paper is concerned with the relation between semantics and non-linguistic practice and with change in that relation. The particular case involves two classes of clausal constructions that havelayas their verb and are used in initiating bets. One class involveslay a wagerand the other involveslaystake. Associated with the use of these constructions are a number of practices that have to do with what is done with the stakes of the bet. The crucial distinction among these practices in terms of the semantics oflayis whether or not stakes are physically laid down. If they are, thenlayis interpretable as naming the physical action. Otherwise, some other interpretation must be sought forlay. I show that, over three centuries, there is a decline in the practice of laying stakes down whenlaystakeis used. Withlay a wagerthere is no significant change. The result of the changing use oflaystakeis thatlayis increasingly interpreted as having a metaphoric or abstract meaning. Where the new meaning is metaphoric, this is due not to a deliberate expressive choice on the part of the speaker – as is usually assumed for metaphoric use – but to change in non-linguistic practice.
A perspective on “impoliteness” in early modern Romanian court and diplomatic interactions
Authors: Constantinescu Mihaela-Viorica
Published: August 2018

The paper focuses on impoliteness dealt with from a historical pragmatics perspective (Jucker [ed.] 1995;Culpeper and Kádár [eds] 2010;Jucker and Taavitsainen [eds] 2010; etc.). The approach adopted in this study favours a first-order im/politeness view (Watts et al. [eds] 1992;Eelen 2001; etc.), which is mainly concerned with the evaluation of behavioural elements by the participants in a communicative event. As im/politeness in Romanian is under-researched from a historical sociopragmatic perspective, this analysis tries to fill a gap exploring the seventeenth to early-eighteenth century cultural patterns and their characteristics in only two main Romanian provinces, Moldavia and Wallachia (separate states from the Middle Ages until their union in 1859).

My analysis is limited to the understanding and practices of “impoliteness” in official settings (court and diplomatic interactions), aiming to capture the production and evaluation, as well as some self-reflexive aspects (Eelen 2001;Kádár 2013) and emotional effects of “impoliteness”. The corpus consists of Moldavian and Wallachian chronicles from the second half of the seventeenth-century and first half of the eighteenth-century, presenting local court life and also scenes at the Ottoman court.
Novel sounds
Authors: Solon Megan
Published: August 2018

Within the field of second-language (L2) phonetics, development in the production of a L2 phone is often conceived of as the modification of specific phonetic properties to approximate native-speaker norms. This approach permits precise accounts of L2 sound learning but can also lead to a narrow view of L2 phonetic acquisition. To illustrate this point, this chapter reports on a study of the acquisition of the Spanish lateral phoneme by English-speaking learners. A prior analysis of these data (Solon, 2017) explored lateral production according to one acoustic-phonetic property. For the present study, all data were reexamined and learner productions were classified descriptively according to phenomena observed in the data; categorizations were tallied and potential patterns were explored. Results reveal that learners frequently employ production phenomena in their L2 that are not common in learners’ native or target languages, some of which may represent systematic developmental phenomena. This chapter argues that L2 acoustic-phonetic research could benefit from ‘listening’ more to data to hear what they might be telling us on their own before or in addition to exploring specific, established measures.
The potential of publicly shared longitudinal learner corpora in SLA research
Authors: Tracy-Ventura Nicole , Huensch Amanda
Published: August 2018

Most second language acquisition (SLA) researchers would agree that longitudinal data can potentially yield the most valuable insights into second-language development, yet few longitudinal studies exist. It is also rare to find longitudinal studies with data collected beyond the one year mark. In this chapter we argue for the need to adopt more longitudinal research agendas in SLA and the potential of publicly shared learner corpora to help broaden the impact of the data collected. We use as an example work from the longitudinal project, LANGSNAP, which now includes a new set of data collected in 2016, thus expanding the project to 5 years and adding a new research question, that of the long-term evolution of foreign-language proficiency.
Naturalistic data in L2 pragmatics research
Authors: Shively Rachel L.
Published: August 2018

This chapter considers the topic of naturalistic data in L2 pragmatics research, discussing what ‘natural’ means, outlining different means of gathering natural data, and highlighting both the advantages and the challenges of working with data in natural settings. That discussion is followed by suggestions for collecting and analyzing naturalistic data based on the author’s experiences using a longitudinal corpus of naturalistic social interactions for the purpose of studying L2 pragmatics. More specifically, issues of comparability, ethics, recording type, triangulation of data, and targeted pragmatic features are addressed.
Calculating a pattern’s competitive strength
Authors: Hoekstra Eric , Merkuur Anne , Sloos Marjoleine , Weijer Jeroen van de
Published: August 2018

This article proposes a measure of the competitive strength of two rival patterns in the domain of a subgroup of irregular verbs in English. There is competition between simple pasts built on the vowels /æ/ and /ʌ/, and the same competition is found in the domain of past participles. As a result of such competition, the past tensestang(fromsting) was replaced withstung. The /ʌ/ forms are more competitive than the /æ/ forms (Bybee & Slobin 2007,Bybee & Moder 2007). To understand this, we counted the number of types for /æ/ (such assang, rang) and /ʌ/ (such asstung, stuck) in the irregular simple past and did the same in the irregular participle (such assat, hadandsung, done). We calculated a measure of competitiveness for these two patterns incorporating type frequency and token frequency. This measure was used to explain why /ʌ/ forms are more competitive than /æ/ forms.
The definition of the TOPIC within Language into Act Theory and its identification in spontaneous speech corpora
Authors: Cresti Emanuela , Moneglia Massimo
Published: August 2018

The paper presents the definition of the TOPIC information unit within the Language into Act Theory (L-AcT) and the prosodic and informational criteria used for its recovery in spontaneous speech corpora: Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, Spanish and American English. The TOPIC develops the specific function of field of application of the illocutionary force accomplished by the COMMENT unit, it is performed through a prefix prosodic unit and precedes the Comment. The TOPIC must be coherent with the set of requirements determined by the illocutionary force of the Comment and adequate to the speaker-addressee relation. TOPIC mostly correlates in spoken corpora with NP and ADVP and must be functionally distinguished from “postponed Topic” (APPENDIX in the L-ACT framework). However, corpora also show a good percentage of modal expressions filling its prosodic and distributional conditions.
Italian sentence adverbs in the left periphery
Authors: De Cesare Anna-Maria
Published: August 2018

This contribution describes the functional properties of Italian sentence adverbs (SAs) occurring in the left periphery, i.e. in clause initial position, on the basis of a corpus-based analysis of articles drawn from online daily newspapers. We show that a qualitative analysis of the data found in our corpus (albeit relatively small) using the Basel model for paragraph segmentation allows to substantially refining our understanding of the information and discourse properties of these items. Our data suggests that there are important differences in the information properties of two classes of SAs, thereby confirming a classification of the category of SAs in at least two main categories. Finally, the data analyzed allows further refining our taxonomic model of Sentence Adverbials.
From glossophagic hegemony to multilingual pluralism?
Authors: Kraus Peter A.
Published: August 2018

The chapter assesses the politics of multilingualism in contemporary Europe by focusing on the role of options and ligatures in the framing of linguistic identities. Whereas nation-state construction mostly entailed the establishment of monolingual spaces that should make for a convergence of linguistic ligatures and linguistic options, the emergence of new transnational settings at different levels is contributing to an increasing disconnection between language-as-an-option and language-as-a-ligature that affects not only minority, but also majority, members. This dynamic may have important implications for how demands for linguistic recognition are articulated by different groups.
Transient linguistic landscapes of activism
Authors: Mamadouh Virginie D.
Published: August 2018

This chapter explores the political geography of activism against austerity policies in the Eurozone (the Member States of the European Union using the euro as their common currency) through a study of language use in demonstrations. Arguably, the protestors’ performance produces transient linguistic landscapes with placards, posters, banners, and other languaged signs which are used in this analysis to examine the Europeanisation of collective action. When public space in the local context is clearly dominated by one (state) language, political signs in different languages reveal some transnational engagement. Such multilingual signs can be interpreted not only as the expression of the diversity of the linguistic backgrounds among participants to the collective action (revealing either some transnational mobilisation or the multilingual repertoires of local participants) but also as evidence for/of the tactical use of a language (potentially) understood by the addressees outside the local and national contexts and for the emergence of a transnational public sphere. Using pictures of the protests published in conventional media or uploaded on Flickr, the image hosting website and online community, this chapter discusses signs in the local language, borrowings, English signs, signs in other languages than the national one (next to English), and code mixing.
How to measure linguistic justice?
Authors: Gobbo Federico
Published: August 2018

When the concept of linguistic justice was proposed by Pool (1991) in order to cope with the asymmetries quite often found in multilingual contexts, it immediately provoked a great deal of debate. To sum up the debate, there is broad agreement on the meaning of linguistic in-justice, but it is still not clear what linguistic justice really is. This doubt is reflected in the mechanics of the proposed methods for the evaluation of multilingual contexts. What are we measuring? In particular, justice for whom, for example, national citizens or migrants? At which level of analysis, that is to say, at local, national, or transnational? The answers to these types of questions will determine our choice of the right – or at least the appropriate – parameters to be taken into account in order to design an index of the proposed measurement method. In other words, measures are far from neutral, in spite of the fact that they are quantitative, especially in the field of analytical sociolinguistics (Iannàccaro & Dell’Aquila, 2011). After almost a decade of refinements, in particular by Van Parijs (2004, 2011, 2012), Grin (2011), and Grin and Gazzola (2007) observed that the intangible value of a language, being one of the main carriers of culture, is quite often left aside in the indexes that propose to measure linguistic justice as a whole. The only variable that seems to be generally accepted as being relevant is territory.

In this chapter, I examine the Calvet Language Barometer (CLB) in its latest version, published on the web in 2012, under the perspective of linguistic justice. I will proceed backwards, as the CLB aims to measure the “linguistic altitude” of languages in isolation – i.e., their position on the scale – while linguistic justice refers to languages in contact and mainly to multilingual contexts. However, the worldwide gravitational model presented in Calvet (2006, 1999), is naturally compatible with the CLB and can be used for this purpose. The case study of South Tyrol will be presented in order to test the CLB in this perspective, showing to what extent the barometer works, where it does not work, and why. In the conclusion, some preliminary ideas about a genuine multilingual measure of linguistic justice will be presented, based upon an operative notion of multilingual equilibrium.
Linguistic justice and English as a Lingua Franca
Authors: De Schutter Helder
Published: August 2018

Several academic circles are currently theorising the global use of English, including the following two: on the one hand, a group of linguists have argued that English, as a Lingua Franca (ELF) is to be distinguished from English as a Native Language (ENL), of which ELF is not an inferior version. On the other hand, a number of political philosophers have developed theories of linguistic justice that zoom in on the normative case both for and against the global dominance of English. These two “schools” – ELF and linguistic justice – have developed simultaneously but have not engaged with each other to date. In this chapter, I examine the extent to which the linguistic injustices that the emergence of English brings to non-native speakers are reduced by the shift from a conception that prioritises native-speaker norms for English to a conception that legitimises ELF. I first argue that there are four such injustices – communicative, resource, life-world, and dignity injustices. Subsequently, I analyse for each of the injustices what difference ELF could make. My argument is that ELF reduces – but does not remove – the injustices connected to the emergence of English as the world’s lingua franca. But once we are talking about degrees of injustice reduction, other options are available as well. A more significant reduction of the injustices is possible, I argue, through establishing L1-based norms of English.
On some fashionable terms in multilingualism research
Authors: Grin François
Published: August 2018

This chapter examines, in a critical way, four different notions encountered in certain strands of academic discourse about multilingualism, which have acquired an influential position in some segments of contemporary applied linguistics. The four notions reviewed here are “superdiversity”, “languaging”, “commodification”, and “English as a lingua franca (ELF)”. The argument made in this chapter is that, while each of these concepts is problematic on its own, their combination gives rise to particularly problematic implications for language policy. The policy stances that can be derived from those notions are potentially harmful on allocative and distributive grounds, since they may undermine both linguistic diversity and linguistic justice. This chapter shows why they should be avoided, or at least substantially amended, in order to formulate policy responses aiming at the preservation of a genuine, sustainable and fair multilingualism. While the very use of these four notions raises questions regarding the evolution of applied linguistics, investigating them also matters to social scientists working on language issues, particularly language policy. The reason for this is that social scientists need to rely on sound analytical constructs in order to come to grips with the complexity of language and multilingualism as research objects, and as areas in which actual policies are selected, designed, implemented and evaluated.
Idealism or pragmatism?
Authors: von Busekist Astrid
Published: August 2018

This chapter aims at setting out a transitory fair language regime for migrants. I show that a lingua franca regime in “Open English” can co-exist with linguistic diversity and ad hoc multilingualism, and that this regime can be sustained transitionally by bilingual bridge-speakers. Democratic requirements of inclusion and parity of esteem can be achieved through a creative non-permanent linguistic arrangement via ad hoc multilingualism plus Open English, particularily relevant in intermediary institutions and situations where newcomers are not (yet) competent in the host-country’s language.
European integration and the variety of languages
Authors: Barbier Jean-Claude
Published: August 2018

While formal EU law acknowledges the equality of the 24 languages of the Member States, practice has sanctioned the blatant hegemony of the English language over the years, and the United Kingdom has now decided to leave the European Union. Most social scientists do not care about this situation. As members of a trans-European elite, they privilege the certainties of a standardised European English over the strict demands of science and truth that need pluri-lingualism. But there is more to pluri-lingualism than being an indispensable vector to rigorous social science. Language is also indispensable for politics and, as politics is now made in English in the European Union, non-speakers of English now face exclusion from full participation in politics. Contrary to received wisdom, this concerns the majority of European citizens. One key obstacle to the modification of language practices across the Union lies in the structural features of EU law itself, with regard to its very conception of language as a discriminating instrument.
Developmental processes.
Authors: Heuvelink E. , Okello R. C. O.
Published: August 2018

This chapter focuses on the developmental processes, such as germination, root and leaf development, inflorescence formation and flower and fruit development, and their impact on tomato yield. The important role of photoreceptors, such as phytochromes, in the control of plant developmental processes is also discussed.
Crop protection: pest and disease management.
Authors: Vallad G. E. , Messelink G. , Smith H. A.
Published: August 2018

This chapter reviews pests and diseases important to global tomato production and provides an update of basic and applied research on the management of some pests and diseases with some considerations for greenhouse and open field production. Special emphasis is given on integrated pest management and the biological control of key pests in greenhouse production.
Light, photosynthesis and yield in blueberries.
Authors: Retamales J. B. , Hancock J. F.
Published: August 2018

In this chapter, a global vision of the physiology (functioning) of a blueberry plant is described with regard to the generation and distribution of carbohydrates. The factors that are involved in dry matter production and its partitioning among the various plant organs are discussed, as well as the effect of several environmental variables and management practices on dry matter partitioning to vegetative and reproductive organs.
Growth regulators in blueberry production.
Authors: Retamales J. B. , Hancock J. F.
Published: August 2018

This chapter examines the most important considerations regarding the spray application of plant growth regulators (PGRs), as well as reviewing the factors that affect their performance. The most important current and potential uses of PGRs in blueberry production are presented, considering not only their desired response but also the most relevant side or collateral effects on plant functioning and fruit quantity/quality. Most emphasis will be given on the research that has been done on highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), both southern and northern types, but where appropriate, research on related species, i.e. lowbush (Vaccinium angustifolium) and rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium ashei) and cranberry (Vaccinium) will be presented.
Blueberry diseases and pests, their management and cultivar resistance.
Authors: Retamales J. B. , Hancock J. F.
Published: August 2018

This chapter covers the most relevant pests, diseases and weeds that attack blueberries. The information on diseases, caused by viruses, bacteria and fungi, is presented based on the organs affected. The symptoms associated with diseases and pests are also described.
Pre- and postharvest management of fruit quality.
Authors: Retamales J. B. , Hancock J. F.
Published: August 2018

This chapter discusses the pre- and postharvest management of fruit quality of blueberries. The attributes and factors affecting fruit quality are defined, as well as the factors that influence the postharvest life of the fruit and the approaches used to extend fruit quality, with a focus on the fresh market. Much new information has been gathered on fruit quality and consumer acceptance.
Genetically modified organisms in food: ethical tensions and the labeling initiative.
Authors: Strauss D. M.
Published: August 2018

This chapter explores the ethical implications of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food that originate from plants genetically altered through bioengineering. The chapter analyses the new federal statute recently passed in the USA purportedly to label these foods and evaluates whether in fact it does so in an effective and meaningful way to fulfill consumers' rights. The chapter highlights an approach that takes into account these ethical tensions and shifts the dialogue from public outcry to the policy and regulation arena. Accordingly, this proposal embraces participation of all stakeholders, education of the public on the potential risks, development of comprehensive labelling to enable informed consumer choice and establishment of a more active and independent role for government agencies in regulating biotechnology companies. The chapter concludes by providing queries to assist policy makers in implementing a new regulatory framework in the USA, recognizing that consideration be given to ethical tensions in shaping the international policy arena.
The Baku 2015 European Games as a national milestone of post-Soviet Azerbaijan
Authors: Rojo-Labaien Ekain
Published: August 2018

The Baku European Games, the first multi-sport mega-event held at a European level, was a major public relations undertaking by Azerbaijan. The games were framed by a trend involving large-scale sports events promoted by the Ilham Aliyev government, based on the profits of the second oil boom in the twenty-first century. The sports event served to internationally portray Azerbaijan as a rapidly developing country and in this way to increase national consciousness within the society, which was lacking a collective narrative in the post-Soviet era. Nonetheless, the downturn due to the fall of international oil prices negatively affected the impact of the sports mega-event. Moreover, the sports competition symbolized the government's commitment to impose reasons of state and nation-building over social needs and political freedoms in Azerbaijan. This article is based on empirical fieldwork carried out in Baku in the months following the multi-sports event.
Macroinvertebrate assemblages from two sampling methods similarly discriminated freshwater wetlands with different ecosystem status in south Texas
Authors: McIntosh Leah , Fierro-Cabo Alejandro , Benavides Jude A.
Published: August 2018

Resacas of the lower Rio Grande River (secondary channels, distributaries, oxbow lakes) are vital freshwater wetlands under intense anthropogenic pressure. Many of these wetlands have their water levels tightly managed and some are being restored. Reliable bioassessment methods to effectively discriminate among resacas of differing ecological status are needed. Common components of bioassessments for aquatic ecosystems include surveys of biological communities, among which the macroinvertebrates are generally considered the most accurate. The macroinvertebrate community of resacas is virtually undocumented and various sampling methods have never been used in parallel. Here we used two popular sampling techniques (benthic corer and dip net), while producing the first portrait of the macroinvertebrate community inhabiting resacas. Despite sampling different invertebrate assemblage subsets, both methods discriminated among studied resacas in a similar manner; however, the corer presents several advantages including: 1) a much higher precision (based on coefficients of variation), 2) more adequate representation of an indicator species (invasive gastropod), and 3) clearer differences in functional feeding groups among resacas which constitutes an additional indicator metric.
Cyclin B2 can compensate for Cyclin B1 in oocyte meiosis I
Authors: Li Jian , Tang Ji-Xin , Cheng Jin-Mei , Hu Bian , Wang Yu-Qian , Aalia Batool , Li Xiao-Yu , Jin Cheng , Wang Xiu-Xia , Deng Shou-Long , Zhang Yan , Chen Su-Ren , Qian Wei-Ping , Sun Qing-Yuan , Huang Xing-Xu , Liu Yi-Xun
Published: August 2018

Mammalian oocytes are arrested at the prophase of the first meiotic division for months and even years, depending on species. Meiotic resumption of fully grown oocytes requires activation of M-phase–promoting factor (MPF), which is composed of Cyclin B1 and cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1). It has long been believed that Cyclin B1 synthesis/accumulation and its interaction with CDK1 is a prerequisite for MPF activation in oocytes. In this study, we revealed that oocyte meiotic resumption occurred in the absence of Cyclin B1. Ccnb1-null oocytes resumed meiosis and extruded the first polar body. Without Cyclin B1, CDK1 could be activated by up-regulated Cyclin B2. Ccnb1 and Ccnb2 double knockout permanently arrested the oocytes at the prophase of the first meiotic division. Oocyte-specific Ccnb1-null female mice were infertile due to failed MPF activity elevation and thus premature interphase-like stage entry in the second meiotic division. These results have revealed a hidden compensatory mechanism between Cyclin B1 and Cyclin B2 in regulating MPF and oocyte meiotic resumption.
On the Measurement of Consumer Preferences and Food Choice Behavior: The Relation Between Visual Attention and Choices
Authors: Van Loo Ellen J , Grebitus Carola , Nayga Rodolfo M , Verbeke Wim , Roosen Jutta
Published: August 2018

When buying a product, consumers are confronted with a host of information presented to them. However, this information can only affect shoppers’ choices if they pay attention to it. Eye tracking can measure visual attention to information. Most recently, agricultural and food economics research has combined eye tracking and valuation methods to give insight into the relation between visual attention, preferences, and choices. We present an overview of the eye‐tracking literature, and discuss theory and applications. Also, insights on how to measure visual attention and choice are provided. While eye tracking has its challenges, there are interesting future research avenues that can be explored by agricultural and food economists using eye tracking.
Recoupment and Predatory Pricing Analysis
Authors: Kaplow Louis
Published: August 2018

Recoupment inquiries play an increasingly important role in antitrust analysis, yet they raise a number of conundrums: How can a failure of recoupment due to the plausible long-run profit recovery being dwarfed by short-run losses be reconciled with a defense of no predation that presupposes no short- run sacrifice to begin with? How can recoupment inquiries be diagnostic with respect to competing explanations for defendants’ behavior—such as product promotion or “legal” predation—that likewise require recoupment? This article addresses these questions and others by grounding recoupment and predatory pricing analysis more broadly in a decision framework that focuses on classification (distinguishing illegal predation from other explanations for firms’ pricing) and on the magnitudes of the deterrence benefits and chilling costs of imposing liability. Regarding the latter, although concerns for the chilling of procompetitive activity sensibly drive predatory pricing analysis, the great variation in chilling costs across competing explanations for alleged predation is unrecognized. Much of the analysis here is not particular to recoupment; the investigation aims to inform future research, policy, and practice regarding many aspects of predatory pricing as well as other forms of anticompetitive conduct.
Damages Done: The Longitudinal Impacts of Natural Hazards on Wealth Inequality in the United States
Authors: Howell Junia , Elliott James R
Published: August 2018

This study investigates a largely ignored contributor to wealth inequality in the United States: damages from natural hazards, which are expected to increase substantially in coming years. Instead of targeting a specific large-scale disaster and assessing how different subpopulations recover, we begin with a nationally representative sample of respondents from the restricted, geocoded Panel Study of Income Dynamics. We follow them through time (1999–2013) as hazard damages of varying scales accrue in the counties where they live. This design synthesizes the longitudinal, population-centered approach common in stratification research with a broad hazard-centered focus that extends beyond disasters to integrate ongoing environmental dynamics more centrally into the production of social inequality. Results indicate that as local hazard damages increase, so does wealth inequality, especially along lines of race, education, and homeownership. At any given level of local damage, the more aid an area receives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the more this inequality grows. These findings suggest that two defining social problems of our day – wealth inequality and rising natural hazard damages – are dynamically linked, requiring new lines of research and policy making in the future.
Efficacy of 1,550-nm Erbium-Glass Fractional Laser Treatment and Its Effect on the Expression of Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 and Wnt/β-Catenin in Androgenetic Alopecia
Authors: Meephansan Jitlada , Ungpraphakorn Nawaporn , Ponnikorn Saranyoo , Suchonwanit Poonkiat , Poovorawan Yong
Published: August 2018

BACKGROUND

A new treatment for androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a 1,550-nm erbium-glass (Er:Glass) fractional laser. The wound healing process associated with this treatment is believed to be due to the stimulation of hair regrowth. Both the Wingless-related integration site (Wnt) proteins and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) are important molecules that promote new hair growth.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of 1,550-nm Er:Glass fractional laser treatment and determine the gene expression of IGF-1 and Wnt/β-catenin in patients with AGA.

METHODS

Twenty-three patients with AGA were enrolled. They received 12 treatments at 2-week intervals. A scalp biopsy was performed to evaluate mRNA levels of Wnt10A and IGF-1. Histopathologic samples were collected.

RESULTS

Significant increases in hair count and shaft diameter that occurred from Month 4 until the end of the study were observed. Histological results showed increases in the follicular unit, anagen hair count, and the anagen:telogen ratio. No up-regulation of Wnt10A and IGF-1 mRNA was observed.

CONCLUSION

The 1,550-nm Er:Glass fractional laser treatment can increase hair density and shaft diameter in patients with AGA. The mechanisms by which 1,550-nm Er:Glass laser treatment induces new hair growth may not be limited to Wnt10A/β-catenin or IGF-1 expression.
Vasa previa: prenatal diagnosis and management
Authors: Melcer Yaakov , Maymon Ron , Jauniaux Eric
Published: August 2018

Purpose of review

Vasa previa is a rare disorder of placentation associated with a high rate of perinatal morbidity and mortality when undetected before delivery. We have evaluated the recent evidence for prenatal diagnosis and management of vasa previa.

Recent findings

Around 85% of cases of vasa previa have one or more identifiable risk factors including in-vitro fertilization, multiple gestations, bilobed, succenturiate or low-lying placentas, and velamentous cord insertion. The development of standardized prenatal targeted scanning protocols may improve perinatal outcomes. There is no clear consensus on the optimal surveillance strategy including the need for hospitalization, timing of corticosteroids administration and the value of transvaginal cervical length measurements. Outpatient management is possible if there is no evidence of cervical shortening on ultrasound and there are no symptoms of bleeding or uterine contractions. Recent national guidelines and expert reviews have recommended scheduled cesarean section of all asymptomatic women presenting with vasa previa between 34 and 36 weeks’ gestation.

Prenatal diagnosis of vasa previa is pivotal to prevent intrapartum fetal death. Although there is insufficient evidence to support the universal mid-gestation ultrasound screening for vasa previa, recent evidence indicates the need for standardized prenatal targeted screening protocols of pregnancies at high-risk of vasa previa.
Obesity and abnormal glucose tolerance in the offspring of mothers with diabetes
Authors: Kawasaki Maki , Arata Naoko , Ogawa Yoshihiro
Published: August 2018

Purpose of review

Type 2 diabetes and obesity during childhood, puberty, and adulthood have become more common. This trend presents a global problem in terms of public health and health economics. Associations between intrauterine exposure to hyperglycemia, obesity, and abnormal glucose tolerance (AGT) in offspring have been reported in populations at high risk of diabetes such as Pima Indians, but these associations have not been established in other groups. In this review, we summarize the evidence on obesity and AGT in the offspring of mothers with diabetes.

Recent findings

Although there are many reports indicating that the incidence of obesity or overweight is higher in the offspring of mothers with gestational diabetes, there is no consensus on whether maternal prepregnancy obesity has a larger impact than intrauterine exposure to hyperglycemia. While the risk of AGT or type 2 diabetes in the offspring of mothers with gestational diabetes is thought to increase after puberty, the incidence of AGT is elevated by the age of 7 years in the offspring of mothers with untreated gestational diabetes. Maternal gestational diabetes is a risk factor for AGT or type 2 diabetes independent of maternal prepregnancy BMI. When the offspring of women who had gestational diabetes and received therapeutic intervention in two randomized controlled studies were followed, the prevalence of obesity and impaired fasting glucose was lower in some 7-year-old girls, but the effect of maternal intervention was limited. The risk of obesity or overweight is higher in the offspring of mothers with type 1 diabetes, even after adjustment for maternal prepregnancy BMI. The risk of type 2 diabetes in such offspring is also higher. Although the offspring of mothers with type 2 diabetes are likely to be at high risk for type 2 diabetes, there are only limited reports supporting this hypothesis.

Intrauterine exposure to hyperglycemia is associated with obesity and AGT among offspring. The present review suggests that these associations might depend on the type of maternal diabetes, that is, the timing and degree of exposure to hyperglycemia. There are only a small number of studies on the effect of therapeutic interventions for maternal diabetes on metabolism in the offspring.
Gingival Recession and Localized Aggressive Periodontitis Among HIV-infected Children and Adolescents Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy
Authors: Blignaut Elaine , Rossouw Theresa M. , Becker Piet J. , Mavuso Diana S. , Feucht Ute D.
Published: August 2018

Background:

Limited information is available on gingival recession or localized aggressive periodontitis among HIV-infected children and adolescents. This study reports on the prevalence of these conditions among children and adolescents receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Methods:

A cross-sectional study on HIV-infected children and adolescents attending a Pediatric HIV clinic in Gauteng, South Africa, between January 2013 and June 2016. Patients received an oral examination and oral hygiene instructions, irrespective of oral- or dental-related complaints. Hard and soft tissue pathology was managed and recorded, together with relevant demographic and clinical data. Statistical analysis was performed in Stata 14 with P < 0.05 as significant.

Results:

A total of 554 children and adolescents 5–19 years of age (median age: 12.2 years; interquartile range: 10.3–14.9) were included, of whom 78 (14.1%) presented with gingival recession on permanent mandibular incisors and/or localized aggressive periodontitis of molar teeth. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that patients with gingival recession and aggressive periodontitis had a significantly shorter duration of ART and were more likely to have suboptimal HIV control (CD4 count ≤500 cells/µL and/or HIV viral load ≥50 copies/mL) and be on advanced ART regimens after virologic failure on first- and second-line treatment.

Conclusions:

The results emphasize the importance of oral health care among HIV-infected children and adolescents from the onset, to prevent and manage conditions that could result in tooth loss and permanent disfigurement. This is of particular importance in the presence of virologic failure and immunosuppression.
Immediate and Short-Term Effects of Short- and Long-Duration Isometric Contractions in Patellar Tendinopathy
Authors: Pearson Stephen J. , Stadler Sarah , Menz Hylton , Morrissey Dylan , Scott Isabelle , Munteanu Shannon , Malliaras Peter
Published: August 2018

Objectives:

Isometric muscle contractions are used in the management of patellar tendinopathy to manage pain and improve function. Little is known about whether long- or short-duration contractions are optimal to improve pain. This study examined the immediate and short-term (4 weeks) effects of long- and short-duration isometric contraction on patellar tendon pain, and tendon adaptation.

Design:

Repeated measures within groups.

Setting:

Clinical primary care.

Patients:

Participants (n = 16, males) with patellar tendinopathy.

Intervention:

Short-duration (24 sets of 10 seconds) or long-duration (6 sets of 40 seconds) isometric knee extension loading (85% maximal voluntary contraction), for 4 weeks.

Main Outcome Measure:

Immediate change in pain with single-leg decline squat (SLDS) and hop, as well as change in pain and tendon adaptation [within-session anterior–posterior (AP) strain] were assessed over 4 weeks.

Results:

Pain was significantly reduced after isometric loading on both SLDS (P < 0.01) and hop tests (P < 0.01). Pain and quadriceps function improved over the 4 weeks (P < 0.05). There was significant AP strain at each measurement occasion (P < 0.01). Although transverse strain increased across the training period from ∼14% to 22%, this was not significant (P = 0.08).

Conclusions:

This is the first study to show that short-duration isometric contractions are as effective as longer duration contractions for relieving patellar tendon pain when total time under tension is equalized. This finding provides clinicians with greater options in prescription of isometric loading and may be particularly useful among patients who do not tolerate longer duration contractions. The trend for tendon adaptation over the short 4-week study period warrants further investigation.
Effectiveness of an Exercise-Based Active Rehabilitation Intervention for Youth Who Are Slow to Recover After Concussion
Authors: Gauvin-Lepage Jérôme , Friedman Debbie , Grilli Lisa , Sufrategui Maria , De Matteo Carol , Iverson Grant L. , Gagnon Isabelle
Published: August 2018

Objective:

(1) To determine the impact of providing participants aged 8 to 17 years who are slow to recover after a concussion with a well-developed active rehabilitation intervention (ARI), compared with receiving standard care alone, on postconcussion symptoms (PCS) at 2 and 6 weeks after the initiation of ARI; and (2) to investigate functional recovery 6 weeks after initiation of ARI.

Design:

A multicenter prospective quasi-experimental control group design.

Setting:

Tertiary care pediatric trauma center and community health care providers.

Participants:

Forty-nine youth were enrolled (experimental n = 36; control n = 13).

Procedures:

Participants were assessed on 3 different occasions: (1) initial visit (baseline); (2) 2 weeks; and (3) 6 weeks after enrollment.

Main Outcome Measures:

Child- and parent-reported PCS were obtained by the PCS Inventory Scale (primary outcome). Secondary outcomes included: (1) mood and anxiety; (2) quality of life; (3) energy level; (4) coordination and balance; (5) neurocognition; (6) parental anxiety; and (7) satisfaction with intervention.

Results:

Both groups reported decrease of PCS over time (child:P= 0.01; parent:P= 0.03). Children in the experimental group presented higher quality of life (P= 0.04) and less anger (P= 0.02). A trend toward significance was observed for better tandem gait (P= 0.07) and for less general fatigue on self-reported PCS (P= 0.09) in the experimental group.

Conclusions:

Active rehabilitation intervention does not affect the PCS beyond the usual management, but it increases their quality of life, decreases anger, and potentially increases energy level and balance.
Can Ultrasound Identify Paradoxical Vocal Fold Movement? A Pilot Study
Authors: Finnoff Jonathan T. , Orbelo Diana M. , Ekbom Dale C.
Published: August 2018

Objective:

Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) is characterized by paradoxical vocal fold movement (PVFM) during inspiration. The aim of this study was to determine whether ultrasound could accurately differentiate between normal and PVFM during respirations in a resting state.

Design:

Prospective, single-subject design.

Setting:

Academic medical center.

Patients:

A speech-language pathologist who was able to volitionally alternate between normal and PVFM when breathing at rest was recruited to participate in the study.

Interventions:

The subject was instructed to randomly alternate between normal and PVFM 20 times (10 times each). A single investigator imaged the vocal folds using ultrasound and reported when the subject alternated between the 2 respiratory states.

Main Outcome Measures:

The subject recorded when they changed between the 2 respiratory states, whether the investigator identified with the change occurred, and if the correct respiratory state was identified.

Results:

The investigator recognized when the subject changed respiratory states and correctly identified the new respiratory state 100% of the time.

Conclusions:

The findings of the current study were promising and suggest that ultrasound may have utility in the diagnosis of VCD. However, because of the preliminary nature of these results, further research is required before recommending its clinical implementation.