bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of signals consisting of multiple time-varying sinusoidal components
Authors: Sotelo-Castañon Julian , Gutierrez-Robles Jose Alberto , Moreno Pablo , Galván-Sánchez Veronica Adriana , García-Sánchez Jorge Luis , Bañuelos-Cabral Eduardo Salvador
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– Most systems have a non-linear (NL) behavior and measured signals reflect this non-linearity such that in general they are composed with more than one sinusoidal component. NL analysis methods represent an option for analyzing such signals, however these methods have been developed for single frequency signals, this forces to implement a components separation procedure before performing the signal analysis. The purpose of this paper is to present a new method for analyzing multi-component signals that allows calculating amplitude, frequency and damping constants of the contained sinusoidal components. The method is able to simultaneously identify the different components within a detection bandwidth without previous separation of mono-components, as needed for most methods in used today.

Design/methodology/approach

– The method proposed in this work characterizes sinusoidal signals determining their amplitude, frequency and damping constant. This method is based on transforming from the time domain to the z-domain an oscillatory signal that may or may not possess damping. Since frequency and damping of a signal can be determined knowing its z-domain poles, using the signal in z-transform domain an equations system to find the signal poles can be written.

Findings

– From the results it can be concluded that the proposed method is reliable and consistent. One quality of the method is its short delay, when the procedure starts there is a delay equal to the time needed to accumulate four samples for each detectable frequency in order to perform the first calculation, after this, the algorithm can deliver a result at each sampling instant. This short delay and the low complexity of the algorithm can permit using the method in real time applications.

Originality/value

– The proposed method is able to determine frequencies, damping constants and amplitudes of the components of a signal without a previous separation of mono-components, in contrast with other methods that require filter banks tuned using a previous knowledge of the signal. Moreover unlike techniques such as the Hilbert-Huang Transform the proposed method can be applied to signals with components having very close frequencies.
Shape parameter selection for multi-quadrics function method in solving electromagnetic boundary value problems
Authors: Zhang Huaiqing , Guo Chunxian , Su Xiangfeng , Chen Lin
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– The multi-quadrics (MQ) function is a kind of radial basis function. And the MQ method has been successfully adopted as a type of meshless method in solving electromagnetic boundary value problems. However, the accuracy of MQ interpolation or solving equations is severely influenced by shape parameter. Thus the purpose of this paper is to propose a case-independent shape parameter selection strategy from the aspect of coefficient matrix condition number analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

– The condition number of coefficient matrix is investigated. It is shown that the condition number is only a function of shape parameter and MQ node number, and is irrelevant to the interpolated function which means case-independent. The effective condition number which takes into account the interpolated function is introduced. Then, the relation between the relative root mean square error and condition number is analyzed. Three numerical experiments as transmission line, cable channel and grounding metal box model were carried out.

Findings

– In the numerical experiments, there is an approximate linear relationship between the logarithm of the condition number and shape parameter, an approximate quadratic relationship with node number. And the optimal shape parameter is corresponding to the early stage of condition number oscillation.

Originality/value

– This paper proposed a case-independent shape parameter selection strategy. For a finite precision computation, the upper limit of the condition number is predetermined. Therefore, the shape parameter can be chosen where condition number oscillates in early stage.
Numerical investigation of steady-state laminar natural convection of power-law fluids in square cross-sectioned cylindrical annular cavity with differentially-heated vertical walls
Authors: Yigit Sahin , Graham Timothy , Poole Robert J , Chakraborty Nilanjan
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– Numerical simulations have been used to analyse steady-state natural convection of non-Newtonian power-law fluids in a square cross-sectioned cylindrical annular cavity for differentially heated vertical walls for a range of different values of nominal Rayleigh number, nominal Prandtl number and power-law exponent (i.e. 103
<
Ra
<
106, 102
<
Pr
<
104 and 0.6
<
n
<
1.8). The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– Analysis is carried out using finite-volume based numerical simulations.

Findings

– Under the assumption of axisymmetry, it has been shown that the mean Nusselt number on the inner periphery Nu

i
increases with decreasing (increasing) power-law exponent (nominal Rayleigh number) due to strengthening of thermal advection. However, Nu

i
is observed to be essentially independent of nominal Prandtl number. It has been demonstrated that Nu

i
decreases with increasing internal cylinder radius normalised by its height r

i

/L before asymptotically approaching the mean Nusselt number for a two-dimensional square enclosure in the limit r

i

/L→infinity. By contrast, the mean Nusselt number normalised by the corresponding Nusselt number for pure conductive transport (i.e. Nu

i
/Nu

cond
) increases with increasing r

i

/L.

Originality/value

– A correlation for Nu

i
has been proposed based on scaling arguments, which satisfactorily captures the mean Nusselt number obtained from the steady-state axisymmetric simulations.
ISPH method for double-diffusive natural convection under cross-diffusion effects in an anisotropic porous cavity/annulus
Authors: Aly Abdelraheem Mahmoud , ASAI Mitsuteru
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– A study on heat and mass transfer behavior for an anisotropic porous medium embedded in square cavity/annulus is conducted using incompressible smoothed particle hydrodynamics (ISPH) method. In the case of square cavity, the left wall has hot temperature T_h and mass C_h and the right wall have cool temperature T_c and mass C_c and both of the top and bottom walls are adiabatic. While in the case of square annulus, the inner surface wall is considered to have a cool temperature T_c and mass C_c while the outer surface is exposed to a hot temperature T_h and mass C_h. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The governing partial differential equations are transformed to non-dimensional governing equations and are solved using ISPH method. The results present the influences of the Dufour and Soret effects on the fluid flow and heat and mass transfer.

Findings

– The effects of various physical parameters such as Darcy parameter, permeability ratio, inclination angle of permeability and Rayleigh numbers on the temperature and concentration profiles together with the local Nusselt and Sherwood numbers are presented graphically. The results from the current ISPH method are well-validated and have favorable comparisons with previously published results and solutions by the finite volume method.

Originality/value

– A study on heat and mass transfer behavior on an anisotropic porous medium embedded in square cavity/annulus is conducted using Incompressible Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (ISPH) method. In the ISPH algorithm, a semi-implicit velocity correction procedure is utilized, and the pressure is implicitly evaluated by solving pressure Poisson equation (PPE). The evaluated pressure has been improved by relaxing the density invariance condition to formulate a modified PPE.
Resprouter fraction in Cape Restionaceae assemblages varies with climate and soil type
Authors: Wüest Rafael O. , Litsios Glenn , Forest Félix , Lexer Christian , Linder H. Peter , Salamin Nicolas , Zimmermann Niklaus E. , Pearman Peter B.
Published: December 2015

While fire‐induced changes in biodiversity are well documented, less is known about how fire impacts life‐history variation and diversity of functional traits that represent distinct strategies for persistence in fire‐driven ecosystems. One example is the dichotomy in which ‘resprouter’ species usually survive fires to produce new growth, while ‘reseeder’ species perish and re‐establish from seed.

Variable relative numbers of reseeder and resprouter species in local assemblages of Restionaceae (Poales) of the Cape Floristic Region (CFR), and their high species richness and endemism, make this family representative of the region's functional, taxonomic and ecological diversity.

We investigate how the proportion of resprouter species (resprouter fraction) changes among edaphic conditions and along a climate moisture (i.e. aridity) gradient that integrates annual precipitation (range 130–1300 mm) and potential evapotranspiration (range 3–8 mm m−2 day−1). We sampled local assemblages using a stratified‐random design that fully spanned the environmental conditions of the CFR.

As climate moisture across sites with infertile soils increased, so did resprouter fraction. Resprouters may increasingly dominate reseeders as moisture increases under conditions in which productivity is generally limited. This suggests the explanatory hypothesis that in these conditions, greater moisture accelerates both biomass accumulation (fuel) and fire frequency, providing an advantage to resprouters. However, we found no evidence for increasing resprouter fraction with increasing climate moisture on more fertile soils.

This statistical interaction suggests the possibility that moisture affects resprouter fraction dependent on soil fertility, potentially through: (i) impacts on species composition, if soil type acts as an environmental filter or promotes biotic interactions, and/or (ii) impacts on fire dynamics, potentially through fuel load drying rates. Future research should include a comprehensive fire model for the CFR, to enable direct examination of relationships of life‐history and functional traits across variation in fire dynamics. Additionally, our results indicate that we need both (i) demographic studies on plant establishment, growth rates and survival, and (ii) field experiments that address how environmental and biotic filters affect species composition across variable fire regimes. These together should facilitate mechanistic interpretation of how fire mediates life‐history variation and diversity of functional traits in the CFR.
Transferability of predictive models of coral reef fish species richness
Authors: Sequeira Ana M. M. , Mellin Camille , Lozano‐Montes Hector M. , Vanderklift Mathew A. , Babcock Russ C. , Haywood Michael D. E. , Meeuwig Jessica J. , Caley M. Julian
Published: December 2015

Understanding biodiversity patterns depends on data collection, which in marine environments can be prohibitively expensive. Transferable predictive models could therefore provide time‐ and cost‐effective tools for understanding biodiversity–environment relationships.

We used fish species counts and spatial and environmental predictors to develop predictive models of fish species richness (S) for two major coral reefs located in separate ocean basins: Australia's Great Barrier Reef (GBR; Queensland) and Ningaloo Reef (NR; Western Australia). We tested the ability of the GBR model to predict S at NR (its transferability) under various scenarios using different sampling durations, years sampled and transect sizes.

Based on R2, the GBR model poorly predicted S at NR (R2 < 16%) with few predicted values strongly correlated with observations. However, comparable spatial patterns in S across NR were predicted by both the NR and the GBR models when calibrated at similar spatio‐temporal scales.

This result suggests that poor validation of the transferred models may indicate low deviance explained by the predictors in the new system (where other predictors not included might have a more direct effect on the response) and that in some situations, model transferability may be considerably improved by using data sets of similar spatio‐temporal scales. Therefore, data filtering by time and space may be required prior to transferring models.

Policy implications. Transferable models can provide initial estimates of fish species richness patterns in poorly sampled systems, and thereby guide the design of better and more efficient sampling programs. Further improvements in model transferability will increase their predictive power and utility in conservation planning and management.
Competitive Dynamics between Multinational Enterprises and Local Internet Platform Companies in the Virtual Market in China
Authors: Zeng Jing , Glaister Keith W.
Published: December 2015

We adopt the dynamic capability perspective and the institutional view as the guiding theoretical lenses to explain the relative performance of foreign internet platform companies (IPCs) operating in China. Based on data obtained from 51 interviews a multiple‐case‐study approach is adopted, with representative matched cases between foreign IPCs, including Google, eBay, Amazon and Groupon, and local IPCs. The findings highlight the unique characteristics of the IPCs and the Chinese context that challenge assumptions prevailing in the literature of the applicability of firm‐specific advantages in determining a sustainable competitive advantage. We highlight the dynamic capabilities of the firm, such as flexibility and experimentation, in contributing to sustainable competitive advantage. Further, rather than focusing on firm‐specific resources, we find that the active agency of the firm can approach institutions as resources through external links with diversified institutional players, which is crucial for multinational enterprise IPCs to develop sustainable competitive advantage. Drawing on the findings we present a number of propositions and implications for theory and practice.
Towards a sociology of healthcare safety and quality
Authors: Allen Davina , Braithwaite Jeffrey , Sandall Jane , Waring Justin
Published: December 2015

The contributions to this collection address technologies, practices, experiences and the organisation of quality and safety across a wide range of healthcare contexts. Spanning three continents, from hospital to community, maternity to mental health, they shine a light into the boardrooms, back offices and front‐lines of healthcare, offering sociological insights from the perspectives of managers, clinicians and patients. We review these articles and consider how they contribute to some of the dilemmas that confront mainstream approaches to quality and safety and then look ahead to outline future lines of sociological inquiry to progress the theory and practice of quality and safety.
Real‐time cell analysis and heat shock protein gene expression in the TcA Tribolium castaneum cell line in response to environmental stress conditions
Authors: García‐Reina Andrés , Rodríguez‐García María Juliana , Ramis Guillermo , Galián José
Published: December 2015

The rust red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst, 1797) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), is a pest of stored grain and one of the most studied insect model species. Some of the previous studies involved heat response studies in terms of survival and heat shock protein expression, which are regulated to protect other proteins against environmental stress conditions. In the present study, we characterize the impedance profile with the xCELLigence Real‐Time Cell Analyzer and study the effect of increased temperature in cell growth and viability in the cell line BCIRL‐TcA‐CLG1 (TcA) of T. castaneum. This novel system measures cells behavior in real time and is applied for the first time to insect cells. Additionally, cells are exposed to heat shock, increased salinity, acidic pH and UV‐A light with the aim of measuring the expression levels of Hsp27, Hsp68a, and Hsp83 genes. Results show a high thermotolerance of TcA in terms of cell growth and viability. This result is likely related to gene expression results in which a significant up‐regulation of all studied Hsp genes is observed after 1 h of exposure to 40 °C and UV light. All 3 genes show similar expression patterns, but Hsp27 seems to be the most affected. The results of this study validate the RTCA method and reveal the utility of insect cell lines, real‐time analysis and gene expression studies to better understand the physiological response of insect cells, with potential applications in different fields of biology such as conservation biology and pest management.
Effects of Cardiovascular Events on End‐Stage Renal Disease and Mortality in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease Before Dialysis
Authors: Kuwahara Michio , Takehara Eriko , Sasaki Yasunori , Azetsu Haruna , Kusaka Keita , Shikuma Satomi , Akita Wataru
Published: December 2015

Cardiovascular events (CVEs) are major complications in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, few studies have investigated the effects of CVEs on end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) and mortality of pre‐dialysis patients. We followed 377 CKD patients who were at stage ≥G3 at first clinic visit in the Shuuwa General Hospital between April 2005 and July 2014. After taking baseline patient data, we evaluated renal survival rates and all‐cause and CVE‐related mortality in patients with CVEs [(+)CVEs] and without CVEs [(−)CVEs]. A total of 99 CVEs occurred in 93 study patients (57.0% cardiac events, 43.0% cerebrovascular events, and 6.5% peripheral artery disease events). During the study period, 127 patients reached ESRD over a median of 4.51 years' follow‐up. Kaplan–Meier analysis found longer renal survival rates in the (−)CVEs group compared with the (+)CVEs group. Forty patients died during the study period over a median of 5.43 years' follow‐up. Survival rates for all‐cause and CVE‐related mortality of (−)CVEs patients were higher than in (+)CVEs patients. After adjustment for sex, age, current smoking, blood pressure, diabetes, estimated glomerular filtration rate, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, left ventricular hypertrophy, body mass index, albumin, hemoglobin, calcium, phosphate, C‐reactive protein, and spot urine protein, the occurrence of CVEs was still a significant risk factor for ESRD (HR 1.516, P = 0.017) and all‐cause mortality (HR 7.871, P < 0.001). Our findings suggest that the occurrence of CVEs is a potent risk factor for ESRD and mortality in CKD patients before dialysis.
Preference Mapping of Soymilk with Different U.S. Consumers
Authors: Lawrence S. E. , Lopetcharat K. , Drake M.A.
Published: December 2015

This study determined and compared drivers of liking for unflavored soymilk with different U.S. consumer groups. A highly trained panel documented appearance, mouthfeel and flavor attributes of 26 commercial soymilks. Twelve representative soymilks were then selected for evaluation by consumers from 3 age/cultural categories (n = 75 each category; Caucasian/African American females aged 18 to 30 y; Asian females aged 18 to 30 y; Caucasian/African American females aged 40 to 64 y). Consumers evaluated overall liking and liking and intensity of specific attributes. Results were evaluated by analysis of variance, followed by internal and external preference mapping. Age had no effect on overall liking, while ethnicity did (Caucasian/African American compared with Asian; P < 0.05). Caucasians/African Americans differentiated soymilks more than Asians and assigned a wider range of liking scores than Asians (2.1 to 7.2 compared with 4.0 to 6.1). Three consumer clusters were identified. Sweet taste with vanilla/vanillin and sweet aromatic flavors and higher viscosity were preferred by most consumers and differences between consumer clusters were primarily in drivers of dislike. Drivers of dislike were not identified for Cluster 1 consumers while Clusters 2 and 3 consumers (n = 84, n = 80) disliked beany, green/grassy and meaty/brothy flavors and astringency. Cluster 3 (n = 80) consumers scored all soymilks higher in liking (P < 0.05) than Cluster 2 consumers, and were willing to overlook disliked attributes with the addition of sweet taste, whereas the Cluster 2 consumers were not. These findings can be utilized to produce soymilks with attributes that are well liked by target consumers and to tailor attributes for segments of the population that have not yet been accommodated.
Reassessment of some of Kirkaldy's Australian species of Delphacini (Hemiptera: Delphacidae: Delphacinae)
Authors: Bellis Glenn A , Donaldson John F
Published: December 2015

The following nomenclatural changes are provided for Australian Delphacini: Queenslandicesa fennahi sp. nov. (=Thymalops anderida sensu Fennah); Yangdelphax jihyuetanica gen. et sp. nov. (=Hadeodelphax pluto sensu Yang), with Yangdelphax afurculus (Guo & Liang) comb. nov.; Gelastodelphax Kirkaldy stat. rev., with type species, G. histrionica, redescribed; Nycheuma anderida (Kirkaldy) comb. nov. (=Dicranotropis cognata Muir syn. nov.); Delphax albotristriata Kirkaldy (=Delphax thyestes Kirkaldy syn. n.). Sardia Melichar (=Hadeodelphax Kirkaldy syn. rev.) and Sardia rostrata Melichar (=Hadeodelphax pluto Kirkaldy syn. rev.) and Hadeodelphax pluto pluto Kirkaldy (=Hadeodelphax pluto pallidior Kirkaldy syn. rev.); Delphax disonymos Kirkaldy (=Delphax hyas Kirkaldy syn. nov.); Delphax anemonias Kirkaldy (=Delphax pylaon Kirkaldy syn. nov.). All species currently assigned to the genus Matutinus Distant, a junior homonym of Matutinus Macleay, are transferred to the new genus Distantinus. Lectotypes are designated for Gelastodelphax histrionicus Kirkaldy, Hadeodelphax pluto Kirkaldy, Hadeodelphax pluto pallidior Kirkaldy, Delphax anemonias Kirkaldy, D. matanitu Kirkaldy, D. pylaon Kirkaldy, D. thyestes Kirkaldy, D. albotristriata Kirkaldy, D. hyas Kirkaldy and Dicranotropis anderida Kirkaldy.
Does asymmetric information affect the premium in mergers and acquisitions?
Authors: Dionne Georges , La Haye Mélissa , Bergerès Anne‐Sophie
Published: December 2015

We test the influence of information asymmetry on the premium paid for an acquisition. We analyze mergers and acquisitions as English auctions. The theory of dynamic auctions with private and common value predicts that more informed bidders may pay a lower price. We test that prediction with a sample of 1,026 acquisitions in the United States between 1990 and 2007. We assume that blockholders of the target's shares are better informed than other bidders because they possess privileged information on the target. Our empirical results show that blockholders pay a much lower premium than do other buyers
Role of hemoglobin and transferrin in multi‐wall carbon nanotube‐induced mesothelial injury and carcinogenesis
Authors: Wang Yue , Okazaki Yasumasa , Shi Lei , Kohda Hiro , Tanaka Minoru , Taki Kentaro , Nishioka Tomoki , Hirayama Tasuku , Nagasawa Hideko , Yamashita Yoriko , Toyokuni Shinya
Published: December 2015

Multi‐wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) are a form of flexible fibrous nanomaterial with high electrical and thermal conductivity. However, 50‐nm MWCNT in diameter causes malignant mesothelioma (MM) in rodents and, thus, the International Agency of Research on Cancer has designated them as a possible human carcinogen. Little is known about the molecular mechanism through which MWCNT causes MM. To elucidate the carcinogenic mechanisms of MWCNT in mesothelial cells, we used a variety of lysates to comprehensively identify proteins specifically adsorbed on pristine MWCNT of different diameters (50 nm, NT50; 100 nm, NT100; 150 nm, NT150; and 15 nm/tangled, NTtngl) using mass spectrometry. We identified >400 proteins, which included hemoglobin, histone, transferrin and various proteins associated with oxidative stress, among which we selected hemoglobin and transferrin for coating MWCNT to further evaluate cytotoxicity, wound healing, intracellular catalytic ferrous iron and oxidative stress in rat peritoneal mesothelial cells (RPMC). Cytotoxicity to RPMC was observed with pristine NT50 but not with NTtngl. Coating NT50 with hemoglobin or transferrin significantly aggravated cytotoxicity to RPMC, with an increase in cellular catalytic ferrous iron and DNA damage also observed. Knockdown of transferrin receptor with ferristatin II decreased not only NT50 uptake but also cellular catalytic ferrous iron. Our results suggest that adsorption of hemoglobin and transferrin on the surface of NT50 play a role in causing mesothelial iron overload, contributing to oxidative damage and possibly subsequent carcinogenesis in mesothelial cells. Uptake of NT50 at least partially depends on transferrin receptor 1. Modifications of NT50 surface may decrease this human risk.
Readability of Invasive Procedure Consent Forms
Authors: Eltorai Adam E. M. , Naqvi Syed S. , Ghanian Soha , Eberson Craig P. , Weiss Arnold‐Peter C. , Born Christopher T. , Daniels Alan H.
Published: December 2015

Background

Informed consent is a pillar of ethical medicine which requires patients to fully comprehend relevant issues including the risks, benefits, and alternatives of an intervention. Given the average reading skill of US adults is at the 8th grade level, the American Medical Association (AMA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommend patient information materials should not exceed a 6th grade reading level. We hypothesized that text provided in invasive procedure consent forms would exceed recommended readability guidelines for medical information.

Materials and methods

To test this hypothesis, we gathered procedure consent forms from all surgical inpatient hospitals in the state of Rhode Island. For each consent form, readability analysis was measured with the following measures: Flesch Reading Ease Formula, Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level, Fog Scale, SMOG Index, Coleman–Liau Index, Automated Readability Index, and Linsear Write Formula. These readability scores were used to calculate a composite Text Readability Consensus Grade Level.

Results

Invasive procedure consent forms were found to be written at an average of 15th grade level (i.e., third year of college), which is significantly higher than the average US adult reading level of 8th grade (p < 0.0001) and the AMA/NIH recommended readability guidelines for patient materials of 6th grade (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

Invasive procedure consent forms have readability levels which makes comprehension difficult or impossible for many patients. Efforts to improve the readability of procedural consent forms should improve patient understanding regarding their healthcare decisions.
Acquired haemophilia: an overview for clinical practice
Authors: Kessler Craig M. , Knöbl Paul
Published: December 2015

Acquired haemophilia is a potentially life‐threatening bleeding disorder caused by the development of autoantibodies against coagulation factors, most commonly against factor (F) VIII (acquired haemophilia A; AHA). In around half of patients, an underlying disorder is associated with AHA; the remaining cases are idiopathic. Typically, the disorder presents with bleeding, ranging from mild to life‐ and limb‐threatening, in patients with no personal or family bleeding history. Diagnosis involves an isolated prolongation of the activated partial thromboplastin time, without correction in mixing studies, low FVIII activity levels and evidence of a FVIII inhibitor. As AHA is rare, a lack of familiarity of the condition may result in delayed diagnosis, and prompt haemostatic control is required to reduce morbidity and mortality. Bypassing agents (recombinant activated factor VII or activated prothrombin complex concentrates) can be used to control acute bleeding, and immunosuppression is necessary to eradicate the inhibitor. As clinical trials in this rare and heterogeneous disease are difficult, current evidence comes from observational studies, including registries. This review will focus on the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of AHA and summarise how understanding of this complex condition has increased based on recent registry data.
Sex‐Specific Parental Care in Response to Predation Risk in the European Roller, Coracias garrulus
Authors: Expósito‐Granados Mónica , Parejo Deseada , Avilés Jesús M.
Published: December 2015

Sublethal effects of predation constitute an important part of predation effects, which may modulate prey population and community dynamics. In birds, the risk of nest predation may cause a reduction in parental activity in the care of offspring to reduce the chance of being detected by predators. In addition, parents may modify their parental food allocation preferences within the brood in response to predation risk. Our aim in this study was to evaluate the effects of risk of nest predation on parental care and within‐nest food allocation in the European Roller (Coracias garrulus), an asynchronously hatching bird. We manipulated brood predation risk by placing a snake model near the nests that simulates the most common nest predator in the Mediterranean region. Our results show that males but not females increased their provisioning rate when they were exposed to the model and that despite this, nestlings’ body mass decreased in response to this temporary increase in predation risk. We did not find evidence that parents changed their food allocation strategy towards senior or junior nestlings in their nests in response to predation risk. These results show that the European roller modifies parental care in response to their perception of predation risk in the nest and a sex‐specific sensitivity to the threat, which suggests a different perception of offspring reproductive value by parents. Finally, our results show that changes in parental behaviour in response to nest predation risk might have consequences for nestling fitness prospects.
An interyear comparison of CO2 flux and carbon budget at a commercial‐scale land‐use transition from semi‐improved grassland to Miscanthus x giganteus
Authors: McCalmont Jon P. , McNamara Niall P. , Donnison Iain S. , Farrar Kerrie , Clifton‐Brown John C.
Published: December 2015

A 6‐ha field at Aberystwyth, UK, was converted in 2012 from semi‐improved grassland to Miscanthus x giganteus for biomass production; results from transition to the end of the first 3 years are presented here. An eddy covariance sensor mast was established from year one with a second mast added from year two, improving coverage and providing replicated measurements of CO2 exchange between the ecosystem and atmosphere. Using a simple mass balance approach, above‐ground and below‐ground biomass production are combined with partitioned CO2 fluxes to estimate short‐term carbon deltas across individual years. Years one and two both ended with the site as a net source of carbon following cultivation disturbances, cumulative NEE by the end of year two was 138.57 ± 16.91 g C m−2. The site became a cumulative net sink for carbon by the end of June in the third growing season and remained so for the rest of that year; NEE by the end of year three was −616.52 ± 39.39 g C m−2. Carbon gains were primarily found in biomass pools, and SOC losses were limited to years one (−1.43 Mg C ha−1 yr−1) and two (−3.75 Mg C ha−1 yr−1). Year three saw recoupment of soil carbon at 0.74 Mg C ha−1 yr−1 with a further estimate of 0.78 Mg C ha−1 incorporated through litter inputs over the 3 years, suggesting a net loss of SOC at 3.7 Mg ha−1 from a 0‐ to 30‐cm baseline of 78.61 ± 3.28 Mg ha−1, down 4.7%. Assuming this sequestration rate as a minimum would suggest replacement of cultivation losses of SOC by year 8 of a potential 15‐ to 20‐year crop. Potential coal replacement per hectare of harvest over the three‐year study would offset 6–8 Mg of carbon emission, more than double the SOC losses.
Adoption of Sarbanes‐Oxley Act in China: Antecedents and Consequences of Separate Auditing
Authors: Zhang Jidong , Han Jing
Published: December 2015

This study examined Chinese public companies’ reactions to regulations imposed by the Enterprise Internal Control Standard (the Chinese version of the Sarbanes‐Oxley Act). We found some Chinese public companies used separate CPA firms to audit their internal control over financial reporting and financial statements – a practice that has not been addressed in prior studies on SOX adoption. In this paper, we examine the antecedents and consequences of separate auditing. First, because audit quality is an important aim of the Enterprise Internal Control Standard, we tested the influence of separate auditing on audit quality. Moreover, we theorized and hypothesized that a company's decision to employ separate auditing was influenced by the presence and proportion of directors on the board who performed multiple functions, thus affecting their concerns about the company's internal and external relations. An empirical analysis of 113 public Chinese companies that voluntarily disclosed and audited their internal control reports confirmed our hypotheses. Contribution to the literature, practical implications, and limitations are also discussed.
Reproducibility and conflicts in immune epitope data
Authors: Vita Randi , Vasilevsky Nicole , Bandrowski Anita , Haendel Melissa , Sette Alessandro , Peters Bjoern
Published: December 2015

The Immune Epitope Database is uniquely positioned to assess the body of research related to immune epitopes, we have manually curated all such published data. Thus, we are able to make observations on the state of these fields of research, as well as aggregate the individual data points to present a clearer picture of the immune response to specific antigens in all studied hosts. Additionally, we are able to identify where conflicts in the literature exist and where publications fall short in terms of identifiable methods and in reproducibility. Here we present guidelines to improve the quality of immune epitope data, which will benefit journals and researchers alike.
Big data, big risks
Authors: Clarke Roger
Published: December 2015

The ‘big data’ literature, academic as well as professional, has a very strong focus on opportunities. Far less attention has been paid to the threats that arise from repurposing data, consolidating data from multiple sources, applying analytical tools to the resulting collections, drawing inferences, and acting on them. On the basis of a review of quality factors in ‘big data’ and ‘big data analytics’, illustrated by means of scenario analysis, this paper draws attention to the moral and legal responsibility of computing researchers and professionals to temper their excitement, and apply reality checks to their promotional activities.
The Significance of Post–insemination Display by Male Centris pallida (Hymenoptera: Anthophoridae)
Authors: Alcock John , Buchmann Stephen L.
Published: December 2015

Abstract and Summary

The post–insemination display of males of the anthophorid bee, Centris pallida, is described with special reference to its acoustical component. Males of the anthophorid bee Centris pallida do not release their mates immediately after having transferred sperm to them but instead engage in a complex post–insemination display involving tactile and acoustical elements. Females that are experimentally prevented from experiencing this stimulation often retain their receptivity and will mate again with another male, despite having received a complement of sperm from their original partner. In dense emergence sites in which competition for emerging virgins is severe, small males are sometimes displaced from a mate by larger rivals before the small individual can provide the display. Therefore the female's requirement for post–insemination stimulation may improve her chances of receiving sperm from a large dominant male.

Männliche Centris pallida–Bienen entlassen ihre Partner nicht direkt nach der Begattung, sondern vollführen mit ihnen ein komplexes Nachspiel, das taktile und akustische Elemente umfaßt. Weibchen, die experimentell von diesem Nachspiel ausgeschlossen werden, bleiben oft begattungsbereit und paaren sich erneut mit einem anderen Männchen, obwohl sie bereits erfolgreich begattet sind. Auf kleinen Flachen, wo viele Tiere schlupfen und die Konkurrenz um jungfrauliche Weibchen hoch ist, werden kleine Männchen manchmal von einem größeren Rivalen verdrängt, bevor sie das Nachspiel einleiten konnten. Die Erfordernis eines Begattungs–Nachspiels erhöht für das Weibchen möglicherweise die Chance, Sperma von großen dominanten Männchen zu empfangen.
Building Evidence for Practice: A Pilot Study of Newborn Bulb Suctioning at Birth
Authors: Waltman Patricia A. , Brewer Joyce M. , Rogers Barbara P. , May Warren L.
Published: December 2015

The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of bulb suctioning on healthy, term newborns and the feasibility of conducting a large‐scale study of this practice. In a randomized, controlled two‐group design pilot study, 10 newborns received oronasopharyngeal bulb suctioning at birth and 10 did not. Differences in Apgar scores, heart rates, and oxygen saturation levels were determined. Infants were randomized to groups before delivery. The participants were 20 term, healthy newborns of uncomplicated pregnancies. Apgar scores, heart rates, and oxygen saturation levels in the first 20 minutes of life were the main outcome variables. There were no statistically significant differences in Apgar scores between groups. Apgar scores at 5 and 10 minutes were 9 or 10 for all newborns. Newborns receiving bulb suctioning showed a statistically significant, lower heart rate (P = .042) during the first 20 minutes and a significantly higher SpO2 level (P = .005) by 15 minutes of age. Although statistically significant, these findings were not considered clinically significant because values remained within normal parameters.
CenteringPregnancy and the Current State of Prenatal Care
Authors: Novick Gina
Published: December 2015

Prenatal care is often credited with improving pregnancy outcomes. Yet rates of low birthweight (LBW) and prematurity have risen in recent decades, calling into question the efficacy of traditional prenatal routines. Proposals have included broadening the objectives of prenatal care beyond prevention of LBW and enriching care to provide education and support for pregnant women. CenteringPregnancy, an innovative model of prenatal care that integrates extensive health education and group support with the standard prenatal exam, incorporates many of these elements. Impediments to wider implementation of CenteringPregnancy are explored, as well as proposals for addressing these challenges.
Selective Localization of a Bone Marrow Cell Subpopulation at the Implantation Site in Murine Decidua
Authors: KRCEK JERRY , CLARK DAVID A.
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT: Recent studies of the surface markers on cells in murine decidua have suggested that a proportion of the cells originate from the bone marrow. To examine directly the migration of bone marrow cells to decidua, we labeled whole bone marrow with TRITC and counted the number of cells appearing in decidua following adoptive transfer to virgin or allopregnant C3H mice. Labeled cells were readily identified in decidua by 3 hours after injection, and fewer cells were seen in the lining of the virgin uterus compared to allopregnant recipients. The presence of labeled cells could not be explained by blood contamination. The TRITC‐labeled cells were found preferentially at the implantation sites, and while labeled bone marrow cells could be found in spleen as well as in decidua, adoptively transferred TRITC‐labeled spleen cells localized preferentially in spleen and lymph nodes draining the uterus rather than in decidua. Velocity sedimentation analysis showed that the labeled bone marrow cells lodging in decidua were small lymphocytic cells (S = 2.5–4 mm/hr) and appeared to derive preferentially from small‐sized bone marrow cells (S < 4.3 mm/hr). These observations indicate that a subpopulation of bone marrow cells selectively homes to the implantation site in decidua during successful allopregnancy. The possible significance of this observation is discussed.
Autoimmunity and Pregnancy
Authors: EL‐ROEIY ALBERT , SHOENFELD YEHUDA
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT: The general effect of pregnancy on autoimmunity remains controversial. In the majority of cases, pregnancy may have no effect on the disease, while on other occasions, pregnancy induces exacerbations that may be especially pronounced in the immediate postpartum period. The reasons for this preponderance are still unclear. Another important aspect of autoimmune diseases during pregnancy entails the passive transfer of the disease into the fetal compartment. It seems that until the pathogenesis and a better specific therapy for autoimmune diseases are clearly defined, careful clinical and immunologic observation of each mother‐infant pair will be invaluable.
Antigen‐Presenting Cells in Human Decidual Tissue
Authors: OKSENBERG J.R. , MOR‐YOSEF S. , PERSITZ E. , SCHENKER Y. , MOZES E. , BRAUTBAR C.
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT: The responses of peripheral blood human T lymphocytes supported by decidual antigen‐presenting cells (DAPCs) to a variety of immunogenic stimuli were studied and compared to those of T cells supported by peripheral blood antigen‐presenting cells (PAPCs). Antigen‐presenting cells were isolated from early normal decidual tissue or peripheral blood by elution with ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid of cells that after Ficoll‐Paque separation bear receptors for and have bound to fibronectin. DAPCs pulsed with soluble or particulate antigens induced proliferation of T cells with an efficiency equivalent to PAPCs. Decidual tissue APCs also showed the ability to stimulate auto‐ and alloreactivity. Treatment with anti‐human lymphocyte antigen (HLA) class II antibody and ultraviolet radiation resulted in substantial inhibition of the accessory cell function of DAPCs as well as of PAPCs. Bromodeoxyuridine and light treatment of alloreactive T cells generated in vitro was used to demonstrate that DAPCs primed with a synthetic polypeptide antigen (T,G)‐A‐L can stimulate only HLA class II‐compatible T lymphocytes.
Sex Difference of Antifertility Effect by Passively Immunized Monoclonal Sperm Antibodies
Authors: LEE CHI‐YU GREGORY , ZHANG JUNHUI , WONG ERIC , CHOW S.‐N. , SUN PING , YANG YUZHOU , LEUNG WAH‐YING
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT: Sperm‐specific monoclonal antibodies (MS 204, MS 207, HS 11, and HS 63) that had been shown to inhibit fertilization of mouse oocytes in vitro were used to passively immunize male and female mice. In vitro and in vivo fertilization experiments were performed to compare the efficacy of resulting antifertility effects owing to the presence of circulating sperm antibodies. When the sperm from the antibody‐treated mice were recovered for insemination, a partial inhibition of fertilization of mouse oocytes in vitro was observed. However, under the same antibody dose that effectively inhibits the in vivo fertilization of treated female mice the fertilization rate of the treated male was not significantly reduced, when they were mated with normal superovulated females followed by in vitro embryo culture. Similarly, on day 9 after mating with the antibody‐treated males, the number of fetuses in mated females was not significantly different from that of the control. In contrast, when the antibody‐treated females were mated with the proven fertile males, the number of fetuses was significantly reduced in response to the antibody treatment. When I‐125‐labeled monoclonal sperm antibodies were used to passively immunize male mice, the percentage of antibodies recovered from epdidymis (relative to that of blood) was not much different from that of other organs, except for lower percentages detected in brain and testis. In treated females, oviduct and uterus revealed the presence of relatively high percentages of antibodies. Indirect immunofluorescent assay of epididymal sperm recovered from males treated with antibodies of IgG class showed that only a low percentage of sperm were stained immunofluorescently, whereas those from mice treated with IgM antibodies revealed no immunofluorescent staining. The results of this study demonstrated the sex difference in antifertility effect of the passively immunized sperm antibodies. The low antifertility effect of the passively immunized sperm antibodies in males may be attributed to the presence of a blood‐testis and a semipermeable blood‐epididymis barrier, high local sperm concentration, and low effective antibody concentration inside epididymis and vas deferens.
Detection of Early Pregnancy Factor‐Like Activity in Women With Gestational Trophoblastic Tumors
Authors: MEHTA ANITA R. , SHAHANI SAVITRI K.
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT: The presence of immunosuppressive early pregnancy factor (EPF) in the maternal serum has so far been associated with gestation. Its presence in the serum of women with gestational trophoblastic tumors was investigated. The results indicate that while EPF activity was detected in the serum of women with choriocarcinoma, no such activity was detected in the serum of women with hydatidiform mole, leading to the novel use of EPF as a marker to distinguish these two clinical situations. Results of the experiments also suggest that EPF moiety present in the maternal serum during pregnancy may be of different molecular entity than that present in the serum of women with choriocarcinoma.
Investigation of the Expression of Amnion Antigens by Spiral Arteries in Human Utero‐Placental Tissues
Authors: BULMER J.N. , WELLS M. , LUNNY D.P. , YEH C.‐J. , HSI B.‐L.
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT: Two monoclonal antibodies raised against human amnion, GB3 and GB5, were used in an indirect immunoperoxidase method to investigate the expression of amnion antigens by spiral arteries in pregnant and nonpregnant uterine tissues. GB3 showed focal reactivity with occasional spiral arteries in the placental bed throughout pregnancy, but no GB3‐staining was observed in nonpregnant endometrium. In contrast, GB5 showed bandlike circumferential reactivity with spiral arteries at all gestational ages examined. GB5‐positivity showed no relation to the presence of endo‐vascular or perivascular trophoblast. In nonpregnant endometrium, GB5 labeled rare spiral arteries. However, in a premenstrual specimen showing pseudodecidual change, there was circumferential reactivity with GB5 resembling that in pregnancy. The reaction patterns of GB3 or GB5 were not similar to those for two other basement‐membrane components, fibronectin and type IV collagen. The results suggest that expression of the GB5 antigen may in part be regulated by hormones.