bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fidaxomicin versus Vancomycin as a First‐Line Treatment for Clostridium difficile–Associated Diarrhea in Specific Patient Populations: A Pharmacoeconomic Evaluation
Authors: Reveles Kelly R. , Backo Jennifer L. , Corvino Frank A. , Zivkovic Marko , Broderick Kelly C.
Published: October 2017

Objectives

The reduction in recurrent Clostridium difficile–associated diarrhea (CDAD) with fidaxomicin therapy may reduce hospital readmissions and lead to lower overall CDAD costs. However, studies assessing the cost‐effectiveness of fidaxomicin as first‐line therapy from the U.S. hospital perspective are lacking. This study evaluated the costs associated with utilizing fidaxomicin or vancomycin as a first‐line therapy for CDAD in specific patient populations from a U.S. hospital perspective.

Methods

A decision‐analytic model was developed to estimate total costs (hospitalization and drug costs) associated with using fidaxomicin or vancomycin as first‐line therapy for a first episode and up to two recurrences of CDAD in five patient populations: general population, elderly, patients receiving concomitant antibiotics, and patients with renal impairment or cancer.

Results

The total cost of CDAD treatment using fidaxomicin first line in the general population was $14,442 per patient versus $14,179 per patient with vancomycin first line. In subgroup analyses, fidaxomicin use resulted in total hospital cost savings of $616 per patient in patients with cancer and $312 in patients with concomitant antibiotic use; vancomycin use was associated with total hospital cost savings of $243 per patient in the elderly and $371 in patients with renal impairment.

Conclusions

Fidaxomicin as first‐line CDAD therapy is associated with similar total costs as compounded vancomycin oral solution in the general population. In elderly and renally impaired patients, slight increases in hospital cost were observed with fidaxomicin therapy, and in patients with cancer or concomitant antibiotic use, hospital cost savings were observed.
Degradation of Ge subcells by thermal load during the growth of multijunction solar cells
Authors: Barrigón Enrique , Ochoa Mario , García Ivan , Barrutia Laura , Algora Carlos , Rey‐Stolle Ignacio
Published: October 2017

Germanium solar cells are used as bottom subcells in many multijunction solar cell designs. The question remains whether the thermal load originated by the growth of the upper layers of the multijunction solar cell structure affects the Ge subcell performance. Here, we report and analyze the performance degradation of the Ge subcell due to such thermal load in lattice‐matched GaInP/Ga(In)As/Ge triple‐junction solar cells. Specifically, we have detected a quantum efficiency loss in the wavelength region corresponding to the emitter layer (which accounts for up to 20% loss in equivalent JSC) and up to 55 mV loss in VOC of the Ge subcell as compared with analogous devices grown as single‐junction Ge solar cells on the same type of substrates. We prove experimentally that there is no direct correlation between the loss in VOC and the doping level of the base. Our simulations show that both the JSC and VOC losses are consistent with a degradation of the minority carrier properties at the emitter, in particular at the initial nanometers of the emitter next to the emitter/window heterointerface. In addition, we also rule out the gradual emitter profile shape as the origin of the degradation observed. Our findings underscore the potential to obtain higher efficiencies in Ge‐based multijunction solar cells if strategies to mitigate the impact of the thermal load are taken into consideration.
Racial equity and school social work
Authors: Stone Susan
Published: October 2017

This manuscript outlines the beginning contours of a racial justice and equity framework for school social work. It briefly summarizes prior social work scholarship related to social and racial justice and race, outline forces related to school social work professional practice that likely shape limited explicit attention to conceptions of racial equity and justice in schools. Specifically it suggests attention to (a) school institutional and organizational structure and (b) school social work practice routines to center issues of racial justice and equity in relation to the school social work profession.
Nitrocellulose Synthesis from Miscanthus Cellulose
Authors: Gismatulina Yulia A. , Budaeva Vera V. , Sakovich Gennady V.
Published: October 2017

The possibility of synthesizing nitrocellulose (NC) from an easily renewable non‐woody feedstock, Miscanthus, is demonstrated herein. Nitration of Miscanthus cellulose with commercial mixed acid was found to afford high‐quality NC: 11.85 % nitrogen content, 18 cP viscosity of 2 % NC‐acetone solution, 97 % solubility in alcohol‐ester mixture, and 0.11 % ash content. The Miscanthus NC structure and fibers were characterized by analytical techniques such as SEM, IR spectroscopy, TGA/DTG, and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The Miscanthus NC is comparable in quality to basic NC types used for the manufacture of films, membranes, lacquers, nail polish, liquid bandage, artificial silk and skin.
Simultaneous refinement of inaccurate local regions and overall structure in the CASP12 protein model refinement experiment
Authors: Lee Gyu Rie , Heo Lim , Seok Chaok
Published: October 2017

Advances in protein model refinement techniques are required as diverse sources of protein structure information are available from low‐resolution experiments or informatics‐based computations such as cryo‐EM, NMR, homology models, or predicted residue contacts. Given semi‐reliable or incomplete structural information, structure quality of a protein model has to be improved by ab initio methods such as energy‐based simulation. In this study, we describe a new automatic refinement server method designed to improve locally inaccurate regions and overall structure simultaneously. Locally inaccurate regions may occur in protein structures due to non‐convergent or missing information in template structures used in homology modeling or due to intrinsic structural flexibilities not resolved by experimental techniques. However, such variable or dynamic regions often play important functional roles by participating in interactions with other biomolecules or in transitions between different functional states. The new refinement method introduced here utilizes diverse types of geometric operators which drive both local and global changes, and the effect of structure changes and relaxations are accumulated. This resulted in consistent refinement of both local and global structural features. Performance of this method in CASP12 is discussed.
Magnetoelectric Effect in Cofired Lead‐Free Laminated (Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3‐Bi0.5K0.5TiO3)/(Ni0.8Zn0.2)Fe2O4 Composites
Authors: Liu Sheng , Yan Shuoqing , Luo Heng , Yao Lingling , Li Yuhan , He Jun , He Longhui , Huang Shengxiang , Deng Lianwen
Published: October 2017

Lead‐free magnetoelectric (ME) laminated (80Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3‐20Bi0.5K0.5TiO3)/(Ni0.8Zn0.2)Fe2O4 (BNKT/NZFO) composites are prepared via a modified cofiring processing, combining grain refinement and liquid phase sintering with low sintering aid content. The microstructure, dielectric, ferroelectric, magnetic, and magnetoelectric properties are investigated by varying the thickness of NZFO layer. The results show that the coexistence of independent BNKT and NZFO phase and the presence of the morphotopic phase boundary in BNKT phase with high piezoelectric coefficient d33 of 131 pC/N are confirmed. Laminated composites have clear and well‐bonded interfaces across the two layers, as well as improved ME properties. The maximum ME voltage coefficient (αE31) of the laminated composite reach 115.1 mV cm−1 Oe−1 with an optimized BNKT/NZFO layer thickness ratio of 1/2. In addition, a zero‐biased ME response was observed in BNKT/NZFO laminated composites.
Practical estimation of XPS binding energies using widely available quantum chemistry software
Authors: Tardio Sabrina , Cumpson Peter J.
Published: October 2017

Chemical shifts observed in high‐resolution X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra are normally used to determine the chemical state of the elements of interest. Often, these shifts are small, or an element is present in several oxidation states in the same sample, so that interpretation of the spectra is difficult without good reference data on binding energies of the likely constituents. In many cases, reference spectra taken from pure reference samples of the chemical components can aid the peak fitting procedure. However, reference materials are not always available, so that it becomes necessary to estimate the binding energies of likely components through quantum chemical calculations. In principle, such calculations have become much easier than in the past, due to the availability of powerful personal computers and excellent software. In practice, though, care needs to be taken in the approximations, assumptions, and settings used in applying such software to calculate binding energies.

In this work, we present a general summary of the methods for the calculation of the core electron binding energies and compare the use of 2 of these methods using the popular “GAUSSIAN” software package. Furthermore, a series of results for molecules, containing elements of the second and the third row of the periodic table, are presented and compared with experimental results, in order to establish the quality and fitness‐for‐purpose of the quantum chemical‐based predictions.
Application of quantitative X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) imaging: investigation of Ni‐Cr‐Mo alloys exposed to crevice corrosion solution
Authors: Kobe Brad , Badley Martin , Henderson Jeffrey D. , Anderson Samantha , Biesinger Mark C. , Shoesmith Dave
Published: October 2017

This paper explores quantitative X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy imaging on three different Ni‐Cr‐Mo Hastelloy® alloys (BC‐1, C‐22 and G‐30) with differing Cr and Mo contents. The alloys were subjected to a simulated critical crevice corrosion solution. Ni‐based alloys have been shown to exhibit excellent resistance to a range of corrosive media due to the formation of an inert oxide layer, primarily containing Cr and Mo. However, these alloys may rapidly corrode in the crevice environment produced by seams, gaskets or deposits of debris on the alloy surface. Understanding how the oxide film is influenced by the Cr and Mo content is crucial in determining an optimal alloy composition that reduces or suppresses the possibility of crevice corrosion. The protective oxide films are very thin in nature, generally several nanometers. XPS imaging was used to monitor changes in oxide film composition and to correlate the distribution of Cr and Mo to the grain structure of the alloys. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The surface chemistry of metallurgical aluminas
Authors: McIntosh Grant J. , Metson James B. , Hyland Margaret M.
Published: October 2017

We have studied the evolution of surface basicity as a function of calcination temperature in a range of transition alumina‐rich analogues of metallurgical grade aluminas produced by calcination of Bayer gibbsite. Specific basicity, the number of basic sites per unit surface area, was determined by thermometric back‐titration and found to increase with calcination temperature up to ~700°C to 800°C, decreasing dramatically thereafter. The population of tetrahedrally coordinated Al3+, which exhibits a qualitatively similar evolution, was determined by Al K‐edge near‐edge X‐ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy but found not to correlate with basicity changes. Interestingly, a shift to higher and then lower binding energy of Al 2p photoelectrons by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and changes in the intensity of O K‐edge NEXAFS spectra do appear to correlate with surface basicity. Exploiting the differing surface sensitivities of NEXAFS spectra collected in partial electron and total fluorescence yield modes, we find O K‐edge spectra intensities, Al 2p X‐ray photoelectron spectrometer binding energies, and surface basicity all reflect the reorganisation of internal surfaces rather than changes in AlO4:AlO6 occupation. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Pine‐Needle‐Inspired Structure of Zinc Oxide Nanorods Grown on Electrospun Nanofibers for High‐Performance Flexible Supercapacitors
Authors: Sami Syed Kamran , Siddiqui Saqib , Shrivastava Sajal , Lee Nae‐Eung , Chung Chan‐Hwa
Published: October 2017

Flexible supercapacitors with high electrochemical performance and stability along with mechanical robustness have gained immense attraction due to the substantial advancements and rampant requirements of storage devices. To meet the exponentially growing demand of microsized energy storage device, a cost‐effective and durable supercapacitor is mandatory to realize their practical applications. Here, in this work, the fabrication route of novel electrode materials with high flexibility and charge‐storage capability is reported using the hybrid structure of 1D zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods and conductive polyvinylidene fluoride‐tetrafluoroethylene (P(VDF‐TrFE)) electrospun nanofibers. The ZnO nanorods are conformably grown on conductive P(VDF‐TrFE) nanofibers to fabricate the light‐weighted porous electrodes for supercapacitors. The conductive nanofibers acts as a high surface area scaffold with significant electrochemical performance, while the addition of ZnO nanorods further enhances the specific capacitance by 59%. The symmetric cell with the fabricated electrodes presents high areal capacitance of 1.22 mF cm−2 at a current density of 0.1 mA cm−2 with a power density of more than 1600 W kg−1. Furthermore, these electrodes show outstanding flexibility and high stability with 96% and 78% retention in specific capacitance after 1000 and 5000 cycles, respectively. The notable mechanical durability and robustness of the cell acquire both good flexibility and high performance.
One‐Pot Photoinitiated Synthesis and Phase‐Transfer Separation of Bismuth Nanoparticles
Authors: Brütsch Lennart , Feldmann Claus
Published: October 2017

Bismuth nanoparticles were obtained via sequential photoinitiated synthesis and phase‐transfer separation. Specifically, BiBr3 was used as a starting material in propylene carbonate (PC) as the polar phase, which was topped by heptane (Hep) as the non‐polar phase containing oleylamine (OA) as the phase‐transfer agent. In a photoreactor set‐up, this two‐phase system was thoroughly mixed and illuminated by broad‐band UV light emitted by a high‐pressure Xe lamp. Upon excitation via the Br→Bi ligand‐to‐metal charge transfer (LMCT), the photoreduction was initiated resulting in Bi0 nanoparticles that were instantaneously functionalized by oleylamine and transferred to the heptane phase. As a result, Bi0 nanoparticles with uniform, spherical shape and a diameter of about 5 nm were formed. The as‐prepared nanoparticles are characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray powder diffraction and infrared spectroscopy.
Risk-Based Proactive Process Adaptation
Authors: Metzger Andreas , Bohn Philipp
Published: October 2017

Proactive process adaptation facilitates preventing or mitigating upcoming problems during process execution, such as process delays. Key for proactive process adaptation is that adaptation decisions are based on accurate predictions of problems. Previous research focused on improving aggregate accuracy, such as precision or recall. However, aggregate accuracy provides little information about the error of an individual prediction. In contrast, so called reliability estimates provide such additional information. Previous work has shown that considering reliability estimates can improve decision making during proactive process adaptation and can lead to cost savings. So far, only constant cost functions have been considered. In practice, however, costs may differ depending on the magnitude of the problem; e.g., a longer process delay may result in higher penalties. To capture different cost functions, we exploit numeric predictions computed from ensembles of regression models. We combine reliability estimates and predicted costs to quantify the risk of a problem, i.e., its probability and its severity. Proactive adaptations are triggered if risks are above a pre-defined threshold. A comparative evaluation indicates that cost savings of up to 31%, with 14.8% savings on average, may be achieved by the risk-based approach.
p-regular nonlinearity: tangency at singularity in degenerate optimization problems
Authors: Bednarczuk Ewa M. , Tretyakov Alexey
Published: October 2017

We investigate description of the tangent cone to the null set of a mapping F at a given point

$$x^{*}$$

x

∗

in the case when F is degenerate at

$$x^{*}$$

x

∗

. To this aim we introduce the concept of modified 2-regular mappings, which generalizes the concept of p-regular mappings. Our main result provides the description of the tangent cone to the null set of modified 2-regular mappings. With the help of this result we derive new optimality conditions for a wide class of optimization problems with equality constraints.
What is the Cost of Free Cleft Surgery in the Middle East?
Authors: Sheriff Samar , Zawahrah Hassan J. , Chang Lenisa V. , Beyatli Sonay , Elhadi Babiker Haithem M. , Roach Ashton L. , Biskup Natalyia , van Aalst John A.
Published: October 2017

Background

This project explores the
costs of cleft lip and/or palate surgeries in Palestine and Sudan, two low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMIC), in the Middle East. Our purpose is to examine the veracity of advertisements from international cleft organizations claiming that “250 US dollars (USD) covers the cost of a single cleft surgery.” We hypothesize that the actual cost of surgery is greater than 250 USD.

Methods

Costs for each cleft surgery were organized broadly into 5 categories: hospital charges, personnel (time and money spent for health professionals to travel to LMIC, including lost wages), tests, consumables, and reusables. Each item was priced at market value during the time of data collection. Following itemization of actual costs, we compared the costs per cleft surgery among four surgical practice models: (1) visiting international surgical teams, (2) visiting international surgeon working with local teams, (3) local teams working at government hospitals, and (4) local teams working at private hospitals.

Results

Our results suggest that 250 USD is an underestimate of actual costs per cleft surgery in all models. The most expensive model in both Palestine and Sudan was the first model, visiting international teams performing all team functions; the cheapest surgical model in both countries was a local team working at government hospitals. The largest cost for any of these models is travel and lost wages for international team members. Eliminating this single cost (travel) decreases overall cost tremendously, but still does not approach the advertised cost of 250 USD.

Conclusions

We conclude that 250 USD underestimates the actual costs to perform a single cleft surgery in Palestine and Sudan. If international cleft organizations are genuinely committed to creating sustainable international cleft programs, they should focus exclusively on training local professionals to perform surgery in hospitals of their own choosing.
Why Ethnic Parties Succeed
Authors: Chandra Kanchan
Published: October 2017

Why do some ethnic parties succeed in attracting the support of their target ethnic group while others fail? In a world in which ethnic parties flourish in both established and emerging democracies alike, understanding the conditions under which such parties rise and fall is of critical importance to both political scientists and policy makers. Drawing on a study of variation in the performance of ethnic parties in India, this book builds a theory of ethnic party performance in 'patronage democracies'. Chandra shows why individual voters and political entrepreneurs in such democracies condition their strategies not on party ideologies or policy platforms, but on a headcount of co-ethnics and others across party personnel and among the electorate.
BECOMING GENDERED IN EUROPEAN PREHISTORY: WAS NEOLITHIC GENDER FUNDAMENTALLY DIFFERENT?
Authors: Robb John , Harris Oliver J. T.
Published: October 2017

It is notable how little gender archaeology has been written for the European Neolithic, in contrast to the following Bronze Age. We cannot blame this absence on a lack of empirical data or on archaeologists’ theoretical naïveté. Instead, we argue that this absence reflects the fact that gender in this period was qualitatively different in form from the types of gender that emerged in Europe from about 3000 cal BC onwards; the latter still form the norm in European and American contexts today, and our standard theories and methodologies are designed to uncover this specific form of gender. In Bronze Age gender systems, gender was mostly binary, associated with stable, lifelong identities expressed in recurrent complexes of gendered symbolism. In contrast, Neolithic gender appears to have been less firmly associated with personal identity and more contextually relevant; it slips easily through our methodological nets. In proposing this “contextual gender” model for Neolithic gender, we both open up new understandings of gender in the past and present and pose significant questions for our models of gender more widely.
Disaster Preparedness of Child Care Teachers: A Cross-Sectional Study in South Korea
Authors: Uhm Dongchoon , Oh Hyang Soon
Published: October 2017

Objective

We aimed to identify the differences in personal disaster preparedness and disaster risk perception among child care and preschool teachers in South Korea by using demographic characteristics and disaster-related questions.

Methods

A cross-sectional self-reporting questionnaire was administered from February to October 2014.

Results

Of all the participants, 68.1% had received disaster preparedness education and training on 2 or more occasions per year; 13.2% had received no education or training. Personal disaster preparedness differed significantly by marital status (P<0.05), the number of disaster education and training sessions attended (P<0.05), and having purchased home insurance (P<0.001). Disaster risk perception differed significantly by children’s age group under a teacher’s care (P<0.05). The topic on which child care teachers wanted more training was “fractures and bleeding emergency care” (53.9%). The most probable disaster was considered to be a typhoon (66.0%).

Conclusions

Disaster preparedness is important for both young children and their teachers. Field-based teacher disaster preparedness education and training should be provided so that they can respond effectively to disaster occurrence regardless of type, time, or location. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018; 12: 321–328)
Simulated-Use Polytetrafluorethylene Biofilm Model: Repeated Rounds of Complete Reprocessing Lead to Accumulation of Organic Debris and Viable Bacteria
Authors: Alfa Michelle J. , Singh Harminder , Nugent Zoann , Duerksen Donald , Schultz Gale , Reidy Carol , DeGagne Pat , Olson Nancy
Published: October 2017

OBJECTIVE

Biofilm has been implicated in bacterial persistence and survival after endoscope reprocessing. In this study, we assessed the impact of different methods of reprocessing on organic residues and viable bacteria after repeated rounds of biofilm formation when each was followed by full reprocessing.

METHODS

ATS-2015, an artificial test soil containing 5–8 Log10 colony-forming units (CFU) of Enterococcus faecalis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, was used to form biofilm in polytetrafluroethylene channels overnight on 5 successive days. Each successive day, full pump-assisted cleaning using bristle brushes or pull-through devices in combination with enzymatic or nonenzymatic detergents followed by fully automated endoscope reprocessor disinfection using peracetic acid was performed. Residuals were visualized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Destructive testing was used to assess expected cutoffs for adenosine triphosphate (ATP; <200 relative light units), protein (<2 µg/cm2), and viable bacteria count (0 CFU).

RESULTS

Protein residuals were above 2 µg/cm2, but ATP residuals were <200 relative light units for all methods tested. Only when enzymatic cleaner was used for cleaning were there no viable bacteria detected after disinfection irrespective of whether bristle brushes or pull-through devices were used. SEM revealed that some residual debris remained after all reprocessing methods, but more residuals were detected when a nonenzymatic detergent was used.

CONCLUSIONS

Surviving E. faecalis and P. aeruginosa were only detected when the non-enzymatic detergent was used, emphasizing the importance of the detergent used for endoscope channel reprocessing. Preventing biofilm formation is critical because not all current reprocessing methods can reliably eliminate viable bacteria within the biofilm matrix.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:1284–1290
Loneliness With Regard to Maternal and Paternal Acceptance-Rejection and Sibling Relationship Quality
Authors: Ulu-Yalçınkaya Ayşe , Demir Ayhan
Published: October 2017

The aim of the study was to predict loneliness with regard to parental acceptance-rejection and sibling relationship quality after controlling for gender, age, grade, school type, field of study, birth order, and number of siblings. The UCLA Loneliness Scale, Maternal and Paternal Acceptance-Rejection Questionnaire, and Sibling Relationship Questionnaire were administered to 1,451 high school students, and multiple hierarchical regression analysis was conducted. Results showed that 1.7% of variance was explained by model 1, including demographic variables, but model 1 was not significant. After adding mother and father acceptance to model 2, the explained variance increased to 18.1%. In model 3, sibling variables were added and the explained variance was 19.6%, which were both significant results. Mother acceptance was the best predictor of loneliness, followed by father acceptance. Parental variables explained loneliness better than sibling and demographic variables. Understanding the family predictors of loneliness may be seen as the first step for a subsequent intervention.
Paleoecology of a ciénega at the Mockingbird Gap Site, Chupadera Draw, New Mexico
Authors: Palacios-Fest Manuel R. , Holliday Vance T.
Published: October 2017

The Mockingbird Gap Clovis site is a surface archaeological site located along Chupadera Draw in central New Mexico. Coring of the draw during archaeological investigation of the Clovis assemblage on the adjacent uplands revealed evidence for a regionally rare continuous, stratified depositional record beginning immediately before the Younger Dryas chronozone (YDC). Thirty sediment samples from the draw adjacent to the archaeological site were analyzed for microinvertebrates (ostracodes and mollusks) and gyrogonites (calcareous algae) to reconstruct its environmental history. Wet-dry cycles marked the presence/absence of microfossils. Based upon microfossils, this investigation highlights environmental change marked by the evolution from wetter/cooler to warmer/drier conditions at the Mockingbird Gap site and its response to climate change and groundwater fluctuations during and after the YDC. Four biofacies are recognized: the pre-Ciénega setting is sterile. Holarctic species near the base of core 08-1 indicate cooling conditions prior to 13,000 cal yr BP during the early Ciénega phase. Warmer, more saline conditions characterize the late-Ciénega biofacies between 11,000 and 10,000 cal yr BP. Presence of gypsum during formation of the post-Ciénega phase and the most salinity tolerant species after 10,000 cal yr BP is consistent with the aridification typifying the early Holocene.
HILBERT C*-BIMODULES OF FINITE INDEX AND APPROXIMATION PROPERTIES OF C*-ALGEBRAS
Authors: FOROUGH MARZIEH , AMINI MASSOUD
Published: October 2017

Let A and B be arbitrary C*-algebras, we prove that the existence of a Hilbert A–B-bimodule of finite index ensures that the WEP, QWEP, and LLP along with other finite-dimensional approximation properties such as CBAP and (S)OAP are shared by A and B. For this, we first study the stability of the WEP, QWEP, and LLP under Morita equivalence of C*-algebras. We present examples of Hilbert A–B-bimodules, which are not of finite index, while such properties are shared between A and B. To this end, we study twisted crossed products by amenable discrete groups.
Morphometric and molecular analyses of two digenean species from the mullet:Skrjabinolecithum spinosumn. sp. from the Russian southern Far East andUnisaccus tonkinin. sp. from Vietnam
Authors: Besprozvannykh V.V. , Atopkin D.M. , Ngo H.D. , Ha N.V. , Tang N.V. , Beloded A.Yu.
Published: October 2017

Adults ofSkrjabinolecithum spinosumn. sp. were discovered inMugil cephalusfrom the Gulf of Peter the Great in southern Far-East Russia. Additionally, adults ofUnisaccus tonkinin. sp. were found in the intestine ofMoolgarda cunnesiusandMoolgarda sehelifrom the coastal waters of Cat Ba Island, Tonkin Bay, northern Vietnam.Skrjabinolecithum spinosumn. sp. possesses a larger body, and ventral and oral sucker size in comparison withSkrjabinolecithum vitellosum,a smaller pharynx size and body length/width rate ratio in comparison toSkrjabinolecithum pyriforme,a smaller body length and prepharynx size in comparison toSkrjabinolecithum lobolecitumand a smaller pharynx length and egg size in comparison toSkrjabinolecithum indicumandS. lobolecitum.The new species also differs fromS. indicum,S. lobolecitumandS. vitellosumby the form of the testis, and from the last two species by the presence of a two-branched intestine. The morphometric parameters ofS. spinosumn. sp. are similar to those ofSkrjabinolecithum spasskii.However,S. spinosumn. sp., unlikeS. spasskii, has an armed hermaphroditic duct.Unisaccus tonkinin. sp. is similar toUnisaccus spinosus(Martin, 1973),Unisaccus brisbanensis(Martin, 1973) andUnisaccus overstreeti(Ahmad, 1987) in body size but differs in oral sucker, pharynx and hermaphroditic sac size fromU. spinosus, and in ventral sucker and ovary size fromU. brisbanensisandU. overstreeti. Bayesian phylogenetic analysis, based on combined data of internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) and partial 28S rRNA gene sequences, confirmed the validity ofS. spinosumn. sp. andU. tonkinin. sp. Analysis of interrelationships of the family Haploporidae, including molecular data on new species, showed that the Waretrematinae subfamily is more heterogeneous in comparison with Haploporinae and Forticulcitinae, and includesU. tonkinin. sp.
Death by suicide at the Ward level in Northern Ireland
Authors: Bunting B. , Corry C. , O'Neill S. , Moore A.
Published: October 2017

Background

Deaths from suicide, as recorded within the Northern Ireland Coroner's Office for the years 2005–2011 inclusive, were analysed in terms of standardised mortality ratios (SMRs), within Wards and Local Government Districts (LGDs). The aim of the study is to examine factors relating to the ecological context of the area within which the person resided at time of death. Area deprivation, religious composition and age structure are examined in terms of SMRs, while controlling for the number of individuals living within a designated area.

Methods

Random-intercept Poisson regression models were used in conjunction with empirical Bayes prediction to examine area effects.

Results

Considerable variation occurs between the numbers of recorded deaths within each area. A strong association is shown between deprivation and the number of deaths by suicide within an area. There was considerable variation at the LGD level in terms of the number of deaths, but once the nested nature of Wards was taken into account and adjusted for level of deprivation, the variation between LGD was no longer statistically significant. When adjusted for the number of individuals within each age group, the number of deaths in the younger and middle-aged groups did not show a statistical difference (0.05 level), nor did the religious composition of the area in terms of the number of recorded deaths.

Conclusions

Based on SMRs, using empirical Bayes prediction, area effects were shown to be substantial, especially in urban locations where there are high rates of deprivation.
Conflict and cooperation in paranoia: a large-scale behavioural experiment
Authors: Raihani N. J. , Bell V.
Published: October 2017

Background

Paranoia involves thoughts and beliefs about the harmful intent of others but the social consequences have been much less studied. We investigated whether paranoia predicts maladaptive social behaviour in terms of cooperative and punitive behaviour using experimental game theory paradigms, and examined whether reduced cooperation is best explained in terms of distrust as previous studies have claimed.

Methods

We recruited a large population sample (N = 2132) online. All participants completed the Green et al. Paranoid Thoughts Scale and (i) a Dictator Game and (ii) an Ultimatum Game, the former with an option for costly punishment. Following distrust-based accounts, we predicted highly paranoid people would make higher offers when the outcome depended on receiving a positive response from their partner (Ultimatum Game) but no difference when the partner's response was irrelevant (Dictator Game). We also predicted paranoia would increase punitive responses. Predictions were pre-registered in advance of data collection. Data and materials are open access.

Results

Highly paranoid participants actually made lower offers than non-paranoid participants both in the Dictator Game and in the Ultimatum Game. Paranoia positively predicted punitive responses.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that distrust is not the best explanation for reduced cooperation in paranoia and alternative explanations, such as increased self-interest, may apply. However, the tendency to attribute harmful intent to partners was important in motivating punitive responses. These results highlight differing motivations underlying adverse social behaviour in paranoia and suggest that accounts based solely on the presenting features of paranoia may need to be rethought.
Group Playing by Ear in Higher Education: the processes that support imitation, invention and group improvisation
Authors: Varvarigou Maria
Published: October 2017

This article explores how group playing by ear (GEP) through imitation of recorded material and opportunities for inventive work during peer interaction was used to support first year undergraduate western classical music students’ aural, group creativity and improvisation skills. The framework that emerged from the analysis of the data describes two routes taken by the students, whilst progressing from GEP to group improvisation and it is compared to Priest's (1989) model on playing by ear through imitation and invention. The article concludes with suggestion on how these two routes could be used to scaffold the development of western classical musicians’ improvisation skills.
STATIONARY INTEGRATED ARCH(∞) AND AR(∞) PROCESSES WITH FINITE VARIANCE
Authors: Giraitis Liudas , Surgailis Donatas , Škarnulis Andrius
Published: October 2017

We prove the long standing conjecture of Ding and Granger (1996) about the existence of a stationary Long Memory ARCH model with finite fourth moment. This result follows from the necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of covariance stationary integrated AR(∞), ARCH(∞), and FIGARCH models obtained in the present article. We also prove that such processes always have long memory.
The primitivity index function for a free group, and untangling closed curves on hyperbolic surfaces.With the appendix by Khalid Bou–Rabee
Authors: GUPTA NEHA , KAPOVICH ILYA
Published: October 2017

Motivated by the results of Scott and Patel about “untangling” closed geodesics in finite covers of hyperbolic surfaces, we introduce and study primitivity, simplicity and non-filling index functions for finitely generated free groups. We obtain lower bounds for these functions and relate these free group results back to the setting of hyperbolic surfaces. An appendix by Khalid Bou–Rabee connects the primitivity index functionfprim(n,FN) to the residual finiteness growth function forFN.
Infinitely many solutions for three classes of self-similar equations with p-Laplace operator: Gelfand, Joseph–Lundgren and MEMS problems
Authors: Korman Philip
Published: October 2017

We study global solution curves and prove the existence of infinitely many positive solutions for three classes of self-similar equations with p-Laplace operator. In the p = 2 case these are well-known problems involving the Gelfand equation, the equation modelling electrostatic micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), and a polynomial nonlinearity. We extend the classical results of Joseph and Lundgren to the case in which p ≠ 2, and we generalize the main result of Guo and Wei on the equation modelling MEMS.
Infinitely many non-radial singular solutions of
Authors: Miyamoto Yasuhito
Published: October 2017

We construct countably infinitely many non-radial singular solutions of the problem

of the form

where v(σ) depends only on σ ∈𝕊N−1. To this end we construct countably infinitely many solutions of

using ordinary differential equation techniques.
Estimation of the frequency of Q fever in sheep, goat and cattle herds in France: results of a 3-year study of the seroprevalence of Q fever and excretion level ofCoxiella burnetiiin abortive episodes
Authors: GACHE K. , ROUSSET E. , PERRIN J. B. , DE CREMOUX R. , HOSTEING S. , JOURDAIN E. , GUATTEO R. , NICOLLET P. , TOURATIER A. , CALAVAS D. , SALA C.
Published: October 2017

A study was carried out, from 2012 to 2015, in 10 Frenchdépartementsto estimate the serological prevalence of Q fever and the frequency of abortive episodes potentially related toCoxiella burnetiiin a large sample of cattle, sheep and goat herds. The serological survey covered 731 cattle, 522 sheep and 349 goat herds, randomly sampled. The frequency of abortive episodes potentially related toC. burnetiiwas estimated by investigating series of abortions in 2695 cattle, 658 sheep and 105 goat herds using quantitative polymerase chain reaction analyses and complementary serological results when needed. The average between-herd seroprevalence was significantly lower for cattle (36·0%) than for sheep (55·7%) and goats (61·0%) and significantly higher for dairy herds (64·9% for cattle and 75·6% for sheep) than for meat herds (18·9% for cattle and 39·8% for sheep). Within-herd seroprevalence was also significantly higher for goats (41·5%) than for cattle (22·2%) and sheep (25·7%). During the study period, we estimated that 2·7% (n= 90), 6·2% (n= 48) and 16·7% (n= 19) of the abortive episodes investigated could be ‘potentially related toC. burnetii’in cattle, sheep and goat herds, respectively. Overall, strong variability was observed betweendépartementsand species, suggesting that risk factors such as herd density and farming practices play a role in disease transmission and maintenance.
Probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics and insulin sensitivity
Authors: Kim Y. A. , Keogh J. B. , Clifton P. M.
Published: October 2017

Animal studies indicate that the composition of gut microbiota may be involved in the progression of insulin resistance to type 2 diabetes. Probiotics and/or prebiotics could be a promising approach to improve insulin sensitivity by favourably modifying the composition of the gut microbial community, reducing intestinal endotoxin concentrations and decreasing energy harvest. The aim of the present review was to investigate the effects of probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics (a combination of probiotics and prebiotics) on insulin resistance in human clinical trials and to discuss the potential mechanisms whereby probiotics and prebiotics improve glucose metabolism. The anti-diabetic effects of probiotics include reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines via a NF-κB pathway, reduced intestinal permeability, and lowered oxidative stress. SCFA play a key role in glucose homeostasis through multiple potential mechanisms of action. Activation of G-protein-coupled receptors on L-cells by SCFA promotes the release of glucagon-like peptide-1 and peptide YY resulting in increased insulin and decreased glucagon secretion, and suppressed appetite. SCFA can decrease intestinal permeability and decrease circulating endotoxins, lowering inflammation and oxidative stress. SCFA may also have anti-lipolytic activities in adipocytes and improve insulin sensitivity via GLUT4 through the up-regulation of 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase signalling in muscle and liver tissues. Resistant starch and synbiotics appear to have favourable anti-diabetic effects. However, there are few human interventions. Further well-designed human clinical studies are required to develop recommendations for the prevention of type 2 diabetes with pro- and prebiotics.
Quotienting the delay monad by weak bisimilarity
Authors: CHAPMAN JAMES , UUSTALU TARMO , VELTRI NICCOLÒ
Published: October 2017

The delay datatype was introduced by Capretta (Logical Methods in Computer Science, 1(2), article 1, 2005) as a means to deal with partial functions (as in computability theory) in Martin-Löf type theory. The delay datatype is a monad. It is often desirable to consider two delayed computations equal, if they terminate with equal values, whenever one of them terminates. The equivalence relation underlying this identification is called weak bisimilarity. In type theory, one commonly replaces quotients with setoids. In this approach, the delay datatype quotiented by weak bisimilarity is still a monad–a constructive alternative to the maybe monad. In this paper, we consider the alternative approach of Hofmann (Extensional Constructs in Intensional Type Theory, Springer, London, 1997) of extending type theory with inductive-like quotient types. In this setting, it is difficult to define the intended monad multiplication for the quotiented datatype. We give a solution where we postulate some principles, crucially proposition extensionality and the (semi-classical) axiom of countable choice. With the aid of these principles, we also prove that the quotiented delay datatype delivers free ω-complete pointed partial orders (ωcppos).

Altenkirch et al. (Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol. 10203, Springer, Heidelberg, 534–549, 2017) demonstrated that, in homotopy type theory, a certain higher inductive–inductive type is the free ωcppo on a type X essentially by definition; this allowed them to obtain a monad of free ωcppos without recourse to a choice principle. We notice that, by a similar construction, a simpler ordinary higher inductive type gives the free countably complete join semilattice on the unit type 1. This type suffices for constructing a monad, which is isomorphic to the one of Altenkirch et al. We have fully formalized our results in the Agda dependently typed programming language.
Sinus of Valsalva aneurysm rupture in an infant
Authors: Steflik David J. , Churchill Tammy L. , Chowdhury Shahryar M.
Published: October 2017

We present the case of a 10-month-old female with a right coronary sinus of Valsalva aneurysm with rupture into the right atrial appendage who presented with a murmur. Surgical repair was performed shortly after diagnosis with pericardial patch closure from within the aorta and closure of the right atrial rupture site. To our knowledge, this is the youngest child with sinus of Valsalva aneurysm with rupture to be identified in the literature.
DIAGRAM ALGEBRAS, DOMINANCE TRIANGULARITY AND SKEW CELL MODULES
Authors: BOWMAN CHRISTOPHER , ENYANG JOHN , GOODMAN FREDERICK
Published: October 2017

We present an abstract framework for the axiomatic study of diagram algebras. Algebras that fit this framework possess analogues of both the Murphy and seminormal bases of the Hecke algebras of the symmetric groups. We show that the transition matrix between these bases is dominance unitriangular. We construct analogues of the skew Specht modules in this setting. This allows us to propose a natural tableaux theoretic framework in which to study the infamous Kronecker problem.
Pre-planning: a new approach to virtual simulation
Authors: Siow Tian Rui , Lim Siew Kia
Published: October 2017

Background

For palliative radiotherapy treatments, two types of simulation are available at our Centre: conventional (or 2D) and virtual. Each has its advantages: conventional simulation requires less preparation time whereas virtual simulation allows accurate visualisation and identification of target volumes in 3D. We propose a new approach where treatment field parameters are determined on diagnostic CT scans, and then reproduced with reference to a patient’s bony landmarks using conventional simulation. This combines the benefits of both methods. We argue that the slight differences in set-up between diagnostic and simulation CT scans will have little impact on the determination of the target volume in palliative treatment settings.

Methods

In total, 12 patients who had diagnostic scans done within a month before their virtual simulation were randomly selected. Both scans were retrieved retrospectively for the study. An independent radiation oncologist contoured the target volumes on both scans and their relative positions were compared by fusing the digitally reconstructed radiographs generated from the respective scans. A 2D Conformity Index (2DCI) was then calculated and tabulated for 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2 cm margins to evaluate the accuracy of this approach and determine the margins required to account for the inherent variability of this method. In addition, the deviation or offset of the centre of field (COF) was also measured and analysed.

Results

The median 2DCI (0 margin) was 0.85. For margins of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 cm, the median 2DCIs were 0.97, 1, 1 and 1, respectively. The median displacement of the COF in the superior–inferior direction was 0.7 cm and that in the right–left direction was 0.2 cm.

Conclusion

Our pilot study suggests that our approach is feasible. We recommend adding an additional margin of up to 0.5 cm (to the usual treatment margins) to ensure good coverage of the target volume when using this method.