bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Downward nominal wage rigidity in Canada: Evidence from micro‐level data
Authors: Brouillette Dany , Kostyshyna Olena , Kyui Natalia 
Published: August 2018

AbstractWe assess the importance of downward nominal wage rigidity (DNWR) in Canada using employer‐level administrative data from the major wage settlements (MWS) and household‐based survey data from the Survey of Labour Income Dynamics (SLID). MWS data cover large unionized firms in Canada, while SLID is a rich rotating panel representative of the employed population in Canada. Combining both sources of information allows for an extensive analysis of DNWR in the Canadian labour market. We find large shares of wage freezes and smaller shares of wage cuts in both MWS and SLID. Shares of freezes are higher at lower CPI inflation rates, based on provincial data. These observations are consistent with the presence of DNWR. DNWR in Canada appears to be larger than in other countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom and European countries. The incidence of DNWR is heterogeneous across firms’ and workers’ characteristics. Wages report less DNWR over longer horizons.
Examining the relationship between obesity and mental health outcomes among individuals admitted to a level I trauma centre
Authors: Reynolds M. , Driver S. , Bennett M. , Patel S. , Rainey E. , Warren A. M. 
Published: August 2018

SummaryThe increased incidence of obesity in the general population translates into clinicians caring for an increased number of trauma patients with obesity. Previous research has documented the unique anatomical and physiological challenges that clinicians face when caring for trauma patients with obesity; however, little is known about psychological challenges that trauma patients with obesity may also experience in the months following injury. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between obesity and (i) mental health, (ii) demographic and injury‐related variables and (iii) quality‐of‐life outcomes among trauma patients between hospitalization and 3‐months post‐injury. This is a prospective, longitudinal study conducted between March 2012 and May 2014 at a single, level I trauma centre in the southwest United States. Inclusion criteria for this convenience sample consisted of patients who were admitted to the trauma or orthopaedic trauma service ≥24 h, medically stable, spoke English or Spanish and ≥18 years of age. In total, 455 eligible patients were consented and enrolled; 343 (70.87%) completed 3‐month follow‐up. The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between obesity and mental health among trauma patients in the months following injury. Demographic and injury‐related data were also collected; patients’ height and weight were used to determine body mass index. Health outcomes were assessed during initial hospitalization and at 3‐month follow‐up and included depression, post‐traumatic stress symptoms, pain and return to work. Prior to data collection, it was hypothesized that obesity would have a negative effect on mental health outcomes among patients 3 months post‐injury. The final sample consisted of 343 participants; average age was 46.4 ± 17.3 years; majority male (n = 213, 63%) and Caucasian (n = 231, 69%). Patients with obesity had higher odds of screening positive for depression (odds ratio [OR] = 2.36, P = 0.02) and overweight patients had lower odds of returning to work (OR = 0.31, P = 0.01) 3 months post‐injury compared to patients of normal weight (65% vs. 40%). No other significant differences were found. Results of the current study are novel in that they identify psychological challenges that overweight and trauma patients with obesity may experience. These results demonstrate the need for mental health professionals to be involved in follow‐up care to extending in the months following injury.
Factors associated with regression from prediabetes to normal glucose tolerance in a Korean general population: A community‐based 10‐year prospective cohort study
Authors: Hwang Y‐C. , Cho I‐J. , Jeong I‐K. , Ahn K. J. , Chung H. Y. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractAimA proportion of people with prediabetes convert back to normal glucose tolerance. We sought to determine the clinical variables associated with conversion from prediabetes to normal glucose tolerance, with a focus on insulin secretory capacity, insulin sensitivity and body composition.MethodsWe followed 1731 people with prediabetes at baseline from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study every 2 years for 10 years. Oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) were performed, and muscle and fat mass were estimated using bioelectrical impedance analysis.ResultsDuring 10 years of follow‐up, 36% (623/1731) of people with prediabetes converted to normal glucose tolerance. Higher baseline fasting glucose, 2‐h OGTT glucose and triglyceride levels were inversely associated with this conversion. Higher 60‐min insulinogenic index (IGI60) at baseline was independently associated with this conversion [HR per sd (95% CI) 1.09 (1.02–1.17); P = 0.01]. However, other indices reflecting insulin sensitivity, including the composite insulin sensitivity index, were not associated with this conversion. In addition, a higher baseline muscle to fat ratio was independently associated with conversion to normal glucose tolerance [HR per sd (95% CI) 1.15 (1.04–1.26); P = 0.005]. People with conversion to normal glucose tolerance showed a greater increase in the 60‐min insulinogenic index and disposition index and a smaller decrease in the composite insulin sensitivity index compared with people without conversion during 10 years of follow‐up (all p‐values < 0.001).ConclusionA higher insulin secretory capacity at baseline and during follow‐up and higher baseline muscle to fat ratio were independently associated with an improvement in glucose tolerance in Korean adults with prediabetes.
Causes and consequences of the Great Vietnam Famine, 1944–5
Authors: Huff Gregg 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThis article analyses Vietnam's 1944–5 great famine, which, even beyond its sheer scale of a million deaths, is historically important as instrumental in the August 1945 Viet Minh and communist revolution. It is argued that typhoons which struck coastal areas resulted in a shortfall of available food and were the proximate cause of famine. The Japanese in occupation of Vietnam, the American government directing attacks on the transport system, or the country's French colonial administration could have acted to limit, or even reverse, the famine. However, under the pressure of war, no government or institution opted for an effective famine alleviation strategy. That was also true of Asia's other great Second World War famines in Bengal, Henan, and Java, which paralleled Vietnam's both in causation and in feasible avoidance strategies. In Vietnam, differences in endowments and entitlements largely explain who died in the famine.
Effects of nitrogen management and straw return on soil organic carbon sequestration and aggregate‐associated carbon
Authors: Huang T. , Yang H. , Huang C. , Ju X. 
Published: August 2018

SummarySoil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration and aggregate‐associated carbon (C) can be strongly affected by nitrogen (N) management and straw return. However, an in‐depth understanding of the effect of N and straw application on SOC and aggregate‐associated C is lacking. After 6 years of five inorganic and organic N amounts under straw removal and straw return, we investigated SOC sequestration at a depth of 0–60 cm and soil aggregate‐associated C in the topsoil (0–20 cm). The results were as follows: (i) the 0–60‐cm depth SOC stocks for all treatments except N0 increased by 2.5–25.5% after 6 years, (ii) sequestered SOC was linearly correlated (P < 0.01) with estimates of C input and the rate of C input required to maintain the SOC stock level was 3.68 Mg ha−1 year−1, (iii) application of chemical N increased SOC mainly through an increase in coarse particulate organic matter (POM) and silt‐ and clay‐bound C in macroaggregates, whereas with the organic N‐incorporated treatments SOC increased mainly through an increase in intra‐microaggregate POM within macroaggregates, (iv) the main mechanism for the formation of macroaggregates was POM bound to primary particles (sand, silt and clay) that formed microaggregates and eventually macroaggregates and (v) intra‐microaggregate POM within macroaggregates (imMPOM) is a good indicator of the efficacy of N fertilization and straw management in stabilizing soil aggregates. In conclusion, chemical N incorporated with straw and organic fertilizer can enhance SOC stocks, aggregate stability and aggregate‐associated C, which might promote long‐term C sequestration.HighlightsEffects of N and straw management on SOC sequestration and aggregate‐associated C were investigated.
Consolidated SOC fractionation was used to evaluate the effects of N and straw on aggregate‐associated C.
Intra‐microaggregate POM within macroaggregates is a good indicator of management on soil aggregate stability.
Chemical N mixed with organic N and straw increased the amount and quality of SOC.
Transgenerational plasticity and selection shape the adaptive potential of sticklebacks to salinity change
Authors: Heckwolf Melanie J. , Meyer Britta S. , Döring Talisa , Eizaguirre Christophe , Reusch Thorsten B. H. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIn marine climate change research, salinity shifts have been widely overlooked. While widespread desalination effects are expected in higher latitudes, salinity is predicted to increase closer to the equator. We took advantage of the steep salinity gradient of the Baltic Sea as a space‐for‐time design to address effects of salinity change on populations. Additionally, genetic diversity, a prerequisite for adaptive responses, is reduced in Baltic compared to Atlantic populations. On the one hand, adaptive transgenerational plasticity (TGP) might buffer the effects of environmental change, which may be of particular importance under reduced genetic variation. On the other hand, physiological trade‐offs due to environmental stress may hamper parental provisioning to offspring thereby intensifying the impact of climate change across generations (nonadaptive TGP). Here, we studied both hypothesis of adaptive and nonadaptive TGP in the three‐spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) fish model along the strong salinity gradient of the Baltic Sea in a space‐for‐time experiment. Each population tolerated desalination well, which was not altered by parental exposure to low salinity. Despite a common marine ancestor, populations locally adapted to low salinity lost their ability to cope with fully marine conditions, resulting in lower survival and reduced relative fitness. Negative transgenerational effects were evident in early life stages, but disappeared after selection via mortality occurred during the first 12–30 days posthatch. Modeling various strengths of selection, we showed that nonadaptive transgenerational plasticity accelerated evolution by increasing directional selection within the offspring generation. Qualitatively, when genetic diversity is large, we predict that such effects will facilitate rapid adaptation and population persistence, while below a certain threshold populations suffer a higher risk of local extinction. Overall, our results suggest that transgenerational plasticity and selection are not independent of each other and thereby highlight a current gap in TGP studies.
À‐trous wavelet transform‐based hybrid image fusion for face recognition using region classifiers
Authors: Seal Ayan , Bhattacharjee Debotosh , Nasipuri Mita , Gonzalo‐Martin Consuelo , Menasalvas Ernestina 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThis paper presents a new hybrid fusion framework based on thermal and visible face images. Fusion of information is done here in two phases, first at the pixel level and then at the decision level. For the pixel level fusion process, à‐trous wavelet transform is applied on both the thermal and visible face images. In decision level fusion, 34 region classifiers, each concentrating on a specified region of the face image, are tested individually for their ability to identify a person from the face image. The region classifiers, which contribute significantly in recognizing the face image, are considered for decision level fusion using majority voting. All experiments have been conducted on the UGC‐JU face database and IRIS benchmark face database. The maximum recognition rate is about 97.22% for both the databases whereas decisions of 17 region classifiers among 34 are considered. Experimental results and comparative study show that the proposed fusion method provides a framework for recognition of face images in uncontrolled environments such as variations in illumination conditions, pose, and facial expressions.
A study on the criteria of internal transparency, efficiency and effectiveness in measuring local government performance
Authors: Røge Kristian Mohr , Lennon Niels Joseph 
Published: August 2018

AbstractPublic managers perceive performance measurement as an indispensable element of modernising the public sector in the quest to achieve ‘more for less’, despite research showing that performance measurement in the public sector is risky in terms of unexpected and undesirable effects. Through a case study of the introduction of a performance measurement system (PMS) in a Danish municipality, our analysis focuses on how internal transparency unfolds in terms of addressing performance measures and aligning them with the criteria of efficiency and effectiveness. We conclude that there are two main reasons the PMS fails to address the desired effects in terms of modernising the municipality. First, an overarching focus by top management on outcome measurement results in inattention to the measurement of resource consumption and efficiencies. Second, empowerment of lower‐level managers in the formulation of key performance indicators (KPIs) results in competence problems related to PMS design. Therefore, many of the KPIs are designed as milestone measures, chosen to constrain the influence of the PMS on daily activities. These factors hinder the organisation's ability to design KPIs that attribute costs to outputs and therefore render the goal of internal transparency impossible to achieve for the municipality. The consequence is a PMS that loses track of its very purpose along with a false sense of security among top management regarding the optimisation of scarce resources.
Evaluation of the Fatemi‐Socie damage parameter for the fatigue life calculation with application of the Chaboche plasticity model
Authors: Karolczuk Aleksander , Skibicki Dariusz , Pejkowski Łukasz 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThis paper presents an approach to the evaluation of the Fatemi‐Socie parameter applied to the lifetime calculation of specimens made of CuZn37 brass. In particular, two factors affecting the calculated fatigue lives are analysed: (i) the influence of stresses calculated by applying the Chaboche plasticity model on the computed lifetime and (ii) the influence of a variability of parameter k of material sensitivity to normal stress on the calculated lifetime. The novelty of the presented research is associated with the fatigue life calculation according to the Fatemi‐Socie model with the introduced k dependence accounting for the lifetime. Underestimation of the calculated stresses results in the higher calculated fatigue lives but with acceptable scatter band. The parameter of material sensitivity to normal stress for the CuZn37 brass varies insignificantly having little impact on the calculated fatigue lives.
Trophic structure of an African savanna river and organic matter inputs by large terrestrial herbivores: A stable isotope approach
Authors: Masese Frank O. , Abrantes Kátya G. , Gettel Gretchen M. , Irvine Kenneth , Bouillon Steven , McClain Michael E. 
Published: August 2018

Abstract

Knowledge of trophic structure is important to understand sources and pathways of energy resources in community ecology and to identify determinants of ecosystem changes. Yet, little is known from rivers of African savanna receiving large inputs of terrestrial organic matter and nutrients by large mammalian herbivores.

We used Stable Isotope (δ13C and δ15N) Bayesian Ellipses in R (SIBER) and Layman's community‐wide metrics to describe seasonal variation in trophic niches and trophic structures in midorder river reaches in the Mara River (Kenya) that differed in environmental conditions (agricultural vs. forested) and amounts of organic matter and nutrients (low vs. high inputs by livestock and hippopotami, Hippopotamus amphibius). These analyses were supplemented with data on the trophic diversity of macroinvertebrate functional feeding groups (FFGs) and fish trophic guilds.

The δ13C and δ15N of basal resources and consumers differed between sites and changed with seasons. Sites in agricultural areas that were utilised by livestock and a site with hippopotami had higher δ13C than the forested site due to the presence of C4 carbon from egestion and excretion by the grazers.

The forested site recorded the most taxon‐rich and trophic‐diverse invertebrate community, suggesting both autochthonous and allochthonous sources of energy were available. Agricultural sites and the site with hippopotami recorded high abundances of collector taxa in response to large inputs of organic matter. Fish trophic guilds were less diverse and were dominated by insectivores.

The food web at the forested site had the widest trophic niche size and highest isotopic trophic diversity compared to sites in areas with large mammalian herbivores. Invertebrate and fish trophic niche sizes changed according to food resources varying with space and time. Invertebrates had higher δ13C values during the dry season. In contrast, fish showed higher δ13C values during the wet season, and trophic niche sizes were constricted and considerably overlapping, suggesting feeding on a narrow range of food sources with high trophic redundancy.

This study showed that increased terrestrial organic matter by large mammalian herbivores affected trophic diversity and niche sizes for aquatic consumers in rivers draining the African savanna. Linking the density of terrestrial large mammalian herbivores to aquatic ecosystem structure and function could help manage their populations sustainably.
Structured Clinical Documentation to Improve Quality and Support Practice‐Based Research in Headache
Authors: Meyers Steven , Claire Simon Kelly , Bergman‐Bock Stuart , Campanella Franco , Marcus Revital , Mark Angela , Freedom Thomas , Rubin Susan , Semenov Irene , Lai Rebekah , Hillman Laura , Tideman Samuel , Pham Anna , Frigerio Roberta , Maraganore Demetrius M. 
Published: August 2018

ObjectiveTo use the electronic medical record (EMR) to optimize patient care, facilitate documentation, and support quality improvement and practice‐based research, in a headache specialty clinic.BackgroundMany physicians enter data into the EMR as unstructured free text and not as discrete data. This makes it challenging to use data for quality improvement or research initiatives.MethodsWe describe the process of building a customized structured clinical documentation support toolkit, specific for patients seen in a headache specialty clinic. The content was developed through frequent physician meetings to reach consensus on elements that define clinical Best Practices. Tasks were assigned to the care team and data mapped to the progress note.ResultsThe toolkit collects hundreds of fields of discrete, standardized data. Auto scored and interpreted score tests include the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7‐item, Center for Epidemiology Studies Depression Scale, Migraine Disability Assessment questionnaire, Insomnia Sleep Index, and Migraine‐Specific Quality of Life. We have developed Best Practice Advisories (BPA) and other clinical documentation support tools that alert physicians, when appropriate. As of April 1, 2018, we have used the toolkits at 4346 initial patient visits. We provide screenshots of our toolkits, details of data fields collected, and diagnoses of patients at the initial visit.ConclusionsThe EMR can be used to effectively structure and standardize headache clinic visits for quality improvement and practice‐based research. We are sharing our proprietary toolkit with other clinics as part of the Neurology Practice‐Based Research Network. These tools are also facilitating clinical research enrollment and a pragmatic trial of comparative effectiveness at the point‐of‐care among migraine patients.
Influence of hyperthermal regimes on experimental teratoma development in vitro
Authors: Katusic Bojanac Ana , Rogosic Srdjan , Sincic Nino , Juric‐Lekic Gordana , Vlahovic Maja , Serman Ljiljana , Jezek Davor , Bulic‐Jakus Floriana 
Published: August 2018

SummaryWe screened for the impact of hyperthermal regimes varying in the cumulative equivalent minutes at 43°C (CEM43°C) and media composition on tumour development using an original teratoma in vitro model. Rat embryos (three germ layers) were microsurgically isolated and cultivated at the air‐liquid interface. During a two week period, ectodermal, mesodermal and endodermal derivatives developed within trilaminar teratomas. Controls were grown at 37°C. Overall growth was measured, and teratoma survival and differentiation were histologically assessed. Cell proliferation was stereologically quantified by the volume density of Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen. Hyperthermia of 42°C, applied for 15 minutes after plating (CEM43°C 3.75 minutes), diminished cell proliferation (P ˂ .0001) and enhanced differentiation of both myotubes (P ˂ .01) and cylindrical epithelium (P ˂ .05). Hyperthermia of 43°C applied each day for 30 minutes during the first week (CEM43°C 210 minutes) impaired overall growth (P ˂ .01) and diminished cell proliferation (P ˂ .0001). Long‐term hyperthermia of 40.5°C applied for two weeks (CEM43°C 630 minutes) significantly impaired survival (P ˂ .005). Long‐term hyperthermia of 40.5°C applied from the second day when differentiation of tissues begins (CEM43°C 585 minutes) impaired survival (P ˂ .0001), overall growth (P ˂ .01) and cartilage differentiation (P ˂ .05). No teratomas survived extreme regimes: 43°C for 24 hours (CEM43°C 1440 minutes), hyperthermia in the scant serum‐free medium (CEM43°C 630 minutes) or treatment with an anti‐HSP70 antibody before long‐term hyperthermia 40.5°C from the second day (CEM43°C 585 minutes). This in vitro research provided novel insights into the impact of hyperthermia on the development of experimental teratomas from their undifferentiated sources and are thus of potential interest for future therapeutic strategies in corresponding in vivo models.
Optimization of melting parameters and minimizing OH content in SiO2‐B2O3‐Na2O‐BaO glass system in microwave heating
Authors: Mandal Ashis Kumar , Sen Ranjan 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThis study investigates the optimization of melting process for the glass comprising SiO2‐B2O3‐Na2O‐BaO under microwave (MW) heating. Batches were melted at different temperatures in the range of 900‐1250°C to optimize melting condition. X‐ray diffraction suggests amorphous nature of samples melted above 1150°C. Optimization of melting time was carried out by varying soaking time (8‐60 minutes) at 1250°C. UV‐Vis‐NIR spectra reveal ~90% transmission over 300‐2000 nm wavelength range for glass melted at 1250°C. Optical microscopic images suggest that the bubble‐free glass can be produced at 1250°C for 1 hour melting in MW heating. MW heating also helps in reducing OH content in glass. However, OH concentration is found to increase with melting time. OH content could be minimized to 68.56 ppm in glass employing oxygen atmosphere melting, which prevents OH diffusion from atmosphere into the melt. Residual stresses are estimated to be less in MW heating than conventional heating. Maximum MW power was observed to be 1 kW with a total electrical power consumption of around 5 kWh. Also, total time needed to prepare the glass is around 2 hours. Thus, MW heating could be an alternate efficient tool in producing low OH content glass.