bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Trade Performance of Export Processing Zones
Authors: Yücer Ayçıl , Siroën Jean‐Marc 
Published: April 2016

AbstractExport processing zones (EPZs) have become widespread with the liberalisation of international trade and investment. They are key players in the deepening of the global value chain (GVC). However, little is known about their contribution to world trade due to a lack of information on their location and status. This paper sets out to improve knowledge in this area by analysing the trade performance of EPZ countries at macro‐level with a focus on EPZ externalities and distortive costs. We have built an original database of EPZs in which we define them as processing zones benefiting from import tariff incentives. We show that EPZs increase trade only by easing the negative impact of protection. As importers of components and raw materials, they raise the rest of the world's exports. This confirms the contribution of EPZs to the GVC. This result is robust to a change in the model specification, errors and bias due to data collection issues and sample composition.
Research Funding: the Case for a Modified Lottery
Authors: Fang Ferric C. , Casadevall Arturo 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACT
The time-honored mechanism of allocating funds based on ranking of proposals by scientific peer review is no longer effective, because review panels cannot accurately stratify proposals to identify the most meritorious ones. Bias has a major influence on funding decisions, and the impact of reviewer bias is magnified by low funding paylines. Despite more than a decade of funding crisis, there has been no fundamental reform in the mechanism for funding research. This essay explores the idea of awarding research funds on the basis of a modified lottery in which peer review is used to identify the most meritorious proposals, from which funded applications are selected by lottery. We suggest that a modified lottery for research fund allocation would have many advantages over the current system, including reducing bias and improving grantee diversity with regard to seniority, race, and gender.
A Step Toward Eradication of Human Filariases in Areas Where
Loa
Is Endemic
Authors: Geary Timothy G. 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACT

Mass drug administration (MDA) programs have achieved remarkable success in limiting the pathology and transmission of the human parasitic infections onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis. The full implementation of MDA campaigns for filariasis elimination has been stymied by the unacceptable incidence of severe adverse events observed following drug treatment of a subset of individuals who harbor high loads of
Loa loa
microfilaria. Extending MDA strategies to regions where loiasis is coendemic could be done confidently if a simple, inexpensive, and rapid diagnostic method was available that could accurately identify individuals who have
L. loa
microfilarial loads above the risk threshold and could thus be excluded from treatment. A recent paper in
mBio
reports the discovery of an antigen unique to
L. loa
microfilaria that can be detected in blood and urine and may form the basis for such an assay. Further work will reveal whether this discovery will smooth the path to achieve filariasis eradication.
Anthropometric measures are simple and accurate paediatric weight-prediction proxies in resource-poor settings with a high HIV prevalence
Authors: Whitfield Kyly C , Wozniak Roberta , Pradinuk Mia , Karakochuk Crystal D , Anabwani Gabriel , Daly Zachary , MacLeod Stuart M , Larson Charles P , Green Timothy J 
Published: April 2016

RationaleAccurate weight measurements are essential for both growth monitoring and drug dose calculations in children. Weight can be accurately measured using calibrated scales in resource-rich settings; however, reliable scales are often not available in resource-poor regions or emergency situations. Current age and/or length/height-based weight-prediction equations tend to overestimate weight because they were developed from Western children's measures.ObjectiveTo determine the accuracy of several proxy measures for children's weight among a predominately HIV-positive group of children aged 18 months to 12 years in Botswana.DesignWeight, length/height, ulna and tibia lengths, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and triceps skinfold were measured on 775 children recruited from Gaborone, Botswana, between 6 July and 24 August 2011.ResultsMean (95% CI) age and weight were 7.8 years (7.5 to 8.4) and 21.7 kg (21.2 to 22.2), respectively. The majority of children were HIV-positive (n=625, 81%) and on antiretroviral treatment (n=594, 95%). The sample was randomly divided; a general linear model was used to develop weight-prediction equations for one half of the sample (n=387), which were then used to predict the weight of the other half (n=388). MUAC and length/height, MUAC and tibia length and MUAC and ulna length most accurately predicted weight, with an adjusted R2of 0.96, 0.95 and 0.93, respectively. Using MUAC and length/height, MUAC and tibia length and MUAC and ulna length equations, ≥92% of predicted weight fell within 15% of actual weight, compared with <55% using current equations.ConclusionThe development of nomograms using these equations is warranted to allow for rapid and accurate weight prediction from these simple anthropometric measures in HIV-endemic, resource-constrained settings.
Opportunistic screening of atrial fibrillation by automatic blood pressure measurement in the community
Authors: Omboni Stefano , Verberk Willem J 
Published: April 2016

ObjectiveTimely detection of atrial fibrillation (AF) may effectively prevent cardiovascular consequences. However, traditional diagnostic tools are either poorly reliable (pulse palpation) or not readily accessible (ECG) in general practice. We tested whether an automatic oscillometric blood pressure (BP) monitor embedded with an algorithm for AF detection might be effective for opportunistic screening of asymptomatic AF in the community.SettingA community-based screening campaign in an unselected population to verify the feasibility of AF screening with a Microlife WatchBP Office BP monitor with a patented AFIB algorithm. When possible AF was detected (≥2 of 3 BP measurements reporting AF), a doctor immediately performed a single-lead ECG in order to confirm or exclude the presence of the arrhythmia. The main demographic and clinical data were also collected.Participants220 consecutive participants from an unselected sample of individuals in a small Italian community.Primary and secondary outcome measuresNumber of patients detected with AF and diagnosed risk factors for AF.ResultsIn 12 of 220 participants, the device detected possible AF during the BP measurement: in 4 of them (1.8%), the arrhythmia was confirmed by the ECG. Patients with AF were more likely to be older (77.0±1.2 vs 57.2±15.2 years, p=0.010), obese (50.0 vs 14.4%, p=0.048) and to suffer from a cardiovascular disease (50.0 vs 10.6%, p=0.014) than patients without AF. Participants with a positive BP AF reading and non-AF arrhythmias (n=8) did not differ in their general characteristics from participants with a negative BP AF reading and were younger than patients with AF (mean age 56.4±14.8, p=0.027; 5 of 8 participants aged <65 years).ConclusionsOpportunistic screening of AF by BP measurement is feasible to diagnose this arrhythmia in unaware participants, particularly in those older than 65 years, who are the target patient group recommended by current AF screening guidelines.
ED healthcare professionals and their notions of productivity
Authors: Moffatt Fiona , Timmons Stephen , Coffey Frank 
Published: April 2016

ObjectiveThe combination of constrained resources, patient complexity and rapidly increasing demand has meant that healthcare productivity constitutes a significant problem for emergency medicine. However, healthcare productivity remains a contentious issue, with some criticising the level of professional engagement. This paper will propose that productivity improvements in healthcare could occur (and be sustained) if professionals' perceptions and views of productivity were better understood.MethodsAn 8-month ethnographic study was conducted in a large UK ED, using semistructured interviews with healthcare professionals (HCPs) (n=26), a focus group and observation. Thematic analysis of the data was undertaken based on an interpretivist philosophy.ResultsThe data demonstrate that HCPs accept productivity improvement as part of their contemporary professional role. In particular, their understanding of productivity is focused around five key domains: the patient; the professional; the culture; the process of work and the economic.ConclusionsBy exploring how these HCPs experienced and made sense of productivity improvement and productive healthcare, the data reveals how HCPs may reconcile a culture of caring with one of efficiency. Understanding healthcare productivity from this perspective has potential implications for service improvement design and performance measurement.
Has Boston's 2011 cigar packaging and pricing regulation reduced availability of single-flavoured cigars popular with youth?
Authors: Li Wenjun , Gouveia Tami , Sbarra Cheryl , Harding Nikysha , Kane Kevin , Hayes Rashelle , Reid Margaret 
Published: April 2016

ObjectiveWe evaluated retailer compliance with a cigar packaging and pricing regulation in Boston, Massachusetts, enacted in February 2012, and the regulation's impact on availability of single cigars.MethodsGrape-flavoured Dutch Masters (DM) single-packaged cigars were examined as market indicator. At quarterly intervals from October 2011 to December 2014, availability and price of DM single cigars were observed through professional inspector visits to tobacco retailers in Boston (n=2232) and 10 comparison cities (n=3400). Differences in price and availability were examined between Boston and the comparison cities and across Boston neighbourhoods.ResultsThe mean price of DM single cigars sold in Boston increased from under $1.50 in 2011 to above $2.50 in 2014, consistent with regulation requirements. Rates of retailer compliance reached 100% within 15 months postpolicy enactment based on observed price, and 97% at 30 months postenactment based on final sale prices. There was a 34.5% net decrease in the percentage of Boston retailers selling single cigars from 2011 to 2014. The number of Boston neighbourhoods with 3 or more retailers selling single cigars per 100 youth residents decreased from 12 in 2011 to 3 in 2014. No change in price or per cent of retailers selling single cigars was observed in the comparison cities in the same period.ConclusionsRetailers throughout Boston are in compliance with the regulation. The regulation has been effective in reducing levels and disparities in availability of flavoured single cigars popular with youth across Boston neighbourhoods, regardless of socioeconomic status and racial/ethnic composition.
Functional analysis of the 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase gene of the biocontrol fungus Trichoderma asperellum ACCC30536
Authors: Zhang Fuli , Liu Zhihua , Gulijimila Mijiti , Wang Yucheng , Fan Haijuan , Wang Zhiying 
Published: April 2016

1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase (ACCD) cleaves ACC, the immediate precursor of the ethylene, decreasing the level of ethylene and inhibition of plant growth resulted by environmental stresses. Here, TaACCD was cloned from the biocontrol agent Trichoderma asperellum ACCC30536. Its open reading frame was 1047 bp long encoding a 37 kD protein of 348 aa, and a pI of 5.77. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated this protein to be closely related to ACCD from T. asperellum T203 (ACX94231). Transformation of Populus davidiana × P. bolleana with TaACCD, increased salinity tolerance of transgenic plants Pdb-ACCD3 and Pdb-ACCD5. Transgenic plants could survive at salinity of 200 mM NaCl, whereas untransformed control poplar Pdb-NT could withstand salinity to 150 mM NaCl. Transformed plants accumulated higher amounts of chlorophyll compared to Pdb-NT plants. Accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was regulated by TaACCD under salt stress, as shown from higher superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities, as well as NBT and DAB staining. Evans blue staining showed that TaACCD maintained membrane integrity in Populus under salt stress conditions. Additionally, TaACCD expression decreased ethylene content of transgenic plants compared to nontransgenic plants, but salt content in plant leaves didnt show obvious difference under same salt concentration. To the best of our knowledge, the current study is the first demonstration that the TaACCD gene from T. asperellum ACCC30536 can enhance tolerance of Populus to salt stress.
Biology of invasive alien plants in Canada. 13. Stratiotes aloides L.
Authors: Snyder Eric , Francis Ardath , Darbyshire Stephen J. 
Published: April 2016

The freshwater aquatic plant species Stratiotes aloides (water soldier) is native to Europe and central Asia, where it occurs in seasonally pleustonic or submergent populations. It has been imported into and cultivated in Canada as an ornamental plant. Recently it has been found escaped or persisting at five locations in south-central Ontario. A large population has established in the Trent River where it was likely present for several years prior to its discovery in 2008. The tendency of S. aloides to form dense floating mats can alter aquatic communities through competition and allelopathy, and is likely to inhibit navigation and recreational activities in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence drainage system should it spread more widely in eastern North America. In Europe it is often abundant in ditches where it impedes flow and increases sedimentation. Moderate success at control has been achieved using herbicides (diquat) in the Trent River population, but manual removal has been inefficient. In spite of these control efforts, the plant is continuing to spread vegetatively downstream. An integrated management plan has been proposed to address its control by: (i) prevention of new introductions (pathway restriction); (ii) early detection and rapid response (newly established or found populations); and, (iii) eradication of known populations.
Impaired Right Ventricular–Pulmonary Arterial Coupling and Effect of Sildenafil in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction
Authors: Hussain Imad , Mohammed Selma F. , Forfia Paul R. , Lewis Gregory D. , Borlaug Barry A. , Gallup Dianne S. , Redfield Margaret M. 
Published: April 2016

Background—
Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction (RVD) is a poor prognostic factor in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The physiological perturbations associated with RVD or RV function indexed to load (RV–pulmonary arterial [PA] coupling) in HFpEF have not been defined. HFpEF patients with marked impairment in RV–PA coupling may be uniquely sensitive to sildenafil.

Methods and Results—

In a subset of HFpEF patients enrolled in the Phosphodiesteas-5 Inhibition to Improve Clinical Status And Exercise Capacity in Diastolic Heart Failure (RELAX) trial, physiological variables and therapeutic effect of sildenafil were examined relative to the severity of RVD (tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion [TAPSE]) and according to impairment in RV–PA coupling (TAPSE/pulmonary artery systolic pressure) ratio. The prevalence of atrial fibrillation and diuretic use, n-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide levels, renal dysfunction, neurohumoral activation, myocardial necrosis and fibrosis biomarkers, and the severity of diastolic dysfunction all increased with severity of RVD. Peak oxygen consumption decreased and ventilatory inefficiency (VE/VCO
2
slope) increased with increasing severity of RVD. Many but not all physiological derangements were more closely associated with the TAPSE/pulmonary artery systolic pressure ratio. Compared with placebo, at 24 weeks, TAPSE decreased, and peak oxygen consumption and VE/CO
2
slope were unchanged with sildenafil. There was no interaction between RV–PA coupling and treatment effect, and sildenafil did not improve TAPSE, peak oxygen consumption, or VE/VCO
2
in patients with pulmonary hypertension and RVD.

Conclusions—
HFpEF patients with RVD and impaired RV–PA coupling have more advanced heart failure. In RELAX patients with RVD and impaired RV–PA coupling, sildenafil did not improve RV function, exercise capacity, or ventilatory efficiency.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00763867.
Long-Term Prognosis After Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring Among Low-Intermediate Risk Women and Men
Authors: Kelkar Anita A. , Schultz William M. , Khosa Faisal , Schulman-Marcus Joshua , O’Hartaigh Briain W.J. , Gransar Heidi , Blaha Michael J. , Knapper Joseph T. , Berman Daniel S. , Quyyumi Arshed , Budoff Matthew J. , Callister Tracy Q. , Min James K. , Shaw Leslee J. 
Published: April 2016

Background—
Cardiovascular screening of women using traditional risk factors has been challenging, with results often classifying a majority of women as lower risk than men. The aim of this report was to determine the long-term prognosis of asymptomatic women and men classified at low-intermediate risk undergoing screening with coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring.

Methods and Results—

A total of 2363 asymptomatic women and men with traditional risk factors aggregating into a low-intermediate Framingham risk score (6%–9.9%; 10-year predicted risk) underwent CAC scanning. Individuals were followed up for a median of 14.6 years. We estimated all-cause mortality using Cox proportional hazards models; hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. The area under the curve from a receiver operating characteristics curve analysis was calculated. There were 1072 women who were older (55.6 years) when compared with the 1291 men (46.7 years;
P
<0.0001), resulting in a greater prevalence and extent of CAC; 18.8% of women and 15.1% of men had a CAC score ≥100 (
P
=0.029). This older group of women had a 1.44-fold higher 15-year adjusted mortality hazard when compared with men (
P
=0.022). For women, the 15-year mortality ranged from 5.0% for those with a CAC score of 0 to 23.5% for those with a CAC score ≥400 (
P
<0.001). For men, the 15-year mortality ranged from 3.5% for those with a CAC score of 0 to 18.0% for those with a CAC score ≥400 (
P
<0.001). Women with CAC scores >10 had a higher mortality risk when compared with men.

Conclusions—
Our findings extend previous work that CAC effectively identifies high-risk women with a low-intermediate risk factor burden. These data require validation in external cohorts but lend credence to the use of CAC in women to improve risk detection algorithms that are currently based on traditional risk factors.
Structure and Dynamics of the Quasi-Biennial Oscillation in MERRA-2
Authors: Coy Lawrence , Wargan Krzysztof , Molod Andrea M. , McCarty William R. , Pawson Steven 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
The structure, dynamics, and ozone signal of the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) produced by the 35-yr NASA Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications, version 2 (MERRA-2), are examined based on monthly mean output. Along with the analysis of the QBO in assimilation winds and ozone, the QBO forcings created by assimilated observations, dynamics, parameterized gravity wave drag (GWD), and ozone chemistry parameterization are examined and compared with the original MERRA system. Results show that MERRA-2 produces a realistic QBO in the zonal winds, mean meridional circulation, and ozone over the 1980–2015 time period. In particular, the MERRA-2 zonal winds show improved representation of the QBO 50-hPa westerly phase amplitude at Singapore when compared to MERRA. The use of limb ozone observations creates improved vertical structure and realistic downward propagation of the ozone QBO signal during times when the MLS ozone limb observations are available (from October 2004 to present). The increased equatorial GWD in MERRA-2 has reduced the zonal wind data analysis contribution compared to MERRA so that the QBO mean meridional circulation can be expected to be more physically forced and therefore more physically consistent. This can be important for applications in which MERRA-2 winds are used to drive transport experiments.
Dynamic Mapping of Along-Track Ocean Altimetry: Method and Performance from Observing System Simulation Experiments
Authors: Ubelmann Clement , Cornuelle Bruce , Fu Lee-Lueng 
Published: April 2016

AbstractSimulated along-track ocean altimetry data were used to implement the use of a nonlinear dynamic propagator to perform three-dimensional (time and 2D space) interpolation of mesoscale sea surface height (SSH). The method is an inverse approach to processing altimetry data unevenly sampled in time and space into high-level gridded altimetry maps. The inverse approach, similar to the standard objective mapping, contains some correction terms to the innovation vectors to account for nonlinear dynamics. Another key improvement is to solve for the covariance functions through a Green’s function approach. From the Observing System Simulation Experiments carried out to simulate a three-satellite constellation over the Gulf Stream region, the new method can significantly reduce mapping errors and improve the resolving capabilities compared to the standard linear objective analysis such as that used by the AVISO gridding.
Comparison of Direct and Spectral Methods for Evaluation of the Temperature Structure Parameter in Numerically Simulated Convective Boundary Layer Flows
Authors: Gibbs Jeremy A. , Fedorovich Evgeni , Maronga Björn , Wainwright Charlotte , Dröse Manuel 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
In many engineering and meteorological applications, atmospheric turbulence within the planetary boundary layer is described in terms of its representative parameters. One such parameter is the structure-function (or structure) parameter that is used to characterize the intensity of turbulent fluctuations of atmospheric flow variables. Structure parameters are derivatives of structure functions, but are used more frequently than the latter ones for practical needs as they do not explicitly include dependence on the separation distance. The structure parameter of potential temperature, which is the subject of this study, describes the spatial variability of the temperature fluctuations. It is broadly represented in theories and models of electromagnetic and acoustic wave propagation in the atmosphere, and forms the basis for the scintillometer measurement concept. The authors consider three methods to compute the potential temperature structure function and structure parameter: the direct method, the true spectral method, and the conventional spectral method. Each method is tested on high-resolution potential temperature datasets generated from large-eddy simulations of a variety of convective boundary layer flow cases reproduced by two representative numerical codes. Results indicate that the popular conventional spectral method routinely exaggerates the potential temperature structure-function parameter, likely due to the unrealistic assumptions underlying the method. The direct method and true spectral method are recommended as the more suitable approaches.