bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Current and voltage source induced polarization transients: a comparative consideration
Authors: Kozhevnikov N.O. , Antonov E.Y. 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACTThe article discusses the excitation of transient induced polarization responses using current and voltage sources. The first method has found a wide application in induced polarization surveys and—directly or indirectly—in the theory of the induced polarization method. Typically, rectangular current pulses are injected into the earth via grounding electrodes, and decaying induced polarization voltage is measured during the pauses between pulses. In this case, only the secondary field is recorded in the absence of the primary field, which is an important advantage of this method. On the other hand, since the current injected into the ground is fully controlled by the source, this method does not allow studying induced polarization by measuring the current in the transmitter line or associated magnetic field. When energising the earth with voltage pulses, the measured quantity is the transient induced polarization current. In principle, this method allows induced polarization studies to be done by recording the transmitter line current, the associated magnetic field, or its rate of change. The decay of current in a grounded transmitter line depends not only on the induced polarization of the earth but also on the polarization of the grounding electrodes. This problem does not occur when induced polarization transients in the earth are excited inductively. A grounded transmitter line is a mixed‐type source; hence, for a purely inductive excitation of induced polarization transients, one should use an ungrounded loop, which is coupled to the earth solely by electromagnetic induction.
Institutional Environment and Microfinance Performance in Sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Chikalipah Sydney 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThis paper explores the impact of the institutional environment on the performance of 291 microfinance institutions in 34 sub‐Saharan Africa countries during the period 2006 to 2014, by analysing the unbalanced panel data using fixed effects and generalized method of moments (GMM) estimation techniques. The panel regression results demonstrate strong evidence that a strong institutional environment has a positive effect on the performance of microfinance institutions in sub‐Saharan Africa. More specifically, the findings reveal a positive and significant relationship between business freedom and microfinance performance in sub‐Saharan Africa. These vital findings not only provide useful information to policy makers and key microfinance industry players, but also highlight the impact that institutional qualities have on microfinance performance.
Ethnolinguistic Background and Enrollment in Primary Education: Evidence from Kenya*
Authors: Vimefall Elin , Andrén Daniela , Levin Jörgen 
Published: March 2017

AbstractIn Kenya, educational enrollment rates increased significantly after 2003, when primary education became free of charge. Unfortunately, approximately one million school‐aged children are still not enrolled in school. Earlier literature provides evidence that educational opportunities differ among children, due to poverty, gender and area of residence. Our paper provides new empirical evidence of the importance of children's ethnolinguistic background for their probability of being in school. Using data from the Kenya Integrated Household Budget Survey 2005/06, we found that Somali and Maasai children are least likely to be in school. Girls and boys from the Somali and Maasai groups, but also Mijikenda and Swahili girls, have a lower probability to be in school than their Kikuyu peers. This might indicate that gender norms are stronger in these groups.
Early Termination of Small Loans in the Multifamily Mortgage Market
Authors: Pennington‐Cross Anthony , Smith Brent C 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThis article uses micro‐level data on small (as defined by Fannie Mae) multifamily loans in the Fannie Mae loan portfolio to examine prepayment and default performance. The results document the importance of equity, as measured by the loan‐to‐value ratio, and contemporaneous property operating income relative to debt service obligations, as measured by the debt‐to‐income ratio. Our results indicate that the expiration of prepayment penalties and yield maintenance provisions lead to large spikes in prepayment and default. The results also illustrate that multifamily loans, as they are not fully amortized, also have a substantial risk of both extension and default at term. The operating efficiency of the property, cash reserves and local economic conditions can also impact terminations.
The Effect of Frailty on 30‐day Mortality Risk in Older Patients With Acute Heart Failure Attended in the Emergency Department
Authors: Martín‐Sánchez Francisco Javier , Rodríguez‐Adrada Esther , Mueller Christian , Vidán María Teresa , Christ Michael , Frank Peacock W. , Rizzi Miguel Alberto , Alquezar Aitor , Piñera Pascual , Aragues Paula Lázaro , Llorens Pere , Herrero Pablo , Jacob Javier , Fernández Cristina , Miró Òscar 
Published: March 2017

AbstractObjectiveThe objective was to determine the effect of frailty on risk of 30‐day mortality in nonseverely disabled older patients with acute heart failure (AHF) attended in emergency departments (EDs).MethodologyThe Frailty‐AHF Study is a retrospective analysis of a multicenter, observational, prospective, cohort study (Older‐AHF Register). This study included consecutive patients ≥ 65 years of age without severe functional dependence or dementia attended for AHF in three Spanish EDs for 4 months. Frailty was defined by frailty phenotype as the presence of three or more domains. Baseline and episode characteristics and 30‐day mortality were collected in all the patients.ResultsA total of 465 patients with a mean (±SD) age of 82 (±7) years were included, 283 (61.0%) being female and 225 (51.3%) with severe comorbidity (Charlson index ≥ 3). Frailty was present in 169 (36.3%). The rate of 30‐day mortality was 7.3%. Frailty adjusted for potential confounding factors was an independent factor associated with 30‐day mortality (adjusted hazard ratio = 2.5; 95% confidence interval = 1.0 to 6.0; p = 0.047).ConclusionThe presence of frailty is an independent risk factor of 30‐day mortality in nonsevere dependent older patients attended with AHF in EDs.
Anxiety sensitivity and cannabis use‐related problems: The impact of race
Authors: Dean Kimberlye E. , Ecker Anthony H. , Buckner Julia D. 
Published: March 2017

Background and ObjectivesCannabis is the most widely used illicit substance among young adults. Anxiety sensitivity (AS; ie, fear of anxiety‐related symptoms) is positively related to coping motives for cannabis use (which are robustly positively linked to cannabis‐related problems). However, AS is unrelated to cannabis use‐related problems. Yet, extant studies have been conducted on primarily White samples. It may be that among Black students, AS‐physical concerns (ie, fear of physical anxiety‐related sensations) are related to cannabis problems given that Black individuals are more likely than White individuals to report experiencing greater and more intense somatic symptoms when experiencing anxiety. Black individuals may rely on cannabis to cope with fear of these somatic symptoms, continuing to use despite cannabis‐related problems.MethodsThe current study tested whether race moderated the relation between AS‐physical concerns and cannabis problems among 102 (85.3% female) current cannabis using undergraduates who were either non‐Hispanic Black (n = 51) or non‐Hispanic White (n = 51).ResultsAfter controlling for frequency of cannabis use, income, and gender, race significantly moderated the relation between AS‐physical concerns and cannabis use‐related problems such that AS‐physical concerns significantly predicted cannabis‐related problems among Black and not White individuals.Discussion and ConclusionsFindings highlight the importance of considering race in identifying psychosocial predictors of cannabis‐related problems.Scientific SignificanceIntervention strategies for Black cannabis users may benefit from examining and targeting AS‐physical concerns. (Am J Addict 2017;26:209–214)
Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis score for early diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis in Darwin
Authors: Narasimhan Vignesh , Ooi Geraldine , Weidlich Stephanie , Carson Phillip 
Published: March 2017

BackgroundSoft tissue infections are a major health burden in the Top End of the Northern Territory of Australia. Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is associated with mortality rates from 8 to 40%. Early recognition and aggressive surgical debridement are the cornerstones of successful treatment. The Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis (LRINEC) score, developed by Wong et al., uses six routine biochemical variables to aid early diagnosis. We aim to assess the diagnostic efficacy of the LRINEC score in our population.MethodsA retrospective review of patients with NF between 2005 and 2013 was conducted. A time matched cohort of abscesses/cellulitis was selected. Admission bloods were used to calculate the LRINEC score. An intraoperative finding of NF was used as the gold standard definition for comparison. The diagnostic accuracy of the LRINEC score was assessed.ResultsNinety‐eight patients with NF and 205 control patients were identified. The area under the receiver operator curve for the LRINEC score in detecting NF was 0.925 (0.890–0.959, P < 0.001). The sensitivity of the LRINEC ≥5 for NF was 76.3%, with a specificity of 93.1%. The positive and negative predictive values were 95.5 and 88.1%, respectively. The positive and negative likelihood ratios were 11 and 0.25.ConclusionThe LRINEC score is a useful, robust, non‐invasive and easily calculated scoring system that can be used as an adjunct to early diagnosis of NF. However, a high degree of clinical suspicion remains the most important factor in early diagnosis of NF.
Targeting C3a/C5a receptors inhibits human mesangial cell proliferation and alleviates immunoglobulin A nephropathy in mice
Authors: Zhang Y , Yan X , Zhao T , Xu Q , Peng Q , Hu R , Quan S , Zhou Y , Xing G 
Published: March 2017

Summary
Complement activation has a deep pathogenic influence in immunoglobulin (Ig)A nephropathy (IgAN). C3a and C5a, small cleavage fragments generated by complement activation, are key mediators of inflammation. The fragments exert broad proinflammatory effects by binding to specific receptors (C3aR and C5aR, respectively). However, no studies thus far have investigated the effects of C3a, C5a and their receptors on IgAN. We observed that C3aR and C5aR antagonists repressed IgA-induced cell proliferation and interleukin (IL)-6 and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) production in cultured human mesangial cells (HMCs). Furthermore, an IgAN mouse model induced by Sendai virus infection was employed to investigate the effects of C3aR and C5aR on IgAN in vivo for the first time. Wild-type (WT) and several knock-out mouse strains (C3aR–/– or C5aR–/–) were immunized intranasally with increasing doses of inactivated virus for 14 weeks and were subjected to two intravenous viral challenges during the time-period indicated. In the Sendai virus-induced IgAN model, C3aR/C5aR-deficient mice had significantly reduced proteinuria, lower renal IgA and C3 deposition, less histological damage and reduced mesangial proliferation compared with WT mice. Both C3aR deficiency and C5aR deficiency, especially C3aR deficiency, inhibited renal tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, IL-1β, IL-6 and MCP-1 expression significantly. However, C3aR/C5aR-deficient and WT mice with IgAN did not differ with respect to their blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine levels. Our findings provide further support for the idea that C3aR and C5aR are crucially important in IgAN, and suggest that pharmaceutically targeting C3aR/C5aR may hold promise for the treatment of IgAN.
Copy number variants analysis in a cohort of isolated and syndromic developmental delay/intellectual disability reveals novel genomic disorders, position effects and candidate disease genes
Authors: Di Gregorio E. , Riberi E. , Belligni E.F. , Biamino E. , Spielmann M. , Ala U. , Calcia A. , Bagnasco I. , Carli D. , Gai G. , Giordano M. , Guala A. , Keller R. , Mandrile G. , Arduino C. , Maffè A. , Naretto V.G. , Sirchia F. , Sorasio L. , Ungari S. , Zonta A. , Zacchetti G. , Talarico F. , Pappi P. , Cavalieri S. , Giorgio E. , Mancini C. , Ferrero M. , Brussino A. , Savin E. , Gandione M. , Pelle A. , Giachino D.F. , De Marchi M. , Restagno G. , Provero P. , Cirillo Silengo M. , Grosso E. , Buxbaum J.D. , Pasini B. , De Rubeis S. , Brusco A. , Ferrero G.B. 
Published: March 2017

BackgroundArray‐comparative genomic hybridization (array‐CGH) is a widely used technique to detect copy number variants (CNVs) associated with developmental delay/intellectual disability (DD/ID).AimsIdentification of genomic disorders in DD/ID.Materials and methodsWe performed a comprehensive array‐CGH investigation of 1,015 consecutive cases with DD/ID and combined literature mining, genetic evidence, evolutionary constraint scores, and functional information in order to assess the pathogenicity of the CNVs.ResultsWe identified non‐benign CNVs in 29% of patients. Amongst the pathogenic variants (11%), detected with a yield consistent with the literature, we found rare genomic disorders and CNVs spanning known disease genes. We further identified and discussed 51 cases with likely pathogenic CNVs spanning novel candidate genes, including genes encoding synaptic components and/or proteins involved in corticogenesis. Additionally, we identified two deletions spanning potential Topological Associated Domain (TAD) boundaries probably affecting the regulatory landscape.Discussion and conclusionWe show how phenotypic and genetic analyses of array‐CGH data allow unraveling complex cases, identifying rare disease genes, and revealing unexpected position effects.
Towards a semantic approach to numerical tree inference in phylogenetics
Authors: Vogt Lars 
Published: March 2017

AbstractConventional approaches to phylogeny reconstruction require a character analysis step prior to and methodologically separated from a numerical tree inference step. The former results in a character matrix that contains the empirical data analysed in the latter. This separation of steps involves various methodological and conceptual problems (e.g. homology assessment independent of tree inference and character optimization, character dependencies, discounting of alternative homology hypotheses). In morphology, the character analysis step covers the stages of morphological comparative studies, homology assessment and the identification and coding of morphological characters. Unfortunately, only the last stage requires some formalism, whereas the preceding stages are commonly regarded to be pre‐rational and intuitive, which is why their reproducibility and analytical accessibility is limited. Here, I introduce a rational for a semantic approach to numerical tree inference that uses sets of semantic instance anatomies as data source instead of character matrices, thereby avoiding the above‐mentioned problems. A semantic instance anatomy is an ontology‐based description of the anatomical organization of a specimen in the form of a semantic graph. The semantic approach to numerical tree inference combines and integrates the steps of character analysis and numerical tree inference and makes both analytically accessible and communicable. Before outlining first steps for a research programme dedicated to the semantic approach to numerical tree inference, I discuss in detail the methodological, conceptual, and computational challenges and requirements that first have to be dealt with before adequate algorithms can be developed.
The epidemiology of Clostridium difficile infection in a national kidney transplant center
Authors: Kennedy Claire , Waldron Carmel , Skally Mairead , Gaughan Leah , Magee Colm , Burns Karen , Fitzpatrick Fidelma 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBackgroundWe aimed to describe the epidemiology and outcomes of CDI in a national kidney transplant center from 2008 to 2015.MethodsAdult kidney and kidney‐pancreas transplant recipients were included for analysis if they met the surveillance CDI case definition. Rates of new healthcare‐associated CDI (HA‐CDI) were expressed per 10 000 KTR/KTPR bed days used (BDU) to facilitate comparisons.ResultsFifty‐two cases of CDI were identified in 42 KTRs and KPTRs. This corresponded to an average annual rate of 9.6 per 10 000 BDU, higher than that seen among general hospital inpatients locally, nationally, and internationally. Of the 45 cases (87%) that were considered HA‐CDI, nine (20%) had symptom onset in the community. Recent proton‐pump inhibitor (PPI) and broad‐spectrum antimicrobial exposure preceded the majority of cases. KTRs and KPTRs with CDI had a longer mean length of hospital stay (35 days) than those KTR and KPTRs admitted during the same period that did not have CDI (8 days).ConclusionsEducation regarding CDI must be extended to transplant recipients and their general practitioners. Other targets for future CDI rate reduction must include stringent antimicrobial stewardship (both in hospital and in the community) and judicious PPI prescribing.
Can Lutheran Theology and Virtue Ethics Be Friends?
Authors: Hoffmeyer John F. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractLutheran theology is generally suspicious of virtue ethics. This suspicion arises from (1) the Lutheran commitment to justification by faith in God's unconditional promise; and (2) Luther's corollary understanding of sin as existential self‐absorption. Some Lutheran theologians have sought to incorporate virtue ethics by using it as an orientation for Christian life, while making sure to avoid any contamination of the doctrine of justification by virtue ethics. My project is to consider the possibility of a mutual illumination and interaction between the doctrine of justification and virtue ethics’ focus on formation by habituation. As an aid in exploring this possibility I use the distinction in Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Ethics between the “ultimate” and the “penultimate.”
Cav1.3 channels play a crucial role in the formation of paroxysmal depolarization shifts in cultured hippocampal neurons
Authors: Stiglbauer Victoria , Hotka Matej , Ruiß Manuel , Hilber Karlheinz , Boehm Stefan , Kubista Helmut 
Published: March 2017

SummaryObjectiveAn increase of neuronal Cav1.3 L‐type calcium channels (LTCCs) has been observed in various animal models of epilepsy. However,LTCCinhibitors failed in clinical trials of epileptic treatment. There is compelling evidence that paroxysmal depolarization shifts (PDSs) involve Ca2+influx throughLTCCs.PDSs represent a hallmark of epileptiform activity. In recent years, a probable epileptogenic role forPDSs has been proposed. However, the implication of the two neuronalLTCCisoforms, Cav1.2 and Cav1.3, inPDSs remained unknown. Moreover, Ca2+‐dependent nonspecific cation (CAN) channels have also been suspected to contribute toPDSs. Nevertheless, direct experimental support of an important role ofCANchannel activation inPDSformation is still lacking.MethodsPrimary neuronal networks derived from dissociated hippocampal neurons were generated from mice expressing a dihydropyridine‐insensitive Cav1.2 mutant (Cav1.2DHP−/−mice) or from Cav1.3−/−knockout mice. To investigate the role of Cav1.2 and Cav1.3, perforated patch‐clamp recordings were made of epileptiform activity, which was elicited using either bicuculline or caffeine.LTCCactivity was modulated using the dihydropyridines Bay K 8644 (agonist) and isradipine (antagonist).ResultsDistinctPDScould be elicited uponLTCCpotentiation in Cav1.2DHP−/−neurons but not in Cav1.3−/−neurons. In contrast, when bicuculline led to long‐lasting, seizure‐like discharge events rather thanPDS, these were prolonged in Cav1.3−/−neurons but not in Cav1.2DHP−/−neurons. Because only the Cav1.2 isoform is functionally coupled toCANchannels in primary hippocampal networks,PDSformation does not requireCANchannel activity.SignificanceOur data suggest that theLTCCrequirement ofPDSrelates primarily to Cav1.3 channels rather than to Cav1.2 channels andCANchannels in hippocampal neurons. Hence, Cav1.3 may represent a new therapeutic target for suppression ofPDSdevelopment. The proposed epileptogenic role ofPDSs may allow for a prophylactic rather than the unsuccessful seizure suppressing application ofLTCCinhibitors.
Innovation and gendered negotiations: Insights from six small‐scale fishing communities
Authors: Locke Catherine , Muljono Paramita , McDougall Cynthia , Morgan Miranda 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThere has so far been limited investigation into gender in relation to innovation in fisheries. Therefore, this study investigates how gender relations shape the capacity and motivation of different individuals in fishing communities to innovate. We compare six fishing communities in Cambodia, the Philippines and the Solomon Islands. Our findings suggest that gendered negotiations mediate the capacity to innovate but that wider structural constraints are important constraints for both men and women. Our findings show that men's and women's capacity to innovate is strongly mediated by the behaviour of their marriage partner. Consequently, we argue that gender research from a social relational perspective has an important contribution to make in understanding poor fishing communities where new ways of doing things or new technologies are being promoted.
Multiple exaptations leading to fish sound production
Authors: Parmentier Eric , Diogo Rui , Fine Michael L 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe term exaptation introduced by Stephen J. Gould and Elizabeth Vrba has been used infrequently. The high diversity of sound‐producing mechanisms in fishes highlights a recurrent use of this process in unrelated taxa. We propose that sonic evolution typically involves exaptations: in many fish taxa, sound production was acquired by the independent modification of existing structures with other functions. These structures were modified into complex effectors for courtship and agonistic sound production without major changes to their gnathostome Bauplan. Existing anatomical structures (teeth, bones, etc.) were likely first used in non‐voluntary sound production, which incidentally provided advantages and could then be selected specifically for signal production leading to the refinement of more sophisticated sonic organs. We postulate that in many if not most cases, sound‐production specializations originated in fish taxa that took advantage of incidental non‐voluntary sounds. We use different case‐studies to show that exaptation may be a key, albeit largely unrecognized, agent of major morphological and behavioural changes.
The perplexing dilemma of measuring sun protection factors
Authors: Pissavini M. , Diffey B. , Doucet O. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractTruth, like knowledge, is surprisingly difficult to define. Indeed, every definition of truth that philosophers have developed falls prey to the question, ‘Is it true?’ In this essay, we consider what is the true SPF of a sunscreen product and whether it can ever be realizable.