bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Social associations and vocal communication in wild and captive male savannah elephants Loxodonta africana
Authors: Morris‐Drake Amy , Mumby Hannah S. 
Published: October 2017

Abstract

Despite growing evidence that males often associate in all‐male groups, there has been no review of male savannah elephant Loxodonta africana social relationships or of the use of vocal communication within these male groups. We assess the evidence for all‐male group formation and for the use of vocal communication by males throughout the savannah elephant range of southern and eastern Africa, as well as in ex‐situ studies of captive animals.

We derived data from two quantitative reviews of the published literature, for associations and for vocalisations, respectively. We supplemented these structured reviews with searches for books and of bibliographies.

We compiled evidence from 30 studies on associative groups, and found that group size was the most commonly reported variable (mean group size reported 2–4.9; range reported 2–40 when excluding studies that included lone males).

We found 22 studies reporting evidence of vocal communication in males. A total of four studies were retrieved from both searches, indicating that these areas of research may overlap.

We found that male elephants are frequently reported to be in groups, throughout their range and over time, although the groups are small: median group size was three. The diversity of male savannah elephant group sizes may indicate the behavioural flexibility of the species. It could also represent a lack of studies focusing on males. We found a paucity of research on male vocal communication (5% of studies were concentrated solely on male bioacoustics), particularly in natural settings, and few studies reported the social context or role of male vocal signals outside of musth.

We see great scope for future research at the important intersection between male elephant associations and vocal communication, including research on the role of vocalisations in mediating all‐male associations.
Trends in inequalities in child stunting in South Asia
Authors: Krishna Aditi , Mejía‐Guevara Iván , McGovern Mark , Aguayo Víctor M. , Subramanian S. V. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractWe analysed socio‐economic inequalities in stunting in South Asia and investigated disparities associated with factors at the individual, caregiver, and household levels (poor dietary diversity, low maternal education, and household poverty). We used time‐series analysis of data from 55,459 children ages 6–23 months from Demographic and Health Surveys in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan (1991–2014). Logistic regression models, adjusted for age, sex, birth order, and place of residency, examined associations between stunting and multiple types of socio‐economic disadvantage. All countries had high stunting rates. Bangladesh and Nepal recorded the largest reductions—2.9 and 4.1 percentage points per year, respectively—compared to 1.3 and 0.6 percentage points in India and Pakistan, respectively. Socio‐economic adversity was associated with increased risk of stunting, regardless of disadvantage type. Poor children with inadequate diets and with poorly educated mothers experienced greater risk of stunting. Although stunting rates declined in the most deprived groups, socio‐economic differences were largely preserved over time and in some cases worsened, namely, between wealth quintiles. The disproportionate burden of stunting experienced by the most disadvantaged children and the worsening inequalities between socio‐economic groups are of concern in countries with substantial stunting burdens. Closing the gap between best and worst performing countries, and between most and least disadvantaged groups within countries, would yield substantial improvements in stunting rates in South Asia. To do so, greater attention needs to be paid to addressing the social, economic, and political drivers of stunting with targeted efforts towards the populations experiencing the greatest disadvantage and child growth faltering.
Babies in boxes and the missing links on safe sleep: Human evolution and cultural revolution
Authors: Bartick Melissa , Tomori Cecília , Ball Helen L. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractConcerns about bedsharing as a risk for sudden infant death syndrome and other forms of sleep‐associated infant death have gained prominence as a public health issue. Cardboard “baby boxes” are increasingly promoted to prevent infant death through separate sleep, despite no proof of efficacy. However, baby boxes disrupt “breastsleeping” (breastfeeding with co‐sleeping) and may undermine breastfeeding. Recommendations enforcing separate sleep are based on 20th century Euro‐American social norms for solitary infant sleep and scheduled feedings via bottles of cow's milk‐based formula, in contrast to breastsleeping, an evolutionary adaptation facilitating the survival of mammalian infants for millennia. Interventions that aim to prevent bedsharing, such as the cardboard baby box, fail to consider the implications of evolutionary biology or of ethnocentrism in sleep guidance. Moreover, the focus on bedsharing neglects more potent risks such as smoking, drugs, alcohol, formula feeding, and poverty. Distribution of baby boxes may divert resources and attention away from addressing these other risk factors and lead to a false sense of security wherein we overlook that sudden unexplained infant deaths also occur in solitary sleep environments. Recognizing breastsleeping as the evolutionary and cross‐cultural norm entails re‐evaluating our research and policy priorities, such as providing greater structural support for families, supporting breastfeeding and safe co‐sleeping, investigating ways to safely minimize separation for formula‐fed infants, and mitigating the potential harms of mother–infant separation when breastsleeping is disrupted. Resources would be better spent addressing such questions rather than on a feel‐good solution such as the baby box.
The effect of montelukast on early‐life wheezing: A randomized, double‐blinded placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Keskin Ozlem , Arik Yilmaz Ebru , Motzkus Christine , Sackesen Cansin , Lilly Craig M. , Kalayci Omer 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBackgroundCysteinyl‐leukotrienes are increased in the airways of infants with virus‐associated wheezing. We aimed to determine the effects of a cysteinyl‐leukotriene‐1 receptor antagonist on symptoms during an early‐life wheezing illness and to investigate the factors that affect the response to this drug.MethodThis placebo‐controlled double‐blinded randomized controlled trial recruited children aged 3‐36 months with wheezing illness and randomized to active drug or placebo for 56 days. A symptom score diary (SSD) was kept by the children's caregivers.ResultsOne‐hundred patients completed the study, and 62 (30 montelukast and 32 placebo) were analyzed. There were no significant differences in the percent of symptom‐free days, symptom scores, and the need for rescue salbutamol between the two groups. However, the percent of symptom‐free days within the first week was significantly higher for the montelukast than for the placebo group (13.8 ± 4.1% vs. 5.4 ± 3.4%; P = 0.028); wheezing score at 7th day was significantly lower for the montelukast than for the placebo group (0.5 ± 0.1 vs. 1.4 ± 0.2; P = 0.002). In addition, the number of inhaled ß2‐agonist rescue episodes per day during the first week was significantly lower for the montelukast compared with the placebo group (12.7 ± 1.8 vs. 19.2 ± 1.6; P = 0.013).ConclusionsOur results indicate that montelukast may be effective for reducing caregiver‐observed wheezing and the need for salbutamol during the first week of treatment for early‐life wheezing. The impact for caregivers and the optimal duration of treatment will need to be explored in studies of larger size.
Follow‐up of patients with uncertain symptoms during an oral food challenge is useful for diagnosis
Authors: Miura Taro , Yanagida Noriyuki , Sato Sakura , Ogura Kiyotake , Ebisawa Motohiro 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBackgroundUncertain symptoms often emerge during an oral food challenge (OFC), and Open‐OFCs with those uncertain mild symptoms are ordinarily regarded as positive. Double‐blind placebo‐controlled food challenges should be conducted to determine these associations. Nevertheless, studies regarding the diagnosis of uncertain food allergy symptoms are lacking. We examined the diagnostic decision for a food allergy based on uncertain symptoms during an Open‐OFC.MethodsWe conducted an Open‐OFC between August 2005 and April 2012 with 2271 cases who suspected as allergic to hen's eggs, cow's milk, or wheat. For the primary diagnosis, Open‐OFCs with obvious symptoms were classified as “positive,” no symptoms as “negative,” and uncertain, indeterminate symptoms as “uncertain.” We encouraged the children in the uncertain group to consume the causative foods at home more than twice; if any definitive symptoms were induced, children were classified as “intolerant,” and children without any symptoms were classified as “tolerant,” for the final diagnosis.ResultsWe analyzed 454 uncertain cases excluding 781 positive cases and 1036 negative cases. The symptoms that occurred for the uncertain cases included slight abdominal pain, localized skin rash, and an isolated cough. Of these cases, 362 (79.7%) were considered tolerant at the final diagnosis. Of the intolerant children at the final diagnosis, the induced symptoms at home were not serious.ConclusionsMonitoring of recurring symptoms following consumption of causative foods at home by patients with uncertain symptoms improves the diagnostic accuracy of an Open‐OFC.
Increase in atopic sensitization rate among Dutch children with symptoms of allergic disease between 1994 and 2014
Authors: Koet Lukas B. M. , Brand Paul L. P. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe prevalence of symptoms of allergic diseases has increased significantly during the last decades. However, studies into time trends of atopic sensitization among children are limited and have focused on aeroallergen sensitization. We aimed to investigate time trends in the prevalence and degree of atopic sensitization to inhalant and food allergens among children (0‐17 years) with symptoms of allergic disease.MethodsSensitization data of all children tested in our clinical laboratory during 1994‐2014 were analyzed. Sensitization was detected using the ImmunoCAP system and defined as a specific IgE level of ≥0.35 kU/L. Trends in sensitization rates to 5 food and 5 aeroallergens for different age categories were investigated with logistic regression, adjusted for age and sex.ResultsSensitization data of 18 199 children were analyzed. Between 1994 and 2014, a steady and statistically significant increase in overall sensitization rate was found (from 40.5% in 1994 to 48.9% in 2014, adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.01 per year, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00 to 1.01, P = .003). This increase in sensitization rate was mainly explained by increasing aeroallergen sensitization among 4‐ to 11‐year‐old children (aOR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.02, P < .001). We found no increase in sensitization rates to food and aeroallergens in other age categories. The degree of sensitization did not change significantly during the study period (all tests P > .15).ConclusionWe observed a statistically significant increase in sensitization rate between 1994 and 2014 among children with symptoms of allergic disease. This was mainly explained by increasing aeroallergen sensitization among 4‐ to 11‐year‐olds.
Semiparametric Dynamic Max-Copula Model for Multivariate Time Series
Authors: Zhao Zifeng , Zhang Zhengjun 
Published: October 2017

SummaryThe paper presents a novel non-linear framework for the construction of flexible multivariate dependence structure (i.e. copulas) from existing copulas based on a straightforward ‘pairwise max-’rule. The newly constructed max-copula has a closed form and has strong interpretability. Compared with the classical ‘linear symmetric’ mixture copula, the max-copula can be viewed as a ‘non-linear asymmetric’ framework. It is capable of modelling asymmetric dependence and joint tail behaviour while also offering good performance in non-extremal behaviour modelling. Max-copulas that are based on single-factor and block factor models are developed to offer parsimonious modelling for structured dependence, especially in high dimensional applications. Combined with semiparametric time series models, the max-copula can be used to develop flexible and accurate models for multivariate time series. A new semiparametric composite maximum likelihood method is proposed for parameter estimation, where the consistency and asymptotic normality of estimators are established. The flexibility of the max-copula and the accuracy of the proposed estimation procedure are illustrated through extensive numerical experiments. Real data applications in value-at-risk estimation and portfolio optimization for financial risk management demonstrate the max-copula's promising ability to capture accurately joint movements of high dimensional multivariate stock returns under both normal and crisis regimes of the financial market.
Sickness absence following breast cancer surgery: a two‐year follow‐up cohort study
Authors: Petersson Lena‐Marie , Vaez Marjan , Nilsson Marie I. , Saboonchi Fredrik , Alexanderson Kristina , Olsson Mariann , Wennman‐Larsen Agneta 
Published: October 2017

Rationale and aimMost women of working ages with limited breast cancer (BC) have returned to work within the first year after diagnosis. However, little is known about what is happening during this year regarding sickness absence and return to work. Also, the knowledge is very limited about the occurrence of part‐time sickness absence after BC diagnosis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe occurrence, extent and length of SA during a two‐year follow‐up after BC surgery and to analyse the association between being SA and type of cancer treatment.MethodsIn this prospective cohort study, 497 women responded to questionnaires about different aspects of sickness absence at six occasions during two years after primary BC surgery (at baseline and after 4, 8, 12, 18 and 24 months). Treatment information was obtained from the National breast cancer register. Multinomial logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (OR) for likelihood of being sickness absent more than once.ResultsTwo‐thirds of the women were sickness absent at baseline; this proportion decreased, especially during the first eight months. At 24 months, 13% were sickness absent. Of all women, 27% never reported sickness absence and 14% were sickness absent at most of the six survey times. At eight months, many had shifted from full‐ to part‐time sickness absence. Women with chemotherapy and/or advanced BC surgery had higher ORs for being sickness absent at most of the follow‐ups.ConclusionsMost women returned to work within the first eight months after BC surgery and of those sickness absent after that, most had been part‐time sickness absent. Thus, it is important to differentiate between part‐ and full‐time sickness absence in future studies. Special attention should be paid to the impact of chemotherapy and type of surgery on the likelihood of being sickness absent.
Public Sector Employment and the Skill Premium: Sweden versus the United States 1970–2012
Authors: Domeij David , Ljungqvist Lars 
Published: October 2017

AbstractSwedish census data and tax records reveal an astonishing decline in the aggregate skill premium of 30 percent between 1970 and 1990, with only a modest recovery in the next couple of decades. In contrast, the US skill premium rose by around 24 percent over those four decades. A theory that equalizes wages with marginal products can rationalize these disparate outcomes when we replace commonly used measures of total labor supplies by private sector employment. The dramatic decline in the skill premium in Sweden is the result of an expanding public sector that has disproportionately hired unskilled labor.
Macroeconomic Conditions at Entry and Injury Risk in the Workplace
Authors: Leombruni Roberto , Razzolini Tiziano , Serti Francesco 
Published: October 2017

AbstractUsing a unique dataset from Italy, we show that the local unemployment rate at entry has a persistent positive effect on severe and non‐severe workplace injuries of young workers. Entrants during recessions, despite receiving marginally higher entry wages, also experience slower wage growth. The observed pattern in the differences between severe and non‐severe injuries indicates that entrants during recessions might under‐report non‐severe workplace injuries. Our findings suggest that workers entering during recessions are persistently locked into low‐quality jobs and that the mix of hazardous tasks endogenously adjusts to the business cycle.
Performance of Mixing Ventilation System Coupled With Dynamic Personalized Ventilator for Thermal Comfort
Authors: Al-Assaad Douaa , Ghaddar Nesreen , Ghali Kamel 
Published: October 2017

This study optimizes the performance of a mixing ventilation system coupled with a personalized ventilator that emits a cool sinusoidal horizontal airflow jet towards the occupant upper body in order to achieve good overall thermal comfort and good air quality in the occupant breathing zone. A transient 3-D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model coupled with a transient bio-heat model was deployed to predict airflow and temperature fields in the space and around the occupant as well as segmental skin temperature profiles for local and overall thermal sensation and comfort analysis.
Simulations were performed using the CFD model to determine the airflow optimal supply frequency, mean flow rate and amplitude at room temperature of 25 °C and PV jet temperature of 22 °C. The system also showed, that when increasing frequency at fixed mean flow rate, thermal comfort increased from by 15.2 %. However when increasing mean flow rate at a fixed frequency, thermal comfort dropped at the low frequency of 0.3 Hz but remained acceptable at the higher frequency of 0.5 Hz.
GA-Based Optimization of Compact Plate Heat Exchangers With Manifold-Microchannel Grooves
Authors: Ladeinde Foluso , Alabi Kehinde , Li Wenhai 
Published: October 2017

Manifold-microchannel combinations used on heat transfer surfaces have shown the potential for superior heat transfer performance to pressure drop ratio when compared to chevron type corrugations for plate heat exchangers (PHE) [1–4]. However, compared with heat transfer enhancements such as intermating troughs and Chevron corrugations, manifold-microchannels (MM) have several times more variables that influence the heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics, including microchannel width, depth, passes, manifold depth, width, and manifold fin thickness. Previous work has reported on the effects of some of the variables, and provides some models for their effects on thermal and hydraulic performance. The current paper presents a genetic algorithm (GA)-based procedure to analyze the implicit effects of some of the manifold-microchannel variables, and compare the performance of manifold-microchannel plate heat exchangers to those using standard Chevron corrugations. The objective of the present work is to evaluate the performance of manifold-microchannel heat transfer enhancements and demonstrate the potential for using GA-based procedure to optimize the heat exchanger.
This paper also presents the modifications of the standard GA algorithm when applied to the optimization of MM. The resulting GA procedure is particularly well suited to PHEs for several reasons, including the fact that it does not require continuous variables or functional dependence on the design variables. In addition, the computational effort required for the GA technique in our implementation scales linearly, with a scaling coefficient that is significantly less than one, making it economical to analyze PHEs with several variables with degrees of freedom (DOF) with respect to the fitness function. The results of optimizing a manifold-microchannel plate heat exchanger are presented, and the exchanger’s performance is compared to more conventional PHE of the same volume utilizing chevron corrugations. Finally, results from the empirical procedure presented in this paper for a manifold-microchannel are compared with experimental measurements in Andhare [5].
Heat Transfer During Heating and Cooling of a Packed Bed Comprised of Encapsulated Phase Change Material
Authors: West Glen O. , Udell Kent S. 
Published: October 2017

Phase change materials (PCMs) are attractive components of thermal energy storage systems due to their high energy densities and the relatively small temperature differences needed for effective charging and discharging. In this study, experimental data were examined in order to better understand energy exchange in packed beds and porous media comprised of solid/liquid phase change capsules. Air was used as the heat transfer fluid; hot air was injected in order to drive the melting process, while cold air was injected to accomplish freezing or solidification of the PCM.
Theory was developed to describe the temperature variations throughout the bed. Temperatures in the bed were found to vary exponentially near the phase change fronts. For cold air injection into a bed initially above the phase change temperature, a second wave was observed ahead of the phase change front that can be described as a broadening traveling thermal wave due to diffusion/dispersion. For hot air injection into a packed bed of solidified PCM capsules initially at a temperature below the phase change temperature, the thermal waves in the cold region showed isotherm velocity retardation due to incomplete thawing.
A shrinking core model of the melting or solidification of the PCM in the capsules was developed to document the internal heat transfer constraints within the capsules. The results of that study support the conclusion that slower wave velocities occur due to partial melting.
Sensitivity Analysis of Interfacial Momentum Closure Terms in Two Phase Flow and Boiling Simulations Using MCFD Solver
Authors: Liu Yang , Rollins Chad , Dinh Nam , Luo Hong 
Published: October 2017

In this paper, a general workflow for the global Sensitivity Analysis (SA) has been proposed based on the coupling of VUQ toolkit DAKOTA and Multiphase Computational Fluid Dynamics (MCFD) solver boilEulerFoam. A surrogate model is first constructed based on sampling simulations from boilEulerFoam. This surrogate is based on Gaussian Processes Model (GPM) and is validated and proved to have good properties. The Morris Screening method is then applied based on the surrogate to those interfacial momentum closure terms for SA, including drag, lift, turbulent dispersion, wall lubrication, and virtual mass. Two different cases are considered, one is on low-pressure adiabatic flow, and the other is on high pressure boiling flow. Each case has its experimental background with data support. The radial void fraction distribution, gas velocity, relative velocity and liquid temperature (only for high pressure boiling case) are chosen as the Quantities of Interest (QoIs) which are of key interests for two-phase flow simulation and boiling crisis prediction. The interfacial force coefficient of each closure term is chosen as the input parameter. For the boiling case, the bubble diameter effect is also analyzed.
Three remarks are drawn from this work on SA. First, it demonstrates the feasibility of surrogate model in the VUQ work for models in MCFD solver. The computational cost can be significantly reduced by employing the surrogate model. Secondly, through the Morris Sensitivity measurements, the importance of interfacial forces on different QoIs and regions can be analyzed and ranked for the two cases. Such analysis is also helpful for further model parameter calibration. Last but not least, the limitation of current work and the desired future work are discussed.