bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Attribute‐based signature for threshold predicates from lattices
Authors: Wang Qingbin , Chen Shaozhen 
Published: May 2014

AbstractIn an attribute‐based signature (ABS), users sign signatures based on some predicate of attributes, using keys issued by a central authority. A signature reveals nothing about the attributes of the signer beyond the fact that they satisfy the signing predicate. This paper presents an ABS scheme for the case of threshold predicates from lattices. This scheme is existentially unforgeable against selective predicate and static chosen message attacks in the standard model, with respect to the hardness of the small integer solution problem. To the best of our knowledge, this work constitutes the first ABS scheme based on lattices, which is conjectured to thwart the quantum threat. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Unmet Burden of Cleft Lip and Palate in Rural Gujarat, India: A Population‐Based Study
Authors: Khajanchi Monty U. , Shah Hemant , Thakkar Purvi , Gerdin Martin , Roy Nobhojit 
Published: May 2014

AbstractBackground
The burden of cleft lip and palate (CLP) in the developing world is being tackled by local hospitals and international surgical missions. However, the unmet surgical burden of these conditions is not known, because there are few population‐based studies. We conducted this study to find the incidence and prevalence of cleft lip (CL), cleft palate (CP), and CLP and also estimate the unmet burden of these conditions.MethodsFour blocks comprising of half a million people in the Patan district of Gujarat were chosen as the study areas. This study was conducted over a period of 3 months in 2009. Patients with CL, CP, and CLP were identified by community health workers using snowball sampling method. Data collected included demographics, type of cleft, operated or not, and place of operation. Disability adjusted life years (DALY) was calculated to measure the unmet burden of this disease.ResultsThe most common among the three conditions was CL (69.4 %). Overall, cleft abnormalities were more common in males (61 %). The overall incidence and prevalence of cleft deformity was 0.73 per 1,000 live births and 0.1 per 1,000 people respectively. The unmet burden of surgical disease of these four blocks was 230 to 494 DALYs.ConclusionsThe incidence of CL with or without palate was found to be 0.7 per 1,000 live births. The large number of unoperated cases (backlog) of cleft deformities suggests a big burden of unmet need in rural India.
Non-Surgical Treatment of Lateral Epicondylitis: A Aystematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Sims Susan E. G. , Miller Katherine , Elfar John C. , Hammert Warren C. 
Published: May 2014

Background Non-surgical approaches to treatment of lateral epicondylitis are numerous. The aim of this systematic review is to examine randomized, controlled trials of these treatments. Methods Numerous databases were systematically searched from earliest records to February 2013. Search terms included “lateral epicondylitis,” “lateral elbow pain,” “tennis elbow,” “lateral epicondylalgia,” and “elbow tendinopathy” combined with “randomized controlled trial.” Two reviewers examined the literature for eligibility via article abstract and full text. Results Fifty-eight articles met eligibility criteria: (1) a target population of patients with symptoms of lateral epicondylitis; (2) evaluation of treatment of lateral epicondylitis with the following non-surgical techniques: corticosteroid injection, injection technique, iontophoresis, botulinum toxin A injection, prolotherapy, platelet-rich plasma or autologous blood injection, bracing, physical therapy, shockwave therapy, or laser therapy; and (3) a randomized controlled trial design. Lateral epicondylitis is a condition that is usually self-limited. There may be a short-term pain relief advantage found with the application of corticosteroids, but no demonstrable long-term pain relief. Injection of botulinum toxin A and prolotherapy are superior to placebo but not to corticosteroids, and botulinum toxin A is likely to produce concomitant extensor weakness. Platelet-rich plasma or autologous blood injections have been found to be both more and less effective than corticosteroid injections. Non-invasive treatment methods such as bracing, physical therapy, and extracorporeal shockwave therapy do not appear to provide definitive benefit regarding pain relief. Some studies of low-level laser therapy show superiority to placebo whereas others do not. Conclusions There are multiple randomized controlled trials for non-surgical management of lateral epicondylitis, but the existing literature does not provide conclusive evidence that there is one preferred method of non-surgical treatment for this condition. Lateral epicondylitis is a condition that is usually self-limited, resolving over a 12- to 18-month period without treatment. Level of Evidence Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of level of evidence.
Forest pasturing of livestock in Norway: effects on spruce regeneration
Authors: Hjeljord Olav , Histøl Trond , Wam Hilde Karine 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
Forest pasturing of free-roaming livestock is a common practice in many parts of the world, but knowledge on how it affects tree regeneration in boreal forests is lacking. We mapped tree density, livestock site use and accumulated damage to young trees of commercial interest (Norway spruce, Picea abies L. Karst.) on 56 clearcuts inside and outside a fenced forest area used for livestock pasturing in Ringsaker, Norway. Inside the fence 56±1.8% of spruce trees were damaged compared to 37±3.4% outside. Proportion of damaged spruce trees was positively related to cattle use of the clearcut, but not so for sheep. On the most intensively used clearcuts, four out of five trees were damaged. The density of deciduous trees was five times lower inside compared to outside of the fence (varying with plant species). While livestock grazing may reduce resource competition in favour of spruce, the current animal density clearly is impeding forest regeneration in the study area.
FUNDAMENTAL DEFINITION OF THE SOLVENCY CAPITAL REQUIREMENT IN SOLVENCY II
Authors: Christiansen Marcus C. , Niemeyer Andreas 
Published: May 2014

AbstractIt is essential for insurance regulation to have a clear picture of the risk measures that are used. We compare different mathematical interpretations of the Solvency Capital Requirement (SCR) definition from Solvency II that can be found in the literature. We introduce a mathematical modeling framework that enables us to make a mathematically rigorous comparison. The paper shows similarities, differences, and properties such as convergence of the different SCR interpretations. Moreover, we generalize the SCR definition to future points in time based on a generalization of the value at risk. This allows for a sound definition of the Risk Margin. Our study helps to make the Solvency II insurance regulation more consistent.
On certain properties of the compact Zakharov equation
Authors: Fedele Francesco 
Published: May 2014

AbstractLong-time evolution of a weakly perturbed wavetrain near the modulational instability (MI) threshold is examined within the framework of the compact Zakharov equation for unidirectional deep-water waves (Dyachenko and Zakharov, JETP Lett., vol. 93, 2011, pp. 701–705). Multiple-scale solutions reveal that a perturbation to a slightly unstable uniform wavetrain of steepness $\mu $ slowly evolves according to a nonlinear Schrodinger equation (NLS). In particular, for small carrier wave steepness $\mu <\mu _{1}\approx 0.27$ the perturbation dynamics is of focusing type and the long-time behaviour is characterized by the Fermi–Pasta–Ulam recurrence, the signature of breather interactions. However, the amplitude of breathers and their likelihood of occurrence tend to diminish as $\mu $ increases while the Benjamin–Feir index (BFI) decreases and becomes nil at $\mu _{1}$. This indicates that homoclinic orbits persist only for small values of wave steepness $\mu \ll \mu _{1}$, in agreement with recent experimental and numerical observations of breathers. When the compact Zakharov equation is beyond its nominal range of validity, i.e. for $\mu >\mu _{1}$, predictions seem to foreshadow a dynamical trend to wave breaking. In particular, the perturbation dynamics becomes of defocusing type, and nonlinearities tend to stabilize a linearly unstable wavetrain as the Fermi–Pasta–Ulam recurrence is suppressed. At $\mu =\mu _{c}\approx 0.577$, subharmonic perturbations restabilize and superharmonic instability appears, possibly indicating that wave dynamical behaviour changes at large steepness, in qualitative agreement with the numerical simulations of Longuet-Higgins and Cokelet (Proc. R. Soc. Lond. A, vol. 364, 1978, pp. 1–28) for steep waves. Indeed, for $\mu >\mu _{c}$ a multiple-scale perturbation analysis reveals that a weak narrowband perturbation to a uniform wavetrain evolves in accord with a modified Korteweg–de Vries/Camassa–Holm type equation, again implying a possible mechanism conducive to wave breaking.
Plasma lutein concentrations are related to dietary intake, but unrelated to dietary saturated fat or cognition in young children
Authors: Mulder Kelly A. , Innis Sheila M. , Rasmussen Betina F. , Wu Brian T. , Richardson Kelly J. , Hasman David 
Published: May 2014

AbstractLutein and zeaxanthin are xanthophyll carotenoids present in highly pigmented vegetables and fruits. Lutein is selectively accumulated in the brain relative to other carotenoids. Recent evidence has linked lutein to cognition in older adults, but little is known about lutein in young children, despite structural brain development. We determined lutein intake using FFQ, one 24 h recall and three 24 h recalls, plasma lutein concentrations and their association with cognition in 160 children 5·6–5·9 years of age, at low risk for neurodevelopmental delay. Plasma lutein was skewed, with a median of 0·23 (2·5th to 95th percentile range 0·11–0·53) µmol/l. Plasma lutein showed a higher correlation with lutein intake estimated as the average of three 24 h recalls (r 0·479; P = 0·001), rather than one 24 h recall (r 0·242; P = 0·003) or FFQ (r 0·316; P = 0·001). The median lutein intake was 697 (2·5th to 95th percentile range 178–5287) µg/d based on three 24 h recalls. Lutein intake was inversely associated with SFA intake, but dietary fat or SFA intakes were not associated with plasma lutein. No associations were found between plasma lutein or lutein intake and any measure of cognition. While subtle independent effects of lutein on child cognition are possible, separating these effects from covariates making an impact on both child diet and cognition may be difficult.
Arachidonic acid intake and asthma risk in children and adults: a systematic review of observational studies
Authors: Kakutani Saki , Egawa Kahori , Saito Kayo , Suzuki Toshihide , Horikawa Chika , Rogi Tomohiro , Kawashima Hiroshi , Shibata Hiroshi , Sasaki Satoshi 
Published: May 2014

AbstractThe effect of arachidonic acid (ARA) intake on asthma risk is unclear. The objective of the present review was to systematically evaluate available observational studies on the relationship between ARA exposure and asthma risk in children and adults. A PubMed search was conducted on 22 October 2013 and seventy-three publications were checked against predefined criteria for eligibility. To identify additional eligible publications, potentially relevant articles were searched from bibliographies of articles on ARA and asthma. A total of 2924 citations were scrutinised. Finally, fourteen articles were included. A quality assessment was conducted based on the reporting and methodological quality. A meta-analysis was not conducted; therefore, a qualitative assessment is presented. Three high-, two medium- and ten low-quality studies were reviewed. Eleven studies, including two high- and two medium-quality studies, did not find a significant association between ARA exposure and asthma risk. In contrast, one high-quality study indicated a significant trend toward reducing asthma risk in children with decreasing maternal ARA intake (Ptrend = 0·025), and one low-quality study reported a significant trend of increasing asthma risk with higher blood ARA levels (Ptrend = 0·007). In two low-quality studies, asthma patients had significantly lower blood ARA levels than controls (bothP < 0·05). These studies did not sufficiently demonstrate any relationships between ARA exposure and asthma risk because of the limited number of studies and their methodological limitations. They seem to suggest that ARA exposure is not consistently associated with asthma risk. Nevertheless, further evidence is required to prove or disprove the association.
MAPPing dark networks: A data transformation method to study clandestine organizations
Authors: GERDES LUKE M. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractThere is a growing consensus that dark networks require special methodological considerations, but little attention has been devoted to determining which data transformation processes are best suited to the study of dark networks. Standard approaches to the transformation of multi-modal data “fold” matrices, by binarizing the network and multiplying it against its transpose. Unfortunately, this process produces exaggerated results when applied to weighted networks, and consequently researchers often disregard information on tie-strength when transforming data. This paper evaluates previous attempts to overcome this limitation and assesses projection methods discovered by biologists and physicists, who have studied the problem of transforming weighted multi-modal networks within the specific context of these disciplines. However, the assumptions underlying these transformation processes limit their applicability to dark networks. This paper, therefore, offers the Median Additive Projection Process (MAPP), an approach to data transformation specifically designed for implementation in weighted, multi-modal dark networks. MAPP accounts for the ambiguity inherent to clandestine subject matter by treating relationship strength in a probabilistic fashion. Because agents' one-mode centrality rankings change significantly when different projection processes are applied to the same two-mode network, MAPP allows researchers to more accurately identify central actors in dark networks.
Energy density of the Scottish diet estimated from food purchase data: relationship with socio-economic position and dietary targets
Authors: Barton Karen L. , Wrieden Wendy L. , Sherriff Andrea , Armstrong Julie , Anderson Annie S. 
Published: May 2014

Frequent consumption of energy-dense foods has been strongly implicated in the global increase of obesity. The World Cancer Research Fund suggests a population-level energy density (ED) goal for diets of 523 kJ/100 g (125 kcal/100 g) as desirable for reducing weight gain and related co-morbidities. However, there is limited information about the ED of diets of contemporary populations. The aims of the present study were to (1) estimate the mean ED of the Scottish diet, (2) assess differences in ED over time by socio-economic position, by household (HH) composition and for HH meeting dietary targets for fat and fruit and vegetables, and (3) assess the relationship between ED and the consumption of foods and nutrients, which are indicative of diet quality. ED of the diet was estimated from food (including milk) from UK food purchase survey data. The average ED of the Scottish diet was estimated as 718 kJ/100 g with no change between the survey periods 2001 and 2009. Individuals living in the most deprived areas had a higher mean ED than those living in the least deprived areas (737 v. 696 kJ/100 g). Single-parent HH had the highest mean ED (765 kJ/100 g) of all the HH surveyed. The mean ED of HH achieving dietary targets for fat and fruit and vegetables was 576 kJ/100 g compared with 731 kJ/100 g for non-achievers. HH within the lowest quintile of ED were, on average, closest to meeting most dietary guidelines. Food purchase data can be used to monitor the quality of the diet in terms of dietary ED of the population and subgroups defined by an area-based measure of socio-economic status.
The association between Mediterranean Diet Score and glucokinase regulatory protein gene variation on the markers of cardiometabolic risk: an analysis in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer (EPIC)-Norfolk study
Authors: Sotos-Prieto Mercedes , Luben Robert , Khaw Kay-Tee , Wareham Nicholas J. , Forouhi Nita G. 
Published: May 2014

Consumption of a Mediterranean diet (MD) and genetic variation in the glucokinase regulatory protein (GCKR) gene have been reported to be associated with TAG and glucose metabolism. It is uncertain whether there is any interaction between these factors. Therefore, the aims of the present study were to test the association of adherence to a MD and rs780094 (G>A) SNP in theGCKRgene with the markers of cardiometabolic risk, and to investigate the interaction between genetic variation and MD adherence. We studied 20 986 individuals from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer (EPIC)-Norfolk study. The relative Mediterranean Diet Score (rMED: range 0–18) was used to assess MD adherence. Linear regression was used to estimate the association between the rMED, genotype and cardiometabolic continuous traits, adjusting for potential confounders. In adjusted analyses, we observed independent associations of MD adherence and genotype with cardiometabolic risk, with the highest risk group (AA genotype; lowest rMED) having higher concentrations of TAG, total cholesterol and apoB (12·5, 2·3 and 3·1 %, respectively)v.those at the lowest risk (GG genotype; highest rMED). However, the associations of MD adherence with metabolic markers did not differ by genotype, with no significant gene–diet interactions for lipids or for glycated Hb. In conclusion, we found independent associations of the rMED and of theGCKRgenotype with cardiometabolic profile, but found no evidence of interaction between them.
Effects of resveratrol alone or in combination with piperine on cerebral blood flow parameters and cognitive performance in human subjects: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over investigation
Authors: Wightman Emma L. , Reay Jonathon L. , Haskell Crystal F. , Williamson Gary , Dew Tristan P. , Kennedy David O. 
Published: May 2014

Previous research has shown that resveratrol can increase cerebral blood flow (CBF) in the absence of improved cognitive performance in healthy, young human subjects during the performance of cognitively demanding tasks. This lack of cognitive effects may be due to low bioavailability and, in turn, reduced bioefficacy of resveratrolin vivo. Piperine can alter polyphenol pharmacokinetics, but previous studies have not investigated whether this affects the efficacy of the target compound. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to ascertain whether co-supplementation of piperine with resveratrol affects the bioavailability and efficacy of resveratrol with regard to cognition and CBF. The present study utilised a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subjects design, where twenty-three adults were given placebo,trans-resveratrol (250 mg) andtrans-resveratrol with 20 mg piperine on separate days at least a week apart. After a 40 min rest/absorption period, the participants performed a selection of cognitive tasks and CBF was assessed throughout the period, in the frontal cortex, using near-IR spectroscopy. The presence of resveratrol and its conjugates in the plasma was confirmed by liquid chromatography–MS analysis carried out following the administration of the same doses in a separate cohort (n6). The results indicated that when co-supplemented, piperine and resveratrol significantly augmented CBF during task performance in comparison with placebo and resveratrol alone. Cognitive function, mood and blood pressure were not affected. The plasma concentrations of resveratrol and its metabolites were not significantly different between the treatments, which indicates that co-supplementation of piperine with resveratrol enhances the bioefficacy of resveratrol with regard to CBF effects, but not cognitive performance, and does this without altering bioavailability.
Detecting the elusive Scottish wildcat Felis silvestris silvestris using camera trapping
Authors: Kilshaw Kerry , Johnson Paul J. , Kitchener Andrew C. , Macdonald David W. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractPopulation monitoring is important for conservation management but difficult to achieve for rare, cryptic species. Reliable information about the Critically Endangered Scottish wildcat Felis silvestris silvestris is lacking because of difficulties in morphological and genetic identification, resulting from extensive hybridization with feral domestic cats Felis catus. We carried out camera-trap surveys in the Cairngorms National Park, UK, to examine the feasibility of camera trapping, combined with a pelage identification method, to monitor Scottish wildcats. Camera trapping detected individually identifiable wildcats. Of 13 individual wild-living cats, four scored as wildcats based on pelage characters and the rest were wildcat × domestic cat hybrids. Spatially explicit capture–recapture density estimation methods generated a density of wild-living cats (wildcats and hybrids) of 68.17 ± SE 9.47 per 100 km2. The impact of reducing trapping-grid size, camera-trap numbers and survey length on density estimates was investigated using spatially explicit capture–recapture models. Our findings indicate camera trapping is more effective for monitoring wildcats than other methods currently used and capture success could be increased by using bait, placing camera stations ⩽ 1.5 km apart, increasing the number of camera stations, and surveying for 60–70 days. This study shows that camera trapping is effective for confirming the presence of the wildcat in potential target areas for conservation management.
POST-IMPLEMENTATION SURVEILLANCE OF A NON-PHARMACOLOGICAL HEALTH TECHNOLOGY WITHIN A NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE
Authors: Campillo Carlos , Casamitjana Montserrat , Carrillo-Arias Fernando , Royuela Ana , Kovacs Francisco M. , Abraira Víctor 
Published: May 2014

Objectives:The aim of this study was to describe 8-year results from post-implementation surveillance of neuroreflexotherapy (NRT), a health technology proven effective for treating neck and back pain.Methods:Post-implementation surveillance included all patients undergoing NRT across five regions within the Spanish National Health Service (SNHS). Validated methods were used to assess pain, disability, adverse events, use of health resources, and patient satisfaction. Logistic regression models were developed to identify the variables associated with the risk of a pain episode requiring more than one NRT intervention. The number of relapses among discharged patients during the 8-year period was calculated.Results:Between January 1, 2004, and June 30, 2012, 9,023 patients (median age: 53 years), presenting 11,384 subacute (25.2 percent) and chronic (74.8 percent), neck or back pain episodes, were discharged after receiving NRT. Spinal pain improved in 89 percent of cases, 83 percent abandoned drugs, and 0.02 percent required spine surgery. The only adverse event was skin discomfort (8.0 percent of patients). Number of patient complaints was 0, and answers to a standardized questionnaire reflected a high degree of satisfaction (response rate: 76.7 percent). Of the pain episodes, 18.9 percent required more than one NRT intervention; logistic regression models identified the variables associated with this. Over the 8-year period, the proportion of discharged patients referred for treatment due to relapse at the same level for neck, thoracic, and low back pain, was 16.4 percent, 6.5 percent, and 14.5 percent respectively.Conclusions:Post-marketing surveillance for a non-pharmacological technology is feasible within the SNHS. These results support generalizing NRT across the entire SNHS under the current validated application conditions.