bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reconstructing Diet of the Early Qin (ca. 700–400 BC) at Xishan, Gansu Province, China
Authors: Ma Y. , Fuller B. T. , Chen L. , Zhao C. , Hu Y. , Richards M. P. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractHere we report the bone collagen carbon and nitrogen isotopic results of humans (n = 33) and animals (n = 58) to reconstruct the dietary practices of an early Qin population dating to the Zhou Dynasty (Late Western–Early Eastern period ca. 700–400 BC) at the Xishan site in Gansu Province, China. The humans have a very large range of δ13C (−23.3‰ to −7.1‰) and δ15N (4.3‰ to 10.9‰) values which reflects extraordinarily diverse diets and included individuals with predominately C3 as well as those with exclusive C4 diets. This wide span of isotopic results produced a subtle linear trend (R2 = 0.62) in the human data, which paralleled the animals across the C3 and C4 environmental gradient. However, the majority of the individuals had a predominately C4 diet based on millet with δ15N results only slightly elevated above the animals, except for the pigs and cattle. This is evidence that many of the animals were likely used for their secondary products, labour or as sacrificial offerings and that pork and beef were the main sources of animal protein for the population. High status individuals had elevated δ15N values (10.2 ± 0.6‰) compared to medium (8.9 ± 0.3‰) and lower status (8.8 ± 0.8‰) individuals, possibly related to increased animal protein in the diet. Differences related to gender were also found with females having elevated δ13C (−11.2 ± 1.9‰) and δ15N (9.4 ± 0.8‰) values compared to the males (δ13C = −14.1 ± 4.2‰; δ15N = 7.9 ± 1.9‰), but these results necessitate caution given the large number of individuals that could not be sexed. The results of this study support the view that the early Qin people were a more sedentary society focused on millet agriculture and animal husbandry, and that they were influenced by the pre‐existing populations of the central Gansu region. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Silicon nanocrystals for nonlinear optics and secure communications
Authors: Bisadi Z. , Mancinelli M. , Manna S. , Tondini S. , Bernard M. , Samusenko A. , Ghulinyan M. , Fontana G. , Bettotti P. , Ramiro‐Manzano F. , Pucker G. , Pavesi L. 
Published: October 2015

Silicon nanocrystals (Si‐nc) are reviewed here for their interesting optical applications. On the one hand, they do exhibit quantum confinement effects. This allows turning silicon into a light‐emitting material where luminescence can be excited by electrical injection. On the other hand, small sizes, large surfaces, and dielectric mismatch between the core and the surrounding matrix increase dramatically the nonlinear optical coefficients. This allows using Si‐nc as a nonlinear material in different waveguide configurations. In this paper, we discuss specifically two different applications of Si‐nc: (i) as a nonlinear material in various devices, e.g., in bistable optical cavities, in waveguide optical mode monitors that are based on two‐photon excited luminescence detection, and in wavelength shifters by using four‐wave mixing (FWM); (ii) as an entropy source for quantum random number generation, the key device for cryptography.(a) Top view optical image of a Si‐nc‐based whispering‐gallery mode (WGM) microdisk resonator, vertically coupled with a bus waveguide. (b) Detail of the coupling zone. (c) Normalized waveguide transmission spectrum over a wide spectral range. The inset shows a blow up of a resonance with the radial and azimuthal mode orders and the Q factor value indicated.
Does the Frequency of Cholecystectomy Affect the Ensuing Incidence of Gallbladder Cancer in Sweden? A Population‐Based Study with a 16‐Year Coverage
Authors: Noel R. , Arnelo U. , Lundell L. , Sandblom G. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBackgroundGallbladder cancer (GBC) is rare among the different gastrointestinal cancers with a significant global variation in incidence. High cholecystectomy rates on benign indications have been assumed to prevent the development of gallbladder cancer. The aim of the present study was to explore the relationship between the rate of cholecystectomy at different time periods and regions of the country and the annual incidence of GBC.MethodsStandardized cholecystectomy and GBC incidences for Swedish counties have been obtained from the Swedish national inpatient and National Cancer registries for the years 1998–2013. The incidences have been calculated for ages over 15 years and per 100,000 population. The relationships between cholecystectomy and GBC incidences have been analyzed using regression models. Correlation analyses were performed for the total cumulative incidence rates as well as the incidence rates calculated for the first and last 8 years of the entire study period.ResultsCholecystectomy rates ranged from 99 to 205 per 100,000 and year, and the GBC incidence from 2.3 to 5.1. Overall, we observed a slow but steady decline in cholecystectomy rates—as well as GBC incidences during the 16‐year period. No significant correlation between the cholecystectomy rates and GBC incidences was seen.ConclusionsThis nationwide population‐based study demonstrates substantial geographic differences in annual cholecystectomy rates without any significant inverse co‐variation between cholecystectomy rates and the ensuing GBC incidence which would have supported the idea that frequent cholecystectomy affects the incidence of GBC.
Long‐Term Outcome of Laparoscopic Totally Extraperitoneal Repair of Bilateral Inguinal Hernias with a Large Single Mesh
Authors: Issa Nidal , Ohana Gil , Bachar Gil Nissim , Powsner Eldad 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBackgroundA totally extraperitoneal (TEP) approach is currently the technique of choice for the laparoscopic repair of bilateral inguinal hernias in our institution. Most other surgeons use two meshes for the TEP repair, one for each side. We prefer a large single mesh when possible since it allows for easier correct placement of the mesh in one stage. We compared our long‐term results of both techniques in terms of late complications and recurrence rates.MethodsThis study retrospectively evaluated the medical records of 108 patients who underwent bilateral laparoscopic TEP repair in our institution between January 2002 and December 2003. Excluded were patients who had a conversion to a transabdominal preperitoneal or open approach. A total of 73 (67 %) patients fulfilled study entrance criteria and were enrolled: 39 had undergone single mesh repair and 34 had undergone double mesh repair.ResultsThere were no significant group differences in demographics, operating time, postoperative morbidity, or hospital stay. Likewise, after a median follow‐up of 102 months (range 94–115 months), there were no significant group differences between the single and double mesh groups in persistent pain (5.8 vs 2.5 %, respectively; p = 0.476) and recurrence (7.6 vs 8.8 %, respectively; p = 0.55).ConclusionThe use of a large single mesh is an effective and safe alternative technique for TEP repair of bilateral inguinal hernias, and is technically easy to perform.
Between Law and Political Truth? Member State Preferences, EU Free Movement Rules and National Immigration Law
Authors: SHAW Jo 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThis article explores how Member States respond to the challenge of complying with EU law obligations, whilst remaining alert to the demands of domestic politics in the context of contentious areas of EU competence. It is argued that in the case of free movement we can see the United Kingdom drawing upon three overlapping strategies in order to tread the fine line ‘between law and political truth’: it exploits as much as possible any uncertainties within free movement law; it draws upon the proximate field of domestic immigration law in order to reinterpret free movement law; and it argues for new resources to be brought into the field of free movement, in particular resources which restrict the freedoms of Member States. A discursive frame of migration governance provides the analytical construction within which the argument is located. The article is therefore a contribution to debates about (legal) Europeanisation and compliance, as well as the more specific challenges facing the UK in the latter half of the 2010s, namely a renegotiation of and referendum on EU membership.
Les dépotoirs d'ateliers de céramiques de Majoura: nouvelles données
Authors: Nasr Mongi 
Published: October 2015

AbstractMajoura, an unpublished rural site in south-west Tunisia, is characterised by a wealth of archaeological remains including waste from ceramic production. The ceramic material allows us to better understand the nature of the site, which produced amphorae, finewares and cooking wares. Nevertheless, it is more or less impossible to differentiate the local productions from other workshops in the region, notably Sidi Aïch, without scientific analyses. However, the diversification of this workshop gives the site an important place, as much in studies of the economy of the region of south-west Byzacena as in the economy of antiquity in general.
Feasibility of a Healthy Trolley Index to assess dietary quality of the household food supply
Authors: Taylor Amanda , Wilson Freya , Hendrie Gilly A. , Allman-Farinelli Margaret , Noakes Manny 
Published: October 2015

AbstractSupermarket receipts have the potential to provide prospective, objective information about the household food supply. The aim of this study was to develop an index to estimate population diet quality using food purchase data. Supermarket receipt data of 1 month were available for 836 adults from a corporate office of a large retail chain. Participants were aged 19–65 years (mean 37·6 (sd9·3) years), 56 % were female and 63 % were overweight or obese. A scoring system (Healthy Trolley Index (HETI)) was developed to compare food expenditure with the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating. Monthly expenditure per food group, as a proportion of total food expenditure, was compared with food group recommendations, and a HETI score was calculated to estimate overall compliance with guidelines. Participants spent the greatest proportion on discretionary foods, which are high in fat/sugar (34·8 %), followed by meat including beef and chicken (17·0 %), fresh and frozen vegetables (13·5 %) and dairy foods (11·3 %). The average HETI score ranged from 22·6 to 93·1 (out of 100, mean 58·8 (sd10·9)). There was a stepwise decrease in expenditure on discretionary foods by increasing HETI quintile, whereas expenditure on fruit and vegetables increased with HETI quintile (P<0·001). The HETI score was lower in obese compared with normal-weight participants (55·9v. 60·3;P<0·01). Obese participants spent more on discretionary foods (38·3v. 32·7 %;P<0·01) and less on fruits and vegetables (19·3v. 22·2 %;P<0·01). The HETI may be a useful tool to describe supermarket purchasing patterns and quality of the household food supply with application for consumer feedback to assist improved quality of foods purchased.
Generation of terahertz radiation by beating of two circular flat-topped laser beams in collisional plasma
Authors: Bakhtiari Farhad , Yousefi Masoud , Golmohammady Shole , Jazayeri Seyed Masoud , Ghafary Bijan 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThis paper presents a scheme of terahertz (THz) radiation generation based on beating of two flat-topped laser beams by different frequencies and the same electric field amplitudes in actual plasma with spatially periodic density that electron–neutral collisions have been taken into account. Flat-topped laser beams have the exclusive features such as steep gradient in distribution of laser intensities, wider cross-section in comparison with other profiles, which make stronger ponderomotive force and lead to stronger nonlinear current and hence, THz radiation of higher field. The effects of laser and plasma parameters on THz radiation generation are investigated analytically. It is shown that by increasing the order of flatness of incident laser beams, because of their steep gradient, good enhancement in emitted THz radiation take place. It can be deduced that by increasing beating frequency, efficiency of THz generation decreases which can be compensated by manipulating in density ripple magnitudes. The intensity of the emitted radiations is found to be highly sensitive to the order of flatness. Based on the results of this paper, optimization of laser and plasma parameters can increase the efficiency of THz radiation generation strongly.
Restricted movements and high site fidelity in three East African cloud-forest birds
Authors: Habel Jan Christian , Hillen Jessica , Schmitt Thomas , Fischer Christina 
Published: October 2015

Abstract:Species with specific habitat requirements often remain within their habitat and are characterized by a very sedentary behaviour. We used radio-tracking during a 3-wk campaign to investigate the home ranges and movements of three East African passerine bird species, all adapted to cloud-forest habitats: montane white-eye Zosterops poliogaster mbuluensis, stripe-cheeked greenbul Andropadus milanjensis and white-starred robin Pogonocichla stellata macarthuri. Individuals were observed in a forest-grassland mosaic on top of Chyulu Hills, south Kenya. Based on 15 individuals with a total of 1041 fixes, we found (1) that all three species show a sedentary behaviour restricted to their home forest patch; (2) least activity during the afternoon; and (3) re-colonization into its home patch after translocation into a nearby forest patch. Our findings underline that forest-specialist bird species of the tropics show high site fidelity despite their potential movement ability.
Factors associated with syphilis infection: a comprehensive analysis based on a case-control study
Authors: XIAO Y. , LI S.-L. , LIN H.-L. , LIN Z.-F. , ZHU X.-Z. , FAN J.-Y. , GAO K. , ZHANG H.-L. , LIN L.-R. , LIU L.-L. , TONG M.-L. , NIU J.-J. , YANG T.-C. 
Published: October 2015

SUMMARYThis study aimed to comprehensively evaluate factors that influence the likelihood of syphilis infection from risk-taking behaviours and medical conditions. A retrospective case-control study was conducted by enrolling 664 syphilis inpatients (excluding 11 congenital syphilis patients) and 800 sex- and age-matched controls. Medical histories, clinical data and patient interview data were collected and subjected to logistic regression analyses. The prevalence of syphilis in the study population was 3·9% (675/17 304). By univariate analysis, syphilis infection was associated with migration between cities, marital status, smoking, reproductive history, hypertension, elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) (P < 0·05). A high rate of syphilis-HBV co-infection was observed in HIV-negative patients and further research revealed an association between syphilis and specific HBV serological reactivity. Syphilis was also associated with the frequency, duration and status of tobacco use. Multivariate analysis indicated that syphilis infection was independently associated with migration between cities [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1·368, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·048–1·785], current smoking (aOR 1·607, 95% CI 1·177–2·195), elevated BUN (aOR 1·782, 95% CI 1·188–2·673) and some serological patterns of HBV infection. To prevent the spread of infectious diseases, inpatients and blood donors should be tested for HIV, syphilis, HBV and HCV simultaneously.
Under-recognized pertussis in adults from Asian countries: a cross-sectional seroprevalence study in Malaysia, Taiwan and Thailand
Authors: KOH M. T. , LIU C.-S. , CHIU C.-H. , BOONSAWAT W. , WATANAVEERADEJ V. , ABDULLAH N. , ZHANG XH. , DEVADIGA R. , CHEN J. 
Published: October 2015

SUMMARYSurveillance data on the burden of pertussis in Asian adults are limited. This cross-sectional study evaluated the prevalence of serologically confirmed pertussis in adults with prolonged cough in Malaysia, Taiwan and Thailand. Adults (⩾19 years) with cough lasting for ⩾14 days without other known underlying cause were enrolled from outpatient clinics of seven public and/or private hospitals. Single blood samples for anti-pertussis toxin antibodies (anti-PT IgG) were analysed and economic impact and health-related quality of life (EQ-5D) questionnaires assessed. Sixteen (5·13%) of the 312 chronically coughing adults had serological evidence of pertussis infection within the previous 12 months (anti-PT IgG titre ⩾62·5 IU/ml). Three of them were teachers. Longer duration of cough, paroxysms (75% seroconfirmed, 48% non-seroconfirmed) and breathlessness/chest pain (63% seroconfirmed, 36% non-seroconfirmed) were associated with pertussis (P< 0·04). Of the seroconfirmed patients, the median total direct medical cost per pertussis episode in public hospitals (including physician consultations and/or emergency room visits) was US$13 in Malaysia, US$83 in Taiwan (n= 1) and US$26 in Thailand. The overall median EQ-5D index score of cases was 0·72 (range 0·42–1·00). Pertussis should be considered in the aetiology of adults with a prolonged or paroxysmal cough, and vaccination programmes considered.
Felix Candela’s first European Project: The John Lewis Warehouse, Stevenage New Town
Authors: Mendoza Marisela 
Published: October 2015

Felix Candela’s hyperbolic paraboloid reinforced concrete structures - also known as hypars - were not only masterly used in his well-known religious buildings but they were also ingeniously and profusely employed to roof a vast number of industrial buildings during the Mexican industrialisation era. Candela’s inverted hypar shells prototype for industrial buildings became a trademark for a systematic and standardised construction method which crossed the Mexican borders to reach and influence the work of other architects and engineers further afield. In the United Kingdom this is exemplified by the John Lewis Warehouse (JLW) at Stevenage in which Candela worked as co-designer and consultant of the post-War architectural firm Yorke, Rosenberg and Mardall (YRM) and the engineers Clarke Nicholls and Marcel.The JLW represents a unique structure in the repertoire of Candela’s work outside Mexico for two main reasons. Firstly, it stands as Candela’s first European project and secondly it represents a structure in which ‘automatic beauty’ was achieved through economic efficiency and the use of more sophisticated construction methods than those conventionally used in Mexico. Moreover, and beyond its structural and constructional merits the JLW yields a spatial richness which transformed the ephemeral of the working day to forge spaces of mnemonic identification. Built in 1963, the JLW is an epitome of structural art amongst the industrial buildings of Britain's post-Austerity period. Candela’s first European project is analysed not only in terms of its structural and constructional merits but also in relation to its spatial poetics.
Evaluation of the tolerance of Thai indigenous upland rice germplasm to early drought stress using multiple selection criteria
Authors: Narenoot Kittichai , Monkham Tidarat , Chankaew Sompong , Songsri Patcharin , Pattanagul Wattana , Sanitchon Jirawat 
Published: October 2015

Drought remains the most important factor that affects rice productivity, especially in rainfed areas, worldwide. Upland rice is one of the crop choices of farmers in the rainfed environment. Although upland rice varieties require less water than lowland rice varieties, yields often remain limited by drought, particularly in the period of early growth. The aims of this study were to identify the traits related to early drought tolerance in upland rice varieties, and to identify the potential sources of germplasm for early drought tolerance. A total of sixty upland rice varieties were planted in a factorial experiment with a randomized complete block design with 3 replications in the rainy seasons of 2011 and 2012, under greenhouse conditions. Based on the drought tolerance index (DTI), the test germplasm sources were classified into three groups: (i) susceptible; (ii) moderately tolerant; (iii) tolerant to drought stress. Grain yield (GY) showed significant negative correlations with the leaf rolling score (r= − 0.623, P< 0.01), the leaf death score (LDS) (r= − 0.673, P< 0.01) and the recovery score (r= − 0.746, P< 0.01), while leaf dry matter (r= 0.698, P< 0.01) and leaf water potential (r= 0.618, P< 0.01) had significant positive correlations with GY. These findings indicate the suitability of the DTI as the selection criteria for early drought tolerance in a breeding programme. In addition, the upland rice germplasm accessions KKU-ULR011, KKU-ULR012, KKU-ULR125, KKU-ULR199 and KKU-ULR292 were identified as having high levels of stability for drought tolerance in both the 2011 and 2012 experiments, suggesting their potential for further use for rice variety improvement for drought tolerance.
Building respect for the rule of law in violent contexts: The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights' experience and approach
Authors: Bellal Annyssa 
Published: October 2015

AbstractHow does the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) discharge its mandate of “promoting and protecting the effective enjoyment by all of all civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights”, especially in armed conflicts and other situations of violence? What are its concrete responsibilities, and how does it work to generate respect for the rule of law on the ground? This article aims to provide an overview of OHCHR's activities, and point to some of the challenges associated with its work to generate respect for the rule of law, in particular in violent contexts. It begins with an overview of the unique mandate of OHCHR and situates it within the broader United Nations human rights machinery. It then gives an account of OHCHR's experience and approach in building respect for the rule of law, including in armed conflicts and post-conflict situations, outlining how this informs OHCHR's field setup. Finally, the article summarizes the main challenges that OHCHR faces in the discharge of its mandate. It highlights the need for more concerted action on the part of human rights/humanitarian protection organizations on the ground, despite differences in mandates and constituencies.