bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Son los códigos éticos un instrumento de gestión de la responsabilidad social? Un estudio exploratorio en Andalucía
Authors: Ruiz-Lozano Mercedes , De los Ríos Berjillos Araceli , Millán Lara Salud
Published: March 2016

Purpose: The growing concern for social responsibility and/or business ethics must be reflected in the control systems of organizations. Therefore we are concerned to analyze whether the ethical codes have been introduced as a management tool of social responsibility to build sustainable value-based organizations.Design/methodology/approach: Development of a survey based on the literature review of code types and motivations. We performed a descriptive analysis of the information obtained from companies based in Andalusia under study. Furthermore, it has been implemented a test of mean difference and an analysis of variance to contrast the hypotheses. Findings: The study supports a tendency to use the ethical codes by Andalusian companies analyzed, influenced by firm size. Similarly, the incidence of immediate environment is confirmed. Research limitations/implications: The study is exploratory in the Andalusian area due to restrictions databases and sample size. Practical implications: The results allow an approach to the Andalusian business reality and to the management systems related with social responsibility and business ethics. Social implications: It has highlighted the need for training in this area and that measures to promote ethics and corporate social responsibility are taken from the public sector, distinguishing between needs that may have micro and small enterprises from medium or large companies. Originality/value: This study contributes to knowledge about the importance of integrating instruments that promote responsible and sustainable management based on values in management control systems and about what were the motivations that are influencing both, for and against, in this action. Motivations that should be taken into account by decision-makers and influential in business development agencies.
Influence of Aridity and Weather on Breeding-Season Survival of Northern Bobwhites in South Texas, USA
Authors: Tri Andrew N. , Sands Joseph P. , Buelow Michael C. , DeMaso Stephen J. , Belser Emily H. , Hernández Fidel , Brennan Leonard A.
Published: March 2016

Understanding vital rates of wildlife populations is essential for developing realistic management objectives. We conducted an analysis of data from four northern bobwhite Colinus virginianus research projects conducted in South Texas to examine the extent that environmental factors (total seasonal precipitation, mean maximum seasonal temperature, growing-season length, and Keetch–Byram drought index values) influenced survival during the 5-mo (April–August) breeding season. We constructed generalized logistic mixed models and compared them using Akaike's Information Coefficient to rank their parsimony. Our selected model (cumulative breeding-season survival = bobwhite sex + growing season length [days of photosynthetic activity] + Keetch–Byram Drought Index score [averaged from April to August] + site-specific effects of each ranch) explained 35.3% of the total variation in the data set. Breeding season survival was positively related to growing season length (β = 0.01, 95% CI = 0.00–0.02), and negatively related to Keetch–Byram Drought Index score (β = −0.01, 95% CI = −0.01 to −0.01; rounded to two digits). Managers cannot control weather, but the ability to account for nearly one-third of variation in breeding season survival from weather, sex, and site-specific effects of the ranch refines our understanding of factors that influence bobwhite population dynamics in South Texas.
Report of activities for the stratigraphic and tectonic framework for the Baffin Bay Petroleum Systems, GEM 2 Baffin Project
Authors: Dafoe L T , Dickie K , Williams G L , Jauer C
D , Hynes S , Brent T A , Li Q , Oakey G N , Potter D
P , Haggart J W , Smyth H R , Currie L
D , Sweet A R , DesRoches K , Szlavko B
Published: March 2016

Foreword
The Geo-mapping for Energy and Minerals (GEM) program is laying the foundation for sustainable economic development in the North. The Program provides modern public geoscience that will set the stage for long-term decision making related to investment in responsible resource development. Geoscience
knowledge produced by GEM supports evidence-based exploration for new energy and mineral resources and enables northern communities to make informed decisions about their land, economy and society. Building upon the success of its first five-years, GEM has been renewed until 2020 to continue
producing new, publically available, regional-scale geoscience knowledge in Canada's North.
During the summer 2015, GEM program has successfully carried out 14 research activities that include geological, geochemical and geophysical surveying. These activities have been undertaken in collaboration with provincial and territorial governments, northerners and their institutions, academia and
the private sector. GEM will continue to work with these key collaborators as the program advances.
Refining lithological and structural understanding of the southern Core Zone, northern Quebec and Labrador in support of mineral resource assessment
Authors: Sanborn-Barrie M
Published: March 2016

Integrated mapping of the southern New Québec Orogen - Core Zone as part of the second phase of Geomapping for Energy and Minerals (GEM-2) is providing insight into the collisional orogen between the Superior and North Atlantic cratons by investigating the
composition, age and architecture of intervening crust at a scale that will bridge knowledge of Archean and Paleoproterozoic tectonomagmatic evolution across the Quebec - Labrador border. In 2014, bedrock mapping of seventy-five localities investigated clastic and carbonate rocks of the Kaniapiscau
Supergroup (eastern Labrador Trough), mafic metavolcanic rocks of the Doublet Zone, granitoid basement and unconformably overlying metasedimentary rocks of the Laporte domain, orthogneissic basement and the cross-cutting 1837-1820 Ma De Pas Batholith, and a collage of supracrustal rocks and
associated gabbroic plutons that attain upper amphibolite to granulite facies (migmatitic Mistinibi domain) east of the De Pas batholith. 2014 observations were assessed in light of previous understanding of this region and a number of questions or knowledge gaps were identified which formed the
basis for supporting laboratory analysis and targetted mapping in 2015. Bedrock findings are being integrated with surficial mapping, till analysis and glacial dispersion studies, collectively contributing knowledge for increased exploration effectiveness across this part of Quebec and
Labrador.
Magnetic resonance imaging - A troubleshooter in obstetric emergencies: A pictorial review
Authors: Gupta Rohini , Bajaj Sunil Kumar , Kumar Nishith , Chandra Ranjan , Misra Ritu Nair , Malik Amita , Thukral Brij Bhushan
Published: March 2016

The application of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in pregnancy faced initial skepticism of physicians because of fetal safety concerns. The perceived fetal risk has been found to be unwarranted and of late, the modality has attained acceptability. Its role in diagnosing fetal anomalies is well recognized and following its safety certification in pregnancy, it is finding increasing utilization during pregnancy and puerperium. However, the use of MRI in maternal emergency obstetric conditions is relatively limited as it is still evolving. In early gestation, ectopic implantation is one of the major life-threatening conditions that are frequently encountered. Although ultrasound (USG) is the accepted mainstay modality, the diagnostic predicament persists in many cases. MRI has a role where USG is indeterminate, particularly in the extratubal ectopic pregnancy. Later in gestation, MRI can be a useful adjunct in placental disorders like previa, abruption, and adhesion. It is a good problem-solving tool in adnexal masses such as ovarian torsion and degenerated fibroid, which have a higher incidence during pregnancy. Catastrophic conditions like uterine rupture can also be preoperatively and timely diagnosed. MRI has a definite role to play in postpartum and post-abortion life-threatening conditions, e.g., retained products of conception, and gestational trophoblastic disease, especially when USG is inconclusive or inadequate.
Multimodality imaging in cranial blastomycosis, a great mimicker: Case-based illustration with review of clinical and imaging findings
Authors: Kochar Puneet S , Lath Chinar O , Klein Andrew P , Ulmer John L
Published: March 2016

We describe the clinical, laboratory, and imaging data of three patients who are proven cases of blastomycosis with cranial involvement. In this review, we discuss the imaging features of cranial blastomycosis with relevant clinical case examples including computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and advanced MR imaging techniques like magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and MR perfusion. Literature is reviewed for modern-day diagnosis and treatment of this fatal intracranial infection, if not diagnosed promptly and managed effectively.
Duplication of the pituitary gland - plus syndrome
Authors: Sen Debraj , Arora Vijinder
Published: March 2016

Duplication of the pituitary gland (DPG) is a very rare developmental anomaly that is often associated with other anomalies - the DPG-plus syndrome and occurs due to splitting of the rostral notochord and prechordal plate during blastogenesis. DPG with the constellation of associated anomalies as in our patient has not been reported previously. This article illustrates the importance of imaging the brain in all patients with obvious midline facial anomalies and the complementary role of MRI and CT in such cases.
Atypical MR lenticular signal change in infantile isovaleric acidemia
Authors: Wani Nisar A , Qureshi Umer Amin , Jehangir Majid , Ahmad Kaiser , Hussain Zahid
Published: March 2016

Isovaleric acidemia (IVA) is an inborn error of branched chain amino acid metabolism that may manifest as acute neonatal metabolic acidosis or as chronic intermittent form with developmental delay or recurrent episodes of acute metabolic acidosis. Early diagnosis is the key to prevent morbidity and mortality. Brain imaging abnormalities are rarely described in IVA. We report a case of chronic intermittent IVA with acute presentation in a 4-month-old infant who presented with acute metabolic acidosis. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed symmetric signal intensity changes in bilateral lentiform nuclei with an unreported T1-weighted (T1W) symmetric hyperintense ring-like appearance in bilateral putamen.
Is TIRADS a practical and accurate system for use in daily clinical practice?
Authors: Chandramohan Anuradha , Khurana Abhishek , Pushpa B T , Manipadam Marie Therese , Naik Dukhabandhu , Thomas Nihal , Abraham Deepak , Paul Mazhuvanchary Jacob
Published: March 2016

Aim: To assess the positive predictive value (PPV) and inter-observer agreement of Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TIRADS) as described by Kwak et al. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study wherein ultrasound was performed by two radiologists on patients with thyroid nodules >1 cm. The third radiologist interpreted archived images. Ultrasound features and TIRADS category were compared with cytology and surgical histopathology. PPV was calculated for all readers′ combined assessment. Inter-observer agreement was calculated using linear weighted kappa. Results: A total of 238 patients with 272 nodules of mean size 2.9 ± 1.7 cm were included. PPV for malignancy was 6.6%, 32%, 36%, 64%, 59%, and 91% for TIRADS 2, 3, 4a, 4b, 4c, and 5 categories, respectively. Inter-observer agreement was substantial [kappa (k) = 0.61-0.80] for assessment of nodule echogenicity, margins, calcification, and shape and good (k = 0.570, P < 0.001) for assessment of composition of the thyroid nodules. Overall agreement between observers was substantial for assigning TIRADS category [multi-rater weighted kappa coefficient (wt k) = 0.721, P < 0.001]. Conclusions: TIRADS is a simple and practical method of assessing thyroid nodules with high PPV and good inter-observer agreement.
Halitosis: Current concepts on etiology, diagnosis and management
Authors: Kapoor Uditi , Sharma Gaurav , Juneja Manish , Nagpal Archna
Published: March 2016

Halitosis or oral malodor is an offensive odor originating from the oral cavity, leading to anxiety and psychosocial embarrassment. A patient with halitosis is most likely to contact primary care practitioner for the diagnosis and management. With proper diagnosis, identification of the etiology and timely referrals certain steps are taken to create a successful individualized therapeutic approach for each patient seeking assistance. It is significant to highlight the necessity of an interdisciplinary method for the treatment of halitosis to prevent misdiagnosis or unnecessary treatment. The literature on halitosis, especially with randomized clinical trials, is scarce and additional studies are required. This article succinctly focuses on the development of a systematic flow of events to come to the best management of the halitosis from the primary care practitioner's point of view.
Dimensional stability of two solder index materials
Authors: Khaledi Amir Ali Reza , Pardis Soheil , Pourhatami Negar , Ardakani Zahra Hashemi
Published: March 2016

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the dimensional accuracy of two indexing materials, an acrylic resin (GC pattern resin) and a castable composite (Bredent). The effect of time lapse until investment was also investigated. Materials and Methods: Two standardized brass dies 15 mm apart were prepared and then 20 identical coping-bar assemblies were designed and fabricated by a rapid prototyping device. Each bar was sectioned at the center, and indices were fabricated from an acrylic resin or castable composite (n = 10 per group). The distances between the reference points were measured with a digital microscope at ×80 magnifications at 15 min, 60 min, and 24 h after indexing. Data were statically analyzed using repeated-measure ANOVA (α = 0.05). Results: The distance between the reference points without the coping being joined was considered as the baseline measurement (control group). The mean distance was 19.30 ± 0.04 mm between the reference points where the copings were not joined. When indexed with acrylic resin, the mean ± standard deviation (SD) dimensions were 19.27 ± 0.087 mm (15 min), 19.25 ± 0.09 mm (60 min), and 18.98 ± 0.1 mm (24 h). The mean ± SD dimensions for composite were 19.29 ± 0.087 mm (15 min), 19.28 ± 0.08 mm (60 min), and 19.26 ± 0.08 mm (24 h). All tested groups showed significant differences compared to the control group except when it was indexed with composite and where the distances were measured after 15 and 60 min (P > 0.05). Conclusions: The most accurate indexed-assemblies belonged to castable composite at 15 and 60 min.
Socket preservation by beta-tri-calcium phosphate with collagen compared to platelet-rich fibrin: A clinico-radiographic study
Authors: Das Swati , Jhingran Rajesh , Bains Vivek Kumar , Madan Rohit , Srivastava Ruchi , Rizvi Iram
Published: March 2016

Objectives: This study was primarily designed to determine the clinico-radiographic efficacy of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) and beta-tri-calcium phosphate with collagen (β-TCP-Cl) in preserving extraction sockets. Materials and Methods: For Group I (PRF), residual sockets (n = 15) were filled with autologous PRF obtained from patients’ blood; and for Group II (β-TCP-Cl), residual sockets (n = 15) were filled with β-TCP-Cl. For the sockets randomly selected for Group II (β-TCP-Cl), the reshaped Resorbable Tissue Replacement cone was inserted into the socket. Results: Clinically, there was a significantly greater decrease in relative socket depth, but apposition in midcrestal height in Group II (β-TCP-Cl) as compared to Group I (PRF), whereas more decrease in buccolingual width of Group I (PRF) than Group II (β-TCP-Cl) after 6 months. Radiographically, the mean difference in socket height, residual ridge, and width (coronal, middle, and apical third of socket) after 6 months was higher in Group I (PRF) as compared to Group II (β-TCP-Cl). The mean density (in Hounsfield Units) at coronal, middle, and apical third of socket was higher in Group I (PRF) as compared to Group II (β-TCP-Cl). There were statistically significant apposition and resorption for Group I (PRF) whereas nonsignificant resorption and significant apposition for Group II (β-TCP-Cl) in buccal and lingual/palatal cortical plate, respectively, at 6 months on computerized tomography scan. Conclusion: The use of either autologous PRF or β-TCP-Cl was effective in socket preservation. Results obtained from PRF were almost similar to β-TCP-Cl; therefore being autologous, nonimmune, cost-effective, easily procurable regenerative biomaterial, PRF proves to be an insight into the future biofuel for regeneration.
The prevalence of dental erosion in 5-year-old preschoolers in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Authors: Gopinath Vellore Kannan
Published: March 2016

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the percentage of 5-year-old preschoolers in Sharjah, affected by dental erosion and to assess the predictors. Materials and Methods: A total of 403 5-year-old children were examined of which 48.14% (n = 194) were boys and 51.86% (n = 209) were girls; 31.27% (n = 126) were Emirati and 68.73% (n = 277) were non-Emirati Arabs. Examination of dental erosion was confined to palatal surfaces of maxillary incisors using the erosion index described in the UK National Survey of Children's Dental Health, 1993. Dental caries was charted using the World Health Organization 1997 criteria. Results: In the sample of 403 5-year-old preschoolers examined, dental erosion was apparent in 237 (58.80%) children, with 55.09% showing the dissolution of enamel and 3.72% exhibiting exposed dentin. Predictors of dental erosion as determined by logistic regression concluded that compared to Emirati citizens other Arab nationalities have 0.27 times the odds (95% confidence interval [CI] =0.18–0.42) of having tooth erosion (P < 0.05). Children with caries experience have 0.28 times the odds (95% CI = 0.16–0.51) of having tooth erosion compared to children with no caries experience (P < 0.05). Children who drink sugary or carbonated beverages have 0.30 times the odds (95% CI = 0.19–0.41) of having dental erosion compared to children who drink water (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate that 58.80% of 5-year-old preschoolers in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, were affected by dental erosion. Caries experience and consumption of acidic drinks were associated with dental erosion.
Fracture resistance of immature teeth filled with mineral trioxide aggregate, bioaggregate, and biodentine
Authors: Bayram Emre , Bayram Huda Melike
Published: March 2016

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate fracture resistance of teeth with immature apices treated with coronal placement of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), bioaggregate (BA), and Biodentine. Materials and Methods: Forty-one freshly extracted, single-rooted human premolar teeth were used for the study. At first, the root length was standardized to 9 mm. The crown-down technique was used for the preparation of the root canals using the rotary ProTaper system (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) of F3 (30). Peeso reamer no. 6 was stepped out from the apex to simulate an incompletely formed root. The prepared roots were randomly assigned to one control (n = 5) and three experimental (n = 12) groups, as described below. Group 1: White MTA (Angelus, Londrina, Brazil) was prepared as per the manufacturer's instructions and compacted into the root canal using MAP system (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) and condensed by pluggers (Angelus, Londrina, Brazil). Group 2: The canals were filled with DiaRoot-BA (DiaDent Group International, Canada). Group 3: Biodentine (Septodont, Saint Maur des Fosses, France) solution was mixed with the capsule powder and condensed using pluggers. Instron was used to determine the maximum horizontal load to fracture the tooth, placing the tip 3 mm incisal to the cementoenamel junction. Mean values of the fracture strength were compared by ANOVA followed by a post hoc test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: No significant difference was observed among the MTA, BA, and biodentine experimental groups. Conclusion: All the three materials tested, may be used as effective strengthening agents for immature teeth.
The effect of surface sealants with different filler content on microleakage of Class V resin composite restorations
Authors: Hepdeniz Ozge Kam , Temel Ugur Burak , Ugurlu Muhittin , Koskan Ozgur
Published: March 2016

Objective: Microleakage is still one of the most cited reasons for failure of resin composite restorations. Alternative methods to prevent microleakage have been investigated increasingly. The aim of this study is to evaluate the microleakage in Class V resin composite restorations with or without application of surface sealants with different filler content. Materials and Methods: Ninety-six cavities were prepared on the buccal and lingual surfaces with the coronal margins located in enamel and the cervical margins located in dentin. The cavities restored with an adhesive system (Clearfil SE Bond, Kuraray, Tokyo, Japan) and resin composite (Clearfil Majesty ES-2, Kuraray, Tokyo, Japan). Teeth were stored in distilled water for 24 h and separated into four groups according to the surface sealants (Control, Fortify, Fortify Plus, and G-Coat Plus). The teeth were thermocycled (500 cycles, 5–55°C), immersed in basic fuchsine, sectioned, and analyzed for dye penetration using stereomicroscope. The data were submitted to statistical analysis by Kruskal–Wallis and Bonferroni–Dunn test. Results: The results of the study indicated that there was minimum leakage at the enamel margins of all groups. Bonferroni–Dunn tests revealed that Fortify and GC-Coat groups showed significantly less leakage than the Control group and the Fortify Plus group at dentin margins in lingual surfaces (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The all surface sealants used in this study eliminated microleakage at enamel margins. Moreover, unfilled or nanofilled surface sealants were the most effective in decreasing the degree of marginal microleakage at dentin margins. However, viscosity and penetrability of the sealants could be considered for sealing ability besides composition.
Effects of adding silica particles on certain properties of resin-modified glass-ionomer cement
Authors: Felemban Nayef H. , Ebrahim Mohamed I.
Published: March 2016

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of incorporation of silica particles with different concentrations on some properties of resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC): Microleakage, compressive strength, tensile strength, water sorption, and solubility. Materials and Methods: Silica particle was incorporated into RMGIC powder to study its effects, one type of RMGIC (Type II visible light-cured) and three concentrations of silica particles (0.06, 0.08, and 0.1% weight) were used. One hundred and twenty specimens were fabricated for measuring microleakage, compressive strength, tensile strength, water sorption, and solubility. Statistical Analysis: One-way analysis of variance and Tukey's tests were used for measuring significance between means where P ≤ 0.05. Results: RMGIC specimens without any additives showed significantly highest microleakage and lowest compressive and tensile strengths. Conclusion: Silica particles added to RMGIC have the potential as a reliable restorative material with increased compressive strength, tensile strength, and water sorption but decreased microleakage and water solubility.
Some Results on Annihilating-ideal Graphs
Authors: Shaveisi Farzad
Published: March 2016

The annihilating-ideal graph of a commutative ring R, denoted by 𝔸𝔾(R), is a graph whose vertex set consists of all non-zero annihilating ideals and two distinct vertices I and J are adjacent if and only if IJ = (0). Here we show that if R is a reduced ring and the independence number of 𝔸𝔾(R) is finite, then the edge chromatic number of 𝔸𝔾(R) equals its maximum degree and this number equals 2|Min(R)|−1 also, it is proved that the independence number of 𝔸𝔾(R) equals 2|Min(R)|−1, where Min(R) denotes the set of minimal prime ideals of R. Then we give some criteria for a graph to be isomorphic with an annihilating-ideal graph of a ring. For example, it is shown that every bipartite annihilating-ideal graph is a complete bipartite graph with at most two horns. Among other results, it is shown that a ûnite graph 𝔸𝔾(R) is not Eulerian, and that it is Hamiltonian if and only if R contains no Gorenstain ring as its direct summand.
Exit Survey of Senior Residents: Cost Conscious but Uninformed
Authors: Long Theodore , Silvestri Mark T. , Dashevsky Meir , Halim Andrea , Fogerty Robert L.
Published: March 2016

Cost awareness, to ensure physician stewardship of limited resources, is increasingly recognized as an important skill for physicians. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education has made cost awareness part of systems-based practice, a core competency of resident education. However, little is known about resident cost awareness.Background

 We sought to assess senior resident self-perceived cost awareness and cost knowledge.Objective

 In March 2014, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of all emergency medicine, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopaedic surgery pediatrics, and medicine-pediatrics residents in their final year at Yale–New Haven Hospital. The survey examined attitudes toward health care costs and residents' estimates of order prices. We considered resident price estimates to be accurate if they were between 50% and 200% of the Connecticut-specific Medicare price.Methods

 We sent the survey to 84 residents and received 47 completed surveys (56% response rate). Although more than 95% (45 of 47) felt that containing costs is the responsibility of every clinician, and 49% (23 of 47) agreed that cost influenced their decision when ordering, only 4% (2 of 47) agreed that they knew the cost of tests being ordered. No residents accurately estimated the price of a complete blood count with differential, and only 2.1% (1 of 47) were accurate for a basic metabolic panel. The overall accuracy of all resident responses was 25%.Results

 In our study, many trainees exit residency with self-identified deficiencies in knowledge about costs. The findings show the need for educational approaches to improve cost awareness among trainees.Conclusions
The July Spike in Operating Room Management: Reality or Perception?
Authors: Sanford Joseph A. , Tsai Mitchell H. , Kadry Bassam , Mayhew Christopher R. , Adams David C.
Published: March 2016

Some research has found increased incidence of medical errors in teaching hospitals at the beginning of the academic year and have termed this the “July Phenomenon.”Background

 Our primary hypothesis was that the “July Phenomenon” for anesthesiology and surgical residents might manifest itself as operational inefficiency, measured by monthly total operating room (OR) minutes. Secondary measures were monthly elective overutilized minutes (OR workload minus OR allocated time, after 5:30 pm at our institution), 80th percentile number of ORs running at 7:00 pm, and mean last room end time.Objective

 Data were collected retrospectively from a 525-bed academic tertiary care hospital from January 2010 to September 2014 and were deconstructed to assess for a seasonal component using local regression (Loess). Variable month length was addressed by transforming the monthly totals to average daily minutes and overutilized minutes. Linear regression quantified significance for all primary and secondary analyses.Methods

 In the regressions, monthly average minutes showed no significant difference in July (P = .65) compared to the baseline month of April. There were no significant differences for any month for overutilized minutes or 80th percentile number ORs working at 7:00 pm. Only August was significant (P = .005) for mean last room end time.Results

 Data from a single institution study did not show a “July Phenomenon” in the number of operating minutes, overutilized minutes, or the number of ORs working late in July.Conclusions
Program Strengths and Opportunities for Improvement Identified by Residents During ACGME Site Visits in 5 Surgical Specialties
Authors: Caniano Donna A. , Hamstra Stanley J.
Published: March 2016

There is limited information about how residents in surgical specialties view program strengths and opportunities for improvement (OFIs).Background

 This study aggregated surgical residents' perspectives on program strengths and OFIs to determine whether there was agreement in perspectives among residents in 5 surgical specialties.Objective

 Resident consensus lists of program strengths and areas for improvement were aggregated from site visits reports during 2012 and 2013 for obstetrics and gynecology, orthopaedic surgery, otolaryngology, plastic surgery, and surgery programs. Four trained individuals coded each strength or OFI in 1 of 3 categories: (1) factors common to all specialties; (2) program or institutional resources; and (3) factors unique to surgical specialties. Themes were classified as most frequent when listed by residents in more than 20% of the programs and less frequent when listed by residents in less than 20% of the programs.Methods

 This study included a total of 359 programs, representing 27% to 49% of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education accredited programs in the 5 specialties. The most frequent strengths were progressive autonomy, collegiality, program leadership, and operative volume. Improving research and didactics, increasing faculty teaching and attendance at educational sessions, and increasing the number of nurse practitioners and physician assistants were common OFIs.Results

 Factors identified as important by surgical residents related to their learning environment, their educational program, and program and institutional support. Across programs in the study, similar attributes were listed as both program strengths and OFIs.Conclusions
Personal-organisational value conflicts and job satisfaction of internal construction stakeholders
Authors: Panahi Babak , Preece Christopher Nigel , Wan Zakaria Wan Normeza
Published: March 2016

This paper concerns the issue of value conflicts in construction organizations. This research was conducted in the Malaysian construction industry to fill the gap in the knowledge in areas of organizational behaviour in the construction industry in terms of the possible effects of conflicts on the job satisfaction of internal construction stakeholders. The conflicts considered are those rooted in differences between personal and organizational values. This research targeted professional project consultants identified as architects, engineers, and quantity surveyors as the internal construction stakeholders in Malaysia. The personal-organizational values and the level of job satisfaction of the stakeholders were assessed using a questionnaire survey. To achieve the research objective, comparative and hierarchical regression analyses were performed. The results generated by the analyses indicated a high level of value conflicts in the construction organizations which significantly and negatively affected job satisfaction of the internal stakeholders. Therefore this research, through investigating the potential effect of value conflicts on the stakeholders’ job satisfaction, reveals the importance of the interaction between personal and organizational values in construction organizations which contributes to the extant literature of organizational behaviour in construction.
Book Review - The Soft Power of Construction Contracting Organisations
Authors: Ng Thomas , Wong Kelvin
Published: March 2016

Cheung, S. O.,  Wong, P. S. P. and Wing Yiu, T. W. eds., 2015. The Soft Power of Construction Contracting Organisations. London: Routledge. 226 pages. ISBN – 9781138805286.
Brown carbon aerosols from burning of boreal peatlands: microphysical properties, emission factors, and implications for direct radiative forcing
Authors: Chakrabarty Rajan K. , Gyawali Madhu , Yatavelli Reddy L. N. , Pandey Apoorva , Watts Adam C. , Knue Joseph , Chen Lung-Wen A. , Pattison Robert R. , Tsibart Anna , Samburova Vera , Moosmüller Hans
Published: March 2016

Abstract. The surface air warming over the Arctic has been almost twice as much as the global average in recent decades. In this region, unprecedented amounts of smoldering peat fires have been identified as a major emission source of climate-warming agents. While much is known about greenhouse gas emissions from these fires, there is a knowledge gap on the nature of particulate emissions and their potential role in atmospheric warming. Here, we show that aerosols emitted from burning of Alaskan and Siberian peatlands are predominantly brown carbon (BrC) – a class of visible light-absorbing organic carbon (OC) – with a negligible amount of black carbon content. The mean fuel-based emission factors for OC aerosols ranged from 3.8 to 16.6 g kg−1. Their mass absorption efficiencies were in the range of 0.2–0.8 m2 g−1 at 405 nm (violet) and dropped sharply to 0.03–0.07 m2 g−1 at 532 nm (green), characterized by a mean Ångström exponent of  ≈  9. Electron microscopy images of the particles revealed their morphologies to be either single sphere or agglomerated “tar balls”. The shortwave top-of-atmosphere aerosol radiative forcing per unit optical depth under clear-sky conditions was estimated as a function of surface albedo. Only over bright surfaces with albedo greater than 0.6, such as snow cover and low-level clouds, the emitted aerosols could result in a net warming (positive forcing) of the atmosphere.
Simulating secondary organic aerosol in a regional air quality model using the statistical oxidation model – Part 2: Assessing the influence of vapor wall losses
Authors: Cappa Christopher D. , Jathar Shantanu H. , Kleeman Michael J. , Docherty Kenneth S. , Jimenez Jose L. , Seinfeld John H. , Wexler Anthony S.
Published: March 2016

Abstract. The influence of losses of organic vapors to chamber walls during secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation experiments has recently been established. Here, the influence of such losses on simulated ambient SOA concentrations and properties is assessed in the University of California at Davis / California Institute of Technology (UCD/CIT) regional air quality model using the statistical oxidation model (SOM) for SOA. The SOM was fit to laboratory chamber data both with and without accounting for vapor wall losses following the approach of Zhang et al. (2014). Two vapor wall-loss scenarios are considered when fitting of SOM to chamber data to determine best-fit SOM parameters, one with “low” and one with “high” vapor wall-loss rates to approximately account for the current range of uncertainty in this process. Simulations were run using these different parameterizations (scenarios) for both the southern California/South Coast Air Basin (SoCAB) and the eastern United States (US). Accounting for vapor wall losses leads to substantial increases in the simulated SOA concentrations from volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in both domains, by factors of  ∼  2–5 for the low and  ∼  5–10 for the high scenarios. The magnitude of the increase scales approximately inversely with the absolute SOA concentration of the no loss scenario. In SoCAB, the predicted SOA fraction of total organic aerosol (OA) increases from  ∼  0.2 (no) to  ∼  0.5 (low) and to  ∼  0.7 (high), with the high vapor wall-loss simulations providing best general agreement with observations. In the eastern US, the SOA fraction is large in all cases but increases further when vapor wall losses are accounted for. The total OA ∕ ΔCO ratio captures the influence of dilution on SOA concentrations. The simulated OA ∕ ΔCO in SoCAB (specifically, at Riverside, CA) is found to increase substantially during the day only for the high vapor wall-loss scenario, which is consistent with observations and indicative of photochemical production of SOA. Simulated O : C atomic ratios for both SOA and for total OA increase when vapor wall losses are accounted for, while simulated H : C atomic ratios decrease. The agreement between simulations and observations of both the absolute values and the diurnal profile of the O : C and H : C atomic ratios for total OA was greatly improved when vapor wall-losses were accounted for. These results overall demonstrate that vapor wall losses in chambers have the potential to exert a large influence on simulated ambient SOA concentrations, and further suggest that accounting for such effects in models can explain a number of different observations and model–measurement discrepancies.
Passive air sampling of gaseous elemental mercury: a critical review
Authors: McLagan David S. , Mazur Maxwell E. E. , Mitchell Carl P. J. , Wania Frank
Published: March 2016

Abstract. Because gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) is distributed globally through the atmosphere, reliable means of measuring its concentrations in air are important. Passive air samplers (PASs), designed to be cheap, simple to operate, and to work without electricity, could provide an alternative to established active sampling techniques in applications such as (1) long-term monitoring of atmospheric GEM levels in remote regions and in developing countries, (2) atmospheric mercury source identification and characterization through finely resolved spatial mapping, and (3) the recording of personal exposure to GEM. An effective GEM PAS requires a tightly constrained sampling rate, a large and stable uptake capacity, and a sensitive analytical technique. None of the GEM PASs developed to date achieve levels of accuracy and precision sufficient for the reliable determination of background concentrations over extended deployments. This is due to (1) sampling rates that vary due to meteorological factors and manufacturing inconsistencies, and/or (2) an often low, irreproducible and/or unstable uptake capacity of the employed sorbents. While we identify shortcomings of existing GEM PAS, we also reveal potential routes to overcome those difficulties. Activated carbon and nanostructured metal surfaces hold promise as effective sorbents. Sampler designs incorporating diffusive barriers should be able to notably reduce the influence of wind on sampling rates.
Microphysics-based black carbon aging in a global CTM: constraints from HIPPO observations and implications for global black carbon budget
Authors: He Cenlin , Li Qinbin , Liou Kuo-Nan , Qi Ling , Tao Shu , Schwarz Joshua P.
Published: March 2016

Abstract. We develop and examine a microphysics-based black carbon (BC) aerosol aging scheme that accounts for condensation, coagulation, and heterogeneous chemical oxidation processes in a global 3-D chemical transport model (GEOS-Chem) by interpreting the BC measurements from the HIAPER Pole-to-Pole Observations (HIPPO, 2009–2011) using the model. We convert aerosol mass in the model to number concentration by assuming lognormal aerosol size distributions and compute the microphysical BC aging rate (excluding chemical oxidation aging) explicitly from the condensation of soluble materials onto hydrophobic BC and the coagulation between hydrophobic BC and preexisting soluble particles. The chemical oxidation aging is tested in the sensitivity simulation. The microphysical aging rate is  ∼  4 times higher in the lower troposphere over source regions than that from a fixed aging scheme with an e-folding time of 1.2 days. The higher aging rate reflects the large emissions of sulfate–nitrate and secondary organic aerosol precursors hence faster BC aging through condensation and coagulation. In contrast, the microphysical aging is more than 5-fold slower than the fixed aging in remote regions, where condensation and coagulation are weak. Globally, BC microphysical aging is dominated by condensation, while coagulation contribution is largest over eastern China, India, and central Africa. The fixed aging scheme results in an overestimate of HIPPO BC throughout the troposphere by a factor of 6 on average. The microphysical scheme reduces this discrepancy by a factor of  ∼  3, particularly in the middle and upper troposphere. It also leads to a 3-fold reduction in model bias in the latitudinal BC column burden averaged along the HIPPO flight tracks, with largest improvements in the tropics. The resulting global annual mean BC lifetime is 4.2 days and BC burden is 0.25 mg m−2, with 7.3 % of the burden at high altitudes (above 5 km). Wet scavenging accounts for 80.3 % of global BC deposition. We find that, in source regions, the microphysical aging rate is insensitive to aerosol size distribution, condensation threshold, and chemical oxidation aging, while it is the opposite in remote regions, where the aging rate is orders of magnitude smaller. As a result, global BC burden and lifetime show little sensitivity (< 5 % change) to these three factors.
The impact of observation nudging on simulated meteorology and ozone concentrations during DISCOVER-AQ 2013 Texas campaign
Authors: Li Xiangshang , Choi Yunsoo , Czader Beata , Roy Anirban , Kim Hyuncheol , Lefer Barry , Pan Shuai
Published: March 2016

Abstract. Accurate meteorological fields are imperative for correct chemical transport modeling. Observation nudging, along with objective analysis, is generally considered a low-cost and effective technique to improve meteorological simulations. However, the meteorological impact of observation nudging on chemistry has not been well characterized. This study involved two simulations to analyze the impact of observation nudging on simulated meteorology and ozone concentrations during the 2013 Deriving Information on Surface conditions from Column and Vertically Resolved Observations Relevant to Air Quality (DISCOVER-AQ) Texas campaign period, using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) and Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) models. The results showed improved correlations between observed and simulated parameters. For example, the index of agreement (IOA) improved by about 9 % for surface temperature and 6–11 % for surface zonal (U-WIND) and meridional (V-WIND) winds when observation nudging was employed. Analysis of a cold front event indicated that nudging improved the timing of wind transition during the front passage. Observation nudging also reduced the model biases for the planetary boundary layer height predictions. Additionally, the IOA for CMAQ simulated surface ozone improved by 6 % during the simulation period. The high-ozone episode on 25 September was a post-front ozone event in Houston. The small-scale morning wind shifts near the Houston Ship Channel combined with higher aloft ozone early morning likely caused the day's ozone exceedance. While observation nudging did not recreate the wind shifts on that day and failed to reproduce the observed high ozone, analyses of surface and aircraft data found that observation nudging helped the model yield improved ozone predictions. In a 2 h period during the event, substantially better winds in the sensitivity case noticeably improved the ozone. The average IOA for ozone in the period increased from just over 0.4 to near 0.7. Further work on improving the capability of nudging to reproduce local meteorological events such as stagnations and wind reversals could enhance a chemical transport model's skill for predicting high-ozone events.
Nitrogen cycling in shallow low-oxygen coastal waters off Peru from nitrite and nitrate nitrogen and oxygen isotopes
Authors: Hu Happy , Bourbonnais Annie , Larkum Jennifer , Bange Hermann W. , Altabet Mark A.
Published: March 2016

Abstract. O2 deficient zones (ODZs) of the world's oceans are important locations for microbial dissimilatory nitrate (NO3−) reduction and subsequent loss of combined nitrogen (N) to biogenic N2 gas. ODZs are generally coupled to regions of high productivity leading to high rates of N-loss as found in the coastal upwelling region off Peru. Stable N and O isotope ratios can be used as natural tracers of ODZ N-cycling because of distinct kinetic isotope effects associated with microbially mediated N-cycle transformations. Here we present NO3− and nitrite (NO2−) stable isotope data from the nearshore upwelling region off Callao, Peru. Subsurface oxygen was generally depleted below about 30 m depth with concentrations less than 10 µM, while NO2− concentrations were high, ranging from 6 to 10 µM, and NO3− was in places strongly depleted to near 0 µM. We observed for the first time a positive linear relationship between NO2−δ15N and δ18O at our coastal stations, analogous to that of NO3− N and O isotopes during NO3− uptake and dissimilatory reduction. This relationship is likely the result of rapid NO2− turnover due to higher organic matter flux in these coastal upwelling waters. No such relationship was observed at offshore stations where slower turnover of NO2− facilitates dominance of isotope exchange with water. We also evaluate the overall isotope fractionation effect for N-loss in this system using several approaches that vary in their underlying assumptions. While there are differences in apparent fractionation factor (ε) for N-loss as calculated from the δ15N of NO3−, dissolved inorganic N, or biogenic N2, values for ε are generally much lower than previously reported, reaching as low as 6.5 ‰. A possible explanation is the influence of sedimentary N-loss at our inshore stations which incurs highly suppressed isotope fractionation.
Groundwater nitrate concentration evolution under climate change and agricultural adaptation scenarios: Prince Edward Island, Canada
Authors: Paradis Daniel , Vigneault Harold , Lefebvre René , Savard Martine M. , Ballard Jean-Marc , Qian Budong
Published: March 2016

Abstract. Nitrate (N-NO3) concentration in groundwater, the sole source of potable water in Prince Edward Island (PEI, Canada), currently exceeds the 10 mg L−1 (N-NO3) health threshold for drinking water in 6 % of domestic wells. Increasing climatic and socio-economic pressures on PEI agriculture may further deteriorate groundwater quality. This study assesses how groundwater nitrate concentration could evolve due to the forecasted climate change and its related potential changes in agricultural practices. For this purpose, a tridimensional numerical groundwater flow and mass transport model was developed for the aquifer system of the entire Island (5660 km2). A number of different groundwater flow and mass transport simulations were made to evaluate the potential impact of the projected climate change and agricultural adaptation. According to the simulations for year 2050, N-NO3 concentration would increase due to two main causes: (1) the progressive attainment of steady-state conditions related to present-day nitrogen loadings, and (2) the increase in nitrogen loadings due to changes in agricultural practices provoked by future climatic conditions. The combined effects of equilibration with loadings, climate and agricultural adaptation would lead to a 25 to 32 % increase in N-NO3 concentration over the Island aquifer system. The change in groundwater recharge regime induced by climate change (with current agricultural practices) would only contribute 0 to 6 % of that increase for the various climate scenarios. Moreover, simulated trends in groundwater N-NO3 concentration suggest that an increased number of domestic wells (more than doubling) would exceed the nitrate drinking water criteria. This study underlines the need to develop and apply better agricultural management practices to ensure sustainability of long-term groundwater resources. The simulations also show that observable benefits from positive changes in agricultural practices would be delayed in time due to the slow dynamics of nitrate transport within the aquifer system.