bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Has the quality of reporting in periodontology changed in 14 years? A systematic review
Authors: Leow Natalie M. , Hussain Zahra , Petrie Aviva , Donos Nikolaos , Needleman Ian G.
Published: May 2016

Background

Quality of reporting randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in periodontology has been poor. Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials guidelines and an extension for non‐pharmacologic trials (CONSORT‐NPE), were introduced to aid in improving this.

Aims

The aim of this study was to assess the quality of reporting in periodontology, changes over the last 14 years, and adherence to CONSORT‐NPE.

Methods

Randomized controlled trials in humans, published in three periodontal journals, from 2013 to 2015 were included. Search was conducted through Medline, Embase and hand searching.

Results

One hundred and seventy‐three full‐text articles included. Two reviewers screened for reporting quality (κ = 0.69, 95% CI 0.60–0.76). 84% of studies (n = 145) described randomization methods, 74% (n = 128) highlighted examiner blinding and 87% (n = 151) accounted for patients at study conclusion. Patient and caregiver blinding was addressed in 50% (n = 70) and 50% (n = 27) of studies respectively. 64% (n = 110) described adequate allocation concealment. Compared with Montenegro et al. (2002, Journal of Dental Research, 81, 866), improvements seen in describing randomization (2002, 16.5%; 2016, 84%), allocation concealment (2002, 6.5%; 2016, 64%), caregiver masking (2002, 17%; 2016, 50%). CONSORT‐NPE; 62% (n = 107) had detailed explanations of all treatments, 88% (n = 152) lacked protocols for adherence of caregivers’ to an intervention. Only 17% (n = 29) described caregivers’ expertise and case volume.

Conclusions

Substantial improvements have occurred. Attention is required for statistical analysis of patient losses and masking. CONSORT‐NPE aspects were poorly reported.
Association between immigrant background and ADHD: a nationwide population‐based case–control study
Authors: Lehti Venla , Chudal Roshan , Suominen Auli , Gissler Mika , Sourander Andre
Published: May 2016

Background

Information about psychiatric disorders among those with immigrant parents is important for early detection and service development. The aim of this study is to examine the association between parental immigration and the diagnosis of attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in offspring in Finland.

Methods

This matched case–control study was based on a national birth cohort. The sample included all singletons who were born in Finland in 1991–2005 and diagnosed with ADHD by the year 2011 (n = 10,409) and their matched controls (n = 39,124). Nationwide registers were used to identify participants and to gather information on the parents' country of birth and native language. Conditional logistic regression analyses were conducted using maternal and paternal migration status and region of birth as well as time since maternal migration as exposure factors.

Results

The likelihood of being diagnosed with ADHD was significantly increased among children of two immigrant parents [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 4.7, 95% CI 3.4–6.6] and children of an immigrant father (aOR 1.9, 95% CI 1.6–2.2). The likelihood of receiving an ADHD diagnosis was equal among children whose mother was a recent immigrant when she gave birth and those whose mother had stayed in Finland at least for a year before birth. The association between parental migration and ADHD diagnosis was strongest among fathers born in sub‐Saharan Africa or Latin America and among mothers born in sub‐Saharan Africa or North Africa and Middle East. Children, whose parents were born in countries with low Human Development Index (HDI), were more often diagnosed with ADHD.

Conclusions

The increased likelihood of ADHD diagnosis among children of immigrants indicates increased exposure to environmental risk factors, differences in the use of health services, or challenges in diagnosing immigrants' children.
Association of ADIPOQ variants with type 2 diabetes mellitus susceptibility in ethnic Han Chinese from northeast China
Authors: Yao Meidong , Wu Yanhui , Fang Qingxiao , Sun Lulu , Li Tingting , Qiao Hong
Published: May 2016

Aims/Introduction

To investigate the association between two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; rs3774261 and rs822393) in the ADIPOQ gene and type 2 diabetes mellitus in Han Chinese from northeast China.

Materials and Methods

The present study comprised 993 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and 966 unrelated controls from northeastern China. Two SNPs were sequenced using SNPscan. The distribution of genotype frequencies of the two SNPs in ADIPOQ between cases and controls, and in subgroups stratified based on body mass index, were compared using logistic regression analysis. Linear regression was used to analyze the association between each SNP and clinical indicators.

Results

The GG genotype of rs3774261 increased the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus compared with the AA genotype in participants with a body mass index <24 (P = 0.021; odds ratio 1.636, 95% CI 1.708–2.484). Rs822393 was correlated with glycosylated hemoglobin (P = 0.043) in controls. Rs3774261 had an association with diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.017) in controls, and in controls with a body mass index <24; rs3774261 also had an association with both systolic blood pressure (P = 0.025) and diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.043).

Conclusions

The present results confirm the association between ADIPOQ variants and type 2 diabetes mellitus in northeastern China. However, additional larger replication studies are required to validate these findings.
Psoriasis registries worldwide: systematic overview on registry publications
Authors: Eissing L. , Rustenbach S.J. , Krensel M. , Zander N. , Spehr C. , Radtke M.A. , Naldi L. , Augustin M.
Published: May 2016

Background

Safety and efficacy of new treatments are analyzed in clinical trials but their capacity to show potential effects of long‐term treatment and more than short latency of onset is limited. To meet this challenge, patient registries (of treatments or diseases) collect prospective data of real‐world patients in daily practice without tight selection of patients.

Objective

The aim of this article was to identify existing psoriasis patient registries by published articles and evaluation of monitored treatment classes, patients, research questions addressed, and measurement instruments implemented.

Materials & Methods

A systematic review of Medline (PubMed) and Embase (Ovid) databases for publications on psoriasis patient registries, including cross‐validation was conducted October 2015.

Results

14 patient registries for long‐term observation of psoriasis patients in real‐world care were identified. Registries were established since 2005, the majority is located in Europe. The number of published studies from single registries ranged from 1 to 10. Most registries include patients treated by conventional systemics as well as biologics. The number of patients analyzed ranged from 35 to >12 000 patients. The publications mostly addressed safety issues or treatment outcomes, followed by baseline description, drug survival, predictor analyses, and treatment patterns.

Conclusion

A variety of local, national, and international patient registries collect longitudinal data on (systemic) psoriasis treatment. The number of publications reflect the main registry objectives of safety and effectiveness, with additional therapy‐related investigations being addressed as well. Based on the information from publications, the combination of data from these registries will involve many methodological challenges. To gain comparability and combinability of cohorts and data across registries, further harmonization of data collection is demanded.
Merkel cell carcinoma incidence is increasing in Sweden
Authors: Zaar O. , Gillstedt M. , Lindelöf B. , Wennberg‐Larkö A.‐M. , Paoli J.
Published: May 2016

Background

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare aggressive neuroectodermal skin cancer with a high recurrence rate and a high mortality rate. Risk factors for MCC are reported to include high age, UV exposure, Caucasian skin type and immunosuppression. The incidence is reported to be increasing.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to describe a Swedish cohort and calculate incidence.

Methods

The study design is a retrospective cohort study of population‐based data for MCC collected by the Swedish Cancer Registry to determine the incidence of MCC in Sweden and the clinical characteristics of these tumours including demographics, TNM classification, body part distribution and overall survival after diagnosis. De‐identified data were collected from 1993 to 2012.

Results

A total of 606 cases of MCC were identified during the study period. The median age was 81 years (range 21–99) and a majority, 54.4% were women but age‐adjusted incidence is higher in men. The incidence (per 100,000) of MCC in Sweden in 1993–2012 increased from 0.09 to 0.20 for men and 0.12–0.17 for women, adjusted for age to the world standard population. For the both sexes, the increase was from 0.11 to 0.19 per 100 000, an increase of 73%. The most common site of the primary tumour was the head and neck, with 51.8% of the cases. The size of the tumour was <5 cm in 82.1% of the cases. The majority of the tumours (90.7%) had no known lymphatic spread and only a few patients had confirmed distant metastases (2.9%) when diagnosed.

Conclusions

MCC is a rare disease in Sweden, but the incidence is increasing. This study supports the finding that high age, male sex and UV exposure are risk factors for MCCs. Interventions are required to increase awareness of MCC among clinicians and the public.
Medication errors: electronic vs. paper‐based prescribing. Experience at a tertiary care university hospital
Authors: Hinojosa‐Amaya José Miguel , Rodríguez‐García Francisco Gonzalo , Yeverino‐Castro Sara Gabriela , Sánchez‐Cárdenas Mónica , Villarreal‐Alarcón Miguel Ángel , Galarza‐Delgado Dionicio Ángel
Published: May 2016

Purpose

It has been estimated that medication errors (ME) are responsible for 7000 deaths each year. Some studies show that electronic prescribing systems have achieved health benefits and patient safety, resulting in a saving of resources. Other studies suggest that they may increase adverse events.

Objective

The objective of this study was to compare medication errors between electronic and paper‐based prescription detected during pharmacovigilance.

Methods

This was an observational, cross‐sectional comparative study of 600 randomized medical records that were systematically reviewed by a pharmacovigilance team, with a deliberate search for ME. Each error was classified according to its severity, National Coordinating Council for Medication Error and Prevention taxonomy and high‐risk medications. The number of errors was calculated per 100 prescribed medications, number of errors per record and number of records with an error as a quality indicator.

Results

A total of 229 ME were found with a mean per record of 0.38 (SD = 0.7), of which 155 corresponded to the paper‐based method (1.04, SD = 1.67) and 74 to the electronic‐based method (0.29, SD = 0.57) P = <0.001. The use of the electronic method was associated with an OR of 0.59 (95% CI 0.41–0.85) for the recording of at least one ME (P = 0.005), but to a greater severity of ME (<0.001).

Conclusion

The use of the electronic system was associated with a reduction in ME, compared with the paper‐based method. Despite this, it was associated with more severe ME.
Passing a seawater challenge test is not indicative of hatchery‐reared Atlantic salmon Salmo salar smolts performing as well at sea as their naturally produced conspecifics
Authors: Jensen A. J. , Berg M. , Bremset G. , Finstad B. , Hvidsten N. A. , Jensås J. G. , Johnsen B. O. , Lund E.
Published: May 2016

Despite satisfactory reactions to seawater challenge tests indicative of appropriate physiological state, hatchery‐reared Atlantic salmon Salmo salar smolts stocked in the Eira River in Norway between 2001 and 2011 performed less well at sea in terms of growth, age at maturity and survival than smolts of natural origin. The mean rates of return to the river for hatchery‐reared and naturally produced S. salar were 0·98 and 2·35%. In the Eira River, c. 50 000 hatchery‐reared S. salar smolts of local origin were stocked annually to compensate for reduced natural smolt production following regulation for hydroelectric purposes, while a mean of 17 262 smolts were produced naturally in the river. This study demonstrates that, although captive S. salar perform well in seawater challenge tests, hatchery‐reared smolts are not necessarily as adaptable to marine life as their naturally produced counterparts. These findings suggest that production of hatchery‐reared smolts more similar to naturally produced individuals in morphology, physiology and behaviour will be necessary to improve success of hatchery releases. Where possible, supplementary or alternative measures, including habitat restoration, could be implemented to ensure the long‐term viability of wild stocks.
Apple and Blueberry Synergies for Designing Bioactive Ingredients for the Management of Early Stages of Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Agustinah Widya , Sarkar Dipayan , Woods Floyd , Shetty Kalidas
Published: May 2016

Type 2 diabetes is an epidemic in both developed and developing countries. The aim of this research was to evaluate the synergistic health benefits of apple cider and blueberry juice combinations for relevance in the potential management of early stages type 2 diabetes using in vitro assays. Inhibitory activity of α‐amylase, α‐glucosidase and angiotensin‐1‐converting enzyme (ACE) in the juice combinations were analyzed and correlated with the total soluble phenolic content and antioxidant activity. While the total soluble phenolic content increased with the increasing blueberry juice proportion in the juice combinations, the ACE inhibitory activity decreased. The antioxidant activity was maintained at its maximum level (50–70%) in all combinations. High α‐glucosidase inhibitory activity was positively correlated with the total soluble phenolic content. A combination of 80% apple cider and 20% whole blueberry juice had optimum anti‐hyperglycemia and anti‐hypertension properties based on in vitro assays.

Practical Applications

Apple cider and blueberry juice combination was investigated as a strategy to explore the potential health benefits for the management of hyperglycemia and hypertension associated with early stage type 2 diabetes using in vitro assays. Beverage system with high soluble phenolic phytochemicals potentially provides a higher dose of daily intake of each fruit. The presence of various phenolic bioactives in apple cider and whole blueberry juice, supported with high total soluble phenolic content, antioxidant activity and inhibitory activity α‐amylase, α‐glucosidase and angiotensin‐1‐converting enzyme indicated an improvement of each fruit's functionalities through a synergistic interaction. This research resulted in the optimization of apple cider and blueberry juice combinations and could provide biochemical rationale to further improve the bioactive functionality. This synergistic whole food design may also offer effective, safe and inexpensive strategy for the management of diet‐linked chronic noncommunicable diseases such as early stages of hyperglycemia associated with type 2 diabetes.
The emergency patient's participation in medical decision‐making
Authors: Wang Li‐Hsiang , Goopy Suzanne , Lin Chun‐Chih , Barnard Alan , Han Chin‐Yen , Liu Hsueh‐Erh
Published: May 2016

Aims and objectives

The purpose of this research was to explore the medical decision‐making processes of patients in emergency departments.

Background

Studies indicate that patients should be given enough time to acquire relevant information and receive adequate support when they need to make medical decisions. It is difficult to satisfy these requirements in emergency situations. Limited research has addressed the topic of decision‐making among emergency patients.

Design

This qualitative study used a broadly defined grounded theory approach to explore decision‐making in an emergency department in Taiwan.

Methods

Thirty emergency patients were recruited between June and December 2011 for semi‐structured interviews that were audio‐taped and transcribed verbatim.

Results

The study identified three stages in medical decision‐making by emergency patients: predecision (interpreting the problem); decision (a balancing act) and postdecision (reclaiming the self). Transference was identified as the core category and pattern of behaviour through which patients resolved their main concerns. This transference around decision‐making represents a type of bricolage.

Conclusions

The findings fill a gap in knowledge about the decision‐making process among emergency patients.

Relevance to clinical practice

The results inform emergency professionals seeking to support patients faced with complex medical decision‐making and suggest an emphasis on informed patient decision‐making, advocacy, patient‐centred care and in‐service education of health staff.
Lower prevalence but similar fitness in a parasitic fungus at higher radiation levels near Chernobyl
Authors: Aguileta Gabriela , Badouin Helene , Hood Michael E. , Møller Anders P. , Le Prieur Stephanie , Snirc Alodie , Siguenza Sophie , Mousseau Timothy A. , Shykoff Jacqui A. , Cuomo Christina A. , Giraud Tatiana
Published: May 2016

Nuclear disasters at Chernobyl and Fukushima provide examples of effects of acute ionizing radiation on mutations that can affect the fitness and distribution of species. Here, we investigated the prevalence of Microbotryum lychnidis‐dioicae, a pollinator‐transmitted fungal pathogen of plants causing anther‐smut disease in Chernobyl, its viability, fertility and karyotype variation, and the accumulation of nonsynonymous mutations in its genome. We collected diseased flowers of Silene latifolia from locations ranging by more than two orders of magnitude in background radiation, from 0.05 to 21.03 μGy/h. Disease prevalence decreased significantly with increasing radiation level, possibly due to lower pollinator abundance and altered pollinator behaviour. Viability and fertility, measured as the budding rate of haploid sporidia following meiosis from the diploid teliospores, did not vary with increasing radiation levels and neither did karyotype overall structure and level of chromosomal size heterozygosity. We sequenced the genomes of twelve samples from Chernobyl and of four samples collected from uncontaminated areas and analysed alignments of 6068 predicted genes, corresponding to 1.04 × 107 base pairs. We found no dose‐dependent differences in substitution rates (neither dN, dS, nor dN/dS). Thus, we found no significant evidence of increased deleterious mutation rates at higher levels of background radiation in this plant pathogen. We even found lower levels of nonsynonymous substitution rates in contaminated areas compared to control regions, suggesting that purifying selection was stronger in contaminated than uncontaminated areas. We briefly discuss the possibilities for a mechanistic basis of radio resistance in this nonmelanized fungus.
Effect of hyaluronic acid on bone formation in the expanded interpremaxillary suture in rats
Authors: Sadikoglu T. B. , Nalbantgil D. , Ulkur F. , Ulas N.
Published: May 2016

Structured Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the histomorphometric effects of different molecular weight hyaluronic acid on bone formation in rats after expansion of the interpremaxillary suture.

Material and Methods

Twenty‐four male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups. Each group was subjected to expansion for 5 days and retention for 10 days. Group 1 received 50 μl of high molecular weight hyaluronic acid (HMWHA), group 2 received 50 μl of low molecular weight hyaluronic acid (LMWHA), and the control group received same amount of saline solution to the interpremaxillary suture. Ten days after injection, the rats were killed and their maxillas dissected. For the histomorphometric evaluation, blocks were serially sectioned at 10‐μm intervals. Sections were stained with hematoxylin–eosin (HE) and evaluated with image analysis software. Bone area (μm²) (BA), bone perimeter of suture borders (μm) (BP), and ratio of osteoblast cells and capillary cells to BA and BP parameters were evaluated.

Results

HMWHA showed a statistically higher ratio of osteoblast and capillary cell scores compared with the LMWHA and control groups (p < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in between LMWHA and control groups (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Local injection of HMWHA in the interpremaxillary suture after rapid maxillary expansion stimulated new bone formation, which may shorten the retention period and may reduce the risk of relapse. LMWHA has no effect on bone formation in interpremaxillary suture.
Salivary gland malignancies – an update on current management for oral healthcare practitioners
Authors: Green B , Rahimi S , Brennan PA
Published: May 2016

Salivary gland tumours represent a diverse range of tumours with many histological subtypes which occur in major and minor salivary glands. The management of these tumours is complex owing to their heterogeneity. Surgery together with radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy remains the treatment strategy for these tumours. The aim of this review is to examine the current management of these tumours.
Subgenome‐specific assembly of vitamin E biosynthesis genes and expression patterns during seed development provide insight into the evolution of oat genome
Authors: Gutierrez‐Gonzalez Juan J. , Garvin David F.
Published: May 2016

Vitamin E is essential for humans and thus must be a component of a healthy diet. Among the cereal grains, hexaploid oats (Avena sativa L.) have high vitamin E content. To date, no gene sequences in the vitamin E biosynthesis pathway have been reported for oats. Using deep sequencing and orthology‐guided assembly, coding sequences of genes for each step in vitamin E synthesis in oats were reconstructed, including resolution of the sequences of homeologs. Three homeologs, presumably representing each of the three oat subgenomes, were identified for the main steps of the pathway. Partial sequences, likely representing pseudogenes, were recovered in some instances as well. Pairwise comparisons among homeologs revealed that two of the three putative subgenome‐specific homeologs are almost identical for each gene. Synonymous substitution rates indicate the time of divergence of the two more similar subgenomes from the distinct one at 7.9–8.7 MYA, and a divergence between the similar subgenomes from a common ancestor 1.1 MYA. A new proposed evolutionary model for hexaploid oat formation is discussed. Homeolog‐specific gene expression was quantified during oat seed development and compared with vitamin E accumulation. Homeolog expression largely appears to be similar for most of genes; however, for some genes, homoeolog‐specific transcriptional bias was observed. The expression of HPPD, as well as certain homoeologs of VTE2 and VTE4, is highly correlated with seed vitamin E accumulation. Our findings expand our understanding of oat genome evolution and will assist efforts to modify vitamin E content and composition in oats.
Identification of a Chlamydomonas plastidial 2‐lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase and its use to engineer microalgae with increased oil content
Authors: Yamaoka Yasuyo , Achard Dorine , Jang Sunghoon , Legéret Bertrand , Kamisuki Shogo , Ko Donghwi , Schulz‐Raffelt Miriam , Kim Yeongho , Song Won‐Yong , Nishida Ikuo , Li‐Beisson Yonghua , Lee Youngsook
Published: May 2016

Despite a strong interest in microalgal oil production, our understanding of the biosynthetic pathways that produce algal lipids and the genes involved in the biosynthetic processes remains incomplete. Here, we report that Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Cre09.g398289 encodes a plastid‐targeted 2‐lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase (CrLPAAT1) that acylates the sn‐2 position of a 2‐lysophosphatidic acid to form phosphatidic acid, the first common precursor of membrane and storage lipids. In vitro enzyme assays showed that CrLPAAT1 prefers 16:0‐CoA to 18:1‐CoA as an acyl donor. Fluorescent protein‐tagged CrLPAAT1 was localized to the plastid membrane in C. reinhardtii cells. Furthermore, expression of CrLPAAT1 in plastids led to a > 20% increase in oil content under nitrogen‐deficient conditions. Taken together, these results demonstrate that CrLPAAT1 is an authentic plastid‐targeted LPAAT in C. reinhardtii, and that it may be used as a molecular tool to genetically increase oil content in microalgae.
Efficient Degradation of Aqueous Rhodamine B Irradiation Under Indoor Light Using a SiO2–Hypocrellin B Complex
Authors: Zhang Jucheng , Yan Heping , Chen Yashun , Chen Rui , He Ying , Liu Wei
Published: May 2016

An efficient method for the degradation of the dye Rhodamine B (RhB) is reported. A SiO2–hypocrellin B (SiO2–HB) complex was found to work as a catalyst to degrade RhB in aqueous solution at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, over the pH range 1–10, under indoor light conditions. This method is capable of removing 82.68% of RhB within 20 min at pH 9. The SiO2–HB complex was characterized by both scanning electron microscopy and surface area analysis. The reaction progress was examined using ultrahigh pressure liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry and UV–visible spectroscopy. This process represents an efficient means of decontaminating dye‐containing wastewaters in either highly acidic or weakly alkaline environments.
Inter‐Organizational Fit, Relationship Management Capability, and Collaborative Performance within a Humanitarian Setting
Authors: Moshtari Mohammad
Published: May 2016

Donors and governments are increasingly calling for more collaborative relationships between humanitarian organizations (HOs), to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of humanitarian operations by exchanging information, knowledge, and resources. This study examines the relative efficacy of partners' characteristics (i.e., compatibility and resource complementarity) and partners' relationship management capability on collaborative relationships, incorporating mutual trust and reciprocal commitment as two mediator constructs. We use Partial Least Squares to examine the proposed hypotheses using a sample of 191 respondents. Data are collected through a web‐survey of international humanitarian non‐governmental organizations (NGOs) in countries across Africa, Asia, and South America. The results reveal that (i) resource complementarity and relationship management capability are significant factors influencing collaborative performance through their effects on partners' mutual trust and reciprocal commitment, and that (ii) partners' compatibility (i.e., missions, values, and operational methods) does not significantly drive success or failure of collaboration between international NGOs. These results suggest that given the present diversity of HOs' characteristics, the success of collaboration is associated with the partners' level of understanding of each other's objectives, operations, and values, and to the extent to which organizations efficiently communicate and coordinate their joint activities. The managerial implications of the findings are also discussed.
Building Supply Chain Resilience through Virtual Stockpile Pooling
Authors: Liu Fang , Song Jing‐Sheng , Tong Jordan D.
Published: May 2016

Stockpiling inventory is an essential strategy for building supply chain resilience. It enables firms to continue operating while finding a solution to an unexpected event that causes a supply disruption or demand surge. While extremely valuable when actually deployed, stockpiles incur large holding costs and usually provide no benefits until such a time. To help to reduce this cost, this study presents a new approach for managing stockpiles. We show that if leveraged intelligently, stockpiles can also help an organization better meet its own regular demand by enabling a type of virtual pooling we call virtual stockpile pooling (VSP). The idea of VSP is to first integrate the stockpile into several locations’ regular inventory buffers and then dynamically reallocate the stockpile among these locations in reaction to the demand realizations to achieve a kind of virtual transshipment. To study how to execute VSP and determine when it can provide the most value, we formulate a stylized multi‐location stochastic inventory model and solve for the optimal stockpile allocation and inventory order policies. We show that VSP can provide significant cost savings: in some cases nearly the full holding cost of the stockpile (i.e., VSP effectively maintains the stockpile for free), in other cases nearly the savings of traditional physical inventory pooling. Last, our results prescribe implementing VSP with many locations for large stockpiles, but only a few locations for small stockpiles.
Interventions for an Artemisinin‐based Malaria Medicine Supply Chain
Authors: Kazaz Burak , Webster Scott , Yadav Prashant
Published: May 2016

Artemisinin combination therapy, the most effective malaria treatment today, is manufactured from an agriculturally derived starting material Artemisia annua. Artemisinin, the main ingredient in malaria medicines, is extracted from Artemisia leaves and used in the production of medicine for treating malaria. The artemisinin market has witnessed high volatility in the supply and price of artemisinin extract. A large fraction of malaria medicines for endemic countries in sub‐Saharan Africa is financed by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria and the US President's Malaria Initiative. These agencies together with the World Health Organization, UNITAID, the United Kingdom Department for International Development and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation are exploring ways to increase the level of artemisinin production, reduce volatility of artemisinin prices, and improve overall access to malaria medicines for the population. We develop a model of the supply chain, calibrate the model using field data, and investigate the impact of various interventions. Our model shows that initiatives aimed at improving average yield, creating a support‐price for agricultural artemisinin, and a larger and carefully managed supply of semi‐synthetic artemisinin have the greatest potential for improving supply and reducing price volatility of artemisinin‐based malaria medicine.
An Entropy Measure of Flow Dominance for Predicting Operations Performance
Authors: Smunt Timothy L. , Ghose Sanjoy
Published: May 2016

The flow of jobs within a system is an important operating characteristic that influences system performance. While the majority of previous studies on manufacturing performance consider product flows only as an implicit parameter of the design, we introduce an explicit measure of flow dominance based on entropy and test its efficacy in predicting the performance of manufacturing systems. In computing entropy flow dominance ( EFD), we aggregate information embedded in the routings of all products within a system into a single measure. EFD is designed to indicate on a 0–1 scale the level of flow dominance, where 1 represents a pure flow shop and 0 represents a pure job shop. The result is a simple measure that provides managers a way to explain and predict complex phenomena. Our experimental results indicate that EFD is a statistically significant determinant of manufacturing system performance. Furthermore, the model including EFD as an independent variable accurately predicts manufacturing system performance as measured by job flow time, flow time standard deviation, and work in process. We note that the same results can also apply to service systems, such as the “back‐room” low‐contact type systems, that have similar characteristics as manufacturing systems.
Mechanisms of Organizational Commitment: Adding Frames to Greedy Institution Theory
Authors: Cox Amanda Barrett
Published: May 2016

How do organizations that make significant physical, emotional, and intellectual demands foster commitment and loyalty from voluntary participants? Greedy institution theory (Coser ) answers this question by identifying structural elements that foster participants' undivided commitment to “greedy” groups, those in which participants' involvement interferes with and takes precedence over their involvement in other social spheres. In this article, I argue for the expansion of greedy institution theory to include frames and framing processes as “greedy” organizational tools that work on the microinteractional level. Using data from an ethnographic study of an intensive program that prepares low‐income students of color to attend elite boarding high schools, I show how the organization's “family” frame mobilized participants and encouraged interpretations and interactions that helped students persist in the program and remain committed to the organization. I argue that turning our attention to frames and framing processes will increase our understanding of the tools organizations use on a microinteractional level to build and repair participants' loyalty and commitment.
Transfer RNA maturation in Chlamydomonas mitochondria, chloroplast and the nucleus by a single RNase P protein
Authors: Bonnard Géraldine , Gobert Anthony , Arrivé Mathilde , Pinker Franziska , Salinas‐Giegé Thalia , Giegé Philippe
Published: May 2016

The maturation of tRNA precursors involves the 5′ cleavage of leader sequences by an essential endonuclease called RNase P. Beyond the ancestral ribonucleoprotein (RNP) RNase P, a second type of RNase P called PRORP (protein‐only RNase P) evolved in eukaryotes. The current view on the distribution of RNase P in cells is that multiple RNPs, multiple PRORPs or a combination of both, perform specialised RNase P activities in the different compartments where gene expression occurs. Here, we identify a single gene encoding PRORP in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii while no RNP is found. We show that its product, CrPRORP, is triple‐localised to mitochondria, the chloroplast and the nucleus. Its downregulation results in impaired tRNA biogenesis in both organelles and the nucleus. CrPRORP, as a single‐subunit RNase P for an entire organism, makes up the most compact and versatile RNase P machinery described in either prokaryotes or eukaryotes.
Diverse pathways of phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis in algae as estimated by labeling studies and genomic sequence analysis
Authors: Sato Naoki , Mori Natsumi , Hirashima Takashi , Moriyama Takashi
Published: May 2016

Phosphatidylcholine (PC) is an almost ubiquitous phospholipid in eukaryotic algae and plants but is not found in a few species, for example Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. We recently found that some species of the genus Chlamydomonas possess PC. In the universal pathway, PC is synthesized de novo by methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) or transfer of phosphocholine from cytidine diphosphate (CDP)‐choline to diacylglycerol. Phosphocholine, the direct precursor to CDP‐choline, is synthesized either by methylation of phosphoethanolamine or phosphorylation of choline. Here we analyzed the mechanism of PC biosynthesis in two species of Chlamydomonas (asymmetrica and sphaeroides) as well as in a red alga, Cyanidioschyzon merolae. Comparative genomic analysis of enzymes involved in PC biosynthesis indicated that C. merolae possesses only the PE methylation pathway. Radioactive tracer experiments using [32P]phosphate showed delayed labeling of PC with respect to PE, which was consistent with the PE methylation pathway. In Chlamydomonas asymmetrica, labeling of PC was detected from the early time of incubation with [32P]phosphate, suggesting the operation of phosphoethanolamine methylation pathway. Genomic analysis indeed detected the genes for the phosphoethanolamine methylation pathway. In contrast, the labeling of PC in C. sphaeroides was slow, suggesting that the PE methylation pathway was at work. These results as well as biochemical and computational results uncover an unexpected diversity of the mechanisms for PC biosynthesis in algae. Based on these results, we will discuss plausible mechanisms for the scattered distribution of the ability to biosynthesize PC in the genus Chlamydomonas.
Evolutionary trajectory of phytoalexin biosynthetic gene clusters in rice
Authors: Miyamoto Koji , Fujita Masahiro , Shenton Matthew R. , Akashi Shota , Sugawara Chizu , Sakai Arisa , Horie Kiyotaka , Hasegawa Morifumi , Kawaide Hiroshi , Mitsuhashi Wataru , Nojiri Hideaki , Yamane Hisakazu , Kurata Nori , Okada Kazunori , Toyomasu Tomonobu
Published: May 2016

Plants frequently possess operon‐like gene clusters for specialized metabolism. Cultivated rice, Oryza sativa, produces antimicrobial diterpene phytoalexins represented by phytocassanes and momilactones, and the majority of their biosynthetic genes are clustered on chromosomes 2 and 4, respectively. These labdane‐related diterpene phytoalexins are biosynthesized from geranylgeranyl diphosphate via ent‐copalyl diphosphate or syn‐copalyl diphosphate. The two gene clusters consist of genes encoding diterpene synthases and chemical‐modification enzymes including P450s. In contrast, genes for the biosynthesis of gibberellins, which are labdane‐related phytohormones, are scattered throughout the rice genome similar to other plant genomes. The mechanism of operon‐like gene cluster formation remains undefined despite previous studies in other plant species. Here we show an evolutionary insight into the rice gene clusters by a comparison with wild Oryza species. Comparative genomics and biochemical studies using wild rice species from the AA genome lineage, including Oryza barthii, Oryza glumaepatula, Oryza meridionalis and the progenitor of Asian cultivated rice Oryza rufipogon indicate that gene clustering for biosynthesis of momilactones and phytocassanes had already been accomplished before the domestication of rice. Similar studies using the species Oryza punctata from the BB genome lineage, the distant FF genome lineage species Oryza brachyantha and an outgroup species Leersia perrieri suggest that the phytocassane biosynthetic gene cluster was present in the common ancestor of the Oryza species despite the different locations, directions and numbers of their member genes. However, the momilactone biosynthetic gene cluster evolved within Oryza before the divergence of the BB genome via assembly of ancestral genes.
Imprinted gene OsFIE1 modulates rice seed development by influencing nutrient metabolism and modifying genome H3K27me3
Authors: Huang Xiaolong , Lu Zhanhua , Wang Xin , Ouyang Yidan , Chen Wei , Xie Koulong , Wang Dongying , Luo Min , Luo Jie , Yao Jialing
Published: May 2016

Imprinted Polycomb group (PcG) genes play a critical role in seed development in Arabidopsis. However, the role of the imprinted gene in cereal plants remains obscure. Here, a transgenic approach was conducted to study the function of the imprinted gene Oryza sativa Fertilization‐Independent Endosperm 1 (OsFIE1) during seed development in rice (Oryza sativa ssp. japonica ‘ZhongHua11’). RNAi of OsFIE1 and homozygous T‐DNA insertion mutant osfie1 led to smaller seeds, delayed embryo development, smaller aleurone layer cells, and decreased seed set rate. OsFIE1 was specifically expressed in endosperm, and mRNA of OsFIE1 was also enriched in the inner seed coat together with the corresponding PcG members OsiEZ1 and OsCLF. Meanwhile, the contents of seed storage proteins and Ile, Leu, and Val were decreased, accompanied by the down‐regulation of multiple transcription factors, storage protein synthesis and amino acid metabolism‐related genes in OsFIE1‐RNAi lines and osfie1. Western blot analysis showed that the complex OsFIE1–PcG in endosperm regulated the expression of target genes by genome H3K27me3 modification. We conclude that the OsFIE1–PcG complex, which was enriched in the inner seed coat and endosperm linked the development of embryo and endosperm by influencing transcription factors and nutrient metabolism and induced a highly differential effect when compared with the OsFIE2–PcG complex.
Detection of synchronous primary tumours and previously undetected metastases in 736 dogs with neoplasia undergoingCTscans for diagnostic, staging and/or radiation treatment planning purposes
Authors: Magestro L. M. , Gieger T. L.
Published: May 2016

The purpose of our study was to describe synchronous primary tumours and previously undetected metastases in 736 dogs with confirmed neoplasia in which computed tomography (CT) scans were performed for diagnostic, staging and/or radiation treatment planning purposes. AllCTswere reviewed by a radiologist. Tumour‐associatedCTabnormalities were detected in 38/736 (5%), including confirmed or suspected synchronous primary neoplasms (n = 24), metastases of the primary tumour (n = 9) or both (n = 3). In lymph nodes (LN) that were considered abnormal onCTscan and were aspirated, 23% contained metastasis, and 6% of ‘normal’ appearingLNthat were aspirated contained metastasis. Thorough evaluation ofCTsand routine aspiration of regionalLNare critical because results affect recommendations to perform additional staging tests and treatment for the primary and secondary tumour(s).
Investigation of the Accuracy of RANS Models to Predict the Flow Through a Low-Pressure Turbine
Authors: Pichler R. , Sandberg R. D. , Michelassi V. , Bhaskaran R.
Published: May 2016

In the present paper, direct numerical simulation (DNS) data of a low-pressure turbine (LPT) are investigated in light of turbulence modeling. Many compressible turbulence models use Favre-averaged transport equations of the conservative variables and turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) along with other modeling equations. First, a general discussion on the turbulence modeling error propagation prescribed by transport equations is presented, leading to the terms that are considered to be of interest for turbulence model improvement. In order to give turbulence modelers means of validating their models, the terms appearing in the Favre-averaged momentum equations are presented along pitchwise profiles at three axial positions. These three positions have been chosen such that they represent regions with different flow characteristics. General trends indicate that terms related with thermodynamic fluctuations and Favre fluctuations are small and can be neglected for most of the flow field. The largest errors arise close to the trailing edge (TE) region where vortex shedding occurs. Finally, linear models and the scope for their improvement are discussed in terms of a priori testing. Using locally optimized turbulence viscosities, the improvement potential of widely used models is shown. On the other hand, this study also highlights the danger of pure local optimization.
Defining the Thermodynamic Efficiency in a Wave Rotor
Authors: Chan Shining , Liu Huoxing , Xing Fei
Published: May 2016

A wave rotor enhances the performance of a gas turbine with its internal compression and expansion, yet the thermodynamic efficiency estimation has been troubling because the efficiency definition is unclear. This paper put forward three new thermodynamic efficiency definitions to overcome the trouble: the adiabatic efficiency, the weighted-pressure mixed efficiency, and the pressure pre-equilibrated efficiency. They were all derived from multistream control volumes. As a consequence, they could correct the efficiency values and make the values for compression and expansion independent. Moreover, the latter two incorporated new models of pre-equilibration inside a control volume, and modified the hypothetical “ideal” thermodynamic processes. Parametric analyses based on practical wave rotor data demonstrated that the trends of those efficiency values reflected the energy losses in wave rotors. Essentially, different thermodynamic efficiency definitions indicated different ideal thermal cycle that an optimal wave rotor can provide for a gas turbine, and they were recommended to application based on that essence.
Modeling and Simulation of an Externally Fired Micro-Gas Turbine for Standalone Polygeneration Application
Authors: Rahman Moksadur , Malmquist Anders
Published: May 2016

Small-scale distributed generation systems are expected to play a vital role in future energy supplies. Subsequently, power generation using micro-gas turbine (MGT) is getting more and more attention. In particular, externally fired micro-gas turbine (EFMGT) is preferred among small-scale distributed generators, mainly due to high fuel flexibility, high overall efficiency, environmental benefits, and low maintenance requirement. The goal of this work is to evaluate the performance of an EFMGT-based standalone polygeneration system with the help of computational simulation studies. The main focus of this work is to develop a dynamic model for an EFMGT. The dynamic model is accomplished by merging a thermodynamic model with a mechanical model of the rotor and a transfer function based control system model. The developed model is suitable for analyzing system performance particularly from thermodynamic and control point of view. Simple models for other components of the polygeneration systems, electrical and thermal loads, membrane distillation unit, and electrical and thermal storage, are also developed and integrated with the EFMGT model. The modeling of the entire polygeneration system is implemented and simulated in matlab/simulink environment. Available operating data from test runs of both the laboratory setups are used in this work for further analysis and validation of the developed model.
Forced Response Analysis of High-Mode Vibrations for Mistuned Bladed Disks With Effective Reduced-Order Models
Authors: Duan Yongliang , Zang Chaoping , Petrov E. P.
Published: May 2016

This paper is focused on the analysis of effects of mistuning on the forced response of gas turbine engine bladed disks vibrating in the frequency ranges corresponding to higher modes. For high modes considered here, the blade aerofoils are deformed during vibrations and the blade mode shapes differ significantly from beam mode shapes. A model reduction technique is developed for the computationally efficient and accurate analysis of forced response for bladed disks vibrating in high-frequency ranges. The high-fidelity finite element (FE) model of a tuned bladed disk sector is used to provide primary information about dynamic properties of a bladed disk, and the blade mistuning is modeled by specially defined mistuning matrices. The forced response displacement and stress amplitude levels are studied. The effects of different types of mistuning are examined, and the existence of high amplifications of mistuned forced response levels is shown for high-mode vibrations: in some cases, the resonance peak response of a tuned structure can be lower than out-of-resonance amplitudes of its mistuned counterpart.