bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ATLAS3D Stellar Population Gradients
Authors: Kuntschner Harald
Published: April 2015

We present stellar population gradients of early-type galaxies from the ATLAS3D survey: a complete, volume-limited multi-wavelength survey of 260 early-type galaxies in the local 42 Mpc volume. Using emission-corrected spectra integrated within elliptical annuli we measure line-strength indices and apply single stellar population (SSP) models to derive SSP-equivalent values of stellar age, metallicity, and alpha enhancement as function of radius. For all galaxies we derive basic linear stellar population gradients versus radius logR/Re). These gradients are examined on their own and versus three mass-sensitive parameters: K-band luminosity MK, velocity dispersion within one effective radius log σe, and our dynamical mass MJAM. We find a correlation between positive age gradients (younger centre) and steeper negative metallicity gradients with a Spearman rank correlation coefficient of -0.46 and a significance of 7.65 × 10−15. Furthermore, we find a robustly estimated mean metallicity gradient of Δ[Z/H] = -0.37 ± 0.01 for the sample with a significant trend for more massive galaxies to have shallower profiles. While there is no clear distinction between fast and slow rotators or signs of environmental influence, we do detect a significantly larger range of [Z/H]-gradients towards low mass galaxies.
Initial Mass Function for Massive Galaxies at z ~ 1
Authors: Shetty Shravan , Cappellari Michele
Published: April 2015

We present the results on the stellar Initial Mass Function (IMF) normalisation of 68 massive (M* = 1011 - 1012M⋖) Early-Type Galaxies (ETGs) at redshift of ~1. This was achieved by deriving the stellar Mass-to-Light ratio (M/L) of the galaxies through axis-symmetric dynamical modelling and comparing it to the same derived via stellar population modelling through full spectrum fitting. The study also employs an Abundance Matching technique to account for the dark matter within the galaxies. The results demonstrate that massive ETGs at high redshifts on average have a Salpeter-like IMF normalisation, while providing observational evidence supporting previous predictions of low dark matter fraction in the inner regions (<1Re) of galaxies at higher redshift.
Directly and Indirectly Assessed Need for Cognition Differentially Predict Spontaneous and Reflective Information Processing Behavior
Authors: Fleischhauer Monika , Strobel Alexander , Strobel Anja
Published: April 2015

Need for Cognition (NFC) refers to individual differences in intrinsic cognitive motivation and has been proven to be an important trait factor modulating the extent of information processing in social and nonsocial contexts. Given that indirect measures may provide an increment in personality assessment, the present research aimed to further examine the psychometric quality of a newly developed indirect measure of NFC, the NFC Implicit Association Test (NFC-IAT). A sample of 108 individuals conducted the NFC-IAT twice with a retest interval of 4–6 weeks. Additionally, the NFC self-report and three tasks providing indicators of spontaneous and reflective NFC-typical behavior were administered. The NFC-IAT showed high internal consistency as well as comparably good temporal stability. Moreover, it explained variance in NFC-typical behavior that was not captured by the NFC self-report demonstrating that assessing both direct and indirect measure allows predicting a much more comprehensive spectrum of NFC-related behavior.
The Contributions of Interoceptive Awareness to Cognitive and Affective Facets of Body Experience
Authors: Duschek Stefan , Werner Natalie S. , Reyes del Paso Gustavo A. , Schandry Rainer
Published: April 2015

Experience of one’s own body relies on signals arising within the body as well as on exteroceptive information, and on appraisal of cognitive and affective aspects of these signals. The present study investigated the impact of sensitivity to internal signals, that is, interoceptive awareness, on interindividual differences in cognitive and emotional aspects of body experience. Subjects with accurate (n = 30) versus poor (n = 30) interoceptive awareness, classified via a heartbeat perception task, completed the Body Consciousness Questionnaire and the Body Appraisal Inventory. Possible effects of emotional state on body experience were controlled for using measures of mood and anxiety. While the groups did not differ in their emotional state, individuals with accurate cardiac interoceptive awareness exhibited higher subjective sensitivity to bodily sensations and a more positive body image, characterized by stronger body-related self-confidence, greater satisfaction with physical appearance, greater perceived bodily self-control, as well as reduced hypochondriacal concerns, sexual discontent, and shame. The present findings extend earlier research on the importance of perception of physical cues for emotion, cognition, and behavior regulation. Our results underline the contribution of interoceptive information to body experience, where interindividual differences in the accessibility of such information modulate cognitive and affective facets of body image.
Safety Culture and Safety-Relevant Behavior in Air Traffic Management
Authors: Schwarz Michaela , Wolfgang Kallus K.
Published: April 2015

Since 2010, air navigation service providers have been mandated to implement a positive and proactive safety culture based on shared beliefs, assumptions, and values regarding safety. This mandate raised the need to develop and validate a concept and tools to assess the level of safety culture in organizations. An initial set of 40 safety culture questions based on eight themes underwent psychometric validation. Principal component analysis was applied to data from 282 air traffic management staff, producing a five-factor model of informed culture, reporting and learning culture, just culture, and flexible culture, as well as management’s safety attitudes. This five-factor solution was validated across two different occupational groups and assessment dates (construct validity). Criterion validity was partly achieved by predicting safety-relevant behavior on the job through three out of five safety culture scores. Results indicated a nonlinear relationship with safety culture scales. Overall the proposed concept proved reliable and valid with respect to safety culture development, providing a robust foundation for managers, safety experts, and operational and safety researchers to measure and further improve the level of safety culture within the air traffic management context.
Abdominelle Sonografie bei Patienten mit Diabetes mellitus. Teil 1: Leber
Authors: Jenssen C. , Pietsch C. , Gottschalk U. , Barreiros A. , Teufel A. , Cui X. , Dietrich C.
Published: April 2015

Die abdominelle Sonografie ist geeignet, Folgeschäden und Begleiterkrankungen des Diabetes mellitus an Leber, Pankreas, Nieren, Gastrointestinaltrakt und abdominell-retroperitonealen arteriellen Gefäßen zu erfassen und zu verfolgen. Darüber hinaus ermöglicht die abdominelle Sonografie die Erfassung von Pankreas- und Lebererkrankungen, die ursächlich für einen Diabetes mellitus sind. Auf der Grundlage einer systematischen Literaturanalyse wird in einer 3-teiligen Übersichtsarbeit der Stellenwert der abdominellen Sonografie bei Patienten mit Diabetes mellitus dargestellt. Teil 1 beschreibt die Relevanz und konkrete Befunde sonografischer Methoden für die Diagnostik der hepatischen Manifestationen und Komplikationen des Diabetes mellitus.
A unified derivation of Hamiltonian and optical transition matrix elements for open shell diatomic and polyatomic molecules using transformation tools of modern quantum mechanics
Authors: Schwenke David W.
Published: April 2015

In this work, we systematically derive the matrix elements of the nuclear rotation operators for open shell diatomic and polyatomic molecules in a parity adapted Hund’s case (a) basis. Our expressions are valid for an arbitrary number of electrons and arbitrary electronic configurations. The common ad hoc sign changes of angular momentum operators are shown to be equivalent to a change in phase of basis functions. We show how to relate this basis to that required for scattering calculations. We also give the expressions for Einstein A coefficients for electric dipole, electric quadrupole, and magnetic dipole transitions.
Simulations on time-resolved structure determination of uncrystallized biomolecules in the presence of shot noise
Authors: Pande K. , Schmidt M. , Schwander P. , Saldin D. K.
Published: April 2015

Determination of fast structural changes of biomolecules is usually performed on crystalline samples in a time-resolved pump-probe experiment. Changes in the structure are found by the difference Fourier method using phases of a known reference structure. As we showed recently, such changes can also be determined from diffraction of uncrystallized molecules in random orientations. In this case, the difference in the angular correlations of the diffraction patterns is used to find structural changes. Similar to the difference Fourier method, there is no need for iterative phasing. We validated this approach previously with simulations in the absence of noise. In this paper, we show that the effects of noise can be adequately suppressed by averaging over a sufficiently large ensemble as they can be obtained using an X-ray free electron laser.
Ergodicity breaking and particle spreading in noisy heterogeneous diffusion processes
Authors: Cherstvy Andrey G. , Metzler Ralf
Published: April 2015

We study noisy heterogeneous diffusion processes with a position dependent diffusivity of the form D(x) ∼ D0|x|α0 in the presence of annealed and quenched disorder of the environment, corresponding to an effective variation of the exponent α in time and space. In the case of annealed disorder, for which effectively α0 = α0(t), we show how the long time scaling of the ensemble mean squared displacement (MSD) and the amplitude variation of individual realizations of the time averaged MSD are affected by the disorder strength. For the case of quenched disorder, the long time behavior becomes effectively Brownian after a number of jumps between the domains of a stratified medium. In the latter situation, the averages are taken over both an ensemble of particles and different realizations of the disorder. As physical observables, we analyze in detail the ensemble and time averaged MSDs, the ergodicity breaking parameter, and higher order moments of the time averages.
Magnetic-based biomolecule detection using giant magnetoresistance sensors
Authors: Kokkinis G. , Jamalieh M. , Cardoso F. , Cardoso S. , Keplinger F. , Giouroudi I.
Published: April 2015

This paper presents a novel microfluidic chip for in-vitro detection of biomolecules tagged by magnetic microparticles (MAPs) suspended in a static fluid. The system consists of two microfluidic channels: a reference channel in which bare MAPs are suspended and a detection channel in which magnetically tagged biomolecules are suspended (LMAPs). The LMAPs are functionalized MAPs (of the same magnetic volume as the ones in the reference channel) with attached biomolecules. The overall, non-magnetic volume of the LMAPs is greater than that of the bare MAPs. Current carrying microconductors are positioned underneath the channels in order to impose a magnetic field gradient to the MAPs and LMAPs and move them from the inlet to the outlet of the channels without flow. The innovative aspect of the proposed method is that the induced velocity on the MAPs and LMAPs, while imposed to the same magnetic field gradient, is inversely proportional to their overall, non-magnetic volume. This is due to the enhanced Stokes drag force exerted on the LMAPs, resulting from the greater volume and altered hydrodynamic shape. This induced velocity is measured by utilizing Giant Magnetoresistance (GMR) sensor pairs fabricated underneath the first and the last microconductors. Detected differences in velocity between the LMAPs and the reference MAPs indicate the presence of biomolecules in the static liquid sample. We also present a novel method for signal acquisition and demodulation: expensive function generators, data acquisition devices, and lock-in amplifiers were substituted by a generic PC sound card and an algorithm combining the Fast Fourier Transform of the signal with a peak detection routine. Experiments with functionalized MAPs and magnetically tagged Escherichia coli (representing the LMAPs) were carried out as a proof of concept. In order to identify the detection limit of the GMR sensor, single MAP (2.8 μm diameter) detection was performed.
Improved photoluminescence characteristics of order-disorder AlGaInP quantum wells at room and elevated temperatures
Authors: Mukherjee Kunal , Deotare Parag B. , Fitzgerald Eugene A.
Published: April 2015

A set of nominally undoped CuPt-B type ordered (AlxGa1−x)0.5In0.5P quantum-wells with disordered (Al0.7Ga0.3)0.5In0.5P barriers were grown and characterized using transmission electron microscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Such structures are potentially beneficial for light emitting devices due to the possibility of greater carrier confinement, reduced scattering into the indirect valleys, and band-offset adjustment beyond what is possible with strain and composition. Furthermore, the possibility of independently tuning the composition and the order-parameter of the quantum-well allows for the decoupling of the carrier confinement and the aluminum content and aids in the identification of carrier loss mechanisms. In this study, sharp order-disorder interfaces were achieved via the control of growth temperature between 650 °C and 750 °C using growth pauses. Improved high-temperature (400 K) photoluminescence intensity was obtained from quantum-wells with ordered Ga0.5In0.5P as compared to disordered Ga0.5In0.5P due to greater confinement. Additionally, in the ordered samples with a higher Al/Ga ratio to counter the band-gap reduction, the photoluminescence intensity at high temperature was as bright as that from conventional disordered heterostructures and had slightly improved wavelength stability. Room-temperature time-resolved luminescence measurements indicated a longer radiative lifetime in the ordered quantum-well with reduced scattering into the barrier. These results show that in samples of good material quality, the property controlling the luminescence intensity is the carrier confinement and not the presence of ordering or the aluminum content.
Relativistic decay widths of autoionization processes: The relativistic FanoADC-Stieltjes method
Authors: Fasshauer Elke , Kolorenč Přemysl , Pernpointner Markus
Published: April 2015

Electronic decay processes of ionized systems are, for example, the Auger decay or the Interatomic/ Intermolecular Coulombic Decay. In both processes, an energetically low lying vacancy is filled by an electron of an energetically higher lying orbital and a secondary electron is instantaneously emitted to the continuum. Whether or not such a process occurs depends both on the energetic accessibility and the corresponding lifetime compared to the lifetime of competing decay mechanisms. We present a realization of the non-relativistically established FanoADC-Stieltjes method for the description of autoionization decay widths including relativistic effects. This procedure, being based on the Algebraic Diagrammatic Construction (ADC), was adapted to the relativistic framework and implemented into the relativistic quantum chemistry program package Dirac. It is, in contrast to other existing relativistic atomic codes, not limited to the description of autoionization lifetimes in spherically symmetric systems, but is instead also applicable to molecules and clusters. We employ this method to the Auger processes following the Kr3d−1, Xe4d−1, and Rn5d−1 ionization. Based on the results, we show a pronounced influence of mainly scalar-relativistic effects on the decay widths of autoionization processes.
Verification of electron doping in single-layer graphene due to H2 exposure with thermoelectric power
Authors: Hong Sung Ju , Park Min , Kang Hojin , Lee Minwoo , Soler-Delgado David , Shin Dong Seok , Kim Kyung Ho , Kubatkin Sergey , Jeong Dae Hong , Park Yung Woo , Kim Byung Hoon
Published: April 2015

We report the electron doping of single-layer graphene (SLG) grown by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) by means of dissociative hydrogen adsorption. The transfer characteristic showed n-type doping behavior similar to that of mechanically exfoliated graphene. Furthermore, we studied the thermoelectric power (TEP) of CVD-grown SLG before and after exposure to high-pressure H2 molecules. From the TEP results, which indicate the intrinsic electrical properties, we observed that the CVD-grown SLG is n-type doped without degradation of the quality after hydrogen adsorption. Finally, the electron doping was also verified by Raman spectroscopy.
Low-loss negative index metamaterials for X, Ku, and K microwave bands
Authors: Lee David A. , Vedral L. James , Smith David A. , Musselman Randall L. , Pinchuk Anatoliy O.
Published: April 2015

Low-loss, negative-index of refraction metamaterials were designed and tested for X, Ku, and K microwave frequency bands. An S-shaped, split-ring resonator was used as a unit cell to design homogeneous slabs of negative-index metamaterials. Then, the slabs of metamaterials were cut unto prisms to measure experimentally the negative index of refraction of a plane electromagnetic wave. Theoretical simulations using High-Frequency Structural Simulator, a finite element equation solver, were in good agreement with experimental measurements. The negative index of refraction was retrieved from the angle- and frequency-dependence of the transmitted intensity of the microwave beam through the metamaterial prism and compared well to simulations; in addition, near-field electromagnetic intensity mapping was conducted with an infrared camera, and there was also a good match with the simulations for expected frequency ranges for the negative index of refraction.
Subgraph augmented non-negative tensor factorization (SANTF) for modeling clinical narrative text
Authors: Luo Yuan , Xin Yu , Hochberg Ephraim , Joshi Rohit , Uzuner Ozlem , Szolovits Peter
Published: April 2015

Objective Extracting medical knowledge from electronic medical records requires automated approaches to combat scalability limitations and selection biases. However, existing machine learning approaches are often regarded by clinicians as black boxes. Moreover, training data for these automated approaches at often sparsely annotated at best. The authors target unsupervised learning for modeling clinical narrative text, aiming at improving both accuracy and interpretability.

Methods The authors introduce a novel framework named subgraph augmented non-negative tensor factorization (SANTF). In addition to relying on atomic features (e.g., words in clinical narrative text), SANTF automatically mines higher-order features (e.g., relations of lymphoid cells expressing antigens) from clinical narrative text by converting sentences into a graph representation and identifying important subgraphs. The authors compose a tensor using patients, higher-order features, and atomic features as its respective modes. We then apply non-negative tensor factorization to cluster patients, and simultaneously identify latent groups of higher-order features that link to patient clusters, as in clinical guidelines where a panel of immunophenotypic features and laboratory results are used to specify diagnostic criteria.

Results and Conclusion SANTF demonstrated over 10% improvement in averaged F-measure on patient clustering compared to widely used non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) and k-means clustering methods. Multiple baselines were established by modeling patient data using patient-by-features matrices with different feature configurations and then performing NMF or k-means to cluster patients. Feature analysis identified latent groups of higher-order features that lead to medical insights. We also found that the latent groups of atomic features help to better correlate the latent groups of higher-order features.
Local Health Departments' Approaches to Deal With Recession: What Strategies Are Used to Minimize the Negative Impact on Public Health Services to Community?
Authors: Shah Gulzar H. , Ye Jiali , Leep Carolyn J. , Leider Jonathon P.
Published: April 2015

Context:

Local health departments (LHDs) are crucial components in the public health system. As with their state counterparts, operating since the 2008 recession has proven financially difficult for the majority of the nation's 2800 LHDs. These health departments have elected to employ a variety of strategies to maintain operations and public-facing services and programs.

Objectives:

This study aimed to assess strategies used by LHDs to minimize the negative impact on services to community and to examine variation in these strategies by the size of population in LHD jurisdiction.

Design and Participants:

The design of this research brief report is observational, based on cross-sectional data from a nationally representative sample of 957 LHDs that enumerates and characterizes the nature of their responses to austerity.

Outcomes Measures:

The main outcome measures included 19 strategies. We used descriptive and bivariate analyses to highlight our study findings.

Results:

LHDs use a variety of strategies to mitigate negative impacts on the public health services in their communities, focusing on workforce, funding, service referral, and several other areas. The most frequently used strategies include cross-training staff, increasing work hours, pursuing new funding, resource sharing, and seeking fees for services provided. Some minor variation by the size of jurisdiction population existed in frequency of top 10 strategies used by LHDs.

Conclusions:

Some of the LHD strategies to deal with the impact of recession address immediate issues caused by budget cuts and might be short-term fixes, including increasing workload of employees, and pay freezes. Other strategies, such as seeking new sources of revenues and resource sharing, can have potentially positive effects in the long run.
Mesonia hippocampi sp. nov., isolated from the brood pouch of a diseased Barbour's Seahorse (Hippocampus barbouri)
Authors: Kolberg Judy , Busse Hans-Jürgen , Wilke Thomas , Schubert Patrick , Kämpfer Peter , Glaeser Stefanie P.
Published: April 2015

An orange-pigmented, Gram-staining-negative, rod-shaped bacterium, designated 96_Hippo_TS_3/13T was isolated from the brood pouch of a diseased seahorse male of the species Hippocampus barbouri from the animal facility of the University of Giessen, Germany. Phylogenetic analyses based on the nearly full-length 16S rRNA gene sequence placed strain 96_Hippo_TS_3/13T into the monophyletic cluster of the genus Mesonia within the family Flavobacteriaceae. However, the strain shared only 92.2–93.8 % sequence similarity to type strains of species of the genus Mesonia, with highest sequence similarity to the type strain of Mesonia aquimarina. Cellular fatty acid analysis showed a Mesonia-typical fatty acid profile including several branched and hydroxyl fatty acids with highest amounts of iso-C15 : 0 (40.9 %) followed by iso-C17 : 0 3-OH (14.8 %). In the polyamine pattern, sym-homospermidine was predominant. The diagnostic diamino acid of the peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The quinone system contained exclusively menaquinone MK-6. The only identified compound in the polar lipid profile was phosphatidylethanolamine present in major amounts. Additionally, major amounts of an unidentified aminolipid and two unidentified lipids not containing a phosphate group, an amino group or a sugar residue were detected. The genomic G+C content of strain 96_Hippo_TS_3/13T was 30 mol%. Based on genotypic, chemotaxonomic and physiological characterizations we propose a novel species of the genus Mesonia, Mesonia hippocampi sp. nov., with strain 96_Hippo_TS_3/13T ( = CIP 110839T =  LMG 28572T = CCM 8557T) as the type strain. An emended description of the genus Mesonia is also provided.
Development of social behaviour in young zebrafish
Authors: Dreosti Elena , Lopes Gonçalo , Kampff Adam R. , Wilson Stephen W.
Published: April 2015

Adult zebrafish are robustly social animals whereas larva is not. We designed an assay to determine at what stage of development zebrafish begin to interact with and prefer other fish. One week old zebrafish do not show significant social preference whereas most 3 weeks old zebrafish strongly prefer to remain in a compartment where they can view conspecifics. However, for some individuals, the presence of conspecifics drives avoidance instead of attraction. Social preference is dependent on vision and requires viewing fish of a similar age/size. In addition, over the same 1–3 weeks period larval zebrafish increasingly tend to coordinate their movements, a simple form of social interaction. Finally, social preference and coupled interactions are differentially modified by an NMDAR antagonist and acute exposure to ethanol, both of which are known to alter social behavior in adult zebrafish.
Germline and somatic imprinting in the nonhuman primate highlights species differences in oocyte methylation
Authors: Cheong Clara Y. , Chng Keefe , Ng Shilen , Chew Siew Boom , Chan Louiza , Ferguson-Smith Anne C.
Published: April 2015

Genomic imprinting is an epigenetic mechanism resulting in parental allele-specific gene expression. Defects in normal imprinting are found in cancer, assisted reproductive technologies, and several human syndromes. In mouse models, germline-derived DNA methylation is shown to regulate imprinting. Though imprinting is largely conserved between mammals, species- and tissue-specific domains of imprinted expression exist. Using the cynomolgus macaque (Macaca fascicularis) to assess primate-specific imprinting, we present a comprehensive view of tissue-specific imprinted expression and DNA methylation at established imprinted gene clusters. For example, like mouse and unlike human, macaque IGF2R is consistently imprinted, and the PLAGL1, INPP5F transcript variant 2, and PEG3 imprinting control regions are not methylated in the macaque germline but acquire this post-fertilization. Methylome data from human early embryos appear to support this finding. These suggest fundamental differences in imprinting control mechanisms between primate species and rodents at some imprinted domains, with implications for our understanding of the epigenetic programming process in humans and its influence on disease.
X-ray imaging detectors for synchrotron and XFEL sources
Authors: Hatsui Takaki , Graafsma Heinz
Published: April 2015

Current trends for X-ray imaging detectors based on hybrid and monolithic detector technologies are reviewed. Hybrid detectors with photon-counting pixels have proven to be very powerful tools at synchrotrons. Recent developments continue to improve their performance, especially for higher spatial resolution at higher count rates with higher frame rates. Recent developments for X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) experiments provide high-frame-rate integrating detectors with both high sensitivity and high peak signal. Similar performance improvements are sought in monolithic detectors. The monolithic approach also offers a lower noise floor, which is required for the detection of soft X-ray photons. The link between technology development and detector performance is described briefly in the context of potential future capabilities for X-ray imaging detectors.
Legal orderings of waste in built spaces
Authors: Parizeau Kate , Lepawsky Josh
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to investigate by what means and to what ends waste, its materiality and its symbolic meanings are legally regulated in built environments.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors investigate the entanglement of law and the built environment through an analysis of waste-related legal case studies in the Canadian context. They investigate a notable Supreme Court case and three examples of Canadian cities’ by-laws and municipal regulations (particularly regarding informal recycling practices). They mobilize what Valverde calls the work of jurisdiction in their analysis.

Findings

– The authors argue that the regulation of waste and wasting behaviours is meant to discipline relationships between citizens and governments in the built environment (e.g. mitigating nuisance, facilitating service provision and public health, making individuals more visible and legible in the eyes of the law and controlling and capturing material flows). They find that jurisdiction is used as a flexible and malleable legal medium in the interactions between law and the built environment. Thus, the material treatment of waste may invoke notions of constraint, freedom, citizenship, governance and cognate concepts and practices as they are performed in and through built environments. Waste storage containers appear to operate as black holes in that they evacuate property rights from the spaces that waste regularly occupies.

Originality/value

– There is scant scholarly attention paid to legal orderings of waste in built environments. This analysis reveals the particular ways that legal interventions serve to construct notions of the public good and the public sphere through orderings of waste (an inherently indeterminate object).
Why are companies still struggling to reach higher continuous improvement maturity levels? Empirical evidence from high performance companies
Authors: Jurburg Daniel , Viles Elisabeth , Jaca Carmen , Tanco Martin
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– Continuous improvement (CI) is regarded as a powerful approach to achieve business excellence. However, the implementation is not simple as it involves managing a considerable amount of tangible and intangible factors throughout the whole organization. The purpose of this paper is to fill the gap by presenting first-hand information about how companies really implement and organize their CI processes.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study was based on semi-structured interviews in ten high performing companies in the Basque Country, a region in northern Spain well known for its business quality. The objective was to analyze the state of their CI processes, putting special focus on how the organizational structure integrates with the CI processes and what are the characteristics of the corresponding measurement system.

Findings

– The study shows a lack of company-wide focus on CI, little written evidence of previous improvement activities, unclear improvement process owner, and poor use of adequate measurement systems to monitor CI.

Practical implications

– Managers should understand that is not enough to guarantee their own commitment and provide the structure, since in order to become learning organization, a different holistic approach towards the CI process must be adopted.

Originality/value

– While most previous work on this field have focused primarily on how to implement different techniques in order to achieve better productive performance, this study presents empirical research from a more holistic approach, assessing the characteristics affecting CI by considering strategy, structure, and the measurement system.
Hydrological conditions explain variation in wood density in riparian plants of south‐eastern Australia
Authors: Lawson James R. , Fryirs Kirstie A. , Leishman Michelle R.
Published: April 2015

Wood density is a key plant functional trait which integrates the trade‐offs characteristic to riparian plant ecological strategies. Although high‐density wood is costly to construct, it confers mechanical stiffness to stems, increasing a plant's capacity to withstand flooding, and also enables increased tolerance to water stress. For riparian plants, fluctuations in soil moisture driven by surface hydrology should therefore be an important driver of variation in wood density.

We asked the following questions in the study: (1) Does wood density increase with increasing frequency and magnitude of flood disturbance? (2) Does wood density increase with increasing unpredictability of water availability in the riparian zone? (3) Does dispersion of wood density peak at intermediate levels of hydrological disturbance?

We surveyed wood density of dominant species at 15 riparian sites along flow‐gauged rivers across south‐eastern Australia. Due to the broad range of hydrological variability associated with Australian river systems, this set of sites functions as a useful model for assessing the response of riparian plants to changing hydrological conditions.

We found wood density varied strongly along a single axis of hydrological variability. This axis integrates flood intensity and frequency with metrics of hydrological unpredictability and can be conceptualized as a gradient of environmental harshness, with higher wood density associated with harsher conditions.

Synthesis. Our study highlights the importance of hydrological conditions, particularly disturbance and environmental unpredictability, as determinants of ecological strategy in riparian plants. Large, rare flood events in particular appear to favour higher wood density strategies. This is likely to have significant ecological consequences for riparian plant communities in a south‐east Australian context, as well as in other regions where increasing climatic variability and frequency of extreme events are hallmarks of climate change predictions.
Gambling disorder and its relationship with substance use disorders: Implications for nosological revisions and treatment
Authors: Grant Jon E. , Chamberlain Samuel R.
Published: April 2015

Background

Gambling disorder, recognized by the DSM‐5 as a behavioral addiction, affects .4–1.6% of adults worldwide, and is highly comorbid with other mental health disorders, particularly substance use disorders (SUDs).

Objectives

To provide a concise primer on the relationship between gambling disorder and SUDs, focusing on phenomenology/clinical presentation, co‐morbidity, familiality, cognition, neuroanatomy/neurochemistry, and treatment.

Methods

Selective review of the literature.

Results

Scientific evidence shows that gambling and SUDs have consistently high rates of comorbidity, similar clinical presentations, and some genetic and physiological overlap. Several treatment approaches show promise for gambling disorder, some of which have previously been effective for SUDs.

Scientific Significance

It is hoped that recognition of overlap between gambling disorder and SUDs in terms of phenomenology and neurobiology will signal novel treatment approaches and raise the profile of this neglected condition. (Am J Addict 2015;24:126–131)
Functional Diagnostic Parameters for Arteriovenous Fistula
Authors: Rajabi‐Jagahrgh Ehsan , Banerjee Rupak K.
Published: April 2015

The inability to detect the arteriovenous fistula (AVF) dysfunction in a timely manner under the current surveillance programs, which are based on either diameter (d), flow rate (Q), or pressure (p) measurements, is one of the major challenges of dialysis treatment. Thus, our aim is to introduce new functional diagnostic parameters that can better predict AVF functionality status. Six AVFs were created between the femoral arteries and veins of three pigs, each pig having two AVFs on either limb. Flow fields and pressure drop (Δp) in AVFs were obtained via numerical analysis utilizing the CT scan and Doppler ultrasound data at 2D (D: days), 7D, and 28D postsurgery. The dataset included 16 (two pigs [four AVFs] for three time points, and one pig [two AVFs] for two time points) repeated measurements over time, and the statistical analysis was done using a mixed model. To evaluate the nature of pressure drop–flow relationships in AVFs, the Δp was correlated with the average velocity at proximal artery (v) and also the corresponding scaled velocity (v*) by the curvature ratio of anastomotic segment. Based on these relationships, two new functional diagnostic parameters, including the nonlinear pressure drop coefficient (Cp; pressure drop divided by dynamic pressure at proximal artery) and the linear resistance index (R; pressure drop divided by velocity at proximal artery), were introduced. The diagnostic parameters that were calculated based on scaled velocity are represented as R* and Cp*. A marginal (P = 0.1) increase in d from 2D (5.4 ± 0.7 mm) to 7D (6.8 ± 0.7 mm), along with a significant increase in Q (2D: 967 ± 273 mL/min; 7D: 1943 ± 273 mL/min), was accompanied by an almost unchanged Δp over this time period (2D: 16.42 ± 4.6 mm Hg; 7D: 16.40 ± 4.6 mm Hg). However, the insignificant increase in d and Q from 7D to 28D (d = 7.8 ± 0.8 mm; Q = 2181 ± 378 mL/min) was accompanied by the elevation in Δp (24.6 ± 6.5 mm Hg). The functional diagnostic parameters, R and Cp, decreased from 2D (R = 22.4 ± 2.8 mm Hg/m/s; Cp = 12.0 ± 2.6) to 7D (R = 20.8 ± 2.8 mm Hg/m/s; Cp = 8.1 ± 2.6), and then increased from 7D to 28D (R = 35.5 ± 5.7 mm Hg/m/s; Cp = 17.5 ± 3.6) with a marginal significance. However, when the scaled velocity was used to calculate R* and Cp*, the increase in diagnostic parameters from 7D to 28D achieved statistical significance (P < 0.05). In summary, although the differences in the hemodynamic parameters (d, Q, and Δp) from 7D to 28D were insignificant, changes in their combined effects in the form of diagnostic parameters were significant. Therefore, the functional diagnostic parameters are capable of better distinguishing changes in the hemodynamic variations, and thus, could be promising endpoints to diagnose the functionality of AVFs over time.
Three‐Dimensional Laser Flow Measurements of a Patient‐Specific Fontan Physiology With Mechanical Circulatory Assistance
Authors: Chopski Steven G. , Rangus Owen M. , Downs Emily A. , Moskowitz William B. , Throckmorton Amy L.
Published: April 2015

Mechanical assistance of the Fontan circulation is hypothesized to enhance ventricular preload and improve cardiac output; however, little is known about the fluid dynamics. This study is the first to investigate the three‐dimensional flow conditions of a blood pump in an anatomic Fontan. Laser measurements were conducted having an axial flow impeller in the inferior vena cava. Experiments were performed for a physiologic cardiac output, pulmonary arterial flows, and pump speeds of 1000–4000 rpm. The impeller had a modest effect on the flow conditions entering the total cavopulmonary connection at low pump speeds, but a substantial impact on the velocity at higher speeds. The higher speeds of the pump disrupted the recirculation region in the center of the anastomosis, which could be advantageous for washout purposes. No retrograde velocities in the superior vena cava were measured. These findings indicate that mechanical assistance is a viable therapeutic option for patients having dysfunctional single ventricle physiology.
Implementing an Innovative Cardiac Assist System in a Nonuniversity Hospital—Feasibility, Complications, and First Results
Authors: Graf Jochen , Radunz Wolfram , Häger Isabell , Fehr Eva‐Marie , Scharpf Dominik , Kuhn Andreas , Maier Jens‐Martin , Hennersdorf Marcus
Published: April 2015

To evaluate the feasibility of implementing a cardiac assist system in a nonuniversity hospital we analyzed 18 consecutive patients treated with venoarterial membrane oxygenation. The system was used electively in 5/18 (27.8%) patients during high‐risk interventions. Thirteen patients (72.2%) were treated in emergency situations. The extracorporal system could be initiated successfully in all patients. Periprocedural complications were hemolysis in 3/18 (16.7%), disseminated intravascular coagulation in 2/18 (11.1%), cerebral ischemia in 1/18 (5.6%), and local infection in 2/18 (11.1%) patients. None of these led to a discontinuation of the therapy. All electively treated patients were successfully weaned from the extracorporeal system. In 9/13 (69.2%) emergency patients the system was removed successfully. The 60‐day survival rate of the emergency patients was 53.8% (7/13). Our experience confirms that an innovative extracorporeal circulatory support system can be implemented in a nonuniversity hospital at a tolerable risk and a low complication and high procedural success rate.
The Frequency and Outcome of Acute Kidney Injury in a Tertiary Hospital: Which Factors Affect Mortality?
Authors: Ulusoy Sukru , Arı Derya , Ozkan Gulsum , Cansız Muammer , Kaynar Kubra
Published: April 2015

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in hospitalized patients. Incidence and mortality rates vary from country to country, and according to different in‐hospital monitoring units and definitions ofAKI. The aim of this study was to determine factors affecting frequency ofAKIand mortality in our hospital. We retrospectively evaluated data for 1550 patients diagnosed withAKIand 788 patients meeting theKidneyDisease:ImprovingGlobalOutcomes (KDIGO) guidelineAKIcriteria out of a total of 174 852 patients hospitalized in our institution betweenJanuary 1, 2007 andDecember 31, 2012. Staging was performed based onKDIGO ClinicalPractice forAcuteKidneyInjury andRIFLE(Risk,Injury,Failure,Loss of kidney function andEnd‐stage renal failure). Demographic and biochemical data were recorded and correlations with mortality were assessed. The frequency ofAKIin our hospital was 0.9%, with an in‐hospital mortality rate of 34.6%. At multivariate analysis, diastolic blood pressure (OR0.89, 95%CI0.87–0.92;P < 0.001), monitoring in the intensive care unit (OR0.18, 95%CI0.09–0.38;P < 0.001), urine output (OR4.00, 95%CI2.03–7.89;P < 0.001), duration of oliguria (OR1.51, 95%CI1.34–1.69;P < 0.001), length of hospitalization (OR0.83, 95%CI0.79–0.88;P < 0.001), dialysis requirement (OR2.30, 95%CI1.12–4.71;P < 0.05),APACHE IIscore (OR1.16, 95%CI1.09–1.24;P < 0.001), and albumin level (OR0.32, 95%CI0.21–0.50;P < 0.001) were identified as independent determinants affecting mortality. Frequency ofAKIand associated mortality rates in our regional reference hospital were compatible with those in the literature. This study shows thatKDIGOcriteria are more sensitive in determiningAKI. Mortality was not correlated with staging based onRIFLEorKDIGO. Nonetheless, our identification of urine output as one of the independent determinants of mortality suggests that this parameter should be used in assessing the correlation between staging and mortality.
B‐Type Natriuretic Peptide Levels Predict Ventricular Arrhythmia Post Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation
Authors: Hellman Yaron , Malik Adnan S. , Lin Hongbo , Shen Changyu , Wang I‐Wen , Wozniak Thomas C. , Hashmi Zubair A. , Pickrell Jeanette , Jani Milena , Caccamo Marco A. , Gradus‐Pizlo Irmina , Hadi Azam
Published: April 2015

B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels have been shown to predict ventricular arrhythmia (VA) and sudden death in patients with heart failure. We sought to determine whether BNP levels before left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation can predict VA post LVAD implantation in advanced heart failure patients. We conducted a retrospective study consisting of patients who underwent LVAD implantation in our institution during the period of May 2009–March 2013. The study was limited to patients receiving a HeartMate II or HeartWare LVAD. Acute myocardial infarction patients were excluded. We compared between the patients who developed VA within 15 days post LVAD implantation to the patients without VA. A total of 85 patients underwent LVAD implantation during the study period. Eleven patients were excluded (five acute MI, four without BNP measurements, and two discharged earlier than 13 days post LVAD implantation). The incidence of VA was 31%, with 91% ventricular tachycardia (VT) and 9% ventricular fibrillation. BNP remained the single most powerful predictor of VA even after adjustment for other borderline significant factors in a multivariate logistic regression model (P < 0.05). BNP levels are a strong predictor of VA post LVAD implantation, surpassing previously described risk factors such as age and VT in the past.
Knowledge mobilization to spread awareness of the ‘F‐words’ in childhood disability: lessons from a family–researcher partnership
Authors: Cross A. , Rosenbaum P. , Grahovac D. , Kay D. , Gorter J. W.
Published: April 2015

Background

In 2012, two CanChild researchers published an article in Child: Care, Health and Development titled ‘The “F‐words” in childhood disability: I swear this is how we should think!’ Building on the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework, the article featured key strengths‐based ICF themes (i.e. the ‘F‐words’ – Function, Family, Fitness, Fun, Friends and Future). This paper reports on a knowledge mobilization initiative designed to spread awareness of the ‘F‐words’ ideas.

Methods

Families and researchers collaborated to develop, disseminate and evaluate an online awareness video. The video used written descriptions, parents' reflections and their pictures, music and graphics to captivate the audience. Posted on the CanChild website in May 2014, information about the video was distributed via various dissemination strategies and evaluated by tracking its views and through an online survey.

Results

After a 2‐month evaluation, there were 715 views and 137 survey responses. Of the survey responses, 89% lived in Canada, 55% had not previously heard of the ‘F‐words’, 98% ‘extremely liked'/‘liked the ideas’ and 88% indicated they would share the video.

Conclusions

By creating a short and captivating video, we were able to spread awareness to a wide audience in a short period of time. Engaging families throughout the project was critical to the success of the video. By working together, we hope to continue bridging research and practice and moving the ‘F‐words’ concepts forward one ‘word’ at a time.
Deconstructing intercontinental invasion pathway hypotheses of the Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata) using a Bayesian inference approach: are port interceptions and quarantine protocols successfully preventing new invasions?
Authors: Karsten Minette , Jansen van Vuuren Bettine , Addison Pia , Terblanche John S.
Published: April 2015

Aim

Knowledge of how effective interceptions and quarantine measures are in preventing new biological invasions is of paramount importance for maintaining ecosystem function in a rapidly changing world. Here, we determine current macrogeographic population structure and routes of invasion of the Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata) using genetic approaches and reconstruct and test invasion pathway hypotheses in a Bayesian framework.

Location

Africa, Australia, Greece, Guatemala and Madeira.

Methods

We sampled 323C. capitataindividuals from 14 locations world‐wide and genotyped all individuals for 11 polymorphic microsatellite markers. We calculated measures of genetic diversity and determined population structure. Moreover, we reconstructed and tested eighteen invasion pathway scenarios in a Bayesian framework usingABCmodelling.

Results

We show a decrease in genetic diversity outside the native range (Africa) into the introduced range (Australia, Greece, Guatemala and Madeira). The most likely invasion pathway scenario closely matched the historical records, with an initial colonization of Europe from Africa and a secondary colonization of Australia from Europe. Moreover, we show an introduction from Greece to the Americas and, finally, a back introduction into South Africa from Europe.

Main conclusions

Given the lack of new introductions into colonized (non‐African) locations despite increasing trade, and apart from the initial invasion and establishment of the species outside of Africa, we conclude that quarantine and interception measures have been largely successful to date.