bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unifying Liberation Psychology and Humanistic Values to Promote Social Justice in Counseling
Authors: CHÁVEZ TOM A. , FERNANDEZ IVELISSE TORRES , HIPOLITO‐DELGADO CARLOS P. , RIVERA EDIL TORRES
Published: October 2016

The unification of liberation psychology and humanistic values can provide counselors with a powerful tool for promoting social justice in counseling. In this article, the authors present and compare the principles of each theory. A discussion is delineated on how unifying liberation psychology and humanistic values may promote a comprehensive understanding of human concerns.
YouTube Nature Preferences: A Content Analysis Study
Authors: REESE RYAN F. , SEITZ CHRISTOPHER M. , STROUD DANIEL , LEHMAN BARBARA , CALDWELL SCARLET , ECKLUND CAITLIN , WINN AMY
Published: October 2016

Considering that increased urbanization will continue well into this century, humanistic counselors must reevaluate methods for integrating nature into counseling settings. The use and preferences of nature media accessed through YouTube were studied as a way to begin exploring the indirect ways in which counselors might infuse nature into counseling.
An Exploration of Adolescent Girls' Perspectives of Childhood Obesity Through Photovoice: A Call for Counselor Advocacy
Authors: SACKETT CORRINE R. , GRANBERG ELLEN M. , JENKINS ALYSSA M.
Published: October 2016

This study explores adolescent girls' perspectives of childhood obesity using photovoice (C. Wang & Burris, ). Because counselors are called to advocate at multiple levels to address barriers that inhibit the growth and development of clients (American Counseling Association, ), the authors address how counselors can use these findings to advocate for the many clients whom this issue affects.
Supercritical fluid chromatography for lipid analysis in foodstuffs
Authors: Donato Paola , Inferrera Veronica , Sciarrone Danilo , Mondello Luigi
Published: October 2016

The task of lipid analysis has always challenged separation scientists, and new techniques in chromatography were often developed for the separation of lipids; however, no single technique or methodology is yet capable of affording a comprehensive screening of all lipid species and classes. This review acquaints the role of supercritical fluid chromatography within the field of lipid analysis, from the early developed capillary separations based on pure CO2, to the most recent techniques employing packed columns under subcritical conditions, including the niche multidimensional techniques using supercritical fluids in at least one of the separation dimensions. A short history of supercritical fluid chromatography will be introduced first, from its early popularity in the late 1980s, to the sudden fall and oblivion until the last decade, experiencing a regain of interest within the chromatographic community. Afterwards, the subject of lipid nomenclature and classification will be briefly dealt with, before discussing the main applications of supercritical fluid chromatography for food analysis, according to the specific class of lipids.
Modelling the Effect of Land Management Changes on Soil Organic Carbon Stocks in a Mediterranean Cultivated Field
Authors: Quijano Laura , Van Oost Kristof , Nadeu Elisabet , Gaspar Leticia , Navas Ana
Published: October 2016

Land management in agricultural lands has important effects on soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics. These effects are particularly relevant in the Mediterranean region, where soils are fragile and prone to erosion. Increasing interest of modelling to simulate SOC dynamics and the significance of soil erosion on SOC redistribution have been linked to the development of some recent models. In this study, the SPEROS‐C model was implemented in a 1.6‐ha cereal field for a 150‐year period covering 100 years of minimum tillage by animal traction, 35 years of conventional tillage followed by 15 years of reduced tillage by chisel to evaluate the effects of changes in land management on SOC stocks and lateral carbon fluxes in a Mediterranean agroecosystem. The spatial patterns of measured and simulated SOC stocks were in good agreement, and their spatial variability appeared to be closely linked to soil redistribution. Changes in the magnitude of lateral SOC fluxes differed between land management showing that during the conventional tillage period the carbon losses is slightly higher (0.06 g C m−2 yr−1) compared to the period of reduced till using chisel (0.04 g C m−2 yr−1).

Although the results showed that the SPEROS‐C model is a potential tool to evaluate erosion induced carbon fluxes and assess the relative contribution of different land management on SOC stocks in Mediterranean agroecosystems, the model was not able to fully represent the observed SOC stocks. Further research (e.g. input parameters) and model development will be needed to achieve more accurate results. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pioneer Mediterranean Shrub Species Revegetating Soils Developed on Mining Soils/Spoils
Authors: Batista Maria João , Gonzalez‐Fernandez Oscar , Abreu Maria Manuela , Queralt Ignasi , Carvalho Maria Luisa
Published: October 2016

Spontaneous and autochthonous species of plants growing on degraded and contaminated soils/spoils that survive in such environments show, in general, no symptoms of toxicity. This study compares concentrations of chemical elements in different leaves maturation and in different seasons of several native species in a massive sulphide in an abandoned mine area. The objective is to evaluate if these species can play an important role on the stabilization of degraded soils and mine spoils. Total concentrations of chemical elements were great in soils. However, in general, only <1% of the total concentration was extracted by DTPA or ammonium acetate solutions. Total and available fraction of the chemical elements has similar behaviour between soil sites. Mature leaves have higher concentrations of As, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn than younger ones. An opposite behaviour occurs with S. Winter and spring variations in most chemical elements concentrations in the plant leaves are not significantly different, except for As. Elemental concentrations of plant leaves are independent of the same elements concentrations (total and available fraction) in soils where plants have grown. The concentrations of As, Cu and Pb in plant leaves were below the level of risk to be ingested by grazing animals, although soils are above the reported thresholds. Therefore, all studied plant species can be considered for phytostabilization programmes, but the use of the land for pasture may not be a solution considering that animals ingest soil along with herbage. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stability analysis in the inverse Robin transmission problem
Authors: Meftahi Houcine
Published: October 2016

In this paper, we consider the conductivity problem with piecewise‐constant conductivity and Robin‐type boundary condition on the interface of discontinuity. When the quantity of interest is the jump of the conductivity, we perform a local stability estimate for a parameterized non‐monotone family of domains. We give also a quantitative stability result of local optimal solution with respect to a perturbation of the Robin parameter. In order to find an optimal solution, we propose a Kohn–Vogelius‐type cost functional over a class of admissible domains subject to two boundary values problems. The analysis of the stability involves the computation of first‐order and second‐order shape derivative of the proposed cost functional, which is performed rigorously by means of shape‐Lagrangian formulation without using the shape sensitivity of the states variables. © 2016 The Author. Mathematical Methods in the Applied Sciences Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
hp Fast multipole boundary element method for 3D acoustics
Authors: Keuchel Sören , Vater Kerstin , Estorff Otto von
Published: October 2016

A fast multipole boundary element method (FMBEM) extended by an adaptive mesh refinement algorithm for solving acoustic problems in three‐dimensional space is presented in this paper. The Collocation method is used, and the Burton–Miller formulation is employed to overcome the fictitious eigenfrequencies arising for exterior domain problems. Because of the application of the combined integral equation, the developed FMBEM is feasible for all positive wave numbers even up to high frequencies. In order to evaluate the hypersingular integral resulting from the Burton–Miller formulation of the boundary integral equation, an integration technique for arbitrary element order is applied. The fast multipole method combined with an arbitrary order h‐p mesh refinement strategy enables accurate computation of large‐scale systems. Numerical examples substantiate the high accuracy attainable by the developed FMBEM, while requiring only moderate computational effort at the same time. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Solving large‐scale nonlinear eigenvalue problems by rational interpolation and resolvent sampling based Rayleigh–Ritz method
Authors: Xiao Jinyou , Zhang Chuanzeng , Huang Tsung‐Ming , Sakurai Tetsuya
Published: October 2016

Numerical solution of nonlinear eigenvalue problems (NEPs) is frequently encountered in computational science and engineering. The applicability of most existing methods is limited by the matrix structures, properties of the eigen‐solutions, sizes of the problems, etc. This paper aims to remove those limitations and develop robust and universal NEP solvers for large‐scale engineering applications. The novelty lies in two aspects. First, a rational interpolation approach (RIA) is proposed based on the Keldysh theorem for holomorphic matrix functions. Comparing with the existing contour integral approach, the RIA provides the possibility to select sampling points in more general regions and has advantages in improving the accuracy and reducing the computational cost. Second, a resolvent sampling scheme using the RIA is proposed to construct reliable search spaces for the Rayleigh–Ritz procedure, based on which a robust eigen‐solver, called resolvent sampling based Rayleigh–Ritz method (RSRR), is developed for solving general NEPs. The RSRR can be easily implemented and parallelized. The advantages of the RIA and the performance of the RSRR are demonstrated by a variety of benchmark and application examples. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Breaking embedded electrospun fibers (BEEF): Fabrication of polymer spheres encapsulated in polymer films
Authors: Chi Heng‐Yu , Tsai Chia‐Chan , Chiu Yu‐Jing , Chen Jiun‐Tai
Published: October 2016

In this work, a novel method to fabricate polymer spheres encapsulated in polymer films by breaking embedded electrospun fibers (BEEF) was developed. Polymer fibers were first prepared by electrospinning and embedded in other polymer films using a three‐layer deposition method. After thermal annealing, the electrospun fibers transform into individual spheres with regular spacing and sizes. Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and polystyrene (PS) are both used as the fiber or film materials. The transformation process can be observed in‐situ by optical microscope (OM) and is similar to the Plateau–Rayleigh instability. The growth rates of the surface undulation of the fibers are calculated, and higher growth rates are observed at higher annealing temperatures. The sizes of the encapsulated polymer spheres agree well with the theoretical predictions. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016, 54, 2463–2470
Morphology and tensile properties of model thermoplastic polyurethanes with MDI/butanediol based monodisperse hard segments
Authors: Ren Li , Shah Priyank N. , Faust Rudolf
Published: October 2016

Morphology and tensile properties of model thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) containing polyisobutylene (PIB) or poly(tetramethylene oxide) (PTMO) based soft segment and 4,4‐methylene bis(phenyl isocyanate) (MDI) and 1,4‐butanediol (BDO) based monodisperse hard segments (HSs), consisting of exactly two to four MDI units extended by BDO, were investigated. Using FT‐IR spectroscopy, increased hydrogen bonded CO fraction was observed in model TPUs as the HS size increased. The hydrogen bonded CO fraction was higher in PIB based TPUs compared with PTMO based TPUs, indicating higher phase separation in PIB based TPUs. The morphology of TPUs was investigated using AFM phase imaging, which showed ribbon‐like or interconnected hard domains in PTMO based model TPUs and randomly dispersed hard domains in PIB based model TPUs. SAXS revealed that the degree of phase separation in the model TPUs was higher than in their polydisperse analogues. Domain spacing as well as interfacial thickness increased with the increasing HS size, and both values were higher in PTMO based TPUs. The tensile analysis indicated that model TPUs exhibited higher modulus and slightly higher elongation compared with their polydisperse analogues. Only in PTMO based model TPUs, strain induced crystallization was observed above 300% elongation. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016, 54, 2485–2493
Prostate Cancer Cells in Different Androgen Receptor Status Employ Different Leucine Transporters
Authors: Otsuki Hideo , Kimura Toru , Yamaga Takashi , Kosaka Takeo , Suehiro Jun‐ichi , Sakurai Hiroyuki
Published: October 2016

BACKGROUND

Leucine stimulates cancer cell proliferation through the mTOR pathway, therefore, inhibiting leucine transporters may be a novel therapeutic target for cancer. L‐type amino acid transporter (LAT) 1, a Na+‐independent amino acid transporter, is highly expressed in many tumor cells. However, leucine transporter(s) in different stages of prostate cancer, particularly in the stages of castration resistance with androgen receptor (AR) expression, is unclear.

METHODS

LNCaP and DU145 and PC‐3 cell lines were used as a model of androgen dependent, and metastatic prostate cancer. A new “LN‐cr” cell line was established after culturing LNCaP cells for 6 months under androgen‐free conditions, which is considered a model of castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) with androgen AR expression. The expression of leucine transporters was investigated with quantitative PCR and immunofluorescence. Uptake of 14C Leucine was examined in the presence or absence of BCH (a pan‐LAT inhibitor), JPH203 (an LAT1‐specific inhibitor), or Na+. Cell growth was assessed with MTT assay. siRNA studies were performed to evaluate the indispensability of y+LAT2 on leucine uptake and cell viability in LN‐cr.

RESULTS

Cell viability showed a 90% decrease in the absence of leucine in all four cell lines. LNCaP cells principally expressed LAT3, and their leucine uptake was more than 90% Na+‐independent. BCH, but not JPH203, inhibited leucine uptake, and cell proliferation (IC50BCH:15 mM). DU145 and PC‐3 cells predominantly expressed LAT1. Leucine uptake and cell growth were suppressed by BCH or JPH203 in a dose‐dependent manner (IC50BCH: ∼20 mM, IC50JPH203: ∼5 µM). In LN‐cr cells, Na+‐dependent uptake of leucine was 3.8 pmol/mgprotein/min, while, Na+‐independent uptake was only 0.52 (P < 0.05). Leucine uptake of LN‐cr was largely (∼85%) Na+‐dependent. y+LAT2 expression was confirmed in LN‐cr. Knockdown of y+LAT2 lead to significant leucine uptake inhibition (40%) and cell growth inhibition (20%).

CONCLUSIONS

New CRPC cell line with increased expression of y+LAT2 as a leucine transporter was established in vitro. Anti‐leucine transporter therapy could be an important option against prostate cancer. Prostate 77:222–233, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry measurement of xenon in gas‐loaded liposomes for neuroprotective applications
Authors: Klegerman Melvin E. , Moody Melanie R. , Hurling Jermaine R. , Peng Tao , Huang Shao‐Ling , McPherson David D.
Published: October 2016

Rationale

We have produced a liposomal formulation of xenon (Xe‐ELIP) as a neuroprotectant for inhibition of brain damage in stroke patients. This mandates development of a reliable assay to measure the amount of dissolved xenon released from Xe‐ELIP in water and blood samples.

Methods

Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was used to quantify xenon gas released into the headspace of vials containing Xe‐ELIP samples in water or blood. In order to determine blood concentration of xenon in vivo after Xe‐ELIP administration, 6 mg of Xe‐ELIP lipid was infused intravenously into rats. Blood samples were drawn directly from a catheterized right carotid artery. After introduction of the samples, each vial was allowed to equilibrate to 37°C in a water bath, followed by 20 minutes of sonication prior to headspace sampling. Xenon concentrations were calculated from a gas dose–response curve and normalized using the published xenon water–gas solubility coefficient.

Results

The mean corrected percent of xenon from Xe‐ELIP released into water was 3.87 ± 0.56% (SD, n = 8), corresponding to 19.3 ± 2.8 μL/mg lipid, which is consistent with previous independent Xe‐ELIP measurements. The corresponding xenon content of Xe‐ELIP in rat blood was 23.38 ± 7.36 μL/mg lipid (n = 8). Mean rat blood xenon concentration after intravenous administration of Xe‐ELIP was 14 ± 10 μM, which is approximately 15% of the estimated neuroprotective level.

Conclusions

Using this approach, we have established a reproducible method for measuring dissolved xenon in fluids. These measurements have established that neuroprotective effects can be elicited by less than 20% of the calculated neuroprotective xenon blood concentration. More work will have to be done to establish the protective xenon pharmacokinetic range. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Scenario Writing of Future Lifestyles in Japan for 2030
Authors: Tasaki Tomohiro , Yoshida Aya , Aoyagi Midori , Kanamori Yuko , Awata Keigo , Tominaga Naoki , Shimizu Aiko , Suwabe Hiromi , Nemoto Kaori
Published: October 2016

In order to change current lifestyles to sustainable ones, it is necessary to understand what kinds of lifestyle change could occur and what factors could affect these changes in the future. In this study, we explored possible lifestyle changes in Japan from the present to 2030, using techniques of scanning and constrained idea generation in an expert workshop. The participants generated 14 hypotheses for possible discontinuous changes by using a scanning technique wherein they skimmed many articles from different sources. Subsequently, the participants employed constrained idea generation, combining these ideas with continuous lifestyle changes to portray concept proposals for future lifestyles. Using these proposals, we elaborated four lifestyle scenarios and then investigated people's reactions to them. Finally, we discussed the insights obtained from this scenario writing in terms of attention needed to lifestyle scenario writing, similarity with other scenarios, and peoples' perceptions and transformation of lifestyles. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Concern For Global Warming In Six Islamic Nations: A Multilevel Bayesian Analysis
Authors: Mostafa Mohamed M.
Published: October 2016

The aim of this paper is to investigate factors influencing concern for global warming among six Islamic nations (Turkey, Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, Indonesia and Malaysia). Due to the hierarchical nature of the data, the study uses multilevel and Bayesian multilevel modeling to cross‐culturally test the influence of nations“ wealth, CO2 emissions, post‐materialistic tendencies, religiosity, political orientation and locus of control on concern for global warming. The results obtained from the Islamic nations investigated contradict both the affluence and the post‐materialist hypotheses. The general pattern of the results shows that concern for global warming is a global phenomenon and not unique to the wealthy nations. We also found that concern for global warming is driven by religiosity, political orientation and internal locus of control. The findings of this paper highlight the importance of simultaneously assessing individual‐ and contextual‐level variables in determining concern for global warming across nations. They also highlight the importance of examining the specificity of global warming and environmental concern within a non‐Western context. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
The Imperatives of Sustainable Development
Authors: Holden Erling , Linnerud Kristin , Banister David
Published: October 2016

The United Nations sustainable development goals are under fire. By attempting to cover all that is good and desirable in society, these targets have ended up as vague, weak, or meaningless. We suggest a model for sustainable development based on three moral imperatives: satisfying human needs, ensuring social equity, and respecting environmental limits. The model reflects Our Common Future's central message, moral imperatives laid out in philosophical texts on needs and equity, and recent scientific insights on environmental limits. The model is in conflict with the popular three‐pillar model of sustainable development, which seeks to balance social, environmental, and economic targets. Rather, we argue that sustainable development constitutes a set of constraints on human behaviour, including constraints on economic activity. By identifying indicators, and thresholds, we illustrate that different regions or groups of countries face different challenges. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
New Global Sustainable Development Agenda: A Focus on Africa
Authors: Nhamo Godwell
Published: October 2016

This paper focuses on how the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) may ‘play out for Africa’, an element including the interfacing of the SDGs and Africa's Agenda 2063. Through critical document and discourse analysis, the paper deconstructs meaning from the texts. What emerges is that there are ‘the good’ and ‘the bad’ in the SDGs in terms of where Africa wishes to be. Issues that include gender and women, education, desire to prioritize Africa and technology emerge strongly. However, there are glaring omissions: the silence on reforming the United Nations and other global multilateral political institutions, addressing land‐grab concerns, the much popularized green economy agenda and equity. The paper concludes that, if the SDGs are to be a vehicle for poverty eradication in Africa, then the continent needs to do more for itself, including domestic mobilization of financial resources. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Sustainability of Economic Growth and Convergence in Regions of Different Developmental Stages
Authors: Juknys Romualdas , Liobikienė Genovaitė , Dagiliūtė Renata
Published: October 2016

This study aims to contribute to the overall discussion on sustainability of growth and convergence in a variety of regions, focusing on not only economic but also environmental sustainability aspects and consequences of convergence.

Results show that the direction and rate of economic convergence among countries of different regions markedly depends on the stage of their development and corresponds well to the primary regularities of logistic growth law. In developing regions, faster growth in richer countries leads to divergence among countries of the region. Absolute economic convergence is only possible in economically developed regions, which have already passed the stage of maximal growth rate and can be characterized by the deceleration of economic growth gradually approaching the steady state (zero‐growth) stage.

Economic growth and convergence lead to both positive and negative environmental outcomes. The first signs of absolute decoupling have been noticed over the last decade in some developed countries, but only a relative decoupling of environmental impact from economic growth is characteristic of developing regions and countries. The level of decoupling is not sufficient, and environmental impact in developing countries and in the largest emerging economies in particular is approaching the high level of developed countries much faster than the economy. Hence, different development stages require different approaches and policies for both economic development and environmental sustainability. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Adaptable secure communication for the Cloud of Things
Authors: Vasić Valter , Antonić Aleksandar , Pripužić Krešimir , Mikuc Miljenko , Žarko Ivana Podnar
Published: October 2016

Cloud of Things (CoT) is a novel concept driven by the synergy of the Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud computing paradigm. The CoT concept has expedited the development of smart services resulting in the proliferation of their real world deployments. However, new research challenges arise because of the transition of research‐driven and proof‐of‐concept solutions to commercial offerings, which need to provide secure, energy‐efficient, and reliable services. An open research issue in the CoT is to provide a satisfactory level of security between various IoT devices and the cloud. Existing solutions for secure CoT communication typically use devices with pre‐loaded and pre‐configured parameters, which define a static setup for secure communication. In contrast to existing pre‐configured solutions, we present an adaptable model for secure communication in CoT environments. The model defines six secure communication operations to enable CoT entities to autonomously and dynamically agree on the security protocol and cryptographic keys used for communication. Further on, we focus on device agreement and present an original solution, which uses the Agile Cryptographic Agreement Protocol in the context of CoT. We verify our solution by a prototype implementation of CoT device agreement based on required security level, which takes into account the capabilities of communicating devices. Our experimental evaluation compares the average processing times of the proposed secure communication operations demonstrating the viability of the proposed solution in real‐world deployments. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structure discovery and parametrically guided regression
Authors: Yoshida Takuma
Published: October 2016

In regression analysis, a parametric model is often assumed from prior information or a pilot study. If the model assumption is valid, the parametric method is useful. However, the efficiency of the estimator is not guaranteed when a poor model is selected. This article aims to check whether the model assumption is correct or not and to estimate the regression function. To achieve this, we propose a hybrid technique of parametrically guided method and group lasso. First, the parametric model is prepared. The parametrically guided estimator is constructed by summing the parametric estimator and nonparametric estimator. For the estimation of the nonparametric component, we use B‐splines and the group lasso method. If the nonparametric component is estimated to be a zero function, the parametrically guided estimator is reduced to the parametric estimator. Then, we can decide that the parametric model assumption is correct. If the nonparametric estimator is not zero, the semiparametric estimator is obtained. Thus, the proposed method discovers the model structure and estimates the regression function simultaneously. We investigate the asymptotic properties of the proposed estimator. A simulation study and real data example are presented. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Low startle magnitude may be a behavioral marker of vulnerability to cocaine addiction
Authors: Wheeler Marina G. , Duncan Erica , Davis Michael
Published: October 2016

Cocaine addicted men have low startle magnitude persisting during prolonged abstinence. Low startle rats show greater cocaine self‐administration than high startle rats. Low startle may be a marker of a vulnerability to heightened cocaine‐related behaviors in rats and similarly may be a marker of vulnerability to cocaine addiction in humans.
Readmissions After Surgery: A French Nationwide Cross‐Sectional Study of 1,686,602 Procedures Performed in 2010
Authors: Lefèvre Jérémie H. , Reboul‐Marty Jeanne , de Vaugrigneuse Sophie , Zeitoun Jean‐David
Published: October 2016

Background

Surgical readmissions have been extensively studied in North America, but very few data from other countries are available. We aimed to describe surgical readmissions in France and to assess their association with hospital status, surgical volume, and day surgery activity.

Methods

We performed a cross‐sectional study encompassing all 1270 French hospitals, except for military hospitals and hospitals with very small volume. Data were retrieved from the national database regarding all patients undergoing surgery between January 1, 2010 and November 30, 2010. The main outcome measure was 30‐day readmission rate. Association with hospital status, surgical volume, and the level of day surgery were assessed. Risk adjustment was performed based upon administrative categories.

Results

After exclusion of deaths and hospital transfers, there were 1,686,602 patients in the study cohort. Thirty‐day readmission rate was 5.9 %. Distribution was skewed, with 21.5 % of procedures accounting for 33.5 % of all 30‐day readmissions. Early readmissions (≤3 days) were associated with higher mortality as compared to those occurring later (>7 days) (3.2 vs. 2.6 %; p < 0.0001). After multivariate analysis, University hospitals were shown to be affected by a significantly greater risk of 30‐day readmission as compared to private hospitals (odds ratio 1.46 [95 % CI 1.42–1.5]). Other independent factors were as follows: male gender, longer initial hospital stay, and comorbidities.

Conclusions

Surgical 30‐day readmission rate was low, with early readmissions being associated with higher mortality. Conversely to prior research, University hospitals were shown to be associated with significantly higher risk of 30‐day readmissions, even after risk adjustment.
New clinical trials regulation in Spain: analysis of royal decree 1090/2015
Authors: Martin Jimenez M. , Calvo Ferrandiz A. , Aparicio Urtasun J. , Garcia-Campelo R. , Gonzalez-Flores E. , Lazaro Quintela M. , Muñoz Mateu M. , Rodriguez Sanchez C. A. , Santaballa Bertran A. , Sepulveda Sanchez J. M. , Vera Garcia R. , Virizuela Echaburu J. A. , Segui Palmer M. A.
Published: October 2016

The coming into force of Directive 2001/20/EC represented a step forward in harmonising clinical trial regulation in European countries, guaranteeing a uniform protection of subjects participating in clinical research across Europe. However, it led to a disproportionate increase in the bureaucratization, and thus, it became evident that procedures needed to be simplified without detriment to patient’s safety. Thus, Regulation 536/2014, that repealed Directive 2001/20/EC, with the aim of decreasing the growing bureaucratization and stimulating clinical research in Europe, established simplified procedures, such as regulating a common procedure for authorising trials in Europe, the institution of strict assessment timelines, or the definition of new concepts, such as “low-intervention clinical trial”. The legal form of a Regulation allowed the norm to be directly applied to Member States without the need for transposition. By means of the new Royal Decree, the national legislation is adapted to make the application of the regulation feasible and it allows the development of the aspects that the Regulation leaves to national legislation. Both documents seek to stimulate clinical research with medicinal products to foster knowledge, facilitate transparency, and reinforce subjects’ safety. This will surely be the case, but with this revision, we will look at the novelties and key aspects that are most relevant to investigators and we will analyse the consequences for all parties involved in clinical research.
An examination of the reciprocal relations between life satisfaction and social problem solving in early adolescents
Authors: Jiang Xu , Lyons Michael D. , Huebner E. Scott
Published: October 2016

Theoretical and emerging empirical advances in the life satisfaction (LS) and social problem solving (SPS) literature suggest that LS and SPS may have bidirectional relations. The main purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis of bidirectionality between LS and two components of the SPS, orientation (SPS‐O) and skills (SPS‐S). Two waves of data were collected from a sample of 733 adolescents at a middle school over a 6‐month period. Cross‐lagged panel analysis results showed that statistically, LS significantly predicted SPS‐O and SPS‐S after six months; however, neither SPS‐O nor SPS‐S significantly predicted LS after six months. These findings suggest LS may function as an antecedent of SPS‐O and SPS‐S among early adolescents, which lead to a main implication that both SPS and LS could be the direct aims of educational and psychological programs to promote SPS development in early adolescents. Additional implication and future directions are discussed.
Recommended cognitive outcomes in preclinical Alzheimer's disease: Consensus statement from the European Prevention of Alzheimer's Dementia project
Authors: Ritchie Karen , Ropacki Michael , Albala Bruce , Harrison John , Kaye Jeffrey , Kramer Joel , Randolph Christopher , Ritchie Craig W.
Published: October 2016

The Horizon 2020/IMI European Prevention of Alzheimer's Dementia (EPAD) project will undertake large‐scale proof‐of‐concept trials in predementia Alzheimer's disease (AD). Within EPAD, the monitoring of cognitive trajectories in the preclinical period will constitute a central outcome measure; however, there are currently no clear guidelines as to how this should be achieved as most measures have been developed for the period around dementia diagnosis. The EPAD Scientific Advisory Group for Clinical and Cognitive Outcomes identified appropriate cognitive measures based on a literature search covering both cognitive correlates of preclinical brain changes from imaging studies and cognitive changes observed over time in nondementia population cohorts developing incident dementia. These measures were evaluated according to the following criteria: validity, coherence with biomarker changes, psychometric properties, cross‐cultural suitability, availability of alternative forms, and normative data limited practice effects. The resulting consensus statement provides recommendations for both future drug trials and research into preclinical Alzheimer's disease.
Computational methods for plasma fluid models
Authors: Fuhr G. , Beyer P. , Benkadda S.
Published: October 2016

Challenges in plasma physics are wide. Investigation and advances are made in experiments but at the same time, to understand and to reach the experimental limits, accurate numerical simulations are required from systems of nonlinear equations. The numerical challenges of solving the associated fluid equations are discussed in this paper. Using the framework of the finite difference discretization, the most widely used methods for the problems linked to the diffusion or advection operators are presented.
Properties and evolution of anisotropic structures in collisionless plasmas
Authors: Karimov A. R. , Yu M. Y. , Stenflo L.
Published: October 2016

A new class of exact electrostatic solutions of the Vlasov–Maxwell equations based on the Jeans’s theorem is proposed for studying the evolution and properties of two-dimensional anisotropic plasmas that are far from thermodynamic equilibrium. In particular, the free expansion of a slab of electron–ion plasma into vacuum is investigated.
Extended possibility of an active control of co-axially nested shear plasma formation due to electron cyclotron heatings
Authors: Cho T. , Hirata M.
Published: October 2016

Coaxially nested intense $E\times B$ sheared flow realized an upgraded stable mirror plasma regime. After such an external control of high vorticity formation due to electron cyclotron heating, significantly unstable plasmas appeared. Thereby, the associated cross-field transport caused a crash of plasmas. Its generalized physics and interpretation could prepare or extend to another possibility of stability in a field-reversed configuration (FRC), for instance. Such underlying physics bases of vorticity formation were essentially or partially performed in tokamaks and stellarators (solved problems). Nevertheless, it remains to be seen whether this mirror-based experimental evidence is applicable or not to open ended FRC devices. This open issue may give a solution of one of unsolved important problems, and possibly provide more generalized and externally controllable opportunities for not only FRC but wider plasma confinement improvements.
Pictorial Empathy Test (PET)
Authors: Lindeman Marjaana , Koirikivi Iivo , Lipsanen Jari
Published: October 2016

Abstract. Research on empathy has increased rapidly during the last decades but brief assessment methods are not easily available. The aim was to develop a test for affective empathic reactions which would be simple to translate into different languages, easy to use in a variety of research settings, and which would catch the empathic reactions at the moment they arise. We describe the development and validation of the Pictorial Empathy Test (PET) in three studies (Study 1, N = 91; Study 2, N = 2,789; and Study 3, N = 114). The PET includes seven photographs about distressed individuals and the participants are asked to rate on a 5-point scale how emotionally moving they find the photograph. The results indicated that the PET displayed a unitary factor structure and it had high internal consistency and good seven-month test-retest reliability. In addition, the results supported convergent and discriminant validity of the test. The results suggest that the PET is a useful addition to the prevailing methods for assessing affective empathy.
Students’ Perceived Constructivist Learning	Environment
Authors: Alt Dorit
Published: October 2016

Abstract. Theoretical classifications suggest three key tenets of the constructivist learning environment: constructivist task, teacher-student interaction, and social activity. This study assessed two scales, measuring the perceptions of high school and college students of their constructivist learning environment. Facet theory (FT) approach with smallest space analysis (SSA) as well as confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to confirm the structure of the constructivist learning theory and to test the structural validity of scores on two scales. In the first study, data were gathered by using the Constructivist Learning Environment Survey (CLES). In this study, compared with the CFA result, the SSA gave additional information showing the existence of the three theoretical key tenets which were absent from the factor analysis. This facet was derived from the constructivist learning theory, framed in the mapping sentence, purposely designed as part of the FT research strategy. In the second study, students’ perceptions of the occurrence of constructivist practices in higher education learning environments were assessed. The comparison between SSA and CFA showed that the CFA was limited to capture merely one facet at a time and failed to illustrate the correspondence between the content facets of the mapping sentence.
The Relationship Between Faking and Response	Latencies
Authors: Maricuțoiu Laurențiu P. , Sârbescu Paul
Published: October 2016

Abstract. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to analyze the relationship between faking and response latencies (RL). Research studies included in online databases, as well as papers identified in previous reviews, were considered for selection. Inclusion criteria for the studies were (a) to have an experimental faking condition, (b) to measure RL using a computer, and (c) to provide data for calculating the d Cohen effect sizes. Overall effects were significant in the case of honest versus fake good condition ( d = 0.20, Z = 3.05, p < .05), and in the case of honest versus fake bad condition ( d = 0.39, Z = 2.21, p < .05). Subgroup analyses indicated moderator effects of item type, with larger effects computed on RL of positively keyed items, as compared with RL of negatively keyed items.
Psychometric Properties of the Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction	and Frustration Scale – Intellectual Disability	(BPNSFS-ID)
Authors: Frielink Noud , Schuengel Carlo , Embregts Petri J. C. M.
Published: October 2016

Abstract. The Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale – Intellectual Disability (BPNSFS-ID), an adapted version of the original BPNSFS ( Chen, Vansteenkiste, et al., 2015 ), operationalizes satisfaction and frustration with the three basic psychological needs according to self-determination theory (SDT): autonomy, relatedness, and competence. The current study examined the psychometric properties of the BPNSFS-ID in a group of 186 adults with mild to borderline intellectual disability (MBID). The results indicated an adequate factorial structure of the BPNSFS-ID, comprising the satisfaction and frustration of each of the three needs. The associations between BPNSFS-ID subscales autonomy, relatedness, and competence and the self-determination subscale of the Personal Outcome Scale (POS), the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale, and the General Self-Efficacy Scale – 12 (GSES-12), supported the construct validity. In addition, the BPNSFS-ID demonstrated high internal consistency (α = .92) and 2-week test-retest reliability ( r = .81 for the composite subscale autonomy, r = .69 for the composite subscale relatedness, and r = .85 for the composite subscale competence). Overall, the BPNSFS-ID proved to be a valid and reliable measure of basic psychological need satisfaction and need frustration among people with MBID.
Expression of CALR mutants causes mpl-dependent thrombocytosis in zebrafish
Authors: Lim K-H , Chang Y-C , Chiang Y-H , Lin H-C , Chang C-Y , Lin C-S , Huang L , Wang W-T , Gon-Shen Chen C , Chou W-C , Kuo Y-Y
Published: October 2016

CALR mutations are identified in about 30% of JAK2/MPL-unmutated myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) including essential thrombocythemia (ET) and primary myelofibrosis. Although the molecular pathogenesis of CALR mutations leading to MPNs has been studied using in vitro cell lines models, how mutant CALR may affect developmental hematopoiesis remains unknown. Here we took advantage of the zebrafish model to examine the effects of mutant CALR on early hematopoiesis and model human CALR-mutated MPNs. We identified three zebrafish genes orthologous to human CALR, referred to as calr, calr3a and calr3b. The expression of CALR-del52 and CALR-ins5 mutants caused an increase in the hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells followed by thrombocytosis without affecting normal angiogenesis. The expression of CALR mutants also perturbed early developmental hematopoiesis in zebrafish. Importantly, morpholino knockdown of mpl but not epor or csf3r could significantly attenuate the effects of mutant CALR. Furthermore, the expression of mutant CALR caused jak-stat signaling activation in zebrafish that could be blocked by JAK inhibitors (ruxolitinib and fedratinib). These findings showed that mutant CALR activates jak-stat signaling through an mpl-dependent mechanism to mediate pathogenic thrombopoiesis in zebrafish, and illustrated that the signaling machinery related to mutant CALR tumorigenesis are conserved between human and zebrafish.
High levels of periostin correlate with increased fracture rate, diffuse MRI pattern, abnormal bone remodeling and advanced disease stage in patients with newly diagnosed symptomatic multiple myeloma
Authors: Terpos E , Christoulas D , Kastritis E , Bagratuni T , Gavriatopoulou M , Roussou M , Papatheodorou A , Eleutherakis-Papaiakovou E , Kanellias N , Liakou C , Panagiotidis I , Migkou M , Kokkoris P , Moulopoulos L A , Dimopoulos M A
Published: October 2016

Periostin is an extracellular matrix protein that is implicated in the biology of normal bone remodeling and in different cancer cell growth and metastasis. However, there is no information on the role of periostin in multiple myeloma (MM). Thus, we evaluated periostin in six myeloma cell lines in vitro; in the bone marrow plasma and serum of 105 newly diagnosed symptomatic MM (NDMM) patients and in the serum of 23 monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), 33 smoldering MM (SMM) patients, 30 patients at the plateau phase post-first-line therapy, 30 patients at first relapse and 30 healthy controls. We found high levels of periostin in the supernatants of myeloma cell lines compared with ovarian cancer cell lines that were not influenced by the incubation with the stromal cell line HS5. In NDMM patients the bone marrow plasma periostin was almost fourfold higher compared with the serum levels of periostin and correlated with the presence of fractures and of diffuse magnetic resonance imaging pattern of marrow infiltration. Serum periostin was elevated in NDMM patients compared with healthy controls, MGUS and SMM patients and correlated with advanced disease stage, high lactate dehydrogenase, increased activin-A, increased bone resorption and reduced bone formation. Patients at first relapse had also elevated periostin compared with healthy controls, MGUS and SMM patients, while even patients at the plateau phase had elevated serum periostin compared with healthy controls. These results support an important role of periostin in the biology of myeloma and reveal periostin as a possible target for the development of antimyeloma drugs.
Hepatitis C virus drives the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma: from immune evasion to carcinogenesis
Authors: Canavese Miriam , Wijesundara Danushka , Maddern Guy J , Grubor‐Bauk Branka , Hauben Ehud
Published: October 2016

Persistent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with high incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common primary malignancy of the liver with over half a million new cases diagnosed annually worldwide. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ubiquitously expressed transcription factor and its activation by environmental chemicals and by its endogenous ligand kynurenine (Kyn) has been implicated in a variety of tumour‐promoting processes such as transformation, tumorigenesis and in immunosuppression that enables tumour survival and growth. Kyn is generated constitutively by human tumour cells via tryptophan (Trp)‐2,3‐dioxygenase (TDO), a Trp‐degrading enzyme expressed in liver, brain and cancer cells. Notably, it has been shown that TDO‐derived Kyn suppresses anti‐tumour immune responses, thus promoting tumour‐cell survival through activation of the AhR pathway. In the context of HCV infection‐associated HCC, it was shown that AhR signalling is increased in HCV‐infected hepatocytes, and that modifications in the expression of AhR pathway‐specific genes are associated with the progression of HCV infection into HCC. Based on these observations, we present and discuss here the hypothesis that HCV infection promotes HCC by modulation of the TDO–Kyn–AhR pathway, resulting in tumorigenesis as well as in suppression of both anti‐HCV and anti‐tumour immune responses.
Impact of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins on immune modulation and inflammation
Authors: Sharma Sachin , Kaufmann Thomas , Biswas Subhrajit
Published: October 2016

The routes leading to programmed cell death are as tightly regulated as those of cellular growth and proliferation, and a finely synchronized balance between the life and death of cells ensures proper organ size and function. Inhibitors of apoptosis (IAPs) proteins were initially characterized by their ability to directly bind and inhibit apoptotic caspases. However, recent studies have clarified that IAPs are much more functionally versatile, modulating a vast range of signaling pathways that have an impact on antimicrobial responses, tumorigenesis, metastasis and cellular migration. A significant contribution of IAPs in tumorigenesis is their inherent function as E3 ubiquitin ligases to modulate cellular signaling downstream of death receptors or certain pattern recognition receptors. In this review, we focus on modulation of the innate and adaptive immune systems, macrophage plasticity and inflammatory responses by IAP family members. We also explore the rationale to target IAPs pharmacologically for the treatment of a number of inflammatory diseases and cancer.