bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interactive Analysis of Connolly Surfaces for Various Probes
Authors: Manak M. , Jirkovsky L. , Kolingerova I.
Published: May 2016

The Connolly surface defines the boundary between a molecular structure and its environment. Its shape depends on the radius of the probe used to inspect the structure. The exploration of surface features is of great interest among chemists because it helps them to better understand and describe processes in the molecular structure. To help chemists better explore these features, we have combined two things together: a fast extraction of Connolly surfaces from a Voronoi diagram of atoms and a fast visualization based on GPU ray casting. Not only the surface but also the volume description is provided by the diagram. This enables to distinguish surface cavities one from another and compute their properties, e.g. the approximate volume, the maximal filling sphere or the maximal probe that can escape from the cavity to the outer environment. Cavities can be filtered out by applying restrictions to these properties. Views behind the surface and surface clipping improve the perception of the complex internal structure. The surface is quickly recomputed for any probe radius, so interactive changes of the probe radius show the development of cavities, especially how and where they merge together or with the outer environment.
Improvements in health‐related quality of life with liraglutide 3.0 mg compared with placebo in weight management
Authors: Kolotkin R. L. , Fujioka K. , Wolden M. L. , Brett J. H. , Bjorner J. B.
Published: May 2016

Obesity has a negative impact on health‐related quality of life (HRQoL). The SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes study investigated the effect of liraglutide 3.0 mg, as adjunct to diet and exercise, on HRQoL in patients with obesity [body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg m−2] or overweight (BMI ≥ 27 kg m−2) with comorbidity. Participants were advised on a 500 kcal d−1 deficit diet and a 150‐min week−1 exercise programme and were randomised 2:1 to once‐daily subcutaneous liraglutide 3.0 mg or placebo. HRQoL was assessed using the Impact of Weight on Quality of Life‐Lite (IWQOL‐Lite) and Short‐Form 36 (SF‐36) v2 health questionnaires. Individuals on liraglutide 3.0 mg (n = 2046) had significantly greater improvements in IWQOL‐Lite total score (10.6 ± 13.3) vs. placebo (n = 1020) (7.7 ± 12.8) and SF‐36 physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component summary scores (PCS, 3.6 ± 6.8; MCS, 0.2 ± 8.1) vs. placebo (PCS, 2.2 ± 7.7; MCS, −0.9 ± 9.1). The estimated treatment differences were IWQOL‐Lite total score 3.1 (95% CI: 2.2; 4.0), P < 0.0001; SF‐36 PCS 1.7 (95% CI: 1.2; 2.2), P < 0.0001 and MCS 0.9 (95% CI: 0.3; 1.5), P = 0.003. All subscales of the IWQOL‐Lite and SF‐36 were significantly improved with liraglutide 3.0 mg vs. placebo. More patients on liraglutide 3.0 mg experienced meaningful improvement on the IWQOL‐Lite total (P < 0.0001) and the SF‐36 PCS (P < 0.0001) scores.
The Pharmacokinetic Exposure to Fexofenadine is Volume‐Dependently Reduced in Healthy Subjects Following Oral Administration With Apple Juice
Authors: Luo J , Imai H , Ohyama T , Hashimoto S , Hasunuma T , Inoue Y , Kotegawa T , Ohashi K , Uemura N
Published: May 2016

Pharmacokinetic exposures to fexofenadine (FEX) are reduced by apple juice (AJ); however, the relationship between the AJ volume and the degree of AJ‐FEX interaction has not been understood. In this crossover study, 10 healthy subjects received single doses of FEX 60 mg with different volumes (150, 300, and 600 mL) of AJ or water (control). To identify an AJ volume lacking clinically meaningful interaction, we tested a hypothesis that the 90% confidence interval (CI) for geometric mean ratio (GMR) of FEX AUCAJ/AUCwater is contained within a biocomparability bound of 0.5–2.0, with at least one tested volume of AJ. GMR (90% CI) of AUCAJ 150mL/AUCwater, AUCAJ 300mL/AUCwater, and AUCAJ 600mL/AUCwater were 0.903 (0.752–1.085), 0.593 (0.494–0.712), and 0.385 (0.321–0.462), respectively. While a moderate to large AJ‐FEX interaction is caused by a larger volumes of AJ (e.g., 300 to 600 mL), the effect of a small volume (e.g., 150 mL) appears to be not meaningful.
First report of botryosphaeriaceous fungi causing canker on Cedrela fissilis and leaf spots on Cariniana estrellensis in forest nursery in Brazil
Authors: Lisboa D. O. , Silva M. A. , Machado A. R. , Pinho D. B. , Borges L. S. , Pereira O. L. , Furtado G. Q.
Published: May 2016

Cariniana estrellensis and Cedrela fissilis are native forest species from Brazil that are widely used for arborization of parks and recuperation of degraded areas. The production of seedlings from these two forest trees in nurseries is severely affected by fungal diseases. Morphological identification, sequencing analysis of three gene regions (TEF+ACT+ITS or TEF+TUB2 + ITS) and pathogenicity tests confirmed that fungi belonging to Botryosphaeriales are the aetiological agent of the diseases. This is the first report of Phyllosticta capitalensis causing leaf spots on C. estrellensis and Botryosphaeria dothidea causing canker on C. fissilis in forest nurseries in Brazil.
Lateralized Turning Biases in Two Neotropical Tadpoles
Authors: Briggs‐Gonzalez Venetia S. , Gonzalez Sergio C.
Published: May 2016

Lateralized turning behavior in startle responses and upon descent after surfacing for a breath of air has been documented for tadpoles in several anuran species. A left‐handed preference is most common and was previously thought to be linked to the asymmetry in spiracle location. Here, we investigate the presence of behavioral asymmetries in tadpoles of Agalychnis callidryas and Leptodactylus melanonotus in explosive turns after air‐breathing. Data were also collected on lateralized posture in the orientation of tails of embryonic A. callidryas within the egg case, as well as the startle response of free‐swimming tadpoles exposed to mechanical stimulation. A left‐curled tail bias was found among several clutches from Costa Rica, but this was not the case among clutches examined from Panama. Free‐living tadpoles of L. melanonotus displayed a distinct right‐handed preference during explosive turns. While some tadpoles of A. callidryas were at stages too early to detect any explosive turns when breathing, later‐staged individuals did display a left‐handed bias in startle response to mechanical stimulation. Additionally, it appears that the expression of behavioral lateralization of larvae (but not embryos) may predict whether or not the adults exhibit similar lateralization. Findings herein provide insight into the ontogeny and evolutionary origins of lateralized behavior in anurans.
Association Between Headaches and Tinnitus in Young Adults: Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Guichard Elie , Montagni Ilaria , Tzourio Christophe , Kurth Tobias
Published: May 2016

Objective

To study the association between migraine and tinnitus in a large, cross‐sectional study among students.

Background

Tinnitus has been associated with various pain syndromes, including headaches. However, prior studies were mainly conducted among elderly adults.

Methods

Cross‐sectional study among 5729 participants of the French internet‐based Students Health Research Enterprise (i‐Share) cohort. Health, personal and lifestyle habits, and socio‐demographics characteristics as well as headache/migraine symptoms and tinnitus, were recorded in a standardized questionnaire based on self‐reports. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between the students’ headache status and tinnitus.

Results

The 5729 participants had a mean age of 20.8 years (standard deviation 2.8 years), 75.4% were female, and 1645 reported migraine. An association was found between the students’ headache status and tinnitus after adjustment for confounding variables. Tinnitus was reported by 8.9% of participants with migraine, 7.3% of patients with migraine without aura, and 10.8% of participants with migraine with aura. The adjusted odds ratios of tinnitus were 1.77 (95% confidence interval, 1.36–2.30) for migraine and 1.38 (0.98–1.92) for non‐migraine headache. The association was stronger for students with migraine with aura (odds ratio = 2.10, 95% confidence interval 1.54–2.86) than for migraine without aura (odds ratio = 1.51, 95% confidence interval 1.09–2.07).

Conclusion

We found an association between migraine and tinnitus among young individuals, which was strongest for the subgroup migraine with aura.
The use of community pharmacies in North West England: an observational study
Authors: Mackridge Adam J , Stokes Elizabeth C , Gray Nicola J
Published: May 2016

Background

There are few studies of community pharmacy footfall and activity in the existing literature, especially by direct observation.

Objective

To describe the characteristics of counter interactions between pharmacy staff and customers.

Method

Structured observation of all interactions between pharmacy staff and customers across the weekly opening hours of five pharmacies diverse in location and ownership.

Key findings

Three-quarters (76%) of observed interactions were associated with prescriptions, but a significant minority accessed cognitive services.

Conclusions

Dispensing was the primary activity across the diverse range of pharmacies. Reasons for visits are diversifying into advice and services, particularly among younger users.
Epidemiology and use of compression treatment in venous leg ulcers: nationwide claims data analysis in Germany
Authors: Heyer Kristina , Protz Kerstin , Glaeske Gerd , Augustin Matthias
Published: May 2016

Chronic venous diseases are the most common causes of leg ulcers. Compression treatment (CT) is a central component of venous leg ulcer (VLU) therapy along with prevention based on guidelines and clinical evidence. However, large‐scale data on the use of CT are rare. In particular, there have not yet been published nationwide data for Germany. We analysed data from a large German statutory health insurance (SHI) on incident VLU between 2010 and 2012. VLUs were identified by ICD‐10 diagnoses. The status of active disease was defined by wound‐specific treatments. Compression stockings and bandages were identified by SHI medical device codes. The overall estimated incident rate of active VLU of all insured persons was 0·34% from 2010 to 2012. Adapted to the overall German population, n = 229 369 persons nationwide had an incident VLU in 2010–2012. Among all VLU patients, only 40·6% received CT within 1 year, including 83·3% stockings, 31·8% bandages and 3·1% multi‐component compression systems. Compression rates showed significant differences by gender and age. Large regional variations were observed. Validity of data is suggested by high concordance with a primary cohort study. Although recommended by guidelines, there is still a marked under‐provision of care, with CT in incident VLUs in Germany requiring active measures.
Study on the efficacy of surgery of the superficial venous system and of compression therapy at early stages of chronic venous disease for the prevention of chronic venous ulceration
Authors: Serra Raffaele , Amato Bruno , Butrico Lucia , Barbetta Andrea , De Caridi Giovanni , Massara Mafalda , Caliò Francesco G , Longo Chiara , Dardano Gianfranco , Cannistrà Marco , Buffone Gianluca , de Franciscis Stefano
Published: May 2016

The mainstay of treatment of chronic venous ulceration (CVU), as also suggested by current treatment guidelines for chronic venous disease (CVD), is represented by surgery and compression therapy for which there is strong evidence of their role in clinically relevant improvement in wound healing and also in the reduction of CVU recurrence, but no information is available as to whether or not these treatments provide effective protection from the onset of CVU. In our study, we have followed, for a median time of 13 years, a total of 3947 patients with CVD at classes C2–C3 of CEAP classification, treated with our treatment protocol (surgery and compression therapy) in order to track the natural history of these patients with regards to CVU development. We identified four groups of patients: 2354 patients (59·64%) (Group A) fully adherent to protocols; 848 patients (21·48%) (Group B) fully adherent to surgery and non‐compliant to compression therapy; 432 patients (10·95%) (Group C) fully adherent to compression therapy and non‐compliant to surgery; and 313 patients (7·93%) (Group D) non‐compliant to either treatments. Regardless of compliance to treatments, the ulcer development rates were very similar between groups (range: 3·23–4.79%), with no statistical significance (P = 0·1522). Currents treatments used in the early stages of CVD appear to have no effects to progression to CVU. Additional longitudinal studies are required to confirm these findings.
Characteristics of anticancer drug studies registered on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR) from 2007 to 2015
Authors: Song Menghuan , Guo Hong , Chen Hong , Hu Hao
Published: May 2016

Objective

This research aims to examine the basic and methodological characteristics of anticancer drug studies registered on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR) and explores the progress of implementation of good clinical practice (GCP) and the challenges it poses for anticancer drug research in China.

Methods

The studies from 2007 to 2015 were downloaded from the ChiCTR and those involving anticancer drugs with evaluation of the main dimensions. The numerical trend of the studies registered each year was analyzed. Chi‐square tests were performed to test for significant differences between different funding sources, types of drug and study phases.

Results

Six hundred and four anticancer drug studies were collected. The overall number of anticancer drug studies was increased. Significant differences could be seen in the dimensions of multicentre study (P = 0.000), participant number (P = 0.029) and randomization procedure (P = 0.005) for the three funding sources. There were significant differences in the dimensions of multicentre study (P = 0.001), participant number (P = 0.025), collecting samples from participants (P = 0.006), and randomization procedure (P = 0.009) between different kinds of drugs. There were also significant differences in the dimension of participant number (P = 0.025) and randomization procedure (P = 0.016) between different study phases.

Conclusion

There are problems with study registry criteria and study type classification method. Also, within the studies researched, heterogeneity exists for various dimensions. Different sources of funding, distinct types of drug and disparate phases of study lead to significant differences in certain dimensions of anticancer drug studies.
Potential biases in screening for plant resistance to insect pests: an illustration with oilseed rape
Authors: Hervé M. R. , Leclair M. , Frat L. , Paty C. , Renaud D. , Cortesero A. M.
Published: May 2016

Breeding to increase crop resistance is a common strategy to decrease damage caused by insect pests, especially in the current context where insecticides are becoming at the same time less accepted by society and less efficient because of widespread pest resistance. The main bottleneck of this strategy is phenotyping. Although simple, high‐throughput methods have been proposed which could be highly useful, they may raise conceptual issues. Using field and laboratory experiments on oilseed rape (Brassica napus) and the pollen beetle (Brassicogethes aeneus syn. Meligethes aeneus), we illustrated possible difficulties with this approach: (i) field screenings might not represent the real attractiveness of the tested genotypes; (ii) plant phenology or spatial organization of the genotypes might bias field screening results; (iii) experiments based on detached plant parts (here, single flower buds or anthers) might not allow to infer the plant–insect relationship of the whole plant. We propose ways to better take these risks into account.
Optimizing mirid control on cocoa farms through complementary monitoring systems
Authors: Awudzi G. K. , Cudjoe A. R. , Hadley P. , Hatcher P. E. , Daymond A. J.
Published: May 2016

Mirids (Sahlbergella singularis and Distantiella theobroma) are the most important insect pests affecting cocoa production across West Africa. Understanding the population dynamics of mirids is key to their management; however, the current recommended hand‐height assessment method is labour intensive. The objective of the study was to compare recently developed mirid sex pheromone trapping and visual hand‐height assessment methods as monitoring tools on cocoa farms and to consider implications for a decision support system. Ten farms from the Eastern and Ashanti regions of Ghana were used for the study. Mirid numbers and damage were assessed fortnightly on twenty trees per farm, using both methods, from January 2012 to April 2013. The mirid population increased rapidly in June, reached a peak in September and began to decline in October. There was a significant linear relationship between numbers of mirids sampled to hand‐height and mirid damage. High numbers of male mirids were recorded in pheromone traps between January and April 2012 after which there was a gradual decline. There was a significant inverse relationship between numbers of trapped adult mirids and mirids sampled to hand‐height (predominantly nymphs). Higher temperatures and lower relative humidities in the first half of the year were associated with fewer mirids at hand‐height, but larger numbers of adult males were caught in pheromone traps. The study showed that relying solely on one method is not sufficient to provide accurate information on mirid population dynamics and a combination of the two methods is necessary.
Hospital pharmacy medication reconciliation practice in Jordan: perceptions and barriers
Authors: Hammour Khawla Abu , Farha Rana Abu , Basheti Iman
Published: May 2016

Rationale, aims and objectives

The primary aim of this study is to gain an insight into hospital pharmacists' current practice and perceptions towards medicine reconciliation and to identify common challenges preventing pharmacists from providing this service.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted over 2 months (September–October 2015) at four Jordanian hospitals accredited by the Joint International Commission. A total of 76 pharmacists were recruited. Each pharmacist completed a validated structured questionnaire evaluating (1) pharmacist's current practice of medication reconciliation, (2) pharmacist's perceptions towards practicing medication reconciliation and (3) pharmacist's perceived barriers towards implementing medication reconciliation.

Results

There was relatively low awareness of the presence of current medication reconciliation policy in the hospitals. The majority of recruited pharmacists believed that pharmacists must have an integral role in providing such services to patients. They were also willing and able to provide help and support to all healthcare providers regarding the appropriateness of prescribed medications. It was evident that the greater the practice of medication reconciliation services and the higher the educational level, the better the overall perception score (r = 0.416 and r = 0.366, respectively; P‐value = 0.000 for both). ‘Time constraint’ was the primary barrier discouraging pharmacists from practicing such service.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates a relatively low awareness of the concept and policy of medication reconciliation process among Jordanian pharmacists. This suggests that educational programs are urgently needed to increase pharmacists' role and responsibilities in implementing and practicing reconciliation services with expected positive impact on patient care.
Chronic hepatitis C burden and care cascade in Australia in the era of interferon‐based treatment
Authors: Hajarizadeh Behzad , Grebely Jason , McManus Hamish , Estes Chris , Razavi Homie , Gray Richard T , Alavi Maryam , Amin Janaki , McGregor Skye , Sievert William , Thompson Alexander , Dore Gregory J
Published: May 2016

Background and Aim

Interferon‐free direct‐acting antiviral regimens for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have been recently available in Australia, beginning a new era in clinical and public health management of HCV infection. This study provided updated estimates of the HCV infection care cascade and burden in Australia as a reliable platform for assessing the future impact of interferon‐free therapies.

Methods

A modeling approach was applied to estimate the number of individuals living with chronic HCV infection and with various liver disease stages. Data from national registries of HCV notification and liver transplantation, literature review, and expert consensus informed the model parameters. HCV notification and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme data were used to estimate the number of HCV diagnosed individuals and treatment uptake.

Results

In 2014, an estimated 230 470 individuals (range: 180 490–243 990) were living with HCV, among whom 75% were diagnosed (n = 172 720; range: 156 720–188 770), 20% had ever received treatment (n = 45 000; range: 39 280–50 720), and 11% had been cured (n = 24 750; range: 21 520–27 990). Among individuals with HCV infection, the proportion with hepatic fibrosis stage ≥F3 doubled during the last decade, increasing from 9% (n = 18 580) in 2004 to 19% (n = 44,730) in 2014. Individuals initiating HCV treatment increased from 1100 in 1997 to 3840 in 2007, plateaued until 2010 and decreased to 2790 in 2014.

Conclusions

The burden of HCV‐related liver disease has increased markedly. Although the proportion diagnosed was high, treatment uptake remained low, with no increase over the last 7 years. Reducing the HCV burden in Australia requires scale‐up of interferon‐free HCV therapies.
Sustainable Global Agrifood Supply Chains: Exploring the Barriers
Authors: Gold Stefan , Kunz Nathan , Reiner Gerald
Published: May 2016

The article investigates the factors that make businesses postpone integrating the performance dimension of sustainability in global agrifood supply chains. Based on literature‐based conceptual reasoning, the article conceptualizes a double company lens distinguishing between substantial supply chain management and mere public relations endeavors as a major obstacle for businesses pursuing comprehensive supply chain performance in global agrifood chains. We point out that many supply chain performance attributes represent, in fact, credence attributes that cannot be verified by the consumer, hence entailing an information asymmetry between the company and its consumers. Rational business responses to this situation tend to focus on symbolic actions and communication efforts by means of sustainability reports and other brand‐enhancing marketing tools that may be decoupled from substantial operations and supply chain improvements. The research propositions developed have partly been corroborated by a content analysis of annual and sustainability reports of four major agrifood companies (Nestlé, PepsiCo, Unilever, and Mondelez International). The conceptual arguments and empirical analysis presented in the article may serve as the basis for managers and academics to develop innovative inter‐ and intraorganizational business processes that reconcile trade‐offs between various agrifood supply chain performance dimensions, thus pushing the performance frontier outward, and that provide the necessary transparency for overcoming the currently adverse setting of incentives inherent in the food production, processing, retailing, and consumption system.
Activities Patients and Nurses Undertake to Promote Patient Participation
Authors: Tobiano Georgia , Marshall Andrea , Bucknall Tracey , Chaboyer Wendy
Published: May 2016

Purpose

To describe and understand activities patients and nurses undertake to enact patient participation in nursing care.

Design

This observational study was conducted on two medical units at a public hospital in Australia. Twenty‐eight nurse–patient dyads were observed for at least 4 hr. Data were collected from November 2013 to February 2014.

Methods

Field notes were collected and were analyzed both inductively and deductively.

Findings

Nurse–patient interactions promoted patient participation through dialogue and knowledge sharing. Less evident was patient involvement in planning or self‐care. Nurses exerted control over patient care, which influenced the extent of patient participation.

Conclusions

Patient participation appears to be difficult to enact. Nurses’ controlling approach, influenced by organizational issues, was in conflict with a patient‐centered approach to care. Nurse–patient communication is one aspect of patient‐centered care enacted more frequently.

Clinical Relevance

Nurses may benefit from strategies at the individual and organizational level to enhance their patient‐centered practices. Fostering nurses’ communication may enhance patient‐centered practices in hospitals.
Flow Signals: Evidence from Patent and Alliance Portfolios in the US Biopharmaceutical Industry
Authors: Caner Turanay , Bruyaka Olga , Prescott John E.
Published: May 2016

Integrating signalling theory and the portfolio diversity literature, we theorize that diversity in a firm's patent and alliance portfolios sends contrasting flow signals impacting its market value in a nuanced way. Diversity in an alliance portfolio mediates the patent portfolio diversity – market value relationship by suppressing the negative effect of patent portfolio diversity creating an overall positive effect. We test our mediation model on a longitudinal set of 225 US biopharmaceutical firms that were awarded 17,078 patents and participated in 37,744 alliances between 1990 and 2006. Our theory and findings contribute three novel insights. First, we demonstrate the value of a temporal lens in explaining why diversity in a firm's patent and alliance portfolios send flow signals that establish expectations among market observers and have performance implications. Second, establishing that patent and alliance portfolio diversity are temporally sequenced provides compelling evidence for the value of studying multiple types of portfolios, their temporal relationships and effects on firm outcomes. Third, since diversity in a firm's portfolios can send contrasting flow signals conditioned on the cognitive demands and proximity involved in interpreting the signals, firms that do not maintain a ‘signalling fit’ with market observers increase the probability of unintentional negative signalling effects.
Living my narrative: storying dishonesty and deception in mental health nursing
Authors: Grant Alec J.
Published: May 2016

This article proceeds from MacIntyre's moral philosophical perspective of individual human lives constituting unified narratives, in the context of co‐evolving framing and guiding master narratives. This perspective accords specific episodes in people's lives the status of significant component parts of their developing, storied and enacted individual histories. From this philosophical base, autoethnographic principles will be employed in providing accounts from my own professional life narrative strand as a mental health nurse educator that speak to the issue of institutionalized dishonesty and deception in mental health nursing education and practice. On the basis of my pre‐existing experience of publishing in nursing journals and scholarly identity, my argument will proceed from contesting the idea of an imagined stable foundational professional ethos underpinning mental health nursing practice, against which to judge professional dishonesty and deception. Using illustrative, relatively recent short stories, drawn from my lived‐experience base as a mental health nurse educator, I will argue throughout at implicit and explicit levels that dishonesty and deception are always an inevitable part of the lives of mental health nurses and their educators. This is because of a constant gap between the nursing rhetoric and ideology that both groups espouse and how they actually behave on a day‐to‐day, mundane level, in and out of work and classroom practice. This gap shows up the public front of what mental health nursing is supposed to be about as dishonest and deceitful window dressing. I will assert that the many first‐person, lived‐experience accounts in mental health nursing teaching and publication are important educational resources in reducing this gap at professional practice, academic, and informal levels. Such storied accounts may also be useful in moving nurses and their educators towards more morally and ethically sensitive and reflexively attuned positions around what they talk and write into existence.
Urban climate versus global climate change—what makes the difference for dengue?
Authors: Misslin Renaud , Telle Olivier , Daudé Eric , Vaguet Alain , Paul Richard E.
Published: May 2016

The expansion in the geographical distribution of vector‐borne diseases is a much emphasized consequence of climate change, as are the consequences of urbanization for diseases that are already endemic, which may be even more important for public health. In this paper, we focus on dengue, the most widespread urban vector‐borne disease. Largely urban with a tropical/subtropical distribution and vectored by a domesticated mosquito, Aedes aegypti, dengue poses a serious public health threat. Temperature plays a determinant role in dengue epidemic potential, affecting crucial parts of the mosquito and viral life cycles. The urban predilection of the mosquito species will further exacerbate the impact of global temperature change because of the urban heat island effect. Even within a city, temperatures can vary by 10 °C according to urban land use, and diurnal temperature range (DTR) can be even greater. DTR has been shown to contribute significantly to dengue epidemic potential. Unraveling the importance of within‐city temperature is as important for dengue as for the negative health consequences of high temperatures that have thus far been emphasized, for example, pollution and heat stroke. Urban and landscape planning designed to mitigate the non‐infectious negative effects of temperature should additionally focus on dengue, which is currently spreading worldwide with no signs of respite.
Pediatric perioperative adverse events requiring rapid response: a retrospective case–control study
Authors: Schleelein Laura E. , Vincent Ariel M. , Jawad Abbas F. , Pruitt Eric Y. , Kreher Genna D. , Rehman Mohamed A. , Goebel Theodora K. , Cohen David E. , Cook‐Sather Scott D.
Published: May 2016

Background

Perioperative pediatric adverse events have been challenging to study within and across institutions due to varying definitions, low event rates, and incomplete capture.

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine perioperative adverse event prevalence and to evaluate associated case characteristics and potential contributing factors at an academic pediatric quaternary‐care center.

Methods

At the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), perioperative adverse events requiring rapid response assistance are termed Anesthesia Now (AN!) events. They have been accurately captured and entered into a quality improvement database since 2010. Adverse events involving open heart and cardiac catheterization cases are managed separately and not included in this database. We conducted a retrospective case–control study utilizing Compurecord (Phillips Healthcare, Andover, MA,USA),EPIC(EPIC, Verona, WI,USA), and Chartmaxx (MedPlus, Mason, OH,USA) systems matchingAN! event cases to noncardiac controls (1 : 2) based on surgical date.

Results

From April 16, 2010 to September 25, 2012, we documented 213AN! events in the noncardiac perioperative complex and remote sites at our main hospital.AN! prevalence was 0.0043 (1 : 234) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.0037, 0.0049). Respiratory events, primarily laryngospasm, were most common followed by events of cardiovascular etiology. Median age was lower in theAN! group than in controls, 2.86 years (interquartile range 0.94, 10.1) vs 6.20 (2.85, 13.1),P< 0.0001. Odds ratios (with 95%CI) for age, 0.969 (0.941, 0.997); American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status, 1.67 (1.32, 2.12); multiple (≥2) services, 2.27 (1.13, 4.55); nonoperating room vs operating room location, 0.240 (0.133, 0.431); and attending anesthesiologist's experience, 0.976 (0.959, 0.992) were all significant.

Conclusions

Decreased age, increased comorbidities, multiple (vs single) surgical services, operating room (vs nonoperating room) location, and decreased staff experience were associated with increased risk ofAN! events, which were predominantly respiratory in origin.
Comparison of anesthetic agents on otoacoustic emissions in children: propofol vs ketamine
Authors: Gungor Gurcan , Sutas Bozkurt Pervin , Yener Haydar M. , Yilmaz Yetkin Z. , Sarı Elif , Atas Ahmet , Yilar Selma , Hayir Duygu
Published: May 2016

Background

Otoacoustic emission (OAE) tests are important evaluation tools for diagnosis of peripheral auditory pathology. Sedation or general anesthesia may be required for the performance of the OAE tests. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the effects of anesthetic agents, propofol and ketamine, on OAEs in children.

Methods

Fifty healthy children who underwent tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy under general anesthesia were included in this study. Three anesthesia induction protocols were defined for this study and the anesthesiologist applied his or her own choice. Transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) and distortion‐product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) were automatically recorded in both ears of each patient prior to anesthetic (predrug) and following the loss of consciousness 5 min later (postdrug) by an audiologist blinded to the method of anesthesia. Acceptable TEOAEs were defined as signal noise ratio (S/N) of above 3 dB SPL (decibel sound pressure level) and DPOAEs of 6 dB SPL or above. Between‐group and within‐group comparisons and correlations were performed for statistical analysis.

Results

Retrospective review of the anesthesia charts from 44 cases that completed the study showed that propofol, ketamine, and sevoflurane induction protocols were used in 21, 18, and 5 cases, respectively. Measurements of 36 ears in the propofol group and 34 ears in the ketamine group were included in the final analysis. Postdrug TEOAE and DPOAE amplitudes were significantly lower than predrug amplitudes except at 8 kHz in the ketamine group. There was no significant statistical difference in postdrug DPOAE measurements between propofol and ketamine groups but a significant difference was observed at 2 and 3 kHz of postdrug TEOAE measurements. TEOAE measurements were below 3 dB in 8 of 34 ears after ketamine and in 1 of 36 ears after propofol administration. There was a significant difference between the groups with respect to the incidence of successful measurements of TEOAEs. The DPOAE measurements were affected less by these drugs.

Conclusion

DPOAE measurements were reduced similarly by propofol and ketamine anesthesia. Lower false outcome ratio in TEOAE measurements made propofol a better option than ketamine.
Linking dominant Hawaiian tree species to understory development in recovering pastures via impacts on soils and litter
Authors: Yelenik Stephanie G.
Published: May 2016

Large areas of tropical forest have been cleared and planted with exotic grass species for use as cattle pasture. These often remain persistent grasslands after grazer removal, which is problematic for restoring native forest communities. It is often hoped that remnant and/or planted trees can jump‐start forest succession; however, there is little mechanistic information on how different canopy species affect community trajectories. To investigate this, I surveyed understory communities, exotic grass biomass, standing litter pools, and soil properties under two dominant canopy trees—Metrosideros polymorpha (‘ōhi‘a) and Acacia koa (koa)—in recovering Hawaiian forests. I then used structural equation models (SEMs) to elucidate direct and indirect effects of trees on native understory. Native understory communities developed under ‘ōhi‘a, which had larger standing litter pools, lower soil nitrogen, and lower exotic grass biomass than koa. This pattern was variable, potentially due to historical site differences and/or distance to intact forest. Koa, in contrast, showed little understory development. Instead, data suggest that increased soil nitrogen under koa leads to high grass biomass that stalls native recruitment. SEMs suggested that indirect effects of trees via litter and soils were as or more important than direct effects for determining native cover. It is suggested that diverse plantings which incorporate species that have high carbon to nitrogen ratios may help ameliorate the negative indirect effects of koa on natural understory regeneration.
Is there Causal Relationship between Money Supply Growth and Inflation in China? Evidence from Quantity Theory of Money
Authors: Su Chi‐Wei , Fan Jiao‐Jiao , Chang Hsu‐Ling , Li Xiao‐Lin
Published: May 2016

This study examines the causal relationship between Chinese money supply growth and inflation, using the bootstrap Granger full‐sample causality test and sub‐sample rolling‐window estimation test to determine whether such a relationship in China supports the quantity theory of money. The result indicates that there is a unidirectional relationship from inflation to money supply growth. However, considering structural changes in two series, we find that short‐run relationships using full‐sample data are unstable, which suggests that full‐sample causality tests cannot be relied upon. Then, we use a time‐varying rolling‐window approach to revisit the dynamic causal relationship, and the results show that money supply growth has both positive and negative impacts on inflation in several sub‐periods, and in turn, inflation has the same effects on money supply growth for China. These findings are basically consistent with the modern quantity theory of money from the perspective of money supply and price level. When money supply growth does not outweigh output growth, inflation should not be curbed only by decreasing money supply. It notes that a stable money supply growth is critical to price level stability and economic development in China.
Longevity, Fertility and Economic Growth: Do Environmental Factors Matter?
Authors: Varvarigos Dimitrios , Zakaria Intan Zanariah
Published: May 2016

Our study examines the effect of environmental factors on the economic decisions regarding fertility. We incorporate health‐damaging pollution into a three period overlapping generations model in which life expectancy, fertility and economic growth are all endogenous. We show that environmental factors can cause significant changes to the economy's demographics. In particular, the entrepreneurial choice of less polluting production processes, induced by a tax on emissions, can at some point in time lead to such changes as higher longevity and lower fertility rates. Thus, we provide a novel explanation on the positive relation between fertility rates and pollution. According to this, the causality on this relation may also work from the latter to the former. Furthermore, our model can account for the empirically observed N‐shaped correlation between pollution and income per capita.
Inequality Stagnation in Latin America in the Aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis
Authors: Cord Louise , Barriga‐Cabanillas Oscar , Lucchetti Leonardo , Rodríguez‐Castelán Carlos , Sousa Liliana D. , Valderrama Daniel
Published: May 2016

Between 2003 and 2010, Latin America experienced a solid record of economic growth, coupled with a notable reduction in income inequality. The regional Gini coefficient fell from 0.556 to 0.521 and declined in all 15 out of 17 countries in which frequent data are available. However, previous studies have warned about problems in the sustainability of the decline in income inequality and this study presents evidence of stagnation on this front between 2010 and 2013. The results are robust to various measures of income inequality, but differ across the region. While largely attributable to the recovery from the global financial crisis in Mexico and some countries in Central America, the results are also supported by the demonstrated slowdown in inequality reduction in other countries, including Brazil, Ecuador and Bolivia.
The Incidence of Child Health Improvements
Authors: Sahn David E. , Younger Stephen D.
Published: May 2016

Economic growth accelerated during the first decade of the 2000s in many poor countries, especially in Africa. This welcome news is widely discussed, even in the popular press. Yet as economies grow, some analysts express concerns that such growth is not having as significant an impact on poverty as one would hope. Analysts and policymakers ask whether this growth is adequately pro‐poor, shared, or inclusive. Less noticed is that improvements in children's health are accelerating, too. This paper examines the extent to which these health improvements are equitably shared or “inclusive.” We use a descriptive method, which is analogous to growth incidence curves, and apply it to eight countries from Africa, Asia and Latin America. We draw two principal conclusions. First, within countries, health improvements often have a different distribution than income/expenditure growth, and that distribution is usually more hopeful in the sense that it is more likely to be strongly pro‐poor than the distribution of income growth. Second, we have yet to see clear patterns in terms of the within‐country relationship between growth incidence curves and health improvement incidence curves. Thus, one cannot rely on the information in the growth incidence curve to infer the inclusiveness of health improvements.
Memory in pregnancy and post‐partum: Item specific and relational encoding processes in recall and recognition
Authors: Spataro Pietro , Saraulli Daniele , Oriolo Debora , Costanzi Marco , Zanetti Humberto , Cestari Vincenzo , Rossi‐Arnaud Clelia
Published: May 2016

It has been recently proposed that pregnant women would perform memory tasks by focusing more on item‐specific processes and less on relational processing, compared to post‐partum women (Mickes, Wixted, Shapiro & Scarff, ). The present cross‐sectional study tested this hypothesis by directly manipulating the type of encoding employed in the study phase. Pregnant, post‐partum and control women either rated the pleasantness of word meaning (which induced item‐specific elaboration) or named the semantic category to which they belonged (which induced relational elaboration). Memory for the encoded words was later tested in free recall (which emphasizes relational processing) and in recognition (which emphasizes item‐specific processing). In line with Mickes et al.'s () conclusions, pregnant women in the item‐specific condition performed worse than post‐partum women in the relational condition in free recall, but not in recognition. However, compared to the other two groups, pregnant women also exhibited lower recognition accuracy in the item‐specific condition. Overall, these results confirm that pregnant women rely on relational encoding less than post‐partum women, but additionally suggest that the former group might use item‐specific processes less efficiently than post‐partum and control women.
A Line Heat Input Model for Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Irwin Jeff , Michaleris P.
Published: May 2016

A line input (LI) model has been developed, which makes the accurate modeling of powder bed processes more computationally efficient. Goldak's ellipsoidal model has been used extensively to model heat sources in additive manufacturing (AM), including lasers and electron beams. To accurately model the motion of the heat source, the simulation time increments must be small enough such that the source moves a distance smaller than its radius over the course of each increment. When the source radius is small and its velocity is large, a strict condition is imposed on the size of time increments regardless of any stability criteria. In powder bed systems, where radii of 0.1 mm and velocities of 500 mm/s are typical, a significant computational burden can result. The line heat input model relieves this burden by averaging the heat source over its path. This model allows the simulation of an entire heat source scan in just one time increment. However, such large time increments can lead to inaccurate results. Instead, the scan is broken up into several linear segments, each of which is applied in one increment. In this work, time increments are found that yield accurate results (less than 10% displacement error) and require less than 1/10 of the central processing unit (CPU) time required by Goldak's moving source model. A dimensionless correlation is given that can be used to determine the necessary time increment size that will greatly decrease the computational time required for any powder bed simulation while maintaining accuracy.
Task-Based Optimal Design of Metamorphic Service Manipulators
Authors: Moulianitis Vassilis C. , Synodinos Aris I. , Valsamos Charalampos D. , Aspragathos Nikos A.
Published: May 2016

In this paper, a method for the optimal design of metamorphic manipulators is presented, using path dexterity indices in diverse service tasks. The Swedish massage service is chosen as an application, due the very dissimilar techniques that can be challenging for fixed anatomy manipulators. These techniques are presented and a mapping to dexterity indices is proposed based on each technique's requirements. A method for the evaluation of metamorphic anatomies over tasks is proposed, and the optimized anatomy of a metamorphic manipulator is determined. Finally, an illustrative example is presented for three tasks, where the advantages of the anatomy optimization are demonstrated.
Relationship Between Physical Activity Patterns and Metabolic Syndrome Among Male Coal Miners of Shanxi Province in China
Authors: Liang Jie , Tian Shuang-Shuang , Qiao Nan , Wang Cong , Huang Jian-Jun , Sun Chen-Ming , Zhang Hai-Xia , Cui Yan , Wang Hui , Liu Xiao-Meng , Xu Shu-Hong , Guan Hongwei , Wang Tong
Published: May 2016

Objective:

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and physical activity (PA) in different domains among male coal miners of Shanxi Province in China.

Method:

The study was conducted from July 2013 to December 2013. A two-stage stratified cluster sampling method was used. Data regarding the general information of participants were collected by well-trained interviewers. MetS was defined according to IDF criteria. Self-reported PA was obtained with the IPAQ and categorized into three tertiles of intensity levels across occupation, transportation, household, and leisure-time domains. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis were applied to compute the odds ratios and their 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results:

A total of 3076 males aged 18–65 years old were recruited in this cross-sectional study. The prevalence of MetS was 40.5% in the study subjects. The percentages of vigorous-intensity PA in MetS and non-MetS groups were 70.07% and 62.92%, respectively. Participants spent most of their time on occupation (2034 MET-min/w) and transportation (693MET-min/w) domains. Higher-intensity levels in occupation domains were significantly associated with lower risk of MetS (OR: 0.759, 95% CI: 0.633–0.911; OR: 0.627, 95% CI: 0.516–0.762).

Conclusions:

Across four types of workers, the relationships between PA domains and MetS were different. For underground and underground auxiliary workers, the negative relationship was found between occupation PA and MetS. For office workers, the negative relationship was found between household PA and MetS. For ground workers, only leisure-time PA had positively related to MetS.