bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feldspar composition as an efficient tool for tephra identification: a case study from Holocene and Lateglacial lacustrine sequences (Jura, France)
Authors: JOUANNIC GWÉNOLÉ , WALTER‐SIMONNET ANNE‐VÉRONIQUE , BOSSUET GILLES , BEGEOT CAROLE , DEVELLE ANNE‐LISE
Published: August 2015

Four volcanic ash layers have been identified in Lateglacial and Holocene sediments from three lakes in the Jura Mountains: the Vasset Tephra and the Nugère Tephra (Chaîne des Puys), the Vedde Ash (Icelandic), and the Laacher See Tephra (LST; Eifel). Some of these are invisible to the naked eye and have been detected by magnetic susceptibility measurements and X‐ray fluorescence analysis. These layers are composed of rare glass shards in association with feldspars and pyroxenes. In lacustrine carbonated sediment formations where glass shards are scarce and altered, the geochemical analysis of feldspar composition appears to be an effective substitute tool for characterization of the tephra. The identification of the Middle LST‐C phase in our sites modifies the currently known spatial distribution of the LST (Eifel, Germany). The identification of two tephras from the Chaîne des Puys volcanic sources in Jurassian sites, the trachytic Vasset Tephra and the trachy‐andesitic Nugère Tephra, provides new time markers for the early Holocene and late Allerød, respectively, thereby enhancing our knowledge of their distribution throughout Western Europe. More generally, these results confirm the major scientific value of lacustrine sequences from the Jura region for cryptotephra research, especially within Late Quaternary palaeoenvironmental studies.
A Lateglacial 10Be production rate from glacial lake shorelines in Scotland
Authors: SMALL DAVID , FABEL DEREK
Published: August 2015

The identification of tephra within varved deposits of a former ice‐dammed lake that existed in Scotland during the Younger Dryas provides an opportunity to calibrate 10Be production rates using previously published 10Be concentrations from the lake shoreline and independently derived ages for the tephras derived from the Greenland Ice Core records. The best‐estimate ages of the tephras yield indistinguishable 10Be production rate values for spallation with an average value of 4.26 ± 0.21 atoms g−1 a−1 using the ‘Lm’ scaling scheme. These values are in best agreement with the most proximal reference 10Be production rate from Norway.
Model Calculations and Experimental Studies as a Route Toward Simplification of the Kinetic Mechanism of the H2O2–NaSCN–NaOH–CuSO4 Homogeneous Oscillator
Authors: Wiśniewski Albin , Jędrusiak Mikołaj , Mojzych Ilona , Orlik Marek
Published: August 2015

Oscillatory chemical reactions are usually characterized by complicated kinetic mechanisms in which the source of instability is combined with the parallel dissipative process. One of such systems is the H2O2–NaSCN–NaOH–CuSO4 homogeneous oscillator, in which dynamic instabilities are associated with the irreversible oxidation of thiocyanate ions with hydrogen peroxide. Following our previous studies on this system, we now propose further intuitive and substantial simplification of its kinetic mechanism toward the scheme involving only five intermediates. Its compatibility with our previous, nine‐variable model is verified in terms of model calculations, compared with experimental potentiometric and spectrophotometric data. In particular, supercritical nature of a Hopf bifurcation as a route toward oscillations born out of a single steady state upon increasing catalyst (copper species) concentration was observed in the model and an analogous type of bifurcation is suggested by available experimental data. Our work is a step toward final reduction of the mechanism of the studied system to the “minimum oscillator,” the concept used earlier, e.g., for the Belousov–Zhabotinsky reaction, of however remarkably different kinetic mechanism.
Characteristics of patients treated for orbital cellulitis: An analysis of inpatient data
Authors: Marchiano Emily , Raikundalia Milap D. , Carniol Eric T. , Echanique Kristen A. , Kalyoussef Evelyne , Baredes Soly , Eloy Jean Anderson
Published: August 2015

Objectives/Hypothesis

Orbital cellulitis represents a spectrum of diseases, some of which may progress to potentially serious complications. The authors used the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database to analyze the epidemiologic features of pediatric and adult patients admitted for the treatment of orbital cellulitis and to examine associations with surgical management.

Methods

The NIS was queried for patients admitted for treatment of orbital cellulitis from 2002 to 2010. Patient demographics, length of stay, hospital charges, and concomitant diagnoses were analyzed.

Results

There were 14,149 cases of orbital cellulitis identified with 1,717 (12.1%) having undergone surgical management. Surgical patients were older (29.6 ± 23.4) and more commonly male (62.0%) (P = 0.004 and < 0.001, respectively). Patients who had surgical intervention had longer length of stay and higher hospital charges than nonsurgical patients (P < 0.001). Our study showed that the proportion of pediatric patients age 10 to 19 years (22.1%) undergoing surgery was four times that of patients < 5 years of age (5.1%) (P < 0.001). Patients with concomitant diagnoses of acute and chronic sinusitis, acute osteomyelitis, exophthalmos, diplopia, and conjunctival edema had significantly increased odds ratio of surgical intervention. Frontal sinusitis was the site most commonly associated with surgical intervention among sinusitis patients.

Conclusion

This study describes the characteristics of pediatric and adult patients admitted for orbital cellulitis from a national perspective. Patients 10 to 19 years of age were most likely to undergo surgical management. Acute and chronic sinusitis, acute osteomyelitis, exophthalmos, diplopia, and conjunctival edema were concomitant diagnoses associated with significantly increased odds ratio of surgical intervention.

Level of Evidence

2C. Laryngoscope, 126:554–559, 2016
Laser applications for benign oral lesions
Authors: Frigerio Alice , Tan Oon T.
Published: August 2015

Background and Objective

Different subspecialists treat benign intraoral lesions using various approaches including surgical excision, medical therapy, sclerotherapy, and laser photocoagulation. The goal of this study was to establish whether lasers could effectively target and destroy oral lesions containing endogenous chromophores, while minimizing injury to unaffected adjacent tissues and critical structures.

Materials and Methods

This retrospective study involved 26 cases of benign oral lesions, both vascular and pigmented, which were addressed by means of selective laser treatment. Pathologies were port‐wine stains, hereditary hemorragic teleangectasia, hemangiomas, venous and arteriovenous malformations, pyogenic granuloma, and hairy reconstructive flaps. Electronic medical records and photographic documentation were reviewed. Three blinded staff personnel not involved with patient care in this study evaluated photographs taken prior to the first and after the final laser treatments. Observers rated the percentage clearance of the lesions or the ablation of bleeding, and the assessed values were averaged for each patient.

Results

An average of 30–95% lightening was observed in the intraoral port‐wine stains, 90% in the hemangiomas, 70% in arteriovenous malformations, 81% for venous malformations, 86% for venous lakes, and 100% for the pyogenic granuloma. Bleeding was ablated in all hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia lesions treated using the pulsed dye laser with or without the Alexandrite laser. Intraoral hair growing on the skin paddle of microvascular flaps was completely removed in one of the three cases treated using the Alexandrite laser. In the two remaining cases, some hair removal was achieved, but because the residual hairs were grey or white (absence of melanocytic chromophore), photocoagulation was less effective.

Conclusion

Lasers are a safe and effective means to selectively destroy specific chromphores. Such specific targeting ensures complete destruction of pathological tissue, decreasing the possibility of relapse and/or recurrence. Selective laser treatment of benign intraoral lesions represents a niche application that fills a gap in the multidisciplinary management of several conditions such as oral vascular anomalies and hairy reconstructive flaps. Lasers Surg. Med. 47:643–650, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Influence of Diurethane Linkers on the Langmuir Layer Behavior of Oligo[(rac‐lactide)‐co‐glycolide]‐based Polyesterurethanes
Authors: Schöne Anne‐Christin , Richau Klaus , Kratz Karl , Schulz Burkhard , Lendlein Andreas
Published: August 2015

Three oligo[(rac‐lactide)‐co‐glycolide] based polyesterurethanes (OLGA‐PUs) containing different diurethane linkers are investigated by the Langmuir monolayer technique and compared to poly[(rac‐lactide)‐co‐glycolide] (PLGA) to elucidate the influence of the diurethane junction units on hydrophilicity and packing motifs of these polymers at the air–water interface. The presence of diurethane linkers does not manifest itself in the Langmuir layer behavior both in compression and expansion experiments when monomolecular films of OLGA‐PUs are spread on the water surface. However, the linker retard the evolution of morphological structures at intermediate compression level under isobaric conditions (with a surface pressure greater than 11 mN m−1) compared to the PLGA, independent on the chemical structure of the diurethane moiety. The layer thicknesses of both OLGA‐PU and PLGA films decrease in the high compression state with decreasing surface pressure, as deduced from ellipsometric data. All films must be described with the effective medium approximation as water swollen layers.

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Advances in clinical trials for movement disorders
Authors: Kieburtz Karl , Olanow C. Warren
Published: August 2015

In the past several years, there have been several innovations in the design of clinical trials assessing new therapies for patients with movement disorders. These include attempts to address difficulties in conducting clinical trials in treated patients in the advanced stages of their illness, demonstrating disease‐modifying effects or a reduction in the development of cumulative disability, and assessing the effects of interventions in patients in the premanifest state of their disease. In addition, there have been advances in clinical trial methodologies and changes in regulatory guidelines that permit the performance of more efficient studies, with a reduction in the cost and duration of the development period. These will be reviewed in the present article. © 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
On a class of coupled Schrödinger systems with critical Sobolev exponent growth
Authors: Guo Zhenyu , Zou Wenming
Published: August 2015

Consider the following two critical nonlinear Schrödinger systems:

urn:x-wiley:mma:media:mma3598:mma3598-math-0002

urn:x-wiley:mma:media:mma3598:mma3598-math-0003
where
is a smooth bounded domain, N≥3,−λ(Ω) < λ1,λ2<0,μ1,μ2>0,α,β≥1 with α + β = 2∗,γ ≠ 0,λ(Ω) is the first eigenvalue of −Δ with the Dirichlet boundary condition and

urn:x-wiley:mma:media:mma3598:mma3598-math-0004
For N = 3,λ1=λ2,γ > 0 small, we obtain the existence of positive least energy solution of and . For N≥5,γ > 0, the existence of positive least energy solution of is established. For N≥5,γ ≠ 0, we prove that possesses a positive least energy solution. The limit behavior of the positive least energy solutions when γ→−∞ and phase separation for are also considered. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A fractional‐order Jacobi Tau method for a class of time‐fractional PDEs with variable coefficients
Authors: Bhrawy Ali , Zaky Mahmoud
Published: August 2015

This paper presents a shifted fractional‐order Jacobi orthogonal function (SFJF) based on the definition of the classical Jacobi polynomial. A new fractional integral operational matrix of the SFJF is presented and derived. We propose the spectral Tau method, in conjunction with the operational matrices of the Riemann–Liouville fractional integral for SFJF and derivative for Jacobi polynomial, to solve a class of time‐fractional partial differential equations with variable coefficients. In this algorithm, the approximate solution is expanded by means of both SFJFs for temporal discretization and Jacobi polynomials for spatial discretization. The proposed tau scheme, both in temporal and spatial discretizations, successfully reduced such problem into a system of algebraic equations, which is far easier to be solved. Numerical results are provided to demonstrate the high accuracy and superiority of the proposed algorithm over existing ones. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spectral meshless radial point interpolation (SMRPI) method to two‐dimensional fractional telegraph equation
Authors: Shivanian Elyas
Published: August 2015

H. Ammari In this article, an innovative technique so‐called spectral meshless radial point interpolation (SMRPI) method is proposed and, as a test problem, is applied to a classical type of two‐dimensional time‐fractional telegraph equation defined by Caputo sense for (1 < α≤2). This new methods is based on meshless methods and benefits from spectral collocation ideas, but it does not belong to traditional meshless collocation methods. The point interpolation method with the help of radial basis functions is used to construct shape functions, which play as basis functions in the frame of SMRPI method. These basis functions have Kronecker delta function property. Evaluation of high‐order derivatives is not difficult by constructing operational matrices. In SMRPI method, it does not require any kind of integration locally or globally over small quadrature domains, which is essential of the finite element method (FEM) and those meshless methods based on Galerkin weak form. Also, it is not needed to determine strict value for the shape parameter, which plays an important role in collocation method based on the radial basis functions (Kansa's method). Therefore, computational costs of SMRPI method are less expensive. Two numerical examples are presented to show that SMRPI method has reliable rates of convergence. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synchronization in hub terminals with the circular arrangement problem
Authors: Boysen Nils , Emde Simon , Stephan Konrad , Weiß Markus
Published: August 2015

Hub terminals are important entities in modern distribution networks and exist for any transportation device, that is, cross docks and parcel distribution centers for trucks, container ports for ships, railway yards for trains, and hub airports for aircraft. In any of these hubs, the mid‐term planning task of synchronizing the transshipment of goods and passengers when servicing the transportation devices has to be solved, for which many different solution approaches specifically tailored to the respective application exist. We, however, take a unified view on synchronization in hubs and aim at a general building block. As a point of origin, a basic vertex ordering problem, the circular arrangement problem (CAP), is identified. We explain the relation between the CAP and hub processes, develop suited algorithms for solving the CAP, and extend the basic CAP by multiple additions, for example, arrival times, limited storage space, and multiple service points, make the problem adaptable to a wide range of hub terminals. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 62: 454–469, 2015
Primary care weight loss maintenance with behavioral nutrition: An observational study
Authors: Lenoir Loïc , Maillot Matthieu , Guilbot Angèle , Ritz Patrick
Published: August 2015

Objective

To evaluate the rate of weight loss maintenance, defined as a 10% loss of initial weight maintained beyond 1 year, among patients with BMI > 25 kg/m2 who had been managed by primary care physicians practicing behavioral nutrition (moderately high‐protein diet, carbohydrate restriction, and behavioral therapy).

Methods

Restrospective analysis of anthropometric characteristics, weight loss, and its determinants was conducted in 14,256 patients.

Results

26.7% of subjects met the success criterion (successful maintenance group; SM), 25.7% did not maintain their weight loss (unsuccessful maintenance group; UM), and 47.6% did not lose 10% of their initial weight (failure group; F). At inclusion, patients in the SM group had a greater BMI and fat mass percentage (40.5% in SM, 38.5% in UM, and 37.0% in F). These patients lost more weight (−14.1% vs. −4.59%) and fat mass (−24.7% vs. −8.21%) than patients in the UM group, and contribution of adiposity to their weight loss was 75.1%. Follow‐up of patients in the SM group was characterized by a greater frequency of consultations.

Conclusions

Management by primary care providers with behavioral nutrition facilitates weight loss maintenance in patients with overweight and obesity. The determinants of success are frequency of consultations, initial BMI, and initial weight loss.
Gender‐ and race‐specific metabolic score and cardiovascular disease mortality in adults: A structural equation modeling approach—United States, 1988‐2006
Authors: Mercado Carla I. , Yang Quanhe , Ford Earl S. , Gregg Edward , Valderrama Amy L.
Published: August 2015

Objective

Consider all metabolic syndrome (MetS) components [systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressures, waist circumference, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), and fasting glucose] and gender/race differential risk when assessing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.

Methods

We estimated a gender‐ and race‐specific continuous MetS score using structural equation modeling and tested its association with CVD mortality using data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III linked with the National Death Index. Cox proportional hazard regression tested the association adjusted for sociodemographic and behavior characteristics.

Results

For men, continuous MetS components associated with CVD mortality were SBP (hazard ratio = 1.50, 95% confidence interval = 1.14‐1.96), DBP (1.48, 1.16‐1.90), and TG (1.15, 1.12‐1.16). In women, SBP (1.44, 1.27‐1.63) and DBP (1.24, 1.02‐1.51) were associated with CVD mortality. MetS score was not significantly associated with CVD mortality in men; but significant associations were found for all women (1.34, 1.06‐1.68), non‐Hispanic white women (1.29, 1.01‐1.64), non‐Hispanic black women (2.03, 1.12‐3.69), and Mexican‐American women (3.57, 2.21‐5.76). Goodness‐of‐fit and concordance were overall better for models with the MetS score than MetS (yes/no).

Conclusions

When assessing CVD mortality risk, MetS score provided additional information than MetS (yes/no).
Meta‐analysis of the relationship between breaks in sedentary behavior and cardiometabolic health
Authors: Chastin Sebastien F.M. , Egerton Thorlene , Leask C. , Stamatakis Emmanuel
Published: August 2015

Objective

The concept of “breaks” in sedentary behavior has emerged as a potential modifier of detrimental effects on adiposity caused by sedentary behavior. The existing research investigating the relationship between breaks in sedentary behavior with adiposity and cardiometabolic health in adults was systematically reviewed and quantitatively synthesized by this study.

Methods

Observational and experimental studies that examined the relationships between the frequency of interruptions of sedentary behavior and markers of adiposity and cardiometabolic health in adults were identified by a systematic search of the literature. A meta‐analysis was conducted by using the inverse variance method for experimental trials and a Bayesian posterior probability of existence of an association between breaks with adiposity and cardiometabolic markers for observational studies.

Results: It was revealed by the pooled results from nine experimental studies that breaks in sedentary periods of at least light intensity may have a positive effect on glycemia but not on lipidemia for adults. It is unclear whether this effect is independent of total sitting time. However, the 10 identified observational studies showed an association with breaks, which was independent of total sedentary time, but only for obesity metrics.

Conclusions

The theory that interrupting bouts of sedentary behavior with light‐intensity activity might help control adiposity and postprandial glycemia was supported by the evidence. Further investigations with better methods of measuring sedentary behavior patterns and improved study designs are necessary to confirm this preliminary evidence.
Two‐Dimensionally Ordered Plasmonic and Magnetic Nanostructures on Transferable Electron‐Transparent Substrates
Authors: Malasi Abhinav , Ge Jingxuan , Carr Connor , Garcia Hernando , Duscher Gerd , Kalyanaraman Ramki
Published: August 2015

Discovery of new plasmonic behaviors from nanostructured materials can be greatly accelerated by the ability to prepare and characterize their near‐field behaviors with high resolution in a rapid manner. Here, an efficient and cost‐effective way is reported to make 2D periodic nanostructures on electron‐transparent substrates for rapid characterization by transmission electron microscopy. By combining nanosphere lithography with a substrate float‐off technique, large areas of electron‐transparent periodic nanostructures can be achieved. For this study, the synthesis of plasmonic nanostructures of Ag, magnetic nanostructures of Co, and bimetallic nanostructures of Ag–Co are investigated. Characterization of the materials by a combination of transmission electron microscopy, far‐field optical spectroscopy, and magnetization measurements reveals that this new approach can yield useful nanostructures on transparent, flexible, and transferable substrates with desirable plasmonic and/or magnetic properties.
Surface characterization of standard cotton fibres and determination of adsorption isotherms of fragrances by IGC
Authors: Kondor Anett , Quellet Christian , Dallos András
Published: August 2015

The surface characterizations of the WFK16000 standard cotton by dispersive, specific and total surface energy heterogeneity profiles with surface energy distributions and acid–base properties determined by surface energy analyser are presented in this work. The Dorris–Gray and Schultz methods for the determination of the dispersive surface energy component are compared, and their critical analysis is given. It is concluded that the Dorris–Gray method is more applicable at elevated temperature. Furthermore, Henry's coefficient, standard free enthalpy, enthalpy and entropy data at infinite dilution and adsorption isotherms for some fragrances (benzyl acetate, Cyclal C, diphenyl oxide, eucalyptol, linalool and viridine) measured on dry cotton fibres by inverse gas chromatography at various temperatures are given. The temperature‐dependent form of the Langmuir equation has been fitted to the multiple temperature adsorption isotherms with good agreement. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Applying Soft Systems Methodology to the Practice of Managing Family Businesses in Catalonia
Authors: Paucar‐Caceres Alberto , Hart Diane , Roma i Vergés Joan , Sierra‐Lozano David
Published: August 2015

We argue that that systemic methodologies rooted in the learning paradigm and, in particular, Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) are well‐suited to tackle the complexity of family business organisational processes. We report on the way in which SSM has been incorporated into the training programme of the ‘Institute for Social and Organizational Innovation’ (INNOVA), towards equipping family business managers with tools for better understanding of complexity surrounding family business processes. We suggest that an SSM application can be enhanced by awareness of interpretative‐driven concepts such as: ‘map/territory’, ‘revelation/demarcation’ and ‘positive/negative capabilities’. This set of systemic concepts can act as a useful backdrop to an SSM application. We illustrate this by reporting on the deployment of SSM concepts during two workshops with family business managers in Barcelona, The paper should be of interest to systems practitioners, consultants and managers concerned about using systemic tools to make sense of businesses in complex environments. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Internal structure of amylopectin from the pericarp tissue of developing wheat kernels
Authors: Kalinga Danusha N. , Bertoft Eric
Published: August 2015

Pericarp starch is a transient starch that forms in the developing wheat kernel and decomposes concurrently with the appearance of the endosperm. The detailed structure of the amylopectin component of pericarp starch granules was investigated and compared with amylopectin from mature wheat endosperm. Clusters of chains from the macromolecule were isolated by hydrolysis with α‐amylase from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and were then transformed to limit dextrins using phosphorylase and β‐amylase. The pericarp clusters consisted of 14.2 chains on average and had a 16.1% degree of branching, which was similar to the characteristics of clusters from large endosperm starch granules, as was the composition of the branched building blocks. However, the pericarp clusters exhibited a somewhat lower number of the largest building blocks. Other structural attributes, such as the average number of building blocks in the clusters and the length of the interblock segments, were also similar to those of endosperm starch. It is concluded that the cluster structure of wheat pericarp amylopectin essentially matches that of its endosperm counterpart.
Joint and column behaviour of slotted cold‐formed steel studs
Authors: Andreassen Michael Joachim , Jönsson Jeppe
Published: August 2015

Slotted cold‐formed steel studs are used in loadbearing external plasterboard walls. The cold‐formed steel studs in these walls are supported by and joined to track sections at the top and the bottom. This paper describes the compression testing of the loadbearing studs in order to observe the behaviour of the studs and the track joints. The experiments included a joint design with a special web stiffener used in practice. The studs were C‐sections and the tracks were U‐sections. Eight different test series were performed. Each test series had different column lengths and thicknesses, both with and without web stiffeners, in order to establish the influence of these on the joint behaviour and loadbearing capacity of the slotted cold‐formed steel studs.
The new steel‐glass architecture of passenger service centres on expressways in Japan
Authors: Kido Ewa Maria , Cywin´ski Zbigniew
Published: August 2015

Nowadays, modern expressways worldwide are becoming very important arteries for the quick and safe transportation of people and goods. Service centres are located along these roads for the convenience of drivers and passengers. Those centres consist of buildings and other infrastructure elements and provide various services. Usually, buildings represent contemporary trends in architecture and structural engineering. Steel and glass are widely used. This is also the case in Japan but, simultaneously, adequate approaches are being made to respect the country’s own traditions as well. This paper is a continuation of the authors’ previous publications [1], [2], [3] devoted, respectively, to buildings, railway stations and air terminals.
Guiding Inquiry With Biography Breaks and the C3 Framework
Authors: Young Terrell A. , Miner Amy Baird
Published: August 2015

The purpose of this article is to explore how teachers can use biography breaks to address the National Council of the Social Studies C3 inquiry framework and in the process meet requirements of the Common Core State Standards. We begin by illustrating and explaining biography breaks. Then we introduce the C3 framework and explain as well as demonstrate how reading picture‐book biographies can provide engaging contexts for the C3 inquiry process. A fifth grade classroom unit is taken through the entire process; then two shorter illustrations show how teachers of younger grades use biographies to incorporate the C3 inquiry framework with social studies content for their students.
Operator competence in fetoscopic laser surgery for twin–twin transfusion syndrome: validation of a procedure‐specific evaluation tool
Authors: Peeters S. H. P. , Akkermans J. , Bustraan J. , Middeldorp J. M. , Lopriore E. , Devlieger R. , Lewi L. , Deprest J. , Oepkes D.
Published: August 2015

Objectives

Fetoscopic laser surgery for twin–twin transfusion syndrome is a procedure for which no objective tools exist to assess technical skills. To ensure that future fetal surgeons reach competence prior to performing the procedure unsupervised, we developed a performance assessment tool. The aim of this study was to validate this assessment tool for reliability and construct validity.

Methods

We made use of a procedure‐specific evaluation instrument containing all essential steps of the fetoscopic laser procedure, which was previously created using Delphi methodology. Eleven experts and 13 novices from three fetal medicine centers performed the procedure on the same simulator. Two independent observers assessed each surgery using the instrument (maximum score: 52). Interobserver reliability was assessed using Spearman correlation. We compared the performance of novices and experts to assess construct validity.

Results

The interobserver reliability was high (Rs = 0.974, P < 0.001). Checklist scores for experts and novices were significantly different; the median score for novices was 28/52 (54%), whereas that for experts was 47.5/52 (91%) (P < 0.001). The procedure time and fetoscopy time were significantly shorter (P < 0.001) for experts. Residual anastomoses were found in 1/11 (9%) procedures performed by experts and in 9/13 (69%) procedures performed by novices (P = 0.005). Multivariable analysis showed that the checklist score, independent of age and gender, predicted competence.

Conclusions

The procedure‐specific assessment tool for fetoscopic laser surgery shows good interobserver reliability and discriminates experts from novices. This instrument may therefore be a useful tool in the training curriculum for fetal surgeons. Further intervention studies with reassessment before and after training may increase the construct validity of the tool. Copyright © 2015 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Investigation on the morphological and mechanical properties of (polyamide 6)/(poly[styrene‐co‐acrylonitrile])/(poly[styrene‐b‐{ethylene‐co‐butylene}‐b‐styrene]) ternary blends
Authors: Babaei Amir , Arefazar Ahmad , Shahrousvand Mohsen , Shabani Ali
Published: August 2015

In this work, ternary polymer blends based on (polyamide 6)/(poly[styrene‐co‐acrylonitrile])/(poly[styrene‐b‐{ethylene‐co‐butylene}‐b‐styrene]) (SEBS) triblock copolymer and a varying concentration of the reactive (maleic anhydride)‐grafted SEBS were prepared by using a melt‐blending process. The effects of the material parameters (composition of ternary blends and SEBS/[{maleic anhydride}‐grafted SEBS] concentration ratio) and blending sequence on the morphological and mechanical properties of ternary blends were studied. Taguchi experimental design methodology was employed to design the experiments and select the material and processing parameters for the optimized mechanical properties. Tensile properties (Young's modulus and yield stress) and impact strength were considered as the response variables. It was demonstrated that there is a meaningful relationship between the composition of blends, processing parameters, observed phase structure, and obtained mechanical properties. The mechanical tests showed that the highest impact strength was achieved as the dispersion of the rubbery phase achieved an optimum size of about 1 μm. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 23:329–337, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
A review of plant‐flow interactions on salt marshes: the importance of vegetation structure and plant mechanical characteristics
Authors: Tempest James Alexander , Möller Iris , Spencer Tom
Published: August 2015

Observations of plant‐flow interactions on salt marshes have revealed a highly complex process dominated by the tightly coupled effects of plant characteristics and hydrodynamic conditions. This paper highlights the importance of vegetation structures such as plant density and height, as well as their spatial variability and mechanical properties including flexibility, upon energy dissipation and flow modification. Many field, laboratory and modeling studies which attempt to predict flow dissipation or improve our understanding of plant‐flow interactions use simplified structural measures of salt marsh vegetation or artificial representations. These simplifications neglect important plant and canopy elements and are unlikely to be truly representative of their natural counterparts. Such approaches limit our understanding of plant‐flow interactions and potentially compromise the predictive accuracy and application of numerical flow models. It is important therefore that improved techniques to measure vegetation structure are adopted in order to better define the key relationships between measurable plant characteristics and drag‐relevant plant properties. WIREs Water 2015, 2:669–681. doi: 10.1002/wat2.1103

This article is categorized under:

Water and Life > Stresses and Pressures on Ecosystems
Increased mitochondrial ATP production capacity in brain of healthy mice and a mouse model of isolated complex I deficiency after isoflurane anesthesia
Authors: Manjeri Ganesh R. , Rodenburg Richard J. , Blanchet Lionel , Roelofs Suzanne , Nijtmans Leo G. , Smeitink Jan A. , Driessen Jacques J. , Koopman Werner J. H. , Willems Peter H.
Published: August 2015

We reported before that the minimal alveolar concentration (MAC) of isoflurane is decreased in complex I‐deficient mice lacking the NDUFS4 subunit of the respiratory chain (RC) (1.55 and 0.81 % at postnatal (PN) 22–25 days and 1.68 and 0.65 % at PN 31–34 days for wildtype (WT) and CI‐deficient KO, respectively). A more severe respiratory depression was caused by 1.0 MAC isoflurane in KO mice (respiratory rate values of 86 and 45 at PN 22–25 days and 69 and 29 at PN 31–34 days for anesthetized WT and KO, respectively). Here, we address the idea that isoflurane anesthesia causes a much larger decrease in brain mitochondrial ATP production in KO mice thus explaining their increased sensitivity to this anesthetic. Brains from WT and KO mice of the above study were removed immediately after MAC determination at PN 31–34 days and a mitochondria‐enriched fraction was prepared. Aliquots were used for measurement of maximal ATP production in the presence of pyruvate, malate, ADP and creatine and, after freeze‐thawing, the maximal activity of the individual RC complexes in the presence of complex‐specific substrates. CI activity was dramatically decreased in KO, whereas ATP production was decreased by only 26 % (p < 0.05). The activities of CII, CIII, and CIV were the same for WT and KO. Isoflurane anesthesia decreased the activity of CI by 30 % (p < 0.001) in WT. In sharp contrast, it increased the activity of CII by 37 % (p < 0.001) and 50 % (p < 0.001) and that of CIII by 37 % (p < 0.001) and 40 % (p < 0.001) in WT and KO, respectively, whereas it tended to increase that of CIV in both WT and KO. Isoflurane anesthesia increased ATP production by 52 and 69 % in WT (p < 0.05) and KO (p < 0.01), respectively. Together these findings indicate that isoflurane anesthesia interferes positively rather than negatively with the ability of CI‐deficient mice brain mitochondria to convert their main substrate pyruvate into ATP.
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for Pediatric Arteriovenous Malformations: A Canadian Experience
Authors: Zeiler Fred A. , Janik Maciej K. , McDonald Patrick J. , Kaufmann Anthony M. , Fewer Derek , Butler Jim , Schroeder Garry , West Michael
Published: August 2015

Background:Gamma Knife (GK) radiosurgery for pediatric arteriovenous malformations (AVM) of the brain presents a non-invasive treatment option. We report our institutional experience with GK for pediatric AVMs.Methods:We performed a retrospective review of all pediatric patients treated with GK for cerebral AVMs at our institution from November 2003 up to and including September 2014. Patient demographics, AVM characteristics, treatment parameters and AVM responses were recorded.Results:Nineteen patients were treated, with 4 lost to follow-up. The mean age was 14.2 years (range. 7-18 years), with 10 being males (52.6%). The mean AVM diameter and volume were 2.68 cm and 3.10 cm3respectively. The mean Spetzler-Martin (SM) and Pollock grades of the treated AVMs were 2.4 and 0.99 respectively. The mean follow-up was 62 months. All AVMs treated demonstrated a response on follow-up imaging. Nine of 15 (60.0%) patients displayed obliteration of their AVMs. Nine of 11 patients with a minimum of 3 years follow-up (81.8%) displayed obliteration, with SM and Pollock grades correlating to the chance of obliteration in this group. Two patients developed post-GK edema requiring short course dexamethasone therapy. No other major complications occurred. No permanent complications occurred.Conclusions:GK radiosurgery for pediatric AVMs offers a safe and effective treatment option, with low permanent complication rates during early follow-up.
Evacuation of Intensive Care Units During Disaster: Learning From the Hurricane Sandy Experience
Authors: King Mary A. , Dorfman Molly V. , Einav Sharon , Niven Alex S. , Kissoon Niranjan , Grissom Colin K.
Published: August 2015

Objective

Data on best practices for evacuating an intensive care unit (ICU) during a disaster are limited. The impact of Hurricane Sandy on New York City area hospitals provided a unique opportunity to learn from the experience of ICU providers about their preparedness, perspective, roles, and activities.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional survey of nurses, respiratory therapists, and physicians who played direct roles during the Hurricane Sandy ICU evacuations.

Results

Sixty-eight health care professionals from 4 evacuating hospitals completed surveys (35% ICU nurses, 21% respiratory therapists, 25% physicians-in-training, and 13% attending physicians). Only 21% had participated in an ICU evacuation drill in the past 2 years and 28% had prior training or real-life experience. Processes were inconsistent for patient prioritization, tracking, transport medications, and transport care. Respondents identified communication (43%) as the key barrier to effective evacuation. The equipment considered most helpful included flashlights (24%), transport sleds (21%), and oxygen tanks and respiratory therapy supplies (19%). An evacuation wish list included walkie-talkies/phones (26%), lighting/electricity (18%), flashlights (10%), and portable ventilators and suction (16%).

Conclusions

ICU providers who evacuated critically ill patients during Hurricane Sandy had little prior knowledge of evacuation processes or vertical evacuation experience. The weakest links in the patient evacuation process were communication and the availability of practical tools. Incorporating ICU providers into hospital evacuation planning and training, developing standard evacuation communication processes and tools, and collecting a uniform dataset among all evacuating hospitals could better inform critical care evacuation in the future. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;10:20–27)
Randomized Controlled Trial to Determine the Impact of Probiotic Administration on Colonization With Multidrug-Resistant Organisms in Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Kwon Jennie H. , Bommarito Kerry M. , Reske Kimberly A. , Seiler Sondra M. , Hink Tiffany , Babcock Hilary M. , Kollef Marin H. , Fraser Victoria J. , Burnham Carey-Ann D. , Dubberke Erik R.
Published: August 2015

This was a randomized controlled pilot study of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG versus standard of care to prevent gastrointestinal multidrug-resistant organism colonization in intensive care unit patients. Among 70 subjects, there were no significant differences in acquisition or loss of any multidrug-resistant organisms (P>.05) and no probiotic-associated adverse events.

Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol. 2015;36(12):1451–1454
Comparison of Environmental MRSA Levels on High-Touch Surfaces in Contact Isolation and Noncontact Isolation Patient Rooms
Authors: Villamaria Frank C. , Berlanga Gemma , Liao I-Chia , Ganachari-Mallappa Nagaraja , Stock Eileen M. , Zeber John E. , Jinadatha Chetan
Published: August 2015

Environmental samples were collected from 100 hospital rooms, 32 noncontact rooms, and 68 contact isolation rooms. We isolated 202 and 1,830 MRSA colonies in noncontact and contact isolation rooms, respectively. The study identified MRSA isolates in hospital rooms of patients without colonization or infection with MRSA.

Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol. 2015;36(12):1472–1475
3D subsurface modelling reveals the shallow geology of Amsterdam
Authors: Schokker J. , Bakker M.A.J. , Dubelaar C.W. , Dambrink R.M. , Harting R.
Published: August 2015

Amsterdam is situated on the coastal-deltaic plain of the western Netherlands. Its geographical position brought the city prosperity, but also created huge challenges associated with heterogeneous and often adverse ground conditions. This paper explores the geology of Amsterdam to a depth of c. 100 m, based on the output of the 3D geological subsurface models DGM and GeoTOP. The model results are used to create a geological map of the area, to determine the extent and depth of the foundation levels that are in use for buildings in the city centre and to detect the source of filling sand on which part of the more recent expansion of the city was founded. It is shown that subsurface conditions have had a profound effect on both landscape development and historical city growth. Geomodels like DGM and GeoTOP provide an easily accessible way to obtain a better understanding of the shallow subsurface.
THE HUNT DEKADRACHM
Authors: Cherry John , Johnston Alan
Published: August 2015

This paper describes a Syracusan silver dekadrachm (ten-drachma) coin of c 400bc, now in the Hunt Museum, Limerick, that is set in a gold ring with a text in elaborate Lombardic letters of early fourteenth-century date identifying it as one of the thirty pieces of silver for which Christ was betrayed by Judas. It is an unusual and early example of this type of relic.
Agronomic and physiological responses of Chinese facultative wheat genotypes to high-yielding Mediterranean conditions
Authors: ZHOU B. , ELAZAB A. , BORT J. , SANZ-SÁEZ Á. , NIETO-TALADRIZ M. T. , SERRET M. D. , ARAUS J. L.
Published: August 2015

Nine wheat genotypes, bred for the high-input agronomical conditions of Henan Province (China), were tested under the high-yielding Mediterranean conditions of Spain. Two cultivars widely grown in the zone were included as controls. Crop growth and leaf chlorophyll (Chl) content, leaf stomatal conductance (gs) and canopy temperature (CT) were measured during the crop cycle and stable carbon (C), oxygen (O) and nitrogen (N) isotope compositions (δ13C,δ18O andδ15N) were analysed on different plant parts. The lower yield of the Chinese genotypes compared with the controls was due to fewer grains/unit area, associated with lower tillering and a plant height clearly below the optimal range. Moreover, Chinese wheat exhibited a lower spike fertility index than the controls, and this was associated with a less compact spike structure. The physiological characteristics that were related to better performance under high-yielding Mediterranean conditions consisted of a higher green aerial biomass, particularly during the reproductive stage, together with more favourable water conditions (highergsand lower CT andδ13C), the capacity to take up water during grain fill (higherδ18O) and a more efficient uptake (lowerδ15N) and utilization (lower leaf N and Chl content) of N fertilizer. It is concluded that Chinese genotypes exhibited a low acclimation capacity to the moderate stress typical of the high-yielding Mediterranean conditions.
COMMON LANDS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN SPAIN
Authors: Beltrán Tapia Francisco J.
Published: August 2015

The impact of the privatisation of the commons remains a contested topic throughout the social sciences. Focusing on the Spanish case, this article reviews the literature and provides an overall assessment of this historical process based on recent research. Common lands appear to have been reasonably well managed and their dismantling did not foster agricultural productivity. Instead, the privatisation process negatively affected the economic situation of a large proportion of rural households and local councils, as well as deteriorating the stock of social capital. Therefore, the long-standing belief in the existence of a trade-off between equity and efficiency actually turns out to be misleading.
Seed afterripening and germination photoinhibition in the genusCrocus(Iridaceae)
Authors: Skourti Evangelia , Thanos Costas A.
Published: August 2015

Mediterranean characteristics are attributed to the genusCrocus, which is inadequately studied in terms of seed germination. An afterripening requirement is very common in environments with warm and dry periods, and photoinhibition has been detected in many angiosperms inhabiting dry and open areas. The effects of afterripening and light on seed germination were investigated for the first time in 23 native GreekCrocustaxa, collected from various localities with either a Mediterranean or a temperate climate. Germination experiments were conducted in continuous darkness and in light at the optimal temperature for each taxon, with both freshly collected and afterripened seeds; warm stratification (20°C, darkness) was also examined in 22 taxa. A number of selected taxa were additionally investigated with respect to afterripening outdoors, afterripening and warm stratification at higher temperatures (35 and 25°C, respectively), stratification at 20/10°C, dry storage at low temperatures, response to gibberellic acid and phenology of embryo growth. It was postulated that an afterripening requirement is a characteristic of the genusCrocus, and we found that it can be fulfilled in nature during the Mediterranean dry summer. Also, for the vast majority of the taxa, warm stratification and stratification at 20/10°C can both meet the afterripening requirement. Embryos of the taxa studied are underdeveloped and have to grow prior to germination. Intrageneric differences of seed germination were observed only towards light, with photoinhibition being predominant in taxa from drier environments.
Thus Spoke the Early Modernist:Zarathustraand Rotational Form in Webern's String Quartet (1905)
Authors: WEDLER SEBASTIAN
Published: August 2015

The large-scale structure of Anton Webern's String Quartet (1905) is an ongoing conundrum in music scholarship. Initially inspired by Giovanni Segantini'sTrittico della natura, the quartet has been interpreted by most commentators in terms of a tripartite episodic form. Through the lens of rotational theory, this article puts forward an understanding of the quartet that interprets it in dialogue with the sonata paradigm. Based on this reading, it will be argued that the quartet bears strong links to the early modernist discourse on musical form. This perspective will be further explored, with reference to Webern's manuscripts and sketches, in the way the quartet engages with theZarathustratrope. In casting the quartet in this light, this article challenges the common historiographical interpretation that sees it merely as a precursor to the high modernism of Webern's later development.
Homework in therapy: a case of it ain't what you do, it's the way that you do it?
Authors: Harris Duncan L. , Hiskey Syd
Published: August 2015

It is argued, illustrated by a case example, that homework quality and end of therapy outcomes can be positively affected when ideas of compassion and attention to individual frames of reference are considered. It is suggested that by exploring the affect experienced when completing tasks and being mindful of client learning (i.e. the zone of proximal development), engagement and emotional connection with homework increase.