bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Antarctic Planet Interferometer
Authors: Swain Mark R.
Published: March 2016

The Antarctic Planet Interferometer (API) is a concept for an infrared interferometer located at the best accessible site on Earth. Infrared interferometry is strongly effected by both the strength and vertical distribution of thermal and water vapor turbulence. The combination of low temperature, low wind speed, low elevation turbulence, and low precipitable water vapor make the Concordia base at Antarctic Dome C the best accessible site on Earth for infrared interferometry. The improvements in interferometer sensitivity with respect to other terrestrial sites are dramatic; an interferometer with two meter class telescopes could make unique infrared measurements of extra solar planets that might otherwise only be possible with a space-based interferometer.
An AST/RO Survey of the Coalsack
Authors: Walsh Wilfred , Xiao Kecheng
Published: March 2016

Selected regions of the southern molecular cloud complex, the Coalsack are being imaged at sub-millimeter wavelengths using the Antarctic Sub-millimeter Telescope and Remote Observatory (AST/RO) located at the South Pole.
CO 2-1 Mapping of WR16 with AST/RO
Authors: Tothill N. F. H. , Marston A. P. , Martin C. L. , Leppik K.
Published: March 2016

Massive stars have profound effects on their surroundings, influencing them by their energetic stellar winds, and finally by supernova explosions. We present a CO 2-1 map of the surroundings of the Wolf-Rayet star WR16, taken with AST/RO at the South Pole, which shows some of these effects.
The Explorer of Diffuse Galactic Emission (EDGE)
Authors: Silverberg R. F. , Cheng E. S. , Cottingham D. A. , Fixsen D. J. , Knox L. , Meyer S. S. , Timbie P. T. , Wilson G. W.
Published: March 2016

The details of the formation of the first objects, stars and galaxies and their subsequent evolution remain a cosmological unknown. Few observational probes of these processes exist. The Cosmic Infrared Background (CIB) originates from this era and measurements of its anisotropy can provide information to test models of both galaxy evolution and the growth of primordial structure. Such measurements should provide a sensitive probe of the large-scale variation in protogalaxy density at redshifts, z ~ 0.5-3, while optical galaxy surveys provide complementary information at z < 0.5 and Lyman alpha absorption forest studies and Cosmic Microwave Background measurements add information at higher redshifts.
Designation of Multiple-star Components
Authors: Tokovinin Andrei
Published: March 2016

Hierarchical multiple stars need designations for individual components, for super-components (several bodies that act as single dynamical center and are often measured jointly) and sub-systems. Hierarchical designations like those proposed for WMC can satisfy all needs, but designations will have to be frozen and will not reflect true hierarchy in the future as new components are discovered. Hence, a clearing house (WMC on the web?) is needed to maintain unique and consistent designations. The hierarchy can be coded separately and flexibly by reference to parent super-components. As an example, these ideas are applied to a real quintuple star HR 1706.
Astronomy and Mathematics Education
Authors: Ros Rosa M.
Published: March 2016

Astronomy has an interdisciplinary aspect that in some cases is very positive. It is interesting to combine Astronomy with other topics and introduce Astronomy in general projects in school in order to integrate several courses, for instance Physics, Mathematics, Geography, Biology or History; however these kinds of projects are sporadic. In order to promote Astronomy it is better to try to introduce it as a course in its own right. The viability of this situation depends on the national curriculum and the plans of the Education Ministry in each country. In general, the majority of countries do not have Astronomy as a specific course and it is not easy to achieve. Therefore, if this option is not possible, we should adapt to the real situation, that is to say include Astronomy as a part of other courses. This contribution aims to propose a new point of view which could work to make this the case.
Pre-service Astronomy Education of Teachers
Authors: Hemenway Mary Kay
Published: March 2016

There is little research on elementary/secondary teacher preparation. Few teachers are called upon to teach astronomy specifically, or their astronomy teaching is peripheral to their main interest (e.g., general science at lower levels or physics at higher levels). Statistics indicate that large increases in student populations are expected throughout the world. “In 1997, 1.2 billion students were enrolled in schools around the world. Of these students, 668 million were in elementary-level programs, 398 million were in secondary programs, and 88 million were in higher education programs.” (Digest, 2002) These figures included large increases from the 1990 figures, e.g. 38% increase in secondary education and 68% in higher education for Africa, as opportunities to obtain an education and population both grew. (Digest, tables 395 and 412).
Teaching Astronomy in Other Cultures: Archeoastronomy
Authors: Fierro Julieta
Published: March 2016

Mesoamerica is a large zone that includes most of Mexico and Central America. In that region one of the few written languages was invented. A large civilization flourished thanks to the discovery of agriculture and the use of a mixture of corn, beans, squash and peppers that conveys a high nutritional content. In this part of the world there are mainly two seasons, the dry and rainy periods. The slave driven civilization that developed in this part of the world consequently divided the civil year in two, mainly dedicated to agriculture and construction. A good calendar was needed for central planning and commerce.
What makes Informal Education (IE) Programs Successful? A Case History: Total Solar Eclipse 2001 — Live from Africa
Authors: Craig Nahide , Hawkins Isabel
Published: March 2016

Evaluation and assessments of informal education programs, small or large, such as science museum traveling exhibits, interpretive kiosks, hands-on activities and very large public programs have been challenging due to the diverse nature of objectives, setups, and expected outcomes of these programs. Almost all institutions that develop and present IE programs include, in their staff, evaluation specialists. However, for very large public outreach efforts, which include participation of many institutions located across the country, larger evaluation groups/institutions can contribute more objective and extensive evaluation and assessment instruments. Such instruments will help to identify whether the program was successful and if the learning objectives were achieved. They can also lead to ‘lessons learned’ for future events and serve as possible model evaluation instruments for informal education institutions/museums/science centers where the budgets do not allow for contracting independent reviewers. The Eclipse 2001 event was developed and executed with the partnership of the Sun-Earth Connection Education Forum, (SECEF), The Exploratorium (the Museum of Science, Art and Human Perception, in San Francisco), and NASA’s STEREO Mission. American Institutes for Research (AIR), an independent evaluation company from Boston was contracted to develop and implement the evaluation.
Author Tells Tale of Cellular Engines That Power Life
Authors: Wendel JoAnna
Published: March 2016

The American Geophysical Union held a public lecture to introduce a new book about how microbes changed the world.
Drifting Floats Reveal Nitrate Patterns in Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Wheeling Kate
Published: March 2016

Next-generation autonomous platforms allow scientists to understand physical mechanisms that control nitrate availability in the Mediterranean surface water.
The Prospective Nature of Voluntary Action: Insights from the Reflexive Imagery Task
Authors: Bhangal Sabrina , Cho Hyein , Geisler Mark W. , Morsella Ezequiel
Published: March 2016

Voluntary action is peculiar in several ways. For example, it is highly prospective in nature, requiring the activation of the representations of anticipated action-effects (e.g., a button pressed). These prospective action-effects can represent outcomes in the short-term (e.g., fingers snapping or uttering “cheers”) or in the long-term (e.g., building a house). In this review about the prospective nature of voluntary action, we first discuss in brief ideomotor theory, a theoretical approach that illuminates both the nature of the prospective representations in voluntary action and how these representations are acquired and subsequently used in the control of behavior. In this framework, prospective action-effects could be construed as ‘action options’ that, residing in consciousness, may or may not influence upcoming behavior, depending on the nature of the other prospective action-effects that happen to be coactivated at that time. In ideomotor theory, there is no homunculus that selects one prospective action-effect over another. Many of these prospective action-effects enter consciousness automatically. Second, we introduce the principle of atemporality and discuss the prospective nature of determining tendencies and mental simulation, all in the context of new findings from the Reflexive Imagery Task (RIT). The RIT reveals that, as a function of external control, prospective action-effects can enter consciousness in a reflex-like, automatic, and insuppressible manner. The RIT and its associated theoretical framework shed light on why the activation of such representations, though often undesired, is nonetheless adaptive and why not all of these prospective representations lead to overt action.
A Simple Algorithm for Population Classification
Authors: Hu Peng , Hsieh Ming-Hua , Lei Ming-Jie , Cui Bin , Chiu Sung-Kay , Tzeng Chi-Meng
Published: March 2016

A single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) is a variation in the DNA sequence that occurs when a single nucleotide in the genome differs across members of the same species. Variations in the DNA sequences of humans are associated with human diseases. This makes SNPs as a key to open up the door of personalized medicine. SNP(s) can also be used for human identification and forensic applications. Compared to short tandem repeat (STR) loci, SNPs have much lower statistical testing power for individual recognition due to the fact that there are only 3 possible genotypes for each SNP marker, but it may provide sufficient information to identify the population to which a certain samples may belong. In this report, using eight SNP markers for 641 samples, we performed a standard statistical classification procedure and found that 86% of the samples could be classified accurately under a two-population model. This study suggests the potential use of SNP(s) in population classification with a small number (n ≤ 8) of genetic markers for forensic screening, biodiversity and disaster victim controlling.
Regulatory Role of miR-203 in Occurrence and Progression of Kazakh Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Hu Jian Ming , Chang Ai Min , Chen Yun Zhao , Yuan Xiang Lin , Li Feng
Published: March 2016

Esophageal carcinoma is one of the most common malignant tumors and the Kazakh national minority (ethnic) in Xinjiang (northwest of China) has been reported to be one of the highest incidence of Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in the world. MicroRNA-203 (miR-203) was described as a tumor-suppressive miRNA in several cancers, but little study about the role of miR-203 in Kazakh ESCC. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the role of miR-203 in the occurrence and progression of Kazakh ESCC. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect miR-203 expression and immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to examine P63 expression. The expression level of miR-203 in ESCC was significantly lower than that of cancer adjacent normal (CAN) samples (P < 0.05). Whereas the expression level of P63 in ESCC was significantly higher than that of CAN samples (P < 0.05), an inverse association between the expression of P63 and miR-203 was found but was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). These findings suggest that miR-203 is a tumor suppressor gene that plays an important role in inhibiting the occurrence of Kazakh ESCC in Xinjiang, China.
CD4+ and CD8+ TCRβ repertoires possess different potentials to generate extraordinarily high-avidity T cells
Authors: Nakatsugawa Munehide , Rahman Muhammed A. , Yamashita Yuki , Ochi Toshiki , Wnuk Piotr , Tanaka Shinya , Chamoto Kenji , Kagoya Yuki , Saso Kayoko , Guo Tingxi , Anczurowski Mark , Butler Marcus O. , Hirano Naoto
Published: March 2016

Recent high throughput sequencing analysis has revealed that the TCRβ repertoire is largely different between CD8+ and CD4+ T cells. Here, we show that the transduction of SIG35α, the public chain-centric HLA-A*02:01(A2)/MART127–35 TCRα hemichain, conferred A2/MART127–35 reactivity to a substantial subset of both CD8+ and CD4+ T cells regardless of their HLA–A2 positivity. T cells individually reconstituted with SIG35α and different A2/MART127–35 TCRβ genes isolated from CD4+ or CD8+ T cells exhibited a wide range of avidity. Surprisingly, approximately half of the A2/MART127–35 TCRs derived from CD4+ T cells, but none from CD8+ T cells, were stained by A2/MART127–35 monomer and possessed broader cross-reactivity. Our results suggest that the differences in the primary structure of peripheral CD4+ and CD8+ TCRβ repertoire indeed result in the differences in their ability to form extraordinarily high avidity T cells which would otherwise have been deleted by central tolerance.
Effective heterogeneous transition metal glycerolates catalysts for one-step biodiesel production from low grade non-refined Jatropha oil and crude aqueous bioethanol
Authors: Lau Pak-Chung , Kwong Tsz-Lung , Yung Ka-Fu
Published: March 2016

The utilization of bioethanol as the alcohol source for biodiesel production is more environmentally advantageous over methanol owing to its lower toxicity, lower flammability and its sustainable supply from renewable agricultural resources. However, as the presence of water in crude bioethanol is the critical factor limiting the biodiesel production process, the energy-intensive and costly purification of bioethanol is necessary for biodiesel application. Manganese glycerolate (MnGly) is reported the first time here as a robust heterogeneous catalyst that exhibited over 90% conversion by using aqueous ethanol containing 80 wt.% of water in the production of fatty acid ethyl ester (FAEE). The employment of 95 wt.% ethanol with respect to water could achieve 99.7% feedstock conversion in 6 hours under the optimal reaction conditions: reaction temperature (150 °C), feedstock-to-ethanol molar ratio (1:20) and catalyst loading (6 wt.%). Commercially available low grade crude bioethanol with the presence of impurities like sugars were applied which demonstrated remarkable catalytic activity in 24 hours. The high water tolerance of MnGly towards biodiesel production could eventually simplify the purification of bioethanol that consumes less energy and production cost.
Icariin attenuates titanium-particle inhibition of bone formation by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in vivo and in vitro
Authors: Wang Junhua , Tao Yunxia , Ping Zichuan , Zhang Wen , Hu Xuanyang , Wang Yijun , Wang Liangliang , Shi Jiawei , Wu Xiexing , Yang Huilin , Xu Yaozeng , Geng Dechun
Published: March 2016

Wear-debris-induced periprosthetic osteolysis (PIO) is a common clinical condition following total joint arthroplasty, which can cause implant instability and failure. The host response to wear debris promotes bone resorption and impairs bone formation. We previously demonstrated that icariin suppressed wear-debris-induced osteoclastogenesis and attenuated particle-induced osteolysis in vivo. Whether icariin promotes bone formation in a wear-debris-induced osteolytic site remains unclear. Here, we demonstrated that icariin significantly attenuated titanium-particle inhibition of osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Additionally, icariin increased bone mass and decreased bone loss in titanium-particle-induced osteolytic sites. Mechanistically, icariin inhibited decreased β-catenin stability induced by titanium particles in vivo and in vitro. To confirm icariin mediated its bone-protective effects via the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, we demonstrated that ICG-001, a selective Wnt/β-catenin inhibitor, attenuated the effects of icariin on MSC mineralization in vitro and bone formation in vivo. Therefore, icariin could induce osteogenic differentiation of MSCs and promote new bone formation at a titanium-particle-induced osteolytic site via activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. These results further support the protective effects of icariin on particle-induced bone loss and provide novel mechanistic insights into the recognized bone-anabolic effects of icariin and an evidence-based rationale for its use in PIO treatment.
Visual adaptation dominates bimodal visual-motor action adaptation
Authors: de la Rosa Stephan , Ferstl Ylva , Bülthoff Heinrich H.
Published: March 2016

A long standing debate revolves around the question whether visual action recognition primarily relies on visual or motor action information. Previous studies mainly examined the contribution of either visual or motor information to action recognition. Yet, the interaction of visual and motor action information is particularly important for understanding action recognition in social interactions, where humans often observe and execute actions at the same time. Here, we behaviourally examined the interaction of visual and motor action recognition processes when participants simultaneously observe and execute actions. We took advantage of behavioural action adaptation effects to investigate behavioural correlates of neural action recognition mechanisms. In line with previous results, we find that prolonged visual exposure (visual adaptation) and prolonged execution of the same action with closed eyes (non-visual motor adaptation) influence action recognition. However, when participants simultaneously adapted visually and motorically – akin to simultaneous execution and observation of actions in social interactions - adaptation effects were only modulated by visual but not motor adaptation. Action recognition, therefore, relies primarily on vision-based action recognition mechanisms in situations that require simultaneous action observation and execution, such as social interactions. The results suggest caution when associating social behaviour in social interactions with motor based information.
pH Induced Conformational Transitions in the Transforming Growth Factor β-Induced Protein (TGFβIp) Associated Corneal Dystrophy Mutants
Authors: Murugan Elavazhagan , Venkatraman Anandalakshmi , Lei Zhou , Mouvet Victoria , Rui Yi Lim Rayne , Muruganantham Nandhakumar , Goh Eunice , Swee Lim Peh Gary , Beuerman Roger W. , Chaurasia Shyam S. , Rajamani Lakshminarayanan , Mehta Jodhbir S.
Published: March 2016

Most stromal corneal dystrophies are associated with aggregation and deposition of the mutated transforming growth factor-β induced protein (TGFβIp). The 4th_FAS1 domain of TGFβIp harbors ~80% of the mutations that forms amyloidogenic and non-amyloidogenic aggregates. To understand the mechanism of aggregation and the differences between the amyloidogenic and non-amyloidogenic phenotypes, we expressed the 4th_FAS1 domains of TGFβIp carrying the mutations R555W (non-amyloidogenic) and H572R (amyloidogenic) along with the wild-type (WT). R555W was more susceptible to acidic pH compared to H572R and displayed varying chemical stabilities with decreasing pH. Thermal denaturation studies at acidic pH showed that while WT did not undergo any conformational transition, the mutants exhibited a clear pH-dependent irreversible conversion from αβ conformation to β-sheet oligomers. The β-oligomers of both mutants were stable at physiological temperature and pH. Electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering studies showed that β-oligomers of H572R were larger compared to R555W. The β-oligomers of both mutants were cytotoxic to primary human corneal stromal fibroblast (pHCSF) cells. The β-oligomers of both mutants exhibit variations in their morphologies, sizes, thermal and chemical stabilities, aggregation patterns and cytotoxicities.
Pyrazolones metabolites are relevant for identifying selective anaphylaxis to metamizole
Authors: Ariza Adriana , García-Martín Elena , Salas María , Montañez María I. , Mayorga Cristobalina , Blanca-Lopez Natalia , Andreu Inmaculada , Perkins James , Blanca Miguel , Agúndez José A. G. , Torres María J.
Published: March 2016

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most common cause of hypersensitivity reactions, with pyrazolones the most frequent drugs inducing selective reactions. Immediate selective hypersensitivity to pyrazolones is thought to be mediated by specific-IgE. Sensitivity ofin vitrodiagnostic tests is low and this may be due to the incomplete characterization of the structures involved. Here we investigated whether main metabolites of metamizole (dipyrone) in human could be involved in the immune response using the basophil activation test (BAT). We studied subjects with confirmed selective immediate hypersensitivity to metamizole and performed BAT with metamizole and its metabolites: 4-methylamino-antipyrine (MAA), 4-aminoantipyrine (AA), 4-acetylamino-antipyrine (AAA) and 4-formylamino-antipyrine (FAA). BAT results showed an increase of positive results from 37.5% to 62.5% using metamizole plus metabolites as compared with the BAT carried out only with the parent drug, demonstrating that metamizole metabolites have a role in the reaction and can induce specific basophil activation in patients with immediate hypersensitivity to this drug. Our findings indicate that pyrazolone metabolites are useful for improving thein vitrodiagnosis of allergic reactions to metamizole.
Determination of catecholamines and related compounds in mouse urine using column-switching HPLC
Authors: Kanamori Takahiro , Funatsu Takashi , Tsunoda Makoto
Published: March 2016

We have developed an analytical method for the determination of catecholamines and related compounds in mouse urine by column-switching HPLC.
An in vitro cell irradiation protocol for testing photopharmaceuticals and the effect of blue, green, and red light on human cancer cell lines
Authors: Hopkins S. L. , Siewert B. , Askes S. H. C. , Veldhuizen P. , Zwier R. , Heger Michal , Bonnet Sylvestre
Published: March 2016

Traditionally, ultraviolet light (100–400 nm) is considered an exogenous carcinogen while visible light (400–780 nm) is deemed harmless. In this work, a LED irradiation system forin vitrophotocytotoxicity testing is described. The LED irradiation system was developed for testing photopharmaceutical drugs, but was used here to determine the basal level response of human cancer cell lines to visible light of different wavelengths, without any photo(chemo)therapeutic. The effects of blue (455 nm, 10.5 mW cm−2), green (520 nm, 20.9 mW cm−2), and red light (630 nm, 34.4 mW cm−2) irradiation was measured for A375 (human malignant melanoma), A431 (human epidermoid carcinoma), A549 (human lung carcinoma), MCF7 (human mammary gland adenocarcinoma), MDA-MB-231 (human mammary gland adenocarcinoma), and U-87 MG (human glioblastoma-grade IV) cell lines. In response to a blue light dose of 19 J cm−2, three cell lines exhibited a minimal (20%, MDA-MB-231) to moderate (30%, A549 and 60%, A375) reduction in cell viability, compared to dark controls. The other cell lines were not affected. Effective blue light doses that produce a therapeutic response in 50% of the cell population (ED50) compared to dark conditions were found to be 10.9 and 30.5 J cm−2for A375 and A549 cells, respectively. No adverse effects were observed in any of the six cell lines irradiated with a 19 J cm−2dose of 520 nm (green) or 630 nm (red) light. The results demonstrate that blue light irradiation can have an effect on the viability of certain human cancer cell types and controls should be used in photopharmaceutical testing, which uses high-energy (blue or violet) visible light activation.
Observation of uniform ligand environments and 31P–197Au coupling in phosphine-terminated Au nanoparticles
Authors: Marbella Lauren E. , Crawford Scott E. , Hartmann Michael J. , Millstone Jill E.
Published: March 2016

Phosphine-terminated gold nanoparticles exhibit unexpectedly uniform ligand environments that enable the identification of 31P–197Au coupling for the first time in these systems.
Ca(ii) and Ce(iii) homogeneous alginate hydrogels from the parent alginic acid precursor: a structural study
Authors: Sonego Juan Manuel , Santagapita Patricio R. , Perullini Mercedes , Jobbágy Matías
Published: March 2016

Alginate hydrogels are suitable for the encapsulation of biomolecules and microorganisms for the building of bioactive materials.
Suppressing the dendritic growth of zinc in an ionic liquid containing cationic and anionic zinc complexes for battery applications
Authors: Liu Zhen , Pulletikurthi Giridhar , Lahiri Abhishek , Cui Tong , Endres Frank
Published: March 2016

Dendritic growth of zinc can be effectively suppressed in an ionic liquid electrolyte containing highly concentrated cationic and anionic zinc complexes.
Extraction desulfurization of fuels with ‘metal ions’ based deep eutectic solvents (MDESs)
Authors: Li Changping , Zhang Jinjin , Li Zhuo , Yin Jingmei , Cui Yingna , Liu Yue , Yang Guang
Published: March 2016

A series of MDESs were designed and synthesized, which could be successfully applied in the desulfurization of fuels.
Reading and Dementia
Authors: Ostrowski Susan , Dixon Peter S.
Published: March 2016

The reading capacities of older adults living with dementia are difficult to assess and determine. In this paper, we discuss the challenges that conventional print present to people with dementia. We expand upon what it takes to produce highly readable material for this group of older adults and the conditions necessary to stimulate their preserved reading abilities. We elaborate on the benefits and applications of reading for many older adults, especially those living in long-term care facilities.
Toward an Understanding of the Pathophysiology of Chronic Laryngitis
Authors: Jetté Marie
Published: March 2016

Chronic laryngitis, characterized by inflammation of the laryngeal tissues, is the most commonly diagnosed organic voice disorder, yet treatments targeting suspected etiologic factors have demonstrated limited efficacy. A major barrier to the development of improved medical therapies for chronic laryngitis is a fundamental gap in knowledge related to the pathophysiology of laryngeal inflammation. This article provides a review of the literature specific to laryngeal immunity in health and disease.
Emerging Scientist: Vocal Fold Immunology
Authors: King Suzanne N.
Published: March 2016

In adults the immune system is intimately involved in restoring function lost after injury. If it is poorly regulated, the initial protective reactions that encompass wound healing can lead to pathologic changes in the vocal fold that are particularly problematic to voice quality. Inflammatory injuries can contribute to pathophysiology of benign vocal fold lesions or scarring. Cells and molecules of the innate immune system are responsible for fighting off challenges and returning the tissue to its pre-injured state. This review briefly discusses aspects of the immune system with a focus on acute inflammation and confers immunological barriers to biomaterial and cell-based approaches for restoration of the voice. Increasing the awareness of laryngeal immunology will facilitate better understanding of the obstacles being faced in bench research and highlight the need for further work.
Incidence, Predictors, and Postoperative Complications of Blood Transfusion in Thoracic and Lumbar Fusion Surgery: An Analysis of 13,695 Patients from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database
Authors: Aoude Ahmed , Nooh Anas , Fortin Maryse , Aldebeyan Sultan , Jarzem Peter , Ouellet Jean , Weber Michael H.
Published: March 2016

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Objective

To identify predictive factors for blood transfusion and associated complications in lumbar and thoracic fusion surgeries.

Methods

The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database was used to identify patients who underwent lumbar or thoracic fusion from 2010 to 2013. Multivariate analysis was used to determine predictive factors and postoperative complications associated with transfusion.

Results

Out of 13,695 patients, 13,170 had lumbar fusion and 525 had thoracic fusion. The prevalence of transfusion was 31.8% for thoracic and 17.0% for lumbar fusion. The multivariate analysis showed that age between 50 and 60, age between 61 and 70, age > 70, dyspnea, American Society of Anesthesiologists class 3, bleeding disease, multilevel surgery, extended surgical time, return to operation room, and higher preoperative blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were predictors of blood transfusion for lumbar fusion. Multilevel surgery, preoperative BUN, and extended surgical time were predictors of transfusion for thoracic fusion. Patients receiving transfusions who underwent lumbar fusion were more likely to develop wound infection, venous thromboembolism, pulmonary embolism, and myocardial infarction and had longer hospital stay. Patients receiving transfusions who underwent thoracic fusion were more likely to have extended hospital stay.

Conclusion

This study characterizes incidence, predictors, and postoperative complications associated with blood transfusion in thoracic and lumbar fusion. Pre- and postoperative planning for patients deemed to be at high risk of requiring blood transfusion might reduce postoperative complications in this population.
Understanding the dynamic magnetization process for the magnetoelectric effect in multiferroic composites
Authors: Gualdi A. J. , Zabotto F. L. , Garcia D. , Bhalla A. , Guo R. , de Camargo P. C. , de Oliveira A. J. A.
Published: March 2016

Based on a magnetic relaxation model, an approach that includes the spin dynamics is proposed and applied to describe the magnetoelectric (ME) effect frequency dependence for a 0–3 type composite at low temperatures. Our results show that the ME coefficient, in low temperatures, for PMN-PT/CFO ((1−x)Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)−xPbTiO3/CoFe2O4) composite has a step-like behavior on the hysteresis loop for frequency of 1 kHz, contrasting with the results at low frequencies (10 Hz). This approach assumes that the ferromagnetic and ferroelectric phases are coupled through the interactions of the spins of the ferromagnetic phase with the composite phonons by spin/lattice relaxation.
Nanosecond spin coherence of excitons bound to acceptors in a CdTe quantum well
Authors: Grinberg P. , Bernardot F. , Eble B. , Karczewski G. , Testelin C. , Chamarro M.
Published: March 2016

We have studied the coherent spin dynamics of excitons bound to acceptors, A0X, immersed in a CdTe quantum well by using time resolved photo-induced Faraday rotation. We have also measured the time-resolved differential transmission in order to determine a A0X lifetime of 220 ps, which is independent of the applied magnetic field. We show that at low magnetic field, the spin of A0X is completely frozen during a time, ≅ 4.5 ns, at least twenty times longer than its lifetime. We compare the spin properties of A0X with the spin properties of other charged excitons systems, and we conclude that the hyperfine interaction of the photo-created electron spin with nuclear spins is very likely to be at the origin of the observed spin dephasing times.
Mistletoes increasing in eucalypt forest near Eden, New South Wales
Authors: Turner R. J. , Smith Peter
Published: March 2016

Mistletoe proliferation has contributed to eucalypt decline in rural lands in south-eastern Australia, but has seldom been recorded within forests. We report here on mistletoes increasing deep inside extensive eucalypt forest near Eden. Mistletoes (chiefly Amyema pendula (Sieber ex Spreng.) Tiegh., some Muellerina eucalyptoides (DC.) Barlow) were counted in 180 plots in various logging and burning treatments within a long-term experimental area. In 141.4 ha, there were 516 mistletoes in 1990–1991, and 1478 mistletoes in 2004–2006. The number of trees with mistletoes increased (doubling in logged coupes and almost tripling in unlogged coupes), and the number of mistletoes per tree increased (by ~30%). However, mistletoe prevalence remained low in 2004–2006 (2.7% of trees in logged coupes and 3.7% in unlogged coupes). Intensive logging limited the increase in mistletoe-bearing trees, probably because there were fewer trees available in logged coupes, but had no significant effect on the increase in mistletoes per tree. Low-intensity prescribed burns had no significant effect on mistletoe numbers, even with a high frequency of burning, probably because of their low scorch heights. We suggest that the observed increase in mistletoes in this forest, rather than indicating an ecological imbalance, is part of a natural cycle of boom and bust, with populations crashing in severe wildfires.
Seasonal relationships between foliar moisture content, heat content and biochemistry of lodgepole line and big sagebrush foliage
Authors: Qi Yi , Jolly W. Matt , Dennison Philip E. , Kropp Rachael C.
Published: March 2016

Wildland fires propagate by liberating energy contained within living and senescent plant biomass. The maximum amount of energy that can be generated by burning a given plant part can be quantified and is generally referred to as its heat content (HC). Many studies have examined heat content of wildland fuels but studies examining the seasonal variation in foliar HC among vegetation types are severely lacking. We collected foliage samples bi-weekly for five months from two common species in the western USA: lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Douglas ex Loudon) and big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt). We measured HC, live fuel moisture content (LFMC) and biochemical components in the leaf dry mass. Our results showed that HC increased for both species, coinciding with LFMC decrease during the growing season. Measured HC values were higher than the constant value in standard fuel models. Lasso regression models identified biochemical components for explaining temporal HC and LFMC variation in lodgepole pine (HC: R2adj = 0.55, root mean square error (RMSE) = 0.35; LFMC: R2adj = 0.84, RMSE = 10.79), sagebrush (HC: R2adj = 0.90, RMSE = 0.13; LFMC: R2adj = 0.96, RMSE = 7.66) and combined data from both species (HC: R2adj = 0.77, RMSE = 0.33; LFMC: R2adj = 0.61, RMSE = 19.75). These results demonstrated the seasonal change in HC and LFMC resulted from temporal biochemical composition variation in dry mass. This new knowledge about HC seasonal change will ultimately lead to improved predictions of wildland fire spread and intensity.
Toxoplasma Encephalitis in Atypical Hosts at an Academic Cancer Center
Authors: Morjaria Sejal , Epstein David J. , Romero Fabian A. , Taur Ying , Seo Susan K. , Papanicolaou Genovefa A. , Hatzoglou Vaios , Rosenblum Marc , Perales Miguel-Angel , Scordo Michael , Kaltsas Anna
Published: March 2016

Toxoplasma encephalitis is a well recognized complication of acquired immune deficiency syndrome, solid organ transplantation, and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). However, patients with hematologic malignancies not treated with allogeneic HSCT may also develop this condition, which requires high clinical suspicion and consideration for prophylactic therapy.
Identification of Bacterial and Viral Codetections With Mycoplasma pneumoniae Using the TaqMan Array Card in Patients Hospitalized With Community-Acquired Pneumonia
Authors: Diaz Maureen H. , Cross Kristen E. , Benitez Alvaro J. , Hicks Lauri A. , Kutty Preeta , Bramley Anna M. , Chappell James D. , Hymas Weston , Patel Anami , Qi Chao , Williams Derek J. , Arnold Sandra R. , Ampofo Krow , Self Wesley H. , Grijalva Carlos G. , Anderson Evan J. , McCullers Jonathan A. , Pavia Andrew T. , Wunderink Richard G. , Edwards Kathryn M. , Jain Seema , Winchell Jonas M.
Published: March 2016

Mycoplasma pneumoniae was detected in a number of patients with community-acquired pneumonia in a recent prospective study. To assess whether other pathogens were also detected in these patients, TaqMan Array Cards were used to test 216 M pneumoniae-positive respiratory specimens for 25 additional viral and bacterial respiratory pathogens. It is interesting to note that 1 or more codetections, predominantly bacterial, were identified in approximately 60% of specimens, with codetections being more common in children.
How schedule issues affect drug logistics operations: an empirical study in hospitals in China
Authors: Law Kris M. Y.
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The drug logistics play a crucial role in the hospital service performance. It has been proved that modern logistics concept is a valid access to competitiveness. In order to enhance the comprehensive capability and core competence of hospitals, including the internal support system, there is a great need to have an in-depth and systematic study on the drug logistics system in hospitals. The purpose of this paper is to explore the current situation of the drug logistics and the drug centres operations in public hospitals in China; specifically how the organizational partnerships with the supply chain partners can affect the operational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this study, the possibility of correlations between schedule instability, partnerships with supply chain partners, and internal drug logistics operation is investigated by modelling, with reference to the previous work of Law et al. (2009), in which collective efficacy of the performance is incorporated into the model.

Findings

– The findings of this study show that the drug logistics working teams in public hospitals in China have a high level of efficacy and self-confidence, while they perceive they provide good operations even at a low level of schedule nervousness. The study also reinforces the significant correlation between internal operation and partnership with customers. This is definitely useful for the development of an appropriate framework for drug logistics operation improvement in the long run.

Originality/value

– The study thus offers a good reference for the administrators and practitioners who are keen on improving the service operations in the healthcare sector in the region.
A resource-based view on enablers of supplier integration: evidence from China
Authors: Wang Zhiqiang , Huo Baofeng , Qi Yinan , Zhao Xiande
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of human resource (HR) and manufacturing plant information technology (MP-IT) resource on companies’ internal integration capabilities and how these resources/capabilities influence supplier integration.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using data collected from 604 Chinese manufacturers, the authors empirically test the effects of different types of resources/capabilities on supplier integration.

Findings

– The results show that HR has both direct and indirect effects on supplier integration through their effects on internal integration capabilities. MP-IT resource only has significant indirect effects on supplier integration through internal integration capabilities. The results also indicate that HR is more important than MP-IT resource in improving internal integration capabilities and supplier integration.

Originality/value

– This study empirically investigates enablers of supplier integration in China, contributing to supply chain integration literature and practices.
A dynamic Stackelberg game model for portfolio procurement
Authors: Shi Yuan , Qu Ting , Chu LK
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to propose a portfolio procurement framework to response to uncertain customer demand and purchasing price volatility in a simultaneous manner. Then it aims to obtain optimal procurement and production decisions under the portfolio framework to maximize profit.

Design/methodology/approach

– The portfolio procurement problem is modeled as a dynamic Stackelberg game and Nash equilibrium solutions are obtained. The portfolio procurement framework is analyzed in the settings, with both risk-neutral objective and downside risk constraints measure of contract prices.

Findings

– By obtaining the Nash equilibrium solutions for both the buyer’s ordering decisions and the supplier’s optimum production decisions, Stackelberg game model for portfolio procurement is proved to be feasible. Additionally, downside risk constrains are proposed to help supply chain participants’ to evaluate the profitability and risk probabilities of the designed procurement contracts under the uncertain customer demand and spot market.

Research limitations/implications

– This paper assumes the supplier is risk averse and the buyer is risk neutral, and it would be interesting to examine the performances of portfolio procurement strategy with different risk attitudes participants.

Practical implications

– This research could help the buyer respond to not only demand uncertainty but also the volatile spot price in the procurement process. Related optimal portfolio procurement strategy can be carried out to improve the enterprise’ procurement plan by adjusting the order of long-term contract, option contract and the spot market. The proposed framework could also help suppliers design and evaluate contracts for buyers with different risk preference, and on the other hand help the buyers decide if she should accept the contracts from the supplier.

Social implications

– This research should also increase awareness in both academia and industry on the opportunities of using the dynamic portfolio procurement approach to enhance flexibility and to mitigate the inventory as well as price risks in the procurement process. Effective downside risk constrains on contract prices could also help to protect the bottom line of companies with different risk preference.

Originality/value

– The portfolio procurement framework proposed in this research can mitigate inventory and price risks simultaneously. Also, instead of solving the portfolio procurement planning problem in computational simulation experiments as in previous research, this paper proposed a dynamic game model for this portfolio-based procurement problem and obtained its Nash equilibrium solutions for both the buyer’s ordering decisions and the supplier’s optimum production decisions. Finally, an innovative and simple downside risk constraints has been designed to help the buyer evaluate supplier’s contract prices according to their individual risk preference.
Creating employable graduates: the case of ethnic minority students in Greece
Authors: Panagiotakopoulos Antonios
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the main barriers to employability skills development of ethnic minority students in the context of higher education (HE) in Greece and recommends strategies to help higher education institutions (HEIs) overcome those barriers.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study draws on a series of in-depth interviews conducted with 20 ethnic minority students and ten “traditional” students studying at three institutions of HE in Greece.

Findings

– The study shows that there are many barriers facing ethnic minority students in HE including: poor self-esteem; lack of good advice about HE courses; isolation once in HE; discrimination by staff in HE; and unresponsive curriculum to ethnic diversity in HE. In this context, it is argued that there is an immediate need for decision makers in HEIs to develop policies that target ethnic minority students in order to help them secure employment. It is suggested that HEIs should: provide opportunities for students to discuss concerns with teachers and counsellors; address issues of motivation, self-perception and self-efficacy; encourage teaching staff to adopt various teaching methods to accommodate different learning styles; decrease competitive, norm-referenced environments; use multicultural education and counselling techniques and strategies; and provide work placement opportunities.

Practical implications

– The paper suggests ways that can help HEIs embrace diversity and promote graduate employability among ethnic minority students in the context of widening participation agenda.

Originality/value

– The study fills a significant knowledge gap in the existing literature in relation to the measures that HEIs can take to enhance graduate employability among ethnic minority students particularly in less developed countries like Greece.
The impact of recent employment-discrimination decisions
Authors: McMullen Anthony Lamar
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to inform small business owners about recent Supreme Court rulings interpreting Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

Design/methodology/approach

– A review of recent Supreme Court rulings.

Findings

– Recent Supreme Court rulings have increased the plaintiff’s burden of proof in employment-discrimination cases in the USA.

Practical implications

– Assuming that Congress does not legislatively overrule these decisions, business owners (including small business owners) should find it easier to shield themselves from employment-discrimination claims. However, this change should not be considered license to be less vigilant when it comes to preventing employment discrimination.

Originality/value

– While there have been numerous reports on this law in the legal community, the primary audience for this piece is the business owner. The author’s goal is to provide a combination of background information and practical advice, making this valuable to business owners who are not versed in the law.
Drying behaviour and microbial load after water damage
Authors: Zegowitz Andreas , Renzl Anna , Hofbauer Wolfgang , Meyer Joerg , Kuenzel Hartwig
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The water damage in buildings because of leaking pipes and increasingly because of floods and severe weather require professional help. Methods for improved repair and remediation techniques have to be developed. The water damage in buildings because of leaking pipes and increasingly because of floods and severe weather require professional help. Methods for improved repair and remediation techniques have to be developed. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– Therefore, large scale laboratory tests with four rooms, each with three types of masonry walls (Figure 2 and Plate 1) and typical floors for intermediate storeys with insulation were performed within a climate simulator. Artificial water damage was provoked through watering the floors, and the dispersion of water in the floors and the rising damp in the walls was measured. In the follow-up to the watering of the floors, a company specialized in drying wet buildings, installed systems for under floor drying and wall drying.

Findings

– The drying process of the different components and layers of the floor construction and walls was monitored by a measuring system with more than 300 sensors for moisture content, relative humidity and temperature accompanied by thermography and demonstrated so the advantages and disadvantages of the different tested drying systems. After providing an initial contamination that is typical for construction sites, the microbial load (mould infestation) within the wet components was monitored at different times by experienced biologists. So after three weeks under floor drying no mould growth could be asserted but more bacteria than expected were found.

Originality/value

– The aim of the research was to gain more confidence in selecting appropriate drying procedures and systems in order to identify the right moment for terminating the drying process. A further intent was to acquire data for computer simulations.