bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Information Disaggregation and Financial Statement Interactivity on Judgments and Decisions of Nonprofessional Investors
Authors: Kelton Andrea Seaton , Murthy Uday S.
Published: October 2015

Despite recent advances in Internet reporting technologies and calls for the increased reporting of disaggregated financial information, extant accounting research has not examined the potential positive and negative effects of providing disaggregated information using interactive web-based financial statements. In an experiment with nonprofessional investors, we investigate whether an Internet technology that provides investors control over the viewing of disaggregated financial information improves investment-related judgments and decisions and whether such effects depend on the utility of the disaggregation. In support of the notion that interactivity mitigates information overload, we find some evidence that the use of the drilldown capability is associated with a decrease in investors' perceived cognitive load. Results also show that investors using a drilldown capability are less susceptible to earnings fixation compared to investors viewing the disaggregation without the drilldown feature. However, we also find that in some circumstances financial statement disaggregation may not be beneficial to investors and that the resultant increase in cognitive load may outweigh any benefits of financial statement interactivity. These results have important and timely implications for standard setters considering whether to require increased disaggregation in financial statement reporting and companies seeking to enhance the usefulness of their web-based financial reports.

JEL Classifications: C91; G11; G18; M41.

Data Availability: Contact the authors.
Are Cost-Plus Defense Contracts (Justifiably) Out of Favor?
Authors: Wang Chong , San Miguel Joseph G.
Published: October 2015

A common tenet is that the use of cost-plus contracts contributes to cost overruns in the context of Major Defense Acquisition Programs (MDAPs). Accordingly, policy-makers express a preference for fixed-price contracts as opposed to cost-plus contracts. While fixed-price contracts may be superior in certain scenarios, such scenarios are limited in the MDAP context. We document three potential unintended negative consequences of fixed-price contracts. We argue that the notion that fixed-price contracts are better than cost-plus contracts for limiting cost overruns is misleading.

JEL Classifications: G38; H57; M48.
A Case Study in the Net Reporting of Special Event Revenues and Costs
Authors: Neely Daniel G. , Tinkelman Daniel P.
Published: October 2015

This article presents a case study of a well-known nonprofit organization, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, with a large and visible series of fundraising charity walks. The organization did not report or disclose the walks' gross revenues and fundraising expenses separately in its financial statements over a seven-year period. Instead, the organization recorded only its share of the net proceeds as contributions when the cash was received. This accounting treatment helped Komen meet the Better Business Bureau's standards for accountability and achieve a top rating from Charity Navigator.
Economic Consequences of Going Concern Audit Opinions in Nonprofit Charitable Organizations
Authors: Feng Nancy Chun
Published: October 2015

This study examines the economic consequences of going concern audit reports (GCARs) in nonprofit charitable organizations (NPOs) using a sample of public charities that received initial GCARs between 1998 and 2003. I find that GCARs are negatively correlated with subsequent government grants. This evidence suggests either that the government utilizes GCARs as a screening criterion in its funding decisions or that affected NPOs voluntarily withdraw their grant applications. GCARs and subsequent contributions are also negatively correlated. There is no evidence of a significant correlation between a GCAR and the NPO's subsequent public support. The findings indicate detectable adverse economic consequences of GCARs in the nonprofit sector.

Data Availability: Data used in this study are from public sources.
The Relative Influence of Fund-Based and Government-Wide Financial Information on Municipal Bond Borrowing Costs
Authors: Reck Jacqueline L. , Wilson Earl R.
Published: October 2015

Our study provides evidence of the association between accrual-based financial information provided by the GASB Statement No. 34 reporting model and new issue municipal bond borrowing costs. Given the controversy that surrounded the implementation of the GASB Statement No. 34 reporting model, questions that continue to be raised about the usefulness of the model, and recent calls for research on Statement No. 34 by the GASB, our study into the informativeness of the GASB Statement No. 34 model is timely and helpful in informing the GASB decision process. The findings of our study indicate that the Statement No. 34 model provides incremental information to the new issue market beyond that provided by the pre-Statement No. 34 model. Our results indicate that the Statement No. 34 model may allow creditors to better assess issuers' longer-term performance.
Does Audit Committee Monitoring Matter in the Government Sector? Evidence from Municipal Internal Control Quality
Authors: Rich Kevin T. , Zhang Jean X.
Published: October 2015

We investigate whether the presence of municipal audit committees is associated with internal control quality in the municipal setting. The evidence shows that only 20 percent of municipalities in our sample voluntarily maintained an audit committee during the sample period of 2001 through 2004. Our results highlight that municipalities with audit committees are associated with fewer internal control problems, which in turn suggests these cities should be less likely to experience future significant financial reporting failures. These results persist in specifications that use econometric procedures to address concerns about self-selection. Overall, our findings suggest that audit committee presence plays an important role in municipal financial oversight.
Effect of Adhesive Cementation Strategies on the Bonding of Y-TZP to Human Dentin
Authors: Alves MLL , Campos F , Bergoli CD , Bottino MA , Özcan M , Souza ROA
Published: October 2015

This study evaluated the effects of different adhesive strategies on the adhesion of zirconia to dentin using conventional and self-adhesive cements and their corresponding adhesive resins. The occlusal parts of human molars (N=80) were sectioned, exposing the dentin. The teeth and zirconia cylinders (N=80) (diameter=3.4 mm; height=4 mm) were randomly divided into eight groups according to the factors “surface conditioning” and “cement type” (n=10 per group). One conventional cement (CC: RelyX ARC, 3M ESPE) and one self-adhesive cement (SA: RelyX U200, 3M ESPE) and their corresponding adhesive resin (for CC, Adper Single Bond Plus; for SA, Scotchbond Universal Adhesive-SU) were applied on dentin. Zirconia specimens were conditioned either using chairside (CJ: CoJet, 30 μm, 2.5 bar, four seconds), laboratory silica coating (RC: Rocatec, 110 μm, 2.5 bar, four seconds), or universal primer (Single Bond Universal-UP). Nonconditioned groups for both cements acted as the control (C). Specimens were stored in water (37°C, 30 days) and subjected to shear bond strength (SBS) testing (1 mm/min). Data (MPa) were analyzed using two-way analysis of variance and a Tukey test (α=0.05). While surface conditioning significantly affected the SBS values (p=0.0001) (C<RC=CJ=UP), cement type did not (p=0.148) (CC=SA). The interaction terms were significant (p=0.014). Failure types were predominantly adhesive. Air-abrasion and the use of the universal primer improved the bond strength of zirconia to dentin compared to the control group, regardless of the type of resin cement used.
Application of Ionic Liquids in the Downstream Processing of Lignocellulosic Biomass
Authors: Siankevich Sviatlana , Fei Zhaofu , Yan Ning , Dyson Paul J.
Published: October 2015

Chemical transformations of lignocellulosic substrates to valuable platform chemicals are challenging as lignin and cellulose have high thermal and chemical stabilities. However, certain ionic liquids are able to dissolve and deconstruct biomass and, in the presence of catalysts, convert
the dissolved/deconstructed species into useful platform chemicals. Herein, we provide a concise overview of the role of ionic liquids in biomass processing. Using 5-hydroxymethylfurfural as an example of a renewable building block, available from cellulose, we show how ionic liquids can facilitate its production.
Reactors for Catalytic Methanation in the Conversion of Biomass to Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG)
Authors: Schildhauer Tilman J. , Biollaz Serge M. A.
Published: October 2015

Production of Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG) from biomass is an important step to decouple the use of bioenergy from the biomass production with respect to both time and place. While anaerobic digestion of wet biomass is a state-of-the art process, wood gasification to producer gas followed
by gas cleaning and methanation has only just entered the demonstration scale. Power-to-Gas applications using biogas from biomass fermentation or producer gas from wood gasification as carbon oxide source are under development. Due to the importance of the (catalytic) methanation step in
the production of SNG from dry biomass or within Power-to-Gas applications, the specific challenges of this step and the developed reactor types are discussed in this review.
CO Methanation for Synthetic Natural Gas Production
Authors: Kambolis Anastasios , Schildhauer Tilman J. , Kröcher Oliver
Published: October 2015

Energy from woody biomass could supplement renewable energy production towards the replacement of fossil fuels. A multi-stage process involving gasification of wood and then catalytic transformation of the producer gas to synthetic natural gas (SNG) represents progress in this direction.
SNG can be transported and distributed through the existing pipeline grid, which is advantageous from an economical point of view. Therefore, CO methanation is attracting a great deal of attention and much research effort is focusing on the understanding of the process steps and its further
development. This short review summarizes recent efforts at Paul Scherrer Institute on the understanding of the reaction mechanism, the catalyst deactivation, and the development of catalytic materials with benign properties for CO methanation.
Opportunities for Switzerland to Contribute to the Production of Algal Biofuels: the Hydrothermal Pathway to Bio-Methane
Authors: Bagnoud-Velásquez Mariluz , Refardt Dominik , Vuille François , Ludwig Christian
Published: October 2015

Microalgae have a significant potential to be a sustainable source of fuel and thus are of interest in the transition to a sustainable energy system, in particular for resource-dependent countries such as Switzerland. Independence of fossil fuels, considerable reduction of CO2
emissions, and abandoning nuclear energy may be possible with an integrated system approach including the sourcing of biofuels from different types of biomass. Today, a full carbon-to-fuel conversion is possible, and has been recently demonstrated with an advanced hydrothermal technology.
The potential to develop algal biofuels is viewed as high thanks to the possibility they offer to uncouple bioenergy from food production. Nevertheless, technological breakthroughs must take place before commercial production becomes a reality, especially to meet the necessary cost savings
and efficiency gains in the algae cultivation structure. In addition, an integrated management of waste resources to promote the nutrient recovery appears today as imperative to further improve the economic viability and the environmental sustainability of algal production. We provide here
a review that includes the global technological status of both algae production and their conversion into biofuels in order to understand first the added value of algal energy in general before we focus on the potential of algae to contribute specifically to the Swiss energy system to the
horizon 2050. In this respect, the hydrothermal conversion pathway of microalgal biomass into synthetic natural gas (SNG) is emphasized, as research into this technology has received considerable attention in Switzerland during the last decade. In addition, SNG is a particularly relevant fuel
in the Swiss context due to the existing gas grid and to the opportunity it offers to cover a wide spectrum of energy applications, in particular cogeneration of heat and electricity or use as a transport fuel in the growing gas car fleet.
Chemical Modification of Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) for the Preparation of Hybrid Biomaterials
Authors: Bassas-Galià Mònica , Gonzalez Adolfo , Micaux Fabrice , Gaillard Vanessa , Piantini Umberto , Schintke Silvia , Zinn Manfred , Mathieu Marc
Published: October 2015

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biopolyesters produced by bacteria as intracellular granules under metabolic stress conditions. Many carbon sources such as alkanes, alkenes, alcohols, sugars, fatty acids can be used as feedstock and thus a wide variety of polyesters and monomer units
can be potentially synthetized. The work presented here describes the process to chemically modify such biopolymers in order to render them readily available for the preparation of bio-molecular conjugates as promising new classes of biocompatible biomaterials. Such hybrid biomaterials belong
to the rapidly growing class of biocompatible polymers, which are of great interest for medical and therapeutic applications. In this work, the biosynthesis of a new PHA homopolymer and the chemical modification, an epoxidation reaction, are described.
Where Experts Meet to Exchange Knowledge: Biotechnet's Summer School on Advanced Biotechnology
Authors: Heinzelmann Elsbeth
Published: October 2015

Science and progress thrive on an open mind and a transnational exchange of ideas and experience. That's why, in 2005, two scientists with a vision launched the biotechnet Summer School on Advanced Biotechnology. This year, too, the Summer School – now held at ZHAW in Waedenswil
– is attracting researchers from all over the globe, and is also celebrating its 10th anniversary.
Identification of the novel Kawasaki 2014 GII.17 human norovirus strain in Italy, 2015
Authors: Medici Maria Cristina , Tummolo Fabio , Calderaro Adriana , Chironna Maria , Giammanco Giovanni Maurizio , De Grazia Simona , Arcangeletti Maria Cristina , De Conto Flora , Chezzi Carlo , Martella Vito
Published: October 2015

Surveillance of noroviruses in Italy identified the novel GII.17 human norovirus strain, Kawasaki 2014, in February 2015. This novel strain emerged as a major cause of gastroenteritis in Asia during 2014/15, replacing the pandemic GII.4 norovirus strain Sydney 2012, but being reported only sporadically elsewhere. This novel strain is undergoing fast diversification and continuous monitoring is important to understand the evolution of noroviruses and to implement the future strategies on norovirus vaccines.
The Implications of the Use of Parental Choice as a Legal “Circuit Breaker”
Authors: Mead Julie F. , Lewis Maria M.
Published: October 2015

This study explores four instances where parental choice has been employed as a legal “circuit breaker”: (a) First Amendment Establishment Clause cases related to public funding, (b) Fourteenth Amendment Equal Protection cases regarding race-conscious student assignment, (c) Title IX regulations concerning single-sex education, and (d) a provision of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) related to parental refusal to consent to initial special education services. In each example, while the end result would not be legally permitted if directed by some governmental decision maker, the presence of parental choice produces a permissible indirect path to the same policy outcome. This study traces the legal underpinnings of each example and discusses their implications for policymakers and practitioners.
A Multilevel CFA-MTMM Model for Nested Structurally Different Methods
Authors: Koch Tobias , Schultze Martin , Burrus Jeremy , Roberts Richard D. , Eid Michael
Published: October 2015

The numerous advantages of structural equation modeling (SEM) for the analysis of multitrait–multimethod (MTMM) data are well known. MTMM-SEMs allow researchers to explicitly model the measurement error, to examine the true convergent and discriminant validity of the given measures, and to relate external variables to the latent trait as well as the latent method factors in the model. According to Eid et al. (2008) different MTMM measurement designs require different types of MTMM-SEMs. Eid et al. (2008) proposed three different MTMM-SEMs for measurement designs with (a) structurally different methods, (b) interchangeable methods, and (c) a combination of both types of methods. In the present work, we extend this taxonomy to a multilevel correlated traits–correlated methods minus one [CTC(M − 1)] model for nested structurally different methods. The new model enables researchers to study method effects on both measurement levels (i.e., within and between clusters, classes, schools, etc.) and evaluate the convergent and discriminant validity of the measures. The statistical performance of the model is examined by a simulation study, and recommendations for the application of the model are given.
CCN Properties of Organic Aerosol Collected Below and within Marine Stratocumulus Clouds near Monterey, California
Authors: Asa-Awuku Akua , Sorooshian Armin , Flagan Richard , Seinfeld John , Nenes Athanasios
Published: October 2015

The composition of aerosol from cloud droplets differs from that below cloud. Its implications for the Cloud Condensation Nuclei (CCN) activity are the focus of this study. Water-soluble organic matter from below cloud, and cloud droplet residuals off the coast of Monterey, California were collected; offline chemical composition, CCN activity and surface tension measurements coupled with Köhler Theory Analysis are used to infer the molar volume and surfactant characteristics of organics in both samples. Based on the surface tension depression of the samples, it is unlikely that the aerosol contains strong surfactants. The activation kinetics for all samples examined are consistent with rapid (NH4)2SO4 calibration aerosol. This is consistent with our current understanding of droplet kinetics for ambient CCN. However, the carbonaceous material in cloud drop residuals is far more hygroscopic than in sub-cloud aerosol, suggestive of the impact of cloud chemistry on the hygroscopic properties of organic matter.
Measurement, Interpretation and Information
Authors: Lombardi Olimpia , Fortin Sebastian , López Cristian
Published: October 2015

During many years since the birth of quantum mechanics, instrumentalist interpretations prevailed: the meaning of the theory was expressed in terms of measurements results. However, in the last decades, several attempts to interpret it from a realist viewpoint have been proposed. Among them, modal interpretations supply a realist non-collapse account, according to which the system always has definite properties and the quantum state represents possibilities, not actualities. But the traditional modal interpretations faced some conceptual problems when addressing imperfect measurements. The modal-Hamiltonian interpretation, on the contrary, proved to be able to supply an adequate account of the measurement problem, both in its ideal and its non-ideal versions. Moreover, in the non-ideal case, it gives a precise criterion to distinguish between reliable and non-reliable measurements. Nevertheless, that criterion depends on the particular state of the measured system, and this might be considered as a shortcoming of the proposal. In fact, one could ask for a criterion of reliability that does not depend on the features of what is measured but only on the properties of the measurement device. The aim of this article is precisely to supply such a criterion: we will adopt an informational perspective for this purpose.During many years since the birth of quantum mechanics, instrumentalistinterpretations prevailed: the meaning of the theory was expressed in terms of measurementsresults. However, in the last decades, several attempts to interpret it from a realist viewpointhave been proposed. Among them, modal interpretations supply a realist non-collapseaccount, according to which the system always has definite properties and the quantum staterepresents possibilities, not actualities. But the traditional modal interpretations faced someconceptual problems when addressing imperfect measurements. The modal-Hamiltonianinterpretation, on the contrary, proved to be able to supply an adequate account of themeasurement problem, both in its ideal and its non-ideal versions. Moreover, in the non-idealcase, it gives a precise criterion to distinguish between reliable and non-reliable measurements.Nevertheless, that criterion depends on the particular state of the measured system, and thismight be considered as a shortcoming of the proposal. In fact, one could ask for a criterionof reliability that does not depend on the features of what is measured but only on theproperties of the measurement device. The aim of this article is precisely to supply such acriterion: we will adopt an informational perspective for this purpose.
The Measurement Problem from the Perspective of an Information-Theoretic Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics
Authors: Bub Jeffrey
Published: October 2015

The aim of this paper is to consider the consequences of an information-theoretic interpretation of quantum mechanics for the measurement problem. The motivating idea of the interpretation is that the relation between quantum mechanics and the structure of information is analogous to the relation between special relativity and the structure of space-time. Insofar as quantum mechanics deals with a class of probabilistic correlations that includes correlations structurally different from classical correlations, the theory is about the structure of information: the possibilities for representing, manipulating, and communicating information in a genuinely indeterministic quantum world in which measurement outcomes are intrinsically random are different than we thought. Part of the measurement problem is deflated as a pseudo-problem on this view, and the theory has the resources to deal with the remaining part, given certain idealizations in the treatment of macrosystems.
Performance of a Composite Thermoelectric Generator with Different Arrangements of SiGe, BiTe and PbTe under Different Configurations
Authors: Vargas-Almeida Alexander , Olivares-Robles Miguel , Lavielle Federico
Published: October 2015

In this study, we analyze the role of the thermoelectric (TE) properties, namely Seebeck coefficient α, thermal conductivity κ and electrical resistivity ρ, of three different materials in a composite thermoelectric generator (CTEG) under different configurations. The CTEG is composed of three thermoelectric modules (TEMs): (1) two TEMs thermally and electrically connected in series (SC); (2) two branches of TEMs thermally and electrically connected in parallel (PSC); and (3) three TEMs thermally and electrically connected in parallel (TEP). In general, each of the TEMs have different thermoelectric parameters, namely a Seebeck coefficient α, a thermal conductance K and an electrical resistance R. Following the framework proposed recently, we show the effect of: (1) the configuration; and (2) the arrangements of TE materials on the corresponding equivalent figure of merit Zeq and consequently on the maximum power Pmax and efficiency η of the CTEG. Firstly, we consider that the whole system is formed of the same thermoelectric material (α1,K1,R1 = α2,K2,R2 = α3,K3,R3) and, secondly, that the whole system is constituted by only two different thermoelectric materials Entropy 2015, 17 7388 (αi,Ki,Ri ≠ αj ,Kj ,Rj 6= αl,Kl,Rl, where i, j, l can be 1, 2 or 3). In this work, we propose arrangements of TEMs, which clearly have the advantage of a higher thermoelectric figure of merit value compared to a conventional thermoelectric module. A corollary about the Zeq-max for CTEG is obtained as a result of these considerations. We suggest an optimum configuration.
Extension of the Improved Bounce-Back Scheme for Electrokinetic Flow in the Lattice Boltzmann Method
Authors: Chen Qing , Zhou Hongping , Jiang Xuesong , Xu Linyun , Li Qing , Ru Yu
Published: October 2015

In this paper, an improved bounce-back boundary treatment for fluid systems in the lattice Boltzmann method [Yin, X.; Zhang J. J. Comput. Phys. 2012, 231, 4295–4303] is extended to handle the electrokinetic flows with complex boundary shapes and conditions. Several numerical simulations are performed to validate the electric boundary treatment. Simulations are presented to demonstrate the accuracy and capability of this method in dealing with complex surface potential situations, and simulated results are compared with analytical predictions with excellent agreement. This method could be useful for electrokinetic simulations with complex boundaries, and can also be readily extended to other phenomena and processes.
Information Theoretic Measures to Infer Feedback Dynamics in Coupled Logistic Networks
Authors: Goodwell Allison , Kumar Praveen
Published: October 2015

A process network is a collection of interacting time series nodes, in which interactions can range from weak dependencies to complete synchronization. Between these extremes, nodes may respond to each other or external forcing at certain time scales and strengths. Identification of such dependencies from time series can reveal the complex behavior of the system as a whole. Since observed time series datasets are often limited in length, robust measures are needed to quantify strengths and time scales of interactions and their unique contributions to the whole system behavior. We generate coupled chaotic logistic networks with a range of connectivity structures, time scales, noise, and forcing mechanisms, and compute variance and lagged mutual information measures to evaluate how detected time dependencies reveal system behavior. When a target node is detected to receive information from multiple sources, we compute conditional mutual information and total shared information between each source node pair to identify unique or redundant sources. While variance measures capture synchronization trends, combinations of information measures provide further distinctions regarding drivers, redundancies, and time dependencies within the network. We find that imposed network connectivity often leads to induced feedback that is identified as redundant links, and cannot be distinguished from imposed causal linkages. We find that random or external driving nodes are more likely to provide unique information than mutually dependent nodes in a highly connected network. In process networks constructed from observed data, the methods presented can be used to infer connectivity, dominant interactions, and systemic behavioral shift.
Characterization of Complex Fractionated Atrial Electrograms by Sample Entropy: An International Multi-Center Study
Authors: Cirugeda–Roldán Eva , Novak Daniel , Kremen Vaclav , Cuesta–Frau David , Keller Matthias , Luik Armin , Srutova Martina
Published: October 2015

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most commonly clinically-encountered arrhythmia. Catheter ablation of AF is mainly based on trigger elimination and modification of the AF substrate. Substrate mapping ablation of complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAEs) has emerged to be a promising technique. To improve substrate mapping based on CFAE analysis, automatic detection algorithms need to be developed in order to simplify and accelerate the ablation procedures. According to the latest studies, the level of fractionation has been shown to be promisingly well estimated from CFAE measured during radio frequency (RF) ablation of AF. The nature of CFAE is generally nonlinear and nonstationary, so the use of complexity measures is considered to be the appropriate technique for the analysis of AF records. This work proposes the use of sample entropy (SampEn), not only as a way to discern between non-fractionated and fractionated atrial electrograms (A-EGM), Entropy 2015, 17 7494 but also as a tool for characterizing the degree of A-EGM regularity, which is linked to changes in the AF substrate and to heart tissue damage. The use of SampEn combined with a blind parameter estimation optimization process enables the classification between CFAE and non-CFAE with statistical significance (p < 0:001), 0.89 area under the ROC, 86% specificity and 77% sensitivity over a mixed database of A-EGM combined from two independent CFAE signal databases, recorded during RF ablation of AF in two EU countries (542 signals in total). On the basis of the results obtained in this study, it can be suggested that the use of SampEn is suitable for real-time support during navigation of RF ablation of AF, as only 1.5 seconds of signal segments need to be analyzed.
Home Palliative Care for Patients with Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease: Preliminary Results
Authors: Teruel José , Rexach Lourdes , Burguera Victor , Gomis Antonio , Fernandez-Lucas Milagros , Rivera Maite , Diaz Alicia , Collazo Sergio , Liaño Fernando
Published: October 2015

Healthcare for patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (ACKD) on conservative treatment very often poses healthcare problems that are difficult to solve. At the end of 2011, we began a program based on the care and monitoring of these patients by Primary Care Teams. ACKD patients who opted for conservative treatment were offered the chance to be cared for mainly at home by the Primary Care doctor and nurse, under the coordination of the Palliative Care Unit and the Nephrology Department. During 2012, 2013, and 2014, 76 patients received treatment in this program (mean age: 81 years; mean Charlson age-comorbidity index: 10, and mean glomerular filtration rate: 12.4 mL/min/1.73 m2). The median patient follow-up time (until death or until 31 December 2014) was 165 days. During this period, 51% of patients did not have to visit the hospital’s emergency department and 58% did not require hospitalization. Forty-eight of the 76 patients died after a median time of 135 days in the program; 24 (50%) died at home. Our experience indicates that with the support of the Palliative Care Unit and the Nephrology Department, ACKD patients who are not dialysis candidates may be monitored at home by Primary Care Teams.
A Novel High-Throughput Approach to Measure Hydroxyl Radicals Induced by Airborne Particulate Matter
Authors: Son Yeongkwon , Mishin Vladimir , Welsh William , Lu Shou-En , Laskin Jeffrey , Kipen Howard , Meng Qingyu
Published: October 2015

Oxidative stress is one of the key mechanisms linking ambient particulate matter (PM) exposure with various adverse health effects. The oxidative potential of PM has been used to characterize the ability of PM induced oxidative stress. Hydroxyl radical (•OH) is the most destructive radical produced by PM. However, there is currently no high-throughput approach which can rapidly measure PM-induced •OH for a large number of samples with an automated system. This study evaluated four existing molecular probes (disodium terephthalate, 3′-p-(aminophenyl)fluorescein, coumarin-3-carboxylic acid, and sodium benzoate) for their applicability to measure •OH induced by PM in a high-throughput cell-free system using fluorescence techniques, based on both our experiments and on an assessment of the physicochemical properties of the probes reported in the literature. Disodium terephthalate (TPT) was the most applicable molecular probe to measure •OH induced by PM, due to its high solubility, high stability of the corresponding fluorescent product (i.e., 2-hydroxyterephthalic acid), high yield compared with the other molecular probes, and stable fluorescence intensity in a wide range of pH environments. TPT was applied in a high-throughput format to measure PM (NIST 1648a)-induced •OH, in phosphate buffered saline. The formed fluorescent product was measured at designated time points up to 2 h. The fluorescent product of TPT had a detection limit of 17.59 nM. The soluble fraction of PM contributed approximately 76.9% of the •OH induced by total PM, and the soluble metal ions of PM contributed 57.4% of the overall •OH formation. This study provides a promising cost-effective high-throughput method to measure •OH induced by PM on a routine basis.
In Utero Exposure to Diethylhexyl Phthalate Affects Rat Brain Development: A Behavioral and Genomic Approach
Authors: Lin Han , Yuan Kaiming , Li Linyan , Liu Shiwen , Li Senlin , Hu Guoxin , Lian Qing-Quan , Ge Ren-Shan
Published: October 2015

Diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) is one of the most widely utilized phthalate plasticizers. Previous studies have demonstrated that gestational or postnatal DEHP exposure induced adverse effects on rat brain development and function. In this study, we investigated the effects of gestational DEHP exposure on gene expression profiling in neonatal rat brain and cognitive function change at adulthood. Adult Sprague Dawley dams were orally treated with 10 or 750 mg/kg DEHP from gestational day 12 to 21. Some male pups were euthanized at postnatal day 1 for gene expression profiling, and the rest males were retained for water maze testing on postnatal day (PND) 56. DEHP showed dose-dependent impairment of learning and spatial memory from PND 56 to 63. Genome-wide microarray analysis showed that 10 and 750 mg/kg DEHP altered the gene expression in the neonatal rat brain. Ccnd1 and Cdc2, two critical genes for neuron proliferation, were significantly down-regulated by DEHP. Interestingly, 750 mg/kg DEHP significantly increased Pmch level. Our study demonstrated the changed gene expression patterns after in utero DEHP exposure might partially contribute to the deficit of cognitive function at adulthood.
Growth Trajectories of Health Behaviors from Adolescence through Young Adulthood
Authors: Wiium Nora , Breivik Kyrre , Wold Bente
Published: October 2015

Based on nine waves of data collected during a period of 17 years (1990–2007), the present study explored different developmental trajectories of the following unhealthy behaviors: regular smoking, lack of regular exercise, lack of daily fruit intake, and drunkenness. A baseline sample of 1195 13-year-old pupils was from 22 randomly selected schools in the Hordaland County in western Norway. Latent class growth analysis revealed three developmental trajectories. The first trajectory was a conventional trajectory, comprising 36.3% of participants, who showed changes in smoking, physical exercise, fruit intake, and drunkenness consistent with the prevailing age specific norms of these behaviors in the Norwegian society at the time. The second trajectory was a passive trajectory, comprising 25.5% of participants, who reported low levels of both healthy and unhealthy behaviors during the 17-year period. The third trajectory was an unhealthy trajectory, comprising 38.2% of participants, who had high levels of unhealthy behaviors over time. Several covariates were examined, but only sex and mother’s and father’s educational levels were found to be significantly associated with the identified trajectories. While these findings need to be replicated in future studies, the identification of the different trajectories suggests the need to tailor intervention according to specific needs.
Arsenic in Drinking Water, Transition Cell Cancer and Chronic Cystitis in Rural Bangladesh
Authors: Mostafa Mohammad , Cherry Nicola
Published: October 2015

In earlier analyses, we demonstrated dose-response relationships between renal and lung cancer and local arsenic concentrations in wells used by Bangladeshi villagers. We used the same case-referent approach to examine the relation of arsenic to biopsy confirmed transition cell cancer (TCC) of the ureter, bladder or urethra in these villagers. As the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has conclude that arsenic in drinking water causes bladder cancer, we expected to find higher risk with increasing arsenic concentration. We used histology/cytology results from biopsies carried out at a single clinic in Dhaka, Bangladesh from January 2008 to October 2011. We classified these into four groups, TCC (n = 1466), other malignancies (n = 145), chronic cystitis (CC) (n = 844) and other benign (n = 194). Arsenic concentration was estimated from British Geological Survey reports. Odds ratios were calculated by multilevel logistic regression adjusted for confounding and allowing for geographic clustering. We found no consistent trend for TCC with increasing arsenic concentration but the likelihood of a patient with benign disease having CC was significantly increased at arsenic concentrations >100 µg/L. We conclude that the expected relationship of TCC to arsenic was masked by over-matching that resulted from the previously unreported relationship between arsenic and CC. We hypothesize that CC may be a precursor of TCC in high arsenic areas.
Combined Effects of Soy Isoflavones and β-Carotene on Osteoblast Differentiation
Authors: Nishide Yoriko , Tousen Yuko , Tadaishi Miki , Inada Masaki , Miyaura Chisato , Kruger Marlena , Ishimi Yoshiko
Published: October 2015

Soy isoflavones, genistein, daidzein and its metabolite equol, as well as β-carotene have been reported to be effective for maintaining bone health. However, it remains to be elucidated whether combining soy isoflavones with β-carotene is beneficial to bone formation. This study investigated the combined effect of soy isoflavones and β-carotene on the differentiation of MC3T3-E1 preosteoblastic cells. Daidzein and genistein alone did not affect cell growth but increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. Beta-carotene alone inhibited cell growth and markedly enhanced ALP activity. Soy isoflavones combined with β-carotene resulted in higher ALP activity than treatment with isoflavones or β-carotene alone. We observed significant main effects of β-carotene on the enhanced expression of Runx2, ALP, and ostepontin mRNA, whereas there was a significant main effect of soy isoflavones on the expression of osterix mRNA. To investigate how β-carotene affected osteoblast differentiation, MC3T3-E1 cells were treated with retinoic acid receptor (RAR) pan-antagonist combined with β-carotene. Osteopontin and ALP mRNA expression levels, which were increased following treatment with β-carotene, were significantly suppressed by the RAR pan-antagonist. This suggests treatment with β-carotene enhanced early osteoblastic differentiation, at least in part via RAR signaling. These results indicate that a combination of isoflavones and β-carotene may be useful for maintaining a positive balance of bone turnover by inducing osteoblast differentiation.
Treatment of Actual Chemical Wastewater by a Heterogeneous Fenton Process Using Natural Pyrite
Authors: Sun Liang , Li Yan , Li Aimin
Published: October 2015

Wastewater from chemical plants has remarkable antibiotic effects on the microorganisms in traditional biological treatment processes. An enhanced Fenton system catalyzed by natural pyrite was developed to degrade this kind of wastewater. Approximately 30% chemical oxygen demand (COD) was removed within 120 min when 50 mmol/L H2O2 and 10 g/L natural pyrite were used at initial pH from 1.8 to 7. A BOD5/COD enhancement efficiency of 210% and an acute biotoxicity removal efficiency of 84% were achieved. The COD removal efficiency was less sensitive to initial pH than was the classic Fenton process. Excessive amounts of pyrite and H2O2 did not negatively affect the pyrite Fenton system. The amount of aniline generated indicated that nitrobenzene reduction by pyrite was promoted using a low initial concentration of H2O2 (<5 mmol/L). Fluorescence excitation emission matrix analyses illustrated that H2O2 facilitated the reduction by natural pyrite of organic molecules containing an electron-withdrawing group to electron-donating group. Thus, the Fenton-like process catalyzed by pyrite can remediate wastewater containing organic pollutants under mild reaction conditions and provide an alternative environmentally friendly method by which to reuse natural pyrite.
Impact of Fatigue in Rheumatic Diseases in the Work Environment: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Connolly Deirdre , Fitzpatrick Clodagh , O’Toole Lynn , Doran Michele , O’Shea Finbar
Published: October 2015

Fatigue is a symptom of arthritis that causes difficulty at work. An improved understanding of this symptom could assist its management in the work environment. The aim of this study was to explore people with rheumatic diseases’ experiences of fatigue in work. A qualitative descriptive design was used with semi-structured interviews and a constant comparative method of data analysis. There were 18 participants, the majority of them female with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and working full-time. Three themes were identified: “Impact of fatigue on work performance” with cognition, mood and physical abilities being the main difficulties reported. In the second theme “Disclosure at Work” participants discussed disclosing their disease to employers but reported a lack of understanding of fatigue from colleagues. The final theme “work-based fatigue management strategies” included cognitive strategies and energy management techniques, which were mainly self-taught. In this study, fatigue was reported to impact on many areas of work performance with limited understanding from colleagues and employers. Interventions from health professionals to assist with development of work-related self-management skills are required to assist with symptom management in the work place. Such interventions should include education to employers and colleagues on the nature of fatigue in Rheumatic diseases.
Interleukins 6 and 15 Levels Are Higher in Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue, but Obesity Is Associated with Their Increased Content in Visceral Fat Depots
Authors: Jonas Marta , Kurylowicz Alina , Bartoszewicz Zbigniew , Lisik Wojciech , Jonas Maurycy , Wierzbicki Zbigniew , Chmura Andrzej , Pruszczyk Piotr , Puzianowska-Kuznicka Monika
Published: October 2015

Excess adiposity is associated with chronic inflammation, which takes part in the development of obesity-related complications. The aim of this study was to establish whether subcutaneous (SAT) or visceral (VAT) adipose tissue plays a major role in synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Concentrations of interleukins (IL): 1β, 6, 8 and 15 were measured at the protein level by an ELISA-based method and on the mRNA level by real-time PCR in VAT and SAT samples obtained from 49 obese (BMI > 40 kg/m2) and 16 normal-weight (BMI 20–24.9 kg/m2) controls. IL-6 and IL-15 protein concentrations were higher in SAT than in VAT for both obese (p = 0.003 and p < 0.0001, respectively) and control individuals (p = 0.004 and p = 0.001, respectively), while for IL-1β this was observed only in obese subjects (p = 0.047). What characterized obese individuals was the higher expression of IL-6 and IL-15 at the protein level in VAT compared to normal-weight controls (p = 0.047 and p = 0.016, respectively). Additionally, obese individuals with metabolic syndrome had higher IL-1β levels in VAT than did obese individuals without this syndrome (p = 0.003). In conclusion, concentrations of some pro-inflammatory cytokines were higher in SAT than in VAT, but it was the increased pro-inflammatory activity of VAT that was associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome.
Site-Specific PEGylation of Therapeutic Proteins
Authors: Dozier Jonathan , Distefano Mark
Published: October 2015

The use of proteins as therapeutics has a long history and is becoming ever more common in modern medicine. While the number of protein-based drugs is growing every year, significant problems still remain with their use. Among these problems are rapid degradation and excretion from patients, thus requiring frequent dosing, which in turn increases the chances for an immunological response as well as increasing the cost of therapy. One of the main strategies to alleviate these problems is to link a polyethylene glycol (PEG) group to the protein of interest. This process, called PEGylation, has grown dramatically in recent years resulting in several approved drugs. Installing a single PEG chain at a defined site in a protein is challenging. Recently, there is has been considerable research into various methods for the site-specific PEGylation of proteins. This review seeks to summarize that work and provide background and context for how site-specific PEGylation is performed. After introducing the topic of site-specific PEGylation, recent developments using chemical methods are described. That is followed by a more extensive discussion of bioorthogonal reactions and enzymatic labeling.
Combined Treatments with Photodynamic Therapy for Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer
Authors: Lucena Silvia , Salazar Nerea , Gracia-Cazaña Tamara , Zamarrón Alicia , González Salvador , Juarranz Ángeles , Gilaberte Yolanda
Published: October 2015

Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most common form of cancer in the Caucasian population. Among NMSC types, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) has the highest incidence and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is less common although it can metastasize, accounting for the majority of NMSC-related deaths. Treatment options for NMSC include both surgical and non-surgical modalities. Even though surgical approaches are most commonly used to treat these lesions, Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) has the advantage of being a non-invasive option, and capable of field treatment, providing optimum cosmetic outcomes. Numerous clinical research studies have shown the efficacy of PDT for treating pre-malignant and malignant NMSC. However, resistant or recurrent tumors appear and sometimes become more aggressive. In this sense, the enhancement of PDT effectiveness by combining it with other therapeutic modalities has become an interesting field in NMSC research. Depending on the characteristics and the type of tumor, PDT can be applied in combination with immunomodulatory (Imiquimod) and chemotherapeutic (5-fluorouracil, methotrexate, diclofenac, or ingenol mebutate) agents, inhibitors of some molecules implicated in the carcinogenic process (COX2 or MAPK), surgical techniques, or even radiotherapy. These new strategies open the way to a wider improvement of the prevention and eradication of skin cancer.
Ionic Liquids as Additives of Coffee Bean Oil in Steel-Steel Contacts
Authors: Grace James , Vysochanska Solomiya , Lodge Jeffrey , Iglesias Patricia
Published: October 2015

Environmental awareness and ever-growing restrictive regulations over contamination have increased the need for more environmentally-friendly lubricants. Due to their superior biodegradability and lower toxicity, vegetable oils are a good alternative to replace currently-used mineral oils. However, vegetable oils show low oxidation and thermal stability and poor anti-wear properties. Most of these drawbacks can be attenuated through the use of additives. In the last decade, ionic liquids have emerged as high-performance fluids and lubricant additives due to their unique characteristics. In this study, the tribological behavior of two phosphonium-based ionic liquids is investigated as additives of coffee bean oil in steel-steel contact. Coffee bean oil-ionic liquid blends containing 1, 2.5, and 5 wt% of each ionic liquid are studied using a block-on-flat reciprocating tribometer and the test results are compared to commercially-available, fully-formulated lubricant. Results showed that the addition of the ionic liquids to the coffee bean oil reduces wear volume of the steel disks, and wear values achieved are comparable to that obtained when the commercially-available lubricant is used.