bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High hyperdiploid acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)—A 25‐year population‐based survey of the Austrian ALL‐BFM (Berlin‐Frankfurt‐Münster) Study Group
Authors: Reismüller Bettina , Steiner Manuel , Pichler Herbert , Dworzak Michael , Urban Christian , Meister Bernhard , Schmitt Klaus , Pötschger Ulrike , König Margit , Mann Georg , Haas Oskar A. , Attarbaschi Andishe ,   Austrian ALL‐BFM (Berlin‐Frankfurt‐Münster) Study Group
Published: November 2016

Background

Approximately 30% of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cases are high hyperdiploid (HD). Despite their low relative recurrence risk, this group accounts for the overall largest relapse proportion.

Procedure

To evaluate potential risk factors in our population‐based cohort of patients with HD ALL enrolled in four Austrian ALL‐BFM (Berlin‐Frankfurt‐Münster) studies from 1986 to 2010 (n = 210), we reviewed the clinical, laboratory, and cytogenetic data of the respective cases in relation to their outcome.

Results

The 5‐year event‐free (EFS) and overall survival (OS) of the entire group was 83.1 ± 2.7% and 92.0 ± 1.9%, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that trisomy 17 was significantly associated with a better EFS and OS, whereas trisomy 10 and a modal chromosome number (MCN) > 53 chromosomes were significantly associated with a better OS. Except for the latter, findings remained valid in multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

In line with previous studies, our retrospective analysis shows that MCN and specific trisomies are relevant prognostic indicators in an ALL‐BFM cohort of patients with HD ALL. However, considering the current dominant role of minimal residual disease monitoring for prognostic stratification in ALL, including this particular subgroup, it is unlikely that this information is compelling enough to be utilized for refined risk classification in future ALL‐BFM treatment protocols.
Die großen Reaktorkatastrophen
Authors: Michel Rolf , Steinkopff Thomas
Published: November 2016

Der Deutsche Wetterdienst (DWD) hat den gesetzlichen Auftrag, die Radioaktivität in Luft und Niederschlag zu überwachen und Methoden zur Vorhersage der atmosphärischen Radioaktivität vorzuhalten. Sein Messnetz kann heute alle relevanten Konzentrationen von Radionukliden nachweisen. Auf Basis dieser Daten kann der DWD mit Hilfe von Wettermodellen Prognosen zur atmosphärischen Verfrachtung abgeben. Dies bewährte sich nach der Reaktorkatastrophe von Fukushima.
Recheneinheit für zwei Photonen
Authors: Ritter Stephan , Hacker Bastian , Welte Stephan , Rempe Gerhard
Published: November 2016

Photonen können als vielseitige Träger von Quanteninformation genutzt werden. Allerdings verhinderte das Fehlen einer direkten Wechselwirkung bisher die Implementierung einer deterministischen, kontrollierten Logikoperation zwischen zwei Photonen. Ein solches Quantengatter ist am Max‐Planck‐Institut für Quantenoptik in Garching nun erstmals realisiert worden. Als “Schaltstelle” dient ein einzelnes Atom in einem optischen Resonator, das die Wechselwirkung der aufeinanderfolgenden Photonen ermöglicht.
Ein Uhrmacher unter Strom
Authors: Loos Andreas
Published: November 2016

Die wichtigste Quelle über sein Leben ist ein Nachruf aus der Feder seines Sohnes. Die Herausgeber publizieren ihn nur mit einer Warnung: Auch wenn der Lebensbericht “aufgrund der Voreingenommenheit des Sohnes in warme Farben getaucht” sei, tue er dem Vater Unrecht. In Wirklichkeit sei der nämlich ein gestandener Wissenschaftler gewesen, der aber “in einigen Fällen die Ergebnisse seiner Forschung in einer Form veröffentlicht habe, die allgemeiner Anerkennung wenig zuträglich” gewesen sei.
Stereospecific reversible deactivation radical polymerization of biomass‐based acrylates for precise control of tacticity and molecular weight
Authors: Tanaka Hitoshi , Kibayashi Tatsuya , Okuda Kazuya , Kashihara Shoichi
Published: November 2016

Reversible deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) of biomass‐based acrylates, (S)‐ and (R)‐2‐isopropyl‐5‐methylene‐1,3‐dioxolan‐4‐ones (S‐MiPDO and R‐MiPDO), was successfully performed to produce a well‐defined polymer with simultaneously controlled tacticity and molecular weight, and low dispersity (Đ < 1.3). In particular, meso triad (mm) of the polymer was continuously controlled as designed from 28.1% to about 100% by changing the molar ratio of S‐MiPDO/R‐MiPDO in feed. In kinetic studies, the rate of RDRP was strongly influenced by the stereostructures of the propagating radical, and it was much lower in isospecific RDRP than atactic one in reversible chain transfer catalyzed polymerization (RTCP) in contrast to atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) where the rate would not change regardless of the tacticity. Increase of molecular weight and low Đ of the polymer were also observed in reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of MiPDO. In addition, block copolymers including stereoblock copolymers were feasibly synthesized by RTCP of styrene and methyl methacrylate using poly(MiPDO) prepolymer. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 445–456
Inactivity and Its Associated Factors in Adults Scheduled for Noncardiac Surgery: The PAMP Phase I Study
Authors: Cortés Olga L. , Moreno Karen , Alvarado Paula , Povea Camilo , Lloyd Monique , Dennis Rodolfo
Published: November 2016

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of physical inactivity and its associated factors in adult patients admitted to hospital for noncardiac surgery.

Design:

Cross-sectional study.

Methods:

Five hundred able-bodied patients (age ≥45 years) admitted to hospital, also participants in the VISION study, were recruited before noncardiac surgery. The physical activity level (PAL) was assessed with the International Physical of Activity Questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the associations between a number of predetermined factors and physical inactivity.

Findings:

Overall, 59.8% were inactive. Factors associated with inactivity included age, assistance with activities of daily living, and insulin-dependent diabetes.

Conclusion:

A substantial number of patients scheduled for noncardiac surgery are inactive. Elderly patients, those needing assistance, and those with long-lasting diabetes may benefit from PAL assessment before surgery.

Clinical Relevance:

Healthcare providers should identify PALs and monitor for known risk factors to prepare patients for surgical procedures.
The cutoff phenomenon for random birth and death chains
Authors: Smith Aaron
Published: November 2016

For any distribution π on , we study elements drawn at random from the set of tridiagonal stochastic matrices K satisfying for all . These matrices correspond to birth and death chains with stationary distribution π. We analyze an algorithm for sampling from and use results from this analysis to draw conclusions about the Markov chains corresponding to typical elements of . Our main interest is in determining when certain sequences of random birth and death chains exhibit the cutoff phenomenon. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 50, 287–321, 2017
Graphene in Photocatalysis: A Review
Authors: Li Xin , Yu Jiaguo , Wageh S. , Al‐Ghamdi Ahmed A. , Xie Jun
Published: November 2016

In recent years, heterogeneous photocatalysis has received much research interest because of its powerful potential applications in tackling many important energy and environmental challenges at a global level in an economically sustainable manner. Due to their unique optical, electrical, and physicochemical properties, various 2D graphene nanosheets‐supported semiconductor composite photocatalysts have been widely constructed and applied in different photocatalytic fields. In this review, fundamental mechanisms of heterogeneous photocatalysis, including thermodynamic and kinetics requirements, are first systematically summarized. Then, the photocatalysis‐related properties of graphene and its derivatives, and design rules and synthesis methods of graphene‐based composites are highlighted. Importantly, different design strategies, including doping and sensitization of semiconductors by graphene, improving electrical conductivity of graphene, increasing eloectrocatalytic active sites on graphene, strengthening interface coupling between semiconductors and graphene, fabricating micro/nano architectures, constructing multi‐junction nanocomposites, enhancing photostability of semiconductors, and utilizing the synergistic effect of various modification strategies, are thoroughly summarized. The important applications including photocatalytic pollutant degradation, H2production, and CO2reduction are also addressed. Through reviewing the significant advances on this topic, it may provide new opportunities for designing highly efficient 2D graphene‐based photocatalysts for various applications in photocatalysis and other fields, such as solar cells, thermal catalysis, separation, and purification.
An empirical study of portfolio management and Kanban in agile and lean software companies
Authors: Ahmad Muhammad Ovais , Lwakatare Lucy Ellen , Kuvaja Pasi , Oivo Markku , Markkula Jouni
Published: November 2016

Traditional portfolio management tools and methods are challenging for software companies that use agile and lean approaches, because of the complex pre‐planning activities required. In this paper, traditional portfolio management tools and methods that have been conventionally used in industry and presented in literature are reviewed. Findings concerning their use in agile and lean software companies are investigated, on the basis of the literature review and semi‐structured interviews conducted in 7 agile and lean software companies in Finland. The findings indicate that the studied companies do not use traditional portfolio management tools and methods in their entirety. The software companies adapted suitable components from traditional portfolio management tools and methods into their practices. They also apply new tools and methods to manage their portfolios of offerings, to cope with the dynamics required by agile and lean methods. The companies' emphasis is on using tools to facilitate immediate feedback from customers, to assess the value of offerings in their portfolio. The results showed a growing interest in using Kanban at the portfolio level to provide a visual overview of offerings.
Grounding is Not Superinternal
Authors: Carnino Pablo ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: November 2016

Whenever a fact P grounds another fact Q, one may ask why that is so. Karen Bennett (2011) and Louis deRosset (2013) independently argue that grounding facts—such as the fact that P grounds Q—are always grounded in their grounds-part (what stands in P’s position). Bennett calls this the view that grounding is superinternal. My aim in this paper is to argue that grounding is not superinternal. I will do so by showing that superinternality, together with some widely accepted formal features of grounding—namely, transitivity and necessitation—yield implausible claims about how necessities are explained. Then, I will discuss how my argument compares with Dasgupta’s (2014) argument against superinternality.
Is Clinical Research in Oesophageal Cancer in South Africa in Crisis? A Systematic Review
Authors: Loots E. , Sartorius B. , Madiba T. E. , Mulder C. J. J. , Clarke D. L.
Published: November 2016

Oesophageal cancer (OC) is responsible for the second highest number of cancer‐related deaths in South Africa (SA). Squamous cell carcinoma is the most prevalent type with an incidence of 46.7/100,000 and 19.2/100,000 for males and females. This is a systematic review of the clinical diagnosis and management of OC within the South African context. This protocol was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) (registration number CRD42016034053) with adherence to PRISMA guidelines. An online search was performed using MEDLINE, EBSCOHost and PubMed. Eligibility criteria for articles included published, original peer‐reviewed research addressing clinical management of oesophageal cancer in South Africa. Review articles, case reports, scientific letters and studies published in languages other than English or Afrikaans were excluded. The research terms were ‘etiology’, ‘human’, ‘esophageal cancer’, ‘esophageal carcinoma’, ‘oesophageal cancer’, and ‘oesophageal carcinoma’, ‘squamous cell carcinoma’, ‘Africa’ and ‘South Africa’. A total of 336 articles were identified. Of these, 146 were immediately excluded and a further 159 were excluded after review. A total of 31 appropriate articles, i.e. 9.2% of searched articles, were included. Thirteen articles addressed chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, 9 oesophageal luminal therapy, 7 oesophageal surgery and 2 screening. OC research of in SA over the last two decades has mainly been in the form of reviews and opinion papers. Clinical research, auditing and prospectively analysing OC management and outcomes in SA hospitals are sorely needed and should be promoted by both healthcare workers and policy makers alike.
The Subxiphoid Approach Leads to Less Invasive Thoracoscopic Thymectomy Than the Lateral Approach
Authors: Yano Motoki , Moriyama Satoru , Haneda Hiroshi , Okuda Katsuhiro , Kawano Osamu , Oda Risa , Suzuki Ayumi , Nakanishi Ryoichi , Numanami Hiroki , Haniuda Masayuki
Published: November 2016

Objective

Video‐assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is widely used in thoracic surgery. This study investigated the usefulness of the subxiphoid approach in thymectomy using VATS techniques.

Methods

Sixty operations were performed using the lateral approach (n = 46) and subxiphoid approach (n = 14). Using the lateral approach, 39 partial thymectomies (PT), 5 total or subtotal thymectomies (TT), and 2 total or subtotal thymectomies with combined resection of the surrounding organs (or tissues) (CR) were performed. Using the subxiphoid approach, 11 TT and 3 CR were performed.

Results

There were 33 females and 27 males, with a mean age of 55 years. The mean maximum tumor diameter was 4.0 cm. The operation time was prolonged according to the volume of thymectomy (PT: 119, TT: 234, CR: 347 min). Additionally, the intraoperative blood loss increased according to the volume of thymectomy (PT: 29, TT: 47, CR: 345 g). To compare the invasiveness of both approaches, we compared 16 TT operations. In the group using the subxiphoid approach, the operation time became shorter (158 vs. 392 min), and the blood loss decreased (5 vs. 135 g) compared with the lateral approach. Regarding laboratory data, white blood cell counts on postoperative day 1 (1POD) (8200 vs. 10,300/μl) and CRP on 1POD and 3POD (2.8 and 2.8 vs. 7.9 and 10.2 mg/dl, respectively) decreased in the subxiphoid approach compared with the lateral approach.

Conclusions

The subxiphoid approach leads to a less invasive operation for anterior mediastinal tumors and extends the indications for VATS for invasive anterior mediastinal tumors.
Visualizing Collective Attention Using Association Networks
Authors: Sasahara Kazutoshi
Published: November 2016

The socialization of the Web changes the ways we behave both online and offline, leading to a novel emergent phenomenon called “collective attention” in which people’s attention is suddenly concentrated on a particular real-life event. Visualizing collective attention is fundamental to understand human behavior in the digital age. Here we propose “association networks” to visualize usage-based, term-association patterns in a large dataset of tweets (short text messages) during collective attention events. First, we train the word2vec model to obtain vector representations of terms (words) based on semantic similarities, and then construct association networks: given some terms as seeds, the associated terms are linked with each other using the trained word2vec model, and considering the resulting terms as new seeds, the same procedure is repeated. Using two sets of Twitter data—the 2011 Japan earthquake and the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup—we demonstrate how association networks visualize collective attention on these events. Provided the Japan earthquake dataset, the association networks that emerged from the most frequently used terms exhibit distinct network structure related to people’s attention during the earthquake, whereas one that emerged from emotion-related terms, such as great and terrible, shows a large connected cluster of negative terms and small clusters of positive terms. Furthermore, we compare association networks in different datasets, using the same seed terms. These results indicate the proposed method to be a useful tool for visualizing the implicit nature of collective attention that is otherwise invisible.
Zooplankton abundance in the pelagic region of Lake Kasumigaura (Japan): monthly data since 1980
Authors: Takamura Noriko , Nakagawa Megumi , Hanazato Takayuki
Published: November 2016

Microscopic crustaceans (cladocerans and copepods) and rotifers are the principal zooplankton components of the pelagic food webs in lakes. They play important ecological roles, functioning as essential links between primary producers and planktivorous fish. Individuals zooplankton are important nodes of matter flow in pelagic ecosystems. The zooplankton community structure can provide useful indicators of top–down processes, such as the magnitude or strength of planktivorous predators and the extent of zooplankton grazing. Here we report the abundance of zooplankton taxa (crustaceans and rotifers) that were recorded monthly, from January 1980 to September 2015, at two stations on Lake Kasumigaura, a shallow eutrophic lake that is the second largest lake in Japan. The data include information on 12 copepod species (taxa), 20 cladoceran species (taxa), 40 rotifer species (taxa), and the opossum shrimp (Neomysis intermedia). In the 1980s, the plankton of the lake were characterized by cyanobacterial blooms and the co‐dominance of Bosmina and Diaphanosoma in the summer. In addition, the two cladoceran genera, Daphnia galeata and Chydorus sphaericus were often prominent. The plankton profile changed dramatically in the middle (1997–2004) of the present long‐term monitoring period, when cyanobacteria disappeared and diatoms became dominant even in the summer; concurrently, only the Diaphanosoma cladocerans were evident. However, in the past 10 years, cyanobacterial blooms, the co‐dominance of Bosmina and Diaphanosoma, and D. galeata have re‐emerged. Zooplankton monitoring forms part of the Lake Kasumigaura Long‐Term Environmental Monitoring Program, which has been conducted by the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) since 1977. Data on other planktonic components (phytoplankton and the elements of microbial food webs) noted during monitoring and on primary production were published in Takamura and Nakagawa (Ecol Res 27:8392012a, Ecol Res 27:837 2012b, Ecol Res 31:287 2016). Lake Kasumigaura is a core site of the Japan Long‐term Ecological Research Network, a member of the International Long‐term Ecological Research Network. Our quantitative dataset spanning several decades is unique in terms of the work on lakes and the plankton therein, and is freely available. The dataset has been used in ecological and environmental programs, as well as in studies on lake management.
Synergism and Performance for Systems Containing Binary Mixtures of Anionic/Cationic Surfactants for Enhanced Oil Recovery
Authors: Li Yingcheng , Puerto Maura , Bao Xinning , Zhang Weidong , Jin Jun , Su Zhiqing , Shen Shaochun , Hirasaki George , Miller Clarence
Published: November 2016

The surfactant structure–performance relationship and application properties in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) for binary mixtures of anionic and cationic surfactants are presented and discussed. A polyoxyethylene ether carboxylate anionic surfactant was blended with a quaternary ammonium chloride cationic surfactant and tested for a high‐temperature, low‐salinity, and high‐hardness condition as found in an oil reservoir. These mixtures were tailored by phase behavior tests to form optimal microemulsions with normal octane (n‐C8) and crude oil having an API gravity of 48.05°. The ethoxy number of the polyoxyethylene carboxylate anionic surfactant and the chain length of the cationic surfactant were tuned to find an optimal surfactant blend. Interfacial tensions with n‐C8 and with crude oil were measured. Synergism between anionic and cationic surfactants was indicated by surface tension measurement, CMC determination, calculation of surface excess concentrations and area per molecule of individual surfactants and their mixtures. Molecular interactions of anionic and cationic surfactants in mixed monolayers and aggregates were calculated by using regular solution theory to find molecular interaction parameters βσ and βM. Morphologies of surfactant solutions were studied by cryogenic TEM. The use of binary mixtures of anionic/cationic surfactants significantly broadens the scope of application for conventional chemical EOR methods.
Coagel Prepared from Aqueous Octyl β‐d‐Galactoside Solution
Authors: Ogawa Shigesaburo , Koga Maito , Asakura Kouichi , Takahashi Isao , Osanai Shuichi
Published: November 2016

Structuring of semi‐crystalline networks in water systems is significant for a variety of industrial applications. In the present work, we investigated the coagel formation from aqueous octyl β‐d‐galactoside (C8‐β‐Gal) solutions and characterized the crystal structure and crystallite network in the prepared coagel. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) confirmed that the Krafft boundary temperature (TK) is 32–35 °C for C8‐β‐Gal concentrations below 30 wt% and a knee of the Krafft boundary exists around 2.5 wt% C8‐β‐Gal concentrations. The addition of NaCl increased TK slightly because of the salting‐out effect. Powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis, field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) observations revealed that the coagel is comprised of the three dimensional bundled semi‐crystalline network consisting of a “ribbon crystal phase” of hemihydrate crystals. Moreover, the excellent ability of C8‐β‐Gal to form a macroscopically homogeneous coagel was demonstrated by the comparison with other representative mono‐alkylated glycoside’ systems containing octyl a‐d‐glucoside or dodecyl β‐d‐glucoside. Persistence of the liquid phase without liquid–liquid phase separation prior to and during the coagel formation was a key factor for the preparation. A novel coagel was obtained from a principal synthetic galactoside.
Longitudinal radiographic behavior of accessory navicular in pediatric patients
Authors: Knapik Derrick M. , Guraya Sahejmeet S. , Conry Keegan T. , Cooperman Daniel R. , Liu Raymond W.
Published: November 2016

Background

An accessory navicular is generally asymptomatic and discovered incidentally on radiographs. The natural history of an accessory navicular in the pediatric population is largely undescribed.

Methods

The medical charts of 261 pediatric subjects undergoing 2620 annual unilateral radiographs of the foot and ankle (age range 0.25–7 years at enrollment) were reviewed. Radiographs were examined to determine the incidence of accessory navicular, with focus on the age at appearance and, if present, the age at fusion. Skeletal maturity was graded based on ossification pattern of the calcaneal apophysis.

Results

Accessory navicular was identified in 19 subjects ( n = 12 males, n = 7 females, p = 0.43), appearing significantly earlier in the female subjects than in the male ones ( p = 0.03). Fusion was documented in 42% ( n = 8) of subjects, occurring at a mean (±standard deviation) age of 12.5 ± 1.0 years in females and 14.1 ± 2.7 years in males. Skeletal maturity grading demonstrated comparable stages of maturity at the time of fusion between male and female subjects ( p = 0.5). Based on an analysis of 160 subjects with serial images extending at least one standard deviation past the mean age of appearance, the overall incidence was 12%.

Conclusion

Our review of pediatric subjects showed that accessory navicular appeared earlier in females than in males. Fusion occurred in 42% of patients at comparable levels of skeletal maturity between the male and female subjects. No significant differences in overall incidence, skeletal maturity, fusion rate, or age of fusion were noted between the male and female subjects.
The Norwegian Progress Party: An Established Populist Party
Authors: Bjerkem Johan
Published: November 2016

This article sheds light on one of Europe's successful right-wing populist parties, the Norwegian Progress Party. Since 2013 the party has been in a coalition with the Conservative Party. The history, ideology and position of the party in the Norwegian political system are factors that explain how a centre–right party and a populist one have been able to form a viable coalition. Over time the Progress Party has become increasingly well integrated into the political system. The fact that no cordon sanitaire or total boycott policy was implemented against it may explain why the party developed a more moderate and pragmatic approach than most other right-wing populist parties. In turn, this made it possible for the Conservative Party to offer to form a coalition with the Progress Party and placed the centre–right in the strategic position of cooperating with parties both in the centre and to the right.
Scaling in railway infrastructural drainage devices: site study
Authors: Jia Neng , Tassin Bruno , Calon Nicolas , Deneele Dimitri , Koscielny Mathilde , Prévot François
Published: November 2016

In France, about 450 km of high-speed lines (HSL) are potentially subject to drain scaling problem. A HSL site affected by calcite scaling was continuously monitored for 20 months to follow the phenomenon and also to estimate the monthly calcite precipitation rate. Drain water samples were also monthly analyzed and show high calcium and sulphate concentrations. The high sulphate concentration (~6 mM) highlights the dissolution of gypsum in the drain environment. Based on the material analysis (X-ray diffraction), gypsum is present in the subballast and capping layer. Since the drain system is a multi-environments system, and based on multi-phase reactions, the study is divided into two parts: a physical one (transport of water in the system) and a chemical one (transport of the reactants in the system). The physical processes have an essential impact on the chemical precipitation processes. In the present paper, on the basis of the collected data, the physical behaviour of the experimental site (water circulation) will be presented in the first step and used in the further chemical process study. The monthly calcite precipitation rate and quantities are given as well.
Enteroatmospheric fistulae in open abdomen: Management and outcome – Single center experience
Authors: Rasilainen Suvi Kaarina , Viljanen Milla , Mentula Panu Juhani , Leppäniemi Ari Kalevi
Published: November 2016

Abstract

Background

An enteroatmospheric fistula (EAF) is a known, morbid complication of open abdomen (OA) treatment. Patients with EAF often require repeated operations and long-lasting hospitalization. The goal is to reach prompt closure of both the fistula and the OA to avoid further morbidity and mortality. This study describes and analyzes the treatment of EAFs in our clinic and aims at clarifying the factors contributing to the outcome.

Materials and Methods

This study was carried out as a single-institution retrospective chart analysis of patients treated with an OA and EAF at our institute between years 2004 and 2014. Twenty-six patients were included in the analysis.

Results

Twenty-three (88%) of the EAFs were primarily managed surgically: 14 with suturing and 9 with resection and/or stoma. From the latter group two died 1 and 2 days, respectively, after surgery. Of the remaining 21 patients, EAF recurred in 12/14 (86%) patients after suturing whereas in only 3/7 (43%) patients after resection and/or stoma (p = 0.04). Among the 21 early survivors after EAF repair, four patients reached fascial closure simultaneously with the EAF repair. Of the rest 9/17 had Bogota bag or drapes as temporary abdominal closure and 8/17 were treated with vacuum assisted closure device with or without fascial traction by mesh. All the nine patients treated with non-negative pressure dressings developed recurrence but only 4/8 in the negative-pressure treated group (p < 0.02). All conservatively treated patients developed persistent EAF. The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 35% (9/26).

Conclusion

Surgical repair of EAF has a high failure rate. Primary resection of the affected region appears to be the most successful approach to avoid EAF recurrence. Furthermore, negative pressure wound therapy is superior to non-negative-pressure solutions in relation to EAF recurrence.

Highlights
Prospective validation of a blood‐based 9‐miRNA profile for early detection of breast cancer in a cohort of women examined by clinical mammography
Authors: Lyng Maria B. , Kodahl Annette R. , Binder Harald , Ditzel Henrik J.
Published: November 2016

Mammography is the predominant screening method for early detection of breast cancer, but has limitations and could be rendered more accurate by combination with a blood‐based biomarker profile. Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are increasingly recognized as strong biomarkers, and we previously developed a 9‐miRNA profile using serum and LNA‐based qPCR that effectively stratified patients with early stage breast cancer vs. healthy women. To further develop the test into routine clinical practice, we collected serum of women examined by clinical mammography (N = 197) according to standard operational procedures (SOPs) of the Danish Cancer Biobank. The performance of the circulating 9‐miRNA profile was analyzed in 116 of these women, including 36 with breast cancer (aged 50–74), following a standardized protocol that mimicked a routine clinical set‐up. We confirmed that the profile is significantly different between women with breast cancer and controls (p‐value <0.0001), with an AUC of 0.61. Significantly, one woman whose 9‐miRNA profile predicted a 73% probability of having breast cancer indeed developed the disease within one year despite being categorized as clinically healthy at the time of blood sample collection and mammography. We propose that this miRNA profile combined with mammography will increase the overall accuracy of early detection of breast cancer.
Preparing the Health System to Respond to Ebola Virus Disease in New York City, 2014
Authors: Varma Jay K. , Prezant David J. , Wilson Ross , Quinn Celia , Asaeda Glenn , Cagliuso Nicholas V. , Rakeman Jennifer L. , Raphael Marisa
Published: November 2016

The world’s largest outbreak of Ebola virus disease began in West Africa in 2014. Although few cases were identified in the United States, the possibility of imported cases led US public health systems and health care facilities to focus on preparing the health care system to quickly and safely identify and respond to emerging infectious diseases. In New York City, early, coordinated planning among city and state agencies and the health care delivery system led to a successful response to a single case diagnosed in a returned health care worker. In this article we describe public health and health care system preparedness efforts in New York City to respond to Ebola and conclude that coordinated public health emergency response relies on joint planning and sustained resources for public health emergency response, epidemiology and laboratory capacity, and health care emergency management. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:370–374).
Decadally Resolved Lateglacial Radiocarbon Evidence from New Zealand Kauri
Authors: Hogg Alan , Southon John , Turney Chris , Palmer Jonathan , Ramsey Christopher Bronk , Fenwick Pavla , Boswijk Gretel , Büntgen Ulf , Friedrich Michael , Helle Gerhard , Hughen Konrad , Jones Richard , Kromer Bernd , Noronha Alexandra , Reinig Frederick , Reynard Linda , Staff Richard , Wacker Lukas
Published: November 2016

The Last Glacial–Interglacial Transition (LGIT; 15,000–11,000 cal BP) was characterized by complex spatiotemporal patterns of climate change, with numerous studies requiring accurate chronological control to decipher leads from lags in global paleoclimatic, paleoenvironmental, and archaeological records. However, close scrutiny of the few available tree-ring chronologies and radiocarbon-dated sequences composing the IntCal13 14C calibration curve indicates significant weakness in 14C calibration across key periods of the LGIT. Here, we present a decadally resolved atmospheric 14C record derived from New Zealand kauri spanning the Lateglacial from ~13,100–11,365 cal BP. Two floating kauri 14C time series, curve-matched to IntCal13, serve as a 14C backbone through the Younger Dryas. The floating Northern Hemisphere (NH) 14C data sets derived from the YD-B and Central European Lateglacial Master tree-ring series are matched against the new kauri data, forming a robust NH 14C time series to ~14,200 cal BP. Our results show that IntCal13 is questionable from ~12,200–11,900 cal BP and the ~10,400 BP 14C plateau is approximately 5 decades too short. The new kauri record and repositioned NH pine 14C series offer a refinement of the international 14C calibration curves IntCal13 and SHCal13, providing increased confidence in the correlation of global paleorecords.
‘CLUMSY AND ILLOGICAL’? RECONSIDERING THE WEST KIRBY HOGBACK
Authors: Williams Howard
Published: November 2016

This paper presents a fresh reading of a significant early medieval recumbent stone monument from West Kirby, Merseyside (formerly Cheshire). Rather than being a single-phased hogback, later subject to damage, it is argued that West Kirby 4 might have been carved in successive phases, possibly by different hands. It is suggested that the carvers had different abilities and/or adapted their work in response to the time pressures of a funeral or a shift in the location or function of the stone. While a single explanation for the character of the West Kirby monument remains elusive, the article proposes that, rather than ‘clumsy and illogical’, the stone was more likely a coherent but experimental, distinctive and asymmetrical, multi-phased and/or multi-authored creation. Through a review of the monument’s historiography and a reappraisal of the details and parallels of its form, ornament and material composition, the paper reconsiders the commemorative significance of this recumbent stone monument for the locality, region and understanding of Viking Age sculpture across the British Isles. As a result, West Kirby’s importance as an ecclesiastical locale in the Viking Age is reappraised.
COMPARING THE GENERALISED ROUNDNESS OF METRIC SPACES
Authors: LEVY-MOORE LUKIEL , NICHOLS MARGARET , WESTON ANTHONY
Published: November 2016

Motivated by the local theory of Banach spaces, we introduce a notion of finite representability for metric spaces. This allows us to develop a new technique for comparing the generalised roundness of metric spaces. We illustrate this technique by applying it to Banach spaces and metric trees. In the realm of Banach spaces we obtain results such as the following: (1) if${\mathcal{U}}$is any ultrafilter and$X$is any Banach space, then the second dual$X^{\ast \ast }$and the ultrapower$(X)_{{\mathcal{U}}}$have the same generalised roundness as$X$, and (2) no Banach space of positive generalised roundness is uniformly homeomorphic to$c_{0}$or$\ell _{p}$,$2<p<\infty$. For metric trees, we give the first examples of metric trees of generalised roundness one that have finite diameter. In addition, we show that metric trees of generalised roundness one possess special Euclidean embedding properties that distinguish them from all other metric trees.
SEMIPERMUTABILITY IN GENERALISED SOLUBLE GROUPS
Authors: BALLESTER-BOLINCHES A. , BEIDLEMAN J. C. , IALENTI R.
Published: November 2016

Some classes of finitely generated hyperabelian groups defined in terms of semipermutability and S-semipermutability are studied in the paper. The classification of finitely generated hyperabelian groups all of whose finite quotients are PST-groups recently obtained by Robinson is behind our results. An alternative proof of such a classification is also included in the paper.
MAPPINGS OF CONSERVATIVE DISTANCES IN -NORMED SPACES ()
Authors: HUANG XUJIAN , TAN DONGNI
Published: November 2016

We show that any mapping between two real $p$-normed spaces, which preserves the unit distance and the midpoint of segments with distance $2^{p}$, is an isometry. Making use of it, we provide an alternative proof of some known results on the Aleksandrov question in normed spaces and also generalise these known results to $p$-normed spaces.
On Semipositone Non-Local Boundary-Value Problems with Nonlinear or Affine Boundary Conditions
Authors: Goodrich Christopher S.
Published: November 2016

We consider the boundary-value problem

whereH: [0,+∞) → ℝ andf: [0, 1] × ℝ → ℝ are continuous and λ > 0 is a parameter. We show that ifHsatisfies a boundedness condition on a specified compact set, then this, together with an assumption thatHis either affine or superlinear at +∞, implies existence of at least one positive solution to the problem, even in the case where we impose no growth conditions onf. Finally, since it can hold thatf(t, y) < 0 for all (t, y) ∈ [0, 1]×ℝ, the semipositone problem is included as a special case of the existence result.
Global Well-Posedness and Finite-Time Blow-Up of Some Heat-Type Equations
Authors: Saanouni Tarek
Published: November 2016

We study two different heat-type equations. First, global well-posedness in the energy space of some high-order semilinear heat-type equation with exponential nonlinearity is obtained for even space dimensions. Second, a finite-time blow-up result for the critical monomial focusing heat equation with the p-Laplacian is proved.
A Study of the Length Function of Generalized Fractions of Modules
Authors: Morales Marcel , Quy Pham Hung
Published: November 2016

Let be a Noetherian local ring and let M be a finitely generated R-module of dimension d. Let be a system of parameters of M and let be a d-tuple of positive integers. In this paper we study the length of generalized fractions M(1/(x1, … , xd, 1)), which was introduced by Sharp and Hamieh. First, we study the growth of the function

Then we give an explicit calculation for the function in the case in which M admits a certain Macaulay extension. Most previous results on this topic are improved in a clearly understandable way.
Adapting to climate change for food security in the Rift Valley dry lands of Ethiopia: supplemental irrigation, plant density and sowing date
Authors: MULUNEH A. , STROOSNIJDER L. , KEESSTRA S. , BIAZIN B.
Published: November 2016

Studies on climate impacts and related adaptation strategies are becoming increasingly important to counteract the negative impacts of climate change. In Ethiopia, climate change is likely to affect crop yields negatively and therefore food security. However, quantitative evidence is lacking about the ability of farm-level adaptation options to offset the negative impacts of climate change and to improve food security. The MarkSim Global Climate Model weather generator was used to generate projected daily rainfall and temperature data originally taken from the ECHAM5 general circulation model and ensemble mean of six models under high (A2) and low (B1) emission scenarios. The FAO AquaCrop model was validated and subsequently used to predict maize yields and explore three adaptation options: supplemental irrigation (SI), increasing plant density and changing sowing date. The maximum level of maize yield was obtained when the second level of supplemental irrigation (SI2), which is the application of irrigation water when the soil water depletion reached 75% of the total available water in the root zone, is combined with 30 000 plants/ha plant density. It was also found that SI has a marginal effect in good rainfall years but using 94–111 mm of SI can avoid total crop failure in drought years. Hence, SI is a promising option to bridge dry spells and improve food security in the Rift Valley dry lands of Ethiopia. Expected longer dry spells during the shorter rainy season (Belg) in the future are likely to further reduce maize yield. This predicted lower maize production is only partly compensated by the expected increase in CO2concentration. However, shifting the sowing period of maize from the currentBelgseason (mostly April or May) to the first month of the longer rainy season (Kiremt) (June) can offset the predicted yield reduction. In general, the present study showed that climate change will occur and, without adaptation, will have negative effects. Use of SI and shifting sowing dates are viable options for adapting to the changes, stabilizing or increasing yield and therefore improving food security for the future.
Human Capital, Management Quality, and the Exit Decisions of Entrepreneurial Firms
Authors: He Shan , Li C. Wei
Published: November 2016

We model the employee incentive problem jointly with a firm’s exit decision. Our model predicts that firms in industries where human capital is important are more likely to go public and use high-powered, stock-based compensation. We also show that the higher the management quality, the more likely a firm is to go public than to be acquired. Regarding life cycle, a firm with high capital intensity and/or high management quality will choose to go public at a younger age.
The Effects of Government Interventions in the Financial Sector on Banking Competition and the Evolution of Zombie Banks
Authors: Calderon Cesar , Schaeck Klaus
Published: November 2016

We investigate how government interventions such as blanket guarantees, liquidity support, recapitalizations, and nationalizations affect banking competition. These issues are critical for stability, access to finance, and economic growth. Exploiting cross-country and cross-time variation in the timing of interventions and accounting for their nonrandomness, we document that liquidity support, recapitalizations, and nationalizations trigger large increases in competition. We also find some more nuanced evidence that zombie banks’ market shares in crisis countries evolve together with interventions. A higher frequency of interventions coincides with greater zombie bank presence, and increases in competition are larger when zombie banks occupy bigger market shares.
Does Competition Matter for Corporate Governance? The Role of Country Characteristics
Authors: Cosset Jean-Claude , Somé Hyacinthe Y. , Valéry Pascale
Published: November 2016

We investigate the role of country characteristics on the competition-governance relation. We find that competition is associated with higher ratings in corporate governance, but only in developing countries. Further, corporate governance is associated with greater firm value, but only in less competitive industries from developed countries. For developing countries, the evidence suggests that corporate governance is valuable mostly in competitive industries. Additional tests show that corporate governance increases labor productivity and cost efficiency, mostly in less competitive industries in both developed and developing countries. Furthermore, in developing countries, corporate governance increases investment in capital, but primarily in competitive industries.
Reduction of blood eosinophil counts in eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis after surgery
Authors: Honma A , Takagi D , Nakamaru Y , Homma A , Suzuki M , Fukuda S
Published: November 2016

Objective:

This study aimed to predict eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis prognosis by investigating changes in the blood eosinophil count and other disease biomarkers after surgery.

Methods:

Blood eosinophil numbers and serum interleukin-5 levels were measured in 22 eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis patients before and after functional endoscopic sinus surgery, and compared with equivalent measures in non-eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis patients and chronic rhinosinusitis without polyps patients. Differences between well-controlled eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis patients and those who experienced recurrence were also assessed.

Results:

Blood eosinophil numbers and serum interleukin-5 level decreased after surgery in eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis patients. In this patient group, blood eosinophil counts before surgery were significantly higher in patients who experienced recurrence (825.7 ± 26.1 vs 443.9 ± 76.6 cells/μl, p < 0.05), and decreased significantly after surgery (825.7 ± 26.1 vs 76.7 ± 25.8 cells/μl, p < 0.05).

Conclusion:

Blood eosinophil numbers may reflect disease severity in eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis patients and their prognosis after surgery.
Feeding and spatial distribution of two estuarine puffer fish in a tropical estuary, north-eastern Brazil
Authors: Araújo Priscila Rocha Vasconcelos , Costa Silvia Yasmin Lustosa , Duarte Maria Rita Nascimento , Pessanha André Luiz Machado
Published: November 2016

The distribution and feeding ecology of two puffer fish, Sphoeroides testudineus (Linnaeus, 1758) and Colomesus psittacus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801), were investigated in a tropical estuary (north-eastern Brazil). The hypothesis tested was that these two species partition available resources spatially, and that the effects of interspecific competition can be reduced by changes in the feeding strategy and using alternative resources. This study was carried out between February 2011 and January 2012, on a beach and three tidal creeks of the Mamanguape River estuary. Data on the distribution and relative abundance of the two species were collected using beach seine, with data on temperature, salinity and turbidity also recorded. The diets of the species (S. testudineus N = 399; C. psittacus N = 108) were analysed by the Index of Relative Importance (IRI). Sphoeroides testudineus was found in the entire area, but was particularly abundant in the upper estuary, while C. psittacus was captured exclusively in the upper estuary, with all individuals assumed to be juveniles. In regard to feeding, juvenile S. testudineus predated on Bivalves, Ceratopogonidae larvae, calanoids and gastropods; whilst C. psittacus showed a diet more specialized in Brachyura and Cirripedia. These results suggest that there are differences in both habitat utilization and feeding habits of these two puffer fish species in this estuary.
Investigating cholesterol metabolism and ageing using a systems biology approach
Authors: Morgan A. E. , Mooney K. M. , Wilkinson S. J. , Pickles N. A. , Mc Auley M. T.
Published: November 2016

CVD accounted for 27 % of all deaths in the UK in 2014, and was responsible for 1·7 million hospital admissions in 2013/2014. This condition becomes increasingly prevalent with age, affecting 34·1 and 29·8 % of males and females over 75 years of age respectively in 2011. The dysregulation of cholesterol metabolism with age, often observed as a rise in LDL-cholesterol, has been associated with the pathogenesis of CVD. To compound this problem, it is estimated by 2050, 22 % of the world's population will be over 60 years of age, in culmination with a growing resistance and intolerance to pre-existing cholesterol regulating drugs such as statins. Therefore, it is apparent research into additional therapies for hypercholesterolaemia and CVD prevention is a growing necessity. However, it is also imperative to recognise this complex biological system cannot be studied using a reductionist approach; rather its biological uniqueness necessitates a more integrated methodology, such as that offered by systems biology. In this review, we firstly discuss cholesterol metabolism and how it is affected by diet and the ageing process. Next, we describe therapeutic strategies for hypercholesterolaemia, and finally how the systems biology paradigm can be utilised to investigate how ageing interacts with complex systems such as cholesterol metabolism. We conclude by emphasising the need for nutritionists to work in parallel with the systems biology community, to develop novel approaches to studying cholesterol metabolism and its interaction with ageing.