bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The First Two Years of Instituto Estadual do Cérebro Paulo Niemeyer: Initial Results of a Brazilian Public Hospital Dedicated to Neurosurgery
Authors: Cavalcanti Daniel , Mata Paulo , Niemeyer Filho Paulo
Published: April 2016

The dissemination of specialty hospitals throughout the urban centers has revolutionized the full spectrum of care for cardiology, oncology and orthopedics during the last decades. To centralize care, from translational and basic research to clinicians and surgeons, in the same dedicated institution leads to a decrease in complications rates, mortality and possible reductions in the length of hospital stays. Moreover, there has been a significant impact on hospital costs and on the quality of care. The Insituto Estadual do Cérebro Paulo Niemeyer (IECPN, in the Portuguese acronym) was opened in June 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is the very first high-volume neurosurgical institution in the country. The core foundation of this institution is that the anesthesiologists, intensive care practitioners, nurses, pathologists, radiologists and rehabilitation staffs are trained and live the full management of neurosurgical lesions at the same facility on a daily basis. The present paper seeks to analyze the circumstances in which the institution was planned and opened as well as its complexity, infrastructure and initial results following its first 24 months of operation.
Interference comparator for laser diode wavelength and wavelength instability measurement
Authors: Dobosz Marek , Kożuchowski Mariusz
Published: April 2016

Method and construction of a setup, which allows measuring the wavelength and wavelength instability of the light emitted by a laser diode (or a laser light source with a limited time coherence in general), is presented. The system is based on Twyman-Green interferometer configuration. Proportions of phases of the tested and reference laser’s interference fringe obtained for a set optical path difference are a measure of the unknown wavelength. Optical path difference in interferometer is stabilized. The interferometric comparison is performed in vacuum chamber. The techniques of accurate fringe phase measurements are proposed. The obtained relative standard uncertainty of wavelength evaluation in the tested setup is about 2.5 ⋅ 10−8. Uncertainty of wavelength instability measurement is an order of magnitude better. Measurement range of the current setup is from 500 nm to 650 nm. The proposed technique allows high accuracy wavelength measurement of middle or low coherence sources of light. In case of the enlarged and complex frequency distribution of the laser, the evaluated wavelength can act as the length master in interferometer for displacement measurement.
Orbit-based analysis of nonlinear energetic ion dynamics in tokamaks. I. Effective mode number profile and resonant frequency tracking
Authors: Bierwage Andreas , Shinohara Kouji
Published: April 2016

The nonlinear interactions between shear Alfvén modes and tangentially injected beam ions in the 150–400 keV range are studied numerically in a JT-60U tokamak scenario with realistic geometry, large magnetic drifts, and strong beam drive. For this purpose, the recently developed orbit-based resonance analysis (ORA) method for circulating particles is extended, so that it can be applied to the nonlinear regime, where the spectrum of orbit-based poloidal mode numbers morb varies in time as the fast ions undergo wave-particle trapping and radial transport. In particular, the extended ORA method captures the effect of nonlinear overlaps between resonances associated with neighboring harmonics (morb,n) and (morb+1,n) that cause long-distance ballistic transport. Two cases with low toroidal mode numbers n≳1 are studied: an n = 1 mode without resonance overlap and a strongly driven n = 3 mode with resonance overlap. For both cases, an effective radial profile of the resonant poloidal mode number mres=Meff(r) is computed and used to track the effective resonant frequency ωres(t) of individual particles during their radial motion r(t). In Paper II, this frequency tracking technique will be applied to study the nonlinear frequency chirping and convective amplification of the modes.
Twisted Yangians of small rank
Authors: Guay Nicolas , Regelskis Vidas , Wendlandt Curtis
Published: April 2016

We study quantized enveloping algebras called twisted Yangians associated with the symmetric pairs of types CI, BDI, and DIII (in Cartan’s classification) when the rank is small. We establish isomorphisms between these twisted Yangians and the well known Olshanskii’s twisted Yangians of types AI and AII, and also with the Molev-Ragoucy reflection algebras associated with symmetric pairs of type AIII. We also construct isomorphisms with twisted Yangians in Drinfeld’s original presentation.
Halogenation effects on electron collisions with CF3Cl, CF2Cl2, and CFCl3
Authors: Freitas T. C. , Lopes A. R. , Azeredo A. D. , Bettega M. H. F.
Published: April 2016

We report differential and integral elastic cross sections for low-energy electron collisions with CF3Cl, CF2Cl2, and CFCl3 molecules for energies ranging from 0.1 eV to 30 eV. The calculations were performed using the Schwinger multichannel method with pseudopotentials in the static-exchange and static-exchange plus polarization approximations. The influence of the permanent electric dipole moment on the cross sections was included using the Born closure scheme. A very good agreement between our calculations and the experimental results of Jones [J. Chem. Phys. 84, 813 (1986)], Mann and Linder [J. Phys. B 25, 1621 (1992); 25, 1633 (1992)] and Hoshino et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 138, 214305 (2013)] was found. We also compare our results with the calculations of Beyer et al. [Chem. Phys. 255, 1 (2000)] using the R-matrix method, where we find good agreement with respect to the location of the resonances, and with the calculations of Hoshino et al. using the independent atom method with screening corrected additivity rule, where we find qualitative agreement at energies above 20 eV. Additional electronic structure calculations were carried out in order to help in the interpretation of the scattering results. The stabilization the lowest σ∗ resonance due to the exchange of fluorine by chlorine atoms (halogenation effect) follows a simple linear relation with the energy of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals and can be considered as a signature of the halogenation effect.
On the benefits of localized modes in anharmonic vibrational calculations for small molecules
Authors: Panek Paweł T. , Jacob Christoph R.
Published: April 2016

Anharmonic vibrational calculations can already be computationally demanding for relatively small molecules. The main bottlenecks lie in the construction of the potential energy surface and in the size of the excitation space in the vibrational configuration interaction (VCI) calculations. To address these challenges, we use localized-mode coordinates to construct potential energy surfaces and perform vibrational self-consistent field and L-VCI calculations [P. T. Panek and C. R. Jacob, ChemPhysChem 15, 3365 (2014)] for all vibrational modes of two prototypical test cases, the ethene and furan molecules. We find that the mutual coupling between modes is reduced when switching from normal-mode coordinates to localized-mode coordinates. When using such localized-mode coordinates, we observe a faster convergence of the n-mode expansion of the potential energy surface. This makes it possible to neglect higher-order contributions in the n-mode expansion of the potential energy surface or to approximate higher-order contributions in hybrid potential energy surfaces, which reduced the computational effort for the construction of the anharmonic potential energy surface significantly. Moreover, we find that when using localized-mode coordinates, the convergence with respect to the VCI excitation space proceeds more smoothly and that the error at low orders is reduced significantly. This makes it possible to devise low-cost models for obtaining a first approximation of anharmonic corrections. This demonstrates that the use of localized-mode coordinates can be beneficial already in anharmonic vibrational calculations of small molecules and provides a possible avenue for enabling such accurate calculations also for larger molecules.
Using frequency detuning to improve the sensitivity of electric field measurements via electromagnetically induced transparency and Autler-Townes splitting in Rydberg atoms
Authors: Simons Matt T. , Gordon Joshua A. , Holloway Christopher L. , Anderson David A. , Miller Stephanie A. , Raithel Georg
Published: April 2016

In this work, we demonstrate an approach for improved sensitivity in weak radio frequency (RF) electric-field strength measurements using Rydberg electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in an atomic vapor. This is accomplished by varying the RF frequency around a resonant atomic transition and extrapolating the weak on-resonant field strength from the resulting off-resonant Autler-Townes (AT) splittings. This measurement remains directly traceable to SI compared to previous techniques, precluding any knowledge of experimental parameters such as optical beam powers as is the case when using the curvature of the EIT line shape to measure weak fields. We use this approach to measure weak RF fields at 182 GHz and 208 GHz demonstrating improvement greater than a factor of 2 in the measurement sensitivity compared to on-resonant AT splitting RF electric field measurements.
Critical energy barrier for capillary condensation in mesopores: Hysteresis and reversibility
Authors: Hiratsuka Tatsumasa , Tanaka Hideki , Miyahara Minoru T.
Published: April 2016

Capillary condensation in the regime of developing hysteresis occurs at a vapor pressure, Pcond, that is less than that of the vapor-like spinodal. This is because the energy barrier for the vapor-liquid transition from a metastable state at Pcond becomes equal to the energy fluctuation of the system; however, a detailed mechanism of the spontaneous transition has not been acquired even through extensive experimental and simulation studies. We therefore construct accurate atomistic silica mesopore models for MCM-41 and perform molecular simulations (gauge cell Monte Carlo and grand canonical Monte Carlo) for argon adsorption on the models at subcritical temperatures. A careful comparison between the simulation and experiment reveals that the energy barrier for the capillary condensation has a critical dimensionless value, Wc* = 0.175, which corresponds to the thermal fluctuation of the system and depends neither on the mesopore size nor on the temperature. We show that the critical energy barrier Wc* controls the capillary condensation pressure Pcond and also determines a boundary between the reversible condensation/evaporation regime and the developing hysteresis regime.
Stabilization of metastable phases in hafnia owing to surface energy effects
Authors: Batra Rohit , Tran Huan Doan , Ramprasad Rampi
Published: April 2016

The recent empirical observation of ferroelectricity in hafnia is rather surprising since all of its known ground-state phases are nonpolar. In this letter, we show that finite size effects, relevant under experimental conditions, may themselves lead to this unexpected phenomenon due to stabilization of metastable polar phase(s). Using surface energies computed from first principles, we determine the thermodynamic stability of a parallelepiped shaped particle constructed from various low energy nonpolar and polar phases of hafnia. We find that at small dimensions, surface effects may stabilize either one of the polar phases or the nonpolar tetragonal phase (the parent phase of the polar phases), suggesting a possible explanation of the ferroelectric behavior observed in pure hafnia films. These results also explain the stabilization of the metastable tetragonal phase in nanoparticles of zirconia, the twin oxide of hafnia. While a comprehensive understanding of the origins of ferroelectricity in hafnia will require inclusion of other relevant factors (such as strain and dopants), this work highlights the importance of finite size effects as a possible key factor.
Note: High-pressure in situ x-ray laminography using diamond anvil cell
Authors: Nomura Ryuichi , Uesugi Kentaro
Published: April 2016

A high-pressure in situ X-ray laminography technique was developed using a newly designed, laterally open diamond anvil cell. A low X-ray beam of 8 keV energy was used, aiming at future application to dual energy X-ray chemical imaging techniques. The effects of the inclination angle and the imaging angle range were evaluated at ambient pressure using the apparatus. Sectional images of ruby ball samples were successfully reconstructed at high pressures, up to approximately 50 GPa. The high-pressure in situ X-ray laminography technique is expected to provide new insights into the deep Earth sciences.
A stochastic model of solid state thin film deposition: Application to chalcopyrite growth
Authors: Lovelett Robert J. , Pang Xueqi , Roberts Tyler M. , Shafarman William N. , Birkmire Robert W. , Ogunnaike Babatunde A.
Published: April 2016

Developing high fidelity quantitative models of solid state reaction systems can be challenging, especially in deposition systems where, in addition to the multiple competing processes occurring simultaneously, the solid interacts with its atmosphere. In this work, we develop a model for the growth of a thin solid film where species from the atmosphere adsorb, diffuse, and react with the film. The model is mesoscale and describes an entire film with thickness on the order of microns. Because it is stochastic, the model allows us to examine inhomogeneities and agglomerations that would be impossible to characterize with deterministic methods. We demonstrate the modeling approach with the example of chalcopyrite Cu(InGa)(SeS)2 thin film growth via precursor reaction, which is a common industrial method for fabricating thin film photovoltaic modules. The model is used to understand how and why through-film variation in the composition of Cu(InGa)(SeS)2 thin films arises and persists. We believe that the model will be valuable as an effective quantitative description of many other materials systems used in semiconductors, energy storage, and other fast-growing industries.
Estimation of carrier mobility at organic semiconductor/insulator interface using an asymmetric capacitive test structure
Authors: Agarwal Rajesh , Agarwal Ashish K. , Mazhari Baquer
Published: April 2016

Mobility of carriers at the organic/insulator interface is crucial to the performance of organic thin film transistors. The present work describes estimation of mobility using admittance measurements performed on an asymmetric capacitive test structure. Besides the advantage of simplicity, it is shown that at low frequencies, the measured capacitance comes from a large area of channel making the capacitance-voltage characteristics insensitive to contact resistances. 2-D numerical simulation and experimental results obtained with Pentacene/Poly(4-vinyphenol) system are presented to illustrate the operation and advantages of the proposed technique.
Biological effects of low-level laser irradiation on umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Chen Hongli , Wang Hong , Li Yingxin , Liu Weichao , Wang Chao , Chen Zhuying
Published: April 2016

Low-level laser irradiation (LLLI) can enhance stem cell (SC) activity by increasing migration and proliferation. This study investigated the effects of LLLI on proliferation, enzymatic activity, and growth factor production in human umbilical cord mesenchymal SCs (hUC-MSCs) as well as the underlying mechanisms. hUC-MSCs were assigned to a control group (non-irradiation group) and three LLLI treatment groups (635 nm group, 808 nm group, and 635/808 nm group). Laser power density and energy density of 20 mW/cm2 and 12 J/cm2, respectively, were used for each experiment. The proliferation rate was higher in the 635 nm as compared to the other groups. LLLI at 808 nm did not induce cell proliferation. ROS levels in cells exposed to 635, 808, and 635/808 nm radiation were increased by 52.81%, 26.89%, and 21.15%, respectively, relative to the control group. CAT, tGPx, and SOD activity was increased. LLLI at 808 nm increased the levels of IL-1, IL-6, and NFκB but not VEGF. LLLI improved hUC-MSCs function and increased antioxidant activity. Dual-wavelength LLLI had more potent effects on hUC-MSCs than single-wavelength treatment. LLLI has potential applications in the preconditioning of hUC-MSCs in vitro prior to transplantation, which could improve the regenerative capacity of cells.
Parallel responses of human epidermal keratinocytes to inorganic SbIII and AsIII
Authors: Phillips Marjorie A. , Cánovas Angela , Wu Pei-Wen , Islas-Trejo Alma , Medrano Juan F. , Rice Robert H.
Published: April 2016

Environmental contextIncreasing commercial use of antimony is raising its environmental presence and thus possible effects on humans and ecosystems. An important uncertainty is the risk that exposure poses for biological systems. The present work explores the similarity in response of human epidermal keratinocytes, a known target cell type, to antimony and arsenic, where deleterious consequences of exposure to the latter are better known. AbstractSbIII and AsIII are known to exhibit similar chemical properties, but the degree of similarity in their effects on biological systems merits further exploration. The present work compares the responses of human epidermal keratinocytes, a known target cell type for arsenite-induced carcinogenicity, to these metalloids after treatment for 1 week at environmentally relevant concentrations. Previous work with these cells has shown that arsenite and antimonite have parallel effects in suppressing differentiation, altering levels of several critical enzymes and maintaining colony-forming ability. More globally, protein profiling now reveals parallels in SbIII and AsIII effects. The more sensitive technique of transcriptional profiling also shows considerable parallels. Thus, gene expression changes were almost entirely in the same directions for the two treatments, although the degree of change was sometimes significantly different. Inspection of the changes revealed that RYR1 and LRIG1 were among the genes strongly suppressed, consistent with reduced calcium-dependent differentiation and maintenance of epidermal growth factor-dependent proliferative potential. Moreover, levels of microRNAs in the cells were altered in parallel, with nearly 90% of the 198 most highly expressed ones being suppressed. Among these was miR-203, which is known to decrease proliferative potential. Finally, both SbIII and AsIII were seen to attenuate bone morphogenetic protein 6 induction of dual-specificity phosphatases 2 and 14, consistent with maintaining epidermal growth factor receptor signalling. These findings raise the question of whether SbIII, like AsIII, could act as a human skin carcinogen.
Sperm function during incubation with oestrus oviductal fluid differs in bulls with different fertility
Authors: Kumaresan A. , Johannisson A. , Bergqvist A.-S.
Published: April 2016

Spermatozoa undergo several modifications in the oviduct before acquiring fertilising capacity. Although spermatozoa are exposed to similar conditions in the oviduct, the speed of the response varies with the male and the state of the spermatozoa. We hypothesised that spermatozoa from bulls with different fertility may differ in their ability to respond to oviductal fluid (ODF). Frozen–thawed spermatozoa from four bulls were incubated with oestrus oviductal fluid (OODF) for 6 h. Sperm kinematics, tyrosine phosphorylation, phosphorylation patterns, capacitation and acrosome reaction were analysed at hourly intervals. The amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) and straightness coefficient (STR) were higher (P < 0.05) in bulls with higher fertility compared with those with lower fertility, at 1–4 h of incubation. At 4 h of incubation and onwards, spermatozoa from bulls with higher fertility showed a lower degree (P < 0.05) of tyrosine phosphorylation and higher degree of capacitation and acrosome reaction. At least five tyrosine-phosphorylated sperm proteins were detected in all bulls. However, the expression of two phosphorylated sperm proteins (183 and 109 kDa) was upregulated in bulls with lower fertility. It may be concluded that cryopreserved spermatozoa from high- and low- fertile bulls differ in their ability to respond to OODF. This may help in developing tools for assessing fertility of bulls, once validated in more animals.
Targeting IL-17A attenuates neonatal sepsis mortality induced by IL-18
Authors: Wynn James Lawrence , Wilson Chris S. , Hawiger Jacek , Scumpia Philip O. , Marshall Andrew F. , Liu Jin-Hua , Zharkikh Irina , Wong Hector R. , Lahni Patrick , Benjamin John T. , Plosa Erin J. , Weitkamp Jörn-Hendrik , Sherwood Edward R. , Moldawer Lyle L. , Ungaro Ricardo , Baker Henry V. , Lopez M. Cecilia , McElroy Steven J. , Colliou Natacha , Mohamadzadeh Mansour , Moore Daniel Jensen
Published: April 2016

Significance

Infants born prematurely suffer the greatest incidence of and impact from sepsis among all age groups. Therapeutic interventions aimed at reducing morbidity and mortality in this vulnerable population have been unsuccessful. Interleukin (IL)-18 is a proinflammatory member of the IL-1 superfamily. Serum IL-18 concentrations in uninfected premature infants are increased as compared with healthy adults. We show that IL-18 in the setting of sepsis results in gut injury, a potentiation of the host’s inflammatory response, increased bacteremia, and mortality mediated by IL-1 receptor 1 (IL-1R1)–dependent IL-17A produced by γδT and myeloid cells. The discovery of this novel IL-18/IL-1R1/IL-17A axis brings new hope for therapeutic interventions that target downstream IL-17A and ultimately reduce the increased mortality from sepsis in this understudied population.
Warm spring reduced carbon cycle impact of the 2012 US summer drought
Authors: Wolf Sebastian , Keenan Trevor F. , Fisher Joshua B. , Baldocchi Dennis D. , Desai Ankur R. , Richardson Andrew D. , Scott Russell L. , Law Beverly E. , Litvak Marcy E. , Brunsell Nathaniel A. , Peters Wouter , van der Laan-Luijkx Ingrid T.
Published: April 2016

Significance

Carbon uptake by terrestrial ecosystems mitigates the impact of anthropogenic fossil fuel emissions on atmospheric CO
2
concentrations, but the strength of this carbon sink is highly sensitive to large-scale extreme climate events. In 2012, the United States experienced the most severe drought since the Dust Bowl period, along with the warmest spring on record. Here, we quantify the impact of this climate anomaly on the carbon cycle. Our results show that warming-induced earlier vegetation activity increased spring carbon uptake, and thus compensated for reduced carbon uptake during the summer drought in 2012. This compensation, however, came at the cost of soil moisture depletion from increased spring evapotranspiration that likely enhanced summer heating through land-atmosphere coupling.
Target-specific modulation of the descending prefrontal cortex inputs to the dorsal raphe nucleus by cannabinoids
Authors: Geddes Sean D. , Assadzada Saleha , Lemelin David , Sokolovski Alexandra , Bergeron Richard , Haj-Dahmane Samir , Béïque Jean-Claude
Published: April 2016

Significance

There is a vast literature linking individual neurotransmitters with specific brain function and disorders, often with significant overlap. For instance, serotonin (5-HT), glutamate, and endocannabinoids have been linked to several biological functions, such as mood regulation, reward, and decision making, as well as to pathologies, such as depressive and anxiety disorders. It is becoming axiomatic that such neurochemical-based models need to be incorporated within comprehensive and dynamic circuit-based frameworks to apprehend fully the neural basis of these functions. Here, we defined the mesoscale-level functional organization of the medial prefrontal cortex input to the dorsal raphe nucleus and how this circuit is modulated by cannabinoid (CB) signalling. This network-based functional framework may help to explain several of the mood-regulating features of both 5-HT and CBs.
Potential follow-up increases private contributions to public goods
Authors: Rogers Todd , Ternovski John , Yoeli Erez
Published: April 2016

Significance

Reputational concern is one reason people perform behaviors that are good for society but have little benefit for individuals (e.g., energy efficiency, donation, recycling, voting). In order for a behavior to influence reputations, it must be observable. However, many strategies for encouraging these behaviors involve communicating privately and impersonally (e.g., mail, email, social media) with little or no observability. We report a large-scale field experiment (
N
= 770,946) examining a technique for harnessing the benefits of observability when encouraging these behaviors privately. Get-out-the-vote letters become substantially more effective when they say, “We may call you after the election to ask about your voting experience.” This technique can be widely used to encourage society-benefiting behaviors.
MIB–MIP is a mycoplasma system that captures and cleaves immunoglobulin G
Authors: Arfi Yonathan , Minder Laetitia , Di Primo Carmelo , Le Roy Aline , Ebel Christine , Coquet Laurent , Claverol Stephane , Vashee Sanjay , Jores Joerg , Blanchard Alain , Sirand-Pugnet Pascal
Published: April 2016

Significance

Mycoplasmas are minimal pathogenic bacteria able to infect humans and a wide range of economically important animals; as such, they are major causes of concern in the medical and veterinary fields. These pathogens often lead to chronic infections, and their mechanisms of immunity evasion are poorly known. Here we describe a two-protein system from the ruminant pathogenMycoplasma mycoidessubspeciescaprithat is involved in the capture and cleavage of antibodies. MIB is able to capture the antibodies and to subsequently recruit MIP, a protease that is able to cleave the antibody heavy chain. The MIB–MIP system appears to be widespread among pathogenic mycoplasmas and is potentially a key player for the virulence and immunity evasion mechanisms of these bacteria.
Development of the turtle plastron, the order-defining skeletal structure
Authors: Rice Ritva , Kallonen Aki , Cebra-Thomas Judith , Gilbert Scott F.
Published: April 2016

Significance

The plastron, the order-defining skeletal structure for turtles, provides a bony exoskeleton for the ventral side of the turtle. We provide here the first molecular analysis of plastron bone formation. We show that plastron bone morphogenesis in the ventral mesenchyme employs a program of bone formation that usually characterizes the vertebrate face and skull. The plastron bones, however, have a preliminary step that is not included in head formation: They must suppress the usual chondrogenic programs that would create the sternum cartilage. We suggest that the early osteogenic fate adopted by the ventral mesenchyme prevents the chondrogenic sternal development in turtles and that this was a critical step in forming the ossification centers for this new type of vertebrate structure.
Targeting lymphoma with precision using semisynthetic anti-idiotype peptibodies
Authors: Torchia James , Weiskopf Kipp , Levy Ronald
Published: April 2016

Significance

Idiotype is a true tumor-specific surface marker on lymphoma cells, and cross-linking idiotype can directly trigger lymphoma cell death. It has not been practical, however, to target idiotype with antibodies because its sequence is unique to each patient. By chemically linking short synthetic patient-specific idiotype-binding peptides to a patient-invariant IgG Fc domain, we created a modular, antibody-like molecule that is more practical to customize. These semisynthetic peptibodies kill lymphoma cells directly, trigger tumor cell phagocytosis by macrophages, and clear human lymphoma in a mouse model of disseminated disease. This technology could add a new mechanism of action to the armament of lymphoma therapies and would not possess the toxicities and immunosuppression inherent to the current standard of care.
On Williamson and simplicity in modal logic
Authors: Sider Theodore
Published: April 2016

According to Timothy Williamson, we should accept the simplest and most powerful second-order modal logic, and as a result accept an ontology of "bare possibilia". This general method for extracting ontology from logic is salutary, but its application in this case depends on a questionable assumption: that modality is a fundamental feature of the world.
Staff Experience of Harassment and Stalking Behavior by Patients
Authors: Clarke Martin , Yanson Ian , Saleem Younus , Edworthy Rachel , Khalifa Najat
Published: April 2016

Staff from one National Health Service (NHS) Trust in England completed an online survey ( N = 590) about their experience of intrusive behaviors from patients. These experiences were categorized into either stalking or harassment and compared in terms of staff and patient characteristics, types of intrusions, and aftermath. Overall, 150 were classified as being stalked (25.4%) and 172 harassed (29.2%). There were no differences in staff characteristics between the two groups. Staff from forensic services and nursing staff were particularly susceptible to these intrusions which took many forms. Respondents perceived a range of causes for the stalking and harassment, the most common being to gain power and control/to scare. It was rare for legal sanctions to be brought against the patient. Our findings reinforce the need for service providers to have policies supported with preventative measures, education and a robust process for addressing stalking so that these measures are embedded in practice in a way that supports staff working with patients. Furthermore, service providers should be challenged on what steps they have taken to prevent, and monitor, such behavior.
Associative independence revisited: competition between conflicting associations can be resolved or even reversed in one trial
Authors: Burton Rachel L. , Lek Isabel , Caplan Jeremy B.
Published: April 2016

In one type of association-memory paradigm, after studying pairs of the form AB, AC, participants must recall both B and C in response to A. Counterintuitively, yet often replicated, recall probabilities of B and C are typically uncorrelated (“associative independence”). This face-value independence is now understood to reflect a negative correlation due to AB and AC competing, approximately offset by a positive correlation produced by subject- and item-variability. The outcome might vary with stimulus material; for noun-pairs, and with a single study trial per pair, AB and AC have been found to be positively correlated. We replicated the positive correlation between AB and AC for noun-pairs, but this did not differ from the correlation expected for independent memory tests, suggesting that for noun pairs, AB and AC are independent on average. In Experiment 2, participants instructed to form separate images for AB and AC again produced an independence pattern, but participants instructed to combine AB and AC into an integrative image produced a facilitation pattern. Thus, the relationship between AB and AC varies, and can be influenced by study strategy. Association-memory models may need to accommodate a diverse range of AB–AC relationships, and studies that build on AB/AC learning may need to consider whether AB/AC start out with a competitive, facilitatory or independent relationship.
Solomonoff Prediction and Occam’s Razor
Authors: Sterkenburg Tom F.
Published: April 2016

Algorithmic information theory gives an idealized notion of compressibility that is often presented as an objective measure of simplicity. It is suggested at times that Solomonoff prediction, or algorithmic information theory in a predictive setting, can deliver an argument to justify Occam’s razor. This article explicates the relevant argument and, by converting it into a Bayesian framework, reveals why it has no such justificatory force. The supposed simplicity concept is better perceived as a specific inductive assumption, the assumption of effectiveness. It is this assumption that is the characterizing element of Solomonoff prediction and wherein its philosophical interest lies.
Accepting an Epistemically Inferior Alternative? A Comment on Elliott and McKaughan
Authors: Steel Daniel
Published: April 2016

Kevin Elliott and Dan McKaughan argue that, in some cases, nonepistemic values provide legitimate reasons for scientists to accept an epistemically inferior option, a claim that they support with two case studies. This essay argues that Elliott and McKaughan have not shown that their case studies are indeed ones in which an epistemically inferior option was accepted. Specifically, their interpretation of these cases depends on problematic premises that it is epistemically better to wait for a slower-but-more-reliable method than to accept the result of a quicker-but-less-reliable one and that a more detailed model is epistemically preferable to a simpler one.
Executive Summary: Implementing an Antibiotic Stewardship Program: Guidelines by the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America
Authors: Barlam Tamar F. , Cosgrove Sara E. , Abbo Lilian M. , MacDougall Conan , Schuetz Audrey N. , Septimus Edward J. , Srinivasan Arjun , Dellit Timothy H. , Falck-Ytter Yngve T. , Fishman Neil O. , Hamilton Cindy W. , Jenkins Timothy C. , Lipsett Pamela A. , Malani Preeti N. , May Larissa S. , Moran Gregory J. , Neuhauser Melinda M. , Newland Jason G. , Ohl Christopher A. , Samore Matthew H. , Seo Susan K. , Trivedi Kavita K.
Published: April 2016

Evidence-based guidelines for implementation and measurement of antibiotic stewardship interventions in inpatient populations including long-term care were prepared by a multidisciplinary expert panel of the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. The panel included clinicians and investigators representing internal medicine, emergency medicine, microbiology, critical care, surgery, epidemiology, pharmacy, and adult and pediatric infectious diseases specialties. These recommendations address the best approaches for antibiotic stewardship programs to influence the optimal use of antibiotics.
Dynamical impact of the Planet Nine scenario: N-body experiments
Authors: de la Fuente Marcos Carlos , de la Fuente Marcos Raúl , Aarseth Sverre J.
Published: April 2016

The Planet Nine hypothesis has now enough constraints to deserve further attention in the form of detailed numerical experiments. The results of such studies can help us improve our understanding of the dynamical effects of such a hypothetical object on the extreme trans-Neptunian objects or ETNOs and perhaps provide additional constraints on the orbit of Planet Nine itself. Here, we present the results of direct N-body calculations including the latest data available on the Planet Nine conjecture. The present-day orbits of the six ETNOs originally linked to the hypothesis are evolved backwards in time and into the future under some plausible incarnations of the hypothesis to investigate if the values of several orbital elements, including the argument of perihelion, remain confined to relatively narrow ranges. We find that a nominal Planet Nine can keep the orbits of (90377) Sedna and 2012 VP113 relatively well confined in orbital parameter space for hundreds of Myr, but it may make the orbits of 2004 VN112, 2007 TG422 and 2013 RF98 very unstable on time-scales of dozens of Myr, turning them retrograde and eventually triggering their ejection from the Solar system. Far more stable orbital evolution is found with slightly modified orbits for Planet Nine.
Controls of Mantle Potential Temperature and Lithospheric Thickness on Magmatism in the North Atlantic Igneous Province
Authors: Hole M. J. , Millett J. M.
Published: April 2016

Modelled primary magma compositions of Palaeogene basalts from the North Atlantic Igneous Province (NAIP) require melting at mantle potential temperatures (TP) in the range 1480–1550°C. Modern lavas from Icelandic rift zones require TP ∼ 1500°C and those from the rift flanks TP ∼ 1450°C. Secular cooling of the NAIP thermal anomaly was therefore of the order of ∼50°C over the past 61 Myr. There were systematic variations in TP of 50–100°C from the centre of the thermal anomaly to its margins at any one time, although limits on the stratigraphical distribution of TP determinations do not rule out thermal pulsing on a timescale of millions of years. Variation in extent of melting at similar TP was controlled by local variability in lithospheric thickness. In the west of the NAIP, lithosphere thickness varied from ∼90 km at Disko Island to ∼65 km at Baffin Island, with similar thickness variations being evident for magmatism in the Faroe Islands, Faroe–Shetland Basin and the British Palaeogene Igneous Province (BPIP). Mean pressure of melting was greater than or equal to the final pressure of melting; the two values converge for melting columns with a melting interval of <1·5 GPa, regardless of TP. The majority of the BPIP magmas were generated in the garnet–spinel transition in the upper mantle. Calculated and observed rare earth element distributions in NAIP lavas are entirely consistent with the melting regimes derived from major element melting models. This allows a calibration of rare earth element fractionation and melting conditions that can be applied to other flood basalt provinces.
Usability and Acceptability of a Web-Based Program for Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy
Authors: Tofthagen Cindy , Kip Kevin E. , Passmore Denise , Loy Ian , Berry Donna L.
Published: April 2016

Chemotherapy-induced neuropathy is a painful and debilitating adverse effect of certain chemotherapy drugs. There have not been any patient-centered, easily accessible Web-based interventions to assist with self-management of chemotherapy-induced neuropathy. The aims of this study were to evaluate usability and acceptability and to estimate an effect size of a Web-based intervention for assessing and managing chemotherapy-induced neuropathy. Participants (N = 14) were instructed to complete the Creativity, Optimism, Planning, and Expert Information for Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy program and provide verbal responses to the program. Participants completed the Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Assessment Tool and Post-Study System Usability Questionnaire. Iterative changes were made to the COPE-CIPN. Participants were asked to provide feedback on the revised COPE-CIPN, repeat the Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Assessment Tool, and evaluate acceptability using the Acceptability e-Scale. The COPE-CIPN demonstrated high usability (mean, 1.98 [SD, 1.12]) and acceptability (mean, 4.40 [SD, 0.52]). Comments indicated that the interface was easy to use, and the information was helpful. While neuropathy symptoms continued to increase in this group of patients receiving neurotoxic chemotherapy, there was a decrease in mean level of interference with activities from 53.71 to 39.29 over 3 to 4 months, which indicated a moderate effect (d = 0.39) size. The COPE-CIPN may be a useful intervention to support self-management of chemotherapy-induced neuropathy.
Efficacy of vaginally applied estrogen, testosterone, or polyacrylic acid on vaginal atrophy: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Fernandes Tatiane , Costa-Paiva Lucia Helena , Pedro Adriana Orcesi , Baccaro Luiz Francisco Cintra , Pinto-Neto Aarão Mendes
Published: April 2016

Objective:

Vaginal atrophy is a common chronic condition among postmenopausal women that can affect their quality of life. Recent studies have evaluated new treatment alternatives for vaginal atrophy; however, few therapeutic options have been thoroughly evaluated. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness and adverse effects of estrogen, testosterone, polyacrylic acid, and placebo lubricant for the treatment of postmenopausal women with vaginal atrophy.

Methods:

We conducted a randomized clinical trial with 80 postmenopausal women aged between 40 and 70 years who were being followed up at the Menopause Clinic of CAISM UNICAMP between November 2011 and January 2013. Women were randomly assigned to topical vaginal treatment with estrogen, testosterone, polyacrylic acid, and placebo lubricant, three times a week for 12 weeks. We used the vaginal maturation index, pH, vaginal health score, vaginal flora, laboratory tests, and ultrasound to evaluate changes of vaginal atrophy at baseline and after 6 and 12 weeks of treatment.

Results:

After a 12-week treatment with topical estrogen and testosterone compared with the lubricant, an increased percentage of participants had vaginal pH less than 5, increased vaginal score, and an increase in the number of lactobacilli. Treatment with topical estrogen improved the vaginal maturation index and showed increased levels of estradiol in three women. No changes were observed in the endometrial evaluation of all treatment groups.

Conclusions:

After a 12-week treatment with testosterone and estrogen compared with placebo lubrication, there was a significant improvement in vaginal trophism in postmenopausal women with vaginal atrophy.
Our Experience with 131 Cases of Simultaneous Breast Implant Exhange with Fat (SIEF)
Authors: Ohashi Masanori , Yamakawa Masayuki , Chiba Akihiko , Nagano Hiroshi , Nakai Hirokazu
Published: April 2016

Background:

Breast augmentation with fat injection is a growing trend in Japan. Many Japanese patients experiencing breast implant complications are requesting to have their breast implants removed and simultaneously exchanged with autologous fat injection. The keys of our simultaneous implant exchange with fat (SIEF) process are to embrace the “Coleman technique” and to carefully detach implant capsules when removing breast implants. Furthermore, we carefully inject fat to avoid necrosis.

Methods:

Between January 2010 and January 2015, we investigated consecutively 131 Japanese patients whom we could follow up for over 6 months postsurgery. We ascertained the usefulness of SIEF by assessing changes in breast size, complications, and a satisfaction survey.

Results:

There were no serious complications. We had experienced mild complications in 9.2% of patients (12/131). Partial fat necrosis with inflammation occurred in 2.3% of patients (3/131), seroma in the capsule in 3.1% (4/131), complaints of nodules (cysts, lumps) in 3.1% (4/131), and 1 hematoma patient (0.8%). At 6 months after surgery (n = 131), breast cup size (by Japanese Industrial Standards) had decreased by less than 1 cup size, despite SIEF. At 6 months, we performed a postsurgery satisfaction survey, and only 4% of the patients (5/131) were not satisfied with their surgery results.

Conclusions:

SIEF is a very safe and effective procedure. Breast implants removed with a low invasive traumatic approach and centrifuged fat injected with the “Coleman technique” are important principles in our practice. Furthermore, avoiding fat necrosis is one of the most important considerations, and our SIEF approach allows us to better control this potential complication during the surgical process.
Reconstruction of Extensive Volar Finger Defects with Double Cross-Finger Flaps
Authors: Buehrer Gregor , Arkudas Andreas , Ludolph Ingo , Horch Raymund E. , Taeger Christian Dirk
Published: April 2016

Cross-finger flaps still represent a viable option to reconstruct small- to medium-sized full-thickness finger defects but they are not commonly used if larger areas have to be covered. We present 2 cases showing a simple and pragmatic approach with homodigital double cross-finger flaps to reconstruct extensive volar finger soft-tissue defects. We observed very low donor-site morbidity and excellent functional and aesthetic outcomes. Furthermore, there is no need for microsurgical techniques or equipment when using this method. Although this case report only addresses volar defects, one might also think of applying this concept to dorsal defects using reversed double cross-finger flaps.
Factors Associated With Utilization of Cardiac Rehabilitation Among Patients With Ischemic Heart Disease in the Veterans Health Administration
Authors: Schopfer David W. , Priano Susan , Allsup Kelly , Helfrich Christian D. , Ho P. Michael , Rumsfeld John S. , Forman Daniel E. , Whooley Mary A.
Published: April 2016

BACKGROUND:

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs reduce morbidity and mortality in patients with ischemic heart disease but are vastly underutilized in the United States, including the Veterans Health Administration (VA) Healthcare System. Numerous barriers affecting utilization have been identified in other health care systems, but the specific factors affecting Veterans are unknown. We sought to identify barriers and facilitators associated with utilization of CR in VA facilities.

METHODS:

We performed a qualitative study of 56 VA patients, providers, and CR program managers at 30 VA facilities across the United States. We conducted semistructured interviews with key informants to explore their attitudes and knowledge toward CR. Interviews were conducted until thematic saturation occurred. Analyses using grounded theory to identify key themes were conducted using the qualitative data analysis package ATLAS.ti.

RESULTS:

We identified 6 themes as barriers and 5 as facilitators. The most common barriers to participation in CR were patient transportation issues (68%), lack of patient willingness to participate (41%), and no access to a nearby VA hospital with a CR program (30%). The most common facilitators were involvement of a dedicated provider or “clinical champion” (50%), provider knowledge of or experience with CR (48%), and patient desire for additional medical support (32%).

CONCLUSIONS:

Our findings suggest that addressing access issues and educating and activating providers on CR may increase utilization of CR programs. Targeting these specific factors may improve utilization of CR programs.
Prescribing Cycle Exercise Intensity Using Moderate Symptom Levels in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Zainuldin Rahizan , Mackey Martin G. , Alison Jennifer A.
Published: April 2016

PURPOSE:

Laboratory-based cardiopulmonary exercise testing from which to prescribe cycle training intensity in pulmonary rehabilitation for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is not readily available in clinical practice. Alternative methods of prescribing cycle exercise intensity, such as patient symptoms of dyspnea or rating of perceived exertion (RPE), have been used, but it is unknown whether cycle intensity based on such symptoms elicits an exercise intensity appropriate for achieving physiological training responses. The aim of the study was to determine the exercise intensity elicited when continuous cycle exercise was prescribed at symptoms of moderate dyspnea or RPE in people with COPD.

METHODS:

Participants with diagnosed COPD performed lung function tests and an incremental cycle test to peak work capacity. On a subsequent day, participants performed 10 minutes of cycle exercise based on moderate symptoms (CycleSYMP) of either dyspnea or RPE, depending on which symptom limited the incremental cycle test. Oxygen uptake (

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2) was measured during all exercise using a portable metabolic system (Cosmed K4b2).

RESULTS:

Thirty participants, mean age of 70 ± 9 years and FEV1 60 ± 12% predicted, completed the study. The mean intensity achieved during CycleSYMP was 78 ± 12%

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2
peak and 71 ± 18 %

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2
Reserve. Steady-state

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2 was achieved by the sixth minute of CycleSYMP.

CONCLUSIONS:

Using symptoms of moderate dyspnea or RPE as a method of prescribing cycle exercise elicited a high training intensity at which steady-state was achieved in people with mild to moderate COPD.