bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sampling Optimization in Pharmacokinetic Bridging Studies: Example of the Use of Deferiprone in Children With β‐Thalassemia
Authors: Bellanti Francesco , Di Iorio Vincenzo Luca , Danhof Meindert , Della Pasqua Oscar
Published: January 2016

Despite wide clinical experience with deferiprone, the optimum dosage in children younger than 6 years remains to be established. This analysis aimed to optimize the design of a prospective clinical study for the evaluation of deferiprone pharmacokinetics in children. A 1‐compartment model with first‐order oral absorption was used for the purposes of the analysis. Different sampling schemes were evaluated under the assumption of a constrained population size. A sampling scheme with 5 samples per subject was found to be sufficient to ensure accurate characterization of the pharmacokinetics of deferiprone. Whereas the accuracy of parameters estimates was high, precision was slightly reduced because of the small sample size (CV% >30% for Vd/F and KA). Mean AUC ± SD was found to be 33.4 ± 19.2 and 35.6 ± 20.2 mg · h/mL, and mean Cmax ± SD was found to be 10.2 ± 6.1 and 10.9 ± 6.7 mg/L based on sparse and frequent sampling, respectively. The results showed that typical frequent sampling schemes and sample sizes do not warrant accurate model and parameter identifiability. Expectation of the determinant (ED) optimality and simulation‐based optimization concepts can be used to support pharmacokinetic bridging studies. Of importance is the accurate estimation of the magnitude of the covariate effects, as they partly determine the dose recommendation for the population of interest.
Scanning electron microscopy combined with image processing technique: Microstructure and texture analysis of legumes and vegetables for instant meal
Authors: Pieniazek Facundo , Messina Valeria
Published: January 2016

Development and innovation of new technologies are necessary especially in food quality; due that most instrumental technique for measuring quality properties involves a considerable amount of manual work. Image analysis is a technique that allows to provide objective evaluations from digitalized images that can estimate quality parameters for consumer's acceptance. The aim of the present research was to study the effect of freeze drying on the microstructure and texture of legume and vegetables using scanning electron microscopy at different magnifications' combined with image analysis. Cooked and cooked freeze dried rehydrated legumes and vegetables were analyzed individually by scanning electron microscopy at different magnifications' (250, 500, and 1000×).Texture properties were analyzed by texture analyzer and image analysis. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were obtained for image and instrumental texture parameters. A linear trend with a linear correlation was applied for instrumental and image features. Results showed that image features calculated from Grey level co‐occurrence matrix at 1,000× had high correlations with instrumental features. In rice, homogeneity and contrast can be applied to evaluate texture parameters gumminess and adhesiviness; Lentils: contrast, correlation, energy, homogeneity, and entropy for hardness, adhesiviness, gumminess, and chewiness; Potato and carrots: contrast, energy, homogeneity and entropy for adhesiviness, chewiness, hardness, cohesiviness, and resilence. Results revealed that combing scanning electron microscopy with image analysis can be a useful tool to analyze quality parameters in legumes and vegetables. Microsc. Res. Tech. 79:267–275, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Regular Hypertournaments and Arc‐Pancyclicity
Authors: Surmacs Michel
Published: January 2016

Ak‐hypertournamentHonnvertices () is a pair, whereVis the vertex set ofHandAis a set ofk‐tuples of vertices, called arcs, such that for all subsetswith,Acontains exactly one permutation ofSas an arc. Recently, Li et al. showed that any strongk‐hypertournamentHonnvertices, where, is vertex‐pancyclic, an extension of Moon's theorem for tournaments. In this article, we examine several generalizations of regular tournaments and prove the following generalization of Alspach's theorem concerning arc‐pancyclicity: Every Σ‐regulark‐hypertournament onnvertices, where, is arc‐pancyclic.
From To Err Is Human to Improving Diagnosis in Health Care: The risk management perspective
Authors: Bunting Robert F. , Groszkruger Daniel P.
Published: January 2016

The publication of To Err Is Human in 2000, followed by Crossing the Quality Chasm in 2001, marked a watershed in patient safety. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) reports intensified the focus on patient safety and demanded a redesign of the healthcare system to improve quality and safety. Since publication of these reports, the focus has been on improving processes—those methods of healthcare delivery prone to failure and errors. Recently, there has been a concerted and sustained drive to add cognitive (diagnostic) errors to the focus. The recent publication of the IOM's Improving Diagnosis in Health Care has expanded the focus on patient safety and quality improvement. A new focus on diagnostic errors augments rather than replaces the previous focus. In this article, the authors offer a brief review of To Err Is Human and Crossing the Quality Chasm to lay a historical foundation. They then discuss a transition into the focus on diagnostic errors and summarize the latest recommendations from Improving Diagnosis in Health Care. This collated synthesis of 3 powerful IOM reports should guide risk managers and other healthcare personnel as they strive to improve every aspect of healthcare delivery.
Improve safety in patients at risk for sleep apnea
Authors: White Thomas F. , Skaff Patricia Lea
Published: January 2016

The clinical risks associated with sleep apnea have been documented for a number of years but continue to attract limited attention in the general hospital population. While risk assessment tools have been developed and protocols for management adopted on a relatively routine basis, there is a continued disconnect between identifying at risk, undiagnosed patients in nonsurgical admissions. This article outlines one community hospital's initiative to identify patients at risk for sleep apnea with implementation of safety protocols, patient education and a post–hospitalization referral system to improve the clinical outcome and safety of a population at risk.
Biomolecular interaction study of hydralazine with bovine serum albumin and effect of β‐cyclodextrin on binding by fluorescence, 3D, synchronous, CD, and Raman spectroscopic methods
Authors: Bolattin Mallavva B. , Nandibewoor Sharanappa T. , Chimatadar Shivamurti A.
Published: January 2016

Spectrofluoremetric technique was employed to study the binding behavior of hydralazine with bovine serum albumin (BSA) at different temperatures. Binding study of bovine serum albumin with hydralazine has been studied by ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy and confirmed by three‐dimensional, synchronous, circular dichroism, and Raman spectroscopic methods. Effect of β‐cyclodextrin on binding was studied. The experimental results showed a static quenching mechanism in the interaction of hydralazine with bovine serum albumin. The binding constant and the number of binding sites are calculated according to Stern–Volmer equation. The thermodynamic parameters ∆Ho, ∆Go, ∆So at different temperatures were calculated. These indicated that the hydrogen bonding and weak van der Waals forces played an important role in the interaction. Based on the Förster's theory of non‐radiation energy transfer, the binding average distance, r, between the donor (BSA) and acceptor (hydralazine) was evaluated and found to be 3.95 nm. Spectral results showed that the binding of hydralazine to BSA induced conformational changes in BSA. The effect of common ions on the binding of hydralazine to BSA was also examined. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Applying amide proton transfer‐weighted MRI to distinguish pseudoprogression from true progression in malignant gliomas
Authors: Ma Bo , Blakeley Jaishri O. , Hong Xiaohua , Zhang Hongyan , Jiang Shanshan , Blair Lindsay , Zhang Yi , Heo Hye‐Young , Zhang Mingzhi , van Zijl Peter C. M. , Zhou Jinyuan
Published: January 2016

Purpose

To assess amide proton transfer‐weighted (APTW) imaging features in patients with malignant gliomas after chemoradiation and the diagnostic performance of APT imaging for distinguishing true progression from pseudoprogression.

Materials and Methods

After approval by the Institutional Review Board, 32 patients with clinically suspected tumor progression in the first 3 months after chemoradiation were enrolled and scanned at 3T. Longitudinal routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) changes and medical records were assessed to confirm true progression versus pseudoprogression. True progression was defined as lesions progressing on serial imaging over 6 months, and pseudoprogression was defined as lesions stabilizing or regressing without intervention. The APTWmean and APTWmax signals were obtained from three to five regions of interests for each patient and compared between the true progression and pseudoprogression groups. The diagnostic performance was assessed with receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.

Results

The true progression was associated with APTW hyperintensity (APTWmean = 2.75% ± 0.42%), while pseudoprogression was associated with APTW isointensity to mild hyperintensity (APTWmean = 1.56% ± 0.42%). The APTW signal intensities were significantly higher in the true progression group (n = 20) than in the pseudoprogression group (P < 0.001; n = 12). The cutoff APTWmean and APTWmax intensity values to distinguish between true progression and pseudoprogression were 2.42% (with a sensitivity of 85.0% and a specificity of 100%) and 2.54% (with a sensitivity of 95.0% and a specificity of 91.7%), respectively.

Conclusion

The APTW‐MRI signal is a valuable imaging biomarker for distinguishing pseudoprogression from true progression in glioma patients. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:456–462.
A Resource‐Based View of the Build/Buy Decision: Emergent and Rational Stepwise Models of Strategic Planning
Authors: Sims Julian , Powell Philip , Vidgen Richard
Published: January 2016

Two ideal models of strategy development are identified: one is rational stepwise; the other is emergent, ex‐post, relying on experimentation where strategy is used to legitimize what has already been accomplished.
Social Inclusion through ICT: Identifying and Overcoming Barriers to ICT Use
Authors: Taylor Dan , Packham Gary
Published: January 2016

Creative approaches to ICT training and development can help to overcome barriers to ICT adoption and usage, leading to increased social inclusion.
Sediment Reallocations due to Erosive Rainfall Events in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, Central China
Authors: Stumpf Felix , Goebes Philipp , Schmidt Karsten , Schindewolf Marcus , Schönbrodt‐Stitt Sarah , Wadoux Alexandre , Xiang Wei , Scholten Thomas
Published: January 2016

Soil erosion by water outlines a major threat to the Three Gorges Reservoir Area in China. A detailed assessment of soil conservation measures requires a tool that spatially identifies sediment reallocations due to rainfall–runoff events in catchments. We applied EROSION 3D as a physically based soil erosion and deposition model in a small mountainous catchment. Generally, we aim to provide a methodological frame that facilitates the model parametrization in a data scarce environment and to identify sediment sources and deposits. We used digital soil mapping techniques to generate spatially distributed soil property information for parametrization. For model calibration and validation, we continuously monitored the catchment on rainfall, runoff and sediment yield for a period of 12 months. The model performed well for large events (sediment yield > 1 Mg) with an averaged individual model error of 7.5%, while small events showed an average error of 36.2%. We focused on the large events to evaluate reallocation patterns. Erosion occurred in 11.1% of the study area with an average erosion rate of 49.9 Mg ha−1. Erosion mainly occurred on crop rotation areas with a spatial proportion of 69.2% for ‘corn‐rapeseed’ and 69.1% for ‘potato‐cabbage’. Deposition occurred on 11.0%. Forested areas (9.7%), infrastructure (41.0%), cropland (corn‐rapeseed: 13.6%, potato‐cabbage: 11.3%) and grassland (18.4%) were affected by deposition. Because the vast majority of annual sediment yields (80.3%) were associated to a few large erosive events, the modelling approach provides a useful tool to spatially assess soil erosion control and conservation measures. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Catechin‐Modified Polylactide Stereocomplex at Chain End Improved Antibiobacterial Property
Authors: Ajiro Hiroharu , Ito Shogo , Kan Kai , Akashi Mitsuru
Published: January 2016

Using different type of initiators, the antibacterial moieties are introduced at the chain end of poly(L,L‐lactide) (PLLA) and poly(D,D‐lactide) (PDLA), and the thermal properties are simultaneously improved using the stereocomplex approach. The physical interaction of polymers and antibacterial compounds is investigated. The double bonds at the chain end are utilized for the interaction of silver ion; however, the silver ions are not detected after stereocomplexation of PLLA and PDLA. On the other hand, catechin (CT) is selected as an initiator precursor of lactide polymerization, protecting the phenolic hydroxyl groups. The linear PLLA and PDLA are obtained by the initiator, resulting in CT conjugated PLAs at the chain end groups after deprotection of phenolic hydroxyl groups. The antibacterial properties are determined by proliferation tests of staphylococcus aureus. The results suggest that the antibacterial properties of CT modified PLAs are derived from the original CT parts.

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miRNA‐Regulated Key Components of Cytokine Signaling Pathways and Inflammation in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Sharma Ashish Ranjan , Sharma Garima , Lee Sang‐Soo , Chakraborty Chiranjib
Published: January 2016

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disease that primarily affects joints. This autoimmune disease pathogenesis is related to cytokine signaling. In this review, we have described the existence of various microRNAs (miRNAs) involved in regulation of major protein cascades of cytokine signaling associated with RA. Moreover, we have tried to portray the role of various miRNAs in different cytokines such as TNF‐α, IL‐1, IL‐6, IL‐10, IL‐17, IL‐18, IL‐21, and granulocyte macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GMCSF). Along with this, we have also discussed the miRNA regulation in T cells and synovial tissue. From the analyzed data, we suggest that miR‐146a and miR‐155 might be the potential therapeutic target for treating RA. The insight illustrated in this review will offer a better understanding of the role of miRNA in cytokine signaling pathways and inflammation during RA and could project them as diagnostic or therapeutic agents in near future.
Mosaic ratio quantification of isochromosome 12p in Pallister–Killian syndrome using droplet digital PCR
Authors: Fujiki Katsunori , Shirahige Katsuhiko , Kaur Maninder , Deardorff Matthew A. , Conlin Laura K. , Krantz Ian D. , Izumi Kosuke
Published: January 2016

Background

Pallister–Killian syndrome (PKS) is a prototypic mosaic aneuploidy syndrome caused by mosaic supernumerary marker isochromosome 12p. Cells possessing the isochromosome 12p rapidly diminish after birth in the peripheral blood, often necessitating a skin biopsy for diagnosis. Therefore, a genomic testing that is capable of detecting low percent mosaic isochromosome 12p is preferred for the diagnosis of PKS.

Methods

The utility of the droplet digital PCR system in quantifying the mosaic ratio of isochromosome 12p in PKS was evaluated.

Results

Droplet digital PCR was able to precisely quantify isochromosome 12p mosaic ratio, and copy number measured by droplet digital PCR was correlated well with that of fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis.

Conclusion

Droplet digital PCR should be considered as an effective tool for both clinical and research analytics to precisely quantify mosaic genomic copy number alterations or mosaic mutations.
Fast simultaneous noncontrast angiography and intraplaque hemorrhage (fSNAP) sequence for carotid artery imaging
Authors: Chen Shuo , Ning Jia , Zhao Xihai , Wang Jinnan , Zhou Zechen , Yuan Chun , Chen Huijun
Published: January 2016

Purpose

To propose a fast simultaneous noncontrast angiography and intraplaque hemorrhage (fSNAP) sequence for carotid artery imaging.

Methods

The proposed fSNAP sequence uses a low‐resolution reference acquisition for phase‐sensitive reconstruction to speed up the scan, and an inversion recovery acquisition with arbitrary k‐space filling order to generate similar contrast to conventional SNAP. Four healthy volunteers and eight patients were recruited to test the performance of fSNAP in vivo. The lumen area quantification, muscle‐blood CNR, IPH‐blood CNR, lumen SNR, and standard deviation and intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) detection accuracy were compared between fSNAP and SNAP.

Results

By using a low‐resolution reference acquisition with 1/4 matrix size of the full‐resolution reference scan, the scan time of fSNAP was 37.5% less than that of SNAP. A high agreement of lumen area measurement (ICC = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.96–0.99) and IPH detection (Kappa = 1) were found between fSNAP and SNAP. Also, no significant difference was found for muscle‐blood CNR (P = 0.25), IPH‐blood CNR (P = 0.35), lumen SNR (P = 0.60), and standard deviation (P = 0.46) between the two techniques.

Conclusion

The feasibility of fSNAP was validated. fSNAP can improve the imaging efficiency with similar performance to SNAP on carotid artery imaging. Magn Reson Med 77:753–758, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
The effect of angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker use on mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease: a meta‐analysis of observational studies
Authors: Qin Yuchen , Chen Tao , Chen Qi , Lv Jia Yi , Qi Na , Wu Cheng , He Jia
Published: January 2016

Purpose

There has been much controversy over the use of angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers (ACEIs/ARBs) on patients with renal dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to summarize the evidence regarding the effect of ACEIs/ARBs administration on mortality in patients with nondialysis‐dependent chronic kidney disease (CKD) by using a meta‐analytic approach.

Methods

We searched the PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases for studies on the effect of ACEIs/ARBs administration on mortality in patients with nondialysis‐dependent CKD published before March 2015. Summary effect estimates with 95% confidence intervals were derived using the random‐effects model, no matter whether the heterogeneity between the included studies was of statistical significance or not. Subgroup analyses, sensitivity analyses, and publication bias tests were performed.

Results

Up to 25 March 2015, 10 cohort studies were included in this meta‐analysis. The hazard risk of the association between ACEIs/ARBs administration and overall mortality was 0.83 (95% confidence interval 0.78–0.87) using a random‐effects model with no heterogeneity (heterogeneity test I2 = 43.8%, p = 0.067) and publication bias (Egger's test, p = 0.763). The subgroup was divided according to estimated glomerular filtration rate, duration of follow‐up, Newcastle–Ottawa Scale star, and proportion of patients with common complications including heart failure, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. Improved survival outcomes were observed in all subgroups analysis. Sensitivity analysis proved that overall estimated effect was robust.

Conclusion

This meta‐analysis suggested that the use of ACEIs/ARBs in patients with nondialysis‐dependent CKD was associated with improved survival. However, randomized studies are needed to confirm these findings and further establish causal relationship. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation and Characterization of Hexahydro‐1,3,5‐trinitro‐1,3,5‐triazine/Ammonium Perchlorate Intermolecular Explosives
Authors: Li Guo‐Ping , Liu Ya‐Zhong , Liu Meng‐Hui , Chai Chun‐Peng , Luo Yun‐Jun
Published: January 2016

Hexahydro‐1,3,5‐trinitro‐1,3,5‐triazine/ammonium perchlorate/glycidyl azide polymer (RDX/AP/GAP) intermolecular explosives (IMX) with different proportions of RDX to AP were prepared by sol‐gel method, and the structure and performance was characterized by Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller measurements (BET), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results showed that the specific surface area of RDX/AP/GAP IMX decreased with the addition of AP. The crystals of AP and RDX in RDX/AP/GAP intermolecular explosives were in the range of 20–48 nm and 23–55 nm, respectively. In addition, RDX/AP/GAP intermolecular explosives had the largest heat release at zero balance.
c‐Jun N‐terminal Kinase‐Dependent Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Pathway is Critically Involved in Arjunic Acid Induced Apoptosis in Non‐Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells
Authors: Joo HyeEun , Lee Hyun Joo , Shin Eun Ah , Kim Hangil , Seo Kyeong‐Hwa , Baek Nam‐In , Kim Bonglee , Kim Sung‐Hoon
Published: January 2016

Though arjunic acid, a triterpene isolated from Terminalia arjuna, was known to have antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and cytotoxic effects, its underlying antitumor mechanism still remains unclear so far. Thus, in the present study, the molecular antitumor mechanism of arjunic acid was examined in A549 and H460 non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Arjunic acid exerted cytotoxicity by 3‐[4, 5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl]‐2, 5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and significantly increased sub‐G1 population in A549 and H460 cells by cell cycle analysis. Consistently, arjunic acid cleaved poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP), activated Bax, and phosphorylation of c‐Jun N‐terminal kinases (JNK), and also attenuated the expression of pro‐caspase‐3 and Bcl‐2 in A549 and H460 cells. Furthermore, arjunic acid upregulated the expression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress proteins such as IRE1 α, ATF4, p‐eIF2α, and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) in A549 and H460 cells. Conversely, CHOP depletion attenuated the increase of sub‐G1 population by arjunic acid, and also JNK inhibitor SP600125 blocked the cytotoxicity and upregulation of IRE1 α and CHOP induced by arjunic acid in A549 and H460 cells. Overall, our findings suggest that arjunic acid induces apoptosis in NSCLC cells via JNK mediated ER stress pathway as a potent chemotherapeutic agent for NSCLC.
Reactivity of molecular oxygen with aluminum clusters: Density functional and Ab Initio molecular dynamics simulation study
Authors: Paranthaman Selvarengan , Moon Jiwon , Hong Kiryong , Kim Jeongho , Kim Dong Eon , Kim Joonghan , Kim Tae Kyu
Published: January 2016

Dissociative adsorption of molecular oxygen (O2) on aluminum (Al) clusters has attracted much interest in the field of surface science and catalysis, but theoretical predictions of the reactivity of this reaction in terms of barrier height is still challenging. In this regard, we systematically investigate the reactivity of O2 with Al clusters using density functional theory (DFT) and atom‐centered density matrix propagation (ADMP) simulations. We also calculate potential energy surfaces (PESs) of the reaction between O2 and Al clusters to estimate the barrier energy of this reaction. The M06‐2X functional gives the barrier energy in agreement with the one calculated by coupled cluster singles and doubles with perturbed triples (CCSD(T)) while the TPSSh functional significantly underestimates the barrier height. The ADMP simulation using the M06‐2X functional predicts the reactivity of O2 with the Al cluster in agreement with the experimental findings, that is, singlet O2 readily reacts with Al clusters but triplet O2 is less reactive. We found that the ability of a DFT functional to describe the charge transfer appropriately is critical for calculating the barrier energy and the reactivity of the reaction of O2 with Al clusters. The M06‐2X functional is relevant for investigating chemical reactions involving Al and O2. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Alternative Ornstein–Zernike models from the homogeneous electron liquid for density functional theory calculations
Authors: Cuevas‐Saavedra Rogelio , Thompson David C. , Ayers Paul W.
Published: January 2016

Alternatives to the Ornstein–Zernike direct correlation function (DCF) are proposed, parameterized to reproduce the homogeneous electron liquid, and applied to atomic and molecular systems. This generalizes the work of Amovilli and March [Phys. Rev. B 76, 195104 (2007)], where the ordinary Ornstein–Zernike DCF was used. Unlike the Ornstein–Zernike DCF, one of the alternative DCFs explored in this present work produces normalized exchange‐correlation holes. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Functional Coatings on Carbon‐Bonded Ceramic Foam Filters for Steel Melt Filtration
Authors: Storti Enrico , Dudczig Steffen , Emmel Marcus , Colombo Paolo , Aneziris Christos G.
Published: January 2016

Ceramic foam filters (CFFs) have been used by steel foundries for several years as an effective physical refining solution after the ladle treatment. Recently, new approaches involving “active” and “reactive” coatings applied on the filters have been proposed, in order to improve their efficiency during operation. In this work, two different coating methods are presented. The first exploits the reaction of carbon‐bonded alumina–magnesia filters when immersed in a steel melt at about 1650 °C. In this case, the coating is formed directly during operation: due to the carbothermal reduction of magnesia and dissolution of alumina, in situ spinel formation is observed. This also results in a volume expansion that counteracts the shrinkage of the filter material related to sintering and pyrolysis phenomena. Next, multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are applied on carbon‐bonded alumina filters by means of spray coating to increase the reactivity of the surface. The performance of the coated filters is assessed in comparison to uncoated ones, using a special steel casting simulator under controlled atmosphere. The microscope investigations after 10 and 30 s of immersion indicate a better performance of the MWCNTs‐coated filters.
Comiendo Bien: The Production of Latinidad through the Performance of Healthy Eating among Latino Immigrant Families in San Francisco
Authors: Martínez Airín D.
Published: January 2016

Utilizing a bricolage of interactionist cultural studies, ethnic foodways, and situational analysis this paper examines how Latino immigrants, representing six countries and multiple preimmigration class positions, come to perform Latinidad through the lay health practice of comiendo bien (eating well). Comiendo bien was examined through participant observation of 15 families living in San Francisco and 27 key informant interviews. Comiendo bien is a performance that exists through the convergence of multiple identity positions. Latina/o immigrants not only enact the Latinidad in the United States through artistic expression or political strategizing, but also by sharing an idealized practice of healthy eating.
James F. Glenn: a caring but focused leader
Authors: Carson Culley
Published: January 2016

With a string of accolades and awards, Jim Glenn made a huge contribution to the development of urology in the USA and the mentoring of clinicians who would go on to be thought leaders around the world. And as Culley Carson describes, he did it with a great sense of humour.
Exploring Te–Te Bond Cleavage with Palladium(II): Synthesis, X‐ray Structural Characterization, and Optical Features of Tellurolate and Telluro‐Ether Complexes of Palladium(II)
Authors: Tirloni Bárbara , Nunes Cechin Camila , Ferro Razera Giovanny , Barbalho Pereira Marcelo , Manzoni de Oliveira Gelson , Schulz Lang Ernesto
Published: January 2016

The focus of this study was to explore reactions of (RTe)2with palladium(II) salts. These reactions led to Te–Te bond cleavage and the formation of three tellurolate‐bridged dinuclear complexes and a mononuclear telluro‐ether palladium(II) complex. The methodologies used yielded single source precursors for interesting materials. UV/vis spectroscopy results supported the measured optical bandgap for the complexes in the solid state. A study on the structure of all complexes in the solid state was carried out using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Other analytical methodologies, such as elemental analysis and infrared spectroscopy, were also used for the characterization of the complexes.
Trends in Life Expectancy and Lifespan Variation by Educational Attainment: United States, 1990–2010
Authors: Sasson Isaac
Published: January 2016

The educational gradient in life expectancy is well documented in the United States and in other low-mortality countries. Highly educated Americans, on average, live longer than their low-educated counterparts, who have recently seen declines in adult life expectancy. However, limiting the discussion on lifespan inequality to mean differences alone overlooks other dimensions of inequality and particularly disparities in lifespan variation. The latter represents a unique form of inequality, with higher variation translating into greater uncertainty in the time of death from an individual standpoint, and higher group heterogeneity from a population perspective. Using data from the National Vital Statistics System from 1990 to 2010, this is the first study to document trends in both life expectancy and S25—the standard deviation of age at death above 25—by educational attainment. Among low-educated whites, adult life expectancy declined by 3.1 years for women and by 0.6 years for men. At the same time, S25 increased by about 1.5 years among high school–educated whites of both genders, becoming an increasingly important component of total lifespan inequality. By contrast, college-educated whites benefited from rising life expectancy and record low variation in age at death, consistent with the shifting mortality scenario. Among blacks, adult life expectancy increased, and S25 plateaued or declined in nearly all educational attainment groups, although blacks generally lagged behind whites of the same gender on both measures. Documenting trends in lifespan variation can therefore improve our understanding of lifespan inequality and point to diverging trajectories in adult mortality across socioeconomic strata.
Get control of your commas
Authors: Lingard Lorelei
Published: January 2016

None
Decreases in ganglion cell layer and inner plexiform layer volumes correlate better with disease severity in schizophrenia patients than retinal nerve fiber layer thickness: Findings from spectral optic coherence tomography
Authors: Celik M. , Kalenderoglu A. , Sevgi Karadag A. , Bekir Egilmez O. , Han-Almis B. , Şimşek A.
Published: January 2016

Background

Optic coherence tomography (OCT) is a new, contactless and fast neuroimaging method. Previous studies have observed thinning of the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) in many neurodegenerative diseases, and researchers have suggested that correlations exist between the thinning of the RNFL and the neurodegeneration detected with other imaging methods or the severity of illness. More recently, OCT has been used in patients with schizophrenia. RNFL thinning has also been detected in these patients. With more sophisticated devices, segmentation of the retina and measurements of the ganglion cell layer (GCL) and internal plexiform layer (IPL) can be performed.

Methods

We measured the RNFL thickness and the GCL and IPL volumes in 40 treatment refractory patients with schizophrenia, 41 treatment responsive refractory patients and 41 controls using spectral-OCT, and we evaluated the correlations between the disease severity and OCT measurements.

Results

The global RNFL thickness and GCL and IPL volumes were decreased in the patients with schizophrenia compared with the controls. In addition, the GCL and IPL volumes were lower in the treatment refractory patients with schizophrenia compared to the treatment responsive patients. Using parameters such as the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scores, the disease duration and number of hospitalizations, correlations between the GCL and IPL volumes and disease severity were stronger than the correlations between the RNFL and the disease parameters.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that OCT can be used to detect neurodegeneration in schizophrenia and that the GCL and IPL volumes can also be used to monitor the progression of neurodegeneration.
Everyday Choice Making: Outcomes of Young People with Acquired Brain Injury After Moving from Residential Aged Care to Community-Based Supported Accommodation
Authors: Winkler Dianne , Callaway Libby , Sloan Sue , Holgate Nadine
Published: January 2016

Objectives: (1) Examine the opportunities young people with acquired brain injury (ABI) have to make everyday choices after moving out of residential aged care (RAC) into community-based shared supported accommodation (SSA); (2) Compare everyday choice making of this group with a group of people with ABI living in RAC.

Research design: Mixed methods comparing two independent groups.

Method and procedures: Responses on eleven relevant items of the Resident Choice Scale (RCS) were compared between two groups; 45 people with ABI living in RAC and 20 people with ABI who had moved from RAC to live in SSA. In addition, the choice making experiences of the SSA group were investigated through semi-structured interviews with the individual and/or their family member. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed.

Results: Greater opportunities for everyday choice making were demonstrated on 10 out of the 11 RCS items for people living in SSA, compared to RAC. These included improved choice regarding meals, bedtime and leisure activities. Qualitative data also illustrated new choice opportunities afforded to the SSA group. Five key themes relating to choice were identified:rules and routines, communication, things to do, foodandhome-like environment.

Conclusions: Community-based, age-appropriate and small-scale supported accommodation provides people with ABI more opportunities for everyday choice making than RAC.
CT Perfusion in Acute Stroke Predicts Final Infarct Volume- Inter-observer Study
Authors: Shankar Jai Jai Shiva , Langlands Gavin , Doucette Steve , Phillips Stephen
Published: January 2016

Background: Computed tomography perfusion (CTP) is increasingly being used in the setting of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The aim of the current study was to compare the prognostic utility of, and inter-observer variation between, baseline appearances on non-contrast CT (using Alberta Stroke Program Early CT score(ASPECTS)) and on CTP for predicting final infarct volume. We also assessed impact of training on interpretation of these images. Methods: Retrospectively, plain head computed tomography (CT) and CTP images at presentation and CT or diffusion imaging on follow up of patients with AIS were analyzed. The lesion volume on different CTP parameters was then correlated with the final infarct volume. This analysis was done by a Neuroradiologist, a stroke Neurologist and a medical student. Kappa statistics and Intra-class correlation coefficients were used for agreement between readers. Pearson correlation coefficients were used.Results: Thirty eight patients with AIS met all inclusion criteria. There was very good agreement among all readers for the CTP parameters. There was only fair agreement for ASPECT score. Correlation coefficient (r-square) between CTP parameters and final infarct volume showed that cerebral blood volume was the best parameter to predict the final infarct volume followed by cerebral blood flow and time to peak. The best reader to predict the final infarct volume on the initial CT perfusion study was the neuroradiologist followed by medical student and stroke neurologist. Conclusions: Cerebral blood volume defect correlated the best with the final infarct volume. There was a very good inter-observer agreement for all the CTP maps in predicting the final infarct volume despite the wide variation in the experience of the readers.
Normalized Apparent Diffusion Coefficient in the Prognostication of Patients with Glioblastoma Multiforme
Authors: Shankar Jai Jai Shiva , Bata Adil , Ritchie Krista , Hebb Andrea , Walling Simon
Published: January 2016

Background: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is known to have poor prognosis, with no available imaging marker that can predict survival at the time of diagnosis. Diffusion weighted images are used in characterisation of cellularity and necrosis of GBM. The purpose of this study was to assess whether pattern or degree of diffusion restriction could help in the prognostication of patients with GBM. Material and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 84 consecutive patients with confirmed GBM on biopsy or resection. The study was approved by the institutional ethics committee. The total volume of the tumor and total volume of tumor showing restricted diffusion were calculated. The lowest Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) in the region of the tumor and in the contralateral Normal Appearing White Matter were calculated in order to calculate the nADC. Treatment and follow-up data in these patients were recorded. Multivariate analsysis was completed to determine significant correlations between different variables and the survival of these patients. Results: Patient survival was significantly related to the age of the patient (p<0.0001; 95% CI-1.022-1.043) and the nADC value (p=0.014; 95% CI-0.269-0.860) in the tumor. The correlation coefficients of age and nADC with survival were −0.335 (p=0.002) and 0.390 (p<0.001), respectively. Kaplan Meier survival function, grouped by normalized Apparent Diffusion Coefficient cut off value of 0.75, was significant (p=0.007). Conclusion: The survival of patients with GBM had small, but significant, correlations with the patient’s age and nADC within the tumor.
DEMOCRACY ISN'T THAT SMART (BUT WE CAN MAKE IT SMARTER): ON LANDEMORE'S DEMOCRATIC REASON
Authors: Ancell Aaron
Published: January 2016

In her recent book, Democratic Reason, Hélène Landemore argues that, when evaluated epistemically, “a democratic decision procedure is likely to be a better decision procedure than any non-democratic decision procedures, such as a council of experts or a benevolent dictator” (p. 3). Landemore's argument rests heavily on studies of collective intelligence done by Lu Hong and Scott Page. These studies purport to show that cognitive diversity – differences in how people solve problems – is actually more important to overall group performance than average individual ability – how smart the individual members are. Landemore's argument aims to extrapolate from these results to the conclusion that democracy is epistemically better than any non-democratic rival. I argue here that Hong and Page's results actually undermine, rather than support, this conclusion. More specifically, I argue that the results do not show that democracy is better than any non-democratic alternative, and that in fact, they suggest the opposite – that at least some non-democratic alternatives are likely to epistemically outperform democracy.
Use of the Health Belief Model to Study Patient Perceptions of Antimicrobial Stewardship in the Acute Care Setting
Authors: Heid Cydney , Knobloch Mary Jo , Schulz Lucas T. , Safdar Nasia
Published: January 2016

OBJECTIVE

To identify themes associated with patient perceptions of antibiotic use and the role of patients in inpatient antimicrobial stewardship.

DESIGN

We conducted semi-structured interviews with 30 hospitalized patients using the Health Belief Model as the framework for questions and analysis.

SETTING

An academic tertiary care hospital in Madison, Wisconsin.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 30 general medicine inpatients receiving at least 1 anti-infective medication were interviewed.

RESULTS

Participants recognized antibiotic resistance as a serious public health threat but expressed low perceived susceptibility to being personally affected by antibiotic resistance. Views of susceptibility were influenced by a high degree of trust in physicians and misperceptions regarding the mechanisms underlying resistance. Participants expressed high self-efficacy and a desire to be involved in their health care. Perceived roles for patients in preventing the inappropriate use of antibiotics ranged from asking questions and speaking up about concerns to active involvement in decision making regarding antibiotic treatments. Few participants reported being offered the opportunity to engage in such shared decision making while hospitalized.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest an important role for patients in improving antibiotic use in hospitals. However, patient engagement has not been recognized as a critical component of antimicrobial stewardship programs. Our study suggests that the likelihood of patient engagement in stewardship practices is currently limited by low perceived susceptibility and lack of cues to act. Further investigation into how patients may be engaged as good stewards of antibiotics may reveal new ways to improve antibiotic prescribing practices in the inpatient setting.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;37:576–582
The Role of Coated Sodium Butyrate on Performance of Broilers Fed High Protein and Reduced Energy Diets
Authors: M'Sadeq S.A. , Swick R.A. , Choct M. , Wu S-B
Published: January 2016

Addition of butyrate or its salt has been reported to have a positive impact on growth performance in broilers due to its bactericidal and bacteriostatic properties. This study investigated the effect of enterically coated dietary sodium butyrate (SB) on broiler performance. In experiment 1, 408 day-old male Ross 308 chicks were used in a 2 × 2 factorial design. Factors were dietary energy (standard or minus 50 kcal/kg relative to standard diet) and coated SB level (0 and 1 g/kg). In experiment 2, 2160 day-old male Cobb 500 birds were used in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial plus one arrangement of treatments. Factors included grain source (corn or wheat); protein level (standard or high); coated SB level (0 and 1 g/kg) plus a treatment using 2 kg SB in a high protein wheat-based diet. The results from the experiments showed no effect of coated SB on performance at 1 g/kg inclusion in feed across the ME range or across basal diet type (grain) or protein level (P > 0.05). However, birds fed the high protein wheat diet with 2 g/kg SB had higher body weights than the control birds at 10 and 24 days old. Birds fed high protein diets had lower body weight gain (WG) than those fed standard protein diets (P < 0.05), whereas birds fed corn based diets had higher WG than those fed wheat based diets (P < 0.05). Birds fed high dietary protein or wheat based diet showed decreased pH of caecal contents. The results indicated that dietary coated SB had no effect on broiler performance, the concentration of caecal and ileal short chain fatty acids (SCFA) or intestinal pH. Higher inclusion levels may play a beneficial role but this warrants further investigation.
Amplitude modulation of streamwise velocity fluctuations in the roughness sublayer: evidence from large-eddy simulations
Authors: Anderson William
Published: January 2016

Recent studies have demonstrated that large- and very-large-scale motions in the logarithmic region of turbulent boundary layers ‘amplitude modulate’ dynamics of the near-wall region (Marusicet al.,Science, vol. 329, 2010, pp. 193–196; Mathiset al.,J. Fluid Mech., vol. 628, 2009a, pp. 311–337). These contributions prompted development of a predictive model for near-wall dynamics (Mathiset al.,J. Fluid Mech., vol. 681, 2011, pp. 537–566) that has promising implications for large-eddy simulations of wall turbulence at high Reynolds numbers (owing to the presence of smaller scales as the wall is approached). Existing studies on the existence of amplitude modulation in wall-bounded turbulence have addressed smooth-wall flows, though high Reynolds number rough-wall flows are ubiquitous. Under such conditions, the production of element-scale vortices ablates the viscous wall region and a new near-wall layer emerges: the roughness sublayer. The roughness sublayer depth scales with aggregate roughness element height,$h$, and is typically$2h\sim 3h$. Above the roughness sublayer, Townsend’s hypothesis dictates that turbulence in the logarithmic layer is unaffected by the roughness sublayer (beyond its role in setting the friction velocity and thus inducing a deficit in the mean streamwise velocity known as the roughness function). Here, we present large-eddy simulation results of turbulent channel flow over rough walls. We follow the decoupling procedure outlined in Mathiset al.(J. Fluid Mech., vol. 628, 2009a, 311–337) and present evidence that outer-layer dynamics amplitude modulate the roughness sublayer. Below the roughness element height, we report enormous sensitivity to the streamwise–spanwise position at which flow statistics are measured, owing to spatial heterogeneities in the roughness sublayer imparted by roughness elements. For$y/h\gtrsim 1.5$(i.e. above the cubes, but within the roughness sublayer), topography dependence rapidly declines.
A Bayesian Approach to Dynamic Panel Models with Endogenous Rarely Changing Variables
Authors: Tsai Tsung-Han
Published: January 2016

Whether democratic and non-democratic regimes perform differently in social provision policy is an important issue to social scientists and policy makers. As political regimes are rarely changing, their long-term or dynamic effects on the outcome are of concern to researchers when they evaluate how political regimes affect social policy. However, estimating the dynamic effects of rarely changing variables in the analysis of time-series cross-sectional data by conventional estimators may be problematic when the unit effects are included in the model specification. This article proposes a model to account for and estimate the correlation between the unit effects and explanatory variables. Applying the proposed model to 18 Latin American countries, this article finds evidence that democracy has a positive effect on social spending both in the short and long term.
Crop cover the principal influence on non-crop ground beetle (Coleoptera, Carabidae) activity and assemblages at the farm scale in a long-term assessment
Authors: Eyre M.D. , Sanderson R.A. , McMillan S.D. , Critchley C.N.R.
Published: January 2016

Ground beetle data were generated using pitfall traps in the 17-year period from 1993 to 2009 and used to investigate the effects of changes in surrounding crop cover on beetle activity and assemblages, together with the effects of weather variability. Beetles were recorded from non-crop field margins (overgrown hedges). Crop cover changes explained far more variation in the beetle assemblages recorded than did temperature and rainfall variation. A reduction in management intensity and disturbance in the crops surrounding the traps, especially the introduction and development of willow coppice, was concomitant with changes in individual species activity and assemblage composition of beetles trapped in non-crop habitat. There were no consistent patterns in either overall beetle activity or in the number of species recorded over the 17-year period, but there was a clear change from assemblages dominated by smaller species with higher dispersal capability to ones with larger beetles with less dispersal potential and a preference for less disturbed agroecosystems. The influence of surrounding crops on ground beetle activity in non-crop habitat has implications for ecosystem service provision by ground beetles as pest predators. These results are contrary to conventional assumptions and interpretations, which suggest activity of pest predators in crops is influenced primarily by adjacent non-crop habitat. The long-term nature of the assessment was important in elucidation of patterns and trends, and indicated that policies such as agri-environment schemes should take cropping patterns into account when promoting management options that are intended to enhance natural pest control.