bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adsorption behavior of tautomeric forms of 2-aminino-5-mercato-1,3,4 – thiadizole as corrosion inhibitor on copper surface
Authors: Xiong Sang , Sun Jianlin , Xu Yang , Yan Xundong
Published: November 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of the four tautomeric forms of 2-amino-5-mercatpo-1,3,4-thiadizole (AMT) absorbed on copper surface by the polar or non-polar groups. Polar group of AMT is mostly electronegative with larger N and S atoms as central atoms. 5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2(3H)-thion (AMT-c) has the highest adsorption energy and is easy to react with copper. The interaction between AMT-c and copper conforms to chemisorption, which is to be further verified by the experiment on the weight loss measurement.

Design/methodology/approach

Adsorption behavior of AMT as corrosion inhibitor on copper surface in oil field was studied by weight loss measurement, and the corrosion inhibition mechanism was analyzed. Reactive sites and distributions of tautomeric forms of AMT as inhibitor on Cu(100) crystal plane were calculated by density functional theory.

Findings

All atoms of AMT are in the same plane, and AMT is an aromatic ring structure by large p-chain adsorbed on the metal surface by a plane configuration. AMT-c has the highest adsorption energy and also the most stable isomerized product. The determinate locations of AMT on the Cu(100) surface are the bridge and the hollow sites using molecular dynamics. Corrosion of copper can be effectively inhibited by AMT, which is a kind of excellent corrosion inhibitor, and this property is attributed to the polar groups and non-polar groups of AMT that play a role as absorption and shielding on copper surface, respectively. Inhibition efficiency is increased with the increase in the concentration of the inhibitor. The maximum efficiency of 92 per cent is obtained for 50 ppm AMT concentration at 373 K, which is attributed to the presence of extensively delocalized electrons of the phenyl rings, planarity and the presence of lone pair of electrons on N and S atoms, which favored a greater adsorption of inhibitors on copper surface.

Originality/value

Corrosion of copper can be effectively inhibited by AMT, which is a kind of excellent corrosion inhibitor, and this property is attributed to the polar groups and non-polar groups of AMT that play a role as absorption and shielding on copper surface, respectively. Adsorption of AMT as corrosion inhibitor on copper surface obeys Langmuir isotherm. The interaction between AMT and copper conforms to chemisorption, which is to be further verified by the experiment on the weight loss measurement.
Laboratory techniques for evaluating the effectiveness of salt neutralizers for the corrosion prevention of winter maintenance equipment
Authors: Rodriguez Alvaro A. , Monty Chelsea N. , Miller Christopher M. , Cong Hongbo , Wujcik Evan K.
Published: November 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop laboratory techniques to evaluate the inhibition efficiency of salt neutralizer (SN) solutions in the corrosion protection of metal alloys associated with winter maintenance equipment.

Design/methodology/approach

The corrosion resistance of alloys A36, B36 and B152 treated with SNs was evaluated by accelerated corrosion testing (ASTM B117) and electrochemical polarization curves. Characterization of inhibition solutions was performed by contact angle measurements, scanning electron microscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

Findings

Salt neutralizer systems act as mixed inhibitors in acidic media by changing the corrosion resistance ability of metal alloys because of the adsorption of surfactant molecules through their hydrophilic heads. The correlation of the corrosion rate of metal alloys and the inhibitor efficiency showed the influence of the SN type, its concentration, its effective adsorption constant and its contact angle on the alloy surface. Salt neutralizers with higher manufacturer’s recommended wash concentrations (MRWC) to critical wash concentration ratio, lower contact angle on the alloy surface and higher
Keff
were more successful at preventing corrosion on the alloys tested.

Originality/value

The results of this work provide, for the first time, both quantitative and qualitative information of the properties of washing techniques in the use of effective cleaning strategies for protecting winter maintenance equipment from corrosion. Other state departments of transportation facing similar weather conditions will be benefited by identifying measures and techniques to increase the corrosion resistance of their equipment assets.
Effect of Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall.ex Nees extract on corrosion of low C-steel in 0.1 M HCl
Authors: Wongkhamprai Pawin , Jariyaboon Manthana
Published: November 2016

Purpose

The aim of this work was to investigate how Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall.ex Nees extract affected the corrosion of low-carbon (C) steel in 0.1M HCl.

Design/methodology/approach

The Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall.ex Nees was extracted into distilled water at 70°C for 1 h. The corrosion inhibition efficiency of the extract was determined in 0.1M HCl using weight loss measurements, potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The effects of extract concentrations and of temperature were investigated.

Findings

The Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall.ex Nees extract could inhibit the corrosion process of low-C steel in 0.1M HCl. With the extract concentration of 1 g/l, an inhibition efficiency of 96.3 per cent was obtained. The extract acted as an anodic inhibitor. The adsorption process of the extract was physisorption and it followed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm.

Originality/value

This paper revealed that Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall.ex Nees cultivated in Thailand, which was extracted using a simple and environmentally friendly method, could act as a very good green corrosion inhibitor for low-C steel in 0.1M HCl solution.
Corrosion resistance and characterization studies of calcium series chemical conversion film via green pretreatment on magnesium alloy
Authors: Wu Fengjing , Liu Xiaojuan , Xiao Xin
Published: November 2016

Purpose

Magnesium alloys, although valuable, are reactive and require protection before its application in many fields. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a novel anticorrosive chemical conversion film on AZ80 magnesium alloy by environmental-friendly calcium series surface pretreatment.

Design/methodology/approach

The corrosion resistance of the film was evaluated by potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in 3.5 Wt.% NaCl solution. The surface morphologies, microstructure and composition of the film were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy.

Findings

The corrosion current density of the calcium series film decreased by more than one order of magnitude as compared to that of the AZ80 magnesium alloy. The conversion film presented dry-mud morphology, and its thickness was estimated to be approximately 4 μm. The conversion film was highly hydrophilic, and the organic coating adhesion on treated AZ80 surface was approximately 13.5 MPa.

Originality/value

Excellent performance of the calcium-based chemical conversion film on Mg alloy was obtained, which does not contain heavy metals or fluorides and completely conforms to European RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) standard.
Advancing work practices
Authors: Noesgaard Signe Schack
Published: November 2016

Purpose

The paper aims to discuss the effectiveness of e-Learning in advancing work practices. The paper investigates the assumption that e-Learning is as effective as face-to-face interventions when stimulating change. It also examines the assumption that well-designed and well-executed instructional interventions will advance work practices.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper synthesizes contemporary social-psychological and educational research in the creation of a model of intervention-based change. In addition, the findings from an empirical study of online teacher professional development simultaneously inspire and exemplify the model.

Findings

The paper suggests that increased attention to individual motivational drivers is needed, especially post intervention, to help ensure meaningful learning transfer and sustainable behavior change. The importance of individualized on-the-job scaffolding for employees is highlighted through relational considerations of attrition and scaffolding. In investigating the chasm between initial and sustained change, seemingly unpredictable contextual factors appear to be critical to the effectiveness of e-Learning in advancing work practices.

Practical implications

In recognition of the vulnerability and situatedness of turning instructional interventions into sustainable change, the paper initiates a rethinking of e-Learning as technologies for on-the-job, just-in-time and individualized performance support. The paper gives concrete examples of current technologies that may assist in online scaffolding, while also acknowledging that this is still a field in which further research and developments are needed.

Originality/value

The paper critically investigates some of the more resilient assumptions that serve as a fundament for professional development interventions currently. It conceptualizes intervention-based change and the key motivational drivers of such change. In doing so, it illuminates highly contextual dynamics presumed to have a critical impact on the effectiveness of e-Learning for PD.
The Dynamic Behaviour of Implicit Inflation Targets for ‘Inflation Targeting Lite’ Economies
Authors: Bhatt Vipul , Hosny Amr , Kishor N. Kundan
Published: November 2016

In this paper we estimate the evolution of the implicit inflation target underlying the monetary policy of 18 ‘inflation targeting lite’ economies (i.e., emerging countries that target inflation implicitly) using a time‐varying parameter specification of the Taylor rule. We find significant heterogeneity in the evolution of the estimated implicit inflation target across countries in our sample. We find that institutional factors characterising an economy, such as central bank independence, extent of financial development and fiscal soundness, are strongly associated with the level of the implicit inflation target.
Low‐Value Service Use in Provider Organizations
Authors: Schwartz Aaron L. , Zaslavsky Alan M. , Landon Bruce E. , Chernew Michael E. , McWilliams J. Michael
Published: November 2016

Objective

To assess whether provider organizations exhibit distinct profiles of low‐value service provision.

Data Sources

2007–2011 Medicare fee‐for‐service claims and enrollment data.

Study Design

Use of 31 services that provide minimal clinical benefit was measured for 4,039,733 beneficiaries served by 3,137 provider organizations. Variation across organizations, persistence within organizations over time, and correlations in use of different types of low‐value services within organizations were estimated via multilevel modeling, with adjustment for beneficiary sociodemographic and clinical characteristics.

Principal Findings

Organizations provided 45.6 low‐value services per 100 beneficiaries on average, with considerable variation across organizations (90th/10th percentile ratio, 1.78; 95 percent CI, 1.72–1.84), including substantial between‐organization variation within hospital referral regions (90th/10th percentile ratio, 1.66; 95 percent CI, 1.60–1.71). Low‐value service use within organizations was highly correlated over time (r, 0.98; 95 percent CI, 0.97–0.99) and positively correlated between 13 of 15 pairs of service categories (average r, 0.26; 95 percent CI, 0.24–0.28), with the greatest correlation between low‐value imaging and low‐value cardiovascular testing and procedures (r, 0.54).

Conclusions

Use of low‐value services in provider organizations exhibited substantial variation, high persistence, and modest consistency across service types. These findings are consistent with organizations shaping the practice patterns of affiliated physicians.
Lactation Support Services and Breastfeeding Initiation: Evidence from the Affordable Care Act
Authors: Kapinos Kandice A. , Bullinger Lindsey , Gurley‐Calvez Tami
Published: November 2016

Objective

Despite substantial evidence of the benefits of breastfeeding for both mothers and children, rates of sustained breastfeeding in the United States are quite low. This study examined whether mandated coverage of lactation support services under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) affects breastfeeding behavior.

Data Source

We studied the census of U.S. births included in the National Vital Statistics System from 2009 to 2014.

Study Design

We used regression‐adjusted difference‐in‐differences (DD) to examine changes in breastfeeding rates for privately insured mothers relative to those covered by Medicaid. We adjusted for several health and sociodemographic measures. We also examined the extent to which the effect varied across vulnerable populations—by race/ethnicity, maternal education, WIC status, and mode of delivery.

Principal Findings

Results suggest that the ACA mandate increased the probability of breastfeeding initiation by 2.5 percentage points, which translates into about 47,000 more infants for whom breastfeeding was initiated in 2014. We find larger effects for black, less educated, and unmarried mothers.

Conclusions

The Affordable Care Act–mandated coverage of lactation services increased breastfeeding initiation among privately insured mothers relative to mothers covered by Medicaid. The magnitude of the effect size varied with some evidence of certain groups being more likely to increase breastfeeding rates.
New Roles for Medical Assistants in Innovative Primary Care Practices
Authors: Chapman Susan A. , Blash Lisel K.
Published: November 2016

Objective

To identify and describe new roles for medical assistants (MAs) in innovative care models that improve care while providing training and career advancement opportunities for MAs.

Data Sources/Study Setting

Primary data collected at 15 case study sites; 173 key informant interviews and de‐identified secondary data on staffing, wages, patient satisfaction, and health outcomes.

Study Design

Researchers used snowball sampling and screening calls to identify 15 organizations using MAs in new roles. Conducted site visits from 2010 to 2012 and updated information in 2014.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

Thematic analysis explored key topics: factors driving MA role innovation, role description, training required, and wage gains. Categorized outcome data in patient and staff satisfaction, quality of care, and efficiency.

Principal Findings

New MA roles included health coach, medical scribe, dual role translator, health navigator, panel manager, cross‐trained flexible role, and supervisor. Implementation of new roles required extensive training. MA incentives and enhanced compensation varied by role type.

Conclusions

New MA roles are part of a larger attempt to reform workflow and relieve primary care providers. Despite some evidence of success, spread has been limited. Key challenges to adoption included leadership and provider resistance to change, cost of additional MA training, and lack of reimbursement for nonbillable services.
The Balance‐Sample Size Frontier in Matching Methods for Causal Inference
Authors: King Gary , Lucas Christopher , Nielsen Richard A.
Published: November 2016

We propose a simplified approach to matching for causal inference that simultaneously optimizes balance (similarity between the treated and control groups) and matched sample size. Existing approaches either fix the matched sample size and maximize balance or fix balance and maximize sample size, leaving analysts to settle for suboptimal solutions or attempt manual optimization by iteratively tweaking their matching method and rechecking balance. To jointly maximize balance and sample size, we introduce the matching frontier, the set of matching solutions with maximum possible balance for each sample size. Rather than iterating, researchers can choose matching solutions from the frontier for analysis in one step. We derive fast algorithms that calculate the matching frontier for several commonly used balance metrics. We demonstrate this approach with analyses of the effect of sex on judging and job training programs that show how the methods we introduce can extract new knowledge from existing data sets.
Translation of First North American 50 and 70 cc Total Artificial Heart Virtual and Clinical Implantations: Utility of 3D Computed Tomography to Test Fit Devices
Authors: Ferng Alice S. , Oliva Isabel , Jokerst Clinton , Avery Ryan , Connell Alana M. , Tran Phat L. , Smith Richard G. , Khalpey Zain
Published: November 2016

Since the creation of SynCardia's 50 cc Total Artificial Hearts (TAHs), patients with irreversible biventricular failure now have two sizing options. Herein, a case series of three patients who have undergone successful 50 and 70 cc TAH implantation with complete closure of the chest cavity utilizing preoperative “virtual implantation” of different sized devices for surgical planning are presented. Computed tomography (CT) images were used for preoperative planning prior to TAH implantation. Three‐dimensional (3D) reconstructions of preoperative chest CT images were generated and both 50 and 70 cc TAHs were virtually implanted into patients' thoracic cavities. During the simulation, the TAHs were projected over the native hearts in a similar position to the actual implantation, and the relationship between the devices and the atria, ventricles, chest wall, and diaphragm were assessed. The 3D reconstructed images and virtual modeling were used to simulate and determine for each patient if the 50 or 70 cc TAH would have a higher likelihood of successful implantation without complications. Subsequently, all three patients received clinical implants of the properly sized TAH based on virtual modeling, and their chest cavities were fully closed. This virtual implantation increases our confidence that the selected TAH will better fit within the thoracic cavity allowing for improved surgical outcome. Clinical implantation of the TAHs showed that our virtual modeling was an effective method for determining the correct fit and sizing of 50 and 70 cc TAHs.
Stress and reward processing in bipolar disorder: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study
Authors: Berghorst Lisa H , Kumar Poornima , Greve Doug N , Deckersbach Thilo , Ongur Dost , Dutra Sunny J , Pizzagalli Diego A
Published: November 2016

Objectives

A link between negative life stress and the onset of mood episodes in bipolar disorder (BD) has been established, but processes underlying such a link remain unclear. Growing evidence suggests that stress can negatively affect reward processing and related neurobiological substrates, indicating that a dysregulated reward system may provide a partial explanation. The aim of this study was to test the impact of stress on reward‐related neural functioning in BD.

Methods

Thirteen euthymic or mildly depressed individuals with BD and 15 controls performed a Monetary Incentive Delay (MID) task while undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging during no‐stress and stress (negative psychosocial stressor involving poor performance feedback and threat of monetary deductions) conditions.

Results

In hypothesis‐driven region‐of‐interest analyses, a significant group‐by‐condition interaction emerged in the amygdala during reward anticipation. Relative to controls, while anticipating a potential reward, subjects with BD were characterized by amygdalar hyperactivation in the no‐stress condition but hypoactivation during stress. Moreover, relative to controls, subjects with BD had significantly larger amygdala volumes. After controlling for structural differences, the effects of stress on amygdalar function remained, whereas groups no longer differed during the no‐stress condition. During reward consumption, a group‐by‐condition interaction emerged in the putamen due to increased putamen activation in response to rewards in participants with BD during stress, but an opposite pattern in controls.

Conclusions

Overall, findings highlight possible impairments in using reward‐predicting cues to adaptively engage in goal‐directed actions in BD, combined with stress‐induced hypersensitivity to reward consumption. Potential clinical implications are discussed.
International Evidence on the Perception and Normative Valuation of Executive Compensation
Authors: Kuhn Andreas
Published: November 2016

This article describes individuals' perceptions and normative valuations of executive compensation using comparable survey data for 27 countries for up to four different years. A majority of individuals believe that executives earn more than they deserve, but there is substantial variation in the perceived as well as the just level of executive compensation both within and across countries. The analysis further shows that subjective estimates of executive pay are associated with objective measures of executive compensation and income inequality, and that individuals' perceptions and normative valuations of executive compensation are associated with their more general political preferences.
In-utero coxsackievirus B4 infection of the mouse thymus
Authors: Jaïdane H , Halouani A , Jmii H , Elmastour F , Abdelkefi S , Bodart G , Michaux H , Chakroun T , Sane F , Mokni M , Geenen V , Hober D , Aouni M
Published: November 2016

Type B coxsackievirus (CV-B) infections are involved frequently in the triggering of several autoimmune diseases such as myocarditis, dilated cardiomyopathy, pericarditis, pancreatitis, type 1 diabetes, encephalitis, thyroiditis or Sjögren's syndrome. Serological and virological evidence suggests that maternal infections during pregnancy can play a role in the appearance of these diseases in offspring. The current study aims to explore the effect of an in-utero CV-B infection on the fetal thymus, the central site for programming immunological self-tolerance. In this perspective, female Swiss albino mice were inoculated intraperitoneally or orally with the diabetogenic CV-B4 E2 strain at gestational days 10 or 17. Offspring were killed at different post-inoculation times, and their thymuses were analysed for evidence of infection and alterations in thymic T cell subsets. In-utero CV-B infection of the thymus was demonstrated during the course of vertical transmission, as attested by viral RNA and infectious virus detection in most analysed samples. No histopathological changes were evident. Thymic T cells were not depleted, despite being positive for viral RNA. As evidenced by flow cytometry analysis, CV-B infection of the fetal thymus induced significant changes of thymic T cell populations, particularly with maternal inoculation at gestational day 10. Altogether, these findings suggest that CV-B infection of the fetal thymus may play an important role in the genesis of autoimmune diseases.
Flow‐Based Temporal Selection for Interactive Volume Visualization
Authors: Frey S. , Ertl T.
Published: November 2016

We present an approach to adaptively select time steps from time‐dependent volume data sets for an integrated and comprehensive visualization. This reduced set of time steps not only saves cost, but also allows to show both the spatial structure and temporal development in one combined rendering. Our selection optimizes the coverage of the complete data on the basis of a minimum‐cost flow‐based technique to determine meaningful distances between time steps. As both optimal solutions of the involved transport and selection problem are prohibitively expensive, we present new approaches that are significantly faster with only minor deviations. We further propose an adaptive scheme for the progressive incorporation of new time steps. An interactive volume raycaster produces an integrated rendering of the selected time steps, and their computed differences are visualized in a dedicated chart to provide additional temporal similarity information. We illustrate and discuss the utility of our approach by means of different data sets from measurements and simulation.
The association between obesity and self‐reported sinus infection in non‐smoking adults: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Christensen R. A. G. , Raiber L. , Macpherson A. K. , Kuk J. L.
Published: November 2016

The aim of this article was to examine the associations between having had a sinus infection (SI) and BMI and physical activity (PA), diet quality, stress and/or sleep. A total of 2915 adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005–2006 were examined. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between having had an SI with BMI and PA, diet quality, stress or sleep. As these factors are known to influence one another, a fully adjusted model with PA, diet quality, stress and sleep was also constructed to examine their independent associations with having had an SI. Overall, 15.5 ± 1.2% of the population report having had an SI in the past year. In all models, individuals with obesity were approximately twice as likely to have had an SI compared to those of normal weight (P < 0.05). While PA and diet quality were not significantly associated with having had an SI (P > 0.05), individuals with stress and sleep troubles were also twice as likely to have had an SI (P < 0.05) independent of BMI. In the fully adjusted model, only the associations for BMI and sleep troubles remained significant (P < 0.05). Results from this study suggest that obesity and sleep troubles, but not PA, quality of diet and stress, are associated with having had an SI. As interactions exist between obesity, immune system factors and exposure to infectious disease(s), more research is necessary to understand the directionality of these relationships.
Characterizing Human Expertise Using Computational Metrics of Feature Diagnosticity in a Pattern Matching Task
Authors: Busey Thomas , Nikolov Dimitar , Yu Chen , Emerick Brandi , Vanderkolk John
Published: November 2016

Forensic evidence often involves an evaluation of whether two impressions were made by the same source, such as whether a fingerprint from a crime scene has detail in agreement with an impression taken from a suspect. Human experts currently outperform computer‐based comparison systems, but the strength of the evidence exemplified by the observed detail in agreement must be evaluated against the possibility that some other individual may have created the crime scene impression. Therefore, the strongest evidence comes from features in agreement that are also not shared with other impressions from other individuals. We characterize the nature of human expertise by applying two extant metrics to the images used in a fingerprint recognition task and use eye gaze data from experts to both tune and validate the models. The Attention via Information Maximization (AIM) model (Bruce & Tsotsos, 2009) quantifies the rarity of regions in the fingerprints to determine diagnosticity for purposes of excluding alternative sources. The CoVar model (Karklin & Lewicki, 2009) captures relationships between low‐level features, mimicking properties of the early visual system. Both models produced classification and generalization performance in the 75%–80% range when classifying where experts tend to look. A validation study using regions identified by the AIM model as diagnostic demonstrates that human experts perform better when given regions of high diagnosticity. The computational nature of the metrics may help guard against wrongful convictions, as well as provide a quantitative measure of the strength of evidence in casework.
Wordform Similarity Increases With Semantic Similarity: An Analysis of 100 Languages
Authors: Dautriche Isabelle , Mahowald Kyle , Gibson Edward , Piantadosi Steven T.
Published: November 2016

Although the mapping between form and meaning is often regarded as arbitrary, there are in fact well‐known constraints on words which are the result of functional pressures associated with language use and its acquisition. In particular, languages have been shown to encode meaning distinctions in their sound properties, which may be important for language learning. Here, we investigate the relationship between semantic distance and phonological distance in the large‐scale structure of the lexicon. We show evidence in 100 languages from a diverse array of language families that more semantically similar word pairs are also more phonologically similar. This suggests that there is an important statistical trend for lexicons to have semantically similar words be phonologically similar as well, possibly for functional reasons associated with language learning.
A How‐to Guide for Coproduction of Actionable Science
Authors: Beier Paul , Hansen Lara J. , Helbrecht Lynn , Behar David
Published: November 2016

Resource managers often need scientific information to match their decisions (typically short‐term and local) to complex, long‐term, large‐scale challenges such as adaptation to climate change. In such situations, the most reliable route to actionable science is coproduction, whereby managers, policy makers, scientists, and other stakeholders first identify specific decisions to be informed by science, and then jointly define the scope and context of the problem, research questions, methods, and outputs, make scientific inferences, and develop strategies for the appropriate use of science. Here, we present seven recommended practices intended to help scientists, managers, funders and other stakeholders carry out a coproduction project, one recommended practice to ensure that partners learn from attempts at coproduction, and two practices to promote coproduction at a programmatic level. The recommended practices focus research on decisions that need to be made, give priority to processes and outcomes over stand‐alone products, and allocate resources to organizations and individuals that engage in coproduction. Although this article focuses on the coproduction of actionable science for climate change adaptation and natural resource management, the approach is relevant to other complex natural‐human systems.
All‐trans retinoic acid preconditioning enhances proliferation, angiogenesis and migration of mesenchymal stem cell in vitro and enhances wound repair in vivo
Authors: Pourjafar M. , Saidijam M. , Mansouri K. , Ghasemibasir H. , Karimi dermani F. , Najafi R.
Published: November 2016

Objectives

Stem cell therapy is considered to be a suitable alternative in treatment of a number of diseases. However, there are challenges in their clinical application in cell therapy, such as to reduce survival and loss of transplanted stem cells. It seems that chemical and pharmacological preconditioning enhances their therapeutic efficacy. In this study, we investigated effects of all‐trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on survival, angiogenesis and migration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in vitro and in a wound‐healing model.

Materials and methods

MSCs were treated with a variety of concentrations of ATRA, and mRNA expression of cyclo‐oxygenase‐2 (COX‐2), hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1 (HIF‐1), C‐X‐C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4), C‐C chemokine receptor type 2 (CCR2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiopoietin‐2 (Ang‐2) and Ang‐4 were examined by qRT‐PCR. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels were measured using an ELISA kit and MSC angiogenic potential was evaluated using three‐dimensional tube formation assay. Finally, benefit of ATRA‐treated MSCs in wound healing was determined with a rat excisional wound model.

Results

In ATRA‐treated MSCs, expressions of COX‐2, HIF‐1, CXCR4, CCR2, VEGF, Ang‐2 and Ang‐4 increased compared to control groups. Overexpression of the related genes was reversed by celecoxib, a selective COX‐2 inhibitor. Tube formation and in vivo wound healing of ATRA‐treated MSCs were also significantly enhanced compared to untreated MSCs.

Conclusion

Pre‐conditioning of MSCs with ATRA increased efficacy of cell therapy by activation of survival signalling pathways, trophic factors and release of pro‐angiogenic molecules.
The expression of podoplanin is associated with poor outcome in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Cañueto Javier , Cardeñoso‐Álvarez Ester , Cosano‐Quero Adriana , Santos‐Briz Ángel , Fernández‐López Emilia , Pérez‐Losada Jesús , Román‐Curto Concepción
Published: November 2016

Background

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is the second most frequent cancer in humans and can be both locally invasive and metastatic at distant sites. While research efforts have been made to predict poor outcome of CSCC, there is a lack of knowledge regarding molecular markers. Podoplanin has been associated with poor outcome in several types of cancer including CSCC, but this is controversial and only a few studies have evaluated the prognostic implications of podoplanin in the development of this tumor.

Methods

We evaluated podoplanin expression in a series of 94 CSCCs, and searched for associations between podoplanin expression and histopathological characteristics and with events of poor clinical evolution of the disease.

Results

Podoplanin expression was observed in 48.9% of the cases and the expression was considered moderate to intense in 19 of the cases. Moderate/intense podoplanin was associated with infiltrative growth pattern, desmoplasia, lymphovascular invasion, higher risk of nodal progression (NP) and short disease‐free survival, specifically with a short latency to NP.

Conclusions

This article provides evidence supporting the implication of podoplanin expression as a marker of bad prognosis of CSCC.
Humans and elephants as treefall drivers in African savannas
Authors: Mograbi Penelope J. , Asner Gregory P. , Witkowski Ed T. F. , Erasmus Barend F. N. , Wessels Konrad J. , Mathieu Renaud , Vaughn Nicholas R.
Published: November 2016

Humans have played a major role in altering savanna structure and function, and growing land‐use pressure will only increase their influence on woody cover. Yet humans are often overlooked as ecological components. Both humans and the African elephant Loxodonta africana alter woody vegetation in savannas through removal of large trees and activities that may increase shrub cover. Interactive effects of both humans and elephants with fire may also alter vegetation structure and composition. Here we capitalize on a macroscale experimental opportunity – brought about by the juxtaposition of an elephant‐mediated landscape, human‐utilized communal harvesting lands and a nature reserve fenced off from both humans and elephants – to investigate the influence of humans and elephants on height‐specific treefall dynamics. We surveyed 6812 ha using repeat, airborne high resolution Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) to track the fate of 453 685 tree canopies over two years. Human‐mediated biennial treefall rates were 2–3.5 fold higher than the background treefall rate of 1.5% treefall ha–1, while elephant‐mediated treefall rates were 5 times higher at 7.6% treefall ha–1 than the control site. Model predictors of treefall revealed that human or elephant presence was the most important variable, followed by the interaction between geology and fire frequency. Treefall patterns were spatially heterogeneous with elephant‐driven treefall associated with geology and surface water, while human patterns were related to perceived ease of access to wood harvesting areas and settlement expansion. Our results show humans and elephants utilize all height classes of woody vegetation, and that large tree shortages in a heavily utilized communal land has transferred treefall occurrence to shorter vegetation. Elephant‐ and human‐dominated landscapes are tied to interactive effects that may hinder tree seedling survival which, combined with tree loss in the landscape, may compromise woodland sustainability.
Disease course after clinically isolated syndrome in children versus adults: a prospective cohort study
Authors: van der Vuurst de Vries R. M. , van Pelt E. D. , Mescheriakova J. Y. , Wong Y. Y. M. , Ketelslegers I. A. , Siepman T. A. M. , Catsman C. E. , Neuteboom R. F. , Hintzen R. Q.
Published: November 2016

Background and purpose

Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) is a first demyelinating event of the central nervous system and can be a single event. After CIS, a chronic disease course with ongoing inflammation and relapses might occur, resulting in a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). As yet, there has been no prospective exploration of whether children and adults with CIS have the same disease course.

Methods

Patients with CIS, whose age ranged from 1 to 50 years, were prospectively followed. We divided the patients into three different age groups, i.e. 1–10, 11–17 and 18–50 years old. Demographic data, disease course, time to MS diagnosis and annualized relapse rates (ARRs) were compared among these groups.

Results

We included 383 patients with CIS, of whom 218 (56.9%) were diagnosed with MS. Children of between 11 and 17 years old had the highest rate of MS conversion (83.5% vs. 50.0% in the other age groups together, P < 0.01) and the shortest time to MS diagnosis [median time 2.6 months (interquartile range, 0.6–6.0) vs. 8.2 months (interquartile range, 1.9–28.2) in the other age groups together, P < 0.01). ARRs corrected for follow‐up were higher in children of <18 years old than in adults of ≥18 years old with MS (mean ARR, 0.65 vs. 0.43, P < 0.01).

Conclusion

Children with CIS tend to have a more inflammatory disease course appearing from higher ARRs in all children and the highest rate of MS conversion in 11–17‐year‐old children. This supports early initiation of disease‐modifying therapy in children, perhaps even at the first event in children at high risk for MS in line with clinical practice in adults.
Does being assisted by care workers affect antipsychotics prescription among older people discharged from hospital?
Authors: Di Rosa Mirko , Fabbietti Paolo , Corsonello Andrea , Fusco Sergio , Sganga Federica , Volpato Stefano , Ruggiero Carmelinda , Onder Graziano , Lattanzio Fabrizia
Published: November 2016

Aim

Several factors can affect antipsychotic prescriptions, among which, caregivers. However, whether being assisted by a care worker might increase the rate of antipsychotic prescriptions at discharge from acute care hospital has not been previously investigated. We aimed to investigate whether being assisted by a care worker is associated with increased use of antipsychotics among older patients discharged from acute care hospitals.

Methods

The present series consisted of 928 patients not taking antipsychotics at admission in seven acute care wards of geriatric medicine in Italy (mean age 80.8 ± 7.2 years, 54.9% women). The outcome of the study was defined as receiving an antipsychotic prescription at discharge. Patients were grouped according to their living conditions as follows: (i) living alone; (ii) living only with care worker; (iii) living with care worker and family members; and (iv) living only with family members. The association between study variables and antipsychotic prescription at discharge was investigated by logistic regression analysis.

Results

After adjusting for potential confounders, being assisted by care workers was significantly associated with the outcome (OR 2.64, 95% CI 1.21–5.75). Diagnosis of dementia (OR 2.73, 95% CI 1.65–4.51), instrumental activities of daily living limitations (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.05–1.21) and delirium during stay (OR 3.87, 95% CI 2.01–7.47) also qualified as independent correlates of antipsychotic prescription at discharge.

Conclusions

Being assisted by care workers could increase the likelihood of receiving antipsychotics at discharge from acute care hospitals. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 1707–1713.
The Challenges of Outcome Measurement for Arts Practitioners in the Criminal Justice Sector
Authors: O'KEEFFE CAROLINE , ALBERTSON KATHERINE
Published: November 2016

Arts activities have long been used to help rehabilitate offenders and there is anecdotal evidence to support their transformative power, yet providers have struggled to provide ‘hard evidence’ of their effectiveness. The UK government has introduced Payment by Results (PbR) as a principal component of its public sector reforms. Thus arts projects within criminal justice are now required to engage with an outcomes‐based commissioning process. This article uses an evaluation of the Writers in Prison Foundation (WIPF) to explore the challenges and possibilities presented by this political landscape and to suggest approaches to outcome measurement which will help arts practitioners to survive and flourish.
Monitoring, Inspection and Complaints Adjudication in Prison: The Limits of Prison Accountability Frameworks
Authors: BEHAN CORMAC , KIRKHAM RICHARD
Published: November 2016

This article examines the framework for prison accountability in England and Wales, the Republic of Ireland and Scotland. Despite variations in both policy and practice between the three jurisdictions, what is striking are the similarities in their shortcomings. These deficiencies, whether based on real or perceived grievances, potentially undermine efforts to call prison governance to account. The article argues that not only should the primary bodies involved in prison accountability be independent and robust, for prisoners to experience these bodies as legitimate, transformational changes in penal culture and internal prison power dynamics must be addressed.
Central European Greylag GeeseAnser ansershow a shortening of migration distance and earlier spring arrival over 60 years
Authors: Podhrázský Michal , Musil Petr , Musilová Zuzana , Zouhar Jan , Adam Matyáš , Závora Jaroslav , Hudec Karel
Published: November 2016

Global climate change can cause pronounced changes in speciesʼ migratory behaviour. Numerous recent studies have demonstrated climate‐driven changes in migration distance and spring arrival date in waterbirds, but detailed studies based on long‐term records of individual recapture or re‐sighting events are scarce. Using re‐sighting data from 430 marked individuals spanning a 60‐year period (winters 1956/1957 to 2015/2016), we assessed patterns in migration distance and spring arrival date, wintering‐site fidelity and survival in the increasing central European breeding population of Greylag GeeseAnser anser. We demonstrate a long‐term decrease in migration distance, changes in the wintering range caused by winter partial short‐stopping, and the earlier arrival of geese on their breeding grounds. Greylag Geese marked on central Europe moulting grounds have not been recorded wintering in Spain since 1986 or in Tunisia and Algeria since 2004. The migration distance and spring arrival of geese indicated an effect of temperature at the breeding site and values of theNAOindex. Greylag Geese migrate shorter distances and arrive earlier in milder winters. We suggest that shifts in the migratory behaviour of Central European Greylag Geese are individual temperature‐dependent decisions to take advantage of wintering grounds becoming more favourable closer to their breeding grounds, allowing birds to acquire breeding territories earlier.
Engineered TiO2 and SiO2‐TiO2 films on silica‐coated glass for increased thin film durability under abrasive conditions
Authors: Ramírez‐García Rosa Elena , González‐Rodríguez Jesús Alberto , Arroyo‐Ortega Miguel , Pérez‐García Sergio Alfonso , Licea‐Jiménez Liliana
Published: November 2016

Thin films durability is critical to retain its performance in real life applications. For automotive glass, further factors such as haze appearance developed under abrasive conditions become relevant to ensure the driver's visibility. Macroscopic abrasion resistance tests of TiO2/SiO2 and SiO2–TiO2/SiO2 thin films on soda‐lime silica (SLS) glass were performed according to an American standard for safety grazing. The purpose of this, was to increase the top active film durability in a bilayer system by understanding how film thickness and top film composition influence abrasion performance. In order to achieve this understanding, three approaches were considered: (a) determination of the influence of TiO2 top film thickness, (b) replacement of the TiO2 top film by SiO2–TiO2 films, and (c) determination of the influence of SiO2–TiO2 film thickness. Results showed that thinner top TiO2 film thickness leads to SiO2/TiO2 bilayers with lower haze value and improved abrasion resistance. It was also found that SiO2 addition to TiO2 top film composition promotes the thin film adhesion and sample durability against abrasive wear. Friction coefficient and micro‐hardness measurements support the abrasion results. Factors contributing to the improvement of the lifetime performance of TiO2 and SiO2–TiO2 thin films were identified.
Trapped in migrants’ sectors? Polish women in the Icelandic labour market
Authors: Napierała Joanna , Wojtyńska Anna
Published: November 2016

The employment‐driven migrations from Poland to Iceland have largely been pioneered by Polish women. They outnumbered men among Polish residents in this country until the economic boom since 2005 triggered large‐scale male immigration. This trend slowed down with the outbreak of the financial crisis, as the recession severely affected the male‐dominated construction industry. The analysis of Polish female migrants’ working experiences shows that recent inflows are mainly shaped by the nature of labour demand as well as the social policies and care services in Iceland. Although economically integrated, compared with native women Polish women tend to occupy rather disadvantaged positions. They seem concentrated in a few low‐skilled occupations that bring little prestige and low income. On the other hand, they were less affected by the financial crisis, in the sense that many of them maintained work, though some experienced lowering of salaries or reduction of working hours.
Incidence, time of occurrence and response to heart failure therapy in patients with anthracycline cardiotoxicity
Authors: Khan Arshad A. , Ashraf Asma , Singh Rajinder , Rahim Aadil , Rostom Walid , Hussain Mumtaz , Renner Ian , Collins Nicholas J.
Published: November 2016

Background

Anthracyclines are commonly used chemotherapeutic medications.

Aim

In the current analysis, we evaluated all‐cause mortality and incidence, timing and response to medical therapy of anthracycline cardiotoxicity.

Methods

Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was serially assessed using gated heart pool scan/echocardiography in patients receiving anthracycline‐based chemotherapy from January 2009 to December 2014.

Results

A total of 1204 patients was administered anthracyclines during the study period. During a median follow up of 32 (interquartile range: 15–58) months, all‐cause mortality was 38% (n = 463), with the incidence of cardiotoxicity 10.2% (n = 123). Only 15.4% (n = 19) patients required heart failure hospitalisation, with 48% (n = 59) of patients commenced on beta blockade therapy and/or angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors. The majority of patients (73.2%, n = 90) experienced cardiotoxicity within 1 year of anthracycline initiation. The proportion of patients with complete, partial and no LVEF recovery were 16.3% (n = 20), 29.3% (n = 36) and 54.4% (n = 67) respectively. Mortality was higher in the cardiotoxicity group (49% vs 37%, P < 0.01). History of coronary artery disease, leukaemia, idarubicin use and high cumulative anthracycline dose were predictors of cardiotoxicity.

Conclusions

Cardiotoxicity after anthracycline use predictably occurs within the first year of therapy and is dose‐related, with variable degrees of recovery. While the need for hospitalisation for heart failure was uncommon, medical therapy appears underutilised, suggesting there may be a role for improved surveillance and early initiation of treatment.