bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Carrier Trapping by Vacancy‐Type Defects in Mg‐Implanted GaN Studied Using Monoenergetic Positron Beams
Authors: Uedono Akira , Takashima Shinya , Edo Masaharu , Ueno Katsunori , Matsuyama Hideaki , Egger Werner , Koschine Tönjes , Hugenschmidt Christoph , Dickmann Marcel , Kojima Kazunobu , Chichibu Shigefusa F. , Ishibashi Shoji
Published: December 2017

Vacancy‐type defects in Mg‐implanted GaN are probed using monoenergetic positron beams. Mg+ ions are implanted to provide a 500‐nm‐deep box profile with Mg concentrations, [Mg], of 1 × 1017–1 × 1019 cm−3 at room temperature. In the as‐implanted samples, the major defect species is a complex of a Ga vacancy (VGa) and a nitrogen vacancy (VN). After annealing above 1000 °C, the major defect species is changed to vacancy clusters due to vacancy agglomeration. This agglomeration is suppressed, and the agglomeration onset temperature is decreased with a decreasing [Mg]. For samples with [Mg] ≥ 1 × 1018 cm−3, the trapping rate of positrons by vacancy‐type defects decrease after annealing above 1100–1200 °C. This decreases is attributed to the change in the defect charge states from neutral to positive due to a downward shift of the Fermi level. The carrier trapping/detrapping properties of the vacancy‐type defects and their time dependences are also revealed.
Reaction mechanism and modeling study for the oxidation by SO2 of o‐xylene and p‐xylene in Claus process
Authors: Sinha Sourab , Raj Abhijeet
Published: December 2017

Claus process, comprising of a furnace and a catalytic unit, is used to produce sulfur from H2S. The aromatic contaminants (benzene, toluene, and xylenes) in H2S feed form soot, and clog and deactivate the catalysts. Xylenes are known to be the most damaging ones. Therefore, there is a need to oxidize them in the furnace to enhance catalyst life. This article presents a kinetics study on the oxidation of o‐ and p‐xylene radicals by SO2 (an oxidant that is already present in the furnace) using density functional theory and a composite method. The mechanism begins with H‐abstraction from xylenes to form xylyl radicals, followed by exothermic addition of SO2 to them. The breakage of OS bond in the xylyl‐SO2 adducts leads to the loss of SO molecule, while the remaining O atom on them helps in their oxidation. The isomerization study shows that less‐stable dimethylphenyl radicals have a high tendency to isomerize to resonantly stabilized methylbenzyl radicals. However, methylbenzyl radicals have lower reactivity toward SO2 than dimethylphenyl radicals. The reaction rate constants were found using transition state theory. The reactor simulations reveal that p‐xylene has lower reactivity toward SO2 than o‐xylene, and CO, SO, and CHO are the main by‐products of oxidation.
Complex martingales and asymptotic enumeration
Authors: Isaev Mikhail , McKay Brendan D.
Published: December 2017

Many enumeration problems in combinatorics, including such fundamental questions as the number of regular graphs, can be expressed as high‐dimensional complex integrals. Motivated by the need for a systematic study of the asymptotic behavior of such integrals, we establish explicit bounds on the exponentials of complex martingales. Those bounds applied to the case of truncated normal distributions are precise enough to include and extend many enumerative results of Barvinok, Canfield, Gao, Greenhill, Hartigan, Isaev, McKay, Wang, Wormald, and others. Our method applies to sums as well as integrals. As a first illustration of the power of our theory, we considerably strengthen existing results on the relationship between random graphs or bipartite graphs with specified degrees and the so‐called β‐model of random graphs with independent edges, which is equivalent to the Rasch model in the bipartite case.
Navigating Market Authorization: The Path Holoclar Took to Become the First Stem Cell Product Approved in the European Union
Authors: Pellegrini Graziella , Ardigò Diego , Milazzo Giovanni , Iotti Giorgio , Guatelli Paolo , Pelosi Danilo , De Luca Michele
Published: December 2017

Gene therapy, cell therapy, and tissue engineering have the potential to revolutionize the treatment of disease and injury. Attaining marketing authorization for such advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) requires a rigorous scientific evaluation by the European Medicines Agency—authorization is only granted if the product can fulfil stringent requirements for quality, safety, and efficacy. However, many ATMPs are being provided to patients under alternative means, such as “hospital exemption” schemes. Holoclar (ex vivo expanded autologous human corneal epithelial cells containing stem cells), a novel treatment for eye burns, is one of the few ATMPs to have been granted marketing authorization and is the first containing stem cells. This review highlights the differences in standards between an authorized and unauthorized medicinal product, and specifically discusses how the manufacture of Holoclar had to be updated to achieve authorization. The result is that patients will have access to a therapy that is manufactured to high commercial standards, and is supported by robust clinical safety and efficacy data.
Osteogenic Stimulation of Human Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Using a Fungal Metabolite That Suppresses the Polycomb Group Protein EZH2
Authors: Samsonraj Rebekah M. , Dudakovic Amel , Manzar Bushra , Sen Buer , Dietz Allan B. , Cool Simon M. , Rubin Janet , van Wijnen Andre J.
Published: December 2017

Strategies for musculoskeletal tissue regeneration apply adult mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) that can be sourced from bone marrow- and lipo-aspirates. Adipose tissue-derived MSCs are more easily harvested in the large quantities required for skeletal tissue-engineering approaches, but are generally considered to be less osteogenic than bone marrow MSCs. Therefore, we tested a new molecular strategy to improve their osteogenic lineage-differentiation potential using the fungal metabolite cytochalasin D (CytoD). We show that CytoD, which may function by redistributing the intracellular location of β-actin (ACTB), is a potent osteogenic stimulant as reflected by significant increases in alkaline phosphatase activity, extracellular matrix mineralization, and osteoblast-related gene expression (e.g., RUNX2, ALPL, SPARC, and TGFB3). RNA sequencing analyses of MSCs revealed that acute CytoD treatment (24 hours) stimulates a broad program of osteogenic biomarkers and epigenetic regulators. CytoD decreases mRNA and protein levels of the Polycomb chromatin regulator Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2), which controls heterochromatin formation by mediating trimethylation of histone 3 lysine 27 (H3K27me3). Reduced EZH2 expression decreases cellular H3K27me3 marks indicating a global reduction in heterochromatin. We conclude that CytoD is an effective osteogenic stimulant that mechanistically functions by blocking both cytoplasmic actin polymerization and gene-suppressive epigenetic mechanisms required for the acquisition of the osteogenic phenotype in adipose tissue-derived MSCs. This finding supports the use of CytoD in advancing the osteogenic potential of MSCs in skeletal regenerative strategies.
Semiparametric Bayesian models for evaluating time‐variant driving risk factors using naturalistic driving data and case‐crossover approach
Authors: Guo Feng , Kim Inyoung , Klauer Sheila G.
Published: December 2017

Driver behavior is a major contributing factor for traffic crashes, a leading cause of death and injury in the United States. The naturalistic driving study (NDS) revolutionizes driver behavior research by using sophisticated nonintrusive in‐vehicle instrumentation to continuously record driving data. This paper uses a case‐crossover approach to evaluate driver‐behavior risk. To properly model the unbalanced and clustered binary outcomes, we propose a semiparametric hierarchical mixed‐effect model to accommodate both among‐strata and within‐stratum variations. This approach overcomes several major limitations of the standard models, eg, constant stratum effect assumption for conditional logistic model. We develop 2 methods to calculate the marginal conditional probability. We show the consistency of parameter estimation and asymptotic equivalence of alternative estimation methods. A simulation study indicates that the proposed model is more efficient and robust than alternatives. We applied the model to the 100‐Car NDS data, a large‐scale NDS with 102 participants and 12‐month data collection. The results indicate that cell phone dialing increased the crash/near‐crash risk by 2.37 times (odds ratio: 2.37, 95% CI, 1.30‐4.30) and drowsiness increased the risk 33.56 times (odds ratio: 33.56, 95% CI, 21.82‐52.19). This paper provides new insight into driver behavior risk and novel analysis strategies for NDS studies.
A High Aspect Ratio Serpentine Structure for Use As a Strain‐Insensitive, Stretchable Transparent Conductor
Authors: Jang Sungwoo , Kim Choelgyu , Park Jung Jin , Jin Ming Liang , Kim Seon Joon , Park O Ok , Kim Taek‐Soo , Jung Hee‐Tae
Published: December 2017

The development of strain‐insensitive stretchable transparent conductors (TCs) is essential for manufacturing stretchable electronics. Despite recent progress, achieving a high optoelectronic performance under applied strain of 50% continues to present a significant challenge in this research field. Herein, an ultratall and ultrathin high aspect ratio serpentine metal structure is described that exhibits a remarkable stretching ability (the resistance remains constant under applied strain of 100%) and simultaneously provides an excellent transparent conducting performance (with a sheet resistance of 7.6 Ω −1 and a transmittance of 90.5%). It is demonstrated that the highly stretchable transparent conducting properties can be attributed to the high aspect ratio feature. A high aspect ratio (aspect ratio of 17–367) structure permits facile deformation of the serpentine structure with in‐plane motion, leading to a high stretching ability. In addition, this structural feature avoids the classic tradeoff between optical transmittance and electrical conductance, providing a high electrical conductance without decreasing the optical transmittance. The practical utility of these devices is tested by using these TCs as stretchable interconnectors among LEDs or in wearable VOC gas sensors.
Multifunctional Interlayer Based on Molybdenum Diphosphide Catalyst and Carbon Nanotube Film for Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Luo Yufeng , Luo Nannan , Kong Weibang , Wu Hengcai , Wang Ke , Fan Shoushan , Duan Wenhui , Wang Jiaping
Published: December 2017

A multifunctional interlayer, composed of molybdenum diphosphide (MoP2) nanoparticles and a carbon nanotube (CNT) film, is introduced into a lithium–sulfur (Li–S) battery system to suppress polysulfide migration. Molybdenum diphosphide acts as the catalyst and can capture polysulfides and improve the polysulfide conversion activity during the discharge/charge processes. The CNT film acts as a conductive skeleton to support the MoP2 nanoparticles and to ensure their uniform distribution. The CNT film physically hinders polysulfide migration, acts as a current collector, and provides abundant electron pathways. The Li–S battery containing the multifunctional MoP2/CNT interlayer exhibits excellent electrochemical performance. It delivers a reversible specific capacity of 905 mA h g−1 over 100 cycles at 0.2 C, with a capacity decay of 0.152% per cycle. These results suggest the introduction of the multifunctional CNT/MoP2 interlayer as an effective and practical method for producing high‐performance Li–S batteries.
Design Principles of Functional Polymer Separators for High‐Energy, Metal‐Based Batteries
Authors: Zhang Weidong , Tu Zhengyuan , Qian Jiawei , Choudhury Snehashis , Archer Lynden A. , Lu Yingying
Published: December 2017

Next‐generation rechargeable batteries that offer high energy density, efficiency, and reversibility rely on cell configurations that enable synergistic operations of individual components. They must also address multiple emerging challenges,which include electrochemical stability, transport efficiency, safety, and active material loss. The perspective of this Review is that rational design of the polymeric separator, which is used widely in rechargeable batteries, provides a rich set of opportunities for new innovations that should enable batteries to meet many of these needs. This perspective is different from the conventional view of the polymer separator as an inert/passive unit in a battery, which has the sole function to prevent direct contact between electrically conductivecomponents that form the battery anode and cathode. Polymer separators, which serve as the core component in a battery, bridge the electrodes and the electrolyte with a large surface contact that can be utilized to apply desirable functions. This Review focuses specifically on recent advances in polymer separator systems, with a detailed analysis of several embedded functional agents that are incorporated to improve mechanical robustness, regulate ion and mass transport, and retard flammability. The discussion is also extended to new composite separator concepts that are designated traditionally as polymer/gel electrolytes.
Solution‐Processed Metal Coating to Nonwoven Fabrics for Wearable Rechargeable Batteries
Authors: Lee Kyulin , Choi Jin Hyeok , Lee Hye Moon , Kim Ki Jae , Choi Jang Wook
Published: December 2017

Wearable rechargeable batteries require electrode platforms that can withstand various physical motions, such as bending, folding, and twisting. To this end, conductive textiles and paper have been highlighted, as their porous structures can accommodate the stress built during various physical motions. However, fabrics with plain weaves or knit structures have been mostly adopted without exploration of nonwoven counterparts. Also, the integration of conductive materials, such as carbon or metal nanomaterials, to achieve sufficient conductivity as current collectors is not well‐aligned with large‐scale processing in terms of cost and quality control. Here, the superiority of nonwoven fabrics is reported in electrochemical performance and bending capability compared to currently dominant woven counterparts, due to smooth morphology near the fiber intersections and the homogeneous distribution of fibers. Moreover, solution‐processed electroless deposition of aluminum and nickel–copper composite is adopted for cathodes and anodes, respectively, demonstrating the large‐scale feasibility of conductive nonwoven platforms for wearable rechargeable batteries.
Synergistic Interlayer and Defect Engineering in VS2 Nanosheets toward Efficient Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Zhang Junjun , Zhang Chenhui , Wang Zhenyu , Zhu Jian , Wen Zhiwei , Zhao Xingzhong , Zhang Xixiang , Xu Jun , Lu Zhouguang
Published: December 2017

A simple one‐pot solvothermal method is reported to synthesize VS2 nanosheets featuring rich defects and an expanded (001) interlayer spacing as large as 1.00 nm, which is a ≈74% expansion as relative to that (0.575 nm) of the pristine counterpart. The interlayer‐expanded VS2 nanosheets show extraordinary kinetic metrics for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), exhibiting a low overpotential of 43 mV at a geometric current density of 10 mA cm−2, a small Tafel slope of 36 mV dec−1, and long‐term stability of 60 h without any current fading. The performance is much better than that of the pristine VS2 with a normal interlayer spacing, and even comparable to that of the commercial Pt/C electrocatalyst. The outstanding electrocatalytic activity is attributed to the expanded interlayer distance and the generated rich defects. Increased numbers of exposed active sites and modified electronic structures are achieved, resulting in an optimal free energy of hydrogen adsorption (∆GH) from density functional theory calculations. This work opens up a new door for developing transition‐metal dichalcogenide nanosheets as high active HER electrocatalysts by interlayer and defect engineering.
A Freestanding and Long‐Life Sodium–Selenium Cathode by Encapsulation of Selenium into Microporous Multichannel Carbon Nanofibers
Authors: Yuan Beibei , Sun Xizhen , Zeng Linchao , Yu Yan , Wang Qingsong
Published: December 2017

Selenium cathode has attracted more and more attention because of its comparable volumetric capacity but much higher electrical conductivity than sulfur cathode. Compared to Li–Se batteries, Na–Se batteries show many advantages, including the low cost of sodium resources and high volumetric capacity. However, Na–Se batteries still suffer from the shuttle effect of polyselenides and high volumetric expansion, resulting in the poor electrochemical performance. Herein, Se is impregnated into microporous multichannel carbon nanofibers (Se@MCNFs) thin film with high flexibility as a binder‐free cathode material for Na–Se batteries. The fibrous unique structure of the Se@MCNFs is beneficial to alleviate the volume change of Se during cycling, improve the utilization of active material, and suppress the dissolution of polyselenides into electrolyte. The freestanding Se@MCNF thin‐film electrode exhibits high discharge capacity (596 mA h g−1 at the 100th cycle at 0.1 A g−1) and excellent rate capability (379 mA h g−1 at 2 A g−1) for Na–Se batteries. In addition, it also shows long cycle life with a negligible capacity decay of 0.067% per cycle over 300 cycles at 0.5 A g−1. This work demonstrates the possibility to develop high performance Na–Se batteries and flexible energy storage devices.
Morphological and Compositional Design of Pd–Cu Bimetallic Nanocatalysts with Controllable Product Selectivity toward CO2 Electroreduction
Authors: Zhu Wenjin , Zhang Lei , Yang Piaoping , Chang Xiaoxia , Dong Hao , Li Ang , Hu Congling , Huang Zhiqi , Zhao Zhi‐Jian , Gong Jinlong
Published: December 2017

Electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide (electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide) to value‐added products is a promising way to solve CO2 emission problems. This paper describes a facile one‐pot approach to synthesize palladium–copper (Pd–Cu) bimetallic catalysts with different structures. Highly efficient performance and tunable product distributions are achieved due to a coordinative function of both enriched low‐coordinated sites and composition effects. The concave rhombic dodecahedral Cu3Pd (CRD‐Cu3Pd) decreases the onset potential for methane (CH4) by 200 mV and shows a sevenfold CH4 current density at −1.2 V (vs reversible hydrogen electrode) compared to Cu foil. The flower‐like Pd3Cu (FL‐Pd3Cu) exhibits high faradaic efficiency toward CO in a wide potential range from −0.7 to −1.3 V, and reaches a fourfold CO current density at −1.3 V compared to commercial Pd black. Tafel plots and density functional theory calculations suggest that both the introduction of high‐index facets and alloying contribute to the enhanced CH4 current of CRD‐Cu3Pd, while the alloy effect is responsible for high CO selectivity of FL‐Pd3Cu.
Fluid Mixing for Low‐Power ‘Digital Microfluidics’ Using Electroactive Molecular Monolayers
Authors: Maglione Maria Serena , Casalini Stefano , Georgakopoulos Stamatis , Barbalinardo Marianna , Parkula Vitaliy , Crivillers Núria , Rovira Concepció , Greco Pierpaolo , Mas‐Torrent Marta
Published: December 2017

A switchable electrode, which relies on an indium‐tin oxide conductive substrate coated with a self‐assembled monolayer terminated with an anthraquinone group (AQ), is reported as an electrowetting system. AQ electrochemical features confer the capability of yielding a significant modulation of surface wettability as high as 26° when its redox state is switched. Hence, an array of planar electrodes for droplets actuation is fabricated and integrated in a microfluidic device to perform mixing and dispensing on sub‐nanoliter scale. Vehiculation of cells across microfluidic compartments is made possible by taking full advantage of surface electrowetting in culture medium.
Effect of the Rotation Speed during Friction Stir Welding on the Microstructure and Corrosion Resistance of SAF 2707 Hyper Duplex Stainless Steel
Authors: Chen Wanli , Wang Jian , Li Jianchun , Zheng Yanxin , Li Huabing , Liu Ying , Han Peide
Published: December 2017

Microstructure and corrosion resistance of a friction stir welded SAF 2707 hyper duplex stainless‐steel are investigated. Friction stir welding is performed at a constant welding speed of 100 mm min−1 and rotation speeds of 200, 300, and 500 rpm using a tungsten‐rhenium‐based tool. Microstructure evolution of the joint is analyzed by metallographic microscope, scanning electron microscopy, and electron backscatter diffraction. Corrosion resistance is determined by electrochemical potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectrum. All stir zones have finer grains of ferrite and austenite phases because of the plastic deformation and dynamic recrystallization. This characteristic leads to the relatively higher corrosion resistance of the stir zone at 500 rpm than that of the base metal. Nevertheless, sigma phase is observed at the bottom of the stir zone at 200 and 300 rpm, this characteristic would degrade the corrosion resistance despite the smaller grain size of the ferrite and austenite phases. The bottom of stir zone at 200 rpm shows the poorest corrosion resistance, it has the largest amount of sigma phases than the other samples.
Does freeze‐all policy affect IVF outcome in poor ovarian responders?
Authors: Roque M. , Valle M. , Sampaio M. , Geber S.
Published: December 2017

Objective

To evaluate whether the freeze‐all strategy affects in‐vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome in poor ovarian responders (POR) defined according to the Bologna criteria.

Method

This was a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing IVF treatment between January 2012 and December 2016 at a single center. A total of 433 POR (as defined by the Bologna criteria) fulfilled criteria and were included in the study; of these, 277 patients underwent fresh embryo transfer (ET) and 156 followed the freeze‐all policy. All patients underwent controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) following a gonadotropin‐releasing hormone antagonist protocol, and cleavage‐stage ET. Main outcome measure was ongoing pregnancy rate. Secondary outcomes included implantation and clinical pregnancy rates. The freeze‐all strategy was implemented when the progesterone serum level was > 1.5 ng/mL or the endometrium was < 7 mm on the trigger day, or as per patient preference. Patients with previous failed fresh ET also underwent fresh ET or freeze‐all strategy considering the indications mentioned above.

Results

Mean maternal age in the freeze‐all group was 39.5 ± 3.6 years and in the fresh ET group was 39.7 ± 3.8 years (P = 0.54). Mean number of embryos transferred (nET) was 1.53 ± 0.6 and 1.60 ± 0.6 (P = 0.12) in the freeze‐all and fresh ET groups, respectively. Ongoing pregnancy rate did not differ significantly between the freeze‐all and fresh ET groups (9.6% vs 10.1%, respectively; relative risk (RR), 0.95; 95% CI, 0.52–1.73), nor did the clinical pregnancy rate (14.1% vs 13.7%, respectively; RR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.63–1.67). Implantation rate was 9.6% and 9.8% (P = 0.82) in the freeze‐all and fresh ET groups, respectively. Logistic regression analysis (including maternal age, antral follicle count, number of retrieved and mature oocytes, nET, and fresh ET vs freeze‐all strategy) indicated that maternal age (P < 0.001) and nET (P = 0.039) were the only independent variables associated with ongoing pregnancy rate.

Conclusions

The freeze‐all strategy, compared with fresh ET, had no impact on IVF outcomes in POR patients as defined according to the Bologna criteria. Multicenter studies including large numbers of patients should be carried out to confirm the results of this study and reach conclusions about the potential benefits of the freeze‐all policy for poor responders. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
The GW approximation: content, successes and limitations
Authors: Reining Lucia
Published: December 2017

Many observables such as the density, total energy, or electric current, can be expressed explicitly in terms of the one‐body Green's function, which describes electron addition or removal to or from a system. An efficient way to determine such a Green's function is to introduce a self‐energy, which is a nonlocal and dynamic effective potential that influences the propagation of particles in an interacting system. The state‐of‐the art approximation for the self‐energy is the GW approximation, where the system to (or from) which the electron is added (or removed) is described as a polarizable, screening, medium. This is expressed by the name of the approximation: ‘GW’ stands for the one‐body Green's function G and for W, the dynamically screened Coulomb interaction. The GW approximation is very popular for the calculation of band structures in solids, and increasingly used also to describe nanostructures, clusters, and molecules. As compared to static mean‐field approximations for the effective potential, the dynamical screening of the Coulomb interaction in GW leads to a renormalization of energies, to broadening and/or to the observation of additional excitations. An analysis of the approximations that lead to the GW self‐energy, and of the underlying picture, explains the successes and the limitations of the approach.

This article is categorized under:

Electronic Structure Theory > Density Functional Theory

Electronic Structure Theory > Ab Initio Electronic Structure Methods

Theoretical and Physical Chemistry > Spectroscopy

Structure and Mechanism > Computational Materials Science
International Study of the Epidemiology of Paediatric Trauma: PAPSA Research Study
Authors: Bradshaw Catherine J. , Bandi Ashwath S. , Muktar Zahid , Hasan Muhammad A. , Chowdhury Tanvir K. , Banu Tahmina , Hailemariam Mesay , Ngu Florence , Croaker David , Bankolé Rouma , Sholadoye Tunde , Olaomi Oluwole , Ameh Emmanuel , Di Cesare Antonio , Leva Ernesto , Ringo Yona , Abdur‐Rahman Lukman , Salama Ramy , Elhalaby Essam , Perera Helen , Parsons Christopher , Cleeve Stewart , Numanoglu Alp , Van As Sebastian , Sharma Shilpa , Lakhoo Kokila
Published: December 2017

Objectives

Trauma is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The literature on paediatric trauma epidemiology in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) is limited. This study aims to gather epidemiological data on paediatric trauma.

Methods

This is a multicentre prospective cohort study of paediatric trauma admissions, over 1 month, from 15 paediatric surgery centres in 11 countries. Epidemiology, mechanism of injury, injuries sustained, management, morbidity and mortality data were recorded. Statistical analysis compared LMICs and high‐income countries (HICs).

Results

There were 1377 paediatric trauma admissions over 31 days; 1295 admissions across ten LMIC centres and 84 admissions across five HIC centres. Median number of admissions per centre was 15 in HICs and 43 in LMICs. Mean age was 7 years, and 62% were boys. Common mechanisms included road traffic accidents (41%), falls (41%) and interpersonal violence (11%). Frequent injuries were lacerations, fractures, head injuries and burns. Intra‐abdominal and intra‐thoracic injuries accounted for 3 and 2% of injuries. The mechanisms and injuries sustained differed significantly between HICs and LMICs. Median length of stay was 1 day and 19% required an operative intervention; this did not differ significantly between HICs and LMICs. No mortality and morbidity was reported from HICs. In LMICs, in‐hospital morbidity was 4.0% and mortality was 0.8%.

Conclusion

The spectrum of paediatric trauma varies significantly, with different injury mechanisms and patterns in LMICs. Healthcare structure, access to paediatric surgery and trauma prevention strategies may account for these differences. Trauma registries are needed in LMICs for future research and to inform local policy.
Impact of a Multidisciplinary Team Approach for Managing Advanced and Recurrent Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Jung Sung Min , Hong Yong Sang , Kim Tae Won , Park Jin‐hong , Kim Jong Hoon , Park Seong Ho , Kim Ah Young , Lim Seok‐Byung , Lee Young‐Joo , Yu Chang Sik
Published: December 2017

Background

The wide variety of treatment strategies makes clinical decision‐making difficult in advanced and recurrent colorectal cancer cases. Many hospitals have started multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings comprising a team of dedicated specialists for discussing cases. MDTs for selected cases that are difficult to diagnose and treat are alternatives to regular MDTs. This study’s aim was to determine the impact of a MDT for colorectal cancer on clinical decision‐making.

Methods

Cases were discussed when clinical specialists had difficulty making decisions alone. All processes done by the MDT were then recorded in prospectively designed medical case forms.

Results

From Jan 2011 to Dec 2014, 1383 cases were discussed. A total of 549 (39.8%) case forms were completed for patients with newly diagnosed colorectal cancer, whereas 833 (60.2%) were completed for those with recurrent diseases. The MDT altered the proposed treatment of the referring physician in 179 (13%) cases. In 85 of the 179 (47.5%) altered cases, the radiologist’s review of clinical information affected the diagnosis and decision. Furthermore, 152 of the 1383 MDT decisions were not implemented. Treatment intent, therapeutic plan, and alteration of decision were important reasons for not following the MDT’s recommendation.

Conclusion

Case discussions in MDT meetings resulted in altered clinical decisions in >10% cases. Implementation rates after MDT discussions might be affected by the treatment decision‐making process. Imperfect decisions made by individual physicians can be decreased by the multidisciplinary decision‐making process.
Measuring Outcomes of Clinical Care: Victorian Emergency Laparotomy Audit Using Quality Investigator
Authors: Stevens Claire L. , Brown Christopher , Watters David A. K.
Published: December 2017

Background

The Australian and New Zealand Audit of Surgical Mortality (ANZASM) National Report 2015 found that within the cohort of audited deaths, 85% were emergencies with acute life‐threatening conditions, and by far, the most common procedures were laparotomy and colorectal procedures. Emergency laparotomy outcomes have shown improvement through audit and reporting in the UK. The purpose of this study was to determine the outcome of emergency laparotomy in the state of Victoria, Australia.

Method

The Dr Foster Quality Investigator (DFQI) database was interrogated for a set of Australian Classification of Health Intervention (ACHI) codes defined by the authors as representing an emergency laparotomy. The dataset included patients who underwent emergency laparotomy from July 2007 to July 2016 in all Victorian hospitals.

Results

There were 23,115 emergency laparotomies conducted over 9 years in 66 hospitals. Inpatient mortality was 2036/23,115 (8.8%). Mortality in the adult population increased with age and reached 18.1% in those patients that were 80 years or older. 51.3% were females, and there was no significant difference in survival between genders. Patients with no recorded comorbidities had a mortality of 4.3%, whereas those with > 5 comorbidities had 19.3% mortality.

Conclusion

Administrative data accessed via a tool such as DFQI can provide useful population data to guide further evidence‐based improvement strategies. The mortality for emergency laparotomy within Victorian hospitals is comparable, if not better than that seen in overseas studies. There is a need to continue routine audit of mortality rates and implement systems improvement where necessary.
Genetic Counsellors and Private Practice: Professional Turbulence and Common Values
Authors: Collis Sarah , Gaff Clara , Wake Samantha , McEwen Alison
Published: December 2017

Genetic counsellors face tensions between past and future identities: between established values and goals, and a broadening scope of settings and activities. This study examines the advent of genetic counsellors in private practice in Australia and New Zealand from the perspectives of the small numbers working in this sector and those who have only worked in public practice. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 16 genetic counsellors who had experience in private practice, and 14 genetic counsellors without private sector experience. Results demonstrated that circumstantial and personal factors can mitigate the challenges experienced and the amount of support desired by those who had established a private practice, and those who were employed by private companies. Notably, most participants with private sector experience perceived themselves to be viewed negatively by other genetic counsellors. Most participants without private sector experience expressed concern that the challenges they believed genetic counsellors face in private practice may impact service quality, but wished to address such concerns by providing appropriate support. Together, our results reinforce that participants in private and public sectors are strong advocates for peer support, multidisciplinary team work, and professional development. These core values, and seeking understanding of different circumstances and support needs, will enable genetic counsellors in different sectors to move forward together. Our results suggest supports that may be acted upon by members of the profession, professional groups, and training programs, in Australia, New Zealand, and overseas.
Prosecutor v. Al-Bashir: Decision Under Article 87(7) of the Rome Statute on the Non-Compliance by South Africa with the Request by the Court for the Arrest and Surrender of Omar Al-Bashir (Int'l Crim. Ct.)
Authors: du Plessis Max
Published: December 2017

The ICC considered two central questions: First, whether South Africa failed to comply with its obligations under the statute by not arresting and surrendering Al-Bashir to the Court while he was in South African territory despite having received a request from the ICC under Articles 87 and 89 of the Statute for his arrest and surrender. Second, whether a formal finding of noncompliance by South Africa in this respect and referral of the matter to the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute or to the United Nations Security Council are warranted.
Perceptions of political leaders
Authors: David Schmitz J. , Murray Gregg R.
Published: December 2017

Partisan identification is a fundamental force in individual and mass political behavior around the world. Informed by scholarship on human sociality, coalitional psychology, and group behavior, this research argues that partisan identification, like many other group-based behaviors, is influenced by forces of evolution. If correct, then party identifiers should exhibit adaptive behaviors when making group-related political decisions. The authors test this assertion with citizen assessments of the relative physical formidability of competing leaders, an important adaptive factor in leader evaluations. Using original and novel data collected during the contextually different 2008 and 2012 U.S. presidential elections, as well as two distinct measures obtained during both elections, this article presents evidence that partisans overestimate the physical stature of the presidential candidate of their own party compared with the stature of the candidate of the opposition party. These findings suggest that the power of party identification on political behavior may be attributable to the fact that modern political parties address problems similar to the problems groups faced in human ancestral times.
Speaking through the body
Authors: Koppensteiner Markus , Siegle Greg
Published: December 2017

When people speak, they gesture. However, is the audience watching a speaker who is sensitive to this link? We translated the body movements of politicians into stick-figure animations and separated the visual from the audio channel. We then asked participants to match a selection of five audio tracks (including the correct one) with the stick-figure animations. The participants made correct decisions in 65% of all cases (chance level of 20%). Matching voices with animations was less difficult when politicians showed expansive movements and spoke with a loud voice. Thus, people are sensitive to the link between motion cues and vocal cues, and this link appears to become even more apparent when a speaker shows expressive behaviors. Future work will have to refine and validate the methods applied and investigate how mismatches between communication channels affect the impressions that people form of politicians.
Model Fit and Comparisons for the Measure of Adolescent Coping Strategies (MACS): Fiji, Iceland, and Australia
Authors: Sveinbjornsdottir Sigrun , Thorsteinsson Einar Baldvin , Lingam Govinda Ishwar
Published: December 2017

A two-dimensional theory of adolescent coping with cross-cultural and cross-Human Development Index Categories (HDI) application was tested: the Measure of Adolescent Coping Strategies (MACS). The MACS was answered by 809 adolescents of diverse origins from different parts of Fiji and compared with findings from Australia and Iceland. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) results showed the MACS to have a reliable factorial and dimensional structure in Fiji. Differences between girls and boys were similar in Fiji, Australia, and Iceland. Stoicism/distraction was identical for boys and girls in all countries. There were no differences comparing mother tongue (Fijian and Hindi). The two-dimensional theory of adolescent coping was supported.
Davids, Goliaths, and Business Cycles
Authors: Duarte Jefferson , Kapadia Nishad
Published: December 2017

We show that a simple, intuitive variable, Goliath versus David (GVD), reflects time variation in discount rates related to changes in aggregate business conditions. GVD is the annual change in the weight of the largest 250 firms in the aggregate stock market and is motivated by research that shows that small firms are more severely impacted than large firms by economic shocks due to differences in access to external finance. We find that GVD is the best single predictor of out-of-sample market returns among traditional predictors, predicting quarterly market returns with an out-of-sampleR2of 6.3% in the 1976–2011 evaluation period.
A Lottery-Demand-Based Explanation of the Beta Anomaly
Authors: Bali Turan G. , Brown Stephen J. , Murray Scott , Tang Yi
Published: December 2017

The low (high) abnormal returns of stocks with high (low) beta, which we refer to as the beta anomaly, is one of the most persistent anomalies in empirical asset pricing research. This article demonstrates that investors’ demand for lottery-like stocks is an important driver of the beta anomaly. The beta anomaly is no longer detected when beta-sorted portfolios are neutralized to lottery demand, regression specifications control for lottery demand, or factor models include a lottery demand factor. The beta anomaly is concentrated in stocks with low levels of institutional ownership and it exists only when the price impact of lottery demand is concentrated in high-beta stocks.
Cultural Proximity and the Processing of Financial Information
Authors: Du Qianqian , Yu Frank , Yu Xiaoyun
Published: December 2017

This paper examines how culture affects information asymmetry in financial markets. We extract firms traded in the United States but headquartered in regions sharing Chinese culture (“Chinese firms”), and we manually identify a group of U.S. analysts of Chinese ethnic origin (“Chinese analysts”). We find that Chinese analysts issue more accurate forecasts on Chinese firms than non-Chinese analysts. The effect is stronger among firms with less transparent information environments. Further evidence suggests that cultural proximity can go beyond language commonality and analysts’ pre-existing channels for information. Market reaction is stronger when Chinese analysts issue favorable forecast revisions or upgrades about Chinese firms.
Epistaxis 2016: national audit of management
Authors:   INTEGRATE (The National ENT Trainee Research Network)
Published: December 2017

Background:

Epistaxis is a common condition that can be associated with significant morbidity, and it places a considerable burden on our healthcare system. This national audit of management sought to assess current practice against newly created consensus recommendations and to expand our current evidence base.

Methods:

The management of epistaxis patients who met the inclusion criteria, at 113 registered sites across the UK, was compared with audit standards during a 30-day window. Data were further utilised for explorative analysis.

Results:

Data for 1826 cases were uploaded to the database, representing 94 per cent of all cases that met the inclusion criteria at participating sites. Sixty-two per cent of patients were successfully treated by ENT clinicians within 24 hours. The 30-day recurrent presentation rate across the dataset was 13.9 per cent. Significant event analysis revealed an all-cause 30-day mortality rate of 3.4 per cent.

Conclusion:

Audit findings demonstrate a varying alignment with consensus guidance, with explorative analysis countering some previously well-established tenets of management.
Asked at Fall Meeting, Scientists React to Trump Science Agenda
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: December 2017

Eos surveyed some attendees at the American Geophysical Union’s recent 2017 Fall Meeting in New Orleans, La., about the White House’s science policies and actions. Here are their responses.
Capacity estimation and verification of quantum channels with arbitrarily correlated errors
Authors: Pfister Corsin , Rol M. Adriaan , Mantri Atul , Tomamichel Marco , Wehner Stephanie
Published: December 2017

The central figure of merit for quantum memories and quantum communication devices is their capacity to store and transmit quantum information. Here, we present a protocol that estimates a lower bound on a channel’s quantum capacity, even when there are arbitrarily correlated errors. One application of these protocols is to test the performance of quantum repeaters for transmitting quantum information. Our protocol is easy to implement and comes in two versions. The first estimates the one-shot quantum capacity by preparing and measuring in two different bases, where all involved qubits are used as test qubits. The second verifies on-the-fly that a channel’s one-shot quantum capacity exceeds a minimal tolerated value while storing or communicating data. We discuss the performance using simple examples, such as the dephasing channel for which our method is asymptotically optimal. Finally, we apply our method to a superconducting qubit in experiment.
Structural absorption by barbule microstructures of super black bird of paradise feathers
Authors: McCoy Dakota E. , Feo Teresa , Harvey Todd Alan , Prum Richard O.
Published: December 2017

Many studies have shown how pigments and internal nanostructures generate color in nature. External surface structures can also influence appearance, such as by causing multiple scattering of light (structural absorption) to produce a velvety, super black appearance. Here we show that feathers from five species of birds of paradise (Aves: Paradisaeidae) structurally absorb incident light to produce extremely low-reflectance, super black plumages. Directional reflectance of these feathers (0.05–0.31%) approaches that of man-made ultra-absorbent materials. SEM, nano-CT, and ray-tracing simulations show that super black feathers have titled arrays of highly modified barbules, which cause more multiple scattering, resulting in more structural absorption, than normal black feathers. Super black feathers have an extreme directional reflectance bias and appear darkest when viewed from the distal direction. We hypothesize that structurally absorbing, super black plumage evolved through sensory bias to enhance the perceived brilliance of adjacent color patches during courtship display.
Nanoparticle anchoring targets immune agonists to tumors enabling anti-cancer immunity without systemic toxicity
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Li Na , Suh Heikyung , Irvine Darrell J.
Published: December 2017

Immunostimulatory agents such as agonistic anti-CD137 and interleukin (IL)−2 generate effective anti-tumor immunity but also elicit serious toxicities, hampering their clinical application. Here we show that combination therapy with anti-CD137 and an IL-2-Fc fusion achieves significant initial anti-tumor activity, but also lethal immunotoxicity deriving from stimulation of circulating leukocytes. To overcome this toxicity, we demonstrate that anchoring IL-2 and anti-CD137 on the surface of liposomes allows these immune agonists to rapidly accumulate in tumors while lowering systemic exposure. In multiple tumor models, immunoliposome delivery achieves anti-tumor activity equivalent to free IL-2/anti-CD137 but with the complete absence of systemic toxicity. Immunoliposomes stimulated tumor infiltration by cytotoxic lymphocytes, cytokine production, and granzyme expression, demonstrating equivalent immunostimulatory effects to the free drugs in the local tumor microenvironment. Thus, surface-anchored particle delivery may provide a general approach to exploit the potent stimulatory activity of immune agonists without debilitating systemic toxicities.
LncRNA CAIF inhibits autophagy and attenuates myocardial infarction by blocking p53-mediated myocardin transcription
Authors: Liu Cui-Yun , Zhang Yu-Hui , Li Rui-Bei , Zhou Lu-Yu , An Tao , Zhang Rong-Cheng , Zhai Mei , Huang Yan , Yan Kao-Wen , Dong Yan-Han , Ponnusamy Murugavel , Shan Chan , Xu Sheng , Wang Qi , Zhang Yan-Hui , Zhang Jian , Wang Kun
Published: December 2017

Increasing evidence suggests that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play crucial roles in various biological processes. However, little is known about the effects of lncRNAs on autophagy. Here we report that a lncRNA, termed cardiac autophagy inhibitory factor (CAIF), suppresses cardiac autophagy and attenuates myocardial infarction by targeting p53-mediated myocardin transcription. Myocardin expression is upregulated upon H2O2 and ischemia/reperfusion, and knockdown of myocardin inhibits autophagy and attenuates myocardial infarction. p53 regulates cardiomyocytes autophagy and myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury by regulating myocardin expression. CAIF directly binds to p53 protein and blocks p53-mediated myocardin transcription, which results in the decrease of myocardin expression. Collectively, our data reveal a novel CAIF-p53-myocardin axis as a critical regulator in cardiomyocyte autophagy, which will be potential therapeutic targets in treatment of defective autophagy-associated cardiovascular diseases.
Development of an oral once-weekly drug delivery system for HIV antiretroviral therapy
Authors: Kirtane Ameya R. , Abouzid Omar , Minahan Daniel , Bensel Taylor , Hill Alison L. , Selinger Christian , Bershteyn Anna , Craig Morgan , Mo Shirley S. , Mazdiyasni Hormoz , Cleveland Cody , Rogner Jaimie , Lee Young-Ah Lucy , Booth Lucas , Javid Farhad , Wu Sarah J. , Grant Tyler , Bellinger Andrew M. , Nikolic Boris , Hayward Alison , Wood Lowell , Eckhoff Philip A. , Nowak Martin A. , Langer Robert , Traverso Giovanni
Published: December 2017

The efficacy of antiretroviral therapy is significantly compromised by medication non-adherence. Long-acting enteral systems that can ease the burden of daily adherence have not yet been developed. Here we describe an oral dosage form composed of distinct drug–polymer matrices which achieved week-long systemic drug levels of the antiretrovirals dolutegravir, rilpivirine and cabotegravir in a pig. Simulations of viral dynamics and patient adherence patterns indicate that such systems would significantly reduce therapeutic failures and epidemiological modelling suggests that using such an intervention prophylactically could avert hundreds of thousands of new HIV cases. In sum, weekly administration of long-acting antiretrovirals via a novel oral dosage form is a promising intervention to help control the HIV epidemic worldwide.