bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electric field modulation of magnetic anisotropy and microwave absorption properties in Fe50Ni50/Teflon composite films
Authors: Xia Zhenjun , He Jun , Ou Xiulong , Wang Yu , He Shuli , Zhao Dongliang , Yu Guanghua
Published: February 2016

Fe50Ni50 nanoparticle films with the size about 6 nm were deposited by a high energetic cluster deposition source. An electric field of about 0 - 40 kV was applied on the sample platform when the films were prepared. The field assisted deposition technique can dramatically induce in-plane magnetic anisotropy. To probe the microwave absorption properties, the Fe50Ni50 nanoparticles were deliberately deposited on the dielectric Teflon sheet. Then the laminated Fe50Ni50/Teflon composites were used to do reflection loss scan. The results prove that the application of electric field is an effective avenue to improve the GHz microwave absorption performance of our magnetic nanoparticles films expressed by the movement of reflection loss peak to high GHz region for the composites.
Modeling of MOEMS electromagnetic scanning grating mirror for NIR micro-spectrometer
Authors: Zhou Ying , Wen Quan , Wen Zhiyu , Yang Tingyan
Published: February 2016

In this paper, the mathematical model is developed for researching the detailed electromagnetic mechanism of MOEMS scanning mirror. We present the relationship between spectral range and optical scanning angle. Furthermore, the variation tendencies of resonant frequency and maximal torsional angle are studied in detail under different aspect ratios of MOEMS scanning mirror and varied dimensions of torsional bar. The numerical results and Finite Element Analysis simulations both indicate that the thickness of torsional bar is the most important factor. The maximal torsional angle appears when the aspect ratio equals to 1. This mathematical model is an effective way for designing the MOEMS electromagnetic scanning grating mirror in actual fabrication.
Preparation and characterizations of electroluminescent p-ZnO : N/n-ZnO : Ga/ITO thin films by spray pyrolysis method
Authors: Panatarani C. , Fitriyadi S. , Balasubramanian N. , Parmar N. S. , Joni I. M.
Published: February 2016

ZnO thin films were fabricated by spray pyrolysis (SP) method with p-ZnO : N/n-ZnO:Ga/ITO structure. The X-ray results show that the deposited films have hexagonal wurtzite structure. The EDS results observed that the composition of Ga in ZnO:Ga and N in ZnO:N was 3.73% and 27.73% respectively. The photoluminescence (PL) with excitation wave length of 260 nm shows that ZnO:Ga and ZnO:N films emitted UV emission at ∼393 and ∼388 nm, respectively and the films resistivity was 7.12 and 12.80 Ohm-cm respectively. The electroluminescence of the p-ZnO : N/n-ZnO:Ga/ITO structure was obtained by applying forward bias of 5 volt with 30 mA current, resulting in a 3.35 volt threshold bias with the peak electroluminescence in UV-blue range.
Er3+ infrared fluorescence affected by spatial distribution synchronicity of Ba2+ and Er3+ in Er3+-doped BaO–SiO2 glasses
Authors: Masuno Atsunobu , Inoue Hiroyuki , Saito Yoshihiro
Published: February 2016

Glasses with the composition xBaO–(99.9 − x)SiO2–0.1ErO3/2 (0 ≤x ≤ 34.9) were fabricated by a levitation technique. The glasses in the immiscibility region were opaque due to chemical inhomogeneity, while the other glasses were colorless and transparent. The scanning electron microscope observations and electron probe microanalysis scan profiles revealed that more Er3+ ions were preferentially distributed in the regions where more Ba2+ ions existed in the chemically inhomogeneous glasses. The synchronicity of the spatial distributions of the two ions initially increased with increasing x and then decreased when the Ba2+ concentration exceeded a certain value. The peak shape and lifetime of the fluorescence at 1.55 μm depended on x as well as the spatial distribution of both ions. These results indicate that although ErOn polyhedra are preferentially coordinated with Ba2+ ions and their local structure is affected by the coordination of Ba2+, there is a maximum in the amount of Ba2+ ions that can coordinate ErOn polyhedra since the available space for Ba2+ ions is limited. These findings provide us with efficient ways to design the chemical composition of glasses with superior Er3+ fluorescence properties for optical communication network systems.
Dielectric barrier discharge actuator for vehicle drag reduction at highway speeds
Authors: Roy Subrata , Zhao Pengfei , DasGupta Arnob , Soni Jignesh
Published: February 2016

We propose and demonstrate reduction of aerodynamic drag for a realistic geometry at highway speeds using serpentine dielectric barrier discharge actuators. A comparable linear plasma actuator fails to reduce the drag at these speeds. Experimental data collected for linear and serpentine plasma actuators under quiescent operating conditions show that the serpentine design has profound effect on near wall flow structure and resulting drag. For certain actuator arrangement, the measured drag reduced by over 14% at 26.8 m/s (60 mph) and over 10% at 31.3 m/s (70 mph) opening up realistic possibility of reasonable energy savings for full scale ground vehicles. In addition, the power consumption data and drag reduction effectiveness for different input signals are also presented.
A quantitative assessment of shoot flammability for 60 tree and shrub species supports rankings based on expert opinion
Authors: Wyse Sarah V. , Perry George L. W. , O’Connell Dean M. , Holland Phillip S. , Wright Monique J. , Hosted Catherine L. , Whitelock Samuel L. , Geary Ian J. , Maurin Kévin J. L. , Curran Timothy J.
Published: February 2016

Fire is an important ecological disturbance in vegetated ecosystems across the globe, and also has considerable impacts on human infrastructure. Vegetation flammability is a key bottom-up control on fire regimes and on the nature of individual fires. Although New Zealand (NZ) historically had low fire frequencies, anthropogenic fires have considerably impacted indigenous vegetation as humans used fire extensively to clear forests. Few studies of vegetation flammability have been undertaken in NZ and only one has compared the flammability of indigenous plants; this was a qualitative assessment derived from expert opinion. We addressed this knowledge gap by measuring the flammability of terminal shoots from a range of trees and shrubs found in NZ. We quantified shoot flammability of 60 indigenous and exotic species, and compared our experimentally derived ranking with expert opinion. The most flammable species was the invasive exotic shrub Gorse (Ulex europaeus), followed by Manna Gum (Eucalyptus viminalis), Kūmarahou (Pomaderris kumeraho), Rimu (Dacrydium cupressinum) and Silver Beech (Lophozonia menziesii). Our experimentally derived ranking was strongly correlated with expert opinion, lending support to both methods. Our results are useful to ecologists seeking to understand how fires have and will influence NZ’s ecosystems, and for fire managers identifying high-risk landscapes, and low flammability species for ‘green firebreaks’.
Phosphorylation and calcium antagonistically tune myosin-binding protein C’s structure and function
Authors: Previs Michael J. , Mun Ji Young , Michalek Arthur J. , Previs Samantha Beck , Gulick James , Robbins Jeffrey , Warshaw David M. , Craig Roger
Published: February 2016

Significance

Mutations in cardiac myosin-binding protein C (cMyBP-C) are the leading cause of inherited hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, demonstrating the key role that cMyBP-C plays in the heart’s contractile machinery. Since its discovery >40 years ago, cardiovascular biologists have wondered how cMyBP C’s structure regulates its function. Using atomic force spectroscopy, electron microscopy, in vitro model systems of contractility, and mutant protein expression, we show how phosphorylation affects cMyBP-C’s structure to tune its functions within the contractile apparatus. We also identify a novel molecular mechanism by which calcium ions that trigger each muscle contraction override phosphorylation’s structural and functional impact. This intersection of posttranslational modification and calcium signaling may occur in other biological systems that rely on these pathways to control cellular processes.
Determining optimal cadence for an individual road cyclist from field data
Authors: Reed Robert , Scarf Philip , Jobson Simon Adrian , Passfield Louis
Published: February 2016

The cadence that maximises power output developed at the crank by an individual cyclist is conventionally determined using a laboratory test. The purpose of this study was two‐fold: (i) to show that such a cadence, which we call the optimal cadence, can be determined using power output, heart‐rate, and cadence measured in the field and (ii) to describe methodology to do so. For an individual cyclist's sessions, power output is related to cadence and the elicited heart‐rate using a non‐linear regression model. Optimal cadences are found for two riders (83 and 70 revolutions per minute, respectively); these cadences are similar to the riders’ preferred cadences (82–92 rpm and 65–75 rpm). Power output reduces by approximately 6% for cadences 20 rpm above or below optimum. Our methodology can be used by a rider to determine an optimal cadence without laboratory testing intervention: the rider will need to collect power output, heart‐rate, and cadence measurements from training and racing sessions over an extended period (>6 months); ride at a range of cadences within those sessions; and calculate his/her optimal cadence using the methodology described or a software tool that implements it.
Gromov-Witten/Pairs correspondence for the quintic 3-fold
Authors: Pandharipande R. , Pixton A.
Published: February 2016

We use the Gromov-Witten/Pairs (GW/P) descendent correspondence for toric 3-folds and degeneration arguments to establish the GW/P correspondence for several compact Calabi-Yau (CY) 3-folds (including all CY complete intersections in products of projective spaces). A crucial aspect of the proof is the study of the GW/P correspondence for descendents in relative geometries. Projective bundles over surfaces relative to a section play a special role. The GW/P correspondence for Calabi-Yau complete intersections provides a structure result for the Gromov-Witten invariants in a fixed curve class. After a change of variables, the Gromov-Witten series is a rational function in the variable

−
q
=

e

i
u

-q=e^{iu}

invariant under

q
↔

q

−
1

q \leftrightarrow q^{-1}

.
Gröbner methods for representations of combinatorial categories
Authors: Sam Steven , Snowden Andrew
Published: February 2016

Given a categoryC\mathcal {C}of a combinatorial nature, we study the following fundamental question: how do combinatorial properties ofC\mathcal {C}affect algebraic properties of representations ofC\mathcal {C}? We prove two general results. The first gives a criterion for representations ofC\mathcal {C}to admit a theory of Gröbner bases, from which we obtain a criterion for noetherianity. The second gives a criterion for a general “rationality” result for Hilbert series of representations ofC\mathcal {C}, and connects to the theory of formal languages.

Our work is motivated by recent work in the literature on representations of various specific categories. Our general criteria recover many of the results on these categories that had been proved by ad hoc means, and often yield cleaner proofs and stronger statements. For example, we give a new, more robust, proof that FI-modules (studied by Church, Ellenberg, and Farb), and certain generalizations, are noetherian; we prove the Lannes–Schwartz artinian conjecture from the study of generic representation theory of finite fields; we significantly improve the theory ofΔ\Delta-modules, introduced by Snowden in connection to syzygies of Segre embeddings; and we establish fundamental properties of twisted commutative algebras in positive characteristic.
Decoupling, exponential sums and the Riemann zeta function
Authors: Bourgain J.
Published: February 2016

We establish a new decoupling inequality for curves in the spirit of earlier work of C. Demeter and the author which implies a new mean value theorem for certain exponential sums crucial to the Bombieri-Iwaniec method as developed further in the work of Huxley. In particular, this leads to an improved bound|ζ(12+it)|≪t13/84+ε|\zeta (\frac {1}{2} + it)| \ll t^{13/84 + \varepsilon }for the zeta function on the critical line.
Transcript structure and domain display: a customizable transcript visualization tool
Authors: Watanabe Kenneth A. , Ma Kaiwang , Homayouni Arielle , Rushton Paul J. , Shen Qingxi J.
Published: February 2016

Summary: Transcript Structure and Domain Display (TSDD) is a publicly available, web-based program that provides publication quality images of transcript structures and domains. TSDD is capable of producing transcript structures from GFF/GFF3 and BED files. Alternatively, the GFF files of several model organisms have been pre-loaded so that users only needs to enter the locus IDs of the transcripts to be displayed. Visualization of transcripts provides many benefits to researchers, ranging from evolutionary analysis of DNA-binding domains to predictive function modeling.

Availability and implementation: TSDD is freely available for non-commercial users at http://shenlab.sols.unlv.edu/shenlab/software/TSD/transcript_display.html.

Contact: jeffery.shen@unlv.nevada.edu
The Shortage of Clinical Training Sites in an Era of Global Collaboration
Authors: Burdick William P. , van Zanten Marta , Boulet John R.
Published: February 2016

The increasing number of health professions students, coupled with a shift to ambulatory care and shorter hospital stays, has created a shortage of clinical training sites around the world. The authors present data on accreditation, quality, cost, and student indebtedness related to medical schools in the Caribbean—schools that some view as taking clinical training sites in the United States away from U.S. medical schools. Accredited medical schools around the world may benefit from considering a mechanism for global educational exchange to meet the challenge of clinical training.
Beyond Continuing Medical Education: Clinical Coaching as a Tool for Ongoing Professional Development
Authors: Iyasere Christiana A. , Baggett Meridale , Romano Jordan , Jena Anupam , Mills Gabrielle , Hunt Daniel P.
Published: February 2016

Problem

For most physicians, the period of official apprenticeship ends with the completion of residency or fellowship, yet the acquisition of expertise requires ongoing opportunities to practice a given skill and obtain structured feedback on one’s performance.

Approach

In July 2013, the authors developed a clinical coaching pilot program to provide early-career hospitalists with feedback from a senior clinical advisor (SCA) at Massachusetts General Hospital. A Hospital Medicine Unit–wide retreat was held to help design the SCA role and obtain faculty buy-in. Twelve SCAs were recruited from hospitalists with more than five years of experience; each served as a clinical coach to 28 early-career hospitalists during the pilot. Clinical narratives and programmatic surveys were collected from SCAs and early-career hospitalists.

Outcomes

Of 25 responding early-career hospitalists, 23 (92%) rated the SCA role as useful to very useful, 20 (80%) reported interactions with the SCA led to at least one change in their diagnostic approach, and 13 (52%) reported calling fewer subspecialty consults as a result of guidance from the SCA. In response to questions about professional development, 18 (72%) felt more comfortable as an independent physician following their interactions with the SCA, and 19 (76%) thought the interactions improved the quality of care they delivered.

Next Steps

To better understand the impact and generalizability of clinical coaching, a larger, longitudinal study is required to look at patient and provider outcomes in detail. Further refinement of the SCA role to meet faculty needs is needed and could include faculty development.
Characterizing the Clamor: An In-Depth Analysis of Inpatient Paging Communication
Authors: Kummerow Broman Kristy , Kensinger Clark , Phillips Charles , Fesseha Betiel , Fill Mary-Margaret , Borges Nyal , Mathisen Jason , Allen Duncan , Land Ed , Patel Neal
Published: February 2016

Purpose

Communication failures contribute to adverse clinical events and health care inefficiencies. Paged messaging remains a predominant communication mechanism at many academic medical centers. An interprofessional, institutionally sponsored initiative to improve inpatient care team communication sought to understand the content and quantity of paged messages.

Method

A retrospective analysis at Vanderbilt University Medical Center was performed for messages delivered to the 15 highest-volume pagers carried by inpatient medical, surgical, and pediatric residents over two monthlong periods of data collection between November 2013 and February 2014. An interprofessional team defined message content categories a priori. Descriptive statistics were used to demonstrate message volume and distribution by content category. Team members and stakeholder groups discussed common message themes during and after categorization to identify targets for improving care efficiency.

Results

During the data collection period, 10,928 messages were paged (median 38 messages per pager per shift). The most common primary content categories were bedside nursing (2,570; 30%) and medication (2,285; 26%). Common bedside nursing communications included notification of vital signs (915; 36%), patient activity (481; 19%), and diet (444; 18%). Most medication messages were requests to start (1,253; 55%) or change (694; 30%) a common medication. The team recommended implementing anticipatory orders for common medications and routine nursing staff needs using computerized order algorithms to reduce the volume of noncritical messages.

Conclusions

An interprofessional assessment of the content and volume of paged communication identified high volumes of noncritical messages that could be eliminated through better anticipation of patient care needs.
Unprofessional Behaviors Among Tomorrow’s Physicians: Review of the Literature With a Focus on Risk Factors, Temporal Trends, and Future Directions
Authors: Fargen Kyle M. , Drolet Brian C. , Philibert Ingrid
Published: February 2016

Purpose

Recent reports have identified concerning patterns of unprofessional and dishonest behavior by physician trainees. Despite this publicity, the prevalence and impact of these behaviors is not well described; thus, the authors aimed to review and analyze the various studies on unprofessional behavior among U.S. medical trainees.

Method

The authors performed a literature review. They sought all reports on unprofessional and dishonest behavior among U.S. medical school students or resident physicians published in English and indexed in PubMed between January 1980 and May 2014.

Results

A total of 51 publications met criteria for inclusion in the study. The data in these reports suggest that plagiarism, cheating on examinations, and listing fraudulent publications on residency/fellowship applications were reported in 5% to 15% of the student and resident populations that were studied. Other behaviors, such as inaccurately reporting that a medical examination was performed on a patient or falsifying duty hours, appear to be even more common (reportedly occurring among 40% to 50% of students and residents).

Conclusions

“Unprofessional behavior” lacks a unified definition. The data on the prevalence of unprofessional behavior in medical students and residents are limited. Unprofessional behaviors are common and appear to be occurring in various demographic groups within the medical trainee population. The relationship between unprofessional behaviors in training and future disciplinary action is poorly understood. Going forward, defining “unprofessional behavior”; developing validated instruments to evaluate such behaviors scientifically; and studying their incidence, motivations, and consequences are critical.
Combined Coronary Revascularization: Single-Center 10-Year Experience
Authors: Aymami Marie , Ruggieri Vito Giovanni , Rouzé Simon , Flécher Erwan , Guihaire Julien , Anselmi Amedeo , Harmouche Majid , Langanay Thierry , Boulmier Dominique , Roisne Antoine , Leguerrier Alain , Verhoye Jean-Philippe , Corbineau Hervé
Published: February 2016

Objective

This study aimed to assess the long-term outcome of combined coronary revascularization.

Methods

Between January 2000 and September 2010, 106 consecutive patients underwent combined coronary revascularization, either the same day or staged within 90 days. Percutaneous coronary intervention was always performed before coronary artery bypass grafting. We identified three groups as follows: one-stop combined coronary revascularization (n = 20), percutaneous coronary intervention for acute coronary syndrome before subsequent surgery (n = 39), and percutaneous coronary intervention for stable coronary artery disease before subsequent surgery (n = 47). Off-pump technique was used in all cases.

Results

A total of 107 angioplasties were realized (drug-eluting stents, 21; bare metal stents, 114; balloon angioplasty, 4). Percutaneous coronary intervention was mostly performed in the right coronary artery or branches (85%). The mean (SD) number of grafts was 1.9 (0.6), among them 1.8 (0.7) with arterial grafts. A total of 87.7% of the patients underwent exclusive arterial revascularization. There was one reexploration for bleeding and no in-hospital death. Eleven patients died in the follow-up. Repeat percutaneous coronary intervention was necessary for six patients and repeat surgery for one patient. The mean (SD) follow-up was 6.1 (2.7) years. Complete follow-up was obtained in 96.2% of the patients. Freedom from ischemic events (all-cause deaths, angina, acute coronary syndrome, myocardial infarction) was 86.3% (3.7%) at 5 years and 79.7% (5.2%) at 8 years (no difference between groups). Freedom from major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular events was 88.8% (3.4%) at 5 years and 75.7% (5.2%) at 8 years (no difference between groups).

Conclusions

Combined coronary revascularization increases the use of arterial grafts, with good long-term outcome.
The Revised Direct Transconjunctival Approach to the Orbital Floor
Authors: Bernardini Francesco P. , Nerad Jeffrey , Fay Aaron , Zambelli Alessandra , Cruz Antonio Augusto V.
Published: February 2016

Purpose:

To review common surgical approaches to the orbital floor and to evaluate the utility of canthal-sparing, single incision transconjunctival method.

Methods:

A retrospective chart review of a consecutive series of patients who underwent transconjunctival, direct incision surgery without eyelid dissection or lateral canthotomy and inferior cantholysis and review of the literature were conducted.

Results:

Twenty-three consecutive patients (33 orbits) were operated using a canthal-sparing direct single cut approach, including 10 unilateral pediatric orbital floor fractures, 1 orbital floor implant removal, 2 unilateral post-traumatic enophthalmos repairs, and 10 bilateral orbital floor decompressions. Surgical exposure was adequate to complete the surgical objective in each patient. Mean follow up was 13 months and no complications were observed.

Conclusions:

The transconjunctival approach to the orbital floor can be performed using a pre- or post-septal dissection, with infratarsal or fornix incision commonly associated with lateral canthotomy and inferior cantholysis. The direct approach spares the lateral canthus, minimizes lower eyelid dissection, and provides rapid and effective access to the inferior orbital rim and orbital floor. It offers sufficient exposure to allow insertion of large floor implants even in children. Although apparently abandoned in the recent literature, canthal-sparing technique is a useful method for the management of orbital floor fractures, enophthalmos correction, implant removal, and orbital decompression.
Experience of Circuit Survival in Extracorporeal Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy Using Small-Calibre Venous Cannulae
Authors: Westrope Claire , Morris Kevin Paul , Kee Chor Yek , Farley Margaret , Fleming Sarah , Morrison Gavin
Published: February 2016

Objectives:

To describe an experience of circuit survival in extracorporeal continuous renal replacement therapy using small-calibre (< 7 French gauge [F]) venous cannulae.

Design:

An observational study.

Setting:

A multidisciplinary, university-affiliated PICU.

Subjects:

Case note review of all continuous renal replacement therapy episodes (1998–2010), which used vascular access cannulae of an external diameter less than 7F, was performed.

Measurements and Main Results:

Forty-nine patients underwent continuous renal replacement therapy treatment during which circuit blood flow was delivered using either 5F or 6.5F double-lumen cannulae. One hundred thirty-nine circuits were employed (median per patient, 2; interquartile range, 1–3) in providing 4,903 hours of therapy (median duration of therapy, 43 hr; interquartile range, 22–86 hr); allowing for censoring, the median circuit survival time was 40 hours (95% CI, 28–66). Eighty-one circuits (58%) failed because of clotting/technical problems, equating to a circuit failure rate of 16.5 (95% CI, 13.3–20.5) per 1,000 hours of continuous renal replacement therapy. The probability of a circuit surviving 40 hours or greater was 50% with 43% (95% CI, 34–53%) expected to survive 60 hours or more. No significant relationship between circuit survival and the calibre of the cannula deployed was identified; however, placement of venous access in an internal jugular vein was associated with improved circuit survival.

Conclusions:

Contrary to previous reports, vascular access cannulae of a caliber less than 7F can support sufficiently prolonged continuous renal replacement therapy to make them a useful means of delivering renal support in neonates and small infants.
A Strategy for Addressing Population Health Management
Authors: Kapp Julie M. , Oliver Debra Parker , Simoes Eduardo J.
Published: February 2016

Context:

Population health management in the era of the Affordable Care Act focuses on identifying needs of health care service areas for targeted strategies. The United States has a “health disadvantage” compared with peer countries, particularly regarding obesity and women's life expectancy, while having high rates of mammography screening. Emphasizing lifestyle factors is a strategy to reduce one's risk of obesity and heart disease, as well as some breast cancers.

Objective:

We explored perceptions of the risk of female population-based breast cancer mortality compared with heart disease mortality; perceived likelihood of developing breast cancer; and recognition of the association between modifiable lifestyle factors and breast cancer risk.

Design:

Cross-sectional online survey.

Setting:

Service area of one mid-Missouri health care system.

Participants:

Female US residents ages 35 to 49 years who did not have a personal history of any cancer.

Results:

Minority women and women with a college education or less had greater odds of reporting that breast cancer, rather than heart disease, would cause more deaths in women this year. Women who had ever had a mammogram had greater odds of reporting a moderate/high compared with low likelihood of developing breast cancer. Women with less than a college education had greater odds of not knowing of any lifestyle behaviors or reporting only clinical behaviors related to reducing one's risk of breast cancer.

Conclusions:

The present study illuminates areas of lagging information dissemination that may be used for targeted strategies for population health management in the era of the Affordable Care Act, that of bridging healthy lifestyle strategies for heart health with messages for breast health.
Strategic Methodologies in Public Health Cost Analyses
Authors: Whittington Melanie , Atherly Adam , VanRaemdonck Lisa , Lampe Sarah
Published: February 2016

Context:

The National Research Agenda for Public Health Services and Systems Research states the need for research to determine the cost of delivering public health services in order to assist the public health system in communicating financial needs to decision makers, partners, and health reform leaders.

Objective:

The objective of this analysis is to compare 2 cost estimation methodologies, public health manager estimates of employee time spent and activity logs completed by public health workers, to understand to what degree manager surveys could be used in lieu of more time-consuming and burdensome activity logs.

Design:

Employees recorded their time spent on communicable disease surveillance for a 2-week period using an activity log. Managers then estimated time spent by each employee on a manager survey. Robust and ordinary least squares regression was used to measure the agreement between the time estimated by the manager and the time recorded by the employee.

Main Outcome Measures:

The 2 outcomes for this study included time recorded by the employee on the activity log and time estimated by the manager on the manager survey.

Setting:

This study was conducted in local health departments in Colorado.

Participants:

Forty-one Colorado local health departments (82%) agreed to participate.

Results:

Seven of the 8 models showed that managers underestimate their employees' time, especially for activities on which an employee spent little time. Manager surveys can best estimate time for time-intensive activities, such as total time spent on a core service or broad public health activity, and yet are less precise when estimating discrete activities.

Conclusions:

When Public Health Services and Systems Research researchers and health departments are conducting studies to determine the cost of public health services, there are many situations in which managers can closely approximate the time required and produce a relatively precise approximation of cost without as much time investment by practitioners.
Barriers to and Correlates of Retention in Behavioral Health Treatment Among Latinos in 2 Different Host Countries: The United States and Spain
Authors: Falgas Irene , Ramos Zorangeli , Herrera Lizbeth , Qureshi Adil , Chavez Ligia , Bonal Covadonga , McPeck Samantha , Wang Ye , Cook Benjamin , Alegría Margarita
Published: February 2016

Context:

Latino immigrants constitute a large portion of the Spanish and US immigrant populations, yet a dearth of research exists regarding barriers to retention in behavioral health care.

Objectives:

To identify and compare perceived barriers related to behavioral health care among first- and second-generation Latinos in Boston, Madrid, and Barcelona, and evaluate whether the frequency of behavioral health care use in the last year was related to these barriers.

Design, Setting, and Participants:

Data were obtained from the International Latino Research Partnership project. First- or second-generation self-identified Latino immigrants aged 18 years and more who resided more than 1 year in the host country were recruited from community agencies and primary care, mental health, substance abuse, and HIV clinics.

Main Outcome Measures:

Eleven barriers were assessed and compared across sites. The relationship between barriers and behavioral services visits within the last year was evaluated, adjusting for sociodemographics, clinical measures, degree of health literacy, cultural, and social factors.

Results:

Wanting to handle the problem on one's own, thinking that treatment would not work, and being unsure of where to go or who to see were the most frequently reported barriers for Latino immigrants. Previous treatment failure, difficulties in transportation or scheduling, and linguistic barriers were more likely to be reported in Boston; trying to deal with mental health problems on one's own was more commonly reported in Barcelona and Madrid. Two barriers associated with the number of visits were concerns about the cost of services and uncertainty about where to go or who to see.

Conclusions:

After adjusting for sociodemographics, clinical measures, degree of health literacy, cultural, and social factors, barriers still differed significantly across sites. Efforts to improve behavioral health services must be tailored to immigrants' context, with attention to changing attitudes of self-reliance and outreach to improve access to and retention in care.
Profile of Public Health Leadership
Authors: Little Ruth Gaskins , Greer Annette , Clay Maria , McFadden Cheryl
Published: February 2016

Context:

Public health leaders play pivotal roles in ensuring the population health for our nation. Since 2000, the number of schools of public health has almost doubled. The scholarly credentials for leaders of public health in academic and practice are important, as they make decisions that shape the future public health workforce and important public health policies.

Objective:

This research brief describes the educational degrees of deans of schools of public health and state health directors, as well as their demographic profiles, providing important information for future public health leadership planning.

Design:

Data were extracted from a database containing information obtained from multiple Web sites including academic institution Web sites and state government Web sites. Variables describe 2 sets of public health leaders: academic deans of schools of public health and state health directors.

Results:

Deans of schools of public health were 73% males and 27% females; the PhD degree was held by 40% deans, and the MD degree by 33% deans. Seventy percent of deans obtained their terminal degree more than 35 years ago. State health directors were 60% males and 40% females. Sixty percent of state health directors had an MD degree, 4% a PhD degree, and 26% no terminal degree at all. Sixty-four percent of state health directors received their terminal degree more than 25 years ago. In addition to terminal degrees, 56% of deans and 40% of state health directors held MPH degrees.

Conclusion:

The findings call into question competencies needed by future public health professionals and leadership and the need to clarify further the level of public health training and degree type that should be required for leadership qualifications in public health.
The Importance of Partnerships in Local Health Department Practice Among Communities With Exceptional Maternal and Child Health Outcomes
Authors: Klaiman Tamar , Chainani Anjali , Bekemeier Betty
Published: February 2016

Objectives:

The purpose of this study was to identify unique practices underway in communities that have been empirically identified as having achieved exceptional maternal and child health (MCH) outcomes compared with their peers.

Methods:

We used a qualitative, positive deviance approach to identify practices implemented by local health department (LHD) jurisdictions in Florida, Washington, and New York that achieved better MCH outcomes than expected compared with their in-state peer jurisdictions. We identified a total of 50 LHDs in jurisdictions that had better than expected MCH outcomes compared with their peers, and we conducted 39 hour-long semistructured interviews with LHD staff. We conducted inductive thematic analysis to identify key themes and subthemes across all LHD cases in the sample.

Results:

Partnerships with providers, partnerships for data collection/assessment, and partnerships with community-based organizations were associated with exceptional MCH outcomes based on our interviews.

Discussion:

This study offers specific examples of practices LHDs can implement to improve MCH outcomes, even with limited resources, based on the practices of high-performing local health jurisdictions.
Female genital mutilation and monandry in an orb-web spider
Authors: Nakata Kensuke
Published: February 2016

Monandry, in which a female has only one mating partner during the reproductive period, is established when a female spontaneously refrains from re-mating, or when a partner male interferes with the attempts of a female to mate again. In the latter case, however, females often have countermeasures against males, which may explain why polyandry is ubiquitous. Here, I demonstrate that the genital appendage, or scape, of the female orb-web spider (
Cyclosa argenteoalba
) is injured after her first mating, possibly by her first male partner. This female genital mutilation (FGM) permanently precludes copulation, and females appear to have no countermeasures. FGM is considered to confer a strong advantage to males in sexual conflicts over the number of female matings, and it may widely occur in spiders.
Reproducing butterflies do not increase intake of antioxidants when they could benefit from them
Authors: Beaulieu Michaël , Bischofberger Ines , Lorenz Isabel , Scheelen Lucie , Fischer Klaus
Published: February 2016

The significance of dietary antioxidants may be limited by the ability of animals to exploit them. However, past studies have focused on the effects of dietary antioxidants after ‘antioxidant forced-feeding’, and have overlooked spontaneous antioxidant intake. Here, we found that reproducing female
Bicyclus anynana
butterflies had higher antioxidant defences and enhanced fecundity when forced to consume antioxidants (polyphenols). Interestingly, these positive effects were not constant across the oviposition period. When given the choice between food resources with and without antioxidants, reproducing butterflies did not target antioxidants when they could have benefited the most from them. Moreover, they did not consume more antioxidants than non-reproducing butterflies. These results emphasize that, despite potential positive effects of dietary antioxidants, the ability of animals to exploit them is likely to restrict their ecological significance.
Insights from the reconstitution of the divergent outer kinetochore of
Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Liu Yahui , Petrovic Arsen , Rombaut Pascaline , Mosalaganti Shyamal , Keller Jenny , Raunser Stefan , Herzog Franz , Musacchio Andrea
Published: February 2016

Accurate chromosome segregation during mitosis and meiosis is crucial for cellular and organismal viability. Kinetochores connect chromosomes with spindle microtubules and are essential for chromosome segregation. These large protein scaffolds emerge from the centromere, a specialized region of the chromosome enriched with the histone H3 variant CENP-A. In most eukaryotes, the kinetochore core consists of the centromere-proximal constitutive centromere-associated network (CCAN), which binds CENP-A and contains 16 subunits, and of the centromere-distal Knl1 complex, Mis12 complex, Ndc80 complex (KMN) network, which binds microtubules and contains 10 subunits. In the fruitfly,
Drosophila melanogaster,
the kinetochore underwent remarkable simplifications. All CCAN subunits, with the exception of centromeric protein C (CENP-C), and two KMN subunits, Dsn1 and Zwint, cannot be identified in this organism. In addition, two paralogues of the KMN subunit Nnf1 (Nnf1a and Nnf1b) are present. Finally, the Spc105R subunit, homologous to human Knl1/CASC5, underwent considerable sequence changes in comparison with other organisms. We combined biochemical reconstitution with biophysical and structural methods to investigate how these changes reflect on the organization of the
Drosophila
KMN network. We demonstrate that the Nnf1a and Nnf1b paralogues are subunits of distinct complexes, both of which interact directly with Spc105R and with CENP-C, for the latter of which we identify a binding site on the Mis12 subunit. Our studies shed light on the structural and functional organization of a highly divergent kinetochore particle.
The unexpected survival of an ancient lineage of anseriform birds into the Neogene of Australia: the youngest record of Presbyornithidae
Authors: De Pietri Vanesa L. , Scofield R. Paul , Zelenkov Nikita , Boles Walter E. , Worthy Trevor H.
Published: February 2016

Presbyornithids were the dominant birds in Palaeogene lacustrine assemblages, especially in the Northern Hemisphere, but are thought to have disappeared worldwide by the mid-Eocene. Now classified within Anseriformes (screamers, ducks, swans and geese), their relationships have long been obscured by their strange wader-like skeletal morphology. Reassessment of the late Oligocene South Australian material attributed to
Wilaru tedfordi
, long considered to be of a stone-curlew (Burhinidae, Charadriiformes), reveals that this taxon represents the first record of a presbyornithid in Australia. We also describe the larger
Wilaru prideauxi
sp. nov. from the early Miocene of South Australia, showing that presbyornithids survived in Australia at least until
ca
22 Ma. Unlike on other continents, where presbyornithids were replaced by aquatic crown-group anatids (ducks, swans and geese), species of
Wilaru
lived alongside these waterfowl in Australia. The morphology of the tarsometatarsus of these species indicates that, contrary to other presbyornithids, they were predominantly terrestrial birds, which probably contributed to their long-term survival in Australia. The morphological similarity between species of
Wilaru
and the Eocene South American presbyornithid
Telmabates antiquus
supports our hypothesis of a Gondwanan radiation during the evolutionary history of the Presbyornithidae.
Teviornis gobiensis
from the Late Cretaceous of Mongolia is here also reassessed and confirmed as a presbyornithid. These findings underscore the temporal continuance of Australia’s vertebrates and provide a new context in which the phylogeny and evolutionary history of presbyornithids can be examined.
Theory of multi-species electrophoresis in the presence of surface conduction
Authors: Bahga Supreet Singh , Moza Romir , Khichar Mayank
Published: February 2016

Electrophoresis techniques are characterized by concentration disturbances (or waves) propagating under the effect of an electric field. These techniques are usually performed in microchannels where surface conduction through the electric double layer (EDL) at channel walls is negligible compared with bulk conduction. However, when electrophoresis techniques are integrated in nanochannels, shallow microchannels or charged porous media, surface conduction can alter bulk electrophoretic transport. The existing mathematical models for electrophoretic transport in multi-species electrolytes do not account for the competing effects of surface and bulk conduction. We present a mathematical model of multi-species electrophoretic transport incorporating the effects of surface conduction on bulk ion-transport and provide a methodology to derive analytical solutions using the method of characteristics. Based on the analytical solutions, we elucidate the propagation of nonlinear concentration waves, such as shock and rarefaction waves, and provide the necessary and sufficient conditions for their existence. Our results show that the presence of surface conduction alters the propagation speed of nonlinear concentration waves and the composition of various zones. Importantly, we highlight the role of surface conduction in formation of additional shock and rarefaction waves which are otherwise not present in conventional electrophoresis.
Oestrogen-related receptor
α
is required for transepithelial H
+
secretion in zebrafish
Authors: Guh Ying-Jey , Yang Chao-Yew , Liu Sian-Tai , Huang Chang-Jen , Hwang Pung-Pung
Published: February 2016

Oestrogen-related receptor α (ERRα) is an orphan nuclear receptor which is important for adaptive metabolic responses under conditions of increased energy demand, such as cold, exercise and fasting. Importantly, metabolism under these conditions is usually accompanied by elevated production of organic acids, which may threaten the body acid–base status. Although ERR
α
is known to help regulate ion transport by the renal epithelia, its role in the transport of acid–base equivalents remains unknown. Here, we tested the hypothesis that ERR
α
is involved in acid–base regulation mechanisms by using zebrafish as the model to examine the effects of ERR
α
on transepithelial H
+
secretion. ERR
α
is abundantly expressed in H
+
-pump-rich cells (HR cells), a group of ionocytes responsible for H
+
secretion in the skin of developing embryos, and its expression is stimulated by acidic (pH 4) environments. Knockdown of ERR
α
impairs both basal and low pH-induced H
+
secretion in the yolk-sac skin, which is accompanied by decreased expression of H
+
-secreting-related transporters. The effect of ERR
α
on H
+
secretion is achieved through regulating both the total number of HR cells and the function of individual HR cells. These results demonstrate, for the first time, that ERR
α
is required for transepithelial H
+
secretion for systemic acid–base homeostasis.
Estimating selection through male fitness: three complementary methods illuminate the nature and causes of selection on flowering time
Authors: Austen Emily J. , Weis Arthur E.
Published: February 2016

Our understanding of selection through male fitness is limited by the resource demands and indirect nature of the best available genetic techniques. Applying complementary, independent approaches to this problem can help clarify evolution through male function. We applied three methods to estimate selection on flowering time through male fitness in experimental populations of the annual plant
Brassica rapa
: (i) an analysis of mating opportunity based on flower production schedules, (ii) genetic paternity analysis, and (iii) a novel approach based on principles of experimental evolution. Selection differentials estimated by the first method disagreed with those estimated by the other two, indicating that mating opportunity was not the principal driver of selection on flowering time. The genetic and experimental evolution methods exhibited striking agreement overall, but a slight discrepancy between the two suggested that negative environmental covariance between age at flowering and male fitness may have contributed to phenotypic selection. Together, the three methods enriched our understanding of selection on flowering time, from mating opportunity to phenotypic selection to evolutionary response. The novel experimental evolution method may provide a means of examining selection through male fitness when genetic paternity analysis is not possible.
Evolution under dietary restriction increases male reproductive performance without survival cost
Authors: Zajitschek Felix , Zajitschek Susanne R. K. , Canton Cindy , Georgolopoulos Grigorios , Friberg Urban , Maklakov Alexei A.
Published: February 2016

Dietary restriction (DR), a reduction in nutrient intake without malnutrition, is the most reproducible way to extend lifespan in a wide range of organisms across the tree of life, yet the evolutionary underpinnings of the DR effect on lifespan are still widely debated. The leading theory suggests that this effect is adaptive and results from reallocation of resources from reproduction to somatic maintenance, in order to survive periods of famine in nature. However, such response would cease to be adaptive when DR is chronic and animals are selected to allocate more resources to reproduction. Nevertheless, chronic DR can also increase the strength of selection resulting in the evolution of more robust genotypes. We evolvedDrosophila melanogasterfruit flies on ‘DR’, ‘standard’ and ‘high’ adult diets in replicate populations with overlapping generations. After approximately 25 generations of experimental evolution, male ‘DR’ flies had higher fitness than males from ‘standard’ and ‘high’ populations. Strikingly, this increase in reproductive success did not come at a cost to survival. Our results suggest that sustained DR selects for more robust male genotypes that are overall better in converting resources into energy, which they allocate mostly to reproduction.