bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fundamentals of Clinical Outcomes Assessment for Spinal Disorders: Clinical Outcome Instruments and Applications
Authors: Vavken Patrick , Ganal-Antonio Anne Kathleen B. , Quidde Julia , Shen Francis H. , Chapman Jens R. , Samartzis Dino
Published: March 2015

Study Design

A broad narrative review.

Objectives

Outcome assessment in spinal disorders is imperative to help monitor the safety and efficacy of the treatment in an effort to change the clinical practice and improve patient outcomes. The following article, part two of a two-part series, discusses the various outcome tools and instruments utilized to address spinal disorders and their management.

Methods

A thorough review of the peer-reviewed literature was performed, irrespective of language, addressing outcome research, instruments and tools, and applications.

Results

Numerous articles addressing the development and implementation of health-related quality-of-life, neck and low back pain, overall pain, spinal deformity, and other condition-specific outcome instruments have been reported. Their applications in the context of the clinical trial studies, the economic analyses, and overall evidence-based orthopedics have been noted. Additional issues regarding the problems and potential sources of bias utilizing outcomes scales and the concept of minimally clinically important difference were discussed.

Conclusion

Continuing research needs to assess the outcome instruments and tools used in the clinical outcome assessment for spinal disorders. Understanding the fundamental principles in spinal outcome assessment may also advance the field of “personalized spine care.”
Diffusivity and short-time dynamics in two models of silica
Authors: Lascaris Erik , Hemmati Mahin , Buldyrev Sergey V. , Stanley H. Eugene , Angell C. Austen
Published: March 2015

We discuss the dynamic behavior of two silica models, the BKS model (by van Beest, Kramer, and van Santen) and the WAC model (by Woodcock, Angell, and Cheeseman). Although BKS is considered the more realistic model for liquid silica, the WAC model has the unique property that it is very close to having a liquid-liquid critical point (LLCP), and this makes it particularly useful in studying the dynamics of models that do have a LLCP. We find that the diffusivity is a good indicator of how close a liquid is to criticality—the Si diffusivity shows a jump of 3–4 orders of magnitude when the pressure is reduced, which may be interpreted as an abrupt (though not first-order) transition from a high-density liquid state to a low-density liquid state. We show that this transition is captured by the Adam-Gibbs relation, which also allows us to estimate the configurational entropy of the system.
Spin pumping and inverse spin Hall effects—Insights for future spin-orbitronics (invited)
Authors: Zhang Wei , Jungfleisch Matthias B. , Jiang Wanjun , Sklenar Joseph , Fradin Frank Y. , Pearson John E. , Ketterson John B. , Hoffmann Axel
Published: March 2015

Quantification of spin-charge interconversion has become increasingly important in the fast-developing field of spin-orbitronics. Pure spin current generated by spin pumping acts as a sensitive probe for many bulk and interface spin-orbit effects, which has been indispensable for the discovery of many promising new spin-orbit materials. We apply spin pumping and inverse spin Hall effect experiments, as a useful metrology, and study spin-orbit effects in a variety of metals and metal interfaces. We quantify the spin Hall effects in Ir and W using the conventional bilayer structures and discuss the self-induced voltage in a single layer of ferromagnetic permalloy. Finally, we extend our discussions to multilayer structures and quantitatively reveal the spin current flow in two consecutive normal metal layers.
Moment mapping of body-centered-cubic FexMn1−x alloy films on MgO(001)
Authors: Idzerda Y. U. , Bhatkar H. , Arenholz E.
Published: March 2015

The alloy composition and elemental magnetic moments of bcc single crystal films of compositionally graded FexMn1−x films (20 nm thick films with 0.8 ≤ x ≤ 0.9) grown on MgO(001) are spatially mapped using X-ray absorption spectroscopy and magnetic circular dichroism. Electron diffraction measurements on single composition samples confirmed that the structure of FexMn1−x films remained epitaxial and in the bcc phase from 0.65 ≤ x ≤ 1, but rotated 45° with respect to the MgO(001) surface net. This is beyond the bulk bcc stability limit of x = 0.88. The Fe moment is found to gradually reduce with increasing Mn content with a very abrupt decline at x = 0.85, a slightly higher composition than observed in the bulk. Surprisingly, the Mn exhibits a very small net moment (<0.1 μB) at all compositions, suggesting a complex Mn spin structure.
A new recurrence formula for generic exceptional orthogonal polynomials
Authors: Miki Hiroshi , Tsujimoto Satoshi
Published: March 2015

A new recurrence relation for exceptional orthogonal polynomials is proposed, which holds for types 1, 2, and 3. To provide concrete examples, the recurrence relations are then given for Xj-Hermite, Laguerre, and Jacobi polynomials in the j = 1, 2 cases.
4H-silicon carbide-dielectric interface recombination analysis using free carrier absorption
Authors: Suvanam S. S. , Gulbinas K. , Usman M. , Linnarson M. K. , Martin D. M. , Linnros J. , Grivickas V. , Hallén A.
Published: March 2015

In this paper, an alternative method to characterize the interface between 4H polytype of Silicon Carbide (4H-SiC) and passivating dielectric layers is established. The studies are made on dielectric-semiconductor test structures using Al2O3 as dielectric on 4H-SiC n-type epitaxial layers. Samples with different pre- and post-dielectric deposition preparations have been fabricated on epilayers of varying thicknesses. Effective lifetimes (τeff) of all the samples were measured by an optical pump-probe method utilizing free carrier absorption (FCA) to analyse the influence of the 4H-SiC/dielectric interface on charge carrier recombination. The relative contribution to τeff from the surfaces increases with decreasing epilayer thickness, and by analysing the data in combination with numerical modelling, it is possible to extract values of the surface recombination velocities (SRVs) for interfaces prepared in different ways. For instance, it is found that SRV for a standard cleaning procedure is 2 × 106 cm/s compared to a more elaborate RCA process, yielding a more than 50 times lower value of 3.5 × 104 cm/s. Furthermore, the density of interface traps (Dit) is extracted from capacitance-voltage (CV) measurements using the Terman method and a comparison is made between the SRV extracted from FCA measurements and Dits extracted from CV measurements on the same structures fabricated with metal contacts. It is observed that the SRV increase scales linearly with the increase in Dit. The strong qualitative correlation between FCA and CV data shows that FCA is a useful characterization technique, which can also yield more quantitative information about the charge carrier dynamics at the interface.
Designing and optimizing highly efficient grating for high-brightness laser based on spectral beam combining
Authors: Yang Ying-Ying , Zhao Ya-Ping , Wang Li-Rong , Zhang Ling , Lin Xue-Chun
Published: March 2015

A highly efficient nano-periodical grating is theoretically investigated for spectral beam combining (SBC) and is experimentally implemented for attaining high-brightness laser from a diode laser array. The rigorous coupled-wave analysis with the S matrix method is employed to optimize the parameters of the grating. According the optimized parameters, the grating is fabricated and plays a key role in SBC cavity. The diffraction efficiency of this grating is optimized to 95% for the output laser which is emitted from the diode laser array. The beam parameter product of 3.8 mm mrad of the diode laser array after SBC is achieved at the output power of 46.3 W. The optical-to-optical efficiency of SBC cavity is measured to be 93.5% at the maximum operating current in the experiment.
Heat transport by phonon tunneling across layered structures used in heat assisted magnetic recording
Authors: Budaev Bair V. , Bogy David B.
Published: March 2015

In this paper, we analyze the heat transport by acoustic waves in arbitrary layered structures that may include several vacuum layers. The analysis is based on our prior description of the spectrum of thermally excited waves in systems with a heat flux, and on the new approach to the coupling between acoustic fields in separated bodies as well as a description of the interference of thermally excited waves. The developed method correctly predicts results for all known special cases for both large and closing gaps, it agrees with the available experimental measurements, and it explains the phenomena of interface thermal resistance as well as thermal rectification (asymmetry of thermal transport). Numerical examples demonstrate the applicability of our approach to the calculation of the heat transport coefficient across nanoscale gaps due to acoustic waves.
Pressure effect on structural, elastic, and thermodynamic properties of tetragonal B4C4
Authors: Zheng Baobing , Zhang Meiguang , Luo Hong-Gang
Published: March 2015

The compressibility, elastic anisotropy, and thermodynamic properties of the recently proposed tetragonal B4C4 (t-B4C4) are investigated under high temperature and high pressure by using of first-principles calculations method. The elastic constants, bulk modulus, shear modulus, Young’s modulus, Vickers hardness, Pugh’s modulus ratio, and Poisson’s ratio for t-B4C4 under various pressures are systematically explored, the obtained results indicate that t-B4C4 is a stiffer material. The elastic anisotropies of t-B4C4 are discussed in detail under pressure from 0 GPa to 100 GPa. The thermodynamic properties of t-B4C4, such as Debye temperature, heat capacity, and thermal expansion coefficient are investigated by the quasi-harmonic Debye model.
A nano-indentation study of the contact resistance and resistivity of a bi-layered Au/multi-walled carbon nanotube composite
Authors: Down M. P. , Lewis A. P. , Jiang L. , McBride J. W.
Published: March 2015

A bi-layer metal-carbon nanotube composite has been developed as a potential low-force electrical contact surface, for application in micro-electromechanical systems switching devices. The samples consist of a vertically aligned forest of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT), sputter coated with a layer of Au. The effect of varying the components and composition are investigated by means of a modified nano-indenter. By measuring the contact resistance of the composites under various loading conditions, the electrical properties and performance can be evaluated. The composites are shown to have homogenous properties, with each of the layers influencing the total electrical characteristics of the samples. The internal structure of the sample, the MWCNT height and penetration of gold into the forest is shown to directly influence the performance and characteristics of the samples. By analyzing the samples as bulk, the effective resistivities of the composites are also determined to have values from 303 nΩ m down to 54 nΩ m, depending on the composition of the samples.
Community structure of reef fishes on a remote oceanic island (St Peter and St Paul’s Archipelago, equatorial Atlantic): the relative influence of abiotic and biotic variables
Authors: Luiz Osmar J. , Mendes Thiago C. , Barneche Diego R. , Ferreira Carlos G. W. , Noguchi Ramon , Villaça Roberto C. , Rangel Carlos A. , Gasparini João L. , Ferreira Carlos E. L.
Published: March 2015

This study investigates the reef fish community structure of the world’s smallest remote tropical island, the St Peter and St Paul’s Archipelago, in the equatorial Atlantic. The interplay between isolation, high endemism and low species richness makes the St Peter and St Paul’s Archipelago ecologically simpler than larger and highly connected shelf reef systems, making it an important natural laboratory for ecology and biogeography, particularly with respect to the effects of abiotic and biotic factors, and the functional organisation of such a depauperate community. Boosted regression trees were used to associate density, biomass and diversity of reef fishes with six abiotic and biotic variables, considering the community both as a whole and segregated into seven trophic groups. Depth was the most important explanatory variable across all models, although the direction of its effect varied with the type of response variable. Fish density peaked at intermediate depths, whereas biomass and biodiversity were respectively positively and negatively correlated with depth. Topographic complexity and wave exposure were less important in explaining variance within the fish community than depth. No effects of the predictor biotic variables were detected. Finally, we notice that most functional groups are represented by very few species, highlighting potential vulnerability to disturbances.
Arginine increases development of in vitro-produced porcine embryos and affects the protein arginine methyltransferase–dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase–nitric oxide axis
Authors: Redel Bethany K. , Tessanne Kimberly J. , Spate Lee D. , Murphy Clifton N. , Prather Randall S.
Published: March 2015

Culture systems promote development at rates lower than the in vivo environment. Here, we evaluated the embryo’s transcriptome to determine what the embryo needs during development. A previous mRNA sequencing endeavour found upregulation of solute carrier family 7 (cationic amino acid transporter, y+ system), member 1 (SLC7A1), an arginine transporter, in in vitro- compared with in vivo-cultured embryos. In the present study, we added different concentrations of arginine to our culture medium to meet the needs of the porcine embryo. Increasing arginine from 0.12 to 1.69 mM improved the number of embryos that developed to the blastocyst stage. These blastocysts also had more total nuclei compared with controls and, specifically, more trophectoderm nuclei. Embryos cultured in 1.69 mM arginine had lower SLC7A1 levels and a higher abundance of messages involved with glycolysis (hexokinase 1, hexokinase 2 and glutamic pyruvate transaminase (alanine aminotransferase) 2) and decreased expression of genes involved with blocking the tricarboxylic acid cycle (pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase, isozyme 1) and the pentose phosphate pathway (transaldolase 1). Expression of the protein arginine methyltransferase (PRMT) genes PRMT1, PRMT3 and PRMT5 throughout development was not affected by arginine. However, the dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase 1 (DDAH1) and DDAH2 message was found to be differentially regulated through development, and the DDAH2 protein was localised to the nuclei of blastocysts. Arginine has a positive effect on preimplantation development and may be affecting the nitric oxide–DDAH–PRMT axis.
Anthropogenic stressors influence small mammal communities in tropical East African savanna at multiple spatial scales
Authors: Byrom Andrea E. , Nkwabi Ally J. K. , Metzger Kristine , Mduma Simon A. R. , Forrester Guy J. , Ruscoe Wendy A. , Reed Denné N. , Bukombe John , Mchetto John , Sinclair A. R. E.
Published: March 2015

Context Protection of natural ecosystems undoubtedly safeguards ecological communities, with positive benefits for ecosystem processes and function. However, ecosystems are under threat from anthropogenic stressors that reduce the resilience both of component species and the system as a whole. Aims To determine how anthropogenic stressors (land use and climate change) could impact the diversity and resilience of a small mammal community in the greater Serengeti ecosystem, an East African savanna comprising Serengeti National Park (SNP) and adjacent agro-ecosystems, at local (SNP) and Africa-wide geographic scales. Methods We recorded small mammal species in 10 habitats in the greater Serengeti ecosystem, including the agro-ecosystem, over 48 years (1962–2010). We calculated richness and diversity for each habitat type, and used an index of similarity to quantify differences in the community among habitats. Species accumulation curves were also generated for each habitat type. Key results We recorded 40 species of small mammals in the greater Serengeti ecosystem. At the local scale, restricted habitat types in SNP (each <1% of the total area) made a disproportionately large contribution to diversity. Agro-ecosystems had lower richness and were less likely to contain specialist species. At regional and Africa-wide scales, local endemics were less likely to be recorded in the agro-ecosystem (57% species loss) compared with those with regional (33% loss) or Africa-wide (31%) geographic distributions. Conclusions At the local scale, the variety of habitats in SNP contributed to overall diversity. However, the ability to maintain this diversity in the adjacent agro-ecosystem was compromised for localised endemics compared with species with Africa-wide ranges. Land use intensification adjacent to SNP and projected changes in rainfall patterns for East Africa under global climate scenarios may compromise the future resilience of the small mammal community in this tropical savanna ecosystem. Implications The loss of rare or specialised species from protected areas and human-modified ecosystems could be mitigated by: (1) increasing habitat complexity and maintaining specialist habitats in the agro-ecosystem; and (2) creating buffers at the boundary of protected natural ecosystems that accommodate regime shifts in response to climatic change. These measures would increase the resilience of this coupled human–natural savanna ecosystem.
A multifactorial injury prevention intervention reduces injury incidence in Physical Education Teacher Education students
Authors: Goossens L. , Cardon G. , Witvrouw E. , Steyaert A. , De Clercq D.
Published: March 2015

Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) students are at considerable risk for non‐contact sports injuries of the lower extremities. Multifactorial injury prevention interventions including exercises have been successful in sports populations, but no such study has ever been performed in PETE students. This study investigated the efficacy of a multifactorial injury prevention intervention on injury incidence reduction in PETE students. PETE students in the intervention group (n = 154) and in the control group (n = 189) registered sports injuries prospectively. The intervention lasted one academic year and consisted of an injury awareness programme and preventive strategies, implemented by the PETE sports lecturers. Differences in injury incidence between the intervention and control group were tested by Poisson regression Wald tests. There was a trend towards significantly lower incidence rate (2.18 vs. 2.73; p = 0.061) in the intervention group compared with the control group. Students in the intervention group had significantly less acute, first‐time and extracurricular injuries. The largest reduction was observed for injuries during unsupervised practice sessions. A multifactorial injury prevention intervention embedded into a regular PETE programme is a promising and feasible strategy to prevent injuries in PETE students. Further research is needed to investigate whether the results may be generalised to other PETE programmes.
Interior second derivative estimates for solutions to the linearized Monge-Ampère equation
Authors: Gutiérrez Cristian , Nguyen Truyen
Published: March 2015

Let

Ω
⊂

R

n

\Omega \subset \mathbb {R}^n

be a bounded convex domain and

ϕ
∈
C
(

Ω
¯

)

\phi \in C(\overline \Omega )

be a convex function such that

ϕ
\phi

is sufficiently smooth on

∂
Ω

\partial \Omega

and the Monge-Ampère measure

det

D
2

ϕ

\det D^2\phi

is bounded away from zero and infinity in

Ω
\Omega

. The corresponding linearized Monge-Ampère equation is
\[

t
r
a
c
e

(
Φ

D
2

u
)
=
f
,

\mathrm {trace}(\Phi D^2 u) =f,

\]
where

Φ
:=
det

D
2

ϕ
 
(

D
2

ϕ

)

−
1

\Phi := \det D^2 \phi ~ (D^2\phi )^{-1}

is the matrix of cofactors of

D
2

ϕ

D^2\phi

. We prove a conjecture about the relationship between

L
p

L^p

estimates for

D
2

u

D^2 u

and the closeness between

det

D
2

ϕ

\det D^2\phi

and one. As a consequence, we obtain interior

W

2
,
p

W^{2,p}

estimates for solutions to such equations whenever the measure

det

D
2

ϕ

\det D^2\phi

is given by a continuous density and the function

f
f

belongs to

L
q

(
Ω
)

L^q(\Omega )

for some

q
>
max

{
p
,
n
}

q> \max {\{p,n\}}

.
Weakly holomorphic modular forms and rank two hyperbolic Kac-Moody algebras
Authors: Kim Henry , Lee Kyu-Hwan , Zhang Yichao
Published: March 2015

In this paper, we compute basis elements of certain spaces of weight

0
0

weakly holomorphic modular forms and consider the integrality of Fourier coefficients of the modular forms. We use the results to construct automorphic correction of the rank

2
2

hyperbolic Kac-Moody algebras

H

(
a
)

\mathcal H(a)

,

a
=
4
,
5
,
6

a=4,5,6

, through Hilbert modular forms explicitly given by Borcherds lifts of the weakly holomorphic modular forms. We also compute asymptotics of the Fourier coefficients as they are related to root multiplicities of the rank

2
2

hyperbolic Kac-Moody algebras. This work is a continuation of an earlier work of the first and second authors, where automorphic correction was constructed for

H

(
a
)

\mathcal H(a)

,

a
=
3
,
11
,
66

a=3, 11, 66

.
The Mori program and Non-Fano toric Homological Mirror Symmetry
Authors: Ballard Matthew , Diemer Colin , Favero David , Katzarkov Ludmil , Kerr Gabriel
Published: March 2015

In the case of toric varieties, we continue the pursuit of Kontsevich’s fundamental insight, Homological Mirror Symmetry, by unifying it with the Mori program. We give a refined conjectural version of Homological Mirror Symmetry relating semi-orthogonal decompositions of the

B
B

-model on toric varieties to semi-orthogonal decompositions on the

A
A

-model on the mirror Landau-Ginzburg models.

As evidence, we prove a new case of Homological Mirror Symmetry for a toric surface whose anticanonical bundle is not nef, namely a certain blow-up of

P

2

\mathbb {P}^2

at three infinitesimally near points.
Deforestation Control and Agricultural Supply in Brazil
Authors: Bento de Souza Ferreira Filho Joaquim , Ribera Luis , Horridge Mark
Published: March 2015

Brazil has dramatically increased its agricultural area under cultivation, in the process becoming a major food exporter at the cost of natural forests. A new challenge is to meet the food demands of an expanding world population in the face of pessimistic climate change scenarios and the increasing scarcity of land. Can Brazil help meet rising world food demand while conserving its tropical rainforests? To address this question we simulate outcomes using a large dynamic multiregional computable general equilibrium model of Brazil to model land use over 20 years in 90 zones and 14 agricultural sectors. The model features a land‐use change module based on a transition matrix obtained from satellite imagery. We analyze two scenarios of deforestation reduction, both linked to actual policy proposals. Model results indicate several mechanisms that allow food output to increase without expanding land supply. In particular, we stress the role of Brazil's vast, low‐yield pasture area as a source of future cropland. Thus, we find that controlling deforestation leads to rather small decreases in food output—which could be neutralized by tiny exogenous productivity improvements. We conclude that the decrease in deforestation will not significantly compromise Brazilian agricultural supply capacity in the foreseeable future.
Farmers' Adaptation to Extreme Weather Events through Farm Management and Its Impacts on the Mean and Risk of Rice Yield in China
Authors: Huang Jikun , Wang Yangjie , Wang Jinxia
Published: March 2015

We explore how rice farmers adjust their farm management practices in response to extreme weather events and determine whether their adjustments affect the mean, risk, and downside risk of rice yield. Based on a survey of 1,653 rice farmers in China, our econometric analyses show that the severity of drought and flood in the study areas significantly increases the risk and downside risk of rice yield. The applied farm management measures respond to severe drought and flood and can be considered as adaptation to climate change, an issue often ignored in previous studies. We model adaptation and its impact on rice yield for adapters and non‐adapters. Utilizing a moment‐based approach, we show that adaptation through farm management measures significantly increases rice yield and reduces the risk and downside risk of rice yield. Several policies, including scaling up the cost‐effective farm management adaptation and providing public services related to natural disasters, are recommended to improve adaptive capacity of farmers, particular the poor, in response to extreme events.
ChIPseeker: an R/Bioconductor package for ChIP peak annotation, comparison and visualization
Authors: Yu Guangchuang , Wang Li-Gen , He Qing-Yu
Published: March 2015

Summary: ChIPseeker is an R package for annotating ChIP-seq data analysis. It supports annotating ChIP peaks and provides functions to visualize ChIP peaks coverage over chromosomes and profiles of peaks binding to TSS regions. Comparison of ChIP peak profiles and annotation are also supported. Moreover, it supports evaluating significant overlap among ChIP-seq datasets. Currently, ChIPseeker contains 15 000 bed file information from GEO database. These datasets can be downloaded and compare with user’s own data to explore significant overlap datasets for inferring co-regulation or transcription factor complex for further investigation.

Availability and implementation: ChIPseeker is released under Artistic-2.0 License. The source code and documents are freely available through Bioconductor (http://www.bioconductor.org/packages/release/bioc/html/ChIPseeker.html).

Contact:  guangchuangyu@gmail.com or tqyhe@jnu.edu.cn

Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Metagenomic analysis of the impact of nitrofurantoin treatment on the human faecal microbiota
Authors: Vervoort Jascha , Xavier Basil Britto , Stewardson Andrew , Coenen Samuel , Godycki-Cwirko Maciek , Adriaenssens Niels , Kowalczyk Anna , Lammens Christine , Harbarth Stephan , Goossens Herman , Malhotra-Kumar Surbhi
Published: March 2015

Objectives

The objective was to study changes in the faecal microbiota of patients with uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) treated with nitrofurantoin and of non-treated healthy controls using 16S rRNA analysis.

Methods

Serial stool samples were collected from patients receiving nitrofurantoin treatment at different timepoints [before treatment (day 1; T1), within 48 h of end of treatment (days 5–15; T2) and 28 days after treatment (days 31–43; T3)], as well as from healthy controls. Direct DNA extraction (PowerSoil DNA Isolation Kit, MoBio Laboratories, Carlsbad, CA, USA) from stool samples was followed by pyrosequencing (454 GS FLX Titanium) of the V3–V5 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene.

Results

Among UTI patients, mean proportions of the Actinobacteria phylum increased by 19.6% in the first follow-up sample (T2) in comparison with the pretreatment baseline stool sample (T1) (P = 0.026). However, proportions of Actinobacteria reversed to ‘normal’ pre-antibiotic levels, with a mean difference of 1.0% compared with baseline proportions, in the second follow-up sample (T3). The increase in Actinobacteria was specifically due to an increase in the Bifidobacteriaceae family (Bifidobacterium genus), which constituted 81.0% (95% CI ±7.4%) of this phylum.

Conclusions

No significant impact was observed other than a temporary increase in the beneficial Bifidobacterium genus following nitrofurantoin treatment, which supports its reintroduction into clinical use.
The Control of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Blood Stream Infections in England
Authors: Duerden Brian , Fry Carole , Johnson Alan P. , Wilcox Mark H.
Published: March 2015

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) blood stream infection (BSI) is a major healthcare burden in some but not all healthcare settings, and it is associated with 10%–20% mortality. The introduction of mandatory reporting in England of MRSA BSI in 2001 was followed in 2004 by the setting of target reductions for all National Health Service hospitals. The original national target of a 50% reduction in MRSA BSI was considered by many experts to be unattainable, and yet this goal has been far exceeded (∼80% reduction with rates still declining). The transformation from endemic to sporadic MRSA BSI involved the implementation of serial national infection prevention directives, and the deployment of expert improvement teams in organizations failed to meet their improvement trajectory targets. We describe and appraise the components of the major public health infection prevention campaign that yielded major reductions in MRSA infection. There are important lessons and opportunities for other healthcare systems where MRSA infection remains endemic.
An X-ray spectroscopic search for dark matter in the Perseus cluster with Suzaku
Authors: Tamura Takayuki , Iizuka Ryo , Maeda Yoshitomo , Mitsuda Kazuhisa , Yamasaki Noriko Y.
Published: March 2015

We present the results from deep Suzaku observations of the central region of the Perseus cluster. Bulbul et al. (2014, ApJ, 789, 13) reported the detection by XMM-Newton instruments of an unidentified X-ray emission line at an energy around 3.5 keV in spectra for the Perseus and other clusters. They argued for a possibility of the decay of sterile neutrino, a dark matter candidate. We examine Suzaku X-ray Imaging Spectrometer (XIS) spectra of the Perseus cluster for evidence in the 3.5 keV line and other possible dark matter features in the 2–6 keV energy band. In order to search for and constrain a weak line feature with the XIS, observations of the Crab Nebula are used to evaluate the system's effective area. We found no line feature at the claimed position with a systematic line flux upper limit at a half (1.5 eV in line equivalent width) of the claimed best-fitting value by Bulbul et al. (2014). We discuss this inconsistency in terms of instrumental calibration errors and modeling of continuum emission. Future prospects for high-energy resolution spectroscopy with ASTRO-H are presented.
Tocilizumab as an Adjuvant Therapy for Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Associated With Visceral Leishmaniasis
Authors: Rios-Fernández Raquel , Callejas-Rubio Jose-Luis , García-Rodríguez Sonia , Sancho Jaime , Zubiaur Mercedes , Ortego-Centeno Norberto
Published: March 2015

Leishmaniasis is important as a cause of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and must be considered and excluded in patients with HLH because it can cause severe or even fatal complications. When HLH is present, there is a deficient downregulation of the immune response, leading to an uncontrolled inflammation. We report a case of visceral leishmaniasis-HLH where the therapy with tocilizumab, targeting interleukin 6, help to regulate the immune response for the infection of Leishmania.
Tranexamic Acid Treatment Decreases Hidden Blood Loss in Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Chen Xin , Zhu Xiongbai , Yang Shengwu , Lin Wenjun , Wang Lu
Published: March 2015

The aim of our meta-analysis is to investigate the effect of tranexamic acid (TXA) on hidden blood loss (HBL) in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). A literature search was undertaken to identify all cohort studies that investigated the effect of TXA on HBL in TKA. Both electronic database search and manual search were used to retrieve studies related to the topic, and the retrieved studies were screened according to our stringent inclusion and exclusion criteria. Comprehensive Meta-analysis 2.0 software (CMA 2.0) was used for statistical analysis of the data retrieved from selected case–cohort studies. A total of 480 studies were initially retrieved, and after further screening and selection, 7 studies were eventually incorporated into our meta-analysis. The 7 studies included a total of 530 osteoarthritis or rheumatic arthritis patients who had TKA, and among them, 250 patients received an intravenous injection of TXA as cases and 280 patients received an intravenous injection of sodium chloride as sterile placebo controls. Our meta-analysis revealed that the volume of HBL of cases was lower than that of controls, which was statistically significant. The ethnicity-stratified analysis suggested that the volume of HBL of cases was significantly lower than that of controls in both the Asians and whites, also at statistically significant levels. Our meta-analysis provides strong evidence that TXA significantly reduces HBL in TKA, thus TXA can be used as a standard drug to prevent/reduce HBL in TKA.
Evidence for stereoelectronic effects in the N—C—N group of 8,10,12-triaza-1-azoniatetracyclo[8.3.1.18,12.02,7]pentadecane 4-nitrophenolate 4-nitrophenol monosolvate from the protonation of aminal (2R,7R)-1,8,10,12-tetraazatetracyclo[8.3.1.18,12.02,7]pentadecane: X-ray and natural bond orbital analysis
Authors: Rivera Augusto , Uribe Juan Manuel , Ríos-Motta Jaime , Osorio Hector Jairo , Bolte Michael
Published: March 2015

The title molecular salt, C11H21N4+·C6H4NO3−·C6H5NO3, (II), crystallizes with two independent three-component aggregates in the asymmetric unit. In the cations, the cyclohexane rings fused to the cage azaadamantane systems both adopt a chair conformation. In the crystal structure, the aggregates are connected by C—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming a supramolecular unit enclosing anR44(24) ring motif. These units are linkedviaC—H...O and C—H...N hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional network. Even hydrogen-bond formation to one of the N atoms is enough to induce structural stereoelectronic effects in the normal donor→acceptor direction. The C—N bond distances provide structural evidence for a strong anomeric effect. The structure also displays O—H...O and N—H...O hydrogen bonding. Geometric optimization and natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis of (II) were undertaken by utilizing DFT/B3LYP with the 6-31+G(d,p) basis set. NBO second-order perturbation theory calculations indicate donor–acceptor interactions between nitrogen lone pairs and the antibonding orbital of the C—C and C—N bonds for the protonated polyamine, in agreement with the occurrence of bond-length and bond-angle changes within the aminal cage structure.
The tripeptideN-Cbz-βGly-Gly-Gly-Obz
Authors: Nicholas Sumesh
Published: March 2015

The title peptide,N-benzyloxycarbonyl-β-glycylglycylglycine benzyl ester, C22H25N3O6, contains a non-proteinogenic amino acid residue, β-glycine, which is a homologated analogue of glycine. In the molecular structure, β-glycine adopts an extended conformation with atransconformation about its Cβ—Cαbond. The second glycine residue adopts an extended conformation while the third glycine residue adopts a helical conformation. In the crystal, three N—H...O hydrogen bonds, two involving the same carbonyl O atom as acceptor, results in an infinite two-dimensional network parallel to thebcplane.
Crystal structure of di-μ-hydroxido-bis[aqua(1,10-phenanthroline-κ2N,N′)copper(II)] naphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylate hexahydrate
Authors: Arias-Zárate Daniela , Ballesteros-Rivas María Fernanda , Toscano Rubén A. , Valdés-Martínez Jesús
Published: March 2015

In the title compound, [Cu2(OH)2(C12H8N2)2(H2O)2](C12H6O4)·6H2O, the two hydroxide groups bridge the two CuIIcations, forming a centrosymmetric binuclear complex cation, in which the CuIIcation is coordinated by a 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) molecule, one water molecule and two bridging hydroxide O atoms in a distorted N2O3square-pyramidal coordination geometry. The naphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylate anion is also located on an inversion centre. In the crystal, O—H...O hydrogen bonds link the cations, anions and lattice water molecules into a three-dimensional supramolecular architecture. Extensive π–π stacking is observed between the parallel or nearly parallel aromatic rings of adjacent phen ligands and naphthalenedicarboxylate anions, the centroid-to-centroid distances ranging from 3.4990 (16) to 3.8895 (16) Å.
Crystal structure oftrans-dihydridobis[tris(dimethylamino)phosphane-κP]platinum(II)
Authors: Downs Emma L. , Zakharov Lev N. , Tyler David R.
Published: March 2015

The molecule of the title compound, [PtH2(C6H18N3P)2], has a centrosymmetric square-planar structure in which the PtIIatom is bonded to two H and two P atoms in a mutuallytransconfiguration. The PtIIatom sits on an inversion center and thus the asymmetric unit contains only half the molecule. The Pt—P and Pt—H distances are 2.2574 (10) and 1.49 (7) Å, respectively.
Crystal structure ofN-[(2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)(4-methylphenyl)methyl]acetamide
Authors: Khanapure Sharanbasappa , Rashinkar Gajanan , Chhowala Tarulata , Anthal Sumati , Kant Rajni
Published: March 2015

In the title molecule, C20H19NO2, the naphthalene ring system subtends a dihedral angle of 82.50 (7)° with the benzene ring and an intramolecular N—H...O hydrogen bond closes anS(6) ring. In the crystal, molecules are linked by O—H...O hydrogen bonds, which generateC(8) chains propagating in the [010] direction. The crystal structure also features weak π–π interactions [centroid–centroid separation = 3.7246 (10) Å].
Crystal structure of (5′S,8′S)-3-(2,5-dimethylphenyl)-8-methoxy-3-nitro-1-azaspiro[4.5]decane-2,4-dione
Authors: Hu Gao-Bo , Jiang Da-Wei , Li Jiang-Yan , Rao Yan , Jiang Li-Yuan
Published: March 2015

The title compound, C18H22N2O5, was synthesized by nitrification of its enol precursor. The pyrrolidine ring plane adopts a twisted conformation about the C—C bond linking the spiro centre and the C=O group remote from the N atom. It makes dihedral angles of 71.69 (9) and 88.92 (9)°, respectively, with the benzene ring plane and the plane defined by the four C atoms that form the seat of the of the cyclohexane chair. At the spiro centre, the NH group is axial and the C=O group is equatorial with respect to the cyclohexane ring. In the crystal, inversion dimers linked by pairs of N—H...O hydrogen bonds generateR22(8) loops. The dimers are linked by C—H...O interactions, generating a three-dimensional network.
Crystal structure of benzyl 3-(3-methylphenyl)dithiocarbazate
Authors: Aziz NurFadhilah Abdul , Yusof Enis Nadia Md , Ravoof Thahira Begum S. A. , Tiekink Edward R. T.
Published: March 2015

In the title compound, C15H16N2S2, the central CN2S2residue is almost planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.0354 Å) and forms dihedral angles of 56.02 (4) and 75.52 (4)° with the phenyl and tolyl rings, respectively; the dihedral angle between the aromatic rings is 81.72 (5)°. The conformation about the N—N bond isgauche[C—N—N—C = −117.48 (15)°]. Overall, the molecule has the shape of the letterL. In the crystal packing, supramolecular chains along theaaxis are formed by N—H...S(thione) hydrogen bonds whereby the thione S atom accepts two such bonds. The hydrogen bonding leads to alternating edge-shared eight-membered {...HNCS}2and 10-membered {...HNNH...S}2synthons. The chains are connected into layers by phenyl–tolyl C—H...π interactions; the layers stack along thecaxis with no specific interactions between them.
Crystal structure of bis(fluorosulfato-κO)xenon(II), Xe(SO3F)2
Authors: Malischewski Moritz , Seppelt Konrad
Published: March 2015

Thermally unstable Xe(SO3F)2has been prepared by the reaction of XeF2with HSO3F. Single crystals were obtained from HSO3F by slow cooling in a sealed tube. The molecular structure is characterized by the Xe atom covalently bonded to two O atoms of two fluorosulfate tetrahedra in an almost linear fashion [O—Xe—O = 179.13 (4)°]. The crystal packing is strongly influenced by intermolecular van der Waals forces.
Crystal structure of ethyl 2-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-2-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)hydrazinylidene]acetate
Authors: Loughzail Mohamed , Baouid Abdesselam , El Ammari Lahcen , Saadi Mohamed , Berraho Moha
Published: March 2015

The title compound, C17H15N5O4, was obtainedviathe condensation of 3-ethoxy-2-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)hydrazono]-3-oxopropanoic acid with 1,2-diaminobenzene. In the molecule, the dihedral angles between the acetate group and the two aromatic subunits (benzimidazole and nitrophenylhydrazone) are 7.35 (9) and 18.23 (9)°, respectively. Intramolecular N—H...O and N—H...N contacts occur. In the crystal, C—H...O and N—H...O hydrogen bonds link the molecules into chains along theb-axis direction.
What drives the disintegration of the loan origination value chain in the banking business
Authors: Scannella Enzo
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyze the vertical disintegration of the bank loan origination value chain. This paper conducts a study on the credit information market from the perspective of the bank’s decision to vertically disintegrate the loan origination value chain. The main aim is to identify the relevant drivers of the decision to vertically disintegrate the credit assessment phase in the lending business.

Design/methodology/approach

– Transaction cost economics and information asymmetry are the typical perspectives of analysis of the vertical scope of business value chains.

Findings

– This paper argues that in order to capture the drivers underlying the dynamic evolution of the vertical scope of bank loan origination business models, the above perspectives must be combined and integrated further with a resource-based view and the modularity perspective. Combining managerial and financial perspectives, this paper offers an examination of the drivers of vertical disintegration in the lending value chain and, specifically, in the credit assessment phase.

Originality/value

– Although the existence of substantial research on value chain vertical integration/disintegration in the literature, none has directly focussed on the credit assessment value chain. It leaves a gap that the paper aims to overcome. The value chain disintegration has deep managerial and financial implications at firm and industry levels, and the comprehension of the rational underlying it is critical to maintaining competitive business model configurations in the bank lending industry.
Key drivers for informal project coordination among sub-contractors
Authors: Aagaard Annabeth , Eskerod Pernille , Madsen Erik Skov
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– Despite good project front-end planning, projects typically need continuous coordination among the participants concerning scope of work, pace, and timing during the execution phase to be accomplished without delays. Coordination can be formal or informal. Research shows that informal coordination of residual and unforeseen interdependencies enhances time saving and facilitates better understandings. Still though, many sub-contractors choose not to coordinate informally. The purpose of this paper is to identify drivers that enhance or inhibit informal coordination among sub-contractors during project execution.

Design/methodology/approach

– A qualitative, explorative case study approach was applied, involving 15 SME sub-contractors within the offshore wind power energy sector.

Findings

– Six drivers which enhance informal coordination and three drivers which inhibit informal coordination among sub-contractors in projects were identified.

Practical implications

– The findings imply that management in project-oriented organizations can enhance informal coordination across project sub-contractors in the project execution phase by facilitating trust building; by emphasizing previous collaboration successes with the sub-contractors and the possibility of future common projects; by being explicit about expectations on informal coordination; and by developing sub-contractor contracts that are not very tight in economic terms, but instead give some leeway in relation to coordination.

Originality/value

– The paper contributes to a gap on coordination within projects and in the specificity of the context of offshore wind energy in which the concept of informal coordination across sub-contractors is explored.
Maturity assessment: towards continuous improvements for project-based organisations?
Authors: Backlund Fredrik , Chronéer Diana , Sundqvist Erik
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the empirical research on project management (PM) maturity assessments, specifically based on a maturity model.

Design/methodology/approach

– The empirical data are based on a case study including in-depth interviews with a semi-structured approach, followed by a focus group interview. A survey was distributed within a project-based organisation (PBO) and to client and stakeholder representatives, and then analysed. The organisation in the case study is a project department within a Swedish mining company.

Findings

– Careful considerations are needed when choosing a PM maturity model (PM3) as the model structure can influence the assessment’s focus. It is also important to include both internal and external project stakeholders in the assessment to achieve an efficiency and effectiveness perspective when analysing PM capabilities. Valid information from an assessment is crucial, therefore, clear communication from management is important in order to motivate the participants in the assessment.

Research limitations/implications

– Improved understanding for implementing and applying a PM3 contributes to the increased knowledge of drivers, enablers and obstacles when assessing PM maturity, which also creates a basis for further research initiatives.

Practical implications

– An increased knowledge of drivers, enablers and obstacles should be valuable for practitioners introducing and applying a PM3.

Social implications

– Projects are a common way of working in many businesses. Activities which aim to improve PM capabilities should contribute to more effective and efficient project performance.

Originality/value

– This case study gives an in-depth insight into the implementation of a PM3 within a PBO. Through conducting a literature review, it was found that this type of empirical research is rare.
Grade control in multi-variable ore deposits as a quality management problem under uncertainty
Authors: Kumral Mustafa
Published: March 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide a decision-making tool on where to send mining parcels extracted in such a way as to minimize losses arising from mis-classification. The problem is complicated because actual values of mining parcels cannot be known and the decision is made on the basis of the estimation/simulations of the parcels generated from sparse data.

Design/methodology/approach

– The loss minimization associated with mis-classification is formulated as a non-linear optimization problem and solved by successive mixed integer programming. By assigning reasonable values to some variables making problem non-linear, the problem is converted to a mixed integer programming (MIP) and is solved by a standard MIP optimization engine.

Findings

– A case study was conducted to see the performance of the proposed approach on a deposit with gold and silver variables. The proposed approach was also compared with conventional grade control approaches. The results showed that the approach proposed could be used for solving grade quality control problem.

Practical implications

– Grade quality control problem is well-known problem and there is no effective solution approach. This paper proposes to solve the problem through standard operation research software. As such, mine planner and engineers have a means to deal with grade quality problem in mining operations.

Originality/value

– The paper formulates multi-variable grade quality control problem as an optimization problem on the contrary to previous one-shot approaches. This can increase profit and operation efficiency. The research also use target grades rather than cut-off grade posing problems in mining operations.