bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Why Does Return Predictability Concentrate in Bad Times?
Authors: CUJEAN JULIEN , HASLER MICHAEL
Published: August 2017

We build an equilibrium model to explain why stock return predictability concentrates in bad times. The key feature is that investors use different forecasting models, and hence assess uncertainty differently. As economic conditions deteriorate, uncertainty rises and investors' opinions polarize. Disagreement thus spikes in bad times, causing returns to react to past news. This phenomenon creates a positive relation between disagreement and future returns. It also generates time‐series momentum, which strengthens in bad times, increases with disagreement, and crashes after sharp market rebounds. We provide empirical support for these new predictions.
Nonfundamental Speculation Revisited
Authors: YANG LIYAN , ZHU HAOXIANG
Published: August 2017

We show that a linear pure strategy equilibrium may not exist in the model of Madrigal (1996), contrary to the claim of the original paper. This is because Madrigal's characterization of a pure strategy equilibrium omits a second‐order condition. If the nonfundamental speculator's information about noise trading is sufficiently precise, a linear pure strategy equilibrium fails to exist. In parameter regions where a pure strategy equilibrium does exist, we identify a few calculation errors in Madrigal (1996) that result in misleading implications.
Muscle–bone interactions: movement in the field of mechano–humoral coupling of muscle and bone
Authors: Cardozo Christopher P. , Graham Zachary A.
Published: August 2017

Cyclical, mechanical loading of bone by skeletal muscle is widely recognized as a critical determinant of bone structure and mass. A growing body of evidence indicates that substances released from skeletal muscle into the bloodstream also regulate bone mass and metabolism. In this commentary, we discuss the status of research in the area of humoral regulation of bone mass by the skeletal muscle secretome, with an emphasis on the roles of myostatin, irisin, interleukin‐6, and exosomes. The interplay between muscle, bone, and other modulators of bone mass, including circadian rhythm and sympathetic tone, is also discussed.
Perceptions of Prolonged Occupation as Barriers to Conflict Resolution
Authors: Rosler Nimrod , Sharvit Keren , Bar‐Tal Daniel
Published: August 2017

The goal of this research was to examine whether a denial of a prolonged occupation by the occupying society constitutes a meaningful sociopsychological barrier to resolving the conflict peacefully. We hypothesized that this perception will be associated with objections both to conflict resolution processes and to specific compromises intended to end the occupation. Furthermore, we hypothesized that the association between denial of the occupation and compromises will be partially mediated by denial of its costs, low levels of moral emotions, and closure to new information about the conflict. Taking the prolonged Israeli occupation as our case study, we used three nationwide representative polls of Jewish Israelis to test our hypotheses. The studies supported our hypotheses, pointing to the distinct role that the perception of prolonged occupation by the occupying society plays in peacefully ending this situation, and the psychological mechanisms underlying occupation denial as a barrier to conflict resolution.
OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF CO2+-DOPED ZNS NANOPARTICLES SYNTHESIZED USING REVERSE MICELLE METHOD
Authors: Mohd Ibrahim Rahizana , Markom Masturah , Abd Razak Kamal Firdausi
Published: August 2017

Zinc sulfide is a luminescence materials with important application that exist either as a bulk material or in the form of nano crystal. Doped ZnS nanoparticles form a new class of luminescence materials and provide a new physics to control the particles size. This paper concerns detailed structural, spectroscopic and crystal field studies of ZnS nanoparticles, both pure and doped with CO2+ ions that successfully synthesized at room temperature. Zn1-xCoxS (x =0.00,0.02,0.04,0.06,0.08 and 0.10) was prepared by reverse micelle method using sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT) as surfactant. The effect of ion doping on the optical characterization, structure and morphology of ZnS:Co2+ were investigated using ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, photoluminesence (PL) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM)  and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). EDAX spectra confirmed the incorporation of ion dopants into ZnS crystal structure, and XRD results showed that ZnS:Co2+ nanoparticles crystallized in a zinc blende structure. The particle size of all of samples ranged from 2 nm to 3 nm. In the PL emision, two peaks were observed at 460 and 608nm that a new peak for Co2+ doped ZnS ever reported. The Co2+ doped ZnS nanoparticles using reverse micelle method showed that there is considerable change in the photoluminescence spectra of the ZnS nanoparticle doped Co2+.
EFFECTS OF MEMBRANE FABRICATION CONDITIONS TOWARDS THE PERFORMANCE OF NANOPARTICLES-INCORPORATED MEMBRANES
Authors: Tao Chung Ying , Mohammad Abdul Wahab
Published: August 2017

The development of nanoparticles-incorporated membranes is one of the recent techniques in improving membrane qualities in terms of fouling propensity. In this study, Zinc oxide (ZnO) has been selected as the nanoparticles to be embedded in membranes due to its excellent antifouling and antimicrobial properties. Several parameters such as polymer percentage and bath temperature were studied during the membrane fabrication process via phase inversion technique. The effects of each parameter towards the membrane structure and performance were significant in producing good membranes. When the polymer percentage increased from 16wt% to 20wt%, the permeability decreased from 6.9 to 3.9 L.m-2.hr-1.bar-1 and humic acid rejection increased from 78% to 95%. On the other hand, the coagulation temperature increment will lead to increment of permeability from 2 to 4 L.m-2.hr-1.bar-1 but gave rejection from 93% to 96% at 15oC to 25oC, and 86% at temperature of 35oC.In conclusion, the optimum condition for nanoparticles-incorporated membranes fabrication was shown at 20% of PSF at 25oC.
HIGH TEMPERATURE SOLID-CATALYZED IN-SITU TRANSESTERIFICATION FOR BIODIESEL PRODUCTION
Authors: Talha Nur Syakirah , Sulaiman Sarina , Azmi Azlin Suhaida
Published: August 2017

In-situ transesterification method is a simplified method for biodiesel production where the oil was simultaneously extracted and transesterified into alkyl ester in-situ in one single process. This process combines the steps of lipid (oil) extraction and transesterification. The alcohol used was methanol as it is widely available and economically feasible. In this study, in situ transesterification was conducted using solid coconut waste and a novel heterogeneous catalyst synthesized from eggshells and solid coconut waste by calcination. Reaction temperature, catalyst loading, and methanol to solid ratio were varied from 70 to 120˚C, 0.5 to 10.5 wt %, and 8:1 to 12:1 respectively. Meanwhile, reaction time was fixed to 3 hrs. Heterogeneous catalyst can help to reduce the steps in separation and purification of the product. Moreover, utilizing waste in the production can lower the production cost as well as help to save and clean the environment. The highest biodiesel yield was observed at the condition of 95˚C, 0.5 wt % catalyst, and 10:1 methanol to solid ratio.
Quantifying Parameter Sensitivity and Uncertainty for Interatomic Potential Design: Application to Saturated Hydrocarbons
Authors: Tschopp Mark A. , Chris Rinderspacher B. , Nouranian Sasan , Baskes Mike I. , Gwaltney Steven R. , Horstemeyer Mark F.
Published: August 2017

The research objective herein is to understand the relationships between the interatomic potential parameters and properties used in the training and validation of potentials, specifically using a recently developed modified embedded-atom method (MEAM) potential for saturated hydrocarbons (C–H system). This potential was parameterized to a training set that included bond distances, bond angles, and atomization energies at 0 K of a series of alkane structures from methane to n-octane. In this work, the parameters of the MEAM potential were explored through a fractional factorial design and a Latin hypercube design to better understand how individual MEAM parameters affected several properties of molecules (energy, bond distances, bond angles, and dihedral angles) and also to quantify the relationship/correlation between various molecules in terms of these properties. The generalized methodology presented shows quantitative approaches that can be used in selecting the appropriate parameters for the interatomic potential, selecting the bounds for these parameters (for constrained optimization), selecting the responses for the training set, selecting the weights for various responses in the objective function, and setting up the single/multi-objective optimization process itself. The significance of the approach applied in this study is not only the application to the C–H system but that the broader framework can also be easily applied to any number of systems to understand the significance of parameters, their relationships to properties, and the subsequent steps for designing interatomic potentials under uncertainty.
Duplex Surface Treatment of AISI 1045 Steel Via Pack Boriding and Plasma Nitriding: Characterization and Tribological Studies
Authors: Habibolahzadeh Ali , Haftlang Farahnaz
Published: August 2017

For the first time, formation of cubic boron nitride (c-BN), besides Fe2B and iron nitrides, was detected in boronitride coating, which was applied via a duplex diffusional surface treatment. Boronitride coating was applied on AISI 1045 steel substrates via duplex treatment of pack boriding and plasma nitriding (B-PN). Scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and pin-on-disk wear test were utilized to evaluate microstructures, phases, and wear properties of the coatings. The surface of the as-coated sample exhibited a pebblelike and compact structure, and the cross-sectional morphology of the coatings showed a saw-tooth interface with substrate. Duplex treated sample revealed superior wear resistance in comparison with the borided one.
Identification of Energy Dissipation in Structural Joints by Means of the Energy Flow Analysis
Authors: Gómez S. S. , Metrikine A. , Carboni B. , Lacarbonara W.
Published: August 2017

In this paper, identification of energy dissipation in the joints of a lab-scale structure is accomplished. The identification is carried out by means of an energy flow analysis and experimental data. The devised procedure enables to formulate an energy balance in the vicinity of the joints to obtain local energy dissipation. In this paper, a damping matrix based on the locally identified damping coefficients is formulated. The formulated damping matrix is later used in a five-degrees-of-freedom (5DOF) system for validation. The results obtained with the proposed method are in good agreement with the experimental data, especially in the low frequency range.
Papers of note in
Science Translational Medicine
9
(400)
Authors: Ferrarelli Leslie K.
Published: August 2017

This week’s articles describe new strategies to selectively target therapeutics to tumors.
Papers of note in
Nature
547
(7664)
Authors: VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: August 2017

This week’s articles highlight mechanisms that sensitize cancer cells to therapy; a protease involved in radiation-induced bystander effects; the structural basis of cannabinoid receptor activation; and the detection of water currents by fish.
Messaging with naked RNA
Authors: Wong Wei
Published: August 2017

Activated stromal cells release an unshielded RNA in exosomes that induces interferon-stimulated gene expression in breast cancer cells and tumor growth.
Evaluation of Posaconazole Serum Concentrations from Delayed-Release Tablets in Patients at High Risk for Fungal Infections
Authors: Chin Alan , Pergam Steven A. , Fredricks David N. , Hoofnagle Andrew N. , Baker Kelsey K. , Jain Rupali
Published: August 2017

The purpose of our study was to determine the frequency of patients who achieved a therapeutic drug level after receiving posaconazole (PCZ) delayed-release tablets (DRT) for prophylaxis or treatment of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) and to examine the effect of demographic traits and treatment characteristics on PCZ serum levels. A retrospective single-center study was conducted on high-risk inpatients at the University of Washington Medical Center (UWMC) that had received PCZ and obtained PCZ serum levels for either treatment or prophylaxis between 1 August 2014 and 31 August 2015. High-risk patients were defined as those undergoing chemotherapy for a primary hematologic malignancy and those undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) or solid organ transplantation. Serum trough concentrations of ≥700 μg/liter and ≥1,000 μg/liter were considered appropriate for prophylaxis and treatment, respectively. The most frequent underlying medical condition was a hematological malignancy (43/53, 81%). Twenty-six of 53 patients (49%) received PCZ for prophylaxis; the rest received PCZ for treatment. A total of 37/53 (70%) patients had PCZ serum levels of ≥700 μg/liter regardless of indication, including 22/26 (85%) that received PCZ for prophylaxis. Of the patients that received PCZ for treatment, only 12/27 (44%) had PCZ serum levels of ≥1,000 μg/liter. The odds of having therapeutic PCZ serum levels were not statistically different in patients with a weight of ≥90 kg, a diarrhea grade of ≥2, a mucositis grade of ≥2, or poor dietary intake. However, the odds of having therapeutic PCZ serum levels was 5.85 times higher in patients without graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) treatment than in those with GVHD treatment. Four patients on prophylaxis (15%) developed breakthrough IFIs, one of which had a subtherapeutic level. We concluded that the use of PCZ DRT provided adequate concentrations in only 70% of our patients and that recommended dosing may lead to insufficient levels in patients treated for IFIs. Lower concentrations noted among high-risk patients with GVHD suggest a need for prospective studies evaluating therapeutic drug monitoring and/or dose adjustments among these patients.
First Detailed Genetic Characterization of the Structural Organization of Type III Arginine Catabolic Mobile Elements Harbored by Staphylococcus epidermidis by Using Whole-Genome Sequencing
Authors: McManus Brenda A. , O'Connor Aoife M. , Kinnevey Peter M. , O'Sullivan Michael , Polyzois Ioannis , Coleman David C.
Published: August 2017

The type III arginine catabolic mobile element (ACME) was detected in three
Staphylococcus epidermidis
oral isolates recovered from separate patients (one healthy, one healthy with dental implants, and one with periodontal disease) based on ACME-
arc
-operon- and ACME-
opp3
-operon-directed PCR. These isolates were subjected to whole-genome sequencing to characterize the precise structural organization of ACME III for the first time, which also revealed that all three isolates were the same sequence type, ST329.
A case of bronchiolitis obliterans organising pneumonia associated with SAPHO (synovitis-acne-pustulosis-hyperostosis-osteitis) syndrome
Authors: Hameed Fawad , Steer Henry
Published: August 2017

A 57-year-old woman with SAPHO (synovitis-acne-pustulosis-hyperostosis-osteitis) syndrome presented with recurrent episodes of pneumonia. She was treated with multiple courses of antibiotics with no success. The transbronchial biopsy undertaken via bronchoscopy revealed organising pneumonia (OP). She was treated with steroids and responded well with full clinical recovery and normalisation of her chest X-ray.

To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of OP in association with SAPHO syndrome. This case report highlights the importance of considering OP in patients with SAPHO syndrome who present with chest infection.
Wernickeâ€™s encephalopathy associated with liver abscess
Authors: Verma Rajesh , Garg Vipul
Published: August 2017

Wernicke's encephalopathy is a rare neurological disorder caused by thiamine deficiency, characterised by ocular motor dysfunction, ataxia and impairment in consciousness. It predominantly affects brain regions with a high metabolic rate such as mammillary bodies, medial thalamic nuclei, the tectal region and the cerebellum. Although chronic alcoholism is the most common cause of Wernicke's encephalopathy, various other conditions not related to alcohol consumption such as bariatric surgery, acute pancreatitis, hyperemesis gravidarum, prolonged fasting and gastrointestinal surgery have been implicated in its aetiology. We report the case of a patient who underwent surgery for liver abscess and subsequently developed Wernicke's encephalopathy; he showed a positive response to thiamine supplementation. This is the first report describing liver abscess as the cause of Wernicke's encephalopathy.
Environmental sensitivity as a trigger of erythema nodosum and perimenopausal symptoms
Authors: Horwitz Randy , Maizes Victoria
Published: August 2017

A 45-year-old woman presented to the University of Arizona Integrative Medicine Clinic for advice on managing recurrent erythema nodosum (EN), along with recent onset perimenopausal symptoms. Her painful EN flares had occurred two to six times per year over the past 14 years, yet had attenuated over the past 5 years until recently, and she presented with bilateral EN lesions on the shins. An environmental exposure history revealed that a new plastic-containing water pot had been introduced at her office just prior to her latest EN flare. She was told to eliminate environmental exposure to plastics, including this new coffee pot. She eliminated exposures to heated plastics, and replaced her coffee pot with a stainless steel one. Within weeks of removing these potential environmental triggers, her EN lesions cleared completely, and her menses normalised. An unintentional re-exposure to plastics 2 months later resulted in an EN recurrence within 2 hours.
Triggering of the abductor pollicis longus in association with deQuervain's tenosynovitis
Authors: Greenhill Dustin Adam , Thoder Joseph J , Abdelfattah Hesham
Published: August 2017

DeQuervain's tenosynovitis is a common cause of radial-sided wrist pain. Symptoms result from a narrow first dorsal compartment and associated tendinosis of the enclosed extensor pollicis brevis and/or abductor pollicis longus (APL). Surgical intervention, offered when conservative measures fail to adequately relieve symptoms, requires a detailed understanding of potentially aberrant anatomy in order to avoid persistence or recurrence of symptoms. We describe a case whereby the patient presented with complaints of thumb triggering in extension and associated disabling first dorsal compartment tendinosis. Intraoperatively, after supernumerary tendons were identified and addressed, the APL was at risk for subluxation over a prominent fibroosseous ridge. Routine first dorsal compartment release alone may have failed to address all of this patient's pathology.
Acquired capillary haemangioma of the eyelid in a 10-year-old boy
Authors: Pujari Amar , Bajaj Mandeep S , Obedulla Hameed , Mutha Vineet
Published: August 2017

A 10-year-old boy presented with painless, gradually increasing mass in right upper lid without preceding trauma for the past 2 months. On examination, the mass was bluish red, soft to firm in consistency which bleeds on touch. Contrast-enhanced CT showed a well-defined heterogeneously enhancing mass lesion without any continuity with the underlying bone or the orbital cavity. Complete excision of the mass was performed under general anaesthesia, subsequent histopathological examination showed findings consistent with an acquired variant of capillary haemangioma. At the end of 1 year, patient is cosmetically fine without any recurrence/morbidity.
How are age-related differences in sleep quality associated with health outcomes? An epidemiological investigation in a UK cohort of 2406 adults
Authors: Gadie Andrew , Shafto Meredith , Leng Yue , Kievit Rogier A
Published: August 2017

Objectives

To examine age-related differences in self-reported sleep quality and their associations with health outcomes across four domains: physical health, cognitive health, mental health and neural health.

Setting

Cambridge Centre for Ageing and Neuroscience (Cam-CAN) is a cohort study in East Anglia/England, which collected self-reported health and lifestyle questions as well as a range of objective measures from healthy adults.

Participants

2406 healthy adults (age 18–98) answered questions about their sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)) and measures of physical, cognitive, mental and neural health. A subset of 641 individuals provided measures of brain structure.

Main outcome measures

PSQI scores of sleep and scores across tests within the four domains of health. Latent class analysis (LCA) is used to identify sleep types across the lifespan. Bayesian regressions quantify the presence, and absence, of relationships between sleep quality and health measures.

Results

Better self-reported sleep is generally associated with better health outcomes, strongly so for mental health, moderately for cognitive and physical health, but not for sleep quality and neural health. LCA identified four sleep types: ‘good sleepers’ (68.1%, most frequent in middle age), ‘inefficient sleepers’ (14.01%, most frequent in old age), ‘delayed sleepers’ (9.28%, most frequent in young adults) and ‘poor sleepers’ (8.5%, most frequent in old age). There is little evidence for interactions between sleep quality and age on health outcomes. Finally, we observe U-shaped associations between sleep duration and mental health (depression and anxiety) as well as self-reported general health, such that both short and long sleep were associated with poorer outcomes.

Conclusions

Lifespan changes in sleep quality are multifaceted and not captured well by summary measures, but instead should be viewed as as partially independent symptoms that vary in prevalence across the lifespan. Better self-reported sleep is associated with better health outcomes, and the strength of these associations differs across health domains. Notably, we do not observe associations between self-reported sleep quality and white matter.
Impact of health insurance coverage forHelicobacter pylorigastritis on the trends in eradication therapy in Japan: retrospective observational study and simulation study based on real-world data
Authors: Hiroi Shinzo , Sugano Kentaro , Tanaka Shiro , Kawakami Koji
Published: August 2017

Objectives

To explore the prevalence ofHelicobacter pyloriinfection in Japan and the trends of its eradication therapy before and after the changes of the insurance coverage policy, first started in 2000, and expanded to coverH. pylori-positive gastritis in 2013. The impacts that the changes brought were estimated.

Methods

In this retrospective observational study and simulation study based on health insurance claims data, product sales data and relevant studies, individuals who received triple therapy (amoxicillin, clarithromycin, proton-pump inhibitors or potassium-competitive acid blockers) were defined as the first-time patients forH. pylorieradication in two Japanese health insurance claims databases (from approximately 1.6 million and 10.5 million individuals). Each sales data of eradication packages and examination kits were used to estimate the number ofH. pylori-eradicated individuals nationwide. The prevalence ofH. pyloriinfection, including the future rate, was predicted using previous studies and the estimated population trend by a national institute. Cases completed prior to the policy change on insurance coverage were simulated to estimate what would have happened had there been no change in the policy.

Results

The numbers of patients first received eradication therapy were 81 119 and 170 993 from two databases. The nationwide estimated number of patients successfully eradicated was approximately 650 000 per year between 2001 and 2012, whereas it rapidly rose to 1 380-000 per year in 2013. The estimated prevalence of infection in 2050 is 5%, this rate was estimated to be 28% and 22% if the policy changes had not occurred in 2000 and 2013, respectively.

Conclusions

The impact of policy changes forH. pylorieradication therapy on the prevalence of infection was shown. The results suggest that insurance coverage expansion may also reduce the prevalence in other countries with a high prevalence ofH. pyloriinfection if the reinfection is low.
Workforce characteristics and interventions associated with high-quality care and support to older people with cancer: a systematic review
Authors: Bridges Jackie , Lucas Grace , Wiseman Theresa , Griffiths Peter
Published: August 2017

Objectives

To provide an overview of the evidence base on the effectiveness of workforce interventions for improving the outcomes for older people with cancer, as well as analysing key features of the workforce associated with those improvements.

Design

Systematic review.

Methods

Relevant databases were searched for primary research, published in English, reporting on older people and cancer and the outcomes of interventions to improve workforce knowledge, attitudes or skills; involving a change in workforce composition and/or skill mix; and/or requiring significant workforce reconfiguration or new roles. Studies were also sought on associations between the composition and characteristics of the cancer care workforce and older people's outcomes. A narrative synthesis was conducted and supported by tabulation of key study data.

Results

Studies (n=24) included 4555 patients aged 60+ from targeted cancer screening to end of life care. Interventions were diverse and two-thirds of the studies were assessed as low quality. Only two studies directly targeted workforce knowledge and skills and only two studies addressed the nature of workforce features related to improved outcomes. Interventions focused on discrete groups of older people with specific needs offering guidance or psychological support were more effective than those broadly targeting survival outcomes. Advanced Practice Nursing roles, voluntary support roles and the involvement of geriatric teams provided some evidence of effectiveness.

Conclusions

An array of workforce interventions focus on improving outcomes for older people with cancer but these are diverse and thinly spread across the cancer journey. Higher quality and larger scale research that focuses on workforce features is now needed to guide developments in this field, and review findings indicate that interventions targeted at specific subgroups of older people with complex needs, and that involve input from advanced practice nurses, geriatric teams and trained volunteers appear most promising.
Past speculations of future health technologies: a description of technologies predicted in 15 forecasting studies published between 1986 and 2010
Authors: Doos Lucy , Packer Claire , Ward Derek , Simpson Sue , Stevens Andrew
Published: August 2017

Objective

To describe and classify health technologies predicted in forecasting studies.

Design and methods

A portrait describing health technologies predicted in 15 forecasting studies published between 1986 and 2010 that were identified in a previous systematic review. Health technologies are classified according to their type, purpose and clinical use; relating these to the original purpose and timing of the forecasting studies.

Data sources

All health-related technologies predicted in 15 forecasting studies identified in a previously published systematic review.

Main outcome measure

Outcomes related to (1) each forecasting study including country, year, intention and forecasting methods used and (2) the predicted technologies including technology type, purpose, targeted clinical area and forecast timeframe.

Results

Of the 896 identified health-related technologies, 685 (76.5%) were health technologies with an explicit or implied health application and included in our study. Of these, 19.1% were diagnostic or imaging tests, 14.3% devices or biomaterials, 12.6% information technology systems, eHealth or mHealth and 12% drugs. The majority of the technologies were intended to treat or manage disease (38.1%) or diagnose or monitor disease (26.1%). The most frequent targeted clinical areas were infectious diseases followed by cancer, circulatory and nervous system disorders. The most frequent technology types were for: infectious diseases—prophylactic vaccines (45.8%), cancer—drugs (40%), circulatory disease—devices and biomaterials (26.3%), and diseases of the nervous system—equally devices and biomaterials (25%) and regenerative medicine (25%). The mean timeframe for forecasting was 11.6 years (range 0–33 years, median=10, SD=6.6). The forecasting timeframe significantly differed by technology type (p=0.002), the intent of the forecasting group (p<0.001) and the methods used (p<001).

Conclusion

While description and classification of predicted health-related technologies is crucial in preparing healthcare systems for adopting new innovations, further work is needed to test the accuracy of predictions made.
Protocol for a randomised crossover trial to evaluate patient and nurse satisfaction with electronic and elastomeric portable infusion pumps for the continuous administration of antibiotic therapy in the home: the Comparing Home Infusion Devices (CHID) study
Authors: Hobbs Jodie G , Ryan Melissa K , Ritchie Brett , Sluggett Janet K , Sluggett Andrew J , Ralton Lucy , Reynolds Karen J
Published: August 2017

Introduction

Previous studies comparing satisfaction with electronic and elastomeric infusion pumps are limited, and improvements in size and usability of electronic pumps have since occurred. The Comparing Home Infusion Devices (CHID) study plans to assess patient and nurse satisfaction with an elastomeric and electronic pump for delivering intravenous antibiotic treatment in the home. Secondary objectives are to determine pump-related complications and actual antibiotic dose administered, evaluate temperature variation and compare pump operating costs.

Methods and analysis

The CHID study will be a randomised, crossover trial. A trained research nurse will recruit patients with infectious disease aged ≥18 years and prescribed ≥8 days of continuous intravenous antibiotic therapy from the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) (Adelaide, Australia). Patients will be randomised to receive treatment at home via an elastomeric (Baxter Infusor) or an electronic (ambIT Continuous) infusion pump for 4–7 days, followed by the other for a further 4–7 days. Patient satisfaction will be assessed by a 10-item survey to be completed at the end of each arm. Nurse satisfaction will be assessed by a single 24-item survey. Patient logbooks and case notes from clinic visits will be screened to identify complications. Pumps/infusion bags will be weighed to estimate the volume of solution delivered. Temperature sensors will record skin and ambient temperatures during storage and use of the pumps throughout the infusion period. Costs relating to pumps, consumables, antibiotics and servicing will be determined. Descriptive statistics will summarise study data.

Ethics and dissemination

This study has been approved by the RAH Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC/16/RAH/133 R20160420, version 6.0, 5 September 2016). Study results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. The CHID study will provide key insights into patient and provider satisfaction with elastomeric and electronic infusion pumps and inform future device selection.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12617000251325; Pre-results.
Rationale and study design for an individualised perioperative open-lung ventilatory strategy with a high versus conventional inspiratory oxygen fraction (iPROVE-O2) and its effects on surgical site infection: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Ferrando Carlos , Soro Marina , Unzueta Carmen , Canet Jaume , Tusman Gerardo , Suarez-Sipmann Fernando , Librero Julian , Peiró Salvador , Pozo Natividad , Delgado Carlos , Ibáñez Maite , Aldecoa César , Garutti Ignacio , Pestaña David , Rodríguez Aurelio , García del Valle Santiago , Diaz-Cambronero Oscar , Balust Jaume , Redondo Francisco Javier , De La Matta Manuel , Gallego Lucía , Granell Manuel , Martínez Pascual , Pérez Ana , Leal Sonsoles , Alday Kike , García Pablo , Monedero Pablo , Gonzalez Rafael , Mazzinari Guido , Aguilar Gerardo , Villar Jesús , Belda Francisco Javier
Published: August 2017

Introduction

Surgical site infection (SSI) is a serious postoperative complication that increases morbidity and healthcare costs. SSIs tend to increase as the partial pressure of tissue oxygen decreases: previous trials have focused on trying to reduce them by comparing high versus conventional inspiratory oxygen fractions (FIO2) in the perioperative period but did not use a protocolised ventilatory strategy. The open-lung ventilatory approach restores functional lung volume and improves gas exchange, and therefore it may increase the partial pressure of tissue oxygen for a given FIO2. The trial presented here aims to compare the efficacy of high versus conventional FIO2in reducing the overall incidence of SSIs in patients by implementing a protocolised and individualised global approach to perioperative open-lung ventilation.

Methods and analysis

This is a comparative, prospective, multicentre, randomised and controlled two-arm trial that will include 756 patients scheduled for abdominal surgery. The patients will be randomised into two groups: (1) a high FIO2group (80% oxygen; FIO2of 0.80) and (2) a conventional FIO2group (30% oxygen; FIO2of 0.30). Each group will be assessed intra- and postoperatively. The primary outcome is the appearance of postoperative SSI complications. Secondary outcomes are the appearance of systemic and pulmonary complications.

Ethics and dissemination

The iPROVE-O2 trial has been approved by the Ethics Review Board at the reference centre (the Hospital Clínico Universitario in Valencia). Informed consent will be obtained from all patients before their participation. If the approach using high FIO2during individualised open-lung ventilation decreases SSIs, use of this method will become standard practice for patients scheduled for future abdominal surgery. Publication of the results is anticipated in early 2019.

Trial registration number

NCT02776046; Pre-results.
Distribution and in situ conservation of a relic Chinese oil woody species Xanthoceras sorbifolium (yellowhorn)
Authors: Wang Qing , Yang Li , Ranjitkar Sailesh , Wang Jun-Jie , Wang Xin-Rui , Zhang Dong-Xu , Wang Zi-Yang , Huang Yan-Zi , Zhou Yi-Ming , Deng Zhi-Xiong , Yi Lubei , Luan Xiao-Feng , El-Kassaby Yousry A. , Guan Wen-Bin
Published: August 2017

To understand the contemporary and anticipated future (future 30–50 years) distribution of Chinese wild yellowhorn (Xanthoceras sorbifolium Bunge) and to improve the species’ in situ conservation strategy within the network of China’s National Nature Reserves (NNR), we used BiodiversityR to predict the species’ distribution utilizing the “always-suitable” map concept. We then delineated the always-suitable distributions with the existing NNRs to identify potential conservation areas using an approach that concurrently considered spatial distribution, gap analysis, the role of climate change, and economic analyses. Seven bioclimatic variable predictors and 12 environmental niche modelling submodels successfully contributed to the final model assembly (AUC = 0.916, κ = 0.398). The species range delineation indicated that 71 of the 427 NNRs were included in the always-suitable area, accounting for 26 007 km2 (1.58%) of the species total distribution. This mapping endeavour highlighted the negative impact of climate change with a projected 15%–20% habitat decline and expected species’ distribution centers shifting from the country’s northwest to the southeast. Our results predict the continuous deterioration of X. sorbifolium because of its existing utilization as an oil source and its increased bioenergy potential. The adoption of a flexible management strategy embracing acceptable trade-offs between conservation and utilization within China’s NNRs could effectively alleviate the expected species decline.
Virtual Morris task responses in individuals in an abstinence phase from alcohol
Authors: Ceccanti Mauro , Coriale Giovanna , Hamilton Derek A. , Carito Valentina , Coccurello Roberto , Scalese Bruna , Ciafrè Stefania , Codazzo Claudia , Messina Marisa Patrizia , Chaldakov George N. , Fiore Marco
Published: August 2017

The present study was aimed at examining spatial learning and memory, in 33 men and 12 women with alcohol use disorder (AUD) undergoing ethanol detoxification, by using a virtual Morris task. As controls, we recruited 29 men and 10 women among episodic drinkers without a history of alcohol addiction or alcohol-related diseases. Elevated latency to the first movement in all trials was observed only in AUD persons; furthermore, control women had longer latencies compared with control men. Increased time spent to reach the hidden platform in the learning phase was found for women of both groups compared with men, in particular during trial 3. As predicted, AUD persons (more evident in men) spent less time in the target quadrant during the probe trial; however, AUD women had longer latencies to reach the platform in the visible condition during trials 6 and 7 that resulted in a greater distance moved. As for the probe trial, men of both groups showed increased virtual locomotion compared with the women of both groups. The present investigation confirms and extends previous studies showing (i) different gender responses in spatial learning tasks, (ii) some alterations due to alcohol addiction in virtual spatial learning, and (iii) differences between AUD men and AUD women in spatial-behaviour-related paradigms.
Age-related testosterone declines can be detected in men’s fingernails
Authors: Matas Devorah , Koren Lee
Published: August 2017

Testosterone plays multiple roles in the regulation of development, physiology, reproduction, and behavior. Age-related testosterone declines are expected in the population. However, measuring circulating testosterone is especially challenging because concentrations are labile, responding to social situations and challenges. Matrices that integrate long-term testosterone levels are therefore valuable as biomarkers of endogenous levels as well as chronic exposures. Here, we report on a simple method to extract and measure accumulated testosterone from human fingernails using commercial enzyme immunoassay kits. Furthermore, we demonstrate known human testosterone sex and age trends. Our method is especially useful for quantifying testosterone in men’s nails, where a small amount of matrix is required. Thus, this approach is a potential tool for biomonitoring endogenous as well as exogenous testosterone exposure. We suggest considering nails as an alternative matrix for quantifying other steroids as well.
First-principles study of the phonon, mechanical and thermodynamic properties of B2-phase AlY under high pressures
Authors: Wang Leini , Jian Zhang , Ning Wei
Published: August 2017

We have investigated the phonon, mechanical and thermodynamic properties of B2-phase AlY under high pressure by performing density functional theory (DFT). The result of phonon band structure shows B2-phase AlY exhibits dynamical stability. Then, the elastic properties of AlY under high pressure have been discussed. The elastic constants of AlY increase monotonically with the increase of the pressure and all the elastic constants meet the mechanical stability standard under high pressure. By analyzing the Poisson’s ratio [Formula: see text] and the value of B/G of AlY, we first predicted that AlY undergoes transformation from brittleness to ductility at 30 GPa and high pressure can improve the ductility. To obtain the thermodynamic properties of B2-phase AlY, the quasi-harmonic Debye model has been employed. Debye temperature [Formula: see text], thermal expansion coefficient [Formula: see text], heat capacity C[Formula: see text] and Grüneisen parameter [Formula: see text] of B2-phase AlY are systematically explored at pressure of 0–75 GPa and temperature of 0–700 K.
Quantum scar and breakdown of universality in graphene: A theoretical insight
Authors: Iyakutti Kombiah , Rajeswarapalanichamy Ratnavelu , Surya Velappa Jayaraman , Kawazoe Yoshiyuki
Published: August 2017

Graphene has brought forward a lot of new physics. One of them is the emergence of massless Dirac fermions in addition to the electrons and these features are new to physics. In this theoretical study, the signatures for quantum scar and the breakdown of universality in graphene are investigated with reference to the presence of these two types of fermions. Taking the graphene quantum dot (QD) potential as the confining potential, the radial part of Dirac equations are solved numerically. Concentrations of the two component eigen-wavefunctions about classical periodic orbits emerge as the signatures for the quantum scar. The sudden variations, in the ratio of the radial wave-functions (large and small components), R(g/f), with mass ratio [Formula: see text] are the signatures for breakdown of universality in graphene. The breakdown of universality occurs for the states k = −1 and k = 1, and the state k = −1 is more susceptible to the breakdown of universality.
Absolute negative mobility in the anomalous diffusion
Authors: Chen Ruyin , Chen Chongyang , Nie Linru
Published: August 2017

Transport of an inertial Brownian particle driven by the multiplicative Lévy noise was investigated here. Numerical results indicate that: (i) The Lévy noise is able to induce absolute negative mobility (ANM) in the system, while disappearing in the deterministic case; (ii) the ANM can occur in the region of superdiffusion while disappearing in the region of normal diffusion, and the appropriate stable index of the Lévy noise makes the particle move along the opposite direction of the bias force to the maximum degree; (iii) symmetry breaking of the Lévy noise also causes the ANM effect. In addition, the intrinsic physical mechanism and conditions for the ANM to occur are discussed in detail. Our results have the implication that the Lévy noise plays an important role in the occurrence of the ANM phenomenon.
Structural study of monoclinic TiO2nanostructures and photocatalytic applications for degradation of crystal violet dye
Authors: Amin Muhammad T. , Alazba Abdulrahman A.
Published: August 2017

In this study, titanium dioxide was synthesized by using a hydrothermal technique at different growth temperatures. The study involved investigating the effects of growth temperature on crystal structure, surface area, morphology, and photocatalytic properties. The results indicated the growth of pure monoclinic titania. Additionally, an increase in growth temperature led to the formation of nanostructures to form nanowires and nanorods from nanospheres. The findings revealed variations in crystal quality at different growth temperatures. All samples displayed monoclinic crystal structure with the same molarity at different temperatures including 140[Formula: see text]C, 160[Formula: see text]C, and 180[Formula: see text]C. Various parameters were optimized to grow nanowires and nanorods with a monoclinic crystal structure. The planes of the grown nanostructures were same across all the samples. The grown nanostructures were applied in the degradation of a crystal violet (CV) dye that is also used in optical applications. The study involved demonstrating the excellent photodegradation properties of CV by using a synthesized nanophotocatalyst and providing a detailed discussion on the effects of morphology and crystal structure with respect to photocatalytic properties. The findings also revealed the improved photocatalytic results with respect to nanostructures due to the presence of a broad light harvesting region and the lifetime of the photogenerated electron–hole pair.
A Friedberg enumeration of equivalence structures
Authors: Downey Rodney G. , Melnikov Alexander G. , Ng Keng Meng
Published: August 2017

We solve a problem posed by Goncharov and Knight (Problem 4 in [S. Goncharov and J. Knight, Computable structure and antistructure theorems, Algebra Logika 41(6) (2002) 639–681, 757]). More specifically, we produce an effective Friedberg (i.e. injective) enumeration of computable equivalence structures, up to isomorphism. We also prove that there exists an effective Friedberg enumeration of all isomorphism types of infinite computable equivalence structures.
Experimental Investigation of Condensation Heat Transfer and Adiabatic Pressure Drop Characteristics Inside a Microfin and Smooth Tube
Authors: Rahman M. Mostaqur , Kariya Keishi , Miyara Akio
Published: August 2017

Experiments on condensation heat transfer and adiabatic pressure drop characteristics of R134a were performed inside smooth and microfin horizontal tubes. The tests were conducted in the mass flux range of 50[Formula: see text]kg/m2s to 200[Formula: see text]kg/m2s, vapor quality range of 0 to 1 and saturation temperature range of 20[Formula: see text]C to 35[Formula: see text]C. The effects of mass velocity, vapor quality, saturation temperature, and microfin on the condensation heat transfer and frictional pressure drop were analyzed. It was discovered that the local heat transfer coefficients and frictional pressure drop increases with increasing mass flux and vapor quality and decreasing with increasing saturation temperature. Higher heat transfer coefficient and frictional pressure drop in microfin tube were observed. The present experimental data were compared with the existing well-known condensation heat transfer and frictional pressure drop models available in the open literature. The condensation heat transfer coefficient and frictional pressure drop of R134a in horizontal microfin tube was predicted within an acceptable range by the existing correlation.
Electric Vehicle Optimized Charge and Drive Management
Authors: Vatanparvar Korosh , Faruque Mohammad Abdullah Al
Published: August 2017

Electric vehicles (EVs) have been considered as a solution to the environmental issues caused by transportation, such as air pollution and greenhouse gas emission. However, limited energy capacity, scarce EV supercharging stations, and long recharging time have brought anxiety to drivers who use EVs as their main mean of transportation. Furthermore, EV owners need to deal with a huge battery replacement cost when the battery capacity degrades. Yet in-house EV chargers affect the pattern of the power grid load, which is not favorable to the utilities. The driving route, departure/arrival time of daily trips, and electricity price influence the EV energy consumption, battery lifetime, electricity cost, and EV charger load on the power grid. The EV driving range and battery lifetime issues have been addressed by battery management systems and route optimization methodologies. However, in this article, we are proposing an optimized charge and drive management (OCDM) methodology that selects the optimal driving route, schedules daily trips, and optimizes the EV charging process while considering the driver’s timing preference. Our methodology will improve the EV driving range, extend the battery lifetime, reduce the recharging cost, and diminish the influence of EV chargers on the power grid. The performance of our methodology compared to the state of the art have been analyzed by experimenting on three benchmark EVs and three drivers. Our methodology has decreased EV energy consumption by 27%, improved the battery lifetime by 24.8%, reduced the electricity cost by 35%, and diminished the power grid peak load by 17% while increasing less than 20 minutes of daily driving time. Moreover, the scalability of our OCDM methodology for different parameters (e.g., time resolution and multiday cycles) in terms of execution time and memory usage has been analyzed.