bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ecotypic differentiation reveals seed colour‐related alkaloid content in a crop wild relative
Authors: Moncalvillo B. , Méndez M. , Iriondo J. M.
Published: April 2019

Crop wild relatives can be a useful source of genotypes that maximise crop survival and yield in specific habitats. Lupinus angustifolius is an annual forb with crop varieties derived from a narrow genetic basis but that are cultivated worldwide. Its seeds have high nutritional value, but they naturally contain alkaloids with anti‐nutritive factors. The study of its wild populations can be useful to find genotypes that contribute to higher climate resilience and greater yield under stressing environmental conditions.

Using a common garden, we evaluated ecotypic differentiation in four natural populations from two contrasting latitudes in terms of plant biomass, seed mass and number, alkaloid content in seeds for the three main alkaloids present in the plant and seed colour, including its possible influence on post‐dispersal predation. Correlations among traits were also assessed.

We found differences among populations for all traits except final biomass. Northern populations had lighter seeds and a tendency to yield more seeds when they produced white seeds, compared to southern populations and variegated seeds. Regardless of latitude, populations showed differences in alkaloid concentration, with all three alkaloids found generally in high or low concentrations in each population. Proportion of white seed morphs varied in each population. Seed colour did not influence predator preference. In addition, white seed colour was related to a low alkaloid content.

Our results evidence the existence of natural ecotypic differentiation in L. angustifolius not only due to latitudinal range, but also to local environmental factors. White seed coat colour could be used as a visual clue for identification of low‐alkaloid genotypes, a priority trait in L. angustifolius breeding programmes.
An Approach for Managing Operating Assets for Humanitarian Development Programs
Authors: Keshvari Fard Milad , Eftekhar Mahyar , Papier Felix
Published: April 2019

Every year, humanitarian organizations assign a sizable portion of their limited financial resources to procure, operate and maintain operating assets, without which service delivery would be nearly impossible. In this study, using vehicles to represent operating assets, we identify policies for sizing and allocating operational capacity to minimize the expected deprivation costs in a humanitarian development context. First, we develop a stochastic dynamic programming model, and then an efficient heuristic policy that considers the interaction of asset purchasing and operating decisions when the budget is uncertain. Based on a dataset provided by a large international organization, we estimate the parameters of our model to run numerical experiments. Results demonstrate the following: (i) Although budget uncertainty increases the expected deprivation costs and decreases capacity utilization, the negative impact of budget uncertainty is mitigated if budget savings between periods is allowed; (ii) a policy for minimizing the expected deprivation costs over time may avoid using all available assets in all periods; (iii) in situations in which the variation in the criticality of missions is large, both the expected deprivation costs and fleet utilization decrease; and (iv) in most conditions, a centralized asset procurement model outperforms a decentralized model, not only in terms of logistic costs but also in minimizing the expected deprivation costs.
Behavioral Ordering, Competition and Profits: An Experimental Investigation
Authors: Quiroga Bernardo F. , Moritz Brent , Ovchinnikov Anton
Published: April 2019

We investigate the impact of behavioral ordering on profits under competition. Specifically, we use controlled laboratory experiments to evaluate the differences in profits between a behavioral competitor (where a human places orders), and a management science‐driven competitor (where orders are placed according to one of several plausible policies based on existing literature and managerial practice). Unlike the full‐information game‐theoretic models that assume rational decision‐makers, these policies mimic practical situations by using less information and do not assume that their human competitors make fully rational decisions. Most prior literature focuses on non‐competitive settings, where behaviorally biased deviations from optimal order quantities result in small expected profit losses. In contrast, under competition, we find that human decision‐makers receive a substantially lower profit than the equilibrium expected profit, even as their competitors receive substantially higher profit.
They Might Be a Liar But They’re My Liar: Source Evaluation and the Prevalence of Misinformation
Authors: Swire‐Thompson Briony , Ecker Ullrich K. H. , Lewandowsky Stephan , Berinsky Adam J.
Published: April 2019

Even if people acknowledge that misinformation is incorrect after a correction has been presented, their feelings towards the source of the misinformation can remain unchanged. The current study investigated whether participants reduce their support of Republican and Democratic politicians when the prevalence of misinformation disseminated by the politicians appears to be high in comparison to the prevalence of their factual statements. We presented U.S. participants either with (1) equal numbers of false and factual statements from political candidates or (2) disproportionately more false than factual statements. Participants received fact‐checks as to whether items were true or false, then rerated both their belief in the statements as well as their feelings towards the candidate. Results indicated that when corrected misinformation was presented alongside equal presentations of affirmed factual statements, participants reduced their belief in the misinformation but did not reduce their feelings towards the politician. However, if there was considerably more misinformation retracted than factual statements affirmed, feelings towards both Republican and Democratic figures were reduced—although the observed effect size was extremely small.
Positive trends in plant, dragonfly, and butterfly diversity of rewetted montane peatlands
Authors: Strobl Katharina , Moning Christoph , Kollmann Johannes
Published: April 2019

Drainage and afforestation of peatlands cause extensive habitat degradation and species losses. Restoration supports peatland biodiversity by creating suitable habitat conditions, including stable high water tables. However, colonization by characteristic species can take decades or even fail. Peatland recovery is often monitored shortly after restoration, but initial trends may not continue, and results might differ among taxonomic groups. This study analyzes trends in plant, dragonfly, and butterfly diversity within 18 years after rewetting of montane peatlands in central Germany. We compared diversity and species composition of 19 restored sites with three drained peatlands and one near‐natural reference site. Restoration resulted in improved habitat conditions and benefited species diversity, but there were marked differences among taxonomic groups. Dragonflies rapidly colonized small water bodies but their diversity did not further increase in older restoration sites. Characteristic peatland vegetation recovered slowly, since it depended on a high water holding capacity that was only reached after peat started accumulating. Generally, plant diversity developed toward reference conditions albeit incompletely, even 18 years after restoration. Butterflies responded less to peatland restoration; generalists increased only temporarily and specialists could not establish. In conclusion, peatland restoration improves habitat conditions and biodiversity, while trajectories of recovery are nonlinear and incomplete after two decades. This highlights the need for long‐term monitoring and a strategic selection of indicator species for evaluation of restoration success.
Potential Airborne Asbestos Exposure and Risk Associated with the Historical Use of Cosmetic Talcum Powder Products
Authors: Burns Amanda M. , Barlow Christy A. , Banducci Amber M. , Unice Kenneth M. , Sahmel Jennifer
Published: April 2019

Over time, concerns have been raised regarding the potential for human exposure and risk from asbestos in cosmetic‐talc–containing consumer products. In 1985, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted a risk assessment evaluating the potential inhalation asbestos exposure associated with the cosmetic talc consumer use scenario of powdering an infant during diapering, and found that risks were below levels associated with background asbestos exposures and risk. However, given the scope and age of the FDA's assessment, it was unknown whether the agency's conclusions remained relevant to current risk assessment practices, talc application scenarios, and exposure data. This analysis updates the previous FDA assessment by incorporating the current published exposure literature associated with consumer use of talcum powder and using the current U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) nonoccupational asbestos risk assessment approach to estimate potential cumulative asbestos exposure and risk for four use scenarios: (1) infant exposure during diapering; (2) adult exposure from infant diapering; (3) adult exposure from face powdering; and (4) adult exposure from body powdering. The estimated range of cumulative asbestos exposure potential for all scenarios (assuming an asbestos content of 0.1%) ranged from 0.0000021 to 0.0096 f/cc‐yr and resulted in risk estimates that were within or below EPA's acceptable target risk levels. Consistent with the original FDA findings, exposure and corresponding health risk in this range were orders of magnitude below upper‐bound estimates of cumulative asbestos exposure and risk at ambient levels, which have not been associated with increased incidence of asbestos‐related disease.
Semiparametric Mixed Effects Models for Unsupervised Classification of Italian Schools
Authors: Masci Chiara , Paganoni Anna Maria , Ieva Francesca
Published: April 2019

The main purpose of the paper is to improve research on school effectiveness by applying a new strategy for uncovering subpopulations of schools that differ in terms of distribution of student outcomes. We propose a semiparametric mixed effects model with an expectation–maximization algorithm to estimate its parameters and we apply it to the Italian Institute for the Educational Evaluation of Instruction and Training data of 2013–2014 as a tool for the identification of latent subpopulations of schools. The semiparametric assumption provides the random effects of the mixed effects model to be distributed according to a discrete distribution with an (a priori) unknown number of support points. This modelling induces an automatic clustering of schools (the higher level of hierarchy), where schools within the same cluster share the same random effects. The latent subpopulations of schools identified may then be exploited through the use of multinomial models that include school level features. The novelties introduced by this paper are twofold: first, the semiparametric expectation–maximization algorithm is an innovative method that could be used in many classification problems; second, its application to education data represents a new approach to study school effectiveness.
How to communicate soil expertise more effectively in the information age when aiming at the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Authors: Bouma Johan
Published: April 2019

Soil use and management play a key role, when maintaining or restoring soil quality, as an estimated 30% of soils in the world suffer from various forms of degradation. Several of the seventeen UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), approved in 2015 by 195 governments, are land‐related, providing a stimulating challenge for soil research. Unfortunately, soil degradation is still prominent, even though decades of research have resulted in restorative and innovative forms of soil management, generating successful case studies all over the world. Why don't enough farmers adopt such research results? Some argue that the problem of soil degradation is mainly socio‐economic rather than technical. However, this is not correct as the soil–water–plant–climate system raises many basic, unresolved questions about soil behaviour. More attention is needed for information sharing and knowledge building to link the research arena with stakeholders and policy makers. This is particularly urgent because the information revolution, which is fundamentally changing attitudes of increasingly critical stakeholders, presents a challenge to distinguish between relevant and irrelevant information on Internet and social media. Continuous interaction with land users in the field and sharing knowledge in a joint‐learning mode is needed more than ever, recognizing that different forms of knowledge can contribute to acceptance in the practice of land‐use innovations and lead to realization of land‐related SDGs. Such forms of interaction take much time, which is of limited availability in current research regimes, and implies a need for change. Soil scientists need assistance from communication experts to facilitate interaction processes.
Network‐based approaches for soil health research and extension programming in North Dakota, USA
Authors: Wick Abbey F. , Haley Jean , Gasch Caley , Wehlander Terry , Briese Lee , Samson‐Liebig Susan
Published: April 2019

Farmer adoption of practices to build soil health can be enhanced using a knowledge network supported by programs and resources that incorporate technical, social and experiential learning pathways. University Extension plays a critical role in building and supporting the knowledge network by serving as (a) a boundary organization to create space for conversations to occur, (b) network manager to facilitate learning and (c) builder of social capital to encourage trust in the network. The North Dakota State University (NDSU) Soil Health Program was used to illustrate the above approach. Between 2014 and 2016, 32 informal discussion groups, called Soil Health Café Talks, reached 156 individuals. A knowledge network of all participants was developed using NodeXL. The 10 most influential individuals in the network included two scientists, five farmers, one crop consultant and two Extension specialists. All non‐NDSU participants received an evaluation form. Respondents increased their frequency of discussing cover crops with other individuals and increased sharing equipment across farming operations (i.e., vertical tillage implements and no‐till drills). Of the topics discussed, over 25% of respondents adopted practices using cover crops (interseeding and using cover crops for weed control and adjusting rotations to incorporate cover crops) as a result of attending Café Talks. Respondents also increased their use of NDSU Soil Health online resources such as Twitter (22%), YouTube (23%) and the web page (21%) as follow‐up information to Café Talks. Network‐based approaches have proven to be successful in encouraging on‐farm adoption of soil health‐building practices.
Outcomes of traumatic hemorrhagic shock and the epidemiology of preventable death from injury
Authors: Eastridge Brian J. , Holcomb John B. , Shackelford Stacy
Published: April 2019

The majority of potentially preventable deaths after trauma are related to hemorrhage and occur early after injury, with the largest number of deaths occurring before hospital arrival. Approximately one‐fourth of trauma deaths may be potentially preventable through early medical and surgical interventions. Interventions dedicated to bleeding control and hemostatic resuscitation have demonstrated merit in decreasing hemorrhagic injury mortality. Advancing these novel strategies to the casualty in the prehospital phase of care, particularly in tactical or austere environments, may prove beneficial for hemorrhage mitigation to temporize the window of survival to definitive care. Future studies of resuscitation and survival after traumatic injury must include analysis of prehospital deaths to fully understand the outcomes of early interventions.
Comparison of titer results obtained using immediate spin one‐dilution techniques to a reference method
Authors: Yazer Mark H. , Dunbar Nancy M. , Bub Carolina Bonet , Condict Brittany E. , Dunn Robyn , Janoušková Miloslava , Kutner Jose , Landová Ludmila , Lejdarová Hana , Nesvačilová Božena , Pacasová Rita , Procházková Renata , Řehořová Lenka , Raval Jay S. , Ziman Alyssa , Bohonĕk Miloš
Published: April 2019

BACKGROUND

Many transfusion services determine the titer of potentially incompatible plasma‐containing products by performing a one‐dilution titer at their selected titer threshold. This study compared the results of immediate spin (IS) one‐dilution titers determined by three methods with a reference standard method.

METHODS

Plasma‐containing products from group A and O donors were titered using the participant's routine IS one‐dilution titer method. No time or temperature incubations were performed, and antihuman globulin reagent was not used. The samples were then tested using a reference method, which was a saline tube test with a 1‐hour room temperature incubation; antihuman globulin was not used in the reference method. The results of the one‐dilution titer were then compared to that obtained in the reference method.

RESULTS

Nine centers participated in this study. There were 698 antibodies from 374 units tested by the manual IS tube one‐dilution titer method; sensitivity was 0.88 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.83–0.92), and specificity was 1.00 (95% CI, 0.98–1.00). There were 412 antibodies from 206 units tested by the manual and automated IS buffered gel card one‐dilution titer method; sensitivity was 0.95 (95% CI, 0.91–0.98), and specificity was 0.87 (95% CI, 0.81–0.91). There were 98 antibodies from 49 units tested by an automated microplate IS one‐dilution titer method; sensitivity was 0.76 (95% CI, 0.71–0.93), and specificity was 0.96 (95% CI, 0.92–0.99). All three methods had an accuracy rate of 90% or greater.

CONCLUSION

The manual and automated one‐dilution titer methods are suitable for screening plasma‐containing units, although more evaluation of the automated microplate method might be required.
Effect of leukoreduction and pathogen reduction on the hemostatic function of whole blood
Authors: Thomas Kimberly A. , Shea Susan M. , Yazer Mark H. , Spinella Philip C.
Published: April 2019

BACKGROUND

There is renewed interest in the use of whole blood (WB) for resuscitation of patients in hemorrhagic shock. Leukoreduction with platelet‐sparing filters and pathogen reduction may be used to improve the safety profile of WB, yet the effects of leukoreduction and pathogen reduction on WB hemostatic function are not well characterized.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Blood from 32 healthy group O donors was divided into treatment groups (n = 8 for each group): untreated, pathogen reduced (PR+), leukoreduced using an in‐line filter (LR+), or PR+LR+. Units were stored without agitation for 21 days between 1° and 6°C, with sampling on days 0 (pre‐ and post‐treatments), 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, and 21 for hemostatic function as assessed by thromboelastometry, thrombin generation, platelet activation factors, and platelet impedance aggregometry.

RESULTS

From day 3 (D3) to D15 of storage, platelet count was reduced in PR+/LR+ units compared to PR−/LR− units. From D10 to D21 of storage, maximum clot firmness (MCF) was reduced in PR+/LR+ units compared to PR−/LR− units. From D3 to D21 of storage, platelet aggregation was reduced in PR+/LR+ units compared to PR−/LR− units. Total thrombin generation was similar in all groups from D0 to D21.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of LR with a platelet‐sparing filter and PR significantly reduces hemostatic function compared to either treatment alone or untreated WB. The clinical consequences of LR and PR of WB in patients with severe bleeding should be examined in trials before both are used in combination in patients.
A prospective evaluation of thromboelastometry (ROTEM) to identify acute traumatic coagulopathy and predict massive transfusion in military trauma patients in Afghanistan
Authors: Cohen Jared , Scorer Thomas , Wright Zachary , Stewart Ian J. , Sosnov Jonathan , Pidcoke Heather , Fedyk Chriselda , Kwan Hana , Chung Kevin K. , Heegard Kelly , White Christopher , Cap Andrew
Published: April 2019

BACKGROUND

Hemorrhage is the leading cause of preventable trauma‐related mortality and is frequently aggravated by acute traumatic coagulopathy (ATC). Viscoelastic tests such as rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) may improve identification and management of ATC. This study aimed to prospectively evaluate changes in ROTEM among combat casualties during the first 24 hours and compare the capabilities of our conventional clotting assay (international normalized ratio [INR], >1.2) to a proposed integrated ROTEM model (INR >1.2 with the addition of tissue factor pathway activation thromboelastometry [EXTEM] A5 ≤35 mm and/or EXTEM LI30 <97% on admission) to identify ATC and predict massive transfusion (MT).

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

This was a prospective observational study of trauma patients treated in NATO hospitals in Afghanistan between January 2012 and June 2013. ROTEM (EXTEM, functional fibrinogen thromboelastometry, APTEM, EXTEM with the addition of a fibrinolysis inhibitor) was performed on admission and at 6 and 24 hours by a designated research team. Treatment teams did not have access to the ROTEM results.

RESULTS

ROTEM values were available for 40 male casualties. The integrated ROTEM model classified 15% more patients with ATC than with INR alone and increased the detection of those that required MT by 22%. The sensitivity of the integrated ROTEM model to predict MT was higher than with INR greater than 1.2 (86% vs. 64%); however, specificity with both definitions for predicting MT was poor (38% vs. 50%, respectively).

CONCLUSION

These observations support the importance of early identification of and intervention in ATC. Integrating ROTEM into the definition of ATC would increase detection of those requiring MT arguing for its use as an adjunct to clinical presentation in the ultimate decision to initiate MT.
Hemostatic characteristics of thawed, pooled cryoprecipitate stored for 35 days at refrigerated and room temperatures
Authors: Fenderson Joshua L. , Meledeo M. Adam , Rendo Matthew J. , Peltier Grantham C. , McIntosh Colby S. , Davis Kenneth W. , Corley Jason B. , Cap Andrew P.
Published: April 2019

BACKGROUND

Cryoprecipitate's shelf life is limited due to concerns over decreased clotting factor activity and contamination with extended storage. Hemostatic characteristics of thawed cryoprecipitate stored up to 35 days at refrigerated and room temperatures were assessed.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Pooled cryoprecipitate was thawed and aliquoted for storage at 1–6°C or 21–24°C. Samples were tested immediately after thawing and at 4 h, 24 h, 72 h, and weekly for 35 days. At each time point fibrinogen, factor VIII (FVIII), and von Willebrand factor (vWF) were assessed. Thrombin generation and rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) were also performed. Further, packed red cells, platelet concentrates, frozen plasma, and stored cryoprecipitate were combined (1:1:1:1) to simulate massive transfusion and analyzed by ROTEM. Day 35 samples were cultured for bacterial contamination.

RESULTS

Precipitation was observed in refrigerated samples; however, these aggregates were easily resuspended upon warming in a 37°C water bath. No significant changes were observed in fibrinogen concentration or ROTEM at either temperature. FVIII and vWF declined significantly during storage. vWF, clot time, and thrombin generation were significantly better preserved with refrigeration. With simulated massive transfusion, fibrinogen function remained at or above the established range for whole blood at both storage temperatures. Bacterial contamination was not observed in cold stored or room temperature cryoprecipitate.

CONCLUSION

The fibrinogen concentration and function of cryoprecipitate at extended storage durations are adequate for fibrinogen replacement in critical bleeding. These results support extension of the shelf life of cryoprecipitate when used for fibrinogen replacement.
How do I get an emergency civilian walking blood bank running?
Authors: Kaada Silje Helland , Apelseth Torunn Oveland , Hagen Kristin Gjerde , Kristoffersen Einar Klæboe , Gjerde Stig , Sønstabø Kristian , Halvorsen Henrik , Hervig Tor , Sunde Geir Arne , Dahle Geir Olav , Johnsen Mari Christine , Strandenes Geir
Published: April 2019

The shift toward using a transfusion strategy in a ratio to mimic whole blood (WB) functionality has revitalized WB as a viable option to replace severe blood loss in civilian health care. A military‐civilian collaboration has contributed to the reintroduction of WB at Haukeland University Hospital in Bergen, Norway. WB has logistical and hemostatic advantages in both the pre‐ and in‐hospital settings where the goal is a perfectly timed balanced transfusion strategy. In this paper, we describe an event leading to activation of our emergency WB collection strategy for the first time. We evaluate the feasibility of our civilian walking blood bank (WBB) to cover the need of a massive amount of blood in an emergency situation. The challenges are discussed in relation to the different stages of the event with the recommendations for improvement in practice.

We conclude that the use of pre‐screened donors as a WBB in a civilian setting is feasible. The WBB can provide platelet containing blood components for balanced blood resuscitation in a clinically relevant time frame.
Five years of prolonged field care: prehospital challenges during recent French military operations
Authors: Travers Stéphane , Carfantan Cyril , Luft Antoine , Aigle Luc , Pasquier Pierre , Martinaud Christophe , Renard Aurelien , Dubourg Olivier , Derkenne Clement , Kedzierewicz Romain , Franchin Marilyn , Bay Christian , Cap Andrew P. , Ausset Sylvain
Published: April 2019

BACKGROUND

French military operations in the Sahel conducted since 2013 over more than 5 million square kilometers have challenged the French Military Health Service with specific problems in prolonged field care.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

To describe these challenges, we retrospectively analyzed the prehospital data from the first 5 years of these operations within a delimited area.

RESULTS

One hundred eighty‐three servicemen of different nationalities were evacuated, mainly as a result of explosions (73.2%) or gunshots (21.9%). Their mean number evacuation was 2.2 (minimum, 1; maximum, 8) per medical evacuation with a direct evacuation from the field to a Role 2 medical treatment facility (MTF) for 62% of them. For the highest‐priority casualties (N = 46), the median time [interquartile range] from injury to a Role 2 MTF was 130 minutes [70 minutes to 252 minutes], exceeding 120 minutes in 57% of cases and 240 minutes in 26%.

The most frequent out‐of‐hospital medical interventions were external hemostasis, airway and hemopneumothorax management, hypotensive resuscitation, analgesia, immobilization, and antibiotic administration. Prehospital transfusion (RBCs and/or lyophilized plasma) was started three times in the field, two times during helicopter medical evacuation, and five times in tactical fixed wing medical aircraft. Lyophilized plasma was confirmed to be particularly suitable in these settings. One of the specific issues involved in lengthy prehospital time was the importance to reassess and convert tourniquets prior to Role 2 MTF admission.

CONCLUSION

Main challenges identified include reducing evacuation times as much as possible, preserving ground deployment of sufficiently trained medics and medical teams, optimization of transfusion strategies, and strengthening specific prolonged field care equipment and training.
Give the trauma patient what they bleed, when and where they need it: establishing a comprehensive regional system of resuscitation based on patient need utilizing cold‐stored, low‐titer O+ whole blood
Authors: Zhu Caroline S. , Pokorny Douglas M. , Eastridge Brian J. , Nicholson Susannah E. , Epley Eric , Forcum Jason , Long Tasia , Miramontes David , Schaefer Randall , Shiels Michael , Stewart Ronald M. , Stringfellow Michael , Summers Rena , Winckler Christopher J. , Jenkins Donald H.
Published: April 2019

BACKGROUND

Despite countless advancements in trauma care a survivability gap still exists in the prehospital setting. Military studies clearly identify hemorrhage as the leading cause of potentially survivable prehospital death. Shifting resuscitation from the hospital to the point of injury has shown great promise in decreasing mortality among the severely injured.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Our regional trauma network (Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council) developed and implemented a multiphased approach toward facilitating remote damage control resuscitation. This approach required placing low‐titer O+ whole blood (LTO+ WB) at helicopter emergency medical service bases, transitioning hospital‐based trauma resuscitation from component therapy to the use of whole blood, modifying select ground‐based units to carry and administer whole blood at the scene of an accident, and altering the practices of our blood bank to support our new initiative. In addition, we had to provide information and training to an entire large urban emergency medical system regarding changes in policy.

RESULTS

Through a thorough, structured program we were able to successfully implement point‐of‐injury resuscitation with LTO+ WB. Preliminary evaluation of our first 25 patients has shown a marked decrease in mortality compared to our historic rate using component therapy or crystalloid solutions. Additionally, we have had zero transfusion reactions or seroconversions.

CONCLUSION

Transfusion at the scene within minutes of injury has the potential to save lives. As our utilization expands to our outlying network we expect to see a continued decrease in mortality among significantly injured trauma patients.
Red blood cell alloantibodies are associated with increased alloimmunization against human leukocyte antigens
Authors: Belizaire Roger , Mack Johnathan , Kadauke Stephan , Kim Yeowon , Saidman Susan , Makar Robert S.
Published: April 2019

BACKGROUND

Alloantibodies recognizing human leukocyte antigens (HLA) can cause immune‐mediated refractoriness to platelet transfusion. An association between HLA alloimmunization and red blood cell (RBC) alloimmunization has been suggested but remains uncertain.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

We tested for HLA alloantibodies in 660 patients with and without RBC alloantibodies. Calculated panel reactive antibody (cPRA) values were determined for HLA alloimmunized patients. Current and historical diagnoses and blood product exposure were catalogued. Variables associated with high‐level HLA alloimmunization (cPRA ≥ 90%) were evaluated.

RESULTS

The cohort included 366 women and 294 men with median age of 66 years (interquartile range [IQR], 53‐76). The number of patients with and without RBC alloantibodies was 447 and 213, respectively. Among patients with and without RBC alloantibodies, 20.6% and 8.5% had a cPRA ≥ 90%, respectively (p < 0.0001). In univariate analyses of men and nulliparous women and previously pregnant women, the median number of RBC alloantibodies was significantly higher in patients with a cPRA ≥ 90% (p < 0.0001). The number of RBC alloantibodies remained an independent predictor of a cPRA ≥ 90% in multivariate analysis (odds ratio [OR] 1.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.22‐1.85). Other independent predictors of a cPRA ≥ 90% were parity (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.08‐1.47), age (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.97‐1.00), history of renal disease (OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.02‐3.48), and number of non‐leukoreduced products transfused (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.00‐1.04).

CONCLUSIONS

RBC alloimmunization was significantly associated with HLA alloimmunization with a cPRA ≥ 90%. RBC alloimmunization status combined with specific components of the clinical history may estimate the risk of high‐level HLA alloimmunization.
Forecasting exchange rates with commodity prices—a global country analysis
Authors: Baumgärtner Martin , Klose Jens
Published: April 2019

This paper investigates the predictive properties of import and export prices of commodities on the exchange rates. A period from 1993 to 2016 is considered. We find that forecasts of the exchange rate adding commodity export and import prices are superior to those neglecting these variables. This holds irrespective of whether the countries are net exporters or importers of commodities. However, the forecasting power was even better in the 1990s and seems to have decreased since that that time. Nevertheless, forecasts can even today be improved considerably by adding commodity prices.
Ultraconserved elements put the final nail in the coffin of traditional use of the genus Meliphaga (Aves: Meliphagidae)
Authors: McCullough Jenna M. , Joseph Leo , Moyle Robert G. , Andersen Michael J.
Published: April 2019

Molecular systematics is bringing taxonomy into the 21st Century by updating our nomenclature to reflect phylogenetic relationships of taxa. This transformation is evidenced by massive changes in avian taxonomy, ranging from ordinal to subspecies changes. In this study, we employ target capture of ultraconserved elements to resolve genus‐level systematics of a problematic group of honeyeaters (Aves: Meliphagidae). With near complete species‐level taxon sampling of the Australo‐Papuan species within the traditionally recognized Meliphaga and Oreornis, we investigate generic limits using a genomic dataset. Likelihood and species tree methods confirm two clades within this group and found the New Guinea endemic Oreornis chrysogenys embedded within one of these clades. Our study supports earlier recommendations that Meliphaga Lewin, 1808 should be restricted to three species, M. aruensis, M. lewinii and M. notata. We make a case for recognizing three genera in the remaining species, Oreornis van Oort, 1910, Microptilotis Mathews, 1912 and Territornis Mathews, 1924.
Homogenization of Random Porous Materials With Low-Order Virtual Elements
Authors: Pingaro Marco , Reccia Emanuele , Trovalusci Patrizia
Published: April 2019

A fast statistical homogenization procedure (FSHP) based on virtual element method (VEM)—previously developed by the authors has been successfully adopted for the homogenization of particulate random composites, via the definition of the representative volume element (RVE), and of the related equivalent elastic moduli. In particular, the adoption of virtual elements of degree one for modeling the inclusions provided reliable results for materials with low contrast, defined as the ratio between mechanical properties of inclusions and matrix. Porous media are then here described as bimaterial systems in which soft circular inclusions, with a very low value of material contrast, are randomly distributed in a continuous stiffer matrix. Several simulations have been performed by varying the level of porosity, highlighting the effectiveness of FSHP in conjunction with virtual elements of degree one.
Advanced Characterization Techniques and Analysis of Thermal Properties of AlGaN/GaN Multifinger Power HEMTs on SiC Substrate Supported by Three-Dimensional Simulation
Authors: Chvála Aleš , Szobolovszký Robert , Kováč Jaroslav , Florovič Martin , Marek Juraj , Černaj Ľuboš , Donoval Daniel , Kováč Jaroslav , Dua Christian , Delage Sylvain L. , Jacquet Jean-Claude
Published: April 2019

In this paper, several methods suitable for real time on-chip temperature measurements of power AlGaN/GaN-based high-electron mobility transistor (HEMT) grown on a SiC substrate are presented. The measurement of temperature distribution on HEMT surface using Raman spectroscopy is presented. The second approach utilizes electrical I–V characteristics of the Schottky diode neighboring to the heat source of the active transistor under different dissipated power for temperature measurement. These methods are further verified by measurements with microthermistors. The features and limitations of the proposed methods are discussed. The thermal parameters of materials used in the device are extracted from the temperature distribution in the structure with the support of three-dimensional thermal simulation of the device. Thermal analysis of the multifinger power HEMT is performed. The effects of the structure design and fabrication processes from semiconductor layers, metallization, and packaging up to cooling solutions are investigated. The influence of individual layer properties on the thermal performance of different HEMT structures under different operating conditions is presented. The results show that the proposed experimental methods supported by simulation have a potential for the design, analysis, and thermal management of HEMT.
Feasibility of Printed Circuit Board-Integrated Vibration Sensors for Condition Monitoring of Electronic Systems
Authors: Brinkfeldt Klas , Wetter Göran , Lövberg Andreas , Tegehall Per-Erik , Andersson Dag , Strandberg Jan , Goncalves Johnny , Söderlund Jonas , Kwarnmark Mikael
Published: April 2019

The increasing complexity of electronics in systems used in safety critical applications, such as self-driving vehicles, requires new methods to assure the hardware reliability of the electronic assemblies. Prognostics and health management (PHM) that uses a combination of data-driven and physics-of-failure models is a promising approach to avoid unexpected failures in the field. However, to enable PHM based partly on physics-of-failure models, sensor data that measure the relevant environment loads to which the electronics are subjected during its mission life are required. In this work, the feasibility to manufacture and use integrated sensors in the inner layers of a printed circuit board (PCB) as mission load indicators measuring impacts and vibrations has been investigated. A four-layered PCB was designed in which piezoelectric sensors based on polyvinylidenefluoride-co-trifluoroethylene (PVDF-TrFE) were printed on one of the laminate layers before the lamination process. Manufacturing of the PCB was followed by the assembly of components consisting of ball grid arrays (BGAs) and quad flat no-leads (QFN) packages in a standard production reflow soldering process. Tests to ensure that the functionality of the sensor material was unaffected by the soldering process were performed. Results showed a yield of approximately 30% of the sensors after the reflow soldering process. The yield was also dependent on sensor placement and possibly shape. Optimization of the sensor design and placement is expected to bring the yield to 50% or better. The sensors responded as expected to impact tests. Delamination areas were present in the test PCBs, which requires further investigation. The delamination does not seem to be due to the presence of embedded sensors alone but rather the result of a combination of several factors. The conclusion of this work is that it is feasible to embed piezoelectric sensors in the layers of a PCB.
Identification and Characterization of Particulate Contaminants Found at a Data Center Using Airside Economization
Authors: Shah Jimil M. , Misrak Abel , Agonafer Dereje , Kaler Mike
Published: April 2019

Contamination due to the use of airside economizer has become a major issue that cost companies revenue. This issue will continue to rise as server components become smaller, densely packed, and as companies move into more polluted environments. Contaminants with small particles less than 10 μm are not noticeable; yet, these particles are most likely to get to areas where they can cause damage. Dust from different sources and suspended in air settles on surfaces of electrical components. The dust mainly contains two components: salts and metallic particles. The salts may be neutral or corrosive and the nature of the salt depends on the deliquescent humidity. For metallic particles, surveys are performed in various data centers in order to determine the limits in terms of weight per unit area and particle size distribution. It is necessary to first identify those contaminants that directly affect the information technology (IT) equipment in the data center. In this research, a real-world data center utilizing airside economization in an ANSI/ISA classified G2 environment was chosen for the study. Servers were removed and qualitative study of cumulative corrosion damage was carried out. The particulate contaminants were collected from different locations of a server and material characterization was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The analysis from these results helps to explain the impact of the contaminants on IT equipment reliability.
Thermal-Hydraulic Performance and Optimization of Tube Ellipticity in a Plate Fin-And-Tube Heat Exchanger
Authors: Zhu Hua , Yang Zhuo , Khan Tariq Amin , Li Wei , Sun Zhijian , Du Jincai , Zhang Zhengjiang , Zhou Jianxin
Published: April 2019

The flow field inside the heat exchangers is associated with maximum heat transfer and minimum pressure drop. Designing a heat exchanger and employing various techniques to enhance its overall performance has been widely investigated and is still an active research. The application of elliptic tube is an effective alternative to circular tube which can reduce the pressure drop significantly. In this study, numerical simulation and optimization of variable tube ellipticity is studied. The three-dimensional numerical analysis and a multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA) with surrogate modeling are performed. Tubes in staggered arrangement in fin-and-tube heat exchanger are investigated for combination of various elliptic ratios and Reynolds numbers. Results show that increasing elliptic ratio increases the friction factor due to increased flow blocking area, however, the effect on the Colburn factor is not significant. Moreover, tube with lower elliptic ratio followed by higher elliptic ratio tube has better thermal-hydraulic performance. To achieve the best overall performance, the Pareto optimal strategy is adopted for which the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) results, artificial neural network (ANN), and MOGA are combined. The tubes elliptic ratio and Reynolds number are the design variables. The objective functions include Colburn factor (j) and friction factor (f). The CFD results are input into ANN model. Once the ANN is computed, it is then used to estimate the model responses as a function of inputs. The final trained ANN is used to drive the MOGA to obtain the Pareto optimal solution. The optimal values of these parameters are finally presented.
Orientation Effects in Two-Phase Microgap Flow
Authors: Robinson Franklin L. , Bar-Cohen Avram
Published: April 2019

The high power density of emerging electronic devices is driving the transition from remote cooling, which relies on conduction and spreading, to embedded cooling, which extracts dissipated heat on-site. Two-phase microgap coolers employ the forced flow of dielectric fluids undergoing phase change in a heated channel within or between devices. Such coolers must work reliably in all orientations for a variety of applications (e.g., vehicle-based equipment), as well as in microgravity and high-g for aerospace applications, but the lack of acceptable models and correlations for orientation- and gravity-independent operation has limited their use. Reliable criteria for achieving orientation- and gravity-independent flow boiling would enable emerging systems to exploit this thermal management technique and streamline the technology development process. As a first step toward understanding the effect of gravity in two-phase microgap flow and transport, in the present effort the authors have studied the effect of evaporator orientation, mass flux, and heat flux on flow boiling of HFE7100 in a 1.01 mm tall × 13.0 mm wide × 12.7 mm long microgap channel. Orientation-independence, defined as achieving similar critical heat fluxes (CHFs), heat transfer coefficients (HTCs), and flow regimes across orientations, was achieved for mass fluxes of 400 kg/m2 s and greater (corresponding to a Froude number of about 0.8). The present results are compared to published criteria for achieving orientation- and gravity-independence.
Ternary Alkali Carbonates Effect on Electrochemical Characterization of Nanocomposite Calcium-Doped Ceria Electrolytes (LNK-CDC) for SOFC
Authors: Rehman Zohaib Ur , Abbas Ghazanfar , Ashfaq Ahmad M. , Raza Rizwan , Ajmal Khan M. , Batool Rida , Altaf Faizah , Gill Rohama , Hussain Fida
Published: April 2019

The entire world is facing a great shortfall in the energy supply due to the high consumption rate of fossil fuel-based energy resources. Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are the best alternative energy devices, which convert hydrogen fuel directly into electricity. Alkali carbonated calcium-doped ceria electrolytes (LNK-CDC) as (Ce0.8 Ca0.2), (Ce0.7 Ca0.3), and (Ce0.6 Ca0.4) were synthesized by the co-precipitation method. With the addition of alkali carbonate, nanocomposites of ceria are well preserved after sintering at 600–700 °C. The structural and morphological properties were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. Crystallite sizes were found in the range of 50–80 nm. The maximum ionic conductivity of LNK-CDC (Ce0.8Ca0.2) was achieved to be 0.14 S/cm at 650 °C for anion vacancy migration by the dense microstructure. The minimum activation energy was determined to be 0.23 eV. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra of the prepared materials show the absorbance of IR and their behavior. The maximum power density of symmetric fuel cells LNK-CDC sandwiched with LNCZ oxide electrodes was recorded as 0.52 W cm−2 at 650 °C in the presence of hydrogen (fuel). It is suggested that coating of the equal molar ratio of ternary alkali metals on ceria doped comparatively enhance the performance of new nanocomposite electrolyte for SOFC and other energy applications.
Tuning the Photocatalytic Performance of Tungsten Oxide by Incorporating Cu3V2O8 Nanoparticles for H2 Evolution Under Visible Light Irradiation
Authors: Tahir M. B. , Iqbal T. , Zeba I. , Hasan A. , Muhammad Shabbir , Siddeeg Saifeldin M. , Shahzad Khurram
Published: April 2019

The green energy production through water splitting under visible light irradiation has become an emerging challenge in the 21st century. Photocatalysis, being a cost-competitive and efficient technique, has grabbed much more attention for environmental applications, especially for hydrogen evolution. In this article, the hybrid Cu3V2O8-WO3 nanostructures were prepared through the hydrothermal method by using copper acetate, ammonium metavanadate, and Na2WO4 · 2H2O as precursors. The varying contents of Cu3V2O8 in WO3 were 0.2%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0%, and 3.0%. The X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), UV-Vis, and photoluminescence (PL) emission spectroscopy were used to investigate the structural, morphological, surface area, and optical properties of prepared samples. The average crystalline size of the pure WO3 ranges from 10 to 15 nm and 70 to 195 nm for an optimal composite sample. The structural phase of the hybrid WO3-Cu3V2O8 nanoparticles was found to transfer from monoclinic to hexagonal by incorporating the Cu3V2O8 contents. The enhanced photocatalytic performance for hydrogen evolution was observed for 2% Cu3V2O8-WO3 composite sample. The key to this enhancement lies at the heterojunction interface, where charge separation occurs. In addition, the excellent photocatalytic activity was attributed to a higher surface area, efficient charge separation, and extended visible light absorption. This work provides an in-depth understanding of efficient separation of charge carriers and transfer processes and steer charge flow for efficient solar-to-chemical energy applications.