bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Indices of clinical research coordinators’ competence
Authors: Hornung Carlton A. , Ianni Phillip A. , Jones Carolynn T. , Samuels Elias M. , Ellingrod Vicki L. ,   for the DIAMOND Investigators
Published: July 2019

Introduction:

There is a clear need to educate and train the clinical research workforce to conduct scientifically sound clinical research. Meeting this need requires the creation of tools to assess both an individual’s preparedness to function efficiently in the clinical research enterprise and tools to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of programs that are designed to educate and train clinical research professionals. Here we report the development and validation of a competency self-assessment entitled the Competency Index for Clinical Research Professionals, version II (CICRP-II).

Methods:

CICRP-II was developed using data collected from clinical research coordinators (CRCs) participating in the “Development, Implementation and Assessment of Novel Training In Domain-Based Competencies” (DIAMOND) project at four clinical and translational science award (CTSA) hubs and partnering institutions.

Results:

An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) identified a two-factor structure: the first factor measures self-reported competence to perform Routine clinical research functions (e.g., good clinical practice regulations (GCPs)), while the second factor measures competence to perform Advanced clinical functions (e.g., global regulatory affairs). We demonstrate the between groups validity by comparing CRCs working in different research settings.

Discussion:

The excellent psychometric properties of CICRP-II and its ability to distinguish between experienced CRCs at research-intensive CTSA hubs and CRCs working in less-intensive community-based sites coupled with the simplicity of alternative methods for scoring respondents make it a valuable tool for gauging an individual’s perceived preparedness to function in the role of CRC as well as an equally valuable tool to evaluate the value and effectiveness of clinical research education and training programs.
Active Shooter: What Would Health Care Students Do While Caring for Their Patients? Run? Hide? Or Fight?
Authors: McKenzie Nicole , Wishner Carolina , Sexton Martha , Saevig Danielle , Fink Brian , Rega Paul
Published: July 2019

Objective:

The aim of this study was to explore the clinical decisions that health care students would make if faced with an active shooter event while providing patient care.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study design was used to survey 245 students from 6 different professional programs. Participants read 4 case-based scenarios, selected 1 of 4 actions in a multiple-choice format, and responded to an open-ended question. Demographic questions asked whether participants had been a victim of violence and whether they have taken a certified active shooter course. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and chi-square testing.

Results:

For each case, most students chose “patient-centric” versus “provider-centric” actions (range: 66%–94% and 4%–17%, respectively). The gender of the patient made no difference in actions. Those who attended a certified active shooter course tended to act with more “provider-centric” concerns than those who did not take such a course.

Conclusion:

A significant majority of interprofessional health care students, when presented with specific case-scenarios, declared they would act to protect themselves and their patients during an active shooter event. This “patient-centric” attitude transcends the oversimplified “Run-Hide-Fight” axiom and must be addressed by all health care educational institutions.
The association between implementation of second-tier prevention practices and CLABSI incidence: A national survey
Authors: Ben-David Debby , Vaturi Azza , Solter Ester , Temkin Elizabeth , Carmeli Yehuda , Schwaber Mitchell J. ,   the Israel CLABSI Prevention Working Group
Published: July 2019

Background:

Prevention of central-line–associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) represents a complex challenge for the teams involved in device insertion and maintenance. First-tier practices for CLABSI prevention are well established.

Objective:

We describe second-tier prevention practices in Israeli medical-surgical ICUs and assess their association with CLABSI rates.

Methods:

In June 2017, an online survey assessing infection prevention practices in general ICUs was sent to all Israeli acute-care hospitals. The survey comprised 14 prevention measures supplementary to the established measures that are standard of care for CLABSI prevention. These measures fall into 2 domains: technology and implementation. The association between the number of prevention measures and CLABSI rate during the first 6 months of 2017 was assessed using Spearman’s correlation. We used negative binomial regression to calculate the incidence rate ratio (IRR) associated with the overall number of prevention measures and with each measure individually.

Results:

The CLABSI rates in 24 general ICUs varied between 0.0 and 17.0 per 1,000 central-line days. Greater use of preventive measures was associated with lower CLABSI rates (ρ, –0.70; P < .001). For each additional measure, the incidence of CLABSI decreased by 19% (IRR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.73–0.89). Specific measures associated with lower rates were involvement of ward champions (IRR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.31–0.71), auditing of insertions by infection control staff (IRR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.19–0.64), and simulation-based training (IRR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.22–0.64).

Conclusion:

Implementation of second-tier preventive practices was protective against CLABSI. Use of more practices was correlated with lower rates.
Verification of Radiocarbon Transport Predicted by Numerical Modeling in the Porous Formation of NE Hungary Considering Paleo-Hydrogeology
Authors: Székely Ferenc , Deák József , Szűcs Péter , Kompár László , Zákányi Balázs , Molnár Mihály
Published: July 2019

Verification of a groundwater flow model by radiocarbon (14C) data are presented taking into consideration the paleo-hydrogeological changes. Northeastern area of the Great Hungarian Plain was a deep-lying flat area, and its central part (Nyírség) has been uplifted in the last 15,000 years. These geological events have drastically changed the hydrogeological conditions of Nyírség. The groundwater flow system is composed of the Quaternary-Pliocene-Upper Pannonian clastic sediments. Groundwater flow modeling has been performed to define the main lateral and vertical flow directions and velocities controlling the propagation of the environmental radioactive tracer 14C. Solute-transport modeling was used to calculate the 14C activity. The recent steady-state groundwater flow velocity was reduced to a reasonable value characterizing the average flow velocity over the 15 ka simulation period using “trial and error” method. The best fit between the simulated and measured 14C data was achieved by assuming 0.4 flow velocity reduction factor. Results indicate that the present steady-state flow model with this flow velocity reduction factor is capable of reproducing the observed 14C data taking into account the effect of the significant uplift of the part of the land surface in the last 15 ka in NE Hungary.
SYMMETRIC FUNCTIONS AND MULTIPLE ZETA VALUES
Authors: CHU WENCHANG
Published: July 2019

Four classes of multiple series, which can be considered as multifold counterparts of four classical summation formulae related to the Riemann zeta series, are evaluated in closed form.
The effect of l-arginine supplementation on lipid profile: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Hadi Amir , Arab Arman , Moradi Sajjad , Pantovic Ana , Clark Cain C. T. , Ghaedi Ehsan
Published: July 2019

A number of clinical trials have examined the effect of l-arginine on lipid profile in recent years; however, the results remain equivocal. Therefore, the present study aims to summarise and quantitatively examine the available evidence on the effectiveness l-arginine supplementation on lipid parameters using a systematic review and meta-analytic approach. Online databases including PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar were searched up to April 2019 for randomised controlled trials that examined the effect of l-arginine supplementation on lipid profile in adults. Treatment effects were expressed as weighted mean difference (WMD) and the corresponding standard error in concentrations of serum lipids. To estimate the overall effect of l-arginine supplementation, we used the random-effects model. In total, twelve studies were included in the systematic review. The meta-analysis revealed that l-arginine supplementation did not significantly change the concentrations of total cholesterol (WMD: –5·03 mg/dl; 95 % CI –10·78, 0·73; P = 0·08; inconsistency index (I2) = 39·0 %), LDL (WMD: –0·47 mg/dl; 95 % CI –3·61, 2·66; P = 0·76; I2 = 0·0 %), or HDL (WMD: 0·57 mg/dl; 95 % CI –1·28, 2·43; P = 0·54; I2 = 68·4 %). A significant reduction was observed only in serum TAG levels (WMD: –7·04 mg/dl; 95 % CI –11·42, –2·67; P < 0·001; I2 = 0·0 %). This meta-analysis concludes that l-arginine supplementation can significantly reduce blood TAG levels; however, there is insufficient evidence to support its hypocholesterolaemic effects. To draw straightforward conclusions regarding generalised recommendations for l-arginine supplementation for improving lipid profile, there is a need for more well-controlled trials targeting exclusively patients with dyslipidaemia.
The use of a combination scoring index to improve durum productivity under drought stress
Authors: Mohammadi Reza
Published: July 2019

Breeding for drought tolerance using novel genetic resources possessing relevant agronomic and adaptive traits is a key to enhance productivity and food security in wheat growing areas. Herein, the main objectives were (i) to use a combination scoring index (multiple scoring index, (MSI)) for selection of durum wheat genotypes under different drought stress intensities (SIs) (ii) to examine repeatability of the scoring index through bootstrap re-sample method, and (iii) to study the relationship of MSI with some drought-adaptive traits. Sixteen durum wheat genotypes were grown under rainfed and irrigated conditions during three cropping seasons (2012–2015), resulting in different drought SIs, that is, mild (SI < 0.3), moderate (0.3 < SI < 0.6), and severe (SI > 0.6). The average grain yields among test environments varied between 708 and 3631 kg ha−1. The validation of the methodology of scoring index was confirmed by the correlation coefficients between score indices and their original values across different drought SIs. According to MSI, the genotypes G16, G1, and G3 had the best combination of high productivity and high resilience to mild, moderate, and severe drought stress conditions, respectively. These results indicated that the ranking of genotypes varied among different drought SIs, which support the high potential of durum wheat for adaptation to different drought stress conditions. Based on the bootstrap samples, non-repeatable correlations were observed between the estimates of MSI from different levels of stress. The significant correlation between MSI with grain yield and 1000-kernel weight (TKW) under severe drought condition provides evidence that MSI ultimately be considered as a tool for effective selection of drought-tolerant genotypes. The MSI selected genotypes based on high productivity and resilience, to each level of drought SI, and favorable adaptive traits useful for breeding.
Body image in relation to nutritional status in adults from the Basque Country, Spain
Authors: Ibáñez-Zamacona María Eugenia , Poveda Alaitz , Rebato Esther
Published: July 2019

The aim of this research was to analyse variation in body image perception and satisfaction by age, sex and nutritional status in an adult sample from the Basque Country, Spain. A case-control study was performed for 227 women and 178 men aged 18–70 years. Stunkard’s silhouettes were used to evaluate Current Body Image (CBI) and Ideal Body Image (IBI), as well as dissatisfaction and inconsistency scores. Nutritional status was assessed following the WHO criteria for BMI in an adult population. The sample was divided into four groups based on sex and age (early adulthood <45 years, and middle/older adulthood ≥45 years). The Mann–Whitney U test was employed to evaluate sex and age differences, and the Gamma coefficient to assess the association between body image variables and nutritional status. Significant age differences in CBI (p<0.05) and sex differences in IBI (p<0.001) were detected. Both variables showed a positive association with BMI (p<0.01), which indicates that BMI is a biological characteristic related to body image satisfaction and influences participants’ perception of themselves. Dissatisfaction scores showed that both sex and age differences (p<0.05) were negatively associated with BMI (p<0.001). Only participants ≥45 years presented sex differences in inconsistency scores (p<0.05); this variable was associated with BMI in women (p<0.01). Preferences in body image showed sexual dimorphism, with women preferring thinner bodies than men – a pattern observed in many Western populations – linked in part to sociocultural pressures. Women were more dissatisfied with their bodies than men; a higher dissatisfaction was observed in older relative to younger participants. The results confirm the association between nutritional status and body size perception and satisfaction, but also the relationship between nutritional status and the reliability with which women can classify themselves; in men, this relationship was not as clear.
Power, politics and the police: lessons from Marikana
Authors: Dixon Bill
Published: July 2019

This article examines the relationship between politicians and the police in the days before the shooting by members of the South African Police Service of 34 striking mineworkers at the Marikana platinum mine in South Africa on 16 August 2012. Drawing on evidence presented to the official inquiry into events at Marikana, it argues that political influence over the police may be exercised most effectively when it is least obvious. Instead of issuing directives, or openly exerting pressure on the police, it is suggested that politicians may secure compliance with their wishes when chief officers share their priorities, and act accordingly. The senior officers in command at Marikana did not need to be told what to do. In ordering an intervention that led to 34 deaths they were behaving as conscious political actors attuned to the needs of a dominant elite aligned to the ruling African National Congress.
Position-Based Visual Servoing of a Mobile Robot with an Automatic Extrinsic Calibration Scheme
Authors: Sharma Radhe Shyam , Shukla Santosh , Behera Laxmidhar , Subramanian Venkatesh K.
Published: July 2019

In this paper, we present and implement a novel approach for position-based visual servoing. The challenge of controlling the mobile robot while simultaneously estimating the camera to mobile robot transformation is solved. This is achieved using gradient descent (GD)-based estimation and the sliding-mode approach. The GD approach allows online parameter estimation for controlling the robot to achieve a desired position and orientation. The adaptive nature of the parameters demonstrates the robustness of the system. In contrast to existing work, the proposed technique achieves both estimation and control tasks in a single experiment. Simulation and experimental results are provided to validate the performance of the proposed scheme.
Understanding knowledge threatened by declining wild orchid populations in an urbanizing China (Sichuan)
Authors: Seyler Barnabas C , Gaoue Orou G , Tang Ya , Duffy David C
Published: July 2019

With rapid urbanization worldwide, most people now live in cities, but the effects of urbanization on knowledge about the natural environment is not well studied. Due to the importance of Cymbidium to Chinese traditional culture, we tested how urbanization influences the distribution of orchid knowledge across various knowledge domains at risk of loss due to declining orchid populations. Participants in the Cymbidium trade were interviewed in three distinct urbanization-level jurisdictions in Sichuan, China: Puge (low urbanization), Huili (moderate urbanization) and Chengdu (high urbanization). Using photographic cue-cards of nine Cymbidium taxa, we assessed aggregate and specific knowledge held by 91 orchid collectors/traders across the urbanization gradient. Contrary to expectations, we found that urbanization and orchid knowledge were positively related, but this varied by knowledge type, with moderate urbanization showing significantly higher knowledge in two domains. Our findings suggest that a generalizable understanding of how urbanization affects knowledge must account for differences in knowledge types and geographic/cultural scales, with implications for biocultural diversity conservation in an increasingly urban world.
Experience of stent implantation for recurrent aortic arch obstruction following Norwood or Damus–Kaye–Stansel operation over the last decade
Authors: McCrossan Brian , Nolke Lars , Kenny Damien , Oslizlok Paul , Crispino Gloria , Walsh Kevin P. , McMahon Colin J.
Published: July 2019

Background:

Recurrent aortic arch obstruction following the Norwood procedure is recognised as an important complication. Balloon arch angioplasty is associated with a high recoarctation rate.

Methods:

We sought to evaluate the prevalence and outcome of stent implantation for recoarctation in children following Norwood or Damus–Kaye–Stansel procedure over the past decade at a single national cardiology centre.

Results:

Of 114 children who underwent Norwood procedure or Damus–Kaye–Stansel procedure between January 2003 and June 2013, 80 patients survived. Of these 15 children underwent stent implantation for recoarctation. Six of these patients had previous balloon angioplasty. The median age at stent implantation was 4.4 months (range 2–82 months). The median peak aortic arch gradient at catheterisation decreased from 26mmHg (range 10–70mmHg) to 2mmHg (range 0–20mmHg). The median luminal diameter increased from 4.7 mm (range 3.2–7.9 mm) to 8.6 mm (range 6.2–10.9 mm). The median coarctation index increased by 0.49 (range = 0.24–0.64). A Valeo stent was employed in 11 children, a Palmaz Genesis stent in 2 patients, a MultiLink stent in 1 child, and a Jomed covered stent in 1 child. Two factors were associated with the need for stent placement: previous arch angioplasty (p valve < 0.001, χ-square 11.5) and borderline left ventricle (p = 0.04, χ-square = 4.1). Stent migration occurred in one child. There were two deaths related to poor right ventricular systolic function and severe tricuspid regurgitation. Six patients underwent redilation of the stent with no complications.

Conclusions:

The prevalence of recurrent aortic arch obstruction following Norwood/Damus–Kaye–Stansel procedure was 18%. Stent implantation is safe and reliably eliminates the aortic obstruction. Redilation can be successfully achieved to accommodate somatic growth or development of stent recoarctation.
Proposal of a Model of Disaster Medical Education for Practical Risk Management and Disaster Nursing: The SINCHI Education Model
Authors: Shinchi Koichi , Matsunaga Hitomi , Fukuyama Yumi
Published: July 2019

Education in disaster nursing and risk management is important, and developing the human resources of medical staff who participate in disaster response is also necessary. However, a practical educational model for risk management and disaster nursing has not yet been established in Japan. In the present study, a model of disaster medical education for practical risk management and disaster nursing was proposed. Seventeen expert nurses with experience in practical international disaster response (IDR) participated in this study. They were recruited from among past members of Japan disaster response medical teams. They were asked an open-ended question through a questionnaire survey: “What kind of nursing education is necessary for risk management and practical activities in disaster response?” The responses were analyzed qualitatively and an educational model was developed.

Sixty-five codes were obtained from the answers to the open-ended question, and they were categorized into 19 sub-categories and three categories. Subsequently, the “SINCHI education model” was proposed for practical disaster nursing education; it comprises six elements: (1) Simulation exercise and small-group work; (2) International nursing knowledge; (3) Nursing skills and knowledge, including disaster nursing; (4) Communication ability promotion; (5) Humanity, responsibility, and flexibility; and (6) Infection prevention and control. A sample of this education exercise model is the following: (1) preparing the list of medical staff members (2) information-gathering simulation (3) preparing the list of medical instruments, and (4) developing the plan for risk management and operation, including infection prevention and control. Disaster nursing education could be made more instructive and practical by including simulation exercises.
Measuring diachronic language distance using perplexity: Application to English, Portuguese, and Spanish
Authors: Campos José Ramom Pichel , Otero Pablo Gamallo , Loinaz Iñaki Alegria
Published: July 2019

The objective of this work is to set a corpus-driven methodology to quantify automatically diachronic language distance between chronological periods of several languages. We apply a perplexity-based measure to written text representing different historical periods of three languages: European English, European Portuguese, and European Spanish. For this purpose, we have built historical corpora for each period, which have been compiled from different open corpus sources containing texts as close as possible to its original spelling. The results of our experiments show that a diachronic language distance based on perplexity detects the linguistic evolution that had already been explained by the historians of the three languages. It is remarkable to underline that it is an unsupervised multilingual method which only needs a raw corpora organized by periods.
PATENTS AND GROWTH IN OLG ECONOMY WITH PHYSICAL CAPITAL
Authors: Diwakar Bharat , Sorek Gilad , Stern Michael
Published: July 2019

We study the implications of patents in an overlapping generations model with horizontal innovation of differentiated physical capital. We show that within this demographic structure of finitely lived agents, weakening patent protection generates two contradicting effects on innovation and growth. Weakening patent protection lowers the (average) price of patented machines, thereby increasing machine utilization, output, aggregate saving, and investment. However, a higher demand for machines shifts investment away from the R&D activity aimed at inventing new machine varieties toward the formation of physical capital. The growth-maximizing level of patent protection is incomplete. Shortening patent length is more effective than loosening patent breadth in spurring growth, due to an additional positive effect on growth, that is decreasing investment in old patents. Welfare can be improved by weakening patent protection beyond the growth-maximizing level.
Institutions and moral agency: the case of Scottish banking
Authors: Robson Angus , Beadle Ron
Published: July 2019

It has been an enduring concern of institutional economics and critical realism to understand how individuals are able to exercise agency in the context of social structures, and to maintain appropriate connections, separations and balances between these two levels of causal power. This paper explores the contribution of Alasdair MacIntyre's neo-Aristotelian philosophy to the topic. Empirical data are provided from the career narratives of senior Scottish bankers recalled in the aftermath of the global financial crisis of 2007/8. The method of the study is interpretive, using themes drawn from MacIntyre's writings. These bankers faced moral choices as tensions developed between their own professional standards and the new corporate goals of the banks. We discuss MacIntyre's understanding of individual moral agency as a narrative quest in the context of different types of institution with different and often conflicting ideas about what constitutes good or right action. Habituation and deliberation are important in enabling action, but fully developed moral agency also depends on individuals being able to make choices in the space opened up by tensions within and between institutions.
Breast Milk for Preterm Multiples: More Proteins, Less Lactose
Authors: Congiu Marco , Reali Alessandra , Deidda Federica , Dessì Angelica , Bardanzellu Flaminia , Fanos Vassilios
Published: July 2019

Exclusive breastfeeding is currently recommended until at least 6 months of postnatal age, due to maternal breast milk (BM) unique composition and beneficial properties. In fact, BM modifies itself according to gestational age (GA) at birth, adapting its composition to neonatal requests during lactation. Multiple births represent about 3% of the whole pregnancies; such neonates result more vulnerable than full-term newborns, due to lower GA and birth weight (BW) and the higher incidence of perinatal complications. Although an adequate nutrition is fundamental for twins and other multiples, studies on this topic are lacking. We collected and analyzed BM from mothers of 19 twins and 5 triplets showing GA < 33 weeks and BW < 1500 g, comparing it to a control group of 28 preterm singletons. As a result, at GA ≤ 28 weeks, we observed that protein content is higher in BM for multiples (1.53 vs. 1.29 g per 100 ml), lactose concentration is greater in BM for singletons (6.72 vs. 6.34 g per 100 ml) and GA results the most relevant factor influencing BM protein composition. BM for multiples results higher in proteins and lower in lactose, if compared with singleton’s samples; this could promote and sustain growth and organ development in this vulnerable category. BM from multiples shows a trophic and immunologic role, since these neonates often show lower GA and BW instead of singletons. These findings could help in optimizing nutritional strategies and improving BM individualized fortification.
Ethikberatung in der Behandlung von Abhängigkeitserkrankungen
Authors: Schürmann Jan , Jähne Sebastian , Wetterauer Charlotte , Reiter-Theil Stella
Published: July 2019

Zusammenfassung. Ziel: Untersuchung, ob Behandelnde bei ethischen Herausforderungen in der psychiatrischen Behandlung von Personen mit Abhängigkeitserkrankungen (PAE) auf ethische Unterstützung, insbesondere Berichte über Ethikberatung bzw. Ethikkonsultation (EK), in der Literatur zurückgreifen können. Methodik: Vergleich der Ergebnisse einer systematischen Literaturrecherche in zwei Schritten mit einer explorativen Praxisbeobachtung an einem universitär-psychiatrischen Zentrum für Abhängigkeitserkrankungen. Ergebnisse: Die Literaturrecherche ergab insgesamt 77 formal valide Treffer, davon 26 zur EK. Thematisiert werden ethische Fragen bei der psychiatrischen Behandlung von PAE allgemein oder im Speziellen, bei der somatischen Behandlung, bei Zwangsmaßnahmen, Schwangerschaft oder Einwilligung und Urteilsfähigkeit. In der Praxisbeobachtung wurden insbesondere Prinzipienkonflikte zwischen dem Respekt vor der Autonomie und der Pflicht zur Hilfeleistung erfasst. Diskussion: In der Literatur fehlen größtenteils spezifische, anwendungsbezogene Publikationen zur EK bei der psychiatrischen Behandlung von PAE. Es gibt einige Publikationen, die ethische Fragestellungen bei der Behandlung von PAE untersuchen und insofern für die Bearbeitung ethischer Fragen in der Patientenversorgung relevant sein können. Ein Vergleich mit der Praxisbeobachtung zeigt jedoch, dass ethische Probleme in der Praxis in spezifische Behandlungs- und Lebenskontexte eingebettet sind, was in der Literatur nicht abgebildet ist, auch wenn Thematik und Prinzipienkonflikte ähnlich sind. Entsprechend ist hinsichtlich der ethischen Unterstützung der Behandlung von PAE ein Bedarf an Forschung und Entwicklung zu konstatieren.
Qualitätsmanagement einer regionalen Suchthilfeorganisation: EFQM Selbstbewertung
Authors: Nabitz Udo , Schaefer Achim , Küfner Heinrich
Published: July 2019

Zusammenfassung. Fragestellung: Wie lässt sich das Qualitätsmanagementsystem EFQM (European Foundation for Quality Management) in der Suchthilfe bei unterschiedlichen Einrichtungen einsetzen? Wie beurteilen Mitarbeiter von Suchthilfeeinrichtungen die Qualität ihrer Einrichtungen nach dem EFQM-Modell? Welche Stärken und Folgerungen ergeben sich hinsichtlich einer nachhaltigen Verbesserung der Einrichtungen? Methodik: In einer multiplen Einzelfallstudie wurden die EFQM Qualitätskriterien mit 42 Teilkriterien durch alle Mitarbeitenden von sechs Einrichtungen einer regionalen Suchthilfe beurteilt und in einem Konsensprozess der jeweiligen Einrichtung dokumentiert. Die Ergebnisse wurden visualisiert und auf einem Benchmark-Symposium präsentiert. Die Einrichtungen und die regionale Suchthilfe als Gesamtorganisation entwickelten jeweils Verbesserungsvorschläge für unterschiedliche Qualitätsbereiche. Ergebnisse: Die Akzeptanz des EFQM-Ansatzes durch die Mitarbeiter gemessen an ihrer Beteiligung an den Qualitätsmanagementprozessen betrug 92 %. Die Qualitätsbeurteilung war im Durchschnitt hoch, bei der Präventionseinrichtung und der Tagesklinik am höchsten, während bei der Substitutionseinrichtung und dem Wohnheim für chronisch Abhängige fast durchgängig die niedrigsten Werte erreicht wurden. Sehr positiv wurden in der Regel die „Professionalität“ (Ausbildung, Kompetenzen der Mitarbeiter), die „Kooperationen“, die „Kundenzufriedenheit“ und die „Schlüsselergebnisse“ bewertet. Eher als weniger positiv wurden dagegen die EFQM-Kriterien „gesellschaftliche Verantwortung“ und die „Mitarbeiterzufriedenheit“ eingestuft. Insgesamt wurden mehr als 144 Stärken und 182 Verbesserungen definiert. In einem Benchmark-Symposium wurden die Einrichtungsbefunde transparent dargestellt. Ein strategischer Qualitätsplan wurde mit Stärken (Kompetenz, Vernetzung, Richtlinien) und Verbesserungsvorschlägen (Katamnesen, Öffentlichkeitsarbeit, Innovation) erstellt mit dem Ziel der Nachhaltigkeit und der kontinuierlichen Weiterentwicklung. Schlussfolgerung: Das EFQM-Protokoll wird von Mitarbeitern in Suchthilfeeinrichtungen sehr gut akzeptiert. Durch die EFQM-Selbstbewertung können sowohl Stärken als auch Schwächen in der Qualität von Einrichtungen einer regionalen Suchthilfeorganisation erfasst werden. Vor allem Substitutionseinrichtung und Wohnheime für Abhängige bedürfen einer Weiterentwicklung und intensiven Förderung. Mittels Benchmarking werden die Qualitätsunterschiede der Einrichtungen klarer identifiziert und abgegrenzt. Die Verbesserungsvorschläge als Qualitätspläne erfordern in den nächsten Jahren eine Überprüfung ihrer Umsetzung.
Comparing MSL Curiosity Rover TLS‐SAM Methane Measurements With Mars Regional Atmospheric Modeling System Atmospheric Transport Experiments
Authors: Pla‐Garcia Jorge , Rafkin Scot C. R. , Karatekin Özgür , Gloesener Elodie
Published: July 2019

The detection of methane at Gale crater by the Tunable Laser Spectrometer–Sample Analysis at Mars instrument aboard the Curiosity rover has garnered significant attention because of the implications for the presence of Martian organisms (Webster et al., 2015, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1261713). Methane's photochemical lifetime is several centuries unless there is a fast, as‐yet‐unknown destruction mechanism (Lefèvre and Forget, 2009, https://doi.org/10.1038/nature08228). This is much longer than the atmospheric mixing time scale, and thus, the gas should be well‐mixed except when near a source or shortly after a release. Although most measurements report low background levels of ~0.4 parts per billion by volume, observed spikes of several parts per billion by volume or greater and a subsequent return to the background level are intriguing (Webster et al., 2015, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1261713). The Mars Regional Atmospheric Modeling System is used to simulate, via passive tracers, the transport and mixing of methane released inside and outside of the crater from instantaneous and steady state releases, and to test whether the results are consistent with in situ observations made by the Mars Curiosity rover. The simulations indicate that the mixing time scale for air within the crater is approximately 1 sol. The timing of methane measurements within the crater is also important, because modeled methane abundance varies by ~1 order of magnitude over a diurnal cycle under all the scenarios considered. While the observed low background levels can be reproduced by the model under some circumstances, it is difficult to reconcile the measured peaks with the modeled transport and mixing. For periods of high methane abundance lasting longer than a few hours there must be a continuous release of methane inside the crater to counteract mixing, or there must be a large, methane‐rich air mass continually transported into the crater. The few scenarios that can produce peaks are problematic, because they would result in background methane values above what is observed.
Can NASA Get Its Satellite Data into the Real World?
Authors: Popkin Gabriel
Published: July 2019

This article has been removed due to inconsistencies regarding quotations and concepts.
Predicting Lower Band Chorus With Autoregressive‐Moving Average Transfer Function (ARMAX) Models
Authors: Simms Laura E. , Engebretson Mark J. , Rodger Craig J. , Gjerloev Jesper W. , Reeves Geoffrey D.
Published: July 2019

We model lower band chorus observations from the DEMETER satellite using daily and hourly autoregressive‐moving average transfer function (ARMAX) equations. ARMAX models can account for serial autocorrelation between observations that are measured close together in time and can be used to predict a response variable based on its past behavior without the need for recent data. Unstable distributions of radiation belt source electrons (tens of keV) and the substorm activity (SMEd from the SuperMAG array) that is thought to inject these electrons were both statistically significant explanatory variables in a daily ARMAX model describing chorus. Predictions from this model correlated well with observations in a hold‐out test data set (validation correlation of 0.675). Source electron flux was most influential when observations came from the same day or the day before the chorus measurement, with effects decaying rapidly over time. Substorms were more influential when they occurred on previous days, presumably due to their injecting source electrons from the plasma sheet. A daily ARMAX model with interplanetary magnetic field (IMF)|B|, IMF Bz, and solar wind pressure as inputs instead of those given above was somewhat less predictive of chorus (r=0.611). An hourly ARMAX model with only solar wind and IMF inputs was even less successful, with a validation correlation of 0.502.
Shale Anisotropy Estimation From Logs in Vertical Wells
Authors: Li Yunyue Elita , Cheng Arthur C. H. , You Nan
Published: July 2019

Anisotropic elastic parameters for shales are widely needed in seismic imaging, reservoir characterization, and carbon sequestration monitoring. Unlike other elastic parameters such as vertical P and S wave velocities, anisotropy parameters are not measured directly from the acoustic well logs due to the single‐directional nature of a well. We assume that shale anisotropy is induced by thin cracks that are filled with liquid in a background isotropic medium, whose bulk and shear moduli are obtained from the vertically measured P and S wave velocities, density, and porosity from corresponding well logs through a formalized inversion scheme. We show that the estimated anisotropy using the proposed method is consistent with the mineralogy and agrees with the published laboratory measurements. This framework allows us to quantify the uncertainties in the anisotropy parameters estimated from the inversion, which can be used as a measure to evaluate the validity of the chosen rock physics model.
The Importance of Coarse Organic Matter and Depositional Environment to Carbon Burial Behind Dams in Mountainous Environments
Authors: Stratton L. E. , Haggerty R. , Grant G. E.
Published: July 2019

The relationship between carbon burial and sedimentation in reservoirs is unknown, contributing to uncertainty in our understanding of the net impact of dams to the global carbon budget and exposing gaps in our fundamental understanding of the transport, processing, and deposition of organic matter in fluvial and lacustrine systems. Taking opportunistic advantage of the removal of two high‐head dams, we investigate this relationship by developing a stratigraphic, process‐based framework to estimate total carbon accumulation as a function of depositional environment in the sediments of two former ~1‐km2 reservoirs on the Elwha River, Washington, USA. Former Lake Mills (upstream; completed 1927) accumulated ~330 Gg, with depositional zone average accumulation rates from 229 to 9,262 gCm2/year, while Former Lake Aldwell (downstream; completed 1913) accumulated ~91 Gg (263 to 2,414 gCm2/year). Carbon storage in both reservoirs was dominated by heterogeneous, coarse organic matter and woody debris in the coarse‐grained delta slope and relatively coarse‐grained prodelta regions of the reservoirs, with little in the gravel‐dominated, subaerial delta plains. Carbon accumulation in fine‐grained lacustrine and prodelta sediments was relatively homogeneous, but turbidity flows from the Gilbert‐style delta slope in former Lake Mills delivered significantly more carbon to the prodelta than the mouth bar‐style delta of former Lake Aldwell. C:N ratios support interpretation of most organic matter in both reservoirs as allochthonous. Sampling schemes based only on lacustrine and/or prodelta would underestimate total carbon accumulation by up to 30% in former Lake Aldwell but overestimate carbon by up to 47% in former Lake Mills.
Terrain Analysis Enhancements to the Height Above Nearest Drainage Flood Inundation Mapping Method
Authors: Garousi‐Nejad Irene , Tarboton David G. , Aboutalebi Mahyar , Torres‐Rua Alfonso F.
Published: July 2019

Flood inundation remains challenging to map, model, and forecast because it requires detailed representations of hydrologic and hydraulic processes. Recently, Continental‐Scale Flood Inundation Mapping (CFIM), an empirical approach with fewer data demands, has been suggested. This approach uses National Water Model forecast discharge with Height Above Nearest Drainage (HAND) calculated from a digital elevation model to approximate reach‐averaged hydraulic properties, estimate a synthetic rating curve, and map near real‐time flood inundation from stage. In 2017, rapid snowmelt resulted in a record flood on the Bear River in Utah, USA. In this study, we evaluated the CFIM method over the river section where this flooding occurred. We compared modeled flood inundation with the flood inundation observed in high‐resolution Planet RapidEye satellite imagery. Differences were attributed to discrepancies between observed and forecast discharges but also notably due to shortcomings in the derivation of HAND from National Elevation Dataset as implemented in CFIM, and possibly due to suboptimal hydraulic roughness parameter. Examining these differences highlights limitations in the HAND terrain analysis methodology. We present a set of improvements developed to overcome some limitations and advance CFIM outcomes. These include conditioning the topography using high‐resolution hydrography, dispersing nodes used to subdivide the river into reaches and catchments, and using a high‐resolution digital elevation model. We also suggest an approach to obtain a reach specific Manning's n from observed inundation and validated improvements for the flood of March 2019 in the Ocheyedan River, Iowa. The methods developed have the potential to improve CFIM.
The tetraspanin CD9 controls migration and proliferation of parietal epithelial cells and glomerular disease progression
Authors: Lazareth Hélène , Henique Carole , Lenoir Olivia , Puelles Victor G. , Flamant Martin , Bollée Guillaume , Fligny Cécile , Camus Marine , Guyonnet Lea , Millien Corinne , Gaillard François , Chipont Anna , Robin Blaise , Fabrega Sylvie , Dhaun Neeraj , Camerer Eric , Kretz Oliver , Grahammer Florian , Braun Fabian , Huber Tobias B. , Nochy Dominique , Mandet Chantal , Bruneval Patrick , Mesnard Laurent , Thervet Eric , Karras Alexandre , Le Naour François , Rubinstein Eric , Boucheix Claude , Alexandrou Antigoni , Moeller Marcus J. , Bouzigues Cédric , Tharaux Pierre-Louis
Published: July 2019

The mechanisms driving the development of extracapillary lesions in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and crescentic glomerulonephritis (CGN) remain poorly understood. A key question is how parietal epithelial cells (PECs) invade glomerular capillaries, thereby promoting injury and kidney failure. Here we show that expression of the tetraspanin CD9 increases markedly in PECs in mouse models of CGN and FSGS, and in kidneys from individuals diagnosed with these diseases. Cd9 gene targeting in PECs prevents glomerular damage in CGN and FSGS mouse models. Mechanistically, CD9 deficiency prevents the oriented migration of PECs into the glomerular tuft and their acquisition of CD44 and β1 integrin expression. These findings highlight a critical role for de novo expression of CD9 as a common pathogenic switch driving the PEC phenotype in CGN and FSGS, while offering a potential therapeutic avenue to treat these conditions.
Nanoscale nonreciprocity via photon-spin-polarized stimulated Raman scattering
Authors: Lawrence Mark , Dionne Jennifer A.
Published: July 2019

Time reversal symmetry stands as a fundamental restriction on the vast majority of optical systems and devices. The reciprocal nature of Maxwell’s equations in linear, time-invariant media adds complexity and scale to photonic diodes, isolators, circulators and also sets fundamental efficiency limits on optical energy conversion. Though many theoretical proposals and low frequency demonstrations of nonreciprocity exist, Faraday rotation remains the only known nonreciprocal mechanism that persists down to the atomic scale. Here, we present photon-spin-polarized stimulated Raman scattering as a new nonreciprocal optical phenomenon which has, in principle, no lower size limit. Exploiting this process, we numerically demonstrate nanoscale nonreciprocal transmission of free-space beams at near-infrared frequencies with a 250 nm thick silicon metasurface as well as a fully-subwavelength plasmonic gap nanoantenna. In revealing all-optical spin-splitting, our results provide a foundation for compact nonreciprocal communication and computing technologies, from nanoscale optical isolators and full-duplex nanoantennas to topologically-protected networks.
Deep single-cell RNA sequencing data of individual T cells from treatment-naïve colorectal cancer patients
Authors: Zhang Yuanyuan , Zheng Liangtao , Zhang Lei , Hu Xueda , Ren Xianwen , Zhang Zemin
Published: July 2019

T cells, as a crucial compartment of the tumour microenvironment, play vital roles in cancer immunotherapy. However, the basic properties of tumour-infiltrating T cells (TILs) such as the functional state, migratory capability and clonal expansion remain elusive. Here, using Smart-seq2 protocol, we have generated a RNA sequencing dataset of 11,138 T cells isolated from peripheral blood, adjacent normal and tumour tissues of 12 colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, including 4 with microsatellite instability (MSI). The dataset contained an expression profile of 10,805 T cells, as well as the full-length T cell receptor (TCR) sequences of 9,878 cells after quality control. To facilitate data mining of our T cell dataset, we developed a web-based application to deliver systematic interrogations and customizable functionalities (http://crctcell.cancer-pku.cn/). Functioning with our dataset, the web tool enables the characterization of TILs based on both transcriptome and assembled TCR sequences at the single cell level, which will help unleash the potential value of our CRC T cell data resource.
Temporally replicated DNA methylation patterns in great tit using reduced representation bisulfite sequencing
Authors: Mäkinen Hannu , Viitaniemi Heidi M. , Visser Marcel E. , Verhagen Irene , van Oers Kees , Husby Arild
Published: July 2019

Seasonal timing of reproduction is an important fitness trait in many plants and animals but the underlying molecular mechanism for this trait is poorly known. DNA methylation is known to affect timing of reproduction in various organisms and is therefore a potential mechanism also in birds. Here we describe genome wide data aiming to detect temporal changes in methylation in relation to timing of breeding using artificial selection lines of great tits (Parus major) exposed to contrasting temperature treatments. Methylation levels of DNA extracted from erythrocytes were examined using reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS). In total, we obtained sequencing data from 63 libraries over four different time points from 16 birds with on average 20 million quality filtered reads per library. These data describe individual level temporal variation in DNA methylation throughout the breeding season under experimental temperature regimes and provides a resource for future studies investigating the role of temporal changes in DNA methylation in timing of reproduction.
Space-time clustering of recently-diagnosed tuberculosis and impact of ART scale-up: Evidence from an HIV hyper-endemic rural South African population
Authors: Tomita Andrew , Smith Catherine M. , Lessells Richard J. , Pym Alexander , Grant Alison D. , de Oliveira Tulio , Tanser Frank
Published: July 2019

In HIV hyperendemic sub-Saharan African communities, particularly in southern Africa, the likelihood of achieving the Sustainable Development Goal of ending the tuberculosis (TB) epidemic by 2030 is low, due to lack of cost-effective and practical interventions in population settings. We used one of Africa’s largest population-based prospective cohorts from rural KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, to measure the spatial variations in the prevalence of recently-diagnosed TB disease, and to quantify the impact of community coverage of antiretroviral therapy (ART) on recently-diagnosed TB disease. We collected data on TB disease episodes from a population-based sample of 41,812 adult individuals between 2009 and 2015. Spatial clusters (‘hotspots’) of recently-diagnosed TB were identified using a space-time scan statistic. Multilevel logistic regression models were fitted to investigate the relationship between community ART coverage and recently-diagnosed TB. Spatial clusters of recently-diagnosed TB were identified in a region characterized by a high prevalence of HIV and population movement. Every percentage increase in ART coverage was associated with a 2% decrease in the odds of recently-diagnosed TB (aOR = 0.98, 95% CI:0.97–0.99). We identified for the first time the clear occurrence of recently-diagnosed TB hotspots, and quantified potential benefit of increased community ART coverage in lowering tuberculosis, highlighting the need to prioritize the expansion of such effective population interventions targeting high-risk areas.