bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Financial Performances of Microfinance Institutions in Cameroon: Case of CamCCUL Ltd.
Authors: Ofeh Moses A. , Jeanne Zangue Nguekeu
Published: March 2017

Microfinance institutions (MFI) aim at reducing poverty. To achieve such an amazing objective, microfinance institutions in Cameroon have to perform financially well as financial supports from donors are dwelling and irregular. Therefore, to what extent do MFI and industry specific factors determine CamCCUL’s financial performance? By using OLS estimation method to measure the effect of internal and external determinants of CamCCUL’s financial performance in terms of its return on assets, the study exploited a thirty two years secondary data obtained from mix market, CamCCUL’s annual balance sheets and reports to run the regression. The results on the one hand, showed that portfolio at risk, size and operational expenses significantly affect the financial performance of CamCCUL. On the other hand, market concentration had a negative but statistically insignificant effect on CamCCUL’s financial performance. The study therefore recommends that since inefficiency is the bottleneck of CamCCUL, the management should pay great attention to a good expense of management policies or reduce operating costs and credit risk management by employing different technologies to minimize cost. Also, CamCCUL managers should promote training in financial operations, portfolio management, risk assessment and management, management of loan arrears, and strategies, among others.
Optimization of an Appropriate Technology Based Process for Converting Waste Plastic in to Liquid Fuel via Thermal Decomposition
Authors: DeNeve Daniel , Joshi Chandni , Samdani Abhishek , Higgins John , Seay Jeffrey
Published: March 2017

Municipal solid waste in the developing world is often improperly disposed of in dumps near slums or simply discarded along the roadside in rural villages. This waste, particularly plastic, is a serious environmental and health concern for the communities in those regions. Lack of infrastructure, capital, and governmental policies contributes to the waste pile-up. Thus, methods of removing, recycling, and repurposing the otherwise pollutant waste are needed. In order to address the problem of plastic waste accumulation in developing regions, a process based on the principles of Appropriate Technology for converting waste plastic into a fuel oil similar to diesel fuel or kerosene has been proposed by the University of Kentucky Appropriate Technology and Sustainability (UKATS) research team. Several commonly occurring plastics such as High and Low Density Polyethylene, Polypropylene, and Polystyrene have been analyzed for their potential as a source of hydrocarbon fuel oil. In order to optimize this chemical process, the temperature parameters leading to maximum product yield have been studied. Experiments have been conducted in a small scale pyrolysis chamber to determine the optimum process temperature. Along with data collection of individual plastics, a mixture of the waste plastic was also analyzed.
Feasibility Analysis Functions of Iranian Universities in Achieving Sustainability
Authors: Zakerian Mehdi , Sadoughi Zeinab , Nabavi Abdolamir , Mahdi Reza
Published: March 2017

Realization of sustainable development requires role-playing of various institutions in order to promote and institutionalize the values of sustainability. One of the important actors in the pursuit of this purpose is universities, and according to most of analysts, promotion of sustainability depends on the formation of sustainable universities. This study aimed to investigate the role and position of university in realizing sustainable development. For this purpose, the concept of sustainability and its dimensions and also the role of university in developing the values related to sustainability and empowerment of human resources were investigated through descriptive - analytic study and according to its results, in-depth interview was used to interview with ten experts in this field about how to realize this aim within the universities. Results showed that there is direct relationship between academic activities and promotion of the values of sustainability if structures and mechanisms of universities evolve purposively. In recent years, some universities have taken concrete steps in this regard, but at the Iranian universities, aside from some scattered efforts, the formation and development of activities related to sustainability were inadequate. So, only with accurate policies and targeted programs, it can be hoped to realize development based on the values of sustainability through the functions of universities.
APPLICATION OF IMAGE ANALYSIS METHODS FOR ISOCENTER QUALITY ASSURANCE IN RADIOTHERAPY
Authors: Niedźwiecki Michał , Tomaszuk Monika , Kabat Damian , Latała Zbigniew , Rzecki Krzysztof , Tabor Zbislaw
Published: March 2017

One of the major procedures for testing the geometrical accuracy of devices used in radiotherapy treatments is the test of the geometrical position of the radiation isocenter. The importance of the test reflects the fact that geometrical position of the radiation isocenter generally affects the tumor targeting. At present the geometric accuracy is assessed with the Winston-Lutz test which checks the position of an image of a ball marker with the respect to the center of the radiation field as projected on a detector plane. Obviously, determination of coordinates of a single marker is not sufficient to fully account for a complicated geometry of a therapeutic device. The purpose of the study was to design a new image analysis tool to better determine the isocenter. The proposed automated procedure for determining isocenter position uses projection data acquired for a special cube phantom. The projection images of a phantom are acquired for various angles of rotation of the gantry. A procedure is proposed to extract some geometric characteristics of a therapeutic device from the projection images.
Los nuevos discursos del management: difusión, impactos y resistencias
Authors: Fernández Rodríguez Carlos Jesús , Medina-Vicent Maria
Published: March 2017

El presente monográfico de Recerca titulado «Los nuevos discursos del management: contribuciones desde una perspectiva crítica», se compone de siete artículos de investigación y dos recensiones. A través de los diferentes escritos se pretende realizar un recorrido por el estado actual de los discursos del management y sus repercusiones no solo en el mundo del trabajo, sino en el grueso de la sociedad desde una perspectiva crítica. Así pues, a lo largo de las siguientes páginas el/la lector/a podrá transitar por los diferentes discursos que hoy en día caracterizan el espacio social. Nos referimos a marcos generales de sentido como el individualismo y la descolectivización de lo social, pero también a cuestiones más concretas como el emprendimiento y la precariedad; todos ellos componentes que conforman el escenario al que nos estamos remitiendo en todo momento, esto es, el del discurso neoliberal o el «nuevo espíritu del capitalismo» (Boltanski y Chiapello, 2002).
En torno al potencial transformador de los CMS (Critical Management Studies)
Authors: Gantman Ernesto
Published: March 2017

El presente ensayo examina los cms en términos de su potencial transformador respecto al mundo del trabajo. A tal efecto, se brinda una caracterización de este enfoque y un repaso de su desarrollo histórico. Se argumenta que los cms no se agotan en su versión británica, disciplinariamente limitada a escuelas de negocios, y que su objeto ha sido también abordado por académicos de diversos países con afiliaciones institucionales en ciencias sociales distintas a la administración. Finalmente, se concluye que la pluralidad disciplinaria de los cms y el tipo de preocupación intelectual que los motiva permite identificar un rol transformador más afín a disciplinas como la sociología que al campo de la administración. Más que agentes de cambio organizacional, los académicos que trabajan dentro del ámbito de los cms, podrían convertirse en intelectuales públicos comprometidos con la denuncia de las ideologías gerenciales y económicas dominantes.This essay examines Critical Management Studies (cms) in terms of their transformative potential regarding the world of work. To this end, I briefly characterize cms and review their historical development in the uk. I argue that the main theoretical concerns of cms are not the exclusive purview of its British version, but that they have also been addressed by scholars from other countries and institutional affiliations in social sciences other than management. Finally, I conclude that the disciplinary plurality of cms and the intellectual concerns that drive them are clearly aligned with a transformative role more akin to fields like sociology than to management and organization studies. More than organizational change agents, cms scholars could become public intellectuals committed to unmasking the dominant economic and managerial ideologies.
Entre la racionalidad instrumental y el «imaginario managerial» - Estrategias didácticas en la enseñanza del management
Authors: Vázquez Mazzini Marisa
Published: March 2017

A partir del registro etnográfico correspondiente a un curso de Liderazgo en una escuela de negocios del Gran Buenos Aires, este trabajo aborda la relación entre los objetivos educacionales (el «para qué» de la enseñanza), el contenido (el «qué» de la enseñanza) y las acciones e interacciones dentro del aula. Intenta mostrar la tensión que se establece entre la lógica de la eficiencia –que estructura la tarea del sistema educativo– y la lógica vincular de un «imaginario managerial» (Alonso y Fernández Rodríguez, 2006) que tácitamente condiciona la actividad de docentes y cursantes.From the ethnographic record of a Leadership course in a Business School close to Buenos Aires, this article analyzes the relationship among educational goals (purposes of teaching), content (topics to be taught) and interactions in the classroom. It attempts to underscore the tension between the instrumental rationality grounded in the educational system and the relational rationality underlying a «managerial imaginery» (Alonso y Fernández Rodríguez, 2006) which tacitly conditions teaching and learning activities.
Las "cárceles del capital humano": trabajo y vidas precarias en la juventud universitaria
Authors: Muñoz-Rodríguez David , Santos Ortega Antonio
Published: March 2017

En los últimos treinta años se ha transitado desde una concepción del capital humano como una macromagnitud económica a una idea de capital humano corporeizada en el individuo. Hemos asistido a una progresiva infiltración de dicha ideología del capital humano también en la vida de la juventud precaria. Nos centramos aquí en los jóvenes universitarios, para quienes el capital humano, ya de forma hegemónica, dirige y marca sus recorridos laborales y vitales. El análisis de los discursos de estos jóvenes nos permitirá explorar desde la imposición de la lógica de la movilidad laboral, a la sujeción a las formas de "emprendedor de sí mismo" y a la normalización, como parte del proceso de incorporación de capital humano, de formas de empleo progresivamente al margen de los derechos y garantías laborales clásicas del trabajo salariado.In the last thirty years it has been gone from a conception of the human capital as an economic macro magnitude to an idea of human capital embodied in the individuals. We have been witnesses of the progressive infiltration of this ideology of the human capital also in the life of precarious youth. We focus in the university young people, for those who the human capital, already of hegemonic form, directs and marks its labour and vital routes. The analysis of the discourses of these young people will allow us to explore the imposition of the logic of labour mobility, the subjection to the forms of «entrepreneur of itself» and also the normalization of forms of work progressively excluded from the rights and classic labour guarantees as a part of the process of incorporation of human capital.
El precio del progreso: de la «virtualización del mundo» al «zombismo hiperindividualista»
Authors: García Ferrer Borja
Published: March 2017

El objetivo del trabajo es mostrar las funestas repercusiones del bombardeo de informaciones que todos padecemos en nuestro incipiente mundo virtual. Si bien es cierto que trae consigo numerosas ventajas, desde que el capitalismo basa su fuerza y expansión en las nuevas tecnologías de la comunicación, la proliferación acelerada de estímulos concomitante también conlleva una crisis de transmisión de consecuencias fatídicas, en la medida que arruina la estructura normativa firme y estable que vertebraba nuestras vidas en la prehistoria digital. De aquí se sigue, por razón de semejante vacío axiológico, una hiperinversión de lo privado y una desmovilización del espacio público, convertido en un inquietante desierto virtual donde zombis hiperindividualistas interactúan en el simple sentido de la palabra, al ritmo que marcan los nuevos expertos en las artes de la infoesfera.The aim of this work is to show the disastrous effects of the bombardment of information which all of us experience in our emerging virtual world. It is true that capitalism brings a great number of advantages; however, since it bases its strength and expansion on the new communication technologies, the accompanying accelerated proliferation of stimuli also involves a crisis of transmission of fatal consequences, in so far as it ruins the solid and stable regulatory structure that provide the backbone of our lives in digital prehistory. It follows, because of such axiological vacuum, a hyperinversion of the private sphere and a demobilization of public space, turned into a disturbing virtual desert where hyperindividualistic zombies interact in the simple sense of the word, at the pace set by the new experts on the arts of infosphere.
Non-coding cancer driver candidates identified with a sample- and position-specific model of the somatic mutation rate
Authors: Juul Malene , Bertl Johanna , Guo Qianyun , Nielsen Morten Muhlig , Świtnicki Michał , Hornshøj Henrik , Madsen Tobias , Hobolth Asger , Pedersen Jakob Skou
Published: March 2017

Non-coding mutations may drive cancer development. Statistical detection of non-coding driver regions is challenged by a varying mutation rate and uncertainty of functional impact. Here, we develop a statistically founded non-coding driver-detection method, ncdDetect, which includes sample-specific mutational signatures, long-range mutation rate variation, and position-specific impact measures. Using ncdDetect, we screened non-coding regulatory regions of protein-coding genes across a pan-cancer set of whole-genomes (n = 505), which top-ranked known drivers and identified new candidates. For individual candidates, presence of non-coding mutations associates with altered expression or decreased patient survival across an independent pan-cancer sample set (n = 5454). This includes an antigen-presenting gene (CD1A), where 5’UTR mutations correlate significantly with decreased survival in melanoma. Additionally, mutations in a base-excision-repair gene (SMUG1) correlate with a C-to-T mutational-signature. Overall, we find that a rich model of mutational heterogeneity facilitates non-coding driver identification and integrative analysis points to candidates of potential clinical relevance.
Inhibitor of ppGalNAc-T3-mediated O-glycosylation blocks cancer cell invasiveness and lowers FGF23 levels
Authors: Song Lina , Linstedt Adam D
Published: March 2017

Small molecule inhibitors of site-specific O-glycosylation by the polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase (ppGalNAc-T) family are currently unavailable but hold promise as therapeutics, especially if selective against individual ppGalNAc-T isozymes. To identify a compound targeting the ppGalNAc-T3 isozyme, we screened libraries to find compounds that act on a cell-based fluorescence sensor of ppGalNAc-T3 but not on a sensor of ppGalNAc-T2. This identified a hit that subsequent in vitro analysis showed directly binds and inhibits purified ppGalNAc-T3 with no detectable activity against either ppGalNAc-T2 or ppGalNAc-T6. Remarkably, the inhibitor was active in two medically relevant contexts. In cell culture, it opposed increased cancer cell invasiveness driven by upregulated ppGalNAc-T3 suggesting the inhibitor might be anti-metastatic. In cells and mice, it blocked ppGalNAc-T3-mediated glycan-masking of FGF23 thereby increasing its cleavage, a possible treatment of chronic kidney disease. These findings establish a pharmacological approach for the ppGalNAc-transferase family and suggest that targeting specific ppGalNAc-transferases will yield new therapeutics.
North Pacific twentieth century decadal‐scale variability is unique for the past 342 years
Authors: Williams B. , Halfar J. , Delong K. L. , Smith E. , Steneck R. , Lebednik P. A. , Jacob D. E. , Fietzke J. , Moore G. W. K.
Published: March 2017

Reconstructed sea surface temperatures (SSTs) derived from Mg/Ca measurements in nine encrusting coralline algal skeletons from the Aleutian archipelago in the northernmost Pacific Ocean reveal an overall increase in SST from 1665 to 2007. In the Aleutian SST reconstruction, decadal‐scale variability is a transient feature present during the 1700s and early 1800s and then fully emerging post‐1950. SSTs vary coherently with available instrument records of cyclone variance and vacillate in and out of coherence with multicentennial Pacific Northwest drought reconstructions as a response to SST‐driven alterations of storm tracks reaching North America. These results indicate that an influence of decadal‐scale variability on the North Pacific storm tracks only became apparent during the midtwentieth century. Furthermore, what has been assumed as natural variability in the North Pacific, based on twentieth century instrumental data, is not consistent with the long‐term natural variability evident in reconstructed SSTs predating the anthropogenic influence.
Introduction to special issue of the 2015 URSI‐Japan Radio Science Meeting
Authors: Kobayashi Kazuya , Yagitani Satoshi
Published: March 2017

The “2015 URSI‐Japan Radio Science Meeting” (URSI‐JRSM 2015) was held at Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan, on 3–4 September 2015 (http://www.ursi.jp/jrsm2015/). This special issue provides a collection of excellent papers presented at URSI‐JRSM 2015.
Fusion Learning
Authors: Cheng Jerry Q. , Liu Regina Y. , Xie Min‐ge
Published: March 2017

It is well known that combining inferences from more data sources can often greatly enhance the overall inference over the individual inferences. Fusion learning refers to the study of combining inference results obtained from different sources to achieve a more efficient or better overall inference result.

This article reviews several fusion learning methods that are developed under the framework of combining confidence distributions and have been shown to be effective and broadly applicable. They include robust fusion learning, exact fusion learning for discrete data, fusion learning for heterogeneous studies, nonparametric fusion learning, split‐conquer‐combine approach, and even individualized fusion (i‐Fusion, etc.). An R package gmeta, implementing many of these methods, is available from CRAN.
Inkjet and Aerosol Jet Printing of Electrochemical Devices for Energy Conversion and Storage
Authors: Deiner L. Jay , Reitz Thomas L.
Published: March 2017

Inkjet and aerosol jet printing have recently emerged as promising fabrication techniques for a broad range of devices for electrochemical energy conversion and storage – batteries, fuel cells, and supercapacitors. If fully realized, these printing techniques may enable device performance advantages accruing from precise micron scale patterning, thin layer deposition, and materials grading. Printing may also allow scalable, low materials waste manufacturing, and conformal integration of power elements into structural elements. This article reviews the fundamental capabilities of inkjet and aerosol jet printing relevant to electrochemical devices, surveys current literature, and presents future challenges which must be tackled to achieve high performance, printed electrochemical energy storage, and conversion devices.
Short stature, unusual face, delta phalanx, and abnormal vertebrae and ribs in a girl born to half‐siblings
Authors: Pogue Robert , Marques Felipe A. , Kopacek Cristiane , Rosa Rosana C. M. , Dorfman Luiza E. , Mazzeu Juliana F. , Flores José A. M. , Zen Paulo R. G. , Rosa Rafael F. M.
Published: March 2017

Delta phalanx is a rare abnormality typically associated with additional features. We describe a patient with a phenotype resembling Catel–Manzke syndrome, but with delta phalanx and abnormal vertebrae and ribs. The patient was the only child of half siblings born with a marked prenatal growth deficiency. At 10 years of age, she had a short stature, long face, long and tubular nose with small alae nasi, high palate, short and broad thorax, and short index fingers with radial deviation. There were hyperpigmentations following Blaschko's lines. Radiology showed a proximal delta phalanx in the index finger of hands, abnormal vertebrae, and fused and small ribs. GTG‐Banding karyotype and microarray analysis yielded normal results. Exome sequencing identified 25 genes that harbored homozygous variants, but none of these is assumed to be a good candidate to explain (part of) the phenotype. The here described patient may have a new condition, possibly following an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance, although due to the high degree of consanguinity a compound etiology of the phenotype by variants in various genes may be present as well.
Sustainable Catalytic Process with a High Eco‐Scale Score for the Synthesis of Five‐, Six‐, and Seven‐Membered Heterocyclic Compounds Using Nanocrystalline Zeolites
Authors: Sarmah Bhaskar , Srivastava Rajendra
Published: March 2017

Nanocrystalline ZSM‐5 and Beta zeolites were evaluated as catalysts for the one‐pot synthesis of a wide range of five‐, six‐, and seven‐membered heterocyclic compounds. Seven‐membered compounds were prepared by the reaction of o‐phenylenediamine and ketones, whereas five‐membered compounds were obtained when o‐aminothiophenol was reacted with ketones under the same reaction condition. Several other seven‐membered compounds were prepared by the reaction of (E)‐chalcone with o‐phenylenediamine/o‐aminothiophenol, whereas the six‐membered compounds described in this study were prepared by the reaction of o‐phenylenediamine with 2‐bromoacetophenone/2‐hydroxy acetophenone. Two other five‐membered compounds were prepared by the reaction of aniline with benzaldehyde and thioglycolic acid, and the reaction of glycerol with acetone. The mechanisms responsible for the formation of the different products were elucidated based on the results of time‐dependent 1H NMR experiments. To the best of our knowledge, this work represents the first reported systematic assessment of the catalytic activity of nanocrystalline zeolites for the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds. Notably, the catalysts were readily recovered and reused without any considerable decrease in their catalytic activity. The high eco‐scale score and low E‐factor value of this process clearly demonstrate that it represents a green and sustainable synthetic route for the preparation of a wide range of heterocyclic compounds of significant industrial importance.
Compressive shape memory behavior of spring‐shaped polylactic acid alloy type
Authors: Siahsarani A. , Behravesh A. H. , Barmouz M.
Published: March 2017

This article presents an experimental study on the shape memory behavior of blends of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) at the PLA/TPU weight ratios of 70/30 (PT7030) and 50/50 (PT5050). The manufactured springs were studied comprehensively based on their morphological and thermal properties. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs were captured, which verified that TPU was compatible with PLA. The wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction suggested that the crystallinity of PLA was enhanced in the presence of TPU. In order to determine the shape recovery properties [shape recovery ratio (Rr), shape fixing ratio (Rf), and shape recovery force (Fr)], the samples programmed at three different temperatures (Tp) of 70, 80, and 90 °
and at various recovery temperatures (Tr) over 40 to 90 °
, were studied. In general, the spring made with PT7030 showed higher Rr, Rf, and Fr values. The highest Rr (99%) was obtained at programmed temperature (Tp) of 70 °
and recovery temperature (Tr) of 90 °
. However, the Rr value for this spring programmed at 70 °
and recovered near body temperature was 50% with Fr of 1.4 N. Furthermore, the highest Fr (15.6 N) was observed in the spring made of PT7030 programmed at 80 °
and recovered at Tr of 78  °
. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45115.
Enzymatic Synthesis of 7′,5′‐Bicyclo‐DNA Oligonucleotides
Authors: Diafa Stella , Evéquoz Damien , Leumann Christian J. , Hollenstein Marcel
Published: March 2017

The selection of artificial genetic polymers with tailor‐made properties for their application in synthetic biology requires the exploration of new nucleosidic scaffolds that can be used in selection experiments. Herein, we describe the synthesis of a bicyclo‐DNA triphosphate (i.e., 7′,5′‐bc‐TTP) and show its potential to serve for the generation of new xenonucleic acids (XNAs) based on this scaffold. 7′,5′‐bc‐TTP is a good substrate for Therminator DNA polymerase, and up to seven modified units can be incorporated into a growing DNA chain. In addition, this scaffold sustains XNA‐dependent DNA synthesis and potentially also XNA‐dependent XNA synthesis. However, DNA‐dependent XNA synthesis on longer templates is hampered by competitive misincorporation of deoxyadenosine triphosphate (dATP) caused by the slow rate of incorporation of 7′,5′‐bc‐TTP.
Quality by control: Towards model predictive control of mammalian cell culture bioprocesses
Authors: Sommeregger Wolfgang , Sissolak Bernhard , Kandra Kulwant , von Stosch Moritz , Mayer Martin , Striedner Gerald
Published: March 2017

The industrial production of complex biopharmaceuticals using recombinant mammalian cell lines is still mainly built on a quality by testing approach, which is represented by fixed process conditions and extensive testing of the end‐product. In 2004 the FDA launched the process analytical technology initiative, aiming to guide the industry towards advanced process monitoring and better understanding of how critical process parameters affect the critical quality attributes. Implementation of process analytical technology into the bio‐production process enables moving from the quality by testing to a more flexible quality by design approach. The application of advanced sensor systems in combination with mathematical modelling techniques offers enhanced process understanding, allows on‐line prediction of critical quality attributes and subsequently real‐time product quality control. In this review opportunities and unsolved issues on the road to a successful quality by design and dynamic control implementation are discussed. A major focus is directed on the preconditions for the application of model predictive control for mammalian cell culture bioprocesses. Design of experiments providing information about the process dynamics upon parameter change, dynamic process models, on‐line process state predictions and powerful software environments seem to be a prerequisite for quality by control realization.
Prospective trial to evaluate the prognostic value of different nutritional assessment scores in pancreatic surgery (NURIMAS Pancreas)
Authors: Probst P , Haller S , Bruckner T , Ulrich A , Strobel O , Hackert T , Diener M K , Büchler M W , Knebel P
Published: March 2017

Background

Preoperative nutritional status has an impact on patients' clinical outcome. For pancreatic surgery, however, it is unclear which nutritional assessment scores adequately assess malnutrition associated with postoperative outcome.

Methods

Patients scheduled for elective pancreatic surgery at the University of Heidelberg were screened for eligibility. Twelve nutritional assessment scores were calculated before operation, and patients were categorized as either at risk or not at risk for malnutrition by each score. The postoperative course was monitored prospectively by assessors blinded to the nutritional status. The primary endpoint was major complications evaluated for each score in a multivariable analysis corrected for known risk factors in pancreatic surgery.

Results

Overall, 279 patients were analysed. A major complication occurred in 61 patients (21·9 per cent). The proportion of malnourished patients differed greatly among the scores, from 1·1 per cent (Nutritional Risk Index) to 79·6 per cent (Nutritional Risk Classification). In the multivariable analysis, only raised amylase level in drainage fluid on postoperative day 1 (odds ratio (OR) 4·91, 95 per cent c.i. 1·10 to 21·84; P = 0·037) and age (OR 1·05, 1·02 to 1·09; P = 0·005) were significantly associated with major complications; none of the scores was associated with, or predicted, postoperative complications.

Conclusion

None of the nutritional assessment scores defined malnutrition relevant to complications after pancreatic surgery and these scores may thus be abandoned.
Ionic Liquids in Space Technology – Current and Future Trends
Authors: Nancarrow Paul , Mohammed Hanin
Published: March 2017

The space technology industry has been at the forefront of technological innovation since the late 1950s. In recent years, ionic liquids (ILs) have gained increasing attention in a wide range of space‐related applications, due to their advantageous properties such as non‐volatility and wide liquid temperature range. In particular, the ability to design ILs with optimal physical and chemical properties for a given application has allowed them to be employed in a wide range of studies. In this review paper, an overview of ionic liquids and their properties in the context of space technology applications is given. Recent studies into the use of ionic liquids in space propulsion, space lubrication, thermal control, composite materials, space telescopes, and life support systems are reviewed and discussed. Furthermore, where applicable, the potential future trends for ILs in space applications are highlighted.
Use of the Trost Ligand in the Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Ketones
Authors: Cettolin Mattia , Puylaert Pim , Pignataro Luca , Hinze Sandra , Gennari Cesare , de Vries Johannes G.
Published: March 2017

The Trost ligand, (1S,2S)‐1,2‐diaminocyclohexane‐N,N′‐bis(2′‐diphenylphosphinobenzoyl) (L), is reported for the first time as a ligand for the asymmetric hydrogenation (AH) of ketones. Ligand (S,S)‐L was screened in the presence of several metal salts and was found to form active catalysts if combined with ruthenium sources in the presence of hydrogen and a base. Reaction optimization was performed by screening different Ru sources, solvents, and bases. Under the optimized conditions, the complex formed by the combination of (S,S)‐L with RuCl3(H2O)x in the presence of Na2CO3 was able to promote the AH of several ketones at room temperature in good yields with up to 96 % ee. The reaction kinetics measured under the optimized conditions revealed the presence of a long induction period, during which the initially formed Ru species was transformed into the catalytically active complex by reaction with hydrogen. Remarkably, a ketone that is a precursor of the antiemetic drug aprepitant was hydrogenated in excellent yield with a good ee value.
Process Optimization of the Methanol Synthesis Using Different Local Optimization Algorithms
Authors: Sundberg Johannes , Rehfeldt Sebastian , Peschel Andreas , Klein Harald
Published: March 2017

Prozessoptimierung wird oft mit wenig flexibler Optimierungsfunktionalität in Prozesssimulatoren oder nach zeitintensiver Modellierung und Implementierung in algebraischen Modellierungssprachen durchgeführt. Der in dieser Arbeit angewandte hybride Ansatz nutzt Vorteile beider Methoden: MATLAB wird als Optimierungsplattform mit dem Prozesssimulator UniSim Design gekoppelt. Der Ansatz wird am Beispiel der industriellen Methanolsynthese evaluiert. Für die Optimierung werden gradientenbasierte und ableitungsfreie Algorithmen angewendet und so bestehende Arbeiten auf dem Gebiet sinnvoll ergänzt.
Combination of KPCA and causality analysis for root cause diagnosis of industrial process fault
Authors: Gharahbagheri Hasssan , Imtiaz Syed , Khan Faisal
Published: March 2017

Kernel principal component analysis (KPCA) based monitoring has good fault detection capability for nonlinear process systems; however, it can only isolate variables that have a contribution to the occurrence of a fault, and thus it is not precise in diagnosing. Since there is a cause and effect relationship between different variables in a process, accordingly a network‐based causality analysis method was developed for different fault scenarios to show causal relationships between different variables and to see the causal effect between the variables most contributing to the occurrence of a fault. It was shown that KPCA in combination with causality analysis is a powerful tool for diagnosing the root cause of a fault in the process. In this paper the proposed methodology was applied to a fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) unit and the Tennessee Eastman process to diagnose root causes for different faulty scenarios.
Integrating an AAA‐based federation mechanism for OpenStack—The CLASSe view
Authors: Pérez Méndez Alejandro , López Millán Gabriel , Marín López Rafael , Chadwick David W. , Schechtman Sette Ioram
Published: March 2017

Identity federations enable users, service providers, and identity providers from different organizations to exchange authentication and authorization information in a secure way. In this paper, we present a novel identity federation architecture for cloud services based on the integration of a cloud identity management service with an authentication, authorization, and accounting infrastructure. Specifically, we analyse how this type of authentication, authorization, and accounting–based federation can be smoothly integrated into OpenStack, the leading open source cloud software solution, using the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) Application Bridging for Federated Access Beyond web specification for authentication and authorization. We provide details of the implementation undertaken in GÉANT's CLASSe project and show its validation in a real testbed.
Characterization of heart failure patients with mid‐range left ventricular ejection fraction—a report from the CHART‐2 Study
Authors: Tsuji Kanako , Sakata Yasuhiko , Nochioka Kotaro , Miura Masanobu , Yamauchi Takeshi , Onose Takeo , Abe Ruri , Oikawa Takuya , Kasahara Shintaro , Sato Masayuki , Shiroto Takashi , Takahashi Jun , Miyata Satoshi , Shimokawa Hiroaki ,   on behalf of the CHART‐2 Investigators
Published: March 2017

Background

The new category of heart failure (HF), HF with mid‐range left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (HFmrEF), has recently been proposed. However, the clinical features of HFmrEF, with reference to HF with preserved LVEF (HFpEF) and HF with reduced LVEF (HFrEF) in the same HF cohort, remain to be fully examined.

Methods and results

In the Chronic Heart Failure Analysis and Registry in the Tohoku District‐2 Study, we examined 3480 consecutive HF patients with echocardiography data consisting of 2154 HFpEF (LVEF ≥50%), 596 HFmrEF (LVEF 40–49%) and 730 HFrEF (LVEF <40%). While clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of HFmrEF were intermediate between HFpEF and HFrEF, prognosis of HFmrEF resembled HFpEF and the prognostic impact of cardiovascular medications in HFmrEF resembled that of HFrEF. Analysis of LVEF transition among the three groups revealed that HFmrEF and HFrEF dynamically transitioned to other categories, especially within 1 year, whereas HFpEF did not; HFmrEF at registration transitioned to HFpEF and HFrEF by 44% and 16% at 1 year, and 45% and 21% at 3 years, respectively. Landmark analysis demonstrated that, regardless of HF stages at registration, HFmrEF patients at 1 year had mortality comparable to that of HFpEF patients, which was better than HFrEF patients, but HFmrEF patients at registration had increased mortality when transitioned to HFrEF at 1 year.

Conclusions

These results indicate that clinical characteristics of HFmrEF are intermediate between HFpEF and HFrEF and that HFmrEF dynamically transitions to HFpEF or HFrEF, especially within 1 year, suggesting that HFmrEF represents a transitional status or an overlap zone between HFpEF and HFrEF, rather than an independent entity of HF.
A review on rosemary as a natural antioxidation solution
Authors: Xie Jia , VanAlstyne Peter , Uhlir Anita , Yang Xiaoqing
Published: March 2017

The following work is a review on the antioxidant capacity of rosemary extract. Rosemary extract is one of the most popular naturally sourced antioxidants that has been used in the food industry around the world. It is widely used in multiple food applications including frying oils, fish oils, snacks, roasted nuts, meat products, and many others. The extraction methods that were used to purify antioxidant compounds from rosemary were introduced. The analytical test results on rosemary extract showed that it has high levels of phenolic compounds. The major active compounds were identified as carnosic acid, carnosol, and rosmarinic acid. In food application tests, rosemary extract was found to reduce lipid autoxidation and photo‐oxidation significantly. Oxidation products/markers like peroxide value, p‐Anisidine value, TBARS value, and hexanal were measured, and the readings were observed lower in the samples dosed with rosemary extract. Besides, rosemary extract was also found to have a positive impact on reducing the sensation of rancidity notes in foods and protecting them from color loss. In some applications, the performance of rosemary extract is comparable to synthetic antioxidants like BHA, BHT, and TBHQ. It was also found that when rosemary extract was combined with ascorbic acid, citric acid, or other naturally sourced antioxidants, synergistic effects were formed to provide superior antioxidant performance.

This is a review paper on rosemary extract's processing methods and related application in the food industry for its antioxidant function. The major active compounds in rosemary extract are found to be carnosic acid, carnosol, and rosmarinic acid. These compounds could be selectively extracted by controlling the solvents’ polarity. Greener extraction methods are also introduced to support the demanding clean label food trend. Finally, the applications of rosemary in different food matrices are reviewed to show the overall performance on reducing the oxidation of lipids and improving food products’ shelf‐life.
Assessing the toxicity of the “inert” safener benoxacor toward Chironomus riparius: Effects of agrochemical mixtures
Authors: Bolyard Kasey , Gresens Susan E. , Ricko Allison N. , Sivey John D. , Salice Christopher J.
Published: March 2017

The environmental effects of safeners, agrochemicals that protect crops from herbicide toxicity, are largely unknown, perhaps because they are classified as inert ingredients. We assessed the toxicity to larvae of Chironomus riparius of 1) the dichloroacetamide safener benoxacor; 2) its degradation product, monochloro-benoxacor; 3) the herbicide with which benoxacor is paired, S-metolachlor; and 4) a mixture of S-metolachlor + benoxacor. Under iron-reducing conditions, benoxacor can undergo reductive dechlorination, producing monochloro-benoxacor. To simulate iron-reducing conditions, we prepared benthic microcosms containing an iron-rich silt–clay sediment amended with cellulose. Larval C. riparius were exposed to single chemicals via spiked sediment at nominal concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 100 mg/kg. Concentrations of a 1:1 mixture of safener and herbicide ranged from 0.02 to 200 mg/kg. Kinetic modeling of microcosm aqueous-phase concentrations indicated that benoxacor transformed with a half-life of 12 d. Cox proportional hazard models of time to emergence during 28-d experiments showed that females had a lowest-observed-effect concentration (LOEC) for benoxacor at 1 mg/kg, whereas their LOEC for monochloro-benoxacor was 0.1 mg/kg. For males, the LOEC for all treatments was 100 mg/kg (200 mg/kg for the mixture). Synergistic effects of the mixture were observed only in females, with a LOEC of 0.2 mg/kg. These results suggest that benoxacor presents a low toxicity risk to C. riparius in environmental systems; however, the possibility of synergistic effects between benoxacor and S-metolachlor merits further investigation. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:2660–2670. © 2017 SETAC
Clinical utility of bioimpedance analysis in liver cirrhosis
Authors: Nishikawa Hiroki , Enomoto Hirayuki , Iwata Yoshinori , Nishimura Takashi , Iijima Hiroko , Nishiguchi Shuhei
Published: March 2017

Background

The objective of the present study was to examine the impact of muscle mass depletion (MMD) as determined by data in bioimpedance analysis (BIA) in liver cirrhosis (LC) patients (n = 382, 204 in male and 178 in female) on survival and to validate the utility of cutoff values in BIA recommended from current recommendations.

Methods

Muscle mass depletion was defined as patients with skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) using BIA <7.0 cm2/m2 for male and <5.7 cm2/m2 for female based on current recommendations. We retrospectively examined variables related to the presence of MMD using univariate and multivariate analyses and investigated the impact of MMD on survival.

Results

A total of 135 patients (35.3%) had MMD. Subjects were predominantly Child–Pugh A (278/382, 72.8%). For the entire cohort, the 5‐year cumulative survival rates were 59.8% in patients with MMD and 84.4% in patients without MMD (P < 0.0001). In the multivariate analysis for survival, MMD revealed to be a significant adverse predictor for survival and for most subgroup analyses, the differences between MMD group and non‐MMD group in terms of survival reached significance.

Conclusion

Muscle mass measurement using BIA may be helpful for LC patients and current recommendations were well verified in our analysis.
The performance of Asian S&T journals in international citation indicators
Authors: Lin Wen‐Yau Cathy
Published: March 2017

This research explores the performance of Asian S&T journals based on the outcomes of various citation indicators. Indexed by Journal Citation Reports – Science Citation Index Expanded (JCR‐SCIE), journals published in China, Japan, India, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan between the years 2008 and 2012 are collected and analysed using bibliometrics and statistics methods. Results showed that the mean impact factor (IF) value of the journals from all countries was less than 1.3 throughout the period. Only journals from China and Japan had a mean IF or 5‐year IF (5Y‐IF) value exceeding 1. The self‐cited rate of the journals from South Korea remained the highest among selected countries but showed a declining trend every year. The self‐cited rates among journals from all the six Asian countries did not considerably affect the journals’ IF values. The results revealed that the IF‐based ranking factor (IF‐RF) of Chinese and Japanese journals in various subject fields constantly improved from 2008 to 2012, but this improvement trend was not observed in journals from the other four countries. Overall, the journals from Japan and China demonstrated stronger impacts than those from the other countries.
Incomparable ω1‐like models of set theory
Authors: Fuchs Gunter , Gitman Victoria , Hamkins Joel David
Published: March 2017

We show that the analogues of the embedding theorems of [3], proved for the countable models of set theory, do not hold when extended to the uncountable realm of ω1‐like models of set theory. Specifically, under the ⋄ hypothesis and suitable consistency assumptions, we show that there is a family of many ω1‐like models of , all with the same ordinals, that are pairwise incomparable under embeddability; there can be a transitive ω1‐like model of that does not embed into its own constructible universe; and there can be an ω1‐like model of whose structure of hereditarily finite sets is not universal for the ω1‐like models of set theory.
Accelerated radial diffusion spectrum imaging using a multi‐echo stimulated echo diffusion sequence
Authors: Baete Steven H. , Boada Fernando E.
Published: March 2017

Purpose

Diffusion spectrum imaging (DSI) provides us non‐invasively and robustly with anatomical details of brain microstructure. To achieve sufficient angular resolution, DSI requires a large number of q‐space samples, leading to long acquisition times. This need is mitigated here by combining the beneficial properties of Radial q‐space sampling for DSI with a Multi‐Echo Stimulated Echo Sequence (MESTIM).

Methods

Full 2D k‐spaces for each of several q‐space samples, along the same radially outward line in q‐space, are acquired in one readout train with one spin and three stimulated echoes. RF flip angles are carefully chosen to distribute spin magnetization over the echoes and the DSI reconstruction is adapted to account for differences in diffusion time among echoes.

Results

Individual datasets and bootstrapped reproducibility analysis demonstrate image quality and SNR of the more‐than‐twofold‐accelerated RDSI MESTIM sequence. Orientation distribution functions (ODF) and tractography results benefit from the longer diffusion times of the latter echoes in the echo train.

Conclusion

A MESTIM sequence can be used to shorten RDSI acquisition times significantly without loss of image or ODF quality. Further acceleration is possible by combination with simultaneous multi‐slice techniques. Magn Reson Med 79:306–316, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
A stabilized Crouzeix‐Raviart element method for coupling stokes and darcy‐forchheimer flows
Authors: Zhang Jingyuan , Rui Hongxing
Published: March 2017

In this article, we present a stabilized mixed finite element method for solving the coupled Stokes and Darcy‐Forchheimer flows problem. The approach utilizes the same nonconforming Crouzeix‐Raviart element and piecewise constant on the entire domain for the velocity and pressure respectively. We derive a discrete inf‐sup condition and establish the existence and uniqueness of the problem. Optimal‐order error estimates are obtained based on the monotonicity owned by Forchheimer term. Finally, numerical examples are presented to verify the theoretical results. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 33: 1070–1094, 2017