bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can subsyndromal manifestations of major depression be identified in children at risk?
Authors: Uchida M. , Fitzgerald M. , Lin K. , Carrellas N. , Woodworth H. , Biederman J.
Published: November 2016

Objective

Children of parents with major depression are at significantly increased risk for developing major depression themselves; however, not all children at genetic risk will develop major depressive disorder (MDD). We investigated the utility of subsyndromal scores on the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) Anxiety/Depression scale in identifying children at the highest risk for pediatric MDD from among the pool of children of parents with MDD or bipolar disorder.

Method

The sample was derived from two previously conducted longitudinal case–control family studies of psychiatrically and pediatrically referred youth and their families. For this study, probands were stratified based on the presence or absence of a parental mood disorder.

Results

Subsyndromal scores on the CBCL Anxiety/Depression scale significantly separated the children at high risk for pediatric MDD from those at low risk in a variety of functional areas, including social and academic functioning. Additionally, children at genetic risk without elevated CBCL Anxiety/Depression scale scores were largely indistinguishable from controls.

Conclusion

These results suggest that the CBCL Anxiety/Depression scale can help identify children at highest risk for pediatric MDD. If implemented clinically, this scale would cost‐effectively screen children and identify those most in need of early intervention resources to impede the progression of depression.
Impact of intraoperative blood transfusion on long‐term outcomes of liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Dai Wing Chiu , Chok Kenneth S. H. , Sin Sui Ling , Chan Albert C. Y. , Cheung Tan To , Wong Tiffany C. L. , Lo Chung Mau
Published: November 2016

Objective

To investigate the impact of intraoperative blood transfusion on the long‐term outcomes of liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Method

Adult patients who had non‐salvage liver transplantation at our centre between January 2005 and December 2012 for hepatocellular carcinomas that were within the University of California, San Francisco criteria and could not be resected or ablated were divided into groups with and without intraoperative blood transfusion. Comparisons were made between groups.

Results

Ninety‐nine patients were included in the study. Sixty‐two (62.6%) patients received intraoperative blood transfusion. Patients without transfusion were younger (54 versus 56 years; P = 0.04) and had a lower Model for End‐stage Liver Disease score (11 versus 14; P < 0.001). Most of them had stage‐I tumours (64.9 versus 37.1%; P = 0.007) and fewer of them had postoperative complications of grade IIIA or above in the Clavien‐Dindo classification (21.6 versus 48.4%; P = 0.008). The groups were comparable in hospital mortality (3.2 versus 2.7%; P = 1.00), 5‐year overall survival (90.8 versus 89.2%; P = 0.611) and 5‐year disease‐free survival (90.5 versus 89.2%; P = 0.835). On multivariate analysis, postoperative complications of grade IIIA or above were associated with worse survival (hazard ratio, 7.108; 95% confidence interval, 1.455–34.712; P = 0.015).

Conclusion

Intraoperative blood transfusion was shown to have no significant impact on the long‐term outcomes of liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma, whereas postoperative complications of grade IIIA or above were associated with worse recipient survival.
Dilemma of mucosal appendicitis: a clinico‐pathological entity? A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Mizumoto Ryo , Cristaudo Adam T. , Lai Nai Kid , Premaratne Gamini , Hendahewa Rasika
Published: November 2016

Background

The presence of mucosal inflammation within appendicectomy specimens is poorly described in the literature, and there is debate regarding the clinical significance of this histological finding. The aim of this study is to correlate clinical and radiological data with histologically confirmed acute mucosal appendicitis (MA).

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was performed to identify all patients who underwent appendicectomy over 5 years at Caboolture Hospital. Data were collected in regards to clinical Alvarado score, pathological specimen findings, radiological findings and coincidental conditions, and comparison made between MA and negative appendicectomy groups.

Results

A total of 1347 appendicectomy specimens and data were reviewed. Of these, 219 (16%) specimens were microscopically confirmed to have acute mucosal inflammation, 150 (68%) were females. Median age was 19 ± 14 years. A total of 243 (18%) were histologically negative. There was a statistically significant difference in mean Alvarado score in the MA group (5.0 ± 1.9 versus 4.3 ± 1.8, P = 0.0002). Patients with MA are more likely to report migratory pain (48.4 versus 31.4%, P = 0.0001) and rebound tenderness (24.9 versus 14.6%, P = 0.002). Computed tomography and ultrasound scans were negative in 74.1 and 72.6%, respectively, in patients with MA. More MA patients benefited from appendicectomy compared with the negative appendicectomy group (82 versus 63%, P = <0.0001).

Conclusion

There is a subgroup of patients with MA who are young females with have low Alvarado scores, have non‐diagnostic imaging, and may represent almost one‐fifth of appendicectomy specimens. This study supports the probability that MA is a pathological entity.
Heaps of fascinating fragments: reconstructing a medieval reindeer population based on bone middens from the Hardangervidda high mountain plateau, Norway
Authors: Takken Beijersbergen Liselotte M.
Published: November 2016

The results of a detailed morphological and pathological study on reindeer bones (Rangifer tarandus) from four medieval hunting stations on Hardangervidda are presented. As intensive marrow collecting left almost no bones intact, traditional sexing methods could only sparsely be applied. Alternative methods had to be explored to successfully assign the fragments to a sex. Employing linear discriminant analysis (LDA) on early‐ and non‐fusing skeletal elements, I have shown that (incomplete) calcanei, metapodia and phalanges I and II can be used successfully to assign a specimen to a sex and should no longer be excluded from osteometric analyses. Differences in the demographic compositions of the taphocoenoses lead to the assumption that hunters in the 11th century AD targeted large reindeer bucks, while at the 13th‐century sites, the complete biocoenose is represented, albeit in a different ratio. There seems to have been a shift in hunting technique: from selective hunting to mass hunting. Size wise, the reindeer from Hardangervidda were smaller than reindeer from contemporary assemblages from the Dovre area (central Norway), a population that is genetically different. Few pathologically affected bones were encountered in the material, but some cases of infections, bone lesions and a progressed osteosarcoma are described.
Firm productivity and importing: Evidence from Chinese manufacturing firms
Authors: Elliott Robert J. R. , Jabbour Liza , Zhang Liyun
Published: November 2016

This paper investigates various aspects of the relationship between firm productivity and importing for a large sample of Chinese firms between 2002 and 2006 making a distinction between the origin, variety, skill and technology content of imports. Employing a random effects probit model and a propensity score matching with difference‐in‐differences (PSM–DID) approach and treating imports as endogenous in our measure of total factor productivity (TFP) (De Loecker 2007), we test the self‐selection and learning‐by‐doing hypotheses. Our results show evidence of a bi‐directional causal relationship between importing and productivity. Although importing firms tend to be more productive before entering the import market, once they start importing firms experience significant productivity gains for up to two years following entry. We also find evidence of learning effects following the decision to import, which is stronger when import starters source their products from high‐income economies, import a wider variety of products and import products with a higher skill and technology content. A number of robustness checks confirm the learning effects of importing on TFP growth.
Comparative Clinical Study of Conventional Dental Implants and Mini Dental Implants for Mandibular Overdentures: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Aunmeungtong Weerapan , Kumchai Thongnard , Strietzel Frank P. , Reichart Peter A. , Khongkhunthian Pathawee
Published: November 2016

Background

Dental implant‐retained overdentures have been chosen as the treatment of choice for complete mandibular removable dentures. Dental implants, such as mini dental implants, and components for retaining overdentures, are commercially available. However, comparative clinical studies comparing mini dental implants and conventional dental implants using different attachment for implant‐retained overdentures have not been well documented.

Purpose

To compare the clinical outcomes of using two mini dental implants with Equator® attachments, four mini dental implants with Equator attachments, or two conventional dental implants with ball attachments, by means of a randomized clinical trial.

Materials and methods

Sixty patients received implant‐retained mandibular overdentures in the interforaminal region. The patients were divided into three groups. In Groups 1 and 2, two and four mini dental implants, respectively, were placed and immediately loaded by overdentures, using Equator® attachments. In Group 3, conventional implants were placed. After osseointegration, the implants were loaded by overdentures, using ball attachments. The study distribution was randomized and double‐blinded. Outcome measures included changes in radiological peri‐implant bone level from surgery to 12 months postinsertion, prosthodontic complications and patient satisfaction.

Results

The cumulative survival rate in the three clinical groups after one year was 100%. There was no significant difference (p < 0.05) in clinical results regarding the number (two or four) of mini dental implants with Equator attachments. However, there was a significant difference in marginal bone loss and patient satisfaction between those receiving mini dental implants with Equator attachments and conventional dental implants with ball attachments. The marginal bone resorption in Group 3 was significantly higher than in Groups 1 and 2 (p < 0.05); there were no significant differences between Groups 1 and 2. There was no significant difference in patient satisfaction between Groups 1 and 2 but it was significantly higher than that in Group3 (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Two and four mini dental implants can be immediately used successfully for retaining lower complete dentures, as shown after a 1‐year follow up.
Phase I Studies of Acebilustat: Biomarker Response and Safety in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Elborn JS , Horsley A , MacGregor G , Bilton D , Grosswald R , Ahuja S , Springman EB
Published: November 2016

There is a significant unmet need for safe and effective anti‐inflammatory treatment for cystic fibrosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of acebilustat, a leukotriene A4 hydrolase inhibitor, and its effect on inflammation biomarkers in patients with cystic fibrosis. Seventeen patients with mild to moderate cystic fibrosis were enrolled and randomized into groups receiving placebo or doses of 50 mg or 100 mg acebilustat administered orally, once daily for 15 days. Sputum neutrophil counts were reduced by 65% over baseline values in patients treated with 100 mg acebilustat. A modestly significant 58% reduction vs. placebo in sputum elastase was observed with acebilustat treatment. Favorable trends were observed for reduction of serum C‐reactive protein and sputum neutrophil DNA in acebilustat‐treated patients. No changes in pulmonary function were observed. Acebilustat was safe and well tolerated. The results of this study support further clinical development of acebilustat for treatment of cystic fibrosis.
Challenges in quantifying ataxia in core and comorbid early onset ataxias
Authors: Saute Jonas Alex Morales , Jardim Laura Bannach
Published: November 2016

This commentary is on the original article by Brandsma et al. on pages 427–432 of this issue.
Relationships among ecological traits of wild bee communities along gradients of habitat amount and fragmentation
Authors: Carrié Romain , Andrieu Emilie , Cunningham Saul A. , Lentini Pia E. , Loreau Michel , Ouin Annie
Published: November 2016

Amount of semi‐natural habitats (permanent grasslands, woodlands and hedgerows) and their level of fragmentation are among the main determinants of wild bee diversity in agricultural landscapes. However, their impact on the distribution of bee ecological traits has received little attention. In this study, we aimed to explore whether changes in the distribution of bee ecological traits along gradients of habitat amount and fragmentation were due to a direct effect of landscape context on multiple traits (‘response traits’) or to a correlation of response traits with other ecological traits not involved in the response of bee species to landscape context. In two study regions in southwest France and southeast Australia, we used a RLQ analysis (three‐table ordination method) to link bee traits with habitat amount and fragment isolation measured at the landscape scale. We found that bee ecological traits shifted at the community‐level in association with landscape gradients, whereas species‐level associations among bee traits and phylogenetic clustering in bee communities were of only minor importance in determining such shifts. We found that traits such as body size and nest location were closely linked to habitat amount and fragmentation. We also observed regionally‐specific relationships among ecological traits, suggesting that the regional species pool can play an important role in determining the response of bee communities to habitat amount and fragmentation. Our findings suggest that improved knowledge about how trait‐based responses mediate the impact of landscapes on wild bee communities will allow better prediction and understanding of subsequent effects on ecosystem functioning.
Grey:white matter ratio at diagnosis and the risk of 10‐year multiple sclerosis progression
Authors: Moccia M. , Quarantelli M. , Lanzillo R. , Cocozza S. , Carotenuto A. , Carotenuto B. , Alfano B. , Prinster A. , Triassi M. , Nardone A. , Palladino R. , Brunetti A. , Brescia Morra V.
Published: November 2016

Background and purpose

Grey matter (GM) and white matter (WM) are both affected in multiple sclerosis (MS).WMis predominantly involved in inflammatory demyelination of relapsing–remittingMS(RRMS), whereasGMis predominantly involved in neurodegenerative processes of secondary progressiveMS. Thus, we investigated the ratio betweenGMandWMvolumes in predictingMSevolution.

Methods

The present 10‐year retrospective cohort study included 149 patients with newly‐diagnosedRRMS, undergoing magnetic resonance imaging for segmentation and brain volumetry. The ratio betweenGMand normal‐appearingWM(NAWM) volumes was calculated for each subject. Outcome measures of interest were Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) progression, reachingEDSS4.0 and conversion to secondary progressive (SP) MS.

Results

During a period of 10.6 ± 2.4 years, a median 1.5EDSSprogression was observed (range 0–5.5), 54 subjects (36.2%) reachedEDSS4.0 and 30 subjects (20.1%) converted toSP. With ordinal logistic regression models,EDSSprogression was associated withGM:NAWMratio (coefficient, −2.918; 95%CI, −4.739–1.097). With Cox regression models, subjects with higherGM:NAWMratio at diagnosis had a 90% lower rate of reachingEDSS4.0 (hazard ratio, 0.111; 95%CI, 0.020–0.609) and of converting to secondary progressiveMS(hazard ratio, 0.017; 95%CI, 0.001–0.203) compared with subjects with lowerGM:NAWMratio.

Conclusions

TheGM:NAWMratio is a predictor of disability progression and ofSPconversion in subjects with newly diagnosedRRMS, suggesting thatGMandNAWMare variably affected in relation to disease evolution from the early phases ofMS.
Management of poor‐grade subarachnoid haemorrhage: a self‐fulfilling prophecy of good outcome?
Authors: Al‐Tamimi Y. Z.
Published: November 2016

Click here to view the accompanying paper in this issue.
Experiences of wake and light therapy in patients with depression: A qualitative study
Authors: Kragh Mette , Møller Dorthe Norden , Wihlborg Camilla Schultz , Martiny Klaus , Larsen Erik Roj , Videbech Poul , Lindhardt Tove
Published: November 2016

Wake therapy can reduce depressive symptoms within days, and response rates are high. To sustain the effect, it is often combined with light therapy. Few studies have focussed on factors related to patients′ adherence to the regime, and none has used qualitative methods to examine their experience of these combined interventions. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to illuminate patients' experiences with wake and light therapy and factors related to adherence. Thirteen inpatients with depression were included. They participated in an intervention consisting of three wake therapies during the first week, 30 min of daily light treatment for the entire 9 weeks, and ongoing psychoeducation regarding good sleep hygiene. Patients kept a diary, and individual semistructured interviews were conducted. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. The participants' overall experience with the treatment was positive. Some experienced a remarkable and rapid antidepressant effect, whereas others described more long‐term benefits (e.g. improved sleep and diurnal rhythm). Yet recovery was fragile, and patients were only cautiously optimistic. Social support was important for maintaining the motivation to stay awake and receive daily light therapy. Overall, participants found the treatment worthwhile and would recommend it to others with depression. The study revealed a lack of knowledge among participants about the connection between regular sleep patterns and depression. In conclusion, this study provides insight into patients' experiences, and knowledge that can contribute to guidelines for future adherence‐promoting organization of wake and light therapy.
The evolutionary history of central African rain forest plants: phylogeographical insights from sister species in the climber genus Haumania (Marantaceae)
Authors: Ley Alexandra C. , Heuertz Myriam , Hardy Olivier J.
Published: November 2016

Aim

We sought to test the refuge hypothesis as a major driver of genetic differentiation to explain the development of distinct phytogeographical domains in tropical Central African rain forest. To address this aim, we studied the phylogeographical pattern of a pair of sister plant species, Haumania danckelmaniana and H. liebrechtsiana (Marantaceae), distributed across the two phytogeographical domains: Lower Guinea and Congolia.

Location

Tropical Central Africa including the phytogeographical domains Lower Guinea and Congolia.

Methods

Seven polymorphic microsatellite loci were genotyped in a total of 513 individuals from both species. The dataset was analysed for population genetic structure and demographic change and the results compared to the geographical pattern of plastid DNA sequences from a previous publication and other sympatric species.

Results

Based on the microsatellite dataset, three distinct homogeneous genetic clusters were detected in H. danckelmaniana and two in H. liebrechtsiana. These clusters corresponded geographically with the patterns found in the plastid DNA sequences. Genetic diversity and endemism were unevenly distributed between clusters in the two species. Most clusters exhibited signals of population expansion.

Main conclusions

The phylogeographical data based on microsatellites and plastid DNA revealed a complex history involving (1) allopatric differentiation with each species originating in a different phytogeographical domain, potentially resulting from past forest fragmentation, followed by (2) population expansion and interspecific introgression, which probably occurred during a phase of forest expansion. Moreover, phylogeographical patterns within each species provided evidence of (3) past population fragmentation followed by partial population admixture in H. danckelmaniana, and deep differentiation between Lower Guinea and Congolia in H. liebrechtsiana. The observed patterns were globally consistent with the refuge hypothesis and the presented scenario illustrates evolutionary processes that likely have contributed to shaping the African phytogeographical domains.
European consensus‐based (S2k) Guideline on the Management of Herpes Zoster – guided by the European Dermatology Forum (EDF) in cooperation with the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV), Part 1: Diagnosis
Authors: Werner R.N. , Nikkels A.F. , Marinović B. , Schäfer M. , Czarnecka‐Operacz M. , Agius A.M. , Bata‐Csörgő Z. , Breuer J. , Girolomoni G. , Gross G.E. , Langan S. , Lapid‐Gortzak R. , Lesser T.H. , Pleyer U. , Sellner J. , Verjans G.M. , Wutzler P. , Dressler C. , Erdmann R. , Rosumeck S. , Nast A.
Published: November 2016

Herpes zoster (HZ, shingles) is a frequent medical condition which may severely impact the quality of life of affected patients. Different therapeutic approaches to treat acute HZ are available. The aim of this European project was the elaboration of a consensus‐based guideline on the management of patients who present with HZ, considering different patient populations and different localizations. This interdisciplinary guideline aims at an improvement of the outcomes of the acute HZ management concerning disease duration, acute pain and quality of life of the affected patients and at a reduction of the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia and other complications. The guideline development followed a structured and predefined process, considering the quality criteria for guidelines development as suggested by the AGREE II instrument. The steering group was responsible for the planning and the organization of the guideline development process (Division of Evidence based Medicine, dEBM). The expert panel was nominated by virtue of clinical expertise and/or scientific experience and included experts from the fields of dermatology, virology/infectiology, ophthalmology, otolaryngology, neurology and anaesthesiology. Recommendations for clinical practice were formally consented during the consensus conference, explicitly considering different relevant aspects. The guideline was approved by the commissioning societies after an extensive internal and external review process. In this first part of the guideline, diagnostic means have been evaluated. The expert panel formally consented recommendations for the management of patients with (suspected) HZ, referring to the assessment of HZ patients, considering various specific clinical situations. Users of the guideline must carefully check whether the recommendations are appropriate for the context of intended application. In the setting of an international guideline, it is generally important to consider different national approaches and legal circumstances with regard to the regulatory approval, availability and reimbursement of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.
Causes of Death According to Death Certificates in Individuals with Dementia: A Cohort from the Swedish Dementia Registry
Authors: Garcia‐Ptacek Sara , Kåreholt Ingemar , Cermakova Pavla , Rizzuto Debora , Religa Dorota , Eriksdotter Maria
Published: November 2016

Objectives

The causes of death in dementia are not established, particularly in rarer dementias. The aim of this study is to calculate risk of death from specific causes for a broader spectrum of dementia diagnoses.

Design

Cohort study.

Setting

Swedish Dementia Registry (SveDem), 2007–2012.

Participants

Individuals with incident dementia registered in SveDem (N = 28,609); median follow‐up 741 days. Observed deaths were 5,368 (19%).

Measurements

Information on number of deaths and causes of mortality was obtained from death certificates. Odds ratios for the presence of dementia on death certificates were calculated. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using Cox hazards regression for cause‐specific mortality, using Alzheimer's dementia (AD) as reference. Hazard ratios for death for each specific cause of death were compared with hazard ratios of death from all causes (P‐values from t‐tests).

Results

The most frequent underlying cause of death in this cohort was cardiovascular (37%), followed by dementia (30%). Dementia and cardiovascular causes appeared as main or contributory causes on 63% of certificates, followed by respiratory (26%). Dementia was mentioned less in vascular dementia (VaD; 57%). Compared to AD, cardiovascular mortality was higher in individuals with VaD than in those with AD (HR = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.64–2.02). Respiratory death was higher in individuals with Lewy body dementia (LBD, including Parkinson's disease dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies, HR = 2.16, 95% CI = 1.71–2.71), and the risk of respiratory death was higher than expected from the risk for all‐cause mortality. Participants with frontotemporal dementia were more likely to die from external causes of death than those with AD (HR = 2.86, 95% CI = 1.53–5.32).

Conclusion

Dementia is underreported on death certificates as main and contributory causes. Individuals with LBD had a higher risk of respiratory death than those with AD.
WHEN OWNERSHIP STRUCTURE MATTERS: A REVIEW OF THE EFFECTS OF INVESTOR HORIZON ON CORPORATE POLICIES
Authors: Garel Alexandre
Published: November 2016

This paper surveys the literature on the impact of investor horizon on corporate policies. While the desire to encourage long‐term investor ownership is shared among managers, boards and policy makers, how greater long‐term investor ownership benefits corporate decisions and ultimately firm performance is still under academic investigation. The contribution of this paper is twofold. The paper's first contribution is providing an up‐to‐date review of theoretical and empirical findings. This paper introduces the groups of long‐term and short‐term investors and the related classification methodologies and investor horizon proxies used to form them. It further reviews the determinants of an investor's horizon. Then, this paper organizes the literature on the impact of investor horizon on corporate policies around three main channels: the short‐term pressure hypothesis, the monitoring hypothesis, and the catering hypothesis. The paper's second contribution is identifying six major challenges ahead that need to be addressed to improve the understanding of the impact of long‐term (short‐term) investor ownership on corporates policies. These challenges represent opportunities for further research.
Benthic megafauna on steep slopes at the Northern Mid‐Atlantic Ridge
Authors: Bell James B. , Alt Claudia H. S. , Jones Daniel O. B.
Published: November 2016

The role of small‐scale (<10 km) habitat availability in structuring deep‐sea hard substratum assemblages is poorly understood. Epibenthic megafauna and substratum availability were studied on steep slopes at the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge from May to July 2010 northwest, northeast, southwest and southeast of the Charlie‐Gibbs Fracture Zone (CGFZ; 48–54°N) at between 2095 and 2601 m depth. Megafauna were six times denser north of the CGFZ compared with the south and differences in density were almost entirely driven by sessile fauna. There was no significant difference in habitat availability amongst sites. Rocky substratum made up 48% of the total area surveyed, with individual transects having between 0% and 82% rock. Assemblage structures were different amongst all superstations. The north was dominated by demospongids and hexactinellids, whereas the southern superstations were dominated by anthozoans and hexactinellids. Differences in megafaunal assemblages north and south of the CGFZ primarily reflected variations in demospongid and anthozoan species composition. With 213–1825 individuals·ha−1, and 7–24 species per superstation, hexactinellids were the most species‐rich (36 species) and cosmopolitan taxa at the study site, supporting observations elsewhere along the ridge and in the CGFZ. The absence of significant differences in substrata availability suggested alternative drivers for density or percentage cover. The amount of hard substratum available only limited sessile megafauna density at one transect that was entirely covered with sediments. Species richness was highest for areas with intermediate values of substratum coverage (35–43% rock).
Early post‐transplant hyperbilirubinemia is a possible predictive factor for developing neurological complications in pediatric living donor liver transplant patients receiving tacrolimus
Authors: Sato Kazushige , Kobayashi Yoshinobu , Nakamura Atsushi , Fukushima Daizo , Satomi Susumu
Published: November 2016

The cause of post‐transplant CNI‐NCs is multifactorial and not ascribed solely to CNI toxicity. A total of 90 children (aged <20 years) who underwent LDLT were evaluated to investigate the predictive factors associated with CNI‐NCs. Twelve patients (13.3%) developed CNI‐NCs after LDLT (age range, 2‐15 years). The symptoms of CNI‐NCs were seizures, VD, and stupor. The median onset of CNI‐NCs was 10 days (range, 5‐30 days) post‐transplant. In the univariate analysis, higher recipient age at LDLT, donor age and recipient's BW, lower actual GV/SLV and TAC dosage/BW, and higher mean T‐Bil and sodium level for 7 days after transplantation were independently significantly associated with TAC‐NCs. Multivariate analysis showed that the T‐Bil level in the first week after LDLT was the only significant independent predictive factor for TAC‐NCs (HR, 1.588; 95% CI, 1.042‐2.358; P=.031). In conclusion, CNI‐NCs occurred most frequently in children over 5 years and were associated with hyperbilirubinemia for 7 days post‐transplant, regardless of TAC levels. The transplant team should refer to a neurologist to define the diagnosis and to collaborate to resolve the neurological problems.
Auditory N1 reveals planning and monitoring processes during music performance
Authors: Mathias Brian , Gehring William J. , Palmer Caroline
Published: November 2016

The current study investigated the relationship between planning processes and feedback monitoring during music performance, a complex task in which performers prepare upcoming events while monitoring their sensory outcomes. Theories of action planning in auditory‐motor production tasks propose that the planning of future events co‐occurs with the perception of auditory feedback. This study investigated the neural correlates of planning and feedback monitoring by manipulating the contents of auditory feedback during music performance. Pianists memorized and performed melodies at a cued tempo in a synchronization‐continuation task while the EEG was recorded. During performance, auditory feedback associated with single melody tones was occasionally substituted with tones corresponding to future (next), present (current), or past (previous) melody tones. Only future‐oriented altered feedback disrupted behavior: Future‐oriented feedback caused pianists to slow down on the subsequent tone more than past‐oriented feedback, and amplitudes of the auditory N1 potential elicited by the tone immediately following the altered feedback were larger for future‐oriented than for past‐oriented or noncontextual (unrelated) altered feedback; larger N1 amplitudes were associated with greater slowing following altered feedback in the future condition only. Feedback‐related negativities were elicited in all altered feedback conditions. In sum, behavioral and neural evidence suggests that future‐oriented feedback disrupts performance more than past‐oriented feedback, consistent with planning theories that posit similarity‐based interference between feedback and planning contents. Neural sensory processing of auditory feedback, reflected in the N1 ERP, may serve as a marker for temporal disruption caused by altered auditory feedback in auditory‐motor production tasks.
Identification of two novel HLA‐DQB1 alleles, HLA‐DQB1*03:164 and HLA‐DQB1*03:165 in Chinese individuals
Authors: Dong L.‐N. , He J.‐J. , Zhang W. , He J. , Zhu F.‐M.
Published: November 2016

HLA‐DQB1*03:164 shows 604G>T and HLA‐DQB1*03:165 has 611 C>G change compared with HLA‐DQB1*03:01:01:01.
Europe's Growth Crisis: When and How Will It End?
Authors: Salvatore Dominick
Published: November 2016

This paper analyses Europe's growth problem. Recovery from the recent global financial crisis and ‘great recession’ has been slower than after previous recessions in most advanced countries and areas, especially Europe. But the European growth problem is structural in character and it started much earlier. This paper analyses the structural causes of the European growth problem, evaluates the policies that Europe adopted to overcome it, and concludes that even with the appropriate policies, the prospects for accelerating growth in Europe will be difficult, especially in the context of Brexit and the slowdown of world growth in general.
Investigation of Unsteady Flow Phenomena in First Vane Caused by Combustor Flow With Swirl
Authors: Jacobi Simon , Mazzoni Cosimo , Rosic Budimir , Chana Krishan
Published: November 2016

The flow at the combustor turbine interface of power generation gas turbines with can combustors is characterized by high and nonuniform turbulence levels, lengthscales, and residual swirl. These complexities have a significant impact on the first vanes aerothermal performance and lead to challenges for an effective turbine design. To date, this design philosophy mostly assumed steady flow and thus largely disregards the intrinsic unsteadiness. This paper investigates the steady and unsteady effects of the combustor flow with swirl on the turbines first vanes. Experimental measurements are conducted on a high-speed linear cascade that comprises two can combustors and four nozzle guide vanes (NGVs). The experimental results are supported by a large eddy simulation (LES) performed with the inhouse computational fluid dynamics (CFD) flow solver TBLOCK. The study reveals the highly unsteady nature of the flow in the first vane and its effect on the heat transfer. A persistent flow structure of concentrated vorticity is observed. It wraps around the unshielded vane's leading edge (LE) at midspan and periodically oscillates in spanwise direction due to the interaction of the residual low-pressure swirl core and the vane's potential field. Moreover, the transient behavior of the horseshoe-vortex system due to large fluctuations in incidence is demonstrated.
Metatarsal Shape and Foot Type: A Geometric Morphometric Analysis
Authors: Telfer Scott , Kindig Matthew W. , Sangeorzan Bruce J. , Ledoux William R.
Published: November 2016

Planus and cavus foot types have been associated with an increased risk of pain and disability. Improving our understanding of the geometric differences between bones in different foot types may provide insights into injury risk profiles and have implications for the design of musculoskeletal and finite-element models. In this study, we performed a geometric morphometric analysis on the geometry of metatarsal bones from 65 feet, segmented from computed tomography (CT) scans. These were categorized into four foot types: pes cavus, neutrally aligned, asymptomatic pes planus, and symptomatic pes planus. Generalized procrustes analysis (GPA) followed by permutation tests was used to determine significant shape differences associated with foot type and sex, and principal component analysis was used to find the modes of variation for each metatarsal. Significant shape differences were found between foot types for all the metatarsals (p < 0.01), most notably in the case of the second metatarsal which showed significant pairwise differences across all the foot types. Analysis of the principal components of variation showed pes cavus bones to have reduced cross-sectional areas in the sagittal and frontal planes. The first (p = 0.02) and fourth metatarsals (p = 0.003) were found to have significant sex-based differences, with first metatarsals from females shown to have reduced width, and fourth metatarsals from females shown to have reduced frontal and sagittal plane cross-sectional areas. Overall, these findings suggest that metatarsal bones have distinct morphological characteristics that are associated with foot type and sex, with implications for our understanding of anatomy and numerical modeling of the foot.
A Dual-Mode Model Predictive Control Algorithm Trajectory Tracking in Discrete-Time Nonlinear Dynamic Systems
Authors: Ul Haq Asad A. , Cholette Michael E. , Djurdjanovic Dragan
Published: November 2016

In this paper, a dual-mode model predictive/linear control method is presented, which extends the concept of dual-mode model predictive control (MPC) to trajectory tracking control of nonlinear dynamic systems described by discrete-time state-space models. The dual-mode controller comprises of a time-varying linear control law, implemented when the states lie within a sufficiently small neighborhood of the reference trajectory, and a model predictive control strategy driving the system toward that neighborhood. The boundary of this neighborhood is characterized so as to ensure stability of the closed-loop system and terminate the optimization procedure in a finite number of iterations, without jeopardizing the stability of the closed-loop system. The developed controller is applied to the central air handling unit (AHU) of a two-zone variable air volume (VAV) heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
Disturbance Accommodating Control Design for Wind Turbines Using Solvability Conditions
Authors: Wang Na , Wright Alan D. , Balas Mark J.
Published: November 2016

In this paper, solvability conditions for disturbance accommodating control (DAC) have been discussed and applied on wind turbine controller design in above-rated wind speed to regulate rotor speed and to mitigate turbine structural loads. An asymptotically stabilizing DAC controller with disturbance impact on the wind turbine being totally canceled out can be found if certain conditions are fulfilled. Designing a rotor speed regulation controller without steady-state error is important for applying linear control methodology such as DAC on wind turbines. Therefore, solvability conditions of DAC without steady-state error are attractive and can be taken as examples when designing a multitask turbine controller. DAC controllers solved via Moore–Penrose Pseudoinverse and the Kronecker product are discussed, and solvability conditions of using them are given. Additionally, a new solvability condition based on inverting the feed-through D term is proposed for the sake of reducing computational burden in the Kronecker product. Applications of designing collective pitch and independent pitch controllers based on DAC are presented. Recommendations of designing a DAC-based wind turbine controller are given. A DAC controller motivated by the proposed solvability condition that utilizes the inverse of feed-through D term is developed to mitigate the blade flapwise once-per-revolution bending moment together with a standard proportional integral controller in the control loop to assist rotor speed regulation. Simulation studies verify the discussed solvability conditions of DAC and show the effectiveness of the proposed DAC control design methodology.
Effect of Pressure Drop on Thermal and Exergetic Performance of Supercritical CO2 Recompression Brayton Cycle Integrated With a Central Receiver
Authors: Vasquez Padilla Ricardo , Soo Too Yen , Beath Andrew , McNaughton Robbie , Stein Wes
Published: November 2016

Concentrated Solar Power using supercritical CO2 (S-CO2) Brayton cycles offers advantages of similar and even higher overall thermal efficiencies compared to conventional Rankine cycles using superheated or supercritical steam. In this paper, a S-CO2 Recompression Brayton cycle is integrated with a central receiver. The effect of pressure drops in heat exchangers and solar receiver surface temperature on the thermal and ex-ergetic performance of the recompression Brayton cycle with and without reheat condition is studied. Energy, exergy and mass balance are carried out for each component and first law and exergy destruction are calculated. In order to obtain optimal operating condition, optimum cycle pressure ratios are obtained by maximising the thermal efficiency. The results showed that under low solar receiver pressure drops and solar receiver temperature approach, the S-CO2 Recompression Brayton cycle has more thermal and exergy efficiencies than the no reheat case. Pressure drop reduces the gap between reheat and no reheat case, and for pressure drops in the solar receiver of 2.5% or higher, reheat has significant impact on thermal and exergy performance of the cycle studied. The overall exergy efficiency showed a bell shaped, reaching a maximum value between 19.5–22.5% at turbine inlet temperatures in the range of 660–755 °C for solar receiver surface temperature approach among 100–200 °C.
An Intelligent Nail Design for Lithium Ion Battery Penetration Test
Authors: Tanim Tanvir R. , Garg Mayank , Rahn Christopher D.
Published: November 2016

Internal short-circuiting is the most dangerous abuse scenario for lithium ion batteries. A nail penetration test simulates the internal short circuit process by penetrating a test cell/pack with an electrically conductive nail. Pass or failure of the cell and/or chemistry is determined by the presence of smoke or flame following penetration. To understand and eliminate the safety concerns arising from the internal shorts, it is important to fully understand the cell/pack dynamics during the shorting process. Gathering useful data at the point of penetration during nail penetration tests is very challenging due to the inherent destructive nature of the test. This paper presents an intelligent nail (iNail) design consisting of four parts where multiple sensors (thermo-couples, strain gauges, etc.) can be conveniently placed for reliable and efficient data collection. The time history of temperature distributions through the cell/pack thickness can be recorded with the iNail without position control of the nail penetration tester, greatly simplifying the test. A prototype stainless steel iNail is manufactured with three embedded thermocouples. Nail penetration tests are conducted on fully charged 4 Ah gr/NCM pouch cells. The iNail successfully recorded the temperature time history at the penetration point during the tests. Pack level nail penetration tests (three pouch cells in parallel) were also performed with iNail temperature measurements.
Dynamic Modeling and Verification of an Energy-Efficient Greenhouse With Aquaponics
Authors: Amin Majdi T. , Kissock J. Kelly
Published: November 2016

This paper describes the application of ‘passive house’ design principles to greenhouses, in order to provide the required thermal environment for fish and plant growth while eliminating the need for conventional cooling and heating systems. To do so, an experimental energy-efficient greenhouse with water-filled tanks that mimic an aquaponic system was designed and constructed using the ‘passive house’ design principles. The greenhouse was extensively instrumented and resulting data were used to verify and calibrate a TRNSYS dynamic simulation model of the greenhouse. The calibrated simulation model was utilized to design commercial-scale greenhouses with aquaponic systems in multiple climates. After relatively minor design and control modifications, the simulations indicate that these designs can provide the required thermal environment for fish and plant growth, while eliminating the need for conventional cooling and heating systems. The work demonstrates that the passive house standard can be applied to improve conventional greenhouse energy efficiency, and that it can be easily adapted to provide excellent performance in diverse climates.
A Hybrid Energy Storage System Based on Metal Hydrides for Solar Thermal Power and Energy Systems
Authors: Shafiee Shahin , McCay Mary Helen
Published: November 2016

Thermal storage in an important operational aspect of a solar thermal system which enables it to deliver power or energy when there is no sunlight available. Current thermal storage systems in solar thermal systems work based on transferring the generated heat from sunlight to a thermal mass material in an insulated reservoir and then withdraw it during dark hours. Some common thermal mass materials are stone, concrete, water, pressurized steam, phase changing materials, and molten salts. In the current paper, a hybrid thermal energy storage system which is based on two metal hydrides is proposed for a solar thermal system. The two hydrides which are considered for this system are magnesium hydride and lanthanum nickel. Although metal hydride Energy Storage Systems (ESS) suffer from slow response time which restricts them as a practical option for frequency regulation, off peak shaving and power supply stabilization; they can still demonstrate significant flexibility and good energy capacity. These specifications make them good candidates for thermal energy storage which are applicable to any capacity of a solar thermal system just by changing the size of the ESS unit.
Performance Evaluation of a High-Temperature Falling Particle Receiver
Authors: Ho Clifford K. , Christian Joshua M. , Yellowhair Julius , Armijo Kenneth , Kolb William J. , Jeter Sheldon , Golob Matthew , Nguyen Clayton
Published: November 2016

This paper evaluates the on-sun performance of a 1 MW falling particle receiver. Two particle receiver designs were investigated: obstructed flow particle receiver vs. free-falling particle receiver. The intent of the tests was to investigate the impact of particle mass flow rate, irradiance, and particle temperature on the particle temperature rise and thermal efficiency of the receiver for each design. Results indicate that the obstructed flow design increased the residence time of the particles in the concentrated flux, thereby increasing the particle temperature and thermal efficiency for a given mass flow rate. The obstructions, a staggered array of chevron-shaped mesh structures, also provided more stability to the falling particles, which were prone to instabilities caused by convective currents in the free-fall design. Challenges encountered during the tests included non-uniform mass flow rates, wind impacts, and oxidation/deterioration of the mesh structures. Alternative materials, designs, and methods are presented to overcome these challenges.