bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patterns, biases and prospects in the distribution and diversity of Neotropical snakes
Authors: Guedes Thaís B. , Sawaya Ricardo J. , Zizka Alexander , Laffan Shawn , Faurby Søren , Pyron R. Alexander , Bérnils Renato S. , Jansen Martin , Passos Paulo , Prudente Ana L. C. , Cisneros‐Heredia Diego F. , Braz Henrique B. , Nogueira Cristiano de C. , Antonelli Alexandre
Published: November 2017

Motivation

We generated a novel database of Neotropical snakes (one of the world's richest herpetofauna) combining the most comprehensive, manually compiled distribution dataset with publicly available data. We assess, for the first time, the diversity patterns for all Neotropical snakes as well as sampling density and sampling biases.

Main types of variables contained

We compiled three databases of species occurrences: a dataset downloaded from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), a verified dataset built through taxonomic work and specialized literature, and a combined dataset comprising a cleaned version of the GBIF dataset merged with the verified dataset.

Spatial location and grain

Neotropics, Behrmann projection equivalent to 1° × 1°.

Time period

Specimens housed in museums during the last 150 years.

Major taxa studied

Squamata: Serpentes.

Software format

Geographical information system (GIS).

Results

The combined dataset provides the most comprehensive distribution database for Neotropical snakes to date. It contains 147,515 records for 886 species across 12 families, representing 74% of all species of snakes, spanning 27 countries in the Americas. Species richness and phylogenetic diversity show overall similar patterns. Amazonia is the least sampled Neotropical region, whereas most well‐sampled sites are located near large universities and scientific collections. We provide a list and updated maps of geographical distribution of all snake species surveyed.

Main conclusions

The biodiversity metrics of Neotropical snakes reflect patterns previously documented for other vertebrates, suggesting that similar factors may determine the diversity of both ectothermic and endothermic animals. We suggest conservation strategies for high‐diversity areas and sampling efforts be directed towards Amazonia and poorly known species.
Functional orange juice enriched with encapsulated polyphenolic extract of lime waste and hesperidin
Authors: Afkhami Rana , Goli Mohammad , Keramat Javad
Published: November 2017

Polyphenolic extract from lime waste and hesperidin were encapsulated to reduce the bitter taste of flavonoid glycosides, mitigate destruction of nutrients during heat process and increase the nutrition value of orange juice. The properties of polyphenolic extract of lime waste, encapsules, the physicochemical and the sensory factors of enriched orange juice during storage were measured. The value of yield of the process (Y) and encapsulation efficiency (EE) was obtained within the range of 85–90% and 59–71%, respectively. The particle size of samples was reported within the range of 27–41 μm. The physicochemical properties in treatments follow the same pattern when compared with the control sample in 60‐day storage. In the sensory assessment, encapsulated formulas were considered to have the best treatment. If the hesperidin was not encapsulated, 80% of it would have been destroyed during pasteurisation, while when encapsulated, only 18.8–33.18% of hesperidin was destroyed.
Effect of high hydrostatic pressure to sweet potato flour on dough properties and characteristics of sweet potato‐wheat bread
Authors: Carballo Pérez Isela , Mu Tai‐Hua , Zhang Miao , Ji Lei‐Lei
Published: November 2017

The effect of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP, 100–400 MPa) for 20 min at 25 °C to sweet potato flour (SPF) on dough properties and characteristics of sweet potato‐wheat bread was investigated. The particle size of SPF after HHP was decreased significantly. The obvious rupture was observed in granules of SPF after HHP at 300 and 400 MPa by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). After HHP, significant differences on endothermic peak temperatures (TP) of SPF were observed by differential scanning calorimetric (DSC), of which the enthalpy change (ΔH) had a slight increase, expect that at 200 MPa. Gas retention of dough with SPF after HHP increased markedly from 1199 (0.1 MPa) to 1246 ml (100 MPa). Specific loaf volume of bread with SPF at 400 MPa was increased significantly, while the hardness and chewiness were reduced. Thus, SPF treated with HHP at 400 MPa could be potentially used in wheat bread production.
Effects of a family‐support programme for pregnant women with foetal abnormalities requiring pregnancy termination: A randomized controlled trial in China
Authors: Sun Shiwen , Li Junqin , Ma Yuanying , Bu Huilian , Luo Qiong , Yu Xiaoyan
Published: November 2017

Aim

We examined the effects of a family‐support programme for pregnant women with foetal abnormalities in terms of family support, depression, and post‐traumatic stress symptoms.

Method

A randomized controlled trial was conducted from November 2016 to June 2017. A total of 124 pregnant women with foetal abnormalities were recruited and randomly assigned to the intervention group that received a family‐support programme or control group that received only routine care. Self‐reported questionnaires including the Family Adaptation Partnership Growth Affection and Resolve Index, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and the Impact of Event Scale‐Revised were administered before and after intervention.

Results

Relative to the control group, posttest Family Adaptation Partnership Growth Affection and Resolve Index scores and scores on the intimacy domain were significantly higher in the intervention group, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and Impact of Event Scale‐Revised scores and the scores on all subscales except the intrusion subscale were significantly lower in the intervention group.

Conclusion

The findings of this study suggest that family‐support programme represents an effective and feasible support approach of improving family support and reducing depression and post‐traumatic stress symptoms for pregnant women with foetal abnormalities requiring pregnancy termination.
Mentor judgements and decision‐making in the assessment of student nurse competence in practice: A mixed‐methods study
Authors: Burden Sarah , Topping Anne Elizabeth , O'Halloran Catherine
Published: November 2017

Aim

To investigate how mentors form judgements and reach summative assessment decisions regarding student competence in practice.

Background

Competence assessment is a significant component of pre‐registration nursing programmes in the United Kingdom. Concerns exist that assessments are subjective, lack consistency and that mentors fail to judge student performance as unsatisfactory.

Design

A two‐stage sequential embedded mixed‐methods design. Data collected 2012–2013.

Methods

This study involved a whole student cohort completing aUKundergraduate adult nursing programme (N = 41). Stage 1: quantitative data on mentor conduct of assessment interviews and the final decision recorded (N = 330 from 270 mentors) were extracted from student Practice Assessment Documents (PADs). Stage 2: mentor feedback in studentPADs was used in Stimulated Recall interviews with a purposive sample of final placement mentors (N = 17). These were thematically analysed. Findings were integrated to develop a theoretically driven model of mentor decision‐making.

Results

Course assessment strategies and documentation had limited effect in framing mentor judgements and decisions. Rather, mentors amassed impressions, moderated by expectations of an “idealized student” by practice area and programme stage that influenced their management and outcome of the assessment process. These impressions were accumulated and combined into judgements that informed the final decision. This process can best be understood and conceptualized through the Brunswik's lens model of social judgement.

Conclusion

Mentor decisions were reasoned and there was a shared understanding of judgement criteria and their importance. This impression‐based nature of mentor decision‐making questions the reliability and validity of competency‐based assessments used in nursing pre‐registration programmes.
Developing an adherence in hypertension questionnaire short version: MUAH‐16
Authors: Cabral Ana C. , Castel‐Branco Margarida , Caramona Margarida , Fernandez‐Llimos Fernando , Figueiredo Isabel V.
Published: November 2017

The Maastricht Utrecht Adherence in Hypertension (MUAH) questionnaire provides clinicians with information about the causes of a patient's poor adherence to antihypertensive drugs. In this study, the authors aimed to develop and validate a short version of the MUAH questionnaire. After an exploratory factor analysis, the number of MUAH items was reduced. The original MUAH questionnaire (model 1) was compared with the 16‐item MUAH short version (model 2). Next, this short version of MUAH (MUAH‐16) with all factors correlated (model 2a) was compared with the short version of MUAH with four subscales that contribute to a global factor of adherence (model 2b). Model 1 had a poor fit to the data (χ2269 = 663.41, P < .001, comparative fit index = 0.695, root mean square error of approximation = 0.06), and model 2 had a very good fit to the data (χ2100 = 171.07, P < .001, comparative fit index = 0.92, root mean square error of approximation = 0.04). When comparing model 2a with model 2b, the chi‐square difference of the model (Δχ22 = 4.06; P = .067) revealed that the fits of both models were not significantly different. These findings suggest that MUAH‐16 better represents a patient's adherence to antihypertensive medication than the original MUAH questionnaire.
The impact of social deprivation on the response to a randomised controlled trial of a weight management intervention (BeWEL) for people at increased risk of colorectal cancer
Authors: Fisher A. , Craigie A. M. , Macleod M. , Steele R. J. C. , Anderson A. S.
Published: November 2017

Background

Although 45% of colorectal cancer (CRC) cases may be avoidable through appropriate lifestyle and weight management, health promotion interventions run the risk of widening health inequalities. The BeWEL randomised controlled trial assessed the impact of a diet and activity programme in overweight adults who were diagnosed with a colorectal adenoma, demonstrating a significantly greater weight loss at 12 months in intervention participants than in controls. The present study aimed to compare BeWEL intervention outcomes by participant deprivation status.

Methods

The intervention group of the BeWEL trial (n = 163) was classified by the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) quintiles into ‘more deprived’ (SIMD 1–2, n = 58) and ‘less deprived’ (SIMD 3–5, n = 105). Socio‐economic and lifestyle variables were compared at baseline to identify potential challenges to intervention adherence in the more deprived. Between group differences at 12 months in primary outcome (change in body weight) and secondary outcomes (cardiovascular risk factors, diet, physical activity, knowledge of CRC risk and psychosocial variables) were assessed by deprivation status.

Results

At baseline, education (P = 0.001), income (P < 0.001), spending on physical activity (P = 0.003) and success at previous weight loss attempts (P = 0.007) were significantly lower in the most deprived. At 12 months, no between group differences by deprivation status were detected for changes in primary and main secondary outcomes.

Conclusions

Despite potential barriers faced by the more deprived participants, primary and most secondary outcomes were comparable between groups, indicating that this intervention is unlikely to worsen health inequalities and is equally effective across socio‐economic groups.
Cross‐lagged relations between perceived leader–employee value congruence and leader identification
Authors: Marstand Anders F. , Epitropaki Olga , Martin Robin
Published: November 2017

Building on similarity‐attraction theory and extending research on person–organization value congruence and organizational identification, this study examines the relationship between perceived leader–employee value congruence and leader identification. Using a two‐wave design, data were collected twice with a 6 months’ time lag from a sample of 282 employees. Utilizing cross‐lagged analyses, we examined bidirectional effects between perceived leader–employee value congruence and leader identification. The results provided support for the positive relationship of perceived leader–employee value congruence (Time 1) to leader identification (Time 2) but could not exclude the possibility of a bidirectional relationship. Overall, the study highlights the importance of value congruence for identification processes.

Practitioner points

HR professionals should put emphasis on values when matching leaders and employees as the employees’ overall assessment of value fit between the leader's and the employees’ values plays an important role in the employees’ identification with the leader.

As more support was found for perceived leader–employee value congruence affecting leader identification than vice versa, there should be a greater focus on the employee's overall assessment of value fit with the leader than whether the employee identifies with the leader.
Well‐being of nursing staff on specialized units for older patients with combined care needs
Authors: Collet J. , de Vugt M. E. , Schols J. M. G. A. , Engelen G. J. J. A. , Winkens B. , Verhey F. R. J.
Published: November 2017

Accessible summary

What is already known about the subject

Working in long‐term care is seen as a stressful, physically and mentally demanding occupation, and thus, nursing staff are at risk for work and stress‐related diseases.

In older patients, psychiatric illnesses often occur in combination with physical illnesses, requiring nursing care that is specific to these combined care needs. The impact of caring for these patients on the mental well‐being of nurses is unknown.

What this paper adds to existing knowledge

Nursing staff working on specialized units for patients with combined care needs experience high levels of self‐efficacy in combination with strong feelings of self‐rated competence.

Although levels of burnout are relatively low, mental healthcare nursing staff is more at risk for burnout when working in specialized settings for patients with combined care needs than nursing home staff working in specialized settings for these patients.

Nursing staff characteristics, such as years of working experience and age, seem more important in relation to staff well‐being than patient characteristics in specialized settings for combined care needs.

What are the implications for practice

Staff well‐being might benefit from specializing care, so that patients with similar care needs are placed together and care is focused.

The presence of specialized care units for older patients with combined care needs can allow for both targeted and focused allocation of nursing staff to these units and provision of specific training.

Introduction

In older patients, psychiatric illnesses frequently exist in tandem with physical illnesses, requiring nursing care that is specific to these combined care needs. The impact of caring for these patients on the mental well‐being of nursing staff is unknown.

Aim

To investigate whether care characteristics of patients with combined care needs are related to the mental well‐being of nursing staff.

Method

Well‐being of nursing staff was studied within a larger exploratory observational cross‐sectional study that examined the differences and similarities of specialized combined care units in Dutch mental healthcare and nursing home settings.

Results

Nursing staff across settings, with more than 5 years of work experience, felt competent in caring for patients with combined care needs. No significant effects of care characteristics of patients with combined care needs on the work‐related well‐being of nursing staff were shown. Both mental health nursing staff and older employees, however, were found to be more at risk for burnout.

Implications/Conclusion

Staff well‐being might benefit from placing patients with combined care needs together, so care is focused. The presence of specialized care units can allow for both targeted and focused allocation of nursing staff to these units and provision of specific training.
Regional Citrate Anticoagulation for Intermittent Hemodialysis in Dogs
Authors: Francey T. , Schweighauser A.
Published: November 2017

Background

The traditional systemic heparinization used for anticoagulation in extracorporeal therapies may cause fatal complications in animals at risk of bleeding.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To develop and validate a protocol of regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA) for intermittent hemodialysis in dogs.

Animals

A total of 172 dogs treated with hemodialysis for acute kidney injury.

Methods

In vitro titration was performed, adding trisodium citrate and calcium chloride to heparinized canine blood. A tentative protocol was used first in 66 treatments with additional heparinization and subsequently in 518 heparin‐free treatments. Safety and adequacy of RCA were assessed based on clinical and laboratory monitoring, dialyzer pressure gradient, treatment completion, and visual scoring of the extracorporeal circuit.

Results

Addition of 1 mmol/L citrate to heparinized blood decreased the ionized calcium concentration by 0.23 mmol/L (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.16–0.30) and 1 mmol/L calcium increased it by 0.62 mmol/L (95% CI, 0.45–0.79). Heparin‐free treatments were initiated with infusion of trisodium citrate (102 mmol/L) at 2.55 mmol/L blood and calcium chloride (340 mmol/L) at 0.85 mmol/L. Citrate and calcium administrations were adjusted in 27 and 34% of the treatments, respectively. Overall, anticoagulation was satisfactory in 92% of the treatments, with expected azotemia reduction in 95% (urea) and 86% (creatinine), stable dialyzer pressure gradient in 82%, and clean extracorporeal circuits in 92% of the treatments. Eighteen treatments (3.5%) were discontinued prematurely, 9 because of clotting and 9 for reasons unrelated to the RCA procedure.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Regional citrate anticoagulation allows safe and efficient heparin‐free hemodialysis in dogs at risk of bleeding.
Contrast‐Enhanced Ultrasound Examination for the Assessment of Renal Perfusion in Cats with Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Stock E. , Paepe D. , Daminet S. , Vandermeulen E. , Duchateau L. , Saunders J.H. , Vanderperren K.
Published: November 2017

Background

Contrast‐enhanced ultrasound examination (CEUS) is a functional imaging technique allowing noninvasive assessment of tissue perfusion. Studies in humans show that the technique holds great potential to be used in the diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, data in veterinary medicine are currently lacking.

Objectives

To evaluate renal perfusion usingCEUSin cats withCKD.

Animals

Fourteen client‐owned cats withCKDand 43 healthy control cats.

Methods

Prospective case‐controlled clinical trial usingCEUSto evaluate renal perfusion in cats withCKDcompared to healthy control cats. Time‐intensity curves were created, and perfusion parameters were calculated using off‐line software. A linear mixed model was used to examine differences between perfusion parameters of cats withCKDand healthy cats.

Results

In cats withCKD, longer time to peak and shorter mean transit times were observed for the renal cortex. In contrast, a shorter time to peak and rise time were seen for the renal medulla. The findings for the renal cortex indicate decreased blood velocity and shorter total duration of enhancement, likely caused by increased vascular resistance inCKD. Increased blood velocity in the renal medulla has not been described before and may be because of a different response to regulatory factors in cortex and medulla.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Contrast‐enhanced ultrasound examination was capable of detecting perfusion changes in cats withCKD. Further research is warranted to assess the diagnostic capabilities ofCEUSin early stage of the disease process.
WTO “Paragraph 6” system for affordable access to medicines: Relief or regulatory ritualism?
Authors: Abbas Muhammad Z. , Riaz Shamreeza
Published: November 2017

Regulatory Ritualism means acceptance of regulatory goals while losing focus in achieving them. In other words, it means ignoring of goals or objectives of a process or mechanism and focusing too much on regulations, rules, and formalities. Advanced countries and developing countries have been in a continuous negotiation over access to drugs ever since coming into effect of TRIPS Agreement. The Doha Declaration was a rare negotiation win for third world countries. This paper endeavors to apply the notion of Regulatory Ritualism to Paragraph 6 of the Doha Declaration 2001 and to subsequent WTO General Council's Waiver Decision 2003 which aimed at giving effect to Paragraph 6 flexibility. The first part of the paper discusses the historical background of the Doha Declaration and 2003 Decision. The second part of this paper analyses Paragraph 6 of the Doha Declaration and subsequent Waiver Decision in the light of the notion of Regulatory Ritualism and Rule Complexity, with a special focus on Apotex‐Rwanda case study, the case of India and the case of Australia. The final part of this paper sums up the discussion on the issue and provides suggestions.
BRAF internal deletions and resistance to BRAF/MEK inhibitor therapy
Authors: Johnson Douglas B. , Childress Merrida A. , Chalmers Zachary R. , Frampton Garrett M. , Ali Siraj M. , Rubinstein Samuel M. , Fabrizio David , Ross Jeffrey S. , Balasubramanian Sohail , Miller Vincent A. , Stephens Philip J. , Sosman Jeffrey A. , Lovly Christine M.
Published: November 2017

BRAF and MEK inhibitors have improved clinical outcomes in advanced, BRAFV600‐mutated melanomas. Acquired resistance occurs in most patients, with numerous and diverse drivers. We obtained pretreatment and progression biopsies from a patient who progressed on dabrafenib and trametinib. In addition to a preserved BRAFV600E mutation, an internal deletion (rearrangement) of BRAF was observed in the progression sample. This deletion involved exons 2–8, which includes the Ras‐binding domain, and is analogous to previously documented BRAF fusions and splice variants known to reactivate RAS‐RAF‐MEK‐ERK signaling. In a large cohort of melanomas, 10 additional internal deletions were identified (0.4% of all melanomas; nine of which had concurrent BRAF mutations), as well as sporadically in other tumor types. Thus, we describe a novel mechanism of resistance to BRAF and MEK inhibition.
Perceptual Skill And Social Structure
Authors: Munton Jessie
Published: November 2017

Visual perception relies on stored information and environmental associations to arrive at a determinate representation of the world. This opens up the disturbing possibility that our visual experiences could themselves be subject to a kind of racial bias, simply in virtue of accurately encoding previously encountered environmental regularities. This possibility raises the following question: what, if anything, is wrong with beliefs grounded upon these prejudicial experiences? They are consistent with a range of epistemic norms, including evidentialist and reliabilist standards for justification. I argue that we will struggle to locate a flaw with these sorts of perceptual beliefs so long as we focus our analysis at the level of the individual and her response to information. We should instead broaden our analysis to include the social structure within which the individual is located. Doing so lets us identify a problem with the way in which unjust social structures in particular “gerrymander” the regularities an individual is exposed to, and by extension the priors their visual system draws on. I argue that in this way, social structures can cap perceptual skill.
Visibility and meanings of partnership in health care for older people who need support to live at home
Authors: Gregory Anna , Mackintosh Shylie , Kumar Saravana , Grech Carol
Published: November 2017

Introduction

Problems experienced by older people with complex needs to live at home have been reported in the literature. This qualitative study builds on previous research and investigates enduring issues older people face when interacting with healthcare services.

Aim

To gain an in‐depth understanding of what is involved in providing good quality health care for older people who need support to live at home.

Methodological design

We adopted an interpretive descriptive approach and conducted semi‐structured interviews with older people (n = 7), carers (n = 8) and key informants (n = 11). Initial and secondary analysis of qualitative data was completed.

Findings

Major themes emerged about meanings of partnership in health care, and invisibility of the older person as a partner in health care. Partnership in health care was understood to mean being treated as an equal, being involved in decision‐making, and making contributions which impact on health care and health systems. The metaphorical concept of ‘invisibility’ related to the older person not being seen and heard as a partner in health care, as well as being a recipient of care.

Conclusions

We concluded that older people who need support to live at home are not highly visible to health providers, policymakers and researchers as a central partner and consumer to be meaningfully engaged in shaping their health care. Opportunities to address persistent issues with quality of health care may in future be achieved through stronger partnerships between older people and health providers, to find new ways to improve the quality of care for older people.
Ageing Places in an Ageing Country: The Local Dynamics of the Elderly Population in Spain
Authors: Gutiérrez Posada Diana , Rubiera Morollón Fernando , Viñuela Ana
Published: November 2017

Spain is an ageing country, and the present demographic burden is not homogeneously distributed across space. Will the aged population be evenly distributed in the future, or will disparities broaden over time? Identifying the spatial patterns of the aged population concentration and the existence of a demographic burden convergence/divergence process is a pertinent question in Spain after the regional devolution the country has undergone in the last decades and the coexistence of different regimes. In this paper, we use a non‐parametric approach (geographically weighted regressions) to identify the determinants of the ageing dynamics, checking for the existence of a convergence/divergence ageing process after controlling for the socio‐economic characteristics of the Spanish municipalities. Although global estimations support the convergence hypotheses posed, GWR results show a significant variability of the effects depending on the area considered, which calls for a careful treatment of the results both for analysis and policy purposes.
Context matters: a multicountry analysis of individual‐ and neighbourhood‐level factors associated with women's sanitation use in sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Winter Samantha , Dreibelbis Robert , Barchi Francis
Published: November 2017

Objectives

To identify cross‐national trends in factors associated with women's sanitation use in sub‐Saharan Africa.

Methods

Using data from Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in 14 SSA countries between 2008 and 2014, we modelled women's sanitation use in relation to various individual‐ and neighbourhood‐level factors.

Results

Substantial variation exists between countries in the strength and direction of factors associated with sanitation use. Particularly significant associations across the region included access to different water sources, years of education, family size, age, living in a female‐headed household, being married and wealth. Neighbourhood‐level poverty, ethnic diversity and urbanisation were important factors in a majority of countries.

Conclusions

International development goals for sanitation are frequently framed in terms of availability, implicitly suggesting that if facilities are accessible, they will be used. A more nuanced view that takes into account not only the existence of facilities but also the factors influencing their use is needed to understand the dynamics of women's sanitation use in the region. Policies focused on availability may not yield the desired public health benefits from improved sanitation in sub‐Saharan Africa. Context‐relevant factors must be addressed concurrently to achieve sanitation development goals.
Optimization of the Canadian SCWR Core Using Coupled Three-Dimensional Reactor Physics and Thermal-Hydraulics Calculations
Authors: Salaun F. , Novog D. R.
Published: November 2017

The Canadian supercritical water-cooled reactor (SCWR) design is part of Canada's Generation IV reactor development program. The reactor uses batch fueling, light water above the thermodynamic critical point as a coolant and a heavy water moderator. The design has evolved considerably and is currently at the conceptual design level. As a result of batch fueling, a certain amount of excess reactivity is loaded at the beginning of each fueling cycle. This excess reactivity must be controlled using a combination of burnable neutron poisons in the fuel, moderator poisons, and control blades interspersed in the heavy water moderator. Recent studies have shown that the combination of power density, high coolant temperatures, and reactivity management can lead to high maximum cladding surface temperatures (MCST) and maximum fuel centerline temperatures (MFCLT) in this design. This study focuses on improving both the MCST and the MFCLT through modifications of the conceptual design including changes from a 3 to 4 batch fueling cycle, a slightly shortened fuel cycle (although exit burnup remains the same), axial graded fuel enrichment, fuel-integrated burnable neutron absorbers, lower reactivity control blades, and lower reactor thermal powers as compared to the original conceptual design. The optimal blade positions throughout the fuel cycle were determined so as to minimize the MCST and MFCLT using a genetic algorithm and the reactor physics code PARCS. The final design was analyzed using a fully coupled PARCS-RELAP5/SCDAPSIM/MOD4.0 model to accurately predict the MCST as a function of time during a fueling cycle.
High Temperature Thermal Decomposition of Diethyl Carbonate by Pool Film Boiling
Authors: Thomas Avedisian C. , Kuo Wei-Chih , Tsang Wing , Lowery Adam
Published: November 2017

We use the configuration of film boiling on a horizontal tube positioned in a stagnant pool of saturated diethyl carbonate (DEC, (C2H5O)2CO) to study DEC decomposition at temperatures up to 1500 K. The composition of bubbles that percolate through the liquid pool is measured and the results are used to infer the decomposition reactions. The results show that below tube temperatures of about 1100 K, the decomposition products are ethylene (C2H4), carbon dioxide (CO2), and ethanol (EtOH, C2H5OH) with a molar ratio nC2H4/nCO2∼1, which is consistent with a first-order decomposition process. At higher temperatures, nC2H4/nCO2 > 1 which is explained by an additional route to forming C2H4 from radicals in the system (created by EtOH decomposition) attacking DEC. The presence of H2, CO, CH4, and C2H6 in the product stream was noted at all temperatures examined with concentrations that increased from trace values at low temperatures to values comparable to the DEC unimolecular process at the highest temperatures. Formation of a carbon layer on the tube was observed but did not appear to influence the decomposition process. A scale analysis shows that the rate constant controls decomposition compared to the residence time, which has a weaker dependence on temperature.
Macular thickness profile and diabetic retinopathy: the Singapore Epidemiology of Eye Diseases Study
Authors: Dai Wei , Tham Yih Chung , Cheung Ning , Yasuda Masayuki , Tan Nicholas Y Q , Cheung Carol Y , Wang Jie Jin , Mitchell Paul , Sabanayagam Charumathi , Wong Tien-Yin , Cheng Ching-Yu
Published: November 2017

Background

To evaluate retinal thickness profiles in eyes with and without diabetic retinopathy (DR) using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) among individuals with diabetes.

Methods

Participants were recruited from the Singapore Epidemiology of Eye Diseases Study, a population-based study among Chinese, Malays and Indians aged 40 years or older residing in Singapore. All participants underwent standardised systemic and ophthalmic examinations. Average thickness of the macula, ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer and outer retina layer (from the outer plexiform layer to the retinal pigment epithelium layer) were measured using SD-OCT. DR status and severity were graded based on fundus photographs using the modified Airlie House classification system. Participants with macular oedema were excluded.

Results

2240 eyes from 1280 participants were included. Of these, 1764 (78.7%) eyes had no DR, 351 (15.7%) eyes had minimal or mild DR and 125 (5.6%) eyes had moderate or worse DR. After adjusting for age, gender, ethnicity, axial length, hypertension, glycated haemoglobin, body mass index, total cholesterol and diabetes duration, eyes with DR had thicker macula (245.44 µm vs 243.04 µm, P=0.03) and outer retina (124.26 µm vs 123.08 µm, P=0.01) than eyes without DR. When stratified by DR severity, thicker macula (250.24 µm vs 242.88 µm, P=0.011) and outer retina (126.4 µm vs 123.0 μm, P=0.006) were observed in eyes with moderate or worse, but not minimal or mild DR, compared with eyes without DR.

Conclusions

Even in the absence of macular oedema, eyes with DR, particularly those with more severe DR, had thicker macular and outer retinal layers than eyes without DR.
Transportation characteristics associated with non-arrivals to paediatric clinic appointments: a retrospective analysis of 51 580 scheduled visits
Authors: Wallace David J , Ray Kristin N , Degan Abbye , Kurland Kristen , Angus Derek C , Malinow Ana
Published: November 2017

Background

Prior work has not studied the effects of transportation accessibility and patient factors on clinic non-arrival.

Objectives

Our objectives were: (1) to evaluate transportation characteristics and patient factors associated with clinic non-arrival, (2) to evaluate the comparability of bus and car drive time estimates, and (3) to evaluate the combined effects of transportation accessibility and income on scheduled appointment non-arrival.

Methods

We queried electronic administrative records at an urban general pediatrics clinic. We compared patient and transportation characteristics between arrivals and non-arrivals for scheduled appointments using multivariable modeling.

Results

There were 15 346 (29.8%) clinic non-arrivals. In separate car and bus multivariable models that controlled for patient and transit characteristics, we identified significant interactions between income and drive time, and clinic non-arrival. Patients in the lowest quartile of income who were also in the longest quartile of travel time by bus had an increased OR of clinic non-arrival compared with patients in the lowest quartile of income and shortest quartile of travel time by bus (1.55; P<0.01). Similarly, patients in the lowest quartile of income who were also in the longest quartile of travel time by car had an increased OR of clinic non-arrival compared with patients in the lowest quartile of income and shortest quartile of travel time by car (1.21, respectively; P<0.01).

Conclusions

Clinic non-arrival is associated with the interaction of longer travel time and lower income.
High percentage of undiagnosed HIV cases within a hyperendemic South African community: a population-based study
Authors: Vandormael Alain , de Oliveira Tulio , Tanser Frank , Bärnighausen Till , Herbeck Joshua T
Published: November 2017

Background

Undiagnosed HIV infections could undermine efforts to reverse the global AIDS epidemic by 2030. In this study, we estimated the percentage of HIV-positive persons who remain undiagnosed within a hyperendemic South African community.

Methods

The data come from a population-based surveillance system located in the Umkhanyakude district of the northern KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa. We annually tested 38 661 adults for HIV between 2005 and 2016. Using the HIV-positive test results of 12 039 (31%) participants, we then back-calculated the incidence of infection and derived the number of undiagnosed cases from this result.

Results

The percentage of undiagnosed HIV cases decreased from 29.3% in 2005 to 15.8% in 2011. During this period, however, approximately 50% of the participants refused to test for HIV, which lengthened the average time from infection to diagnosis. Consequently, the percentage of undiagnosed HIV cases reversed direction and steadily increased from 16.1% to 18.9% over the 2012–2016 period.

Conclusions

Results from this hyperendemic South African setting show that the HIV testing rate is low, with long infection times, and an unsatisfactorily high percentage of undiagnosed cases. A high level of repeat HIV testing is needed to minimise the time from infection to diagnosis if the global AIDS epidemic is to be reversed within the next two decades.
Towards understanding what contributes to forming an opinion
Authors: Wang Peng , Song Jia , Huo Jie , Hao Rui , Wang Xu-Ming
Published: November 2017

Opinion evolution mechanism can be captured by physical modeling. In this paper, a kinetic equation is established by defining a generalized displacement(cognitive level), a driving force and the related factors such as generalized potential, information quantity and attitude. It has been shown that the details of opinion evolution depend on the type of the driving force, self-dominated driving or environment-dominated driving. In the former case, the participants can have their attitudes changed in the process of competition between the self-driving force and environment-driving force. In the latter case, all of the participants are pulled by the environment. Some regularities behind the dynamics of opinion are also revealed, for instance, the information entropy decays with time in a special way, etc. The results may help us to get some deep understanding for the formation of a public opinion.
A Combined Matheuristic for the Piecewise Linear Multicommodity Network Flow Problem
Authors: Katayama Naoto
Published: November 2017

Multicommodity network problems appear in numerous applications, such as telecommunications, logistics, transportation, distribution and production planning networks. The piecewise linear multicommodity network flow problem is a multicommodity network flow problem with piecewise linear costs corresponding to multiple resources, such as communication lines, vehicles and production lines. In the present paper, for the piecewise linear multicommodity network continuous flow problem, we present a path-based formulation and an arc-based formulation, and develop a combined matheuristic approach, which combines capacity scaling, a column and row generation technique, restricted branch-and-bound and a local branch method.
New Models for Computing the Distance of DMUs to the Weak Efficient Boundary of Convex and Nonconvex PPSs in DEA
Authors: Vakili J.
Published: November 2017

In data envelopment analysis (DEA), calculating the distances of decision making units (DMUs) from the weak efficient boundary of a production possibility set (PPS) is a very important subject which has attracted increasing interest of researchers in recent years. The distances of DMUs to the weak efficient boundary of the PPS can be used to evaluate the performance of DMUs, obtain the closest efficient patterns and also assess the sensitivity and stability of efficiency classifications in DEA. The present study proposes some new models which compute the distances of DMUs from the weak efficient boundary of a PPS for both convex and nonconvex PPSs using Hölder norms. In fact, the presented models assist a DMU to improve its performance by an appropriate movement towards the weak efficient boundary.
RISE AND FALL OF SYNTHETIC CDO MARKET: LESSONS LEARNED
Authors: JABłECKI JULIUSZ
Published: November 2017

This paper uses a unique data set of more than 1000 synthetic Collateralized Debt Obligations (CDOs) deals to describe typical structures, their pricing and performance with the aim of identifying the factors behind the spectacular collapse of this important segment of structured credit market in late 2008. The data suggests that mark-to-market losses on many synthetic CDO tranches were much more significant than in case of simpler, lower-rated products despite the former experiencing little or no impairment of the notional. The losses were driven instead by the concentration of relatively limited number of defaults in a short period of time, suggesting that pre-crisis pricing must have seriously underestimated such risk of default clustering. In view of the post-crisis pick-up in synthetic CDO issuance, the paper attempts to heed this lesson and offer a simple factor model of default correlation in the spirit of Marshall–Olkin that is naturally suited to capturing the temporal dimension of default dependencies that have been crucial for synthetic CDOs investors. The model allows building a rich dependence structure capable of consistently fitting standardized iTraxx and CDX index tranches, which makes it ideal for pricing bespoke CDOs.
Novel dithienopyrrole-based molecular donor materials for organic solar cells
Authors: Zhang Zong-Bing , Xu Jia-Wei , Zhang Xin-Yu , Sun Shi-Xin , Xing Rong
Published: November 2017

A new molecule with dithieno[3,2-b:2’,3’-d]pyrrole (DTP) as central moiety and two terminal diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) units named DPP-DTPC8 has been designed and synthesized. The push–pull molecule exhibits excellent thermal stability, strong absorption in visible region, and matched energy levels. Devices fabricated from DTPC8:PC[Formula: see text]BM blend films exhibit the maximum power conversion efficiency of 2.75%, with Voc of 0.63 V, Jsc of 9.94 mA[Formula: see text] cm[Formula: see text], and FF of 43.8%. The active layers undergo thermal annealing or solvent vapor annealing treatments, exhibiting inconspicuous influence on the aggregation of the molecule. This study demonstrates that the new molecule DPP-DTPC8 tailored with DTP and DPP units could affect the thermal stability, absorption, energy levels and morphology that manage the photovoltaic performances.
Cav2.3 (R-Type) Calcium Channels are Critical for Mediating Anticonvulsive and Neuroprotective Properties of Lamotrigine In Vivo
Authors: Dibué-Adjei Maxine , Kamp Marcel A. , Alpdogan Serdar , Tevoufouet Etienne E. , Neiss Wolfram F. , Hescheler Jürgen , Schneider Toni
Published: November 2017

Background/Aims: Lamotrigine (LTG) is a popular modern antiepileptic drug (AED), however, its mechanism of action has yet to be fully understood, as it is known to modulate many members of several ion channel families. In heterologous systems, LTG inhibits Cav2.3 (R-type) calcium currents, which contribute to kainic-acid- (KA) induced epilepsy in vivo. To gain insight into the role of R-type currents in LTG drug action in vivo, we compared the effects of LTG to topiramate and lacosamide in Cav2.3-deficient mice and controls on KA-induced seizures. Methods: Behavioral seizure rating and quantitative electrocorticography were performed after injection of 20 mg/kg [and 30 mg/kg] KA. One hour before KA injection, mice were pretreated with either 30 mg/kg LTG, 50 mg/kg topiramate (TPM) or 30 mg/kg lacosamide (LSM). Results: Ablation of Cav2.3 reduced total seizure scores by 28.6% (p=0.0012) and pretreatment with LTG reduced seizure activity of control mice by 23.2% (p=0.02). In Cav2.3-deficient mice LTG pretreatment increased seizure activity by 22.1% (p=0.018) and increased the percentage of degenerated CA1 pyramidal neurons (p=0.02). All three tested AEDs reduced seizure activity in control mice, however only the non-calcium channel modulating AED, LSM had an anticonvulsive effect in Cav2.3-deficient mice. Furthermore LTG altered electrocorticographic parameters differently in the two genotypes, decreasing relative power of ictal spikes in control mice compared to Cav2.3-defcient mice. Conclusion: These findings give first in vivo evidence for an essential role for Cav2.3 in LTG pharmacology and shed light on a paradoxical effect of LTG in their absence. Furthermore, LTG appears to promote ictal activity in Cav2.3-deficient mice resulting in increased neurotoxicity in the CA1 region. This paradoxical mechanism, possibly reflecting rebound hyperexcitation of pyramidal CA1 neurons after increased inhibition, may be key in understanding LTG-induced seizure aggravation, observed in clinical practice.
Avaliação da sensibilidade da técnica computadorizada de análise (CASA) para a determinação da concentração espermática do sêmen bovino congelado
Authors: Crespilho André Maciel , Chiaradia Livia , Cortez Adriana , Dinelli Marcela Vaz , Papa Frederico Ozanam , Gomes Gustavo Mendes , Peixoto Júnior Kleber Da Cunha
Published: November 2017

Tradicionalmente, a concentração espermática é avaliada por meio da contagem de células em câmara hemocitométrica de Neubauer, técnica laboriosa adotada na rotina dos laboratórios de andrologia. Uma alternativa para essa contagem é a técnica computadorizada de avaliação espermática (CASA), método que pode aumentar a eficiência e acurácia na determinação da concentração de espermatozoides em uma amostra de sêmen. O presente trabalho relata a avaliação da sensibilidade da técnica CASA para o acesso da concentração de espermatozoides bovinos em pósdescongelação. Foram selecionadas 425 doses de sêmen de reprodutores de diferentes raças, descongeladas a 37°C por 30 segundos e homogeneizadas. Alíquotas de 40 µL de sêmen foram transferidas para tubos cônicos de 1,5 mL previamente preenchidos com 960 µL de água destilada, fixando a taxa de diluição em 1:25 para contagem em câmara de Neubauer. Em contrapartida, alíquotas de 5 µL de cada dose de sêmen foram avaliadas com o emprego do sistema CASA considerando o número mínimo de cinco campos aleatórios e 2 mil espermatozoides por análise. A concentração média de células espermáticas foi de 38,96a ± 1,28 e 35,14b ± 0,82,respectivamente para amostras avaliadas em câmara de Neubauer ou sistema computadorizado, apresentando o coeficiente de correlação de 0,87 (P < 0.0001) e concordância de 0,78 (escala de 0 a 1). Conclui-se que as duas técnicas de avaliação da concentração espermática possuem eficiência similar. No entanto, em virtude da precisão, rapidez e por dispensar a diluição prévia das amostras para a contagem, a CASA é uma alternativa para a contagem de células espermáticas em câmara de Neubauer, sobretudo para grandes centrais de produção de sêmen bovino congelado.