bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transitional Care: A Priority for Health Care Organizational Ethics
Authors: Naylor Mary , Berlinger Nancy
Published: September 2016

Numerous studies have revealed that health care transitions for chronically ill older adults are frequently poorly managed, often with devastating human and economic consequences. And poorly managed transitions and their consequences also occur among younger, relatively healthy individuals who have adequate resources and are prepared to advocate on their own behalf. Despite the rich base of research confirming that evidence‐based transitional care enhances patients’ experiences, improves health and quality of life, and reduces costs, organizational, regulatory, financial, and cultural barriers have, until recently, prevented widespread adoption of these proven approaches. Provisions of the Affordable Care Act, such as reductions in Medicare payments to hospitals with very high thirty‐day rehospitalization rates, have reduced barriers, but uptake of evidence‐based transitional care beyond demonstration projects continues to be sporadic and far too slow. With a rich understanding about how to better anticipate and respond to the compelling problems experienced by patients, family caregivers, and health care professionals throughout episodes of acute illness, the time has come to frame transitional care as a system's ethical responsibility in an aging society. Embedding transitional care within the ethical obligations of a health care system requires the perspectives and involvement of nurses and nursing because of this profession's integral role in every aspect of care transitions.
What Does Attending Early Childhood Program Mean for Child Health in India?
Authors: Sarkar Dipanwita , Sarkar Jayanta
Published: September 2016

The health impact of attending early childhood development programs in developing countries remains largely unknown. In this study, we focus on the health consequences of attending preschool programs in India. Using a unique longitudinal dataset, we allow for heterogeneity in the impact of preschool across the distribution of health outcomes while controlling for time‐invariant unobservables. We detect unique temporal variation in the effect of preschool attendance – growth of preschool attendees is slower than non‐attendees in various parts of the distributions of several anthropometric measures when evaluated in the early years between ages 1 and 5. This effect is likely to reverse in the longer term at age 8. The early years' adverse effect can be explained in part by over‐attendance in the form of long daily hours, excessive attendance days, and early entry. The findings are insensitive to nutritional incentives like free meals provided in public schools. The growth‐retarding effect remains robust for weight‐for‐age z‐scores, implying that the impact of preschool attendance is not only heterogeneous, but differs across dimensions of health status. Our study highlights the need for strengthening the delivery of childhood programs in developing countries in order to prevent adverse health effects in the critical years. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Eliciting the Level of Health Inequality Aversion in England
Authors: Robson Matthew , Asaria Miqdad , Cookson Richard , Tsuchiya Aki , Ali Shehzad
Published: September 2016

Health inequality aversion parameters can be used to represent alternative value judgements about policy concern for reducing health inequality versus improving total health. In this study, we use data from an online survey of the general public in England (n = 244) to elicit health inequality aversion parameters for both Atkinson and Kolm social welfare functions. We find median inequality aversion parameters of 10.95 for Atkinson and 0.15 for Kolm. These values suggest substantial concern for health inequality among the English general public which, at current levels of quality adjusted life expectancy, implies weighting health gains to the poorest fifth of people in society six to seven times as highly as health gains to the richest fifth. © 2016 The Authors. Health Economics published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spatial coding and physiological properties of hippocampal neurons in the Cornu Ammonis subregions
Authors: Oliva Azahara , Fernández‐Ruiz Antonio , Buzsáki György , Berényi Antal
Published: September 2016

ABSTTACT

It is well‐established that the feed‐forward connected main hippocampal areas, CA3, CA2, and CA1 work cooperatively during spatial navigation and memory. These areas are similar in terms of the prevalent types of neurons; however, they display different spatial coding and oscillatory dynamics. Understanding the temporal dynamics of these operations requires simultaneous recordings from these regions. However, simultaneous recordings from multiple regions and subregions in behaving animals have become possible only recently. We performed large‐scale silicon probe recordings simultaneously spanning across all layers of CA1, CA2, and CA3 regions in rats during spatial navigation and sleep and compared their behavior‐dependent spiking, oscillatory dynamics and functional connectivity. The accuracy of place cell spatial coding increased progressively from distal to proximal CA1, suddenly dropped in CA2, and increased again from CA3a toward CA3c. These variations can be attributed in part to the different entorhinal inputs to each subregions, and the differences in theta modulation of CA1, CA2, and CA3 neurons. We also found that neurons in the subregions showed differences in theta modulation, phase precession, state‐dependent changes in firing rates and functional connectivity among neurons of these regions. Our results indicate that a combination of intrinsic properties together with distinct intra‐ and extra‐hippocampal inputs may account for the subregion‐specific modulation of spiking dynamics and spatial tuning of neurons during behavior. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Engineering anisotropic biphasic Janus‐type polymer nanofiber scaffold networks via centrifugal jet spinning
Authors: Khang Alex , Ravishankar Prashanth , Krishnaswamy Aditya , Anderson Patrick K. , Cone Stephanie G. , Liu Zizhao , Qian Xianghong , Balachandran Kartik
Published: September 2016

Biphasic materials, comprised of an ordered arrangement of two different material phases within a material, have the potential for a wide variety of applications including filtration, protective clothing and tissue engineering. This study reports for the first time, a process for engineering biphasic Janus‐type polymeric nanofiber (BJPNF) networks via the centrifugal jet spinning technique. BJPNF alignment and fiber diameter was dependent on fabrication rotational speed as well as solution composition. The biphasic character of these BJPNFs, which was controlled via the rotational speed of fabrication, was confirmed at the individual nanofiber scale using energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, and at the bulk, macro‐scale using attenuated total reflectance‐Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Biphasic character was also demonstrated at the functional level via differing affinities on either side of the BJPNF for cell attachment. Our work thus presents a method for fabricating BJPNF scaffold networks where there might be a need for different properties on either side of a material. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 105B: 2455–2464, 2017.
Photosensitivity of CuBiSe2 Thin Film Deposited by Vacuum Evaporation Technique
Authors: Muthukannan Abirami , Prema Pasunkili , Henry Johnson , Mohanraj Kannusamy , Sivakumar Ganesan
Published: September 2016

CuBiSe2 (CBSe) thin film was prepared by vacuum evaporation. The deposited film was characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX), UV–visible specroscopy, and I–V analysis. XRD analysis indicates the formation of cubic CBSe thin film, and the corresponding EDX spectrum confirms the stoichiometry composition of CBSe. In the AFM images, the majority of the particles are granular, and the surface roughness is 8.86 nm. The optical absorption coefficient is >104 in the visible region and the bandgap energy is calculated to be 1.84 eV. The photosensitivity of the film is 181%.
Multi‐year energy balance and carbon dioxide fluxes over a residential neighbourhood in a tropical city
Authors: Roth Matthias , Jansson Christer , Velasco Erik
Published: September 2016

Detailed eddy covariance measurements of radiation, energy and carbon dioxide fluxes over a residential neighbourhood of Singapore are presented. The measurements cover a period of ∼7 years and represent the longest set of flux data reported for a tropical city. Owing to its equatorial location, the observed radiation fluxes are uniformly high throughout the year. Annual changes in climate, energy fluxes and carbon dioxide exchange are therefore much less than observed in cities located outside the Tropics. The energy balance partitioning is nevertheless similar to that reported for subtropical and mid‐latitude suburban sites. Across the entire study period and all weather conditions 53.6% of net radiation (3.222 GJ m−2 year−1) is partitioned into sensible and 39.4% into latent heat, respectively, resulting in a long‐term daily Bowen ratio of ∼1.4. Significant variability exists in net radiation and sensible heat flux using a classification based on clouds and rainfall. Carbon dioxide fluxes are generally positive throughout the day with morning and evening peaks related to maxima in traffic volume separating lower day‐ from higher nighttime fluxes. Unlike in many other comparable suburban studies, net fluxes are generally higher during night‐ compared to daytime. The largest daily fluxes and most pronounced diurnal variability coincide with seasons when the flux footprint includes the highest proportion of vegetation, suggesting an important role for daytime sequestration and nighttime respiration to control the diurnal and seasonal variation. Carbon dioxide fluxes change little across the year given the absence of a heating season with an annual total mass flux of 6368 Mg CO2 km−2 year−1. Singapore provides a unique climatic context, and the present long‐term study is expected to add robust statistics from the understudied (sub)tropical region to the global data set of urban energy and carbon dioxide fluxes, which is dominated by work conducted in mid‐ and high latitudes.
Predators, predator removal, and sage‐grouse: A review
Authors: Conover Michael R. , Roberts Anthony J.
Published: September 2016

Populations of greater sage‐grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; sage‐grouse) have been in a decline since the nineteenth century. We used our research, unpublished reports, and scientific literature to identify which predators kill sage‐grouse and to assess whether lethal control of these predators benefited the species. We also asked state wildlife biologists and scientists whether they had ever witnessed a predator kill sage‐grouse. We identified 266 instances where the predator responsible for depredating nests or killing juvenile or adult sage‐grouse could be ascertained. Most adult sage‐grouse were killed by eagles (Accipitridae), owls (Strigiformes), coyotes (Canis latrans), or red foxes (Vuples vulpes). Based on nest cameras, most depredated eggs are taken by common ravens (Corvus corax), badgers (Taxidae taxus), or coyotes. There are too few studies to conclude that predator removal increases survival rates of juvenile or adult sage‐grouse. No study has been conducted to determine whether badger removal increases nest success of sage‐grouse, and the only study on coyote removal produced ambiguous results. Several studies reported that more sage‐grouse nests are successful (i.e., >1 eggs hatched) in areas where common ravens were removed or in areas where raven densities were lower than in other areas. The data we reviewed did not indicate predators played a role in the decline during the past century, but increasing numbers of ravens since the 1970s may have contributed to the declining sage‐grouse populations in recent decades. We conclude that removing common ravens can increase nest success, although not necessarily sage‐grouse abundance. Without a better understanding of sage‐grouse and their predators, wildlife biologists will be handicapped in their efforts to prevent sage‐grouse populations from continuing to decline. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.
Study of the Porosity of the Microgel of pAA and Co‐Polymer Microgel of p(AA‐co‐NIPAM) Through the Thermoporometry Technique
Authors: Oropeza Maria V. C. , Souza Esmar F. , Giudici Reinaldo
Published: September 2016

The porosity of hydrogels is a parameter of great importance for biomedical applications. Techniques to evaluate the porosity are relatively time consuming and somewhat expensive. In the present work, we evaluated a technique known as thermoporometry (TPM). The technique does not require complicated preparation of samples and allows the evaluation of the size and distribution of the pores by the measurement of the thermal behavior of the samples by DSC equipment. This work presents in a comparative way the evaluation of two samples of microgels, a poly(acrylic acid) microgel (pAA) and a co‐polymer microgel of poly(acrylic acid‐co‐N‐isopropylacrylamide) p(AA‐co‐NiPAM). The goal is to show the method sensitivity to study different samples of gels. The results showed that the porous structures of these microgels, expressed by their pore size distribution are different, which is an indicative that the method had the sensitivity to identify this difference.
Matrix‐based Molecular Descriptors for Prospective Virtual Compound Screening
Authors: Grisoni Francesca , Reker Daniel , Schneider Petra , Friedrich Lukas , Consonni Viviana , Todeschini Roberto , Koeberle Andreas , Werz Oliver , Schneider Gisbert
Published: September 2016

Molecular descriptors capture diverse structural information of molecules and are a prerequisite for ligand‐based similarity searching. In this study, we introduce topological matrix‐based descriptors to virtual screening for hit discovery. We evaluated the usefulness of matrix‐based descriptors in a retrospective setting and compared them with topological pharmacophore descriptors. Special attention was given to the influence of data pre‐processing and the applied similarity metric on the virtual screening performance. Overall, the MB descriptors showed a competitive and complementary performance to other descriptors. A prospective screen of a commercial compound library led to the discovery of a novel natural‐product‐derived cyclooxygenase‐2 inhibitor predicted to interact differently with the target protein compared to the query compound ibuprofen. The results of our study motivate the use of matrix‐based descriptors for molecular similarity‐based virtual screening and scaffold hopping.
A randomized, open‐label, multicenter study of the efficacy and safety of intravesical hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate versus dimethyl sulfoxide in women with bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis
Authors: Cervigni Mauro , Sommariva Monica , Tenaglia Raffaele , Porru Daniele , Ostardo Edoardo , Giammò Alessandro , Trevisan Silvia , Frangione Valeria , Ciani Oriana , Tarricone Rosanna , Pappagallo Giovanni L.
Published: September 2016

AIMS

Intravesical instillation of hyaluronic acid (HA) plus chondroitin sulfate (CS) in women with bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) has shown promising results. This study compared the efficacy, safety, and costs of intravesical HA/CS (Ialuril®, IBSA) to dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO).

METHODS

Randomized, open‐label, multicenter study involving 110 women with BPS/IC. The allocation ratio (HA/CS:DMSO) was 2:1. Thirteen weekly instillations of HA (1.6%)/CS (2.0%) or 50% DMSO were given. Patients were evaluated at 3 (end‐of‐treatment) and 6 months. Primary endpoint was reduction in pain intensity at 6 months by visual analogue scale (VAS) versus baseline. Secondary efficacy measurements were quality of life and economic analyses.

RESULTS

A significant reduction in pain intensity was observed at 6 months in both treatment groups versus baseline (P < 0.0001) in the intention‐to‐treat population. Treatment with HA/CS resulted in a greater reduction in pain intensity at 6 months compared with DMSO for the per‐protocol population (mean VAS reduction 44.77 ± 25.07 vs. 28.89 ± 31.14, respectively; P = 0.0186). There were no significant differences between treatment groups in secondary outcomes. At least one adverse event was reported in 14.86% and 30.56% of patients in the HA/CS and DMSO groups, respectively. There were significantly fewer treatment‐related adverse events for HA/CS versus DMSO (1.35% vs. 22.22%; P = 0.001). Considering direct healthcare costs, the incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio of HA/CS versus DMSO fell between 3735€/quality‐adjusted life years (QALY) and 8003€/QALY.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment with HA/CS appears to be as effective as DMSO with a potentially more favorable safety profile. Both treatments increased health‐related quality of life, while HA/CS showed a more acceptable cost‐effectiveness profile.
Common Ground: the sustainable development goals and the marketing and advertising industry
Authors: Jones Peter , Comfort Daphne , Hillier David
Published: September 2016

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), agreed at a United Nations General Assembly in 2015, embrace an ambitious and wide‐ranging set of global environmental, social, and economic issues designed to effect a transition to a more sustainable future. The United Nations called on all governments to not only pursue these ambitious goals but also acknowledged the important role of the business community in addressing the SDGs. The high profile launch in June 2016 of the ‘Common Ground’ initiative to support the SDGs by Ban Ki‐moon, United Nations General Secretary, and six of the world's leading marketing and advertising companies, namely, Dentsu, Havas, IPG, Omnicom group, Publicis Group, and WPP might be seen to herald a new era in the transition to a more sustainable future. This paper outlines the SDGs and business engagement with them, reviews the sustainably strategies and achievements currently being publicly reported by the six leading advertising and marketing companies, and offers some reflections on a number of the challenges these companies will face in contributing to the SDGs.
Tribological behavior of graphite oxide reinforced polyethersulfone composite under drying sliding condition
Authors: Yan Shicheng , Yang Yulin , Song Laizhou , Qi Xiaowen , Xue Yahong , Duan Changsheng
Published: September 2016

Nano‐sized graphite oxide (GO) sheets prepared from expanded graphite (EG) particles were incorporated into polyethersulfone (PES) to improve the friction and wear properties of this polymer. The influence of GO addition on the mechanical, thermal, and tribological performances of PES composites was evaluated. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy for GO/PES composites reveal that the hydrogen bonding interaction between GO sheets and PES matrix is formed. The mechanical and thermal properties of PES composites are obviously enhanced due to the incorporation of GO sheets. The friction reducing and anti‐wear properties of GO/PES composites are much better than those of the pure PES. Among these fabricated GO/PES composites, the PES composite reinforced with GO addition of 0.6 wt% exhibits the lowest friction coefficient (0.17) and specific wear rate (1.07 × 10−14 m3/Nm). This can be attributed to the homogeneous dispersion of GO sheets within PES matrix and the strong interfacial interaction between them, as well as the existence of uniform PES transfer film on the frictional interface. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:2320–2335, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
Development and application of a novel recombinant Aleuria aurantia lectin with enhanced core fucose binding for identification of glycoprotein biomarkers of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Norton Pamela , Comunale Mary Ann , Herrera Harmin , Wang Mengjun , Houser Josef , Wimmerova Michaela , Romano Patrick R. , Mehta Anand
Published: September 2016

The Aleuria aurantia lectin (AAL) derived from orange peel fungus contains five fucose‐binding sites that recognizes fucose bound in α‐1,2, α‐1,3, α‐1,4, and α‐1,6 linkages to N‐acetylglucosamine and galactose. Recently, we have created several recombinant AAL (rAAL) proteins that had altered binding affinity to fucose linkages. In this report, we further characterize the binding specificity of one of the mutated lectins, N224Q lectin. This lectin was characterized by lectin Western blotting, surface plasmon resonance, and glycan microarray and shown to have increased binding to fucosylated glycan. Subsequently, we used this lectin to identify secreted fucosylated glycoproteins from a fetal hepatic cell line. Proteomic analysis revealed several glycoproteins secreted by the fetal cell line that were bound by N224Q lectin. These findings were confirmed by subsequent proteomic analysis of human serum from control patients or patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. These represent candidate oncofetal markers for liver cancer.
Synthesis of POSS‐terminated polycyclooctadiene telechelics via ring‐opening metathesis polymerization
Authors: Li Lei , Zhang Chongyin , Zheng Sixun
Published: September 2016

In this contribution, we reported the synthesis of a series of POSS‐terminated polycyclooctadiene (PCOD) telechelics via ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) approach. Toward this end, 1,4‐diPOSS‐but‐2‐ene was synthesized via copper‐catalyzed Huisgen cycloaddition reaction (i.e., click chemistry); it was then used as a chain transfer agent (CTA) for the ROMP of cyclooctadiene. The ROMP was carried out with Grubbs second generation catalyst and the POSS‐terminated PCOD telechelics with variable lengths of PCOD were obtained by controlling the molar ratios of CTA to cyclooctadiene. All the POSS‐terminated PCOD telechelics in bulks were microphase‐separated; the morphologies were quite dependent on the lengths of PCOD midchains. The POSS end groups can promote the crystallization of PCOD chains at room temperature, which was in marked contrast to the case of plain PCOD. Compared to the plain PCOD, the POSS‐terminated PCOD telechelics displayed improved thermal stability and surface hydrophobicity. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 223–233
Simultaneous detection of indole and 3‐methylindole using boron‐doped diamond electrodes
Authors: Belghiti Dounia K. , Scorsone Emmanuel , de Sanoit Jacques , Bergonzo Philippe
Published: September 2016

The simultaneous electrodetection of indole and 3‐methylindole was investigated in this paper. The detection was performed using a boron‐doped diamond (BDD) electrode to take advantage of its remarkable electrochemical properties (Fujishima et al., Diamond Electrochemistry (Elsevier, 2005) . In order to improve the selectivity between indole and 3‐methylindole, square‐wave voltammetry (SWV) was used. We showed that BDD electrodes fouled either from oxidation of indole or 3‐methylindole could be efficiently reactivated in LiClO4 aqueous solutions using trains of short anodic and cathodic pulses applied to the working electrode. We were able with this approach to measure simultaneously both indole and 3‐methylindole in aqueous solutions in the range of 10–500 μM with the limits of detection (LOD) found to be 3 × 10−2 μM for indole and 5 × 10−2 μM for 3‐methylindole. Both indoles were also detected successfully following extraction from pork fat. This work opens up the way toward systematic detection of indole and 3‐methylindole in processed foodstuffs, with a strong industrial interest for the detection of boar taint in pork meat.
Selective growth of ZnTe on sapphire substrates using a SiO2 mask
Authors: Nakasu Taizo , Hattori Shota , Sun Wei‐Che , Kobayashi Masakazu
Published: September 2016

ZnTe/sapphire heterostructures have attracted attention for their suitable properties as a terahertz wave detector material. In this study, we focused on the selective growth of ZnTe on SiO2‐masked sapphire substrates by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). When ZnTe was grown at a high temperature (=350 °C), low growth rate (≦ 0.3 μm h−1), and low JTe/JZn flux ratio (≦ 0.83) compared with the conventional film growth conditions, the formation of ZnTe nuclei on the SiO2 mask was avoided. The Te flux intensity significantly affected the selectivity of ZnTe growth. The selective growth of ZnTe on sapphire was revealed to be limited by the desorption of Te adatoms from the SiO2.
Technological enhancers effect on Ni0.9Co0.1 silicide stability for 3D sequential integration
Authors: Deprat Fabien , Nemouchi Fabrice , Fenouillet‐Beranger Claire , Rodriguez Philippe , Joblot Sylvain , Gregoire Magali , Barge David , Gergaud Patrice , Rambal Nils , Batude Perrine , Vinet Maud
Published: September 2016

3D sequential integration is a promising alternative to conventional scaling down approach: by stacking transistors level on top of each other, benefits on device density and performance are achieved. However, although the thermal processing of top transistors is currently restricted in order to avoid bottom CMOS degradation, it has been highlighted that Ni0.80Pt0.10 silicide source/drain (S&D) contact remains the most sensitive element to the thermal budget, especially on raised Si0.7Ge0.3:B S&D for pMOS transistors. In this context, a complete and systematic study on self‐aligned silicide (SALICIDE) process has been proposed: alternative metallization as well as source and drain surface pre‐treatments have been carried out. Indeed, a novel Ni‐based silicide, the Ni0.9Co0.1 provides a better stability on unpatterned 300 mm wafers. This stability has been further improved when combined with epitaxial silicon capping layer (Si‐Cap) and Si0.7Ge0.3:B S&D pre‐amorphization implant (PAI) using Ge beam. For the first time, a successful Ni0.9Co0.1 SALICIDE implementation has been demonstrated on pMOS planar FDSOI transistor with both PAI and Si‐Cap. Moreover, the presence of Si‐Cap contributes to reduce silicide roughness and limits Ge partition that damage Si0.7Ge0.3:B S&D. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Choice of 17O correction affects clumped isotope (Δ47) values of CO2 measured with mass spectrometry
Authors: Schauer Andrew J. , Kelson Julia , Saenger Casey , Huntington Katharine W.
Published: September 2016

Rationale

The clumped isotope composition of CO2 (Δ47) derived from carbonate is widely used as a paleotemperature proxy with broad applications in geoscience. Its accuracy is, however, limited by inter‐laboratory discrepancies of reference materials and disagreement among carbonate geothermometer calibrations. Here we show how the correction for the abundance of 17O influences these discrepancies.

Methods

We used CO2‐H2O equilibration at known temperatures and phosphoric acid digested carbonates to generate CO2 samples with a wide range in 13C and 18O compositions. All samples were purified using an offline vacuum line. We used a Thermo MAT 253 isotope ratio mass spectrometer with a Faraday collector array for m/z 44–49, to measure δ13C, δ18O, δ47, and Δ47 values. Data were compiled using a traditional correction (‘Santrock’) for the 17O interference in m/z 45 as well as a more recently proposed correction (‘Brand’) for 17O interference. Two reference frames using CO2 with distinct 13C compositions were constructed to simulate an inter‐laboratory comparison.

Results

The traditional Santrock 17O correction leads to a simulated Δ47 inter‐laboratory comparison offset of 0.06 ‰, and a 0.1 ‰ Δ47 range in CO2‐H2O 23°C equilibrations that is dependent on the 13C composition. The more recent Brand 17O correction removes these discrepancies. The traditional 17O correction yields distinct temperature‐Δ47 calibration curves for synthetic carbonates precipitated using different methods to degas CO2, while the more recent 17O correction collapses all calibration data onto a single curve.

Conclusions

The 17O correction strategy employed by CO2 and carbonate clumped‐isotope researchers can have a large effect on the accuracy of Δ47 values. Use of the traditional 17O correction may have caused errors in published studies as large as 0.1 ‰ and may account for Δ47 differences among laboratories and disagreement among previously published carbonate clumped isotope thermometry calibrations. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adsorption of Zn(II) on graphene oxide prepared from low‐purity of amorphous graphite
Authors: Yang Qiang , Yang Guangcheng , Peng Weijun , Song Shaoxian
Published: September 2016

The adsorption of Zn(II) in aqueous solutions on graphene oxide (GO) prepared from low‐purity of natural amorphous graphite has been studied in this work. The study was performed through the measurements of Zeta potential, atomic force microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectrum and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results indicated that the adsorption followed the Langmuir model with the maximum Zn(II) adsorption capacity of 73 mg/g at pH 7.0. In addition, the adsorption was well described by the pseudo‐second‐order kinetics model. The mechanism of the Zn(II) adsorption on GO was mainly attributed to chemical adsorption through complexation reaction between Zn(II) and hydroxyl or carboxyl groups on the GO sheets, while the electrostatic interaction also contribute to the whole interaction. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Perils of opportunistically reusing software module
Authors: Kulkarni Naveen , Varma Vasudeva
Published: September 2016

Opportunistic reuse is a need based sourcing of software modules without a prior reuse plan. It is a common tactical approach in software development. Developers often reuse an external software module opportunistically to improve their productivity. But, studies have shown that this results in extensive refactoring and adds maintenance owes. We assert this problem to the mismatches between the software under development and the reused external module; caused because of their different assumptions and constraints. We highlight the problems of such opportunistic reuse practices with the help of a case study. In our study, we found issues such as unanticipated behavior, violated constraints, conflict in assumption, fragile structure, and software bloat. In this paper, we like to draw attention of the research community to the wide spread opportunistic reuse practices and the lack of methods to pro‐actively identify and resolve the mismatches. We propose the need for supporting developers in reasoning before reuse from the perspective of identifying and fixing both local and global mismatches. Furthermore, we identify other opportunistic software development practices where similar issues can be observed and also suggest the research areas where further investigation can benefit developers in improving their productivity. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Convective initiation by topographically induced convergence forcing over the Dabie Mountains on 24 June 2010
Authors: Wang Qiwei , Xue Ming , Tan Zhemin
Published: September 2016

The initiation of convective cells in the late morning of 24 June 2010 along the eastward extending ridge of the Dabie Mountains in the Anhui region, China, is studied through numerical simulations that include local data assimilation. A primary convergence line is found over the ridge of the Dabie Mountains, and along the ridge line several locally enhanced convergence centers preferentially initiate convection. Three processes responsible for creating the overall convergence pattern are identified. First, thermally-driven upslope winds induce convergence zones over the main mountain peaks along the ridge, which are shifted slightly downwind in location by the moderate low-level easterly flow found on the north side of a Mei-yu front. Second, flows around the main mountain peaks along the ridge create further convergence on the lee side of the peaks. Third, upslope winds develop along the roughly north–south oriented valleys on both sides of the ridge due to thermal and dynamic channeling effects, and create additional convergence between the peaks along the ridge. The superposition of the above convergence features creates the primary convergence line along the ridge line of the Dabie Mountains. Locally enhanced convergence centers on the primary line cause the initiation of the first convection cells along the ridge. These conclusions are supported by two sensitivity experiments in which the environmental wind (dynamic forcing) or radiative and land surface thermal forcing are removed, respectively. Overall, the thermal forcing effects are stronger than dynamic forcing given the relatively weak environmental flow.
Assessing the Feasibility of CO2-Enhanced Oil Recovery and Storage in Mature Oil Field: A Case Study from Cambay Basin
Authors: Ganguli Shib Sankar , Vedanti Nimisha , Akervoll Idar , Dimri V. P.
Published: September 2016

The utilization of anthropogenic CO2 for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) can significantly extend the production life of an oil field, and help in the reduction of atmospheric emission of anthropogenic CO2 if sequestration is considered. This work summarizes the prospect of EOR and sequestration using CO2 flooding from an Indian mature oil field at Cambay basin through numerical modelling, simulation and pressure study based on limited data provided by the operator. To get an insight into CO2-EOR and safe storage process in this oil field, a conceptual sector model is developed and screening standard is proposed keeping in mind the major pay zone of the producing reservoir. To construct the geomodel, depth maps, well positions and coordinates, well data and well logs, perforation depths and distribution of petrophysical properties as well as fluid properties provided by the operator, has been considered. Based on the results from the present study, we identified that the reservoir has the potential for safe and economic geological sequestration of 15.04×106 metric ton CO2 in conjunction with a substantial increase in oil recovery of 10.4% of original oil in place. CO2-EOR and storage in this mature field has a bright application prospect since the findings of the present work could be a better input to manage the reservoir productivity, and the pressure field for significant enhancement of oil recovery followed by safe storage.
Uranium Mineralisation in Carbonate Rocks from the Upper Part of Krol Formation in Nainital Syncline and its Significance for Uranium Exploration in Lesser Himalaya
Authors: Sinha K. K. , Ghosh Dibakar , Rai S. D. , Khandelwal M. K.
Published: September 2016

Low grade uranium mineralisation associated with phosphorites/phosphatic sediments and carbonaceous shale has been well established at and/or close to Krol-Tal contact in some of sub-basins of inner Krol belt such as Nigalidhar, Mussoorie and Garhwal synclines in the realm of lesser Himalaya. Unlike the other sub-basins of the belt, though the Nainital syncline is sparsely phosphatic and carbonaceous, carbonate hosted uranium occurrence is reported for the first time from the syncline. The carbonate-hosted uranium occurrences in Krol D of Nainital syncline are of limited extent with values ranging from 200 ppm to 840 ppm eU3O8. Radioactivity is associated with fractured dolostone/dolomitic limestone and pelloidal limestone. Uranium phases mostly occur in association with carbonaceous, ferruginous matters and clays. However, ultrafine pitchblende grains do occur associated with idiotopic pyrite aggregates suggesting initial trapping of uranium by organic matters present in sediments which later remobilised and precipitated as fine pitchblende. Subsequently, second phase of remobilisation of uranium under oxidising condition gave rise uraniferous goethite, limonite and other iron oxyhydoxides. In contrast to other sub-basins, the Krol-Tal contact in Nainital syncline does not appear to hold any promising phosphate and uranium mineralisation due to less suitable basinal morphology and low Ca/Mg ratio.
Evaluation of Shale Gas Reservoir in Barakar and Barren Measures Formations of North and South Karanpura Coalfields, Jharkhand
Authors: Mendhe V. A. , Kamble Alka D. , Bannerjee Mollika , Mishra Subhashree , Mukherjee Sabita , Mishra Parashar
Published: September 2016

India recognizes the strategic importance for developing shale gas resources like other countries in the world. Shale gas reservoirs are known to be difficult for extracting gas in comparison to conventional reservoirs. Recently, due to high prices of gas, rising demand and enhancement in recovery technologies has attracted the Indian energy industries to explore the shale gas resource. Coal and lignite are the prime source of energy in India and these resources are well explored, while shale is ignored, despite it being associated with coal and lignite bearing formations. The paper presents reservoir characteristics of shale horizons in Barren Measures and Barakar formations of north and south Karanpura coalfields. Shale core samples were collected from exploratory boreholes in air tight canisters. In-situ gas content and adsorption capacities ascertained to be 0.51-1.69 m3/t and 3.90-5.82 m3/trespectively. Desorbed gas derived from canisters contains CH4, C2H6, C3H8, CO2, N2 and O2 and varies from 76.19-82.63, 0.38-0.76, 0.10-0.50, 8.65-12.34, 9.89-19.34 and 0.56-2.24 vol. % respectively. The permeability and porosity determined under reservoir simulated confining pressure is varying from 0.41-0.75 mD and 0.89-2.28 % respectively. The plots of Rock Eval S2vs TOC and HI against Calc. VRo% indicates that all shale samples belong to Type III kerogen, which is prone to generate gas. It is evaluated that in-situ gas content, sorption capacity, saturation level and low permeability of shale beds are critical parameters for development of shale gas resource in the studied area.
Hydrological Characterization of Budge Budge and Dum Dum Areas of South and North 24 Parganas Districts, West Bengal Using Geoelectric and Geochemical Methods
Authors: Majumdar R. K. , Kar S. , Panda A. , Samanta S. K.
Published: September 2016

Integrated geoelectric, geological and geochemical investigations are carried out in Budge Budge and Dum Dum areas of south and north 24 Parganas district for ascertaining the prevailing hydrological condition and aquifer characteristic with chemical qualities of groundwater for drinking and irrigation purposes. The proposed areas are constituted of alluvium and marine sediments of Quaternary age being a part of Gangetic delta. Vertical electrical soundings (VES) of Budge Budge have delineated four to six layers consisting of top soils, the brackish water zone, clay layer, first fresh water zone, another clay layer and the bottom-most(sixth layer) second fresh water bearing zone. The first fresh water zone is located at a depth of 128 m with thickness of 43 m having resistivity range of 32 ohm.m to 37 ohm.m for VES locations BB2 and BB3. The resistivity of the deeper second fresh water bearing zone is varying from 47 ohm.m to 51 ohm.m. The interpreted VES results significantly correspond with the borehole litholog of Budge Budge area. Similar VES results are also obtained for Dum Dum area showing promising potential aquifer zone especially for VES locations DD3 and DD4. A litho-resistivity relation is also determined for the area. Total TDS content of Budge Budge ground water samples are ranging from 720 mg/l to 4400 mg/l and same is ranging from 1012 mg/l to 1930mg/l for Dum Dum ground water samples. According to IS standard, the value of major cations and anions are near to the permissible limit for Dum Dum but same is not observed in Budge Budge for drinking and irrigation purpose excepting location G7. According to Piper trilinear diagram, the ground water in Budge Budge area is sulphate rich type and in Dum Dum it is fresh in nature. Chemically, the groundwater samples from Dum Dum and Budge Budge is classified as (Ca+Mg+Cl+SO4) facies. The geochemical parameters like total hardness (TH), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), soluble sodium percentage (SSP), Kelly’s ratio (KR), magnesium ratio (MR), residual sodium carbonate (RSC), corrosivity ratio (CR), Gibb’s ratio-I&II (GR-I & GR-II), chloro alkaline indices (CAI-I & CAI-II), permeability index (PI), sea water contamination (SWC) are also determined for better understanding of the quality of groundwater in the above areas.
Mineralogical Composition and Ash Geochemistry of Raw and Beneficiated High Sulfur Coals
Authors: Saikia Binoy K. , Mahanta Banashree , Gupta Upendra N. , Sahu Om P. , Saikia Prasenjit , Baruah Bimala P.
Published: September 2016

Coal is one of the most available energy sources on earth. The mineralogical and geo-chemical aspects of coals are of prime importance for their utilization. The mineralogical composition, ash chemistry, and ash fusion temperature (AFT) ranges of raw and beneficiated coals are investigated in this paper. Further, the mineral matter transformation during the beneficiation processes viz. by oxidative desulfurization; alkali extraction and ultrasonication along with the relationship of the ash fusion temperature (AFT) ranges with the ash components in the coal are discussed. The major oxides present in the coal and beneficiated coal ashes include Fe2O3, Al2O3, SiO2, CaO, and MgO, which significantly affect the ash fusion temperature ranges. Initial deformation temperature (IDT) changes with the ash components and, increases with the increase in the Fe2O3 content in coal ash. With increasing concentrations of both Al2O3 and SiO2, the initial deformation temperature (IDT) also increases. The increasing and decreasing nature of the initial deformation temperature (IDT) observed is also dependent upon the CaO and MgO contents. XRD analysis of the coal samples revealed significant changes in mineral matter contents with the types of beneficiation processes adopted for coal. The minerals like chlorite, illite, montmorillonite, pyrite, calcite, aragonite, and alumina have been removed during the beneficiation processes. The FTIR spectra also indicate the presence of minerals like gypsum (G), calcite (C) aragonite (Ar), quartz (Q) and kaolinite (K) in the raw coal and their subsequent removal after the beneficiation processes.
The Assessment of Slope Stability along NH-22 in Rampur-Jhakri Area, Himachal Pradesh
Authors: Sarkar Kripamoy , Singh Ashok Kumar , Niyogi Anurag , Behera Prasanta Kumar , Verma A. K. , Singh T. N.
Published: September 2016

The present paper demonstrates the assessment of slope stability analysis between Rampur to Jhakri road section along National Highway (NH-22), Himachal Pradesh, India. The different types of slope failures have affected most part of slopes which causes considerable loss of life and property, inconveniences such as disruption of traffic along highways. The poorly designed rock slopes for road widening or construction purposes may weaken the stability of the slopes. A detail field investigation has been carried out to collect the representative rock samples for determination of physico-mechanical properties of rock and joint data for kinematic analysis. The rocks exposed in the area are highly jointed quartzite and quartz-mica schist of Rampur-Larji Group of Palaeoproterozoic age. The continuous slope mass rating (CSMR) technique has been applied for the assessment of slope stability analysis at five vulnerable locations and the results shows slopes are partially stable to unstable. Kinematic analysis mainly shows wedge type of failure along with few toppling and planar failures. The existing slope required immediate treatment to prevent the failure for its long term stability.
Rehabilitation Trends After Lower Extremity Amputations in Canada
Authors: Kayssi Ahmed , Dilkas Steven , Dance Derry L. , de Mestral Charles , Forbes Thomas L. , Roche‐Nagle Graham
Published: September 2016

Background

The heterogeneity of medical complications that lead to amputation has resulted in a diverse patient population with differing rehabilitation needs; however, the rehabilitation trends for patients with lower extremity amputations across Canada have not been studied previously.

Objective

To describe trends in rehabilitation after lower extremity amputations and the factors affecting rehabilitation length of stay in Canada.

Design

Retrospective cohort analysis.

Setting

Canadian inpatient rehabilitation facilities that received persons with lower extremity amputations discharged from academic or community hospitals.

Participants

Patients underwent lower extremity amputations between 2006 and 2009 for nontraumatic indications and were then discharged to a rehabilitation facility. Patients were identified from the Canadian Institute for Health Information's Discharge Abstract Database that includes hospital admissions across Canada except Quebec.

Interventions

Inpatient rehabilitation after lower extremity amputations.

Main Outcome Measures

Length of stay, discharge destination, and change in total and motor function scores.

Results

The analysis included 5342 persons who underwent lower extremity amputations, 1904 of whom were transferred to a rehabilitation facility (36%). Patients most commonly underwent single below‐knee (74%) and above‐knee (17%) amputations. The duration of rehabilitation varied by whether the amputation was performed by a vascular (median = 36 days), orthopedic (median = 38 days), or general surgeon (median = 35 days). The overall median length of stay was 36 days. Most patients (72%) subsequently were discharged home and 9% were readmitted to hospital. Predictors of longer rehabilitation included amputation by an orthopedic surgeon (beta = 5.0, P ≤ .01), older age (beta = 0.2, P ≤ .01), and a history of ischemic heart disease (beta = 3.8, P = .03) or congestive heart failure (beta = 5, P = .04). Patients who spent <7 days in hospital were significantly more likely to have a shorter rehabilitation stay (beta = −4, P = .03). Advanced patient age was the only predictor for hospital readmission (odds ratio = 1.03, P ≤ .01).

Conclusions

Rehabilitation length of stay in Canada after lower extremity amputation varies by the type of surgeon performing the amputation. Advanced age, undergoing surgery in the province of Manitoba, and having a history of ischemic heart disease or congestive heart failure predict a longer rehabilitation stay. A shorter perioperative hospitalization period (<7 days) predicts a shorter rehabilitation duration. Future studies are needed to explore these issues and to optimize the delivery of rehabilitation services to Canadians after lower extremity amputation.

Level of Evidence

II
Heidegger and the Supposed Meaninglessness of Personal Immortality
Authors: BUBEN ADAM
Published: September 2016

For several decades now, a debate about the desirability of immortality has raged on in philosophy of death circles. While these circles and their debates are found primarily within the analytic tradition, Martin Heidegger, who famously introduces the notion of human life (or something like it) as essentially ‘Being-towards-death’, has much to contribute. At first glance, this idea seems to agree with the views of ‘immortality curmudgeons’ like Samuel Scheffler, and, in fact, on the rare occasions that Heidegger is mentioned in the related literature, his name is usually placed on a list of likely pessimists about immortality. Upon closer inspection, however, it turns out that Heidegger's understanding of the relationship between death and meaning allows for a rather uncurmudgeonly view of immortality. In this paper, I argue that the often-misunderstood Heidegger has important supportive insights to offer when it comes to the prospects of an unending life.