bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enforced fucosylation of cord blood hematopoietic cells accelerates neutrophil and platelet engraftment after transplantation
Authors: Popat Uday , Mehta Rohtesh S. , Rezvani Katayoun , Fox Patricia , Kondo Kayo , Marin David , McNiece Ian , Oran Betul , Hosing Chitra , Olson Amanda , Parmar Simrit , Shah Nina , Andreeff Michael , Kebriaei Partow , Kaur Indreshpal , Yvon Eric , de Lima Marcos , Cooper Laurence J. N. , Tewari Priti , Champlin Richard E. , Nieto Yago , Andersson Borje S. , Alousi Amin , Jones Roy B. , Qazilbash Muzaffar H. , Bashir Qaiser , Ciurea Stefan , Ahmed Sairah , Anderlini Paolo , Bosque Doyle , Bollard Catherine , Molldrem Jeffrey J. , Chen Julianne , Rondon Gabriela , Thomas Michael , Miller Leonard , Wolpe Steve , Simmons Paul , Robinson Simon , Zweidler-McKay Patrick A. , Shpall Elizabeth J.
Published: March 2015

Key Points

Ex vivo fucosylation of cord blood cells improves their homing capacities, leading to faster neutrophil and platelet engraftments. This method is quick, safe, and does not require a GMP laboratory; therefore, it can be used widely.
Predicting one-year mortality of critically ill patients with early acute kidney injury: data from the prospective multicenter FINNAKI study
Authors: Poukkanen Meri , Vaara Suvi T , Reinikainen Matti , Selander Tuomas , Nisula Sara , Karlsson Sari , Parviainen Ilkka , Koskenkari Juha , Pettilä Ville ,   the FINNAKI Study Group
Published: March 2015

Introduction

No predictive models for long-term mortality in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) exist. We aimed to develop and validate two predictive models for one-year mortality in patients with AKI based on data (1) on intensive care unit (ICU) admission and (2) on the third day (D3) in the ICU.

Methods

This substudy of the FINNAKI study comprised 774 patients with early AKI (diagnosed within 24 hours of ICU admission). We selected predictors a priori based on previous studies, clinical judgment, and differences between one-year survivors and non-survivors in patients with AKI. We validated the models internally with bootstrapping.

Results

Of 774 patients, 308 (39.8%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 36.3 to 43.3) died during one year. Predictors of one-year mortality on admission were: advanced age, diminished premorbid functional performance, co-morbidities, emergency admission, and resuscitation or hypotension preceding ICU admission. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) (95% CI) for the admission model was 0.76 (0.72 to 0.79) and the mean bootstrap-adjusted AUC 0.75 (0.74 to 0.75). Advanced age, need for mechanical ventilation on D3, number of co-morbidities, higher modified SAPS II score, the highest bilirubin value by D3, and the lowest base excess value on D3 remained predictors of one-year mortality on D3. The AUC (95% CI) for the D3 model was 0.80 (0.75 to 0.85) and by bootstrapping 0.79 (0.77 to 0.80).

Conclusions

The prognostic performance of the admission data-based model was acceptable, but not good. The D3 model for one-year mortality performed fairly well in patients with early AKI.
Tryptase is involved in the development of early ventilator-induced pulmonary fibrosis in sepsis-induced lung injury
Authors: Villar Jesús , Cabrera-Benítez Nuria E , Valladares Francisco , García-Hernández Sonia , Ramos-Nuez Ángela , Martín-Barrasa José Luís , Muros Mercedes , Kacmarek Robert M , Slutsky Arthur S
Published: March 2015

Introduction

Most patients with sepsis and acute lung injury require mechanical ventilation to improve oxygenation and facilitate organ repair. Mast cells are important in response to infection and resolution of tissue injury. Since tryptase secreted from mast cells has been associated with tissue fibrosis, we hypothesized that tryptase would be involved in the early development of ventilator-induced pulmonary fibrosis in a clinically relevant model of sepsis-induced lung injury.

Methods

Prospective, randomized, controlled animal study using Sprague-Dawley rats. Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and perforation. Animals were randomized to spontaneous breathing or two ventilatory strategies for 4 h: protective ventilation with tidal volume (VT) = 6 ml/kg plus 10 cmH2O positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) or injurious ventilation with VT = 20 ml/kg plus 2 cmH2O PEEP. Healthy, non-ventilated animals served as non-septic controls. We studied the following end points: histology, serum cytokine levels, hydroxyproline content, tryptase and proteinase-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) protein level in lung homogenates, and tryptase and PAR-2 immunohistochemical localization in the lungs.

Results

All septic animals developed acute lung injury. Animals ventilated with high VT had a significant increase of pulmonary fibrosis, hydroxyproline content, tryptase and PAR-2 protein levels compared to septic controls (P<0.0001). However, protective ventilation attenuated sepsis-induced lung injury and decreased lung tryptase and PAR-2 protein levels. Immunohistochemical staining confirmed the presence of tryptase and PAR-2 in the lungs.

Conclusions

Mechanical ventilation modified tryptase and PAR-2 in injured lungs. Increased levels of these proteins were associated with development of sepsis and ventilator-induced pulmonary fibrosis early in the course of sepsis-induced lung injury.
A case of long-term survival following hepatectomy for liver metastasis of Merkel cell carcinoma
Authors: Shoda Katsutoshi , Ikoma Hisashi , Yamamoto Yusuke , Kinoshita Osamu , Morimura Ryo , Konishi Hirotaka , Murayama Yasutoshi , Komatsu Shuhei , Shiozaki Atsushi , Kuriu Yoshiaki , Nakanishi Masayoshi , Ichikawa Daisuke , Fujiwara Hitoshi , Okamoto Kazuma , Sakakura Chohei , Ochiai Toshiya , Taniguchi Hiroki , Yasukawa Satoshi , Otsuji Eigo
Published: March 2015

Background

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare endocrine tumor that presents as a rapidly growing skin nodule of the body, and it is aggressive with regional nodal and distant metastases without clearly defined treatment. There are no reports of long survivors among patients with liver metastasis of MCC. The current case was a patient who underwent surgical resection for liver metastasis of Merkel cell carcinoma.

Case presentation

This case describes a 73-year-old female with a papule on the dorsal side of the right third finger and liver tumor. The papule of the right third finger was histologically diagnosed as MCC by the skin biopsy. She underwent extensive resection and lymph node dissection of the right third finger and partial resection of the liver. The liver tumor was histologically diagnosed as liver metastasis of MCC. The patient remains well without any evidence of tumor recurrence more than 5 years after surgery.

Conclusions

This is the first report of a long-term survival of more than 5 years following liver metastasis of MCC, which was surgically resected. Patients with small and solitary metastatic liver tumor of MCC may have a chance for a long-term survival following the hepatic resection.
The Fuling Shale Gas Field — A highly productive Silurian gas shale with high thermal maturity and complex evolution history, southeastern Sichuan Basin, China
Authors: Guo Tonglou
Published: March 2015

The organic-rich Lower Silurian Longmaxi and Upper Ordovician Wufeng Shale (LSLUOWS) is one of the most important marine shale gas plays in southern China, with relatively high thermal maturity and complex structural evolution. The delineation of the Jiaoshiba shale gas play has been highly successful for the LSLUOWS in the Fuling area of southeastern Sichuan Basin. The drilling targets the basal part of the LSLUOWS, where the approximately 38–45 m of organic-rich (total organic carbon of greater than 2%) section corresponds to a maturity range around 2.2%–3.0% Ro, with high brittle mineral content (55%–65%). The produced shale gas displays a clear reversal in the stable carbon isotopes. The shale gas play zone is between the overlain mudstone in the Middle-Upper Longmaxi Formation (Fm) and the underlain Upper Ordovician tight limestone in the Jiancaogou Fm. The shale gas reservoir is overpressured, with an average pressure coefficient of 1.55 (relative to hydrostatic pressure). From December 2013 to late 2014, results of production tests determined relatively stable pressure and production curves. Fifty prolific gas wells have been completed to date in the Jiaoshiba Shale Gas Field in Fuling. Preliminary study revealed several characteristics of this structurally complex shale play that are distinctly different from those in the United States, including an anticlinal structure with mild deformation, abundant free gas, and very short gas migration through microfractures, the natural fracture network formed by the two fault systems, and the slip parallel to the layer in the basal LSLUOWS. Movement along strike-slip faults has gone through up into the Quaternary, which is considered to be a significant factor in the establishment and preservation of the overpressured region in the LSLUOWS.
Increased Incidence of Fractures in Recipients of Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation
Authors: Pundole Xerxes N. , Barbo Andrea G. , Lin Heather , Champlin Richard E. , Lu Huifang
Published: March 2015

Purpose

The number of long-term survivors after hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) for malignant and nonmalignant disorders is increasing, and late effects are gaining importance. Osteoporosis and fractures can worsen the quality of life of HSCT survivors, but the burden of the disease is unknown.

Patients and Methods

We conducted a retrospective study of patients older than age 18 years who underwent an HSCT at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center from January 1, 1997, to December 31, 2011, and were observed until December 31, 2013, to ascertain occurrence of fractures. Cumulative incidence rates of fractures were calculated with death as a competing risk. Age- and sex-specific incidence rates per person-year of fracture were compared with those of the US general population by using estimated rates from the 1994 National Health Interview Survey and the 2004 National Hospital Discharge Survey.

Results

A total of 7,620 patients underwent an HSCT from 1997 to 2011 at the MD Anderson Cancer Center of whom 602 (8%) developed a fracture. Age, underlying disease, and HSCT type were significantly associated with fracture. Age- and sex-specific fracture incidence rates after HSCT were significantly greater than those of the US general population in almost all subgroups. The striking difference was an approximately eight times greater risk in females and approximately seven to nine times greater risk in males age 45 to 64 years old when compared with the National Health Interview Survey and National Hospital Discharge Survey fracture rates.

Conclusion

The incidence of fractures is compellingly higher after HSCT.
Breast Cancer Treatment Delays in a Majority Minority Community: Is There a Difference?
Authors: Parsons Helen M. , Lathrop Kate I. , Schmidt Susanne , Mazo-Canola Marcela , Trevino-Jones Jessica , Speck Heather , Karnad Anand B.
Published: March 2015

The authors' findings suggest that in majority minority communities with large cancer centers, racial/ethnic disparities in times to biopsy and treatment initiation can be reduced.
Quality Improvement in the National Cancer Institute Community Cancer Centers Program: The Quality Oncology Practice Initiative Experience
Authors: Siegel Robert D. , Castro Kathleen M. , Eisenstein Jana , Stallings Holley , Hegedus Patricia D. , Bryant Donna M. , Kadlubek Pam J. , Clauser Steven B.
Published: March 2015

Using the NCCCP as a paradigm, QOPI metrics provide a useful platform for group-wide measurement of quality performance. Additionally, these measurements can assess the effectiveness of quality improvement initiatives.
If You Did Not Document It, It Did Not Happen: Rates of Documentation of Discussion of Infertility Risk in Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Patients' Medical Records
Authors: Quinn Gwendolyn P. , Block Rebecca G. , Clayman Marla L. , Kelvin Joanne , Arvey Sarah R. , Lee Ji-Hyun , Reinecke Joyce , Sehovic Ivana , Jacobsen Paul B. , Reed Damon , Gonzalez Luis , Vadaparampil Susan T. , Laronga Christine , Lee M. Catherine , Pow-Sang Julio , Eggly Susan , Franklin Anna , Shah Bijal , Fulp William J. , Hayes-Lattin Brandon
Published: March 2015

The authors conclude that the overall rate of documentation is low and results show disparities among specific groups. While greater numbers of discussions may be occurring, there is need to create interventions to improve documentation.
Nuclear accumulation of mRNAs underlies G4C2 repeat-induced translational repression in a cellular model of C9orf72 ALS
Authors: Rossi Simona , Serrano Alessia , Gerbino Valeria , Giorgi Alessandra , Di Francesco Laura , Nencini Monica , Bozzo Francesca , Schininà Maria Eugenia , Bagni Claudia , Cestra Gianluca , Carrì Maria Teresa , Achsel Tilmann , Cozzolino Mauro
Published: March 2015

A common feature of non-coding repeat expansion disorders is the accumulation of RNA repeats as RNA foci in the nucleus and/or cytoplasm of affected cells. These RNA foci can be toxic by sequestering RNA-binding proteins, thus affecting various steps of post-transcriptional gene regulation. However, the precise step that is affected by C9orf72 GGGGCC (G4C2) repeat expansion, the major genetic cause of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, is still poorly defined. In this work, we set out to characterise these mechanisms by identifying C9orf72 RNA binding proteins. Sequestration of some of these factors into RNA foci was observed when a (G4C2)31 repeat was expressed in NSC34 and HeLa cells. Most notably, (G4C2)31 repeats widely affected the distribution of Pur-alpha and its binding partner FMRP, which accumulate in intra-cytosolic granules that are positive for stress granules markers. Accordingly, translational repression is induced. Interestingly, this effect is associated to a marked accumulation of poly(A) mRNAs in cell nuclei. Thus, defective trafficking of mRNA, as a consequence of impaired nuclear mRNA export, might affect translation efficiency and contribute to the pathogenesis of C9orf72 ALS.
Interpretation of mRNA splicing mutations in genetic disease: review of the literature and guidelines for information-theoretical analysis
Authors: Caminsky Natasha G. , Mucaki Eliseos J. , Rogan Peter K.
Published: March 2015

The interpretation of genomic variants has become one of the paramount challenges in the post-genome sequencing era. In this review we summarize nearly 20 years of research on the applications of information theory (IT) to interpret coding and non-coding mutations that alter mRNA splicing in rare and common diseases. We compile and summarize the spectrum of published variants analyzed by IT, to provide a broad perspective of the distribution of deleterious natural and cryptic splice site variants detected, as well as those affecting splicing regulatory sequences. Results for natural splice site mutations can be interrogated dynamically with Splicing Mutation Calculator, a companion software program that computes changes in information content for any splice site substitution, linked to corresponding publications containing these mutations. The accuracy of IT-based analysis was assessed in the context of experimentally validated mutations. Because splice site information quantifies binding affinity, IT-based analyses can discern the differences between variants that account for the observed reduced (leaky) versus abolished mRNA splicing. We extend this principle by comparing predicted mutations in natural, cryptic, and regulatory splice sites with observed deleterious phenotypic and benign effects. Our analysis of 1727 variants revealed a number of general principles useful for ensuring portability of these analyses and accurate input and interpretation of mutations. We offer guidelines for optimal use of IT software for interpretation of mRNA splicing mutations.
Analysis of a Global Green Transition
Authors: Мейер  , Meyer Niels I.
Published: March 2015

Mitigation of global warming and transitioning to a green and sustainable world

are counteracted by a number of barriers and dilemmas. The paper analyzes a

number of these barriers and dilemmas in order to highlight efficient strategies

and solutions for a sustainable development. The dilemmas include the following

examples:

• There are limits to economic and material growth in a finite globe, but most

governments in industrial countries are calling for more growth in a period of

financial crisis.

• More equity is required to stem the desire for growth, but inequity is increasing.

• The increase in global temperature should stay below two degrees centigrade

in order to avoid irreversible consequences, but the present path points to four

degrees or more.

• At least 50% of known reserves of fossil fuels must remain underground in order to

avoid a temperature increase higher than two degrees, but a number of industrial

countries are now promoting exploitation of new fossil sources like shale gas and

oil from tar sand.

• Reversing population growth facilitates sustainable development, but most

governments of industrial nations appear to be more concerned about decreases

in their population.
Computing in Operations Research Using Julia
Authors: Lubin Miles , Dunning Iain
Published: March 2015

The state of numerical computing is currently characterized by a divide between highly efficient yet typically cumbersome low-level languages such as C, C++, and Fortran and highly expressive yet typically slow high-level languages such as Python and MATLAB. This paper explores how Julia, a modern programming language for numerical computing that claims to bridge this divide by incorporating recent advances in language and compiler design (such as just-in-time compilation), can be used for implementing software and algorithms fundamental to the field of operations research, with a focus on mathematical optimization. In particular, we demonstrate algebraic modeling for linear and nonlinear optimization and a partial implementation of a practical simplex code. Extensive cross-language benchmarks suggest that Julia is capable of obtaining state-of-the-art performance.

Data, as supplemental material, are available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/ijoc.2014.0623 .
Position Effects in Search Advertising and their Moderators: A Regression Discontinuity Approach
Authors: Narayanan Sridhar , Kalyanam Kirthi
Published: March 2015

We investigate the causal effect of position in search engine advertising listings on outcomes such as click-through rates and sales orders. Because positions are determined through an auction, there are significant selection issues in measuring position effects. A simple mean comparison of outcomes at two positions is likely to be biased due to these selection issues. Additionally, experimentation is rendered difficult in this situation by competitors’ bidding behavior, which induces selection biases that cannot be eliminated by randomizing the bids for the focal advertiser. Econometric approaches to address the selection are rendered infeasible due to the difficulty of finding suitable instruments in this context. We show that a regression discontinuity (RD) approach is feasible to measure causal effects in this important context. We apply the approach to a large and unique data set of daily observations containing information on a focal advertiser as well as its major competitors. Our RD estimates demonstrate that there are significant selection biases in the more naive estimates. While a mean comparison of outcomes across positions would indicate very large position effects, we find that our RD estimates of these effects are much smaller, and exist only in some of the positions. We further investigate moderators of these effects. Position effects are stronger when the advertiser is smaller, and when the consumer has low prior experience with the keyword for the advertiser. They are weaker when the keyword phrase has specific brand or product information, when the ad copy is more specific as in exact matching options, and on weekends compared to weekdays.
Structural Analysis of Alterations in Zebrafish Muscle Differentiation Induced by Simvastatin and Their Recovery with Cholesterol
Authors: Campos Laise M. , Rios Eduardo A. , Midlej Victor , Atella Georgia C. , Herculano-Houzel Suzana , Benchimol Marlene , Mermelstein Claudia , Costa Manoel Luís
Published: March 2015

In vitro studies show that cholesterol is essential to myogenesis. We have been using zebrafish to overcome the limitations of the in vitro approach and to study the sub-cellular structures and processes involved during myogenesis. We use simvastatin—a drug widely used to prevent high levels of cholesterol and cardiovascular disease—during zebrafish skeletal muscle formation. Simvastatin is an efficient inhibitor of cholesterol synthesis that has various myotoxic consequences. Here, we employed simvastatin concentrations that cause either mild or severe morphological disturbances to observe changes in the cytoskeleton (intermediate filaments and microfilaments), extracellular matrix and adhesion markers by confocal microscopy. With low-dose simvastatin treatment, laminin was almost normal, and alpha-actinin was reduced in the myofibrils. With high simvastatin doses, laminin and vinculin were reduced and appeared discontinuous along the septa, with almost no myofibrils, and small amounts of desmin accumulating close to the septa. We also analyzed sub-cellular alterations in the embryos by electron microscopy, and demonstrate changes in embryo and somite size, septa shape, and in myofibril structure. These effects could be reversed by the addition of exogenous cholesterol. These results contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms of action of simvastatin in muscle cells in particular, and in the study of myogenesis in general.
Maintaining Specimen Integrity for G6PD Screening by Cytofluorometric Assays
Authors: Kahn Maria , Ward Walter H. J. , LaRue Nicole , Kalnoky Michael , Pal Sampa , Domingo Gonzalo J.
Published: March 2015

Cytochemical staining remains an efficient way of identifying females who are heterozygous for the X chromosome-linked glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase ( G6PD) gene. G6PD is highly polymorphic with certain alleles resulting in low intracellular G6PD activity in red blood cells. Low intracellular G6PD activity is associated with a risk of severe hemolysis when exposed to an oxidative stress such as fava beans, certain drugs and infections. Heterozygous females express the enzyme from both X-chromosome alleles resulting in two red blood cell populations each with G6PD enzyme characteristics representative of each allele; for example, normal and deficient. Cytochemical staining is the only way to determine the relative representation of each allele in red blood cells, a feature that is critical when assessing the risk for severe hemolysis when exposed to an oxidant such as the anti-malarial drug primaquine. This letter discusses red blood cell integrity with respect to the cytofluorometric assays for G6PD activity. An approach to making this test more robust is suggested. The approach makes this test more reliable and extends its use to a broader range of blood specimens.
Análise geográfica de áreas de risco em bacias hidrográficas urbanizadas: a bacia do Mindu em Manaus (AM)
Authors: Cassiano Karla Regina Mendes , Corrêa Costa Reinaldo
Published: March 2015

O presente trabalho pretende compreender a dinâmica espacial de áreas de risco ao longo da bacia hidrográfica do Mindu, como exemplo da relação sociedade-natureza e, especificamente, compreender a fisiologia da paisagem bem como a estrutura do terreno e sua tipologia na área definida e analisar a socioespacialidade dos moradores das áreas de risco identificadas ao longo da bacia.
Segurança e socorro: novo paradigma
Authors: Amaro António Duarte
Published: March 2015

No quadro de instabilidade e incertezas, em que vivemos, a segurança assume um novo conceito, abrangendo não só a segurança individual ou nacional, mas também a segurança global, motivando a redefinição dos sistemas de informação e o papel das forças de segurança e das forças de socorro e assistência às populações, como forma de superação das vulnerabilidades globais.
Groundwater phosphorus contamination caused by cultural activities (case study: Babol City)
Authors: Hamedi Hamideh , Ehteshami Majid , Dolati Siyavash , Rasouli Seyed Abbas
Published: March 2015

Background: By economic development of societies and population growth there is an immense need for more food resources. Therefore, artificial fertilizers are a necessity to enhance agricultural productions. Fertilizers could leach into groundwater by man’s cultural activities and contaminate soil and groundwater.Objectives: The main objective in this research is to evaluate the ability of LEACHN model to simulate the phosphorus movement in soil medium causing groundwater contamination.Methods: LEACHN model was used to simulate. The required data to operation of the model are given from the Haraz Extension and Technology Development Center in Mazandaran, Iran.Results: The model was tested in order to verify its prediction value; with a correlation coefficient of 92.3% accuracy. The mean bias error of modeling was equal to -0.087. A sensitivity analysis indicated that the phosphorus concentration in the soil was slightly sensitive to soil saturated hydraulic conductivity changes, but was highly sensitive to changes in soil bulk density.Conclusions: The results showed that the model can accurately simulate phosphorus concentration in soil profile. The result of scenario modeling showed that the amount of phosphorus leakage was directly proportional to precipitation changes and soil permeability.
O uso da estratégia de customização em massa em empresas da construção civil
Authors: Fettermann Diego de Castro , Oliveira Rafaella Peixoto Del Pomo de , Marodin Giuliano de Almeida
Published: March 2015

A estratégia de Customização em Massa (CM) é recomendada para melhorar o atendimento aos requisitos dos clientes e reduzir custos em empresas de manufatura, mas também em setores de baixa escala de produção, como a construção civil. Este artigo tem por objetivo identificar como é realizado o processo de CM em empresas na Construção Civil e compará-lo com a literatura. Os três estudos de caso nos empreendimentos habitacionais permitiram identificar como é aplicada a CM pelas empresas do setor. Os processos de customização aplicados pelas empresas foram analisados de acordo com as propostas mencionadas na literatura. A partir dessa comparação foram identificadas diversas oportunidades de melhoria. As empresas analisadas tem por característica possuírem uma baixa aderência das atividades e técnicas recomendadas pela literatura, sendo que este estudo permitiu aprofundar o conhecimento sobre as oportunidades de melhoria para as empresas do setor.
Diagnóstico do gerenciamento da cadeia de suprimentos em um restaurante universitário através de estudo exploratório
Authors: Scheidegger Anna Paula Galvão , Gaudêncio Juliana Helena Daroz , Favaretto Fabio , Lima Renato da Silva
Published: March 2015

Ganha cada vez mais relevância o setor de serviços na economia e sociedade brasileira. No entanto, os desafios das empresas, em especial micro e pequenas empresas, são inúmeros quando se considera a competitividade e as dificuldades impostas pela estrutura de mercado brasileira. Desta forma, compreender o processo de gerenciamento da cadeia de suprimentos de pequenas empresas torna-se extremamente importante, pois pode contribuir para a sobrevivência das mesmas. Por isso, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo realizar um diagnóstico do processo de gerenciamento da cadeia de suprimentos dentro do setor de serviços. Para isso, adotou-se como objeto de estudo um restaurante universitário, uma vez que o mesmo além de enfrentar os usuais desafios das micro empresas, apresenta características especiais que tornam o processo ainda mais complexo.  De caráter exploratório e utilizando-se de pesquisa qualitativa, o trabalho desenvolveu, através de ferramentas de mapeamento como o SIPOC e análise SWOT, uma melhor compreensão sobre o contexto e identificou algumas oportunidades para futuros estudos mais profundos, cumprindo assim com os objetivos propostos.
Open access to technology platforms for InP-based photonic integrated circuits
Authors: Ławniczuk Katarzyna , Augustin Luc M. , Grote Norbert , Wale Michael J. , Smit Meint K. , Williams Kevin A.
Published: March 2015

Open access to generic technology platforms for photonic integrated circuit manufacturing enables low-cost development of application-specific photonic chips for novel or improved products. It brings photonic ICs within reach for many industrial users and research institutes, by moving toward a fabless business model. In the current status, InP-based open access manufacturing services are offered through multi-project wafer runs by Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institut, SMART Photonics, and Oclaro. In this paper, we review state-of-the-art InP photonic integration technology platforms, present examples of complex InP photonic ICs developed in the generic technologies, and give a prospect for further development of these photonic integration platforms.
Molecular mechanisms of erythrocyte aging
Authors: Hoehn Richard S. , Jernigan Peter L. , Chang Alex L. , Edwards Michael J. , Pritts Timothy A.
Published: March 2015

Anemia and hemorrhagic shock are leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and transfusion of human blood products is the ideal treatment for these conditions. As human erythrocytes age during storage in blood banks they undergo many biochemical and structural changes, termed the red blood cell ‘storage lesion’. Specifically, ATP and pH levels decrease as metabolic end products, oxidative stress, cytokines, and cell-free hemoglobin increase. Also, membrane proteins and lipids undergo conformational and organizational changes that result in membrane loss, viscoelastic changes and microparticle formation. As a result, transfusion of aged blood is associated with a host of adverse consequences such as decreased tissue perfusion, increased risk of infection, and increased mortality. This review summarizes current research detailing the known parts of the erythrocyte storage lesion and their physiologic consequences.
The wild goat, Capra aegagrus Erxleben, 1777, of the island of Montecristo (Northern Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy): does it still exist?
Authors: Masseti Marco
Published: March 2015

On the small island of Montecristo, in the Tuscan archipelago (Northern Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy), a wild goat population,
“We Want What Everybody Else in an Advanced Society Seems to Have”: Why Chinese Democracy Is Inevitable
Authors: Davis Michael T.
Published: March 2015

With the recent pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, here is one of the most intriguing questions of our time – what is China’s political destiny? For some, the answer seems self-evident: world domination. Martin Jacques and many other China watchers say it is not “if” but “when China rules the world”. But the burning question is, how will China rule itself? How will it survive as a stable and centralized state through its economic and global make-over as a superpower? What will the political future of this vast and rapidly evolving nation look like? Will China have a democracy? Perhaps the answers to these questions can be found in another time and place – in Britain during the so-called long eighteenth century (1688–1832) – where we can see parallels between the forces that helped transform Britain into the global superpower of the nineteenth century and those that underpin China’s modern-day transformation. This article argues that these forces will set China on the path to democracy in the same way they helped change the political dimensions of Britain.
H-CLAP: hierarchical clustering within a linear array with an application in genetics
Authors: Ghosh Samiran , Townsend Jeffrey P.
Published: March 2015

In most cases where clustering of data is desirable, the underlying data distribution to be clustered is unconstrained. However clustering of site types in a discretely structured linear array, as is often desired in studies of linear sequences such as DNA, RNA or proteins, represents a problem where data points are not necessarily exchangeable and are directionally constrained within the array. Each position in the linear array is fixed, and could be either “marked” (i.e., of interest such as polymorphic or substitute sites) or “non-marked.” Here we describe a method for clustering of those marked sites. Since the cluster-generating process is constrained by discrete locality inside such an array, traditional clustering methods need adjustment to be appropriate. We develop a hierarchical Bayesian approach. We adopt a Markov clustering algorithm, revealing any natural partitioning in the pattern of marked sites. The resulting recursive partitioning and clustering algorithm is named hierarchical clustering in a linear array (H-CLAP). It employs domain-specific directional constraints directly in the likelihood construction. Our method, being fully Bayesian, is more flexible in cluster discovery compared to a standard agglomerative hierarchical clustering algorithm. It not only provides hierarchical clustering, but also cluster boundaries, which may have their own biological significance. We have tested the efficacy of our method on data sets, including two biological and several simulated ones.
Ethylene Polymerization via Metallocenes: An Experimental Study
Authors: Infante-Martínez Ramiro , Saldívar-Guerra Enrique , Pérez-Camacho Odilia , García-Zamora Maricela
Published: March 2015

An experimental study oriented to gather kinetic modelling data in the ethylene polymerization via metallocenes is reported. Also is illustrated the employment of two methods for determination of kinetic behavior and the instantaneous activity of Ziegler-Natta catalysts in the slurry polymerization of ethylene. The theoretical basis for both methods is described as well as the required instrumentation for its implantation at a laboratory level. An experimental program of polymerization with two different metallocenic systems was executed, showing that the direct (measurement of ethylene flow) as well as the calorimetric method (based on energy balances) give equivalent high quality information on the kinetic performance of the catalyst.
Prediction of molecular weight distribution in chain growth polymerizations
Authors: Infante-Martínez Ramiro , Saldívar-Guerra Enrique , Pérez-Camacho Odilia , García-Zamora Maricela , Comparán-Padilla Víctor
Published: March 2015

This work presents results on the prediction of the molecular weight distributions (MWD) of chain growth polymerization using conventional software and hardware tools. The investigation focuses on two kinds of polymerization processes: free radical batch and continuous polymerization processes with application to low density polyethylene synthesis (LDPE); and coordination polymerization via metallocenes with application to high density polyethylene synthesis (HDPE). For both processes, kinetic models, consisting of sets of differential equations describing the dynamic behavior of all the chemical species in the reaction media, are presented. From these sets is possible to obtain the molecular weight distribution of the polymer1,2,4

Strategies for the simulation of the polymerization models were developed and results of these simulations are presented. On the free radical polymerization case, the next results are highlighted: i) It was confirmed that the chain transfer to polymer step produces strong asymmetries on the MWD as well as a high polydispersity index; ii) It’s possible to calculate the MWD in the CSTR process through a simulation strategy that permits the decoupling of the live and dead chains populations. On the metallocene polymerization case, it was demonstrated that the coordination standard model represents well the system experimentally studied and it can be employed to directly calculate the molecular weight distribution.

These results confirm the idea that the complete MWD can be directly calculated with conventional hardware and software tools.
Chemical Composition Dependence of Cu2ZnSnS4 Absorbers Fabricated by Sulfurization of Thermal Evaporated Metal Precursors and Solar Cell Performance
Authors: Zhang Liyuan , Karthikeyan Sreejith , Sibakoti Mandip J. , Campbell Stephen A.
Published: March 2015

We investigate the synthesis of kesterite Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) thin films using thermal evaporation from copper, zinc and tin pellets and post-annealing in a sulfur atmosphere. The effects of chemical composition were studied both on the absorber layer properties and on the final solar cell performance. It is confirmed that CZTS thin film chemical composition affects the carrier concentration profile, which then influences the solar cell properties. Solar cells using a CZTS thin film with composition ratio Cu/(Zn+Sn) = 0.87, and Zn/Sn = 1.24 exhibited an open-circuit voltage of 483 mV, a short-circuit current of 14.54 mA/cm2, a fill factor of 37.66 % and a conversion efficiency of 2.64 %. Only a small deviation from the optimal chemical composition can drop device performance to a lower level, which confirms that the CZTS solar cells with high conversion efficiency existed in a relatively narrow composition region.
Practical Realization of Apertureless Scanning Near-field Optical Microscopy Using Hybrid Mode Atomic Force Microscopy
Authors: Zayats Sergey , Alexander John , Magonov Sergei , Kazantsev Dmitry
Published: March 2015

The local detection of optical response at the sub-wavelength scale on a materials’ surface is an invaluable characterization capability of apertureless scanning near-field optical microscopy (ASNOM). The technique is traditionally realized in amplitude modulation (AM) AFM mode. We have expanded this method by employing an alternative scheme for the detection of the near-field and far-field responses with the use of Hybrid (HD) AFM mode. In HD mode the sample is brought to the intermittent contact with the tip in a periodic oscillation at a frequency (1-2 kHz) much smaller than the probe resonance. In every oscillation cycle the probe deflection to a set-point value is used for surface profiling. For optical measurements the metal coated AFM tip was top-illuminated by visible laser. Simultaneously with surface profiling the light scattered from tip-sample junction was collected by a sensitive photomultiplier (PMT). The homodyne optical signal detection scheme was applied to discriminate near- and far-field optical components. Our method was verified by the studies of various materials (semiconductors, metals, polymers, etc.). The presented results show that the contrast of ASNOM images can be used for compositional mapping of heterogeneous systems.
Hydrostatic Compression of Graphite Oxide to 49 GPa: A Raman Spectroscopic Study
Authors: Swamy Varghese , Ooi Jong Boon , Kurnosov Alexander , Dubrovinsky Leonid S. , Kuznetsov Alexei Y. , Noor Ahmad Fauzi M.
Published: March 2015

The compression and decompression behaviors of graphite oxide have been investigated using in situ Raman measurements in a diamond-anvil cell at room temperature. The so-called G band (in-plane E2g mode ∼1600 cm-1) was followed to 49 GPa during compression and back to ambient under decompression. The Raman frequency of the G band increases sublinearly with increasing hydrostatic pressure, eventually nearly flattening out at the highest pressure measured. This trend is reversed upon decompression, fully recovering to the ambient spectrum. The increased broadening suggests a reversible disordering of the structure without significant sp2-sp3 rehybridization under pressure.
Measurements of Polarization Switching in LiNbO3-type ZnSnO3/ZnO Nanocomposite Thin Films
Authors: Mukherjee Devajyoti , Hordagoda Mahesh , Kons Corisa , Datta Anuja , Witanachchi Sarath , Mukherjee Pritish
Published: March 2015

We report the measurements of ferroelectricity in LiNbO3(LN)-type ZnSnO3/ZnO nanocomposite thick films deposited on Pt-Si substrates using a novel combined chemical/physical technique. Phase-pure LN-type ZnSnO3nanorods (NRs) were first synthesized using a low temperature solvothermal process and characterized in detail using X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The prototype device for polarization measurements was fabricated by depositing the as-prepared LN-type ZnSnO3NRs onto conducting Pt-Si substrates (also served as bottom electrodes). A dielectric filler-layer of polycrystalline ZnO was deposited on top using pulsed laser deposition to fabricate LN-type ZnSnO3/ZnO nanocomposite films. Polarization measurements of the Pt/ZnSnO3+ZnO/Pt nanocomposite capacitors at 300K showed indication of polarization switching in the hysteresis loops with a remanent polarization (Pr) of 13 μC/cm2at a low applied voltage of 8 V. The work provides information on the coherent design of future FE memory devices based on the emerging non-toxic Pb-free material LN-ZnSnO3.
Effects of Drying Temperature on Surface Morphology and Electric Behavior of IGZO Thin Film Prepared by Solution Process
Authors: Fukuda Nobuko , Ogura Shintaro , Abe Koji , Ushijima Hirobumi
Published: March 2015

We have achieved a drastic improvement of the performance as thin film transistor (TFT) for solution-processed IGZO thin film by controlling drying temperature of solvents containing the precursor solution. The IGZO-precursor solution was prepared by mixing of metal nitrates and two kinds of organic solvents, 2-methoxyethanol (2ME) and 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE). 2ME was used for dissolving metal nitrates. TFE was added as a solvent for reducing surface tension as small as possible, leading to improvement of the wettability of the precursor solution on the surface of the substrate. In order to discuss the relationship between morphology and drying process, the spin-coated IGZO-precursor films were dried at room temperature and 140 °C on a hotplate, respectively. Annealing of the both films was carried out at 300 °C in an electric oven for 60 min after each drying process. Drying at room temperature provides a discontinuous film, resulting in a large variation of the TFT performance. On the other hand, drying at 140 °C provides a continuous film, resulting in the higher TFT performance and a minor variation. The difference in surface morphologies would be derived from the evaporation rate of the organic solvents. The rapid evaporation at 140 °C brings about rapid pinning of the spin-coated precursor layer on the substrate. Preparation process via the drying at 140 °C gave ∼ 1 cm2 V-1 s-1 of the saturated mobility, quite small hysteresis, and 107∼ 108 of the on-off ratio.
Ionic Liquid Electrochemical Synthesis of Earth Abundant Monophase Chalcostibite p-CuSbS2 Photo-absorber Thin films for Heterojunction Solar Cells With n-ZnO
Authors: Janardhana Nishanth R. , Sidhu Navjot Kaur , Thankalekshmi Ratheesh R. , Rastogi Alok C.
Published: March 2015

Single step synthesis of monophase CuSbS2 thin films by electro-deposition in ionic liquid electrolyte based on choline chloride and urea (ChCl:U) eutectic mixture is described. The formation of binary CuxS and SbxSy film phases using CuCl2 and SbCl3 precursors along with Na2S2O3 as sulfur source in ChCl:U are established as -0.59 V and -0.36 V vs. Pt, respectively by cyclic voltammetry and used to optimize CuSbS2 thin films growth potential and precursor composition. CuSbS2 films deposited at -0.65 V vs Pt with 1:1 Cu to Sb precursor ratio at 80⁰C are highly crystalline in chalcostibite orthorhombic structure. Deviant Cu/Sb ratio at 1:0.71 and 1:1.4 reveal inclusion of Cu3SbS3 and Sb2S3, respectively. Direct 1.65 eV band gap for single phase CuSbS2 film and with inclusive secondary phases at 1.73±0.1 eV and 2.13 eV is observed. As-deposited CuSbS2 films are p-type and n-p hetero-junction device in the n-ZnO/p-CuSbS2/Ag structure shows rectifying I-V curves and dependence on the CuSbS2 film growth conditions.
Computational study of the optical properties of ZnS nanoparticles
Authors: Sigalas M. M.
Published: March 2015

Using the density functional theory (DFT) and time dependent DFT, within the generalized gradient approximation (GGA), the electronic and optical properties of stoichiometric (ZnS)n nanoparticles (NP) were calculated. The dependence of the gap on the size (n) of the nanoparticle will be presented. The effect of replacing S atoms with P, Se or Te atoms in the (ZnS)n nanoparticles and its influence in the gap will be also shown.
Electrochemical Performance of Lithium-Ion Hybrid Supercapacitors based on Activated Carbon and Nanoplatelet Li4Ti5O12 Insertion Electrode Synthesized by Nanoscission Technique
Authors: Singh Sandeep , Rastogi Alok C , Omenya Fredrick , Whittingham M Stanley , Lal Archit , Upreti Shailesh
Published: March 2015

Electrochemical performance of hybrid supercapacitor (HSC) utilizing surface sculpted Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) insertion electrode having nanoplatelet-like morphology and activated carbon (AC) electrode is investigated for energy storage application. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) at variable scan rates 0.5 to 60 mV.s-1 in the 0-3.2 V range show pseusocapacitive behavior and fast rate of current change indicating rapid Faradaic kinetics. Nyquist impedance study show charge transfer resistance due to kinetic effects of electron transfer and Li+ de-intercalation process at the LTO anode. Low capacity (0.2 C-1C) charge-discharge (CD) curves show high Coulomb efficiency with marginal reduction at high 5-10 C rates due to irreversibility of adsorbed PF6 anions at the electrolyte-AC interface. Galvanostatic CD cycling tests over 50 cycles at different C-rates show decline in storage capacity due to electrode polarization effects. Reduction, broadening and shift of the Raman line at 678 cm-1 from Ti-O bonds in TiO6 octahedra after cycling indicates Li insertion reactions in functioning of hybrid supercapacitor. The hybrid supercapacitor cells have shown energy density, 29 Wh.kg-1 and power density, 350 W.kg-1.
The Role of Coulombic Forces in Quasi-Two Dimensional Electrochemical Deposition
Authors: Marshall G. , Mocskos P. , Molina F. , Dengra S.
Published: March 2015

Recent work demonstrates the relevant influence of convection during growth pattern formation in thin-layer electrochemical deposition. Convection is driven mainly by coulombic forces due to local charges at the tip of the aggregation and by buoyancy forces due to concentration gradients. Here we study through physical experiments and numerical modeling the regime under which coulombic forces are important. In the experimental measurements fluid motion near the growing tips of the deposit is visualized with neutrally buoyant latex spheres and its speed measured with videomicroscope tracking techniques and image processing software. The numerical modeling consists in the solution of the 2D dimensionless Nernst-Planck equations for ion concentrations, the Poisson equation for the electric field and the Navier-Stokes equations for the fluid flow, and a stochastic growth rule for ion deposition. A new set of dimensionless numbers governing electroconvection dominated flows is introduced. Preliminary experimental measurements and numerical results indicate that in the electroconvection dominated regime coulombic forces increase with the applied voltage, and their influence over growth pattern formation can be assessed with the magnitude of the dimensionless electric Froude number. It is suggested that when this number decreases the deposit morphology changes from fractal to dense branching.