bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anti-CD45 radioimmunotherapy without TBI before transplantation facilitates persistent haploidentical donor engraftment
Authors: Orozco Johnnie J. , Kenoyer Aimee , Balkin Ethan R. , Gooley Ted A. , Hamlin Donald K. , Wilbur D. Scott , Hylarides Mark D. , Frost Sofia H. L. , Mawad Raya , O’Donnell Paul , Sandmaier Brenda M. , Fuchs Ephraim J. , Luznik Leo , Green Damian J. , Gopal Ajay K. , Press Oliver W. , Pagel John M.
Published: November 2015

Key Points

Anti-CD45 RIT may replace TBI and simplify BMT-preparative regimens. Anti-CD45 RIT and haploidentical BMT, without TBI, prolongs survival in a murine leukemia model.
When are breast cancer patients at highest risk of venous thromboembolism? A cohort study using English health care data
Authors: Walker Alex J. , West Joe , Card Tim R. , Crooks Colin , Kirwan Cliona C. , Grainge Matthew J.
Published: November 2015

Key Points

Patients with breast cancer have a risk of VTE equivalent to 6% a year while undergoing chemotherapy and in the month after treatment. Tamoxifen is associated with a risk of VTE equivalent to 2% a year, which is 4 times higher than the risk before starting therapy.
Adherence to guidelines in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a follow-up national survey
Authors: Cottin Vincent , Bergot Emmanuel , Bourdin Arnaud , Cadranel Jacques , Camus Philippe , Crestani Bruno , Dalphin Jean-Charles , Delaval Philippe , Dromer Claire , Israel-Biet Dominique , Kessler Romain , Marchand-Adam Sylvain , Marquette Charles Hugo , Prévot Grégoire , Reynaud-Gaubert Martine , Valeyre Dominique , Wallaert Benoit , Bouquillon Benoit , Cordier Jean-François
Published: November 2015

A new survey coordinated by the French expert centres for rare pulmonary diseases investigated French pulmonologists' diagnostic and therapeutic practice for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and explored changes since a previous survey in 2011–2012.

From May 16 to August 30, 2014, 524 pulmonologists were contacted. Those following at least one patient with IPF were invited to complete a questionnaire administered by telephone or e-mail.

166 (31.7%) pulmonologists, 161 (97%) of whom had participated to the first survey, completed the questionnaire. Of those, 46% and 52%, respectively, discussed the cases with radiologists and pathologists. Out of 144 pulmonologists practicing outside of expert centres, 80% indicated referring patients to those centres. The 2013 French practical guidelines for IPF were known by 92% of pulmonologists involved in IPF, 96% of whom considered them appropriate for practice. The multidisciplinary discussion form for IPF diagnosis was known by 74% and considered appropriate by 94%. Diagnosis and management resulted from multidisciplinary discussion in 50% of the cases. About 58% of patients were diagnosed with “mild to moderate IPF” as defined by forced vital capacity ≥50% of the predicted value and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide ≥35% of predicted. At the time of the survey, 31% of physicians were using pirfenidone to treat patients with “mild-to-moderately severe IPF” and 30% generally prescribed no treatment.

Substantial improvement has occurred since the 2011–2012 survey with regard to knowledge of guidelines and proper management of IPF. Early diagnosis still needs to be improved through the network of expert centres.
Exhaled breath hydrogen cyanide as a marker of earlyPseudomonas aeruginosainfection in children with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Gilchrist Francis J. , Belcher John , Jones Andrew M. , Smith David , Smyth Alan R. , Southern Kevin W. , Španěl Patrik , Webb A. Kevin , Lenney Warren
Published: November 2015

Hydrogen cyanide is readily detected in the headspace abovePseudomonas aeruginosacultures and in the breath of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients with chronic (P. aeruginosa) infection. We investigated if exhaled breath HCN is an early marker ofP. aeruginosainfection.

233 children with CF who were free fromP. aeruginosainfection were followed for 2 years. Their median (interquartile range) age was 8.0 (5.0–12.2) years. At each study visit, an exhaled breath sample was collected for hydrogen cyanide analysis. In total, 2055 breath samples were analysed. At the end of the study, the hydrogen cyanide concentrations were compared to the results of routine microbiology surveillance.

P. aeruginosawas isolated from 71 children during the study with an incidence (95% CI) of 0.19 (0.15–0.23) cases per patient-year. Using a random-effects logistic model, the estimated odds ratio (95% CI) was 3.1 (2.6–3.6), which showed that for a 1- ppbv increase in exhaled breath hydrogen cyanide, we expected a 212% increase in the odds ofP. aeruginosainfection. The sensitivity and specificity were estimated at 33% and 99%, respectively.

Exhaled breath hydrogen cyanide is a specific biomarker of newP. aeruginosainfection in children with CF. Its low sensitivity means that at present, hydrogen cyanide cannot be used as a screening test for this infection.
Karyotype differentiation in 19 species of river loach fishes (Nemacheilidae, Teleostei): extensive variability associated with rDNA and heterochromatin distribution and its phylogenetic and ecological interpretation
Authors: Sember Alexandr , Bohlen Jörg , Šlechtová Vendula , Altmanová Marie , Symonová Radka , Ráb Petr
Published: November 2015

Background

Loaches of the family Nemacheilidae are one of the most speciose elements of Palearctic freshwater ichthyofauna and have undergone rapid ecological adaptations and colonizations. Their cytotaxonomy is largely unexplored; with the impact of cytogenetical changes on this evolutionary diversification still unknown. An extensive cytogenetical survey was performed in 19 nemacheilid species using both conventional (Giemsa staining, C- banding, Ag- and Chromomycin A3/DAPI stainings) and molecular (fluorescence in situ hybridization with 5S rDNA, 45S rDNA, and telomeric (TTAGGG)n probes) methods. A phylogenetic tree of the analysed specimens was constructed based on one mitochondrial (cytochrome b) and two nuclear (RAG1, IRBP) genes.

Results

Seventeen species showed karyotypes composed of 2n = 50 chromosomes but differentiated by fundamental chromosome number (NF = 68–90). Nemachilichthys ruppelli (2n = 38) and Schistura notostigma (2n = 44–48) displayed reduced 2n with an elevated number of large metacentric chromosomes. Only Schistura fasciolata showed morphologically differentiated sex chromosomes with a multiple system of the XY1Y2 type. Chromomycin A3 (CMA3)- fluorescence revealed interspecific heterogeneity in the distribution of GC-rich heterochromatin including its otherwise very rare association with 5S rDNA sites. The 45S rDNA sites were mostly located on a single chromosome pair contrasting markedly with a pattern of two (Barbatula barbatula, Nemacheilus binotatus, N. ruppelli) to 20 sites (Physoschistura sp.) of 5S rDNA. The cytogenetic changes did not follow the phylogenetic relationships between the samples. A high number of 5S rDNA sites was present in species with small effective population sizes.

Conclusion

Despite a prevailing conservatism of 2n, Nemacheilidae exhibited a remarkable cytogenetic variability on microstructural level. We suggest an important role for pericentric inversions, tandem and centric fusions in nemacheilid karyotype differentiation. Short repetitive sequences, genetic drift, founder effect, as well as the involvement of transposable elements in the dispersion of ribosomal DNA sites, might also have played a role in evolutionary processes such as reproductive isolation. These remarkable dynamics of their genomes qualify river loaches as a model for the study of the cytogenetic background of major evolutionary processes such as radiation, endemism and colonization of a wide range of habitats.
Early impairment of coronary microvascular perfusion capacity in rats on a high fat diet
Authors: van Haare Judith , Kooi M. Eline , Vink Hans , Post Mark J. , van Teeffelen Jurgen W. G. E. , Slenter Jos , Munts Chantal , Cobelens Hanneke , Strijkers Gustav J. , Koehn Dennis , van Bilsen Marc
Published: November 2015

Background

It remains to be established if, and to what extent, the coronary microcirculation becomes compromised during the development of obesity and insulin resistance. Recent studies suggest that changes in endothelial glycocalyx properties contribute to microvascular dysfunction under (pre-)diabetic conditions. Accordingly, early effects of diet-induced obesity on myocardial perfusion and function were studied in rats under baseline and hyperaemic conditions.

Methods

Rats were fed a high fat diet (HFD) for 6 weeks and myocardial microvascular perfusion was determined using first-pass perfusion MRI before and after adenosine infusion. The effect of HFD on microcirculatory properties was also assessed by sidestream darkfield (SDF) imaging of the gastrocnemius muscle.

Results

HFD-fed rats developed central obesity and insulin sensitivity was reduced as evidenced by the marked reduction in insulin-induced phosphorylation of Akt in both cardiac and gastrocnemius muscle. Early diet-induced obesity did not lead to hypertension or cardiac hypertrophic remodeling. In chow-fed, control rats a robust increase in cardiac microvascular perfusion was observed upon adenosine infusion (+40 %; p < 0.05). In contrast, the adenosine response was abrogated in rats on a HFD (+8 %; N.S.). HFD neither resulted in rarefaction or loss of glycocalyx integrity in skeletal muscle, nor reduced staining intensity of the glycocalyx of cardiac capillaries.

Conclusions

Alterations in coronary microcirculatory function as assessed by first-pass perfusion MRI represent one of the earliest obesity-related cardiac adaptations that can be assessed non-invasively. In this early stage of insulin resistance, disturbances in glycocalyx barrier properties appeared not to contribute to the observed changes in coronary microvascular function.
Risks and benefits of stress ulcer prophylaxis in adult neurocritical care patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Liu Bolin , Liu Shujuan , Yin Anan , Siddiqi Javed
Published: November 2015

Introduction

Neurocritical care patients are at high risk for stress-related upper gastrointestinal (UGI) bleeding. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the risks and benefits of stress ulcer prophylaxis (SUP) in this patient group.

Methods

A systematic search of major electronic literature databases was conducted. Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in which researchers compared the effects of SUP (with proton pump inhibitors or histamine 2 receptor antagonists) with placebo or no prophylaxis in neurocritical care patients. The primary outcome was UGI bleeding, and secondary outcomes were all-cause mortality and nosocomial pneumonia. Study heterogeneity was sought and quantified. The results were reported as risk ratios/relative risks (RRs) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

We included 8 RCTs comprising an aggregate of 829 neurocritical care patients. Among these trials, one study conducted in a non–intensive care unit setting that did not meet our inclusion criteria was ultimately included based on further evaluation. All studies were judged as having a high or unclear risk of bias. SUP was more effective than placebo or no prophylaxis at reducing UGI bleeding (random effects: RR 0.31; 95 % CI 0.20–0.47; P < 0.00001; I2 = 45 %) and all-cause mortality (fixed effects: RR 0.70; 95 % CI 0.50–0.98; P = 0.04; I2 = 0 %). There was no difference between SUP and placebo or no prophylaxis regarding nosocomial pneumonia (random effects: RR 1.14; 95 % CI 0.67–1.94; P = 0.62; I2 = 42 %). The slight asymmetry of the funnel plots raised the concern of small trial bias, and apparent heterogeneity existed in participants, interventions, control treatments, and outcome measures.

Conclusions

In neurocritical care patients, SUP seems to be more effective than placebo or no prophylaxis in preventing UGI bleeding and reducing all-cause mortality while not increasing the risk of nosocomial pneumonia. The robustness of this conclusion is limited by a lack of trials with a low risk of bias, sparse data, heterogeneity among trials, and a concern regarding small trial bias.

Trial registration

International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) identifier: CRD42015015802. Date of registration: 6 Jan 2015.
Clinical Impact of Additional Cytogenetic Aberrations, cKIT and RAS Mutations, and Treatment Elements in Pediatric t(8;21)-AML: Results From an International Retrospective Study by the International Berlin-Frankfurt-Münster Study Group
Authors: Klein Kim , Kaspers Gertjan , Harrison Christine J. , Beverloo H. Berna , Reedijk Ardine , Bongers Mathilda , Cloos Jacqueline , Pession Andrea , Reinhardt Dirk , Zimmerman Martin , Creutzig Ursula , Dworzak Michael , Alonzo Todd , Johnston Donna , Hirsch Betsy , Zapotocky Michal , De Moerloose Barbara , Fynn Alcira , Lee Vincent , Taga Takashi , Tawa Akio , Auvrignon Anne , Zeller Bernward , Forestier Erik , Salgado Carmen , Balwierz Walentyna , Popa Alexander , Rubnitz Jeffrey , Raimondi Susana , Gibson Brenda
Published: November 2015

Purpose

This retrospective cohort study aimed to determine the predictive relevance of clinical characteristics, additional cytogenetic aberrations, and cKIT and RAS mutations, as well as to evaluate whether specific treatment elements were associated with outcomes in pediatric t(8;21)-positive patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Patients and Methods

Karyotypes of 916 pediatric patients with t(8;21)-AML were reviewed for the presence of additional cytogenetic aberrations, and 228 samples were screened for presence of cKIT and RAS mutations. Multivariable regression models were used to assess the relevance of anthracyclines, cytarabine, and etoposide during induction and overall treatment. End points were the probability of achieving complete remission, cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR), probability of event-free survival, and probability of overall survival.

Results

Of 838 patients included in final analyses, 92% achieved complete remission. The 5-year overall survival, event-free survival, and CIR were 74%, 58%, and 26%, respectively. cKIT mutations and RAS mutations were not significantly associated with outcome. Patients with deletions of chromosome arm 9q [del(9q); n = 104] had a lower probability of complete remission (P = .01). Gain of chromosome 4 (+4; n = 21) was associated with inferior CIR and survival (P < .01). Anthracycline doses greater than 150 mg/m2 and etoposide doses greater than 500 mg/m2 in the first induction course and high-dose cytarabine 3 g/m2 during induction were associated with better outcomes on various end points. Cumulative doses of cytarabine greater than 30 g/m2 and etoposide greater than 1,500 mg/m2 were associated with lower CIR rates and better probability of event-free survival.

Conclusion

Pediatric patients with t(8;21)-AML and additional del(9q) or additional +4 might not be considered at good risk. Patients with t(8;21)-AML likely benefit from protocols that have high doses of anthracyclines, etoposide, and cytarabine during induction, as well as from protocols comprising cumulative high doses of cytarabine and etoposide.
Pan Canadian Rash Trial: A Randomized Phase III Trial Evaluating the Impact of a Prophylactic Skin Treatment Regimen on Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor–Induced Skin Toxicities in Patients With Metastatic Lung Cancer
Authors: Melosky Barbara , Anderson Helen , Burkes Ronald L. , Chu Quincy , Hao Desiree , Ho Vincent , Ho Cheryl , Lam Wendy , Lee Christopher W. , Leighl Natasha B. , Murray Nevin , Sun Sophie , Winston Robert , Laskin Janessa J.
Published: November 2015

Purpose

Erlotinib is an epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor approved for patients with advanced non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose epidermal growth factor receptor expression status is positive or unknown. Although it is efficacious, erlotinib can cause skin toxicity. This prospective, randomized phase III trial examined the effect of prophylactic treatment of erlotinib-induced skin rash.

Patients and Methods

Patients receiving erlotinib in the second- or third-line setting for advanced NSCLC were randomly assigned to prophylactic minocycline (100 mg twice per day for 4 weeks), reactive treatment (after rash developed, per grade of rash), or no treatment unless severe (grade 3). Rash incidence and severity, time to maximal rash, time to resolution, and overall survival (OS) were compared among treatment groups.

Results

In all, 150 patients were randomly assigned, 50 to each of three treatment arms. The incidence of skin toxicity was 84% regardless of treatment arm. Prophylactic treatment with minocycline significantly lengthened the time to the most severe grade of rash. Grade 3 rash was significantly higher in the no-treatment arm. OS was not significantly different among treatment arms, but patients receiving prophylactic or reactive treatments had a longer OS (7.6 and 8 months, respectively) than those who received no rash treatment (6 months). Rash was not self-limiting.

Conclusion

The incidence of all grades of rash did not differ statistically among the three arms, so the trial was negative. The incidence of grade 3 skin toxicities was reduced in patients who were treated with prophylactic minocycline or reactive treatment. Efficacy was not compromised. Prophylactic minocycline and reactive treatment are both acceptable options for the necessary treatment of erlotinib-induced rash in the second- or third-line setting of metastatic NSCLC.
Reimagining Workshop
Authors: Bunn Michael
Published: November 2015

This article illuminates how reading serves as the foundation for writing workshops in both composition and creative writing courses. It discusses cooperative learning and improved student writing as two main goals for workshop and explains how both are completely reliant on student reading. The article introduces a particularly effective way to teach students to read in preparation for workshop and concludes by revealing how asking students to read published and student-produced texts in different ways can inadvertently devalue student writing and limit workshop's effectiveness.
A Genre-Based Approach to Digital Reading
Authors: Morris Janine
Published: November 2015

While reading research often collapses or creates a binary between print and digital reading, this article argues that this approach ignores the overlap between the reading strategies we use when reading both print and digital texts. Using a genre-based approach to digital reading, this article proposes that greater attention to students' reading practices and to the genres (including conventions and contexts) students read will help them become more purposeful readers in our classrooms.
Literary Flowers
Authors: Rubenfeld Shawn
Published: November 2015

This article introduces an interdisciplinary service project performed with undergraduate literature students at the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho. The project, Literary Flowers, was modeled after New York City's Library Way and challenged students to plant a “literary garden” of formative voices. Further, it encouraged students to consider cultural translatability: how texts—some centuries old—fit into their final narratives today. This article provides a detailed description of the project, a consideration of its place among similar service projects, and examples of student work and response.
Glia in mammalian development and disease
Authors: Zuchero J. Bradley , Barres Ben A.
Published: November 2015

Glia account for more than half of the cells in the mammalian nervous system, and the past few decades have witnessed a flood of studies that detail novel functions for glia in nervous system development, plasticity and disease. Here, and in the accompanying poster, we review the origins of glia and discuss their diverse roles during development, in the adult nervous system and in the context of disease.
Quantitative Antiparallel Dimer Formation Analysis of Ethylene Carbonate in Solution
Authors: Takabatake Shunzo , Sagawa Naoya , Shikata Toshiyuki
Published: November 2015

The equilibrium constants for the antiparallel dimer formation of ethylene carbonate (EC) in solutions of pure solvents, such as benzene (Bz) and dimethyl carbonate (DMC), were quantitatively determined at room temperature (25 °C) and various concentrations using Raman scattering (RS) experiments. The strong C=O stretching vibrational band of EC observed at approximately 1800 cm−1 split into a monomeric EC signal and signals assigned to antiparallel dimers ((EC)2) in the examined solutions. From the concentration dependence of the C=O stretching vibrational signal intensities, the equilibrium constants (Kd) of the formation of (EC)2 in the solutions were determined assuming a chemical process, 2EC (EC)2. Moreover, the fact that the equilibrium constant, Kd, substantially depends on the species in the solvent and on the EC composition strongly manifests that the choice of a solvent effectively governs the antiparallel dimer formation and consequently influences the performance of lithium ion secondary batteries.
Discovering, Indexing and Interlinking Information Resources
Authors: Celli Fabrizio , Keizer Johannes , Jaques Yves , Konstantopoulos Stasinos , Vudragović Dušan
Published: November 2015

The social media revolution is having a dramatic effect on the world of scientific publication. Scientists now publish their research interests, theories and outcomes across numerous channels, including personal blogs and other thematic web spaces where ideas, activities and partial results are discussed. Accordingly, information systems that facilitate access to scientific literature must learn to cope with this valuable and varied data, evolving to make this research easily discoverable and available to end users. In this paper we describe the incremental process of discovering web resources in the domain of agricultural science and technology. Making use of Linked Open Data methodologies, we interlink a wide array of custom-crawled resources with the AGRIS bibliographic database in order to enrich the user experience of the AGRIS website. We also discuss the SemaGrow Stack, a query federation and data integration infrastructure used to estimate the semantic distance between crawled web resources and AGRIS.
Morphological Composition of Solid Municipal Waste
Authors: Сотнезов  , Sotnezov A. , Зайцев  , Zaytsev V. , Тарасова  , Tarasova Natalya
Published: November 2015

В настоящее время в России при разработке концепций в области обращения с отходами, генеральных схем санитарной очистки населенных пунктов

и целевых программ по обращению с твердыми коммунальными отходами

недостаточно внимания уделяется экспериментальному определению морфологического состава и других свойств твердых коммунальных отходов на

рассматриваемой территории. Между тем достоверные данные о реальном

составе отходов имеют исключительную значимость, так как позволяют

разработать наиболее эффективные и экономически выгодные подходы к

переработке и утилизации отходов на конкретной территории. Авторы рассматривают методические и организационные проблемы.
Influence of Large-scale and Subjective Factors on Technical Systems Ensuring Safety of Technological Processes Involving Protective Gas
Authors: Гапонюк  , Gaponyuk N. , Калугина  , Kalugina O. , Львов  , Lvov V.
Published: November 2015

Comparative assessment of the average failure rate of the basic elements of pneumatic systems has been presented.

Structure oftechnical systems failures to ensure safety of technological processes involving protective gas has been

described. Decisive influence of operating conditionsand parameters of protective gas industrial purity on safety of

technological processes has been revealed.Regardless of the complexitylevel of the system, the occurrence of many kinds

of failure is caused by negative impact of large-scale and subjective factors associated with the absence of objective

monitoring of protective gasindustrial purity. Design, construction and operation of technical systems ensuring safety of

technological processes involving protective gas is often based onprinciples typical for technological processes, not taking

into account the specific features of operation of objects of protection.
Methodical Features Analysis of Damage Accumulation and Achievement of the Ultimate State of Objects Under Combined Impacts of Multiparameter Force Factors and Environment
Authors: Щербаков  , Shcherbakov S. , Богданович  , Bogdanovich A. , Сосновский  , Sosnovskiy L. , Ахметханов  , Akhmetkhanov R. , Зацаринный  , Zatsarinnyy Vladimir , Резников  , Reznikov D. , Махутов  , Makhutov Nikolay , Юдина  , Yudina O.
Published: November 2015

The paper proposes a new methodological approach, coupled with complex analysis of reaching damages and limit states

of materials and structural elements under multi-parameter actions of various kinds of loads and the environment, taking

into account changes in the stress-strain state, material properties and the kinetics of components damageability as well

as time factor. We propose to consider damageaccumulation as a multi-level analysis, uniting a group of micro, mesoand

macroscales and analyze it in probabilistic setup.

During the damageextentestimation we invite to use the method of modulus of rupture variationand a method based

on the analysis of changes in stiffness matrix in model studies. Also in this regard, are considered the probability matrix

methods of scripting to achieve the ultimate states, which provide construction of macro- vulnerability matrix, mezovulnerability

matrix and vector of threats.
Environmental Safety: Condition, Problems, Prospects
Authors: Ермаков  , Ermakov A. , Ермаков  , Ermakov Dmitriy
Published: November 2015

VII Nevsky International Ecological Congress "Environmental Safety Strategies: Implementation Tools" took place on

May 28–29th 2015 in St. Petersburg. The congress has been heldsince 2008. The main goal of this congress is to assist in the

development of international system of environmental safety through international collaboration, to improve international

environmental law, and to coordinate the legislation of members of the Common wealth of Independent States that regulates

public relations in interaction between society and nature. In this article, we present basic results of discussion of the problems

of Russian environmental safetyin international context (including the project of Strategy of ecological security of the Russian

Federation for the period until 2025). Members of legislative and executive branches of the government, representatives of

international organizations, business communities, educational and research establishments, mass media from 32 countries

and 62 regions of Russia discussed issues during the plenary session and round tables.
Liability Concentration and Systemic Losses in Financial Networks
Authors: Capponi Agostino , Chen Peng-Chu , Yao David D.
Published: November 2015

The objective of this study is to develop a majorization-based tool to compare financial networks with a focus on the implications of liability concentration. Specifically, we quantify liability concentration by applying the majorization order to the liability matrix that captures the interconnectedness of banks in a financial network. We develop notions of balancing and unbalancing networks to bring out the qualitatively different implications of liability concentration on the system’s loss profile. We illustrate how to identify networks that are balancing or unbalancing, and we make connections to interbank structures identified by empirical research, such as perfect and imperfect tiering schemes. An empirical analysis of the network formed by the banking sectors of eight representative European countries suggests that the system is either unbalancing or close to it, persistently over time. This empirical finding, along with the majorization results, supports regulatory policies aiming at limiting the size of gross exposures to individual counterparties.
A Novel Model and Decomposition Approach for the Integrated Airline Fleet Assignment, Aircraft Routing, and Crew Pairing Problem
Authors: Shao Shengzhi , Sherali Hanif D. , Haouari Mohamed
Published: November 2015

Given a daily flight schedule and a set of aircraft fleets, the airline scheduling problem assigns individual aircraft and groups of crew to each flight based on specific considerations of aircraft maintenance requirements and crew work rules, respectively. Traditionally, this problem has been sequentially broken down into several stages, where the fleet assignment problem, which is solved first, partitions the entire flight network into subnetworks according to fleet types, followed by respectively solving the aircraft routing and crew pairing problems to generate suitable aircraft and crew rotations. However, this sequential approach ignores the interdependencies among the stages, leading to suboptimal, or even infeasible, solutions. In this paper, we propose an integrated model and solution approach that incorporates the fleet assignment (with itinerary-based demands), aircraft routing, and crew pairing problems within a single framework. We solve the resulting formulation of the problem by using a Benders decomposition approach, along with several acceleration strategies. Computational results obtained by using real-life data from a major U.S. airline demonstrate the benefits of the integrated approach.
Effective challenge on a unitary board
Authors: Deffenbaugh John
Published: November 2015

This is the third of four articles that explore a range of problem areas in foundation trusts that have caused the trust to have been identified by the FT regulator Monitor (now NHS Improvement) for special attention. These problem areas focus on the board's insight to its business, the information it has for decision making, the effectiveness of the non-executive challenge function, and how executives are held to account. This learning is equally applicable to governing bodies of clinical commissioning groups. This third article in the series considers the effective challenge function within the board. Resulting from governance reforms in the early 1990s, the challenge function carried out by non-executives—with the aim of more effective decision-making and greater assurance—has not stopped the failures of governance in the NHS. Three areas are explored to get under the surface of the challenge function: first, the level of balcony thinking that underpins an effective challenge function, allowing non-executives and the board overall to understand and shape their context rather than be buffeted by it; and second, the type of behaviour that is effective when carrying out the challenge function on a unitary board. Last, the article explores how the challenge function plays out in different settings such as committees and in public board meetings. In each area the article highlights the problems and makes recommendations to improve how the challenge function can more effectively work in practice. The article concludes with a set of actions that the board can implement to improve the challenge function it experiences. The final article in this series will focus on board effectiveness in holding executives to account for the implementation of board decisions.
EU membership and UK medical device innovation
Authors: Browning Paul , Rowell Tam
Published: November 2015

Thirty-eight million people contact a medical device every day in the UK. The UK has over 3000 companies employing 76 000 people in medical technology. Currently valued at £17 billion and growing at rates exceeding 6%, the UK has remained a leader in medical device innovation. Governed under the European Union (EU) Medical Device legislations, it is demonstrated that this model, and the UK's continued membership accounts to an optimal balance between safety and risk with early access to new innovation. Leaving the EU would have a detrimental effect on UK businesses where EU legislation is used for market access. With the cost of regulation increasing, and the cost of products being forced to decrease, many UK businesses will no longer find it viable to innovate and manufacture within the UK.
Implementing performance improvement through the enterprise culture
Authors: Turner Paul , Kane Ros , Jackson Christine
Published: November 2015

The purpose of this article is to evaluate performance improvements made through a case study of a rural English hospital's emergency department within the framework of the enterprise culture—the NHS adoption of the private sector's performance improvement best practice. Additionally, the process of the research and the significant barriers encountered are documented to inform future researchers of potential drawbacks when considering this type of research. An intervention addressing local performance issues was defined by medical consultants. A pathway to care for emergency care patients requiring clinical observation for more than four hours—but not admission as a hospital inpatient—was created. The efficacy of the intervention was evaluated by measuring compliance to the pathway standards and conducting an ethnographic study and semi-structured interviews. Structural barriers to research caused by lack of staff availability were encountered. Additionally, although improvement from the intervention was encouraging, the ability of the people within the system to consistently enact the process caused performance issues against expected targets.
Protect your staff
Authors: Moffett Esme , Eames Clare , Goss Robert
Published: November 2015

This article reviews the recent ‘Farm Health and Safety’ publication produced by the BVA which outlines the legal responsibilities and requirements of employers to ensure their staff stay safe when working on farm. It also aims to encourage the employee to take responsibility for themselves and the people and animals they work with by learning skills to assess and manage risk. A major part of risk management is communication between all parties involved.
Ram breeding soundness examination
Authors: Griffiths KJ , Ridler AL
Published: November 2015

Ram breeding soundness examinations can be utilised by sheep practitioners to provide useful information to sheep farmers, helping maximise reproductive performance of sheep flocks. It is estimated that between 3.5–10% of rams in the UK are unsound, thus supporting the validity of breeding soundness examinations both pre-sale (or purchase) and pre-breeding. Routine ram soundness examinations are straightforward and can be done at relatively little cost to the farmer. In this article the types of breeding soundness examination available, a practical approach to the examination and classification of findings are discussed.
Cestode infections in grazing ruminants
Authors: Mitchell Sian
Published: November 2015

Cestodes (tapeworms), as a group of parasites, have gained more prominence in recent years due primarily to improved abattoir feedback to fat stock producers on rejections. The zoonotic potential of some of this group adds to their importance. The aim of this article is to enable practising veterinary surgeons to easily answer their clients' queries about these infections and advise on effective control plans.
Research roundup: November 2015
Authors: Greener Mark
Published: November 2015

In brief

▪ Vaping delivers a nicotine dose that is ‘similar to or higher than’ a tobacco cigarette, while the pharmacokinetic profile suggests that e-cigarettes have ‘addictive potential’ ▪ Calcium supplements may increase the risk of kidney stones, while vitamin D supplements may help prevent nephrolithiasis ▪ A honey-impregnated dressing improved healing rates and hastened recovery of diabetic foot ulcers ▪ People who experienced childhood epilepsy can show good long-term seizure-related and psychiatric outcomes, but may still exhibit cerebrovascular pathology
Statistical wind speed studies and wind energy potential resource analysis of abong mbang, Cameroon: a case study
Authors: David Yemele , Nfor, Jr Bawe Gerard , Kisito Talla Pierre , Ndinakie Ghogomu Patrick
Published: November 2015

Accurate analysis of wind characteristics for a particular site is the first step towards wind energy resource installation. In this study, the onus is to determine the wind energy potential characteristics, and the best representative probability density function, for the Abong Mbang weather station and its immediate environ. The Chi square, coefficient of determination and root mean square error were used as the discriminating goodness of fit tests. Results show that the gamma distribution is the best representative of the wind speed regime, closely followed by the Weibull distribution. We equally study the feasibility of the installation of wind turbine systems at this site based on the Weibull and the Rayleigh models. It is observed that Abong Mbang is characterized by very low wind speeds, higher shape parameters than the scale parameters and consequently very low power density values. Abong Mbang is not technically feasible for the installation of small wind turbine.
The investigation of music teachers' teaching style choice
Authors: Demir Burcu , Aydıner Uygun Mehtap
Published: November 2015

The purpose of this study is to determine the level of chosen teaching styles by music teachers. In the study; the level of preferred teaching styles by music teachers are compared according to some variables. These variables are; the gender, length of teaching service, students per class, the status of participating in in-service training. The study has taken place in the casual research group among the relational research types. The scope of the research includes the provinces of Aydın, Balıkesir, Bitlis, Bursa, Erzurum, Kastamonu, Konya, Mardin, Mersin, Nigde, Rize and Sinop. The sample group of the study is comprised of 245 music teachers who serve in the above mentioned 12 provinces in the 2012-2013 academic years. As a result of the research, it has been determined that the majority of the music teachers, which makes %33.50, prefer the styles of the facilitator-personal model-expert teaching models much more when compared to the other teaching style groups. The least preference group (%12.70) chosen by the music teachers has also been determined as delegator-facilitator-expert teaching styles.
An analysis of secondary school students' achievement goal orientations and metacognitive awareness of reading strategies
Authors: Koç Canan , Arslan Aysel
Published: November 2015

This study aims at analyzing secondary school students' achievement goal orientations and metacognitive awareness of reading strategies in terms of such variables as their school class, gender and the educational background of their parents and learning the correlation between their achievement goal orientations and metacognitive awareness of reading strategies. A relational screening model was used to conduct the research. A total of 618 students attending three different secondary schools in central Sivas participated in the study. The research data was collected using the Achievement Goal Orientations Scale and Metacognitive Awareness Inventory of Reading Strategies. The arithmetic average, standard deviation, Mann-Whitney U Test, Kruskal-Wallis Test and Spearman-Brown correlation coefficient were used in the course of analyzing the survey data. The research results showed that the students' achievement goal orientations and metacognitive awareness of reading strategies differ significantly in terms of their class and gender. In terms of the educational background of their parents, no difference was found out in the sub-dimension of metacognitive awareness of reading strategies, while a difference was seen in the sub- dimension of their achievement goal orientations.
Modeling of metabolic diseases – a review of selected methods
Authors: Świerkosz Agnieszka
Published: November 2015

Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases caused by malfunction of blood sugar regulatory processes and has been reported as related to 8.3% of adult population, i.e. nearly 400 million people worldwide. This paper provides a review of facts and principles important for understanding the regulation mechanisms and the role of insulin. The author relies on mathematical modeling of these mechanisms and provides few formulas and computer applications dedicated for use in diabetes. The modeling aims to find a correct dose of insulin as a response to a series of measurement results on glucose concentration. In conclusion, the author recommends selected methods for personal self-check of glucose level and stresses on the importance of regularly checking blood-related parameters.
A fast and simple method for detecting and quantifying donor-derived cell-free DNA in sera of solid organ transplant recipients as a biomarker for graft function
Authors: Adamek Martina , Opelz Gerhard , Klein Katrin , Morath Christian , Tran Thuong Hien
Published: November 2015

Background: Timely detection of graft rejection is an important issue in the follow-up care after solid organ transplantation. Until now, biopsy has been considered the “gold standard” in the diagnosis of graft rejection. However, non-invasive tests such as monitoring the levels of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) as a sensitive biomarker for graft integrity have attracted increasing interest. The rationale of this approach is that a rejected organ will lead to a significant release of donor-derived cfDNA, which can be detected in the serum of the transplant recipient.

Methods: We have developed a novel quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) approach for detecting an increase of donor-derived cfDNA in the recipient’s serum. Common insertion/deletion (InDel) genetic polymorphisms, which differ between donor and recipient, are targeted in our qPCR assay. In contrast to some other strategies, no specific donor/recipient constellations such as certain gender combinations or human leukocyte antigen (HLA) discrepancies are required for the application of our test.

Results: The method was first validated with serial dilutions of serum mixtures obtained from healthy blood donors and then used to determine donor-derived cfDNA levels in patients’ sera within the first 3 days after their kidney transplantation had been performed.

Conclusions: Our method represents a universally applicable, simple and cost-effective tool which can potentially be used to detect graft dysfunction in transplant recipients.
Hydrophobisation of wood surfaces by combining liquid flame spray (LFS) and plasma treatment: dynamic wetting properties
Authors: Moghaddam Maziar Sedighi , Heydari Golrokh , Tuominen Mikko , Fielden Matthew , Haapanen Janne , Mäkelä Jyrki M. , Wålinder Magnus E.P. , Claesson Per M. , Swerin Agne
Published: November 2015

The hydrophilic nature of wood surfaces is a major cause for water uptake and subsequent biological degradation and dimensional changes. In the present paper, a thin transparent superhydrophobic layer on pine veneer surfaces has been created for controlling surface wettability and water repellency. This effect was achieved by means of the liquid flame spray (LFS) technique, in the course of which the nanoparticulate titanium dioxide (TiO2) was brought to the surface, followed by plasma polymerisation. Plasma polymerised perfluorohexane (PFH) or hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO) were then deposited onto the LFS-treated wood surfaces. The same treatment systems were applied to silicon wafers so as to have well-defined reference surfaces. The dynamic wettability was studied by the multicycle Wilhelmy plate (mWP) method, resulting in advancing and receding contact angles as well as sorption behavior of the samples during repeated wetting cycles in water. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were employed to characterise the topography and surface chemical compositions and to elucidate the question how the morphology of the nanoparticles and plasma affect the wetting behavior. A multi-scale roughness (micro-nano roughness) was found and this enhanced the forced wetting durability via a superhydrophobic effect on the surface, which was stable even after repeated wetting cycles. The hydrophobic effect of this approach was higher compared to that of plasma modified surfaces with their micro-scale modification.
Adipokines in human reproduction
Authors: Dupont Joëlle , Pollet-Villard Xavier , Reverchon Maxime , Mellouk Namya , Levy Rachel
Published: November 2015

Adipose tissue communicates with other central and peripheral organs by the synthesis and release of substances called adipokines. The most studied adipokine is leptin but others have been recently identified including resistin, adiponectin, chemerin, omentin and visfatin. These adipokines have a critical role in the development of obesity-related complications and inflammatory conditions. However, they are also involved in other functions in the organism including reproductive functions. Indeed, many groups have demonstrated that adipokine receptors, such as adiponectin and chemerin, but also adipokines themselves (adiponectin, chemerin, resistin, visfatin and omentin) are expressed in human peripheral reproductive tissues and that these adipokines are likely to exert direct effects on these tissues. After a brief description of these new adipokines, an overview of their actions in different human reproductive organs (hypothalamus, pituitary, ovary, testis, uterus and placenta) will be presented. Finally, comments will be made on the eventual alterations of these adipokines in reproductive disorders, with special attention to polycystic ovary syndrome, a disease characterized by dysfunction of gonadal axis and systemic nerve endocrine metabolic network with a prevalence of up to 10% in women of reproductive age.
Innovation in the Seed Market: The Role of IPRs and Commercialization Rules
Authors: Baudry Marc , Hervouet Adrien
Published: November 2015

This article deals with the impact of legal rules on incentives in the seeds sector to create new plant varieties. The first category of rules consists in intellectual property rights and is intended to address a problem of sequential innovation and R&D effort. The second category concerns commercial rules that are intended to correct a problem of adverse selection. We propose a dynamic model of market equilibrium with vertical product differentiation that enables us to take into account the economic consequences of imposing either Plant Breeders’ Rights (PBRs) or patents as IPRs and either compulsory registration in a catalog or minimum standards as commercialization rules. The main result is that the combination of catalog registration and PBRs adopted in Europe is hardly supported by the model calibrated on data for wheat in France.
About an inverse problem for a free boundary compressible problem in hydrodynamic lubrication
Authors: Ait Hadi Khalid , Bayada Guy , El Alaoui Talibi Mohamed
Published: November 2015

In this paper an inverse problem is considered for a non-coercive partial
differential equation, issued from a mass conservation cavitation
model for a slightly compressible fluid. The
cavitation phenomenon and compressibility take place and are
described by the Elrod model. The existence of an optimal solution
is proven. Optimality conditions are derived and some numerical
results are given.