bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk of Urolithiasis in Anorexia Nervosa: A Population‐Based Cohort Study Using the Health Improvement Network
Authors: Denburg Michelle R. , Leonard Mary B. , Jemielita Thomas O. , Golden Neville H. , Tasian Gregory , Copelovitch Lawrence
Published: June 2017

This population‐based retrospective cohort study sought to determine if anorexia nervosa (AN) is associated with a higher risk of urolithiasis. Nine thousand three hundred two females with AN were compared to 92 959 randomly selected age‐matched and practice‐matched females. Cox regression was used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) for urolithiasis and evaluate effect modification by age. Twenty‐three participants with AN (0.25%) developed urolithiasis compared with 154 unexposed participants (0.17%) over a median of 4 years of observation. The risk of urolithiasis varied significantly with age (interaction p = 0.02). AN was associated with a more than threefold higher risk of urolithiasis in females ≤25 years of age (HR 3.49, 95% CI: 1.56–7.81; p = 0.002), but not in females over 25 years (HR 1.18, 95% CI: 0.69–2.02; p = 0.54). The distribution of diagnosis codes for urolithiasis differed between groups (p = 0.04), with a higher proportion of codes for uric acid urolithiasis in the AN (16.2%) versus unexposed group (5.0%). Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Development and Validation of a Decision Tool for Early Identification of Adult Patients with Severe and Complex Eating Disorder Psychopathology in Need of Highly Specialized Care
Authors: Dingemans Alexandra E. , Goorden Maartje , Lötters Freek J.B. , Bouwmans Clazien , Danner Unna N. , van Elburg Annemarie A. , van Furth Eric F. , Hakkaart‐van Roijen Leona
Published: June 2017

Patients with complex and severe eating disorders often receive a number of ineffective or/and insufficient treatments. Direct referral of these patients to highly specialized tertiary treatment facilities in an earlier stage of the disorder is likely to be more (cost)‐effective. The aim of the study was to develop a decision tool that aids clinicians in early identification of these patients. After identification of criteria that were indicative of severity and complexity of eating disorder psychopathology by means of a systematic review of literature and consultation of a focus group, a Delphi method was applied to obtain consensus from experts on the list of relevant criteria. Finally, the decision tool was validated in clinical practice, and cut‐off criteria were established. The tool demonstrated good feasibility and validity to identify patients for highly specialized tertiary care. The final decision tool consisted of five criteria that can easily be implemented in clinical practice. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Pay less, consume more? The price elasticity of home care for the disabled elderly in France
Authors: Roquebert Quitterie , Tenand Marianne
Published: June 2017

Little is known about the price sensitivity of demand for home care of the disabled elderly. We partially fill this knowledge gap by using administrative data on the beneficiaries of the main French home care subsidy program in a department and exploiting interindividual variation in provider prices. We address the potential endogeneity of prices by taking advantage of the unequal spatial coverage of providers and instrumenting price by the number of municipalities served by a provider. We estimate a price elasticity of around −0.4 that is significantly different from both 0 and −1. This less than proportionate response of consumption to price has implications for the efficiency and redistributive impact of variation in the level of copayments in home care subsidy schemes.
Cytomegalovirus infection in hematologic malignancy settings other than the allogeneic transplant
Authors: Marchesi F. , Pimpinelli F. , Ensoli F. , Mengarelli A.
Published: June 2017

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in clinical settings other than the allogeneic transplant represents a poorly explored issue. Thus, we performed a comprehensive review of the medical literature about CMV infection in patients undergoing autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant and in other nontransplant‐related hematologic patients. In autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant, a CMV reactivation is reported to occur in up to 41% of CMV seropositive patients, when a prospective monitoring of antigenemia and/or viremia by polymerase chain reaction was adopted. However, more contained frequencies, up to 12%, have been reported when the monitoring criteria were based on a clinically driven diagnostic strategy. The most relevant risk factors appear to be CD34 + selected autografts, total body irradiation, and prior treatment with Alemtuzumab, Fludarabine, or Bortezomib, respectively. Other possible risk factors (ie, prior treatment with Rituximab, T‐cell lymphomas, and pretransplant HBcIgG seropositivity) are still debated. In nontransplant settings, the data are very heterogeneous; thus, CMV infection incidence and risk factors are more difficult to establish. Overall, the rate of CMV infection/reactivation ranges between 2 and 67%. High‐dose steroids, advanced disease, poor performance status, and treatment with Alemtuzumab, Fludarabine, Bortezomib, and Rituximab appear as the most relevant, though putative, risk factors. Intravenous Ganciclovir represents the gold standard for first‐line treatment of CMV infection in these patients. Oral Valganciclovir and Foscarnet are other possible options. Extensive prophylaxis and preemptive therapy are not generally recommended, with the exception of high‐risk patients.
Sodium salicylate modulates inflammatory responses through AMP‐activated protein kinase activation in LPS‐stimulated THP‐1 cells
Authors: Bao Weiwei , Luo Yaru , Wang Dan , Li Jian , Wu Xi , Mei Wei
Published: June 2017

Sodium salicylate (NaSal) is a nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug. The putative mechanisms for NaSal's pharmacologic actions include the inhibition of cyclooxygenases, platelet‐derived thromboxane A2, and NF‐κB signaling. Recent studies demonstrated that salicylate could activate AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK), an energy sensor that maintains the balance between ATP production and consumption. The anti‐inflammatory action of AMPK has been reported to be mediated by promoting mitochondrial biogenesis and fatty acid oxidation. However, the exact signals responsible for salicylate‐mediated inflammation through AMPK are not well‐understood. In the current study, we examined the potential effects of NaSal on inflammation‐like responses of THP‐1 monocytes to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. THP‐1 cells were stimulated with or without 10 ug/mL LPS for 24 h in the presence or absence of 5 mM NaSal. Apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry using Annexin V/PI staining and by Western blotting for the Bcl‐2 anti‐apoptotic protein. Cell proliferation was detected by EdU incorporation and by Western blot analysis for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Secretion of pro‐inflammatory cytokines (TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐6) was determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We observed that the activation of AMPK by NaSal was accompanied by induction of apoptosis, inhibition of cell proliferation, and increasing secretion of TNF‐α and IL‐1β. These effects were reversed by Compound C, an inhibitor of AMPK. In addition, NaSal/AMPK activation inhibited LPS‐induced STAT3 phosphorylation, which was reversed by Compound C treatment. We conclude that AMPK activation is important for NaSal‐mediated inflammation by inducing apoptosis, reducing cell proliferation, inhibiting STAT3 activity, and producing TNF‐α and IL‐1β.
Efficient estimation of binding free energies between peptides and an MHC class II molecule using coarse‐grained molecular dynamics simulations with a weighted histogram analysis method
Authors: Huang Ming , Huang Wenjun , Wen Fei , Larson Ronald G.
Published: June 2017

We estimate the binding free energy between peptides and an MHC class II molecule using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with the weighted histogram analysis method (WHAM). We show that, owing to its more thorough sampling in the available computational time, the binding free energy obtained by pulling the whole peptide using a coarse‐grained (CG) force field (MARTINI) is less prone to significant error induced by inadequate‐sampling than using an atomistic force field (AMBER). We further demonstrate that using CG MD to pull 3–4 residue peptide segments while leaving the remaining peptide segments in the binding groove and adding up the binding free energies of all peptide segments gives robust binding free energy estimations, which are in good agreement with the experimentally measured binding affinities for the peptide sequences studied. Our approach thus provides a promising and computationally efficient way to rapidly and reliably estimate the binding free energy between an arbitrary peptide and an MHC class II molecule. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Myeloid‐derived suppressor cells: Important contributors to tumor progression and metastasis
Authors: Safarzadeh Elham , Orangi Mona , Mohammadi Hamed , Babaie Farhad , Baradaran Behzad
Published: June 2017

Myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are traditionally considered among the major components of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). However, there is currently increasing evidence indicating that MDSCs in addition to suppression of immune surveillance is also involved in an array of non‐immunological functions like augmenting metastatic potential of tumor cells. Indeed, MDSCs can promote metastasis in animal models and cancer patients through promoting premetastatic niche formation, tumor angiogenesis and invasion. Moreover, MDSC frequency and function have been associated with progressive disease and correlated with clinical outcome. This review will summarize and discusses the data demonstrating the role for MDSCs in tumor metastasis.
On the structure of (pan, even hole)‐free graphs
Authors: Cameron Kathie , Chaplick Steven , Hoàng Chính T.
Published: June 2017

A hole is a chordless cycle with at least four vertices. A pan is a graph that consists of a hole and a single vertex with precisely one neighbor on the hole. An even hole is a hole with an even number of vertices. We prove that a (pan, even hole)‐free graph can be decomposed by clique cutsets into essentially unit circular‐arc graphs. This structure theorem is the basis of our ‐time certifying algorithm for recognizing (pan, even hole)‐free graphs and for our ‐time algorithm to optimally color them. Using this structure theorem, we show that the tree‐width of a (pan, even hole)‐free graph is at most 1.5 times the clique number minus 1, and thus the chromatic number is at most 1.5 time the clique number.
Color degree and monochromatic degree conditions for short properly colored cycles in edge‐colored graphs
Authors: Fujita Shinya , Li Ruonan , Zhang Shenggui
Published: June 2017

For an edge‐colored graph, its minimum color degree is defined as the minimum number of colors appearing on the edges incident to a vertex and its maximum monochromatic degree is defined as the maximum number of edges incident to a vertex with a same color. A cycle is called properly colored if every two of its adjacent edges have distinct colors. In this article, we first give a minimum color degree condition for the existence of properly colored cycles, then obtain the minimum color degree condition for an edge‐colored complete graph to contain properly colored triangles. Afterwards, we characterize the structure of an edge‐colored complete bipartite graph without containing properly colored cycles of length 4 and give the minimum color degree and maximum monochromatic degree conditions for an edge‐colored complete bipartite graph to contain properly colored cycles of length 4, and those passing through a given vertex or edge, respectively.
Safety and efficacy of venous reconstruction in liver resection using cryopreserved homologous veins
Authors: Yamamoto Masaki , Akamatsu Nobuhisa , Hayashi Akimasa , Togashi Junichi , Sakamoto Yoshihiro , Tamura Sumihito , Hasegawa Kiyoshi , Fukayama Masashi , Makuuchi Masatoshi , Kokudo Norihiro
Published: June 2017

Background

Only a few studies have reported the resection and reconstruction of major hepatic veins during hepatectomy. Here, we present our strategy and techniques for venous reconstruction with cryopreserved homologous veins, and describe the surgical outcome.

Methods

Among 2,387 hepatectomy patients, 39 patients who required hepatic venous reconstruction were reviewed retrospectively. Venous reconstruction was performed to secure a non‐congested liver remnant volume of at least 40% of the total liver volume.

Results

There was no operative mortality, and the severe morbidity rate was 5% in this series. A total of 41 veins were reconstructed; 30 with homologous veins (73.2%) and 11 with autologous veins (26.8%), with the middle hepatic vein being the most frequent (n = 23, 56%). Interposition grafting was performed more often (P = 0.003), the length of the venous resection was longer (P = 0.007), and pathologic wall infiltration of the vein was revealed more often (P = 0.002) in the homologous graft group than in the autologous graft group. The 1‐, 2‐, and 3‐year overall patency of the reconstructed veins was 55.4%, 46.3%, and 46.3%, respectively.

Conclusions

Aggressive venous reconstruction during hepatectomy using cryopreserved homologous veins is a feasible option with satisfactory short‐term outcomes, and may be warranted to improve operative safety.
Differentiation of olfactory neuroblastomas from nasal squamous cell carcinomas using MR diffusion kurtosis imaging and dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI
Authors: Xiao Zebin , Tang Zuohua , Qiang Jinwei , Qian Wen , Zhong Yufeng , Wang Rong , Wang Jie , Wu Lingjie , Tang Wenlin
Published: June 2017

Purpose

To evaluate the use of magnetic resonance (MR) diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) and dynamic contrast‐enhanced MR imaging (DCE‐MRI) in the differentiation of olfactory neuroblastomas (ONBs) from squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs).

Materials and Methods

DKI and DCE‐MRI were performed in 17 patients with ONBs and 23 patients with SCCs on a 3T MR scanner. Parameters derived from DKI and DCE‐MRI were measured and compared between ONBs and SCCs using an independent samplest‐test. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive values (PPV), negative predictive values (NPV), and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were determined.

Results

The mean kurtosis (K) value of ONBs was significantly higher than that of SCCs (P< 0.001), and the mean fractional volume in the extravascular extracellular space (Ve) value of ONBs was lower than that of SCCs (P< 0.001). The ROC curve analyses yielded a cutoff K value of 0.953, with a sensitivity of 94.1%, a specificity of 69.6%, and an accuracy of 80.0%; the cutoff Vevalue was 0.493, with a sensitivity of 70.6%, a specificity of 95.7%, and an accuracy of 85.0%. A parallel test with K value >0.953 or Vevalue ≤0.493 achieved a sensitivity of 94.1%, a specificity of 100.0%, and an accuracy of 97.5% for differentiating ONBs from SCCs.

Conclusion

The K value of DKI and Vevalue of DCE‐MRI have potential use in the differentiation of ONBs and SCCs.

Level of Evidence:3

Technical Efficacy:Stage 2

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:354–361.
A comprehensive analytical study of electrical properties of carbon nanotube field‐effect transistor for future nanotechnology
Authors: Singh Ajay Kumar , Naresh Kumar B. , Ramana Murthy G. , Prabu C.M.R.
Published: June 2017

This paper discusses a comprehensive analytical study of electrical properties of single‐wall conventional carbon nanotube field‐effect transistor (CNTFET) devices of subthreshold swing (SS), transconductance (gm), and extension resistance. The analytical expressions for SS and gm have been derived based on channel modulated potential. In the study, it was observed that SS value of the CNTFET device is equal to 60 mV/decade, which is smaller than the conventional and double gate metal‐oxide‐semiconductor field‐effect transistors. The subthreshold swing degrades at larger tube's diameter and gate‐source voltage due to increased source‐drain leakage current. Carbon nanotube field‐effect transistor devices achieve larger gm at large gate‐source voltage, which has a disadvantage of reducing the allowable voltage swing at the drain. The extension resistance of the device falls with diameter of the tube.
Stratigraphy, age and correlation of two widespread Late Holocene tephras preserved within Lake Kutubu, Southern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea
Authors: Schneider Larissa , Alloway Brent V. , Blong Russell J. , Hope Geoff S. , Fallon Stewart J. , Pain Colin F. , Maher William A. , Haberle Simon G.
Published: June 2017

Sediment cores were retrieved from Lake Kutubu, the largest upland lake in Papua New Guinea, to assess palaeoenvironmental baselines. Two prominent tephra layers were encountered within the cores. Using a combination of core stratigraphy, sediment properties and geochemical characterization (electron microprobe and laser ablation inductively coupled‐plasma mass spectrometry techniques) we were able to correlate these tephras with Tibito and Olgaboli tephras, both previously described at adjacent distal localities. Glass shard compositional data of Tibito tephra from Lake Kutubu, Kuk swamp and from proximal volcaniclastic successions from Long Island are indistinguishable and this similarity strongly supports Long Island as the eruptive source. For Olgaboli tephra, the location of its eruptive source is less certain but the glass shard compositional data indicate a Karkar Island source. The occurrence of Tibito and Olgaboli tephras in Lake Kubutu sediments extends their known distributions further south‐west into the southern Highlands region and affirms their importance as inter‐regional stratigraphic markers, of late Holocene age, that have considerable potential for use in future palaeoenvironmental, archaeological and volcanic hazard and/or impact studies. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bicomponent Block Copolymers Derived from One or More Random Copolymers as an Alternative Route to Controllable Phase Behavior
Authors: Ashraf Arman R. , Ryan Justin J. , Satkowski Michael M. , Lee Byeongdu , Smith Steven D. , Spontak Richard J.
Published: June 2017

Block copolymers have been extensively studied due to their ability to spontaneously self‐organize into a wide variety of morphologies that are valuable in energy‐, medical‐, and conservation‐related (nano)technologies. While the phase behavior of bicomponent diblock and triblock copolymers is conventionally governed by temperature and individual block masses, it is demonstrated here that their phase behavior can alternatively be controlled through the use of blocks with random monomer sequencing. Block random copolymers (BRCs), i.e., diblock copolymers wherein one or both blocks are a random copolymer comprised of A and B repeat units, have been synthesized, and their phase behavior, expressed in terms of the order–disorder transition (ODT), has been investigated. The results establish that, depending on the block composition contrast and molecular weight, BRCs can microphase‐separate. We also report that large variation in incompatibility can be generated at relatively constant molecular weight and temperature with these new soft materials. This sequence‐controlled synthetic strategy is extended to thermoplastic elastomeric triblock copolymers differing in chemistry and possessing a random‐copolymer midblock.
Quality competition and entry deterrence: When to launch a second brand
Authors: Müller Stephan , Götz Georg
Published: June 2017

We study the rationale for an incumbent to launch a second brand when facing potential entry into a market with quality‐differentiated products and a fringe producer. Depending on market size, the cost of a second brand and a potential entrant's setup cost the incumbent might use a second brand both when deterring and when accommodating entry. For low costs of brand proliferation, the high‐quality firm will prevent entry with limit qualities or multiple brands. The high‐quality incumbent will accommodate entry only if it cannot be prevented. Accommodation is always accompanied by an additional brand safeguarding the premium brand.
Physiological alterations associated with intrauterine growth restriction in fetal pigs: Causes and insights for nutritional optimization
Authors: Wang Junjun , Feng Cuiping , Liu Ting , Shi Meng , Wu Guoyao , Bazer Fuller W.
Published: June 2017

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) remains a major problem in swine production since the associated low birth weight leads to high rates of pre‐weaning morbidity and mortality plus permanent retardation of growth and development. Complex biological events—including genetics, epigenetics, maternal maturity, maternal nutrition, placenta efficiency, uterine capacity, and other environmental factors—can affect fetal growth and development during late gestation, as well as maturity of oocytes, duration of estrus, and both implantation and placentation of conceptuses in uteri of sows. Understanding the physiological changes related to initiation and progress of IUGR are, therefore, of great importance to formulate nutritional strategies that can mitigate IUGR in gilts and sows. Altering the nutritional status of sows prior to mating and during early‐, mid‐, and late‐gestation may be effective at increasing the uniformity of oocytes and conceptuses, decreasing variation among conceptuses during elongation and implantation, and preventing increases in within‐litter variation in fetal weights during late gestation. This review summarizes current progress on physiological alterations responsible for IUGR fetuses, as well as possible nutritional interventions to prevent the initiation and continuation of IUGR in gilts and sows.
Patient‐reported outcome measures in advanced musculoskeletal physiotherapy practice: a systematic review
Authors: Fennelly Orna , Blake Catherine , Desmeules François , Stokes Diarmuid , Cunningham Caitriona
Published: June 2017

Objective

Advanced practice physiotherapists (APPs), also known as extended scope physiotherapists, provide a new model of service delivery for musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders. Research to date has largely focused on health service efficiencies, with less emphasis on patient outcomes. The present systematic review aimed to identify the patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs) being utilized by APPs.

Method

A wide search strategy was employed, including the PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, CENTRAL and PEDro databases, to identify studies relating to PROMs utilized by APPs in MSK healthcare settings. PROMs identified were classified into predetermined outcome domains, with additional contextual data extracted.

Results

Of the initial 12,302 studies, 38 met the inclusion criteria. These involved APPs across different settings, utilizing 72 different PROMs and most commonly capturing: Patient Satisfaction, Quality of Life (QoL), Functional Status, and Pain; and, less frequently: Global Status (i.e. overall improvement), Psychological Well‐Being, Work ability, and Healthcare Consumption and Costs. The quality of the PROMs varied greatly, with Satisfaction most commonly measured utilizing non‐standardized locally‐devised tools; the EuroQol five‐dimensions questionnaire (EuroQoL‐5D) and 36‐Item Short‐Form (SF‐36) cited most frequently to capture QoL; and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) to capture Pain. No key measure was identified to capture Functional Status, with 15 different tools utilized.

Conclusion

APPs utilized a multiplicity of PROMs across a range of MSK disorders. The present review will act as an important resource, informing the selection of outcomes for MSK disorders, with a view to greater standardization of outcome measurement in MSK clinical practice, service evaluation and research.
Cooperative receding horizon strategies for the multivehicle routing problem
Authors: Pietrabissa Antonio , Di Giorgio Alessandro , Oddi Guido , Chini Giorgia , Chiang Ming‐Li , Poli Cecilia
Published: June 2017

This paper deals with the dynamic Euclidean Multivehicle Routing Problem (MVRP) in both deterministic and uncertain scenarios. The objective of MVRP is to find the best paths for a fleet of vehicles that are cooperative to visit a set of targets. Based on the cooperative receding horizon (CRH) approach proposed in some previous works, which is vehicle‐oriented, in this paper, we consider a target‐oriented CRH, named tCRH, and then we propose a switching scheme, named sCRH, which is able to dynamically adjust the vehicle behaviors according to the time‐varying configuration of both vehicles and targets, as well as to handle the situation with the appearance of unknown targets. The proposed sCRH counteracts the oscillation problem of CRH and improves the overall routing performances by adopting the advantages of both CRH and tCRH approach. Convergence results and simulation results are provided to validate the proposed approach.
Mixed micellization study of ibuprofen (sodium salt) and cationic surfactant (conventional as well as gemini)
Authors: Kumar Dileep , Rub Malik Abdul , Azum Naved , Asiri Abdullah M.
Published: June 2017

Herein, we have studied the interaction between cationic surfactant (conventional [myristyltrimethylammonium bromide, MTAB] as well as gemini surfactant 1, 4‐butanediyl‐α, ω‐bis(dimethyltetradecylammonium bromide) (14‐4‐14)) and anti‐inflammatory sodium salt of ibuprofen (IBU) drug in aqueous solutions by using tensiometry method at 298.15 K. The means of the interaction of drugs by added foreign materials is of paramount importance in the drug delivery. Ibuprofen is used for the relief of pain, fever, and swelling. From this study we have evaluated different parameters, for example, critical micelle concentration (cmc), micellar mole fraction of mixed micelles/mixed interface (X1m/X1σ), micellar/surface interaction parameter (βm/βσ), activity coefficients (f1m/f1σ and f2m/f2σ) of the mixed micelles/mixed interface, excess Gibbs free energy of mixed monolayer/mixed micelle formation (
/
), surface excess concentration (Γmax) etc. and discussed in detail. The micellar interaction parameter (βm) was determined from the critical micelle concentration values of the pure surfactant (MTAB/14‐4‐14) and IBU (cmc1 and cmc2) and the mixed system (cmc) using the Rubingh's model. In addition to this, various other parameters such as packing parameters of amphiphiles in the micelles (P), volume contribution of the hydrophobic chain (V0), and its effective length (lc), have also been calculated. The value of micellar mole fraction (
) is found to be more for IBU + 14‐4‐14 mixtures as compared to IBU + MTAB mixtures at lower mole fraction and vice versa at a higher mole fraction of surfactant. The ΔGom and ΔGoads values for all studied systems were found out to be negative, ie, micellization, as well as adsorption processes, are found to be energetically favorable.
Exploring the utility of coumarins‐based luminescent spectra converters
Authors: Lapina Viktoryia A. , Pavich Tatiyana A. , Pershukevich Piotr P. , Trofimov Aleksei V. , Trofimova Natalia N. , Tsaplev Yurii B. , Zak Pavel P.
Published: June 2017

The physicochemical aspects of functioning the luminescent converters for a rational modification of the emission spectra of light‐emitting diodes are considered. These converters use laser dyes' coumarins 314, 334, and 343 to transfigure the primary light‐emitting diode spectrum. The fine control of the emission spectra of the mentioned coumarins in polymeric matrices was achieved by introducing nonionic detergents. The relevant characteristics of the photochemical persistence of coumarins in the polymer layers are acquired.
An assessment of ground‐based GNSS Zenith Total Delay observation errors and their correlations using the Met Office UKV model
Authors: Bennitt G. V. , Johnson H. R. , Weston P. P. , Jones J. , Pottiaux E.
Published: June 2017

Ground‐based GNSS Zenith Total Delay (ZTD) observations have been assimilated into the Met Office numerical weather prediction (NWP) models since 2007, and into the Met Office UKV model since its introduction in 2009. The UKV model is a 1.5 km resolution convective‐scale model and uses a 3D‐Var assimilation system. There is a plan to upgrade the UKV assimilation system from 3D‐Var to 4D‐Var in the near future, giving the opportunity to increase the temporal resolution of ZTDs assimilated. The ZTD observation‐error covariances used operationally are assumed to be uncorrelated in both space and time despite the expectation that ZTDs have temporally and spatially correlated observation errors due to the production method (e.g. batch processing using a sliding window and (time) relative constraints). To assess whether these error correlations should be accounted for in order to use ZTDs at higher temporal resolution, a posteriori diagnostics to estimate the extent of temporal and spatial error correlations in ZTD observations over the UK, BENELUX and Northern France are used.

Over two separate month‐long periods, we find that ZTD observations within the same processing batch are correlated, and that correlations persist between different batches to at least 1 h. Spatially, ZTD observations are found to be correlated to a minimum of 62.5 km. We find that the extent of the diagnosed correlation between observations separated in space and time is affected by the value of the relative constraints parameter chosen by the processing centre in the GNSS processing software. The impact of the relative constraints parameter on the diagnosed error variances is greater than that revealed by innovation statistics alone.
Striping noise reduction for ATMS window channels using a modified destriping algorithm
Authors: Zou X. , Dong H. , Qin Z.
Published: June 2017

The Suomi National Polar‐orbiting Partnership Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (S‐NPP ATMS) upper‐air temperature sounding channels display a clear across‐track striping noise in the numerical weather prediction observed minus background (NWP O–B) fields. The striping magnitude variation is much more significant in ATMS along‐track directions. Such a striping feature is also visible at brightness temperature fields at all 22 channels during an ATMS on‐orbit pitch manoeuvre period. An algorithm was developed earlier by combining a principal component analysis (PCA) and ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) and worked well for reducing the striping noise at ATMS upper‐air temperature sounding channels. However, at ATMS window channels (channels 1 and 2), artefacts were generated in the destriped observations at places where ATMS scanlines are aligned with either coastline curves or the edges of deep clouds. They are caused by the along‐track sharp gradients of brightness temperatures at window channels when ATMS Earth scenes change from ocean to land or clear‐sky to deep clouds and vice versa. Thus, an additional step is added to the PCA/EEMD method to eliminate such impacts. The modified destriping method performs well for reducing the striping noise at ATMS window channels without introducing the artefacts to the destriped brightness temperature fields.
ZLF (Zero Lateral Flux): a simple mass conservation method for semi‐Lagrangian‐based limited‐area models
Authors: Zerroukat M. , Shipway B. J.
Published: June 2017

In this paper we outline a simple method to achieve mass conservation with semi‐Lagrangian‐based limited‐area models (SL‐LAMs). Imposing mass conservation with LAMs requires knowledge of advective fluxes across their lateral boundaries. Estimation of these fluxes within a semi‐Lagrangian scheme can be problematic. Methods have been devised to achieve this, however these require extra interpolations which increase the computational cost of the model. By exploiting the way these models are designed and under some mild assumptions, a simple scheme is proposed which avoids computing the lateral fluxes altogether. The scheme achieves the same objectives as the earlier methods, but with minimal extra computational cost. This scheme is validated in a simple one‐dimensional problem and then implemented in a full atmospheric model to show its effectiveness.
A Review of Recent Developments of Mesoporous Materials
Authors: Suib Steven L.
Published: June 2017

This personal account concerns novel recent discoveries in the area of mesoporous materials. Most of the papers discussed have been published within the last two to three years. A major emphasis of most of these papers is the synthesis of unique mesoporous materials by a variety of synthetic methods. Many of these articles focus on the control of the pore sizes and shapes of mesoporous materials. Synthetic methods of various types have been used for such control of porosity including soft templating, hard templating, nano‐casting, electrochemical methods, surface functionalization, and trapping of species in pores. The types of mesoporous materials range from carbon materials, metal oxides, metal sulfides, metal nitrides, carbonitriles, metal organic frameworks (MOFs), and composite materials. The vast majority of recent publications have centered around biological applications with a majority dealing with drug delivery systems. Several other bio‐based articles on mesoporous systems concern biomass conversion and biofuels, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies, ultrasound therapy, enzyme immobilization, antigen targeting, biodegradation of inorganic materials, applications for improved digestion, and antitumor activity. Numerous nonbiological applications of mesoporous materials have been pursued recently. Some specific examples are photocatalysis, photo‐electrocatalysis, lithium ion batteries, heterogeneous catalysis, extraction of metals, extraction of lanthanide and actinide species, chiral separations and catalysis, capturing and the mode of binding of carbon dioxide (CO2), optical devices, and magneto‐optical devices. Of this latter class of applications, heterogeneous catalysis is predominant. Some of the types of catalytic reactions being pursued include hydrogen generation, selective oxidations, aminolysis, Suzuki coupling and other coupling reactions, oxygen reduction reactions (ORR), oxygen evolution reactions (OER), and bifunctional catalysis. For perspective, there have been over 40,000 articles on mesoporous materials published in the last 4 years and about 1388 reviews. By no means is this personal account thorough or all inclusive. One objective has been to choose a variety of articles of different types to obtain a flavor of the breadth of diversity involved in the area of mesoporous materials.
Do Chinese corporations take their governance practices abroad? Evidence from Chinese mining subsidiaries in Australia
Authors: Huang Xueli , Staples Warren
Published: June 2017

Directors of firms are theorized to fulfil control, service and resource dependence roles. However, the ways in which directors’ of Chinese MNCs govern their foreign subsidiaries, and perform these roles remains unclear. Building on the institutional logics perspective, this study explores the roles enacted by the boards of directors eight Chinese‐controlled companies in Australia to gain an appreciation of their governance practices. In depth semi‐structured interviews with insider and independent directors, consultants and market analysts were undertaken. A content analysis of company annual reports and web sites complimented primary sources of data on board functions. Findings reveal that control is the most dominant role played by these boards, rather than service or resource dependence. It also appears that the dominant logics of Chinese institutions influence the corporate governance of Chinese MNCs as they internationalize. These findings extend our understanding of corporate governance practices in China and abroad.
Archeological ceramic artifacts characterization through computed microtomography and X‐ray fluorescence
Authors: Machado A.S. , Oliveira D.F. , Gama Filho H.S. , Latini R. , Bellido A.V.B. , Assis J.T. , Anjos M.J. , Lopes R.T.
Published: June 2017

The analysis of ceramic materials has been proven to be an indispensable tool for indirectly approaching past people and societies through their cultural remnants, allowing inferences about their technology, and their interaction with their surrounding physical and social environments. Pottery products acquire their characteristic properties during the manufacture process. Compositional (mineralogical and chemical) and microstructural analyses have become an integral part of interdisciplinary archaeological research, underlining the importance of compositional and technological comparative studies. As damages must be avoided to the archeological artifacts under study, nondestructivity is an essential requirement for the scientific methods operating in this research field. Therefore, the aim of this publication is to correlate 2 nondestructive techniques, namely, computed microtomography and X‐ray microfluorescence in the structural characterization and investigation of the elemental composition of ceramic samples from 2 different Brazilian archaeological sites. Computed microtomography allowed to differentiate the various materials with different densities that compose the samples. These materials had their elemental composition revealed by X‐ray microfluorescence technique, where several tempers used during the manufacturing process were identified. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The comparative verification of calibration curve and background fundamental parameter methods for impurity analysis in drug materials
Authors: Furukawa Hiroaki , Ichimaru Naoto , Suzuki Keijiro , Nishino Makoto , Broughton Jennifer , Leinders Johan , Ochi Hirotomo
Published: June 2017

The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) has established general analysis guidelines of X‐Ray fluorescence (XRF) methodology in chapter <735>, XRF spectrometry. Meanwhile, the International Conference on Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH Q3D) guideline, presenting a policy for limiting 24 elements such as Cd, Pb, and As in drug products and pharmaceutical ingredients, has now reached Step 5 (Implementation). The limit values of ICH Q3D are strict, for example, near or less than 1 μg/g for Cd and Pb. Moreover, there are other difficulties for accurate analysis, such as different types of matrices and the very small sample volumes in the synthesis research process for new product development in the pharmaceutical industries. Energy dispersive XRF can correct the influence of various matrices and volumes and also has the advantages of nonchemical pretreatment and nondestructive analysis. Advancements in the quantitation by fundamental parameters (FP) method using theoretical calculations, background (BG)‐FP method, leads to reduction in the number of standard samples and effectiveness on the practical elemental impurity control in pharmaceutical researches and inspections. In order to show the applicability of using the BG‐FP method, in this study, the quantitative values of some hazardous inorganic impurities for Cd, Pb, As, V, Co, and Ni in a cellulose matrix were compared by calibration curve method and BG‐FP method through the verification of USP <735>. Both methods can meet the acceptance criteria for accuracy and precision in USP <735>. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimization of L‐shell X‐ray fluorescence detection of lead in bone phantoms using synchrotron radiation
Authors: Gherase Mihai R. , Feng Renfei , Fleming David E. B.
Published: June 2017

Closely related toxicity and retention mechanisms of lead (Pb) in the human body involve the bone tissues where Pb can accumulate and reside on a time scale ranging from years to tens of years. In vivo measurements of bone Pb can, therefore, play an important role in a comprehensive health risk assessment of Pb exposure. In vivo L‐shell X‐ray fluorescence (LXRF) measurement of bone Pb was first demonstrated over 4 decades ago. Implementation of the method, however, encountered challenges associated with low sensitivity and calibration procedure. In this study, the LXRF measurement was optimized by varying the incident photon energy and the excitation‐detection geometry. The Canadian Light Source synchrotron radiation was used to compare 2 different excitation‐detection geometries of 90° and 135° using 3 different X‐ray photon energies: 15.8, 16.6, and 17.5 keV. These energies optimized excitation of the L3 subshell of Pb and simulated the most intense K‐shell emissions of zirconium, niobium, and molybdenum, respectively. Five rectangular plaster‐of‐Paris bone phantoms with Pb concentrations of 0, 7, 17, 26, and 34 μg/g, and one rectangular 3.1‐mm‐thick resin phantom mimicked the X‐ray attenuation properties of human bone and soft tissue, respectively. Optimal LXRF detection was obtained by the 15.8‐keV energy and the 90° and 135° geometries for the bare bone and the bone and soft tissue phantoms, respectively.
Practical implementation – Essential elements resource tool
Authors: Worel Nina
Published: June 2017

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is an established treatment for patients with severe congenital or acquired hemato-/oncological disorders. Despite major improvements, HSCT remains associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Implementation of a quality management system has become standard practice not only for industries when their products or services are associated with significant risks to human safety but also in the healthcare sector. The use of a quality management system contributes to better products and services and improved patient’s outcome after medical interventions. Members of the Alliance for Harmonization of Cellular Therapy Accreditation prepared the document Essential Elements, which is intended to serve as a guide for establishing a quality program for new or developing HSCT programs. It is intended for use as a resource and does not contain the full requirements of all standards but seeks to provide clear examples of compliance to support basic quality system elements. The content is based on common elements found in already existing standards with a major focus on the establishment of a quality program that applies to the entire transplant program. Essential Elements is structured as an explanation helping to understand the intent of the element giving guidance what is needed, and examples showing how the element applies. Centers seeking accreditation are subjected to a detailed document review, on-site inspection and follow-up procedure. In conclusion, new and developing stem cell transplantation programs should focus on quality and safety and step on the path towards full accreditation. The HSCT community must continue its efforts to offer education and training to support developing programs to attain accreditation.
Evaluating physician awareness of common health care costs in the emergency department
Authors: Gandhi Rohit , Stiell Ian , Forster Alan , Worthington James , Ziss Madeleine , Kitts Jack B. , Malik Ranjeeta
Published: June 2017

Background

Health care costs are on the rise in Canada and the sustainability of our health care system is at risk. As gatekeepers to patient care, emergency department (ED) physicians have a direct impact on health care costs. We aimed to identify current levels of cost awareness among ED physicians. By understanding the current level of physician cost awareness, we hope to identify areas where cost education would provide the greatest benefit in reducing ordering costs.

Methods

We conducted a survey evaluating current awareness of common ordering costs among ED physicians from two tertiary teaching hospitals. Our study population was comprised of 124, certified emergency medicine staff physicians and emergency medicine resident physicians. Our survey asked ED physicians to estimate the costs of 41 items across four categories of day-to-day ordering: imaging investigations, materials, laboratory tests, and pharmaceuticals. Items were selected based on frequency of use, availability of cost-effective alternatives, and tests considered to be “low yield”. The primary outcome was percentages of underestimates, correct estimates, and overestimates for ED costs among ED physicians.

Results

The average percentage of correct cost estimates among ED physicians was 14% across the four ordering categories. Where cost-effective alternatives exist, ED physicians overestimated the cost of the more cost-effective item. They also underestimated the cost of low-yield tests.

Interpretation

ED physicians demonstrated limited cost awareness of common health care costs. Further studies that characterize utilization of hospital resources based on ED physician awareness of cost-effective alternatives and cost of “low yield” tests are needed.
BOTTOM UP JUSTIFICATION, ASYMMETRIC EPISTEMIC PUSH, AND THE FRAGILITY OF HIGHER ORDER JUSTIFICATION
Authors: Kappel Klemens
Published: June 2017

When a first order belief accurately reflects the evidence, how should this affect the epistemic justification of a higher order belief that this is the case? In an influential paper, Kelly argues that first order evidential accuracy tends to generate more justified higher order beliefs (Kelly 2010). Call this Bottom Up. I argue that neither general views about what justifies our higher order beliefs nor the specific arguments that Kelly offers support Bottom Up. Second, I suggest that while we can reject Bottom Up, we can still accept that justified higher order beliefs significantly affect the justification of first order beliefs. Third, I argue that the epistemic justification of higher order belief is fragile in the sense that it tends to dissipate when a subject is confronted with certain defeaters, including notably the sort of defeaters arising from disagreement, precisely when higher order justification depends on first order success in the ways that one may think support Bottom Up.
The Licensure Issue in I-O Psychology: A Canadian Perspective
Authors: Zugec Lynda , Michela John L.
Published: June 2017

The issue of registration/licensure as it is currently being discussed in North America is one that is near and dear to many of us involved with industrial-organizational (I-O) psychology in Canada. The consequences of any potential regulatory changes could be profound, and Canadian regulatory authorities, like any others, may be cued by other jurisdictions, including those within the United States, concerning standards and requirements.
Let's Keep Looking for Other Roads: Improving Approaches to Identifying and Addressing Key Drivers
Authors: Howard Matt C.
Published: June 2017

Cucina, Walmsley, Gast, Martin, and Curtin (2017) provide several valid criticisms of survey key driver analysis (SKDA), which is an approach used to identify causes of important employee and organizational outcomes, such as job satisfaction or employee engagement.
Does SKDA Make It Too Easy for Survey Practitioners and Clients to Avoid Harder (OD) Challenges?
Authors: Kraut Allen I.
Published: June 2017

A fair reading of Cucina, Walmsley, Gast, Martin, and Curtin's (2017) astute analysis of survey key driver analysis (SKDA) presents a good case that such analyses are driving down the wrong road and should slow down or come to a halt. In large part, the SKDA they describe seems to be a misleading set of exercises.