bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Concise Review: Boosting T-Cell Reconstitution Following Allogeneic Transplantation—Current Concepts and Future Perspectives
Authors: Simons Laura , Cavazzana Marina , André Isabelle
Published: March 2019

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the treatment of choice for a large number of malignant and nonmalignant (inherited) diseases of the hematopoietic system. Nevertheless, non-HLA identical transplantations are complicated by a severe T-cell immunodeficiency associated with a high rate of infection, relapse and graft-versus-host disease. Initial recovery of T-cell immunity following HSCT relies on peripheral expansion of memory T cells mostly driven by cytokines. The reconstitution of a diverse, self-tolerant, and naive T-cell repertoire, however, may take up to 2 years and crucially relies on the interaction of T-cell progenitors with the host thymic epithelium, which may be altered by GvHD, age or transplant-related toxicities. In this review, we summarize current concepts to stimulate reconstitution of a peripheral and polyclonal T-cell compartment following allogeneic transplantation such as graft manipulation (i.e., T-cell depletion), transfusion of ex vivo manipulated donor T cells or the exogenous administration of cytokines and growth factors to stimulate host-thymopoiesis with emphasis on approaches which have led to clinical trials. Particular attention will be given to the development of cellular therapies such as the ex vivo generation of T-cell precursors to fasten generation of a polyclonal and functional host-derived T-cell repertoire. Having been tested so far only in preclinical mouse models, clinical studies are now on the way to validate the efficacy of such T-cell progenitors in enhancing immune reconstitution following HSCT in various clinical settings. Stem Cells Translational Medicine  2019;00:1–8
Access to Polyfluorinated Tetrahydropyranyl Amides via Prins‐Ritter Cyclization under Green Conditions
Authors: Segovia Claire , Fache Fabienne , Pelotier Béatrice , Piva Olivier
Published: March 2019

The formation of 4‐amido‐substituted tetrahydropyrans by Prins‐Ritter cyclisation under green solvent‐free conditions was investigated. The optimal conditions were applied to the synthesis of different tetrahydropyranyl amides, and subsequently to a new family of polyfluorinated derivatives when starting from hepta‐1,6‐dien‐4‐ol.
Conductive Polymer Hydrogel Microfibers from Multiflow Microfluidics
Authors: Guo Jiahui , Yu Yunru , Wang Huan , Zhang Han , Zhang Xiaoxuan , Zhao Yuanjin
Published: March 2019

Conductive hydrogels are receiving increasing attention for their utility in electronic area applications requiring flexible conductors. Here, it is presented novel conductive hydrogel microfibers with alginate shells and poly (3, 4‐ethylenedioxythiophene): poly (4‐styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT: PSS) cores fabricated using a multiflow capillary microfluidic spinning approach. Based on multiflow microfluidics, alginate shells are formed immediately from the fast gelation reaction between sodium alginate (Na‐Alg) and sheath laminar calcium chloride flows, while PEDOT: PSS cores are solidified slowly in the hollow alginate hydrogel shell microreactors after their precursor solutions are injected in situ as the center fluids. The resultant PEDOT: PSS‐containing microfibers are with features of designed morphology and highly controllable package, because material compositions or the sizes of their shell hydrogels can be tailored by using different concentrations or flow rates of pregel solutions. Moreover, the practical values of these microfibers in stretch sensitivity and bending stability are explored based on various electrical characterizations of the compound materials. Thus, it is believed that these microfluidic spinning PEDOT: PSS conductive microfibers will find important utility in electronic applications requiring flexible electronic systems.
Chronic exposure to dichloroacetamide induces biochemical and histopathological changes in the gills of zebrafish
Authors: Zhang Yu , Sun Hong‐Jie , Zhang Jing‐Ying , Ndayambaje Emmanuel , Lin Hongjun , Chen Jianrong , Hong Huachang
Published: March 2019

To evaluate the impact of DCAcAm on zebrafish gill, we measure the responses of antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase, SOD), lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde, MDA), ATPase (Na+/K+‐ATPase and Ca2+/Mg2+‐ATP) and histopathological changes of gill in adult zebrafish, after exposed to different concentrations of DCAcAm (0, 1, 10, 100, and 1000 μg L−1) for 30 days. Results indicated that DCAcAm first increased and then decreased SOD activity, and DCAcAm also lowered the activities of Na+/K+‐ATPase and Ca2+/Mg2+‐ATPase. These results indicated that high affinity of DCAcAm probably be a main factor, which can damage the structures of enzymes, thereby inhibiting the SOD and ATPase activities. Besides, histopathological investigation results also manifested that chronic exposure to DCAcAm can damage the gill tissues, disrupting the normal function of gills. We conclude that chronic exposure to DCAcAm was harmful to organisms, not only influence gill function, but also further cause damage on the gill tissues.
Early‐pregnancy events and subsequent antenatal, delivery and neonatal outcomes: prospective cohort study
Authors: Al‐Memar M. , Vaulet T. , Fourie H. , Nikolic G. , Bobdiwala S. , Saso S. , Farren J. , Pipi M. , Van Calster B. , de Moor B. , Stalder C. , Bennett P. , Timmerman D. , Bourne T.
Published: March 2019

Objective

To assess prospectively the association between pelvic pain, vaginal bleeding, and nausea and vomiting occurring in the first trimester of pregnancy and the incidence of later adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Methods

This was a prospective observational cohort study of consecutive women with confirmed intrauterine singleton pregnancy between 5 and 14 weeks' gestation recruited at Queen Charlotte's & Chelsea Hospital, London, UK, from March 2014 to March 2016. Serial ultrasound scans were performed in the first trimester. Participants completed validated symptom scores for vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, and nausea and vomiting. The key symptom of interest was any pelvic pain and/or vaginal bleeding during the first trimester. Pregnancies were followed up until the final outcome was known. Antenatal, delivery and neonatal outcomes were obtained from hospital records. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between first‐trimester symptoms and pregnancy complications by calculating adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with correction for maternal age.

Results

Of 1003 women recruited, 847 pregnancies were included in the final analysis following exclusion of cases due to first‐trimester miscarriage (n = 99), termination of pregnancy (n = 20), loss to follow‐up (n = 32) or withdrawal from the study (n = 5). Adverse antenatal complications were observed in 166/645 (26%) women with pelvic pain and/or vaginal bleeding in the first trimester (aOR = 1.79; 95% CI, 1.17–2.76) and in 30/181 (17%) women with no symptoms. Neonatal complications were observed in 66/634 (10%) women with and 11/176 (6%) without pelvic pain and/or vaginal bleeding (aOR = 1.73; 95% CI, 0.89–3.36). Delivery complications were observed in 402/615 (65%) women with and 110/174 (63%) without pelvic pain and/or vaginal bleeding during the first trimester (aOR = 1.16; 95% CI, 0.81–1.65). For 18 of 20 individual antenatal complications evaluated, incidence was higher among women with pelvic pain and/or vaginal bleeding, despite the overall incidences being low. Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy showed little association with adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that there is an increased incidence of antenatal complications in women experiencing pelvic pain and/or vaginal bleeding in the first trimester. This should be considered when advising women attending early‐pregnancy units. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Moderne Hochkompressions‐Turbopumpen
Authors: Schopphoff Andreas , Mekota Mirko
Published: March 2019

Modern high compression turbopumps – Theory and Practice

The performance of turbopumps has shown a rapid development since their invention in the middle of the last century. Even though there are limitations due to geometry and general functionality, with the help of clever combinations of standard turbo pumps with Holweck stages, applications nowadays are possible where in the past ion getter pumps were needed. In particular modern high compression turbo pumps are suitable for generating UHV even in combination with small and simple backing pumps.
Single‐layer and multi‐layer wear‐resistant coatings
Authors: Kostrin D. K.
Published: March 2019

In this paper the formation of wear‐resistant coatings based on titanium and aluminum compounds using vacuum arc discharge and molecular nitrogen as a working gas is discussed. The experiments were carried out using an installation containing two independent evaporators and a system for attenuation and purification of the plasma flow. To obtain a high‐quality coating, it is necessary to ensure the equality of the ion flux densities coming to the substrate. The results of the experiments show that by changing the bias voltage on the substrate it is possible to adjust the content of elements in the coating and thus to control its parameters. Multi‐layer coatings have better performance characteristics, but require an improved degree of purification of the plasma flow from the droplet fraction.
PVD‐Schutzschichten für Werkzeuge des Präzisionsblankpressens
Authors: Bobzin Kirsten , Brögelmann Tobias , Kruppe Nathan C. , Stanek Bonnie , Naderi Mona
Published: March 2019

PVD protective coatings for precision molding tools

Precision glass molding (PGM) is a replicative hot forming process for the production of complex optical components, such as aspherical lenses for digital and mobile phone cameras or optical elements for laser systems. The efficiency and thus also the profitability of the PGM depend on the unit price per pressed component, which correlates primarily with the service lifetime of the pressing tools. To increase tool lifetime, the tool surfaces are coated with protective coatings based on precious metals or carbon using physical vapour deposition (PVD). The PVD coating technology enables the deposition of thin coatings, which also follow more complex surface geometries and achieve a high surface quality. PVD coatings are also commonly used to protect tools from wear and corrosion. This paper presents two chromium‐based nitride hard coatings produced by an industrial PVD unit and investigated for their applicability for PGM. Two different coating architectures were implemented, on the one hand a single coating chromium aluminium nitride (Cr,Al)N coating and on the other hand a nanolaminar CrN/AlN coating with alternating layers of chromium nitride and aluminium nitride. The latter is a coating consisting of hundreds of nano‐layers, only a few nanometers thick. Both coatings, (Cr,Al)N and CrN/AlN, each have a thickness of s ∼ 300 nm in order to follow the tool contour as closely as possible. The properties of the coating systems, which are of particular relevance for PGM, are considered. These include on the one hand the adhesion of glass, the roughness and topography of the surface and the adhesion between the coating and the tool material. In addition, the barrier effect of the coatings against diffusion of oxygen was investigated. In order to reproduce the thermal boundary conditions of the PGM, thermocyclic aging tests are performed and their influence on the different properties is described.
A New Reconfigurable Architecture with Applications to IoT and Mobile Computing
Authors: Gharehbaghi Amir Masoud , Maruoka Tomohiro , Fujita Masahiro
Published: March 2019

Traditional reconfigurable devices known as FPGAs utilize a complicated programmable routing network to provide flexibility in connecting different logic elements across the FPGA chip. As such, the routing procedure may become very complicated, especially in the presence of tight timing constraints. Moreover, the routing network itself occupies a large portion of chip area as well as consumes a lot of power. Therefore, limiting their usage in mobile applications or IoT devices with higher performance and lower energy demands. In this paper, we introduce a new reconfigurable architecture which only allows communication between neighboring logic elements. This way, the routing structure and the routing resources become much simpler than traditional FPGAs. Moreover, we present two different method for scheduling and routing in our new proposed architecture. The first method deals with general circuits or irregular computations and is based on integer linear programming. The second method is for regular computations such as convolutional neural networks or matrix operations. We have shown the mapping results on ISCAS benchmark circuits as general irregular computations as well as heuristics to improve the efficiency of mapping for larger benchmarks. Moreover, we have shown results on regular computations including matrix multiplication and convolution operations of neural networks.
IoTutor: How Cognitive Computing Can Be Applied to Internet of Things Education
Authors: Memeti Suejb , Pllana Sabri , Ferati Mexhid , Kurti Arianit , Jusufi Ilir
Published: March 2019

We present IoTutor that is a cognitive computing solution for education of students in the IoT domain. We implement the IoTutor as a platform-independent web-based application that is able to interact with users via text or speech using natural language. We train the IoTutor with selected scientific publications relevant to the IoT education. To investigate users’ experience with the IoTutor, we ask a group of students taking an IoT master level course at the Linnaeus University to use the IoTutor for a period of two weeks. We ask students to express their opinions with respect to the attractiveness, perspicuity, efficiency, stimulation, and novelty of the IoTutor. The evaluation results show a trend that students express an overall positive attitude towards the IoTutor with majority of the aspects rated higher than the neutral value.
How Three Poznan University Students Broke the German Enigma Code and Shortened World War Two
Authors: Johnson Roger G.
Published: March 2019

The story of the Allied breaking of the German Enigma codes in World War 2 was first published in the 1970s. Even now many of the details, especially concerning the critical work in the 1930s undertaken by gifted and dedicated Polish codebreakers remains largely unknown. Their work is credited with saving the Allies several years work and so shortening the war and saving thousands of lives. The holding of the IFIP World Computer Congress in Poznan, home of the Polish codebreakers, gave an opportunity for their work to be highlighted to an international audience. Talks covering the work of the Polish, British and French codebreakers were given and webcast worldwide. In addition, a encoded Enigma message was sent at the start of the day from Poznan to Bletchley Park in the UK where the volunteers of the Bombe team at The National Museum of Computing successfully confirmed their breaking of the message at the start of the afternoon session.
Should Artificial Intelligence Be More Regulated?
Authors: Strous Leon
Published: March 2019

Artificial Intelligence (AI) can and does bring immense benefits in all sorts of areas. But it also introduces (new) risks. Is more regulation needed? In order to answer this question arguments pro and con were presented by four panel members and discussed and challenged by the audience. Many issues were raised, ethical principles, the obstacles that make it hard to draft good legislation. We don’t want to stifle innovation or deny society the benefits of these technologies by excessive regulation. A distinction is made between science (research) and the application of AI technologies. Comparisons with other sectors and technologies are made to see whether parallels can be drawn.
IoT: Do We Have a Choice?
Authors: Strous Leon ,   IFIP Domain Committee on IoT
Published: March 2019

Many experts and organizations are addressing the Internet of Things (IoT) in policy statements, papers and conferences. There are many aspects to be considered when talking about IoT. The International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP) contributes to the discussion by investigating what choices can or must be made regarding these various aspects. And by addressing the question what choices various stakeholders should have. This draft version of the position paper was discussed at the IFIP IoT working conference on 18-09-2018 and in the IFIP General Assembly on 23-09-2018. The outcome of these discussions will be processed in the final version of the position paper.
Strategies for Reducing Power Consumption and Increasing Reliability in IoT
Authors: Reis Ricardo
Published: March 2019

The Internet of Things (IoT) demands new challenges in the design of computing and electronics components. One of the challenges is the power reduction of this expanding network of connected devices, where the majority is permanently connected. In a large set of applications, another significant issue is reliability, especially on critical areas as health and transport. This paper shows an overview of design strategies that we have developed to reduce power consumption and to increase reliability in circuits that are components of the IoT, as the reduction of the number of transistors in IoT devices, using optimisation techniques and the physical design of circuits tolerant to radiation effects.
Developmental trajectory of hope among late‐adolescents: Population heterogeneity and the impact of gender and family socioeconomic status
Authors: Yin Xiayun , Li Zhihua , Yuan Yanyun , Wang Zhihang
Published: March 2019

Objective

To study the developmental trajectory of hope among late‐adolescents, taking population heterogeneity and the impact of gender and family socioeconomic status (SES) into consideration.

Methods

The study used the Snyder Hope Scale to perform four surveys of a sample of 381 Chinese late‐adolescents, both male and female, with a mean age of 17.69 ± 1.12 years, over the course of one year, and employed a growth mixture model to perform data analysis.

Results

Although the levels of hope among the respondents who had high and moderate levels of hope at the outset of the study remained relatively stable over the course of the year, those with low levels of hope exhibited a significant decrease over time.

Conclusions

There is significant population heterogeneity in late‐adolescents' developmental trajectory of hope. Additionally, gender and family SES have a significant effect on the developmental trajectory of hope, as significantly more female students than male students reported high levels of hope. Furthermore, participants with high family SES outnumbered those with low family SES in the high‐hope group, whereas those with low SES outnumbered those with high SES in the low‐hope group.
Apoptosis of mesenchymal stem cells is regulated by Rspo1 via the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway
Authors: Cheng Xiao‐Xia , Yang Qiao‐Yan , Qi Yong‐Li , Liu Zhi‐Zhen , Liu Dan , He Sheng , Yang Li‐Hong , Xie Jun
Published: March 2019

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect and possible mechanism of action of roof plate‐specific spondin1 (Rspo1) in the apoptosis of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs).

Methods

Osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of BMSCs was identified by Alizarin Red and Oil Red O staining, respectively. BMSC surface markers (cluster of differentiation 29 [CD29], CD90, and CD45) were detected using flow cytometry. BMSCs were transfected with an adenoviral vector encoding Rspo1 (BMSCs‐Rspo1 group). The expression levels of Rspo1 gene and Rspo1 protein in the BMSCs‐Rspo1 group and the two control groups (untransfected BMSCs group and BMSCs‐green fluorescent protein [GFP] group) were analyzed and compared by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. The occurrence of apoptosis in the three groups was detected by flow cytometry and acridine orange‐ethidium bromide (AO‐EB) double dyeing. The activity of the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway was evaluated by measuring the expression levels of the key proteins of the pathway (β‐catenin, c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase [JNK], and phospho‐JNK).

Results

Osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation was confirmed in cultured BMSCs by the positive expression of CD29 and CD90 and the negative expression of CD45. Significantly increased expression levels of Rspo1 protein in the BMSCs‐Rspo1 group compared to those in the BMSCs (0.60 ± 0.05 vs. 0.13 ± 0.02; t=95.007, P=0.001) and BMSCs‐GFP groups (0.60 ± 0.05 vs. 0.10 ± 0.02; t=104.842, P=0.001) were observed. The apoptotic rate was significantly lower in the BMSCs‐Rspo1 group compared with those in the BMSCs group ([24.06 ± 2.37]% vs. [40.87 ± 2.82]%; t = 49.872, P = 0.002) and the BMSCs‐GFP group ([24.06 ± 2.37]% vs. [42.34 ± 0.26]%; t = 62.358, P = 0.001). In addition, compared to the BMSCs group, the protein expression levels of β‐catenin (2.67 ± 0.19 vs. 1.14 ± 0.14; t = −9.217, P = 0.000) and JNK (1.87 ± 0.17 vs. 0.61 ± 0.07; t = −22.289, P = 0.000) were increased in the BMSCs‐Rspo1 group. Compared to the BMSCs‐GFP group, the protein expression levels of β‐catenin (2.67 ± 0.19 vs. 1.44 ± 0.14; t = −5.692, P = 0.000) and JNK (1.87 ± 0.17 vs. 0.53 ± 0.06; t = −10.589, P = 0.000) were also upregulated in the BMSCs‐Rspo1 group. Moreover, the protein expression levels of phospho‐JNK were increased in the BMSCs‐Rspo1 group compared to those in the BMSCs group (1.89 ± 0.10 vs. 0.63 ± 0.09; t = −8.975, P = 0.001) and the BMSCs‐GFP group (1.89 ± 0.10 vs. 0.69 ± 0.08; t = −9.483, P = 0.001).

Conclusion

The Wnt/β‐catenin pathway could play a vital role in the Rspo1‐mediated inhibition of apoptosis in BMSCs.
How biometrics (and blockchain) could save bricks-and-mortar retail
Authors: Johnson Alastair
Published: March 2019

The explosion of e-commerce over the past decade is testament to how digital advances are slowly consuming the domains of both finance and retail. Shoppers around the globe need only open a smartphone app, tap on the goods they wish to purchase and have them shipped, often with next-day delivery for domestic merchants. Combined with SciFi-worthy talk of drone deliveries, you'd be forgiven for thinking that bricks-and-mortar retailers are on the brink of extinction.
Paying People to Risk Life or Limb
Authors: Hughes Robert C.
Published: March 2019

Does the content of a physically dangerous job affect the moral permissibility of hiring for that job? To what extent may employers consider costs in choosing workplace safety measures? Drawing on Kantian ethical theory, this article defends two strong ethical standards of workplace safety. First, the content of a hazardous job does indeed affect the moral permissibility of offering it. Unless employees need hazard pay to meet basic needs, it is permissible to offer a dangerous job only if prospective employees have a reason other than hazard pay to choose this job instead of safer alternatives. Second, employers typically cannot justify omitting expensive safety measures by paying employees more, even if employees prefer higher pay to greater safety. Employers offering dangerous jobs must meet these two standards to avoid treating their employees merely as means.
The ex-Casa del Fascio in Predappio and the question of the “difficult heritage” of Fascism in contemporary Italy
Authors: Storchi Simona
Published: March 2019

This article focuses on the history and reception of the ex-Casa del Fascio in Predappio, from the end of the Second World War to the current plans for its restoration and reuse as a study centre and a museum of Fascism. Taking into account changes in legislative, political, and cultural contexts, the article proposes an approach to the legacy of Fascist architecture in Italy based not just on its ideological charge, but also on cultural and political shifts, changes in legislation, and the complex relationships between the bodies in charge of the preservation and management of public heritage. The recent plans put forward by the town administration to restore the building and turn it into a museum of Fascism have reopened the debate on the heritage of Fascism and the ex-Casa del Fascio has now become one of the most conspicuous emblems of Italy’s uneasy relationship with its Fascist past and of the problems of dealing with the material legacy of the Fascist regime.
Foraging extends beyond food: Hoarding of mental energy and information seeking in response to uncertainty
Authors: Alquist Jessica L. , Baumeister Roy F.
Published: March 2019

When an environment is uncertain, humans and other animals benefit from preparing for and attempting to predict potential outcomes. People respond to uncertainty both by conserving mental energy on tasks unrelated to the source of the uncertainty and by increasing their attentiveness to information related to the uncertainty. This mental hoarding and foraging allow people to prepare in uncertain situations.
A neural basis for food foraging in obesity
Authors: Almiron-Roig Eva , Pastor Maria A. , Martínez J. Alfredo , Drewnowski Adam
Published: March 2019

Poverty-related food insecurity can be viewed as a form of economic and nutritional uncertainty that can lead, in some situations, to a desire for more filling and satisfying food. Given the current obesogenic food environment and the nature of the food supply, those food choices could engage a combination of sensory, neurophysiological, and genetic factors as potential determinants of obesity.
Random isn't real: How the patchy distribution of ecological rewards may generate “incentive hope”
Authors: Symes Laurel , Wheatley Thalia
Published: March 2019

Anselme & Güntürkün generate exciting new insights by integrating two disparate fields to explain why uncertain rewards produce strong motivational effects. Their conclusions are developed in a framework that assumes a random distribution of resources, uncommon in the natural environment. We argue that, by considering a realistically clumped spatiotemporal distribution of resources, their conclusions will be stronger and more complete.
Time-resolved measurements of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) emission, from EUV-induced He, Ne, and Ar plasmas
Authors: Bartnik A. , Fiedorowicz H. , Wachulak P. , Fok T.
Published: March 2019

Irradiation of gases with intense pulses of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) can result in the formation of low-temperature plasmas. During the time of irradiation, various non-thermal processes driven by the EUV photons and photoelectrons take place, leading to the creation of excited states of atoms and ions. Fast relaxation of these states should result in EUV emission within a time comparable to the driving EUV pulse. On the other hand, from our earlier works, a time duration of the emission in an optical range is over an order of magnitude longer. It can be thus expected that the time of EUV emission can be also relatively long. In this work, time-resolved measurements of the EUV emission from low-temperature plasmas induced in He, Ne, and Ar gases were performed. Due to a low intensity of the emitted radiation, a specially prepared detection system, based on an EUV collector and an EUV sensitive photodiode, was employed. In all cases, a time duration of the EUV emission was much longer compared with the driving EUV pulse. Time profiles of the corresponding signals were specific for particular gases. In case of He and Ne plasmas, these time profiles varied with initial densities of gases to be ionized. The corresponding dependence was especially visible in case of plasmas induced in helium. In case of Ar plasmas, such dependence was not revealed.
LETTER TO THE EDITORS: MISREPRESENTING ADAM SMITH’S MONETARY AND BANKING ANALYSES: A COMMENT ON NICHOLAS CUROTT’S INTERPRETATIONS
Authors: Ahiakpor James
Published: March 2019

Nicholas Curott attempts to correct some misrepresentations of Adam Smith’s monetary and banking analyses. However, failing to recognize Smith’s adoption of David Hume’s quantity theory of price levels and the price-specie-flow mechanism, Smith’s distinction between money and credit and their sources, and Smith’s suggestion of real, rather than “fictitious,” bills as safer for private bank lending, Curott denigrates Smith’s theory of money and banking as inferior to some modern writers’. Curott also mischaracterizes Smith’s money demand function, which is best represented as a rectangular hyperbola. I draw from the Wealth of Nations to correct Curott’s misrepresentations of Smith’s analyses.
Improving the Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) process: A qualitative study of family caregiver perspectives
Authors: Hales Brigette M. , Bean Sally , Isenberg-Grzeda Elie , Ford Bill , Selby Debbie
Published: March 2019

Objective

The road to legalization of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) across Canada has largely focused on legislative details such as eligibility and establishment of regulatory clinical practice standards. Details on how to implement high-quality, person-centered MAID programs at the institutional level are lacking. This study seeks to understand what improvement opportunities exist in the delivery of the MAID process from the family caregiver perspective.

Method

This multi-methods study design used structured surveys, focus groups, and unstructured e-mail/phone conversations to gather experiential feedback from family caregivers of patients who underwent MAID between July 2016 and June 2017 at a large academic hospital in Toronto, Canada. Data were combined and a qualitative, descriptive approach used to derive themes within family perspectives.

Result

Improvement themes identified through the narrative data (48% response rate) were grouped in two categories: operational and experiential aspects of MAID. Operational themes included: process clarity, scheduling challenges and the 10-day period of reflection. Experiential themes included clinician objection/judgment, patient and family privacy, and bereavement resources.

Significance of results

To our knowledge, this is the first time that family caregivers’ perspectives on the quality of the MAID process have been explored. Although practice standards have been made available to ensure all legislated components of the MAID process are completed, detailed guidance for how to best implement patient and family centered MAID programs at the institutional level remain limited. This study provides guidance for ways in which we can enhance the quality of MAID from the perspective of family caregivers.
Association of Pro-inflammatory Dietary Intake and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Findings from Iranian case-control study
Authors: Vahid Farhad , Shivappa Nitin , Hekmatdoost Azita , R Hebert James , Poustchi Hossein , Shamsipour Ali , Eslamparast Tannaz , Meibodi Mohammad , Rahmani Diyako
Published: March 2019

Abstract. Background: Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is considered as a major health problem in the world. There is much evidence that diet and dietary factors play an important role in inflammation, and consequently pathogenesis of NAFLD. To investigate the role of diet in the development of inflammation, we can use the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII), which has been shown to be predictive of levels of inflammatory markers. Methods: 295 incident cases were selected using the convenience-sampling procedure, and 704 controls randomly were selected from the same clinic and among the patients who had no hepatic steatosis and were frequency-matched on age (±5 years) and sex. The DII was computed based on dietary intake from 168-item FFQ. Logistic regression models were used to estimate multivariable ORs. Results: Subjects in tertile 3 had 1.57 (95% CI: 1.13–2.20), 1.78 (95% CI: 1.19–2.67), and 2.02 (95% CI: 1.32–3.09) times higher odds of developing NAFLD, compared to subjects in tertile 1 in models 1 (adjusted for age), 2 (model 1 + BMI, education, smoking, alcohol, diabetes, low density lipoprotein, triglycerides) and 3 (model 2 + aspartate transaminase/alanine transaminase), respectively. When used as a continuous variable, one unit increase in DII was associated with 1.16 (95% CI: 1.05, 1.29), 1.21 (95% CI: 1.107, 1.37) and 1.25 (95% CI: 1.10, 1.43) increase in odds of NAFLD in models one, 2 and 3 respectively. Conclusion: Subjects who consumed a more pro-inflammatory diet were at increased odds of NAFLD.
Korean Teachers' Bereavement Experience Following Student Suicide
Authors: Kim Ji Eun
Published: March 2019

Abstract. Background: Suicide is the leading cause of death in Korean adolescents and it exposes school teachers to the impact of student suicide. Aims: This study aimed to explore the bereavement experience of teachers following student suicide. Method: Using semistructured questions, five female teachers working at secondary schools in Korea were interviewed on their bereavement experiences. Data were analyzed using a phenomenological approach. Results: Participants described their experiences in dimensions of individuals and professions, yielding four major themes and 11 subthemes. They made efforts to learn about the suicide as a first step toward understanding. Participants suspended their grief in public owing to the atmosphere in their workplace. They aimed to tolerate the suicide and recognized their role anew in preventing student suicide. Conclusion: Following student suicide, bereaved teachers experience a variety of effects, dysfunctions, and adjustments as individuals and professionals. Their experience should be understood in both individual and collective ways in school settings and in the cultural context. The findings encourage school health providers to develop programs and policies to help teachers bereaved by student suicide.
Increasing Biomass in the Warm Oceans: Unexpected New Insights From SeaWiFS
Authors: Sharma P. , Marinov I. , Cabre A. , Kostadinov T. , Singh A.
Published: March 2019

Marine phytoplankton biomass and community structure are expected to change under global warming, with potentially significant impacts on ocean carbon, nutrient cycling, and marine food webs. Previous studies have indicated decreases of primary production and chlorophyll a concentrations and oligotrophic gyre expansions from satellite ocean‐color measurements, purportedly due to global warming. We review this topic via a reanalysis of a novel backscattering‐based phytoplankton functional type and phytoplankton biomass time series over the 1997–2010 period. Unlike previous work, we find that globally the biomass and the percent of large (small) phytoplankton increase (decrease). The oligotrophic gyres contract or expand depending on the chlorophyll a threshold definition employed. In the subtropical gyres, chlorophyll a trends are likely due to physiological changes, while the increasing biomass trends are due to winds and relevant mixing length scale increases.
Modulation of Mid‐Holocene African Rainfall by Dust Aerosol Direct and Indirect Effects
Authors: Thompson Alexander J. , Skinner Christopher B. , Poulsen Christopher J. , Zhu Jiang
Published: March 2019

Climate model simulations of the mid‐Holocene (MH) consistently underestimate northern African rainfall for reasons not fully understood. While most models incorporate orbital forcing and vegetation feedbacks, they neglect dust reductions associated with greater vegetation cover. Here we simulate the MH climate response to reduced Saharan dust using CESM CAM5‐chem, which resolves direct and indirect dust aerosol effects. Direct aerosol effects increase Saharan and Sahel convective rainfall by ~16% and 8%. In contrast, indirect aerosol effects decrease stratiform rainfall, damping the dust‐induced total rainfall increase by ~13% in the Sahara and ~59% in the Sahel. Sensitivity experiments indicate the dust‐induced precipitation anomaly in the Sahara and Sahel (0.27 and 0.18 mm/day) is smaller than the anomaly from MH vegetation cover (1.19 and 1.08 mm/day). Although sensitive to dust radiative properties, sea surface temperatures, and indirect aerosol effect parameterization, our results suggest that dust reductions had competing effects on MH African rainfall.
Natural Climate Oscillations may Counteract Red Sea Warming Over the Coming Decades
Authors: Krokos George , Papadopoulos Vassilis P. , Sofianos Sarantis S. , Ombao Hernando , Dybczak Patryk , Hoteit Ibrahim
Published: March 2019

Recent reports of warming trends in the Red Sea raise concerns about the response of the basin's fragile ecosystem under an increasingly warming climate. Using a variety of available Sea Surface Temperature (SST) data sets, we investigate the evolution of Red Sea SST in relation to natural climate variability. Analysis of long‐term SST data sets reveals a sequence of alternating positive and negative trends, with similar amplitudes and a periodicity of nearly 70 years associated with the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation. High warming rates reported recently appear to be a combined effect of global warming and a positive phase of natural SST oscillations. Over the next decades, the SST trend in the Red Sea purely related to global warming is expected to be counteracted by the cooling Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation phase. Regardless of the current positive trends, projections incorporating long‐term natural oscillations suggest a possible decreasing effect on SST in the near future.
Nonmonotonic Response of Primary Production and Export to Changes in Mixed‐Layer Depth in the Southern Ocean
Authors: Llort J. , Lévy M. , Sallée J. B. , Tagliabue A.
Published: March 2019

Ongoing and future changes in wind and temperature are predicted to alter upper ocean vertical mixing across the Southern Ocean. How these changes will affect primary production (PP) remains unclear as mixing influences the two controlling factors: light and iron. We used a large ensemble of 1‐D‐biogeochemical model simulations to explore the impacts of changes in mixed‐layer depths on PP in the Southern Ocean. In summer, shoaling mixed‐layer depth always reduced depth‐integrated PP, despite increasing production rates. In winter, shoaling mixed layers had a two‐staged impact: for moderate shoaling PP increased as light conditions improved, but more pronounced shoaling decreased iron supply, which reduced PP. The fraction of PP exported below 100 m also presented a nonmonotonic behavior. This suggests a potential future shift from a situation where reduced winter mixing increases PP and export, to a situation where PP and export may collapse if the ML shoals above a threshold depth.
Dependence of Summertime Surface Ozone on NOx and VOC Emissions Over the United States: Peak Time and Value
Authors: Li Jianfeng , Wang Yuhang , Qu Hang
Published: March 2019

We apply the Regional chEmistry and trAnsport Model to analyze summertime O3 observations over the contiguous United States. We show that the evaluation of simulated timing of surface ozone maximum with observations provides another independent constraint on the model in addition to O3 concentrations. Over regions with massive biogenic isoprene emissions,O3 peak values are sensitive to the emissions of NOx but not VOCs; however, O3 peak time is sensitive to isoprene emissions and increasing isoprene emissions leads to earlier peak time. By such relationships and model evaluation with the observations, we find that the underestimation of soil NOx emissions leads to a low bias of simulated O3 peak value in the south, while the overestimation of biogenic isoprene emissions results in earlier than observed O3 peak time in the central, south, and southeast regions. The latter is corroborated by the evaluation using Ozone Monitoring Instrument observations of HCHO tropospheric columns.
Intensification and Expansion of Soil Moisture Drying in Warm Season Over Eurasia Under Global Warming
Authors: Gu Xihui , Zhang Qiang , Li Jianfeng , Singh Vijay P. , Liu Jianyu , Sun Peng , He Chunyang , Wu Jianjun
Published: March 2019

Soil moisture (SM) is a key hydrological component regulating the net ecosystem energy exchange at the land‐atmosphere boundary layer over the continents via heat fluxes and relevant feedback on precipitation. Due to its ecological and meteor‐hydrological implications, SM change is of great significance in Eurasia that has the highest population density and fragile ecological environment. Using monthly data from the Global Land Data Assimilation System, this study investigated SM changes over Eurasia during the warm season (May–September). It was found that recent 63 years witnessed widespread decreasing SM across Eurasia during the warm season. Regions with a drying SM tendency kept expanding till the 1990s. Specifically, the largest decreasing magnitude of SM with the aridity index ranging 0.5–0.6 and 1.0–1.1 was found along the semi‐arid and dry‐humid transition regions, respectively. In addition, more significant drying SM was observed in Sahel, northern Asia, northeastern Asia, and western Europe. Weakening West African monsoon (WAM)/East Asia summer monsoon did not benefit the propagation of water vapor flux to the Sahel regions/northeastern and northern Asia, and hence decreased SM in these regions. Besides, results by the maximum covariance analysis highlighted the roles of warming climate in SM variations over Eurasia during the warm season. Global climate models also indicate decreased SM due to global warming and projects continuously decreasing SM in the warm season over the 21st century under Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP)2.6, RCP4.5, RCP6.0, and RCP8.5 scenarios. Decreasing SM across the Eurasia and related ecological and environmental implications should cause international concern.
Water Vapor, Clouds, and Saturation in the Tropical Tropopause Layer
Authors: Schoeberl M. R. , Jensen E. J. , Pfister L. , Ueyama R. , Wang T. , Selkirk H. , Avery M. , Thornberry T. , Dessler A. E.
Published: March 2019

The goal of this investigation is to understand the mechanism behind the observed high relative humidity with respect to ice (RHi) in the tropical region between ~14 km (150 hPa) and the tropopause, often referred to as the tropical tropopause layer (TTL). As shown by satellite, aircraft, and balloon observations, high (>80%) RHi regions are widespread within the TTL. Regions with the highest RHi are colocated with extensive cirrus. During boreal winter, the TTL RHi is highest over the Tropical Western Pacific (TWP) with a weaker maximum over South America and Africa. In the winter, TTL temperatures are coldest and upward motion is the greatest in the TWP. It is this upward motion, driving humid air into the colder upper troposphere that produces the persistent high RHi and cirrus formation. Back trajectory calculations show that comparable adiabatic and diabatic processes contribute to this upward motion. We construct a bulk model of TWP TTL water vapor transport that includes cloud nucleation and ice microphysics that quantifies how upward motion drives the persistent high RHi in the TTL region. We find that atmospheric waves triggering cloud formation regulate the RHi and that convection dehydrates the TTL. Our forward domain‐filling trajectory model is used to more precisely simulate the TTL spatial and vertical distribution of RHi. The observed RHi distribution is reproduced by the model, and we show that convection increases RHi below the base of the TTL with little impact on the RHi in the TTL region.
Low Energy Precipitating Electrons in the Diffuse Aurorae
Authors: Wing Simon , Khazanov George V. , Sibeck Dave G. , Zesta Eftyhia
Published: March 2019

Auroral electron precipitation is often classified into three categories: diffuse, monoenergetic, and broadband. However, some precipitating electrons do not fit any of the three categories, which are assumed to be “diffuse” electrons for convenience. Many of these nonconforming electrons exhibit high fluxes at low energies. Most studies assume that the precipitating electrons originate from the magnetosphere. However, this primary precipitation is only the first step in the formation of the electron precipitation. The primary precipitation creates secondary electrons and both electron populations bounce many times between the conjugate points. Thus, the full electron precipitation consists of not only the primary but the Multiply Reflected Primary and Secondary (MRPS) electrons. The MRPS electrons are modeled with Superthermal Electron Transport model. The model‐data comparisons suggest that the low energy electrons in the nonconforming precipitating electrons can be attributed to MRPS electrons.
Treatment and cost of pressure injury stage III or IV in four patients with spinal cord injury: the Basel Decubitus Concept
Authors: Meier Christine , Boes Stefan , Gemperli Armin , Gmünder Hans Peter , Koligi Kamran , Metzger Stefan , Schaefer Dirk J. , Schmitt Klaus , Schwegmann Wolfram , Wettstein Reto , Scheel-Sailer Anke
Published: March 2019

Study design

Retrospective chart analyses as part of a quality improvement project.

Objectives

To demonstrate treatment of pressure injury (PI) in patients with spinal cord injuries (SCI) and analyse costs using the “modified Basel Decubitus Concept”.

Setting

Inpatient setting of a specialised acute care and rehabilitation clinic for SCI.

Methods

Complex treatment courses of four patients with chronic SCI and PI stage III or IV were described and costs were recorded. The total healthcare services’ costs per patient and different profession’s involvement were analysed in relation to patient characteristics, treatment phases and milestones demonstrated.

Results

The treatment of PI stage III and IV in patients with SCI included input from plastic surgery, rehabilitation medicine, nursing and other involved professions. Recommended interventions were chosen according to the “modified Basel Decubitus Concept”. The cost course of PI treatment in patients with SCI depicted the multimodal treatment concept, including three clinically and financially relevant milestones (debridement, flap surgery and mobilisation to wheelchair) as well as the highest costs in the functionally highly dependent patient. Acute care and rehabilitation overlapped with different intensities during the whole treatment process.

Conclusion

Multimodal treatment concepts connecting acute and rehabilitation care were applied in these complex health conditions. Cost-explication models including treatment phases and milestones helped to understand resources more easily and integrate aspects of process-based management and quality of care. Scientific evidence is needed to create a recommended quality standard in line with adequate financing of this health condition.