bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Procurement (Reverse) Auctions Where Service Providers have Official Ratings
Authors: Gerchak Yigal
Published: August 2016

We consider service providers (e.g., contractors) who bid for undertaking a large project — reverse auctions. As there is a risk that the lowest bidder will not be able to complete the project on budget or time, the customer, often a government agency, wishes to incorporate prior information on the bidders reliabilities into the choice of winning bid. We consider the use of official ratings of bidders, which are common knowledge. The customer is assumed to select the bidder for which the ratio of bid to rating is the lowest. A bidder assumes that each other bidder’s bid is the sum of its private value, the ratio of this value to its rating and the inverse of the rating. We characterize the equilibrium bids of two bidders, of [Formula: see text] symmetric bidders and of three nonsymmetric bidders, and provide comparative statics and examples. We also discuss a scenario where all ratings are known only to the customer, and each bidder knows only its own rating.
Rotation covariant local tensor valuations on convex bodies
Authors: Hug Daniel , Schneider Rolf
Published: August 2016

For valuations on convex bodies in Euclidean spaces, there is by now a long series of characterization and classification theorems. The classical template is Hadwiger’s theorem, saying that every rigid motion invariant, continuous, real-valued valuation on convex bodies in [Formula: see text] is a linear combination of the intrinsic volumes. For tensor-valued valuations, under the assumptions of isometry covariance and continuity, there is a similar classification theorem, due to Alesker. Also for the local extensions of the intrinsic volumes, the support, curvature and area measures, there are analogous characterization results, with continuity replaced by weak continuity, and involving an additional assumption of local determination. The present authors have recently obtained a corresponding characterization result for local tensor valuations, or tensor-valued support measures (generalized curvature measures), of convex bodies in [Formula: see text]. The covariance assumed there was with respect to the group [Formula: see text] of orthogonal transformations. This was suggested by Alesker’s observation, according to which in dimensions [Formula: see text], the weaker assumption of [Formula: see text] covariance does not yield more tensor valuations. However, for tensor-valued support measures, the distinction between proper and improper rotations does make a difference. This paper considers, therefore, the local tensor valuations sharing the previously assumed properties, but with [Formula: see text] covariance replaced by [Formula: see text] covariance, and provides a complete classification. New tensor-valued support measures appear only in dimensions 2 and 3.
On measures of quantum entanglement — A brief review
Authors: Sarkar Debasis
Published: August 2016

Entanglement is one of the most useful resources in quantum information processing. It is effectively the quantum correlation between different subsystems of a composite system. Mathematically, one of the most hard tasks in quantum mechanics is to quantify entanglement. However, progress in this field is remarkable but not complete yet. There are many things to do with quantification of entanglement. In this review, we will discuss some of the important measures of bipartite entanglement.
Separability and entanglement of n-qubit and a qubit and a qudit using Hilbert–Schmidt decompositions
Authors: Ben-Aryeh Y. , Mann A.
Published: August 2016

Hilbert–Schmidt (HS) decompositions are employed for analyzing systems of [Formula: see text]-qubit, and a qubit with a qudit. Negative eigenvalues, obtained by partial-transpose (PT) plus local unitary (PTU) transformations for one qubit from the whole system, are used for indicating entanglement/separability. A sufficient criterion for full separability of the [Formula: see text]-qubit and qubit–qudit systems is given. We use the singular value decomposition (SVD) for improving the criterion for full separability.

General properties of entanglement and separability are analyzed for a system of a qubit and a qudit and [Formula: see text]-qubit systems, with emphasis on maximally disordered subsystems (MDS) (i.e. density matrices for which tracing over any subsystem gives the unit density matrix). A sufficient condition that [Formula: see text] (MDS) is not separable is that it has an eigenvalue larger than [Formula: see text] for a qubit and a qudit, and larger than [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text]-qubit system. The PTU transformation does not change the eigenvalues of the [Formula: see text]-qubit MDS density matrices for odd [Formula: see text]. Thus, the Peres–Horodecki (PH) criterion does not give any information about entanglement of these density matrices. The PH criterion may be useful for indicating inseparability for even [Formula: see text].

The changes of the entanglement and separability properties of the GHZ state, the Braid entangled state and the [Formula: see text] state by mixing them with white noise are analyzed by the use of the present methods. The entanglement and separability properties of the GHZ-diagonal density matrices, composed of mixture of 8[Formula: see text]GHZ density matrices with probabilities [Formula: see text], is analyzed as function of these probabilities. In some cases, we show that the PH criterion is both sufficient and necessary.
Coordinating long-latency stretch responses across the shoulder, elbow, and wrist during goal-directed reaching
Authors: Weiler Jeffrey , Saravanamuttu James , Gribble Paul L. , Pruszynski J. Andrew
Published: August 2016

The long-latency stretch response (muscle activity 50–100 ms after a mechanical perturbation) can be coordinated across multiple joints to support goal-directed actions. Here we assessed the flexibility of such coordination and whether it serves to counteract intersegmental dynamics and exploit kinematic redundancy. In three experiments, participants made planar reaches to visual targets after elbow perturbations and we assessed the coordination of long-latency stretch responses across shoulder, elbow, and wrist muscles. Importantly, targets were placed such that elbow and wrist (but not shoulder) rotations could help transport the hand to the target—a simple form of kinematic redundancy. In experiment 1 we applied perturbations of different magnitudes to the elbow and found that long-latency stretch responses in shoulder, elbow, and wrist muscles scaled with perturbation magnitude. In experiment 2 we examined the trial-by-trial relationship between long-latency stretch responses at adjacent joints and found that the magnitudes of the responses in shoulder and elbow muscles, as well as elbow and wrist muscles, were positively correlated. In experiment 3 we explicitly instructed participants how to use their wrist to move their hand to the target after the perturbation. We found that long-latency stretch responses in wrist muscles were not sensitive to our instructions, despite the fact that participants incorporated these instructions into their voluntary behavior. Taken together, our results indicate that, during reaching, the coordination of long-latency stretch responses across multiple joints counteracts intersegmental dynamics but may not be able to exploit kinematic redundancy.
Cell-Intrinsic Determinants of Ibrutinib-Induced Apoptosis in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Authors: Amin Nisar A. , Balasubramanian Sriram , Saiya-Cork Kamlai , Shedden Kerby , Hu Nan , Malek Sami N.
Published: August 2016

Purpose: Ibrutinib, a Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor, is approved for the treatment of relapsed chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and CLL with del17p. Mechanistically, ibrutinib interferes with B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling as well as multiple CLL cell-to-microenvironment interactions. Given the importance of ibrutinib in the management of CLL, a deeper understanding of factors governing sensitivity and resistance is warranted.

Experimental Design: We studied 48 longitudinally sampled paired CLL samples, 42 of which were procured before and after standard CLL chemotherapies, and characterized them for well-studied CLL molecular traits as well as by whole-exome sequencing and SNP 6.0 array profiling. We exposed these samples to 0.25 to 5 μmol/L of ibrutinib ex vivo and measured apoptosis fractions as well as BCR signaling by immunoblotting. We disrupted TP53 in HG3, PGA1, and PG-EBV cell lines and measured BCR signaling and ibrutinib responses.

Results: CLL samples demonstrated a surprisingly wide range of ex vivo sensitivities to ibrutinib, with IC50 values ranging from 0.4 to 9.7 μmol/L. Unmutated IGVH status, elevated ZAP70 expression, and trisomy 12 were associated with heightened sensitivity to ibrutinib treatment. Five CLL samples were substantially more resistant to ibrutinib following relapse from chemotherapy; of these, three had acquired a del17p/TP53-mutated status. A validation sample of 15 CLL carrying TP53 mutations, of which 13 carried both del17p and a TP53 mutation, confirmed substantially less sensitivity to ibrutinib-induced apoptosis.

Conclusions: This study identifies that CLL harboring del17p/TP53-mutated cells are substantially less sensitive to ibrutinib-induced apoptosis than del17p/TP53 wild-type cells. Clin Cancer Res; 23(4); 1049–59. ©2016 AACR.
Validity and Reliability of the 6-Item Cognitive Impairment Test for Screening Cognitive Impairment: A Review
Authors: O'Sullivan Dawn , O'Regan Niamh A. , Timmons Suzanne
Published: August 2016

Background: A large proportion of older adults with dementia remain undiagnosed, presenting to hospital with occult dementia, and are at risk for adverse outcomes, especially delirium. Routine screening for cognitive impairment among older adult patients presenting to acute hospitals could help alleviate this problem; however, this is hampered by time constraints, poor knowledge of screening instruments and lack of consensus as to which screening tool is best. Cognitive tests with attention items may be particularly useful in acute settings, given the importance of delirium detection. However, it is crucial that cognitive screening instruments are fast and reliable. Summary: The Six-Item Cognitive Impairment Test (6-CIT) is a feasible instrument for cognitive screening among older adults attending a general practitioner or hospital. Although researchers have investigated its accuracy in diagnosing cognitive impairment in primary and secondary care settings, its validity in primary care use has been questioned and there are limited validation studies on its use in secondary care. Key Messages: This paper presents a review of validation studies conducted on the 6-CIT. We recommend that larger studies, which test the psychometric properties of the 6-CIT in primary and acute care settings, are conducted to establish recommendations for routine screening use.
Igreja Divino Espírito Santo do Cerrado: diversas lembranças
Authors: Silva Natalia Achcar Monteiro , Teixeira Maria Cristina Villefort
Published: August 2016

Este estudo foi desenvolvido na dissertação de mestrado “Um olhar sobre a Igreja Divino Espírito Santo do Cerrado”, no intuito de abordar as diversas memórias envolvidas com a igreja, projeto de Lina Bo Bardi em Uberlândia/ MG. O conjunto religioso é considerado uma leitura de cultura popular e identidade do lugar, transcendendo-se em forma de arquitetura edificada.
Valores à mostra: o legado de Lina Bo Bardi
Authors: Lima Zeuler Rocha Mello de Almeida
Published: August 2016

Este artigo demonstra alguns dos valores e das práticas que Lina Bo Bardi explorou em sua complexa carreira e que permanecem abertos num momento em que sua obra é redescoberta no Brasil e internacionalmente. Ainda que sua prática curatorial permaneça obscurecida pela crescente visibilidade de seus edifícios, essa prática foi constante ao longo de sua vida e uma referência para desenvolver aspectos conceituais e simbólicos de seu trabalho em outros campos de projetação.
Assédio moral no trabalho: abordagens ao tema pela academia, por sindicatos e por órgãos governamentais
Authors: Evangelista Mariana Silva , Faiman Carla Júlia Segre
Published: August 2016

Esta pesquisa teve por objetivo estudar como a temática do Assédio Moral no Trabalho vem sendo tratada nos meios acadêmicos, sindicais e governamentais a partir da definição do assédio moral (Categoria Definições), da identificação de suas causas (Categoria Causas) e das maneiras apontadas para se lidar com ele (Categoria Intervenções). Para acessar o âmbito acadêmico, foi realizada uma revisão bibliográfica de artigos publicados entre 2009 e novembro de 2013, sendo a amostra final de 28 artigos. O acesso aos âmbitos sindical e governamental foi feito pela análise documental de cartilhas e panfletos produzidos por estes órgãos para a informação e orientação do público em geral a respeito da temática do assédio moral no trabalho. Foram encontrados oito cartilhas e panfletos sindicais e dez produzidos por órgãos governamentais. Observou-se grande convergência nas definições do fenômeno em todos os materiais. A Categoria Causas foi aquela em que se encontrou maior diversidade de respostas, variando do individual ao sócio-econômico-cultural, passando pelas organizações, seus novos modos de organizar e gerir o trabalho, e alguns materiais que enfocaram linhas explicativas mais psicológicas. A Categoria Intervenções teve pouca expressão nos artigos, estando, porém, presente em todos os panfletos e cartilhas, em especial as medidas a serem tomadas por vítimas e testemunhas. O fenômeno do assédio moral no trabalho mostrou-se complexo, multicausal e com repercussões diversas. Embora as diversas abordagens tenham mostrado convergência ao definir o que é o assédio moral laboral, no que se refere à explicação das causas, as visões são bastante variadas e são poucos os estudos que descrevem os efeitos de intervenções realizadas para enfrentar o problema.
Impact of Hemoglobin Levels and Anemia on Mortality in Acute Stroke: Analysis of UK Regional Registry Data, Systematic Review, and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Barlas Raphae S. , Honney Katie , Loke Yoon K. , McCall Stephen J. , Bettencourt‐Silva Joao H. , Clark Allan B. , Bowles Kristian M. , Metcalf Anthony K. , Mamas Mamas A. , Potter John F. , Myint Phyo K.
Published: August 2016

Background

The impact of hemoglobin levels and anemia on stroke mortality remains controversial. We aimed to systematically assess this association and quantify the evidence.

Methods and Results

We analyzed data from a cohort of 8013 stroke patients (mean±
SD
, 77.81±11.83 years) consecutively admitted over 11 years (January 2003 to May 2015) using a
UK
Regional Stroke Register. The impact of hemoglobin levels and anemia on mortality was assessed by sex‐specific values at different time points (7 and 14 days; 1, 3, and 6 months; 1 year) using multiple regression models controlling for confounders. Anemia was present in 24.5% of the cohort on admission and was associated with increased odds of mortality at most of the time points examined up to 1 year following stroke. The association was less consistent for men with hemorrhagic stroke. Elevated hemoglobin was also associated with increased mortality, mainly within the first month. We then conducted a systematic review using the Embase and Medline databases. Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria. When combined with the cohort from the current study, the pooled population had 29 943 patients with stroke. The evidence base was quantified in a meta‐analysis. Anemia on admission was found to be associated with an increased risk of mortality in both ischemic stroke (8 studies; odds ratio 1.97 [95% CI 1.57–2.47]) and hemorrhagic stroke (4 studies; odds ratio 1.46 [95%
CI
1.23–1.74]).

Conclusions

Strong evidence suggests that patients with anemia have increased mortality with stroke. Targeted interventions in this patient population may improve outcomes and require further evaluation.
Bee (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) and hoverfly (Diptera: Syrphidae) pollinators in Pannonian habitats of Serbia, with a description of a new Eumerus Meigen species (Syrphidae)
Authors: MARKOV ZLATA , NEDELJKOVIĆ ZORICA , RICARTE ANTONIO , VUJIĆ ANTE , JOVIČIĆ SNEŽANA , JÓZAN ZSOLT , MUDRI-STOJNIĆ SONJA , RADENKOVIĆ SNEŽANA , ĆETKOVIĆ ALEKSANDAR
Published: August 2016

The diversity of bee (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) and hoverfly (Diptera: Syrphidae) pollinators from ten localities in Vojvodina, Serbia was surveyed. Among different types of Pannonian habitat (grasslands, heathland and scrub, woodland and forest habitats) all localities were categorised as forest and steppe. They were in protected areas, mostly undisturbed by human activity. Censuses of pollinators took place from 30 March to 10 October, 2014. We recorded 218 pollinator species; 135 bee species (42 Halictidae; 32 Apidae; 29 Andrenidae; 24 Megachilidae; 7 Colletidae; 1 Melittidae) and 83 species of hoverflies. We describe a new species of hoverfly, Eumerus pannonicus sp. nov., and compare it to other similar species. Based on our study, the Special Nature Reserve of Pašnjaci Velike Droplje is critical for the conservation of this new Eumerus—being only found at this locality—and other species such as Chrysotoxum lineare (Zetterstedt), which is rare in Europe and protected under Serbian legislation. The highest numbers of bee species were recorded in the Deliblato and Subotica sand areas (40 and 32, respectively), while Fruška Gora Mountain and the Vršac Mountains harboured the highest number of hoverfly species.
Turbulence Estimation Using Fast-Response Thermistors Attached to a Free-Fall Vertical Microstructure Profiler
Authors: Goto Yasutaka , Yasuda Ichiro , Nagasawa Maki
Published: August 2016

Estimation of turbulence intensity with a fast-response thermistor is examined by comparing the energy dissipation rate from a Fastip Probe, model 07 (FP07), thermistor with from a shear probe, both of which are attached to a free-fall microstructure profiler with the fall rate of 0.6–0.7 m s−1. Temperature gradient spectra corrected with previously introduced frequency response functions represented by a single-pole low-pass filter yields with a bias that strongly depends on turbulence intensity. Meanwhile, the correction with the form of a double-pole low-pass filter derives less bias than of single-pole low-pass filter. The rate is compatible with when the double-pole correction with the time constant of 3 × 10−3 s is applied, and 68% of data are within a factor of 2.8 of in the wide range of = 10−10–3 × 10−7 W kg−1. The rate is still compatible with even in the anisotropy range, where the buoyancy Reynolds number is 20–100. Turbulence estimation from the fast-response thermistor is thus confirmed to be valid in this range by applying the appropriate correction to temperature gradient spectra. Measurements with fast-response thermistors, which have not been common because of their poor frequency response, are less sensitive to the vibration of profilers than those with shear probes. Hence, measurements could be available when a fast-response thermistor is attached to a CTD frame or a float, which extends the possibility of obtaining much more turbulence data in deep and wide oceans.
A Comparative Study of Moored/Point and Acoustic Tomography/Integral Observations of Sound Speed in Fram Strait Using Objective Mapping Techniques
Authors: Dushaw Brian D. , Sagen Hanne
Published: August 2016

Estimation of the exchange of seawater of various properties between the Arctic and North Atlantic Oceans presents a challenging observational problem. The strong current systems within Fram Strait induce recirculations and a turbulent ocean environment dominated by mesoscale variations of 4–10-km scale. By employing a simple parameterized model for mesoscale variability within Fram Strait, the authors examine the ability of a line array of closely spaced moorings and an acoustic tomography line to measure the average sound speed, a proxy variable for ocean temperature or heat content. Objective maps are employed to quantify the uncertainties resulting from the different measurement approaches. While measurements by a mooring line and tomography result in similar uncertainties in estimations of range- and depth-averaged sound speed, the combination of the two approaches gives uncertainties 3 times smaller. The two measurements are sufficiently different as to be complementary; one measurement provides resolution for the aspects of the temperature section that the other misses. The parameterized model and its assumptions as to the magnitudes and scales of variability were tested by application to a hydrographic section across Fram Strait measured in 2011. This study supports the deployment of the 2013–16 Arctic Ocean under Melting Ice (UNDER-ICE) network of tomographic transceivers spanning the ongoing moored array line across Fram Strait. Optimal estimation for this ocean environment may require combining disparate data types as constraints on a numerical ocean model using data assimilation.
Wind Structure Discrepancies between Two Best Track Datasets for Western North Pacific Tropical Cyclones
Authors: Song Jinjie , Klotzbach Philip J.
Published: August 2016

Symmetric and wavenumber-1 asymmetric characteristics of western North Pacific tropical cyclone (TC) outer wind structures are compared between best tracks from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) and the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) from 2004 to 2014 as well as the Multiplatform Tropical Cyclone Surface Wind Analysis (MTCSWA) product from 2007 to 2014. Significant linear relationships of averaged wind radii are obtained among datasets, in which both gale-force and storm-force wind radii are generally estimated slightly smaller (much larger) by JTWC (JMA) than by MTCSWA. These correlations are strongly related to TC intensity relationships discussed in earlier work. Moreover, JTWC (JMA) on average represents a smaller (greater) derived shape parameter than MTCSWA does, implying that JTWC (JMA) typically assesses a more compact (less compact) storm than MTCSWA. For the wavenumber-1 asymmetry, large differences among datasets are found regardless of the magnitude or the direction of the longest radius. JTWC estimates more asymmetric storms than JMA, and it provides greater wavenumber-1 asymmetry magnitudes on average. Asymmetric storms are most frequently oriented toward the east, northeast, and north in JTWC and MTCSWA, whereas they are most frequently oriented toward the southeast, east, and northeast in JMA. The direction of the longest gale-force (storm force) wind radius in JTWC is statistically rotated 18° (32°) clockwise to that in JMA. Although the wind radii in JTWC are of higher quality than those in JMA when using MTCSWA as a baseline, there remains a need to provide a consistent and reliable wind radii estimating process among operational centers.
Mechanical properties of heat-treated cellulose nanofiber-reinforced polyvinyl alcohol nanocomposite
Authors: Noor Mohamed NH , Takagi Hitoshi , Nakagaito Antonio N
Published: August 2016

The mechanical properties of cellulose nanofiber-reinforced polyvinyl alcohol composite were studied. Neat polyvinyl alcohol films, cellulose nanofiber sheets, and their nanocomposites containing cellulose nanofiber weight ratios of 5, 15, 30, 40, 45, 50 and 80 wt% were fabricated. Heat treatment by hot pressing at 180℃ was conducted on the specimens to study its effect to the mechanical properties and the results were compared with the non heat-treated specimens. Morphology of the composites was studied by scanning electron microscopy and the mechanical properties were evaluated by means of tensile tests. The results showed that increase of cellulose nanofiber content from 5 wt% to 80 wt% has increased the tensile strength of the composites up to 180 MPa, with cellulose nanofiber content higher than 40 wt% yielding higher tensile strength. The heat-treated specimens exhibited higher tensile strength compared to those of untreated specimens.
Polyacrylonitrile nanofiber yarns and fabrics produced using a novel electrospinning method combined with traditional textile techniques
Authors: Wu Shaohua , Zhang Yue , Liu Penghong , Qin Xiaohong
Published: August 2016

Highly aligned polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofiber yarns were prepared continuously by a modified electrospinning method. The effects of the different spinning parameters, including applied voltage, solution flow rate, distance between two needles, distance between the neutral metal disc (NMD) and neutral hollow metal rod (NHMR) and rotation speed of the NMD, on yarn formation and physical characteristics of the nanofibers and the yarns were analytically investigated. The distance between two needles, distance between the NMD and NHMR and rotation speed of the NMD were found to be three main parameters affecting nanofiber alignment of the resultant yarns. The results also showed that the applied voltage and rotation speed of the NMD had a very slight effect on diameters of nanofibers. The diameters of both nanofibers and yarns increased to a threshold value and started to reduce thereafter with the distance between two needles increasing. The diameters of both nanofibers and yarns presented the increasing trend at the higher flow rate. Meanwhile, the yarn diameters decreased with increasing the distance between the NMD and NHMR and the rotation speed of the NMD. Moreover, the effect of nanofiber alignment on the mechanical property of the resultant PAN nanofiber yarns was also investigated in this paper. It was found that the increase in the fiber alignment brought about the improvement in the yarn tensile strength. Eventually, the obtained continuous PAN nanofiber yarns were employed to manufacture fabrics by traditional textile techniques, including braiding, weaving and knitting, which showed the potential application in the textile industry.
The impact of high-density polyethylene materials on microbiological purity in the process of storing and preserving textiles
Authors: Lech Tomasz
Published: August 2016

Textiles made of natural fibers, both contemporary and historical, are at constant risk of degradation caused by, among others, microbial enzymatic activity. Fungi, bacteria, or actinomycetes are capable of producing proteolytic and cellulolytic enzymes, enabling microbial growth on textiles and leading to their decay. Ensuring proper storage conditions, including the usage of protective materials, allows long-term preservation of historical textiles in a good condition. These studies involved a broad microbiological analysis in order to verify whether high-density polyethylene (HDPE) materials can protect historical textiles during their storage. The results demonstrate interesting differences in microbial counts between washed textiles stored without HDPE covers and those stored in such covers; the latter presented considerably higher counts of microorganisms. However, when textiles had previously been sterilized, HDPE covers helped maintain appropriate microbiological purity. A considerable portion of historical textile collections, particularly exceptional silk liturgical vestments or burial garments, are kept by church institutions and stored in sacristies, treasuries, or other church rooms. The specificity of these places, both cultural and related to the age of the buildings themselves, makes them exceptional environments for storing textiles. To date, these places have rarely been researched, particularly in microbiological aspects. The analysis recounted below encompasses qualitative and quantitative assessment of fungi and bacteria present in the air of the treasury of the Wawel Royal Cathedral in Krakow, Poland, as well as the analysis of their destructive potential.
Program requirements for fellowship education in venous and lymphatic medicine
Authors: Comerota Anthony J , Min Robert J , Rathbun Suman W , Khilnani Neil , Rooke Thom , Wakefield Thomas W , Carman Teresa L , Lurie Fedor , Vedantham Suresh , Zimmet Steven E
Published: August 2016

Background

In every field of medicine, comprehensive education should be delivered at the graduate level. Currently, no single specialty routinely provides a standardized comprehensive curriculum in venous and lymphatic disease.

Method

The American Board of Venous & Lymphatic Medicine formed a task force, made up of experts from the specialties of dermatology, family practice, interventional radiology, interventional cardiology, phlebology, vascular medicine, and vascular surgery, to develop a consensus document describing the program requirements for fellowship medical education in venous and lymphatic medicine.

Result

The Program Requirements for Fellowship Education in Venous and Lymphatic Medicine identify the knowledge and skills that physicians must master through the course of fellowship training in venous and lymphatic medicine. They also specify the requirements for venous and lymphatic training programs. The document is based on the Core Content for Training in Venous and Lymphatic Medicine and follows the ACGME format that all subspecialties in the United States use to specify the requirements for training program accreditation. The American Board of Venous & Lymphatic Medicine Board of Directors approved this document in May 2016.

Conclusion

The pathway to a vein practice is diverse, and there is no standardized format available for physician education and training. The Program Requirements for Fellowship Education in Venous and Lymphatic Medicine establishes educational standards for teaching programs in venous and lymphatic medicine and will facilitate graduation of physicians who have had comprehensive training in the field.
‘No place to hide’
Authors: Korkodeilou Jenny
Published: August 2016

Stalking victimisation has for a long time been ignored and minimised, and it has been traditionally regarded as a rare and mostly ‘celebrity-related’ phenomenon. However, research shows that stalking is far more common, and its impact can be serious and far-reaching. This article reveals and discusses the psycho-social effects of stalking, drawing on the in-depth accounts of twenty-six self-identified victims who were interviewed as part of a study that explored the impact of stalking based on the victims’ voices and experiences. The study found that stalking victimisation is life-changing and its psycho-social effects are complex, long-term and often traumatic. The article concludes by considering the implications of these findings where the need is stressed to improve criminological understanding of stalking and its unseen psycho-social harms so that victims and their cases are properly dealt with by the criminal justice system and society.
Histoplasmosis mimicking non-Hodgkin lymphoma in a 40-year-old man with AIDS
Authors: Bhari Neetu , Pahadiya Piyush , Arava Sudheer , Gupta Somesh
Published: August 2016

In patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), advanced immunosuppression is associated with atypical presentation of dermatological conditions. Our patient presented with a single crusted plaque over the lower lip and large tender cervical lymphadenopathy. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for human immunodeficiency virus was found to be positive, and his CD4+ lymphocyte cell count was 4 cells/mm3. The presence of multiple histoplasma spores in the biopsies from the crusted plaque over lip and cervical lymph node helped in the confirmation of the diagnosis of histoplasmosis, and the patient showed significant improvement within two months of treatment with conventional injection amphotericin B initially followed by oral itraconazole.
Interaction between a screw dislocation and a bridged crack with surface elasticity
Authors: Yang Moxuan , Wang Xu
Published: August 2016

We examine the contribution of crack bridging and surface elasticity to the elastic interaction between a mode III finite crack and a screw dislocation. The surface effect on the crack faces is incorporated by using the continuum-based surface/interface model of Gurtin and Murdoch. The crack faces are subjected to a bridging force which is assumed to be proportional to the crack opening displacement, whereas the bridging stiffness is allowed to vary arbitrarily along the crack. By considering a continuous distribution of both screw dislocations and line forces on the crack, the boundary value problem is reduced to two decoupled first-order Cauchy singular integro-differential equations. After the expansion of the unknown line dislocation and line force densities and the known variable bridging stiffness into Chebyshev polynomials, these singular integro-differential equations are solved numerically using the collocation method. Owing to the incorporation of surface elasticity, the stresses at the crack tips only exhibit the weak logarithmic singularity when the dislocation is located on the real axis where the crack is located, whereas in the case when the dislocation is not on the real axis, the stresses at the crack tips exhibit both the weak logarithmic and the strong square-root singularities. The two densities, the crack opening displacement across the crack faces and the image force acting on the screw dislocation are specifically calculated. We note that crack bridging only exerts an effect on the line dislocation density but has no influence on the line force density. In addition, we demonstrate that both surface elasticity and crack bridging can reduce the strengths of the logarithmic stress singularity at the crack tips and the magnitude of the crack opening displacement across the crack faces. Our results also clearly show that both crack bridging and surface elasticity exert a significant influence on the magnitude and direction of the image force acting on the screw dislocation.
Estimating Acceptability of Financial Health Incentives
Authors: Bigsby Elisabeth , Seitz Holli H. , Halpern Scott D. , Volpp Kevin , Cappella Joseph N.
Published: August 2016

A growing body of evidence suggests that financial incentives can influence health behavior change, but research on the public acceptability of these programs and factors that predict public support have been limited. A representative sample of U.S. adults ( N = 526) were randomly assigned to receive an incentive program description in which the funding source of the program (public or private funding) and targeted health behavior (smoking cessation, weight loss, or colonoscopy) were manipulated. Outcome variables were attitude toward health incentives and allocation of hypothetical funding for incentive programs. Support was highest for privately funded programs. Support for incentives was also higher among ideologically liberal participants than among conservative participants. Demographics and health history differentially predicted attitude and hypothetical funding toward incentives. Incentive programs in the United States are more likely to be acceptable to the public if they are funded by private companies.
Challenges of patient-focused care: Nurses’ descriptions and observations before and after intervention
Authors: Rosén Helena , Persson Rebecca Gagnemo , Persson Eva
Published: August 2016

The concept of patient-focused care aims to provide an environment in which the healthcare team focuses on the individual patient’s needs. In order to increase our understanding of how nurses perceive and conduct patient-focused care, the issue needs to be studied in various contexts. The aims of the study were to explore nurses’ descriptions of their patient-focused care, what took place during observed situations including the time spent, before and after the change of design from a more traditional to a single-bed hospital in Sweden. Non-participant observations with follow-up interviews were carried out. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Three categories emerged from the analysis: Barriers to being close to the patient, Desire to be close to the patient and The influence of environment on caring. The theme Presence or absence was interpreted as the latent meaning. The conclusion was that being present is crucial in nursing when providing compassionate and effective nursing care.
Soluble Leptin Receptor and Risk of Gestational Diabetes in a Multiethnic Population: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Sommer Christine , Gulseth Hanne Løvdal , Jenum Anne Karen , Sletner Line , Thorsby Per Medbøe , Birkeland Kåre Inge
Published: August 2016

Context:

Soluble leptin receptor (sOb-R), a potential marker of leptin resistance, is inversely associated with risk of type 2 diabetes, independently of leptin concentrations. We have previously shown that ethnic difference in leptin concentration may partly explain the increased risk of gestational diabetes (GDM) in South Asians.

Objective:

Our objective was to investigate whether sOb-R concentrations are associated with risk of GDM, whether concentrations of sOb-R differ across ethnic groups, and whether ethnic differences in sOb-R explain the ethnic differences in GDM risk.

Design and Setting:

The STORK Groruddalen study; a prospective cohort study of pregnant women living in Oslo, Norway, between May 2008 and May 2010.

Participants:

Of the total sample (n = 823), 680 (47.1% Europeans) had sOb-R measured in pregnancy week 15 and an oral glucose tolerance test performed in week 28.

Main outcome measure:

GDM was diagnosed according to World Health Organization 2013 criteria.

Results:

sOb-R was inversely associated with GDM (odds ratio, 0.76 [95% confidence interval, 0.69–0.83] per ng/ml increase in sOb-R, P < .001) in crude analysis. The association was attenuated after adjustments for covariates and leptin (0.85 [0.77–0.95], P = .004). Compared to women with sOb-R higher than 5 ng/ml, the odds ratio of GDM was 0.29(0.11–0.78; P = .014) among women with sOb-R greater than 10 ng/ml and 0.59 (0.37–0.94; P = .026) among women with sOb-R 5–10 ng/ml, in adjusted analysis. sOb-R levels did not differ across ethnic groups, and sOb-R did not explain ethnic differences in GDM risk.

Conclusions:

There was an independent, inverse association between sOb-R and GDM, with the lowest risk of GDM observed among higher sOb-R concentrations.
Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease: recent advances in clinical management
Authors: Mao Zhiguo , Chong Jiehan , Ong Albert C. M.
Published: August 2016

The first clinical descriptions of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) go back at least 500 years to the late 16thcentury. Advances in understanding disease presentation and pathophysiology have mirrored the progress of clinical medicine in anatomy, pathology, physiology, cell biology, and genetics. The identification ofPKD1andPKD2, the major genes mutated in ADPKD, has stimulated major advances, which in turn have led to the first approved drug for this disorder and a fresh reassessment of patient management in the 21stcentury. In this commentary, we consider how clinical management is likely to change in the coming decade.
Equilibrium Notions for Agents with Cumulative Prospect Theory Preferences
Authors: Keskin Kerim
Published: August 2016

Relying on the experimental findings that actual choice behavior often violates the axioms of expected utility theory (EUT), we study non-EUT preferences in a noncooperative game-theoretic framework. In particular, agents’ preferences are represented by the pair of functions suggested in cumulative prospect theory (CPT). Accordingly, three key aspects of CPT are incorporated: subjective probability weighting, loss aversion, and reference dependence. We introduce a correlated equilibrium and two mixed strategy equilibria for agents with CPT preferences. We prove the existence of equilibria for finite normal form games and investigate the sets of equilibria in some examples.
Managing expectations when everything is new
Authors: White Hilary
Published: August 2016

In part two of her guide to successful parent partnerships, Hilary White examines how to establish an initial bond of trust with parents and ensure that their child's settling in plan is flexible and part of a two-way process.
Fruits of the rainbow
Authors: Chapman Ailsa
Published: August 2016

Ailsa Chapman suggests making these fruit skewers to enhance a love of colour and of healthy eating.
Helping young dads to to embrace fatherhood
Authors: Hart Karen
Published: August 2016

Young fathers can experience isolation and alienation when it comes to taking their place as parents. Karen Hart finds out about the progress being made by an innovative programme to boost their confidence and skills.
Dressed for action
Authors: Garner Lynne
Published: August 2016

Why do construction workers need to wear hard hats, and lolly pop people, high visibility jackets? Have fun exploring the different types of protective clothing that professionals wear to do their jobs.
Steiner today
Authors: Doyle Phoebe
Published: August 2016

Parents might have heard about the Steiner approach to education, but do they understand specifically what it means in terms of early years education and experience for their child? Pheobe Doyle provides a guide.
Please excuse me!
Authors: Hewson Claire
Published: August 2016

Behaving respectfully and kindly, being polite to others and knowing how to act in certain situations are vital skills for a happy and successful life. Claire Hewson suggests ways you can support this.
Arid3b Is Critical for B Lymphocyte Development
Authors: Kurkewich Jeffrey L. , Klopfenstein Nathan , Hallas William M. , Wood Christian , Sattler Rachel A. , Das Chhaya , Tucker Haley , Dahl Richard , Cowden Dahl Karen D.
Published: August 2016

Arid3a and Arid3b belong to a subfamily of ARID (AT-rich interaction domain) transcription factors. The Arid family is involved in regulating chromatin accessibility, proliferation, and differentiation. Arid3a and Arid3b are closely related and share a unique REKLES domain that mediates their homo- and hetero-multimerization. Arid3a was originally isolated as a B cell transcription factor binding to the AT rich matrix attachment regions (MARS) of the immunoglobulin heavy chain intronic enhancer. Deletion of Arid3a results in a highly penetrant embryonic lethality with severe defects in erythropoiesis and hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). The few surviving Arid3a-/- (<1%) animals have decreased HSCs and early progenitors in the bone marrow, but all mature lineages are normally represented in the bone marrow and periphery except for B cells. Arid3b-/- animals die around E7.5 precluding examination of hematopoietic development. So it is unclear whether the phenotype of Arid3a loss on hematopoiesis is dependent or independent of Arid3b. In this study we circumvented this limitation by also examining hematopoiesis in mice with a conditional allele of Arid3b. Bone marrow lacking Arid3b shows decreased common lymphoid progenitors (CLPs) and downstream B cell populations while the T cell and myeloid lineages are unchanged, reminiscent of the adult hematopoietic defect in Arid3a mice. Unlike Arid3a-/- mice, HSC populations are unperturbed in Arid3b-/- mice. This study demonstrates that HSC development is independent of Arid3b, whereas B cell development requires both Arid3a and Arid3b transcription factors.
Prognostic Utility of Galectin-3 for Recurrent Cardiovascular Events During Long-term Follow-up in Patients with Stable Coronary Heart Disease: Results of the KAROLA Study
Authors: Jansen Henning , Koenig Wolfgang , Jaensch Andrea , Mons Ute , Breitling Lutz P , Scharnagl Hubert , Stojakovic Tatjana , Schunkert Heribert , Brenner Hermann , Rothenbacher Dietrich
Published: August 2016

BACKGROUND

Galectin-3 has emerged as a potential useful novel biomarker for heart failure and cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, it remains unclear whether galectin-3 is associated with recurrent cardiovascular events during long-term follow-up of patients with stable coronary heart disease (CHD) after adjustment for multiple established and novel risk factors.

METHODS

We measured galectin-3 at baseline in a cohort consisting of 1035 CHD patients and followed them for 13 years to assess a combined CVD end point. Moreover, we adjusted for multiple traditional and novel risk factors.

RESULTS

Galectin-3 concentration was positively associated with the number of affected coronary arteries, history of heart failure, and multiple traditional risk factors. Also, galectin-3 correlated significantly with emerging risk factors [e.g., cystatin C, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), high-sensitivity (hs)-troponin]. During follow-up (median 12.0 years), 260 fatal and nonfatal CVD events occurred. The top quartile of galectin-3 concentration was significantly associated with CVD events compared to the bottom quartile after adjustment for age and sex [hazard ratio (HR) 1.88 (95% CI, 1.30–2.73), P = 0.001 for trend] as well as for established CVD risk factors (HR 1.67, 95% CI, 1.14–2.46, P = 0.011 for trend). However, after adjustment for other biomarkers available [including eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate), sST2 protein, GDF-15 (growth differentiation factor 15), NT-proBNP, and hs-troponin], the association was no longer statistically significant [HR 1.11 (95% CI 0.72–1.70), P = 0.82 for trend].

CONCLUSIONS

Galectin-3 does not independently predict recurrent cardiovascular events in patients with established CHD after adjustment for markers of hemodynamic stress, myocardial injury, inflammation, and renal dysfunction.
Composition, density and size-structure of the autotrophic plankton community in a shallow coastal zone at King George Island, West Antarctic Peninsula (WAP), during early summer 2010
Authors: Barrera Alba Jose Juan , Tenenbaum Denise Rivera , Vanzan Mariana , Tenório Márcio Murilo Barboza
Published: August 2016

The planktonic microorganism community of Admiralty Bay, Antarctic Peninsula is being monitored since 2002. This study describes composition, size-structure and biomass of the phytoplankton communities observed during early summer 2010/2011 in the area. Organisms were counted by microscopy and scored as belonging to three size classes: <10 Âµm, 10 - 80 Âµm and 80 - 400 Âµm. In terms of density, this phytoplankton community was dominated by cells < 10 Âµm (~106 - 107 cells L-1), confirming the increasing presence of small planktonic autotrophs in West Antarctic Peninsula waters. Organisms > 10 Âµm dominated in terms of biomass (> 50% of Chlorophyll a) with densities of up to 1.6 x 104 cells L-1, which is approximately 0.6 times higher than observed for early summer in recent years. Additionally, our results confirm a previously observed phenomenon whereby large-size phytoplankton (> 80 Âµm), especially pennate diatoms, are replaced by mid-size centric diatoms (10- 80 Âµm), such as Thalassiosira spp., and small dinoflagellates (e.g. Prorocentrum antarcticum) during warmer early summers.