bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Valuing Non-Wage Compensation of Private Sector Labor Union Workers in the Construction Trades
Authors: Tinari Frank , Betz Kenneth T.
Published: October 2013

This article presents procedures for calculating the value of non-wage compensation for members of private sector labor unions in the construction industry and cites examples using various collective bargaining agreements. Four major fringe benefit categories are analyzed: welfare, annuity, vacation, and pension funds. When calculating the loss to a private sector union worker it is necessary to obtain not only the relevant collective bargaining agreements but also information regarding both actual earnings and the number of hours worked. If both cannot be obtained, problems in valuing retirement and other fringe benefit funds arise. In some cases, the union member may work for several different employers during any given year, thus receiving many W-2s, but all hours worked would be recorded through the union. To value employer contributions to annuity and vacation funds a determination needs to be made if the contributions take into account premium pay union workers may receive. To value lost medical insurance, the replacement cost of a comparable medical insurance policy should be used. For lost pension benefits, it is important to establish the typical number of hours per annum that would most likely have been worked but for the injury. In addition, if the history of that union's pension benefit reveals increases over time, then that pattern may need to be considered as a basis for determining the future value of the pension benefit. Valuation of each private sector union benefit, therefore, is not simply a matter of referring to the value of the hourly contribution by the employer but requires its own method appropriate to the nature of the benefit as specified in the union's collective bargaining agreement.
Validation of SCIAMACHY O2 A band cloud heights using Cloudnet radar/lidar measurements
Authors: Wang P. , Stammes P.
Published: October 2013

Abstract. For the first time two SCIAMACHY O2 A band cloud height products are validated using ground-based radar/lidar measurements between January 2003 and December 2011. The products are the ESA Level 2 (L2) version 5.02 cloud top height and the FRESCO (Fast Retrieval Scheme for Clouds from the Oxygen A band) version 6 cloud height. The radar/lidar profiles are obtained at the Cloudnet sites of Cabauw and Lindenberg, and are averaged for one hour centered at the SCIAMACHY overpass time to achieve an optimal temporal and spatial match. In total we have about 220 cases of single layer clouds and 200 cases of multi-layer clouds. The FRESCO cloud height and ESA L2 cloud top height are compared with the Cloudnet cloud top height and Cloudnet cloud middle height. We find that the ESA L2 cloud top height has a better agreement with the Cloudnet cloud top height than the Cloudnet cloud middle height. The ESA L2 cloud top height is on average 0.44 km higher than the Cloudnet cloud top height, with a standard deviation of 3.07 km. The FRESCO cloud height is closer to the Cloudnet cloud middle height than the Cloudnet cloud top height. The mean difference between the FRESCO cloud height and the Cloudnet cloud middle height is −0.14 km with a standard deviation of 1.88 km. The SCIAMACHY cloud height products are further compared to the Cloudnet cloud top height and the Cloudnet cloud middle height in 1 km bins. For single layer clouds, the difference between the ESA L2 cloud top height and the Cloudnet cloud top height is less than 1 km for each cloud bin at 3–7 km, which is 24 % percent of the data. The difference between the FRESCO cloud height and the Cloudnet cloud middle height is less than 1 km for each cloud bin at 0–6 km, which is 85 % percent of the data. The results are similar for multi-layer clouds, but the percentage of cases having a bias within 1 km is smaller than for single layer clouds. Since globally about 60 % of all clouds are low clouds and 42 % are single-layer low clouds, we expect that globally for a large percentage of cases the FRESCO cloud height would be close to the cloud middle height.
Prediction of dissolved reactive phosphorus losses from small agricultural catchments: calibration and validation of a parsimonious model
Authors: Hahn C. , Prasuhn V. , Stamm C. , Lazzarotto P. , Evangelou M. W. H. , Schulin R.
Published: October 2013

Abstract. Eutrophication of surface waters due to diffuse phosphorus (P) losses continues to be a severe water quality problem worldwide, causing the loss of ecosystem functions of the respective water bodies. Phosphorus in runoff often originates from a small fraction of a catchment only. Targeting mitigation measures to these critical source areas (CSAs) is expected to be most efficient and cost-effective, but requires suitable tools. Here we investigated the capability of the parsimonious Rainfall-Runoff-Phosphorus (RRP) model to identify CSAs in grassland-dominated catchments based on readily available soil and topographic data. After simultaneous calibration on runoff data from four small hilly catchments on the Swiss Plateau, the model was validated on a different catchment in the same region without further calibration. The RRP model adequately simulated the discharge and dissolved reactive P (DRP) export from the validation catchment. Sensitivity analysis showed that the model predictions were robust with respect to the classification of soils into "poorly drained" and "well drained", based on the available soil map. Comparing spatial hydrological model predictions with field data from the validation catchment provided further evidence that the assumptions underlying the model are valid and that the model adequately accounts for the dominant P export processes in the target region. Thus, the parsimonious RRP model is a valuable tool that can be used to determine CSAs. Despite the considerable predictive uncertainty regarding the spatial extent of CSAs, the RRP can provide guidance for the implementation of mitigation measures. The model helps to identify those parts of a catchment where high DRP losses are expected or can be excluded with high confidence. Legacy P was predicted to be the dominant source for DRP losses and thus, in combination with hydrologic active areas, a high risk for water quality.
Black carbon concentrations from a Tibetan Plateau ice core spanning 1843–1982: recent increases due to emissions and glacier melt
Authors: Jenkins M. , Kaspari S. , Kang S. , Grigholm B. , Mayewski P. A.
Published: October 2013

Abstract. Black carbon (BC) deposited on snow and glacier surfaces can reduce albedo and lead to accelerated melt. An ice core recovered from Guoqu glacier on Mt. Geladaindong and analyzed using a Single Particle Soot Photometer provides the first long-term (1843–1982) record of BC concentrations from the Central Tibetan Plateau. The highest concentrations are observed from 1975–1982, which corresponds to a 2.0-fold and 2.4-fold increase in average and median values, respectively, relative to 1843–1940. BC concentrations post-1940 are also elevated relative to the earlier portion of the record. Causes for the higher BC concentrations include increased regional BC emissions and subsequent deposition, and melt induced enrichment of BC, with the melt potentially accelerated due to the presence of BC at the glacier surface. A qualitative comparison of the BC and Fe (used as a dust proxy) records suggests that if changes in the concentrations of absorbing impurities at the glacier surface have influenced recent glacial melt, the melt may be due to the presence of BC rather than dust. Guoqu glacier has received no net ice accumulation since the 1980s, and is a potential example of a glacier where an increase in the equilibrium line altitude is exposing buried high impurity layers. That BC concentrations in the uppermost layers of the Geladaindong ice core are not substantially higher relative to deeper in the ice core suggests that some of the BC that must have been deposited on Guoqu glacier via wet or dry deposition between 1983 and 2005 has been removed from the surface of the glacier, potentially via supraglacial or englacial meltwater.
Endometrioma: From Pathogenesis to Clinical Management
Authors: Luisi Stefano , Renner Stefan P. , Santulli Pietro
Published: October 2013

An endometrioma (OMA) is the localization of endometriosis in ovary, and it most often develops as a cyst. The pathogenesis of OMA is still an open question and controversial; a cystic hemorrhagic corpus luteum may be a prerequisite, occurring as a transition to an endometriotic cyst. Inversion and progressive invagination of the ovarian cortex after the accumulation of menstrual debris derived from bleeding of superficial endometriotic implants, located on the ovarian surface and adherent to the peritoneum, is another hypothesis. Gene studies show that WNT4 and FN1 are predisposing genes for OMA development. A role of environmental toxicants in the development of OMA is also under investigation; dioxins and dioxin-like compounds (DLCs), interacting with steroid receptors, are possible factors. Even if women with endometriosis have a 1.5 times greater lifetime risk to develop an ovarian carcinoma, an OMA is not to be considered a preneoplastic lesion.

The clinical management of OMAs is complex and should be individualized. Ultrasounds and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are sensitive but not specific for diagnosis. Treatment is influenced by patient age, desire for pregnancy, pain severity, cyst dimensions and characteristics (unilateral/bilateral), coexistence of deep endometriosis, previous gynecological or obstetrical history and previous surgery. Laparoscopic surgery is considered the treatment of choice in cases of infertile patients with a large OMA or pain, and in patients not responding to medical therapy. It should be performed with proper techniques by trained surgeons to decrease the damage to the remaining ovarian tissue, and to maintain the ovarian reserve after surgery. A medical hormonal and nonhormonal treatment is used for asymptomatic and/or pain-associated OMA (progestins, estroprogestins and antiinflammatory drugs). Considering the relative high recurrence rate after surgery, a medical treatment should be offered.
ATR/Mec1 prevents lethal meiotic recombination initiation on partially replicated chromosomes in budding yeast
Authors: Blitzblau Hannah G , Hochwagen Andreas
Published: October 2013

During gamete formation, crossover recombination must occur on replicated DNA to ensure proper chromosome segregation in the first meiotic division. We identified a Mec1/ATR- and Dbf4-dependent replication checkpoint in budding yeast that prevents the earliest stage of recombination, the programmed induction of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), when pre-meiotic DNA replication was delayed. The checkpoint acts through three complementary mechanisms: inhibition of Mer2 phosphorylation by Dbf4-dependent Cdc7 kinase, preclusion of chromosomal loading of Rec114 and Mre11, and lowered abundance of the Spo11 nuclease. Without this checkpoint, cells formed DSBs on partially replicated chromosomes. Importantly, such DSBs frequently failed to be repaired and impeded further DNA synthesis, leading to a rapid loss in cell viability. We conclude that a checkpoint-dependent constraint of DSB formation to duplicated DNA is critical not only for meiotic chromosome assortment, but also to protect genome integrity during gametogenesis.
The human gut and groundwater harbor non-photosynthetic bacteria belonging to a new candidate phylum sibling to Cyanobacteria
Authors: Di Rienzi Sara C , Sharon Itai , Wrighton Kelly C , Koren Omry , Hug Laura A , Thomas Brian C , Goodrich Julia K , Bell Jordana T , Spector Timothy D , Banfield Jillian F , Ley Ruth E
Published: October 2013

Cyanobacteria were responsible for the oxygenation of the ancient atmosphere; however, the evolution of this phylum is enigmatic, as relatives have not been characterized. Here we use whole genome reconstruction of human fecal and subsurface aquifer metagenomic samples to obtain complete genomes for members of a new candidate phylum sibling to Cyanobacteria, for which we propose the designation ‘Melainabacteria’. Metabolic analysis suggests that the ancestors to both lineages were non-photosynthetic, anaerobic, motile, and obligately fermentative. Cyanobacterial light sensing may have been facilitated by regulators present in the ancestor of these lineages. The subsurface organism has the capacity for nitrogen fixation using a nitrogenase distinct from that in Cyanobacteria, suggesting nitrogen fixation evolved separately in the two lineages. We hypothesize that Cyanobacteria split from Melainabacteria prior or due to the acquisition of oxygenic photosynthesis. Melainabacteria remained in anoxic zones and differentiated by niche adaptation, including for symbiosis in the mammalian gut.
Structural basis for activation and non-canonical catalysis of the Rap GTPase activating protein domain of plexin
Authors: Wang Yuxiao , Pascoe Heath G , Brautigam Chad A , He Huawei , Zhang Xuewu
Published: October 2013

Plexins are cell surface receptors that bind semaphorins and transduce signals for regulating neuronal axon guidance and other processes. Plexin signaling depends on their cytoplasmic GTPase activating protein (GAP) domain, which specifically inactivates the Ras homolog Rap through an ill-defined non-canonical catalytic mechanism. The plexin GAP is activated by semaphorin-induced dimerization, the structural basis for which remained unknown. Here we present the crystal structures of the active dimer of zebrafish PlexinC1 cytoplasmic region in the apo state and in complex with Rap. The structures show that the dimerization induces a large-scale conformational change in plexin, which opens the GAP active site to allow Rap binding. Plexin stabilizes the switch II region of Rap in an unprecedented conformation, bringing Gln63 in Rap into the active site for catalyzing GTP hydrolysis. The structures also explain the unique Rap-specificity of plexins. Mutational analyses support that these mechanisms underlie plexin activation and signaling.
An update on alcohol use and risk of HIV infection in sub-Saharan Africa: Meta-analysis and future research directions
Authors: Woolf-King Sarah E , Steinmaus Craig M , Reingold Arthur L , Hahn Judith A
Published: October 2013

Woolf-King, S., Steinmaus, C. M., Reingold, A. L. & Hahn, J. A. (2013). An update on alcohol use and risk of HIV infection in sub-Saharan Africa: Meta-analysis and future research directions. International Journal of Alcohol and Drug Research, 2(1), 99-110.  doi: 10.7895/ijadr.v2i1.45 (http://dx.doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.v2i1.45)Aims: Sub-Saharan Africa is disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS, and growing evidence suggests that alcohol consumption is a co-occurring problem in the region.  We conducted a meta-analysis on studies of alcohol use and HIV infection in sub-Saharan Africa in order to assess associations, evaluate heterogeneity in the literature, identify susceptible subgroups, and suggest avenues for future research.Design: We performed a systematic review, including published review articles and electronic database searches, and identified 35 studies on alcohol use and HIV.Setting and participants: All of the studies included in the meta-analysis occurred with adults in sub-Saharan Africa.Measurements: Pooled odds ratio (OR) estimates were calculated using both the fixed inverse variance weighting method and the random effects method when evidence of heterogeneity was present.Findings: The pooled OR estimate for all studies was 1.61 (95% CI: 1.44–1.80).  The association between alcohol use and prevalence or incident HIV infection was particularly large among samples who reported problem drinking (OR = 2.17, 95% CI: 1.64–2.87) and drinking in sexual contexts (OR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.55–2.06).  Some evidence of publication bias was present; however, the OR remained statistically significant in small and large studies and with population-based and high-risk samples.Conclusions: These results suggest that alcohol consumption, particularly at high levels and in sexual contexts, is associated with an increased risk of HIV infection.  An increased focus on methods that allow for more sensitive tests of the event-level association between alcohol consumption and risk of HIV infection may provide a better understanding of the causal mechanisms underlying this relationship.
A national alcohol strategy for Chile: Rationale, development, content and status of implementation
Authors: Giesbrecht Norman , Spagg Jaime C. , Pemjean Alfredo , Marquez Judith , Khenti Akwatu , Rehm Jürgen , Minoletti Alberto
Published: October 2013

Giesbrecht, N., Sapag, J. C., Pemjean, A., Marquez, J., Khenti, A., Rehm, J., & Minoletti, A. (2013). A National Alcohol Strategy For Chile: Rationale, Development, Content and Status Of Implementation. International Journal of Alcohol and Drug Research, 2(2), 17-29. doi: 10.7895/ijadr.v2i2.128 (http://dx.doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.v2i2.128)Aim: This paper describes the rationale for the Chilean strategy on alcohol, how it was developed, its key recommendations, which of its dimensions have been implemented, and remaining challenges.Design: The paper is based on archival data, a literature review, and survey data from Chilean sources. It draws on presentations at two seminars in Santiago, and a background document commissioned by the Chilean Ministry of Health. Building on ongoing initiatives in Chile, it was informed by international research on the global and regional burden of disease from alcohol.Setting and Context:In 2008 the Ministry of Health, Government of Chile, embarked on developing a national alcohol strategy. The strategy’s rationale was informed by the high rate of alcohol-related trauma, including drinking and driving; the high rate of liver cirrhosis mortality and morbidity; the high rate of heavy drinking, including among youth and young adults; and gender differences.Measures: The main recommendations focused on several themes: pricing and taxation interventions, controlling physical availability, curtailing alcohol marketing, promoting server intervention, controlling drinking and driving, promoting community-based interventions, facilitating screening and brief interventions, and monitoring and tracking local and national developments on alcohol issues.Findings & Conclusions: Since 2008, there has been progress in several areas, including a National Strategy for brief interventions in primary care; a new law on legal blood alcohol content; proposals to increase taxes on spirits, introduce warning labels on beverage containers, and limit promotion of alcoholic beverages; and the integration of alcohol-related goals within the National Health Strategy 2011–2020. Nevertheless, challenges remain: the broad acceptance of drinking, including high-risk drinking; the importance and influence of the alcohol industry; and the need for an evidence-based inter-sector response.
A modified random walk door-to-door recruitment strategy for collecting social and biological data relating to mental health, substance use/addictions and violence problems in a Canadian community
Authors: Flynn Andrea , Tremblay Paul F. , Rehm Jürgen , Wells Samantha
Published: October 2013

Flynn, A., Tremblay, P. F., Rehm, J., & Wells, S. (2013). A modified random walk door-to-door recruitment strategy for collecting social and biological data relating to mental health, substance use, addiction, and violence problems in a Canadian community. International Journal of Alcohol and Drug Research, 2(2), 7-16. doi: 10.7895/ijadr.v2i2.143 (http://dx.doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.v2i2.143)Aims: To describe a modified “random walk” door-to-door recruitment strategy used to obtain a random community sample for participation in a study relating to mental health, substance use, addiction, and violence (MSAV) problems and involving the collection of both self-report and biological (hair and saliva) data. This paper describes study protocols, response rates for the study and for the provision of biological data, and possible further applications for this data collection method.Design: A two-stage cluster sample was derived from the 2006 Canadian census sampling frame for a small Ontario community, based on the random selection of city blocks as the primary sampling units and households as the secondary sampling units.Setting: A small city in Ontario, Canada.Participants: A general population sample of 92 participants selected randomly from households using Kish tables.Measures: A computerized questionnaire was administered to obtain self-report data on MSAV problems. Saliva was collected to study genetic vulnerabilities to MSAV problems, and hair was collected to examine stress levels (via the hormone cortisol) as they relate to MSAV problems.Findings: The study showed a response rate of 50% and a high rate of provision of biological samples (over 95%).Conclusions: Modified random walk methodologies involving face-to-face recruitment may represent a useful approach for obtaining general population samples for studies of MSAV problems, particularly those involving the collection of biological samples. Further studies are needed to assess whether this approach leads to better response rates and improved estimates compared to other survey methods used in research on substance use.
Occurrence of carcinogenic aldehydes in alcoholic beverages from Asia
Authors: Lachenmeier Dirk W. , Monakhova Yulia B. , Rehm Jürgen , Kuballa Thomas , Straub Irene
Published: October 2013

Lachenmeier, D. W., Monakhova, Y. B., Rehm, J., Kuballa, T, & Straub, I (2013). Occurrence of carcinogenic aldehydes in alcoholic beverages from Asia. International Journal of Alcohol and Drug Research, 2 (2), 31-36. doi: 10.7895/ijadr.v2i2.88 (http://dx.doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.v2i2.88)Aims: Formaldehyde and acetaldehyde associated with alcohol consumption are both carcinogenic to humans (WHO IARC group 1 carcinogens). While several surveys exist on occurrence and exposure of the two aldehydes in alcoholic beverages from Europe and the Americas, we aimed to study domestic products of Asian countries.Methods: Alcohol products from Asian countries (China, Korea, Japan and Thailand), including traditionally fermented beverages (sake, rice wine) as well as distilled spirits, were collected (n = 54) and chemically analyzed for alcohol quality.Findings: In 9 of 39 samples (23%) analyzed for formaldehyde, its concentration was higher than the WHO IPCS tolerable concentration of 2.6 mg/L. Three samples contained more than 10 mg/L with a maximum concentration of 14.6 mg/L. In 15 of 54 samples (28%) analyzed for acetaldehyde, the concentration exceeded 50 g/hL of pure alcohol (pa). The maximum concentration of acetaldehyde was 127 g/hL pa. The incidence of the aldehydes, especially of formaldehyde, in the Asian sample was considerably higher than what was found in surveys of European-style alcoholic beverages.Conclusions: While acetaldehyde is a natural constituent of alcoholic beverages and is also produced during ethanol metabolism in humans, the presence of formaldehyde is unusual and raises questions about its origin. A likely explanation is that it is used as a disinfectant during production—a questionable practice, not only because of the resultant residues in the beverages, but also because of the risks to production workers of occupational exposure. Detailed exposure assessment using larger samples is needed to characterize the risk arising from the aldehydes for the alcohol-drinking population.
Design of Benzothiazole‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole Conjugates: Synthesis and Anticonvulsant Evaluation
Authors: Siddiqui Nadeem , Ahuja Priya , Malik Sachin , Arya Satish K.
Published: October 2013

Various 2‐[(6‐substituted‐1,3‐benzothiazol‐2‐yl)amino]‐N‐[5‐substituted‐phenyl‐1,3,4‐thiadiazol‐2‐yl]acetamides were synthesized with a prospective exploration of “lead hopping”, using pharmacophoric elements for in vivo anticonvulsant activity. This yielded three potent candidates (5i, 5t, and 5u) in the preliminary screening employing the maximal electroshock seizure (MES) and the subcutaneous pentylenetetrazole (scPTZ) test, showing minimal neurotoxicity. Their quantitative study indicated an increase of nearly 2–10 times for the MES test and 7‐ to 67‐fold for the scPTZ test in the protective index, the keystone in drug discovery for anticonvulsant activity.
Thermoresponsive Dendronized Polyprolines via the “Grafting to” Route
Authors: Zhang Xiuqiang , Li Wen , Zhao Xin , Zhang Afang
Published: October 2013

The first and second generations of dendronized polyprolines P3G1, P3G2, and P4G1 are prepared via the “grafting to” route, and their thermoresponsive properties and helical conformations investigated. High molar masses of polyproline main chains carrying azido groups are achieved first by polycondensation of peptide precursors through activated ester strategy. Oligoethylene glycol dendrons cored with alkyne are then attached onto the main chains through click reaction. These polymers are found to be thermoresponsive. Circular dichroism spectroscopy investigation indicates, in contrast to P3G2 and P4G1 which adopt the expected PPII conformation in aqueous conditions, P3G1 prefers to adopt PPI helical conformation, and this conformation is stable within the measured time period and temperature range.

image
Clinical Significance of Ghrelin Expression in the Gastric Mucosa of Morbidly Obese Patients
Authors: Miyazaki Yasuhiro , Takiguchi Shuji , Seki Yosuke , Kasama Kazunori , Takahashi Tsuyoshi , Kurokawa Yukinori , Yamasaki Makoto , Miyata Hiroshi , Nakajima Kiyokazu , Mori Masaki , Doki Yuichiro
Published: October 2013

Background

The concentration of ghrelin, which can affect body weight by influencing appetite, is thought to decrease after sleeve gastrectomy. However, no detailed investigations have examined ghrelin expression in the stomach. The purpose of the present study was to assess localized ghrelin expression and its clinical significance in obese patients.

Methods

A total of 52 obese patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy with or without duodenojejunal bypass were enrolled in the study. The number of ghrelin‐positive cells (GPCs) was counted using immunohistochemistry of the gastric mucosa at the fundus. The obese patients were compared with 14 nonobese patients treated for gastric cancer. Ghrelin mRNA expression was also measured in 22 obese patients using a quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

Results

The number of GPCs was significantly higher in obese patients than in nonobese controls (33.2 ± 18.3 vs. 14.1 ± 6.1; p < 0.001) and correlated with ghrelin mRNA expression. The obese patients were divided into two groups with high and low ghrelin levels based on the number of GPCs. The percent excess body weight loss was significantly greater in the high‐ghrelin group, without differences in the patient backgrounds between the two groups (p = 0.015).

Conclusions

The number of GPCs was higher in obese patients than in nonobese patients and varied individually regardless of body weight. These results suggest that ghrelin expression in gastric mucosa might be a prognostic factor after surgery.
Outcomes of Chemical Component Paralysis Using Botulinum Toxin for Incisional Hernia Repairs
Authors: Zendejas Benjamin , Khasawneh Mohammad A. , Srvantstyan Boris , Jenkins Donald H. , Schiller Henry J. , Zielinski Martin D.
Published: October 2013

Background

Botulinum toxin A (BTX) confers flaccid paralysis and pain modulation when injected into a muscle. We hypothesized that long‐term paralysis of the abdominal wall musculature (i.e., chemical component paralysis, CCP) would benefit incisional hernia repair (IHR) by decreasing postoperative pain, the use of opioid analgesia, and thus opioid‐related side effects.

Methods

Adult patients who underwent elective IHR with preoperative CCP (n = 22) were compared to concurrent matched controls (n = 66, 1:3 ratio) based on age (±5 years), sex, body mass index (±5 kg/m2), history of hernia recurrence (0 vs. ≥1), and type of repair (open vs. laparoscopic). BTX was injected under ultrasonographic guidance into the transversus abdominis and internal and external oblique muscles at three sites bilaterally (300 units total).

Results

Patients who underwent IHR with CCP used significantly less opioid analgesia (mean ± SD morphine equivalents) when compared to controls on hospital days (HDs) 2 and 5: HD2, 48 ± 27 versus 87 ± 41; HD5, 17 ± 16 versus 48 ± 45. Likewise, CCP patients reported significantly less pain (visual analogue scale 1–10) when compared to controls on HD2 (5.2 ± 1.5 vs. 6.8 ± 2) and HD4 (3.6 ± 1.2 vs. 5.2 ± 1.9): all p < 0.007 (Bonferroni adjusted). There was no difference in postoperative complications (surgical site, 9 vs. 14 %), opioid‐related adverse events (ileus 5 vs. 5 %), hospital stay (4 ± 3 vs. 3 ± 2 days), or hernia recurrence (18 months mean follow‐up: 9 vs. 9 %).

Conclusions

Despite similar multimodality treatment of postoperative pain after IHR, patients who underwent CCP required significantly less opioid analgesia and reported less pain.
Catheter‐Based Endovascular Damage‐Control (CDET): Current Status and Future Directions
Authors: Ferrada Paula , Anand Rahul J. , Aboutanos Michel , Ivatury Rao
Published: October 2013

Introduction

Endovascular technology during the past decade has introduced innovative strategies to manage vascular trauma. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the current use catheter‐based endovascular damage‐control techniques (CDET) in North, Central, and South America.

Methods

A survey was sent to the presidents of local societies in Latin America, members of the board, and past presidents of the Pan‐American Trauma Society. The survey was sent using the Research Electronic Data Capture collection tool.

Results

A total of 67 surveys were sent with an 85 % response rate. Surgeons from 15 countries participated in the survey. All of the centers in North America had capabilities to perform these procedures. In none of these centers, however, were they performed by trauma and acute care surgeons. In Central and South America, 64 % of the surgeons responded that they have an interventional radiology service, and in 56 % of the cases, trauma and acute care surgeons were already performing CDET. Eight‐eight percent of those surveyed thought that the addition of CDET to trauma would improve patient care; 86 % would be interested in further training in this technique if such programs were available. Finally, 68 % thought that the addition of CDET would help the field of acute care surgery and trauma financially.

Conclusions

CDET is being performed already by trauma and acute care surgeons in Latin American countries. More research is necessary to evaluate the role of the trauma surgeon in the endovascular suite as well as training requirements.
Open Versus Thoracoscopic Esophagectomy in Patients with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Hsu Po‐Kuei , Huang Chien‐Sheng , Wu Yu‐Chung , Chou Teh‐Ying , Hsu Wen‐Hu
Published: October 2013

Background

The impact of minimally invasive esophagectomy on patient prognosis, particularly disease‐free survival (DFS), has not been well addressed. We compared the clinical outcomes of open and thoracoscopic esophagectomy in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Methods

Sixty‐three and 66 patients, nonrandomized, underwent open and thoracoscopic esophagectomies for ESCC between 2008 and 2011 were included. The clinicopathological data were reviewed retrospectively. Perioperative outcome, overall survival (OS), DFS, and the recurrence sites after open and thoracoscopic esophagectomy were compared.

Results

The open and thoracoscopic groups were comparable with regard to the total number of harvested lymph nodes and the percentage patients undergoing R0 resection. Fewer patients in the thoracoscopic group had pneumonia and wound complications. Intensive care unit (ICU) stay also was shorter in the thoracoscopic group. The recurrence pattern was similar in the two groups. In the open and thoracoscopic groups, the 3‐year OS rates were 47.6 and 70.9 % (p = 0.031), respectively, and the 3‐year DFS rates were 35 and 62.4 % (p = 0.007), respectively. However, the trends in better OS and DFS in the thoracoscopic group were not significant after stratification according to pathologic stage.

Conclusions

The perioperative benefit of thoracoscopic esophagectomy included fewer postoperative complications and shorter ICU stays. Mid‐term OS and DFS associated with thoracoscopic techniques are at least equivalent to those associated with open procedures.
Regulatory mechanisms that control T‐follicular helper and T‐helper 1 cell flexibility
Authors: Weinmann Amy S
Published: October 2013

Following antigenic stimulation, CD4+ T cells have the potential to differentiate into a number of specialized effector cell subtypes. To date, much progress has been made in defining the basic molecular mechanisms that regulate initial helper T‐cell differentiation decisions. Emerging research in the field is now uncovering more complexity in the series of events that control helper T‐cell commitment decisions than was previously appreciated. During the commitment process, helper T cells need to integrate both signals derived from the T‐cell receptor and from the surrounding microenvironment. These external signals are then translated into internal changes in gene expression potential to ultimately define the functional characteristics of the cell. In this review, this topic will be discussed from the perspective of T‐follicular helper (Tfh) and T‐helper type 1 (Th1) cell differentiation. The focus will be on examining how the cytokine environment is perceived by signaling through signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) family proteins to initiate fate choices. The activities of STAT proteins are then in turn translated into changes in the molecular balance between B‐cell lymphoma 6 (Bcl‐6) and T‐box expressed in T cells (T‐bet), the helper T‐cell lineage‐specifying transcription factors that regulate Tfh and Th1 effector cell differentiation, respectively. Collectively, the knowledge of the molecular pathways that regulate Tfh and Th1 commitment have provided insight into the relationship between these two specialized helper T‐cell subtypes and the potential for flexibility in their gene programs.
Genome‐scale models of metabolism and gene expression extend and refine growth phenotype prediction
Authors: O'Brien Edward J , Lerman Joshua A , Chang Roger L , Hyduke Daniel R , Palsson Bernhard Ø
Published: October 2013

Growth is a fundamental process of life. Growth requirements are well‐characterized experimentally for many microbes; however, we lack a unified model for cellular growth. Such a model must be predictive of events at the molecular scale and capable of explaining the high‐level behavior of the cell as a whole. Here, we construct an ME‐Model for Escherichia coli—a genome‐scale model that seamlessly integrates metabolic and gene product expression pathways. The model computes ∼80% of the functional proteome (by mass), which is used by the cell to support growth under a given condition. Metabolism and gene expression are interdependent processes that affect and constrain each other. We formalize these constraints and apply the principle of growth optimization to enable the accurate prediction of multi‐scale phenotypes, ranging from coarse‐grained (growth rate, nutrient uptake, by‐product secretion) to fine‐grained (metabolic fluxes, gene expression levels). Our results unify many existing principles developed to describe bacterial growth.
Functional salivary gland regeneration by transplantation of a bioengineered organ germ
Authors: Ogawa Miho , Oshima Masamitsu , Imamura Aya , Sekine Yurie , Ishida Kentaro , Yamashita Kentaro , Nakajima Kei , Hirayama Masatoshi , Tachikawa Tetsuhiko , Tsuji Takashi
Published: October 2013

Salivary gland hypofunction, also known as xerostomia, occurs as a result of radiation therapy for head cancer, Sjögren’s syndrome or aging, and can cause a variety of critical oral health issues, including dental decay, bacterial infection, mastication dysfunction, swallowing dysfunction and reduced quality of life. Here we demonstrate the full functional regeneration of a salivary gland that reproduces the morphogenesis induced by reciprocal epithelial and mesenchymal interactions through the orthotopic transplantation of a bioengineered salivary gland germ as a regenerative organ replacement therapy. The bioengineered germ develops into a mature gland through acinar formations with a myoepithelium and innervation. The bioengineered submandibular gland produces saliva in response to the administration of pilocarpine and gustatory stimulation by citrate, protects against oral bacterial infection and restores normal swallowing in a salivary gland-defective mouse model. This study thus provides a proof-of-concept for bioengineered salivary gland regeneration as a potential treatment of xerostomia.
Frequency/voltage wide‐area measurements over transmission control protocol/internet protocol communication network for generator trip identification concerning missed data
Authors: Eissa Moustafa M. , Fayek Wael M. , Hadhoud Marwa M.A. , Elmesalawy Mahmoud M. , Shetaya Ahmed A.
Published: October 2013

Wide‐area frequency/voltage measurements are used to observe and record changes in power system operating conditions. This study introduces an application of the frequency/voltage (F/V) wide‐area measurements for identifying the generator trips. These measurements are received from the frequency disturbance recorders (FDRs). The FDRs transmit their measurements over the transmission control protocol/internet protocol‐based communication network to the data concentrator server (DCS) hosted at Helwan University. The transmitted data from FDRs to the DCS using IP protocol cannot guarantee the quality of service while it provides the best effort delivery for data packets. Missed data at the DCS are expected as a result of number of factors including packet drop because of network congestion, buffer overflow at the source or destination, corrupted packets rejected in‐transit or faulty networking hardware. The study introduces a new technique to compensate the missed data using principal component analysis in order to determine a specific signature and properties for each generator trip in the power system network. These signatures are compared with recorded signatures using minimum distance classification to determine a probable match. The real‐time measurements collected at DCS showed that some data are missed because of the previously mentioned factors.
Minimisation of image watermarking side effects through subjective optimisation
Authors: Golestani Hossein Bakhshi , Ghanbari Mohammed
Published: October 2013

This study investigates the use of structural similarity index (SSIM) on the minimised side effect to image watermarking. For the fast implementation and more compatibility with the standard discrete cosine transform (DCT)‐based codecs, watermark insertion is carried out on the DCT coefficients and hence an SSIM model for DCT‐based watermarking is developed. For faster implementation, the SSIM index is maximised over independent 4 × 4 non‐overlapped blocks, but the disparity between the adjacent blocks reduces the overall image quality. This problem is resolved through optimisation of overlapped blocks, but, the higher image quality is achieved at a cost of high computational complexity. To reduce the computational complexity while preserving the good quality, optimisation of semi‐overlapped blocks is introduced. The authors show that while SSIM‐based optimisation over overlapped blocks has as high as 64 times the complexity of the 4 × 4 non‐overlapped method, with semi‐overlapped optimisation the high quality of overlapped method is preserved only at a cost of less than 8 times the non‐overlapped method.
Interpolation‐based impulse noise removal
Authors: Kalyoncu Cem , Toygar Önsen , Demirel Hasan
Published: October 2013

Interpolation‐Based Impulse Noise Removal (IBINR), a fast and simple algorithm is proposed to remove fixed valued impulse noise in this study. The proposed method removes all noisy pixels from the image and determines their values using non‐linear interpolation. Compared with the state‐of‐the‐art noise removal algorithms, IBINR has the highest or comparable performance in terms of photographic image denoising power and resource efficiency: it runs in shorter amount of time and does not have any significant additional memory requirements due to the fact that costly sorting operations are avoided.
Study of intrinsic defects in 3C-SiC using first-principles calculation with a hybrid functional
Authors: Oda Takuji , Zhang Yanwen , Weber William J.
Published: October 2013

Density functional theory (DFT) with a tailored Hartree-Fock hybrid functional, which can overcome the band gap problem arising in conventional DFT and gives a valence band width comparable with experiment, is applied to determine formation energies and electronic structures of intrinsic defects in cubic silicon carbide (3C-SiC). Systematic comparison of defect formation energies obtained with the tailored hybrid functional and a conventional DFT functional clearly demonstrates that conventional DFT results are not satisfactory. The understanding on intrinsic defects, which were previously investigated mainly with conventional DFT functionals, is largely revised with regard to formation energies, electronic structures and transition levels. It is found that conventional DFT functionals basically lead to (i) underestimation of the formation energy when the defect charge is more negative and (ii) overestimation when the defect charge is more positive. The underestimation is mainly attributed to the well-known band gap problem. The overestimation is attributed to shrinkage of the valence bands, although in some cases such band shrinkage may lead to underestimation depending on how the defect alters the valence band structure. Both the band gap problem and the valence band shrinkage are often observed in semiconductors, including SiC, with conventional DFT functionals, and thus need to be carefully dealt with to achieve reliable computational results.
A multireference configuration interaction study of CuB and CuAl molecular constants and photoionization spectra
Authors: Ferrão Luiz F. A. , Spada Rene F. K. , Roberto-Neto Orlando , Machado Francisco B. C.
Published: October 2013

Accurate potential energy curves and molecular constants for the low-lying electronic states of CuXy (X = B, Al; y = 0, +1) were investigated using the complete active space self-consistent field/multireference configuration interaction (MRCI) methodology with aug-cc-pV5Z basis set. The photoionization spectra of CuX were computed, showing electron detachment in the region of far ultraviolet. The results complement the previous theoretical characterizations and the few experimental studies. A comparative analysis was carried out concerning the different choices of reference configuration state functions in the MRCI calculations with and without the contribution of scalar relativistic effects. The results obtained with a small reference set adequately constructed are competitive to those using a much larger number of configuration state functions, and also the scalar relativistic effects improve significantly the molecular constants in this kind of system containing a 3d metal atom.
Ro-vibrational relaxation of HCN in collisions with He: Rigid bender treatment of the bending-rotation interaction
Authors: Stoecklin Thierry , Denis-Alpizar Otoniel , Halvick Philippe , Dubernet Marie-Lise
Published: October 2013

We present a new theoretical method to treat atom-rigid bender inelastic collisions at the Close Coupling (RB-CC) level in the space fixed frame. The coupling between rotation and bending is treated exactly within the rigid bender approximation and we obtain the cross section for the rotational transition between levels belonging to different bending levels. The results of this approach are compared with those obtained when using the rigid bender averaged approximation (RBAA) introduced in our previous work dedicated to this system. We discuss the validity of this approximation and of the previous studies based on rigid linear HCN. We find that l-type transitions cross sections have to be calculated at the RB-CC level for the He-HCN collision while pure rotational transitions cross sections may be calculated accurately at the RBAA level.
Effects of enhanced lateral transport on InGaN/GaN light emitting diodes via n-type AlGaN/GaN superlattices
Authors: Song Hooyoung , Jeon Ki-Seong , Hyoun Joe Jin , Kim Seonock , Lee Minwoo , Ah Lee Eun , Choi Hwanjoon , Sung Junho , Kang Min-Gu , Choi Yoon-Ho , Soo Lee Jeong
Published: October 2013

We demonstrate c-plane InGaN/GaN light emitting diodes (LEDs) using polarization engineered n-type AlGaN/GaN superlattices (SLs). Aluminum composition variation and Si-delta doping concepts were incorporated in the SLs design as a means to improve vertical and lateral carrier transport in SLs. Compared to a reference n-type GaN layer having lateral conductivity of 197 Ω cm, a SLs structure exhibited significantly improved lateral conductivity, as high as 569 Ω cm, without any vertical transport degradation. Optimized AlGaN/GaN SLs structure embedded in LED improved current spreading and resulted in 13.7% and 6.7% enhancement of output power and forward voltage at 60 A/cm2, respectively.
A high-speed photoresist removal process using multibubble microwave plasma under a mixture of multiphase plasma environment
Authors: Ishijima Tatsuo , Nosaka Kohei , Tanaka Yasunori , Uesugi Yoshihiko , Goto Yousuke , Horibe Hideo
Published: October 2013

This paper proposes a photoresist removal process that uses multibubble microwave plasma produced in ultrapure water. A non-implanted photoresist and various kinds of ion-implanted photoresists such as B, P, and As were treated with a high ion dose of 5 × 1015 atoms/cm2 at an acceleration energy of 70 keV; this resulted in fast removal rates of more than 1 μm/min. When the distance between multibubble microwave plasma and the photoresist film was increased by a few millimeters, the photoresist removal rates drastically decreased; this suggests that short-lived radicals such as OH affect high-speed photoresist removal.
Fiber-integrated diamond-based magnetometer
Authors: Liu Xiaodi , Cui Jinming , Sun Fangwen , Song Xuerui , Feng Fupan , Wang Junfeng , Zhu Wei , Lou Liren , Wang Guanzhong
Published: October 2013

We demonstrated a fiber-integrated diamond-based magnetometer in this paper. In the system, the fluorescence of nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers in nanodiamonds deposited on a tapered fiber was coupled to the tapered fiber effectively and detected at the output end of the fiber. By using this scheme, optically detected electron spin resonance spectra were recorded for single NV centers. The results confirmed that such a tapered fiber-nanodiamond system can act as a magnetometer. Featured with excellent portability, convenient fabrication, and potential for further integration, the constructed system has been demonstrated to be a practical magnetometer prototype.
Nonlinear characterization of hydrogenated amorphous silicon waveguides and analysis of carrier dynamics
Authors: Lacava C. , Minzioni P. , Baldini E. , Tartara L. , Fedeli J. M. , Cristiani I.
Published: October 2013

In this paper, we determine the optical nonlinear coefficient of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) waveguides. Up to date, the data reported in the scientific literature for similar structures show a very large variability and the final assessment of their nonlinear performance is still an open issue. We performed a complete and careful characterization of more than 50 waveguides. A nonlinear coefficient of 790 + j20 W−1 m−1 was found, confirming that a-Si:H is a good candidate for nonlinear silicon photonic devices. Nevertheless, free-carrier-dynamics exhibits a recombination time in the nanosecond range, which can hinder their exploitation in ultrafast applications requiring high-power optical beams.