bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A missing cornerstone in the Norwegian Priority Commission’s weighting scheme – Sub-treatment balancedness is a necessary property for priority setting criteria
Authors: Barra Mathias , Rand-Hendriksen Kim
Published: November 2015

The Norwegian government recently put in place a priority commission tasked with suggesting a set of explicit criteria for priority setting in the health care sector. The commission suggested three criteria, the first two of which equate to cost-effectiveness, where, essentially, the gain is measured in terms of Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs). The third criteria specifies that the number of QALYs be multiplied by a factor depending on the total health loss – also measured in QALYs – without the treatment in question.In this paper, we will show that the suggested weighting scheme creates contradictory situations in which the priority of treatment programmes will change based on arbitrary bundling (where two or more treatments are combined into one) or sub-divisions (where a treatment is split up into two or more components.)We show that these types of problems can be avoided or ameliorated if the QALY weighting scheme satisfies a property which we call sub-treatment balanced – informally, that the total weighted QALY gain is preserved when treatments are bundled or sub-divided. To our best knowledge, this property has not previously been discussed in the priority setting literature.We demonstrate that sub-treatment balance can easily be achieved in general, and in particular we show how to adapt the weighting scheme suggested by the Norwegian priority commission in order to satisfy this sub-treatment balance. Finally, we argue that any weighting scheme used in health care priority setting should be sub-treatment balanced with respect to any other attribute of a treatment which policy makers would want to take into account when making their decisions.At the time of writing, the Norwegian government has yet to conclude on a final set of criteria for prioritization, and a task-group, lead by professor Jon Magnussen, is re-evaluating the severity criterion suggested by the priority commission. However, sub-treatment balance is still relevant, as it should be required of any weighing scheme, and is crucial given that (i) the criterion results in weighting QALYs, and (ii) if the selected measure of severity is affected by the administered treatment. Published: Online November 2015. In print August 2016.
Regenerative Medicine Build-Out
Authors: Terzic Andre , Pfenning Michael A. , Gores Gregory J. , Harper C. Michel
Published: November 2015

Regenerative technologies strive to boost innate repair processes and restitute normative impact. Deployment of regenerative principles into practice is poised to usher in a new era in health care, driving radical innovation in patient management to address the needs of an aging population challenged by escalating chronic diseases. There is urgency to design, execute, and validate viable paradigms for translating and implementing the science of regenerative medicine into tangible health benefits that provide value to stakeholders. A regenerative medicine model of care would entail scalable production and standardized application of clinical grade biotherapies supported by comprehensive supply chain capabilities that integrate sourcing and manufacturing with care delivery. Mayo Clinic has rolled out a blueprint for discovery, translation, and application of regenerative medicine therapies for accelerated adoption into the standard of care. To establish regenerative medical and surgical service lines, the Mayo Clinic model incorporates patient access, enabling platforms and delivery. Access is coordinated through a designated portal, the Regenerative Medicine Consult Service, serving to facilitate patient/provider education, procurement of biomaterials, referral to specialty services, and/or regenerative interventions, often in clinical trials. Platforms include the Regenerative Medicine Biotrust and Good Manufacturing Practice facilities for manufacture of clinical grade products for cell-based, acellular, and/or biomaterial applications. Care delivery leverages dedicated interventional suites for provision of regenerative services. Performance is tracked using a scorecard system to inform decision making. The Mayo Clinic roadmap exemplifies an integrated organization in the discovery, development, and delivery of regenerative medicine within a growing community of practice at the core of modern health care.

Significance

Regenerative medicine is at the vanguard of health care poised to offer solutions for many of today's incurable diseases. Accordingly, there is a pressing need to develop, deploy, and demonstrate a viable framework for rollout of a regenerative medicine model of care. Translation of regenerative medicine principles into practice is feasible, yet clinical validity and utility must be established to ensure approval and adoption. Standardized and scaled-up regenerative products and services across medical and surgical specialties must in turn achieve a value-added proposition, advancing intended outcome beyond current management strategies.
Tumescent Anesthetic Breast Surgery (TABS): Primary and Secondary Breast Augmentation Surgery in an Office-Based Surgical Center
Authors: Novoa Julio C.
Published: November 2015

Introduction:

The purpose of this study was to review the risks, benefits, safety, and limitations of tumescent lidocaine anesthesia in tumescent anesthetic breast surgery (TABS) based on 504 surgical procedures performed in an office-based surgical center.

Materials and Methods:

From December 1, 2008, to November 15, 2011, 448 primary and 56 secondary breast augmentation surgeries were performed on 448 patients using tumescent lidocaine anesthesia (55 of the original 448 patients were operated on again; 1 patient was not an original patient). The age of the patients ranged from 19 to 68 years. All surgeries were performed at the Perfect Image Cosmetic Surgery MedSpa in El Paso, Tex.

Results:

No patient asked for the surgery to be terminated because of pain or anxiety. In 502 of the 504 surgeries, patients said they would repeat the surgery using tumescent lidocaine. Lidocaine toxicity was dose-dependent. Complications were equal to or lower than those listed by the Allergan Corporation for general anesthesia.

Conclusion:

Tumescent lidocaine used in TABS is a safe and effective form of conscious anesthesia without sedation in cosmetic breast surgery in an office-based surgical center.
Technical Considerations in Abdominoplasty of Huge Abdomen
Authors: Ali Ahmed , Elbarbary Amir Samir , Farag Mohamed , Saleh Mohamed Amin
Published: November 2015

In abdominoplasty, the surgeon aims to contour the abdominal wall and create a balanced relationship with the lower body contour. The condition huge abdomen is characterized by severe lipohypertrophy; marked laxity of the abdominal skin, which almost overlaps the mons pubis and upper thighs; divarication of the recti; and ptosis of the mons pubis. Abdominoplasty of huge abdomen carries a higher risk of postoperative complications and unaesthetic results. This study presents certain technical considerations in liposuction: preservation of the vascular perforators and subumbilical scarpa fascia, undermining/resection of the abdominal skin, performance of umbilicoplasty, and lifting of the mons pubis. From June 2009 to June 2011, abdominoplasty were performed on 112 patients with the condition huge abdomen. Body weights ranged from 89 to 105 kg, with a mean of 92 kg. Body mass index ranged from 32.7 to 37.4, with a mean of 35.2. After an average follow-up period of 1 year, 93 patients (83%) achieved good aesthetic results and had no major or local postoperative complications. In 4 patients (3.6%), seroma was an early postoperative complication. Six patients (5.4%) developed long-term unfavorable aesthetic results, which required secondary revisions. This study focuses on certain type of abdominal wall obesity that requires abdominoplasty and provides some technical considerations to achieve a safe and aesthetic outcome.
How the Keller Funnel Got its Start
Authors: Keller Kevin , Preissman Howard
Published: November 2015

The Keller Funnel, an FDA Class 1 device, in 2009 provided plastic and cosmetic surgeons a new tool for inserting silicone implants in augmentation or reconstruction procedures. Conceived by plastic surgeon Kevin Keller, MD, the device was designed to simplify the delivery of the implant into the breast pocket, to reduce incision lengths to equal that of saline implant procedures, and to offer a minimal or no-touch technique to lessen the introduction of contaminants. The development and success of the implant delivery device, the Keller Funnel, happened like many emerging enterprises with part ingenuity, part serendipity, and a lot of energy.
The No-Incision, Dual-Technique, Laser Face-Lift: A Prospective Series of 16 Patients
Authors: Gardner Vincent W. , Nease Carey J.
Published: November 2015

Introduction:

Patients seeking facial rejuvenation are looking for improved results with little downtime. The authors present results from a series of 16 patients treated with fractional carbon dioxide (CO2) laser resurfacing and laser lipolysis in the subdermal plane, as a laser face-lift.

Materials and Methods:

A 1064/1320 nm blend laser device was used for laser lipolysis of the lower face and neck. Full-face laser skin resurfacing using a fractionated CO2 laser was then completed. Six-month results were analyzed using before and after photosets and a questionnaire. Both the patients and 2 independent cosmetic surgeons rated the photosets for improvements.

Results:

Based on questionnaire results, 63% of participants would recommend the laser face-lift procedure to a family member or friend. Approximately 73% thought the procedure made them look younger. Sixty-nine percent thought the experience was positive, 19% had no strong feelings either way, and 13% reported a negative experience. Eighty-seven percent reported downtime of 6 days or less, with 56% noting less than 4 days of downtime. Sixty-two percent of the patients said the procedure met their expectations. There were no significant complications.

Conclusions:

Combining laser lipolysis and fractionated CO2 laser resurfacing into a single procedure for facial rejuvenation can provide noticeable improvements in neck and jawline contour, dyschromias, skin tightness, and overall skin tone and texture. The procedure is safe when performed by a trained surgeon using a standardized approach. Overall, patient satisfaction was high and downtime was minimal.
A “Solid Injection Method” to Reduce Postoperative Complications in Autologous Fat Grafting for Breast Augmentation
Authors: Chiu Cheng-Hung
Published: November 2015

Introduction:

Over the last decades, there has been an increasing interest in breast augmentation using autologous fat transplantation for reconstructive and cosmetic purposes. However, autologous fat graft to the breast is not a simple procedure and should be performed only by well-trained and skilled surgeons. The rate of postoperative complications is reported in the literature to be 10–16.7%. To reduce complications in autologous fat graft to the breast, the author developed a solid injection method to increase the contact area of the grafted fat and the recipient tissue.

Materials and Methods:

From May 2010 to February 2012, we performed autologous fat grafting for 281 patients. After exclusion of the patients with inadequate follow-up time (<6 months) or who were lost to follow-up, 190 patients were enrolled in this study. The enrolled patients were randomly divided into group A, in which structural fat grafting was done by the method described by Coleman, and group B, in which the solid injection method was administered. For the solid injection method, the operator used his nondominant hand to compress the breast to increase the contact area with the injected fat when performing the fat graft injection. At the end of the fat injection, the breasts were still soft, and there was no pressure leakage from the entries. The data between the 2 groups was analyzed using a two-sample t test, and the complication rates were analyzed using a chi-square test.

Results:

The age of the patients ranged from 21 to 57 years (mean = 34 years). The volume of fat harvested was 776 mL to 5050 mL (mean = 1593 mL), and the volume of fat grafted to each breast was 120 to 310 mL (mean = 246 mL). There were 56 patients enrolled in group A and 134 patients enrolled in group B. All patients were followed up from 7 to 28 months, with an average of 15.1 months postoperatively. The differences of patient data in both groups were statistically insignificant. Postoperative complication rates were 14.2% in group A and 2.2% in group B, the difference of which is statistically significant (P = .001).

Conclusions:

The solid injection method can reduce postoperative complications in autologous fat grafting. There were 4 principles to be followed in this method: Principle I, the fat should be injected only into an area with “solid” feedback while processing the injection; Principle II, the fat should never be injected into an empty area; Principle III, the breasts should be soft at the end of injection; and Principle IV, there should be no/minimal pressure leakage from the entries after the injection.
Predetermined Energy Delivery as an Endpoint for Radiofrequency Skin Tightening
Authors: Lack Edward B.
Published: November 2015

Introduction:

Clinicians have been advised to perform radiofrequency (RF) skin tightening by observing subjective parameters such as the number of passes or superficial edema or tissue elevation to determine endpoints in treatment. Common to these techniques is the difficulty in reproducing the endpoint and the lack of consistency both during treatment and with subsequent treatments. This study was initiated to investigate whether total delivered energy to a given cosmetic unit is a reliable parameter for reproducing treatments in the same individual and whether it could be used as a parameter to predict results.

Materials and Methods:

Five patients who desired skin tightening of cosmetic units involving the face and body were treated with a novel RF delivery device in which the endpoint of treatment was predetermined at a given energy level measured in kilojoules. At the end of 5 treatments, a comparison of treatment endpoints and patient self-evaluation, as well as evaluation of photographic results by a nontreating physician were correlated.

Results:

Using a preselected delivery of total energy per cosmetic unit, 5 patients received a total of 5 treatment sessions each. When clinical results did not meet expectations, the total energy levels were increased at the next treatment session. All patients reported relative comfort during the treatments. No topical or regional anesthesia was used. Patient satisfaction was reported at 80%. Patients evaluated their own outcomes at slightly less than 50% improvement, and a nontreating physician evaluated outcome based on clinical photography at 50%.

Conclusions:

A system of quantitation for the delivery of RF to promote skin tightening is presented. Predetermined energy delivery is a reproducible variable with which to compare subsequent treatments as well as a method for adjusting RF delivery in subsequent treatment sessions in an attempt to produce optimal results. Patient impressions as well as evaluation by a nontreating physician were recorded and found to be in agreement concerning the efficacy of treatment.
Use of Microcannula Closed Syringe System for Safe and Effective Lipoaspiration and Small Volume Autologous Fat Grafting
Authors: Alexander Robert W.
Published: November 2015

Introduction:

The purpose of this study was to provide background on methods of acquiring autologous adipose tissue as a tissue graft and a source of adult progenitor cells for use in cosmetic plastic surgery; to discuss the background and mechanisms of action of closed syringe vacuum lipoaspiration, with emphasis on accessing adipose tissues for use in aesthetic, structural reconstruction and regenerative applications; and to explain a proven protocol for acquiring high-quality autologous fat grafts with use of closed syringe, disposable, microcannula systems.

Materials and Methods:

An explanation is provided for the components of and the advantages of using the super Luer-lock and microcannulas system with standard Luer syringes. Equipment selection is described, and a sequential explanation is presented for conducting minimally traumatic lipoaspiration in small volumes, including use of blunt injection cannulas to reduce risk of embolism.

Results:

Thousands of autologous fat grafts have been used in cosmetic surgery and have proven safe and efficacious for use as part of lipoaspiration techniques for large and small structural fat-grafting procedures. The importance and advantages of gently harvesting the adipose tissue complex has become very clear in the past 5 years. A closed syringe system offers a minimally invasive, gentle system to mobilize subdermal fat tissues in a suspension form. Resulting total nuclear counts suggest that this approach achieves higher yields than use of applied vacuum systems that are always on and use a constant mechanical pump.

Conclusions:

Use of disposable closed syringe lipoaspiration systems featuring disposable microcannulas offers a safe and effective means of harvesting small volumes (<100 mL) of nonmanipulated adipose tissues and accompanying progenitor cells within the adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction. This article presents a practical step-by-step protocol for acquiring high-quality autologous fat grafts.
Five and a Half Years' Experience with the Avelar Lipoabdominoplasty Procedure: Analysis of Complication Rates
Authors: Lopez Quita
Published: November 2015

Introduction:

The Avelar lipoabdominoplasty procedure has been described in the literature as a safe procedure with fewer complications than traditional abdominoplasty because of limited upper abdominal dissection, which spares the superior neurovascular bundles along with the lymphatics. In the author's published article in 2008, 80 patient charts were evaluated retrospectively, and the complication rates were compared with other studies presented in the literature. The purpose of this study is to compare the complication rates of the first 2 years to the subsequent 31/2 years since the procedure was adopted. The Avelar mini-lipoabdominoplasty procedures were also reviewed, and the complication rates were compared with those of the full Avelar procedures.

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective review was performed of records of patients who underwent a full or mini-Avelar lipoadominoplasty procedure from July 1, 2007 to December 31, 2010.

Results:

A total of 89 patient charts were reviewed. There were 73 full lipoabdominoplasty and 16 mini-lipoabdominoplasty procedures performed by the author. The mean age of the patients was 42 years; 46% had general anesthesia and 54% had conscious sedation. In the 89 patients who underwent both types of procedures, there was 1 case of skin necrosis (1.1% incidence compared with a 3.7% incidence the first 2 years), 4 seromas (4.5% incidence compared with 12.5% incidence in the original study), and no deep venous thromboses or hematomas. For the full lipoabdominoplasty procedures, the skin necrosis rate was 1.4% compared with 3.9% in the 2008 study, and the seroma rate was 5.5% compared with 13.0%. There were 9 small skin dehiscences (10% incidence), and there were 4 postoperative infections (4.5% incidence). The mini-lipoabdominoplasties had none of these complications.

Conclusions:

The complication rates have decreased in the subsequent 31/2 years compared with the first 2 years. This is probably due to increased surgeon experience, not operating on smokers in the second part of the study, and using the Erchonia EML (Erchonia Medical Inc, Mesa, Ariz) on all patients pre- and postoperatively. The rates were lower than those reported for traditional abdominoplasties. There were none of the above complications for the mini-abdominoplasties using the Avelar technique.
Aggressive Fibromatosis Arising after Facial Cosmetic Surgery
Authors: Diepenbrock Ryan M. , Kennedy Brent D. , Orrock Jared M.
Published: November 2015

Introduction:

Fibromatosis is a rare benign neoplasm that infrequently presents in the head and neck. Although it has no metastatic potential, its ability to infiltrate and invade organs and vital structures can lead to significant morbidity and even death. Clinically, fibromatoses manifest as painless, firm, often rapidly growing masses fixed to underlying bone and soft tissue. Although the precise etiology is unknown, genetic mutations or hormonal levels may be a causative factor. Interestingly, trauma and surgical incisions may be associated in up to 25% of cases.

Materials and Methods:

A 44-year-old woman was treated for submental lipomatosis and platysmal banding via submental liposuction and platysmaplasty. Within the following weeks, a firm, nontender, freely-movable nodule was noted, and biopsy was returned as fibromatosis.

Results:

Because of the rapid progression and location of the tumor, this neoplasm was classified as aggressive fibromatosis. Our patient required surgical resection with close follow-up. Although reported in the head and neck prior to this case, this is the only case to our knowledge arising clinically after cosmetic surgery.

Conclusions:

Although the exact etiology is unknown, there is a strong suspicion that either the surgery itself may have been the causative factor enabling the normal reparative fibroblasts to differentiate into tumor cells or a preexisting, but not clinically apparent tumor, may have been stimulated by the procedure. Judicious follow-up and prompt diagnosis led to early treatment, which in turn decreased the potential for severe morbidity.
Fat Grafting in a Patient with a Poland Syndrome Variant
Authors: Marcovici Iacob
Published: November 2015

When a patient has a problem with asymmetry physicians strive to correct it to the best of their abilities. Many patients ask for a perfect or almost perfect result; however, some patients are pleased with a small correction to their problem. Here is an illustrative case of such a patient with hypo-plastic breast anomaly—a variant of Poland syndrome—who requested fat grafting to the affected breast.
Breast Reconstruction with or without Human Acellular Dermal Matrices: A Single-Clinic, Review of Esthetic Outcomes and Risk Factors for Complications
Authors: Rosenberg Michael H. , Palaia David A. , Cahan Anthony C. , Arthur Karen S. , DeLuca-Pytell Danielle M. , Bonanno Philip C.
Published: November 2015

Introduction:

Immediate breast reconstruction following mastectomy using human acellular dermal matrix (HADM) offers clinical benefits over reconstruction without HADM. However, guidance on HADM use, questions regarding complications, and lack of outcomes and comparison data remain. In this retrospective chart review, clinical outcomes following breast reconstruction with or without HADM and by HADM type are evaluated to address these issues.

Materials and Methods:

Charts for all patients undergoing breast reconstruction at a single clinic from 2006 to 2011 were collected. Information extracted included baseline patient demographics and disease characteristics, comorbidities, medications, type of HADM in breast reconstruction (FlexHD, AlloDerm, or no HADM), clinical outcomes, and esthetic results. Variables with significant group differences were risk-adjusted in multivariate analyses for postoperative and aesthetic outcomes.

Results:

A total of 650 patient charts (881 breast reconstructions) were analyzed, with few differences in patient/clinical characteristics between the HADM and no-HADM groups. The most commonly reported clinical complications in all groups were seroma and infections. The AlloDerm group had an increased adjusted risk of complications compared with the no HADM group; the FlexHD group had no significant differences compared with the no-HADM group. Both FlexHD and AlloDerm groups exhibited significantly higher perceived esthetic results compared with the no-HADM group (8.22 and 8.02 vs 6.53, respectively, P < .0001).

Conclusions:

These results suggest that the enhanced esthetic outcomes with HADM and expanders/implants in breast reconstruction may outweigh the risk of certain surgical complications, especially with FlexHD. Appropriate patient selection based on complication risk factors may further increase the benefit-to-risk ratio for HADM use in breast reconstructions.
Placement of Chin Implants: Does the Approach Make a Difference?
Authors: Fattahi Tirbod , Amoli Ali
Published: November 2015

Augmentation genioplasty is a commonly performed aesthetic procedure. Although there have been multiple modifications of the original technique, there are two primary methods to perform this operation. The purpose of this article is to describe the author's experience in placing chin implants from a transoral versus a transcervical approach. Differences in outcomes and potential complications associated with each method are described.
The Diversity of Enterprise Modeling – a Taxonomy for Enterprise Modeling Actions
Authors: Seigerroth Ulf
Published: November 2015

Both researchers and practitioners have recognized the need for developed knowledge about enterprise modeling. Therefore it is necessary to increase the understanding of various actions that are performed during enterprise modeling, their meaning, and their diversity. This paper proposes a taxonomy with a conceptual structure in two dimensions (hierarchy and process) that could be used to increase the knowledge about enterprise modeling actions. The taxonomy introduces a terminology that enables a better understanding of the modeling actions for a clear purpose. One important aspect of the taxonomy is to create visibility and traceability of decisions made during enterprise modeling activities. These modeling decisions have previously been of a more tacit nature and the taxonomy is supposed to make the rationale behind different modeling decisions explicit and understandable.
Early Validation of Automation Plant Control Software using Simulation Based on Assumption Modeling and Validation Use Cases
Authors: Brandstetter Veronika , Froese Andreas , Tenbergen Bastian , Vogelsang Andreas , Wehrstedt Jan , Weyer Thorsten
Published: November 2015

In automation plants, technical processes must be conducted in a way that products, substances, or services are produced reliably, with sufficient quality and with minimal strain on resources. A key driver in conducting these processes is the automation plant’s control software, which controls the technical plant components and thereby affects the physical, chemical, and mechanical processes that take place in automation plants. To this end, the control software of an automation plant must adhere to strict process requirements arising from the technical processes, and from the physical plant design. Currently, the validation of the control software often starts late in the engineering process in many cases – once the automation plant is almost completely constructed. However, as widely acknowledged, the later the control software of the automation plant is validated, the higher the effort for correcting revealed defects is, which can lead to serious budget overruns and project delays. In this article we propose an approach that allows the early validation of automation control software against the technical plant processes and assumptions about the physical plant design by means of simulation. We demonstrate the application of our approach on the example of an actual plant project from the automation industry and present it’s technical implementation
Contract-Based Design of Embedded Systems Integrating Nominal Behavior and Safety
Authors: Kaiser Bernhard , Weber Raphael , Oertel Markus , Böde Eckard , Nejad Behrang , Zander Justyna
Published: November 2015

The distributed design process for safety-critical embedded systems has become an increasingly difficult challenge: Electronic Control Units (ECUs) in vehicles, for instance, participate in many vehicle functions, while each vehicle function, in turn, is spread across several ECUs. Many suppliers participate in systems design and many partial functions are reused from past projects, not always knowing the assumptions at the time of their development. In particular, efficient allocation of safety mechanisms and a sound safety case are difficult tasks for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Contract-based development has gained popularity as an approach for supporting distributed development by explicitly annotating assumptions and guarantees to components, but an integrated process covering specification of nominal behavior and safety has not been described so far. We present such an integrated development approach that encompasses the systematic breakdown of nominal system behavior using contracts, the consistent derivation of safety analysis by interpreting several types of contract violations as a specification for failure modes, and the subsequent integration of safety mechanisms that cover these failure modes through safety contracts. The approach equally fits hardware and software and is therefore applicable on the system level. We demonstrate it by an electric drive example. The extensibility of our approach towards Cyber Physical Systems, which compose themselves at runtime, is briefly outlined at the end of the article.
Drift region doping effects on characteristics and reliability of high-voltage n-type metal–oxide–semiconductor transistors
Authors: Chen Jone F. , Chang Chun-Po , Liu Yu Ming , Tsai Yan-Lin , Hsu Hao-Tang , Chen Chih-Yuan , Hwang Hann-Ping
Published: November 2015

In this study, off-state breakdown voltage (V
BD) and hot-carrier-induced degradation in high-voltage n-type metal–oxide–semiconductor transistors with various BF2 implantation doses in the n− drift region are investigated. Results show that a higher BF2 implantation dose results in a higher V
BD but leads to a greater hot-carrier-induced device degradation. Experimental data and technology computer-aided design simulations suggest that the higher V
BD is due to the suppression of gate-induced drain current. On the other hand, the greater hot-carrier-induced device degradation can be explained by a lower net donor concentration and a different current-flow path, which is closer to the Si–SiO2 interface.
Influence of Ce/Zr ratio on CO oxidation activity of ceria–zirconia supported Cu catalyst
Authors: Hattori Masatomo , Haneda Masaaki , Ozawa Masakuni
Published: November 2015

The influence of Ce/Zr ratios in the cerium-rich region on the dispersibility and reduction property of Cu catalysts supported on ceria–zirconia composite oxides was investigated. In the catalysts, the dispersibility of copper oxide species on ceria–zirconia supports was different depending on Ce/Zr ratio. The particle size of copper oxide species on Ce0.7Zr0.3O2 was smaller than that on Ce0.5Zr0.5O2. CO oxidation activity of 1.0 wt % Cu/Ce0.7Zr0.3O2 was higher than that of 1.0 wt % Cu/Ce0.5Zr0.5O2. Temperature programmed reduction by CO (CO-TPR) measurement revealed that the reducibility of Cu/Ce0.7Zr0.3O2 was higher than that of Cu/Ce0.5Zr0.5O2. The temperature of the first peak in CO-TPR profiles for both catalysts was in good agreement with the temperature at which the conversion of CO reached 50% (T
50). It is suggested that the copper oxide species — ceria–zirconia interaction influences the activation of oxygen at the interface between copper oxide species and ceria–zirconia, resulting in different catalytic performance for CO oxidation.
Overexpression of centromere protein K (CENPK) in ovarian cancer is correlated with poor patient survival and associated with predictive and prognostic relevance
Authors: Lee Yi-Chao , Huang Chi-Chen , Lin Ding-Yen , Chang Wen-Chang , Lee Kuen-Haur
Published: November 2015

Ovarian cancer has a poor prognosis. Most patients are diagnosed with ovarian cancer when the disease has reached an advanced stage and cure rates are generally under 30%. Hence, early diagnosis of ovarian cancer is the best means to control the disease in the long term and abate mortality. So far, cancer antigen 125 (CA125) and human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) are the gold-standard tumor markers for ovarian cancer; however, these two markers can be elevated in a number of conditions unrelated to ovarian cancer, resulting in decreased specifically and positive predictive value. Therefore, it is urgent to identify novel biomarkers with high reliability and sensitivity for ovarian cancer. In this study for the first time, we identified a member of the centromere protein (CENP) family, CENPK, which was specifically upregulated in ovarian cancer tissues and cell lines and the overexpression of which was associated with poor prognoses in patients with ovarian cancer. In addition, the presence of CENPK significantly improved the sensitivity of CA125 or HE4 for predicting clinical outcomes of ovarian cancer patients. In conclusion, we identified that CENPK was specifically upregulated in ovarian cancer cells and can be used as a novel tumor marker of ovarian cancer.
Quasi‐steady flow in sloping aquifers
Authors: Akylas Evangelos , Gravanis Elias , Koussis Antonis D.
Published: November 2015

Mass conservation links the storage S and the outflow Q of an aquifer. A relation between them (an S‐Q relation) provides then a model governing the evolution of these quantities. In this work we construct an analytical quasi‐steady state model which exploits the properties of the exact S‐Q relation associated with steady state solutions of the Boussinesq equation for the sloping aquifer (that is, the Henderson and Wooding [1964] solutions). The model is derived by matching the asymptotic forms of the exact S‐Q relation which arise for small and large values of the Henderson and Wooding parameter λ. These asymptotic forms provide a novel rederivation of well‐known semiempirical S‐Q relations of the form Q
S and Q
S2, and they lead to soluble quasi‐steady state models. The quadratic asymptotic relation turns out to hold for surprisingly low values of λ. This characteristic and its formal properties allow smooth matching with the linear relation at λ=π2/4=2.47. The obtained model holds over the entire parameter space. An important characteristic of the model, stemming from its derivation, is that it involves only the geometric and hydraulic quantities present in the exact Boussinesq equation. The model is tested by best fitting four data sets from experiments simulating aquifer drainage. The derived curves for the drained volume are in excellent agreement with the data. The estimated values for k and n are also in overall very good agreement with their reference values.
The meaning of midlithospheric discontinuities: A case study in the northern U.S. craton
Authors: Hopper Emily , Fischer Karen M.
Published: November 2015

Converted wave imaging has revealed significant negative velocity gradients, often termed midlithospheric discontinuities, within the thick, high‐velocity mantle beneath cratons. In this study, we investigate the origins and implications of these structures with high‐resolution imaging of mantle discontinuities beneath the Archean Wyoming, Superior and Medicine Hat, and Proterozoic Yavapai and Trans‐Hudson terranes. Sp phases from 872 temporary and permanent broadband stations, including the EarthScope Transportable Array, were migrated into three‐dimensional common conversion point stacks. Four classes of discontinuities were observed. (1) A widespread, near‐flat negative velocity gradient occurs largely at 70–90 km depth beneath both Archean and Proterozoic cratons. This structure is consistent with the top of a frozen‐in layer of volatile‐rich melt. (2) Dipping negative velocity gradients are observed between 85 and 200 km depth. The clearest examples occur at the suture zones between accreted Paleoproterozoic Yavapai arc terranes and the Wyoming and Superior cratons. These interfaces could represent remnant subducting slabs, and together with eclogite in xenoliths, indicate that subduction‐related processes likely contributed to cratonic mantle growth. (3) Sporadic positive velocity gradients exist near the base of the lithospheric mantle, perhaps due to laterally variable compositional layering. (4) In contrast to off‐craton regions, clear Sp phases are typically not seen at lithosphere‐asthenosphere boundary depths beneath Archean and Proterozoic terranes, consistent with a purely thermal contrast between cratonic mantle lithosphere and asthenosphere.
MHD model results of solar wind interaction with Mars and comparison with MAVEN plasma observations
Authors: Ma Y. J. , Russell C. T. , Fang X. , Dong Y. , Nagy A. F. , Toth G. , Halekas J. S. , Connerney J. E. P. , Espley J. R. , Mahaffy P. R. , Benna M. , McFadden J. P. , Mitchell D. L. , Jakosky B. M.
Published: November 2015

The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN mission (MAVEN), launched on 18 November 2013, is now in its primary science phase, orbiting Mars with a 4.5 h period. In this study, we use a time‐dependent MHD model to interpret plasma observations made by MAVEN particle and field instruments. Detailed comparisons between the model and the relevant plasma observations from MAVEN are presented for an entire Mars rotation under relatively quiet solar wind conditions. Through comparison along MAVEN orbits, we find that the time‐dependent multispecies single‐fluid MHD model is able to reproduce the main features of the plasma environment around Mars. Using the model results, we find that photoionization beyond the terminator is the dominant ion source as compared with day‐night transport in maintaining the nightside ionosphere. Model results also show that both the time‐varying solar wind conditions and the continuously rotating crustal field work together to control the ion escape variation with time.
MAVEN insights into oxygen pickup ions at Mars
Authors: Rahmati A. , Larson D. E. , Cravens T. E. , Lillis R. J. , Dunn P. A. , Halekas J. S. , Connerney J. E. , Eparvier F. G. , Thiemann E. M. B. , Jakosky B. M.
Published: November 2015

Since Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN)'s arrival at Mars on 21 September 2014, the SEP (Solar Energetic Particle) instrument on board the MAVEN spacecraft has been detecting oxygen pickup ions with energies of a few tens of keV up to ~200 keV. These ions are created in the distant upstream part of the hot atomic oxygen exosphere of Mars, via photoionization, charge exchange with solar wind protons, and electron impact. Once ionized, atomic oxygen ions are picked up by the solar wind and accelerated downstream, reaching energies high enough for SEP to detect them. We model the flux of oxygen pickup ions observed by MAVEN SEP in the undisturbed upstream solar wind and compare our results with SEP's measurements. Model‐data comparisons of SEP fluxes confirm that pickup oxygen associated with the Martian exospheric hot oxygen is indeed responsible for the MAVEN SEP observations.
Ionopause‐like density gradients in the Martian ionosphere: A first look with MAVEN
Authors: Vogt Marissa F. , Withers Paul , Mahaffy Paul R. , Benna Mehdi , Elrod Meredith K. , Halekas Jasper S. , Connerney John E. P. , Espley Jared R. , Mitchell David L. , Mazelle Christian , Jakosky Bruce M.
Published: November 2015

For unmagnetized planets, the top of the ionosphere is often marked by a sharp change in electron density and other plasma properties, called an ionopause. Here we present a statistical study of dayside ionopause‐like density gradients observed in 54% of ion density profiles from the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) mission spacecraft at Mars. Prior studies of the Martian ionopause have lacked simultaneous comprehensive measurements of plasma and magnetic field properties. Therefore, we use MAVEN observations of the electron density, magnetic field, and ion and electron energy spectra to study the factors that influence properties of the ionopause. On average, profiles with an ionopause are accompanied by a higher energy flux of protons at high altitudes and stronger magnetic field at low altitude than profiles without an ionopause. At altitudes above ~300 km, the O+/O2+ ratio is significantly larger for profiles with an ionopause than those without an ionopause. These findings enhance our understanding of this important plasma boundary at Mars.
Dayside electron temperature and density profiles at Mars: First results from the MAVEN Langmuir probe and waves instrument
Authors: Ergun R. E. , Morooka M. W. , Andersson L. A. , Fowler C. M. , Delory G. T. , Andrews D. J. , Eriksson A. I. , McEnulty T. , Jakosky B. M.
Published: November 2015

We present Mars' electron temperature (Te) and density (ne) altitude profiles derived from the MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN) mission deep dip orbits in April 2015, as measured by the Langmuir probe instrument. These orbits had periapsides below 130 km in altitude at low solar zenith angles. The periapsides were above the peak in ne during this period. Using a Chapman function fit, we find that scale height and projected altitude of the ne peak are consistent with models and previous measurements. The peak electron density is slightly higher than earlier works. For the first time, we present in situ measurements of Te altitude profiles in Mars' dayside in the altitude range from ~130 km to 500 km and provide a functional fit. Importantly, Te rises rapidly with altitude from ~180 km to ~300 km. These results and functional fit are important for modeling Mars' ionosphere and understanding atmospheric escape.
Ultraviolet observations of the hydrogen coma of comet C/2013 A1 (Siding Spring) by MAVEN/IUVS
Authors: Crismani Matteo M. J. , Schneider Nicholas M. , Deighan Justin I. , Stewart A. Ian F. , Combi Michael , Chaffin Michael S. , Fougere Nicolas , Jain Sonal K. , Stiepen Arnaud , Yelle Roger V. , McClintock William E. , Clarke John T. , Holsclaw Gregory M. , Montmessin Frank , Jakosky Bruce M.
Published: November 2015

We used the Imaging Ultraviolet Spectrograph (IUVS) aboard the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) orbiting spacecraft to construct images of the hydrogen coma of comet C/2013 A1 (Siding Spring) days before its close encounter with Mars. We obtain a water production rate of 1.1 ± 0.5 × 1028 molecules/s and determine the total impacting fluence of atoms and molecules corresponding to the photodissociation of water and its daughter species to be 2.4 ± 1.2 × 104 kg. We use these observations to confirm predictions that the mass of delivered hydrogen is comparable to the existing reservoir above 150 km. Furthermore, we reconcile disparity between observations and predictions about the detectability of the hydrogen perturbation and thermospheric response.
A comparison of 3‐D model predictions of Mars' oxygen corona with early MAVEN IUVS observations
Authors: Lee Yuni , Combi Michael R. , Tenishev Valeriy , Bougher Stephen W. , Deighan Justin , Schneider Nicholas M. , McClintock William E. , Jakosky Bruce M.
Published: November 2015

We have compared our 3‐D hot O corona model predictions with the OI 130.4 nm emission detected by Imaging Ultraviolet Spectrograph/Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (IUVS/MAVEN) based completely on our best pre‐MAVEN understanding of the 3‐D structure of the thermosphere and ionosphere. The model was simulated appropriately for the observational conditions. In addition to dissociative recombination (DR) of O2+, DR of CO2+is also considered as an important hot O source. The model predictions showed excellent agreement with the transition altitude, the observed altitude variation of density, and the spatial variation of the corona with respect to the Mars‐Sun geometry. While previous models predicted escape rates covering a range of nearly 100, the brightness of the modeled hot O densities is a factor of ~1.5 lower than the observations. We discuss possible changes to the model that could come from further analysis of MAVEN measurements and that might close the gap between the modeled and observed brightness.
The spatial distribution of planetary ion fluxes near Mars observed by MAVEN
Authors: Brain D. A. , McFadden J. P. , Halekas J. S. , Connerney J. E. P. , Bougher S. W. , Curry S. , Dong C. F. , Dong Y. , Eparvier F. , Fang X. , Fortier K. , Hara T. , Harada Y. , Jakosky B. M. , Lillis R. J. , Livi R. , Luhmann J. G. , Ma Y. , Modolo R. , Seki K.
Published: November 2015

We present the results of an initial effort to statistically map the fluxes of planetary ions on a closed surface around Mars. Choosing a spherical shell ~1000 km above the planet, we map both outgoing and incoming ion fluxes (with energies >25 eV) over a 4 month period. The results show net escape of planetary ions behind Mars and strong fluxes of escaping ions from the northern hemisphere with respect to the solar wind convection electric field. Planetary ions also travel toward the planet, and return fluxes are particularly strong in the southern electric field hemisphere. We obtain a lower bound estimate for planetary ion escape of ~3 × 1024 s−1, accounting for the ~10% of ions that return toward the planet and assuming that the ~70% of the surface covered so far is representative of the regions not yet visited by Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN).
Probing the Martian atmosphere with MAVEN/IUVS stellar occultations
Authors: Gröller H. , Yelle R. V. , Koskinen T. T. , Montmessin F. , Lacombe G. , Schneider N. M. , Deighan J. , Stewart A. I. F. , Jain S. K. , Chaffin M. S. , Crismani M. M. J. , Stiepen A. , Lefèvre F. , McClintock W. E. , Clarke J. T. , Holsclaw G. M. , Mahaffy P. R. , Bougher S. W. , Jakosky B. M.
Published: November 2015

The first campaign of stellar occultations with the Imaging Ultraviolet Spectrograph (IUVS) instrument on board of Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) mission was executed between 24 and 26 March 2015. From this campaign 13 occultations are used to retrieve CO2 and O2 number densities in the altitude range between 100 and 150 km. Observations probe primarily the low‐latitude regions on the nightside of the planet, just past the dawn and dusk terminator. Calculation of temperature from the CO2 density profiles reveals that the lower thermosphere is significantly cooler than predicted by the models in the Mars Climate Database. A systematically cold layer with temperatures of 105–120 K is seen in the occultations at a pressure level around 7 × 10−6 Pa.
High‐altitude gravity waves in the Martian thermosphere observed by MAVEN/NGIMS and modeled by a gravity wave scheme
Authors: Yiğit Erdal , England Scott L. , Liu Guiping , Medvedev Alexander S. , Mahaffy Paul R. , Kuroda Takeshi , Jakosky Bruce M.
Published: November 2015

First high‐altitude observations of gravity wave (GW)‐induced CO2 density perturbations in the Martian thermosphere retrieved from NASA's Neutral Gas Ion Mass Spectrometer (NGIMS) instrument on board the Mars Atmosphere Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) satellite are presented and interpreted using the extended GW parameterization of Yiğit et al. (2008) and the Mars Climate Database as an input. Observed relative density perturbations between 180 and 220 km of 20–40% demonstrate appreciable local time, latitude, and altitude variations. Modeling for the spatiotemporal conditions of the MAVEN observations suggests that GWs can directly propagate from the lower atmosphere to the thermosphere, produce appreciable dynamical effects, and likely contribute to the observed fluctuations. Modeled effects are somewhat smaller than the observed, but their highly variable nature is in qualitative agreement with observations. Possible reasons for discrepancies between modeling and measurements are discussed.