bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Use of Best Practice in the Treatment of a Complex Diabetic Foot Ulcer: A Case Report
Authors: Blakely Melodie
Published: March 2016

Background and Purpose: Published guidelines for effective management of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) include total contact casting (TCC). The purpose of this case study is to describe the application of best practice guidelines for the treatment of a diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) in a complex patient where TCC offloading could not be utilized. Case Description: The patient was a 47 year-old female with a five-plus year history of a full-thickness DFU on the left plantar mid-foot. Treatment included sharp and ultrasound debridement, the use of a silver hydrofiber dressing, edema management via compression therapy, negative pressure wound therapy, offloading via customized 1/4 inch adhesive-backed felt applied to the plantar foot in addition to an offloading boot and use of a wheelchair, patient education regarding diabetes management, and the application of a bilayered living skin-equivalent biologic dressing. Outcomes: At 15 weeks the wound was closed and the patient was transitioned into diabetic footwear. Discussion: The felt offloading was a beneficial alternative to TCC. The patient’s longer than average healing rate may have been complicated by the duration of her wound, her 41 year history of diabetes, and the fact that gold standard offloading (TCC) was not able to be used. Further research is needed regarding the use of felt for offloading, such as application technique for wounds on different areas of the foot, comparison of different types of felt, and the use of felt in conjunction with various offloading devices.
A Hydrological Concept including Lateral Water Flow Compatible with the Biogeochemical Model ForSAFE
Authors: Zanchi Giuliana , Belyazid Salim , Akselsson Cecilia , Yu Lin , Bishop Kevin , Köhler Stephan , Grip Harald
Published: March 2016

The study presents a hydrology concept developed to include lateral water flow in the biogeochemical model ForSAFE. The hydrology concept was evaluated against data collected at Svartberget in the Vindeln Research Forest in Northern Sweden. The results show that the new concept allows simulation of a saturated and an unsaturated zone in the soil as well as water flow that reaches the stream comparable to measurements. The most relevant differences compared to streamflow measurements are that the model simulates a higher base flow in winter and lower flow peaks after snowmelt. These differences are mainly caused by the assumptions made to regulate the percolation at the bottom of the simulated soil columns. The capability for simulating lateral flows and a saturated zone in ForSAFE can greatly improve the simulation of chemical exchange in the soil and export of elements from the soil to watercourses. Such a model can help improve the understanding of how environmental changes in the forest landscape will influence chemical loads to surface waters.
SNP-SNP Interaction between TLR4 and MyD88 in Susceptibility to Coronary Artery Disease in the Chinese Han Population
Authors: Sun Dandan , Sun Liping , Xu Qian , Gong Yuehua , Wang Honghu , Yang Jun , Yuan Yuan
Published: March 2016

The toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)-dependent signaling pathway plays a role in the initiation and progression of coronary artery disease (CAD). We investigated SNP–SNP interactions between the TLR4 and MyD88 genes in CAD susceptibility and assessed whether the effects of such interactions were modified by confounding risk factors (hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection). Participants with CAD (n = 424) and controls (n = 424) without CAD were enrolled. Polymerase chain restriction-restriction fragment length polymorphism was performed on genomic DNA to detect polymorphisms in TLR4 (rs10116253, rs10983755, and rs11536889) and MyD88 (rs7744). H. pylori infections were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and the cardiovascular risk factors for each subject were evaluated clinically. The significant interaction between TLR4 rs11536889 and MyD88 rs7744 was associated with an increased CAD risk (p value for interaction = 0.024). In conditions of hyperglycemia, the interaction effect was strengthened between TLR4 rs11536889 and MyD88 rs7744 (p value for interaction = 0.004). In hyperlipidemic participants, the interaction strength was also enhanced for TLR4 rs11536889 and MyD88 rs7744 (p value for interaction = 0.006). Thus, the novel interaction between TLR4 rs11536889 and MyD88 rs7744 was related with an increased risk of CAD, that could be strengthened by the presence of hyperglycemia or hyperlipidemia.
Depressive Mood and Testosterone Related to Declarative Verbal Memory Decline in Middle-Aged Caregivers of Children with Eating Disorders
Authors: Romero-Martínez Ángel , Ruiz-Robledillo Nicolás , Moya-Albiol Luis
Published: March 2016

Caring for children diagnosed with a chronic psychological disorder such as an eating disorder (ED) can be used as a model of chronic stress. This kind of stress has been reported to have deleterious effects on caregivers’ cognition, particularly in verbal declarative memory of women caregivers. Moreover, high depressive mood and variations in testosterone (T) levels moderate this cognitive decline. The purpose of this study was to characterize whether caregivers of individuals with EDs (n = 27) show declarative memory impairments compared to non-caregivers caregivers (n = 27), using for this purpose a standardized memory test (Rey’s Auditory Verbal Learning Test). Its purpose was also to examine the role of depressive mood and T in memory decline. Results showed that ED caregivers presented high depressive mood, which was associated to worse verbal memory performance, especially in the case of women. In addition, all caregivers showed high T levels. Nonetheless, only in the case of women caregivers did T show a curvilinear relationship with verbal memory performance, meaning that the increases of T were associated to the improvement in verbal memory performance, but only up to a certain point, as after such point T continued to increase and memory performance decreased. Thus, chronic stress due to caregiving was associated to disturbances in mood and T levels, which in turn was associated to verbal memory decline. These findings should be taken into account in the implementation of intervention programs for helping ED caregivers cope with caregiving situations and to prevent the risk of a pronounced verbal memory decline.
E-Cigarettes for Immediate Smoking Substitution in Women Diagnosed with Cervical Dysplasia and Associated Disorders
Authors: James Shirley , Meier Ellen , Wagener Theodore , Smith Katherine , Neas Barbara , Beebe Laura
Published: March 2016

The aim of this study was to determine if 31 women with cervical dysplasia and associated conditions exacerbated by smoking would be successful substituting cigarettes with their choice of either nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or electronic cigarettes (EC). Women received motivational interviewing and tried both NRT and ECs, choosing one method to use during a six-week intervention period. Daily cigarette consumption was measured at baseline, six, and 12 weeks, with differences analyzed by the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Study analysis consisted only of women choosing to use ECs (29/31), as only two chose NRT. At the 12-week follow-up, the seven day point prevalence abstinence from smoking was 28.6%, and the median number of cigarettes smoked daily decreased from 18.5 to 5.5 (p < 0.0001). The median number of e-cigarette cartridges used dropped from 21 at the six-week follow-up to 12.5 at the 12-week follow-up. After initiating EC use, women at risk for cervical cancer were able to either quit smoking or reduce the number of cigarettes smoked per day. Although a controlled trial with a larger sample size is needed to confirm these initial results, this study suggests that using ECs during quit attempts may reduce cigarette consumption.
From Olive Fruits to Olive Oil: Phenolic Compound Transfer in Six Different Olive Cultivars Grown under the Same Agronomical Conditions
Authors: Talhaoui Nassima , Gómez-Caravaca Ana , León Lorenzo , De la Rosa Raúl , Fernández-Gutiérrez Alberto , Segura-Carretero Antonio
Published: March 2016

Phenolic compounds are responsible of the nutritional and sensory quality of extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO). The composition of phenolic compounds in EVOO is related to the initial content of phenolic compounds in the olive-fruit tissues and the activity of enzymes acting on these compounds during the industrial process to produce the oil. In this work, the phenolic composition was studied in six major cultivars grown in the same orchard under the same agronomical and environmental conditions in an effort to test the effects of cultivars on phenolic composition in fruits and oils as well as on transfer between matrices. The phenolic fractions were identified and quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry. A total of 33 phenolic compounds were determined in the fruit samples and a total of 20 compounds in their corresponding oils. Qualitative and quantitative differences in phenolic composition were found among cultivars in both matrices, as well as regarding the transfer rate of phenolic compounds from fruits to oil. The results also varied according to the different phenolic groups evaluated, with secoiridoids registering the highest transfer rates from fruits to oils. Moreover, wide-ranging differences have been noticed between cultivars for the transfer rates of secoiridoids (4.36%–65.63% of total transfer rate) and for flavonoids (0.18%–0.67% of total transfer rate). ‘Picual’ was the cultivar that transferred secoiridoids to oil at the highest rate, whereas ‘Changlot Real’ was the cultivar that transferred flavonoids at the highest rates instead. Principal-component analysis confirmed a strong genetic effect on the basis of the phenolic profile both in the olive fruits and in the oils.
Amyloid-β and Astrocytes Interplay in Amyloid-β Related Disorders
Authors: Batarseh Yazan , Duong Quoc-Viet , Mousa Youssef , Al Rihani Sweilem , Elfakhri Khaled , Kaddoumi Amal
Published: March 2016

Amyloid-β (Aβ) pathology is known to promote chronic inflammatory responses in the brain. It was thought previously that Aβ is only associated with Alzheimer’s disease and Down syndrome. However, studies have shown its involvement in many other neurological disorders. The role of astrocytes in handling the excess levels of Aβ has been highlighted in the literature. Astrocytes have a distinctive function in both neuronal support and protection, thus its involvement in Aβ pathological process may tip the balance toward chronic inflammation and neuronal death. In this review we describe the involvement of astrocytes in Aβ related disorders including Alzheimer’s disease, Down syndrome, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, and frontotemporal dementia.
Computational Study on New Natural Compound Inhibitors of Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Kinases
Authors: Zhou Xiaoli , Yu Shanshan , Su Jing , Sun Liankun
Published: March 2016

Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinases (PDKs) are key enzymes in glucose metabolism, negatively regulating pyruvate dehyrogenase complex (PDC) activity through phosphorylation. Inhibiting PDKs could upregulate PDC activity and drive cells into more aerobic metabolism. Therefore, PDKs are potential targets for metabolism related diseases, such as cancers and diabetes. In this study, a series of computer-aided virtual screening techniques were utilized to discover potential inhibitors of PDKs. Structure-based screening using Libdock was carried out following by ADME (adsorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion) and toxicity prediction. Molecular docking was used to analyze the binding mechanism between these compounds and PDKs. Molecular dynamic simulation was utilized to confirm the stability of potential compound binding. From the computational results, two novel natural coumarins compounds (ZINC12296427 and ZINC12389251) from the ZINC database were found binding to PDKs with favorable interaction energy and predicted to be non-toxic. Our study provide valuable information of PDK-coumarins binding mechanisms in PDK inhibitor-based drug discovery.
The Application of Genetic Risk Scores in Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Review
Authors: Cooke Bailey Jessica , Hoffman Joshua , Sardell Rebecca , Scott William , Pericak-Vance Margaret , Haines Jonathan
Published: March 2016

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a highly prevalent and impactful disease of aging, is inarguably influenced by complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors. Various risk scores have been tested that assess measurable genetic and environmental contributions to disease. We herein summarize and review the ability and utility of these numerous models for prediction of AMD and suggest additional risk factors to be incorporated into clinically useful predictive models of AMD.
Electronic Structure and Optical Property Analysis of Al/Ga-Codoped ZnO through First-Principles Calculations
Authors: Chen Chieh-Cheng , Wu Hsuan-Chung
Published: March 2016

Using density functional theory and the Hubbard U method, we investigated the geometric structure, electronic structure, and optical property of Al/Ga-codoped ZnO. A 3 × 3 × 3 ZnO supercell was used to construct Al- and Ga-monodoped ZnO structures and Al/Ga-codoped ZnO (AGZO) structures. All three structures showed n-type conduction, and the optical band gaps were larger than that of pure ZnO. For a given impurity concentration, Ga impurities contribute more free carriers than Al impurities in AGZO. However, the presence of Al impurities improves the transmittance. These results can theoretically explain the factors that influence the electrical and optical properties.
Algorithms for Optimal Model Distributions in Adaptive Switching Control Schemes
Authors: Ghosh Debarghya , Baldi Simone
Published: March 2016

Several multiple model adaptive control architectures have been proposed in the literature. Despite many advances in theory, the crucial question of how to synthesize the pairs model/controller in a structurally optimal way is to a large extent not addressed. In particular, it is not clear how to place the pairs model/controller is such a way that the properties of the switching algorithm (e.g., number of switches, learning transient, final performance) are optimal with respect to some criteria. In this work, we focus on the so-called multi-model unfalsified adaptive supervisory switching control (MUASSC) scheme; we define a suitable structural optimality criterion and develop algorithms for synthesizing the pairs model/controller in such a way that they are optimal with respect to the structural optimality criterion we defined. The peculiarity of the proposed optimality criterion and algorithms is that the optimization is carried out so as to optimize the entire behavior of the adaptive algorithm, i.e., both the learning transient and the steady-state response. A comparison is made with respect to the model distribution of the robust multiple model adaptive control (RMMAC), where the optimization considers only the steady-state ideal response and neglects any learning transient.
Existence Results for a New Class of Boundary Value Problems of Nonlinear Fractional Differential Equations
Authors: Alvan Meysam , Darzi Rahmat , Mahmoodi Amin
Published: March 2016

In this article, we study the following fractional boundary value problem

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A Healthy Dietary Pattern Reduces Lung Cancer Risk: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Sun Yanlai , Li Zhenxiang , Li Jianning , Li Zengjun , Han Jianjun
Published: March 2016

Background: Diet and nutrients play an important role in cancer development and progress; a healthy dietary pattern has been found to be associated with several types of cancer. However, the association between a healthy eating pattern and lung cancer risk is still unclear. Objective: Therefore, we conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis to evaluate whether a healthy eating pattern might reduce lung cancer risk. Methods: We identified relevant studies from the PubMed and Embase databases up to October 2015, and the relative risks were extracted and combined by the fixed-effects model when no substantial heterogeneity was observed; otherwise, the random-effects model was employed. Subgroup and publication bias analyses were also performed. Results: Finally, eight observational studies were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled relative risk of lung cancer for the highest vs. lowest category of healthy dietary pattern was 0.81 (95% confidence interval, CI: 0.75–0.86), and no significant heterogeneity was detected. The relative risks (RRs) for non-smokers, former smokers and current smokers were 0.89 (95% CI: 0.63–1.27), 0.74 (95% CI: 0.62–0.89) and 0.86 (95% CI: 0.79–0.93), respectively. The results remained stable in subgroup analyses by other confounders and sensitivity analysis. Conclusions: The results of our meta-analysis suggest that a healthy dietary pattern is associated with a lower lung cancer risk, and they provide more beneficial evidence for changing the diet pattern in the general population.
Effect of Flaxseed Intervention on Inflammatory Marker C-Reactive Protein: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Ren Guan-Yu , Chen Chun-Yang , Chen Guo-Chong , Chen Wei-Guo , Pan An , Pan Chen-Wei , Zhang Yong-Hong , Qin Li-Qiang , Chen Li-Hua
Published: March 2016

Functional food-flaxseed and its derivatives (flaxseed oil or lignans) are beneficial for human health, possibly because of their anti-inflammatory effects. C-reactive protein (CRP), a sensitive marker of inflammation was chosen to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of flaxseed. We searched randomized controlled trials from PubMed and the Cochrane Library in October 2015 and conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of flaxseed and its derivatives on CRP. The mean differences (net change) in CRP (mg/L) concentrations were pooled with a random- or a fixed-effects model depending on the results of heterogeneity tests. Overall, flaxseed interventions had no effects on reduction of CRP (p = 0.428). The null effects were consistent in the subgroup analysis with multiple studies and population characteristics. Significant heterogeneity was observed in most of the analyses. Meta-regression identified baseline body mass index (BMI) as a significant source of heterogeneity (P-interaction = 0.032), with a significant reduction in CRP of 0.83 mg/L (95% confidence interval −1.34 to −0.31; p = 0.002) among subjects with a BMI of ≥30 kg/m2. In conclusion, our meta-analysis did not find sufficient evidence that flaxseed and its derivatives have a beneficial effect on reducing circulating CRP. However, they may significantly reduce CRP in obese populations.
Modeling the Insertion Mechanics of Flexible Neural Probes Coated with Sacrificial Polymers for Optimizing Probe Design
Authors: Singh Sagar , Lo Meng-Chen , Damodaran Vinod , Kaplan Hilton , Kohn Joachim , Zahn Jeffrey , Shreiber David
Published: March 2016

Single-unit recording neural probes have significant advantages towards improving signal-to-noise ratio and specificity for signal acquisition in brain-to-computer interface devices. Long-term effectiveness is unfortunately limited by the chronic injury response, which has been linked to the mechanical mismatch between rigid probes and compliant brain tissue. Small, flexible microelectrodes may overcome this limitation, but insertion of these probes without buckling requires supporting elements such as a stiff coating with a biodegradable polymer. For these coated probes, there is a design trade-off between the potential for successful insertion into brain tissue and the degree of trauma generated by the insertion. The objective of this study was to develop and validate a finite element model (FEM) to simulate insertion of coated neural probes of varying dimensions and material properties into brain tissue. Simulations were performed to predict the buckling and insertion forces during insertion of coated probes into a tissue phantom with material properties of brain. The simulations were validated with parallel experimental studies where probes were inserted into agarose tissue phantom, ex vivo chick embryonic brain tissue, and ex vivo rat brain tissue. Experiments were performed with uncoated copper wire and both uncoated and coated SU-8 photoresist and Parylene C probes. Model predictions were found to strongly agree with experimental results (<10% error). The ratio of the predicted buckling force-to-predicted insertion force, where a value greater than one would ideally be expected to result in successful insertion, was plotted against the actual success rate from experiments. A sigmoidal relationship was observed, with a ratio of 1.35 corresponding to equal probability of insertion and failure, and a ratio of 3.5 corresponding to a 100% success rate. This ratio was dubbed the “safety factor”, as it indicated the degree to which the coating should be over-designed to ensure successful insertion. Probability color maps were generated to visually compare the influence of design parameters. Statistical metrics derived from the color maps and multi-variable regression analysis confirmed that coating thickness and probe length were the most important features in influencing insertion potential. The model also revealed the effects of manufacturing flaws on insertion potential.
Effect of Population Structure Change on Carbon Emission in China
Authors: Guo Wen , Sun Tao , Dai Hongjun
Published: March 2016

This paper expanded the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) model through the introduction of urbanization, residents’ consumption, and other factors, and decomposed carbon emission changes in China into carbon emission factor effect, energy intensity effect, consumption inhibitory factor effect, urbanization effect, residents’ consumption effect, and population scale effect, and then explored contribution rates and action mechanisms of the above six factors on change in carbon emissions in China. Then, the effect of population structure change on carbon emission was analyzed by taking 2003–2012 as a sample period, and combining this with the panel data of 30 provinces in China. Results showed that in 2003–2012, total carbon emission increased by 4.2117 billion tons in China. The consumption inhibitory factor effect, urbanization effect, residents’ consumption effect, and population scale effect promoted the increase in carbon emissions, and their contribution ratios were 27.44%, 12.700%, 74.96%, and 5.90%, respectively. However, the influence of carbon emission factor effect (−2.54%) and energy intensity effect (−18.46%) on carbon emissions were negative. Population urbanization has become the main population factor which affects carbon emission in China. The “Eastern aggregation” phenomenon caused the population scale effect in the eastern area to be significantly higher than in the central and western regions, but the contribution rate of its energy intensity effect (−11.10 million tons) was significantly smaller than in the central (−21.61 million tons) and western regions (−13.29 million tons), and the carbon emission factor effect in the central area (−3.33 million tons) was significantly higher than that in the eastern (−2.00 million tons) and western regions (−1.08 million tons). During the sample period, the change in population age structure, population education structure, and population occupation structure relieved growth of carbon emissions in China, but the effects of change of population, urban and rural structure, regional economic level, and population size generated increases in carbon emissions. Finally, the change of population sex structure had no significant influence on changes in carbon emissions.
INVISIBLE ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEI. II. RADIO MORPHOLOGIES AND FIVE NEW H i 21 cm ABSORPTION LINE DETECTORS
Authors: Yan Ting , Stocke John T. , Darling Jeremy , Momjian Emmanuel , Sharma Soniya , Kanekar Nissim
Published: March 2016

This is the second paper directed toward finding new highly redshifted atomic and molecular absorption lines at radio frequencies. To this end, we selected a sample of 80 candidates for obscured radio-loud active galactic nuclei (AGNs) and presented their basic optical/near-infrared (NIR) properties in Paper I. In this paper, we present both high-resolution radio continuum images for all of these sources and H i 21 cm absorption spectroscopy for a few selected sources in this sample. A-configuration 4.9 and 8.5 GHz Very Large Array continuum observations find that 52 sources are compact or have substantial compact components with size <0.″5 and flux densities >0.1 Jy at 4.9 GHz. The 36 most compact sources were then observed with the Very Long Baseline Array at 1.4 GHz. One definite and 10 candidate Compact Symmetric Objects (CSOs) are newly identified, which is a detection rate of CSOs ∼three times higher than the detection rate previously found in purely flux-limited samples. Based on possessing compact components with high flux densities, 60 of these sources are good candidates for absorption-line searches. Twenty-seven sources were observed for H i 21 cm absorption at their photometric or spectroscopic redshifts with only six detections (five definite and one tentative). However, five of these were from a small subset of six CSOs with pure galaxy optical/NIR spectra (i.e., any AGN emission is obscured) and for which accurate spectroscopic redshifts place the redshifted 21 cm line in a radio frequency intereference (RFI)-free spectral “window” (i.e., the percentage of H i 21 cm absorption-line detections could be as high as ∼90% in this sample). It is likely that the presence of ubiquitous RFI and the absence of accurate spectroscopic redshifts preclude H i detections in similar sources (only 1 detection out of the remaining 22 sources observed, 13 of which have only photometric redshifts); that is, H i absorption may well be present but is masked by the RFI. Future searches for highly redshifted H i and molecular absorption can easily find more distant CSOs among bright, “blank field” radio sources, but will be severely hampered by an inability to determine accurate spectroscopic redshifts due to their lack of rest-frame UV continuum.
TEMPORAL VARIABILITY OF INTERSTELLAR Na I ABSORPTION TOWARD THE MONOCEROS LOOP
Authors: Dirks Cody , Meyer David M.
Published: March 2016

We report the first evidence of temporal variability in the interstellar Na i absorption toward HD 47240, which lies behind the Monoceros Loop supernova remnant (SNR). Analysis of multi-epoch Kitt Peak coudé feed spectra from this sight line taken over an eight-year period reveals significant variation in both the observed column density and the central velocities of the high-velocity gas components in these spectra. Given the ∼1.3 mas yr−1 proper motion of HD 47240 and an SNR distance of 1.6 kpc, this variation would imply ∼10 au fluctuations within the SNR shell. Similar variations have been previously reported in the Vela SNR, suggesting a connection between the expanding SNR gas and the observed variations. We speculate on the potential nature of the observed variations toward HD 47240 in the context of the expanding remnant gas interacting with the ambient interstellar medium.
THE [N ii] 205 μm EMISSION IN LOCAL LUMINOUS INFRARED GALAXIES*
Authors: Zhao (赵应和) Yinghe , Lu Nanyao , Xu C. Kevin , Gao (高煜) Yu , Lord Steven D. , Charmandaris Vassilis , Diaz-Santos Tanio , Evans Aaron , Howell Justin , Petric Andreea O. , Werf Paul P. van der , Sanders David B.
Published: March 2016

In this paper, we present the measurements of the [N ii] 205 μm line for a flux-limited sample of 122 (ultra-)luminous infrared galaxies [(U)LIRGs] and 20 additional normal galaxies, obtained with the Herschel Space Observatory (Herschel). We explore the far-infrared (FIR) color dependence of the [N ii] 205 μm (L
[N ii]205 μm) to the total infrared (L
IR) luminosity ratio, and find that L
[N ii]205 μm/L
IR only depends modestly on the 70–160 μm flux density ratio (

) when

, whereas such dependence becomes much steeper for

. We also investigate the relation between L
[N ii]205 μm and star formation rate (SFR), and show that L
[N ii]205 μm has a nearly linear correlation with SFR, albeit the intercept of such a relation varies somewhat with

, consistent with our previous conclusion that [N ii] 205 μm emission can serve as an SFR indicator with an accuracy of ∼0.4 dex, or ∼0.2 dex if

is known independently. Furthermore, together with the Infrared Space Observatory measurements of [N ii], we use a total of ∼200 galaxies to derive the local [N ii] 205 μm luminosity function (LF) by tying it to the known IR LF with a bivariate method. As a practical application, we also compute the local SFR volume density (

) using the newly derived SFR calibrator and LF. The resulting

yr−1 Mpc−3 agrees well with previous studies. Finally, we determine the electron densities (n

e
) of the ionized medium for a subsample of 12 (U)LIRGs with both [N ii] 205 μm and [N ii] 122 μm data, and find that n

e
is in the range of ∼1–100 cm−3, with a median value of 22 cm−3.
FRONTIER FIELDS CLUSTERS: DEEP CHANDRA OBSERVATIONS OF THE COMPLEX MERGER MACS J1149.6+2223
Authors: Ogrean G. A. , Weeren R. J. van , Jones C. , Forman W. , Dawson W. A. , Golovich N. , Andrade-Santos F. , Murray S. S. , Nulsen P. , Roediger E. , Zitrin A. , Bulbul E. , Kraft R. , Goulding A. , Umetsu K. , Mroczkowski T. , Bonafede A. , Randall S. , Sayers J. , Churazov E. , David L. , Merten J. , Donahue M. , Mason B. , Rosati P. , Vikhlinin A. , Ebeling H.
Published: March 2016

The Hubble Space Telescope Frontier Fields cluster MACS J1149.6+2223 is one of the most complex merging clusters, believed to consist of four dark matter halos. We present results from deep (365 ks) Chandra observations of the cluster, which reveal the most distant cold front (z  =  0.544) discovered to date. In the cluster outskirts, we also detect hints of a surface brightness edge that could be the bow shock preceding the cold front. The substructure analysis of the cluster identified several components with large relative radial velocities, thus indicating that at least some collisions occur almost along the line of sight. The inclination of the mergers with respect to the plane of the sky poses significant observational challenges at X-ray wavelengths. MACS J1149.6+2223 possibly hosts a steep-spectrum radio halo. If the steepness of the radio halo is confirmed, then the radio spectrum, combined with the relatively regular ICM morphology, could indicate that MACS J1149.6+2223 is an old merging cluster.
GAS KINEMATICS AND STAR FORMATION IN THE FILAMENTARY IRDC G34.43+0.24
Authors: Xu Jin-Long , Li Di , Zhang Chuan-Peng , Liu Xiao-Lan , Wang Jun-Jie , Ning Chang-Chun , Ju Bing-Gang
Published: March 2016

We performed a multiwavelength study toward the infrared dark cloud (IRDC) G34.43+0.24. New maps of 13CO J = 1–0 and C18O J = 1–0 were obtained from the Purple Mountain Observatory (PMO) 13.7 m radio telescope. At 8 μm (Spitzer-IRAC), IRDC G34.43+0.24 appears to be a dark filament extended by 18′ along the north–south direction. Based on the association with the 870 μm and C18O J = 1–0 emission, we suggest that IRDC G34.43+0.24 should not be 18′ in length, but extend to 34′. IRDC G34.43+0.24 contains some massive protostars, UC H ii regions, and infrared bubbles. The spatial extend of IRDC G34.43+0.24 is about 37 pc, assuming a distance of 3.7 kpc. IRDC G34.43+0.24 has a linear mass density of ∼1.6 × 103
M
⊙ pc−1, which is roughly consistent with its critical mass to length ratio. The turbulent motion may help stabilize the filament against the radial collapse. Both infrared bubbles N61 and N62 show a ringlike structure at 8 μm. In particular, N61 has a double-shell structure that has expanded into IRDC G34.43+0.24. The outer shell is traced by 8 μm and 13CO J = 1–0 emission, while the inner shell is traced by 24 μm and 20 cm emission. We suggest that the outer shell (9.9 × 105 years) is created by the expansion of H ii region G34.172+0.175, while the inner shell (4.1 ∼ 6.3 × 105 years) may be produced by the energetic stellar wind of its central massive star. From the GLIMPSE I catalog, we selected some Class I sources with an age of ∼105 years. These Class I sources are clustered along the filamentary molecular cloud.
TESTING THE MAGNETAR MODEL VIA LATE-TIME RADIO OBSERVATIONS OF TWO MACRONOVA CANDIDATES
Authors: Horesh Assaf , Hotokezaka Kenta , Piran Tsvi , Nakar Ehud , Hancock Paul
Published: March 2016

Compact binary mergers may have already been observed as they are the leading model for short gamma-ray bursts (sGRBs). Radioactive decay within the ejecta from these mergers is expected to produce an infrared flare, dubbed macronova (or kilonova), on a timescale of a week. Recently, two such macronova candidates were identified in followup observations of sGRBs, strengthening the possibility that those indeed arise from mergers. The same ejecta will also produce long-term (months to years) radio emission due to its interaction with the surrounding interstellar medium. In the search for this emission, we observed the two macronova candidates, GRB 130603B and GRB 060614, with the Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) and the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA). Our observations resulted in null-detections, putting strong upper limits on the kinetic energy and mass of the ejecta. A possible outcome of a merger is a highly magnetized neutron star (a magnetar), which has been suggested as the central engine for GRBs. Such a magnetar will deposit a significant fraction of its energy into the ejecta leading to a brighter radio flare. Our results, therefore, rule out magnetars in these two events.
OBSERVATIONAL EVIDENCE FOR VARIATIONS OF THE ACOUSTIC CUTOFF FREQUENCY WITH HEIGHT IN THE SOLAR ATMOSPHERE
Authors: Wiśniewska A. , Musielak Z. E. , Staiger J. , Roth M.
Published: March 2016

Direct evidence for the existence of an acoustic cutoff frequency in the solar atmosphere is given by observations performed by using the HELioseismological Large Regions Interferometric DEvice operating on the Vacuum Tower Telescope located on Tenerife. The observational results demonstrate variations of the cutoff with atmospheric heights. The observed variations of the cutoff are compared to theoretical predictions made by using five acoustic cutoff frequencies that have been commonly used in helioseismology and asteroseismology. The comparison shows that none of the theoretical predictions is fully consistent with the observational data. The implication of this finding is far reaching as it urgently requires either major revisions of the existing methods of finding acoustic cutoff frequencies or developing new methods that would much better account for the physical picture underlying the concept of cutoff frequencies in inhomogeneous media.
Effectiveness of Surgical Safety Checklists in Improving Patient Safety
Authors: Ragusa Paul S. , Bitterman Adam , Auerbach Brett , Healy William A.
Published: March 2016

Wrong-site surgery is all too common. Despite more than a decade of campaigns by major organizations to prevent these events, there are still reports of such mistakes. This article reviews the recent literature on surgical safety checklists and other tools designed to prevent wrong-site surgery and improve patient safety in the operating room. Emphasis is placed on how well institutions comply with these guidelines, the perceptions and attitudes of those who are asked to implement them, and their effectiveness. The literature shows that the implementation of such protocols has improved patient safety. In general, these efforts are viewed favorably by operating room personnel. However, the role of these checklists and other tools in reducing wrong-sided surgeries has not been proven. The goal of the health care profession should be to continue to improve on the advances that have been made in implementing surgical checklists and preventing wrong-site surgery. Practitioners at the authors' institution are continuously searching for ways to improve on the current protocols to prevent wrong-site surgeries. The authors recently employed a protocol in which surgical instruments are kept in the back of the room, away from the patient, until completion of the surgical time-out. This practice helps to ensure that team members are not distracted or preoccupied with setting up equipment during the time-out. This approach also helps to mitigate the hierarchal style in the operating room. [
Orthopedics
. 2016; 39(2):e307–e310.]
CSR in Hotel Industry in India
Authors: Kaur Inderjot
Published: March 2016

The objective of this study is to know the role of hotel industry in revenue generation and to know the CSR activities expected from the hotel industry in India. The present study highlights the significance of hotel industry in Indian economy, their demand and supply forces, and various challenges before hotel Industry and Government efforts to remove the problem associated with this industry. The Indian business environment has many its merits and it is therefore the CSR has a large role to play because it has guidelines to help in its progression and the guidelines require playing up India's strengths like innovation. Inter-alia, the CSR should encourage exchange of ideas, systems thinking and problem solving. Further the CSR should support transparency in work culture, innovation, stakeholder engagement besides consumer empowerment, all in order to make businesses do better with new products and services that put human and environmental health at the forefront. We cannot consider these goals as policy because it will result in a stagnation of CSR. These are the mandatory spend encourages. The business sector in India for the development of the society as a whole has to share responsibility with government.
The Impact of CSR on Consumer Behavior in Bar Service Operation
Authors: Ghai Abhishek
Published: March 2016

The corporate world has experienced a distinct increase in focus on organizations ethical behaviors and responsibilities concerning their environments. Corporate social responsibility plays a pivotal role for the consumers. CSR includes the manner of a business so that it is economically profitable, law abiding, ethical and socially supportive. This conceptual paper is to examine the impact of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives on consumer behavior in bar service operation. On the basis of thoroughly researched secondary data, this conceptual paper suggests an integrated framework regarding impact of CSR on consumer behavior. From the proposed framework six factors of CSR are likely to have an impact on consumer behavior. Apart from these factors demographic variables will play a mediating role in the framework. This framework will help the researchers and to provide the direction about some CSR practices which affects the consumer behavior. The future researchers may consider this framework while working on the topic empirically.
Knowledge Co-Creation and Co-Created Value in the Service for the Elderly
Authors: Quang Bach Ho , Shirahada Kunio
Published: March 2016

The number of the elderly who face difficulties in their buying behavior of their daily life is increasing, in Japan. A service for the elderly such as services for supporting buying behavior of the elderly is needed. The purpose of this study is to identify knowledge co-creation in the service for the elderly and how co-created knowledge enables the elderly to enhance their quality of life as a well-being oriented value. The authors conducted qualitative research through a participant observation of support services regarding the buying behavior of the elderly and analyzed the data by a grounded theory approach. As a result, this study identified that there are three types of knowledge co-creation in support services: regional state, how a commodity is consumed, and consumer characteristics. This study also identified that there are three well-being oriented values co-created in support services: enhancement of the quality of life of the elderly, employee satisfaction, and accumulation of well-being provision skills.
Physical and Electrical Properties of Cullet-Paper Ash-Kaolin Clay Ceramic
Authors: Samah Khamisah Abu , Sahar M.R. , Yusop M.
Published: March 2016

A series of (x) paper ash- (80-x) cullet – 20 Kaolin clay where 10 ≤x≤30 weight % has successfully been prepared using solid state reaction method. The ceramic density and hardness has been determined using Archimedes and Vickers hardness method respectively. The dielectric constant and dielectric loss has been determined using impedance analyzer. The obtained density is descending from 2.18 gcm-3 to 1.90 gcm-3 and hardness is increased up to 871.8 Mpa. The decrement of density and hardness as the cullet content increases is due to the non uniform vitreous areas formed in between ceramic particle. The variation of the dielectric constant and dielectric loss tangent are found to decrease with increasing of frequency which suggest the dipolar polarizability properties. It is found that the maximum value of dielectric constant is 3000 and minimum dielectric loss tangent is 0.166.
Effect of Sm3+ Concentration on Physical Properties of Magnesium Tellurite Glasses Containing Silver Nanoparticles
Authors: Yusoff Nurulhuda Mohammad , Sahar M.R.
Published: March 2016

A series of tellurite glass containing samarium ion and silver nanoparticles with a composition of (89.6-x)TeO2-10MgO-(x)Sm2O3-0.4AgCl with 0.2 ≤ x ≤ 1.0mol% have been synthesized by a conventional melt quenching technique. The X-ray diffraction pattern verified the amorphous nature of glasses. A systematic study on the relationship between Sm2O3 concentration and the physical properties of the glass has been made. The effect on the progressive replacement of TeO2 by Sm2O3 on density, molar volume, refractive index and electronic polarisability has been investigated. The results show that density and ionic packing density are in the range of 4.91-5.04 g cm-3 and 0.444 – 0.455, respectively, increases as the amount of Sm2O3 is increased up to 0.8 mol% and decrease afterward. However, the molar volume which is in between, 29.59-30.26 m3 mol-1 decreasing as the amount of Sm2O3 is increased up to 0.8 mol% and increase thereafter. Meanwhile the refractive index which is deduced from optical energy band gap is found to possess a value in the range of 2.37 to 2.45 and electronic polarisability is in the range of 7.14-7.51Å3. All the results will be discussed with respect to the glass composition.
Structural Characteristics of Er3+ and Nd3+ Doped Lithium Niobate Tellurite Glass
Authors: Nurhafizah Hasim , Rohani Md Supar , Sahar M.R.
Published: March 2016

Optimizing the rare earth doping in inorganic binary glasses for tuneable structural and optical properties is ever-demanding for lasing glass. A series of Er3+ and Nd3+ doped lithium niobate tellurite glasses with compositions of (70-x-y)TeO2–15Li2CO3–15Nb2O5–(x)Er2O3–(y)Nd2O3, where x = 0.0, 1.0 mol % and 0 ≤ y ≤ 1.0 mol% are synthesized using melt-quench technique. Influence of Nd3+ ion concentrations on physical and optical behaviour is examined. X–Ray diffraction pattern confirm the amorphous nature of glasses. The strong dependence of spectral properties on rare-earth dopant indicates the alteration in structures and bonding of glass network. The structural properties of the glass represented by the FTIR spectrum indicate that as Nd2O3 content increases, the sharp infrared absorption peaks are shifted from 474.7 cm-1 to 499.4 cm-1. These peaks are due to Nb-O, Te-O-Te and O-Te-O bond linkage bending vibrations. For TeO4 trigonal bipyramid, the peak occurred at 676.5 cm-1 whereas for TeO3 trigonal pyramid, two infrared band peaks are found at 787.5 cm-1 and 887.6cm-1, respectively. The absorption peaks around 1382.7 cm-1 is due to the Te – O – Nb stretching vibration while peaks at 1635.5cm-1 and 3411.7 cm-1 are due to the stretching vibrations of the hydroxyl group participating in the strong metal bonding as well as in the hydrogen bonding, respectively.
Optical Properties of Nd Doped Lead Borotellurite Glass
Authors: Kasim Azman , Azhan H. , Syamsyir S. Akmal , Abdullah Mardhiah , Mohd Rafien Siti Nasuha
Published: March 2016

Many trivalent rare earth ions such as Er3+, Tm3+, Ho3+, Pr3+ and Nd3+ were doped as absorption and emission centers in glass hosts. In this work, lead borotellurite (PBT) glass doped with neodymium ion (Nd3+) has been prepared and characterized by mean of their optical properties. The UV-Vis measurement has been carried out in order to determine the optical band gap energy, reflective indices and the polarizability. Optical absorption spectra of the glass samples are recorded in the range 400–900 nm at room temperature From the result, there are six significant absorption peaks that corresponds to 525 nm, 584 nm, 683 nm, 747 nm, 805 nm and 878 nm wavelength have been observed with the most predominant peak to be used as excitation wavelength is found centered at 584 nm. The energy band gaps as well as the refractive indices were found to vary from 2.50eV to 2.59eV and from 1.89 to 1.96 with mol% of Nd content respectively. Meanwhile, the polarizability shows a similar trend of results to refractive indices as it varies from 5.56 x 10-24 cm3 to 5.63 x 10-24 cm3. These results will be discussed further in details.
Quantum Confinement of Integrated Pulse Electrochemical Etching of Porous Silicon for Metal Semiconductor Metal Photodetector
Authors: Abd Rahim Alhan Farhanah , Abdullah Mohamad Syarizal , Mahmood Ainorkhilah , Ali Nihad K. , Zahidi Musa Mohamed
Published: March 2016

Porous silicon (PS) was successfully synthesized via novel integrated pulsed electrochemical etching of an n-type (100) silicon (Si) substrate under various condition. The PS was etched using hydrofluoric acid (HF) based solution and the porosity was optimized by introducing electroless chemical etching process prior to photo electrochemical (PEC) anodization. In the electroless etching, a delay time (TD) of 2 min was applied. After that a cycle time (T) and pause time () of pulsed current were supplied throughout the 30 min PEC etching process. As grown Si and PS through conventional direct current (DC) anodization were also included for comparison. The result obtained showed that applying delay time helps to improve the uniformity and density of the porous structures. AFM indicated that the roughness of the Si increases as the dissolution of the Si occurred. Raman spectroscopy showed that an improvement in the crystalline quality of PS under pulse etching method compared to DC method indicated by the reduction of full width at half maximum (FWHM). A broad visible photoluminescence (PL) was observed from green to red with blue shift as nanocrystallite size decreases which constituted quantum confinement effect from the PS structures. Nickel (Ni) finger contact was deposited onto the PS to form metal semiconductor metal (MSM) photodetector. Ni/PS MSM photodetector by pulse method exhibited higher gain (2 times) compared to conventional Si device at 5 V bias.