bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tax Reform and Public Revenue Instability in Developing Countries: Does the Volatility of Development Aid Matter?
Authors: Gnangnon Sèna Kimm , Brun Jean‐François 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThis paper examines the relationship between tax transition reform, development aid volatility, and public revenue instability in developing countries. Empirical findings show that tax reform exerts a negative effect on tax revenue instability, and the magnitude of this negative effect diminishes as the degree of development aid volatility increases. Specifically, beyond a certain level of development aid volatility, tax reform enhances tax revenue instability. Overall, these findings suggest that higher development aid flows to developing countries should be accompanied by a lower aid volatility so as to ensure that tax reform would generate lower tax revenue instability in recipient countries. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Vibrating tip spray ionization mass spectrometry for direct sample analysis
Authors: Yao Ya‐Nan , Wu Lin , Di Dandan , Yuan Zi‐Cheng , Hu Bin 
Published: August 2019

AbstractIn this work, a vibrating tip spray ionization source was developed for direct mass spectrometric analysis of raw samples under voltage‐free condition. A solid tip was mounted on a vibrator, and the solid tip was placed on the front of MS inlet. Liquid, viscous, and bulk solid samples could be directly loaded on the tip‐end surface, and then a drop of solvent at microliter level was subsequently loaded on the tip for dissolution and extraction of analytes, and a vibrator was then started to atomize and ionize the analytes under ambient condition. We demonstrated vibrating tip spray mass spectrometry in various applications, including food safety, pharmaceutical analysis, and forensic science. Furthermore, in situ analysis of biological tissues and in vivo analysis of living plants were conveniently performed, due to voltage‐free. Different vibration frequencies and solvent compositions were investigated. The analytical performances, including sensitivity, reproducibility, and linear range, were investigated. The ionization process and mechanism were also discussed in this work.
Proximal Bone Remodeling in Lower Limb Amputees Reconstructed With an Osseointegrated Prosthesis
Authors: Thomson Seamus , Lu William , Zreiqat Hala , Li Jiao Jiao , Tetsworth Kevin , Al Muderis Munjed 
Published: August 2019

ABSTRACTMobility outcomes and changes in bone mineral density (BMD) of the spine and femoral necks in response to unilateral osseointegrated implants was investigated over a 3‐year period. A total of 48 unilateral amputees who received an osseointegrated implant, comprising 33 trans‐femoral amputees (TFA) and 15 trans‐tibial amputees (TTA), underwent dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans of the lumbar spine (L2–L4) and femoral necks at baseline, 1‐, and 3‐years follow‐ups. Mobility outcomes, including the Six‐Minute‐Walk Test (6MWT) and Timed‐Up‐and‐Go (TUG), were measured before surgery, at 1 year, and more than 2 years following the osseointegration procedure. We observed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in Z‐score values in the femoral neck of the amputated side in TFA patients without a femoral neck lag screw at the 1‐ and 3‐year follow‐ups, as well as in TFA patients with a lag screw present at 3‐year follow‐up. The BMD at 1‐year follow‐up was found to be positively correlated with pre‐surgery 6MWT values in patients who were mobile using a traditional socket prosthesis before receiving an osseointegrated implant. These results suggest that osseointegrated implants induce a physiological response in the femoral neck of recipients and appear to be evidence of restored biomechanical loading in the proximal femur. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 37:2524–2530, 2019
Influence of mulch C/N ratio and decomposition stage on plant N uptake and N availability in soil with or without wheat straw
Authors: Truong Thi Hoang Ha , Kristiansen Paul , Marschner Petra 
Published: August 2019

AbstractMulches can improve soil properties, but little is known about nutrient availability in mulched soil that contains plant residues and the effect of mulching with manures. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of mulching with high or low C/N organic materials, in which low C/N materials differed in decomposability, and the presence of wheat straw in the soil on plant growth and N uptake, soil N availability and microbial biomass N within about four months after mulching. Three organic materials were used: mature wheat straw (W, C/N 80), young faba bean shoots (FB, C/N 7), and sheep manure (SM, C/N 8). There were eight treatments differing in amendment methods (mulching or mixing with W or both) and mulching materials (W, FB or SM). Treatments that were only mulched with W, FB or SM are referred to as m‐treatments. In m/s‐treatments, after W was mixed into the soil, W, FB or SM were placed on the soil surface as mulch. Two other treatments included an unamended control and soil mixed with W. Wheat was planted 0, 35 or 70 days after mulching (referred to as 0, 35, and 70 DAM) and grown for 35 days. Faba bean mulch increased shoot dry weight, shoot N uptake and available N compared to wheat or sheep manure mulch, particularly in the m‐treatments. Shoot dry weight was higher in m‐treatments than corresponding m/s‐treatments with the same mulch type. Shoot N uptake was higher in 70 DAM than in 0 DAM in all treatments and 0.3 to three‐fold higher in m‐treatments than the corresponding m/s‐treatments. Microbial biomass N was higher in 0 DAM than in 35 and 70 DAM in most treatments and up to two‐fold higher in m/s‐treatments than the corresponding m‐treatments. Available N in m/s‐treatments was two to six‐fold higher than m‐treatments in 0 DAM, but differed little in older mulch ages of W and SM. It can be concluded that compared to soil with only mulch, mixing of wheat straw into soil reduced plant growth and N uptake, particularly in the early stages of mulching (0 and 35 DAM). However, the presence of wheat in mulched soil may provide a longer lasting source of N for plants and reduce the risk of N leaching from rapidly decomposing low C/N mulch due to greater microbial biomass N uptake than only soil with mulch.
A simple two‐stage column chromatographic separation scheme for strontium, lead, neodymium and hafnium isotope analyses in geological samples by thermal ionization mass spectrometry or multi‐collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
Authors: Lei Huan‐Ling , Yang Tao , Jiang Shao‐Yong , Pu Wei 
Published: August 2019

AbstractHere, a two‐stage column separation scheme is developed for the concomitant isolation of Sr, Pb, Nd, and Hf from geological samples. The first column, which consists of three resin layers (AG50W‐X8 ion exchange resin + Ln specific resin + Sr specific resin), separates the high field strength element + rare earth element, Sr and Pb from the matrices. Subsequently, Nd and Hf are further separated from the high field strength element + rare earth element fraction on the second column using 1 mL of Ln specific resin. The two‐stage column process can be completed within about seven and a half hours for a batch of samples (20–30). The separated Sr fraction was ready for isotope ratio measurements by thermal ionization mass spectrometry. The Pb, Nd, and Hf fractions were converted to nitrate prior to isotopic analyses by multi‐collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The feasibility of this new procedure is confirmed by the analyses of four international rock standards (BCR‐2, AGV‐2, BHVO‐2, and JB‐3), which yielded isotope ratios that were in good agreement with other published data.
Commercial use of health data—A public “trial” by citizens' jury
Authors: Tully Mary P. , Hassan Lamiece , Oswald Malcolm , Ainsworth John 
Published: August 2019

AbstractIntroductionSurveys suggest a dichotomy in how citizens view research for public benefit and research for commercial gain. Therefore, a research initiative, such as a learning health system, which works for both public and commercial benefit, may be controversial and lower public trust.MethodsThis study aimed to investigate what informed citizens considered to be appropriate uses of health data in a learning health system and why they made those decisions. Two‐paired 4‐day juries were run, with different jurors but the same purpose, expert witnesses, and facilitators. Overall, 694 people applied; 36 jurors were selected to match criteria based on demographics and privacy views. Jurors considered whether and why eight exemplars of anonymised patient data were acceptable. The exemplars were either planned initiatives to improve care pathways (Planned Examples) or possible commercial data uses (Potential Examples).ResultsThese citizens' juries found that all Planned and two of the Potential Examples were considered appropriate by most, but not all, jurors because they could deliver public benefit. In general, positive health outcomes for patients were more acceptable than improved efficiency of services for the NHS, although they recognised that the latter also improved health. Jurors had concerns about whether improving efficiency would lead to inequitable distribution or closure of services, based on their existing understanding from media reports. Commercial gain that accrued secondary to this benefit was acceptable, with some jurors becoming more accepting of commercial uses as they understood them better. Prioritising profit, however, was unacceptable, regardless of any governance arrangements.ConclusionsJurors tended to be more accepting of data sharing to both private and public sectors after the jury process. Many jurors accept commercial gain if public benefit is achieved. Some were suspicious of data sharing for efficiency gains. Juries elicited more informed and nuanced judgement from citizens than surveys.
Use of Predictive Equations for Energy Prescription Results in Inaccurate Estimation in Trauma Patients
Authors: Vasileiou Georgia , Qian Sinong , Iyengar Rahul , Mulder Michelle B. , Gass Lindsey M , Parks Jonathan , Pust Gerd D. , Rattan Rishi , Lineen Edward , Byers Patricia , Yeh D. Dante 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBackgroundOverfeeding and underfeeding are associated with poor clinical outcomes. In the absence of indirect calorimetry (IC), the Society of Critical Care Medicine/ASPEN recommend prescribing 25–30 kcal/kg. The Harris‐Benedict equation (HBE) multiplied by a stress factor is commonly applied in critically ill patients. We describe the difference between estimated and actual energy needs in critically injured patients.MethodsFrom March to November 2018, we collected demographics and energy needs determined by continuous IC (started within 4 days) in intubated adults. Ideal or adjusted body weight was used for 25–30 kcal/kg, and HBE was multiplied by a 1.3 stress factor (1.3HBE). Daily requirements up to 14 days, extubation, or death were calculated using all 3 methods and compared with IC.ResultsFifty‐five subjects were included. Median age was 38 [27–58] years, 38 (69%) were male, body mass index was 28 [25–33] kg/m2, and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score was 17 [14–24] Mechanism of injury was blunt (38, 69%), penetrating (9, 16%), and burn (8, 15%). By day 14, compared with measured energy requirements by IC, the other methods could result in a cumulative 1827‐kcal (+7%) surplus (1.3HBE), a 1313‐kcal (−5%) deficit (25 kcal/kg), or a 3950‐kcal (+14%) surplus (30 kcal/kg) per patient over a median 9 days.ConclusionIn critically injured patients, predictive equations for energy needs do not account for dynamic metabolic changes over time and could result in underfeeding or overfeeding. Adjusting daily prescription based on continuous IC may result in better individualized treatment.
Dynamic Empirically Based Model for Understanding Future Trends in US Obesity Prevalence in the Context of Social Influences
Authors: Frerichs Leah , Araz Ozgur M , Calancie Larissa , Huang Terry T‐K , Hassmiller Lich Kristen 
Published: August 2019

ObjectiveThis study aimed to (1) identify mechanistic model structures that produced quality fit to historic obesity prevalence trends and (2) evaluate the sensitivity of future obesity prevalence to social transmission and nonsocial parameters.MethodsAn age‐ and gender‐structured compartmental model was used to describe transitions between weight status groups. Four model structures with different combinations of social transmission and nonsocial mechanisms were calibrated to match historic time series and assessed for quality of fit. Projections of overall obesity prevalence to 2052 were simulated, and sensitivity analyses were conducted.ResultsThe model structure that included only nonsocial mechanisms indicated that the overall obesity prevalence in the United States has already stabilized and will increase little more; however, it underestimated observed obesity prevalence since 2013. If social transmission mechanisms influence obesity, the model estimated continued increases in obesity prevalence, reaching 48.0% to 55.1% by 2050. Obesity prevalence was most sensitive to changes in the adult social transmission parameters, especially among women.ConclusionsThe model projected that US obesity prevalence in the overall population will likely continue to increase for decades. The findings that obesity prevalence was most sensitive to adult parameters can be used to inform conversations about priorities for public health and health care programs and policies.
Establishment of a formal program for retinoblastoma: Feasibility of clinical coordination across borders and impact on outcome
Authors: Al‐Haddad Christiane , Bashour Ziad , Farah Lina , Bayram Layal , Merabe Zeina , Ma'luf Riad , Alameddine Ramzi , Eid Toufic , Geara Fadi , Wilson Matthew , Brennan Rachel , Jeha Sima , Ghanem Khaled , Yousef Rasha Al , Farah Roula , Noun Peter , Yassine Nabil , Inati Adlette , Muwakkit Samar , Abboud Miguel , Tarek Nidale , Hamideh Dima , Saab Raya 
Published: August 2019

AbstractRetinoblastoma is an ocular tumor that occurs in young children, in either heritable or sporadic manner. The relative rarity of retinoblastoma, and the need for expensive equipment, anesthesia, and pediatric ophthalmologic expertise, are barriers for effective treatment in developing countries. Also, with an average age‐adjusted incidence of two to five cases per million children, patient number limits development of local expertise in countries with small populations. Lebanon is a small country with a population of approximately 4.5 million. In 2012, a comprehensive retinoblastoma program was formalized at the Children's Cancer Institute (CCI) at the American University of Beirut Medical Center, and resources were allocated for efficient interdisciplinary coordination to attract patients from neighboring countries such as Syria and Iraq, where such specialized therapy is also lacking. Through this program, care was coordinated across hospitals and borders such that patients would receive scheduled chemotherapy at their institution, and monthly retinal examinations and focal laser therapy at the CCI in Lebanon. Our results show the feasibility of successful collaboration across borders, with excellent patient and physician adherence to treatment plans. This was accompanied by an increase in patient referrals, which enables continued expertise development. However, the majority of patients presented with advanced intraocular disease, necessitating enucleation in 90% of eyes in unilateral cases, and more than 50% of eyes in bilateral cases. Future efforts need to focus on expanding the program that reaches to additional hospitals in both countries, and promoting early diagnosis, for further improvement of globe salvage rates.
Application of semitransparent photovoltaics in transportation infrastructure for energy savings and solar electricity production: Toward novel net‐zero energy tunnel design
Authors: Sun David , Athienitis Andreas , D'Avignon Katherine 
Published: August 2019

AbstractLighting subsystems account for up to 50% of the energy consumption of a typical tunnel. Day‐time lighting levels account for over two‐thirds of the total system lighting power; their periodic nature creates daily peaks in the tunnel's energy load profile. This paper studies the integration of semitransparent photovoltaic (STPV) cells into sunscreen structures installed above tunnel entrances to reduce tunnel lighting requirements and offset their day‐time lighting loads using energy generated from PVs. The electrical lighting load of a typical 1‐km length road tunnel with and without STPV sunscreen structures was modeled to establish the potential for energy savings. Using a daylighting and energy modeling plug‐in called DIVA, the transparencies and ratios of photovoltaics (PV) to glass of a STPV sunscreen that are in accordance with the luminance reduction code requirements were determined. Reduced lighting requirements over the whole tunnel length, including the threshold, transition, and interior lighting zones of the tunnel were considered, resulting in significant energy savings. The annual power production of the sections covered with STPV was then simulated using the PVsyst software. The integration of PV cells resulted in an annual energy production that reduced annual net‐energy use by up to 7% and with the potential to reduce electric lighting loads by up to 60% during the day‐time. Results also demonstrated that STPV sunscreens have the potential to meet luminance requirements if supplemented with an intelligent lighting control system.
Extensive phenotypic diversity in the cultivated Florist’s Gloxinia, Sinningia speciosa (Lodd.) Hiern, is derived from the domestication of a single founder population
Authors: Hasing Tomas , Rinaldi Elijah , Manrique Silvia , Colombo Lucia , Haak David C. , Zaitlin David , Bombarely Aureliano 
Published: August 2019

Societal Impact StatementDomesticated plants are essential for agriculture and human societies. Hence, understanding the processes of domestication will be crucial as we strive for more efficient crops and improvements to plants that benefit humankind in other ways. Here, we study the ornamental plant Sinningia speciosa, and reveal that despite the incredible variety found in domesticated varieties (e.g., in flower colour and form), they are all derived from a single founder population near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Knowledge of the domestication of horticultural plants is scarce and given its small, low‐complexity genome, and ease of cultivation, we suggest that S. speciosa is a good model for studying genomic variation during domestication.
Summary

The process of domestication often involves a complex genetic structure with contributions from multiple founder populations, interspecific hybridization, chromosomal introgressions, and polyploidization events that occurred hundreds to thousands of years earlier. These complex origins complicate the systematic study of the sources of phenotypic variation. The Florist's Gloxinia, Sinningia speciosa (Lodd.) Hiern, was introduced into cultivation in England two hundred years ago from botanical expeditions that began in the 18th century. Since that time, amateur plant breeders and small horticultural companies have developed hundreds of cultivars with a wide range of flower colors and shapes.

In our genetic study of S. speciosa, we examined an extensive diversity panel consisting of 115 individuals that included different species, wild representatives, and cultivated accessions.

Our analysis revealed that all of the domesticated varieties are derived from a single founder population that originated in or near the city of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. We did not detect any major hybridization or polyploidization events that could have contributed to the rapid increase in phenotypic diversity.

Our findings, in conjunction with other features such as a small, low‐complexity genome, ease of cultivation, and rapid generation time, makes this species an attractive model for the study of genomic variation under domestication.
Geometric considerations support the double‐displacement catalytic mechanism of l‐asparaginase
Authors: Lubkowski Jacek , Wlodawer Alexander 
Published: August 2019

AbstractTwenty crystal structures of the complexes of l‐asparaginase with l‐Asn, l‐Asp, and succinic acid that are currently available in the Protein Data Bank, as well as 11 additional structures determined in the course of this project, were analyzed in order to establish the level of conservation of the geometric parameters describing interactions between the substrates and the active site of the enzymes. We found that such stereochemical relationships are highly conserved, regardless of the organism from which the enzyme was isolated, specific crystallization conditions, or the nature of the ligands. Analysis of the geometry of the interactions, including Bürgi–Dunitz and Flippin–Lodge angles, indicated that Thr12 (Escherichia coli asparaginase II numbering) is optimally placed to be the primary nucleophile in the most likely scenario utilizing a double‐displacement mechanism, whereas catalysis through a single‐displacement mechanism appears to be the least likely.
Confinement of hydrogen atom with Dirac equation
Authors: Baye Daniel 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe problem of a particle confined in a spherical cavity is studied with the Dirac equation. A hard confinement is obtained by forcing the large component to vanish at the cavity radius. It is shown that the small component cannot vanish simultaneously at this radius. In the case of a confined hydrogen atom, the energies are given by an implicit equation. For some values of the radius, explicit analytical expressions of the energy exist like in the nonrelativistic case. Very accurate energies and wave functions are obtained with the Lagrange‐mesh method with few mesh points. To this end, two differently regularized Lagrange‐Jacobi bases associated with the same mesh are used for the large and small components. The importance of relativistic effects is discussed for hydrogen‐like ions. The validity of this definition of hard confinement is discussed with a soft‐confinement model studied with the R‐matrix method.
An Economic Magnetic Adsorbent for Acid Blue 80 and Methylene Blue Removal
Authors: Ren Zongli , Wang Yahui , Fei Peng , Liu Xianyi , Jing Wangli , Wang Wei 
Published: August 2019

AbstractFor the large volumes of dye wastewater treatment, the development of novel adsorbents with high adsorption capacity and good separation is of great significance. Here, a simple method is used to prepare a magnetic adsorbent for the efficient removal of acid blue 80 (AB‐80) and methylene blue (MB). The magnetic adsorption results show that as‐obtained MEL−Fe‐C exhibits good magnetic properties in AB‐80 and MB removal experiments. Importantly, this material shows good AB‐80 and MB removal property after ten times of repeated use. Therefore, as‐prepared MEL−Fe‐C is an ideal adsorbent candidate for removal of dyes in wastewater treatment applications.