bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Applied Photoelasticity for Residual Stress Measurement inside Crystal Silicon Wafers for Solar Applications
Authors: Jagailloux F. , Valle V. , Dupré J.‐C. , Penot J.‐D. , Chabli A. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractA full automated NIR polariscope has been specially built for residual stress measurement in crystal silicon wafers for solar applications. The multiple configurations of the instrument allow measuring both the isoclinic and the isochromatic parameters on a full field. A new algorithm has also been developed to extract the maximal shear stress inside the silicon wafers without linking the isoclinic parameter to the isochromatic parameter. Hence, it is straightforward to use and the extraction errors are reduced. Coupling this improved data analysis with the comprehensive capabilities of the test rig, allowed to show that the effect of the cutting process on the residual stress inside the silicon wafers is predominant compared with the effect of the cast process, related to the thermal gradient and impurities.
Flow cytometric characterization of peripheral blood leukocyte populations of 3 neotropical snake species:Boa constrictor, Bothrops jararaca, andCrotalus durissus
Authors: Carvalho Marcelo P. N. , Queiroz‐Hazarbassanov Nicolle G. T. , Massoco Cristina O. , Rossi Silmara , Sant'Anna Sávio S. , Catão‐Dias José L. , Grego Kathleen F. 
Published: May 2016

BackgroundThe reptilian immune system is represented by innate, humoral, and cell‐mediated mechanisms, involving different types of blood leukocytes. The development of optimized methods for the advanced study of origin and function of reptilian blood leukocytes is needed.ObjectivesThe purpose of the study was to optimize leukocyte density gradient isolation protocols from snake peripheral blood samples, and characterize recovered cells by flow cytometry based on size and internal complexity for a qualitative and semi‐quantitative assessment of leukocyte populations in one boa (Boa constrictor), and 2 viper species (Bothrops jararaca, Crotalus durissus).MethodsBlood samples from 30 snakes (10 from each species, 5 males and 5 females) were collected in tubes with sodium heparin. Fresh blood was centrifuged with either ficoll‐paquePLUSor percoll density gradients for leukocyte isolation. Flow cytometric leukocyte gates were defined based on size (forward scatter [FSC]) and internal complexity (side scatter [SSC]). Relative leukocyte differential counts after sorting the cells in these gates in one snake for each species were compared to conventional light microscopic differential counts on unsorted isolated leukocytes.ResultsThere was no statistical difference in the relative leukocyte populations, including heterophils, azurophils, and small and large lymphocytes between samples isolated by ficoll or percoll. Four leukocyte gates were identified based on their location inFSC/SSCcytograms. The relative leukocyte differential counts after sorting in single animals showed some agreement with the light microscopy differential count on unsorted cells.ConclusionsBased onFSCandSSC, 4 distinct leukocyte populations were found in ficoll or percoll density gradient isolated leukocytes from peripheral blood from boa and viper species. Further optimization of the technique should allow the performance of functional assays.
Spread of Plasmids Carrying Multiple GES Variants
Authors: Cuzon Gaelle , Bogaerts Pierre , Bauraing Caroline , Huang Te-Din , Bonnin Rémy A. , Glupczynski Youri , Naas Thierry 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACT

Five GES-producing
Enterobacteriaceae
isolates that displayed an extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) phenotype harbored two GES variants: GES-7 ESBL and GES-6 carbapenemase. In all isolates, the two GES alleles were located on the same integron that was inserted into an 80-kb IncM1 self-conjugative plasmid. Whole-genome sequencing suggested
in vivo
horizontal gene transfer of the plasmid along with clonal diffusion of
Enterobacter cloacae
. To our knowledge, this is the first description in Europe of clustered
Enterobacteriaceae
isolates carrying two GES β-lactamases, of which one has extended activity toward carbapenems.
In Vivo
Pharmacodynamic Target Assessment of Delafloxacin against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Klebsiella pneumoniae in a Murine Lung Infection Model
Authors: Lepak Alexander J. , Andes David R. 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACT

Delafloxacin is a broad-spectrum anionic fluoroquinolone under development for the treatment of bacterial pneumonia. The goal of the study was to determine the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) targets in the murine lung infection model for
Staphylococcus aureus
,
Streptococcus pneumoniae
, and
Klebsiella pneumoniae
. Four isolates of each species were utilized for
in vivo
studies: for
S. aureus
, one methicillin-susceptible and three methicillin-resistant isolates;
S. pneumoniae
, two penicillin-susceptible and two penicillin-resistant isolates;
K. pneumoniae
, one wild-type and three extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing isolates. MICs were determined using CLSI methods. A neutropenic murine lung infection model was utilized for all treatment studies, and drug dosing was by the subcutaneous route. Single-dose plasma pharmacokinetics was determined in the mouse model after administration of 2.5, 10, 40, and 160 mg/kg. For
in vivo
studies, 4-fold-increasing doses of delafloxacin (range, 0.03 to 160 mg/kg) were administered every 6 h (q6h) to infected mice. Treatment outcome was measured by determining organism burden in the lung (CFU counts) at the end of each experiment (24 h). The Hill equation for maximum effect (
E
max
) was used to model the dose-response data. The magnitude of the PK/PD index, the area under the concentration-time curve over 24 h in the steady state divided by the MIC (AUC/MIC), associated with net stasis and 1-log kill endpoints was determined in the lung model for all isolates. MICs ranged from 0.004 to 1 mg/liter. Single-dose PK parameter ranges include the following: for maximum concentration of drug in serum (
C
max
), 2 to 70.7 mg/liter; AUC from 0 h to infinity (AUC
0–∞
), 2.8 to 152 mg · h/liter; half-life (
t
1/2
), 0.7 to 1 h. At the start of therapy mice had 6.3 ± 0.09 log
10
CFU/lung. In control mice the organism burden increased 2.1 ± 0.44 log
10
CFU/lung over the study period. There was a relatively steep dose-response relationship observed with escalating doses of delafloxacin. Maximal organism reductions ranged from 2 log
10
to more than 4 log
10
. The median free-drug AUC/MIC magnitude associated with net stasis for each species group was 1.45, 0.56, and 40.3 for
S. aureus
,
S. pneumoniae
, and
K. pneumoniae
, respectively. AUC/MIC targets for the 1-log kill endpoint were 2- to 5-fold higher. Delafloxacin demonstrated
in vitro
and
in vivo
potency against a diverse group of pathogens, including those with phenotypic drug resistance to other classes. These results have potential relevance for clinical dose selection and evaluation of susceptibility breakpoints for delafloxacin for the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections involving these pathogens.
Factors that shape the patient's hospital experience and satisfaction with lower limb arthroplasty: an exploratory thematic analysis
Authors: Lane J V , Hamilton D F , MacDonald D J , Ellis C , Howie C R 
Published: May 2016

ObjectiveIt is generally accepted that the patients’ hospital experience can influence their overall satisfaction with the outcome of lower limb arthroplasty; however, little is known about the factors that shape the hospital experience. The aim of this study was to develop an understanding of what patients like and do not like about their hospital experience with a view to providing insight into where service improvements could have the potential to improve the patient experience and their satisfaction, and whether they would recommend the procedure.DesignA mixed methods (quan-QUAL) approach.SettingLarge regional teaching hospital.Participants216 patients who had completed a postoperative postal questionnaire at 12 months following total knee or total hip arthroplasty.Outcome measuresOverall satisfaction with the outcome of surgery, whether to recommend the procedure to another and the rating of patient hospital experience. Free text comments on the best and worst aspects of their hospital stay were evaluated using qualitative thematic analysis.ResultsOverall, 77% of patients were satisfied with their surgery, 79% reported a good–excellent hospital experience and 85% would recommend the surgery to another. Qualitative analysis revealed clear themes relating to communication, pain relief and the process experience. Comments on positive aspects of the hospital experience were related to feeling well informed and consulted about their care. Comments on the worst aspects of care were related to being made to wait without explanation, moved to different wards and when they felt invisible to the healthcare staff caring for them.ConclusionsPositive patient experiences were closely linked to effective patient–health professional interactions and logistics of the hospital processes. Within arthroplasty services, the patient experience of healthcare could be enhanced by further attention to concepts of patient-centred care. Practical examples of this include more focus on developing staff–patient communication and the avoidance of ‘boarding’ procedures.
Examining the association between serum lactic dehydrogenase and all-cause mortality in patients with metabolic syndrome: a retrospective observational study
Authors: Wu Li-Wei , Kao Tung-Wei , Lin Chien-Ming , Yang Hui-Fang , Sun Yu-Shan , Liaw Fang-Yih , Wang Chung-Ching , Peng Tao-Chun , Chen Wei-Liang 
Published: May 2016

ObjectivesEmerging evidence indicates that elevated serum lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) levels are associated with increased cardiovascular mortality, but the mechanisms for this relationship remain uncertain. Since metabolic syndrome (MetS) is correlated with a higher risk of cardiovascular complications, we investigated the joint association between serum LDH levels and all-cause mortality in the US general population with MetS.DesignRetrospective study.SettingThe USA.ParticipantsA retrospective observational study of 3872 adults with MetS and 7516 adults without MetS in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III was performed.Main outcome measuresParticipants with and without MetS were both divided into 3 groups according to their serum LDH level. Multivariable Cox regression analyses and Kaplan-Meier survival probabilities were used to jointly relate all-cause, cardiovascular and cancer mortality risk to different serum LDH levels.ResultsFor all-cause mortality in participants with MetS, multivariable adjusted HRs were 1.006 (95% CI 0.837 to 1.210; p=0.947) for serum LDH of 149–176 U/L compared with 65–149 U/L, and 1.273 (95% CI 1.049 to 1.547; p=0.015) for serum LDH of 176–668 U/L compared with 65–149 U/L.ConclusionsResults support a positive association between higher level of serum LDH and mortality from all causes in individuals with MetS.
Role of psychosocial work factors in the relation between becoming a caregiver and changes in health behaviour: results from the Whitehall II cohort study
Authors: Dich Nadya , Head Jenny , Hulvej Rod Naja 
Published: May 2016

BackgroundThe present study tested the effects of becoming a caregiver combined with adverse working conditions on changes in health behaviours.MethodsParticipants were 5419 British civil servants from the Whitehall II cohort study who were not caregivers at baseline (phase 3, 1991–1994). Psychosocial work factors were assessed at baseline. Phase 4 questionnaire (1995–1996) was used to identify participants who became caregivers to an aged or disabled relative. Smoking, alcohol consumption and exercise were assessed at baseline and follow-up (phase 5, 1997–1999).ResultsThose who became caregivers were more likely to increase frequency of alcohol consumption, but only if they also reported low decision latitude at work (OR= 1.65, 95% CI 1.15 to 2.37 compared with non-caregivers with average decision latitude), or belonged to low occupational social class (OR=2.38, 95% CI 1.17 to 4.78 compared with non-caregivers of high occupational social class). Caregivers were more likely to quit smoking if job demands were low (OR=2.92; 95% CI 1.07 to 7.92 compared with non-caregivers with low job demands), or if social support at work was high (OR=2.99, 95% CI 1.01 to 8.86 compared with caregivers with average social support). There was no effect of caregiving on reducing exercise below recommended number of hours per week, or on drinking above recommended number of units per week, regardless of working conditions.ConclusionsThe findings underscore the importance of a well-balanced work environment as a resource for people exposed to increased family demands.
Family physicians prescribing lifestyle medicine: feasibility of a national training programme
Authors: Polak Rani , Shani Michal , Dacey Marie , Tzuk-Onn Adva , Dagan Iris , Malatskey Lilach 
Published: May 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe actual causes of the preponderance of non-communicable chronic diseases are related to unhealthy behaviours, such as poor nutrition, physical inactivity and tobacco use. Our goal was to evaluate the feasibility of training in lifestyle medicine (LM) for family physicians, which could be included in ‘Healthy Israel 2020’, a national initiative created to enhance the health of Israelis.MethodsTwenty-six providers participated in a 1-year certificate of completion in LM. A control group included 21 providers who participated in a similar musculoskeletal training programme. Pre/post data were collected in both groups of participants' attitudes and self-efficacy to prescribe LM and personal health behaviours. Mid/post feedback was collected in the study group participants.ResultsPhysicians in the LM training represented a nationwide distribution and attended &gt;80% of the programmes' meetings. They reported positive outcomes in most areas after the intervention compared with baseline. Five variables reached statistical significance: potential to motivate patients to improve exercise behaviours (p&lt;0.05), confidence in one's knowledge about LM (p=0.01) and counselling (p&lt;0.01), particularly related to exercise (p=0.02) and smoking cessation (p&lt;0.05). The control group demonstrated one significant change: potential to motivate patients to change behaviours to lose weight (p&lt;0.05).ConclusionsA training programme in LM appears feasible and could have a positive impact on interested family physicians' attitudes and confidence in prescribing LM. Thus, ‘Healthy Israel 2020’ and other programmes worldwide, which aim to improve health behaviours and decrease the impact of chronic diseases, might consider including family physicians training.
Influence of Cloud Microphysics and Radiation on Tropical Cyclone Structure and Motion
Authors: Fovell Robert G. , Bu Yizhe Peggy , Corbosiero Kristen L. , Tung Wen-wen , Cao Yang , Kuo Hung-Chi , Hsu Li-huan , Su Hui 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
The authors survey a series of modeling studies that have examined the influences that cloud microphysical processes can have on tropical cyclone (TC) motion, the strength and breadth of the wind field, inner-core diabatic heating asymmetries, outer-core convective activity, and the characteristics of the TC anvil cloud. These characteristics are sensitive to the microphysical parameterization (MP) in large part owing to the cloud-radiative forcing (CRF), the interaction of hydrometeors with radiation. The most influential component of CRF is that due to absorption and emission of longwave radiation in the anvil, which via gentle lifting directly encourages the more extensive convective activity that then leads to a radial expansion of the TC wind field. On a curved Earth, the magnitude of the outer winds helps determine the speed and direction of TC motion via the beta drift. CRF also influences TC motion by determining how convective asymmetries develop in the TC inner core. Further improvements in TC forecasting may require improved understanding and representation of cloud-radiative processes in operational models, and more comprehensive comparisons with observations are clearly needed.
Multiscale Temporal Mean Features of Perturbation Kinetic Energy and Its Budget in the Tropics: Review and Computation
Authors: Chen Baode , Tung Wen-wen , Yanai Michio 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
The authors examined the maintenance mechanisms of perturbation kinetic energy (PKE) in the tropical regions for multiple time scales by computing and analyzing its budget equation. The emphasis has been placed on the mean features of synoptic and subseasonal variabilities using a 33-yr dataset. From analysis of the contributions from u-wind and υ-wind components, the PKE maximum in the Indian Ocean is attributed less to synoptic variability and more to intraseasonal variability in which the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) dominates; however, there is strong evidence of seasonal variability affiliated with the Asian monsoon systems. The ones in the eastern Pacific and Atlantic Oceans are closely related to both intraseasonal and synoptic variability that result from the strong MJO and the relatively large amplitude of equatorial waves.
The maintenance of the PKE budget mainly depends on the structure of time mean horizontal flows, the location of convection, and the transport of PKE from the extratropics. In the regions with strong convective activities, such as the eastern Indian Ocean to the western Pacific, the production of PKE occurs between 700 and 200 hPa at the expense of perturbation available potential energy (PAPE), which is generated by convective heating. This gain in PKE is largely offset by divergence of the geopotential component of vertical energy flux; that is, it is redistributed to the upper- and lower-atmospheric layers by the pressure field. Strong PKE generation through the horizontal convergence of the extratropical energy flux takes place in the upper troposphere over the eastern Pacific and Atlantic Ocean, and is largely balanced by a PKE loss due to barotropic conversion, which is determined solely by the sign of longitudinal stretching deformation. However, over the Indian Ocean, there is a net PKE loss due to divergence of energy flux, which is compensated by PKE gain through the shear generation.
Dynamic Preconditioning of the Minimum September Sea-Ice Extent
Authors: Williams James , Tremblay Bruno , Newton Robert , Allard Richard 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
There has been an increased interest in seasonal forecasting of the Arctic sea ice extent in recent years, in particular the minimum sea ice extent. Here, a dynamical mechanism, based on winter preconditioning, is found to explain a significant fraction of the variance in the anomaly of the September sea ice extent from the long-term linear trend. To this end, a Lagrangian trajectory model is used to backtrack the September sea ice edge to any time during the previous winter and quantify the amount of sea ice advection away from the Eurasian and Alaskan coastlines as well as the Fram Strait sea ice export. The late-winter anomalous sea ice drift away from the coastline is highly correlated with the following September sea ice extent minimum . It is found that the winter mean Fram Strait sea ice export anomaly is also correlated with the minimum sea ice extent the following summer . To develop a hindcast model of the September sea ice extent—which does not depend on a priori knowledge of the minimum sea ice extent—a synthetic ice edge initialized at the beginning of the melt season (1 June) is backtracked. It is found that using a multivariate regression model of the September sea ice extent anomaly based on ice export from the peripheral Arctic seas and Fram Strait ice export as predictors reduces the error by 38%. A hindcast model based on the mean December–April Arctic Oscillation index alone reduces the error by 24%.
Scale-Dependent Representation of the Information Content of Observations in the Global Ensemble Kalman Filter Data Assimilation
Authors: Žagar Nedjeljka , Anderson Jeffrey , Collins Nancy , Hoar Timothy , Raeder Kevin , Lei Lili , Tribbia Joseph 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
Global data assimilation systems for numerical weather prediction (NWP) are characterized by significant uncertainties in tropical analysis fields. Furthermore, the largest spread of global ensemble forecasts in the short range on all scales is in the tropics. The presented results suggest that these properties hold even in the perfect-model framework and the ensemble Kalman filter data assimilation with a globally homogeneous network of wind and temperature profiles. The reasons for this are discussed by using the modal analysis, which provides information about the scale dependency of analysis and forecast uncertainties and information about the efficiency of data assimilation to reduce the prior uncertainties in the balanced and inertio-gravity dynamics.
The scale-dependent representation of variance reduction of the prior ensemble by the data assimilation shows that the peak efficiency of data assimilation is on the synoptic scales in the midlatitudes that are associated with quasigeostrophic dynamics. In contrast, the variance associated with the inertia–gravity modes is less successfully reduced on all scales. A smaller information content of observations on planetary scales with respect to the synoptic scales is discussed in relation to the large-scale tropical uncertainties that current data assimilation methodologies do not address successfully. In addition, it is shown that a smaller reduction of the large-scale uncertainties in the prior state for NWP in the tropics than in the midlatitudes is influenced by the applied radius for the covariance localization.
Forecaster Evaluations of High Temporal Satellite Imagery for the GOES-R Era at the NWS Operations Proving Ground
Authors: Gravelle Chad M. , Runk Kim J. , Crandall Katie L. , Snyder Derrick W. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractBetween February and April of 2015, the National Weather Service (NWS) Operations Proving Ground (OPG) facilitated an evaluation of the usefulness of 1-min satellite imagery for NWS operations in the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-R (GOES-R) series era. The overarching goal of the evaluation was to provide quantitative and qualitative guidance to NWS management, including the regional NWS Scientific Services division chiefs, on how satellite imagery with a refresh rate of 1 min impacts NWS forecaster decision-making. During the simulations, forecasters evaluated 1- and 5-min satellite imagery while completing tasks ranging from aviation forecasting and wildfire decision support services to monitoring where convective initiation would occur and integrating the imagery into the convective warning decision-making process. Feedback was gathered to assess if the satellite imagery had influence on forecaster decision-making, if the satellite imagery provided them with more confidence in making those decisions, if forecasters could assimilate the data into operational practices, and if there were adverse impacts on forecaster workload. Forecasters overwhelmingly were of the opinion that 1-min satellite imagery improved their ability and increased their confidence to make effective forecast and warning decisions. The majority of participants expressed that they were able to internally assimilate the imagery with ease. However, feedback gathered when forecasters were asked how useful and easy the imagery was to use in convective warning operations was mixed. Some forecasters expressed difficulty integrating both satellite imagery and radar data while issuing convective warnings. Others felt that with ample training and experience the imagery would be invaluable in warning operations.