bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High‐gain soft‐switching interleaved switched‐capacitor DC–DC converter with phase‐shedding technique
Authors: Choi Hyuntae , Jang Minsoo , Pou Josep 
Published: March 2017

This study experimentally verifies the performance of a high‐gain soft‐switching interleaved switched‐capacitor (ISC) DC–DC converter based on phase‐shedding technique. Efficiency improvement especially under light load condition is achieved by introducing the phase‐shedding technique, which adjusts the number of active interleaved converters based on the input power level. The interleaved configuration and modular characteristic of the converter increase the voltage gain as well as the current rating of the converter. Moreover, pulsating input current issue of conventional switched‐capacitor converter is solved by the stray inductances distributed in the converter. The converter achieves high‐voltage gain, improved efficiency, magnetic components free design and low output capacitance requirement. Simulation and experimental results taken from 1.5 kW prototype operating at 120 kHz are documented in this study to validate the operation and characteristics of the proposed ISC DC–DC converter.
Lacosamide Lowers Valproate and Levetiracetam Levels
Authors: Weschke Bernhard , Kaindl Angela , Tountopoulou Maria 
Published: March 2017

AbstractLacosamide (LCM) due to no known drug interaction and the absence of metabolic enzyme induction is a good candidate for an add-on medication, especially in combination with lamotrigine, levetiracetam (LEV), oxcarbazepine, topiramate, and valproic acid (VPA). Here we report for the first time, to our knowledge, that LCM can lower VPA and LEV serum levels. At present, there are no known explicable mechanisms of action of LCM, which lowers VPA and LEV. Here observed drug interaction of LCM is of clinical significance, which might be useful for other colleagues in the field.
The global governance of human cloning: the case of UNESCO
Authors: Langlois Adèle 
Published: March 2017

AbstractSince Dolly the Sheep was cloned in 1996, the question of whether human reproductive cloning should be banned or pursued has been the subject of international debate. Feelings run strong on both sides. In 2005, the United Nations adopted its Declaration on Human Cloning to try to deal with the issue. The declaration is ambiguously worded, prohibiting “all forms of human cloning inasmuch as they are incompatible with human dignity and the protection of human life”. It received only ambivalent support from UN member states. Given this unsatisfactory outcome, in 2008 UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) set up a Working Group to investigate the possibility of a legally binding convention to ban human reproductive cloning. The Working Group was made up of members of the International Bioethics Committee, established in 1993 as part of UNESCO’s Bioethics Programme. It found that the lack of clarity in international law is unhelpful for those states yet to formulate national regulations or policies on human cloning. Despite this, member states of UNESCO resisted the idea of a convention for several years. This changed in 2015, but there has been no practical progress on the issue. Drawing on official records and first-hand observations at bioethics meetings, this article examines the human cloning debate at UNESCO from 2008 onwards, thus building on and advancing current scholarship by applying recent ideas on global governance to an empirical case. It concludes that, although human reproductive cloning is a challenging subject, establishing a robust global governance framework in this area may be possible via an alternative deliberative format, based on knowledge sharing and feasibility testing rather than the interest-based bargaining that is common to intergovernmental organizations and involving a wide range of stakeholders. This article is published as part of a collection on global governance.
Meta-assessment of bias in science
Authors: Fanelli Daniele , Costas Rodrigo , Ioannidis John P. A. 
Published: March 2017

SignificanceScience is said to be suffering a reproducibility crisis caused by many biases. How common are these problems, across the wide diversity of research fields? We probed for multiple bias-related patterns in a large random sample of meta-analyses taken from all disciplines. The magnitude of these biases varied widely across fields and was on average relatively small. However, we consistently observed that small, early, highly cited studies published in peer-reviewed journals were likely to overestimate effects. We found little evidence that these biases were related to scientific productivity, and we found no difference between biases in male and female researchers. However, a scientist’s early-career status, isolation, and lack of scientific integrity might be significant risk factors for producing unreliable results.
Tropical dead zones and mass mortalities on coral reefs
Authors: Altieri Andrew H. , Harrison Seamus B. , Seemann Janina , Collin Rachel , Diaz Robert J. , Knowlton Nancy 
Published: March 2017

Significance
Oxygen-starved coastal waters are rapidly increasing in prevalence worldwide. However, little is known about the impacts of these “dead zones” in tropical ecosystems or their potential threat to coral reefs. We document the deleterious effects of such an anoxic event on coral habitat and biodiversity, and show that the risk of dead-zone events to reefs worldwide likely has been seriously underestimated. Awareness of, and research on, reef hypoxia is needed to address the threat posed by dead zones to coral reefs.
Anticipative strategies of blame avoidance in government
Authors: Hansson Sten 
Published: March 2017

AbstractPublic communication practices of executive governments are often criticised by journalists, politicians, scholars, and other commentators. Therefore, government communication professionals routinely adopt various blame avoidance strategies, some of which are meant to ‘stop blame before it starts’ or to reduce their exposure to potential blame attacks. The linguistic aspects of such anticipative strategies are yet to be studied by discourse analysts.I contribute towards filling this gap by showing how written professional guidelines for government communicators could be interpreted as complex discursive devices of anticipative blame avoidance.I outline historically and institutionally situated issues of blame that inform the occupational habitus of government communicators in the UK. I bring examples from their propriety guidelines to illustrate how the use of certain discursive strategies limits the possible perceived blameworthiness of individual officeholders. I conclude by explicating the discursive underpinnings of two common operational blame avoidance strategies in government: ‘protocolisation’ and ‘herding’.
Racial/Ethnic Differences in Left Ventricular Structure and Function in Chronic Kidney Disease: The Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort
Authors: Ahmad Faraz S. , Cai Xuan , Kunkel Katherine , Ricardo Ana C. , Lash James P. , Raj Dominic S. , He Jiang , Anderson Amanda H. , Budoff Matthew J. , Wright Nunes Julie A. , Roy Jason , Wright Jackson T. , Go Alan S. , St. John Sutton Martin G. , Kusek John W. , Isakova Tamara , Wolf Myles , Keane Martin G. ,   the CRIC Study Investigators
Published: March 2017

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and it is especially common among Blacks. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is an important subclinical marker of CVD, but there are limited data on racial variation in left ventricular structure and function among persons with CKD.

METHODS
In a cross-sectional analysis of the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort Study, we compared the prevalence of different types of left ventricular remodeling (concentric hypertrophy, eccentric hypertrophy, and concentric remodeling) by race/ethnicity. We used multinomial logistic regression to test whether race/ethnicity associated with different types of left ventricular remodeling independently of potential confounding factors.

RESULTS
We identified 1,164 non-Hispanic Black and 1,155 non-Hispanic White participants who completed Year 1 visits with echocardiograms that had sufficient data to categorize left ventricular geometry type. Compared to non-Hispanic Whites, non-Hispanic Blacks had higher mean left ventricular mass index (54.7 ± 14.6 vs. 47.4 ± 12.2 g/m2.7; P &lt; 0.0001) and prevalence of concentric LVH (45.8% vs. 24.9%). In addition to higher systolic blood pressure and treatment with &gt;3 antihypertensive medications, Black race/ethnicity was independently associated with higher odds of concentric LVH compared to White race/ethnicity (odds ratio: 2.73; 95% confidence interval: 2.02, 3.69).

CONCLUSION
In a large, diverse cohort with CKD, we found significant differences in left ventricular mass and hypertrophic morphology between non-Hispanic Blacks and Whites. Future studies will evaluate whether higher prevalence of LVH contribute to racial/ethnic disparities in cardiovascular outcomes among CKD patients.
Uncovering the host galaxy of the γ-ray-emitting narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy FBQS J1644+2619
Authors: D'Ammando F. , Acosta-Pulido J. A. , Capetti A. , Raiteri C. M. , Baldi R. D. , Orienti M. , Ramos Almeida C. 
Published: March 2017

Abstract
The discovery of γ-ray emission from radio-loud narrow-line Seyfert 1 (NLSy1) galaxies has questioned the need for large black hole masses ( ≳ 108 M⊙) to launch relativistic jets. We present near-infrared data of the γ-ray-emitting NLSy1 FBQS J1644+2619 that were collected using the camera CIRCE (Canarias InfraRed Camera Experiment) at the 10.4-m Gran Telescopio Canarias to investigate the structural properties of its host galaxy and to infer the black hole mass. The 2D surface brightness profile is modelled by the combination of a nuclear and a bulge component with a Sérsic profile with index n = 3.7, indicative of an elliptical galaxy. The structural parameters of the host are consistent with the correlations of effective radius and surface brightness against absolute magnitude measured for elliptical galaxies. From the bulge luminosity, we estimated a black hole mass of (2.1 ± 0.2) × 108 M⊙, consistent with the values characterizing radio-loud active galactic nuclei.
Evaluating Atlantoaxial Dislocation Based on Cartesian Coordinates: Proposing a New Definition and Its Impact on Assessment of Congenital Torticollis
Authors: Sardhara Jayesh , Behari Sanjay , Sindgikar Pavaman , Srivastava Arun Kumar , Mehrotra Anant , Das Kuntal Kanti , Bhaisora Kamlesh Singh , Sahu Rabi N , Jaiswal Awadhesh K 
Published: March 2017

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Conventional 2-dimensional (2-D) definition of atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD) is inadequate for coexisting 3-D displacements.

OBJECTIVE
To prospectively classify AAD and its related abnormalities along 3 Cartesian coordinates and assess their association with torticollis.

METHODS
One hundred and fifty-four patients with congenital AAD were prospectively classified according to their C1-2 displacement along 3 Cartesian coordinates utilizing 3-D multiplanar CT. The impact of this 3-D dislocation on occurrence of clinically manifest torticollis was also evaluated and surgical treatment was planned.

RESULTS
Three dimensional CT assessment detected the following types of C1-2 dislocations: I:translational dislocation (along Z coordinate, n = 37 [24%]); II: central dislocation (along Y coordinate, n = 10 [6.5%]); III: translational+central dislocation (along Z+Y coordinates, n = 42 [27.3%]); IV: translational dislocation+ rotational dislocation+coronal tilt (along Z+X coordinates, (n = 6 [3.9%]); V: central dislocation (basilar invagination)+rotational dislocation+coronal tilt (along Y+X coordinates, n = 11 [7.1%]); VI: translational dislocation+ central dislocation+ rotational dislocation+ coronal tilt (along all 3 axes, n = 48 [31%]). Assessing degree of relative C1-2 rotation revealed that 27 (37%) of 85 patients with <50 rotation and 54 (78%) of 69 patients with >5° rotation had associated torticollis. Translational dislocation had negative association (odds ratio [OR] 0.1, 95% confidence interval [CI; 0.47-0.32], P = .00), while type VI (OR 5.0, 95% CI [2.2-11.19], P = .00), type V (OR 4.44, 95% CI [0.93-21.26], P = .04), and type IV (OR 1.84, 95% CI [0.32-10.38], P = .48) dislocations had strong positive association with torticollis. Sixty-two (40%) patients improved, 68 (44%) remained unchanged, and 24 (16%) patients worsened postoperatively. Twenty-eight patients required second-stage transoral decompression following posterior distraction–fusion due to neurological nonimprovement.

CONCLUSION
Three-dimensional assessment of AAD including evaluation of culpable C1-2 facet joints addresses anomalous displacements in 3 Cartesian planes. This provides targets for adequate cervicomedullary decompression-stabilization, and helps in the management of accompanying torticollis.
Surgical Technique for High-Flow Internal Maxillary Artery to Middle Cerebral Artery Bypass Using a Superficial Temporal Artery Interposition Graft
Authors: Feng Xuequan , Meybodi Ali Tayebi , Rincon-Torroella Jordina , El-Sayed Ivan H. , Lawton Michael T. , Benet Arnau 
Published: March 2017

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Extracranial-to-intracranial high-flow bypass often requires cranial, cervical, and graft site incisions. The internal maxillary artery (IMA) has been proposed as a donor to decrease invasiveness, but its length is insufficient for direct intracranial bypass. We report interposition of a superficial temporal artery (STA) graft for high-flow IMA to middle cerebral artery (MCA) bypass using a middle fossa approach.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility of an IMA–STA graft-MCA bypass using a new middle fossa approach.

METHODS: Twelve specimens were studied. A 7.5-cm STA graft was obtained starting 1.5 cm below the zygomatic arch. The calibers of STA were measured. After a pterional craniotomy, the IMA was isolated inside the infratemporal fossa through a craniectomy within the lateral triangle (lateral to the posterolateral triangle) in the middle fossa and transposed for proximal end-to-end anastomosis to the STA. The Sylvian fissure was split exposing the insular segment of the MCA, and an STA-M2 end-to-side anastomosis was completed. Finally, the length of graft vessel was measured.

RESULTS: Average diameters of the proximal and distal STA ends were 2.3 ± 0.2 and 2.0 ± 0.1 mm, respectively. At the anastomosis site, the diameter of the IMA was 2.4 ± 0.6 mm, and the MCA diameter was 2.3 ± 0.3 mm. The length of STA graft required was 56.0 ± 5.9 mm.

CONCLUSION: The STA can be used as an interposition graft for high-flow IMA–MCA bypass if the STA is obtained 1.5 cm below the zygomatic arch and the IMA is harvested through the proposed approach. This procedure may provide an efficient and less invasive alternative for high-flow EC–IC bypass.
Weak metallic emission lines in early B-type stars
Authors: Sadakane Kozo , Nishimura Masayoshi 
Published: March 2017

AbstractPreviously unrecognized weak emission lines originating from high excitation states of Si ii (12.84 eV) and Al ii (13.08 eV) are detected in the red-region spectra of slowly rotating early B-type stars. We surveyed high-resolution spectra of 35 B-type stars covering spectral sub-types between B1 and B7 near the main sequence and found the emission line of Si ii at 6239.6 Å in all of the 13 stars that have spectral sub-types B2 and B2.5. There are 17 stars belonging to sub-type B3 among which seven stars are found to show the emission line of Si ii. The emission line of Al ii at 6243.4 Å is detected in a narrower temperature range (Teff between 19000 K and 23000 K) in nine of the stars. Both emission lines are not detected in cooler (Teff &lt; 16000 K) stars in our sample. The emission line of Si ii at 6239.6 Å shows a single-peaked and symmetrical profile, and the line center has no shift in wavelength with respect to line centers of low excitation absorption lines of Si ii. The measured half-width of the emission line is the same as those of rotationally broadened, low-excitation absorption lines of Si ii. These observations imply that the emitting gas is not of circumstellar origin, but it is located at the outermost layer of the atmosphere covering the whole stellar surface, and corotates with the star.
Short article: Evaluation of O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase as a predicting factor of response to temozolomide-based chemotherapy in well-differentiated metastatic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors
Authors: Girot Paul , Dumars Clotilde , Mosnier Jean-François , Muzellec Léa , Senellart Hélène , Foubert Fanny , Caroli-Bosc François-Xavier , Cauchin Estelle , Regenet Nicolas , Matysiak-Budnik Tamara , Touchefeu Yann 
Published: March 2017

Objective
Temozolomide (TMZ) is an alkylating agent frequently used in well-differentiated metastatic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) with very variable responses. O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) is a DNA repair enzyme whose loss of expression has been suggested to be predictive of response to TMZ in various human tumors. We evaluated the predictive value of MGMT status, assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and methylation-specific PCR (MS-PCR), in well-differentiated metastatic PNETs treated by a TMZ-based chemotherapy.

Patients and methods
All patients with metastatic PNETs treated with TMZ-based chemotherapy between 2010 and 2016 in two academic centers, for whom the tumor samples were available, were included. Clinical data were collected and the MGMT status of the tumors was analyzed using MS-PCR and IHC.

Results
Twenty-two patients (nine men, median age 61 years) were included. The loss of MGMT protein expression detected by IHC was observed in 13 (59%) patients and MGMT promoter hypermethylation was detected by MS-PCR in three (15%) out of 20 interpretable cases. MGMT status did not correlate significantly with the best radiological response according to the Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors criteria or with progression-free survival. There was no correlation between MGMT protein expression and MGMT gene promoter methylation.

Conclusion
These results indicate that a deficient MGMT status in PNETs, determined by loss of protein expression in IHC or by the presence of MGMT gene promoter methylation measured by MS-PCR, is not associated with a better response to TMZ-based chemotherapy and cannot be used as a predictive marker to lead treatment decisions.
Crew Resource Management in the trauma room: a prospective 3-year cohort study
Authors: Haerkens Marck H.T.M. , Kox Matthijs , Noe Pieter M. , Van Der Hoeven Johannes G. , Pickkers Peter 
Published: March 2017

Objective
Human factors account for the majority of adverse events. Human factors awareness training entitled Crew Resource Management (CRM) is associated with improved safety and reduced complications and mortality in critically ill patients. We determined the effects of CRM implementation in the trauma room of an Emergency Department (ED).

Patients and methods
A prospective 3-year cohort study was carried out in a level 1 ED, admitting more than 12 000 patients annually (>1500 trauma related). At the end of the baseline year, CRM training was performed, followed by an implementation year. The third year was defined as the clinical effect year. The primary outcomes were safety climate, measured using the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire, and ED length of stay. The secondary outcome measures were hospital length of stay and 48-h crude mortality of trauma patients.

Results
All 5070 trauma patients admitted to the ED during the study period were included. Following CRM implementation, safety climate improved significantly in three out of six Safety Attitudes Questionnaire domains, both at the end of the implementation and clinical effect years: teamwork climate, safety climate, and stress recognition. ED length of stay of these patients increased from 141 (102–192) in the baseline year to 161 (116–211) and 170 (128–223) min in the implementation and clinical effect years, respectively (P<0.05 vs. baseline). Hospital length of stay was prolonged by 1 day in the implementation and clinical effect years (P<0.05 vs. baseline), whereas mortality was unaltered.

Conclusion
Although CRM implementation in the ED was associated with an improved safety climate, the time spent by trauma patients in the ED increased.
Perspective: chemical dynamics simulations of non-statistical reaction dynamics
Authors: Ma Xinyou , Hase William L. 
Published: March 2017

Non-statistical chemical dynamics are exemplified by disagreements with the transition state (TS), RRKM and phase space theories of chemical kinetics and dynamics. The intrinsic reaction coordinate (IRC) is often used for the former two theories, and non-statistical dynamics arising from non-IRC dynamics are often important. In this perspective, non-statistical dynamics are discussed for chemical reactions, with results primarily obtained from chemical dynamics simulations and to a lesser extent from experiment. The non-statistical dynamical properties discussed are: post-TS dynamics, including potential energy surface bifurcations, product energy partitioning in unimolecular dissociation and avoiding exit-channel potential energy minima; non-RRKM unimolecular decomposition; non-IRC dynamics; direct mechanisms for bimolecular reactions with pre- and/or post-reaction potential energy minima; non-TS theory barrier recrossings; and roaming dynamics.
This article is part of the themed issue ‘Theoretical and computational studies of non-equilibrium and non-statistical dynamics in the gas phase, in the condensed phase and at interfaces’.
Theoretical and computational studies of non-equilibrium and non-statistical dynamics in the gas phase, in the condensed phase and at interfaces
Authors: Spezia Riccardo , Martínez-Nuñez Emilio , Vazquez Saulo , Hase William L. 
Published: March 2017

In this Introduction, we show the basic problems of non-statistical and non-equilibrium phenomena related to the papers collected in this themed issue. Over the past few years, significant advances in both computing power and development of theories have allowed the study of larger systems, increasing the time length of simulations and improving the quality of potential energy surfaces. In particular, the possibility of using quantum chemistry to calculate energies and forces ‘on the fly’ has paved the way to directly study chemical reactions. This has provided a valuable tool to explore molecular mechanisms at given temperatures and energies and to see whether these reactive trajectories follow statistical laws and/or minimum energy pathways. This themed issue collects different aspects of the problem and gives an overview of recent works and developments in different contexts, from the gas phase to the condensed phase to excited states.
This article is part of the themed issue ‘Theoretical and computational studies of non-equilibrium and non-statistical dynamics in the gas phase, in the condensed phase and at interfaces’.