bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In vivo interactions of continuous flucloxacillin infusion and high-dose oral rifampicin in the serum of 15 patients with bone and soft tissue infections due to Staphylococcus aureus - a methodological and pilot study
Authors: Garzoni Christian , Uçkay Ilker , Belaieff Wilson , Breilh Dominique , Suvà Domizio , Huggler Elzbieta , Lew Daniel , Hoffmeyer Pierre , Bernard Louis 
Published: June 2014

Abstract

Background
Increased antibiotic resistance against Staphylococcus aureus and low penetration into bone requires regimen optimization of available drugs.

Methods
We evaluate pharmoacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters (PK/PD) as well as in vivo interactions of continuous flucloxacillin 12 g/d administration combined with high dose oral rifampicin 600 mg bid in the serum of 15 adult patients with bone and soft tissue infections. We use the patient’s own serum directed against his own isolated S. aureus strain to reproduce in vivo conditions as closely as possible.

Results
The continuous flucloxacillin infusion constantly generated plasma free drug levels largely exceeding the serum minimal inhibitory concentrations (mean 74-fold). Combination with rifampicin significantly increased flucloxacillin levels by 44.5%. Such an increase following rifampicin introduction was documented in 10/15 patients, whereas a decrease was observed in 1/15 patients. Finally, all infections were cured and the combination was well tolerated.

Conclusions
In this in vivo methodological pilot study among adult patients with orthopaedic infections due to S. aureus, we describe a new method and reveal substantial but inconsistent interactions between flucloxacillin and rifampicin, of which the clinical significance remains unclear.
Hydroids (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa) from marine environments in Taiwan
Authors: Tseng Li-Chun , Wu Cheng-Han , Twan Wen-Hung , Tang Zhi-Can , Hwang Jiang-Shiou 
Published: June 2014

AbstractBackgroundHydroids were identified from extensive surveys of benthos, and especially from worm tubes, in the Danshuei River estuary (DRE), in the northeast Taiwan Strait (NETS), and on a reef in Nanwan Bay (NWB), Taiwan.ResultsA total of 33 species (12 of them identified to generic and 1 to family rank only), referable to 22 genera, 12 families, and 2 orders, were distinguished. The majority of them were referable to order Leptothecata (84.8%) with the remainder being assigned to order Anthoathecata (15.2%). The only species found at NETS wasMonoserius pennarius(Linnaeus, 1758).Plumularia habereri(Stechow, 1909) was recorded at both DRE and NWB. The known range ofDynamena nanshaensis(Tang, 1991), recorded for the second time, is extended further north. Six species (Aglaophenia latecarinata,Plumularia floridana,Diphasia palmata,Dynamena brevis,Dynamena obliqua,Synthecium elegans) are recorded for the first time in waters adjacent to the Chinese mainland.ConclusionsSpecies composition and abundances varied considerably from one environment to another and especially between DRE and NWB. This study provides the first taxonomic account of the hydroid fauna inhabiting the eastern Taiwan Strait region.
A characterization of Arctic aerosols on the basis of aerosol optical depth and black carbon measurements
Authors: Stone R. S. , Sharma S. , Herber A. , Eleftheriadis K. , Nelson D. W. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractAerosols, transported from distant source regions, influence the Arctic surface radiation budget. When deposited on snow and ice, carbonaceous particles can reduce the surface albedo, which accelerates melting, leading to a temperature-albedo feedback that amplifies Arctic warming. Black carbon (BC), in particular, has been implicated as a major warming agent at high latitudes. BC and co-emitted aerosols in the atmosphere, however, attenuate sunlight and radiatively cool the surface. Warming by soot deposition and cooling by atmospheric aerosols are referred to as “darkening” and “dimming” effects, respectively. In this study, climatologies of spectral aerosol optical depth AOD (2001–2011) and Equivalent BC (EBC) (1989–2011) from three Arctic observatories and from a number of aircraft campaigns are used to characterize Arctic aerosols. Since the 1980s, concentrations of BC in the Arctic have decreased by more than 50% at ground stations where in situ observations are made. AOD has increased slightly during the past decade, with variations attributed to changing emission inventories and source strengths of natural aerosols, including biomass smoke and volcanic aerosol, further influenced by deposition rates and airflow patterns.
Group simulation for “authentic” assessment in a maternal-child lecture course
Authors: Hensel Desiree , Stanley Leah 
Published: June 2014

The purpose of this pilot study was to explore student perceptions and outcomes surrounding the use of a labor and delivery simulation as a midterm exam in a maternal-newborn lecture course. An exploratory case study design was used to gain a holistic view of the simulation experience. Data from focus groups, written debriefings, simulation scoring rubrics, student course evaluations, and other course exams were analyzed using Stake’s case study method. Qualitative analysis revealed four themes: confidence, fairness, reliability, and team effort. Students were able to accurately grade the performance of their group as a whole and complete a group self-debriefing, but quantitative analysis showed that the group scores were significantly higher than other individual course grades. The findings suggested that the group simulation was an authentic assessment of teamwork, but not individual performance. Future research is needed to determine what role simulation and collaborative testing should play in pre-licensure education.
Active optics with a minimum number of actuators
Authors: Lemaitre Gerard R. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Optics for astronomy implies powerful developments of active and adaptive optics methods applied to instrumentation from X-rays to the near infrared for the design of telescopes, spectrographs, and coronagraph planet finders. This presentation particularly emphasizes the development of active optics methods. Highly accurate and remarkably smooth surfaces from active optics methods allow new optical systems that use highly aspheric and non-axisymmetric – freeform – surfaces. Depending on the goal and performance required for a deformable optical surface, elasticity theory analysis is carried out either with small deformation thin plate theory, large deformation thin plate theory, shallow spherical shell theory, or the weakly conical shell theory. A mirror thickness distribution is then determined as a function of associated bending actuators and boundary conditions. For a given optical shape to generate, one searches for optical solutions with a minimum number of actuators.
The Four-Laser Guide Star Facility: Design considerations and system implementation
Authors: Calia Domenico Bonaccini , Hackenberg Wolfgang , Holzlöhner Ronald , Lewis Steffan , Pfrommer Thomas 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Ground-based optical telescopes, in particular large ones, require adaptive optics to overcome the atmospheric seeing limit due to turbulence. Correcting the distorted wavefront necessitates bright stars in the field of view. The sky coverage can be greatly increased by using artificial sodium laser guide stars in addition to natural guide stars. We describe the underlying physics and technical considerations relevant to such systems before discussing the design of the four-laser guide star facility (4LGSF) which is currently under development for the ESO Very Large Telescope (VLT) on Cerro Paranal, Chile. The focus is upon the justification of the requirements and their technical solution.
Cournot and Bertrand Competition in a Model of Spatial Price Discrimination with Differentiated Products
Authors: Sun Chia-Hung 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThis study investigates spatial price discrimination with two types of market competition – price competition and quantity competition – and two kinds of cross-relations between goods – substitutes and complements – with endogenous location choices in a barbell model. The results herein present that the maximum differentiation (end point agglomeration) is the unique location equilibrium with substitutes (complements), irrespective of what type of competition. We demonstrate that if the unit transportation rate is sufficiently high, then consumer surplus, profits, and social welfare are higher under price competition than under quantity competition for both substitutes and complements. This means that introducing a spatial barrier to competition generated through transportation costs may solve the problem of inconsistency from the conflict interests between consumers, firms, and a social planner.
Lignin masks the presence of fibrillar network structure in the cell corner middle lamella (CCML)
Authors: Kim Yoon Soo , Lee Kwang Ho , Kim Jong Sik , Singh Adya P. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
The presence of fibrillar structures (FS) in the cell corner middle lamella (CCML) regions was demonstrated in several species of plants. The FS in the CCML of bass wood, oak wood, and bamboo became clearly visible after removal of lignin by wood decay fungi. The occurrence of FS in the CCML was also confirmed by examining early stages of cell wall formation in silver poplar, Japanese red pine, Arabidopsis and alfalfa. The fibrillar texture became increasingly less defined with the onset of lignification as the interfibrillar spaces were masked by lignin polymers and the fibrillar network became embedded within the lignin matrix. The FS stained positively with PATAg and ruthenium red, which is interpreted to be an indicator of the presence of structural polysaccharides (non-cellulosics and pectins). Our work demonstrated that fibrillar network is a characteristic feature of CCML of plant cell walls that is clearly visible prior to lignification of this cell wall region, but becomes invisible after the deposition of lignin.
Effect of Surface Chemistry and Structure of Sludge Particles on Their Co-slurrying Ability with Petroleum Coke
Authors: Liu Meng , Duan Yufeng , Ma Xiuyuan 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Gasification and combustion performance of petroleum coke–water slurry (PCWS) can be enhanced by the addition of sludge. In this study, we have mixed three types of sludge with petroleum coke to form petroleum coke–sludge slurry (PCSS) and analyzed the effects of surface chemistry and structure of the sludge samples on the rheological properties of PCSS. Results show that the surface of petroleum coke particles is strongly hydrophobic, while the surface of sludge particles is hydrophilic. The sludge particles primarily consist of oxide and mineral salts, while petroleum coke particles mainly consist of organic carbon. Modification of the sludge changes the distribution of mineral components on the surface of sludge. In addition, the surface area, pore structure, and size of sludge tend to increase after modification. Sludge shows strong shear-thinning behavior, while the rheological properties of PCWS change from shear-thickening to shear-thinning behavior with excessive addition of sludge more than 6 wt.%. The suitable mass concentration for industrial application of PCSS is determined to be 62–64 wt.% for the sludge addition of 10–15 wt.%. Increasing the amount of sludge may enhance the yield stress and improve the static stability of PCSS, and sludge might be the most effective stabilizer used in PCWS.
Impact of maternal body mass index on the cesarean delivery rate in Germany from 1990 to 2012
Authors: Kyvernitakis Ioannis , Köhler Christine , Schmidt Stephan , Misselwitz Björn , Großmann Jasmin , Hadji Peyman , Kalder Matthias 
Published: June 2014

Abstract

Aims: Maternal obesity is a risk factor for cesarean delivery (CD). The aim of this analysis was to determine the association between early-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and the rate of CD over the past two decades.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from the perinatal quality registry of singleton deliveries in the state of Hesse in Germany from 1990 to 2012. We divided the patients into groups according to the WHO criteria for BMI: underweight (<18.5), normal weight (18.5–<25), overweight (25–<30), obese class I (30–<35), obese class II (35–<40), and obese class III (≥40).

Results: The analysis included 1,092,311 patients with available data regarding maternal BMI and mode of delivery. The CD rates for underweight (<18.5), normal weight (18.5–<25), overweight (25–<30), obese class I (30–<35), obese class II (35–<40), and obese class III (≥40) women increased from 14.4%, 16.1%, 19.5%, 22.3%, 25%, and 26.9% in the year 1990 to 27.9%, 31.4%, 38.8%, 45.1%, 50.2%, and 55.2% in the year 2012, respectively (P<0.001).

Conclusion: Maternal BMI in early pregnancy is linearly associated with the incidence of CD. We found a disproportionate increase of CD in morbidly obese women compared with the CD incidence in the reference BMI population over the past two decades.
Neither Neo- nor Post-
Authors: Benjamins Rick 
Published: June 2014

SummaryA liberal theology that values the individual, the person or the subject, is required to defend itself for its ally with individualism and human-centered philosophies, since the concept of the individual or the person has become problematic, as it is radicalized in neoliberalism and sharply criticized by postmodernism. After the First World War Ernst Troeltsch distinguished a German from a Western perspective at the basis of a liberal view of humanity, which he wanted to synthesize in order to secure human dignity and advance the acceptance of universal human rights. Even though our situation has changed profoundly, Troeltsch’s distinction is still very helpful, since both neoliberalism and postmodernism can be described as one-sided radicalizations of what he labeled as ‘German’ and ‘Western’ ways of thought. Analysis shows that both neoliberalism and postmodernism fail to formulate the commonalities of a common human nature due to their radicalization. In contrast to neoliberalism and postmodernism, a liberal theology is challenged to value the individual within the bond of a common human nature and to describe this nature without the restrictions or prescriptions of an essentialist definition of what is human. The concept of a common humanity without essentials is defended with reference to Foucault and Hegel and supported by the classical notion of the image of God.
Kinetic degradation and storage stability of β-carotene encapsulated by spray drying using almond gum and gum arabic as wall materials
Authors: Mahfoudhi Nesrine , Hamdi Salem 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of almond gum, as a novel polymer, to encapsulate β-carotene by spray drying, in comparison with gum arabic. Encapsulation efficiency (EE) was around 66% and 70% using almond gum and gum arabic, respectively, and the reconstituted emulsions had relatively higher particle sizes than the fresh emulsions. A 60-day storage period at 25°C was carried out to investigate the effect of relative humidity (RH) on the kinetic degradation and on the decrease of the color of β-carotene powders. Results showed that β-carotene and color degradations were found to fit well with a first-order kinetic model. Degradation rates increased as RH increased, until a value at which the samples become sticky and collapsed (80% RH) when the degradation rate decreased. These results could prove that collapse phenomena were responsible for the decrease of the degradation rate by decreasing the diffusion of oxygen throughout the wall materials.
Design of Iosipescu Shear Test for Applying to a Bi-Modulus Ceramic-Fiber-Reinforced SiO2 Aerogel
Authors: Sun Yantao , Shi Duoqi , Yang Xiaoguang 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Tension and compression tests were conducted on a ceramic-fiber-reinforced SiO2 aerogel (CFRSA). The material exhibits different tension and compression modulus, i.e., bi-modulus. The objective of present research is to establish guidelines for preparing shear tests of this CFRSA. Finite-element analysis (FEA) on various Iosipescu specimens is presented for four bi-modulus materials, including the CFRSA. It is found that the major concerns for specimen design of bi-modulus materials are: the uniformity of shear stress and the longitudinal normal stress concentration at notch tips. These concerns are all dependent on material properties. For material with Et numerically close to Ec, the normal stress concentration near notch tips is of less significance. However, for material with high tension–compression asymmetry, including this CFRSA, the normal stress concentration near notch tips is significant. The round-notch specimen with small normal stress concentration seems to be favorable for these materials.
Threshold Values of Performance Indicators for Asphalt Concrete Pavement to Apply to Pavement Performance Warranty
Authors: An DeokSoon , Nam JeongHee , Kwon SooAhn , Suh YoungChan , Lee JaeJun 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
The performance warranty system is quite innovative in requiring a contractor’s warranty for pavement performance over a certain period of time. European countries adopted performance warranty systems about 40 years ago. The United States adopted this system in the early 1990s to improve construction quality and performance, as well as to reduce life cycle cost. In Korea, for the purpose of resolving construction management and quality control problems and poor construction, the performance warranty system is considered as part of the solution. The appropriate performance indicators, reasonable threshold values, and warranty periods have to be selected in order to adopt a performance warranty system that requires keeping the pavement performance above a certain level of satisfaction for the warranty period. For this reason, structural, functional, and safety performance were defined first, and then rut depth, roughness, and crack ratio were selected as performance warranty indicators. For the purpose of suggesting performance warranty threshold values that reflect domestic circumstances, pavement management system data were surveyed, a special project was conducted, and a total of 888 sample sections were analyzed. A threshold level at 95 % of each indicator’s distress was determined for the threshold value; this prevents the worst 5 % of poor performance cases. A 14-mm rut depth, 3.6 m/km International Roughness Index, and 20 % crack ratio for five years were selected as threshold values. To avoid early deterioration of pavement, three- to five-year warranty periods are suggested.
Determination of Heat Transfer Coefficients in High Speed Quenching Processes
Authors: Frerichs F. , Sander S. , Lübben T. , Schüttenberg S. , Fritsching U. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractRapid water quenching of steel specimen in heat treatment processes can evoke compressive residual stresses near the specimen surface. Thereby a significant increase in the fatigue limit of the components may be achieved. For applying this process, knowledge and control of heat transfer coefficients (HTC) in various process conditions during quenching is necessary. For HTC lower than 10 kW/m2K, temperature measurements with thermocouples below the surface of steel components may be performed. However, for measurements of HTC above 10 kW/m2K, the local cooling rates are huge near to and at the surface and the resulting temperature gradients are high. For these rapid temperature changes, the response times of sheathed thermocouples are not sufficient and because of the high temperature gradients also the positioning of the thermocouples within the specimen must be very accurate. The most appropriate possibility to determine HTC above 10 kW/m2K is temperature measurement directly at the surface using thermocouples with a small response time. Another possibility to determine HTC in high speed quenching processes is the use of probe material that provide higher thermal conductivity than steel, such as copper with about 27 times higher heat conductivity compared to austenitic steel. Higher heat conductivity of the specimen to be quenched lowers the temperature gradients within the specimen and the cooling rates. Therefore, measurements with commonly used sheathed thermocouples are feasible. Both techniques for HTC-evaluation in rapid quenching process have been tested. The resulting HTC values will be compared with HTC data from numerical heat and fluid flow calculations and from empirical equations. Results of these evaluations show that heat transfer coefficients of about 50 kW/m2K can be achieved by high speed quenching.
Therapy of acromegalic patients exacerbated by concomitant type 2 diabetes requires higher pegvisomant doses to normalise IGF1 levels
Authors: Droste Michael , Domberg Julia , Buchfelder Michael , Mann Klaus , Schwanke Anja , Stalla Günter , Strasburger Christian J 
Published: June 2014

ObjectiveAcromegaly is associated with an increased prevalence of glucose metabolism disorders. Clinically confirmed diabetes mellitus is observed in approximately one quarter of all patients with acromegaly and is known to have a worse prognosis in these patients.DesignOf 514 acromegalic patients treated with pegvisomant and recorded in the German Cohort of ACROSTUDY, 147 had concomitant diabetes mellitus. We analysed these patients in an observational study and compared patients with and without concomitant diabetes.ResultsUnder treatment with pegvisomant, patients with diabetes mellitus rarely achieved normalisation (64% in the diabetic cohort vs 75% in the non-diabetic cohort,P=0.04) for IGF1. Diabetic patients normalised for IGF1 required higher pegvisomant doses (18.9 vs 15.5 mg pegvisomant/day,P<0.01). Furthermore, those diabetic patients requiring insulin therapy showed a tendency towards requiring even higher pegvisomant doses to normalise IGF1 values than diabetic patients receiving only oral treatment (22.8 vs 17.2 mg pegvisomant/day,P=0.11).ConclusionsHence, notable interdependences between the acromegaly, the glucose metabolism of predisposed patients and their treatment with pegvisomant were observed. Our data support recent findings suggesting that intra-portal insulin levels determine the GH receptor expression in the liver underlined by the fact that patients with concomitant diabetes mellitus, in particular those receiving insulin therapy, require higher pegvisomant doses to normalise IGF1. It is therefore important to analyse various therapy modalities to find out whether they influence the associated diabetes mellitus and/or whether the presence of diabetes mellitus influences the treatment results of an acromegaly therapy.