bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Financing healthcare in Gulf Cooperation Council countries: a focus on Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alkhamis Abdulwahab , Hassan Amir , Cosgrove Peter 
Published: August 2013

SUMMARYBackgroundThis paper presents an analysis of the main characteristics of the Gulf Cooperation Council's (GCC) health financing systems and draws similarities and differences between GCC countries and other high‐income and low‐income countries, in order to provide recommendations for healthcare policy makers. The paper also illustrates some financial implications of the recent implementation of the Compulsory Employment‐based Health Insurance (CEBHI) system in Saudi Arabia.MethodsEmploying a descriptive framework for the country‐level analysis of healthcare financing arrangements, we compared expenditure data on healthcare from GCC and other developing and developed countries, mostly using secondary data from the World Health Organization health expenditure database. The analysis was supported by a review of related literature.ResultsThere are three significant characteristics affecting healthcare financing in GCC countries: (i) large expatriate populations relative to the national population, which leads GCC countries to use different strategies to control expatriate healthcare expenditure; (ii) substantial government revenue, with correspondingly high government expenditure on healthcare services in GCC countries; and (iii) underdeveloped healthcare systems, with some GCC countries' healthcare indicators falling below those of upper‐middle‐income countries.ConclusionReforming the mode of health financing is vital to achieving equitable and efficient healthcare services. Such reform could assist GCC countries in improving their healthcare indicators and bring about a reduction in out‐of‐pocket payments for healthcare. © 2013 The Authors.International Journal of Health Planning and Managementpublished by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electrical Properties of Sm‐doped Ceria (SDC) and SDC Carbonate Composite
Authors: Wen L. C. , Hsieh C. Y. , Tsai Y. I. , Lin H. K. , Chang S. C. , Kao H.‐C. I. , Sheu H. S. , Lee M. C. , Lee Y. S. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThis study prepared a dense Sm‐doped ceria (SDC) and an SDC carbonate composite (abbreviated as SDC‐C). The latter was prepared by immersing porous SDC with a formula of (Ce0.8Sm0.2)O1.9 and a relative density of approximately 65‐70% into a molten mixture of carbonates containing 1:1 molar ratio of Li2CO3 and Na2CO3 at 500 °C. The relative density of the SDC‐C was close to 100%. In addition, SDC oxide without carbonates, which also has a relative density of close to 100%, was heat treated at 1600 °C. At 500 °C, the electrical conductivity and ionic transference number (ti) of the SDC oxide were 1.79(5) × 10−3 S·cm−1 and 0.99(2), respectively, such that electronic conduction could be disregarded. Increasing the temperature caused a gradual decrease in the ti of SDC. Following the addition of carbonates to SDC, the electrical conductivity reached 1.23(9) × 10−1 S·cm−1 at 500 °C. After 14 days (340 h), the electrical conductivity of the SDC‐C at 490 °C, leveled off at about 6 × 10−2 S·cm−1. SDC‐C could be used as a potential electrolyte in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) at temperatures below 500 °C.
Electrochemical Oxidation and Determination of Glucose Using Cyclic Voltammetry and a One‐step Prepared Nanoporous Gold Wire Electrode
Authors: Su Sing‐Hua , Cheng Hao , Chen Po‐Yu 
Published: August 2013

AbstractA nanoporous gold wire electrode (NPGWE) was prepared using a published one‐step method from a 0.3 M oxalic acid at room temperature. It was found in this study that the surface morphology, including the pore size and the width of the ligaments, and thus the surface roughness of the NPGWE could be easily manipulated by controlling the solution stirring rate. The NPGWE was used for the study of electrochemical oxidation and determination of glucose in 0.1 M NaOH using cyclic voltammetry. The effect of two potential interferences chloride ion and ascorbic acid was assessed. The electrode showed a linear range of glucose concentration from 0.5 mM to 10 mM with a detection limit of 8 μM.
Modeling impact of FORMOSAT‐7/COSMIC‐2 mission on ionospheric space weather monitoring
Authors: Lee I. T. , Tsai H. F. , Liu J. Y. , Lin C. H. , Matsuo T. , Chang L. C. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractFor the past decade, the paucity of ionospheric observations has made it almost impossible to reconstruct the three‐dimensional structures of global ionospheric electron density. The Formosa Satellite‐3/Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere and Climate (FORMOSAT‐3/COSMIC, F3/C) constellation has provided ionospheric electron density profiles with high vertical resolution through radio occultation measurements. Slated for deployment starting in 2016, the FORMOSAT‐7/COSMIC‐2 (F7/C2) constellation will further provide more than 4 times the number of the F3/C occultation soundings. An observing system simulation experiment is conducted to determine the impact of F7/C2 on ionospheric weather monitoring. The results first show that the F7/C2 observations can reconstruct 3‐D ionospheric structure with a data accumulation period of 1 h, which can advance studies of small spatial/temporal scale variation/signatures in the ionosphere. Comparing to assimilation results of F3/C, the assimilation system significantly reduces the error arising in the models and observations after assimilating synthetic observations of F7/C2. During this observing system simulation experiment period, the averaged root‐mean‐square error percentage for the results of F7/C2 is about 4.4%, lower than that of F3/C 7.3%. Furthermore, even with an assimilation window of less than 60 min, the F7/C2 RMS errors still yield reliable values compared to the F3/C results. This paper represents a major advance in ionospheric weather monitoring for the future mission.
Heterogeneous formation of nitryl chloride and its role as a nocturnal NOx reservoir species during CalNex‐LA 2010
Authors: Mielke L. H. , Stutz J. , Tsai C. , Hurlock S. C. , Roberts J. M. , Veres P. R. , Froyd K. D. , Hayes P. L. , Cubison M. J. , Jimenez J. L. , Washenfelder R. A. , Young C. J. , Gilman J. B. , de Gouw J. A. , Flynn J. H. , Grossberg N. , Lefer B. L. , Liu J. , Weber R. J. , Osthoff H. D. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThe nocturnal conversion of dinitrogen pentoxide (N2O5) to nitryl chloride (ClNO2) on chloride‐containing aerosol can be a regionally important NOx (= NO + NO2) recycling and halogen activation pathway that affects oxidant photochemistry the following day. Here we present a comprehensive measurement data set acquired at Pasadena, California, during the CalNex‐LA campaign 2010 that included measurements of odd nitrogen and its major components (NOy = NOx + NO3 + 2N2O5 + ClNO2 + HNO3 + HONO + peroxyacyl, alkyl, and aerosol nitrates) and aerosol size distribution and composition. Nitryl chloride was present during every night of the study (median mixing ratio at sunrise 800 pptv) and was usually a more significant nocturnal NOx and odd oxygen (Ox = O3 + NO2 + 3N2O5 + ClNO2) reservoir species than N2O5 (whose concentrations were calculated from its equilibrium with NO2 and NO3). At sunrise, ClNO2 accounted for 21% of NOz (=NOy − NOx), 4% of NOy, and 2.5% of Ox, respectively (median values). Kinetic parameters for the N2O5 to ClNO2 conversion were estimated by relating ClNO2 concentrations to their time‐integrated heterogeneous production from N2O5 and were highly variable between nights. Production of ClNO2 required conversion of N2O5 on submicron aerosol with average yield (φ) and N2O5 reactive uptake probability (γ) of γφ = 0.008 (maximum 0.04), scaled with submicron aerosol chloride content, and was suppressed by aerosol organic matter and liquid water content. Not all of the observed variability of ClNO2 production efficiency could be rationalized using current literature parameterizations.
Trophic stimulation of articular chondrocytes by late‐passage mesenchymal stem cells in coculture
Authors: Wang Miqi , Rahnama Ruyan , Cheng Tiffany , Grotkopp Eva , Jacobs Linsey , Limburg Sonja , Kim Hubert T. , Kuo Alfred C. 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTCoculture of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with articular chondrocytes (ACs) increases glycosaminoglycan (GAG) accumulation compared to monoculture. MSCs might (1) differentiate into ACs (progenitor role) and/or (2) stimulate AC matrix metabolism (trophic role). MSCs lose the ability to undergo chondrogenesis after extended passaging. We hypothesized that MSCs act predominantly as progenitors, and that late‐passage MSCs without chondrogenic potential would be unable to increase GAG in coculture. Early‐ and late‐passage human MSCs (hMSCs) were grown in pellet monoculture under chondrogenic conditions and in pellet coculture with bovine ACs. Chondrogenesis was assessed with GAG quantification, safranin‐O staining, and quantitative PCR (qPCR). Contributions of human and bovine cells were assessed with species‐specific qPCR and human‐specific immunostaining. Late‐passage hMSCs did not undergo chondrogenesis in monoculture with chondrogenic stimuli or in coculture with ACs. Early‐passage hMSCs underwent chondrogenesis only in response to chondrogenic stimuli. Coculture pellets in both cases accumulated as much GAG/DNA as monoculture AC pellets. Aggrecan transcription was not increased in coculture. Late‐passage hMSCs that do not undergo chondrogenesis are capable of stimulating GAG accumulation in coculture with ACs. This supports a trophic effect of hMSCs on ACs. hMSCs may have therapeutic utility even after prolonged passaging. Published 2013 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the Orthopaedic Research Society. J Orthop Res 31:1936–1942, 2013
The contribution of risk prediction models to early detection of lung cancer
Authors: Field John K. , Chen Ying , Marcus Michael W. , Mcronald Fiona E. , Raji Olaide Y. , Duffy Stephen W. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractLow‐dose computed tomography screening is a strategy for early diagnosis of lung cancer. The success of such screening will be dependent upon identifying populations at sufficient risk in order to maximise the benefit‐to‐harm ratio of the intervention. To facilitate this, the lung cancer risk prediction community has established several risk models with good predictive performance. This review focuses on current progress in risk modelling for lung cancer prediction, with some views on future development. J. Surg. Oncol. 2013 108:304–311. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effective photodynamic therapy against microbial populations in human deep tissue abscess aspirates
Authors: Haidaris Constantine G. , Foster Thomas H. , Waldman David L. , Mathes Edward J. , McNamara JoAnne , Curran Timothy 
Published: August 2013

AbstractBackground and ObjectiveThe primary therapy for deep tissue abscesses is drainage accompanied by systemic antimicrobial treatment. However, the long antibiotic course required increases the probability of acquired resistance, and the high incidence of polymicrobial infections in abscesses complicates treatment choices. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is effective against multiple classes of organisms, including those displaying drug resistance, and may serve as a useful adjunct to the standard of care by reduction of abscess microbial burden following drainage.Study Design/Materials and MethodsAspirates were obtained from 32 patients who underwent image‐guided percutaneous drainage of the abscess cavity. The majority of the specimens (24/32) were abdominal, with the remainder from liver and lung. Conventional microbiological techniques and nucleotide sequence analysis of rRNA gene fragments were used to characterize microbial populations from abscess aspirates. We evaluated the sensitivity of microorganisms to methylene blue‐sensitized PDT in vitro both within the context of an abscess aspirate and as individual isolates.ResultsMost isolates were bacterial, with the fungus Candida tropicalis also isolated from two specimens. We examined the sensitivity of these microorganisms to methylene blue‐PDT. Complete elimination of culturable microorganisms was achieved in three different aspirates, and significant killing (P < 0.0001) was observed in all individual microbial isolates tested compared to controls.ConclusionsThese results and the technical feasibility of advancing optical fibers through catheters at the time of drainage motivate further work on including PDT as a therapeutic option during abscess treatment. Lasers Surg. Med. 45:509–516, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Exploration of Deinococcus‐Thermus molecular diversity by novel group‐specific PCR primers
Authors: Theodorakopoulos Nicolas , Bachar Dipankar , Christen Richard , Alain Karine , Chapon Virginie 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThe deeply branching Deinococcus‐Thermus lineage is recognized as one of the most extremophilic phylum of bacteria. In previous studies, the presence of Deinococcus‐related bacteria in the hot arid Tunisian desert of Tataouine was demonstrated through combined molecular and culture‐based approaches. Similarly, Thermus‐related bacteria have been detected in Tunisian geothermal springs. The present work was conducted to explore the molecular diversity within the Deinococcus‐Thermus phylum in these extreme environments. A set of specific primers was designed in silico on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequences, validated for the specific detection of reference strains, and used for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of metagenomic DNA retrieved from the Tataouine desert sand and Tunisian hot spring water samples. These analyses have revealed the presence of previously undescribed Deinococcus‐Thermus bacterial sequences within these extreme environments. The primers designed in this study thus represent a powerful tool for the rapid detection of Deinococcus‐Thermus in environmental samples and could also be applicable to clarify the biogeography of the Deinococcus‐Thermus phylum.
Flavonoid–Metal Ion Complexes: A Novel Class of Therapeutic Agents
Authors: Selvaraj Stalin , Krishnaswamy Sridharan , Devashya Venkappayya , Sethuraman Swaminathan , Krishnan Uma Maheswari 
Published: August 2013

AbstractFlavonoids are among the most investigated phytochemicals due to their pharmacological and therapeutic activities. Their ability to chelate with metal ions has resulted in the emergence of a new category of molecules with a broader spectrum of pharmacological activities. However, the biological significance of these flavonoid–metal ion complexes is yet to be completely explored. Moreover, no concerted efforts have been made to elucidate their molecular targets and mechanisms of action. This review attempts to provide a snapshot of the various biological activities reported for flavonoid–metal ion complexes and their potential as therapeutic agents. Understanding the mechanism of action and the influence of structure will provide a strong basis to design novel flavonoid–metal ion complexes of therapeutic significance.
A displacement‐based finite element formulation for general polyhedra using harmonic shape functions
Authors: Bishop J.E. 
Published: August 2013

SUMMARYA displacement‐based continuous‐Galerkin finite element formulation for general polyhedra is presented for applications in nonlinear solid mechanics. The polyhedra can have an arbitrary number of vertices or faces. The faces of the polyhedra can have an arbitrary number of edges and can be nonplanar. The polyhedra can be nonconvex with only the mild restriction of star convexity with respect to the vertex‐averaged centroid. Conforming shape functions are constructed using harmonic functions defined on the undeformed configuration, thus requiring the use of a total‐Lagrangian finite element formulation in large deformation applications. For nonlinear applications with computationally intensive constitutive models, it is important to minimize the number of element quadrature points. For this reason, an integration scheme is adopted in which the number of quadrature points is equal to the number of vertices. As a first step toward verifying the element behavior in the general nonlinear setting, several linear verification examples are presented using both random Voronoi meshes and distorted hexahedral meshes. For the hexahedral meshes, results for the polyhedral formulation are compared to those of the standard trilinear hexahedral formulation. The element behavior in the nearly incompressible regime is also examined. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A nonsmooth generalized‐ α scheme for flexible multibody systems with unilateral constraints
Authors: Chen Qiong‐zhong , Acary Vincent , Virlez Geoffrey , Brüls Olivier 
Published: August 2013

SUMMARYMechanical systems are usually subjected not only to bilateral constraints, but also to unilateral constraints. Inspired by the generalized‐ α time integration method for smooth flexible multibody dynamics, this paper presents a nonsmooth generalized‐ α method, which allows a consistent treatment of the nonsmooth phenomena induced by unilateral constraints and an accurate description of the structural vibrations during free motions. Both the algorithm and the implementation are illustrated in detail. Numerical example tests are given in the scope of both rigid and flexible body models, taking account for both linear and nonlinear systems and comprising both unilateral and bilateral constraints. The extended nonsmooth generalized‐ α method is verified through comparison to the traditional Moreau–Jean method and the fully implicit Newmark method. Results show that the nonsmooth generalized‐ α method benefits from the accuracy and stability property of the classical generalized‐ α method with controllable numerical damping. In particular, when it comes to the analysis of flexible systems, the nonsmooth generalized‐ α method shows much better accuracy property than the other two methods. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The ability of informal primary caregivers to accurately report cancer patients' difficulties
Authors: Libert Yves , Merckaert Isabelle , Slachmuylder Jean‐Louis , Razavi Darius 
Published: August 2013

AbstractBackgroundIn cancer care, informal primary caregivers provide healthcare professionals with key information regarding patient difficulties. The aim of this study was to assess their ability to report cancer patients' physical, psychological, and social difficulties.MethodsWe recruited 208 consecutive patients and their informal primary caregivers in 10 oncology units. Patients reported their difficulties on the CAncer Rehabilitation Evaluation System (CARES‐P), whereas caregivers reported their perception of patient difficulties on an adapted CARES questionnaire (CARES‐C). On the basis of CARES‐P and CARES‐C questionnaire answers, correct report rates were defined by the percentage of difficulties reported at least ‘a little’ by patients and by caregivers. False report rates were defined by the percentage of difficulties not reported at least ‘a little’ by patients and reported by caregivers. Patients and their caregivers also provided their distress levels (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) and coping strategies.ResultsCaregivers correctly reported 67% of physical, 69% of psychological, and 40% of social difficulties experienced in patients. Caregivers falsely reported 28% of physical, 37% of psychological, and 22% of social difficulties not experienced by patients. Significant correlations were found between all correct and false reported rates. Patient and caregiver characteristics were weakly associated with caregivers' correct and false reports.ConclusionsFamily primary caregivers correctly reported approximately two thirds of physical and psychological patients' difficulties; however, they had less accurate reports of patients' social difficulties. Correct report rates increased the probability of false report rates. Healthcare professionals should carefully evaluate the accuracy of a primary informal caregiver's report in regards to patient experiences. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Postmortem lung volume/body weight standards for term and preterm infants
Authors: De Paepe Monique E. , Shapiro Svetlana , Hansen Katrine , Gündoğan Füsun 
Published: August 2013

SummaryAssessment of lung growth is a critical component of the perinatal autopsy. Increased lung liquid content may lead to overestimation of lung growth based on (wet) lung weight. In contrast, lung volume is not influenced by intraalveolar lung liquid. Our aim was to establish age‐specific reference values for postmortem lung volume/BW in preterm and term infants. We performed a retrospective analysis of fetuses/infants (16–41 weeks' gestation) without (N = 134) or with (N = 79) risk factors for pulmonary hypoplasia. Lungs were inflated at standardized pressure and volumes determined by water immersion method. Lung volume increased 11‐fold between 16 and 41 weeks' gestation, concomitant with a 16‐fold increase in BW. Mean lung volume/BW remained constant at 33–34 ml/kg between 16 and 31 weeks' gestation and decreased to 23.4 ml/kg at term. Lung volume/BW of infants with severe risk factors (renal anomalies, diaphragmatic hernia) was significantly lower than age‐matched standards. In this group, all fetuses/infants diagnosed as having lung hypoplasia by lung volume/BW also had lung hypoplasia LW/BW standards. However, in infants with “softer” risk factors (rupture of membranes, chromosomal anomalies), 5/26 cases diagnosed with lung hypoplasia based on lung volume/BW had normal LW/BW ratios. In these discrepant cases, lung sections showed significant inflammation and edema, likely accounting for increased wet lung weight. In conclusion, we determined age‐specific lung volume/BW reference values for preterm and term infants. In selected situations assessment of lung volume/BW may represent a useful complementary tool to LW/BW for postmortem evaluation of lung size. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2014; 49:60–66. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Harvesting piezoelectric potential from zinc oxide nanoflowers grown on textile fabric substrate
Authors: Khan Azam , Abbasi Mazhar Ali , Wissting Jonas , Nur Omer , Willander Magnus 
Published: August 2013

AbstractZnO nanoflowers were synthesized on conductive flexible textile fabric substrate by using the simple low‐temperature aqueous chemical growth method and were used for piezoelectric energy harvesting source. Structural characterization of ZnO nanoflowers was carried out by using surface scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction. The ZnO nanoflowers are uniformly grown over the entire sample. They are composed of needle‐like nanorods, which have hexagonal wurtzite structure with good crystalline quality. The current–voltage characteristics showed good rectifying Schottky behaviour. Contact‐mode atomic force microscopy was used for measuring the piezoelectric output potential. The maximum output potential was found to be more than 600 mV and the corresponding current also recorded was near ∼650 nA. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)