bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Radiation synthesis and characterization of starch‐based hydrogels for removal of acid dye
Authors: Mahmoud Ghada A. , Abdel‐Aal Samia E. , Badway Nagwa A. , Abo Farha Samia A. , Alshafei Esraa A. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractA series of hydrogels based on starch, acrylic acid (AAc) and 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), namely AAc/starch and AAc/HEMA/starch hydrogels were synthesized by gamma radiation and used to adsorb acid fast red dye from aqueous solution. Alkali treatment of AAc/starch hydrogels to improve their ionic character was evaluated. The structure and surface morphology of prepared hydrogels were confirmed by Fourier transfer infrared spectra and SEM, respectively. The results indicated that the diffusion of water into the hydrogels pertains a non‐Fickian character. The swelling equilibrium for AAc/starch and NaAc/starch hydrogels was obtained after 10 h whereas for AAc/HEMA/starch hydrogels after 5 h. The effects of the medium pH, initial dye concentration and temperature on the adsorption were studied. The adsorption capacity increases with increasing dye concentration and decreasing medium pH. The increase of temperature leads to higher adsorption capacity for AAc/starch and NaAc/starch hydrogels but lower adsorption capacity for AAc/HEMA/starch hydrogels.
Synthesis and characterisation of starch tartrate and its application as novel disintegrant in telmisartan tablets
Authors: Assaleh Fathi H. , Katakam Prakash , Botcha Ramesh , Chandu Babu Rao , Adiki Shanta Kumari 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to synthesize potato starch (PS) derivatives of tartaric acid (TA) under semi‐dry conditions and to evaluate the physicochemical properties as per official compendia requirements. Starch tartrate (ST) was synthesized by reacting PS (St–OH) and TA in semi‐dry condition using sodium hypophosphite (SHP) as a catalyst. Further we have applied its use as disintegrant in directly compressed telmisartan tablets. The microscopic, spectroscopic (FTIR), thermal (DSC) and crystallographic (XRD) studies confirmed the formation of ST. No gelling was observed at 100°C but it was converted to a clear solution with a swelling index of 1.666 times. ST was found to have suitable compression properties required for directly compressible tablets. The tablets formulated employing ST (5–15% w/w) as disintegrant gave rapid disintegration and dissolution rates compared to those prepared using commercial superdisintegrants (sodium starch glycolate and crosscarmellose sodium). The optimized formulation showed disintegration time of 31 ± 3 s which is found superior to that of others. It is concluded that the synthesized ST could be employed as a promising disintegrant in dispersible tablet formulations.
Mentorship in Surgical Training: Current Status and A Needs Assessment for Future Mentoring Programs in Surgery
Authors: Sinclair P. , Fitzgerald J. E. F. , Hornby S. T. , Shalhoub J. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractAimsMentoring has been used extensively in the business world to enhance performance and maximise potential. Despite this, there is currently a paucity of literature describing mentoring for surgical trainees. This study examined the current extent of mentoring and investigated future needs to support this.MethodsAn electronic, 47‐item, self‐administered questionnaire survey was distributed via national and regional surgical mailing lists and websites through the Association of Surgeons in Training and Specialty Associations in the UK and Republic of Ireland.ResultsOverall, 565 fully completed responses were received from trainees in all specialties, grades and training regions. A total of 48.7 % of respondents reported that they have a surgical mentor, with no significant gender difference (p = 0.65). Of respondents, 52.5 % considered their educational supervisor and 45.5 % their current consultant as mentors. Modal duration of mentoring relationships was 1–2 years (24.4 %). A total of 90.2 % of mentors were in the same specialty, 60.7 % in the same hospital, and 88.7 % in the same training region. Mentors covered clinical and professional matters (99.3 %) versus pastoral and non‐clinical matters (41.1 %). Mentoring was commonly face to face or via email and not documented (64.7 %). Of the 51.3 % without a mentor, 89.7 % would like a clinical mentor and 51.0 % a pastoral mentor (p < 0.001). Priority mentoring areas included career progression (94.9 %), research (75.2 %), clinical skills (66.9 %) and clinical confidence (58.4 %). A total of 94.3 % would be willing to act as a peer mentor. Only 8.7 % had received mentoring training; 83 % wish to undertake this.ConclusionsLess than half of surgical trainees identified a mentor. The majority want mentoring on professional topics during their training and would additionally be willing to peer‐mentor colleagues, although few have received training for this. Despite an identified need, there is currently no structure for organising this and little national provision for mentoring.
Management Guidelines for Penetrating Abdominal Trauma
Authors: Biffl Walter L. , Leppaniemi Ari 
Published: October 2014

AbstractIntroductionThe optimal management of patients with penetrating abdominal injuries has been debated for decades, since mandatory laparotomy (LAP) gave way to the concept of “selective conservatism.”Materials and MethodsA comprehensive literature review was performed and summarized.ResultsA proposed management guideline for patients with penetrating abdominal trauma was created.ConclusionIndications for immediate laparotomy (LAP) include hemodynamic instability, evisceration, peritonitis, or impalement. Selective nonoperative management of stable, asymptomatic patients has been demonstrated to be safe. Adjunctive diagnostic testing—ultrasonography, computed tomography, local wound exploration, diagnostic peritoneal lavage, laparoscopy—is often used in an attempt to identify significant injuries requiring operative management. However, prospective studies indicate that these tests frequently lead to nontherapeutic LAP, and are not cost‐effective.
Impact of the Route of Reconstruction on Post‐operative Morbidity and Malnutrition after Esophagectomy: A Multicenter Cohort Study
Authors: Yamasaki Makoto , Miyata Hiroshi , Yasuda Takushi , Shiraishi Osamu , Takahashi Tsuyoshi , Motoori Masaaki , Yano Masahiko , Shiozaki Hitoshi , Mori Masaki , Doki Yuichiro 
Published: October 2014

AbstractBackgroundReconstruction after esophagectomy is mainly performed through the retrosternum (RS) or posterior mediastinum (PM). However, the best approach is not clear. This study aimed to assess the impact of the route of gastric conduit reconstruction, after esophagectomy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), on post‐operative outcomes.MethodsWe analyzed 298 patients who underwent radical esophagectomy for ESCC at three high volume centers between 2008 and 2009. Among them, the RS was selected in 166 patients and PM in 118; while, the antethoracic route was used in 14 patients. Post‐operative morbidity, mortality, and long‐term outcome were compared.ResultsThere were no differences between patients of the two routes with respect to operative blood loss (RS: 753 ± 519, PM: 748 ± 414 g) and post‐operative complications, including pulmonary problems (RS: 15 %, PM: 10.2 %) and anastomotic leakage (RS: 9.0 %, PM: 5.1 %); although, the operating time (RS: 566 ± 97, PM: 472 ± 79 min; p < 0.0001) was shorter in the PM group than the RS group. The percentage weight loss after surgery was significantly less in the PM group than the RS group at 1 year (8.6 vs. 11.1 %; p = 0.025); although, the percentage at discharge was not different between the groups (PM: 4.9 %, RS: 6.3 %; p = 0.072). Multivariate analysis identified pre‐operative body weight and the reconstruction route as significant and independent factors associated with 1‐year weight loss.ConclusionsThe results indicate gastric tube reconstruction through the posterior mediastinal route after esophagectomy may relieve post‐operative 1‐year malnutrition without increasing post‐operative complications.
The Utility of the Kampala Trauma Score as a Triage Tool in a Sub‐Saharan African Trauma Cohort
Authors: Haac Bryce , Varela Carlos , Geyer Andrew , Cairns Bruce , Charles Anthony 
Published: October 2014

AbstractBackgroundTrauma scoring systems have been developed to assess injury severity and may have triage potential. We sought to evaluate the ability of the Kampala trauma score (KTS) to assess injury severity and its potential as an outcome predictive tool in Malawi.
MethodsThis is a prospective cohort study of trauma patients presenting to Kamuzu Central Hospital in 2012. We recorded admission KTS and Revised trauma score (RTS), emergency department disposition, and hospital length of stay (LOS) and survival. Logistic regression and ROC curve analyses were used to compare the KTS to the widely accepted RTS.Results15,617 patients presented with trauma. 2,884 (18 %) were admitted, of which 2,509 (95 %) survived. The mean admission KTS was 14.5 ± 0.6, and RTS was 11.9 ± 0.3. For KTS and RTS, the odds of admission with each increment increase in score was 0.44 and 0.3, respectively. Similarly, odds of mortality is 0.48 and 0.36. Neither KTS (p = 0.96, ROC area 0.5) nor RTS (p = 0.25, ROC area 0.5) correlated significantly with hospital LOS. KTS and RTS performed equally well as predictors of mortality, but KTS was a better predictor of need for admission (KTS ROC area 0.62, RTS ROC area 0.55, p < 0.001).ConclusionsBoth the KTS and RTS were significantly associated with need for admission and final outcome on logistic regression analysis; however, they may not be strong enough predictors to merit their use as a screening tool in our setting.
Outcomes of Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Acute Proximal Pole Scaphoid Fractures
Authors: Brogan David M. , Moran Steven L. , Shin Alexander Y. 
Published: October 2014

Background Proximal pole scaphoid fractures are less common than waist fractures, and successful management can be difficult. We hypothesize that time to union is increased by delays in surgical fixation, greater initial displacement, and higher energy mechanisms of injury. Methods A retrospective review was conducted of all patients undergoing open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) of acute proximal pole scaphoid fractures at our institution over a 19-year period. A review of clinical as well as radiographic data was undertaken. The mechanism of injury, patient demographics, timing of surgery, initial displacement, fixation method, smoking status, and lunate morphology were recorded. Functional outcome measures were recorded when available. Univariate analysis using Kaplan-Meier survival curves was performed. Results A total of 10 out of 23 patients (43 %) showed evidence of union at 14 weeks post-injury. Rates of early union were higher in non-displaced fractures (70 %) when compared to displaced fractures (23 %). Similarly, fractures sustained via low energy mechanisms had a higher rate of early union compared to high energy mechanisms (69 versus 10 %). A delay in ORIF did not appear to influence rate of union. Conclusions Initial displacement and mechanism of injury have the most significant effects on early rates of union. Delay in ORIF of up to 28 days did not affect the rate of initial union, but the authors recommend early fixation of these fractures to prevent further displacement. Patients with widely displaced fractures or those with high energy mechanisms should be counseled regarding prolonged healing time. Level of Evidence: IV—therapeutic
N‐Stearoylethanolamine Restores Pancreas Lipid Composition in Obesity‐Induced Insulin Resistant Rats
Authors: Onopchenko Oleksandra V. , Kosiakova Galina V. , Oz Murat , Klimashevsky Vitaliy M. , Gula Nadiya M. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThis study investigates the protective effect of N‐stearoylethanolamine (NSE), a bioactive N‐acylethanolamine , on the lipid profile distribution in the pancreas of obesity‐induced insulin resistant (IR) rats fed with prolonged high fat diet (58 % of fat for 6 months). The phospholipid composition was determined using 2D thin‐layer chromatography. The level of individual phospholipids was estimated by measuring inorganic phosphorus content. The fatty acid (FA) composition and cholesterol level were investigated by gas–liquid chromatography. Compared to controls, plasma levels of triglycerides and insulin were significantly increased in IR rats. The pancreas lipid composition indicated a significant reduction of the free cholesterol level and some phospholipids such as phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho), phosphatidylethanolamine (PtdEtn), phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns), phosphatidylserine (PtdSer) compared to controls. Moreover, the FA composition of pancreas showed a significant redistribution of the main FA (18:1n‐9, 18:2n‐6, 18:3n‐6 and 20:4n‐6) levels between phospholipid, free FA, triglyceride fractions under IR conditions that was accompanied by a change in the estimated activities of Δ9‐, Δ6‐, Δ5‐desaturase. Administration of N‐stearoylethanolamine (NSE, 50 mg/kg daily per os for 2 weeks) IR rats triggered an increase in the content of free cholesterol, PtdCho and normalization of PtdEtn, PtdSer level. Furthermore, the NSE modulated the activity of desaturases, thus influenced FA composition and restored the FA ratios in the lipid fractions. These NSE‐induced changes were associated with a normalization of plasma triglyceride content, considerable decrease of insulin and index HOMA‐IR level in rats under IR conditions.
Childbearing Postponement and Child Well-being: A Complex and Varied Relationship?
Authors: Goisis Alice , Sigle-Rushton Wendy 
Published: October 2014

AbstractOver the past several decades, U.S. fertility has followed a trend toward the postponement of motherhood. The socioeconomic causes and consequences of this trend have been the focus of attention in the demographic literature. Given the socioeconomic advantages of those who postpone having children, some authors have argued that the disadvantage experienced by certain groups would be reduced if they postponed their births. The weathering hypothesis literature, by integrating a biosocial perspective, complicates this argument and posits that the costs and benefits of postponement may vary systematically across population subgroups. In particular, the literature on the weathering hypothesis argues that, as a consequence of their unique experiences of racism and disadvantage, African American women may experience a more rapid deterioration of their health which could offset or eventually reverse any socioeconomic benefit of postponement. But because very few African American women postpone motherhood, efforts to find compelling evidence to support the arguments of this perspective rely on a strategy of comparison that is problematic because a potentially selected group of older black mothers are used to represent the costs of postponement. This might explain why the weathering hypothesis has played a rather limited role in the way demographers conceptualize postponement and its consequences for well-being. In order to explore the potential utility of this perspective, we turn our attention to the UK context. Because first-birth fertility schedules are similar for black and white women, we can observe (rather than assume) whether the meaning and consequences of postponement vary across these population subgroups. The results, obtained using linked UK census and birth record data, reveal evidence consistent with the weathering hypothesis in the United Kingdom and lend support to the arguments that the demographic literature would benefit from integrating insights from this biosocial perspective.
Shareholder value implications of service failures in triads: The case of customer information security breaches
Authors: Modi Sachin B. , Wiles Michael A. , Mishra Saurabh 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThe rise in front‐end service outsourcing in recent years, despite its advantages, has also exposed buyer firms to unique challenges. One of the most salient risks for buyer firms in service triads is service failure due to the service provider. Indeed such service failures may be more costly for firms due to the greater relational and operational costs that may arise from the presence of the third‐party provider. Yet, neither the services literature nor extant operations literature on service triads has paid much attention to the financial consequences to the buyer firm – i.e., service risks – of such service failures in triads. To fill this gap, we investigate the financial penalty of service failures due to the service provider using the event study methodology and a sample of 146 customer information security breaches as our empirical context. Analysis of the abnormal returns reveals that service failures due to the front‐end service provider lead to greater shareholder losses than such failures due to the buyer firm. This provides important new insight into the financial risks arising from outsourcing front‐end services. Further, we investigate the ability of the buyer firm's employee and financial resources to temper these shareholder losses. We find that buyer firm employee productivity can moderate the greater financial penalty associated with such triadic service failures but that buyer firm leverage tends to not have such a mitigating effect. This provides new guidance for theory and practice regarding how buyer firms can position themselves to buffer the financial risks arising from service failures due to front‐end service providers.
Outsourcing customer support: The role of provider customer focus
Authors: Wuyts Stefan , Rindfleisch Aric , Citrin Alka 
Published: October 2014

AbstractAn increasing number of firms are outsourcing customer support to external service providers. This creates a triadic setting in which an outsourcing provider serves end customers on behalf of its clients. While outsourcing presents an opportunity to serve customers, service providers differ in their motivation and ability to fulfill customer needs. Prior research suggests that firms with a strong customer focus have an intrinsic motivation to address customer needs. We suggest that in an outsourcing context, this intrinsic motivation does not suffice. Using a Motivation–Opportunity–Ability framework, we posit that the effect of a provider's customer focus will be moderated by a set of relational, firm, and customer characteristics that affect its ability to serve end customers. We test our conceptualization among 171 outsourcing clients from the Netherlands and then validate these results among 135 Indian outsourcing providers. The findings reveal that customer‐focused providers achieve higher levels of customer need fulfillment but this effect is contingent on their ability to serve end customers. In particular, customer‐focused providers more effectively fulfill customer needs when clients and providers share close relational ties, when clients also have a high level of customer focus, and when end customer needs exhibit a low degree of turbulence. In addition, we find that, in turbulent markets, equipment‐related services offer greater opportunity for effective customer need fulfillment than other outsourced services.
Logarithmic temperature profiles in the bulk of turbulent Rayleigh–Bénard convection for a Prandtl number of 12.3
Authors: Wei Ping , Ahlers Guenter 
Published: October 2014

AbstractWe report measurements of logarithmic temperature profiles $\def \xmlpi #1{}\def \mathsfbi #1{\boldsymbol {\mathsf {#1}}}\let \le =\leqslant \let \leq =\leqslant \let \ge =\geqslant \let \geq =\geqslant \def \Pr {\mathit {Pr}}\def \Fr {\mathit {Fr}}\def \Rey {\mathit {Re}}\varTheta (z,r) = A(r)\times \ln (z/L) + B(r)$ in the bulk of turbulent Rayleigh–Bénard convection (here $\varTheta $ is a scaled and time-averaged local temperature in the fluid, $ z$ is the vertical and $r$ the radial position, and $L$ is the sample height). Two samples had aspect ratios $\varGamma \equiv D/L = 1.00$ and 0.50 (where $D=190\ \mathrm{mm}$ is the diameter). The fluid was a fluorocarbon with a Prandtl number of $\mathit{Pr} = 12.3$. The measurements covered the Rayleigh-number range $2\times 10^{10} \lesssim \mathit{Ra} \lesssim 2\times 10^{11}$ for $\varGamma = 1.00$ and $3\times 10^{11} \lesssim \mathit{Ra} \lesssim 2\times 10^{12}$ for $\varGamma = 0.50$. In contradistinction to what had been found for $\varGamma = 0.50$ and $\mathit{Pr} = 0.78$ by Ahlers et al. (Phys. Rev. Lett., vol. 109, 2012, art. 114501; J. Fluid Mech., 2014, in press), the measurements revealed no $\mathit{Ra}$ dependence of the amplitude $A(r)$ of the logarithmic term. Within the experimental resolution, the amplitude was also found to be independent of $\varGamma $. It varied with $r$ in a manner consistent with the function $A(\xi ) = A_1/\sqrt{2\xi - \xi ^2}$, where $\xi \equiv (R-r)/R$ with $R=D/2$ and $A_1 \simeq 0.0016$. The results for $A(r)$ are smaller than those obtained from experiments and direct numerical simulations (Ahlers et al., Phys. Rev. Lett., vol. 109, 2012, art. 114501) at similar values of $\mathit{Ra}$ for $\mathit{Pr} = 0.7$ and $\varGamma = \frac{1}{2}$ by a factor that depended slightly upon $\mathit{Ra}$ but was close to $2$.
A NEW RESULT ABOUT ALMOST UMBILICAL HYPERSURFACES OF REAL SPACE FORMS
Authors: ROTH JULIEN 
Published: October 2014

AbstractIn this short note, we prove that an almost umbilical compact hypersurface of a real space form with almost Codazzi umbilicity tensor is embedded, diffeomorphic and quasi-isometric to a round sphere. Then, we derive a new characterisation of geodesic spheres in space forms.
A NOTE ON ALMOST BALANCED BIPARTITIONS OF A GRAPH
Authors: HU XIAOLAN , ZHANG YUNQING , CHEN YAOJUN 
Published: October 2014

AbstractLet $G$ be a graph of order $n\geq 6$ with minimum degree ${\it\delta}(G)\geq 4$. Arkin and Hassin [‘Graph partitions with minimum degree constraints’, Discrete Math. 190 (1998), 55–65] conjectured that there exists a bipartition $S,T$ of $V(G)$ such that $\lfloor n/2\rfloor -2\leq |S|,|T|\leq \lceil n/2\rceil +2$ and the minimum degrees in the subgraphs induced by $S$ and $T$ are at least two. In this paper, we first show that $G$ has a bipartition such that the minimum degree in each part is at least two, and then prove that the conjecture is true if the complement of $G$ contains no complete bipartite graph $K_{3,r}$, where $r=\lfloor n/2\rfloor -3$.
RADICAL RELATED TO SPECIAL ATOMS REVISITED
Authors: FRANCE-JACKSON HALINA , WAHYUNI SRI , WIJAYANTI INDAH EMILIA 
Published: October 2014

AbstractA semiprime ring $R$ is called a $\ast$-ring if the factor ring $R/I$ is in the prime radical for every nonzero ideal $I$ of $R$. A long-standing open question posed by Gardner asks whether the prime radical coincides with the upper radical $U(\ast _{k})$ generated by the essential cover of the class of all $\ast$-rings. This question is related to many other open questions in radical theory which makes studying properties of $U(\ast _{k})$ worthwhile. We show that $U(\ast _{k})$ is an N-radical and that it coincides with the prime radical if and only if it is complemented in the lattice $\mathbb{L}_{N}$ of all N-radicals. Along the way, we show how to establish left hereditariness and left strongness of important upper radicals and give a complete description of all the complemented elements in $\mathbb{L}_{N}$.