bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
La responsabilidad social del grupo EPM: una nueva postura política frente al territorio
Authors: Polanco López de Mesa Jorge Andrés 
Published: September 2015

El Grupo EPM experimenta un cambio notable en su estrategia de responsabilidad social. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar la relación entre el cambio de estrategia y la postura política de la empresa en el área de influencia de la hidroeléctrica Río Grande II en Colombia. La responsabilidad social se asume teóricamente como una iniciativa de sostenibilidad corporativa. La metodología de investigación es un estudio de caso exploratorio. Los resultados muestran que la empresa busca una posición más central en su relación con el Estado y la comunidad local. El relacionamiento con el Estado se orienta hacia la construcción colectiva del territorio, y con la comunidad local se busca mayor participación. Esta nueva postura corporativa conlleva a procesos inexplorados donde se compartan costos y beneficios con el Estado y la comunidad.
Evaluation of the Specificity of Two Enzyme Immunoassays for Coccidioidomycosis by Using Sera from a Region of Endemicity and a Region of Nonendemicity
Authors: Lindsley Mark D. , Ahn YoonJi , McCotter Orion , Gade Lalitha , Hurst Steven F. , Brandt Mary E. , Park Benjamin J. , Litvintseva Anastasia P. 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACTCoccidioidomycosis (CM), a serious life-threatening fungal infection endemic to arid regions of the western United States and Mexico, can be challenging to diagnose in a timely manner. Commercially developed enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) (from Meridian Biosciences and Immuno-Mycologics [IMMY]) have provided faster, simpler means for serodiagnosis; however, independent evaluations have questioned EIA specificity, particularly IgM-positive/IgG-negative results. This study was conducted to evaluate EIA specificity among persons residing in Puerto Rico (n= 534), where CM is not endemic (who were not likely to have been exposed toCoccidioidesspp.), compared to blood bank donors residing in Arizona (n= 1,218), where CM is endemic. Upon comparing serum reactivity between Puerto Rico and Arizona, the Meridian EIA showed a significant difference in IgG reactivity (0.37% versus 3.6%;P< 0.001) but not IgM reactivity (3.4% versus 2.4%;P= 0.31). No IgM-/IgG-reactive sera were detected among sera from Puerto Rico, compared to 7 (0.57%) sera from Arizona. Similar results were observed using the IMMY EIA, although significantly (P= 0.03) fewer IgM-reactive sera from Arizona were observed, compared to the Meridian EIA. EIA-reactive sera were also evaluated by immunodiffusion before and after 3- to 4-fold concentration of the sera. These results demonstrate that elevated IgG EIA reactivity is present in sera from healthy individuals in regions of endemicity and that IgM EIA reactivity observed in sera from individuals residing outside regions of endemicity is most likely nonspecific. Other criteria, including clinical and microbiological evaluations, should be taken into account when interpreting results from surveillance studies and other reporting measures.
RNA Enrichment Method for Quantitative Transcriptional Analysis of Pathogens
In Vivo
Applied to the Fungus Candida albicans
Authors: Amorim-Vaz Sara , Tran Van Du T. , Pradervand Sylvain , Pagni Marco , Coste Alix T. , Sanglard Dominique 
Published: September 2015

ABSTRACT

In vivo
transcriptional analyses of microbial pathogens are often hampered by low proportions of pathogen biomass in host organs, hindering the coverage of full pathogen transcriptome. We aimed to address the transcriptome profiles of
Candida albicans
, the most prevalent fungal pathogen in systemically infected immunocompromised patients, during systemic infection in different hosts. We developed a strategy for high-resolution quantitative analysis of the
C. albicans
transcriptome directly from early and late stages of systemic infection in two different host models, mouse and the insect
Galleria mellonella
. Our results show that transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) libraries were enriched for fungal transcripts up to 1,600-fold using biotinylated bait probes to capture
C. albicans
sequences. This enrichment biased the read counts of only ~3% of the genes, which can be identified and removed based on
a priori
criteria. This allowed an unprecedented resolution of
C. albicans
transcriptome
in vivo
, with detection of over 86% of its genes. The transcriptional response of the fungus was surprisingly similar during infection of the two hosts and at the two time points, although some host- and time point-specific genes could be identified. Genes that were highly induced during infection were involved, for instance, in stress response, adhesion, iron acquisition, and biofilm formation. Of the
in vivo
-regulated genes, 10% are still of unknown function, and their future study will be of great interest. The fungal RNA enrichment procedure used here will help a better characterization of the
C. albicans
response in infected hosts and may be applied to other microbial pathogens.

IMPORTANCE
Understanding the mechanisms utilized by pathogens to infect and cause disease in their hosts is crucial for rational drug development. Transcriptomic studies may help investigations of these mechanisms by determining which genes are expressed specifically during infection. This task has been difficult so far, since the proportion of microbial biomass in infected tissues is often extremely low, thus limiting the depth of sequencing and comprehensive transcriptome analysis. Here, we adapted a technology to capture and enrich
C. albicans
RNA, which was next used for deep RNA sequencing directly from infected tissues from two different host organisms. The high-resolution transcriptome revealed a large number of genes that were so far unknown to participate in infection, which will likely constitute a focus of study in the future. More importantly, this method may be adapted to perform transcript profiling of any other microbes during host infection or colonization.
Protocol for a randomised controlled trial of standard wound management versus negative pressure wound therapy in the treatment of adult patients with an open fracture of the lower limb: UK Wound management of Open Lower Limb Fractures (UK WOLFF)
Authors: Achten Juul , Parsons Nick R , Bruce Julie , Petrou Stavros , Tutton Elizabeth , Willett Keith , Lamb Sarah E , Costa Matthew L 
Published: September 2015

IntroductionPatients who sustain open lower limb fractures have reported infection risks as high as 27%. The type of dressing applied after initial debridement could potentially affect this risk. In this trial, standard dressings will be compared with a new emerging treatment, negative pressure wound therapy, for patients with open lower limb fractures.Methods and analysisAll adult patients presenting with an open lower limb fracture, with a Gustilo and Anderson (G&A) grade 2/3, will be considered for inclusion. 460 consented patients will provide 90% power to detect a difference of eight points in the Disability Rating Index (DRI) score at 12 months, at the 5% level. A randomisation sequence, stratified by trial centre and G&A grade, will be produced and administered by a secure web-based service. A qualitative substudy will assess patients’ experience of giving consent for the trial, and acceptability of trial procedures to patients and staff. Patients will have clinical follow-up in a fracture clinic up to a minimum of 12 months as per standard National Health Service (NHS) practice. Functional and quality of life outcome data will be collected using the DRI, SF12 and EQ-5D questionnaires at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months postoperatively. In addition, information will be requested with regards to resource use and any late complications or surgical interventions related to their injury. The main analysis will investigate differences in the DRI score at 1 year after injury, between the two treatment groups on an intention-to-treat basis. Tests will be two sided and considered to provide evidence for a significant difference if p values are less than 0.05.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval was given by NRES Committee West Midlands—Coventry & Warwickshire on 6/2/2012 (ref: 12/WM/0001). The results of the trial will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publications and presentations at relevant conferences.Trial registration numberISRCTN33756652.
Effects of some rare earth and carbonate-based co-dopants on structural and electrical properties of samarium doped ceria (SDC) electrolytes for solid oxide fuel cells
Authors: Anwar Mustafa , Khan Zuhair S. , Mustafa Kamal , Rana Akmal 
Published: September 2015

In the present study, samarium doped ceria (SDC) and SDC-based composite with the addition of K2CO3 were prepared by co-precipitation route and effects of pH of the solution and calcination temperature on microstructure of SDC and SDC-K2CO3, respectively, were investigated. Furthermore, experimentation was performed to investigate into the ionic conductivity of pure SDC by co-doping with yttrium i.e., YSDC, XRD and SEM studies show that the crystallite size and particle size of SDC increases with the increase in pH. The SEM images of all the samples of SDC synthesized at different pH values showed the irregular shaped and dispersed particles. SDC-K2CO3 was calcined at 600[Formula: see text]C, 700[Formula: see text]C and 800[Formula: see text]C for 4 h and XRD results showed that crystallite size increases while lattice strain, decreases with the increase in calcination temperature and no peaks were detected for K2CO3 as it is present in an amorphous form. The ionic conductivity of the electrolytes increases with the increase in temperature and SDC-K2CO3 shows the highest value of ionic conductivity as compared to SDC and YSDC. Chemical compatibility tests were performed between the co-doped electrolyte and lithiated NiO cathode at high temperature. It revealed that the couple could be used up to the temperature of 700[Formula: see text]C.
Post–Acute Care Data for Predicting Readmission After Ischemic Stroke: A Nationwide Cohort Analysis Using the Minimum Data Set
Authors: Fehnel Corey R. , Lee Yoojin , Wendell Linda C. , Thompson Bradford B. , Potter N. Stevenson , Mor Vincent 
Published: September 2015

Background
Reducing hospital readmissions is a key component of reforms for stroke care. Current readmission prediction models lack accuracy and are limited by data being from only acute hospitalizations. We hypothesized that patient‐level factors from a nationwide post–acute care database would improve prediction modeling.

Methods and Results

Medicare inpatient claims for the year 2008 that used
International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision
codes were used to identify ischemic stroke patients older than age 65. Unique individuals were linked to comprehensive post–acute care assessments through use of the Minimum Data Set (
MDS
). Logistic regression was used to construct risk‐adjusted readmission models. Covariates were derived from
MDS
variables. Among 39 178 patients directly admitted to nursing homes after hospitalization due to acute stroke, there were 29 338 (75%) with complete
MDS
assessments. Crude rates of readmission and death at 30 days were 8448 (21%) and 2791 (7%), respectively. Risk‐adjusted models identified multiple independent predictors of all‐cause 30‐day readmission. Model performance of the readmission model using
MDS
data had a c‐statistic of 0.65 (95%
CI
0.64 to 0.66). Higher levels of social engagement, a marker of nursing home quality, were associated with progressively lower odds of readmission (odds ratio 0.71, 95%
CI
0.55 to 0.92).

Conclusions
Individual clinical characteristics from the post–acute care setting resulted in only modest improvement in the c‐statistic relative to previous models that used only Medicare Part A data. Individual‐level characteristics do not sufficiently account for the risk of acute hospital readmission.
Barrier Wind Formation in the Upper Green River Basin of Sublette County, Wyoming, and Its Relationship to Elevated Ozone Distributions in Winter
Authors: Emery Brittni R. , Montague Derek C. , Field Robert A. , Parish Thomas R. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractMeteorological factors affect the concentrations and distributions of pollutants during episodes of degraded air quality. Over the last 10 years, the upper Green River basin (UGRB) of Sublette County, Wyoming, has experienced numerous wintertime ozone episodes stimulated by emissions from oil and natural gas development operations, resulting in the region being determined to be in marginal nonattainment of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Examination of surface wind field patterns in the UGRB using observations from a network of surface monitoring stations for 2011 and 2012, with an emphasis on ozone-episode days, confirms that increased ozone concentrations are most frequently measured on days on which winds are light and variable. Dispersion and dilution of ozone and its precursor pollutants on these days is therefore inefficient, and so these episodes invariably occur within and close by the gas fields. On days that instead experience afternoon southeasterly winds, episodes can often be observed at locations on the northwestern perimeter of the basin remote from pollutant source regions. Simulations using the Weather Research and Forecasting Model, conducted for the case study of 15 February 2011, identify these southeasterlies as barrier winds caused by southwesterly flow at 700 hPa impinging on the Wind River Mountains that flank the UGRB to the northeast. Characterization of the barrier wind and the overall airflow patterns facilitates more accurate future forecasting of the time-dependent geographical distribution of increased concentrations of ozone and other pollutants in the region.
Temperature Extremes in the Community Atmosphere Model with Stochastic Parameterizations*
Authors: Tagle Felipe , Berner Judith , Grigoriu Mircea D. , Mahowald Natalie M. , Samorodnitsky Gennady 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThis paper evaluates the performance of the NCAR Community Atmosphere Model, version 4 (CAM4), in simulating observed annual extremes of near-surface temperature and provides the first assessment of the impact of stochastic parameterizations of subgrid-scale processes on such performance. Two stochastic parameterizations are examined: the stochastic kinetic energy backscatter scheme and the stochastically perturbed parameterization tendency scheme. Temperature extremes are described in terms of 20-yr return levels and compared to those estimated from ERA-Interim and the Hadley Centre Global Climate Extremes Index 2 (HadEX2) observational dataset. CAM4 overestimates warm and cold extremes over land regions, particularly over the Northern Hemisphere, when compared against reanalysis. Similar spatial patterns, though less spatially coherent, emerge relative to HadEX2. The addition of a stochastic parameterization generally produces a warming of both warm and cold extremes relative to the unperturbed configuration; however, neither of the proposed parameterizations meaningfully reduces the biases in the simulated temperature extremes of CAM4. Adjusting warm and cold extremes by mean conditions in the respective annual extremes leads to good agreement between the models and reanalysis; however, adjusting for the bias in mean temperature does not help to reduce the observed discrepancies. Based on the behavior of the annual extremes, this study concludes that the distribution of temperature in CAM4 exhibits too much variability relative to that of reanalysis, while the stochastic parameterizations introduce a systematic bias in its mean rather than alter its variability.
Sensory dynamic orthoses in mild to moderate upper limb tremor in multiple sclerosis: a mixed methods feasibility study
Authors: Miller L , van Wijck F , Lamont L , Preston J , Hair M 
Published: September 2015

Objective: To explore the feasibility of conducting a Phase III randomized controlled trial evaluating sensory dynamic orthoses for upper limb tremor in multiple sclerosis. Design: Mixed methods: double blind randomized placebo controlled pilot study and semi-structured interviews. Setting: Rehabilitation centre. Subjects: A total of 21 people with multiple sclerosis with upper limb tremor. Interventions: Participants received a sensory dynamic orthosis sleeve or a non-compressive sleeve (placebo) that they wore eight hours a day, for nine weeks. Main measures: Outcomes were completed at baseline and nine weeks. The primary outcome measure was the Fahn-Tolosa-Marin (FAHN) Tremor Rating Scale. Secondary outcome measures included the: Action Research Arm Test, Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, Psychological Impact of Assistive Device Scale and the Nine-hole Peg Test. Results: Both sleeves were acceptable, although achieving a good fit was an issue. There were no significant between-group differences for the primary outcome measure. The median ± interquartile range change scores were 0.5 ±6.5 and 2 ±8 for the placebo and treatment group, respectively. The median ± interquartile range Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (performance subscale) demonstrated significant improvements ( p = 0.01) for the placebo group (1.1 ±1.65) compared with the treatment group (0 ±1.2). There was no between-group differences in the satisfaction subscale. The primary outcome measure was sensitive to detect change; however the Action Research Arm Test was not responsive in this study population. Conclusion: Undertaking an randomized controlled trial would be feasible and a minimum of 200 participants would be needed for a fully powered, definitive randomized controlled trial.
Validation of the Policy Advocacy Engagement Scale for frontline healthcare professionals
Authors: Jansson Bruce S , Nyamathi Adeline , Heidemann Gretchen , Duan Lei , Kaplan Charles 
Published: September 2015

Background: Nurses, social workers, and medical residents are ethically mandated to engage in policy advocacy to promote the health and well-being of patients and increase access to care. Yet, no instrument exists to measure their level of engagement in policy advocacy. Research objective: To describe the development and validation of the Policy Advocacy Engagement Scale, designed to measure frontline healthcare professionals’ engagement in policy advocacy with respect to a broad range of issues, including patients’ ethical rights, quality of care, culturally competent care, preventive care, affordability/accessibility of care, mental healthcare, and community-based care. Research design: Cross-sectional data were gathered to estimate the content and construct validity, internal consistency, and test–retest reliability of the Policy Advocacy Engagement Scale. Participants and context: In all, 97 nurses, 94 social workers, and 104 medical residents (N = 295) were recruited from eight acute-care hospitals in Los Angeles County. Ethical considerations: Informed consent was obtained via Qualtrics and covered purposes, risks and benefits; voluntary participation; confidentiality; and compensation. Institutional Review Board approval was obtained from the University of Southern California and all hospitals. Findings: Results supported the validity of the concept and the instrument. In confirmatory factor analysis, seven items loaded onto one component with indices indicating adequate model fit. A Pearson correlation coefficient of .36 supported the scale’s test–retest stability. Cronbach’s α of .93 indicated strong internal consistency. Discussion: The Policy Advocacy Engagement Scale demonstrated satisfactory psychometric properties in this initial test. Findings should be considered within the context of the study’s limitations, which include a low response rate and limited geographic scope. Conclusion: The Policy Advocacy Engagement Scale appears to be the first validated scale to measure frontline healthcare professionals’ engagement in policy advocacy. With it, researchers can analyze variations in professionals’ levels of policy advocacy engagement, understand what factors are associated with it, and remedy barriers that might exist to their provision of it.
CD32a antibodies induce thrombocytopenia and type II hypersensitivity reactions in FCGR2A mice
Authors: Meyer Todd , Robles-Carrillo Liza , Davila Monica , Brodie Meghan , Desai Hina , Rivera-Amaya Mildred , Francis John L. , Amirkhosravi Ali 
Published: September 2015

Key PointsCD32a antibodies induce thrombocytopenia and hypersensitivity reactions in FCGR2A mice. Effector-deficient CD32a antibodies prevent IgG-induced thrombosis and shock in FCGR2A mice.
Gas hydrate and free gas detection using seismic quality factor estimates from high-resolution P-cable 3D seismic data
Authors: Singhroha Sunny , Bünz Stefan , Plaza-Faverola Andreia , Chand Shyam 
Published: September 2015

We have estimated the seismic attenuation in gas hydrate and free-gas-bearing sediments from high-resolution P-cable 3D seismic data from the Vestnesa Ridge on the Arctic continental margin of Svalbard. P-cable data have a broad bandwidth (20–300 Hz), which is extremely advantageous in estimating seismic attenuation in a medium. The seismic quality factor (Q), the inverse of seismic attenuation, is estimated from the seismic data set using the centroid frequency shift and spectral ratio (SR) methods. The centroid frequency shift method establishes a relationship between the change in the centroid frequency of an amplitude spectrum and the Q value of a medium. The SR method estimates the Q value of a medium by studying the differential decay of different frequencies. The broad bandwidth and short offset characteristics of the P-cable data set are useful to continuously map the Q for different layers throughout the 3D seismic volume. The centroid frequency shift method is found to be relatively more stable than the SR method. Q values estimated using these two methods are in concordance with each other. The Q data document attenuation anomalies in the layers in the gas hydrate stability zone above the bottom-simulating reflection (BSR) and in the free gas zone below. Changes in the attenuation anomalies correlate with small-scale fault systems in the Vestnesa Ridge suggesting a strong structural control on the distribution of free gas and gas hydrates in the region. We argued that high and spatially limited Q anomalies in the layer above the BSR indicate the presence of gas hydrates in marine sediments in this setting. Hence, our workflow to analyze Q using high-resolution P-cable 3D seismic data with a large bandwidth could be a potential technique to detect and directly map the distribution of gas hydrates in marine sediments.