bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experience with scaling up the Victorian Stroke Telemedicine programme
Authors: Cadilhac Dominique A , Vu Michelle , Bladin Christopher
Published: November 2014

Telemedicine can be used to increase access to stroke thrombolysis in rural hospitals but is not widely used for this purpose in Australia. The Victorian Stroke Telemedicine (VST) programme commenced in one hospital in 2011, and is being expanded to a further 15 hospitals. The present study summarises progress in scaling up the VST programme from one to four hospitals. Patient and clinical consultation quantitative data obtained from 1 March 2014 until 30 June 2014 were reviewed. By August 2014, the VST programme was operational at the four hospital sites. During the period 1 March 2014 to 30 June 2014, a total of 42 patients (14 female) at three hospitals received a VST consultation. Seven patients were recommended to receive tPA, and six were treated. Of the 42 initial calls made to the VST, 14 (33%) resulted in a video consultation and 28 (67%) were telephone only. For the 28 cases receiving a telephone-only consultation, 21 (75%) were deemed not to require a video consultation by the neurologist. The remaining seven consultations (25%) were telephone-only due to technical problems experienced with the telemedicine equipment. The preliminary results from the expansion of the VST programme to the three hospitals provides evidence of appropriate use, with almost 70% of the telemedicine consultations resulting in a diagnosis of stroke.
One-Electron-Oxidized States of Dihedral-Angle-Controlled 2,2′-Bithiophenes with Terminal Ferrocenyl Groups
Authors: Sato Masa-aki , Arita Syuhei , Kawajiri Kazuki
Published: November 2014

Dihedral-angle-controlled 2,2′-bithiophenes with terminal ferrocenyl groups were designed and prepared as long π-conjugated systems. Electrochemical and spectroscopic studies were carried out to evaluate the one-electron-oxidized states of the diferrocenyl derivatives and the interaction between the two terminals. Oxidized diferrocenyl derivatives comprising a more flat bithiophene moiety showed electronic communication between both the terminal ferrocenyl moieties, while an oxidized diferrocenyl derivative comprising a distinctly twisted bithiophene moiety would exhibit only electrostatic communication (with no electronic communication). These results indicated that the interaction between the terminal ferrocene moieties is strongly affected by the twist in the π-conjugated system.
Sharp L p Bounds on Spectral Clusters for Lipschitz Metrics
Authors: Koch Herbert , Smith Hart F. , Tataru Daniel
Published: November 2014

We establish $L^p$ bounds on $L^2$ normalized spectral clusters for self-adjoint elliptic Dirichlet forms
with Lipschitz coefficients. In two dimensions we obtain best possible bounds for all $2\le p\le\infty$,
up to logarithmic losses for $6<p\le 8$. In higher dimensions we obtain best possible bounds for a limited
range of $p$.
Schubert Eisenstein Series
Authors: Bump Daniel , Choie YoungJu
Published: November 2014

We define Schubert Eisenstein series as sums like usual Eisenstein series but with the summation
restricted to elements of a particular Schubert cell, indexed by an element of the Weyl group. They
are generally not fully automorphic. We will develop some results and methods for ${\rm GL}_3$ that may be
suggestive about the general case. The six Schubert Eisenstein series are shown to have meromorphic
continuation and some functional equations. The Schubert Eisenstein series $E_{s_1s_2}$ and $E_{s_2s_1}$
corresponding to the Weyl group elements of order three are particularly interesting: at the point where
the full Eisenstein series is maximally polar, they unexpectedly become (with minor correction terms added)
fully automorphic and related to each other.
On the Numerical Dimension of Pseudo-Effective Divisors in Positive Characteristic
Authors: Cascini Paolo , Hacon Christopher , Mustaţă Mircea , Schwede Karl
Published: November 2014

Let $X$ be a smooth projective variety over an algebraically closed field of positive characteristic.
We prove that if $D$ is a pseudo-effective ${\bf R}$-divisor on $X$ which is not numerically equivalent to
the negative part in its divisorial Zariski decomposition, then the numerical dimension of $D$ is positive.
In characteristic zero, this was proved by Nakayama using vanishing theorems.
“an orator of feather unto an audience of fuzz”: Performance as Subject and Setting in Emily Dickinson’s Poems
Authors: Jessee Jessica L.
Published: November 2014

The frequency and detail of representations of performance (oratorical, theatrical, social) in Dickinson’s poems reveal the depth of her intellectual engagement with public culture, even after her physical retreat from it. More than a useful metaphor for social life, the performance stage was central to public space and intercourse in mid-nineteenth-century America. In this essay, poems on sermons, the circus, mourning rituals, theater, child’s play, musical concerts, auctions, and ballet are contextualized with content from Dickinson’s letters, textbooks, biography, and related cultural histories in order to provide a more complete view of the poet within her contemporary moment. Her participation in public life was shaped as much by formal training and period practice as any personal idiosyncrasies. Dickinson shows that the theatrics of performance remain consistent, whether in the form of a sermon inviting conversion, a ritual enacting social inclusion, or a stage play soliciting applause. With polite social convention indistinguishable from either stagecraft or solicitation, the risk of interpersonal deception was balanced by the potential for artistic invention. Poems trace tensions between didactic and commercial discourses within performance culture, dramatizing the risk for any individual—audience member or performer—who dared to challenge the social power authorizing public spectacle. The poet proved an excellent student of cultural practice; lessons learned as audience member helped her realize the performative potential of written language in her own creative acts. We might read Dickinson’s social reticence as a creative response to, rather than avoidance of, the demands of a highly performative culture.
Pursuing the Form of a Ghost: Emily Dickinson Thinks about Death through Hamlet
Authors: Bayley Sally
Published: November 2014

“Buzz, buzz,” says Hamlet when Polonius tells him the actors have arrived: meaning that this is old—or at least unnecessary—news. In Hamlet’s mind, the arrival of the players is a given, something already settled. This essay is concerned with reading Dickinson through the internalized voice and plot of Hamlet , Shakespeare’s text and character, which functions as a heuristic device for reading Dickinson’s thoughts on death. Dickinson takes knowledge of Hamlet for granted; in her metaphysical world Hamlet is old news, a literary and dramatic echo of that moment when language and its speaker are forced to meet with their own epistemological and representational limits. In Hamlet , I argue, Dickinson found a model for her own half-spoken metaphysical dramas of the brain.
Household Demand for Food Away from Home (FAFH) in Nigeria: The Role of Education
Authors: Ogundari Kolawole , Aladejimokun Adegoke Oluwatosin , Arifalo Sadiat Funmilayo
Published: November 2014

The aim of this study is to investigate the demand characteristics of household consumption of food-away-from-home (FAFH) with a focus on the role of education of household head in Nigeria. Using 2003/2004 Nigeria Living Standard Survey (NLSS) data, we employ the Cragg’s Double-Hurdle (DH) model, which estimate jointly, households’ decisions to consume FAFH and how much to spend on FAFH or the demand for FAFH. The empirical results show that education of household head decreases the demand and probability of consuming FAFH, while household income and households with younger age cohorts increase the demand and probability of consuming FAFH in the study. The findings also reveal that education reduces the demand for FAFH for the wealthier households twice as much as it does for the poorer households.
A Decision Dynamics Model of Cost Control and Corporate Governance
Authors: Abdullah A. B. M. , Murad Md. Wahid , Hasan Md. Mahadi
Published: November 2014

This study is an attempt to develop a conceptual decision dynamics model in order to analyze the relationship between cost control and corporate governance. The model discusses why it is important to uphold the shareholders' interests and minimize the destructive events that usually occur in corporate cultures. This study argues that corporate governance must help retain the best interests of all the internal and external stakeholders and safeguard organizational resources from misuse, abuse, or practice of self-interests of the managers. It also argues that since protecting an organization’s interest requires protecting the interests of all stakeholders, cost control by that organization should be well guided by the corporate governance principles in ways that provide strongest safeguard of interests of all those stakeholders. Thus, a sound corporate governance policy requires adopting the standards and mechanisms that would maximize stakeholders’ financial and non-financial interests. This study concludes that cost control and corporate governance must operate in pragmatic ways in order to improve efficiency and foster capabilities of the organization and to protect simultaneously the interests of all the stakeholders.
The Relationship between Financial Market Development and Foreign Direct Investment in Latin American Countries
Authors: Hajilee Massomeh , Nasser Omar M. Al
Published: November 2014

The main purpose of this paper is to assess the impact of financial market development on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Latin American countries. Financial market development and FDI are two important sources of efficient economic resource allocation in the region. We use banking sector and stock market indicators to capture financial market development. By giving greater consideration to the short-run and long-run effects of financial market development on FDI, this paper presents empirical results from a time series model of 14 Latin American countries. We find financial market development link is both short-run and long-run phenomena in majority of countries. Furthermore, our result of the causality test shows that link between FDI and banking sector development is uni-directional and the link between FDI and stock market development is bi-directional.
Toward a Systemic Ethics of Public–Private Partnerships Related to Food and Health
Authors: Marks Jonathan H.
Published: November 2014

Public–private partnerships have become widespread in the pursuit of both health-related research and public health interventions—most notably, in recent measures intended to address obesity. Participants emphasize synergies between the missions or goals of the public and private partners. However, the missions usually diverge in significant ways. Consequently, these partnerships can have serious implications for the integrity of, as well as trust and confidence in, the public partners. In this article, I highlight systemic concerns presented by public–private partnerships related to food and health. These include research agenda distortion and framing effects—not least, the characterization of obesity primarily as a question of individual behavior, and the minimization or neglect of the role of food systems and other social and environmental factors on health. Prevailing analytical approaches to public–private partnerships tend to downplay or ignore these systemic effects and their ethical implications. In this article, I offer guidance intended to help actors in the public sector fulfill their mission while thinking more critically and systemically about the ethical implications of public–private partnerships.
Denis Dutton: Appreciation of the Man and Discussion of the Work
Authors: Dissanayake Ellen
Published: November 2014

Despite being a trove of lively observations and stimulating ideas, The Art Instinct does not succeed in its stated purpose of showing that art has been evolutionarily adaptive. The book is more about aesthetic experience or response (pleasure and beauty) than art making or participation , and the author’s twelve “cluster criteria” are too general for understanding why a particular behavior (or behavioral predisposition) of art might have originated and evolved. Advocacy of the sexual-selection argument is inadequate: participation in the arts is good for everyone, not just a few (male) virtuosos.
Attending to the Gesture in Experimental Modernism; or, Reading with(out) Theory of Mind
Authors: Broder Hillel
Published: November 2014

Normative “Theory of Mind” is the lens through which cognitive psychologists understand the empathic response of readers to fiction and fictive characters. This paper attempts to demonstrate how the modernist aesthetics put forth by Franz Kafka and his literary descendent, Kazuo Ishiguro, model experimental cognition that is profoundly amnesic and deeply decontextualized. Focusing on the expressionist “gesture” in their narratives at the expense of normatively contextualized Theory of Mind, both authors cultivate a distinctive attentiveness in their characters and for their readers’ empathic experiences. This study is a useful paradigm for the effect literary experiment might have on the limits set by cognitive psychology’s normative understanding of cognition, empathy, and Theory of Mind.
Why the Novel Happened: A Cognitive Explanation
Authors: Jackson Tony
Published: November 2014

Cognitively oriented literary studies, if they are to appeal to a broad array of literary scholars, will need to link cognition and culture. This essay brings together cognitive-psychological studies of the metarepresentational mind and of religious belief in order to offer an explanation of the nature and historical emergence of novelistic realism. It shows how novelistic realism, unlike other kinds of story, directly exercises what psychologist Alan Leslie calls the “decoupling mechanism” of the metarepresentational mind. And it argues that this kind of story takes on its specific power in the history of storytelling because of specific cultural change.
“Algeria is What Pains Me”
Authors: Goldhammer Arthur
Published: November 2014

It is argued that the characteristic movement of Albert Camus’s mind was from a divided, contentious reality into a mythic, unified, transcendent horizon of the imagination. This description is applied to his attitudes toward the wartime resistance in France and to postwar decolonization in Algeria.
COMPARSION THE HISTOPATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS AFTER CERVICAL BIOPSY AND EXCISIONAL PROCEDURES
Authors: Mandic Aljosa , Knezevic-Usaj Slavica , Nincic Dejan , Rajovic Jelka , Popovic Marina , Kapicl Tatjana Ivkovic
Published: November 2014

Introduction: A definitive diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is confirmed after histopathological (HP) examination of the tissue obtained through the biopsy. The aim of this study was to compare histopathological results obtained with punch biopsy and results obtained through one of the excisional techniques. Material and methods: We analysed histology results of 130 patients referred to our institution with abnormal smear. Punch biopsy was performed after colposcopic examination in all patients before one of the excision methods. Excision methods performed were: large loop excision of transformation zone (LLETZ), radio-frequency knife conisation or cold knife conisation. Based on the histopathological examination of the punch biopsy specimen or excisional specimen diagnosis of CIN was established. Results: CIN and invasive cancer were the most common diagnoses in the 31–40 age group at 45.4% (59/130). Discrepancies in the histological diagnosis between punch biopsy and excisional biopsy was identified in 58.5% (76/130) of the patients. In 6% of the of the cases the biopsy did not detect an invasive carcinoma. Conclusion: The most frequent discrepancies between punch biopsy and excisional biopsy were in the group of patients with a higher grade cervical dysplasia. Mild dysplastic changes diagnosed through punch biopsy, require a more conservative approach, as the majority of this group had negative specimens on the cone after excision, especially in the younger population. It is advisable that the patients above 30 years of age and a higher grade dysplasia in the biopsy specimen, should undergo one of the excisional techniques as a diagnostic/therapeutic method of treatment.
Revision of the geographic distribution of three species of the montanus group of Liolaemus Wiegmann, 1834 (Reptilia: Squamata: Liolaemidae)
Authors: Troncoso-Palacios Jaime
Published: November 2014

Here I review the distribution of three Liolaemus species of the montanus group. I conclude that L. signifer has been recorded in Peru (Puno, Tacna and Moquegua, departments), Bolivia (La Paz, Cochabamba and Oruro departments) and northern Chile (Arica and Parinacota Region). Liolaemus multicolor and L. andinus should be restricted to Argentina.
First record of Piper scabrellum Yunck. from Espírito Santo state, southeastern Brazil
Authors: Sarnaglia Junior Valderes Bento , Zorzanelli João Paulo Fernandes , Guimarães Elsie Franklin
Published: November 2014

We present here the first records of Piper scabrellum for the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. Taxonomic comments, distribution map and pictures of the species are presented.
Revision of the range of the Rio de Janeiro Antbird Cercomacra brasiliana Hellmayr, 1905 (Aves: Passeriformes: Thamnophilidae)
Authors: Mazzoni Luiz Gabriel , Perillo Alyne , Morais Rodrigo , Benfica Carlos Eduardo R. T. , Gazzinelli Eduardo José , Peixoto Helberth José Cardoso , Oliveira e Almeida Thiago , Vasconcelos Marcelo Ferreira de , Garcia Frederico Innecco
Published: November 2014

We present a review on the range of the endemic and near-threatened Rio de Janeiro Antbird Cercomacra brasiliana, based on new field records and extensive search in literature, museums and bird sound databases. Our records extend the species’ known range over 200 km westwards to the hinterlands of Minas Gerais state. Nevertheless, no records were done within federal or state reserves, and the conservation of the remaining forest fragments where the species was recorded is urgent.
Does Socioeconomic Status Affect Outcomes in Early Inflammatory Arthritis? Data from a Canadian Multisite Suspected Rheumatoid Arthritis Inception Cohort
Authors: Yang Grace , Bykerk Vivian P. , Boire Gilles , Hitchon Carol A. , Thorne J. Carter , Tin Diane , Haraoui Boulos , Keystone Edward C. , Pope Janet E. ,   The CATCH Investigators
Published: November 2014

Objective.

To assess the effect of socioeconomic status (SES) on outcomes in patients with early inflammatory arthritis, using data from the Canadian Early Arthritis Cohort (CATCH) study.

Methods.

In an incident cohort, 2023 patients were recruited, and allocated to low SES or high SES groups based on education and income. Outcomes at baseline and 12 months were analyzed in relation to SES including the 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28), Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI), pain, patient’s global assessment scale (PtGA), the Health Assessment Questionnaire–Disability Index (HAQ-DI), and the SF12-v2 Health Survey, using the ANOVA, chi-squared test, and regression analyses.

Results.

The CATCH population had 43% with high school education or less and 37% in the low-income group (< 50,000 Can$ per annum household income). The low-education group had higher DAS28 at baseline (p = 0.045), becoming nonsignificant at 12 months and lower physical component score on SF12-v2 at baseline (p = 0.022). Patients in the low-income group presented with higher HAQ-DI (p = 0.017), pain (p = 0.035), PtGA (p = 0.004), and SDAI (p = 0.022). Low-income versus high-income groups were associated with an OR above the median for HAQ-DI (1.20; 95% CI 1.00–1.45), PtGA (1.27; 95% CI 1.06–1.53), and SDAI (1.25; 95% CI 1.02–1.52) at baseline. The association with low income persisted at 12 months for HAQ-DI (OR 1.30; 95% CI 1.02–1.67), but not for other variables.

Conclusion.

Low SES was initially associated with higher disease activity, pain, and PtGA, and poorer function. At 1 year, outcomes were similar to those with high SES, with the exception of HAQ-DI.
Type I Error Control for Tree Classification
Authors: Jung Sin-Ho , Chen Yong , Ahn Hongshik
Published: November 2014

Binary tree classification has been useful for classifying the whole population based on the levels of outcome variable that is associated with chosen predictors. Often we start a classification with a large number of candidate predictors, and each predictor takes a number of different cutoff values. Because of these types of multiplicity, binary tree classification method is subject to severe type I error probability. Nonetheless, there have not been many publications to address this issue. In this paper, we propose a binary tree classification method to control the probability to accept a predictor below certain level, say 5%.
Manifiesto ¡Alto a la guerra!
Authors: Fundación Cultura de Paz Fundación Cultura de Paz Rosario
Published: November 2014

Gaza ¡Clamor mundial!Israel no puede seguir actuando impunemente, con el silencio cómplice de Europa.“Alto a los fanáticos yihadistas en Irak y otros países…”“Alto a la guerra y a las condiciones inhumanas de vida”“Alto al inmenso y sangriento negocio de los armamentos”¡Es tiempo de “Nosotros, los pueblos…”!DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/cultura.v20i63.1559
Discurso social, cultura de paz y memoria en el resarcimiento de los daños a la dignidad de las víctimas y sus familias
Authors: Álvarez Arzate María Dolores
Published: November 2014

Los derechos fundamentales de la vida individual y colectiva son inalienables y debe condenarse a quienes han esgrimido los medios. Es por eso que trabajar la memoria como forma de resarcir los daños a la dignidad de las víctimas y sus familias es una de las principales motivaciones de las ciencias sociales. La investigación se detiene en las enseñanzas que dejan las Comisiones de la Verdad en la construcción de un discurso social y de cultura de paz.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/cultura.v20i63.1560
Cultura de paz y religiones abrahámicas
Authors: Lovo Anastasio
Published: November 2014

Anastasio Lovo analiza la relación entre las religiones abrahámicas, el judaísmo, el cristianismo y el islamismo y la cultura de paz. El autor destaca la praxis epistémica e histórica de la alianza entre Dios y los seres humanos para preservar la creación en paz. Deriva el análisis hacia la hipótesis de una virtual pertinencia de la fe cristiana en sus vertientes evangélica y católica, como fundamento toral de la cultura de paz para el mundo occidental.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/cultura.v20i63.1561
Mutilación genital femenina, relativismo cultural y construcción de una cultura para la paz
Authors: Chamorro Soren
Published: November 2014

Este artículo tiene como base fundamental dar a conocer la práctica de la Mutilación Genital Femenina, tomando como parámetros el desarrollo de la misma en Kenia, país en el que la autora tuvo la oportunidad de trabajar. En los estudios de Paz se plantea el reconocimiento de múltiples culturas, todas válidas y legítimas. Sin embargo ante determinadas prácticas que dañan de manera física y psicológica a los seres humanos surge el debate entre el relativismo cultural, el etnocentrismo o la defensa de los derechos humanos. Finalmente se plantea la construcción de una Cultura de la paz, como único camino posible para asegurar el desarrollo integral de los miembros de las diversas culturas.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/cultura.v20i63.1562
Reconocimiento, redistribución y pobreza
Authors: García Carlos
Published: November 2014

El presente artículo presenta a los y las lectores/as una forma diferente de entender el concepto tradicional de pobreza que la minoría dominante ha transmitido a las mayorías, para mantener un sistema injusto institucionalizado a través de la exclusión y el desprecio de las personas dividiendo la sociedad en ricos y pobres.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/cultura.v20i63.1564
"Voces" de Carlos Ruiz Espinoza
Authors: Silva Erwin
Published: November 2014

Los textos poéticos han sido tomados del libro “VOCES” (2014). Este poemario lleno de vida y de memorias quiere llevarnos a la sencillez de una sabiduría pero con un trasfondo de lo eterno, de lo permanente en un mundo donde lo pasajero, el amor, la guerra, las pérdidas irreparables y aun los sueños, nos conducen también a una doliente deriva de la nostalgia.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/cultura.v20i63.1566
Palabras de Maurizio Governatori, autor del monumento "La Mano de la Paz"
Authors: Governatori Maurizio
Published: November 2014

Develización del Monumento "La Mano de la Paz" en la UPOLI.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/cultura.v20i63.1568
"Jacaranda en el camino" y "Flores al viento".
Authors: Tünnermann Rosa Carlota
Published: November 2014

“Rosa Carlota Tünnermann ha logrado con libertad y afán de experimentación, madurez y virtuosismo en sus pinturas (...) No quiero obviar de Rosa Carlota Tünnermann sus experimentaciones con lo abstracto vía action painting, el drip drop, sus homenajes y su pasión por los colores gobernados por la elegancia de los tonos pasteles que se corrugan en ángulos y profundidades o simplemente por la presencia oscura de las sombras. Porque esta virtuosa mano conoce el valor del color y el de la sombra como enseñó Rembrandt”.Anastasio LovoPoeta, escritor y crítico de arte NicaragüensePresidente del Centro Nicaragüense de Escritores (CNE)DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/cultura.v20i63.1570
Florero
Authors: Bermúdez Iván
Published: November 2014

Iván Bermúdez, es un pintor de alta sensibilidad. Lo conocemos desde su adolescencia cuando se formó en la Escuela Nacional de Bellas Artes, bajo la dirección de Rodrigo Peñalba, que siempre lo valoró como una de las promesas del arte nacional. Cuidadoso de la línea y del color, del trabajo constante y de la disciplina que requieren los años de formación que dieron como resultado un pintor de calidad que disfruta la intensidad del color, racimos de flores intensamente coloridas, el delicado cuerpo de la mujer lleno de sensualidad en todo su esplendor. Es el pintor que ha llegado a la madurez con la frescura del pintor joven que deslumbre en luces y color el mundo del arte. Bermúdez pintó a la mujer canastera del mercado, los barrios de Managua con sus calles desgarradas con el color de la tierra y el efecto del agua que corre. Las casas de tabla mal coloridas por la intemperie pero que adquieren el valor de arte con el pincel de Bermúdez. Elementos que hacen de Bermúdez uno de los más distinguidos pintores del mundo popular cotidiano de los barrios de Managua.Carlos AlemánEscritor y Linguista nicaragüense.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/cultura.v20i63.1572
Cerebellum neurotransmission during postnatal development: [Pt(O,O′‐acac)(γ‐acac)(DMS)] vs cisplatin and neurotoxicity
Authors: Piccolini Valeria Maria , Esposito Alessandra , Dal Bo Veronica , Insolia Violetta , Bottone Maria Grazia , De Pascali Sandra Angelica , Fanizzi Francesco Paolo , Bernocchi Graziella
Published: November 2014

Several chemotherapeutic drugs are known to cause neurotoxicity. Platinum‐based agents in use or in clinical trials display neurotoxic potential accompanied by neurological complications; recent studies have identified a large number of behavioural issues in paediatric oncology patients.

To understand the toxicity of platinum drugs at the molecular and cellular levels, this study compares the possible cytotoxic effects of an older platinum compound, cisplatin and a new platinum compound, [Pt(O,O′‐acac)(γ‐acac)(DMS)], on the CNS of postnatally developing rats, which is much more vulnerable to injury than the CNS of adult rats. Since several drugs interact with neurotransmitters during neuronal maturation, we performed immunostainings with antibodies raised against markers of glutamate and GABA, the major neurotransmitters in the cerebellum. After a single injection of cisplatin at postnatal day 10 (PD10), the labelling of Purkinje cells with the neurotransmitter markers evidenced alterations between PD11 and PD30, i.e. atrophy of the dendrite tree, changes in the distribution of synaptic contacts of parallel and climbing fibres, delay in the elimination of transient synapses on cell soma and severely impaired pinceau formation at the axon hillock. After treatment with [Pt(O,O′‐acac)(γ‐acac)(DMS)], the sole relevant change concerned the timing of climbing fibres elimination; the transient synapses disappearance on the Purkinje cell soma was delayed in some cells; instead, the growth of Purkinje cell dendrite tree was normal as was the formation of inhibitory synaptic contacts on these neurons.

These findings add new evidence not only on the lower neurotoxicity of [Pt(O,O′‐acac)(γ‐acac)(DMS)] vs cisplatin but also on the involvement of neurotransmitters and relative synaptic connections in the maturation of central nerve tissue.
Determination of interleukin 31 (IL-31) serum levels in allergic rhinitis patients
Authors: Ashari Noor Suryani Mohd , Amin Siti Noor Syuhada Mohd , Hamid Wan Zuraida Wan Abdul , Musa Mustaffa , Rahman Azriani Abdul , Mohamad Irfan
Published: November 2014

Background and objectives:

IL-31 appears to be an important regulator of Th2 re-sponses and was found to be present in patients with atopic dermatitis. This study was con-ducted to compare IL-31 serum levels in allergic rhinitis (AR) patients and normal controls and to determine IL-31 serum levels according to AR severity.

Patients and methods:

Across-sectional study was conducted with AR patients who met the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) classification criteria for AR. Normal control subjects were recruited from local healthy people in HUSM. The severity of AR was assessed using ARIA. Five ml of blood were drawn from each subject. The serum samples were analyzed for IL-31 using ELISA kits.

Results:

The results showed that IL-31 serum level was higher in allergic rhinitis patients (mean (SD) 4107.70 (16961.51)) than in normal controls (2195.55 (9016.57)); however, this difference was not statistically significant, with a p value of 0.406 determined by an independent-T test. The results also showed no significant difference in IL-31 levels according to AR severity, with a p value of 0.245 determined by a Mann-Whitney test.

Conclusion:

There was no significant difference in IL-31 serum levels between normal controls and AR patients or between patients with different AR severities. Future studies with larger sample sizes should be performed.
Prediction of Cardiovascular and All-Cause Mortality at 10 Years in the Hypertensive Aged Population
Authors: Huynh Quan L. , Reid Christopher M. , Chowdhury Enayet K. , Huq Molla M. , Billah Baki , Wing Lindon M.H. , Tonkin Andrew M. , Simons Leon A. , Nelson Mark R. ,   on behalf of the Second Australian National Blood Pressure Management Committee
Published: November 2014

BACKGROUND

We have previously developed a score for predicting cardiovascular events in the intermediate term in an elderly hypertensive population. In this study, we aimed to extend this work to predict 10-year cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in the hypertensive aged population.

METHODS

Ten-year follow-up data of 5,378 hypertensive participants in the Second Australian National Blood Pressure study who were aged 65–84 years at baseline (1995–2001) and without prior cardiovascular events were analyzed. By using bootstrap resampling variable selection methods and comparing the Akaike and Bayesian information criterion and C-indices of the potential models, optimal and parsimonious multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were developed to predict 10-year cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. The models were validated using bootstrap validation method internally and using the Dubbo Study dataset externally.

RESULTS

The final model for cardiovascular mortality included detrimental (age, smoking, diabetes, waist–hip ratio, and disadvantaged socioeconomic status) and protective factors (female sex, alcohol consumption, and physical activity). The final model for all-cause mortality also included detrimental (age, smoking, random blood glucose, and disadvantaged socioeconomic status) and protective factors (female sex, alcohol consumption, body mass index, and statin use). Blood pressure did not appear in either model in this patient group. The C-statistics for internal validation were 0.707 (cardiovascular mortality) and 0.678 (all-cause mortality), and for external validation were 0.729 (cardiovascular mortality) and 0.772 (all-cause mortality).

CONCLUSIONS

These algorithms allow reliable estimation of 10-year risk of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality for hypertensive aged individuals.
Optimal Number of Days for Home Blood Pressure Measurement
Authors: Niiranen Teemu J. , Asayama Kei , Thijs Lutgarde , Johansson Jouni K. , Hara Azusa , Hozawa Atsushi , Tsuji Ichiro , Ohkubo Takayoshi , Jula Antti M. , Imai Yutaka , Staessen Jan A. ,   IDHOCO Investigators
Published: November 2014

BACKGROUND

Current guidelines make no outcome-based recommendations on the optimal measurement schedule for home blood pressure (BP).

METHODS

We enrolled 4,802 randomly recruited participants from three populations. The participants were classified by their (i) cross-classification according to office and home BP (normotension, masked hypertension, white-coat hypertension, and sustained hypertension) and (ii) home BP level (normal BP, high normal BP, grade 1 and 2 hypertension), while the number of home measurement days was increased from 1 to 7. The prognostic accuracy of home BP with an increasing number of home BP measurement days was also assessed by multivariable-adjusted Cox models.

RESULTS

Agreement in classification between consecutive measurement days indicated near perfect agreement (κ ≥ 0.9) after the sixth measurement day for both office and home BP cross-classification (97.8% maintained classification, κ = 0.97) and home BP level (93.6% maintained classification, κ = 0.91). Over a follow-up of 8.3 years, 568 participants experienced a cardiovascular event, and the first home BP measurement alone predicted events significantly (P ≤ 0.003). The confidence intervals (CIs) were too wide and overlapping to show superiority of multiple measurement days over the first measurement day (hazard ratios per 10mm Hg increase in systolic BP at initial day, 1.11 [CI 1.07–1.16]; that at 1–7 days, 1.18 [CI 1.12–1.24]). Masked hypertension, but not white-coat hypertension, was associated with increased cardiovascular risk, irrespective of the number of home measurement days.

CONCLUSION

Even a single home BP measurement is a potent predictor of cardiovascular events, whereas seven home measurement days may be needed to reliably diagnose hypertension.
Knowledge management approaches in managing agricultural indigenous and exogenous knowledge in Tanzania
Authors: Tandi Lwoga Edda
Published: November 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to assess the application of knowledge management (KM) models in managing and integrating indigenous and exogenous knowledge for improved farming activities in Tanzania, by examining the management of indigenous knowledge (IK), access and use of exogenous knowledge, the relevance of policies, legal framework, information and communication technologies (ICTs), and culture in KM practices in the communities.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi‐structured interviews were used to collect qualitative and quantitative data from 181 farmers in six districts of Tanzania. Four IK policy makers were also interviewed.

Findings

The study demonstrated that western‐based KM models should be applied cautiously in a developing world context. Both indigenous and exogenous knowledge was acquired and shared in different contexts. IK was shared within a local, small and spontaneous network, while exogenous knowledge was shared in a wide context, where formal sources of knowledge focused on disseminating exogenous knowledge more than IK. Policies, legal framework, ICTs and culture determined access to knowledge in the communities. The study thus developed a KM model that would be applicable in the social context of developing countries.

Research limitations/implications

The study necessitates testing the developed model against existing KM models, in a specific context such as local communities of the developing world, to determine whether it is better at explaining the link between KM principles and KM processes.

Originality/value

The proposed KM model provides a deep understanding of the management and integration of agricultural indigenous and exogenous knowledge in the rural areas of developing countries. Previous KM models were developed in the context of an organizational environment, and thus failed to address the needs of rural communities. The proposed model thus advances the theory of KM in developing countries, and provides linkages between KM processes and KM principles.
Portuguese method for building condition assessment
Authors: António Costa Branco de Oliveira Pedro João , Ângelo Vasconcelos de Paiva José , José Dâmaso Santos Matos Vilhena António
Published: November 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss a method for assessing the condition of buildings. The method was developed in Portugal as part of a new Urban Tenancy Regime approved in 2006.

Design/methodology/approach

The method was developed in six phases, namely: definition of objectives; analysis of existing instruments; formulation of the proposal; discussions with organisations in the rented sector; pilot; and technical presentations of the final version.

Findings

The method is viable and adequate, since a balance was achieved between the accuracy of the results in view of their importance for the contractual relationship between landlord and tenant, and feasibility in terms of human and financial resources available for its implementation.

Research limitations/implications

The method has been in use for two years. Further research is needed to confirm the accuracy of the results.

Practical implications

The results are used to determine the maximum annual rent value and to summon landlords to carry out repairs if the state of the building falls short of the required standard of maintenance. In a broader perspective the method is also used to assess of rented stock condition of large property owners and, in an adapted form, to assess buildings viability and determine repair needs.

Originality/value

This paper is relevant because it describes the assessment method; the previous methods for assessing the condition of Portuguese buildings were too simplistic and lacked the accuracy, transparency and independence required.
Fibre‐optic Multisensor for Simultaneous Monitoring of Pressure and Composition of Gases
Authors: Keresztes‐Nagy Z.
Published: November 2014

The majority of methods for the optical monitoring of gases can be divided into two main groups. In the first, the intrinsic
optical properties of the gas are exploited to sense it. In the second group, an indicator is used
to transduce the gas concentration into a measurable optical parameter. Most gas sensors are usually sensitive to only one parameter of the monitored gas.
This paper contains a description of a gas multisensor that is suitable for measuring gas
concentration and pressure at the same time. It needs a special sensor construction that can
measure the mentioned properties in parallel. The essence of this sensor is the double rle of the
diaphragm. This means that the diaphragm itself is for sensing the pressure and suitable layer
with an immobilised reagent is applied on top of the diaphragm for sensing the concentration of
the gas. The sensing method is a fibre guided incident light beam to the diaphragm's
surface. The incident beam passes through the concentration‐sensitive layer twice as
the diaphragm's surface reflects it. The properties of the reflected beam contain the
required information — pressure and concentration — about the measured gas. At the output of
the system the reflected light intensity is proportional to pressure and the spectrum is
promotional to concentration of gas. The paper describes the design
and results in detail.
Taking stock of information sharing in securities matters
Authors: Friedman Felice B. , Jacobs Elizabeth , Macel Stanley C.
Published: November 2014

Reviews past developments in information sharing for securities regulation, including cases where the US Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) initiated investigations into suspicious insider trading in US markets through accounts located outside the USA: the St Joe case, and SEC v Wang & Lee. Moves on to policy developments: the 1988 SEC policy statement, development of information‐sharing memoranda of understanding (MOU) with foreign counterparts. Looks at legal challenges to information‐sharing legislation, including the Elsag Bailey and Global Securities decisions; plus the increased international multilateral focus, involving IOSCO, G7, FATF, and OECD. Concludes with opportunities for increased enforcement cooperation and swifter and more creative efforts; recent examples include the Rentech case, the Oeschle actions, and the joint investigative database that SEC has established with the British Columbia Securities Commission.
Can clinicians and carers make valid decisions about others' decision‐making capacities unless tests of decision‐making competence and capacity include emotionality and neurodiversity?
Authors: Mackenzie Robin , Watts John
Published: November 2014

Purpose

The purpose in writing this paper is to highlight the lack of knowledge of many who are involved in capacity assessments, especially non‐professionals such as carers of the learning disabled, and the view that current guidance for capacity assessments does not take into account issues of emotionality.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is to discuss current guidance and practice, and to offer academic criticism and explanation.

Findings

The findings include the discovery that the Mental Capacity Act 2005 Code of Practice suggests that healthcare professionals and family/carers may undertake assessments of decision‐making capacity, yet the guidance it provides for their doing so overlooks salient issues. Many of those involved in the daily lives of those, who may lack decision‐making capacity (and thus be seen as legally incompetent) such as the learning disabled, demented, mentally ill and neurodiverse, must decide whether to respect their decisions as competent, or to disregard the decisions on the grounds of incompetence and to act in the person's best interests. As many will lack training in their clinical and legal responsibilities and liabilities, it is crucial that they, and those they care for, are protected by not only an increased knowledge of mental capacity legislation and practice, but also how it may apply to questions of emotionality and neurodiversity.

Originality/value

This paper expands and builds on the authors' previous research into including emotionality in assessments of capacity, and will be of use to practitioners in the field of learning disability, and other psychiatric specialities.
A new model for care and support: sharing lives and taking charge
Authors: Fox Alex
Published: November 2014

Purpose

This paper aims to look at lesser‐known approaches to working with older people which challenge current assumptions about older people and approaches to providing care, suggesting that they lay on a continuum of support services, which stretches from traditional, paid‐by‐the‐hour, professional/client transactions at one end, to unboundaried, unpaid family care at the other.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper looks at Shared Lives, ASA Lincolnshire's At Home Day Resource for people with dementia, Homeshare, KeyRing and micro‐enterprises.

Findings

Through combining the value of real relationships with more formal support approaches, better outcomes can be achieved at lower costs.

Originality/value

With the gap between the capacity of existing services and the needs of an ageing population growing daily, this paper provides additional research and development in this area of work.
Short monetary systems: take a risk, create money
Authors: Mainelli Michael
Published: November 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this editorial is to examine fiat currencies and common tenders (trade‐based money) from a risk perspective. The editorial encourages risk managers to consider the distributive benefits of a multiplicity of currencies and urges them to examine common tenders both old, such as the Swiss WIR, and novel, such as capacity exchange monies, as risk management tools.

Design/methodology/approach

The editorial is based on research conducted for the City of London Corporation in 2011 into capacity, trade and credit which examined new architectures for commerce and money.

Findings

The editorial links Freiwirtschaft movement ideas with some characteristics of common tenders. Further, it considers whether some simple regulatory approaches might make such common tenders more useful.

Originality/value

Of note, the author suggests that a modern alternative to government regulation might be an audited ISO accreditation standard for “good currency” or “good common tender”.
The risk of model misspecification and its impact on solvency measurement in the insurance sector
Authors: Schmeiser Hato , Siegel Caroline , Wagner Joël
Published: November 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the risk of misspecifying solvency models for insurance companies.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a basic solvency model, the authors examine the sensitivity of different risk measures with respect to model misspecification. An analysis considers the effects of introducing stochastic jumps and linear, as well as non‐linear dependencies into the basic setting on the solvency capital requirements, shortfall probability and expected policyholder deficit. Additionally, the authors take a regulatory view and consider the degree to which the deviations in risk measures, due to the different model specifications, can be diminished by means of requiring interim financial reports.

Findings

The simulation results suggest that the sensitivity of solvency capital as a risk measure – as it is in regulatory practice – underestimates the actual misspecification risk that policyholders are exposed to. It is also found that semi‐annual mandatory interim reports can already reduce the model uncertainty faced by a regulator, significantly. This has important implications for the design of risk‐based capital standards and the implementation of internal solvency models.

Originality/value

The results from the Monte Carlo simulation show that changes in the specification of a solvency model have a much greater impact on shortfall probabilities and expected policyholder deficits than they have on capital requirements. The shortfall risk measures react much more sensitively to small changes in the model assumptions, than the capital requirements. This leads us to the conclusion that regulators should not solely rely on capital requirements to monitor the solvency situation of an insurer, but should additionally consider shortfall risk measures. More precisely, an analysis of model risk focusing on the sensitivity of capital requirements will typically underestimate the relevant risk of model misspecification from a policyholder's perspective. Finally, the simulation results suggest that mandatory interim reports on the solvency and financial situation of an insurance company are a powerful tool in order to reduce the model uncertainty faced by regulators.