bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anti‐diabetic and Anti‐hyperlipidemic Effects and Safety ofSalacia reticulataand Related Species
Authors: Stohs Sidney J. , Ray Sidhartha
Published: June 2015

Extracts ofSalacia reticulataWight (Hypocrataceae) roots, stems, and leaves have been used in Asia for hundreds of years for the folkloric treatment of diabetes and other health problems. Constituents that have been identified as exhibiting anti‐diabetic effects include salacinol, kotalanol, ponkorinol, salaprinol, and their corresponding de‐0‐sulfonated compounds. Mangiferin, kotalagenin 16‐acetate and various proanthocyanidin oligomers have also been isolated. Studies indicate thatSalaciaextracts modulate multiple targets that influence carbohydrate and lipid metabolism including α‐glucosidase, aldose reductase, pancreatic lipase, peroxisomal proliferator‐activated receptor‐α, glucose transporter‐4 mediated glucose uptake, and angiotensin II type 1 receptor. Furthermore,Salaciaextracts exhibit free radical scavenging, antioxidant and hepatoprotectant activities. In human studies,Salaciaextracts have been shown to decrease plasma glucose and insulin levels, decrease HbA1c, and modulate serum lipid levels with no adverse effects being reported. Similar results have been demonstrated in rat and mouse models as well asin vitrosystems. Safety ofS. reticulataand otherSalaciaspecies asS. oblongaandS. chinensisin rats and mice indicate that extracts are exceedingly safe. No clinical studies have examined the effects ofSalaciaextracts on human weight loss, although weight loss and decreases in weight gain have been demonstrated in animal models. Because of the large number of pharmacologically active compounds, it is difficult to establish standards for extracts. © 2015 The Authors.Phytotheraphy Researchpublished by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Skeletal callus formation is a nerve‐independent regenerative response to limb amputation in mice and Xenopus
Authors: Miura Shinichirou , Takahashi Yumiko , Satoh Akira , Endo Tetsuya
Published: June 2015

To clarify the mechanism of limb regeneration that differs between mammals (non‐regenerative) and amphibians (regenerative), responses to limb amputation and the accessory limb inducible surgery (accessory limb model, ALM) were compared between mice and Xenopus, focusing on the events leading to blastema formation. In both animals, cartilaginous calluses were formed around the cut edge of bones after limb amputation. They not only are morphologically similar but show other similarities, such as growth driven by undifferentiated cell proliferation and macrophage‐dependent and nerve‐independent induction. It appears that amputation callus formation is a common nerve‐independent regenerative response in mice and Xenopus. In contrast, the ALM revealed that the wound epithelium (WE) in Xenopus was innervated by many regenerating axons when a severed nerve ending was placed underneath it, whereas only a few axons were found within the WE in mice. Since nerves are involved in induction of the regeneration‐permissive WE in amphibians, whether or not nerves can interact with the WE might be one of the key processes separating successful nerve‐dependent blastema formation in Xenopus and failure in mice.
Network structure effects on incumbency advantage
Authors: Lee Jeho , Song Jaeyong , Yang Jae‐Suk
Published: June 2015

Research summary: The literature on network effects has implicitly assumed that an increase in the size of the installed base magnifies network effects, which is a source of incumbency advantage. We argue that the overemphasis on this relationship has resulted in controversy and confusion in the literature, where the role of social networks remains largely unaddressed. By developing computational models of network effects with various network structures, we show that social distance in a customer network plays a moderating role that strengthens or weakens the relationship between the installed base and network effects, which in turn, affects the durability of incumbency advantage. When the average social distance between members in a customer network is large, the incumbency advantage will not be amplified, and an entrant with an incompatible product or service may find ways into the market. On the other hand, when the average social distance is small, early entry with a growing installed base will magnify incumbency advantage.

Managerial summary: In evaluating the strength of incumbency advantage or determining the price of an early mover, the size of the installed base has been widely used. We find that it is not a sufficient statistic, and confusion and error appear to result from assuming that it is. Our study suggests that degrees of separation, a measure of social distance in a network, can provide managers with an additional yardstick to sharpen their evaluation. When customer networks are characterized by fewer degrees of separation, the conventional use of the installed base as a metric may be reasonable. On the other hand, when customer networks are characterized by larger degrees of separation, the conventional use may potentially mislead managers in their decision‐making. Thinking about the roots of user benefits (e.g., access to a few significant others vs. hubs) may be a reasonable starting point for assessing degrees of separation in a customer network. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Study on Oxide Inclusion Dissolution in Secondary Steelmaking Slags using High Temperature Confocal Scanning Laser Microscopy
Authors: Michelic Susanne , Goriupp Jürgen , Feichtinger Stefan , Kang Youn‐Bae , Bernhard Christian , Schenk Johannes
Published: June 2015

High temperature confocal scanning laser microscopy (HT‐CSLM) is used to study the dissolution behavior of Al2O3 inclusions in various slag compositions in the system CaO‐Al2O3‐SiO2‐MgO. This method enables the in situ observation of the dissolution at steelmaking temperatures. The change of the diameter of the spherical inclusion is measured by image analysis of pictures obtained from the HT‐CSLM. Subsequently, dissolution rates and normalized dissolution curves are determined, and the governing dissolution mechanism is identified by the use of a modified approach of the diffusion equation introduced by Feichtinger et al. and compared with the dissolution of SiO2 previously reported by the same authors. Finally, effective binary diffusion coefficients are calculated. Slag viscosity is shown to essentially affect the dissolution behavior, changing the normalized dissolution pattern from rather S‐shaped (high slag viscosity) to a parabolic form (low slag viscosity).
Brief Report: Human Mesenchymal Stem-Like Cells Facilitate Floating Tumorigenic Cell Growth via Glutamine-Ammonium Cycle
Authors: Tang Ke , Hu Liang , Ma Jingwei , Zhang Huafeng , Zhang Yi , Li Yong , Ma Ruihua , Luo Shunqun , Liu Dongbo , Long Guoxian , Han Mei , Liu Shunfang , Song Anping , Shen Meizhu , Hu Guoqing , Huang Bo
Published: June 2015

How mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) promote tumor growth remains incompletely understood. Here, we show that mesenchymal stem-like cells (MSLCs) are commonly present in malignant pleural effusion or ascites of cancer patients, where they directly interact with tumor cells. Chemokines and chemokine receptors, especially the CCL2/CCR2 pathway, are involved in this interaction. As a result, MSLCs exert tumor-promoting effects by enhancing the proliferation and colony formation of tumor-repopulating cells. The underlying molecular basis involves MSLC release of glutamine to tumorigenic cells. Inhibition of glutamine uptake impedes MSC-mediated tumor-promoting effects. More intriguingly, MSLCs take up tumor cell-released ammonium that, in turn, favors MSLC growth. Thus, glutamine and ammonium form a vicious cycle between MSLCs and tumorigenic cells. These findings suggest a potential clinical application by targeting MSLCs in patients with malignant pleural effusions or ascites. Stem Cells  2015;33:2877—2884
Synthesis and Structural Facets of Dialkyltin(IV) Complexes Constructed from 2‐(2‐(3, 5‐Dimethyl‐4‐oxocyclohexa‐2, 5‐dien‐1‐ylidene)hydrazinyl)benzoate
Authors: Basu Baul Tushar S. , Linden Anthony
Published: June 2015

Two new dialkyltin(IV) complexes of compositions [Me2Sn(LH)2(MeOH)] (1) and [nBu2Sn(LH)2(H2O)] (2) [LH– = 2‐(2‐(3, 5‐dimethyl‐4‐oxocyclohexa‐2, 5‐dien‐1‐ylidene)hydrazinyl)benzoate] were prepared by the reactions of the carboxylate ligand (LHH′) and Me2SnO or nBu2SnO in toluene solution followed by recrystallization from methanol/toluene. In the crystal structures of 1 and 2, the central tin atom is chelated by two carboxylate anions, a solvent molecule derived from the crystallization medium, and two alkyl groups, giving rise to a distorted pentagonal bipyramidal coordination. The phenol hydrogen atom has migrated to the nitrogen atom nearest the carboxylate group, thus leading to the quinoid form of the ligand. Extensive π···π interactions between the planar ligands, coupled with O–H···O, C–H···O, and C–H···π interactions complete three‐dimensional supramolecular frameworks in each case. The solution properties were assessed from 1H, 13C, and 119Sn NMR spectroscopy.
Crystal Growth and Structure of the Barium Chloride Nitrido­tantalate(V) Ba3Cl2TaN3
Authors: Blaschkowski Björn , Dürr Oliver , Reckeweg Olaf , Schleid Thomas
Published: June 2015

Transparent, light yellow single crystals of the barium chloride nitridotantalate(V) Ba3Cl2TaN3 (hexagonal, P63cm; a = 1507.39(8) pm, c = 632.98(3) pm, c/a = 0.420; Z = 6) are obtained by the reaction of the barium azide chloride Ba(N3)Cl or its ternary decomposition products with the container wall of arc‐welded tantalum ampoules at 900 °C after four days. Its crystal structure displays one‐dimensional chains 1∞{[TaN2/2N2/1]4–} consisting of corner‐sharing [TaN4]7– tetrahedra (d(Ta–N) = 191–200 pm), which run along [001] and arrange as hexagonal rod packing. Charge compensation of these parallel 1∞{[TaN3]4–} strands occurs via Ba2+ cations and Cl– anions erecting a three‐dimensional network 3∞{[Ba3Cl2]4+} (d(Ba–Cl) = 318–339 pm) with narrow channels apt to embed the chains. Several Ba–N contacts ranging between 264 and 319 pm secure the interconnection between both structural arrays and complete the coordination numbers of the Ba2+ cations to seven or eight.
Pb2PdO2(OH)2 and Pb2PdO(OH)4(H2O): Synthesis and Crystal Growth at Ambient Conditions
Authors: Komarek Alexander Christoph , Merz Patrick , Guo Hanjie , Suard Emmanuelle , Chen Jin‐Ming , Felser Claudia , Jansen Martin
Published: June 2015

New Pb2PdO2(OH)2 and Pb2PdO(OH)4(H2O) were synthesized at ambient conditions from respective KOH alkaline and metal nitrate aqueous feed stocks in high purity and as coarse crystals. The constitutions of the two lead palladates were determined by combined powder neutron and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. Both crystal structures exhibit a distinct pseudo symmetry, and settling the true lattice symmetry [Pb2PdO2(OH)2: a = 5.9512(3) Å, b = 5.9479(3) Å, c = 7.9480(2) Å, α = 90.256(4)°, β = 90.392(4)°, γ = 119.694(1)°; Pb2PdO(OH)4(H2O): a = 10.706(2) Å, b = 10.32(1) Å, c = 5.7813(3) Å, α = β = γ = 90°] required to employ high resolution synchrotron powder diffraction data. The combined use of neutron and X‐ray diffraction measurement has enabled solving the crystal structure of Pb2PdO2(OH)2 including hydrogen positions. For Pb2PdO(OH)4(H2O) only a high symmetry, heavy atoms (Pb, Pd, O) average structure was determined, since the background in the neutron data was strongly enhanced due to the high amount of incoherently scattering hydrogen atoms and considerable disorder present. The crystal structures feature unprecedent connectivities, however, as expected square‐planar coordination of palladium(II) and typical crooked surroundings of lead(II) with the 6s2 lone pair acting as a virtual ligand.
A Surface Plasmon Resonance Optical Fibre Sensor for Testing Detergent Cleaning Efficiency
Authors: Patitsa Maria , Pfeiffer Helge , Wevers Martine
Published: June 2015

The objective of this paper is to report a feasibility study on the use of optical fibre and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) for determining detergent efficiency. The concept presented comprises a miniaturised dip‐sensor for enabling automated on‐line testing. In this way, the effect of formulation, concentration and temperature on the cleaning behavior of various surfactants and commercial cleaners is investigated. For this purpose, the decladded core of an optical fibre was sputtered with gold and afterwards coated with defined layers of stearic acid or animal fat to obtain a kind of model soil. The deposition of stearic acid was performed using a Langmuir–Blodgett through, and the sensor followed on‐line the deposition of the respective monolayers by UV/VIS spectroscopy, appearing as a distinct and constant shift in wavelength. Moreover, functional coatings were applied above the gold layer to achieve a variation of the hydrophilicity of the sensor surface. The SPR sensor proved to be easy to use, accurate and flexible. It offers a new solution that could replace the existing methods for detergency sensing and with a customised design it could be a useful industry tool since the small size of the dip sensor promises massive testing. The experiment also showed that functionalising the sensing zone could act as a way to mimic the potential substrates for cleaning.
Stressors and starting points for health-promoting interventions in medical school from the students’ perspective: a qualitative study
Authors: Kötter Thomas , Pohontsch Nadine J. , Voltmer Edgar
Published: June 2015

Introduction Medical education is considered very challenging and connected with high levels of psychosocial stress for students. The aim of this study was to identify stressors and possible starting points for health-promoting interventions from the perspective of the students themselves.

Methods We conducted two focus groups with medical students from pre-clinical and clinical semesters. We analyzed the data using content analysis following Mayring’s approach.

Results The stressors in the pre-clinical stage of medical education were more diverse and perceived as more intense than those in the clinical stage. They comprised contextual factors and individual behaviour. Participants mentioned the weekly examinations as a specific stressor. The existing absence regulations gave the participants the impression that they should not be absent through illness at any point during the course, and this idea further promoted presenteeism. Peer groups and mentoring programmes were perceived as helpful.

Conclusions Stressors and starting points for health-promoting interventions are closely related to the medical curriculum and its organization. As such, the curriculum itself—in addition to programmes aimed at improving stress management—should primarily stand at the centre of activities for enhancing students’ health.
How you look versus how you feel: Associations between BMI z‐score, body dissatisfaction, peer victimization, and self‐worth for African American and white adolescents
Authors: Sutter Carolyn , Nishina Adrienne , Adams Ryan E.
Published: June 2015

Being overweight and having negative self‐perceptions (body dissatisfaction) can have problematic consequences for adolescents physically, socially, and psychologically. Understanding associations between weight, self‐perceptions, and peer experiences across ethnicities is particularly important given recent increases in obesity among ethnic minorities. The current study aimed to address these issues by examining Body Mass Index (BMI) z‐scores and body dissatisfaction predicting change in general self‐worth over time via peer victimization experiences in a diverse sample of 236 youth (ages 10–16 years). Body dissatisfaction predicted decreases in self‐worth over time even after controlling for BMI z‐score. BMI z‐scores predicted decreases in self‐worth over time only for white adolescents, whereas body dissatisfaction directly predicted decreases in self‐worth for African American youth and indirectly via peer victimization for white youth. Associations were also considered by gender. Implications for intervention efforts for both white and African American adolescents are discussed.
The audience effect in adolescence depends on who's looking over your shoulder
Authors: Wolf Laura K. , Bazargani Narges , Kilford Emma J. , Dumontheil Iroise , Blakemore Sarah‐Jayne
Published: June 2015

Adolescents have been shown to be particularly sensitive to peer influence. However, the data supporting these findings have been mostly limited to the impact of peers on risk‐taking behaviours. Here, we investigated the influence of peers on performance of a high‐level cognitive task (relational reasoning) during adolescence. We further assessed whether this effect on performance was dependent on the identity of the audience, either a friend (peer) or the experimenter (non‐peer). We tested 24 younger adolescent (10.6–14.2 years), 20 older adolescent (14.9–17.8 years) and 20 adult (21.8–34.9 years) female participants. The presence of an audience affected adolescent, but not adult, relational reasoning performance. This audience effect on adolescent performance was influenced by the participants' age, task difficulty and the identity of the audience. These findings may have implications for education, where adolescents often do classwork or homework in the presence of others.
Brief report: Bifactor modeling of general vs. specific factors of religiousness differentially predicting substance use risk in adolescence
Authors: Kim‐Spoon Jungmeen , Longo Gregory S. , Holmes Christopher J.
Published: June 2015

Religiousness is important to adolescents in the U.S., and the significant link between high religiousness and low substance use is well known. There is a debate between multidimensional and unidimensional perspectives of religiousness (Gorsuch, 1984); yet, no empirical study has tested this hierarchical model of religiousness related to adolescent health outcomes. The current study presents the first attempt to test a bifactor model of religiousness related to substance use among adolescents (N = 220, 45% female). Our bifactor model using structural equation modeling suggested the multidimensional nature of religiousness as well as the presence of a superordinate general religiousness factor directly explaining the covariation among the specific factors including organizational and personal religiousness and religious social support. The general religiousness factor was inversely related to substance use. After accounting for the contribution of the general religiousness factor, high organizational religiousness related to low substance use, whereas personal religiousness and religious support were positively related to substance use. The findings present the first evidence that supports hierarchical structures of adolescent religiousness that contribute differentially to adolescent substance use.
Brief report: Associations between in‐person and electronic bullying victimization and missing school because of safety concerns among U.S. high school students
Authors: Steiner Riley J. , Rasberry Catherine N.
Published: June 2015

Although associations between bullying and health risk behaviors are well‐documented, research on bullying and education‐related outcomes, including school attendance, is limited. This study examines associations between bullying victimization (in‐person and electronic) and missing school because of safety concerns among a nationally representative sample of U.S. high school students. We used logistic regression analyses to analyze data from the 2013 national Youth Risk Behavior Survey of students in grades 9–12. In‐person and electronic victimization were each associated with increased odds of missing school due to safety concerns compared to no bullying victimization. Having been bullied both in‐person and electronically was associated with greater odds of missing school compared to electronic bullying only for female students and in‐person bullying only for male students. Collaborations between health professionals and educators to prevent bullying may improve school attendance.
Summary of the evidence on modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline and dementia: A population‐based perspective
Authors: Baumgart Matthew , Snyder Heather M. , Carrillo Maria C. , Fazio Sam , Kim Hye , Johns Harry
Published: June 2015

An estimated 47 million people worldwide are living with dementia in 2015, and this number is projected to triple by 2050. In the absence of a disease‐modifying treatment or cure, reducing the risk of developing dementia takes on added importance. In 2014, the World Dementia Council (WDC) requested the Alzheimer's Association evaluate and report on the state of the evidence on modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline and dementia. This report is a summary of the Association's evaluation, which was presented at the October 2014 WDC meeting. The Association believes there is sufficient evidence to support the link between several modifiable risk factors and a reduced risk for cognitive decline, and sufficient evidence to suggest that some modifiable risk factors may be associated with reduced risk of dementia. Specifically, the Association believes there is sufficiently strong evidence, from a population‐based perspective, to conclude that regular physical activity and management of cardiovascular risk factors (diabetes, obesity, smoking, and hypertension) reduce the risk of cognitive decline and may reduce the risk of dementia. The Association also believes there is sufficiently strong evidence to conclude that a healthy diet and lifelong learning/cognitive training may also reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
Acetabular Reconstruction with Reinforcement Ring and Morsellised Graft: Technique and Medium-term Result
Authors: Lik Hui Ching , Cheong Cheng Hang , Wing Lau Sun , Shuen Ho Hon , Kit Chiu Chi
Published: June 2015

Background

Acetabular bone defects are commonly seen in both primary and secondary total hip arthroplasty, creating difficulties in restoring anatomical hip centres, which results in high mechanical failure rate.

Methods

Total hip arthroplasty with acetabular reinforcement rings were performed in 18 hips in 18 patients from 1996 to 2011 in United Christian Hospital. Both clinical and radiographical assessment were performed during follow-up.

Results

Eight patients died of unrelated diseases with average follow-up of 30.5 months. At the latest follow-up, none of them showed radiographic signs of loosening or migration of implants and none of them required revision surgery. The remaining 10 patients with mean age of 77.9 years (range, 65–88] at the time of operation were followed-up for an average of 67.4 months (range, 11–121). The average Harris hip score was 78.3 (range, 58.5–87). The average vertical and horizontal difference of hip centres was 1.5 mm superiorly ( p = 0.431) and 0.4 mm medially ( p = 0.619) respectively when postoperative hip centres were compared to their contralateral hips. The average inclination of the polyethylene cup was 47.8 degrees (range, 42–58). There was no evidence of radiographic loosening during our follow-up and none of them required revision surgery.

Conclusion

Acetabular reconstruction with the use of acetabular reinforcement rings and morsellised bone grafts showed satisfactory clinical and radiographic results at a medium-term follow-up.
Helmet-Wearing Practices and Barriers in Toronto Bike-Share Users: a Case-Control Study
Authors: Friedman Steven Marc , Adamson Matthew , Cleiman Paula , Arenovich Tamara , Oleksak Karolina , Mohabir Ishmael Michael , Ta Robert , Reiter Kimberley
Published: June 2015

Background

Helmet use among bike-share users is low. We sought to characterize helmet-use patterns, barriers to helmet use, and cycling safety practices among bike-share users in Toronto.

Methods

A standardized survey of public bike-share program (PBSP) users at semi-random distribution of PBSP stations was undertaken. By maintaining a ratio of one helmet-wearer (HW): two non-helmet-wearers (NHW) per survey period, we controlled for location, day, time, and weather.

Results

Surveys were completed on 545 (180 HW, 365 NHW) unique users at 48/80 PBSP locations, from November 2012 to August 2013. More females wore helmets (F: 41.1%, M: 30.9%,p=0.0423). NHWs were slightly younger than HWs (NHW mean age 34.4 years vs HW 37.3,p=0.0018). The groups did not differ by employment status, education, or income.

Helmet ownership was lower among NHWs (NHW: 62.4% vs HW: 99.4%,p<0.0001), as was personal bike ownership (NHW: 65.8%, vs HW: 78.3%,p=0.0026). NHWs were less likely to always wear a helmet on personal bikes (NHW: 22.2% vs HW: 66.7%,p<0.0001), and less likely to wear a helmet always or most of the time on PBSP (NHW: 5.8% vs HW: 92.3%,p<0.0001). Both groups, but more HWs, had planned to use PBSP when leaving their houses (HW: 97.2% vs NHW: 85.2%,p<0.0001), primarily to get to work (HW: 88.3% vs NHW: 84.1%,p=0.19). NHWs were more likely to report that they would wear a helmet more (NHW: 61.4% vs HW: 13.9%,p<0.0001), and/or cycle less (NHW: 22.5% vs HW: 4.4%) if helmet use was mandatory.

Conclusions

PBSP users surveyed appear to make deliberate decisions regarding helmet use. NHWs tended to be male, slightly younger, and less likely to use helmets on their personal bikes. As Toronto cyclists who do not wear helmets on PBSP generally do not wear helmets on their personal bikes, interventions to increase helmet use should target both personal and bike-share users. Legislating helmet use and provision of rental helmets could improve helmet use among bike-share users, but our results suggest some risk of reduced cycling with legislation.
Infant Mental Health Research in Africa: a call for action for research in the next 10 years
Authors: Tomlinson Mark , Morgan Barak
Published: June 2015

Background.

Less than 3% of articles published in the peer reviewed literature include data from low- and middle-income countries – where 90% of the world's infants live.

Methods.

In this paper, we discuss the context of infancy in Africa and the conditions of adversity obtaining in Africa.

Results.

We discuss the implications of poverty on parenting, and linked to this outline the impact of maternal depression on infant development.

Conclusions.

We outline three features of the field of infant mental health research in Africa, and issue a call for action about what we believe is needed in order to develop the field in the next decade.
The effects of external stakeholder pressure and ethical leadership on corporate social responsibility in China
Authors: Tian Qing , Liu Yan , Fan Jianhong
Published: June 2015

We examined how external stakeholder pressure and ethical leadership independently and interactively influence the implementation of corporate social responsibility. Based on data collected from 292 employees from 53 companies (Study 1) and from 224 middle-level managers from 40 companies (Study 2) in mainland China, we found that both ethical leadership and external stakeholder pressure have significant and positive impacts on corporate social responsibility implementation and the positive effect of external stakeholder pressure on corporate social responsibility weakens under a higher level of ethical leadership and strengthens under a low level of ethical leadership. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.
The impact of prestigious top management team on international alliance formation: Evidence from Taiwanese electronics firms
Authors: Wang Yu-Kai (Mike)
Published: June 2015

Forming strategic alliances with foreign organizations is critical for firms, as it can enable them to access external resources globally. However, because firms, especially those in emerging economies, may possess less legitimacy in foreign countries, potential foreign alliance partners may lack satisfactory organizational information to adequately evaluate them. By applying signaling theory, this study argues that alternative sources, such as the prestige characteristics of the top management team, play an important role in signaling the quality of firms. Additionally, this study expects that the effects of the prestige characteristics of top management teams on the formation of international strategic alliances are lessened when the number of prior international alliances increases. The empirical results support our arguments. Overall, this study contributes by bringing signaling theory into the research of the formation of international strategic alliances.
Autocratic Legislatures and Expropriation Risk
Authors: Wilson Matthew Charles , Wright Joseph
Published: June 2015

An important question for international investors concerns the relationship between political institutions and property rights. Yet a debate remains over whether authoritarian institutions promote favorable investment climates. Using data on oil nationalization in a sample of autocracies, this study finds that legislatures are correlated with lower expropriation risk in non-personalist dictatorships, but a higher risk of nationalization in personalist regimes. The results show a consistent pattern between authoritarian institutions and property protections, for which context matters.
Pharmacogenomic and pharmacogenetic-guided therapy as a tool in precision medicine: current state and factors impacting acceptance by stakeholders
Authors: HESS GREGORY P. , FONSECA EILEEN , SCOTT RACHEL , FAGERNESS JESEN
Published: June 2015

Pharmacogenetic/pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing is currently available for a wide range of health problems including cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, mental health disorders and infectious diseases. PGx contributes important information to the field of precision medicine by clarifying appropriate treatments for specific disease subtypes. Tangible benefits to patients including improved outcomes and reduced total health care costs have been observed. However, PGx-guided therapy faces many barriers to full integration into clinical practice and acceptance by stakeholders, whether practitioner, patient or payer. Each stakeholder has a unique perspective on the role of PGx testing, although all are similarly challenged with demonstrating or appraising its cost-to-benefit value. Coverage by insurers is a critical step in achieving widespread adoption of PGx testing. The acceleration of adoption of precision medicine in general and for PGx testing in particular will be determined by how quickly robust evidence can be accumulated that shows a return on investment for payers in terms of real dollars, for clinicians in terms of patient clinical responses, and for patients in terms of economic, health and quality of life outcomes. Trends in PGx testing utilization and uptake by payers in real-world practice are discussed; the role of pharmacoeconomics in assessing cost-effectiveness is highlighted using a case study in psychiatric care, and several issues that will affect adoption of PGx testing in the United States (US) over the next few years are reviewed.
Islamic Law States and Peaceful Resolution of Territorial Disputes
Authors: Powell Emilia Justyna
Published: June 2015

This article argues that specific characteristics of the domestic legal institutions of Islamic law states shape these states' choices of peaceful resolution methods in territorial disputes. After providing original data on the characteristics of Islamic legal structures, I systematically compare pertinent rules of international dispute resolution methods and Islamic law. I demonstrate empirically that not all Islamic law states view international settlement venues in the same way. Secular legal features, such as constitutional mentions of education, supreme court, or peaceful settlement of disputes have the power to attract these states to the most formal international venues—arbitration and adjudication. On the other hand, Islamic law states whose legal system is infused with Islamic religious precepts are attracted to less-formalized venues.
The Forgotten History of the Chilean Transition: Armed Resistance Against Pinochet and US Policy towards Chile in the 1980s
Authors: FIGUEROA CLARK VICTOR
Published: June 2015

The history of the transition to civilian rule in Chile largely overlooks or marginalizes the role of the armed and confrontational forms of resistance to the dictatorship. This article traces the pre and post-coup history of the Left's engagement with armed forms of struggle and evaluates the effects their incorporation into the struggle against the dictatorship had upon the regime and the Reagan administration. It concludes that armed resistance was a major factor in determining US policy to Chile during the 1980s, and therefore played an important role in the transition as a whole.
Enacting Agrarian Law: The Effects of Legal Failure in Post-revolutionary Mexico
Authors: LANDA MÓNICA M. SALAS
Published: June 2015

The agrarian body of law created by government legislators and jurists in the aftermath of the Mexican Revolution (1910–1920), sought to restore pueblos’ juridical standing by allowing communities to hold land collectively in the form of ejidos. Yet, state efforts to restructure property relations in the countryside often articulated with local alternative territorial projects that challenged the implementation of these redistributive legal measures. During the course of 50 years, cattle ranchers from the community of El Huanal in Nautla, Veracruz, defended private property, resisted land expropriation, and prevented the establishment of an ejido in the community. How did rancheros achieve this? How did they respond to the pressures of ‘peasant’ mobilisation? How did post-revolutionary legal discourse come to frame this struggle over land? What changes did this failed attempt to implement land reform trigger in the region? Looking closely at the conflicts, interactions, negotiations, and everyday practices that unfolded among a variety of actors around the interpretation and the applicability of ‘the law’, this article demonstrates how the agrarian reform, despite never having been implemented, altered both the material landscape and the social configuration of this community of coastal Veracruz.
Verbless predicative structures across Romance
Authors: MUNARO NICOLA
Published: June 2015

This article develops an analysis of a verbless predicative structure attested throughout Romance: in this type of reduced clause the predicate linearly precedes the subject and is separated from it by a clear intonational break, while the missing verb is interpreted as a silent copula. I argue that this structure should be viewed as the result of three movement steps: the first step is to be identified with predicate inversion, that is, extraction of the predicate from the complement position of the predicative small clause to a higher specifier position thanks to phase extension, followed by raising of the predicate to the specifier of SubjP to check the EPP feature, and finally to the specifier of the left-peripheral projection FocusP in order to check a focus feature. The present analysis is based on the crucial, and independently motivated assumption, that the process of phase extension, produced by raising of the small clause internal relator R° to a higher functional head F°, is limited to small clauses associated with individual-level predicates. The verbless predicative structure is then compared to an analogous construction in which the preposed predicate is preceded by awh-item, arguing that, despite their apparent similarity, the two structures should be clearly distinguished.
Increased prevalence and geographic spread of the cardiopulmonary nematode Angiostrongylus vasorum in fox populations in Great Britain
Authors: TAYLOR C. S. , GARCIA GATO R. , LEARMOUNT J. , AZIZ N. A. , MONTGOMERY C. , ROSE H. , COULTHWAITE C. L. , MCGARRY J. W. , FORMAN D. W. , ALLEN S. , WALL R. , MORGAN E. R.
Published: June 2015

The nematode Angiostrongylus vasorum is becoming more widely recorded globally, and is of increasing concern as a cause of disease in dogs. Apparent geographic spread is difficult to confirm due to a lack of standardized disease recording systems, increasing awareness among veterinary clinicians, and recent improvements in diagnostic technologies. This study examines the hypothesis that A. vasorum has spread in recent years by repeating the methods of a previous survey of the fox population. The hearts and lungs of 442 foxes from across Great Britain were collected and examined by dissection and flushing of the pulmonary circulation and microscopic inspection of tracheal scrapes. Sampling and parasite extraction methods were identical to an earlier survey in 2005 to ensure comparability. Prevalence of A. vasorum was 18·3% (exact binomial confidence bounds 14·9–22·3), compared with 7·3% previously (5·3–9·9, n = 546), and had increased significantly in most regions, e.g. 7·4% in the Northern UK (previously zero) and 50·8% in the south-east (previously 23·2%). Other nematodes identified were Crenosoma vulpis (prevalence 10·8%, CI 8·1–14·2) and Eucoleus aerophilus (31·6%, CI 27·3–36·2). These data support the proposal that A. vasorum has increased in prevalence and has spread geographically in Great Britain.
Panic disorder and incident coronary heart disease: a systematic review and meta-regression in 1 131 612 persons and 58 111 cardiac events
Authors: Tully P. J. , Turnbull D. A. , Beltrame J. , Horowitz J. , Cosh S. , Baumeister H. , Wittert G. A.
Published: June 2015

Background.

Substantial healthcare resources are devoted to panic disorder (PD) and coronary heart disease (CHD); however, the association between these conditions remains controversial. Our objective was to conduct a systematic review of studies assessing the association between PD, related syndromes, and incident CHD.

Method.

Relevant studies were retrieved from Medline, EMBASE, SCOPUS and PsycINFO without restrictions from inception to January 2015 supplemented with hand-searching. We included studies that reported hazard ratios (HR) or sufficient data to calculate the risk ratio and 95% confidence interval (CI) which were pooled using a random-effects model. Studies utilizing self-reported CHD were ineligible. Twelve studies were included comprising 1 131 612 persons and 58 111 incident CHD cases.

Results.

PD was associated with the primary incident CHD endpoint [adjusted HR (aHR) 1.47, 95% CI 1.24–1.74, p < 0.00001] even after excluding angina (aHR 1.49, 95% CI 1.22–1.81, p < 0.00001). High to moderate quality evidence suggested an association with incident major adverse cardiac events (MACE; aHR 1.40, 95% CI 1.16–1.69, p = 0.0004) and myocardial infarction (aHR 1.36, 95% CI 1.12–1.66, p = 0.002). The risk for CHD was significant after excluding depression (aHR 1.64, 95% CI 1.45–1.85) and after depression adjustment (aHR 1.38, 95% CI 1.03–1.87). Age, sex, length of follow-up, socioeconomic status and diabetes were sources of heterogeneity in the primary endpoint.

Conclusions.

Meta-analysis showed that PD was independently associated with incident CHD, myocardial infarction and MACE; however, reverse causality cannot be ruled out and there was evidence of heterogeneity.
Terrorism and the Fate of Dictators
Authors: Aksoy Deniz , Carter David B. , Wright Joseph
Published: June 2015

The authors study the influence of domestic political dissent and violence on incumbent dictators and their regimes. They argue that elite with an interest in preserving the regime hold dictators accountable when there is a significant increase in terrorism. To pinpoint the accountability of dictators to elite who are strongly invested in the current regime, the authors make a novel theoretical distinction between reshuffling coups that change the leader but leave the regime intact and regime-change coups that completely change the set of elites atop the regime. Using a new data set that distinguishes between these two coup types, the authors provide robust evidence that terrorism is a consistent predictor of reshuffling coups, whereas forms of dissent that require broader public participation and support, such as protests and insurgencies, are associated with regime-change coup attempts. This article is the first to show that incumbent dictators are held accountable for terrorist campaigns that occur on their watch.
Satisfaction with social care services among South Asian and White British older people: the need to understand the system
Authors: WILLIS ROSALIND , KHAMBHAITA PRIYA , PATHAK PATHIK , EVANDROU MARIA
Published: June 2015

National surveys show that people from minority ethnic groups tend to be less satisfied with social care services compared with the white population, but do not show why. Research indicates that barriers to accessing services include lack of information, perceptions of cultural inappropriateness and normative expectations of care. Less research has examined the experience of minority ethnic service users after they access services. This study conducted in-depth interviews with 82 South Asian and White British service users and family carers, the majority of whom were older people. Thematic analysis was used. The key theme was understanding the social care system. Participants with a good understanding of the system were more able to adapt and achieve control over their care. Participants with a poor understanding were uncertain about how to access further care, or why a service had been refused. More White British than South Asian participants had a good understanding of the system. There was more in common between the South Asian and White British participants' experiences than might have been expected. Language was an important facilitator of care for South Asian participants, but ethnic matching with staff was less important. Recommendations include better communication throughout the care process to ensure service users and carers have a clear understanding of social care services and hence a better experience.
Children's abstraction and generalization of English lexical stress patterns
Authors: REDFORD MELISSA A. , OH GRACE E.
Published: June 2015

The current study investigated school-aged children's internalization of the distributional patterns of English lexical stress as a function of vocabulary size. Sixty children (5;3 to 8;3) participated in the study. The children were asked to blend two individually presented, equally stressed syllables to produce disyllabic nonwords with different resulting structures in one of two frame sentences. The frame sentences were designed to elicit either a noun or verb interpretation of the nonword. Children's receptive vocabulary was also assessed. The results indicated that children more readily blended syllable pairs that resulted in trochaic-compatible word structures than in iambic-compatible structures. This effect was strongest in young children with large vocabularies. As for stress placement, all children were sensitive to the effect of word structure, but only children with the largest vocabularies were sensitive to the biasing effect of grammatical category (noun = trochee; verb = iamb). The study results are discussed with reference to the observation that speech motor skills develop in tandem with lexical acquisition and the hypothesis that phonological knowledge emerges in part from abstraction across lexical representations.
The national web-based outbreak rapid alert system in Norway: eight years of experience, 2006–2013
Authors: GUZMAN-HERRADOR B. , VOLD L. , BERG T. , BERGLUND T. M. , HEIER B. , KAPPERUD G. , LANGE H. , NYGÅRD K.
Published: June 2015

In 2005, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health established a web-based outbreak rapid alert system called Vesuv. The system is used for mandatory outbreak alerts from municipal medical officers, healthcare institutions, and food safety authorities. As of 2013, 1426 outbreaks have been reported, involving 32913 cases. More than half of the outbreaks occurred in healthcare institutions (759 outbreaks, 53·2%). A total of 474 (33·2%) outbreaks were associated with food or drinking water. The web-based rapid alert system has proved to be a helpful tool by enhancing reporting and enabling rapid and efficient information sharing between different authorities at both the local and national levels. It is also an important tool for event-based reporting, as required by the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005. Collecting information from all the outbreak alerts and reports in a national database is also useful for analysing trends, such as occurrence of certain microorganisms, places or sources of infection, or route of transmission. This can facilitate the identification of specific areas where more general preventive measures are needed.
Nonlinear and threshold of the association between meteorological factors and bacillary dysentery in Beijing, China
Authors: LI Z. J. , ZHANG X. J. , HOU X. X. , XU S. , ZHANG J. S. , SONG H. B. , LIN H. L.
Published: June 2015

Previous studies examining the weather–bacillary dysentery association were of a large time scale (monthly or weekly) and examined the linear relationship without checking the linearity assumption. We examined this association in Beijing at a daily scale based on the exposure-response curves using generalized additive models. Our analyses suggested that there were thresholds for effects of temperature and relative humidity, with an approximately linear effect for temperature >12·5 °C [excess risk (ER) for 1 °C increase: 1·06%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0·63–1·49 on lag day 3] and for relative humidity >40% (ER for 1% increase: 0·18%, 95% CI 0·12–0·24 at lag day 4); and there were linear effects of rainfall (ER for 1-mm increase: 0·22%, 95% CI 0·12–0·32), negative effects for wind speed (ER: −2·91%, 95% CI −4·28 to −1·52 at lag day 3) and sunshine duration (ER: −0·25% 95% CI −0·43 to −0·07 at lag day 4). This study suggests that there are thresholds for the effects of temperature and relative humidity on bacillary dysentery, and these findings should be considered in its prevention and control programmes.
Duration of syphilis symptoms at presentations in men who have sex with men in Australia: are current public health campaigns effective?
Authors: CHOW E. P. F. , DUTT K. , FEHLER G. , DENHAM I. , CHEN M. Y. , BATROUNEY C. , PEEL J. , READ T. R. H. , BRADSHAW C. S. , FAIRLEY C. K.
Published: June 2015

The rapid rise in syphilis cases has prompted a number of public health campaigns to assist men who have sex with men (MSM) recognize and present early with symptoms. This study aimed to investigate the temporal trend of the duration of self-report symptoms and titre of rapid plasma reagin (RPR) in MSM with infectious syphilis. Seven hundred and sixty-one syphilis cases in MSM diagnosed at the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre (MSHC) from 2007–2013 were reviewed. Median duration of symptoms and RPR titres in each year were calculated. The median durations of symptoms with primary and secondary syphilis were 9 [interquartile range (IQR) 6–14] days and 14 (IQR 7–30) days, respectively. The overall median titre of RPR in secondary syphilis (median 128, IQR 64–256) was higher than in primary syphilis (median 4, IQR 1–32) and in early latent syphilis (median 32, IQR 4–64). The median duration of symptoms for primary syphilis, secondary syphilis and titre of RPR level did not change over time. Public health campaigns were not associated with a significant shorter time from onset of symptoms to treatment. Alternative strategies such as more frequent testing of MSM should be promoted to control the syphilis epidemic in Australia.